Bairds and Bird

I love the Bairds, all twenty something of them. I didn't meet the 2 youngest until June at the wedding. And they have become like little brothers and actually call me sis. It was their grandpa's 90th birthday party this last weekend and many of the Bairds drove down from Washington. When I hooked up with them after the party we did so many fun things. First was went to the Rio Cafe, which Mason kept calling it since he had never been there. Then we wore out grandpas dog by playing with him, after we needed to find a Deseret First for Amy and I got the experience of riding in the back with Mason and Brad! I always carry my camera and fortunately it had plenty of battery for us to take some fun shots doing different emotions.Mason, Me and Brad
Not quite sure what emotion this was supposed to be.

Yet again the 3 of us and still not sure since all 3 of us look different.

We ended up on Temple square and watched the Joseph Smith movie. It's a strong reminder of not taking the gospel lightly after all of the saints suffering.

Mason, Amy, Me and Brad

On the way back to my place we got A & W Rootbeer freezes and decided that Midge, Amy, Brad and Mason would stay over with me rather than driving to Boise that night. We ended up taking a detour and drove around Salt Lake to all of the former homes of Midge's parents and grandparents. While in the area Amy showed us a park called Miller Park. It was beautiful! It is actually well hidden and when you climb down the 30 or so steps you see that the whole area is covered in trees, a stream runs through the middle, and there are bridges here an there where you can cross over. I will be going back to check it out.

We went back to my place to watch our rented movie, Confessions of a shopoholic, and then had one of the funnest sleepovers ever! Good thing I have couches, spare bedroom and my own big bed!

Sunday morning came around way to early and I was really sad to see them go. I hope for more opportunities to see them in the coming year!

Bus Driving

For the last 2 months I have been preparing to get my CDL (Commercial drivers license). In june I passed the 4 written closed book tests and for the last 3 weeks have been driving the bus all over town and practicing skills tests through a cone course. It has been good except that my back doesn't like it and awesome DR Wimmer (chiropractor) asked me if I will be doing it everyday. He thinks that wouldn't be a good idea! I wish this were the bus that I get to drive but it isn't. When I take the driving test on the 27th I'll let you all know how it goes and maybe get a picture of me driving the large bus.

San Diego and Sun

June 26-30 San Diego trip with LaDessa. I was up at 4:30 the morning we left to get ready and get to the airport early. We were on a smaller plane and I had forgot to take some motion sick pills so needless to say I was sick the whole flight and for a bit after. We arrived in San Diego, picked up our rental car and using our trusty tom tom (gps device) that we named Tim got to our hotel which was impressive and nice, to check in early so we could get paperwork done even though we could check in for about 4 more hours. We were lucky, we got a room on the 8th (top) floor with a good view. In the mean time we met a girl we were buying seaworld tickets from, ate pizza at a very nice bar/grill, and grocery shopped for food. Once we checked in we unpacked layed on the bed for a breather and ended up sleeping for about 4 1/2 hours.

Saturday we woke up got into our swim wear to go to Coronado and the beach for the day. Before leaving we ate our cereal on the balcony and took pictures of our view.

Me eating my cereal on the balcony

View to the East

View to the West

We drove to Coronado which is a military island with a resort and beaches. We had to drive over a huge bridge to get to it. We spent a while here and decided that we would rather go to a beach not around the harbor.

Bridge we crossed to get to Coronado

View of Downtown San Diego from Coronado

Another view of Downtown from Coronado

One of the many resorts on Coronado from the pier

Me and LaDessa on the Pier

After Coronado we left and went to La Jolle beach which was the happening place. We drove through a mountain pass to get to it. We soon learned from all the cars around us that you park on the streets east of the main street and then walk down to the beach. It was a happening place, it seemed everyone knew that it was the beach to be at.

Here I am at the beginning with my very white shoulders

And here with them very red and boy have they been sore and peeled!

After the beach we walked the long way back up the hill to our car and drove back to the hotel to change so we could go to Inn N' Out burger for dinner and then to Old Town. On our way out we decided to take a picture of our view just outside our door that looks down to a lot of greenage and the elevator with glass so you could see out.

Elevator on Right with some of the trees

Mom and dad love Inn N' Out burger but particularly
mom so I had to take this to tease her a bit!

