Memorial Day

How do you celebrate Memorial Day?

There are so many ways to celebrate and remember.

My extended family, Baird side. We get together and each family has a color.

For example my family wears orange.

Luckily this year it is the IN color. Sadly... Micah and I had to go run to a store before the party to buy orange shirts.

My aunt (auntie is what I call her) picks a cemetery where family is and we learn the history.

Who doesn't love learning facts about your ancestors?

While we were learning all these facts I got a HORRIBLE burn.

But being with family was priceless. ;)

Micah and I really enjoyed ourselves, and even on Micah's Birthday.

We had a BBQ lunch and sang songs of our family (my Auntie is just that cool) and recognize all the good our family including cousin's children's accomplishments.

After all the fun and the closing prayer my Uncle game another Uncle who has cancer, a very sweet tender blessing. It was awesome everyone got to participate.

Grandpa, Uncle Lonnie & Cousin Matt

My niece Josie had me take this picture of her, this is not a
relative but she thought it was a cool set-up. I totally
agreed it was so awesome. I wish I got to know this couple.

That is what I ate at the Baird Party. YUMMY

Great Grandchildren with grandma & grandpa

Christmas Break.

 CHRISTMAS:

For Christmas eve we went to my sister Lindsay and family's house. What a blast!

We got to talk to our sister Whitney who is serving an LDS mission in Kobe, Japan.

Oh my goodness it was great to talk to her. I miss her so much. That made my Christmas right there.

We had a wonderful dinner! The traditional Christmas eve dinner. Before we headed to my sister's house we did a gift exchange with the Wiederhold Family and boy do I love them. Never a dull moment.

Christmas Micah set his alarm for 7 AM. When the alarm went off he asked if we could sleep another 30 minutes. I agreed. The alarm went off and I asked if we could wait another 10 min. Micah started to talk in his complaining voice. "Ohh mannnn I've been up since Sevennnn.. I was tooooo excited to go back asleep." I could resist I got up, didn't want him to wait another 10 minutes. We had fun exchanging gifts and spending most of our day with the Wiederhold. Made a surprise visit to my sister McKenzie and her family's house.

The day after Christmas 

we went Ice Fishing.

My grandpa and uncle were surprised and so excited to hear that I went Ice Fishing.

You could see through the ice, and it kept cracking and would echo. This was pretty scary but once I got past that fact it was fun. To be out on the middle of the ice having a fun time with Micah's family.

Tuesday 

we went on a bike ride with the Micah's family. It was crazy how nice it was outside to go on a bike ride. It was another fun moment to just spend time together. Here is a picture I got from the bike ride.

Thursday: 

Micah and I made Poppy Seed Chicken with Rice and used the sweet bowls/cup looking

things I created in Japan.

I love Christmas Break. Micah and I got to spend a lot of time together. And with our families. 

There are many more things we've done this Christmas break that are note worthy I'll just do a mention.

We did a Christmas Date in SLC with my family. Had wonderful time catching up and eating. Spending time with Micah's family and playing games and also catching up. Having Curtis and Annie here is always fun. Marissa leaves Monday and so we've just trying to have all kinds of fun before everyone leaves. 

Like I said I love Christmas break.

Getting ready for Christmas

We did Black Friday this year. Which I'll just say, Black Friday is death. Especially at Walmart. We went for our job. So we were on the clock shopping for troubled teens. I will admit it was a way to start the Christmas season. Thinking of people who will not be home with family and being able to shop for them to get a Christmas. At Walmart we would stand in line and Micah or I would go out and try to find things that were on sale. The obstacle was to try to find your way back through all the crazies at Walmart. Well we went to Target after, which was way better than Walmart. They had a line that was monitored so no little butters. It was well managed. While we were there we bought a CHRISTMAS TREE. We were not here for Christmas last year we were on our Honeymoon in Cancun. So we had a different kind of Christmas last year. So this is our first year putting up a Christmas Tree. We bought decorations and things there. And the Saturday after Thanksgiving we set up for Christmas. It has been so fun to see a Christmas tree in our cold apartment. We are happy how it turned out. MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL! I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas/holiday season.

HaLlOwEeN

We had a wonderful Halloween.

How about you?

Celebration!

I love 4th of July!

I especially love it when we celebrate it more then one day.

Started the 2nd where I went to a bbq at the Wiederholds.

Delicious food, great company and fun games

Watched some great fireworks, I believe the Stadium of fire had better fireworks this year.

