Busy, Busy Life

When I started doing this blog, I told myself that I will post at least once a week. Well, that lasted until I went back to work and life got busier. We have been back from vacation almost 2 weeks and I have yet to download the pictures from our trip...but that is on my to-do list. We had a great time and I enjoyed being with Brett and the kids for a week without having to worry about laundry, cooking, dishes, etc. Of course, that was all waiting for me at home, but for a week, I was free. So, even though I don't have pictures yet, just wanted to post a few things that happened on the vacation and since we have been home.

• Kelton took his 1st plane ride and did great both times
• Jackson fed several giraffe at the Colorado Springs Zoo, as well as some wild Chipmunks!
• Kelton rolled over at Bob & Eli's house (our hosts for the week...bless them!)
• I fed and touched a giraffe & the chipmunks...I was so giddy!
• Jackson attended his first VBS, at our church.
• Kelton started eating cereal and is loving it!
• My niece, Skylar, won their 1st summer league B-ball game....they are playing against girls 2+ years older than them!!
• My youngest niece, Marlie, has started to crawl this week...go Marlie!
• Brett and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary (total of 14 yrs together)....by eating Chinese take out with the kids.
• Finally - Jackson has been in big boy underwear for 2 days! No Accidents Today!! So Proud of him!!!

Back to "Real" Life

Things at the Bird house have been a little more crazy than normal these days. I started back to work on the 6th and now I am back in the real world, where I must actually get dressed everyday before 10 am and go to work. The transition has been ok, but I still struggle with having to leave the boys and me driving so far everyday, but with the economy today, I just thank God that I have a job and it is one that I at least enjoy, even if I have a long commute.

Well, after 2 short weeks back at work, I am off for a week long vacation in Colorado Springs. Brett, his Dad, Ross & Ty left this afternoon...they are getting the pleasure of driving and hauling 5 horses along with all the stuff it takes for 6 adults and 2 kids to survive away from home for a week...let's just say we had the most stuff. ;-) The kids, my mother-in-law and I leave tomorrow morning on a flight, that is sure to be more enjoyable than a 14+ hour drive with 2 kids. We plan to have a relaxing week full of catching up with old friends, horse back riding, day trip to Cheyenne for the rodeo, trip to the Zoo, a train ride around the mountains and maybe I will get to do a little bit of my most favorite activity...shopping!!

Just wanted to share a few photos of the kids...Kelton will be 5 months old next week and seems to be changing everyday. And Jackson is still 2 1/2 year old, Jackson.


My boys!!

Kelton has recently discovered that he has feet....I caught him in the checking them out after his bath.

I am not really sure how he came up with this outfit or why, but he was too cute and ready to have his picture taken.

Kelton loves to put things in his mouth and this was the first time I brought out the toys for him to play with...now we just have to keep Jackson from taking them from him.

Jackson's typical hair do in the mornings....pretty similar to Daddy's.

Ft. Worth & the Zoo

Last week, Brett participated in the World Paint Horse show in Ft. Worth. The horses did great...3rd & 5th...in the World...pretty nice. I would like to say I have pictures of this, but unfortunately, my new camera (that has since been returned) did not get any good shots. Our friend Jon Marie had her good camera, so I will post the show pictures later.

While in Ft. Worth, I decided it would be nice to break up the long day at the show by taking the kids to the Ft. Worth Zoo. My friend Stacey and her girls, April & Haley joined us on this adventure. We had a great time despite us both pushing double strollers in the heat and trying to keep the kiddos happy. We were only there 2 hours and we just had to laugh at ourselves, because those 2 hours seemed like all day.

Jackson and Kelton hanging out at the hotel

April & Haley in their stroller

This monkey was used to showing off....he jumped around and did tricks for us.

Kelton just chilling in his stroller.

This guy was just so pretty to me...he had to be really old.

Jackson & the Rhino!!

I think there was suppose to be a Zebra back there.

He couldn't wait to check that out elephant.

This monkey had no cares in the world..must be nice!

Kelton on his big brother's new horse!

Little bit of Roping

With the Paint Horse World show coming up next week, over the past month or so, Brett has been able to get back to what he loves, Roping. Now, we still do not have our arena finished, but it is really close...only likes a few finishing touches. Once it is done, Brett will be able to rope whenever he pleases, but for now, he has to go to a friend's place to practice. This past week, the kids and I went to watch him practice one night and also participate in a memorial roping on Saturday. Jackson is always excited to watch daddy rope and Kelton is coming around to the idea...both will probably get their fill next week in Ft. Worth.
Kelton's 1st official roping. It was really hot out there!!!

Jackson and his bag of Fruity Pebbles....that was the snack he requested as we walked out the door to go watch Brett rope.

Three generations of Bird boys.

I gave Kelton his 1st mohawk and this is what he thought of his new do.

Kelton sporting his mohawk, milk mustache & spit bubbles.

