tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52655006078299846262024-03-13T15:36:45.140-06:00Bird's Words (etc.)natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-7832212179304085572011-03-01T08:06:00.003-07:002011-03-01T08:16:52.127-07:00New picsFor your viewing pleasure: Here are some pics we had done a few weeks ago.<br /><br /><br /><div><embed src="http://widget-48.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3458764513868977224&site=widget-48.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3458764513868977224&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-48.slide.com/p1/3458764513868977224/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3458764513868977224&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-48.slide.com/p2/3458764513868977224/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3458764513868977224&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-48.slide.com/p4/3458764513868977224/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-88882477550348648142011-01-31T16:17:00.003-07:002011-01-31T16:52:02.885-07:00Happy Birthday JackJack turned 2 last Saturday. We celebrated by going to the Aquarium. He loves to look at fish. He especially liked the clown fish and kept <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">referring</span> to them as "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nemo</span>." <div><div><div><div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568498173055787618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TUdHldFm4mI/AAAAAAAAAsw/X6EpahBE9J0/s400/jack%2B2%2Byears%2Bold%2B044.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568498184497278242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TUdHmHteLSI/AAAAAAAAAtA/VVDvevtlXMA/s400/jack%2B2%2Byears%2Bold%2B052.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568498180214896834" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TUdHl3weOMI/AAAAAAAAAs4/AeAIQItMF_E/s400/jack%2B2%2Byears%2Bold%2B047.jpg" /><br /><div>He had 2 birthday parties.<br /></div><div>One with the Cornell family:</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568498198725828242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TUdHm8t0npI/AAAAAAAAAtI/INSzsuOMr4Q/s400/jack%2B2%2Byears%2Bold%2B073.jpg" /><br /></div><div>And one with the Bird Family:</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568498206105607234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TUdHnYNTHEI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/i89C3IY-XR4/s400/jack%2B2%2Byears%2Bold%2B098.jpg" /><br /><div>A 2 year old can never get enough cake. He liked us to sing happy birthday and loved the ice cream. </div><div></div><div>Jack is such a funny little guy. He loves to play with trucks, cars, and trains. He likes to watch the same 4 movies over and over and over again (Cars, Letter Factory, Finding <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nemo</span>, and The Fox and the Hound). He is always saying funny things and making us laugh. He speaks in full sentences. He knows the entire <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">abc</span> song and sings it often. He is very concerned about what color everything is and is always asking "what is it?... purple..." </div></div></div></div></div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-67982898105196971922011-01-18T15:08:00.007-07:002011-01-18T15:40:30.081-07:00Happy New YearBlogging has not really been a priority for me lately, but I would still like to share what's been going on with our family. Maybe this year will be better, but I'm not making any commitments. <br /><br />Here is a picture of Jack in the snow. He refuses to wear gloves, so he only lasts a few minutes, but doesn't he look cute?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSQbRnCXI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/RAtg7SY8YUc/s1600/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252817%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSQbRnCXI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/RAtg7SY8YUc/s400/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252817%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563654463071652210" border="0" /></a><br />We kicked off our holiday season with one of the standard Christmas time activities. We went up to Temple Square to see the lights. It was beautiful as usual. The same night, we went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert. It was wonderful music and it's fun to see Michael's mother sing with the choir. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSQi58qRI/AAAAAAAAAsY/6k4rVM2RN0A/s1600/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252833%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSQi58qRI/AAAAAAAAAsY/6k4rVM2RN0A/s400/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252833%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563654465119889682" border="0" /></a>Jack met Santa for the first time at his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">daycare's</span> Christmas party. He was timid at first, but as soon as he saw that there were presents involved, he warmed right up.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSQJ601pI/AAAAAAAAAsI/_WIKPla2rlo/s1600/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%25288%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSQJ601pI/AAAAAAAAAsI/_WIKPla2rlo/s400/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%25288%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563654458412684946" border="0" /></a><br />Jack LOVED Christmas. For about 2 months leading up to Christmas, he has been saying "Jacky <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">geda</span> train set for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Timas</span> from Santa." On Christmas morning, shortly after coming down and finding his train set, he stated, "I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">yuv</span> it." He plays with it all the time and sometimes he will look up from playing and randomly say, "thanks, Santa."