I like this.

At last

Little Johnathan Charles came home from the hospital yesterday!  You don't have to be a grandma to know how much I wanted to get my hands on this little one.

And he is just precious.  He definitely looks "all boy" when you see him.  He looks healthy and ready for all life has to offer. 

The best sight of the day?  Seeing the two babies sleeping right next to each other in the crib.  It's been a while coming and words don't really describe it.

I was overcome with gratitude for this affirmation of some of my most fervent prayers. 

Overwhelming.  Wonderfully overwhelming.


(Ben and Laura have pictures and will post them on their blog)

Oh, For My Camera

We had family dinner today and as usual, it was great.  Now that we have seven grandchildren, it is getting harder to give each one all of the attention you would like. And if it comes to holding one of them or holding my camera well, you know which one wins out.

So here are a few mental pictures from today:

Walking from the living room towards the family room, noticing that Miriam was missing. 
There she was, sitting in the big chair, guzzling back my unfinished diet coke and KNOWING she was getting away with something.

Cameron talking to his little cousin grace and getting beautiful smiles out of her.

Miriam trying to make Grace laugh.

Eli clipping some fresh Rosemary from my plant to take home with him.  (Green thumb?  I think so.)

At times I feel like I need holes poked into me to fully absorb all of the love these kids and their parents bring to us. 
Definitely a great time in life.

P.S.  The twins names are Jonathan Charles and Catherine Ray (Katie).  Jonathan breathed on his own today.  Another milestone bringing him closer to home.  Yesterday he pulled the tubes out of his nose.  The nurse said, "super sick babies just don't do that."
I think he really wants to go home with his mom and sister on Tuesday.

We've got news x 2!

Ben and Laura's babies arrived yesterday!  Follow the link to their blog to read all about it.
Caution - some graphic pictures.
This is such a wonderful blessing in all of our lives and we are so grateful.

http://benandlaurafamily.blogspot.com/2011/09/baby-and-baby-b-have-arrived.html

One of the Summer's Best Activities

Boat camping!
We went up to Lucky Peak with Rich & Jo and the kids this past weekend. 

There's nothing better than August sunshine.

 This little guy stuck his hand in the curley cheetos and exclaimed, "There's nothing like a fresh Cheeto", complete with a big sigh.

 The best part of this year's boat camping?  It has to be telling stories in the tent.  Gordon, Jess and I had Cam and Eli in the tent with us.  Gordon told them "The Three Pigs" complete with actions and I interjected when I could. We told them "The Three Bears" and some other stories.  When things died down a bit, Eli said, "Now let's tell freaky stories", and he proceeded to do so.  It was so much fun

Rich & Jo did all the food, which was nice for us. 
Fun, fun, very fun.

Simon and Grace

Simon and Grace, taken on the 4th of July.  Grace has her daddy's carmel skin and Simon has beautiful auburn hair. 

They look like they are communicating. 

I wonder what they're saying?

Simon:  Whoa!  I didn't see you there.

Grace:  I've been staring at you for the last 5 minutes.

or

Grace:  Why do you have that big-eyed look on your face?

Simon:  My dad says sometimes my eyes look like I am headed downhill on a roller coaster.  But I can't believe I just saw Scott eat 7 pieces of french toast.

or

Grace:  What in the world is that smell?

Simon:  Is it you?

Grace:  No - is it you?

Simon:  Well if it's not you and it's not me, then who.....

or

Simon: This is turning out to be as good as I thought it would.

Grace: I could tell we were going to feel a lot of love when we got here.,

Simon:  Ya, I'm glad we're in this together.

Grace:  Me too.

Baby Grace

Baby Grace is now 2 1/2 months old, the age where their personality starts to show and they begin to interact with those around them.  She is no exception.  I have tried and tried to get a picture of James at 3 months to post along with this but my tech-savvy talents have their limits.  Even though concensus is that she looks like Suzanne, I would argue that the two pictures look a lot alike. 

It does look like she's going to have brown eyes, though, like her dad.  She has her mom's cute little lips and makes some of the cutest, funniest little faces with them. 

 Like this......

She is a sweetie pie and we are so glad she came to our family!

Some really great pictures of Gordon

 I got up Saturday morning (of course he was up before me) and found Gordon weeding the garden.  Love the glasses:)

 I just had to have another picture, so I went out and hollered for him to look my way.  No luck, thanks to his i-pod.  I finally got up close and personal and startled him.

This next one is my personal favorite.

Working in the garage in his watering boots, pajama pants, both sets of eyeglasses & hat.  The only thing missing is the headlamp.

He really believes in dressing for the occasion, don't you think?

Family Time

July is such a fun month.  It's warm (or HOT, like I like it) & the weather is good. 

It's also a gathering time for families.

 Miriam modeling her new swim suit for us.

 What a great view of the Black Marauder at Cascade lake.  We had a lot of fun waterskiing/boating.

 The kids & grandkids even got to ride the horses for a while.

 We used the Ewing family (Laura's) boat dock for the day.  It was fabulous.

 Gordon doing his famous "jump off the dock" waterski start. 

I had the cutest picture of the two new babies; Grace and Simon.  It was corrupted somehow and wouldn't print.  The most special event of the week was Grace's baby blessing.  She has grown so much since this picture.  More pictures soon.
Be sure to scroll down for more pictures of the week.

Family Time Continued.....

Party time for the Birds on July 4th!  We packed a lot of fun into a few days and it didn't disappoint.

What a dilema. 

 Eli was so happy to roast marshmellows.  I think he's our future pyro.

 Grandpa got some unexpected cuddle time with Miriam.

 Three men and a little lady.

 Cam idolizes his dad.

