Paul and the paper bag game!

So, we were playing a game with another couple from the ward for FHE. We didn't think that Paul would even understand it- but he did. And he loved it. Here's the video:

A Very Awesome Christmas Gift

For Christmas this year my awesome little sister gave me an awesome gift. She made me a "Bird Family Cookbook." It has recipes from my sisters, my parents, and, even more special to me, it has recipes from both of my grandmothers.

Grandma Bird, known to us as "Pittsburgh Grandma," passed away in 1989. I was only six years old and I have often wished that I had more time with her and that I had known her better. Almost 20 years after she passed, I still have dreams about her and, as cliche as it sounds, I often wonder if she ever looks down on me and if she would be proud of me.

Grandma O'Bryant, or "Tennessee Grandma," passed away this past summer. I suppose it doesn't matter how old you are when some one passes, you will always wish you had more time. Tennessee Grandma was a fun-loving, creative, hilarious, and beautiful woman. I love that I have some of her recipes which I enjoyed every time my family went to visit her in Knoxville.

Anyway, my sweet little sister made a cookbook of family recipes, including recipes she found in Pittsburgh Grandma's recipe ledger and recipes passed on from Tennessee Grandma. My sister even made several of the recipes and took pictures of them.

Is that not the most awesome gift ever?

Thanks 'Rah!

Future Elder Brown in Training. . .

Paul got Sunday clothes for Christmas and we think he looks pretty darn cute!

(And we're not partial at all. . .)

Sunday morning happiness!

We could not get Paul to hold the tag up- he thought we were going to take it away. You'll just have to use your imagination and pretend he's wearing it. . .

Little Paul is growing up so fast! He's 17 months old and starting to talk more. He says "shoes", "no", "yes", "banana", "all done", "I got it", "touch down," "mom", "dad", "toothbrush," "hello," etc. He adds to the list daily. His new favorite is the "s" sound.

Lately little Paul has been a sweetheart when my husband and I put him down for bed. He loves to say three or four nighttime prayers and when we put him down he waves "bye bye" at us and reads books by himself in his crib. He is a little angel and I love him to pieces!

Snowing and Sledding in Utah

Paul IV loves the snow and loves to sled. Here are som pictures from our adventures!

Trip to Ohio

Little Paul and I went to Ohio in December and had a great time. Paul warmed up quickly to his grandparents and his uncles. We miss them and look forward to a day when we can see them more often!

Paul and Uncle Lee making faces!

Paul and Papa Bird

Paul and Uncle Bryan

Paul and Uncle Lee again

1Little Monkey Jumping on the Bed. . .

My son cracks me up. In the past month he has started learning like crazy! Tonight I sung the song about monkey's jumping on the bed to him and he started acting it out- without my help! Tonight was the first time he ever heard the song. I had to video tape it- it was way cute.

I'm realizing theat Paul understands a lot more than I thought he did. When I pay attention to his sounds, I have also realized that he's saying a lot more than I thought. Anyway, enjoy the video!

a few more pictures

We got the rest of the pictures. The best ones might already be up, but I wanted to add a few so my mommy can see them and choose which one(s) she might want a copy of. . .