Joseph & Lindsey

Back Again!

2010-09-13T10:59:00.013-06:00

Yeah, yeah. I know I said I would be better at keeping this updated.....well, I'm now updating it!!
The events over the summer have been many! But to solve a matter from my previous post. Joseph got another position within Mona Vie, he is now the Manager over the call center. This is an awesome move for him!
As for Ali's birthday (5), I made her a castle birthday cake that I thought I took a picture of, likewise for Anna's (10) I made a butterfly cake and after I had started to serve it out, realized that I had not taken a picture of it...sorry. They were cute though! You'll see Adam's cake later!
This summer we were fortunate to get a trampoline from Joseph's sister Susanna who got it free off of KSL! Thanks Susanna! We love it!

Ali also graduated from preschool, and has started Kindergarten this year! Adam is now in preschool.....time flies!

We also had the opportunity to go to the Sand Dunes. It was my first time going...it was loud...all the time! But the kids loved going on the 4-wheelers. Anna and Reese got to drive one. Anna even managed to roll the 4-wheeler! Good Times!
Here's Ali, all geared up.

Reese, all geared up!

This is Reese driving the 4-wheeler.

Anna, driving the 4-wheeler!

Joseph and Adam!

Anna and Ali are apart of Miss Margene's dance studio, and this was their Spring Concert. I have their actual dances on the video camera, and should probably put those on...huh!

For our Family Vacation this year we went to the Varsity Big Event (boy scout camp). For one of my Wood Badge tickets, I volunteered at this event and did a game there which was the Drunken Frontiersman. There were different colored ropes on the ground and they (the scouts) had to follow a certain color wearing beer goggles. It was awesome to watch! The kids had a great time at the kids' camp. At this campout we had rain and snow the first day we got there, and then it was perfect for the rest of the time....thank goodness!

Almost all the the campouts I have gone on this summer had rain, Girl's Camp was by far the best one weather wise!

At the Big Event, there was a POW camp. For this event you had to go through different obstacles to get your crew out of the camp. We did it as a family. Usually there is no talking during this, but since we had little ones, they let us talk. We also had extra help. So here we are at the beginning of the run, all chained up.

Joseph was chained to this "death row rock" and would tip a bucket that had the keys to get us out.

There was a spiderweb of rope that we had to go through, and it led us to this wall that we had to get everyone up and over. Joseph was to go first to help lift everyone else over. Funny story....I was helping him over by him standing on my knee and me boosting him up with my hands. I knew he needed to get a little higher in order to make it over, but didn't think in enough time to brace myself. He stepped up to my shoulder, and I collapsed! So that's where our extra help came in!

Here's Reese coming over the wall.

Anna coming over the wall!

Then there was a mote that we had to swing over. We sent the kids over, then me, and then Joseph. Cool shot!!

At the end there was a big pipe in the ground surrounded by a circle of big rocks. We were to use the rope that we had to take with us through the whole course, wrap it around and make it so that Reese could shimmy to the pipe, get the key hanging on it, come back and the key opened the gate for us to be free.

Another activity was the rifle range. Here are Ali and Adam all geared up! (They were not old enough to shoot.)

But Adam was able to help pull the clay pigeons!

Yay!! Look at me!! I even hit some!

Look at that handsome man!! Joseph shot all his targets!

Here is Adam's birthday cake for his 3rd birthday!! It was a gumball machine, incase you can't tell from this angle!

Anna was in the Day's of 47 youth parade, with her musical theater group (Miss Margene's). I tried to get pictures of her during the parade, but unknown to me, I was on the wrong side, and those I did get of her, were just of her back! So here she is all hot and sweaty after the parade!

One of our last events of this summer was canoeing down the Green River for 4 days. This one was just Joseph and I!! Yay!! It was definitely roughing it. But it was awesome to do it.

This is a tree that has arched it self, awesome huh!

This shot is a little after the girls tried to wash our hair in the river....didn't help much...my hair was still nasty!

We also did some cliff/rock jumping. Talk about scarey! Joseph kept telling me that I wasn't jumping far enough. I was already scared jumping, I wasn't going to try and go farther out there! (I thought I was jumping far enough.)

There goes Joseph!

Sexy huh!!

I found this cute sun hat for the trip....it didn't like the river...it got a little floppy. But it helped keep the sun off.

Gosh, he's good lookin!!

Here we had just hiked up to Bowknot Bend.

It was an awesome trip.

So, all in all, we did A LOT of camping this summer. And now we're back to school. I did complete my Wood Badge tickets and therefore received my beads and have completed the course! Another event of the summer was a miscarriage. So now we'll wait and see. One frustrating thing about this, is that we have to start over. Bummer.

The kids love being back in school! Reese is now in Cub Scouts, and he gets baptised next month! Anna and Ali are back in dance, and Anna is learning numbers for the musical theaters Christmas program. Adam is just so excited to be going to preschool! Me too!

Random Thoughts

2010-03-23T09:04:00.003-07:00

Hello!

I'm trying to be good about keeping everything updated!

First of all, I can't belive there is just a little over 2 months left of school!

Ali's birthday is on Sunday, she's going to be 5! AAHHH!

We lost Reese's DS that he got for Christmas, kind-of upset about that one,

the thing is....is that the neighbors found it at their house, it was said to have been put on the

counter to be returned. We never got it, and now they can't find it. Grr.

Reese said he never took it out of the house.

Mysterious.

We also can't find Ali's baby doll she got for Christmas too!

What is up with all the disappearing things???????

On another little depressing note....Joseph is looking for another job.

While it has been a great experiance at Mona Vie, they have now cut overtime,

which was making ends meet.

Now our financial ends don't meet. Crappy.

So pray hard that he will find something quickly, and something with a higher pay.

Okay.

My Miche Bag business had been doing well, and then the beginning of the year hit,

and it's always slow for the first part, I'm really hoping it will pick up.

They are still my favorite thing!

So if you want to share in my joy, let me know, and we'll have a party!!

That's all for now, really random I know!

Try, Try, Again!

2010-02-11T16:50:00.002-07:00

OK, so I thought I was going to get better at this blogging thing. And for a while I was. But it's just like my exercising habits...

I'm really good for a while, and then it fades away.

So here I am again, and I will try, try, again.

Joseph is working at Mona Vie, and likes his job.

