Bailey Family Hotspot

2011-07-27T11:39:00.001-05:00

hello

- Having a ball, wish you were here!

TAA DAAAA!!!

2011-05-26T12:59:00.000-05:00

Drumroll please..........

After two months of painstaking work.....

And nearly bleeding fingers and eyes......

The first offical Bailey Family Travel Publication to hit the World Wide Web.....

Is HERE!!!

Happy Mother's Day from your long lost children (and Grandchildren)

2011-05-08T19:55:00.000-05:00

We just want you to know, no matter how far we roam, we are always thinking of you back home! All our love!
Randy, Liesl, Grey and Lilli

The boys tested today

2011-02-26T14:16:00.001-06:00

For their yellow belt-green stripe
I think they passed...

YouTube Video

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This one's for you Aunties...

2011-02-26T12:09:00.001-06:00

Grey is slowly becoming Harry Potter......(it's a little bigger than it looks)

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Grey loves Lego's

2011-02-21T12:27:00.001-06:00

And now Grey realizes he needs to build and put them away when he is done. Ahhh. Music to a mom's ears. So he asked me to take a picture of his fabulous T-Rex he made this morning so he can remember how to build it again. Then he put the Lego's away. Joy :)

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What does a 6 year old do with.....

2011-02-20T17:56:00.002-06:00

.....a couple of Lindt truffles from Valentines day?

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Temple Grandin Dinner

2011-02-18T18:13:00.001-06:00

Sitting here eating turkey dinner, waiting to listen to Temple Grandin speak with my sweet friend Briana. So excited to hear what she has to say!

Well, she didn't disappoint. She was definitely a hoot to listen to, very funny. Also, a dynamic speaker, who was very candid about what she believes. Several things I walked away thinking about were:
1. True diversity in education being about learning styles more than about race.
2. Addictions in children, aided and abetted by parents and medicine, such as, video games, tv, high doses of medication and lack of exercise and nutrition.
3. Geeks are needed in this world too-they might not relate to people as well, but their achievements cannot be overlooked. Think Tesla, Einstein, Edison and more.

There was also a book store supporting the Autism Society of MN where she signed my book.

It was a nice evening out. I learned something, was uplifted, and felt like being a better wife and mom when I came home. Time well spent.

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Location:Rochester

Backyard I spy

2011-02-17T08:27:00.001-06:00

I spy a ringed rooster, pecking nearby.......

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Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T18:45:00.001-06:00

Grey with the giant heart he made for decorations.

Dinner-heart shaped pancakes with strawberry syrup and whipped cream-yum!
Cherry limeade and pink milk to drink.
This was a fun day,
Happy Valentines Day everyone!!

(and yes, Randy did get me flowers)
The End

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Grey went bowling

2011-02-14T09:07:00.000-06:00

All the first grade classes at Gibbs Elementary took a trip to the bowling alley for Valentines Day. They then got to go back and have lunch and exchange valentines. What a party filled day!! I was lucky enough to go with Grey and help out his particular team. They randomly assigned 1st graders a lane. Grey got to be on the same team as his good friend Adam--who happens to be in another class. He had a great time. And he got a strike!

After returning to the school I got to eat lunch with Grey then head home. We had plans that evening for more treats and fun. Happy Valentine's Day!

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Dinner with the Sio Family

2011-02-05T21:08:00.000-06:00

You might have been wondering why we drove to the cities in our last post. Well we were on our way to share a meal with the Sio's-some of our nicest friends. We asked them to break us in for our Asia trip coming up so they took us to Hoban. We can now highly recommend them! Great food, served family style with lots of little dishes. We had a great time.

They were also kind enough to let us quiz them on what to see in China and more on our trip. We learned about the sights in Hong Kong, the Cu Chi tunnels in Saigon, and the must have eats in Singapore. They were a wealth of information as Andy is from Hong Kong and his sweet wife, though raised in the states, served a mission and was an exchange student in asia. Thank you for your help Sio's!!

We also had a great time playing with little Devin. He turned 1 a week later. Happy Birthday Devin!!!

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Truck stop goodies

2011-02-05T11:26:00.000-06:00

There once was a truck stop in Cannon Falls Minnesota, where a little girl needed a potty break.

She went on inside,
and came out nearly hog tied!

