Bling Bling!

I got a shot of Carrie's interim engagement ring when they were here the other night. It is so pretty (even for being fake)! And it looks gorgeous on Carrie's hand. You done good, Kirk.

Uhh...Carrie? You sure you up for this? Just kidding, Kirk!

I tried to get a shot of the lovely couple - Kirk was himself as you can see.

This one looks a little American Gothic-esque.


There they are! What a good looking newly engaged couple!

Can't wait to see what you guys choose for your "real" rings!

Congratulations Kirk & Carrie!!!

Well, this is the best news of Christmas!!!   Kirk and Carrie are engaged!!  I am so excited and happy for both of you!  Kirk, you are so fortunate to have found such an incredible, amazing girl - Carrie is a rare and precious gem, and we all love her!  I could never have dreamed up a more awesome girl, or a more perfect match for my wonderful brother.  It is plainly evident - to anyone who has seen you together - that you belong with one another. 

Congratulations on your engagement.  

"My density has brought me to you...."  (George McFly)

The Bailey's Got Elfed!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1669771816

I karate chopped a tennis ball because they were after me again.

Pick the month you were born:
January..... I kicked
February... I loved
March....... I karate chopped
April......... I licked
May.......... I jumped on
June......... I smelled
July.......... I did the Macarena with
August...... I had lunch with
September. I danced with
October..... I sang to
November. I yelled at
December.. I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1............. A birdbath
2........ .... A monster
3............. A cardboard cutout of Luke Skywalker
4............. A tennis ball
5............. A snowman
6............. A gangster
7............. My rat
8............ My tutu
9............. My lampshade
10............ My toe
11........... My booger
12............ A banana
13............ A fireman
14............ A stuffed gorilla
15............ A goat
16............ A pickle
17............ Your mom
18............ A towel
19............ A Smurf
20............ A baseball hat
21........... A ninja
22............ Chuck Norris
23............ A noodle
24............ A squirrel
25............ A football player
26............ My cottage cheese
27........... My pineapple
28............ An iPod
29............ A surfer
30............ A llama
31............ A homeless guy

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:
White..... Because they were after me again.
Black....... Because my underwear were tight.
Pink........ Because nobody was looking.
Red........ Because the voices told me to.
Blue......... Because I'm cool and I do what I want.
Green..... Because I think I need some serious help.
Purple.... Because the world thinks I'm wonderful.
Gray....... Because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow.... Because I was bribed by the president.
Orange.... Because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown.... Because the clown was crying.
Other..... .. Because the aliens left their chip in me.
None...... Because I'm a ninja.

Happy Anniversary Susie and Tyler!

8 Wonderful Years Together!

Can you believe a year after Sara and Lee's wedding, we got to do it all over again?! By this time we were professionals! After spending the summer secretly betrothed to Tyler, and with everyone at the river calling her "Mrs. Wilson", Susie and Tyler were engaged! Everyone freaked out because Susie was just a wee babe of 19 years. Even though Tyler was "the older man", he was young at heart and a perfect match for Susie. I was reading over an old letter Susie sent me from her first year of college at UCSD and she talks a lot about "her friend Tyler" and how they would go work out at RIMAC together. I think their first date may have been some Halloween function and Susie went dressed at "White Trash" (not a far stretch - I mean, she is from El Do Co!). The fact that Tyler knew what her Swan Song necklace was must be an indication that these two were meant for each other.

Luckily Tyler made it to the temple in time for the ceremony (I think he was 45 minutes late - but I have nothing to say on that topic), and they became "SusieandTyler". You guys were so cute! And regardless of the professional pictures, you looked like a couple o' kids in love. I must say that the "Purple Tents" aka the bridesmaids dresses actually were pretty cute. The reception was, again, one for the record books only this time I think we had some actual kitchen help. Of course, we danced the night away in true Steed fashion as we watched the slideshow that Dad made. My favorite part, however, was not on that night but a few nights later when I go to go to the open house in Visalia AND wear the "purple tent". I was so excited - just ask Mom.

Susie and Tyler, after eight years together you two seem just as in love as the day you were married. Your home is a welcoming place full of devotion and generosity - just as your marriage. Here's to another eight years (and more!). Happy Anniversary Susie and Tyler!

Sunday After Church Photo Shoot

We had a little mini-photo shoot after church since the kids were looking so cute and festive in their outfits. Paige was wearing a "Carissa Dress" hand-me-down special and she looked like such a little lady!

Here she is posing in front of the Christmas tree she put up in her room.

This is how she posed when we told her to lay in front of the tree.

Paige and Ben breaking the world record for cuteness.


I can feel the love from here!

Ben was excited for his turn at a solo shoot. Here he gets a little help from Paige and Mom.

He thought it was hilarious!

Uh oh....starting to lean....

More leaning...I think he's going down!

Looking a little frightened...

...but he's ok! And smiling again!

I need to figure out how on earth he did this. That is some kind of crazy David Blaine levitation trick or something!

We hope all of you are enjoying the Christmas season too!

Snugglers

Lately at our house, we start the night out with only two people sleeping in our bed. In the morning we awake to four! Last night, Jeremiah gave up and went up to sleep on the air mattress.

