Christmas 2013 and Spencer's early 5th family birthday party.

We enjoyed having all of our children and grandchildren to our new home for Christmas this year. We did celebrate the weekend following Christmas Day which simply extended our holiday. 

Corinne and Ben's family came first. 

Here is Spencer sleeping next to new baby Henry. Henry looks most like this brother. 

Everyone except me went to the St George Children's Museum. The boys really loved all the activities there.

 Scott arrived next. Most all of our family enjoy playing games.

Here's a game of apples to apples. 

 Next Shannon & Brian and their babies came. Here are cousins Henry and Mima meeting for the first time. They were born two days apart. Mima is two days older than Henry.

 Here is cousin Buddy too.

 Cousins bonding on the playmate.

 We had a kids table + Daddy

 Daddy Brian and Mima chillin

 Close up of Mima

 Spencer got to go first opening a Christmas present

 Buddy climbing on his present

 Garrett and Richard examining gifts

 Scott got cash and a puzzle to put together so he knew what we intended for him to buy with the money.

 Shannon 

 Fred and me with our newest grandbabies

 Birthday time for Spencer. He turns Five on the 1st of January.

 Missing Mima and Buddy because they were napping. Shannon is going to photo shop them in later.

 Buddy has been sick with a high fever for a few days. Today when he woke up from his nap his parents were out on a walk so Grandpa got Blake duty. Blake just snuggled on Grandpa's lap for about 15 minutes. HE NEVER SITS STILL. We think it was his "I'm still not feeling totally like myself" causing this wonderful moment.

Will it ever end?

Good News First. Shannon and Mima came and stayed Saturday evening through Sunday evening. I did hold Mima a couple times, but she is already kind of wiggly at 2 months so I didn't dare do much more. Shannon made us some yummy enchiladas. It was just so nice to sit and watch tv and talk. I love seeing Shannon so in love with her new baby. 

Now for the crummy news. Yesterday I did wake up feeling not so great. Lots of discomfort related to the catheter.....slowly cleared up and I felt better the rest of the day. Woke up this morning feeling the same way, but it didn't go away. By noon I called the doctor to report what was going on. They gave me a 3:30 appt this afternoon to have an ultrasound to see if my catheter was still doing it's job and to take a urine sample and a culture. 

I tidied myself up somewhat....pretty hideous to be truthful, but anymore I just don't care how I look. Got to the doctor's office and they are in the middle of remodeling. The waiting room was like a sweat box. I got in to see the doctor at almost 5 PM. There were times that I really thought I couldn't wait any longer. It was really miserable. 

The ultrasound showed that my catheter is just right and my bladder is emptying "beautifully". I do have a bladder infection so as we left the nurse had my chart in hand and was going to call my prescription in to Walmart. Got to Walmart and they had no record of the prescription. Fred comes out empty handed with a phone number for the Walmart across the valley. We call them on Fred's cell phone and they have no record. We didn't see my doctor, but one of his associates (a woman Doctor, who by the way I will be switching to) and weren't 100% sure what her name was. Miraculously I remembered the doctor's clinic main number. They gave the after hour number so I called it while Fred went back in again to see if they had found anything. The doctor called right back and said "just give the phone to the pharmacy and I place the order". I answered with "well my husband is in the store and I'm in the car with the only cell phone". She said she would call the pharmacy. Fred comes out and says they found it and it will take a half hour. We drive over to Pollo Loco to get food in the drive thru so we can eat while waiting for the prescription. Well the drive through was so slow. We decided to take the food home figuring the prescription would be ready by now. NO - it wasn't. We got home at 7:30 PM. 

Fred and I are dumbfounded right now with how complicated and hard everything seems to be for us lately. I can't wait to go to bed tonight and sleep. 

Tomorrow Tomorrow is only a day away.

Surgery mishap

So I went into the hospital last Wednesday the 4th to have a lapascopic hysterectomy requiring a one night stay. I anticipated two weeks off before returning to work. After I was returned to my recovery room looking for my cute Lindsey Nurse, I was hauled back in for another procedure to repair my bladder that was nicked in the process of the other surgery. I had a couple blood transfusions, 7 units of fluid and also received some plasma. After both surgeries  were complete, I was transferred by ambulance from the Dixie Regional Health & Performance Center next door to the Dixie Regional Medical Center. Let me tell you that was about the worst thing I've experienced to date. Ambulance travel is not for the faint of heart. 


