Team Kirby of America

4 months and 4 years

2011-10-12T21:19:00.002-06:00

Graham

4 Months Old

If all kids were as easy as Graham then sign me up for a dozen! He's just that good! He's happy, adaptable, and carefree. He still loves his nighttime sleep, at 7 pm promptly! and he's still such a joy to be around. At his last doc's appointment he weighted in like a champ at 17 lbs 9 oz, the 90th percentile, growing on his curve perfectly, so there's little to worry about other then the amount of our future grocery bills when he's a 6.2ft 200lb teenager. Rolling over from his back to his tummy and sitting up (propped with his arms) are his new tricks for the month. He's started to explore his excer-saucer and loves the freedom of "standing" and jumping around "on his own".

Everything goes in his mouth these days, his favorite being his hands. We are quickly learning that things are different this time around.... We are on constant watch for chocking hazards, aka his sister toys, whom ever designs these kids toys to be so small has never had a 4 year old and a 4 month baby in the same room at the same time.

1 day old, 1 month old, 2 months old, 3 months old, 4 months old

Graham loves his sister and his dog, both are able to make him smile simply be entering the room. Graham is a thinker. He's pretty content with just sitting on the back porch looking up at the sky, watching the leaves blow around in the wind. It's hard to say, but I'm pretty sure he'll love being outdoors as much as the rest of us.

This fall we introduced him to a ski lift, the changing colors and lots of family picnics. He saw his first snow, had his first stomach flu and tried his first solid foods (so far his favorite by far is sweet potatoes).

Greta

4 Years Old

1 day old, 1 year old, 2 years old, 3 years old, 4 years old

Our "baby" is now 4 years old! In just a blink of an eye, she's turned from an infant into a little girl. She's tall dark haired and beautiful, in and out! She's stubborn and opinionated (she can thank me for that). She wants what she wants, when she wants it and come hell or high water before she's going to give up. But she also is smart and caring, sensitive and thoughtful, observant and almost unnaturally spatial (she can thank her dad for that). She want's to be a butterfly teacher when she grows up (at her school the butterfly class is the infant classroom) and spends the majority of her free time teaching her toy animals, reading to them in "circle time" and taking them on walks or to the playground.

She's just recently started writing her name, very well I might add. She can trace letters with great accuracy and has started "reading" books, from memory, to us at night. She's a speed demon on her bike with training wheels and loves to dig in the dirt...building canals, bridges and houses out of just about anything she can find in the backyard (it's the engineer in her, just like grandpa). She cherishes her 2 hours of screen time a week, which she fills with Bob the Builder, or Sunday morning cartoons. She is a master on the iPhone and has her own apps on daddy's phone.
Her teachers tell us daily how good of a helper she is and how pleasant she is to have in class. She's still an amazing artist with a wild imagination. She tells us when she turns 16 she wants to drive a soft top Jeep. When she's a big kid and moves out of the house, she plans to buy the house next door so she can have us (mom and dad) over for dinner ever night. When she has her own house, she'll eat fruit loops breakfast and watch TV as much as she wants (obviously there are rules in our house that she could do without). She's growing up fast, too fast, but it's such a pleasure to watch how she changes and how she discovers her world along the way.

It's pretty safe to say that Team Kirby has adjusted to our new member and is a fully functioning family... again. We're all a little older but non the less wiser.

Graham is GROWING...fast!

2011-08-24T15:01:00.014-06:00

At his 2 month check up he weighed in at over 14 lbs (surely over 16lbs now)

which is 113% of his target weight for 2 months.

He's our little linebacker, packing on the pounds but also packing on the personality.

He's a joker or at least that is what we've concluded from all the faces he makes.

We've all managed to picked a nickname for him already...Stefan calls him "Bruder" (it's german for brother), Greta refers to him as "little man" and I like Graham Cracker and "Grahamers". What ever you call him, he's just simple the most agreeable, even tempered, super star of a baby. It's simple in Grahams world; He likes to eat and he likes sleep, he's just a happy guy! He's quickly learning from his sister that awake time is for talking. Coos and squeals echo off the walls. Graham is 3 months old now. He's started to rollover, he's found his toes, and he loves to sit up (assisted of course) and can suck on his hands (right pointer finger is his fav). Greta loves being a BIG sister. She reads Graham stories, gets him toys to play with and always gives him lots of hugs and kisses.

