Jackson Trip

Last week I took the kids and we went to Jackson, where I grew up, to have a mini-reunion with my best friends from high school. There were 5 of us who got together (we missed our bff Nichole-she and her kiddos were sick!) Between the 5 of us, there are 12 kids 6 and under and 3 more on the way!! It was SO much fun and a little chaotic and in all the craziness, we didn't get a picture of the 5 friends. I did get some great ones of my crew and their new friends though...

Little Nathan and his BIG personality!! I feel like this picture captures so much of him- I may blow it up to an 8x10 and put it on his wall!!

Potato Sack Race (or pillow cases!!) at Sophia's birthday party!

On Your Mark... Get Set...

GO!!!

Abby, Sarah, Sadie, and Anna Grace


Two down, two still hopping!!

sweet smile!

One of Abby's favorite parts of the trip was this backyard swing! Miss Anna pushed her way higher than mommy ever would have and it was SOOO much fun!!

Four fast friends. Sadie, Abby, Bella Ward, and Sarah

An old-fashioned tricycle...

Our last day there, we spent the morning at the Jackson Zoo. The elephants were the highlight because they came up so close to where we were standing!

Up-close elephants!

Abby and Jacob were mesmerized by this albino peacock. He was strutting around the picnic area and they were fascinated by him!!

Albino peacock- have you ever seen one before?

Easter 2009

We started our Easter season out with Abby's Kindergarten musical, The Three Trees. I told her music teacher that I now lovingly refer to it as The Three Buckets of Tears musical. It is such a sweet story and even sweeter when being sung by our favorite kindergarteners!

Abby and Ms. Candler (her K teacher!)

Abby and Emma Grace after 3 Trees

of course Mimi and Gramps were there to see their little tree!

I was encouraged by my friend Becky to help my children anticipate Easter. We have always done and loved the Resurrection Eggs, but this year we made a countdown to Easter and I tried to do something with them each day to help them understand and be excited about Easter Sunday. We did crafts, looked at pictures, learned hymns and songs, and read lots of Bible verses.

we decorated crosses with glitter and jewels and talked about John 3:16 and how God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross

we went to our annual egg hunt (which for our family was a nightmare- too much in one day, but before the tears, I got a few pics!) Nathan and Jay hunting eggs!

Spain Park at the egg hunt

April 12, 2009

Mr. Brown Eyes

playing peek a boo with Nathan!

Jacob being most cooperative

Abby in her pretty white dress

The three with a hint of a smile on each face!!

Easter Sunday friends! Each year we have some of our friends over who don't have family in town either. We have really grown in number, but also in our love for this special day with our friends

standing: Jacob, Liam, John Douglas, Jackson

sitting: Gianna, Ellie, Noah, Abby, Virginia, Sabrina

(Nathan opted out of this photo shoot)

Easter 2006 (stroll down memory lane!) The 2nd year we had our friends over, but the first digital pic I have of it!

Virginia, John Douglas, Ellie, Abby, Jacob, & Liam!!

Happy Easter from the Byrds! May this year be one that we all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus and be abundantly grateful for His sacrifice for us on the cross.

Just Playin

I took these pics of Abby shortly after I got my new camera (thanks, Jay- it is the best anniversary gift yet!) I was playing with some of the settings and love some of these shots of Abby!

I make no claims to be a great photographer, I just love having a camera that has no delay so I don't get so frustrated when I miss a great shot!!

There once was a little boy named Nathan. He had this very cute habit of rubbing his hands in his hair... if you look closely you'll see his wild hair- it matches his personality...this morning we had waffles- guess where most of his syrup ended up?

tonight at dinner, it was yogurt...
after his 4th bath in 2 days we decided to try a new hairstyle...

he likes it!!!!

First soccer game!! Saturday, March 7, 2009

All dressed and ready to play!! (she cried for 15 minutes before we got to the field b/c she said her uniform made her look like a boy!)
Soccer brothers w/ their gear!

snack time after the game! (secretly their favorite part!)

Mimi and Gramps! These two get the all-star award! They got up at 4:30am and drove in for the 1st game!!

Abby and one of her best friends, Emma Grace

team huddle- getting all geared up!

After a few tears, Abby had a great first game! I think that the whole concept finally clicked during the game and she had so much fun playing and encouraging her teammates while they played. This is going to be a great, character building experience for us all!

19 months (meant to do this at 18m!!)

still our little zookeeper. we drag all his favorite animals all over town!
he loves to sit by the front door and watch the birds and squirrels. every morning he runs to the door, opens it, and waves goodbye to Jay and Abby. This particular morning he colored there for about 30 minutes!

probably eating something he "swiped" from someone else!

playing with Abby's soccer ball!

Winter Wonderland!! March 1, 2009 SNOW!!!

We woke up this morning to
SNOW!!
When we got up there was a little over an inch on the ground, but by the time it was all said and done, we probably had b/t 3 and 4 inches. Obviously, it was Nathan's first snow and the first one that Jacob remembered. He was two last January when it snowed just a little bit. Anyway, the kids had a blast and it reaffirmed for me that I am SO glad it's just a once a year thing here. It's beautiful to look at, but such a mess and takes so long to get bundled up to go out and 7 minutes later they are freezing and back inside!! We played outside twice and warmed up in b/t with hot chocolate.

view from the front porch

The snow-covered trees were beautiful!

the snowman!!

he lasted about 3 minutes before he was "all done!"

the largest snowball of the day!

One day, I will get a picture of all 3 looking, smiling, cooperating;

for now, this will have to do!

this was our second time out to play.

Sweet little child...

she thought about trying for snowman number 2, but her gloves were still wet and it took about 2 1/2 minutes until her hands were hurting and we ran back inside!!