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSRHU3O3I/AAAAAAAAAsg/arosgOlo1lE/s1600/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252838%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSRHU3O3I/AAAAAAAAAsg/arosgOlo1lE/s400/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252838%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563654474896456562" border="0" /></a><br />We took Jack sledding for the first time. He loved going down on the big tube that can fit "Mommy and Daddy and Jacky on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">da</span> tube all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">togeder</span>."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYQEBPYkRI/AAAAAAAAAsA/bhbrrR8sjN0/s1600/Ipod%2BPictures.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYQEBPYkRI/AAAAAAAAAsA/bhbrrR8sjN0/s400/Ipod%2BPictures.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563652050901307666" border="0" /></a><br />Michael and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary by going cross country skiing with my sisters and their husbands... very romantic. It was both of our first time cross country skiing and we really enjoyed it.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSRloEYMI/AAAAAAAAAso/7cijGIdGiHE/s1600/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252870%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TTYSRloEYMI/AAAAAAAAAso/7cijGIdGiHE/s400/Christmas%2BTime%2B2010%2B%252870%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563654483030073538" border="0" /></a><br />So if you're still reading after that super long post, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season as well. I am looking forward to this new year and hope to make some positive changes... I don't really believe in New Year's Resolutions, but I have a few things I am working on this year, like training for a marathon and painting my house... we'll see.natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-34364536198650663342010-09-11T16:42:00.005-06:002010-09-11T17:27:25.585-06:00Summer 2010Just in case <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">anyone's</span> still reading, here's what we've been up to lately...<br /><br />-Looking cute wearing Daddy's shoes<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwOcTEtjUI/AAAAAAAAArc/-1HF5vy-sEs/s1600/summer+2010+056.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515799522941177154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwOcTEtjUI/AAAAAAAAArc/-1HF5vy-sEs/s400/summer+2010+056.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwOb7UBIHI/AAAAAAAAArU/O6sDcKSBEJs/s1600/marathon+relay+(18).jpg"></a><br /><div>-Running races... This summer I ran the Wasatch Back Relay, the Georgetown half marathon, and this morning I ran the Utah Marathon Relay. This is my team from this morning. Racing has been really fun and rewarding for me this summer. Each time I do a race, I prove to myself that I am improving. I think I 'm going to cool it off with running over the winter and try something new.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwObDqQEBI/AAAAAAAAArM/-Sr8lbq-_FE/s1600/marathon+relay+(18).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515799501623791634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwObDqQEBI/AAAAAAAAArM/-Sr8lbq-_FE/s400/marathon+relay+(18).jpg" /></a><br /><div>Thanksgiving point Dinosaur Museum- Jack loves "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dinos</span>" and had a great time looking at the bones.<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515795906295008498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLJyBEjPI/AAAAAAAAArE/ARKRFL-LxmQ/s400/summer+2010+048.jpg" />Wheeler Farm. Jack is obsessed with "trackers" (tractors) and had a great time looking at the animals. He knows all his animal sounds. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLI37eN6I/AAAAAAAAAq8/zPfrVsxI6Ak/s1600/summer+2010+036.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515795890702268322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLI37eN6I/AAAAAAAAAq8/zPfrVsxI6Ak/s400/summer+2010+036.jpg" /></a> Jack's cousins came to visit from Colorado for their mom's 10 year high school reunion. Jack and I drove back to Colorado where Tara and I ran the Georgetown Half Marathon. We both got a PR. Woo-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">hoo</span>.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLIUw8v2I/AAAAAAAAAq0/1FsSQIDOPS8/s1600/summer+2010+030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515795881262890850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLIUw8v2I/AAAAAAAAAq0/1FsSQIDOPS8/s400/summer+2010+030.jpg" /></a> Playing in the park. This pic is with his cousin <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Halle</span>, but Jack is a big fan of going to the park with Mommy during the day. He especially loves it when we take a picnic. He loves the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">whings</span> and lice" (swings and slides).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLH23E_VI/AAAAAAAAAqs/1AkJIO7jTvU/s1600/summer+2010+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515795873235533138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLH23E_VI/AAAAAAAAAqs/1AkJIO7jTvU/s400/summer+2010+024.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLHdzUbAI/AAAAAAAAAqk/dv9--APwxT8/s1600/summer+2010+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515795866508880898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TIwLHdzUbAI/AAAAAAAAAqk/dv9--APwxT8/s400/summer+2010+012.