The first night was pretty horrible. My ribcage and shoulders would shoot with pain if I moved too abruptly. The poor respiratory technician and the night nurse didn't know what they had done to make me heave with pain. Luckily I got a heavy duty pain drip and a clicker to get a burst of added pain killer if I needed it. Needless to say, I slept a lot the 2nd day. I did get up twice to walk the halls. Isn't that a fun time? Takes two people to help you do that. One to push your IV & Catheter bag and one to steady you. 
It was nearly impossible to eat because you just can't get in the right angle for the tray to rest in front of you. Fred had to feed me soup the first meal. I'm always afraid to eat after surgery....pain meds can plug you up you know. Anyway, with the assistance of Muralax, that has not been a problem. The catheter is an experience. I have the big overflow bag. It's is great to never worry about drinking too much and having to get up to go to the bathroom. I get to sleep right through it. :)   But on the other hand I do not like walking around carrying a bag of pee which at times the tube gets air trapped in it so it causes a feeling of discomfort in a place that I do not enjoy. Fred is my pee bag manager. He is being really great about it. 
I'm not totally disabled, but in my mind it's like "I feel like crap, my stomach muscles scream when i move, I don't want to do anything for myself". I always ask nice and wait until Fred can wait on me. I'm not ridiculous about it, but why should I have to heave myself out of the chair and experience pain, when he can bring me the telephone or a drink of water. Really?
I called my neighbor who got the ball rolling to get meals brought in. It really does help. We have a ton of food already in our freezer to thaw and eat, but it's just not the same as a meal delivered to our doorstep. Shannon might be coming this weekend with one baby and I may ask her to do a little housework for me. Our Christmas tree stands bare in the corner of the living room. Scott set it up over Thanksgiving and then this happened. 
St George is experiencing freezing temperatures following a few days of snowfall so we too have shut down much like Bremerton does when it snows. The hassle with that is this home is new to us so Fred isn't sure how well it was built to endure these cold temps when this area is not used to it. He has been outside most days taking care of preventative measures to keep our house fully functioning without injury. I wish one of my girls could be here to help me, but they have babies and children and jobs to go to. I had planned on going to Shannon's while convalescing when i was expecting this not to be a big deal. Oh well, this experience is for my own good and opening my mind to the trials of others when they are having health challenges. It is so hard to function when you don't feel good. It is so important to check on others when they are under the weather. I'm not really into visiting with anyone. I have a cold on top of this and you know me the "cougher" so talking is a challenge. BUT I want to be more compassionate and thoughtful of others than I have in the past. I am actually quite selfish and self centered. Guess I'm getting my reality check here.

Two Three Generation Photos

Here is my Dad and my oldest brother Craig and his son Aaron.

Here I am with my Dad and my son Scott.

We had a nice relaxing day. There were three cooks in the kitchen and we put on a nice feast.

Learned a few tips from my sister in law to incorporate in my future cooking.

Fred hit some of the Pre-Black Friday Sales. He is getting ready to go back tonight and get up early in the morning again. He is a bargain shopper. 

St. George update

So last week we had overcast and rain beginning Wed or Thurs. It was kind of a comforting feeling I thought for a couple of days. The next thing I know on Saturday I emailed a friend to report how my expectations of sunshine here to improve my emotional well being had not come to pass because I was feeling so depressed and discouraged that morning. Well today I need to retract that statement because it was totally false. Today is sunny and I feel so refreshed. Honestly Saturday was a horribly emotional day for me. I actually started crying while I was writing my letter. I finally snapped out of it that afternoon and treated myself to go shopping. That was also a bust. I did wear my casual work shoes because my favorite walking shoes sprang a leak back in Bremerton. Well the ball of both feet were BURNING half way into my excursion. To make it worse, I couldn't even find a pair to buy while I was out. I was miserable when I got home because shopping just made me feel worse than better.

Now for happier stuff. We drove to Shannon's Sunday morning to meet them at church. my dad flew into Las Vegas Saturday night to come for a visit. We stayed for Sacrament meeting only. Little Buddy can't function without a nap. We didn't mind. Shannon had Mima (Copper) dressed in Shannon's baby dress that my grandma Waldron sent to me when Shannon was a newborn. It's even the one we had her blessed in. So Shannon did a double heirloom recognition for me and Dad. After church we enjoyed lunch and hanging around.

 Hanging out.

 Great Grandpa Burke and Mima

 This is my choke hold as I was trying to get Mima to look at the camera. 

 This is my non choke hold - see her face is covered up.

 Little Buddy's a walker. He is really good to hold Shannon's hand. When they get the mail every day, he can just about do it hands free.

Can never get too many pics of Little Buddy in his high chair.

I recently bought a new pay as you go cell phone that wanted to handle anything voice mail related in Spanish. Yes I did select English, but it did not fix the problem. I asked our Spanish speaking son in law Brian to fix it. He did. Thank you.

I took a few pictures from the picnic table that I usually eat lunch at. It's around the corner from work. I enjoy eating outside and then I go for a walk for 20-25 minutes. It's about 50 out today and with the sun on my back it's a perfect temp for outside. So I do feel the sunshine helps me.

 This is the mountain range to the north of my table.

 This is the mountain range to the east of my table.

I sit on the table on the left where the sun can shine on my back. 

My dad is here until Sunday and then will head up to see Corinne and meet Henry. Thanksgiving changed from being with none of my family to sharing it with Fred (of course) and my Dad, Scott, my brother Craig and his wife Lynette.