Old Town church in the dark

By the time we got to Old Town and found parking it was dark so we walked around as much as we could and then went back to the hotel and watched some Horton Hears a Who on TV. The next morning we made our way to a Singles ward for church. They were very friendly and it was a nice day. After we made our way through the areas looking at houses that LaDessa had looked up that were for sale. We soon found that they were cheap because they were in bad areas. In one area everything was in other languages and we couldn't read any of the signs. So after about 2 hours we got out of there and headed to lunch. We went to Applebees where I had a gift card and had a really nice Sunday lunch.

LaDessa and I outside of the church house

We went back to the hotel and laid down for a bit before heading back out to Old Town to see more than we had the night before. Before going we decided that we should really look at the area around the hotel which was huge so here are more of what is in our view outside of our hotel door.

Waterfall notice the walk way to the elevator in the background

In the bottom looking up at the rooms and the sky


Waterfall and boat


Bridge across pond and very tall trees


More Bridge and trees


Me and LaDessa in the Gazebo made of bamboo and leaves

Since we got to our hotel I had noticed a beautiful church up on the hill. So on our way to Old Town we decided to just drive up some streets and see if we could get to the church. We did and found it very easily. It was actually the first San Diego mission on Presidio Hill and later left by force by mexicans. It was so neat and has since turned into a place for receptions.

View from the Parking lot of the Mission

By the columns at the mission

Knocking to be let in...Please?

There was a drinking fountain and I did not know LaDessa
was taking these of me not sure I really needed a drink!

Yet I did

The Mission

More of the Mission

We made it back to Old Town, which was the first original town settled in San Diego and they have kept up the buildings and you walk on dirt road or boardwalks through the town. It was really cute.

Here is the church in the day light

By the old bank we found this scale that would weigh you for a quarter.
From my face you can see that I was not pleased with the amount :(

I tried again, it didn't get any better!

We headed back after dark and got a good nights sleep before spending the whole day Monday in Sea World. We had not had rain the whole time we were there and I was grateful! We got to Sea World early and by 5 hat hit everything from Shamu to the flamingo's. During the day it rained, what a treat, so we found ourselves finding places to be so that we could stay dry.

LaDessa and I sitting in the soak zone, waiting for Shamu to come out.

At 5 we went out to the car to get some dinner and rest before going on for at least 4 1/2 more hours.

I'm not as young as I used to be and fell asleep
in the car for I don't think long

After the main big evening shows and the fireworks we left Sea World around 930 and headed to find more food. We got lost looking for a pizza hut for LaDessa and finally just ended up back at Inn N' Out burger again and took it back to the hotel to eat. While getting ready for bed I realized that I was sunburned upon my sunburn and had a rough night sleeping.

We got up the next morning and packed so we could load and check out and head to the San Diego Temple before flying out. It was a very flashy Temple but beautiful. We rented clothing changed and then found that if we ran we could catch the 9:30 session without waiting for the next. We had no idea that we would have to climb a couple floors of stairs to get there. It was a small session of only 20. It was much needed and felt great.

After the celestial room which was 2 levels, we went through another door to the Atrium, and the sealing rooms. Small in comparison to the Salt Lake and even the Logan Temple's. After changing we decided that lunch in the cafeteria was a must. We had meatballs, mashed potatoes and enchiladas. On our way out we were able to take a peak at the baptismal font, that is viewed from the lobby through a glass window. Eleven years ago I had done baptism's in there and now was standing there having done an endowment session. While standing there we talked with a temple worker and did so for quite awhile I think we all needed it. After we went outside and took pictures on the grounds.

LaDessa and I outside under a tree

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We found a couple who would take our picture if we would take theirs

After putting on pants in the parking lot of the Temple we headed to the car rental location. It was not so fun, with a family just ahead of us angry with their car and very loudly letting everyone know. So glad for the peacful feeling earlier.