I say he loves it, but I may be over excited about it.

He is in Brazil as I am typing this. He said it was hot and humid over there. It's in the middle of their summer. It's been okay while he has been gone, other than not being able to communicate with him.

But then again, when he goes on his week long scout camps, I usually don't have contact with him then, so I don't know what my problem is! I have noticed that it is easier when he is gone, and I know that he is not coming home at night. I gear myself up for that and can make it through.

On the other hand, when he is home, and I am waiting for him to get home from work, I get all worked up waiting for him.

But I miss him.

Nothing much has happened since I last wrote. We have been living a pretty normal life.

The kids will get a hold of the camera sometimes, and just take random pictures.

I think this picture of Anna is one of them!

I got an invitation from the school for the maturation program!

I'm too young for this!

We love this mask.

Adam has the little voice quotes memorized....

"you don't know the power of the dark side!"

Ali was in the Nutcracker this last season.

She was in the "fishie dance"

She loved it!
She will be graduating pre-school this year!

I just got a kindergarten registration paper today from the school...wow.

As I was writing this, Ali came out of bed and said she really wants a baby sister.

She had asked me about it before.

But then she asked, "can you help me write Heavenly Father to ask Him for a baby sister?"

She cracks me up!

I said, what if it's a brother?

She quickly shook her head.....uh oh, the pressure is on!

And no, I'm not pregnant!

I know these pictures are random, but then again, so are we!!

Some time in the fall I think last year, we took a trip to Cabela's.

These are our own wild animals!

Last fall, Reese was on a soccer team at the community center.

He enjoyed it.

He learned a lot, and hopefully gained some confidence in himself.

He also made a goal!

At the beginning of the year, Joseph and I started the HCG diet. It's hard to explain about it unless one reads the manuscript by the actual Dr.

But needless to say, we did it together to support one another.

Even though we have concluded that it is a boring diet, we ended up with some great results!!

I wish we would have taken before and after pictures, but then again, I don't know if I would have put them up here for all to see!

But Joseph lost 30 pounds and 9 inches!!

He lost his belly!

For me, I lost 16 pounds and 11 inches!

A little from everywhere!

Now, those inches are a total of overall inches lost.

But we are happy!

It's a definite kick start to eating better, but I do have to say, I still miss my sugar!

Purses!!

2009-10-10T10:14:00.003-06:00

I think it was about a year ago that I happened upon the Miche Bag. Now this purse is awesome! I had never been a purse person, until a year or two ago. Joseph would just roll his eyes when I bought a new one....which were never expensive......but still he did. When we found the Miche bag, he was okay with this! Now he has a for sure present for me when ever he wants to give me one!
I had a purse party last week, and loved it! My sisters pretty much all got one! Now, I have done these small home party business things before, all of which I have stopped. But I might do it again, except with Miche Bag instead. So I think I will become a Miche Bag rep.! So if anyone wants to do a party, or get a purse......let me know!!!

Wow, what a Summer!

2009-10-02T09:05:00.004-06:00

Well, after our Anniversary post, the summer kept going! It was busy as usual. One thing I did was go to Wood Badge. It is a leadership training course, mainly for scouts, but can be used in any position. I went so that I could better appreicate what Joseph does as Scout Master. It worked! The passion that they have for scouting is amazing. I also met some amazing people that are part of the FOX patrol, of which I am apart of. Joseph is also a FOX! And so together we make a FOXY couple!!

It was also Anna's birthday! She is now 9! She definately wants to be older than she is. She loves singing and dancing. This is a picture she took when she went up to Mill Hallow, which is a type of summer camp offered by our school district. She had a lot of fun!

Reese just turned 7 yesturday! He is learning to read and is doing an awesome job. It's weird that he is old enough to go to school all day! He is still my tender heart! He is playing soccer this fall and is learning a lot.
One thing I did notice.....is that I didn't take a lot of pictures which is very strange. It's kind of sad when I really think about it. I missed a whole summer of awesome pictures.....well, time to repent and start now!!!
I need to be better at random thoughts like my sister-in-law is!!(Liza)
Hopefully the next post won't be so far away!

The Big 10!!!

2009-07-09T16:43:00.009-06:00

Anna

3rd Anniversary
Reese

Ali-I couldn't find any pregnant pictures with her....sorry!Adam-ventured to Colorado to see wicked atleast 37 weeks along! Awesome show!

Just Us!! 10 years and 4 kids later.....and a happy life!

Mr. Adam is 2!!

2009-07-09T16:22:00.003-06:00

My baby boy has turned 2! Now, that doesn't really sound that old, but in a way it does at the same time. Adam makes me laugh. He is so cute! He is talking so much. He is a good boy.
His Birth Day! He's my biggest baby!

His 1st Birthday!

This was last November at Gardener Village
such a kodak moment!

This is my handsome Adam Douglas Baird!

Happy Birthday Mr. Man!

Years Keep Passing

2009-06-01T10:43:00.006-06:00

I thought it would be fun to do a little birthday thing on Lindsey, and show how much things have changed, and how she has changed over the years!! I will admit it was her idea to do this but she is not here and I am taking over. Besides, this way I get to put up the pictures I like best. It's her birthday, she shouldn't get to choose things for herself.

Rock Climbing with the Youth right after the hair cut

Lindsey at her cousin's wedding

Dancing at a Cousin's Wedding

Lindsey holding Reese at the hospital when Sienna was born

Lindsey on her second time Snowboarding

Anna and Lindsey on the shore of Lake Michigan

Bear Lake with the Bairds. It was pigtail day for some reason

This was the night before saying goodbye to Koda

Lindsey and her best friend Wendy

This was some day in the airport. I think we were waiting for Kimber to get home

Another tour picture with Brian, Jake, Joseph

Emily and Lindsey

Before we were married on Tour with Mormon Youth Chorus

On our way to school at UVSC way back in the day when it was the SC not the U

Lindsey before the wedding reception 1999

Having some fun at our Wedding Lunch

Attention for the Brazil Post!!

2009-05-05T01:24:00.003-06:00

For Brazil pictures, look at the post before our Family Pictures 2009. I started the Brazil post first, so that's why it's before the Family Pictures. Hope you enjoy!!

Family Pictures 2009

2009-05-01T23:01:00.007-06:00

Here we are! I am excited about these pictures, they turned out so good!! Thank you to my friend Diana! Enjoy!