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-791581948037042252010-06-27T10:06:00.005-06:002010-07-02T09:15:36.223-06:00Lost<div>Last weekend we went on a family hike to Broadsfork. The parking lot at the trail head was packed, but we only saw 2 people on our way to the meadow/lake. When we got there, we took this picture...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487486382338237938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TCd3ynEQZfI/AAAAAAAAAqM/RQsCRew62uM/s400/s+029.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><p>We ate some snacks then Michael said that he wanted to go over the next ridge to see what was over there. Jack and I stayed back to throw rocks in the lake (probably Jack's favorite thing to do). As Michael left, I said, "wave at us to come if it's really cool." He said ok and set out over the ridge. About 15 min. later, I see him from afar and he waves, indicating that we should come see something really great. I put Jack in the pack and started heading up the trail. After hiking for a while, I didn't see Michael. I kept saying to myself, <em>he's just around the next bend.</em> The terrain started to get a little rough. I was bouldering and going over and under trees (normally ok, but difficult with Jack on my back). After hiking for 15 or so minutes with no sign of my husband, I started to get frustrated. I started thinking, <em>why would he tell us to come and then just leave us? </em>Then it occurred to me... he wouldn't. Something was seriously wrong. He must have fallen and was unconscious or dead (because he wasn't responding to my panicky screams). I walked for a few more minutes before I decided to turn around and hike down where I was going to call search and rescue. </p><br /><p>I saw one man on my way back to the lake. He said that he'd seen a guy that matched Michael's description, so I started to feel a little better. When I got back to the lake, there was no sign of Michael. The backpack I had left sitting on the rock was gone though. I decided to continue down the trail. I was still convinced that my husband was dead. I was even cursing myself for not increasing our life insurance policies and trying to figure out how I would make it on my own. I was so scared that I could barely lift my legs so I was not making good time down the trail. Near the end of my hike, I saw a couple who told me that Michael was at the trail head waiting for me. I felt so relieved that I started crying. My step became lighter and soon I was reunited with my husband. </p><br /><p>He said that he was just waving to say hi, not to tell me to come. He had bushwhacked over to another part of the meadow while I was heading up the trail to meet him. It was all just a miscommunication, but it made for a pretty funny story. I need to learn not to be so dramatic. </p>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-87261797027083063752010-06-25T13:39:00.004-06:002010-06-25T14:00:40.049-06:00WBR 2010<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TCUKnVNttBI/AAAAAAAAApw/0h0EZZHN3ps/s1600/UTAH_00_2040_small.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486803391846659090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/TCUKnVNttBI/AAAAAAAAApw/0h0EZZHN3ps/s400/UTAH_00_2040_small.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Well, the day I've been waiting for has come and gone. Since <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finishing</span> a half marathon in April, I have been training for the Wasatch Back Relay (188.2 miles, 12 runners, 2 days). My first leg of the race was very intimidating for me... 7.4 miles straight up a mountain. Every time I thought about the race during training, I wondered if I would be able to complete this leg without dying. Turns out I didn't die and I even made pretty good time at it. My other 2 legs went well, with me running my fastest pace ever in a race (since high school) on my final leg. </div><br /><div>My sister, Tara and a bunch of her friends from Boulder, CO were my teammates (Team name Mind over Mileage). I loved this race because it presented such a unique challenge for each runner and her skill set. We finished in the top 3rd of the women's division. I came away from this race feeling very inspired by all the runners (including myself). I'm very motivated to work on my speed now, so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">watch out</span> (August 14) Georgetown CO 13.1. </div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-27871610059484602612010-05-17T15:48:00.004-06:002010-05-17T15:51:03.278-06:00I had to share...So, I was reading over an old post on my running team's blog and I found this link that was posted by one of my teammates... It really rang true to me and pretty much sums up everything I believe...<br /><a href="http://isnickelbacktheworstbandever.com/">http://isnickelbacktheworstbandever.com</a><br />enjoy...natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-1078155491306765652010-05-10T08:07:00.006-06:002010-05-10T08:28:34.168-06:00Three Little Kittens<div><div><div>Last Wednesday, we looked outside our back window and this is what we saw..<br /><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469643839591451250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S-gUF7rAinI/AAAAAAAAApQ/tYlQjXTXh6Q/s400/Jack+15+months+039.jpg" /></div></div><br /><p>I called Animal Control to come get them, but they were really busy that evening and wouldn't be able to come until morning. So I fed the kittens that evening and was planning on calling again the next day. But the next day Jack was having so much fun watching them and yada yada yada... they still live in my backyard. Well, the two black ones do. The white one disappeared (very sad). Now I don't want to call Animal Control because they are just going to kill the cute little guys. I'm not sure what to do with them. Does anyone want one or have any suggestions?