We road the shuttle to the airport where we both almost didn't make it through security. A week or so before leaving I passed my commercial class B Drivers License written tests and at that point they take your current drivers license and give you a paper permit which is is good for driving my jeep as well as driving a bus with a driver with a CDL. Well at the security stop they told me that it wasn't real and that I should have a real license. I proceeded to tell them that the DMV took it and that this was all I had. He asked for a credit card and I gave them to him and he's like "no pictures on your credit cards"! I've never had a picture on my credit card!!!! After 3 people looked at it, and pulling out my School ID with a picture on it, they finally let me threw! Over ya no! LaDessa was ahead of me and went threw the bag scanner and was stopped for having more than 3 oz of liquid. She had forgot about that while packing. She ended up having to go through security 3 times. Me well my bag went threw the scanner and I was invited to join a man while he searched my bag. I learned to never have your dirty laundry in your carry on! He searched and searched then ran it threw the scanner 3 more times only to find that my book of mormon was too thick and they couldn't see threw it. He told me that it would make a good talk someday. I waited for LaDessa to get threw security finally. To top everything our flight was delayed. This time I was prepared and took some dramamine before loading. We made it safely home and I was glad to be home but sad for all of the things that I had been anticipating for so many months were finished and gone.

Parade in May, I know a bit out of order

It's not often that we get a picture of mom not covering her face or running from the camera not to get in the picture. Dad sent me this picture yesterday from the Health Day's parade that was on Mother's day weekend. So I had to take the opportunity to post it. Here we are standing in the driveway of the house watching the parade. Brackston freaked out and I spent most of the parade holding him. Ya it was cold but mom is wearing her heavy coat cause she gets cold real easy.

Brackston, Me and Mom

Cache Valley, Family Fun

June 18-21 The weekend after Idaho and Washington, I went home to Cache Valley for time at home, Bird family reunion/Grandma Bird's birthday, and Father's day. I went up a day earlier than most everyone else so dad put me to work by helping him clean the carpets, or mainly watching Brackston so he did not walk on the clean sections of the carpet. After that was done we rearranged the bedrooms so that each bedroom downstairs had a double bed and a single bed. Once everyone got there we had a good night just relaxing. The night was extremely cool, which is not the norm for a middle of June night. When Mason got there I got to play Mario on his DS, but because I sucked at it, it did not last long. Instead I started making my lemon bars for the reunion on Saturday. While I was doing this Katelyn took my camera and was doing a photo shoot. There were a lot taken of household stuff like wall hangings, lamps, rugs, and her stuffed animals. She did some fun ones as well here is what she came up with. :)

Me using moms grabber reaching for baking powder

Angie doing who knows what?

Jaden and Mason playing the game I was not so good at :(

Katelyn wanted a picture of my butt, so I held her down instead

Brackston really close and bright

Brackston showing his "what are you doing face"

The photographer herself very up close and blurred

The Photographer and her top model

I think Brackston was the only one willing to poise for her

Brackston and I kinda think he looks a bit scary in this one

Me at the early stages of the lemon bars

Aubrey with her head cut off

Katelyn, Brackston, and Kizzi(6 months pregnant) in the kitchen

Saturday brought the family reunion. I was lucky enough to have the 4 oldest nieces and nephews beg to ride with me to the park. When we got there they all set off for the playground. When Brackston got there he and I headed over to see what they were doing. What we found were the trouble makers digging under a fake rock like stairway to the slides and monkey bars like dogs do to go under fences. I soon found that Aubrey started it and the others followed.

Aubrey coming out the front side

Katelyn and Aubrey's legs out the back

Brackston not caring what the other kids were doing and sliding

Jaden

Mason, Jaden's legs, and Katelyn

While at the reunion it got cold and very rainy. luckily we had the pavillion and all fit. Most adults and some kids spent most of the day underneath it while of course our kids found more trouble. After the heavy rain stopped the 4 found the sand volleyball court and started burying themselves up to their waist's.

Jeff obviously enjoying himself....

Richard, April and I under the Pavilion

Mason, Aubrey, Jaden, and Katelyn with their legs burried.

Brackston eating a chip

The 4 very dirty kids covered in sand!

After the reunion the kids wanted to ride back with me in the car and I said NO, so they were lucky enough to ride home in the back of Richards truck, stripped at the back door before going inside and then like an assembly line I got them in and out of the shower in about an hour. We all sat down and watched "Forever Strong" a fantastic movie recommended to all! Of course after that I had to teach Nines to who ever wanted to.

Sunday brought church, and a yummy dutch oven dinner of ribs, potatoes, and peach cobbler for Father's Day. We started playing nines, and while playing got 3 calls from various neighbors saying that a very large wind and hail storm was coming. We continued to play and only got the wind and no hail. Its always hard to stop what your doing and load up for the drive back, but we did and headed out. I was lucky I remembered everything. Richard and April got halfway through sardine canyon and had to turn back for April's purse left at the house ;) It was a very enjoyable Father's day weekend!