I absolutely love this one of Reese and Adam!

BRAZIL!!! -it's a long one!-

2009-04-30T15:59:00.014-06:00

Alrighty!!

Joseph and I left Thursday, April 2. Flew to Atlanta, flew overnight to Sao Paulo, Brazil; waited 6 hours (in the airport), then flew to Porto Alegre. Feelings for this: long, boring, exhausting, tired.......

We arrived at the POA (Porto Alegre) airport to see Bob and Vonnie, and Paulo and Mariangela (the family Joseph baptised 10 years ago) Lucas, Julia, Glaucia, and Mission President Wisenent (I don't know if that's spelled right!) What a welcome!

POA was the only place we rented a car........good thing.........the driving was INSANE!!

We stayed with the Mission President and his wife for that week which was awesome!

We were there for conference which was good timing to try and see people who he would want to see, without searching all over POA. For the first session, Vonnie translated for me, as much as she could, which was good enough for me. We stayed with Paulo and Marianglea during the second session and drove around to see places Joseph remembered. Because of the time difference, the first session was at 1 pm. the second session was at 4 pm. and Priesthood started at 9 pm. crazy huh!!

An apartment where Joseph lived.

Paulo and Mariangela.

On Sunday we went to a different city, where Joseph served and Joseph was looking in the chapel before it started to see if he recognized anybody, and guess what?!? Somebody recognized him!!! It was a family of a mother and her two sons. All were still active, both sons married and are sealed in the temple. This was an unexpected surprise, which made the trip that much sweeter!

Another family he saw there.

Porto Alegre Temple.......

Next on the trip was to another of Joseph's areas. He had baptized the mother, and didn't think anything would come of it. Later we find out that both daughters and her son were baptized! Both daughters are now married and sealed in the temple. The son has fallen away. We were able to visit all of them!!!!

That my friends is a pine cone....

Also on that trip we went to a waterfall. To get to the bottom of this waterfall you have to go down more than 700 stairs. Joseph and I did it......our legs were shaking on the way down and burning on the way up!!! But what a site!! Bob and Vonnie chose not to do this one.....good thing, they wouldn't have made it, we barely did.

Us, after the stairs....

In the city Gramado, where the waterfall was at, was like a mini Park City. It was like nothing else in Brazil. They go all out for Easter too.

We next went to Torres, the city were Bob and Vonnie spent the last year of their mission. It is a beach town where in the summer months (which is winter to us) their population more than doubles. While we were there Bob interviewed a family to be baptised. The story of this family is awesome. Since they have no baptismal font, they use the ocean! The father of the family wanted to be baptised at sunrise, he says that's when the day is born, and that's when the angels are out! It was beautiful!

What an amazing week. It was so fulfilling to see what the gospel has brought to these families.

We sadly left POA and headed to Sao Paulo for the weekend.

Us, and Paulo and Mariangela!

While in Sao Paulo, we stayed at the apartment building next to the temple, which is for those who come from far distances to stay at for little price, while they go to the temple. Joseph and I were able to do an endowment session, sealings, and initiatories. All of these were of course in Portuguese, except I did have head phones for the endowment session , and part of the initiatories were done in English for me, making them last twice as long. I didn't mind because they loved the chance to practice their English, but Joseph was worried, because he didn't know if I was okay (not knowing the language and all ;) )

One of Bob's mission companions is now in the Area Presidency in Brazil, and he took us to the best Churrhasco (like Rodizio's and Tucano's) we had the whole trip! We were able to spend Easter Sunday at the Brazil MTC. And better yet, it was an English speaking branch!!

The MTC President happened to also be Joseph's mission President, President and Sister Woodward,how cool was that!

We left Monday morning for the Falls of Iguacu. We got there to our hotel which was nice, and then took a bus ride, to get acquainted with the town. We then ate at a little place right next to our hotel. I got the chicken lasagna, which was sooooo yummy!!

Tuesday we went to the Falls, it was beautiful. We went at the end of the summer, so the water was low. Still impressive though. We got to see the Argentine side of the Falls, from the Brazil side. But we couldn't see the main falls, the Devil's Throat from the Brazil side. So we decided to go to Argentina for a day to see the other side of the Falls. Again, even though the water was low.....WOW.

On Thursday morning bright and early, we left for Sao Paulo again, and from there took a bus to Rio.

Scenery from the bus.

We stayed at a place called the Rio Guest House. Marta (the hostess) has a penthouse that she turned into a bed and breakfast. It is right on the Copacabana Beach, and really close to Impenema Beach too!!

Marta and I.
View from hotel of Copacabana Beach.

Sunset on the Impenema Beach.

Events of Rio were the Christ Redeemer statue, a tour of the city, the beach, church, a soccer game!!!!, and the beach! The weather was perfect the whole time we were in Brazil.

Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Soccer Game in Maracana Stadium....84,000 people were there! Our team won!

We left Monday night to come home......

What an awesome experience it was to go there, and for Joseph to be able to share his mission with me. It already seems like a dream.

We're Home!!

2009-04-23T18:37:00.003-06:00

We are home from Brazil! What an experiance! Right now Joseph's dad has all our pictures on his computer. So we are waiting to meet up with him to get them. So until then you will have to wait for the story of our trip, because you have to have pictures with it right?!!

We also had new family pictures taken. I will post those too! I will just need to find time!

I can't wait to post our pictures!! It was awesome!

Happy Birthday Ali-Bug!!

2009-03-25T10:16:00.007-07:00

Ali's birthday is on Saturday, but since we are having her birthday party on that day I figured I'd better do this now. I call Ali my "Love-Bug", or in short, "bug". I have to remember to add the "love" part in there every once in a while so that she doesn't think I'm calling her an insect!

Ali will be turning 4. Wow. That means we have been in this home for 3 years. When we moved in she was turning 1! Time flies. And in that time she has developed a strong personality as most of you know! I guess "bug" has a double meaning....she can be quite the "stinker" too!! Ha Ha!

Her story: The morning of March 28, 2005 started with me being able to "sleep-in" till about 8. I got up to go to the bathroom, came back and after laying down felt that "pop" that everyone talks about. And it was like a dull pop.....and then came the water. Luckily I had laid so that my back was to the outside of the bed so I quickly slid off the bed (keeping it clean!) and wobbled to the bathroom telling Joseph that my water had just broken. I wasn't in instant pain, and my water wasn't gushing. So I decided to hop in the shower, to try and have a fresh start to the day.

