DECEMBER 2009

Happy Birthday to all of our family members who had December birthdays.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US...BOB AND REE!!! IT IS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 37 YEARS SINCE WE WERE MARRIED ON DECEMBER 15, 1972.
Bob, I love you more each day...thanks for being my wonderful husband!!
I am writing my blog for December on the last day of the month, New Year's Eve. It's been a long month in some ways. Recovering from my surgery went pretty well. But to end the month and the year, I have a cold...something I hardly ever get! I'll try to remember most of the things we did this month, but if they don't make sense, it's because of my stuffy head and cold medication.
The month started as usual with me working at JetBlue, and Bob traveling as usual. I had my surgery on Wednesday, November 25th, and on Sunday, November 29th, Bob left for Ruston, LA. He was supposed to come home on Friday, but his flight got cancelled. They had snow in Louisiana and didn't know how to work their snowblower.
Bob and I were both supposed to go together to pick up Tatum so she could stay with us. But, since he didn't make it home, I drove to Elko, NV to get her and bring her back with me. I met Monica and Ariel there. We talked for about 15 minutes and Tatum and I headed back to Salt Lake.
It was really fun trying to drive with my stitches! My friend gave me a little child's swim circle to sit on so my stitches wouldn't hurt! That didn't work because the thing made my knees hit the steering wheel, so I couldn't use it. So, I just kept adjusting my little pillows under me! That was fun!
Tatum didn't want to leave Monica to begin with. This was her first Utah trip without Ariel or Monica with her. But she got used to me really quick and we had a nice drive back. Bob had gotten home from Louisiana about 4pm, and we got home about 7:30pm, so we hardly saw him at all. He had to fly out to Hershey, Pennsylvania early on Sunday morning.
Tatum and I had lots of fun together the first week she was here. We played lots and lots of games! She is so much fun!! We listened to and sang Christmas songs and watched all the Christmas specials on TV. It was great to have a six-year old here to fill our home with the Christmas spirit.
Bob came home from Pennsylvania Friday evening with lots of "Hershey's" chocolate treats. I think Tatum was glad to have someone here besides just me, especially because "Mr. Bob" is funner to have around.
Tatum spent the night on Saturday with her other grandparents and cousin Megan, then on Sunday, she went to church with us. She made sure she called her Mom and sister and Dad several times a day to check on them. She memorized all of their phone numbers within a day, and I'm sure they enjoyed all of her calls and messages.
She also went over to Angela and Richard's (or "in and out Richard snot bird") to play. She loved their kitties, especially their newest kitty, Penny.
Bob and I kept her busy (or she kept us busy) the whole time she was here. On Tuesday, December 15th, Bob and I had our 37th wedding anniversary! The next day, we went downtown Salt Lake to stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel. It was so much fun--especially with Tatum joining us!!! We checked in, had a quick snack downstairs, we took the Trax train over to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. It was so beautiful! The weather was cold but it wasn't snowing or windy. When we first got there, we went in to the "Barrett" Assembly Hall to listen to one of the many choirs performing for the holidays. We really enjoyed that evening. After seeing all of the lights, we warmed up by walking through the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Then, we took the Trax back to the hotel and played games and watched a movie. We made Bob go get dinner for all of us...out in the cold...all by himself!
On Friday afternoon, December 18th, Ariel and Monica flew to Salt Lake for the week-end. Tatum was so cute at the airport waiting for them. It was hard because their flight was delayed, but they were finally back together. We had fun with them that week-end and went out to eat with Angela and kids to one of Monica's favorite restaurants, "La Frontera." That Saturday night, the 3 Evans girls stayed over at their "Papa and Freaky's" house, then spent Sunday with us. It was a short trip, because they flew home on Monday morning.
The rest of that week, Bob and I both worked from home. I have been on a leave of absence since my surgery, but have had lots of JetBlue homework. (We are switching computer systems in January, so I've had lots to learn.)
On Christmas Day, I cooked a yummy ham dinner. Angela, Richard and Ian ate with us, then we went to Bob's parent's home. We had a great visit with all of his brothers and sisters that were there. What a great family! I wished I could've been with my family in Florida, too. Maybe next year...I hope.
Two days before Christmas, Ian came over and spent the night with us. During the day, Ian and Bob went sledding at the park across the street. They had bought a cool new sled and it worked great. Bob realized he's not as young as he used to be. He got pretty sore! They also went the next day (Christmas Eve), but there were so many kids there, it was hard to go down the hills without an accident.
Today, New Year's Eve, Ian came over again to spend the day with us. He and Bob tried to go sledding again, but there were too many kids... again! Before Ian went home, we played a few games of Yahtzee. Then, Bob and I celebrated New Year's Eve at home by ourselves.
2009 was a great year, but I know that 2010 will be even better.
Happy New Year to everyone!!

