So it had been over 2 years since the Chris Bird family had all been in the same place, let alone together for a reunion! Lots of planning, coordination and generosity went into getting all 21 of us in the same place at the same time. Because of many circumstances, all the Bird clan besides the Stoi's are in Idaho. Lynette's family went first because Jason got his dream-come-true job and is a teacher at BYUI in Rexburg, ID. Then, Steve, Kori and crew ended up in a situation that led them to be in Idaho Falls (40 min away from Rexburg). Well, obviously to anyone that knows the situation and my family, my parents soon followed. It is such a blessing for them. Steve, Kori and clan were their life and support in Illinois, and now not only do they get the amazing support and love from them, but now Lynette, Jason and kiddos are 40 mins away. Hence, with us being the only ones left in the midwest, we are the traveling crazy circus to get to be with everyone else. Ryan didn't have many vacation days due to his MBA program, so he was only able to join for a weekend. However me and the kiddos wanted much more time than that to reconnect with our cousins, siblings and parents. So I decided to set out on the 11 day journey alone. It was best to have Ryan join us over the weekend to be in the middle of our visit, so I was the lucky one (meaning I drew the short straw) to travel there and back on the plane, layover, changing planes, ending up in SLC then a 3 hour drive, with just me and the 3 kiddos. LOVE them all, but remember there are three ages 4-and-under! :-)
So here is a picture documentary of our trip. Honestly though, as difficult as the travel was, being there was such a blessing. To watch my kids form relationships with their cousins, aunts and uncles, and grow their relationship with Grandma and Grandpa were priceless. Family is EVERYTHING. Nothing will EVER get in my way of relationships with my family. I will never get to into my views or opinions of this government or world, because when all else fails there is nothing, NOTHING, but love and family.
So I when I started this blog, I thought people might read it, but I am learning I am not a good enough blogger (in quality or quantity) to gain a cult following. Really, I am ok with that because all this was from the beginning was my journal/scrapbook. So if I were talking to the blogging world, I would now say enjoy this family trip through our pictures. However, since this is destined for our family history scrapbooks instead, I will say, "Here come the pics that help show and describe the amazing time we had and love we felt as we were all able to be together for 11 days!"
Our first flight took off at 7AM. Doesn't sound too bad, but remember that means we have to be at the airport by 5ish. that meaning these 3 little kiddos have been awake since 4AM.
Had to take a picture of my face showing how I felt inside as I was embarking on this journey alone with these 3...Pyper on my lap, and the other 2 next to us...
My prayers were answered and this happened first... I know I am so biased but this is my angel on earth and is as beautiful as you can get...
Then this happened...We ended up making it just fine! The man in front of us as we were getting off the plane actually was completely flabbergasted that I had 3 little ones all on my own because he barely heard anything. All I can say from that is PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED!
Sent this pic to Ryan because it is both of our favorite bread of all time but only sold in Utah and Idaho. So first day I bought it and sent him the pic of what was waiting for him when he got there.
Chicken mouth kids playing at Chick Fil A as Grandma and Grandpa were running errands. They dropped us off so kiddos could get out some energy...
Lady eyes...
Two of the most beautiful women on this earth inside and out. I LOVE this picture of my mom and my daughter. I honestly think there aren't many more pure and loving hearts that exist on this Earth than in these two girls. And I am just blessed that I can claim them as mine.
Yes, welcome to Idaho. September morning and snow... Then there is the cute boy with his bink and blankie...love him.
Saturday morning began by a park play date with the whole clan for cousins to play and grown ups to chat. Bundled and ready to party at the park with cousins!
Sorry its blurry, but only pic I had of this table during lunch...Gandolfo's lunch that is...best sandwiches EVAR (in our humble opinion anyway)
Another table devouring the yummyness!
In deep conversation...most likely politics related if I had to guess...