Graham's 2-3month photos

We are really enjoying our new family....but have not managed to get a family photo yet

Here's two of my favorite almost full family photos

It truly is amazing how much Greta and Graham look alike!

The 3's have been hard on Greta (and on Mom and Dad too!) She's testing her boundaries in more ways then I thought possible. The terrible 2's were nothing compared to the emotion that is driving this girl through her 3's. She's adjusted well to Graham's arrival, although I know some of her frustrations are related to his presents. Greta is just very smart, very emotional, very driven, and very stubborn! (Apples don't fall far from the tree!) With helpful advise from friends and family and a lot of patience, we are managing to get thought this challenging time in our little girls life.

Great trip home to Colorado in August.

It's so good to visit with family and this last trip home was packed full of it!

We're headed back to Steamboat tomorrow for one last summer vacation before I have to start back to work again. This very special summer with our new baby boy has flown by so fast... much like I know his coming years will fly by as well. If anything I've learned over the last few months is to live in the now! I've always been someone to wonder about missed opportunity or "would-of-could-of" moments, but something has changed me. I am not sure if it was all the labor inducing drugs, or the fact of knowing that I know that this is our last baby and that each smile on Grahams face, each "first moment" of his life will never happen again, or maybe my grandpa was just right all along....He used to say that "you don't know shit until your 35".

Well, I turned 35 this year!

Time to Relax with the Kidos

2011-07-12T12:26:00.015-06:00

Our favorite vacation destination over the past several years has been the condo in Steamboat. It's just one of those places that makes you relax the second upon arrival. It's homey, predictable and unassuming. We've spent the last three 4th of July vacations at the condo as Team Kirby. This year our new member was in tow with the team for 9 wonderful days. Graham, now 7 weeks old, was super baby brother on our trip. With not a peep out of him for the entire 8 hour drive out (don't worry we paid for this on the drive home). His sister, on the other hand, was a talking machine. She managed to chat the entire 8 hours, surpassing a nap, while entertaining herself and pink baby (her doll and partner in crime) in the backseat.

At the condo we had lots of time to eat, go on hikes and enjoy our family. Greta always looks forward to the parade on the 4th and our traditional chilli cheese slaw dogs. This year we got her some fireworks of her very own. Stefan took G fishing and we all got to enjoy hot springs pool. Graham put one hand in the water and fell asleep...yes it was that relaxing. Then to top off our already great trip, we recieved a visit for our dear friends the Alexanders. It was so great to see them, as we don't get to see them often enough. Finn and Greta played like old buddies and we talked with Jay and Nicki like it had not been a year since our last visit...the true testomonie of life long friends. It was sad to leave Steamboat. If only there was a way to call it home. But for now we're planning another trip in the fall and are back at our Sandy home.

He came out a Graham

2011-05-29T10:55:00.015-06:00

Graham Stefan Kirby

Born May 24, 2011 @ 5:45pm

8 lbs and 20 in long

My phone rang as I sat in the hospital bed, It was Greta. She was on her way to come meet her new baby brother but she had a question for me first...."Did he come out a Graham?" she asked with a level of excitement I had never heard in her voice. I replied "YES!" Naming the new member of Team Kirby proved to be one of our biggest challenges to date. Stefan had his name, Henry. I had my name, Graham. Neither of us were certain that the others name would do. So we made a deal. If he came out with blond hair, Stefan would name him; if he came out with dark hair I would name him; and if he come out bald or red haired he'd be named after our granddad's, Charlie. This little man did not come out willingly. After entering my 10th month of pregnancy, our doctor advised us that it was time to give the little guy some help in entering this world. My fluid was getting low, his weight was on the large side and my tolerance of being huge and pregnant was waining.

I really did not want an induction, but a c-sections was not my idea of birthing fun either. So we gave him 5 days past my due date to make up his mind...either come out on his own or we're coming in. Of course he waited for us to give him a bit of encouragement! He would not be a true Denham-Kirby otherwise. After having my water broken by the doctor, gallons of oxytocin dripped into my veins, 9 hours later of labor and one strong push our baby boy revealed a big head full of dark hair. The deal was settled, he would indeed "come out a Graham."

But thanks to Graham's stubbornness, Nana got to be here for the birth! She stay 10 wonderful days with us! I am so lucky to have my mom. She swooped in, cleaned house, did laundry, made us meals, laughed with us, loved on her grandkids and then would disappear at just the right time to allow our new family to have our special moments. Thanks again Mom!

