Boat pictures can't be complete without pictures of  Scott.  Because he is home this summer, we have been able to go up to the lake in the early afternoon a lot.  Here he is with his friend Matt. 

They are always good for a laugh and a really good time.

He's also a pretty good teacher.  Here he is giving Tori, Jessica's friend,

some pointers on getting up on a slalom ski.

Lucky Peak

James & Suzanne were tubing maniacs at the lake.  This is one sport that eludes me as far as enjoyment goes.  I have done it once and my neck and head have never been the same, so I admire anyone who can and wants to get out there and do it.

Gordon's busy getting the ropes even.  This is one of my favorite times on the boat, getting things set to go, laughing & talking and just kicking back.  See the tents in the background?  This is one of the spots that we may be camping in this weekend. 

James finished the tube ride and got right back out there for a super ski. 

Walaah!  A pose only a dancer could strike. 
We love the lake, aka Lucky Peak.  It is the center of so many good times for our family.

H2O Report

I know I have been remiss in my blogging efforts of late.  I'm not sure where the will to blog goes when it does, but I am resolving to change it, starting with this post.

 Jessica gives the "Lady Siren" a workout at Lucky Peak.  In this picture, she is wearing "Tortuga", her fancy orange and black wet suit.  It was so warm one time that we were up there that she went in just her swim suit.

We have had some great times on the boat this season, once we could finally start going.  The weather was so unpredictable that we couldn't go until the beginning of July. We've been lucky enough to have all of the kids up at the lake on & off. 
Next, I'll post some of James and Suzanne.

Just When I Thought....

Just when I thought I had lost all faith in M-M's they go and redeem themselves. 

The result is this:

M-n-M's with pretzel inside.  And they are fantastic.

They first came out earlier in the year in the little individual packs.  Every time I saw them, I would grab a bunch.  But I know that many of the specialty M-n-M's  never make it to the big time, or big bag I should say.

So imagine my surprise when I saw them in the store.  They are divine, a sweet mix of salty, chocolate and carbohydrate. 

There are only two problems with them:

1)  The big bag is only 9.90 oz. and therefore, the ability to go through a whole bag is very real and possible.

2)  The 9.90 bag is the same price as the 11-13 oz. M-n-M's.

Oh well, a small price to pay to enjoy one of the best snacks you will eat.  Just watch yourself, or they will be gone before you know it. 

P.S.  Gordon does not like them and so it is possible that these are not for every taste bud.  Can I imagine that?  Not really.

Oh, Summertime!

I couldn't resist pilfering this picture off Jo's blog.  It captures so many things; the beauty of a hot, summer day with a blue sky, and no wind or rain.  Then it captures each of my grandchildren's personalities perfectly.  Eli, on the left, is always playing and it always includes funny faces and sound effects.  Cameron, right, is the big brother, the protector.  But don't take him too serious; there is a whoppin' sense of humor there that I just love.  And look at Lady Miriam.  I don't believe I've ever seen this particular smile on her face.  It has to be the smile of experiencing something totally new. That, and she loves her brothers.  She reserves 98% of her giggles for them.

Or, she could be smiling because she's finally the one holding the orange dinosaur!  Do they have pink dinosaurs?

Pretty Little Princess

Miriam is going to be our blue-eyed blond grandchild.  Her hair boarders on strawberry blond.  I know I am bragging to say she's adorable, so make your own judgments.

High on a Mountain Top

I love the dump - or I should say, I love going to the dump.  I was going to grab my camera and shoot some action pictures from up there but I left it home.  Ben, Gordon and I went up there today to take some old railroad ties and our old, old, ancient and huge former artificial lighted Chistmas tree. (Which had currently been smack in the middle of my downstairs storage room, inhibiting my food storage efforts). 

We drove up and mused about the differences between our dump here in Boise and the dump in Idaho Falls.  Gordon tells me Idaho Falls is free, that they have some sort of tax dollars at work there. 
We must not have tax dollars at work in Boise, because today's visit cost $16.  Probably an interesting story there...

I am always facinated when they tell you to go to this area or that and today they told us to go right to the top.  I am facinated too at how many people need to work at the dump.  Three of them were there just to tell us to back up to where they pointed, each after the other had done so.  Then they get on their walkie talkie and probably tell the front loader to head over our way.