Ended with some ultimate frisbee, where my team lost...terribly.

The 3rd, another bbq at the Wiederholds with their extended family.

Again delicious food and great company.

ended with playing skip-bo, where again I lost....terribly

For the 4th, we went to SLC to celebrate Molly a.k.a. my niece 5th birthday.

Ate the most delicious breakfast.

Opened presents.

Ate some more of that wonderful breakfast.

Played. Talked.

Ate more of that wonderful breakfast (fruit)

Celebrated more!

Than went boating with the Wiederholds later that day.

Where I went tubing, and caught air.

Had fun spending time with them all.

Ate dinner and watched fireworks.

And slept peacefully that night.

How was your 4th of July weekend?

Happy Fathers Day

 Happy Fathers Day, to the MOST FAVORITE DAD!

Some fun pictures of my dad!!! :)

Mom and Dad family pictures

my handsome dad

in Japan!

Our stake that was in Japan serving or visiting! How cool is that?!

My dad dancing at one of the festivals with us in Japan! Isn't that awesome?

My parents at the monkey park!

I love my dad! He has taught me so much throughout my life! I love him, and look up to him all the time. He is serving as a Mission president in Nagoya Japan. 

I love you DAD!

(and yes he is the best dad in the world, he beats all your dads. But my father-in-law Paul Wiederhold)

Halloween

What did Micah and I dress up as?

Micah's sister Crystal made us our very sweet hats. I LOVE 'EM!

Lindsay (my wonderful loving sister of mine) and her family had a Halloween party. We had so much fun attending and joining in the games. We went back up the Sunday after to hear Lindsay and Kris speak. We sat with Molly and Stella. They had a "Where is Waldo" book. All the sudden I hear 2 year old Stella point to Waldo and say "Micah". It made for good laughs.

Valentines..

Since my post about how I am not a huge fan of Valentines Day, I believe someone has been trying to send me a message. I am still not a fan of Valentines Day but I am a fan of Love. I've had great opportunities: one was helping out at a special dinner for the widows in my stake. The week before this event would happen the paper to sign up was headed out. That was the same Sunday as a guy stood up to bear his testimony about how he loves to serve others and not himself, so when that paper came around I felt I should probably be better so I can tell people how wonderful I am. When the day actually came to the dinner I was hoping they would call and cancel it so I wouldn't have to go. Not a very good thought I know, I should love to go out and serve others. I was just in a bad mood waking up to a cold sore, they make me so angry. Just hoping I would get out of something. Well that phone call never came, so I got dressed up to go serve the ladies in my ward. I was not excited at first and especially when they all started to give the directions of how we serve, which made me even more nervous. The night went on and I had a bunch of wonderful old ladies in my home ward. They were all so friendly and showed me that Valentines isn't about the mushy stuff its about being with the ones you love. The weekend of Valentines I did get to celebrate with the ones I loved. Just by watching The Olympics, watching a movie, or getting a drink. My mom was so nice to give me a Valentine some awesome converse shoes I have wanted for awhile and a cute pink journal. My sister also gave us a cute valentine a CD full of love songs and a cute card for the family. Even if I am not a fan of the mushy stuff I am a fan of Love. I love my family and my friends!

February

'Tis the month of love. How do I feel about this? Not a huge fan. Its not that I don't have a boyfriend. I've had boyfriends over this month before. I just think its a weird holiday to celebrate. Although I loved it when I was a child. Where the door bell would ring and you would run to find a Valentine awaiting you on your door step, I even remember when Whitney and I got tutus one year. Once you get older its just an over rated holiday. Yay I get presents and I get to give them also but its just a little much. Maybe I get sick of the idea people going full out or getting married on the day of love. Not a huge fan. Sorry if you are. Don't be mad at me. That's just my thought. But for me Valentines is an over rated month. Maybe that will all change when I get married I don't know. But for now that is just my thought on Valentines. :)

Merry Christmas

Christmas time is the best. I love the Christmas music, lights, remembering the birth of our savior, and giving. This year was a little different without my sister and her family for they are off having fun in the land of Australia. We all missed them dearly and the traditions they brought to the family. Like the kids looking up to where Santa was or breakfast with the yummy french toast.

Christmas Eve was awesome. We started off with delicious dinner and then dad told the story of the savior. I have to say my dad is probably the best story teller. Then of course we opened our one present. What do you think it was.. we all got pjs. Wonderful comfy Pjs. Once everyone leaves we carry on the tradition of watching a movie before we go to bed, this year we decided to watch Bye Bye Birdie. That put us to sleep that night. I love the movie but it is pretty long.