Most mothers know how it feels to have this kind of time with your family when the kids have left the nest.

Baby Grace's Blessing Day

Sunday was Baby Grace's blessing day.  It was a great day - James gave her the most wonderful blessing.  I am so grateful for the Priesthood and that my sons honor theirs. 

Simon, Eli, Cameron holding Grace, Miriam

 I am grateful any time that the whole family can gather together.  We had brunch afterwards at James and Suzanne's; it was yummy breakfast casseroles cinnamon and orange rolls, and fruit.

 Great Grandma Bird thought that pearls were appropriate for a special day like a blessing day. Grace looked so beautiful.

Adorable with a capital "A"

I would love to be inside the mind of Miss Miriam.  At 18 months old, she is so smart.  I know I sound like your average bragging Grandma, but I can't keep up with the girl.  Probably because she has brothers, she has learned to defend herself really well.  Even more than that, she is continually on the offensive; not against her brothers or anyone, but continually exploring and doing.  No sitting quietly for this one - unless she has her blankie and thumb, and then for only 30 seconds.
On Monday I had Cameron, Eli, Miriam and Simon for the day.  Cameron & Eli are pretty self sufficient and Simon is a dream, cuddly baby.  Miriam is the cutest, funnest little girl there is.  But she wore me ragged.  Just a few things I had to keep up with:
While getting a poopy diaper changed, she grabbed it out from under herself, flinging the contents across the floor like a bowling ball.
While putting on some makeup, with her on my bed so she can put some on too, she grabbed the mascara right out of my hand and instantly had made her mark on the bedspread.
Grabbed the (washable) markers that her brothers use, and tried (I triumphed on this one) to write on the wall and herself.
Makes a beeline for the street when out in front.
Is the first one in the spray of water when I turned it on to water my pots.
Add to all of this that if you say her name in the wrong tone she'll burst into tears.
You simply cannot get mad at her.
I'm telling you, this girl is never idle, never without her little mind looking for the next opportunity.  I predict great things for her because these are characteristics you want them to  have when they grow up. 
In the meantime, she keeps everyone on their toes and is Adorable with a capital A. 
I sure do love her.

Amen to this

http://youtu.be/l70e1TfN34w

Funny Girl

This funny girl sleeps with her hands straight out sometimes.  It's hilarious to watch.

In addition to that, she is a little potatobug and so adorable and mellow. 

I still think she has her mom's lips and looks like her, but I am seeing flashes of James, especially the way she stretches. 

 We love our baby Grace.

Running is good for you

Being the braggart that I am, I have to report on Cameron's participation in the "Capitol Classic" run last Saturday.  He is in the front in this picture and I can tell he is just loving it.

 And I can tell from this one that it is so good for their self esteem to participate in these kind of events.

And, I'm plain and simply, a proud Baca. 
Pictures pilfered from Jo's blog:)

The world isn't so bad after all.

After a couple of months of looking like he'd rather be anywhere than here, Mr. Simon cuts loose with this beautiful smile.  He's been holding out on us.

Introducing....

Grace Vera Bird was born May 26, 2011 to James and Suzanne.  She is a precious, delicate and sweet baby girl and they are both smitten.  So are we.

 We think she looks a lot like her mother.

She weighed 5 pounds 14 oz. & was two weeks early. Anxious to hang out with all of us, apparently.

We are THRILLED!

From three to seven in 6 months!

Picture pilfered from Jo's blog.

Just this March, Simon joined our family as the fourth grandchild, making it three boys and one girl (all Rich & Jo's).  But......

Any day now, James and Suzanne will be welcoming their little girl into the family, AND...

Sept./Oct. brings TWINS for Ben and Laura; one boy and one girl.

By then we'll have four boys and three girls. 

Pretty cool, huh?

Feet Thoughts

I love this time of year!  Yes, for all of the obvious Spring reasons, but also because months of covering up the piggies with socks & shoes has come to an end.  I struggle with casual footware in the winter.  I never feel totally content with what shoes go with what pants and so on.  It seems that everything goes with a sandal or a wedge heel. 

I am a little frustrated, though. I have weak big toe nails that chip easily and beccome ingrown, as opposed to the rest of my toenails that could cut metal.   This week I chipped not one but two big toes, just after their Spring debut, after months of carefully nurturing them all winter long.  The chip goes so far down that a mere file job will not do.  I have to clip the whole nail and start again.  Now you know my toenail woes.....

But.....

These are my new spring sandals.  Notice the wedge heel.  Usually you have to wear flats to have this style, but the wedge heel is in this year.  This is so good, since flats and my 5'1" stature don't go together well.

Feet make some people in my life get the heebie jeebies.  They don't like feet.  For instance, I suggested that one of my sons give his "really good friend" a foot rub after running a marathon and he said, "No way!  I'm not going to touch her feet."  Several in the room agreed that it was gross to touch each other's feet.  Even if they do take care of them.  It's true, keeping feet nice takes some TLC, but it only takes a minute or two a week to buff the dry heels and apply some vaseline before bed (and polish, if you are a girl). Or, heaven forbid, spend $25-$30 for a pedicure. 

All in all, I love feet.  Good, clean feet - feet of those I love and like.

Some of my favorite people are named Foote. 

Sunday was a wonderful day.  It was the blessing day of Simon Sterling Bird.  He is such a mellow little guy that you barely knew he was around.  He doesn't seem to all out cry - he just grimaces and grunts his dissatisfaction.  He is a special one.

We were blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa Bird join us for the occasion, and to spend the weekend.  Rich & Jo put on a fabulous spread afterwards and, with the sunshine outside, and family around, it turned out to be the perfect day.

(Jessica was feeling queasy so she missed the picture)