Jackson was telling us something and like his mom, using his hands to express himself a little better.

Brett healing off of Cash.

Brett riding Cashew (her given name, by me), a.k.a. Cash. He will be riding her this year in the Paint Horse competition, while Ross rides Peanut (also named by me)....we had a theme going, but the last 2 babies born, Brett opted to keep me out of the naming loop for some reason.

Brett heading on Peanut, while Randy (B's dad) is healing off of Rowdy. They love to rope together and will be able to do so everyday real soon.

Brett healing off Peanut with Jake Cooper (family friend)....who won a scholarship that was given away at the roping.

Happy Father's Day!

Not only I am thankful to have Brett as my husband, but as the father of our two adorable little boys. We surprised Brett with a 2-day Guided Duck Hunt in Arkansas for Father's Day....which he really loved and now he just has to wait until duck season to enjoy it..which is in the winter. ;-) Here are a few pictures of the boys and Brett being the great Daddy that he is to our boys.

Jackson (sporting his new hair cut ) and Kelton in their matching outfits last Sunday morning.

Jackson just had to have these Diego sunglasses. He like to wear them in the house instead of outside...not sure about him sometimes.

Our newest baby, Strawberry. Jackson has really taken to the horses these last few months.

Tired Daddy holding Jackson on Strawberry.

Our "Snappy Turtle" as Jackson likes to call him. He was under our tree the other morning, so Jackson and Brett decided to poke it with a stick.

Kelton and his exersaucer!

Our blue-eyed little boy!!

Jackson riding his 1st Midway ride at the Hunt County Fair. After about 3 laps, he began to call for Mommy and was screaming by the time the guy decided to stop it. Uncle Marcus asked if he liked the ride and his response..."Yes, let's go again"...go figure

He wouldn't walk up all the stairs & Skylar couldn't carry him up, so Daddy carried him up there.

Jackson & Daddy riding the teacup ride. We had to take Jackson kicking and screaming from the Midway, while Kelton was just screaming...he was hungry and ready for bed.

Going to the Lodge....Great Wolf Lodge

So, my mom has been talking all Spring about taking the grandkids to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. Since I am on maternity leave still and my sister-in-law, Malorie, is done with school, we decided to go before the summer got too busy. We got there early afternoon on Tuesday, checked in and spent the rest of the afternoon in the water park. After dinner, they have the story telling at the clock. Jackson and Skylar got a little bored with that, so we explored outside and did a little shopping. We packed up the next morning, then headed back to the water park to spend a few more hours before we went home. Skylar and Jackson had a really good time, as you will see below. Kelton was not a fan of the loud noise and chilly water, so he spent majority of the time either sleeping or hanging with me or Nana. We will go back soon and take Brett with us...he was a little bummed that he didn't get to go this time around....I think he missed us a little. ;-)



Jackson and Skylar outside the sweet shop....and no, we did not go inside...too many options for a 2 yr old to handle.

Kelton sleeping in a chair just an hour or so after we got there.

Skylar talked Jackson to going down the slide by himself....he did ok, but preferred to slide with her.

This is what he liked the best!

My cutie-pie niece, Marlie and sister-in-law, Malorie.

Kelton in his swim trunks...that were way too long.

Skylar, Jackson and Nana in front of the big Wolf.

Jackson's last trip down the slide.

Me and my boys!

Kelton is excited to be going home!

My sweet little boys

We had a pretty busy, but relaxing weekend. Kelton and I went to a jewelry party on Sat afternoon and took a quick trip to Target...my favorite store! Jackson was helping daddy get his horse ready for the World show, that is at the end of the month, but decided he needed to go with me at the last minute, so he spent the afternoon with Nana and Papaw Jim since I was pretty certain he would be too much to handle at the party. Sunday, Brett was asked to come preach again at Cross Country Cowboy Church in Sulphur Springs and did such a great job. God was working with lots of hearts there that morning. My dad decided to come with us and it was great to have him there to hear Brett and see how God is using him. The rest of the day was spent relaxing at home & watching Jackson swim in his pool! What a great, blessed life we have!!

Yes, that is me driving Jackson around. He wanted me to drive him around on his John Deere tractor. I honestly thought the thing could not possibly hold all my weight and actually go, but I was wrong. We drove around the yard for a good 10 minutes and it did fine....leave it to a John Deere!

Jackson being the "Big Boy" and helping Lorkin walk back across the soccer field. This was Skylar's last soccer game of the season.

Last night Jackson was lining up his frogs and having a good time playing in the tub. I just popped in and told him to smile. Not sure what was going on with his hair.

Trying out the Bumbo seat again with Kelton....he sat in it today for about 30 minutes. He may never roll over, but he will be able to sit upright just fine. ;-)

His new hobby...chewing on his hands!

Jackson being "sweet" to Kelton yesterday afternoon.