I liked the fact that after I got up at 7:15, these two snuggled for another hour and didn't wake up until 8:15!

A Downtown Surprise

I took a walk the last week, and stopped in at the Los Angeles Public Library, as I often do, to see if there was a new exhibit on the second floor. But before I got to the exhibit (which was still the old one), I came upon this humongous Christmas tree in the second floor rotunda. It was HUGE! I walked over to it, circled around it a few times, and then just stood there and smelled it for a few minutes. The next day I brought my camera and took a picture of it. I didn't think that the city of Los Angeles condoned or funded symbols or religious significance (which to me, the evergreen Christmas tree is), so I was pleasantly surprised to see this one. Maybe they decided to stick it on the 2nd floor beneath the politically incorrect historical murals (of the Spanish priests converting loin cloth-clad native Americans/Californians). Who knows for sure.. But I do like the tree.


See how big it is compared to that guy?

The rotunda has a really cool ceiling. And globe chandelier.

Looking down into the bowels of the library. The Escalators go down like 6 floors. And straight across there is a big sky walk where you can go read.

Nobody Doesn't Like Sara and Lee!

Happy 9th Anniversary Sara and Lee!
It seems like just yesterday that I was at school in Provo when the phone rang. It was Sara calling to ask me if I could drop everything and fly to Los Angeles in two weeks. Whatever for, I thought to myself. Well - I think we all know the answer to that one! Luckily Brett and I did not die on the landing into Las Vegas airport (even though it came mighty close - "Assume the crash position!" "Adjust the rudder! More slack!" "We're goin' down!") and we were able to make it to Sara's first apartment on Zelzah where Susie gave us her honest opinion of Sara's dress ("Hmmm....it's nice!"). Erin and I snuck into Costco behind this old lady who we were pretending to be related to so we could order the sheet cakes. The next day at the temple we made Kevin do laps (he was just a little guy - 12 years old) and we waited for the newlyweds to emerge. Later on at the reception we used the only knife we could fine to perform all the kitchen duties - I've never slathered more cream cheese on ham slices in my life! We danced the night away (K-Ci and Jo Jo anyone?) and filled up on petite quiche, jalapeno poppers and other assorted Costco finds. I won't even bring up the toasts...needless to say it was a wonderful reception and you could tell the love that Sara and Lee had for eachother. I always rememember that time with such fondness.
The nine years that have passed since that day have proven what a great match these two are. Can you believe they had only known eachother for a few months? Sara and Lee your marriage is a incredible model of a true partnership. You are a constant example to me not only with your marriage but with the way you have raised your children. I love you guys!

The Bradford Family

Here we are at the non-denominational holday train in Chatsworth.

Christmas in the Southland

We had a very fun Saturday yesterday. After wrapping up the Tropicana Twisters season, we got into the Holiday mood by heading to none other than our local Home Depot for a tree. We were in and out of there in about 10 minutes flat. But before we could decorate it we were invited to a party at the Director's Guild of America in Hollywood. My friend's husband works there so we enjoyed their children's party. I have no idea if we were in the company of the next great movie director, but we sure enjoyed the loads of food, jump houses, cartoons screened in a huge theater, gifts for all the kids, and of course, Santa. We opted out of the ridiculously long Santa line, but we did see Scooby and Tweety!

And we enjoyed the big slide!

The real excitement, however, was the Holiday Train. The Metrolink decks out a train with lights and singing reindeer, etc., then makes stops at various stations and puts on a show. It was really cool, especially the fake snow and streamers they capped it off with. The kids were totally stoked. Here comes the train!

We ran into our buddy Noah; they were really excited, as you can see.
The kids especially enjoyed the reindeer who sang the Polar Express songs.And Carissa ran into Shannon!!!!!!! I mean, they hadn't seen eachother in like 24 hours!!!

El Dorado Hills Tree Lighting

We ventured out into the cold on Saturday for the 2nd Annual Tree Lighting in El Dorado Hills. There actually weren't as many people there as I thought there would be. It was very enjoyable!

We got all bundled up in our hats, scarves and gloves (or glove in Paige's case - she only found one).

Here Janie and I do our lesbian couple impersonation.


The Fam


Janie and Paige enjoy a moment together listening to the cover band.

And we even got our picture taken with Santa! Paige told us that "Last year I didn't like Santa. I didn't like his eyes." Well this year she DID NOT want to sit on his lap. And really, I can't blame her. I was kind of scared of his eyes too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Our Day in San Francisco

Here are some pictures from our day with Erin in San Francisco.

Crooked Lombard Street with a view of Coit Tower up on Telegraph Hill.

The (wilted) Botanical Gardens
Evan loved the Cable Car Museum, though he thought he was looking at a bunch of choo choo trains.
The Painted Ladies
We got to see the de Young Museum that Brett engineered/managed.
The Palace of Fine Arts
And of course the Golden Gate Bridge.
Well, Erin, we're glad you skipped out on work and carted us around the city. I don't know how you run up and down all those hills. You're in way better shape than Brett and I (as is apparent in the above picture) "Thank you for sharing a wonderful day!"