My brother-in-law, Bret had asked to borrow our truck that day and was coming over to switch vehicles. This worked out wonderfully because we sent Anna and Reese back with him to stay with my sister Heidi. The timing on everything was awesome! So at the same time Bret came, we were loading up in the car to head down to Provo.

Now Anna and Reese were both born at Orem Community Hospital, and we had lived in Orem. Well....things changed, we moved, so now we had to go from Eagle Mountain to Provo, in morning traffic. I made sure to have a pile of towels to sit on for the ride, and good thing, every time I had a contraction a small gush of water would come after it. I was more worried about getting stuff on the car seat then having the contractions! TMI, I know, sorry!

We got to the hospital, set up, and waited for our Dr. who himself was at a Dr. appt! Needless to say he got there right in time to deliver Ali. She came out as a healthy 8 pounds 7 ounces! Definitely our chubbiest newborn, and our darkest. She almost looked oriental!

Ali has grown up to be a determined little girl! She is now in pre-school and a dance class, and loves it. She loves her brothers and sister. She has a healthy imagination, and loves to do many things. We are very thankful to have her as part of our family. She keeps things exciting!

That's our Ali-bug, or Ali-babe! Happy Birthday Ali! We love you!

Time keeps "March"ing on....

2009-03-05T20:27:00.004-07:00

Time keeps marching on at a nice quick pace! March sounded so far away, and yet here it is! March was holding a couple things for us.....like, the last weeks of Joseph's job, and the last month to get everything ready and organized before we head to Brazil. We've been booking things for Brazil the last little bit, and it has started to become real to me. I am so excited to go. I do want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone that is helping with our children. Joseph's sisters and my mom, and some neighbors are sharing this wonderful challenge! It almost reminds me of organizing babysitters for when I was going to school. Whew!!

I am also reading the "green dragon". That's what Joseph called the Portuguese textbook from the MTC. He has been wondering how to get one for me because he says it's the best book to help learn the language. Well he was making his rounds in the DI's when he found a "green dragon" ! He was so excited. So now....I am in learning mode!

For an update on Joseph......his last day is March 13th. How fitting,....Friday the 13th! He's been sending out resumes and all that jazz. But isn't too stressed yet because we will be gone for almost a month before he can start anywhere. But hopefully during this pause in time he is able to think about what he really wants to do. He says if anyone has some leads let him know! I am so proud of Joseph and thankful for him. He is an amazing person, husband, father etc. He has been a wonderful provider for our family. Love him!!!!

Ali's birthday is also this month. She will be 4. I will hopefully put together a birthday post later in the month.

I have been getting into "Parenting with Love and Logic". My mom had a workbook for the class 10 years ago I think. But the concepts of this "program" are awesome and I'm trying to learn them and practice them so that I can feel like I can control my children. I've been struggling with the feeling of "why have more children if I can't manage the one's I have?" It's a very frustrating and conflicting feeling. So I am trying this parenting concept to see if that will help me help them. It'll take practice though.

There ya have it.....there it is.

What Next?

2009-02-03T19:29:00.003-07:00

Well, there was a time last month when I thought our water heater was going out. Luckily our furnace repair man bumped the nobby thing and turned it down. (That was also when we thought something was wrong with the furnace.) But it was something simple. Yay for us! About the same time our computer drives had been shutting down, and finally, the whole thing crashed. Bummer huh. Awesome for us, we didn't loose anything! Joseph was able to do a progression of things to get the viruses off the computer, and we are putting it back together. However not soon enough for me to have pictures or anything for this entry. Well we are using Joseph's old laptop that his sister Eliza was using; so we'll see what pictures she has in here!!!

But through all of those "scares", we ended up being okay. We are blessed.

Now here's the whopper. Through turns of the economy and such, the institution known as American Express decided to downsize. Half of this was to happen beginning of November, and the second half the end of January. Well I think you know where this is going.....Joseph was one of those. Thankfully he will still work for 45 days and then have 10 weeks severance. But in the middle of that, we have Brazil.
A lot of people have always said things like this are a blessing in disguise. So I decided not to be negative about this and push possible blessings away. I am trying to be positive about this, and challenge what is to come.
Joseph is an amazing person, with amazing skills. Hopefully he will be led to those sites and to know where to look to find a job. This will also give him a chance to think about what he wants to do. He had previously said he didn't want to work in a call center anymore; but now that he is in this position he is falling back on that as something he knows how to do. But I would hate to have him fall into the same old rut, instead of finding something new that he enjoyed.

So all in all, we will see what happens.

On a lighter note, the kids are doing well, and plugging through the school year.
Look what I found! This is a picture that Joseph's sister Eliza took when she was watching my kids while I was at school for something. This is in the new library at UVU. Cute huh!!

Time to catch up!!

2009-01-17T11:05:00.006-07:00

Christmas was wonderful. Even with the bit of house hopping that we did on Christmas Eve, it still went well. Christmas Day was surprisingly relaxing, we got to hang out at home for most the day and then went to dinner at my Grandma Baker's house. Ususally we are house hopping.

We had a family party on the Keiser side (mom's side). This was the first year in a church, we are just too big for anyone's house!! It was wierd, but nice to have so much room. This picture is of the talent show. We played Jingle Bells on musical tubes, by hitting our heads!

Here is Anna with her white board that she asked for......

Reese and his BumbleBee Transformers.....

Ali recieved a FurReal pet monkey.......

Adam recieved balls and cars, which he loves!! It's so nice when they are easy to please!!

Lined up, in their new PJ's, waiting to go into the family room!!

And now.......the moment you've all been waiting for..........(well atleast I have!) It's official, I am done with school!

Up Next in our family is the countdown to Brazil!!! Joseph and I are going to Brazil to pick up his parents from their mission! So excited!

Christmas Programs and Fun!

2008-12-19T18:02:00.013-07:00

As mentioned before, Anna is in Miss Margene's Creative Musical Generation. During the first part of December she was really busy with performances. But now only has 2 left! She was also in the Nutcracker, put on by the dance groups of the same company. She was in the Irish dance.

This is her costume for her musical theater group performances.

