The Biggest Loser Check In

Check in time for the Biggest Loser. Lindsey and Katie are making sure we are keeping up on our weekly goals and are proving themselves to be worthy task masters for us as we work our way through the summer...
-Brenda

Sunday SPUD

We have been playing spud since the girls were little. It's part of their childhood just like Cabbage Patch Dolls, sidewalk chalk art and playing restaurant. Everyone picks a number and the ball is thrown in the air. If your number is called, you run to grab the ball and yell 'Spud'. (Note: if you catch the ball without letting it touch the ground, you can re-toss it in the air, calling out another number). Everyone freezes and you try to hit one of them with the ball. They can only move one leg when you throw the ball at them. Each hit you get a letter until you become a SPUD and then you are out. Tonight Ashlee was the winner and I was the loser... I have to wash her car. Katie was sure to remind me that I couldn't delegate it to Dad... 'you have to wash it yourself, Mom!'
-Brenda

Saturday in the Mountains

Yesterday we hiked above Alpine (Utah) to a little lake that Ransom had discovered. I don't even think this place has a name, but it was sure delightfully fun. Ransom picked up an old bike at the thrift store and smartly put a life jacket on it. Ransom brought a fishing pole and thought he would try to catch a fish. We all pretty much thought he was crazy, but sure enough, he caught a fish on his first cast within 30 seconds... all 5" of it! The ones that dared, would ride the bike down the bumpy trail, hit the jump and land in the water. The rest of us held our breath and said a prayer hoping they would be safe. Jeff did crash and got scratched up... he will surely be sore in the morning. Ransom showed up with his new facial hair, always surprising us... today it's the handle bar mustache. I did over sun-block Katie and got some in her eyes. Abby didn't want to come, but we made her anyway, knowing she would end up having a good time... she let us know she didn't.

We also hiked up to these natural falls filled with water straight from the snowfall. The water was freezing... probably as cold as water can get before it freezes. I can't believe Ransom stayed in the water to help everyone as long as he did. The rocks were pretty smooth for the most part, but we walked away with plenty of bumps and bruises. We will be back soon!
-Brenda

1. Heading up 2. Snowed capped mountains 3. Conrad
4. Paul & Conrad 5. Ransom trying to catch a fish
6. Fishing success! Ransom, Paul & Conrad

1. Ransom & Conrad 2, 3 & 4 Ransom taking a jump

5. Ransom & Jeff 6. Larry & Brenda

1,2 & 3 David taking a jump 4. Ashlee & Paul
5. Jeff & Michelle 6. Jeff taking a jump

1. Lindsey & Conrad 2. Ransom & his brother David
3. Kelsie sunblocking Abby 4. Ransom, Jeff & David
5. Katie & Conrad 6. David

1 & 2 Ransom 3 & 4 Katie 5. Katie & Kelsie 6. Lindsey, Abby & Conrad

1. Heading up to the falls 2, 3 & 4 Kelsie's turn 5. Ransom & David

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First Summer Movie

Last night's summer movie could have been called "Dinner and a Freeze". It got so darn cold and slightly windy. I think we brought every extra blanket outside and we still needed more! Iceberg shakes and Zoro. It is nice just being outside :)
-Brenda

Flowers from Josh

Kelsie's friend Josh surprised her with flowers clear from Michigan... probably the best part of her graduation day. He will be here for good June 13th. I would say the countdown has begun, but for all of us, it really began 1o months ago... and yes, it's been a really long year :)
-Brenda

OHS Graduation Day 2009

Graduation Day brought smiles and some tears as we realize that Kelsie is leaving high school and heading into the future, filled with wonderful plans and dreams. The years have gone by so quickly with our 'loves to stay near home' daughter. While we are very happy with her accomplishments academically, it's not what brings us the most joy as parents. Our joy comes from really liking the person she has blossomed into... filled with kindness (except when she is overly tired), looks for ways to serve, thoughtful and much more confident with herself knowing she is a daughter of God.

Looking back on her life, our Kelsie has gone through many stages growing up...
Reading constantly stage (yes! library was a must-go every week)
Third person stage "Kelsie is tired and going to bed"
Homesick stage "Come get me NOW!"
Crap stage "Good crap" "Are you crapping me?"
Wanting to be the parent stage "There must be consequences!"
The Bucket stage "You're a bucket!"
The indecisive stage... Still kind of in it, maybe?

Every stage has been a learning experience for us as parents and gives us plenty of memories to look back on as our kids grow up... the good, bad and ugly moments.

Afterward graduation, we headed over to Brick Oven for lunch with both families so the two graduating cousins and their grandparents could be together. Abby stayed at the Jr. High for yearbook signing day and missed the graduation, but made it for lunch :)
-Brenda

Kelsie Lynn Birrell

Paul, Ashlee, Larry, Brenda, Kelsie, Katie, Lindsey

Kelsie and her cousin Cameron


1. OHS Graduation at the Marriott Center 2. Kelsie walking through
the O 3. Tigers 4. Kelsie sitting on stage, moving tassle to other side
5. Kelsie and G & G Birrell 6. Kelsie with her Honor Society & Tassles

1. Ashlee, Lindsey, Katie & Kelsie (Abby is in school, yearbook day)
2. Kelsie, Brenda & Larry 3. Paul & Ashlee, Kelsie 4. Lindsey & Kelsie
5.Katie & Kelsie 6. Paul, Ashlee, Lindsey, Katie & Kelsie

1. Cameron & Kelsie Birrell 2. Abby & Kelsie 3. Kelsie, Brittany,
Mary & Jaynann 4. Kelsie & Jaynann 5. Cameron & Kelsie Birrell,
lunch at Brick Oven 6. Ransom, Katie, David (Ransom's brother)
& Conrad

Where's the DI Pile?

When we got home after church tonight, Kelsie & Lindsey were busy washing dishes and sweeping the floors. Anyone that really knows Kelsie is aware that she is very territorial when it comes to 'her floors'. Nothing gets under her skin more than dirty floors. She made a list and we divided up and quickly tackled the cleaning... knowing there is no better gift we can give Kelsie for her graduation tomorrow :)

Abby's job was putting the winter coats into the closet. I was puzzled when she held up my coat and ask where the thrift store pile was. For my coat, I asked? Yes Mom. Dad told me to get rid of it. Another hint they don't like how I dress.
-Brenda