Christmas

Christmas has come and gone. It was a great Christmas! I am so grateful for family and for the things we do together. (Some day I might even try my mom’s trifle that she makes every year) We have started our own family traditions with Maggie and I am so grateful for Natalie as she spearheads that. Lights at the mall, wearing new PJs Christmas eve and a few more.
I am so glad the snows hit when they did and we avoided any trouble. I am also glad for a light weight snow shovel. We got several storms and I was glad it was the light powder and not the heavy back breaking wet stuff.
Now I look forward to a new year but not before I reflect back on all that has happened this past year. But I do not have time right now to expound on that.

More Much Watch Christmas Movies

My first post on this was back in Oct. I have more to say:
Home Alone
The Santa Clause (Tim Allen. the first not 2 or 3)
Christmas Carol (with George C Scott or Captain Picard)
Love Actually
Santa Baby
Meet the Santa's

One movie with Kelsey Grammer playing Santa Jr but I don't remember the name
Wish I could find that one on TV again

I am grateful For feel good movies set at Christmas

I never want to grow up (Sometimes)

Last year for my birthday my brother got me a desk missile launcher. I had a a ball all year with it. I had it at work for awhile but had to bring it home.

This year he once more surprised me with a small remote controlled helicopter. While it does not do a lot of tricks etc it is a ball to play with none the less. Maggie loves watching it and the dog just buries her head.

Randy and I have decided that we can combine both presents and have two people play. One to fly the copter the other trying to shoot it down with the missiles.

Oh I can hardly wait till next year to see what I can add to my arsenal.

Traffic Cameras

Today’s drive to work was a small mess. I am grateful for traffic cameras on the internet. I often will look to see what the roads look like between work and home so I can adjust my leaving time.
My ops manager lives in Layton so he has a longer drive than myself. This morning it took him 2.5 hours to get to work . We looked at the cameras and he left early for home so he could be there in time to pick up his daughter.
Modern day is sweet in a lot of ways….

Older siblings

The other day Maggie was so tired and all Randy had to do was look at her and she would start laughing.

I am so grateful that my children all get along. We were together last night at my mothers house to celebrate birthdays and the whole family got along.

Maggie is so lucky to have older siblings that not only look out for her but love and adore her unconditionally (yes Josh I count you in that group too!)

Deodorant-

I have never known a time in my life where deodorant was not available. I do appreciate this invention…you know what I am talking about if you ever have hung around a teen boy who has not yet discovered the reason, no, I should say the need, to use it.
As times get tougher, lets hope people do not decide to stop buying this needed item as a way to save money.

A good (and easy) Shoe Shine

I don’t remember where I herd it, but someone once said, “Next to a great smile and firm handshake, and great shine on your shoes is the best first impression.” When I was on my mission we used to shine the shoes by scrubbing the shoes, rubbing in the paste, let it dry, rub the excess off and then buff and shine like crazy with a nylon.
A few days ago I had to shine my shoes and it was a simple rub with the applicator and let dry for a minute and presto…nice black shine.
I can honestly say that I do not miss the old way of doing things.

Garbage Pick up

Our day for garbage pick up is Mondays. Today I noticed a truck coming into the subdivision and I thought how grateful I was that we had them.
Even though we are not part of the “city” and need to pay a private company to do the pick up, I am still grateful.
If you think of the alterative, you would have to bag up the trash and somehow get it out to the landfill and then unload it. Between food smells and some of the diapers I think…well, let’s not think about that thought.

Great Neighbor Youth

Yesterday as I was driving home I noticed that the closer I got on my 20+ mile drive the more the snow was sticking to the sidewalks. Soon I knew I had to look forward to shoveling my walks.
As I turned on our street I noticed more driveways than usual shoveled. As I pulled up to the house, lo and behold mine were shoveled!!! I was so excited, then I wondered who did them? Nat has done them before but I knew she was busy with the baby all afternoon and Randall was at school.
When I went int he house I asked and Natalie told me that 2 of the neighbor boys (well, one is 18 and the other 15) had stopped by and just shoveled. She told them they did not have to but they just laughed at her and went on shoveling. When they were done with my driveway they went next door and started there.
These two young men are the best in the world. I admire them so much and am grateful to them for my walks but also for just knowing them. Thanks Matt and Mark you guys rock!

Several thoughts

I have not posted for a while since work has been crazy. (Once I get home any spare time I had was spent on “City of Heroes” (they came out with a new game update).
But this does not mean that I am not grateful.
First: I had a birthday so I am grateful I made it yet another year.

Second: My wife made me the best apple pie for my birthday (I do not care for cake too much)

Third: I have great kids and love them all. Also my family is great (and Nats) Last Friday the Bradfords went to the Electric light parade and we had a ball. Maggie got alot of taffy that was thrown. (She wont eat it but Natalie loves the stuff)

Fourth: I have a job that allows Nat to be a stay at home mom. (Last week a guy called into work crying since he did not know how he was going to get his latest Expense report processed since his boss and himself had just been laid off. 200 people on that round ooowww)

And last but not least: It looks like it is snowing in the mountains but only raining in the valley which I really appreciate!

What a day

So today is one for deep thinking and looking back etc. (It is also one for feeling old and proud of how far I've come)
It's my birthday and I am so grateful to be here....
Of course I do not feel or look as old as I really am. Sometimes it's hard to remember how old I am (guess that could be a sign of old age...)
Anyway, today I am grateful for my life and all that are in it.

Burps (reprint form 2007)

I wrote the following back in 2007 when I first started this blog. It still holds true. More so now as I see the need of the baby to burp, well at least when she was younger. Now her burps are just plain funny.

I must admit that I am grateful for burps. Not listening to others burp or even myself, but sometimes the relief that comes after a good burp is like nothing else. I also am glad that burps happen cuz if they did not everything would get out another way and that could be bad (if you know what I mean)

Playing with my child

Yesterday Nat was trying to rest so I took Maggie into her room and we read a few books, then played with some of her toys. I saw a Jenga game we had there so got it out and started to build a tower. Maggie watched and tired to knock it over. I would put a piece on and say “Wait…” then she would wait till the next piece and I would say “Wait..” once I got it 4-5 high she would look at me and I would say “OK” at which time she would smash it and laugh.

I am so happy to come home to a wonderful wife and daughter. We are very blessed to be able to have Natalie be a stay at home mom with Maggie. True we go without some items but do not seem to miss them. (whatever they are)

We also went to see the lights turned on at a local shopping mall. (see Natalies blog for more details)

Life is good and Christmas time makes it that much better!!!.