Because her jerky stick was THREE FEET LONG!!

That's right folks, think of the possibilities.........

Not only can you eat it in the front seat and the back.....

But siblings can share almost two feet each of meaty goodness. Kinda makes you all wanna come visit, don't ya?!?

This past week...

2011-01-30T20:05:00.001-06:00

Well, I was sick again this last week so my kitchen looks like this......

BUT....the bright spot is that I got to create something while down.....

And this is my lovely valentine's day craftiness. Fun. Now I think I'll go clean the kitchen....and get some rest....zzzzzz

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Kids say the darndest things...

2011-01-28T19:40:00.001-06:00

-Lilli
When told we were having ice cream for dessert-she stated that she would like 3 ice cream cones. Papa told her she would get as much as he thought she could eat. She replied "OK, but I can eat THREE cones."

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Location:All over

Lilli is learning TKD

2011-01-27T20:24:00.001-06:00

.....from Papa. She really wishes she were old enough to go with the boys, but in the meantime this will have to do.

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Saturday....in the car

2011-01-26T13:51:00.001-06:00

Just a little joy of motherhood moment....both of them enjoying a movie on Papa's phone.

No fights, just laughs and smiles together, isn't life grand.

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A light at the end of a long tunnel.....

2010-05-11T13:46:00.004-05:00

I know what you are thinking, such a whiner, but seriously, it's been a little hard to function fully without Randy being around much the last two years. He's here and not here at the same time. Tonight he has his last test EVER, and NOW, he's going to graduate on FRIDAY!! I can't be more thrilled for him. He is thrilled. I'm still thrilled. The kids are thrilled. I even think his new calling won't be as bad--even if he's gone 3 nights a week. At least he's gone! And I don't have to worry about interrupting him as much. WAHOO!!! We have both learned a lot about ourselves, our limits, and our hopes and dreams. Much has changed. We've laughed and cried, had soaring joy and deep pain, but it has been a wonderful teaching experience. I've learned where true 'rest' comes from, how to rest while still being completely crazy busy, and how to preserve better our family relationships. Just so you know, we haven't been dormant the last two years. We have had a hard time--and wouldn't trade it for the world! We have also done a couple of cool things......and here they are (in no particular order). Enjoy!

Seashells at the beach in Auckland

We were on the other side of the world, Sydney!

Opera House, from our yacht! Just kidding, it was our ferry.

Skiing at Welch Village

and my personal favorite.....Mike Wozowski!

okay...I'm jumping on the confessions wagon...

2009-11-22T21:44:00.003-06:00

1. I love how I haven't posted anything for over a year and a half. It makes me want to laugh and cry all at the same time. You see, that's when Randy started his MBA.
2. I'm lonely too. Randy works alot and is working on his MBA alot. I'm also too shy and awkward to do anything about it.
3. I'm not sleeping. More sleep studies to come!
4. I love Thanksgiving and I'm excited to have it with friends this year.
5. I LOVE the midwest, the rolling hills, fields of grain and all the beautiful TREES everywhere. I think I helped make those--forests of green.
6. I'll be happy for Randy and sad for me when he finds a job back out west.
7. I want to move to a foreign country NOW!
8. I also want to throw out all my stuff and backpack there--hippie tendencies--YES!
9. I hope this Christmas goes off without a hitch--everyone satisfied.
10. I want to do better in everything
11. My pumpkin soup is to die for....oops there goes another one!
12. Nothing I wanted to got done yesterday.....there is, thank Heavens, this weekend to catch up!

Annual Transportation Fair in Rochester

2008-06-17T23:06:00.004-05:00

The fair is so great every year--lots of kids but lots of trucks and anything that drives too!

Grey got to see one of his favorite characters while there...CLIFFORD! He was very excited. I had to make him wait and take turns with the other kids, that was hard

Thumbs up up and away!

Here's a picture for Grandpa! Sitting in a John Deere!

The mail lady was packing up her truck an hour early--just as we were trying to get pictures--she still had a route to deliver!

Grey's first time in a school bus!

After the trucks they just wanted to play on the pretend ones at the park.

After all that they were pretty tired, but they were so good, I bought them each an M&M cookie. Grey loved it, Lilli still has to figure out that there is yummy cookie underneath the milk chocolate that melts in your mouth, not in your hand.

