Christmas time

Here's the countdown of highlights from holidays 2010.

#5 Reuniting with friends
I was able to visit with my college and high school friends. I love all those gals. 
Here's a picture from the BYU reunion. Our offspring are working in their kitchen to finish our brunch quiche. Good work, kids. Oh, Megan's Jack is missing from the photo. I'm sure he was chopping some chives.

#4 Our new shiny TV
No picture of this, but Santa Grandpa Baird gave us a brand new TV :)



#3 Lots of good food and family
We were able to spend time with both families.

In this picture there are 4 people playing Nintendo DS. Not in the screen are 3 more people playing on either a DS or their iPad.  Don't we love handheld technology?! Not when it interferes with conversation and family bonding! Whatever. Bronson is trying to fit in by playing on his Leapfrog laptop.

#2 A visit from Santa Claus
On Christmas Eve we had a special visitor come to Grandma and Grandpa Baird's.

#1 Seeing Campbell's face Christmas morning
He was in shock when he saw the train set Santa left him in the living room. "Wow," he whispered.

I am including this picture, 'cause lately when we say "smile" for the camera, Campbell gives a cheesy smile with his head tilted up, eyes practically closed except for a small slit of eyes.

And apparently he taught Bronson the same thing.



Here's our attempt at getting a family picture on Christmas with a stool and a camera timer.

Whoops. That didn't work.  It looks like I am assaulting Campbell, but I don't think I was...

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Baby I love your hair

I love Bronson's little curls. I love how they flip out by his ears. Don't worry, I do not want to have a girl-boy, so I will soon have to trim them just a bit. I've always been envious of people that have naturally curly hair. Now my little guy has some curls. For now it is a blessing.  If his curly hair remains as he grows older, it might be a curse. Curly-headed boys can be not-so-attractive. (Disclaimer: no offense is intended with this remark. There are exceptions.  E.g. Justin Timberlake circa 1999)

Turkey holiday

Thanksgiving this year was great because my parents are home from their mission and we had all of our family home - even my sister's family from Virginia.


Bronson was a big help to me making pies.

Here's the guests starting with the cutest table. There is an inverse relationship between size of table and cuteness of persons. As table size increases, cuteness of persons at table decreases.




Teeny tiny table




Small table



Medium table



Big table




Here's our cute little place cards


Saturday was a busy fun day. In the morning the kids went sledding behind the 4-wheelers at the farm. I'll have to post pictures later - on a different camera.
The BYU v. Utah game was the event of the afternoon. I think 98% of my family had BYU shirts on. My dad is a neutral observer. He played for the U of U football team so he has allegiance for them but all his daughters went to BYU. He wears a red shirt with a BYU hat.

Here's the cute fan section:

As usual these games come down to the LAST SECOND. Blast!! My heart can't take this!!!!  Even though it did not go our way we still had a good time and it only slightly ruined Adam's weekend.

I didn't get any pictures of this, but the girls in the family went to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show Saturday night. Good times. It was very entertaining - Got me in the Christmas cheer. Bring on the Holidays!

Halloween fun

I've been slow to post about Halloween 'cause my mom got the best pic of Campbell in his costume on her camera. Who knows how long it will actually be 'til I get that one, so I will carry on with my "average" photos.


Campbell wanted to be a pirate this year however, I thought there were lots of years left to be a pirate. While he is still little and controllable (well, you decide...I don't know how well I am doing at controlling a toddler in general) anyway, while he is still young I want him to be cute, silly things for Halloween.

I found a musketeer costume I liked online. He still thought he was a pirate. And as long as he got to hold a sword, he didn't care much.

In preparation for his role, I taught him to say "en garde!" Also, the whole "all for one and one for all" musketeer anthem - I said, "Campbell, what does a musketeer say? All for one and"... he said, "and all for TWO!!"

KISS groupies

How many interesting Mom stories begin with, "I was in the other room and then..." Well, I was in the other room and came in to find Campbell and Bronson all eye-shadow and sparkled up.

Campbell's 3rd birthday

Campbell is into pirates right now. This stems from a pirate-themed Scooby-doo episode. He is very obsessed with Scooby-doo right now.  I love Scooby, don't get me wrong, but I do think it is too old for him. Too scary. He needs to be watching Yo Gabba Gabba or Teletubbies, is that still on?!


Anyway, we had a pirate-themed party.

