The night before my sister in law’s wedding we took some casual shots of the whole family. Their house sits on an amazing piece of land right next to an open field. This was the perfect spot for some family pictures.
We love and miss you!Love,
Heather
Ken worked this past Sunday. This doesn’t happen often and while it was a bummer, I decided I would take the opportunity to have a productive morning. I woke up early determined to finish up many things that had been on my To Do list for way too long. I excitedly told the boys that it was a movie morning and thought to myself, “this is great, they can have a lazy day on the couch, and I will get everything done.” I got to work editing some pictures and stopped half way through my first task when I realized my boys weren’t all that excited about a “movie morning.” I realized this wasn’t a special occurrence. Rather, this lazy day in front of the TV had become more of the norm lately. I’ve had so much to do and not enough time to do it that I have resorted to the TV as a babysitter entirely too much in the past couple of weeks. So, I shut down the computer and announced we were going for a bike ride. My boys were thrilled. As soon as we stepped outside I felt the weight of my stupid to do list being lifted. I knew it was only for a bit but for the time being, I wasn’t worrying about what I had to get done but rather what my boys wanted to get done in the next few hours. No agenda except for theirs. We’ve had far too much of mommy’s agenda lately. They wanted to explore, race on their bikes and play.
We rode to the “treehouse.”
My boys love exploring the stream here.
They love swinging on the rope swing,
even if they smack themselves into the tree with every westward swing.
And they especially love climbing the tree. (There’s not really a treehouse here. We just, for whatever reason, refer to this location as “the treehouse” but this would be an amazing tree for one.)
We explored, threw rocks in the stream, gathered sticks to be used as fishing poles,
and sticks to be used as swords.
and enjoyed being together. When I’m overly busy I tend to have an agenda with every decision I make. “Sure, we can play outside,” because I’ll mow the lawn while you’re playing. “Sure, you can have a popscicle” because it will keep you busy for 15 minutes while I finish up. “Sure we can go to McDonald’s” because I have 42 places to stop before we get there. My boys needed this time doing what they wanted without any ulterior motives from me. After playing at the treehouse, we continued on to the park. After the park, we came home to play with play-doh. And then, they were happy to curl up on the couch, watch a movie, and nap. While they needed this morning, I think I needed it even more. My afternoon was far more productive than the whole day would have been if I had stayed glued to the computer screen, irritated at my kids with every interruption.
I’m still busy. This is a busy time of the year in all regards for me, but I’m going to try to be better. I’m going to try to spend time actually playing with my kids, I’m going to enjoy a popscicle with them, I’m going to head out to the treehouse and climb that tree with them. Because I need it too.
Love,
Heather
(All photos in the post were taken with my phone. Because who needs to drag along a big camera when your trying to unwind?)
Ricky shared this spot with me on one of our walks. We’ve stopped on our way to the park and again on our way back. Good memories.
Grandma DeDe
On Saturday, May 11th, Team Teresa gathered in downtown Salt Lake City to participate in the Komen Utah Race for the Cure. It was a 5k and it bore the title, “Race” but it wasn’t about being competitive and coming in first. We walked and ran to support our friend Teresa and countless others who have faced or are currently facing the battle with breast cancer. More than walking and running, we spent time laughing, catching up and being together. It was a morning, as my friend wrote in her blog, “filled with life and energy.”
Our friend Misti Milner, Team Captain of Team Teresa, rallied a huge group of us out on that beautiful morning.
We had little ones,
and participants from multiple states representing Team Teresa. Teresa’s brother from Arizona:
Our friends from Kansas:
And from Oregon:
My ENTIRE family:
and many other families and tons of friends:
Missing our Suriya, from our high school best friends pic! 
Teresa, and her beautiful family.
To see all of the images and video clips, see the slideshow below or visit my facebook page:
Love,
Heather
I don’t really know where to begin with this post except to say that the 5th annual Murder Mystery Party was an absolute blast. Ken and I had our hearts set on a disco themed party this year, but had a hard time finding one that would suit our needs. Luckily the company that we used last year for the Super Hero Mystery worked with us to make our Disco dreams come true. Shot in the Dark Mysteries created another great party for us however just like every year, it was our fantastic friends that made the party so much fun. We knew that the disco theme would bring out some awesome costumes and some fabulous dance moves but it was better than I would have imagined.
Behold, the costumes: (again, I don’t know where to begin or how to limit so beware… lots of awesome costume pictures ahead.)
#whichoneofthesethingsdoesn’tbelonghere?
I explained how the party works in more detail in last year’s post, but the party begins with a murder. With the exception of one year, Ken is always the person to be murdered. He loves playing this role as it allows him the ability to wander, socialize, and not have to worry about any details other than those that he may choose to fabricate to make the night more interesting.
Howard Stern look-a-like?
