Best things in life - Children and your first Grandchild

Uncle JD holding Luke

Luke cuddling with Mom
The best things in life;
Children (Jen and JD)

Four of us!

Here's what we look like after the 2007 year has had its way with us. JD finished his first semester in medical school, Jen and Clive survived their first year in Star Valley, Wyoming, and Dale is alive after the horrific accident on May 5th. Long journey is expected, but with physical therapy, he is making progress. It's good to be together at Christmas time.

Shots of Luke could be taken every where, and all day long!

Christmas jammies - comfy sweats this year

Here's the traditional Christmas Jammie attire at the Oakley Buxton home. We were ready to get into comfortable attire after a day of set up and take down for the big shin dig.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday week to you all

The Grand Finale Cobbler Cookoff (Blair Buxton and JD Buxton)
Hunter and Susan playing a few songs, i.e., Home on the Range, Oh Susanna and You are My Sunshine for the Sing-a-long!

We have had an enjoyable Christmas celebration (Christmas Eve with the Annual Buxton Eve party). We hosted it here in Oakley with nearly 50 folks. It was a western theme and every one was totally supportive. Food was good, and we had some worthwhile projcts and everyone helped take down afterwards. Here are a few highlights of the night.

Clive and JD holding Brilee and Luke
Dale and Nan with Brilee

JD Buxton

Nan, The Sheriff was in town!

December 20th

It's Nan's birthday (That's Dale's sister for anyone reading this who doesn't know). She's here at our home and has been here for a few days (cooking dinners, taking Dale to Physical Therapy and enjoying some down time from her work at Utah State University. We've reaped the benefits of her fine meals, helping with dishes, some laundry and some grocery shopping. Well, we'll venture down to Red Lobster in Sugar House tomorrow to have the full blown celebration. I think Dale will be up for it. He's had more good days than bad days lately. Last week, Thursday was the only bad day since Monday a week ago. We'll take it. Now this means that he still has extensive upper back pain, some tingling, pins and needles in his feet and legs and weakness and wobbliness as he walks, but the intense nerve leg pain has subsided somewhat. He is able to sleep a little more at night and we are feeling like the three days a week at Physical Therapy has to be helping mentally and physically. We continue to have positive attitudes and pray for continued healing, recovery and restoration to complete functionality. We appreciate the visits by family and friends. These days are still very long for Dale and he tries to maintain sanity by reading a little, watching television a little, listening to some cassette tapes and walking on the treadmill when he's home. He even ventured out to one hour of church on Sunday. It was the first since the end of September when he was released from the bishopric duties. He will be released from his volunteer position on the Planning Commission for a time, but hopes to return to all of that some day. For now, we just will take these OKAY days and be grateful it is not as trying as October and November has been.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all. I can't believe how fast the days go as it gets closer to Christmas. I can't wait to see my children and Luke. The light of our lives right now. JD is taking a test today and then flies to Salt Lake on Friday and Jen/Clive/Luke come in on Christmas Eve Morning. I'm so excited to just hang out with them.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like

WINTER!!!! Luke's new snow gear from Grandpa and Grandma Hallam!

It reached a balmy 16 degrees today. Luke seems ok with that.

First Words

More first words for a mother to glow about.

What does an elephant say?

A few of Luke's latest vocal achievements! Turn up the volume!

MAMA!

December Delight

I can report that Dale is doing better the past two days. We are hopeful this is a trend. Just so you know we are excited about the lessening of pain in the legs. There is nothing that treats that nerve pain. WOW, it's been incredible this past few weeks. I have such hope today and write just a short note of thanks for whatever miracle we've been granted for these past two days. Dale let me sleep a little this morning. I feel like I might just make it now. He's been on the treadmill for 15 minutes and plans to do some more this evening. He's showered, he's been reading, wrote some thank you notes and is now listening to some tapes. It's just such a difference when he doesn't have the severe nerve pain in the legs. His upper back still aches and with physical therapy we're hopeful this will ease up some. It's been nearly 7 months since the original accident. Unbelievable.

Keep Smiling and doing good things. We love you!