In Island Park, where the Bird cabin is located, there is a dump.  It has crudely made signs with images on them, so that Pakinstanis and Iranians and Dutch people can tell where to take their old refrigerator too.  But the funniest one is a sign that says, "Dead Animals" with a hand pointing a finger (pointer) where to go.

We backed in and Gordon and Ben began emptying out the trailer.  As I looked around, I saw the front loader coming (I am so enamored of big machines like these).  It came up right next to us and pushed garbage, mostly trees, grass, wood & stuff, all the way back so far that I thought the front loader was going to go over frontward and down the hill.  I'm sure the driver thought that I couldn't take my eyes off him; actually I couldn't take my eyes off the frontloader.  It would be so cool to drive one of those!  Not only that, but to dig and push stuff with it.  I'm sure that being raised with brothers and having only boys for so long had a big impact on me.

Before I knew it, we were done and heading back down the road for home.  We passed the asbestos section, the battery, paint and appliance section, the household garbage section, but not once have I ever seen the "Dead Animals" section at the Boise dump.

I pondered this and the $16 fee vs. your tax dollars at work all the way down.  With the windows rolled up, of course.

Blog Interview

I have an interview on a blogger website featuring "regular" blogs like mine.  Go to the website and read it and be sure to VOTE for this one!
http://bloginterviewer.com/family/the-birdhouse-julie-bird

Baby Sister Graduates

              Jessica Bonnie Bird graduated last Saturday.  Unbelieveable!  Where does the time go?

              Soon the summer months will be over and she will be off to BYU-I for the Fall/Winter

              track.  (I hope to be as composed then.   Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha:) 

She was lucky enough to have all of this group there to support her on her big day.

Jessica and Meaghan; inseparable all through high school.  But Meghan is going away to that "school up North".  We wish her lots of luck and will miss her.  (Even though she will be a Vandal:)

Jessica and Suzy.  They became great friends this year and we love Suzy.  She is planning on attending BYU-I starting in the winter.

I love being right - but I'm not very often

I have watched "Lost" from the very beginning and have been a devoted viewer. 

I have to say that in the first season, I had a theory that they had all died in the plane crash and that they were in Hades, or something like it.  Then, this season, one of the episodes confirmed it for me.  Yes, I figured it out early on, which is something that doesn't usually happen.  People were so shocked at the ending, when it is revealed that they are all dead and have been in a state of limbo (I call it purgatory, or a "holding pattern", or spirit prision).  At the end, they gathered at a church - together and were ready to move on toward the light.  Their experiences together in this place were the most important of their existence. 

I know - many people hoped it would end with the crew partying on the island, playing limbo and drinking fruity frozen drinks and tanning at their newly constructed resort - all alive and happy.  Oh well. 

And what about the "island"?  Turns out it wasn't about that - it was about the people.

Follows a familiar pattern, I would say. 

Did you watch LOST?  What are your thoughts?

Techology Duped Me

A couple of weeks ago, I created a blog for Scott and his friend Ben for their summer business of painting addresses on curbs.  So far it is going really well for them.  Anyway, I somehow posted my latest, meant for this blog - on that blog.  So go here to see it.  And...if you are interested in getting your curb painted with your address for only $20 and helping out some poor college students, let us know in the comment box.
http://www.scottnben.blogspot.com/

One of a kind from "La Garment District"

The pictures posted from Jessica's prom didn't fully highlight her one of a kind dress.  This one shows the beautiful beading that is on the top, or bodice of the dress.  Also, the beginning of the sweeping fabric. 

This one shows the bottom and how the cut of the dress fit perfectly.  The good looking date helps too:)

Of course, it helps to have the right skin tone to pull off the yellow.  She looked radiantly beautiful; I know that I am somewhat biased.  Somewhat. 

I love how this one shows  off the whole dress and the way it moves when she walks. 

So there you have it - a full report on the dress.  I wish I had more from LGD to report on but that is a goal for a future time.  It's definitely an experience worth repeating.

Same or Different?

Just a couple more pics of Jessica and myself. 
Coming...close up pictures of the yellow dress from "la garment district".

Look alikes?

                                                                                 

Just posting a series of pictures to see who thinks Jessica and I look alike.                                  (Hint:  mine are the black and whites:)

Heartwarming

Two of my precious grandchildren.