Then we continue with introductions where everyone can give a little background on their character.
The party progresses with everyone questioning suspects, conniving information out of each other and deterring suspicion from themselves in order to determine who is the murderer.
So happy that our friend, Mary, could finally be in town this year for the party! We missed having her husband, Kase here though!
This year, things took a different spin, literally. When you’ve got a disco ball spinning overhead and the sounds of Abba blasting you can’t really help but dance.
And so we danced.
You may not believe, when looking at the rest of these pictures that this group is made up of multiple teachers, doctors, accountants, lawyers, executives, business owners, directors, reporters, managers, administrators, etc. Everyone’s lives have been crazy, busy and emotional lately. A good majority of us participated in the Race for the Cure (post coming soon) the morning of the disco party and I think we all just needed a really good release. Disco dancing was that release last Saturday night.
The party ends with everyone submitting a ballot to guess who did it. This year, the murderer was played by Bryan Jeffreys.
Thank you to all of our friends, the Murder Mystery veterans and the 5 newcomers this year, for making the party more and more fun each year.
Half way through each party Ken finds me, puts his arm around my neck, pulls me close and announces: “Best one yet!” They do get better each year, but the disco may have had something to do with it this year. Many of us agreed throughout the night that we all just need a night of good ol’ disco dancing every now and then… with or without the murder.
To see more pictures, visit my Facebook page.
Love,Heather
Best part-ay ever! Thank you Ken and Heather!
What I wouldn’t give to be in town for that party some year! Great pictures!
If Farmington only knew what hit it. Thank you, Birds, we needed that.
Heather–Awesome pics of the BEST PARTY EVER!! You guys are so awesome to host such a fun event! I loved that your living room was turned into a disco lounge. Good times indeed. Thank you!
Vicky and John knew each other when they were young. In fact, Vicky attended a Marine Ball with Johnny many years ago. God had a plan for their lives, they just didn’t know it then. Off they went in different directions, living separate lives. They were each blessed with beautiful children, six between the two of them. And then God brought them back together to be joined as one big family. A modern day fairytale.
Vicky and John’s invitation read, “Do you believe in fairytales? We do…. Join us as we head into happily-ever-after.” And a fairytale event it was!
Surrounded by their family and friends, in what felt like an enchanted forest, Vicky descended from her tower otherwise known as my mother in law’s amazing treehouse, to Johnny where their families were joined together.
I captured a few photos as Vicky prepared for her big day.
And then found the kids outside.
Vicky’s youngest son.
Cousins
Vicky’s four beautiful kids.
Prior to the ceremony Vicky waited in the tree-house.
A special prayer prior to the ceremony.
Both of my beautiful sister in laws.
Johnny waited below.
As the ceremony began, each one of Vicky and Johnny’s children descended from the tree house and presented John with a single rose. The rest of their families also contributed a rose.
Vicky’s sister, Gayla, then tied the roses together to form Vicky’s bouquet.
Jett, returned to walk his stunning mother down
to where Johnny met her.
The ceremony was so beautiful and very spiritual.
The mothers of the bride and groom were acknowledged during the ceremony. Two amazing women!
Lots of happy tears.
The vows.
The exchange of the rings.
The unity sand pouring ceremony.
AND…. the best wedding kiss EVER! Straight from a Fairytale!
The best part of the picture below…my niece Evie’s reaction!
The new Mr. and Mrs. Vicky and Johnny Tade!
And the whole clan.
Their first dance was to Blake Shelton’s, “God gave me you.” So appropriate and such a beautiful song.
And if this all wasn’t fairytale enough already, they cut the cake with a sword. A SWORD!! Awesome.
Vicky and her mom.
Johnny’s mom and Vicky’s mom. These two have been lifelong friends and couldn’t be happier for their kids.
And we finished off the night with some dancing!
These last photos need an explanation. This tradition started with a friend’s family long ago. They brought the tradition to my group of friends. We took it to my family weddings. It took place at my own wedding where Ken’s mom, after seeing this for the first time says, “We HAVE to represent the Bird family” and proceeded to join the rest of us on the ground. And here it is continuing at Ken’s family weddings. It goes like this… the DJ plays Proud Mary, everyone dances and sings along, the chorus of “Rollin, rollin, rollin on a river” begins and everyone, EVERYONE hits the deck and starts rolling. It’s a riot. No, seriously, it is. Here is the bride herself rolling.
…. and they all lived happily ever after.
I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect fairytale setting for your wedding. The day was absolutely beautiful and I was so honored and happy to be a part of it. Congratulations to you both, Vicky and Johnny. I love you.
Love,
Heather
Beautiful !!! Congratulations !!!
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful wedding!!! Well done!
How did I miss “Rollin on the River”. I look forward to rolling!!
I especially love the picture of Seth dancing with his little girl Bella.
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