NOVEMBER 2009

Happy Birthday to my granddaughter, Azure on November 9th!
Happy Birthday to my brother, Ron (Ronny) on November 11th!
Happy Birthday to my sister, Kim on November 14th!
Happy Birthday to my nephew, Trae on November 15th!
(I just heard that he just joined the army! Way to go and good luck to you, Trae!)
AND...a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE DADDY, JOE CHESSHER, who will be 80 YEARS OLD ON NOVEMBER 26TH!!!!

This month has started off very warm. The first week has been near 70 degrees or more every day! How great is that for winter so far...I'm sure it won't stay that way, but it sure is nice so far.
I started training at JetBlue for our new computer system. I started on Tuesday, November 3rd, and have finished the first week. My class goes from 6:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (I have to get up at 4:00 a.m.- YUK!!)
On Saturday, November 7th, Bob finished cleaning out our garage and finally got both our cars in. The problem is now for me not to hit the Expedition when I'm driving my little car (Chevy Impala) out. (I've already hit it once!)
Last night, November 6th, Anakhan and Ian went camping overnight for Boy Scouts. They went out to Stansbury Island. Bob let Ian borrow his camera and he took almost 100 pictures.
While the boys were gone, Angela and Richard went to a concert to see, "They Might Be Giants." Bob tended Azure and watched, "The Parent Trap" and went shopping together. (I had to go to bed early for work!)
Tonight, all of Angela's family are going to see "They May Be Giants" again for their family show.
Monday, November 9th, Azure will be 10 years old. I can't believe how old she is. She's a real cutie, and we love her so much! She already acts and dresses like a little teenager!
The next few weeks were pretty slow, and I just was busy working. Bob has been out of town a lot this month.
On Veteran's Day at Ian's school, the fifth and sixth grade classes put on a program to honor veterans. Great-grandpa Barrett (and great-grandma) came all the way from Bountiful to see the program.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I had to have bladder repair surgery the day before Thanksgiving. I spent the night in the hospital that night and came home on Thanksgiving Day. Bob was home on the week of Thanksgiving and was with me when I had my surgery.
After he brought me home, while I rested, he went out to Bountiful to have Thanksgiving dinner with his family. Sorry I missed visiting with everyone. Bob stayed out there for a couple of hours, and then came home. He brought me a plate of food, which I ate...even though I probably shouldn't have.
Ever since my surgery, a lot of ladies in our ward Relief Society have been bringing food in every night. I feel really spoiled. Bob and I are not used to having such good food in the house. I really appreciate their kindness. What nice friends I have! I just hope I can "pay it forward" and help others out when they are sick or have had surgery. I have been laying around a lot trying to get healed up. It's a little hard to sit, but I have really not been in that much pain.
I have had a leave of absence from work for my surgery and recovery. It would be a little hard to work when I can't even sit!!!
Thanksgiving Day, November 26th was also my sweet Daddy's birthday. He turned 80 years old!! He is such a wonderful person and has always been my hero. Except for his chronic pain in his hip, his health is pretty good.
I had originally planned to be there in Florida to celebrate his birthday, but because of my surgery, I had to put it off until sometime later. Hopefully, I will be able to go there around April 2010. We are planning a trip to go up to northwest Florida and Alabama where Daddy grew up. We are looking forward to it, so see you early next year, Daddy!!
Well, it's holiday season and we are really looking forward to it. Look forward to my December blog and I'll write all about our Christmas.