Cheeze

This just in: The Daily family picture. In fact, the last Daily family portrait of 2010. This was taken on New Years' Eve in front of our favorite Chinese restaurant, where the original Dailys have been eating since childhood, and where, one by one, we have introduced new or soon-to-be Dailys.

It's kind of a precious practice, if you ask me.

Anyway, despite the fact that it was fah-ree-zing (as you can tell), we had to take the pic because

• A) the Christmas season is often the only time each year we get together for a portrait (the term portrait being used loosely here, of course)
• B) it's tradition.
• C) we have a new Daily who wasn't here last year!

So, without further ado, let's analyze the photo, shall we? Yay!

Okay:

1. Belle (far right) = the cutest papoose baby I've ever seen in Kansas. It is difficult not to squeal upon viewing this.
2. I messed up the picture. Hair in the face. Really, Bailey?
3. Caitlin (5th from right) is posed for an engagement picture, except that she has her hands on me, not her fiance. However, her fiance and I have duplicate faces, so whatevs.
4. Her fiance (4th from right) has his hair parted like a little boy/conservative businessman.
5. I think Kelly (far left) is holding Jenny's purse. As in, he was probably trying to put his hand on her torso, but got a handful of handbag instead.
6. While the rest of us are either wearing a scarf, hugging herself for warmth, swaddled in a protective blanket, etc., JENNY (3rd from right) is wearing sandals AND sunglasses. Also, she looks entirely unaffected by the temperature. Seriously, people, it was not comfortable. I'm smiling, but my mind was on getting my butt in a heated vehicle. Immediately.

Other than that, I have nothing else to say except how cute we are. Duh. Good work, Dailys. See ya next Dec. 31st.

Some things never change. Even in 2011.

Thrilling evening here, kids, ringin' in the new year, Bailey style.

Earlier we watched The Muppet Christmas Carol (that really is thrilling, I'm not mocking the tremendous humor of that film), talked about manatees and ferrets over dinner, then watched the Shaytards, and now I'm preparing to pack a suitcase to go see

best friend forever Nicky Pie!

(Psst! That's a fraternity sweatshirt! Haha, he doesn't really like for people to know about that.)

Anyway, I'm thinking of pouring myself a glass of wine to be a little less lame. I wore an old lady sweater (that I bought new, last week) to get pedicures with the sisses and Mama this morning, and we were discussing whether or not it was appropriate that I own it. I mean, it's no secret that my personality matches it.

When the boys met us for lunch today, Dad said, "What a great sweater for Chinese lunch!" He was not prompted to review the sweater, so I'm gonna take that as a go-ahead on the future wearing of the sweater. Not that any jesting about said sweater, or ballet slippers, or mismatched colors, or...would affect my decision to continue wearing all of the above, often together.*

I'm sure Nick and his roomie--who I am yet to meet but, don't worry, it's gonna be like Three's Company (minus one girl and plus one boy) in no time--will give me a full review of the sweater, especially considering Nick's longtime hobby of mocking my outfits.

I don't know why, those earrings are hott--and go with everything:

Okay. So here's to continuing to be an old lady in 2011, and to not making a resolution to regularly clean my car.

Cheers!

Be safe in the new year, and on this eve with much drinking (seriously--be SAFE! Here's to continuing to be a worrywart mother too).

Smooches, thanks for making it another great year on the Daily Bailey!

*To my credit, I've gotten a lot better. I think even Nick can vouch for that. It used to be sweatpants and ponytails all the time, y'all.