</p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S-gXkCTjANI/AAAAAAAAApo/IGsgWK7ppkU/s1600/Jack+15+months+040.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469647655303053522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S-gXkCTjANI/AAAAAAAAApo/IGsgWK7ppkU/s400/Jack+15+months+040.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S-gXjSpqiRI/AAAAAAAAApg/jcEnYywjIXA/s1600/Jack+15+months+041.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469647642510919954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S-gXjSpqiRI/AAAAAAAAApg/jcEnYywjIXA/s400/Jack+15+months+041.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-33916693418407361072010-04-21T09:48:00.006-06:002010-04-21T13:35:38.738-06:00Green Spring CleaningSince Jack was born, I've been trying to rid my home of toxic chemicals. The greatest offenders in my house are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> my cleaning supplies. NOT ANY MORE! I've been reading about and talking to people who use natural cleaning products (and I'm not talking about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Greenworks</span>). I just wasn't convinced that vinegar and baking soda would clean as well as Comet and bleach. But this week I decided to just give it a try... I'm completely sold. I had hard water stains on my glass shower door that I had tried to clean with every chemical I could think of. Who knew that a little vinegar and baking soda would take those stains right off?<br />I am so excited about this. I got my recipes for my new green/non-toxic cleaning supplies from this <a href="http://www.holidays.net/earthday/natural_cleaning2.htm">website</a> (I added some essential oils to the recipe to make the cleaner smell good too). My next project is homemade non-toxic weed killer for my yard...<br />Happy spring cleaning everyone...natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-91670200559071535672010-03-18T14:58:00.004-06:002010-03-18T19:38:00.569-06:00Jack's One Year PortraitsJust thought I'd share...<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://widget-6b.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3458764513864640875&site=widget-6b.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3458764513864640875&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-6b.slide.com/p1/3458764513864640875/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3458764513864640875&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-6b.slide.com/p2/3458764513864640875/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3458764513864640875&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-6b.slide.com/p4/3458764513864640875/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div><br /><br />Photos by Megan Bradley <a href="http://clandestineimages.com/">http://clandestineimages.com</a>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-55155710815175153062010-02-26T14:30:00.004-07:002010-02-26T14:45:11.940-07:00Swimming Lessons<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S4hAZbhwLcI/AAAAAAAAAoo/YbyRnQHt7yI/s1600-h/4772swimming_pool.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S4hAZbhwLcI/AAAAAAAAAoo/YbyRnQHt7yI/s400/4772swimming_pool.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442670955307478466" /></a><br />When I was a kid, I took swimming lessons every summer. At the end of the course all of my friends would get certificates with gold stars indicating that they passed that particular level and had could move on to the next. My certificate never had the gold star, but to spare my feelings, my mom would always put me in the next level so I could be with my friends. Needless to say, I've never been terribly good at swimming.<br /><br />Michael, on the other hand, is a pretty good swimmer. He was even on the swim team in Jr. High :). A couple of years ago he tried unsuccessfully to teach me how to swim. It's not like I'm going to drown... I just really struggle with my technique.<br /><br />All that changed this week. On Monday, I took my first swimming lesson as an adult. I've had 4 lessons so far and I feel like I'm improving. My breast and back strokes are alright, but I've been struggling with the free style. Well, last night, it just clicked...it's like everything just came together all of the sudden. I am now looking forward to swimming as a means of cross training. Maybe someday, I'll do a triathalon.natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-82209251814571677132010-02-15T09:02:00.004-07:002010-02-15T09:24:22.539-07:00Happy Birthday to JackThis post is long overdue... Jack turned 1 year old on January 22nd. Here are a few pics of his birthday party.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S3lzLW3gMeI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/qhspRTxzfcA/s1600-h/Jack+1+year+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S3lzLW3gMeI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/qhspRTxzfcA/s400/Jack+1+year+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438504663980716514" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S3lzjSkFgvI/AAAAAAAAAoY/TKHpifrGD1E/s1600-h/Jack+1+year+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S3lzjSkFgvI/AAAAAAAAAoY/TKHpifrGD1E/s400/Jack+1+year+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438505075142394610" /></a><br />He is such a good little boy. He recently started using walking as his primary source of getting around. He can follow me so fast now. He is a happy and healthy little guy. His favorite things to do are play with anything round "ba" (ball), play with his light-up, noise making basketball hoop, play with cars "oommmmm" (vroom), read books with mom and dad, and hug and pat his stuffed animals. <br /><br />I also recently discovered that he is quite a fan of chocolate milk... We were at Costco and he was enjoying himself with the smorgasbord of samples. One of them was a little paper cup of chocolate milk. I gave him a sip. He tasted chocolate milk for the first time and you would have thought he had died and gone to heaven. He grabbed the cup away from me, drank the whole thing, smashed the cup into his face and started licking what remained while saying "mmm...mmm...mmm." <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S3l0jTV2DNI/AAAAAAAAAog/nIdJhMwfYWU/s1600-h/Jack+1+year+024.