Gmom and Popa were the next round of visitors. It was great to have them here. They made it was very special for Greta, letting her go "camping" in their trailer for a night. Stefan and I really enjoyed this time to spend one-on-one with Graham. We know that there will be very few of these moments to spend with #2, so we were very grateful!

Greta is being such a great BIG Sister! She likes to help get diapers and blankets for her baby brother. She's been reading him stories and telling him all about the world around him. She's had her moments of jealousy but in general she has been fantastic with the changes in her world. It is still stunning to me how she instantly "grew-up" when we returned from the hospital, infant in arms. She will always be my baby but now she's my little girl!

Graham is now 3 weeks old. He's been sleeping good at night, a super eater and is masting his facial expressions. This week he started cooing, it's soooo cute, and he's keeping his eyes open more and more everyday. We've managed add a little normalcy back into our lives, getting in a few hikes, walks and even a tailgate at snowbird over the weekend while mommy,daddy and Greta took turns skiing.

Stefan had to return to work this week, leaving me to figure out how to care of a baby solo again. It's not exactly an "old hat" routine but I think I am getting it. I am off work until September and will cherish every day I have with my guy until "real life" takes me away from him as it did with Greta.

Snow Bunny Easter

2011-04-27T20:36:00.006-06:00

This years Easter celebrations, were close to home and quite. For the last 4 years we've either had Easter brunch at our house making eggs benedict with all the fixings for all our friends or we've gathered in the desert camping with friend making eggs benedict with all the fixings....have you caught on that I LOVE eggs benedict! The only other thing missing this year, other then our friends, was the mimosa! I also LOVE mimosas! But with baby brother baking in the oven we took it easy and experienced a whole new Easter in our own back yard.

Greta got spent Easter at Snowbird being a snow bunny!

She meet the Easter bunny...

found some of his eggs fill with goodies...

then spent the rest of the day skiing with Daddy!

She's really getting her ski legs this year!

I spent the day looking like the Easter bunny hid all of his eggs in my belly :)

Baby Madness

2011-01-25T06:49:00.038-07:00

T-minus 3 weeks until the 4th member (5th if you include the big dog) is added to Team Kirby. Not sure what happened to the last 8 months. A recap of our adventures is long awaited and long overdure, as always. I honestlythink I may be the laziest blogger around...well it's time to jump back on the wagon.

Winter came on strong for the Wasatch front. Dumping loads of snow on our porch and backyard playground. I managed to get a few days in a the resorts before my ski pant button burst and before my "mommy conscious" told me that it just was not safe to risk it anymore. Cross country skiing was looking hopeful for the rest of the winter, but early contractions put an end to that fun and most any activity in my days. I figured I could it was better to stop and rest then have a 2lb baby boy.

We did manage to get one family ski trip to Southern Utah's Boulder Mountain, were we stay at our favorite lodge for a quite get away. We've spent most of the rest of the winter close to home "nesting". Time at home allowed us to finish the long awaited master bath remodel, putting the Raintree House remodel to bed, finally. There is not a surface inside this house that we have not proudly improved. Time to move...ha, just kidding.

March and April felt like a mad dash to the baby readiness finish line and as the month's end is creeping up on us FAST, I feel we are ready for the next chapter in our life to start. My belly has reached a point of no return. Even my doctor commented at my last appointment that I already look full term...and I am only 36 weeks. Not sure I have it in me to get any larger, I'll most likely just fall on my face. My only hope is seeing a friend of mine most recently bake twins in her belly to 38 weeks, and one day. Her pre-pregnancy frame is 1/3 of mine and she had twice my belly diameter, so I have some hope that I'll stay upright.

It's funny that the thing that gets me the most about this pregnancy, is not the pregnancy at all or the reality of our baby boy's arrival. No, it's the pure amazement of watching my #1 little girl grow up in what seems to be at an exponential rate right before my eyes. Greta has transformed into a full blown preschooler over the months. Her imagination is thriving and her speech is shockingly advanced. She tells fascinating stories of the adventures of "Pink Baby" (her doll). They travel the world together, cook, go to the play park, meet new friends together, but most of all they spend lots of time on Redondo Beach (her most memorable vacation spot to date, thanks to Dave and Shelley. I am convinced she will leave home to live there someday). She's also an amazing talent in the Art department. Creating masterpieces with any paper she can get her hands on, some scissors, markers/paints and a glue stick.