This is probably my most favorite song that they sing. I thought I could get closer......Anna is on the left in the front. (If I am able to get a better recording of this I will replace this one.)

This is Anna's costume for the Nutcracker.

Here's her part in the Nutcracker!

I think Anna has enjoyed this experience, and it's been fun to watch her do something she loves.

Ali also had a program, she had her part to say, which was, "J is for Jingle Bells sung loud and long."

After that, Santa came!! Ali has been able to recite her Christmas List, anytime you ask her too. Now, I thought she was going to just go through her list.........but she didn't.

She added something new!!! She said " ummm, my mom wants me to get a....dancing dolly." I never told her that I wanted her to get anything in specific. And she directly asked Santa for it.......so needless to say, I have had to adjust some things!!

Reese was part of his school sing a long, in which each grade got to sing two songs. He did an awesome job! I did not however get a recording of him, because I had Ali and Adam to deal with!! But here is a picture of him, being very good at Ali's program. (without Adam!)

We also decorated gingerbread houses with my family. It is a tradition that was begun when I was growing up.

Anna's

Reese's Ali's Adam's.....done by mom!

WOW, talk about Insane!

2008-12-08T21:46:00.004-07:00

I don't even know where to begin.......I guess I do! Many of you responded to my last post (which was forever ago, I know, I'm sorry!) The majority got it right.....Reese is the top picture and Adam is the bottom! I love those pictures, and how much alike they look!

Next on my list of events was my Senior Recital. But while things were winding up for this event I had found out a few days before that my grandpa was not going to be staying with us much longer....and passed away the night before my recital. My grandpa lived to be 100 years old, and is one of the greatest men I know. He had a sense of humor that is like no one else's. I am so fortunate that my mom and Joseph and I have decided to carry on his Pine Nut business that he loved so much. It is an honor. I love my grandpa and will miss him terribly, but you know what? Just like with my other grandpa that passed away 4 years ago.....it's like they're not really gone, because I can still feel they're spirit. And it is so comforting to know that I will see them again.

So.....for my recital the next day I just blocked all emotion so that I could get through it. I had thought about postponing it, but thought I've got to get this over with, I didn't want to prolong the stress. So the show went on! With only 2 very minor glitches in words, one of which was a foreign language so no one knew that one, it went smoothly! And I'm so glad it is now behind me. I now only have my Vocal Juries to do, and then...... it will be finished. We did record it, and we are still trying to figure out how to put some of it online. We used my neighbors video camera...so it's all new to us.

Next in line was Thanksgiving, and the day after!!! We had a lovely day, and even got to talk to Joseph's parents who are serving a mission in Brazil, via web cam! So they got to see everyone, and we got to see them. It was a nice bonus to the day! The day after Thanksgiving was eventful. Normally I go out shopping just to be with my mom and sisters, but this year I actually had some things that I needed to get. So, my beloved neighbor (same as the one mentioned above) had my kids sleepover, so that Joseph and I could venture out at 4 in the morning! We went to Toys R Us while the rest of my sisters went to Walmart. I think we got the better end of the craziness. Over all, between a Thanksgiving Day sale, and the day after, I had gotten all but 2-3 gifts taken care of! AWESOME!! I hate shopping.

And then the next item in line was my LASIK surgery! It was cool! We have a video of that too, but I don't know it we'll put it on here, it can be kind of freaky! But the first couple of days I was blurry, and still am 4 days later. But it is much better than the first day, and is much better than I could see without my glasses! Yay! I got a different procedure than what people usually think of when they think of LASIK. Usually the one most heard of is that they cut a flap on the eye, do the laser work and then put the flap back down to heal. When doing this, there is no irritation after, and you can see well almost instantly.....and it's $700 more expensive. The method I did, is called PRK. This is where instead of making a flap, they scrape the tissue off the top of the eye, do the laser work, and then put a non-prescription contact over the eye as a band aid, until the tissue can grow back, which usually takes 3-5 days. Now this procedure is safer, less expensive, but does have a bit of irritation, and it takes a bit longer for your eyes to be at "perfect" sight. But hey all in all, I'm excited that I did it. And after having children I can put up with a couple days of irritation!!! And it's only because of our HSA that we were able to even do this! Oh, and thanks to Hoopes Vision, of course!

Now we are into the craziness of December. Anna is in a musical theater group, and with that she has to take a dance class too. Well, her theater class has 17 performances this month on top of her dance class doing the Nutcracker. Our December is pretty much gone! She loves dancing and music, and so this is exciting for her. But I think she doesn't know what to do about the time commitment. (we didn't either, wow.) We will figure out what will be best for all of us. I will post performance pictures when we take them!!!

So that is what has been happening since my last post. Now that school will be over, I will try and do better!

Who's Who!

2008-10-14T13:05:00.003-06:00

I came across some pictures of Reese when he was Adam's age and really noticed the similarities between the two. So I tried to find the closest look-a-like pictures of them both and wanted to see if anyone could tell them apart! It might be really easy, it might be tough.....I'm curious! I will post the answers soon! Have Fun!!

Pinenuts are here!!

2008-10-05T17:07:00.004-06:00

For those of you that didn't know this.....Joseph and I sell Pinenuts!! My Grandpa Keiser who is 100 years old has sold pinenuts for a good part of his life. Now that he is in fact 100 years old he cannot actively sell them, much to his dismay. So my Mother and Joseph and I have decided to carry on his business. There is a link to the side called Herm's Pinenuts, and that is dedicated to my Grandpa. Anyway....we will now be selling them for $12 a pound. Now some of you may think that is expensive.....well I know it is to us. But we have found that we are the better price! There are some people out on 2700 W. that sell pinenuts and they are selling 1 cup, or 8 oz. for $8 dollars! If you buy a whole pound then they will give you a dollar off and only charge you $15. The stores are about the same if not worse! Grandpa always liked to be the better bargain. So if you are in the mood for some good ol' pinenuts... let us know!

Trip to the Zoo

2008-09-28T09:35:00.006-06:00

Well thanks to an annual pass to the zoo and one of the first free Saturdays for Joseph, we took the family to the Hogle Zoo. We just wanted to add some pictures to show how everyone stacked up against the monkeys.