My oldest son, Richard with his two sons, white shirts & ties taking a Sunday breather.  I love him.  He is such a good dad and I continue to be amazed that I raised this man.

Thanks Jo for letting me pilfer these pics off your blog.  I need to get one of Eli - SOON!

Jessica's Senior Prom

One of the many "lasts" that Jessica experienced during her senior year was her Prom on Saturday.  Laura, Suzanne, Terri, Ashlee and Meaghan were all here to help her look her prettiest. 

They also did Meaghan's make up. 

Most of the family was here to send her off; hovering in the kitchen, peeking around the corner when her date came.  They had been warned not to make a "spectacle" of themselves.  I am lucky that I get to pin the boutineer on; I can get an up close look at the guy she's going with.  His name is Morgan and Jessica was thrilled to go with him.

This is the dress from "la garment" district.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Mine is the left foot and Jessica's is the right.

Hmmmm....wonder why I wear a 6 and she wears a 7?

Does anyone think she and I look alike?  I am thinking of entering us into the

Idaho statesman's mom & daughter look alike contest.  I'll find some pictures and you

can tell me what you think.

Getting the Dress

The reason we went to the L.A. garment district was to get Jessica a prom dress.  We went to the streets that had multiple prom dresses and it felt like a smorgesboard.  We were surprised that there were some modest dresses there; when I say some, I mean maybe 2%. 

We had a full three hours there; we had to leave for the airport by 4:00.  The hardest part for me was walking past all the stores I wanted to go into. 

And the purses.....guys on the street saying in a low voice, "you like Louis Vitton?  Over here I have discount for you."

Finally after two hours we had narrowed it down to two dresses.  One was at a shop owned by some Indian people.  I asked for a discount on the dress.  He said no and I started to leave. 
"Okay, for you I give the price on the dress."
"Thank you; we are going across the street to try on the other one she likes to make a final decision." 
"No, you like price on dress, you get it now".  So basically I had to stay with the dress while Gordon went with Jessica to try the other one on. 

I passed the time by putting various jewlery pieces with it and trying to get them down on the price.  The jewlery lady was not compromising, "No, lady!  Dhis is de price!"  really loud so that all the people looked. 
I finally settled on a lead crystal navy blue chandalier necklace for me. 
Then my phone rang and it was Gordon telling me that they decided to get the other dress.
Now for my escape....I walked to the front of the store by the jewlery and when the guy turned around, I darted out the door.

We had a few minutes left to shop the other stores and we got Jessica some great jeans for $20 each.  I wish we had two more days to comb through all of the shops.  It was definitely an event that I would like to recreate.  But I think it's important to have a male figure with you when you go there. 

The best part? That Jessica has a dad who will shop till he drops for her.

Adventures in LA

I wish I could say we spent all of our time at the beach while in LA but there were so many things to do;
one of which was find a PROM dress.  Jessica got word while at the competition that she was being asked to the Prom by a guy she really wanted to go with. "We're going all out on this dress!" was her tagline.  Whatever we do, it is her tagline, "We're going all out on this".  It needs to go on the shirt, for sure.

We looked around a really swanky mall for an afternoon with no luck and then a friend that had family in Cali texted Jessica about a place called "la garment district". Jessica then proceeded to tell Gordon and I about it. 

"Is is French", I wondered aloud?
"I don't know, but it's in downtown LA in a seedy area."
"Doesn't sound French".
Then Gordon piped in, "Could it be the L.A. Garment district?" 
Silence.
Laughter. 
It needs to go on the shirt for sure.

L.A. Garment district is like the mouth of the stream.  Blocks and blocks of storefronts open to the street for retail and wholesale purchases.  Everything from prom dresses & suits to shoes, candy and toys.  And I mean everything.  $100 jeans here were just $10 and $20 there.  (We got Jessica two pair - wish we had gotten three).  It would take three to four days to feel like you saw most of it.  It is Canal Street in New York times a bajillion.

Did we find the prom dress?  Yes, eventually.  But that is a story in itself and I'll post it next time.
I love "la garment district".

I'm just wondering...

My internet feed says I get upward of 60 hits per day.  I wonder about that, though, based on the comments section.  If this picture doesn't garner any, then I think I must be getting hits from the crazy key words I use.

Darling or what?