She is an emotional and caring girl, who is constantly bringing me pillows for my aching prego back and always remembering to give baby brother a kiss on my belly or telling him where we are going so he does not feel left out just because he can not see yet. So as the arrival of #2 is among us I can't hardly imagine that we'll be so lucky to have these experiences again, all be it in a totally new and different light then the first time. I never really thought I would be a mom, but now I can not see my life any other way. She has changed me, and he will too!

The baby timer is now officially ticking. I am not totally convinced that I will make it full term this time (May 19) leading me to believe that early May will be his arrival time, just like his sister. I'll keep you posted.

2010-11-02T21:49:00.016-06:00

Team Kirby survived another Summer/Fall of whirl wind travels (ID, CO, CA, UT) family vacations, weddings, camping/backpacking/climbing trips, music festivals and Birthdays. In what felt like a blink of an eye the summer has come to it's end. Winter is on it's way and is always a welcomed season in the Kirby house, with cooler temperatures reminding us that our hibernation is approaching. Winter is our time to slow down, stay home and enjoy our own backyard from time to time. Don't get me wrong, we do love our "always on the go" fun, but lets face it, I'm tired! and you will be too after this post. I've attempted to photo document our summer and fall adventures...enjoy!

June

Beautiful California wedding for our

great friends David and Shelley

Early July

Jess turns 34,

Gmom Visits, Family Backpacking Deseret Peak

Mid July

Steamboat 4th of July Celebration

End of July

Sawtooth Yurt, Biking

and Music Festival

August

Stauter, Sherman, Kirby Campout

at Trappers Lake, CO

Early September

Montrose for Gmom's Birthday,

then off to through hike in the Uncompahgre Wilderness

Late September

City of Rocks Climbing Trip

Hiking in the Uinta's

Early October

Trip to Moab with Grandpa and Grandma Linda

Mid October

Miss Greta turned 3 years old!

I can hardly believe how much she has changed.

End of October

Annual Pumpkin Patch trip with Nana & Pops

and Halloween fun on Park City Main Street, dressed as Team Sushi.

Almost Done

There's just one more thing we'd like to share with all of you.......

...That's right!

We're adding a team member in May 2011!

Spring Collage Photo Update

2010-05-29T23:23:00.028-06:00

Team Kirby has been busy over the last few months. Below is a photo collage of the past months, you can click on the collage to get a closer look. ENJOY!

We have all managed recovered from our aliments, to one degree or another, and have managed to hop back on the wagon that puts a smile on our faces, LIFE. We started off our spring with smiling faces but with an aching hearts. Grandma Viv, 95 years old this September, decided she'd had enough. The stroke she suffered just weeks before really took her strength; She closed her eye on the day of St. Patrick and walked up to heaven with the Patron Saint of Ireland himself. I am still struggling with her loss. I will miss her dearly,especially her laughter! We spent St. Patrick's day celebrating Grandma's life, with our annual Kirby-Henrikson gathering. This year with the addition of their new little man, Roarke. Topping off the day with Greta's St Patrick's Day parade with her school; She thoroughly enjoyed waving from the float.

March brought with it a trip to ZION with G-Mom, Papa-D and Oliver. It was a much needed distraction and allowed us to try out our "camping legs" for the season. The warm spring air, although windy, was welcomed and gave us a little taste of winters end. Greta and G-Mom spent the afternoons drawing our red rock surroundings and we all spent time hiking, relaxing and enjoying good food.

Grandma's funeral was in her home town of OKC. It was good to be back in Oklahoma. Stepping off the airplane was comforting...I am not sure if it's the humidity, the wind or the cowboy twang....but that city will always remind me of family! It makes me sad to think that I might never go back . The funeral was a mini family reunion, seeing faces that have been absent from my view for 7, 10 and even 20+ years. Grandma looked so peaceful as we said our goodbyes. It was a hard few days!

Returning to Utah and packing again...this time we headed waaaaaayyyyy down south to an area just southwest of St. George called The Beaver Dam Mountains. We met up with the SLC gang for an Easter weekend of biking, climbing, birthday and egg finding. The kids had a blast and all of them, less our little Eli, had a hand at their first roped climb. It was tooooo cute to see them give it there all! The egg hunt was a big success despite the inherit danger of sending 4 kids under 3 yrs running towards candy filled eggs, delicately placed on the spins cactus and limbs of joshua trees....and despite of fact that the easter bunny forget to tire up Hudson the dog who happens to be a big fan of hardboiled eggs and chocolate.