Cousins
Michael cheesein it up
Grandma letting her suck on a red rope...lets just say she was a big fan!:-)
Danny and Michael being silly
Playin with cousins is so much fun!:-)
I put this here to at least try to document the actual size of my "little nephew" Braxton. I really do remember the day he was born and holding him as a tiny baby. Well that baby is now well over 6 feet tall, and at only 15 years old. He is the sweetest boy ever though and I love hugging my "little" nephew while my head maybe reaches his chest:-)
Two of the cutest little cousins ever!:-)
What mom, eat cheetos? Not me!:-)
All 13 grandkids...hey from just 3 kids that is pretty good!:-)
Another one of the 13
The whole Bird clan!
How can you not love all these cute kiddos!
Such a cute pic Kori had the idea for...can you find Danny?!:-)
Someone LOVES her Uncle Steve!
Our Zoo map reader
Have you ever ridden a tiger? These kids have!
Later that night we took family pictures at this gorgeous barn Kori had found. Kori was the photographer for everything besides the ones that she was in. Then we had Jeanine take the rest. Kori has a great creative eye and did such a great job! Our family was first because it was freezing and our little kids just were not ok for too long! Gotta love Danny's face:-)
The whole Bird family!
Grandma and Grandpa and the kiddos... Those two beautiful people did such a good job!
Grandma and all her little ladies! No surprise to anyone my girls are in all yellow:-) Everyone was so nice to coordinate with us!
Look at all those handsome men! Couldn't be more blessed to be related to each and every one of them!
The original clan...These two parents did an amazing job!
The handsome and beautiful Williams.
Pretty ladies!
Steve, Kori, and clan. Such a beautiful family inside and out. I have and always will look up to them...well yes literally but also spiritually and they are overall just great examples!
Some more pretty ladies!!!
We were able to go to a huge trampoline jumpy place in IF and lets just say, the kids LOVED it! This is LJ sliding down after climbing up with Megan.
Danny made his own rules up for dodge ball...
Jumpy jumpy jumpy!
Come slide with me Danny!:-)
Pyper was such a good girl the whole trip. She has always been a baby to roll with the punches amazingly! Since daddy had to go home 6 days before us I would take and send him pictures every day cuz he was missing his lovey's. This is one that was titled "Good morning Daddy! I miss you!"
After the actual reunion was over me and the kids headed to Aunt Lynette's house to hang out for a few days because they were on potato harvest break. Yes, that is a real thing in parts of Idaho because so many kids have to be a part of the harvesting on the farms. This was a normal view during those few days. Just makes me happy though looking at cousins just hanging together:-)
Tyler and Pyper became besties. Two of the cuties little babes ever! To give you a better idea of how small our little lady is, she is 16mo and he is 9 months. However I see a friendship for life!:-)
Another "Good morning Daddy!"
Entertaining the babes with Baby Einstein on the computer... They are all very involved!
The besties playing together:_)
So unfortunately at the tail end of our trip the tummy bug started to rotate through the family. For ours, LJ got it first. This was a picture of her the morning after she was up multiple times in the night getting sick:-( All we prayed was the the sickness wouldn't hit the rest of us at least until we were home, and our prayers were answered. We were able to make the 12 hour journey from cars to planes with no sickness. Danny, Pyper and me all got it a couple days after, and it was horrible, but at least we were home! Heavenly Father answers prayers!:-)
I took this picture on our drive from Idaho to SLC to fly home. We called these mountains the candy cane mountains. The trees had turned the beautiful autumn colors, but then it snowed so it resulted in this...so beautiful!
This was the picture I took as we were getting to the Salt Lake Airport. I can't lie, I love my mountains. I always feel at home when I get back to them. Not saying at all the 11 day trip with 3 littles was easy, but I can say with all my heart, it was WORTH IT! I loved being back in the mountains. I loved being back with family! But most of all, I LOVED watching my children get to know better and more fall in love with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Every monetary or earthly thing can, and might one day, disappear in this life. However, our family is always there, and always will be. Thank you Idaho family for hosting and putting up with us. It was an amazing trip!