(some of us were a little excited)

Christmas morning: I have no idea what time we were told to come downstairs. I just remember when we came downstairs and there by the Christmas tree was a Beach Cruiser for me. I love it. Has a cute little basket on the front. Along with amazing presents. My mom is a very good shopper and I love everything I got. Later I went on a bike ride, we are watching my sisters dog and so the dog came out with me and ran along side with me. I think she loved it as much as me. She was happy to get some exercise in. We went and saw Sherlock Holms. I really did enjoy the movie, even if I was 3rd row instead of center of the theater.

I really enjoyed my Christmas and I hope you all enjoyed it as well. Merry Christmas to you all! Weird 2010 is coming so soon. I hope you enjoy the rest of 2009.

DECEMBER!

It's December, which means...Christmas Time. There is finally snow on the ground to make us all feel like Christmas is about here. I am more in the Christmas spirit than I was when there was no snow on the ground.

The trail to my house...

The Christmas decorations are up, the snow is on the ground and now I need to go out and do some snow angels.

the snow is there..

The Christmas Nativity is set.....

The Christmas Tree is up....

I love Decembers time, the feeling of Christmas, and what a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of the Savior. I am excited for the Christmas season. I will miss my sister McKenzie and her family as they head off to Australia to go visit Craig's family. But I have a feeling I will still have a fun time here in Utah with the rest of my family. Enjoy the season and I can't wait to hear what you are all doing this December!!!!

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving, its the season of giving. The week of Thanksgiving my dads birthday hits sometimes on Thanksgiving sometimes not. So we get to celebrate that along with Thanksgiving all in one week. This year we had a little party the day of his birthday and the day after. We had a lot of fun. Part of his celebration my dad, mom, Cam, Sierra, Tanya and I went to Blind Side the movie. It was a wonderful inspirational story. A way to start off our thanksgiving.

My mother is in charge of Thanksgiving for the Baird family. The night before we got ready, surprisingly it wasn't as stressful as all the years we do it. When the family was all there, we ate and shared what we were grateful for and we can't forget the tradition BINGO! This is what most of the people are excited for when they come to Thanksgiving. They want to know what prize they will win. Everyone usually wins a gift not just one but up to 3. I think that is the limit we set. After some clean up some go play, it is all wonderful. I love the feeling.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving my family go shopping for a girl and a boy who need our help for Christmas. Its different every year. We all start with breakfast, yummy delicious waffles with the best syrup ever!! Then we get into teams...this year I had an awesome team and I won't lie we had the easiest list. My team was Whitney, Cameron, Mckay and I and we were after a sledding tube. Took about 2 min. no joke. We then helped other teams. What an awesome time. And then you know, we had to watch it. You know the blue and red fighting against each other. That's right the BYU vs. Utah game. and yes the team I was cheering for were the champions. I knew they would win. I was a little nervous in the end. But all was good.

There is what happened to me on this Thanksgiving Break. I am counting down the days when we will have Christmas break. Everything is a little serious in my house. Finals are pretty much here.

Correct!

You have guessed it! I am already in the Christmas Spirit! I've got a mother who loves Christmas. If we are in the car with her we are required to listen to Christmas music. She says it goes so fast there is not a day we can miss Christmas music. I like listening to Christmas music so its nice, but sometimes I want to listen to that Glee music or Kris Allen..but they are not on the Christmas list. She is so funny and I am grateful for a mother who loves Christmas. Christmas is always fun when my mother is involved, it will be much better with the snow. We are all waiting patiently for the snow, we don't want it to come but we want to start the Christmas movies. Can you blame us? They are the best! First on the list "White Christmas" my personal favorite.

More November Gratitude

November 13: Cups
We all need that something to hold our liquids and drink out of. I am grateful that someone created the cup. I am picky on my cups. I hate glass cups I hate the smell and taste of water in them and the feel. I know you are probably thinking a little over the top Katheryn. Well many siblings agree with me on this one. Plastic is just better. We even have cups at restaurants and I need a cup with a straw to drink my diet dr. pepper from. I am grateful for cups.

November 14: Valerie Josine Fox
Saturday was a day I needed. Kind of been a rough week and wa la Valerie came to my rescue. We just talked and chilled all day long. She is just a wonderful friend. I will give you more on a different post.