Time to catch up so....here we go!!

2008-06-17T22:39:00.003-05:00

I've got too many pictures to post and not enough time so I'll just start on the first and keep going......tomorrow that is!

One Sunday morning it was a little hectic, I ran the kids downstairs to get them some food--fast--then ran back up to finish something else. I guess it was a little too long, because this is what we found after coming back downstairs!

Then is was off to the local zoo with our son's preschool group. They had a great time!

Sorry about the sideways pics but they are so cute!

Okay....so I was tagged a while ago.....

2008-04-21T23:03:00.002-05:00

....but I didn't look at my friends site so..... Here it is!!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet, current car): GMC (never have had my own pet)

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Vanilla Flip Flop

3. YOUR NATIVE AMERICAN NAME (favorite color, favorite animal): Red Leopard (rroarrr)

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, city where you were born): Katrina Hahn

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): Baili (hmmm)

6. SUPERHERO NAME (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Green Smoothie (ug--but funny)

7. NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): This one is fun--by nicknames I'd be SPUD PETE or PETE NAD but with names I'd be Keith Renaldo or Renaldo Keith

8. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Benson Baltimore

9. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower): 4th of July Chrysanthemum (sounds like the month's bouquet)

10. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Apples Undies

11. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Eggs Pine

The Children's Museum - up Nort, Eh?

2008-04-21T22:29:00.006-05:00

We --last minute-- went to the children's museum when Randy was out of town one week with the Sivertsons. We had loads of fun and times of terror--security got called on missing Spencer and Drew S. --once a piece. Lilli fell off a chair and got her (and mine as a mommy) FIRST bloody nose and mouth. Grey had a good time--complete with elegant face paint. I just love how they have that set up for the kiddo's--do your own face paint with mirror and fun! They also had a SUPER fun Sesame Street exhibit (where we took most of our pics) and all the kids didn't want to leave it!

The kids on the 'street'--wouldn't get together to pose......huh.

Lilli playing chess in the park--papa is very proud!

Grey was a little bummed Oscar wasn't home but was smiling anyway!

Spencer found his favorite part of Sesame Street!

Grey loved the home made toys.....what a tall guy!

Two cute kids getting the face paint....

.....and since that wasn't enough.....shaving with face paint!

Drew crawling around being cute!

Easter Dress Up

2008-04-01T10:34:00.003-05:00

Here is Grey and Lilli in their Easter finery! (FINALLY!) Lilli got a beautiful dress and Grey is in his very FIRST SUIT. They both looked smashing and just FYI--Grey picked out his suit all by himself!

Daddy's Work

2008-03-04T13:31:00.003-06:00

The benefit of Randy working at a Large truck company and having a little boy who still thinks big trucks are cool!

Grey was a little more than excited. Here is a nice big eight wheel drive military vehicle we got to sit in and walk around. There was a little window in the front for the driver to see what he is pulling up to and Grey and Lilli had lots of fun looking through and laughing at each other!

Grey loved the firetruck best of all. I'd say LIlli did too! He got to turn on all the lights and ring the siren and horn. It was great. Lilli and I climbed in the back and she ran back and forth looking out each side window waving Hi! She would also giggle every time Grey honked a horn or made any kind of noise. She's the noise one!

Indian Food

2008-02-09T14:57:00.000-06:00

A little while ago I decided I like Indian food--sight unseen, and decided to take an Indian cooking class with a couple ladies in the ward who don't drag their feet as much as I in December (thanks Lorinda and Amy!). Just before that we had a dinner night with Randy's work--some subcontractors from India are there doing work for McNeilus and invited all the engineering department and families to have a night at the new Indian Curry House in town. The food was GREAT!! and the kids were a hit--only two of three there. The Indians were a hit with Grey and Lilli too! (soaking up the attention!!) by the way the Indian cooking class was great--highly recommend it--even if your kids won't eat it........hmmm......

Okay....

2008-02-09T14:50:00.000-06:00

I just felt I had to post this since I noticed a funny pattern in the following pictures. They were all taken different days and yes, Grey IS wearing the same shirt in all of them. NO it's not his only shirt and NO he doesn't wear it every day--he averaged once a week last summer as it was his favorite. HE HE!!!

What a BUSY month!!!!

