Bird Family Reunion 2011

Looks like we are shooting for the second week of July in Nauvoo.  Contact Robin Martin for info.

Gunnell Family Pics

As I am sure you all know our family is going through a very difficult time right now with the unfortunate diagnosis of terminal cancer that Bruce was given just before summer. We have all been pitching in to help Sally so that she can get rest and get out of the house for a few hours at a time. It has also given each of us the opportunity to have one on one time with Bruce. Even Glen has been able to come for visits, which has meant a lot to him and all of us as well. Shortly after the diagnosis Glen and Rachel and their sweet family came to AZ for a visit and we were able to get a family picture taken at the Mesa AZ Temple. It was the first time in years that we were able to have a family pictures where no one was pregnant. We were then able to spend some wonderful family time together up at the ranch in Pinedale. We all had a wonderful time making lasting memories with cousins and Granny and Papa. They are times that we will all cherish for the rest of our lives. Although this has been a very difficult time for our family I think I speak for all of us when I say that it has strengthened our testimonies of the gospel and Eternal Families and it has brought us all closer together. We do appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.

Trudy Michelle Bird

Trudy was born a week ago today. 9/4/09. She was 6lbs 14 ounces and 19 inches long. The labor and delivery part only took about 13 hours, which was really nice since I've heard first timers can go a lot longer.

I am told that she is very alert for a new born. Her eyes are always wide open when she is awake; which are a gorgeous blue by the way.

Love,

Erin

I hope they call me on a mission...

Margot, Sterling, Jim, Jean...had a nice dinner while Jim & Jean were at the MTC before leaving for London.

Margot & Sterling celebrate 40 years together!

Margot & Sterling's 40th wedding anniversary was Saturday, July 11th. Us 6 kids surprised them with a happy anniversary party/family reunion weekend. It was some feat, but we managed to ACTUALLY keep it a surprise. :) Siblings flew in from So. Cal. (Steph), Salt Lake City (Audrey), and Cincinnati (Emily) for the occasion. The rest of us were within driving distance :) It was very fulfilling to know that all the hard work and back and forth phone calls/emails paid off and my parents were genuinely astounded by our surprise.

We reminisced about childhood memories, had my parents play a newlywed-esque game, and showed a slide show of photos from my parents 40 years together (that we had stolen from my mom since Christmas!). Saturday morning some of us spent time in the temple together doing sealings with my Dad, who recently became a sealer. That was really neat. Our last surprise was Sunday morning at church, when for the "special musical number" listed on the program, my 3 sisters and I got up to sing a song. My mom was totally shocked.

It was a blast. And hanging out with family all weekend was a blast too!

Congratulations Mom & Dad!

George of the Jungle: Round Two

Bill Vanscoy had another encounter with the same tree! He and some buddies went back to the campground, intending to cut up the tree and burn it. Bill picked up a big piece and hoisted it up to his shoulder. His ankle rolled out from under him and he dropped the log. It hit him in his right calf. He had to go back to the emergency room in Wilcox. They recognized him. They stitched and stapled him back together. So now, he has a big gash on his leg to match the one on his head. So far, the tree is ahead. I hope he doesn't go back for round three!
"George of the Jungle: Watch out for that tree!"

Mapleton Pics

In honor of the previous blog entry I thought I'd post pictures. These were taken on Memorial Day when I was down that direction. Audrey