Christmas Letter 2007

Family and Friends,
How do you start a Christmas letter without using the clichéd openings: “It’s been another year,” “I can’t believe how time has passed/ I can’t believe it’s Christmas time again,” or “During this wonderful season we wanted to let everyone know how our family is.” There just aren’t a lot of creative openings when you send a letter once a year. You know the Bird family though, we will think of something. How about… oh, I guess we already have a full paragraph opening. It’s Christmas 2007!
For those that don’t know I will update everyone on Lori. When we last wrote Lori was in the middle of having her Chemotherapy and doing well despite the treatments. Well, she now visits the doctor only every few months and everything is looking great! She is cancer free, healthy, and growing quickly. The biggest thing the surgery and chemo did was slow her growth. Once the treatments stopped she grew quickly and gained weight back. We know prayers were answered with Lori and have been since the very beginning. Thank you again, to all of you that help and have helped as well as prayed for our family.
I might as well keep the update with Lori going even though it will be chronologically out of order. But what do I care about that. Lori is now in a young age tap and ballet class through the city and is enjoying that. Next summer she wants to play soccer and be like Ty. She just turned 4 on the 7th of December and loves being able to say she is 4. She is also sitting here helping me write this letter.
Ty is a giant among boys even 12 year old boys. There are some boys in our ward that are 12 or just about 12 that Ty is either the same height or a touch taller. I bring this up because has this fascination with being taller than people. He is almost 9 and is basically growing like his dad. Hopefully it won’t be too similar as I stopped growing my sophomore in high school. He enjoys sports and school. He played baseball (check out our youtube video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxiHDIGFqY ) and soccer this year. I was his coach for baseball and fill in coach for Soccer. The wins came easier in baseball and the losses easier in Soccer but he had fun in both. He has fallen in love with baseball and is debating Soccer and basketball as to which sport he will participate. Ty also is involved in Cub Scouts and likes getting as many things passed off and done as quickly as possible. He will also be starting piano lessons in January.
Michelle is back to being extremely busy now that she had time freed up as Lori is healthy. She is Cub Scout Committee Chair, program putter togetherer, and Relief Society VT coordinator. Michelle also had a great year as a mom. She had her most difficult pregnancy that resulted in an early birth of Bryn Lucy on July 18, 2007.
Bryn is growing as all kids do and we are happy to see her healthy and happy. She gets straight A’s, plays the flute, volunteers at the shelter, and quilts blankets for the cold. She stays as busy as her mom.
I am still at the hotel and do my best to help the family and hope that my contributions add to instead of detract from any growth we have.
Our family joined the 21st Century and started blogging. You can read our Pulitzer Prize winning material at www.zmbird.blogspot.com . There we have updates and pictures and all kinds of Birdtastic things. We hope that each of you have a great Christmas and as Pedro says, “all of your wildest dreams come true” in 2008.
Love the Birds (Zack, Michelle, Ty, Lori, and Bryn) zmbird@sbcglobal.net 661-285-8989

We love our Children!!

I think the picture says it all. What a good looking family we have. We feel so blessed to have 3 wonderful children.

Christmas Parade

In Scouts we are part of a 4 pack. 4 wards have come together to do scouting. We choose to be part of the Palmdale Christmas Parade. I was not thrilled. Ty was not a first. It took up our whole morning on Saturday. When we left the house it was 38 degrees so you can tell why I did not want to go out. It was to cold for Bryn, so Zack stayed home with her. (I'm sure he was sad to miss the fun) Lori rode in the Bishops truck. She had fun being inside but watching everything.

All the boys took turns holding posters, flags and passing out candy. They were very shy at first to run up and down passing out candy and flag stickers. (Theme was red, white and blue)

To get the boys and other leaders excited about passing out everything I started. I ran up and down yelling Merry Christmas! I was passing out candy and making sure the boys were keeping up with the float. (some of you would say that sounds like Michelle. I have claimed down A LOT in my older years)

Scouts has taken me out of my comfort zone for sure. The boys had lots of fun. I was so tired by the end of the two miles. I for sure got my work out for the weekend!!
I did run into Friends I have not seen in a few years. That was fun!