2007-07-22T23:25:00.000-05:00

We've had quite a big one over here. Mommy and Daddy need to catch up on our sleep but lets review shall we....

First it was off the the transportation fair the weekend after we got back from our trip. Okay, it was May but I still need to post these cute pictures. We went with the Olsen's in our ward, they are Grey's favorite play buddies and all around great guys! Here's Grey and Zach sitting in a big trash truck (or Papa truck as Grey calls them) and yes, they just had to honk the horn!

Here's all the Olsen kids--Savannah, Jessica, Zach (R-L)with a helmeted Grey in the back of a real military Hum-vee! They also had guns on display so you can guess where dad was...

The funniest part of the day was when Grey put on his new fire helmet all by himself--as you can see, he thinks it just a big baseball cap!

Grey also got up close to a back hoe--he hid from Mama and Papa in it.

Next it was off to soccer classes--these ones were really cool as they would do gymnastics for the first half then a soccer skills/game for the second half. Grey had the most fun in the Gymnastics section--here he is on the balance beam!

Grey had classes once a week for a month. He really enjoyed them. They had a great teacher. Here he is coming off of a summersault. He learned how to do them finally!!! Wahoo!!!

Then it was off to park days after soccer--our ward sponsors park days for anyone who wants to come--they have a schedule and you just show up! This was the covered bridge park in Zumbrota--a little drive up the highway. It has the ONLY covered bridge left in Minnesota. We had fun playing at the castle before we went over to see the bridge. Grey got to swing, and then try his art of scaling walls before mama came over and he decided it wasn't such a good idea anymore.

Then it was off to the covered bridge at the other side of the park. We went with our good friends the Bessette's. The kids had fun running around the bridge, peeking out windows and taking pictures.

Here's the Bessette family with one Bailey and one Orchard thrown in the mix. The Orchards are our resident red-haired family and are all so cute. The Bessette's have six children but take in anyone who wants to go so they are the fun to hang out with! From the left we have Natalie B., Annalise Orchard, Grey Bailey, Cami Sue B., Will B., Alora B., Brenden B., the little spark plug of the bunch Becca Rose B. and the mom who does it all with grace, Wendy Bessette.

NEXT, it was off to Ohio for my cousin Tommy's wedding. We had a day to kill before we invaded Uncle Jeff and Aunt Cindy's place so we went to the Marblehead lighthouse--one of my favorite places. It was a day that it was open and the museum was hopping. We had lunch on the grounds and then climbed the 77 spiral steps to the top!
Here is our little man with the lighthouse.

Grey of course, had to climb all 77 steps BY HIMSELF and screamed whenever we tried to help him so up he went, and yes he climbed back down by himself too!

Here's our little family at the top of the lighthouse! What a view--we could see Perry's Monument over on middle bass island!

Lastly for you height phobes (like me) here's a view looking down the staircase. It was a little unnerving being able to see all the way down through the steps like that but I made it! Whew!

2007-07-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

Here's our little girl from another angle. Of course I'm just tickled that she is finally crawling but that will wear off in a week or so I'm sure....

Here's our BIG little girl!!

2007-07-10T08:32:00.000-05:00

We are just tickled that Lilli has finally decided to crawl. She is up on all 4's and has discovered the advanced freedom it brings! Watch out world!

Rodos

2007-06-28T09:02:00.000-05:00

Here's the beautiful island of Rodos(Rhodes), Greece. It is so close to Turiye (Turkey) that you can see the mountains and land of Turkey across the channel. The port was the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant man made out of metal that straddled the harbor entrance. An earthquake knocked it down. After being taken over by a sheik, who carried off the pieces of it, no trace of the colossus has ever been found. The city of Rhodes is a medieval fortress, mostly built up by crusaders. They would live on these islands around the eastern Mediterranean and base operations to the holy land from them. In the meantime, it was a grand party, each different language of knight had its own house along a street in the main part of town. One for French, Italian, German, etc, and for the dialects in between. At the top of the street was the castle for the head knight or grand master of the order of the knights Templar, order of the rose. Yes it really existed. We also explored the acropolis of Rhodes, which in Greek islands is the highest point on the island, closest to the gods, so usually a temple existed there. The temple was demolished when the knights came so only the foundation exists next to this lovely fortress of a church. It once housed monks and one edge of the hilltop is a smaller fortification we got to explore, and the other end has a huge cross. Here's the pics.....