November 15: Opportunities
I know sometimes we get the opportunities to do things we don't want to or we do want to. All of those have an impact on our lives. Like this Sunday the bishop found me and asked me to give a talk. Its something that I don't really like to do but I know I will learn from it. And what a perfect time to give a talk. Thanksgiving week. I am very lucky. But opportunities are awesome and change our lives especially if we have a positive attitude about it.

November 16: Heat
"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful" I really love heat. A few years ago our heater broke. I was the only one really freezing because it was only on the floor I was on. Everyone else was on a different floor. I would sleep with hand warmers and feet warmers and bunch of blankets. That experience really helped me appreciate heat. My friend and I needed to talk and it was nice to stay in the car with heat. I love heat!

November 17: Electricity
Electricity has to go with heat, but I love power; Light, tv, chargers, computers, ect. I am so grateful I can see what I am doing 24 7. Or I can plug in a movie and watch it. How time has really changed from when my grandparents were young. I am so grateful for Electricity.

November Days 8-12

November 8th: Smiling Faces :)
Sundays I get to lead the Congregation, hoping I will not mess up. It is scary to get up in front of your whole ward to lead. I now appreciate Smiling Faces. Not saying I never did, but when I get up there and lead its nice to see the smiling faces. Makes me relax a little more. Makes me feel I am doing my job. Also its nice when you are having a stressful day and you see a stranger smile at you. Makes you remember to smile and to move on. Thank you to those who are smiling.

November 9th: Journal
I've been really bad at writing in my journal. This past week I've written in it every day, and I am glad I can look back and see the things that did change my life, and what happened to me. Before this week the last entry I had was June 8th and it talks about a scripture study. I can't believe I haven't been recording all the things that have been happening to me and my feelings. I plan to be so much better at writing in my journal. I guess I do use my blogging as a part of my journal.

November 10th: The Atonement
A few months ago before I left my BYU ward I gave a talk about The Atonement. I've always appreciated The Atonement. What a wonderful way to get back to our Savior. This past week a friend and I had an argument. I was just upset you never said sorry to me for accusing me of something I am not. He said he believed me, but I didn't believe him that he thought that. If he did I knew he would of apologized. I just told him how I felt and then he said "lets not be friends" serious. I was in shock. And I said some mean things..okay not that mean but enough that made me feel so bad. I did apologize and I am just so grateful that I have the atonement to clean my sins. Another story (I know I know you are probably dying of these stories) I was at a friends party, and my friend and I decided to invite them all to a movie with us, thinking we were so nice. Well we did this and immediately our guys friends that were suppose to go with us didn't want to anymore. My friend and I walked out the door and sure enough I got a text telling me I was a horrible friend. I did feel bad and didn't want to believe it, and plus that is rude to tell someone. ha ha. I was mad. and I didn't believe him. He knew I was mad and said sorry first and I didn't apologize for my part til he was a few months out on his mission where I realized, I was being a bad friend by trying to take away from another friends party. I am just really grateful for the Atonement.

November 11th: Veterans
Wow, aren't we lucky we have people who want to serve this country? I know I am sure grateful. I have several relatives including my grandfather who has served this country. And I just want to thank them all for serving this country. For fighting for our freedom. Thank you thank you! Way to stand up for the Red, White and Blue!

November 12th: Grandparents
I am so so grateful for my grandparents. I have the best grandparents ever. Two days ago my grandfather came home from the hospital and so last night my dad, Whit and I went to go visit him. What a wonderful example him and my grandma are. We went up there to thank him for the service he has given this country. Him close to losing his life these past 2 weeks giving the family a scare, was very nice to see him home and looking tons better. As he held my hand and I told him I loved him he held my hand harder, and looked into my eyes giving me gratitude for those words, and how much he needed them and told me he loved me. Me trying to fight back the tears which I did conquer. It was such a tender moment for me. I love him. As we were driving home I was thinking to myself how I hope my grandfather will make it to my wedding. I know me being selfish. ha ha. Then I thought about the time when I had a discussion with my grandmother when I was 6 about my future wedding. Asking if she was going to be alive for my wedding day. She told me she would attend my wedding. As I was thinking yesterday and how she won't be able to make it, I was sad to think about that conversation and how she won't be there. As I continued to think it hit me. Katheryn, your grandma will be there maybe not in body but in spirit. That feeling was such an amazing feeling. I love my grandparents they are so amazing! I am grateful for their amazing examples. My grandma Baird is the best example ever. She is just always so happy and takes her harmonica..every where. Always plays "You are my Sunshine" and I believe her favorite hymn is "there is sunshine in my soul today" which it has become my favorite hymn reminding me of my grandmother and how I want to be her. I love, love my grandparents! They are the best grandparents in the whole universe.