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S3l0jTV2DNI/AAAAAAAAAog/nIdJhMwfYWU/s400/Jack+1+year+024.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438506174862724306" /></a><br />It sure has been a fun year getting to know our sweet little boy. We love him so much and enjoy having him in our family.natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-75417272726380869682010-01-14T15:38:00.003-07:002010-01-14T16:05:44.879-07:00A FeelingDo you ever get the feeling... that craving for change? Over the last few days, I have this anxious, nagging feeling in the bottom of my stomach. I can't tell if it's the "something is coming" feeling, or the "I wish something would come" feeling. <br />A lot of people are scared of change. I'm not normally one of those people. I kind of like big changes like moving or getting a new job. I view them as a chance to start over. I don't know if any big changes are coming any time soon, but I've got a few little things brewing in my pot of change...<br />-I'm trying to improve my body (who's not?). I've learned some new things to do with weights and the ball and figured out a way to do a lot of it at home.<br />-I am trying to improve my overall health through healthy eating. For Christmas I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">received</span> a subscription to the <em>Cooking Light</em> magazine, a knife block, and an apron with chickens on it. I have vowed to try one new healthy recipe each week. <br />-I am trying <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">NAET </span> <a href="http://www.naet.com/">www.naet.com</a> to get rid of my restless leg syndrome. This is an eastern therapy that is supposed to reduce your sensitivity to chemicals, foods, hormones, etc. I am also being treated for a variety of emotions and my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">voo</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">doo</span> witch doctor claims that it can help with morning sickness. I'll do a more in depth post about this at a later time.<br />-I'm starting a collection of essential oils. My friend Maria sent me some samples a couple of months ago. I've been studying the properties of many of the essential oils and am intrigued enough to try them out. I'll keep you posted on this as well.<br />Perhaps these are my little new year resolutions. Whatever they are, I hope these little changes help me to improve myself and my life.natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-60006398076054266692010-01-11T17:01:00.003-07:002010-01-11T18:49:48.666-07:00First HaircutBefore...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0vU_V937yI/AAAAAAAAAoE/KeFFaASmHTg/s1600-h/haircut+before.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425664360791404322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0vU_V937yI/AAAAAAAAAoE/KeFFaASmHTg/s400/haircut+before.jpg" /></a><br />After...<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0vU_B1vKwI/AAAAAAAAAn8/8I9eXfoJl74/s1600-h/haircut+after.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425664355388566274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0vU_B1vKwI/AAAAAAAAAn8/8I9eXfoJl74/s400/haircut+after.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-89212481818436474222010-01-04T12:36:00.007-07:002010-01-04T13:09:10.227-07:00The Holidays<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JKoTYoJHI/AAAAAAAAAnE/UL-EhIcwbA8/s1600-h/christmas+2009+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422978957566289010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JKoTYoJHI/AAAAAAAAAnE/UL-EhIcwbA8/s400/christmas+2009+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JJbi9kUQI/AAAAAAAAAm8/ud7AEd6MUG0/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+6.jpg"></a><br /><br />December was a busy month for us. We had a great time with our families and we really enjoyed our holiday season. Here are the highlights:<br /><br />-Santa Jack...I'm pretty sure this hat was made for a dog, but I made Jack wear it to every Christmas Party we attended.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JGqXctjjI/AAAAAAAAAms/MjGIt7JfQRY/s1600-h/Jack+10+months+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422974594970390066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JGqXctjjI/AAAAAAAAAms/MjGIt7JfQRY/s400/Jack+10+months+002.jpg" /></a><br /><br />- We participated in a Sub-for-Santa with the Bird siblings. It was a lot of fun picking out toys for kids who might not get much for Christmas.<br /><br />-Temple Square Lights and Secret Dinner... It is a Bird Family tradition to go to dinner and see the lights at Temple Square once a year. This year, the eating establishment of choice for this excursion was Cafe Rio. I enjoy a good pork salad just as much as the next person, but come on... there is a Cafe Rio on every street corner in our own neck of the woods. Nobody in the family really cares what Michael and I think, so we didn't even try to object. Instead, we politely called and told them we wouldn't be able to make it to dinner, but that we would meet them afterwards for the lights. We then promptly headed to Z Tejas, where we enjoyed delicious food that we can't have just any old time.