The old church....

The old tower overlooking the outdoor, yes outdoor, baptismal font, surrounded by metal railing.

Randy and Grey along one wall of the fortification on one end of the hilltop.

Boys will be boys, they found an old well and had to just spit to see how far it went. Well we couldn't hear the spit hit so we threw pebbles down it and it took at least 7 seconds to hear a hit. That was one deep well!

Grey at the doorway to the fortress.

The boys overlooking the island of Rhodes and perhaps you see a mountain in the mist of Turkey?

Another neat thing about this acropolis, wild peacocks! They were sounding off and showing their plumery to all the tourists!

Sevastopol Ukraine

2007-06-06T15:39:00.000-05:00

Sevastopol Ukraine is located on the Crimean Rivera! A beautiful stretch of beachfront property that has been fought over for centuries. Hey, after those winters in Russia, you know why they kept it in their country. It now is somewhat independent but the Russian navy still has a rather large base of operations there. We were there just a couple of days before victory day, so lots of men in uniform. It was a beautiful town that had recovered as all the money from tourism and the navy flowed into it. They were in the midst of several civic projects while walked around and the park by the waterfront had free concerts going on. But first we decided to take a drive in the country....

This is a beautiful monument we saw on our taxi ride through the riviera. We don't speak Russian or Ukrainian and our 'guides' didn't speak any english hardly so I don't know any of the names of the places we went....alas.....

Here's us on top of the hill behind that monument overlooking the black sea and riviera. Beautiful views!!

By this monument there were a couple of restaurants, a shop, and a few stuffed animals--Grey with one bear. There was another bear on top of the hill with a falconer and past this bear was a stuffed wild boar, but you had to pay to take a picture of him.....

Here's another place we don't know what is called but it was a beautiful church. I think one cab driver said it was a little chapel built by the czar's mother for her grandchildren.

Since I love eastern religious art I had to snap a picture of at least one icon....fitting to be a Madonna and child.

Last but not least, Alupka palace, where Churchill stayed during the famous Yalta conference. Yalta was farther down the road so we never made it--it was at least an hour and a half drive back to Sevastopol where we were docked. First the gardens, complete with palm trees and then the main entrance courtyard of the palace. It was lovely and all in bloom when we were there.

Lilli loves Grey

2007-06-05T12:50:00.001-05:00

So here's a video I finally figured out how to post. Lilli only truly laughs for her big brother. All he has to do is say 'Hi' and she's happy!

Odessa, Odessa

2007-05-25T11:28:00.000-05:00

The Paris of the Black Sea--this is a beautiful town full of culture and otherwise. As we were there on a Sunday, everything was closed. We also couldn't find the local branch so we just walked around. The only thing that was open were the casino's. Odessa has tree lined boulevards, low buildings and wrought iron parks.

These are the Pushkin steps. They were the site of a workers rebellion in 1905, supported by the crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin. After the crew mutinied, the residents of Odessa gathered on the harbor steps to show their support, they were later 'immortalized' in a film called "Battleship Potemkin", in 1925. There are 192 and they lost ten of them when they rebuilt the harbor. They appear to be so large because at the base they are more than 100 feet across and slowly narrow as they ascend to less than 50 feet at the top. Nevertheless, it is still a nice climb, as Keyton demonstrated after we climbed up them then down again. For the faint of heart there is a little cog wagon to the side you can take. At the top is a statue of Pushkin.

Randy decided he needed a workout and to run up them with Grey. Grey had a good time. Good thing the ship does have a doctor.....

Typical wrought iron in parks there, a beautiful and old gazebo.

Typical building there, half in repair, half in disrepair. It seemed to be the theme in this region of the world, where no one ever really recovered from the war (WWII).

A naval memorial statue.

Grey riding a lion at the palace, now the local government uses it for official business. The palace, not the lion....

Ephesus--the Last installment

2007-05-23T14:25:00.000-05:00

Here's an ancient sundial recovered from Ephesus--and a special shout out to Adam Beehler--thought you might like it!

My favorite picture of the day--our very own Lilli goddess! I just hope none of my museum mentors see this.......

My second favorite pic--a mer-Grey!

