444 Months Old

Birthday post.  I figured since I finished the 4 bags of M & M's my dearest Don got me for my birthday, it was way past time to blog about it.  (In my defense, Don helped a little with the M & M's....)

I woke up birthday morning to this

4 bags of M & M's, a Twix bar, Lindor truffles, a sleep mask (to help sleep off the sugar high...?) and a new toy for Rebekah.  (The toy lasted just over 2 hours before Rebekah proved too much for it.)

Kayla texted that Don should make me dinner.  I texted back "but I want to live..." :D  Don did bring home dinner from my favorite Thai restaurant.  I was going to take a picture of it but it looked so good I forgot and just ate it.  It was a lovely salad with a peanut dressing and mango with sticky rice for dessert.  Don doesn't like Thai food so he went there just for me.  What a nice surprise!

Then Saturday morning Don, Rebekah, and I went out to look for some birthday plants.  

Here's the small one

Here's the bigger one (the two toned green one in the back)

I'm working hard to keep them alive, but those of you who know me well also know my less than green thumb.

My mother bought Rebekah a coat for my birthday.  It's nice and warm.  It says 18 months, so it should last at least until next week.  Kidding, of course, but she is growing fast.

I also got two really nice cards from mom Walker (she said she liked them both so she got both of them for me...) and she gave me some cash which I haven't decided what I should spend it on.  Clothing?  Much needed shoes?  A new frying pan?  So many choices....

All in all, a good birthday!

Daniel Stirland Olympics

In honor of my amazing brother Daniel, who I look to greatly, may I present:  

The Daniel Stirland Olympics!  

Many years ago we were sitting outside in the back yard of his house.  I guess he felt like the kids had too much energy for so late in the night, so he played on their genetically handed down competitive nature:  Lets see how fast you can run around the house!  I bet you can't do it in under a minute!  Wow, that was fast!  Let's see if you can beat that score!  I bet you can't run to the swing set, climb up the slide, go across the bars, jump on the trampoline... etc, all while Daniel (and the rest of us) sat and relaxed in the shade.  And, yes, the kids ever so willingly complied, because, well, let's face it - they are related to Daniel.

This time we got an older, updated version in honor of the olympics!

The arm wrestle:  

Love Sam's face!  Grr!  And Abby's strain as she contends with her brother.  Also notice Shelly's face - a mix of laughing and can't believe they are falling for it...  then notice the utter pride on Daniel's... All in all a very expressive picture.

Jumping Jacks

Push Ups 

Nice form guys!

(Sam checking out the competition) 

Sit Ups

Then Sam showed off his upper body strength

While Abby showed off her gymnastic abilities

I don't know about them, but I was exhausted just watching!

Utah - The End

First, a few pictures mama forgot:  

First, Cousin Abby is amazing at the Hula hoop!  She showed me how, but I still wasn't standing too well.  This was all I could do.  

But wait until Christmas Abby!  I'll be back for another try!

Then, the going to church picture

Before we left, I let grandma Stirland feed me.  She did a pretty good job.  She kept smacking her lips and making all these weird yummy noise though.  

Maybe by Christmas she'll have grown out of that.

I also met mama's good friend Misty!  She was a missionary companion of mama's in Louisiana.  They only served together for one month, but had way too much fun!  

Those are her kids.  Gunnar is close to my age.  

I also met mama's Aunt Diane.  

Mama said it was very important to meet her 

because she's a my grandpa Stirland's big sister.  

I had a good chat with her - told her about everything she's missed in the last 9 months.  

Right before we left, uncle Jo decided we needed a 4 generation picture.  

It's a little blurry, but it was early.

Here's us at the airport going through security.  

LONG line, but I did quite well if I do say so myself.

It's funny that the Utah airport was mama's hardest time.  She thought they would be MORE child friendly then JFK or even Indiana (Really mama, who can be more friendly than those Hoosiers? SHEESH!), but the Utah airport was the least friendly and least helpful.  But don't worry, Utah.  Mama still loves you!

Here's us on the plane getting ready for the long flight.

