Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Why we go outside

These are a few pictures that help explain why we spend so much time outside in the summer.
Mason is a complete mess when he eats. He still refuses to be fed, and he is still lacking the skills to not end up wearing most of his food.
 I just love having "help" when I'm trying to work on projects.
 
However, I've learned that it's better to have them underfoot than out of sight.
 Mason was trying his hardest to climb onto the counter. Check out the way he's stretching on to his tippy toes.
 So... outside we go. We're all much happier out there.

 

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Timpanogos Caves

The Bird Family headed up American Fork Canyon to explore the Timpanogos Caves. It was a steep hike up, but we all made it with smiles on our faces. The caves were really pretty and we all enjoyed ice cream cones at the bottom.
 

Best little 4 year old hiker I know.




Mason wasn't too happy about being held in the caves. He wanted DOWN!


Cory loves his cousins so much. He talks about them every day and has an amazing ability to remember all the details of their times together.




Mason fell asleep on the way down. I couldn't get over his cute little fat legs dangling out of the pack.

Poor Mason didn't even wake up for an ice cream cone. That's when you know he was really wiped out.






Friday, July 26, 2013

Pioneer Day

Pioneer day started out like any other day, until..... Cory won a bike at the Mapleton's Pioneer Day celebration. Grandma Bird put Cory's name in the 4 year old bike drawing and that lucky little dude was the first name they announced as a winner. 

Watching the helicopter drop the ping pong balls:
It turns out that Cory is quite the little stage performer. Give this kid a microphone and he will turn on the personality. The dj guy asked him his name and Cory responded, "Cory Dee Bird!!!" Then the dj asked him how old he was. Cory yelled, "3...4...5,6,7, 11.... (and then Kevin pulled him away from the mic). Everybody laughed, and Cory asked us over and over if we heard everyone laugh at him. He was pretty proud that he got a response out of the crowd.

Cory had first choice of all of the bikes, and he chose this red "Rocket" bike.





Monday, July 22, 2013

Bird Family trip to Bryce

I was nervous we were going to completely melt going to Bryce in July, but it turned out to be a fantastic trip. We stayed in the cutest little cabins in Tropic (thank you Mom and Dad Bird!). The weather was overcast and comfortable and the 2 times it sprinkled, we were having down time back at the cabins. The kids loved playing on the playground and feeding the animals. We were able to do a couple hikes and stopped at tons of lookouts. Cory enjoyed riding in the van with Mike and Megan. 
A little while after we had visited a gift shop, we realized Mason had shoplifted a rock. It was pretty funny. We returned it and Grandma bought all of the kids a couple rocks.  Cory was a hiking machine. He amazes us with how much endurance he has for such a little guy. Mason loved being in the backpack and was really content. 

Bryce Country Cabins:
Cory enjoyed getting out at the overlooks with his cousins.
 Mama Bird and me
 Party Wagon!


 I love these two boys.









 The three Bird brothers:
 


 The Garcia clan:




 The Navajo Loop Trail was the longest and most difficult hike we did. Luckily it was absolutely gorgeous and completely worth every step!


 These two monkeys had so much fun "exploring".

 We goofed off at Ruby's Inn before we headed home.


 This next picture is weird. This is the kind of thing we pull over and take pictures of for our Cory Boy. These folks had skeletons decorating their rusty old tractors.