Random Thoughts

2008-09-26T17:33:00.003-06:00

I have been inspired by my sister-in-law, Eliza. She mentioned on one of her blog entries that she just posts random thoughts. However random they may be, they still make for an enjoyable blog. And I find with random thoughts you post more frequently! So I think I will give it a try!

Besides the random thoughts.....Anna did turn 8 in August. Here are some pictures of her big day!

Anna was very excited for her big day!

Gotta love the 70's polyester jumpsuit! There weren't very many options, so Joseph got this one!

As for the random thoughts...they may or may not be random. But recently I have found, or a lot of friends have found me thanks mostly to blogging and facebook! It has been great to "see" them again and to remember the memories that come with each person. It's great to see how they are doing, and to see their cute families, (those that have them) and to hear that I am not alone in my frustrations as a mom!!! I like to try and put up a good front though, trying to make it look like I have everything under control. My mom has an expression she learned from somewhere.....I'm just ducky! A duck looks totally calm and in control on the top of the water, like everything is fine, when underneath they are paddling like hell! Well so much for random!

For my last semester I have to, or rather, I get to do a recital......yikes! The date is set for November 18th, which is a Tuesday. The recital hall has room for 60 people. I don't know if I will even come close to that number, I don't need to fill the hall.....but it's still something that makes me wonder if I could.....not that I totally want to because that would make it even more stressful!

Well there ya go......my random thoughts! Thanks Liza!

What we did this Summer!

2008-09-03T10:45:00.010-06:00

This summer has been CRAZY!!! I know many of you fall into the same category. But starting a little after school got out, we had something every weekend! Ranging from girls camp, and youth conference, to scout camp and campouts, to family campouts on each side, ward campout, and we amazingly fit in our very own family campout! Adam turned 1 at the end of June, along with our 9th wedding anniversary,and Anna turned 8 in August. She will be getting baptized on Saturday, September 6. School also started for Anna - 3rd grade, Reese - Kindergarten, and Ali - Preschool. I spent the last 3 weeks reading all 4 of the twilight series. (AWESOME!!) But now I don't have anything to do, and it has doubled now that the kids are gone to school.....I should have started reading the books NOW! Shoot, I'll just have to read them again! But for now I am starting my last semester, and will be working on my Portuguese for our trip to Brazil in April!!

Our Family trip to Yellowstone

Dragons Mouth

Snow fight in July!

Baird Family Campout

Baker Family Campout

Youth Conference
Book of Mormon reinactment, Joseph and I went.

Interestingly enough neither of us took many pictures of girls camp, or scout camp!

Oh, yeah.....I chopped my hair!

Long or Short?!?!

Rock climbing

Adam turns 1!!

....and is walking!

Anna turns 8!! This is our awesome neighbor Carol!

Anna's first day of school

Reese's first day of school

This is not Ali's first day of school, but she really wanted her picture taken.

Our little song bird

2008-06-18T16:51:00.002-06:00

Anna tried out for the school talent show. They chose 2-3 kids from each grade, and Anna was one of them! She sang to "Popular" from "Wicked".

AMEX Lagoon Day!!

2008-06-18T15:01:00.017-06:00

This year for Lagoon Day, we got to stay the WHOLE day! Last year we only stayed for a few hours because Joseph had to get ready for his week long scout camp that next week, and I was way pregnant with Adam. So this year was exciting! Reese and Anna are tall enough to go on some of the big rides! Ali (and Anna and Reese)loved the kiddie rides, and went on them over and over again. Anna's adventures this year included Collosus, Spider, and Wicked! Joseph went with her on these rides.

Other adventures included the big bumper cars that Reese was scared to go on, because someone had told him there was a mean man who runs into you. But after we convinced him it was made up, and after our turn, he was feeling pretty good!

Ali did a pretty good job all day with waiting in lines.

Here are some more fun pictures of the day, enjoy!!

Ali riding Puff!

Ali flying high!

Anna and Reese before........ and after the Rapids!

The Lawn is ready to walk on!

2008-06-16T17:39:00.005-06:00

Well Thursday will be the big day. It will be two weeks since we put the sod in our back yard. 13 pallets later and many hours of working on it, the sprinklers and back yard are done. I wanted to put up some pictures because very soon we will have to have a party to celebrate the new grass. Now comes the mowing.

Choo choo......here comes the sod train!
Before.........

During............

After!!! Yay! Thank you to all those who helped.

Good Ol' Rock Canyon

2008-06-03T19:12:00.003-06:00

For those of you who have only seen it from the front, I wanted to post this entry showing you the back side of Rock Canyon. Unfortunately, I was like many of you and had not seen it until this past Memorial day. As you can see from the pictures it was cloudy and rainy while up there and the Squaw Peak Lookout was in the middle of a cloud.

Gotta Love the Costco

2008-05-16T17:59:00.002-06:00

Well I think it is official, Costco is one of the best stores ever. I just took a ton of my photo negatives over to Costco and they put them on a CD for me. They can fit up to 40 negative strips for the cost of the CD. So I paid a total of $2.99 for each CD of negatives. Pretty dang cool in my mind. So I thought I would add some pictures of the mission. Here are some favorites.

Yard Work!!

2008-04-13T16:22:00.006-06:00

I know the thought of sprinklers is great right? But when you tell someone you are putting them in they say, "ooohhhh", the "been there done that" expression! Well needless to say we are right in the middle of a yard makeover!! We are going to be killing everything in our backyard, and putting hydroseed down.....that is after we get the sprinkers in. I obviously would like to be done with this, but the weather hasn't exactly been cooperating lately. NO MORE SNOW PLEASE!!!

The Water Main Hole!!

Right in the middle of our front yard, pretty.

Spring Semester is pretty much over for me. I have another vocal jury on Friday, the 18th. Summer Semester starts on the 30th; but from here on out the rest of my classes will be easy!

Other great news, my Grandpa Keiser turned 100 years old on April 10th!! What an awesome man!! He has always said he wanted to live to be 100, and now that he is, he is asking what he should do now!

My Cute Grandpa Keiser

Also.......with our new 3 year old, comes the expected POTTY TRAINING!! Fear may grip your mind and heart..............but we have had success! Ali is doing very well, and is so excited to tell everyone she goes pee-pee in the toilet! Love that girl.

Yeah for Ali!

Adam is crawling!