Lilli had no trouble turning on the charm in Turkey. The Turks love children and all she had to do was flash a smile and they were pinning evil-eye's on her like crazy. At the last shop of the day the man went ot pin one on her, went to one side, saw some, went to the other side, saw some more, then threw his hands in the air, put the evil-eye in a bag and handed it to us. They have these as kind of a tourist thing but it is cultural--an old superstition. If your child is beautiful or good or any other good qualities, they give you an evil eye to ward off jealousy, evil thinking or bad spirits. Lilli was very protected that day!

Here's a slightly suprised Lilli in her Turkish dress. Grandma bought it for her as it was her 6 month birthday this day in Kusadasi/Ephesus. Happy birthday Lilli!

Ephesus--Part Deux

2007-05-22T07:50:00.000-05:00

Look real Epheisans! Just kidding, obviously, but they had a nice display going, complete with fanfare, juggler, and Emperor.

Just some more Ephesians, what nice clothes huh? I know you want some...
And the Emperor is to the right in front of the canopy.

Grey playing in the poppies and ruins. The poppies were everywhere! What a beautiful colorful touch to the ruins.

Grey and cousin Morgie. He just loved being with his cousin on this trip. He's still asking for her and the boat.

Here's what a 'typical' upper class residence of Ephesus looks like at the museum. Not bad eh?

Ephesus

2007-05-20T13:09:00.000-05:00

So, you know Paul's epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament--well here it is! The town that is. Paul preached there (see Acts 19 I believe) and incited riots. Well, the people who made the statues of Artemis (or Diana) didn't like that he was preaching against false idols so they started the riot, they didn't want to lose buisiness. The town once housed around 250,000 people, rivialling Rome. It was one of the most important shipping ports in the Roman empire. Also, next to this town was the Temple of Artemis (see 7 ancient wonders of the world) and now there is only one pillar from it left. The town was facinaing--it was a port on the Aegean near where three rivers flowed into the sea, but not long after Paul preached there, the rivers and inlet filled up with silt. The town was abandoned over night and forgotten. These ruins are some of the most complete in the ancient world. Even complete houses with frescoes and mosaic floors are perfectly preserved.

This is the modern entrance to Ephesus with map and overlooking the Roman Senate building (it would seat 1000).

This is the public toilet. Just one of those fun pictures. Grey thought they were facinating but the little lady next to him was afaid he'd fall in so she held his arm while I took the picture. We all got to try one on for size and they were cold. Marble. They also were for socializing as there were at least twenty spots all next to each other. Also water was diverted through it and between the seat and your feet to keep it fresh and inspire you--as our guide said.

Here is the great library--at one time it rivaled the one at Alexandria.

This is the top of the ampitheater looking down. It would seat around 25000 spectators and was the site of Pauls' preaching and subsequent rioting. I am at the bottom to the right wearing white, with Grey and Lilli. The group of people at the bottom next to us were a bunch of jolly Italians singing a lively tune, testing the acoustics. They are quite good in Roman ampitheaters, even of this size. There were three main levels and the very top was fenced off--probably don't want someone killing themselves or something--but it was a nice hike anyway!

These are my proud boys. Randy went up first and took some pictures then Grey decided he didn't want to be with the Italians and I. Incidently, he climbed all the way to the top (or as far as you can go) by himself. He's quite the climber! Did we ever have that much energy?

This is looking from the ampitheater down the port street. The end of the street in the distance there, marks the ancient waterline. Ephesus is now 5 miles inland. For those of you with LDS bibles, the picture in the back is looking up port street to the ampitheater.

Lastly, here is Randy and Grey leaving the ampitheater. It is amazing to walk through it and be under it!

And here's the original idol (no not Kelly Clarkson) that started it all. They have her housed in a a special museum nearby.

Lastly--for this posting--here's a shout out to all our med school friends--a medical corner. The physician would sit by this--during office hours--and see patients at this street corner. Of course this is the lower class area of town, if you lived on the other side of Hadrians gate, he made housecalls!

More of Ephesus later!

The Ship....

2007-05-18T10:12:00.000-05:00

...had fun things to do like special dinner nights. Here Randy and Lilli are wearing their dutch hats from dutch night, along with Randy's parents, Ken and Linda.

Grey is also modelling the chef's hat (sans clothing) that he wore for Master Chef's dinner night.