Nov 5th - Nov 7th

November 5th: Hospitals
As much as I hate hospitals, I cringe when I walk in and I have this weird thing with my collar bone...ask my siblings. They love to make fun of me. I never do well with medical things but I am grateful for hospitals. Its nice to know if we are in serious health problems or big car accidents we can be healed by the hospital...if it is what is in store for heavenly father. 2005, my sister was in the hospital sick. 2007,My grandma found out she was about to die in 2 weeks by going to the hospital. 2009, my grandpa is in the hospital now and they are trying everything they can to heal you. Also grateful for the people that help in delivery rooms. I know I will be way more grateful to them when I actually experience. Glad I still have a few years on that one. :)

November 6th: My missionary :)
ha ha you are all probably like wow, is she serious? Well on this day I got a package from him. And a special gift. Right now is not the easiest time for me. So when I got to that mailbox and saw that it really did make my day. Nothing has just seemed right lately. I haven't been getting his letters and his package he sent off in the middle of October I should of gotten it earlier. But I think heavenly father made it come at a perfect time of when I needed it. :) ha ha. He (missionary) also knows how to comfort me. And make me feel good about myself when I just am not sure about it. I just have been able to discover who I am in this past year and I know part of it was him involved although he is miles away.

November 7th: Transportation
Aren't we lucky that we all have cars or can ride buses to get to locations. I know some people have to walk and that could take them hours to get to one location. I just am lucky that I can use my moms car at this time to get to the places I need to go. Or take my siblings and my mom the places they need to. Although I get frustrated I have to take them all to the places they need to go and I don't get to finish the things I need to. I just know I am serving all of them and that makes me happy I can help them. I love that I get to have my time with a sibling or parent in the car and just talk to them one on one. We are all lucky to have the Transportation though. I know I probably would not be loving life if I had to walk to UVU from my house.

Let us all remember this month is the month of gratitude. :) Love you all. Have a wonderful November!

My November Plan

Last year my sister on her blog wrote something she was grateful for every day. I've decided for this month I want to do that same thing. I know it probably won't be as good as hers but I know it will keep me thinking. And what a perfect month its November the month of giving. :) One of my favorite months. (Okay I like them all) Since I'm starting late I will be catching up.

November 1st: Water
Water hydrates us. Keeps our bodies clean. :) And I think we can all appreciate it, for we don't smell after we take showers and baths. What a wonderful thing water is.

November 2nd: Family
We are so lucky to have our family with us on this planet. And how lucky we will be after this. I am so grateful for such a wonderful family. We all have our goofs and silliness that family gatherings are so fun. We know when to be serious and when to have fun. We are there for each other and can help each other. I do have a wonderful family and they are great examples in my life. We will probably hear more about them as the month goes on.

November 3rd: Gospel
I love the Gospel! Something I am very passionate about it. I love that when I go to church and I can learn more or share what I know with others. I have a testimony about our savior and this church. I love knowing where I am going and I know where I want to be. How lucky am I to have that in my life. I've had a lot of people make fun of the church to me. But that will never change how I feel. Lately I've been better at sharing my testimony and I know I can help others in the future find the church. :) How lucky I am to be one of the people who know the church is true. That gives me excitement bubbles all the time :)

November 4th: Music
I love music. I love to join choirs and share my testimony through a song. I love that when I get ready I can listen to my favorite music and sing a long..and I mean belt out the songs and enjoy my beautiful shower voice ;). I love music!

Thriller + Dance= A Good Week

Wednesday this week my family went to Thriller. Thriller is a show that is put on every year and is usually sold out. Well we were lucky to get tickets and go. It was really funny and I really enjoyed myself. Even with the girls scaring us before and after the show. One of them even found it funny following whitney... Oh boy was it funny. It all started when I got scared and ran into Whitney, her response was "they are not even scary." That is when one followed her and she was running into everybody. Hilarious. I had such a wonderful time. Thank you mom & dad. On Friday my old ward was having a dance party and Valerie (my bff) invited me to come along. Well We started off by going to her apartment and talking to all her roommates. They are all funny, Amber decided to dress up for this dance. Which made the dance way more fun for her. It wasn't the best dance I've ever been to, but it was good. Nice to be with some old friends.