Scouts & Birthdays

2008-04-01T16:44:00.005-07:00

Last Friday Joseph recieved a really neat scouting award. He recieved the District Award of Merit. It is the highest award that a District in scouting can give. It was pretty cool. He had no idea he was getting it until that night. He did say that when when my parents showed up he started to get an idea since there would be no reason for them to be there if he wasn't getting anything. But it was really neat, we had his sisters stay in the hall with the kids until they were announcing his award. They snuck in and screamed like crazy for him. He enjoyed it I think. He got the award with another lady from our ward who has also done a lot to help the boys. And yes, for some reason he has a beard again. The very next day Joseph helped with scouting for food where our local district filled two full semi trucks with food.

Additionally we had another birthday in the family. Ali is now 3 years old. coming up to her birthday, Joseph and I would ask what she wanted and all she would say was PINK. So for her birthday she got PINK. Everything was pink. Thanks to the neighbor, Ali had a completely pink birthday with pink cake, pink ice cream, pink plates, pink mac and cheese, pink juice etc. It was really quite cute.

It's Been A While!! Sorry!

2008-03-09T17:33:00.004-07:00

Time has quickly passed by without any updates. We are sorry. The hectic semester for me (Lindsey) is now in the past. I am on to much calmer semesters until I am done. After Spring Semester, going down twice a week, I will only need to go down once a week, for a voice lesson. My life is slowly getting back to normal. (Whatever normal is!) Joseph is still doing an awesome job at being the man he is, and busy being scout master! This summer is already being schedualed with a lot of camping.

This year everyone will turn a year older. Adam will be 1!! Can you believe it?! Ali will be 3, Reese will be 6, Anna will turn the big 8! That makes me feel old......it will be my big 30 this year! EEEKKKK!

Spring is going to bring a lot of yard work. We are going to attempt sprinklers and seed or sod. But it is going to be great! We'll keep you updated this time! Spring also means planting flowers and a garden! Last year my father in law transplanted some iris in our backyard, and I didn't have a water hose long enough to reach them, and then just forgot about them. He made a comment that I was the only he knew of that could kill iris.........but wait!! They live! I am excited for more flowers to plant!

Fun Times are ahead!

Finally!!

2007-12-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

I DID IT!!!

I am now in Advanced Vocal Instruction!

I had my Vocal Jury today, and sang the French song Diraiton, mentioned in the previous posting. Afterwards the compliments that I received were that it "melted their hearts"...one teacher asked if I spoke French....that it was warm and beautiful!!!! And then she said that I passed, into the Advanced level!!!!

YEAH!!

This is a huge relief for me, and now I am that much closer to graduating!

I also am able to do independent studies for the rest of my electives, so I won't have to go down to UVSC except on Fridays for piano and voice. This is greatly anticipated after going down every other day since May. Now I just have a final on Monday, and one on Wednesday, and then I am done for the semester! Welcomed relief!

Thank You for those who thought of me today, it was very beneficial!

Lindsey Sings into our Hearts

2007-11-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well since this is going to take a while to upload, I thought I would tell you about it. I know that you will just see it and I really don't need to explain this. The video that we loaded is of Lindsey's recital. For those of you who don't know, she is studying Music at UVSC and will end up with a degree in music very soon. This was a small recital where she sang two songs. The participants varied in all levels of music and it ended up being a very enjoyable evening.

Lindsey first sang a French song followed by this song from the Messiah. I will just let you listen. I really enjoyed hearing her tonight, and have asked her to sing more. I usually hear her sing with her sisters, and it was nice to hear how beautiful her voice is as a soloist.

She has her vocal jury in a week, which will tell her if she can move into the advanced vocal instruction. This is a big thing, so remember her next Friday, December 7th at 10:45 am. Please do not call her as she will be singing and it will really mess her up if you do. I am sure you understand. Thanks.

Happy Birthday Great Grandma

2007-11-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

We just got home from visiting Lindsey's grandparents, where we celebrated her grandmother's 93rd birthday. It was a short and simple visit, we got some pictures and had some treats, and got to visit with cousins. We also got to try out our new camera. So far, I really like the pictures, and we may even try a video if I feel brave. I am not sure how it will work.

Ali with her Grandmother, and Great Grandparents

Ali playing fetch with her cousin Parker. They had been doing this for some time before the video, and yes that is a real dog toy they are using.

Happy Belated Halloween!!

2007-11-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

I know Halloween was last month, but you know, better late than never!! Anyway, just wanted to show you how cute the kids were. Anna was a pioneer, Reese was Diego, and Ali was a shaggy dog! Adam was a cute baby! This year was the most disorganized I have been, but the semester is ending and so it's been hectic. I did however put together Reese's costume!! I made the vest and put together the rescue pack and luckily he had the clothes that matched perfectly! I was proud of myself. They had fun at the trunk-or-treat; but we wanted them to go around to some houses to get a feel for the real thing!! Good times! Cute kids!

HAPPY "5" BIRTHDAY REESE!!!

2007-09-30T16:24:00.000-06:00

"I am all powerful!"

First Day of School

Today, October 1, is Reese's birthday, he will turn 5 at 1:12 pm. "I remember it like it was yesturday" (not quite, but it's amazing how clearly it comes back to your mind!) I went in to be induced at 7:30 a.m., that morning. I got all hooked up and going, I think by 8. I progressed along until I thought I couldn't go any longer, which I think was between 9-10. I got my epidural and being quite comfortable Joseph and I started to watch Men In Black II. When the movie was done, they came in to check me, I was complete and prept me for pushing at about 12:45ish. I started pushing, my doctor said we could have him in 15 min. Reese was posterier, and so with a few more minutes added on, he was able to turn him easily. And low and behold........there was Reese! 7 pounds 8 ounzes and 20 1/2 inches long.Brand Spankin' New

He is quite the cute boy now. He is very sensitive and loving. He really loves his baby brother. Reese is in his second year of preschool, and loves his teachers. He is very good at making sound effects. He loves to pretend with his toys. He's a good boy, and we love him, and are greatful he is apart of our family.
"Yeah!"

(I didn't think to do this for Anna's birthday, sorry, just so I won't bore everyone out by two labor stories, I will do hers another time!)