Seriously though, he and Lilli did look cute in their fancy dress. We were stopped almost every night on our way to our dinner table by other tables of people wanting to take pictures of them. It would take us at least fifteen minutes on nights Grey was in his suit and Lilli her dress. We only had to walk about 50 feet.

The four of us also did a 5k walk for the cure on board one morning--the picture is of us crossing the finish line. I know, I know, but Randy insisted on carrying them both so he could get a good workout, you'll also notice Lilli fell asleep. We got t-shirts and pink lemonade afterward.

Grey and Randy also had fun going to the pool as much as possible, here they are flexing their swimming muscles for the camera. What cheesers! We love them anyway!

Our trip

2007-05-18T07:17:00.000-05:00

Here's the first port--Istanbul. It is a beautiful town and you can see the sights from the water as you come in. Here is the blue mosque and the Hagia Sophia. The Blue mosque was the largest mosque in Islam for a long time and at one point had more minarets (towers)than the one at Mecca--of course the one at Mecca now has 7. The Hagia Sophia was the largest christian church for 1000 years--built even before the great cathedrals of Europe. It has minarets because it was taken over by the Muslims but is now a museum with the best frescos and mosaics east of Rome. Randy and Grey are in front of the Hagia Sophia and Randy's sister, Robyn, her husband Brandon and kids, Keyton, Morgan, Korshten, Jaden, (l to r), with Grandma Bailey, Randy and Grey are in front of the Blue Mosque. We went to a Turkish rug shop and had Turkish apple tea (like hot apple cider), learned about rugs and Grey got to sit on a special seat. Grey also tried his hand at photography during lunch and took picutres of myself and his cousin Morgan.

Easter

2007-04-25T08:16:00.000-05:00

Since we couldn't be with family we thought we'd post all our pictures from Easter. There's the baskets, eggs hiding, hunting, and eating candy with Randy and Grey. Also, everyone looked so cute in thier easter outfits! Thanks Grandma's!!

Brother and Sister

2007-04-25T08:10:00.000-05:00

Here we are posting lots of pictures of the two of them. They really love each other. Grey is a great big brother and Lilli, well, Grey is the only one, still, who can make her laugh! So in the picture of Lilli, Grey is the one she's smiling at. Grey also makes some funny faces at times!

Winter Festival in Rochester

2007-03-09T08:11:00.000-06:00

We headed downtown one day to see the ice sculptures but unfortunately I forgot to charge the camera before we left so this is all we got. This is us in the Freedom Plaza downtown with the main scene--all made of ice of course--and the street lamps in the scene really worked! Behind this was a fabulous Chinese dragon but again, ran out of juice in the camera. We had a fun family outing looking at the sculptures then wandering around the mall to get warm!

Passport Time!

2007-03-09T08:06:00.000-06:00

We discovered that we can print our own passport pictures at home so we had some fun trying to capture the right look on Lilli. She's going to be a world traveller this summer when we go to the eastern Mediterranean! As you can tell she is already prepped and ready to go!

Grey and His Mural

2007-03-09T08:04:00.000-06:00

Here is our little artist with his first wall mural. I know, don't encourage it but I had to record it for posterity, right? It was just one of those days as you can tell, he still has peanut butter and jelly on his face and needs a comb, but hey, they only are two once!

Two and Three month Pics

2007-03-09T08:01:00.000-06:00

Here's Lilli, just growing like a weed!

Update....

2007-02-03T10:18:00.000-06:00

Grey had his surgery this week and came through like a champ. He is doing really well. He has already popped open a suture but the doc said it's okay. He can't push anything, ride a bike or run too much for the next three weeks but he's proving that he's able. Thanks for all your support and well wishes this week. We had lots of fun with Randy's parents coming to visit. They were a big help so I could focus on Grey and Grandma got to take care of Lilli. She misses grandma already! The funniest thing that happened at the hospital was that while Grey went into surgery, the anethesia resident was a member of our ward and I saw five other members of our ward while I was waiting gur the surgery. In case you don't know, Mayo is a really big clinic/hospital with at least a dozen buildings so running into so many ward members at same place, on one day in a couple hour time frame was neat! More later! ~Liesl

After the wedding....