Daly Heirlooms

This weekend Shannon and Brian came up for the day bringing their two baby treasures. I just realized that in addition to these two little baby treasures, we also encompassed a few treasures from years gone by in the Daly Family.

I took these pictures of Little Buddy as we sat upon a pioneer wagon buckboard that had traveled the trek across the plains. In the background this old gas stove Fred said he can't remember a time when his family did not have it. His parents bought it second hand and it was used for canning and cooking outside. 

 Here is the family enjoying the backyard patio at Fred's parent's home. Little Buddy made himself right at home.

When we left the Daly's, we borrowed Fred's childhood wagon. We all talked about how we had to borrow Fred's wagon that was a gift from his parents that they kept when he left the home. Seems we should have been using it all these years. Oh well, we got to use it with Little Buddy. We think he enjoyed it. 

I have to say that we had such a wonderful visit. They only came up for the day. We left our play pen behind in Bremerton figuring when all of our children visited us in Utah they would come with their own pack n plays. Well Shannon and Brian forgot to bring it. At nap time we looked around the house thinking of what would "pen" in Little Buddy. We decided to try out our big soaking tub. Little Buddy put up no fight when we left him in there with lots of blankets for padding.....Grandpa comes in and says he could hear the water running. Yep, Little Buddy had turned on the faucets. We got a good laugh from that. The next and successful sleep area was the back of their car in the garage. Don't worry, we propped open the door to the house and it was not too hot or too cold.It was a wonderful day!

November blessings......

We spent the first weekend of the month in Provo to attend Henry's blessing. The two days were pretty full. First we took Corinne and the big boys to Wendy's for lunch. Ben stayed home with Henry. Next we took the big boys to Trafalga in Orem. There grandpa played mini golf in a new way which would be no rules, no score and no taking turns. Then we bought the tokens for the arcade games. Between all of us we earned almost 600 tickets, but that still just equals junk at the counter. Corinne went for a hair appointment and to buy two new pairs of shoes while we were gone for over three hours.

Next we met up with Scott and Cate for dinner at Firehouse Subs...YUMMY. We got to hear all the details for Scott's job offer with USAA in San Antonio TX. They will be moving there sometime around June. Scott graduates with his Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering in April. They are very excited.

We spent Saturday evening at Corinne's watching Monsters University with the family. Sunday morning we attended Henry's blessing. There were 5 baby's blessed. Following was a yummy roast beef dinner at Corinne's. As we were saying our goodbyes with enthusiasm, Spencer jumped off the couch into grandpa's arms and bumped his face on grandpa's shoulder and got a bloody lip. We had to leave amongst his injury. Poor little Spencer. I hope that doesn't dampen his enthusiasm next time.

Here is Grandpa Fred holding Henry. We didn't get any family pictures taken. I wish we would have.

Here's me. I don't know what's with my shirt? I guess that is fat that makes it look like that.

Here's our San Antonio couple.

We did have a very nice weekend. I even stayed awake all the way home. That doesn't happen often.

It is nice to come home after a trip. Back to the work of settling in.

Henry Ensign Thornton Welcome!

Meet Henry Ensign Thornton. He is Corinne's fourth son. His due date was Monday the 14th and Corinne so much wanted to have Henry born on my Mom's birthday which was the 4th of October. Two of Corinne's older boys were born early, so it wasn't unreasonable to hope for the best. Well Henry didn't make his appearance until the 11th, but that is my brother Craig's birthday. 

Henry's middle name is my Mother's maiden name. Each of my three older brother's were given Ensign as their middle name. My Grandfather's name was Horace Darwin Ensign, but he went by HD Ensign. He was quite an influential person in the growth and founding of the church in the Fresno and Clovis area of California. He and my grandma Laurine were called as Mission president's in Australia in the mid 60's and served in the New Zealand Temple after their mission. So my Mom was very proud of her Ensign roots. President Monson referred to my grandpa in one of his conference talks many many moons ago which is always exciting and makes your chest puff up just a bit. So anyway I just wanted to share the family history behind Henry's middle name. I know my Mom is so very pleased for Corinne to honor her family in this way.

Margot (Corinne's mom in law) is there to help. I'm so thankful for Margot. She has always been so good to my daughter. We will head up there in a few weeks to meet our little Henry. Another beautiful little boy for Corinne.

Welcome Long Awaited Granddaughter

Introducing our granddaughter who will continue to be known as Copper on line. If you would like to know her real name, please email me gayledaly@outlook.com. Here she is in her first picture that Shannon sent me at work yesterday.

First of many bows ahead!!!

 She is looking a lot more content and comfy here in Momma's arms.

Here is my Shannon feeling better today. Copper wanted to come into the world feet first, so Shannon underwent her second C Section. I think Copper looks like she is going to like the camera.

Here is Daddy Brian holding his 2nd mini me. Both babies look like Shannon too, but the Drees gene is pretty strong.

I get to take a couple days off next week to go and help out. I wish I didn't have a job. I want to be able to help Shannon longer. She will be recovering from a C Section, have a new baby and 14 month old baby. 

Anyone want to go and help?