We played pin-the-patch-on-the-pirate. Campbell didn't quite understand this game. I blind-folded him and spun him around. He then just took the blind-fold off and placed his patch on the eye.

I made a pirate ship cake - allergy safe - no eggs, milk, nuts, etc. I was frustrated with my masterpiece because the back steps of the ship were starting to fall, then I found Campbell on the kitchen table eating the frosting and candy pieces off the cake.  Aaarrrgh!!! I definitely can look back on it and laugh, but at the time, it was very upsetting. I know, it is HIS cake.

Happy birthday, Campbell-boy!

End of summer days

Here's what Adam has been up to:

Don't ask. Moving on...

Self-portrait on the tramp.

I am very excited for September.

1-BYU FOOTBALL

2-PEACHES

3-My parents come home!!

Concerning #1 - Last weekend Adam and I went to the BYU v. Washington football game. Some of our favorite memories are with BYU football so it is SO GREAT to be close enough to enjoy the homegames again.  It was extra fun last week 'cause we have a special place in our heart for UW. Luckily BYU won, but we wish UW a great season otherwise. (BYU looked great last week, but after their defeat to Air Force Saturday, I don't know how fabulous this season will be!)

#2-Peaches! My Grandma's farm has lots of peaches. Since my dad is gone, most of them go unclaimed. We have been eating and giving away lots of peaches. Want some?! I have literally eaten peach cobbler every night for 10 days. 

These pictures are an homage to Grandma Thorne's farm and my dad.

Bear Lake

A few weeks ago I went with Adam's family to the cabin at Bear Lake. Since Adam is brand-new to his job, he didn't come with us.  Campbell had a great time with his cousins, especially Porter.

We spent 3 days in the sun and sand. I tried to get over my annoyance of sand and dirt and wet in combination - especially on a little boy!  

Emily and Mike bought a boat this year. That was tons of fun. I hadn't skied in 3 years, but was able to get right up. I guess it's like ridin' a bike... it was humorous watching many people try and fail at the wake board. Hey, I'm not judging. It's hard to get the hang of it.

I was able to get one picture of MOST of the kids. Two are missing 'cause they were napping.

Yes, I got sunburned. I swear I've rarely had a significant full "sun" day WITHOUT getting burned. I am doomed for you-know-what. I just got some awkward red on the sides of my legs and a random part on my back. A couple weeks later, I am peeling. At least my boys didn't get burned. Then I'd REALLY feel like a bad person :)

Our missionary experience

This past week I had a great opportunity to help a missionary about to go into the MTC. Raymound is my parents' pride and joy in Malaysia. They met him with the elders in early 2009 and taught and baptized him. Now in July 2010 he is going into the MTC to the Taiwan Taipei Mission. When he opened his mission call, he was disappointed that he was called to Taiwan but when he saw that he reported to the Provo, Utah, !America! MTC he was so excited.
My parents arranged for him to come to Utah a week early. He comes from very humble surroundings and their little branch in Malaysia is so tiny; my parents wanted him to see the church in all its full potential. My mom's dear friend hosted him at her house this week, but I spent nearly every day with him.
Adam and I took Raymound to my dad's farm to ride the 4-wheelers.

We had the privilege of taking him through the temple for the first time.

Saturday we met Stephanie and family in SLC and toured temple square, the conference center, Joseph Smith Building and movie, etc - all the downtown church sites. 

Monday we took him around BYU and to the zoo. In Malaysia there are a lot of wild, obnoxious monkeys so he doesn't like them too much!

Raymound's english is very good. We thought it was so funny - we kept on trying to feed him more food and desserts. "No, no more please." He doesn't eat like a 20 year old boy from the US. We Americans do eat a lot!

I'm so glad I had the chance to spend some time with him before he goes to serve the Lord.

Lots of happenings

Whew! The last month has been crazy for us. First the big news... we know where we are moving and Adam has a job. Hallelujah. This last year in Seattle has been awesome for so many reasons but so stressful waiting and waiting to have closure on a job. Well, because of the state of the economy, job recruiting for attorneys has sucked. There were not many tax firms in Seattle and Spokane hiring associates this year.

A week before Adam's graduation he gets a call from my dad. An attorney left his office and thus there is a spot for Adam if he wants it. That's right, Brigham City, Utah!  Below is a beautiful picture of the tabernacle my dad's friend took. Across the street is the site of the future temple.