Reese and Anna

Reese and Ali

Reese and Adam

Little Miss Diva

2007-09-30T16:14:00.000-06:00

Today was our primary program. Anna and Reese did very well on their parts. Anna had a solo/duet in the closing hymn. She sang the second half of the second verse of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". She sang it perfectly! We are so proud and thankful for her natural ability of singing. It's satisfying to know your children can sing, when both Joseph and I are singers. Gotta Love It!!

Porto Alegre North

2007-09-25T19:11:00.001-06:00

Well my parents have finally made it to POA. (Porto Alegre) They flew out of SLC yesterday and after many hours and probably a few very long layovers, they are in Porto Alegre Brazil. They called this evening and were telling me how excited they were to be in my old mission area. They have seen the Temple, something I have never done, and are at the mission home tonight. This is the same mission home that I was in before and it is weird to think of the rooms there and them standing in the same place as I was just without me.

I remember when other missionaries had their parents there at the end of their mission and how I wished my parents were there too. They are now there, I am just up here. But they are safe and it sounds like they have a lot of work that they can do down there. My dad may be teaching an institute class, and my mom may help with the perpetual education fund.

School Days, School Days, da da da da da!

2007-09-11T22:22:00.000-06:00

As some of you know, I (Lindsey) have gone back to school (UVSC, almost UVU!!) to complete my BS in Music. I started in May, and went the whole summer. Had Adam in the middle, took a week off and dove right back in. I did very well in my classes of the 6 classes I took in the summer, my lowest grade was a B-!! People tell me I'm crazy, I just say I'm determined! So Fall semester has now started, and so far so good! I am able to take him to all my classes, but with the wonderful help of my sister-in-law Eliza: I only need to take him to 2 of the 4! Eliza is also going to UVSC, and is willing to watch Adam for 2 hours on MWF! So here is a big shout out to Eliza.........THANK YOU!! Also I could not even do this without the help of my sisters and other sisters-in-law, and my neighbor; who watch the rest of my children......Heidi, Mindie, Tanya, Janelle, Susanna, Bekah, my neighbor Carol, and in the summer, my Mom, and Mom-in-law.................THANK YOU!!! I am going on being almost half way done!

Anna is now in 2nd grade, and is loving it. Reese is in his 2nd and last year of preschool, and he is loving it too. Next year I could have the possibility of putting Ali in preschool.........wow, how would that be!

Again, thank you all for your help and remember, I am only going to school for a year, and then this madness will be over (assuming I pass all my classes!).

Love you all!

Porto Alegre Norte - Tche'

2007-07-13T00:07:00.000-06:00

Well I first thougth about doing this post all in portugues since it was about Porto Alegre, but since it has been almost 10 years since I left, I don't think that I can do it too well. However the reason for this post is to let you know of a very cool experience I had last night.

My parents, Robert and Yvonne recently put in papers to go on an LDS mission. Last night, they recieved their call, and they will be reporting to the Provo MTC on September 17, 2007 to be trained to serve a mission in Porto Alegre North - Brazil.

For those of you who know me, you know that this is the exact same place that I served my mission almost 10 years ago. I was in southern Brazil from 1996 - 1998. My dad also served in Brazil, but never in the south so here is his chance. It is very cool, that it will be in the same place I was at. They could be going to the same towns that I was at and meet some of the wonderful people I knew 10 years ago. I need to look in my journal and give them names of all the families that I knew and met back then. I look forward to the time that I will be able to pick up my parents from their mission.

It was a very wonderful experience.

4th of July 2007

2007-07-06T23:51:00.001-06:00

Well it was a very uneventful 4th of July this year. It was a day with family which was relaxing and fun to just spend time with them and not deal with all the fireworks and concerts or other things like that. We took the kids swimming which they loved, had a BBQ with Lindsey's grandma and then lit some fireworks off and Lindsey's moms. It was just a fun relaxing day for everyone. Adam and Mom are doing great.

Best day of the Year

2007-06-28T23:06:00.000-06:00

Well I have to say that today has been, and probably will be the best day of the year. For the past 9 months, we have been counting down to today. Lindsey gave birth to a beautiful baby boy today.

Adam Douglas Baird was born at 3:01 this afternoon (June 28). He was 8 lbs 9 oz and 20" long. He is very healthy as is Mom. Lindsey was absolutely amazing today as she gave birth 100% natural.

We went into the hospital this morning to be induced. The doctor broke her water and then gave her until noon to start making some progress. At around 11:30 they thought she would need some help from patocin (spelling). Just the thought of that seemed to work, and the contractions started coming. She stayed calm, and relaxed for most of the time. I have never seen anyone handle so much pain with so much strength. It was truly awesome to see her so strong during such an ordeal.

As most of you know, I was lucky to get Lindsey. I have always known that but today just confirmed that even more. She is an amazing mom and a wonderful wife. Please welcome Adam into this world.

Lindsey and Adam after a very long days work

Joseph and Adam (Thank goodness he can now shave this beard)

Look out ladies, this one is going to be a heartbreaker just give him 16 years

Still tired after the move, and a little upset about it all.

Hottest Day of the Year

2007-06-23T17:13:00.000-06:00

Well we are right in the middle of the hottest day of the year so far. The reports show we should reach over 100 degrees today. So the best way to beat the heat was to turn on the sprinkler and let the kids go wild. Reese and Anna did most of the running, with Ali watching more than doing. All in all it was very fun for the kids, and a great way to cool off.

Reese going for the gold.

Anna warming up and being herself.

Ali resting on Daddy's lap instead of running through the sprinklers.

Scout Camp is finally over

2007-06-11T22:49:00.000-06:00

Yes the title says it all. Scout camp is finally over and Lindsey no longer has to worry. I just completed a week long trip down the green river with 13 scouts. Some call me crazy, and they would be correct. The trip extended over 68 miles and some of the most amazing scenery you have ever seen. I am very glad to be done since it engulfed every scout activity for the last two months in preparation, not to mention all my other spare time. It was very nice to just work in the yard tonight and not have to worry about canoes or camping. Hopefully life will be back to normal here soon and we can get some things done around the house. But here are some fun pictures of the week so I hope you enjoy.

Welcome

2007-06-11T22:32:00.000-06:00

Welcome to our first entry in our family blog. We are new at this, so please be patient as we learn. Hopefully everyone can use this to see updates on the family and know what is going on with the Joseph A Baird family. We hope this will help all of you. Please feel free to send us messages in return. We will get better as time goes by.