Visiting Santa

When we were at the Mall on Friday we had to go by and see Santa. Ty and Lori love it of course and Bryn was not to sure about what was happening.

Lori's Birthday -- 4 years old

Happy Birthday to Lori.

We had a fun day, playing games, going to Ty's awards, going to McDonald's for lunch, going on a bike ride with Dad and Ty and going out to Dinner with the family.

The top picture of the family is coming out of the Mall and it was FREEZING. They all had hats on but Mom. So we had to take a picture. I think that was the fastest we have walked back to the car. We were all cold.

Ty's 4.0

On Friday Ty was given two awards for the first tri-mester. One was for good citizenship and the other was for a 4.0 grade. Ty works VERY hard to get good grades. We are so excited for him. He for sure has taken after his Dad in school. :) :)

side note. - as most of you know Ty is our worrier. He also gets very sad when he is not with Zack and I. The last night at Dad and Mom's when going to bed at 11pm he was sad and worried and tired. He told Kate that he was sad and worried that he will not pass 3rd grade. He now knows he is doing well and once again we remind him not to worry.

Our way home from our weekend get away

As most of you know, Zack and I just celebrated 11 year of marriage. YEA!!! I have been so blessed having Zack in my life. Ty and Lori had lots of fun with there Aunt Kate and Rachel and their cousins. They had a sleep over with Anna and Carly. They got G and G Barlow's Christmas Tree with Kate. Then even stayed up late decorating it. (I'm sure they were up late each night)

From these pictures can you tell which child was with us resting and relaxing......? Lori was out by the time we got to Santa Rosa Rd. Ty by the time we were in Moorpark. Bryn just was playing and talking to me on the way home.

Thanks to all who helped with our children so we could get away for a few days. :)

Our Barlow Cousins

When ever the kids are together we have to take a pictures. It's been fun having everyone together so often this last year. They are all growing up so fast.

Lori's Birthday with the Barlow's

Here are some of the pictures from Lori's Mickey Mouse Birthday. She had a fun weekend and loves all of her gifts.

Thank you everyone for coming and your gifts.

Aunt Nunna jumping

Melinda came to spend time with us during Thanksgiving break. She asked the kids what do you want to do?, I'll do whatever you want. Ty said "Whatever?" As you can tell they got her up on the trampoline. Ty and Lori had SOOOOO much fun! I think Melinda did also. :) :)

Bryn - 4 months old

On November 18 Bryn turned 4 months. She is a GREAT baby. She is looking more and more like Ty. We feel so blessed having her in our family.
On Dec. 4 we went to the Dr. for her 4 month check up. Bryn is becoming another Bird baby.
She weights 15 lbs. 8 oz. ht. 24 inches and 16 1/2 inch head.
She started off small but is getting feed well. :)

Our Girls

Lori and Bryn visiting their Dad at work. They love to go have lunch with Dad on Wednesdays after Library class.

(sorry I cannot figure out how to fix picture)

Ty in scouting.....

October 24th Ty earned his Wolf badge in Cub Scouts. He also earned his Faith in God patch for scouts. He loves scouts!! We are so proud of him. Our Cub Master was out of town so I was giving out the awards that night. It was fun to give Ty his.

BRYN

Friday night when we were coming home from Camarillo Bryn was having a hard time.
So I put my finger in her month and what did I find......
A tooth that had cut through. Not a front one like normal but a back tooth.

It is crazy that Bryn is 4 months and has a tooth. She is following in her
brothers foot steps.

Halloween Part II

So I changed the original part 2 to part 1 1/2 and made this post Halloween part II. So if your looking for the original part II then look to part 1 1/2 but if you want the new part II then look here and you will be in the right place. However, if you want part I then go to part I. I promise that I, II or now I 1/2, and II which was non existent, will bring you halloween joy and mind clarity....Like this paragraph :-)

Ty and Zack dressed up for work and school -- Halloween!