Anyway, we were surprised that in the end, this is how things worked out. Adam took the Washington bar last year and we expected to stay in Seattle or Spokane 'cause that's where his professional associations are. We wanted to go back to Utah to be by family but we were open-minded of other possibilities and just didn't think it would be likely. Adam spent the last year at U of W specializing in tax law. The downside to this job is that he'd be doing a lot of different types of law. Oh well, he looks at it as a good  opportunity to learn. We are thrilled at the prospect of having both grandparents so close. (My parents get home from their mission end of September.) Babysitters! What?! We could go on a date. A movie at the theater, what's that?!

So no, it's not a glamorous job in Seattle or Bellevue, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons we think.

Before this all went down, my sister Stephanie and family, the Wagstaffs, came to visit us over Memorial Day weekend.

Here some of the crew are at the Ballard locks. Adam has a reuseable shopping bag on his head because he didn't wear his rain jacket nor did he have an umbrella. (This was somehow my fault).

This is where boats or yachts come from the Puget Sound into Lake Washington or visa versa. The water difference can be 30 feet, so the boats come into the locks and get trapped until the water gradient is equalized. That's a very unscientific explanation. Get it?

We also ate yummy food - a local seafood joint and a downtown Thai place. We went to Me Kwa Mooks beach. The kids were excited to find starfish.

They left on Tuesday morning then Wednesday I flew to Virginia to see my other sister Stacie and family.  Adam stayed home to take finals.  I survived the airport security and 5 hour flight with a baby and a toddler. Not easy, but not as horrible as I imagined. BTW, on the way home I took the red-eye home.  I was going through the airport security around 10 pm. That's when to go. No line. 5 TSA agents for every 1 person. And they were actually friendly to me and the kids. That rarely happens.

Campbell loved playing with his cousins. For 2 days in the middle of my visit, I watched all the kids (6 total including 2 of mine) while Stacie and Dan went to New York. I was glad to help, but it was crazy trying to watch 4 kids under 4 years of age!!
I had a great time with Stacie. We shopped a lot. Ate out a lot. (Cheesecake Factory twice!).  It was the first time I've seen their house since they've lived in it for 2 years. Wow. Beautiful house. Sorry, no picture. But here's other pics of our 10 days there.

We took the little kids to the zoo. Campbell, Sydney and Ethan loved the little goats and sheep.

Thanks, Stace! Had a great time.

So we arrive in Seattle Sunday 1 am PST or 4 am EST to my body. Exhausted. The boys slept most of the flight, luckily. Adam's graduation was the day before. I missed his final graduation! Am I a horrible wife?! His parents came to visit, so he had some family love.

While they were here for a few days, we went to the Boeing facility and did the tour. We went on a ferry to Bainbridge island.  The Seattle skyline is behind us in this picture. A little too small, unfortunately.

We spent the afternoon there - cute spot for lunch, tourist shops, and walking the beach trail. 

Whew. Lots of fun. Now we have to pack and move ASAP. That's not so much fun.

Dere Mommiy

When occasions for cards arise, Adam likes to write letters to me from Campbell. I guess until my sons can write their own cards, Adam's version will do for a good laugh.
Dere Mommiy,
I luv you yes. You luv me, mmm huh??? Tanks for luv me. Cookie like. Park like. Go shopping lot? TankU for kisses, hugz, toyz, scoobie nacks, yes. bye.
Luv,
Camdpbell.

Here's Bronson's letter:
Grjeeeeees. OoooOOOooooH. AhhHHHHHhhh. Uhahhhhh. AhHHHHhh.
Love,
Bro Yo

Adam and Campbell made "campbell cakes" Sunday morning. These are basically homemade pancakes with no eggs or milk. This is due to allergic Campbell boy. Vanilla soymilk is used instead and they are very good! We have come to like them much better than regular pancake mix. With lemon curd and powdered sugar. Yum.

Bronson 3-month photos

Not too much to say with these... he's a good baby. I'll keep him!

He is sleeping through the night about half the time. On nights that he doesn't, it's still not too rough - he wakes up about 4 or 5 am but then goes back to sleep 'til 8 am.

He wasn't as willing to smile in his 3-layer church outfit

Lots of afternoons while we get a break from Campbell (naptime), Bronson likes to chill with mommy while she catches up on a show on Hulu.com (if you're curious: FlashForward, Fringe, Vampire Diaries, Jimmy Fallon...) This is our poor-man's DVR.

OK, yes, he's in a christmas outfit. It's so soft. I like to pet it. Don't worry-he wouldn't be seen outside the house in it.