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JF7ywWb8I/AAAAAAAAAmk/YYnKpl41ApM/s1600-h/Jack+10+months+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422973794846666690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JF7ywWb8I/AAAAAAAAAmk/YYnKpl41ApM/s400/Jack+10+months+012.jpg" /></a><br /><br />-Spent time with the Cornell cousins. My sister, Tara and her family came out to visit from Colorado. Jack had a great time playing with his cousins. He especially liked taking toys away from Baby Blake.<br /><br />-Opened presents on Christmas morning... Jack like the wrapping paper, but lost interest after 1 present. He got lots of fun toys from his parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JITL6UnaI/AAAAAAAAAm0/7l88cqaZ99w/s1600-h/Jack+10+months+013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422976395759623586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/S0JITL6UnaI/AAAAAAAAAm0/7l88cqaZ99w/s400/Jack+10+months+013.jpg" /></a> </div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-33379327575973716012009-11-23T14:20:00.004-07:002009-11-23T14:46:22.919-07:0010 Months OldJack has been crawling for a little over 2 months now. He is very good at it. He follows me around the house as I get my work done. He likes to open cupboards, drawers, and doors. He likes to explore new parts of the house. He likes to climb up the staris, but has not yet mastered coming down.<br />Jack loves to eat. If he sees me put something into my mouth without offering him a bite he becomes very upset. His favorites are graham crackers, gold fish, and fruit puffs. <br />He learned how to play patty-cake and wave bye-bye. He says "ma-ma" and "ba-ba" and makes an assortment of other random noises. He likes to be with his mommy and daddy. They make him laugh pretty hard.<br />He is such a good boy and we love him so much. It has been a wonderful 10 months with him in our family.<br />Here are some pics of what he's been up to.<br /><br />Drinking juice with his feet up...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAaKVWdwI/AAAAAAAAAmc/qZZgAUhvN1c/s1600/Baby+Jack+9+months+(7).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAaKVWdwI/AAAAAAAAAmc/qZZgAUhvN1c/s400/Baby+Jack+9+months+(7).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416227038918402" /></a><br /><br />Unrolling all the toilet paper...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZznKaxI/AAAAAAAAAmU/o9FVOdMw0X8/s1600/Baby+Jack+9+months+(4).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZznKaxI/AAAAAAAAAmU/o9FVOdMw0X8/s400/Baby+Jack+9+months+(4).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416220939610898" /></a><br /><br />Getting into the cupboards...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZkPC5WI/AAAAAAAAAmM/qxTpKiiLCXs/s1600/Baby+Jack+9+months+(5).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZkPC5WI/AAAAAAAAAmM/qxTpKiiLCXs/s400/Baby+Jack+9+months+(5).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416216811922786" /></a><br /><br />Sleeping...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZUErAjI/AAAAAAAAAmE/fpcQkRKodK0/s1600/Baby+Jack+9+months+(1).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZUErAjI/AAAAAAAAAmE/fpcQkRKodK0/s400/Baby+Jack+9+months+(1).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416212473446962" /></a><br /><br />Looking adorable in his new winter hat...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZA5Tl5I/AAAAAAAAAl8/gjhGoFsLMlc/s1600/Baby+Jack+9+months.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SwsAZA5Tl5I/AAAAAAAAAl8/gjhGoFsLMlc/s400/Baby+Jack+9+months.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407416207325501330" /></a>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-66084992275793853792009-11-10T14:15:00.003-07:002009-11-10T14:40:49.375-07:00I Did it Again<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Svnd0VoAr1I/AAAAAAAAAl0/tj74Ib1nMN4/s1600-h/Jack+9+months+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Svnd0VoAr1I/AAAAAAAAAl0/tj74Ib1nMN4/s400/Jack+9+months+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402593119235518290" /></a><br /><br />What?<br /><br />13.1 miles. Nichole and I ran the Provo Halloween Half Marathon (the most fun you can have in Provo without getting arrested). We dressed up like Peter Pan and his Shadow. <br />We have had such a good time training for this race. We've been running together 2 to 3 times per week for about 4 months now, so this was a landmark day for us... one that we have been looking forward to and preparing for. I am proud of us for accomplishing our goal. It has been so nice to do something for myself. When Jack joined our family, there was an adjustment period where I didn't have much time or energy to do things for myself (not complaining, it's just the way it had to be). When we started running, I quickly started to feel better in both body and mind. Taking time to do something I wanted to do to improve myself has been wonderful and therapeutic. Thanks Nichole, for having this great idea and for being my partner through this. <br /><br />I really enjoy running races. I like that they give me a reason to workout, a goal, a purpose. I have a full schedule of race goals for the next few months...<br />November: Thanksgiving 5K<br />April: Salt Lake City Half Marathon<br />June: Wasatch Back Relay<br />August: Hobble Creek Half Marathon<br /><br />If anyone is interested in training for or running any or all of these races with me, do it.natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-57003121142943905252009-11-10T14:06:00.003-07:002009-11-10T14:15:22.138-07:00Jack-o-Lantern<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SvnXjLOHJ2I/AAAAAAAAAlc/UPz__6hwGzg/s1600-h/Jack+9+months+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SvnXjLOHJ2I/AAAAAAAAAlc/UPz__6hwGzg/s400/Jack+9+months+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402586227314992994" /></a><br /><br />So this is a little past due, but I wanted to show you all how cute Jack looked on Halloween. We debated between Jack in the Box, Cracker Jack, Jack @$$ (kidding... we don't hate our child), and Jack-O-Lantern. We found this cute costume on diapers.com at a discounted price, so it was an easy choice.