(shirt designed by Zachary Bird; and produced by Zachary Bird and Michelle Bird; and amazed by all!!!)

Bryn as piglet!

The family and the costumes before Trick or Treating

Ty and Lori with their pumpkins on Halloween!!

Halloween Part I 1/2

Our Ward Halloween Party. TJ was able to come up with us and everyone had a great time!!

Ty (Cowboy), Bryn (Piglet), Lori (Cinderella), TJ (Superman)

Lori had a ceramic pumkin that broke just before the picture. We wanted to take it anyway...Posterity is calling!

Halloween Part I

So we did the annual carving of the pumkins and things turned out pretty well. We had a good time doing this for family night.

Ty did most of the work on his pumkin I helped touch up. Lori designed and I cut. Like the hair???

The Finished products....Even Bryn has one!!

Bryn's 3 month picture

So Bryn is 3 months and we wanted to post the picture. Enjoy!!

Holding Lori's hand and talking with her.

Talking to Daddy....

She was cooing and making cool baby noises or "talking". I figure she hears her brother and sister talk so much she can't wait to talk. Also love the smiles!!

Lori's Graduation

Lori has "Graduated" from going to see Dr. Shaul's.
This is her surgeon. It will be sad not being able to see him
and his staff. What a blessing though. We are happy that Lori is recovering
well.
For her Graduation Dr. Shaul gave her 2 purple suckers and a big hug.

We now go down to Children's Hospital every 3 months. Soon it will be every 6 months.

We haven't posted about Ty in a while and today was his 5th game of the year. They ended up losing a tough game 7 - 4. They had several near misses on goal including Ty missing about 3 by very little. The above video is Ty winning a drop ball. Below is one of Ty's near misses. The Lightning strikers are 2 - 3. But, they are still having fun and progressing each game.

Bryn's Blessing

Bryn Lucy Bird was blessed September 23, 2007 and we had many family and friends attend. After Sacrament Meeting we went home to have food and enjoy each other's company. Thanks to all! I posted just a few of the pictures as I am sure more will pop up in other blog locations.


From left to right: Dave Barlow, Lorraine Barlow, Michelle Bird, Bryn Bird, Zachary Bird, Suzanne Bird, and Steve Bird.

The Beautiful Bryn with her parents. Dad's Ty is crooked and no one said anything.

Notice the matching bracelets of Bryn and Lori! Ty already changed his clothes by the time we were home and saying hello so, all of about 2 - 5 minutes the play clothes were on. I think he may have some of his Uncle Craig in him as he loves the idea of wearing his "after church" clothes under his church clothes.

3 babies

Visiting G&G Barlow's.

Mac - in the middle is 8 weeks

Bryn - left is 7 weeks

Hallie - right is 2 1/2 weeks

Mac was happy during all the picture taking. Cannot say the same for the girls. (smiles)

Ty's Soccer Game 9/8/07

Lori and Bryn were "thrilled" to be watching their brother and the start of the Soccer season.
Ty's pictures: Summary of Game below---

The picture (above) is just before Ty scored his goal!!!! Game winner, even!

Ty had his first game and had a good time. The field is a little bigger and the goals are bigger so they have to learn to play positions even better. Ty learned this quickly when he played forward in the 4th quarter. He played goalie (1st) fullback (2nd) out (3rd) forward (4th). The won 5-4 over his friend, Javier from baseball and soccer, and their team the Strikers. Ty's team is the Lightning Strikers.

First day of 3rd Grade

Can you believe it Ty is in third grade. I can remember 3rd grade myself. I was called machine gun because of my laugh. I had a man as my teacher. We all thought that how weird. My friends and I use to make glue figures. Anyone else do that?
Ty was very excited about this year. So different from last year. He came home saying it was the greatest day ever. One of the things he loves is his teacher is like him and his parents. She is always hot. So she has the A/C on all day. Last year he said he was hot and wet most of the day. Anyway it made us laugh. This is Ty's new cool back pack. As Ty says. One of the older boys at church has one and so they are way cool, so Ty just had to have one. It did help that his other one was shot and he really did need a new bag.