Now, those of you that read faithfully know the trip from Indiana to Utah was made even more wonderful by the neat lady who helped mama take good care of me.  She sang with mama and helped her make bottles.  This trip we were not so lucky.  I will sum up by saying we sat by this mean man who glared at mama every time I made a sound or moved.  Mama spend most of the time in the back where we met a very nice flight attendant who gave me a cup to play with.  On the way off the plane the mean man pushed his way out into the isle and wouldn't even let mama get the diaper bag.  I started to kick his back.  Mama must not have noticed because she didn't even try and stop me.  

On the way off the plane a very nice man helped mama with her diaper bag while she got me in the stroller.  Then it was just a little ride and we met THAT DAD!  I missed him!  Then a long drive home.  But as soon as mama and dad put me in the living room I recognized everything.  I had so much fun exploring the apartment and greeting my toys again!  It was good to be back home with dad and mama.

A Day in Utah

Good Morning!  Mama says today Grandma Stirland is going to take me to see the fishes!  I can't wait!  But first I have to eat.  Then nap.  Then eat again.  Great Grandma Barney wanted to know what was taking us so long to leave!  Since I still can't seem to get my point across, mama tried to explain to Grandma Great for me that we are on MY schedule and that we will leave when I am good and ready.    

Here we are with the fishes!  

The first time we past the otters, they were sleeping.  While everyone was over watching them sleep, I entertained myself by watching the water run down the rocks.  That was so much fun!  I laughed and laughed!  People started seeing how much fun I was having and came over to see what was going on.  On the way back the otters were awake.  Mama was very assertive (GO MAMA!) and pushed her way through the crowd so I could see.  That's so unlike mama, but she would do anything for me.

I also saw the penguins.  It was SO exciting!!!  They would dart through the water and fly out of the top!  I kicked and waved my arms and even yelled to get their attention!  Grandma tried to take a picture of that too, but it was too dark so it didn't turn out.  Very sad.

When we were done with the fishes, we were very close to the middle school where mama use to teach music, so we stopped to visit!  Thanks for taking us Grandma!

There's us with Miss Tove!  She is mama's good friend.  She was the rock mama leaned on all while she taught at Butler.  Miss Tove always believed in mama. 

Yay for Miss Tove!

There's Mrs. Morgan, the principal at Butler.  

It was my first trip to the principles office....

Oh, and while we were there, I finally let grandma hold me.  

That's a really nice bracelet you have, grandma!

Oh the way home we passed by the place where daddy and mama first met 

- it was a little Italian restaurant back in those buildings on the left. 

Then we came home and I played with Aunt Jamie and the duck!

Then I tried to see if Uncle JoJo was really sleeping.

Since he wasn't he got up and we had a good chat.

Then I tried to bond with Grandma Great

While mama tried to bond with Uncle JoJo!

Another great day!  

Dinner At The Stirland's

Almost the whole family was coming over for dinner at Uncle Daniel's home!  We were missing Grandma Stirland and the Texas Stirlands.  Can't wait for Christmas!  Mama says we will ALL be together!

Here's me and Abby waiting in great anticipation

While we waited, Abby did mama's hair.  

Uncle Michael and Aunt AmySue finally made it!  Uncle Michael made mama brownies.  

She loves Uncle Michael's brownies!  

Then... 

While we were waiting for dinner....

Attack of the cousin Abby!

Phew!  It was exhausting just to watch!

There was much talking. 

Enough, mama! Pay attention to MEEEE...!

Then dinner.

It was a great day!

The Daniel Barney Stirland Family

When we got to Utah, we stayed at Uncle Daniel and Aunt Shelly's house.  

Their kids are older, so there was no place for me to sleep. 

Mama's cousin Nicole let her borrow this fancy crib!  Thanks great cousin Nicole!  

The first thing mama did was take a picture for daddy.  Mama looks sleepy doesn't she?  Well, that's 'cause I'm still on NY time and I got her up at 4 am to play.  It was FUN!  

Here's my cousin Sam.  He played car with me.  He's pretty cool.

Here's my cousin Abby.  She's is awesome!  We had lots of fun together. 

A group shot of me and my cousins

And here's Uncle Daniel and Aunt Shelly.  I like them!

Aunt Shelly found me lots of toys to play with.  

One of my favorites was the dental floss. 

Uncle Daniel played car with me too.  It was fun.

Thanks for letting us stay with you!  Can't wait to see you again soon!