2007-01-22T08:55:00.000-06:00

We went to Wyoming to do a little playing in the snow, since we haven't had much in rochester (weird huh...) So here's us sledding and sleddin'. And a beautiful picture of the valley. All sledding and pictures courtesy of Randy's dad (thanks grandpa!)
Hard to believe but we really miss playing in the snow and being out west in the mountains. The bad part of our trip was that it only lasted a few days and we got stuck in weather going up and coming back, so less time in Layton too!! We still loved seeing family though and getting to have a little fun!! Thanks everyone!

Cute Kids!

2007-01-21T22:49:00.001-06:00


...Grey has this large dump truck that he loves to push around the house, some of the time a little too fast!! He also loves to fill it with toys and dump it out. Saturday he wanted to push little sister around in it. Momma said okay as long as he was really careful. As you can see, they both loved it. Look for Lilli's excitement at the end!!

Jared and Karma's wedding

2007-01-21T22:00:00.000-06:00

So the real reason we went out to Utah was to go to Uncle Jared's wedding to Karma Hart. It was a wonderful sealing and a fabulous time had by all. You probably won't be able to tell by our poor quality pictures but Karma is a knockout! Way to go Uncle Jared! Grey also enjoyed exploring the temple grounds and helping his great uncle Tim put away tables! While we were there Lilli also got her first real bath (no sponging here) by Grandma!

Proud Family

2007-01-21T21:34:00.000-06:00

Here's the proud family!! We were so glad to have all of Randy's and Liesl's siblings come (except Uncle Kris the missionary) as well as both set's of Grandparents! It was wonderful. First is our pretty girl in white with her papa. Next is the proud Aunt Robyn holding on!! Then we have the proud Grandma's (Bailey on left, Mygrant on right)The bonnet Lilli wore was once one that Grandma Mygrant and all her sisters wore. Next we have 'The Aunties' (all of Liesl's sisters)Megan by mom, then (L)Ingrid and (R)Olivia. And last but not least, Liesl's best cousin Joni who came with her two cute kiddo's. What a day!

Good Friends at the Blessing

2007-01-21T21:27:00.000-06:00

Here's our good friend's we hadn't seen in a WHILE! Kyle and Emily (with the tounge) and the Beehlers (Adam, Sara, Lauriannah)

Lilli was Blessed

2007-01-21T21:22:00.000-06:00

What a special day! This just was the icing on the cake! After the fabulous wedding and luncheon, we had a little down time and came back to the church to bless Lilli. There were lots of friends and family that came, some of whom we haven't seen in 2-3 years! Of course we had the big group shot and the priesthood circle. Back row (l-r) Adam Beehler, Kyle Chapman, Jared Mygrant (uncle), Brandon Scott (uncle); Front row (l-r) Grandpa Ken Mygrant, Randy "papa" Bailey, Grandpa Ken Bailey.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-21T21:20:00.000-06:00

Sorry it took so long to re-post. Alot has happened in the last few weeks. Lets re-cap....

Grey and His car

2006-12-31T19:46:00.001-06:00


this christmas

2006-12-25T22:57:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas one and all! Grey had a lot of fun with Christmas--apparently he thinks that "Ho, Ho, Ho!" is what you say as you open presents. Here's footage of him opening his BIG present this year. It was a very CARS christmas. Lilli was oblivious of course but we think she had the christmas spirit with her smiles! We had a lot of fun with our two dolls, they were the real treat this year!

2006-12-21T17:17:00.000-06:00

Just in case we didn't get you a card this year (those have been rare) we wanted to let our friends a family know we love them, miss them, and wish them the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of a new year!

2006-12-21T17:14:00.000-06:00

Here is our 'Joe Cool' ready for a day out on the town. Good thing he doesn't need glasses to see!

2006-12-20T10:43:00.000-06:00

Here's one for the watch me grow file--a one month picture!

2006-12-20T10:42:00.000-06:00

Here is our pretty little girl just looking--and she's a looker!

2006-12-20T10:17:00.000-06:00

Hello friends and family,
This is our new blog spot to help keep the communication alive! We hope to post lots of pictures of Grey and Lilli and our adventures here in Rochester. After laying Lilli on the floor for her daily exercise, Grey decided he needed a blanket and to lay out too! He mostly held her hand and told me about her. He didn't want his picture taken but Mom managed a quick snap between train movements. We love you all and miss you lots! May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Randy and Liesl