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SvnXjsss-SI/AAAAAAAAAlk/q1HqPa1M9jA/s1600-h/Jack+9+months+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SvnXjsss-SI/AAAAAAAAAlk/q1HqPa1M9jA/s400/Jack+9+months+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402586236301670690" /></a>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-14454271034744603982009-10-24T06:58:00.006-06:002009-10-24T07:43:07.197-06:00The Mile High Half<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SuMD9I1L9CI/AAAAAAAAAlA/Kk5h6WR7qXg/s1600-h/sisters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SuMD9I1L9CI/AAAAAAAAAlA/Kk5h6WR7qXg/s400/sisters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396161127397454882" /></a><br />I did it. I ran 13.1 miles on Sunday. It was awesome. Tara and I have been training for this for the last 13 weeks. It feels weird that it's over just like that...the thing I've been working for and training so hard for is finished. I accomplished my goal, but as life goes, I had a few last-minute issues to hold me up a little. I was totally psyched and felt prepared to run the race. I did my last long training run about a week before race day. The next morning, I woke up with a fever... "oh no," I thought. Over the weekend, it turned into a pretty bad case of bronchitis. Respiratory illness and running are not compatible. On Monday, I went to the Dr. and got on some antibiotics and an inhaler. I was not able to run until Friday and it was only 2.5 miles, and it hurt my lungs. I was feeling alright by bedtime on Saturday. I wanted to be sure to get enough rest, so I went to bed early. At 1 a.m., Jack (who has been sleeping through the night for months) decided that he didn't want to sleep. I fed him thinking that he would eat and go back down... no such luck. He was awake until 4 a.m. and so was I. Once we started running, I felt pretty good. I am happy with my accomplishment and I am proud of myself and my sister for finishing what we set out to do. The above picture is us at the finish line with our other sis, Carlie (who was an awesome help with Jack during the race). <br />Jack and I headed out to Denver last Saturday morning. We had a fun time with Tara, Rusty, Halle, Josh, Blake and Carlie. Michael had to stay home and work (someone had to foot the bill for our trip...). It was fun to hang out with my sisters doing a little shopping and lunching and movieing. Carlie went home on Monday morning and it's too bad because she missed out on the adventure to the pumpkin patch. The kids loved petting the animals and climbing around on the pumpkins.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SuMENIDS-kI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/bm5QtinX15M/s1600-h/nat+and+jack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SuMENIDS-kI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/bm5QtinX15M/s400/nat+and+jack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396161402066106946" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SuMEM_Z4b1I/AAAAAAAAAlI/tpfTkTKRguY/s1600-h/kids+in+patch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SuMEM_Z4b1I/AAAAAAAAAlI/tpfTkTKRguY/s400/kids+in+patch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396161399744917330" /></a>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-9922887859835877072009-10-01T09:35:00.003-06:002009-10-01T09:45:48.996-06:00Weekend Retreat<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SsTOkG3LoRI/AAAAAAAAAkg/OxPisfsB0G0/s1600-h/Snowbird+Sept+2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/SsTOkG3LoRI/AAAAAAAAAkg/OxPisfsB0G0/s400/Snowbird+Sept+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387658173954629906" /></a><br />Last weekend, Michael and I packed our bags, dropped Jack off with the Grandparents, and headed up to Snowbird for the weekend. It was fun to spend some un-interuppted time with my husband. <br />Oktoberfest is going on right now, so there was plenty of free entertainment. We also got free tram passes with our room, so we rode to the top and hiked around for a while. It was nice to be away without really going anywhere. <br />It was a little bit hard for me to leave Jack (this was the first time we left him overnight), but he did well and it was extra fun to see him when we got back.natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-78369767710142319592009-09-21T12:58:00.004-06:002009-09-21T16:37:02.960-06:00Granduer Peak<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Srf_-Z9zvXI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/1RXJAH8BLvA/s1600-h/Grandeur+Peak+(5).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Srf_-Z9zvXI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/1RXJAH8BLvA/s400/Grandeur+Peak+(5).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384053327131819378" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Srf_9reWAcI/AAAAAAAAAkI/tacZdbllCRY/s1600-h/Grandeur+Peak+(10).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Srf_9reWAcI/AAAAAAAAAkI/tacZdbllCRY/s400/Grandeur+Peak+(10).