Cinderella at the Ball

 I was thinking today about my formal dances at High School and thought you might get a good laugh and/or realize that your mother or grandmother was young once when you saw these pictures from my High School dances. I know you are going to love the hairdos for sure.

I didn't turn 16 until December 30th of my Junior year in High School so I didn't go to any date dances before that time.  My first date was with Bill Baliff, a senior, to the Junior Prom which was just before Christmas Break. When he asked me to go I was going to tell him I couldn't go because I wasn't 16 yet but my mother said,"You can go. It will be okay for this one dance."

So I told him yes.   We were friends at school and I had a little crush on him so I was pretty excited to go. 

The next thing you need to know is that my dad was out to sea with the Navy and was not around and my mom was doing the best she could to provide for us with whatever money my dad sent to us.  We didn't have a lot and it was many years later that I realized that because I never had a lot growing up but I never really felt deprived.  My mom always made sure we had clean clothes and food to eat.  I didn't ask for things because I knew she didn't have extra.  Growing up I wore a lot of hand me downs from cousins or others but I was always grateful for them.

When I realized I would need to get a formal, I didn't know what we were going to do but my mother must have said something to my Aunt Maurine, who lived in California, because before I knew it we received a package from her and inside were two formals.   They were from a movie star actress that she knew.  She told me I could borrow them.   I remember how excited I was and felt like a princess, especially to think I was able to wear a star's gown.  They fit perfectly and I didn't have to have them altered or anything.  What a blessing this was in my life.   It made me feel like Cinderella at the Ball. 

Bill Baliff and Vickie Hayes for Junior Prom

When we went to dances, it meant getting your hair done during the day.   My best friend's sister was a hairdresser and she did my hair for me.  It was pretty fun to go to her beauty shop and have her do my hair.  Look at all that hair.  It was all my mine.  She did lots of ratting and there were lots of curls.  It was pretty fancy.  I felt so pretty that night. 

 Bill was very much a gentleman and we had a wonderful time.  I think he took me to the bowling alley for dinner.  I was so nervous.  It was had to eat.   Maybe I should tell you I was living in Preston, Idaho, and there really weren't restaurants in town but the bowling alley's restaurant was a pretty good place to eat.   The dance was decorated nice and I had a good time dancing the night away.   

Bill Baliff and Vickie Hayes Senior Ball

The next dance I went to was the Senior Ball with Bill Baliff.  We had gone on a few dates inbetween these dances and I guess in some ways he was my first boyfriend.  My friend, Betty Jones's sister did my hair again.  I am sure she charged me a fair price.  This time not so much piled up on top.   I think this was the other dress she gave me.  Apparently she just told me to keep the dresses because I wore them a couple of times.   This dance was towards the end of the school year.   

Bill went on a mission to South Dakota and I wrote him the whole time he was gone.  

Randy Sharp and Vickie Hayes for Jr. Prom

I am pretty sure this was the Junior Prom of my Senior year.   I was asked by Randy Sharp, who was also a senior.  It looks like I wore the same dress to Prom.  

Information on Vickie:

Vickie Lynne Hayes Paxton:  b. 30 December 1953, American Fork, Utah, Utah

Fun times at Grandpa and Grandma Hayes's House

I always loved being around my grandparents.  They were the best and I always felt loved.  My children loved going to Grandpa and Grandma's House in Glendale, Idaho, when they were young and so I have written a few of the memories of my children being up there.   What are your memories of time spent with your grandparents?   I hope they make you smile.

Horse Ride

My father had a couple of horses.  One time when we were visiting them, my dad, Robert Eskelson Hayes, decided to give the kids a ride on the horse.  He put all three of them on the horse's back without a saddle and told them to hold on to each other as he walked Big Mama around the yard.

Grandpa Hayes (Robert Eskelson Hayes) with Bryan, Christie and Scott Paxton on Big Mama at his home in Glendale, Idaho.

They were having such a good time as grandpa was leading the horse around until one of them leaned over, I assume to look at the ground better.  Because they were all holding on to each other, they started to fall sideways off the horse.  The horse stopped and grandpa tried with all his might to catch them.   They fell on the ground as the horse stood still and none of them got hurt.  I guess they got a good look at the ground.  This is a memory that they have laughed about through the years.  Good thing Grandpa's house was a good horse.

Wagon Rides

Bryan loved riding a little tractor that Grandpa and Grandma had.  He loved to give Christie rides in the wagon behind the tractor.  I remember a time after Bryan was married that he wanted to have a tractor and live out in the country.  I wonder if his love for a tractor started here.  They did have lots of fun.

Fishing at Grandpa and Grandma's

One time we left the kids with grandpa and grandma while we went to Yellowstone Park with my brother, Bob, and his wife, Joene Johnson.  Grandpa and Grandma's property touched on the banks of Glendale Reservoir and so they built a dock to use for fishing or boating.   In the evenings they would go down to fish off the dock for trout.  

So this one night when they were tending the kids, they took the three kids, Bryan, Christie, and Scott down to the dock to fish.  Grandma sat Scott on a chair and told him to sit still while they were fishing.

Apparently Scott wanted to look in the water and so he leaned over and fell in the reservoir.  (Maybe it was Scott that leaned over on the horse too.  Ha ha).  

Grandpa Hayes was getting ready to jump in to get him when Grandma said, "Wait, he will come right back up."

Scott came right back up and Grandpa grabbed him and pulled him out.  Grandma hugged him and took him up to the house to get out of his wet clothes and get him all cleaned up.  

Scott says he remembers this and says he remembers the big whales or fish under the dock.  (There were big styrofoam columns that helped hold up the dock.)   He loves the water to this day.  If there is water, he will find a way to play in it.  

I think the kids first fish were caught at Grandpa and Grandma's house. It was a fun experience whenever we went to visit in the summer.  This is Bryan holding his fish he caught at Grandpa and Grandma Hayes's house.   He has a pretty big grin.

People in above stories:

• Bryan Lee Paxton b. Sept. 16, 1976, Aberdeen, South Dakota
• Christie Lynne Paxton Perkins b. November 28, 1978, Murray, Utah d. April 26, 2018, Cedar City, Utah
• Scott Anthony Paxton b. February 12, 1980, Murray, Utah
• Robert Eskelson Hayes b. July 29, 1930, Rupert, Idaho; d.  April 22, 2013, Swan Lake, Idaho
• DeVola King Hayes b. March 21, 1930, North Logan, Utah; d. October 11, 2007, Layton, Utah