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384053314651816386" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Srf_9IqykFI/AAAAAAAAAkA/ZHkC8y4iS-s/s1600-h/Grandeur+Peak+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Srf_9IqykFI/AAAAAAAAAkA/ZHkC8y4iS-s/s400/Grandeur+Peak+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384053305308778578" /></a><br /><br />Since Michael and I both worked on Labor Day, we had our own special holiday the following Friday. We took the day off and headed up to Grandeur Peak. It's a beautiful hike with the trail head in Milcreek Canyon. It is about 6 miles round trip, with the way up a fairly steep incline, and the way back a nice, easy, downhill stroll. We made the mistake of starting at noon on a very, very hot day, but despite the heat, we made it to the top in pretty good time. <br />Jack is such a good sport about our family hikes. He seems to enjoy being packed up mountains on his daddy's back. He really only fussed when he was hungry. Perhaps our enthusiasm for the outdoors has been genetically passed on to our child :).natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-71468387788006490812009-09-04T13:45:00.002-06:002009-09-04T13:57:52.824-06:00Goodbye Old FriendIt's time to say goodbye to an old faithful friend... my car. I bought my 1998 Honda Civic with the help of my parents in November of 2002. We've been many places together since then. It came with me when I got married and was our only vehicle until we bought the Liberty a couple of months ago. I put 113,532 (someone else put 33000) miles on it. <br />On Tuesday, Michael was driving it home from work. He got off the freeway and was stopped at a red light on the off-ramp. A guy fell asleep at the wheel and rear ended our car. Of course, the guy who fell asleep is irresponsible and doesn't have car insurance, so our insurance company has to cover everything and we have to pay our deductible. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. The adjuster looked at it this morning and decided it was totaled. So we are now looking for another car... NOT what we wanted to do this weekend.<br />Oh well. I'm sure something will work out. By the way, Michael was not injured at all in the accident. I wish I had a picture of it to go along with this post, but you'll just have to imagine what it might have looked like all mashed up...natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-33626936483238695362009-08-20T16:35:00.003-06:002009-08-20T16:49:12.294-06:00Happy LifeDo you ever have one of those days when something just hits you?<br /><br />Today is an ordinary day. It started with a brief visit to the dermatologist who examined a "changing" mole I have on my shoulder. "It's nothing" he said. Then Jack and I came home and spent the day together playing with toys, doing laundry, baking, snuggling, etc. <br /><br />Throughout my day, I just keep having the thought "my life is good." I am in a great place right now. I am young, healthy, happy, in love with the best man, have the sweetest baby, a good job, a nice home, wonderful friends, and I'm near a supportive and loving family. What more could I want?... (maybe a little more disposable cash, but I'm not going to complain).natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-89052067181981148232009-08-05T14:04:00.004-06:002009-08-05T18:54:13.759-06:00Jack is 6 Months<div><embed src="http://widget-35.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3386706919808496949&site=widget-35.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3386706919808496949&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-35.slide.com/p1/3386706919808496949/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3386706919808496949&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-35.slide.com/p2/3386706919808496949/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3386706919808496949&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-35.slide.com/p4/3386706919808496949/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div><br /><br />Jack had his 6 month photo shoot last week and we just got the pics back. My brother, Landon's girlfriend, Megan has recently started her own photography business, so we wanted to be supporters. She did a great job. I guess it's hard to take a bad picture of such a cute little guy though.<br /><br />Jack has grown a lot in the last 6 months. He now weighs 16 lbs 12 oz (about 10 lbs more than when he was born). He is a joy to be around and Michael and I are so happy to have him in our family. At 6 months Jack<br />-Is able to sit up all by himself<br />-Chews on anything and everything he can get his hands on<br />-Is growing his first tooth<br />-Is continuing to develop his funny little personality<br />-Is starting to eat solid foods<br />-Is finally mobile (if you count rolling around the floor from toy to toy).natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5265500607829984626.post-65136501972690481612009-07-27T10:58:00.004-06:002009-07-27T11:17:39.617-06:00Family Picnic and Canyon DriveOn Saturday, we went up American Fork Canyon for a picnic. We drove up to A meadow above the Timpanooke trail head (same place where Michael asked me to marry him).<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 417px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363188997375296770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Sm3f-kvWhQI/AAAAAAAAAjY/z4d-VEbqEz4/s400/Baby+Jack+6+months.jpg" />After our picnic, we decided that since we now have a car that works off road, we would go on a little exploratory drive. The drive was beautiful. There were wildflowers everywhere. We found a few trail heads for hikes that we might go back to. We assumed that the road would come out another canyon, but instead, it took us a little over 1 and 1/2 hours to get to a dead end. So we had to back-track our whole trip. It was still fun and beautiful. <div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 419px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363189001338061234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eKNrIAVW4A8/Sm3f-zgJgbI/AAAAAAAAAjg/FivNlMbhq9U/s400/Baby+Jack+6+months1.jpg" /></div>natabirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17520972808286708244noreply@blogger.com3