The rest of April was welcomed homebound for the family, other then a quick conference in Moab for Jess. Stefan cozied up with his birthday cake to fend off the cool spring weather, we got in a few more days of skiing before spring melt, we planted the garden and went to our first Utah symphony.

May put us on the road again, speding Mother's day with the DuRoss Clan on Mexican Mountain Road in the San Rafael Swell. Weather was prime and the desert flowers were peaking. Finn and Greta are really become good friends. It's so fun to watch them together. We took a few walks, boys did some climbing, girls enjoyed some relaxation and Greta, even though struggling with the stomach flu all weekend, managed to go "Naked Baby" on us and jumped into the San Rafael River....all 40ish degrees of it, brrrrrrr!

The rest of May was spent wishing the "cold-snow-more snow-come on it's almost June" away....We took in a Bee's Game, numerous play-parks and even managed a Big Cottonwood dinner picnic.

G is really growing up fast and is turing into one fascinating little girl. She still loves playing with her $0.50 garage sale doll house, reading, painting and being outside. She likes to tell me that she's "situated" and comes for a "big hugs and a kiss" every hour or so. She's a caring, extremely intelligent, personality superstar. She has however decided that she does not need to sleep anymore, which has her parents questioning our strength for #2?????? i.e. we're not sure we have it in us for another go around....that is until we look in those steal blue eyes and see that shinning smile. So, June is just around the corner and we're gearing up for a busy summer lineup, Team Kirby Summer 2010....here we come.

Out for the Count

2010-03-05T12:36:00.022-07:00

There is really only comedy that can be had when your husband shows up one afternoon after skiing with a dislocated shoulder, just 1 week after you have major knee reconstructive surgery (Patella realignment and lateral release of the ligaments). The heavy narcotics that I was on at the time probably fostered my uncontrollable laughter that day. I am pretty sure that Greta did not think it was as funny. We spent weeks preparing her for mommies owie. Telling her that mommy would be coming home from the hospital with a BIG bandaid....but nothing could have prepared her for this spontaneous parental malfunction. I can only imagine what her little mind must had been thinking when she looked at us, both all rapped up in BIG bandaids, on pain killers and unable to preform as the trusty parents we had been for her until now. Her poor little eyes would just bug-out of her head in disbelief. To our pleasant surprise, she quickly took up the roll of "Care Taker", asking us each morning how our injuries we're feeling and bringing us ice. Her kindness and ability to comfort was, and still, stunning. Who would have guessed that at 2 1/2 year old has a capacity to show such empathy.

Our compounded injuries have turned Kirby land upside-down. Our usual routine of "On the Go - Never a Free Moment", has morphed into a sedentary existence, one so unfamiliar to us that we almost had to seek reference. Finally confronting the idea of what people do when they can't ski on a saturday afternoon and as cabin fever threatened our sanity, we headed out into the retail world. Our failed attempt at shopping for a new TV sent us scrambling out of the crowded Best Buy parking lot before we even steps on foot out of the car. Knowing we were not going to try that again, we settled on family lunches out and small trips to the park or Wheeler Farm for our family fun and our hopes are high for a trip to the swimming pool, now that I can get my leg wet again.

Being house bound has not stopped us from family visits. Nana was soooooo kind to come stay with us for the first week of post-op. Her priceless care and entertainment for G is something i'll be hard pressed to repay! Grandpa and Grandma Linda came 1 month post-op, originally to assist with the recover of knee #2, which has been delayed until May.Their visit was unlike any other, no XC skiing trips, no hikes, although we did manage a cool February picnic just to keep them on their toes.

Finishing off the month of February with a fun filled trip to Montrose to visit with Gmom and PapaD, with Tepees, snowy drives and a walk along the Uncompahgre river.

(Click here for more pictures).

We are healing fast and are stronger everyday. Spring is in the air and we look to warmer temps so we can stop thinking about the ski season we're missing out on and start thinking about the summer fun ahead! Greta already has her summer skin on (see photos link above), deciding that clothes are the optional part of everyday attire. She's still amazing us daily. She can count to 10, sing her ABC's and enjoys a good tea party! She says the funniest things...like when Stefan told her that a new sushi restaurant was opening in our shopping center and she said "Holy Moly!". This girl really loves sushi! or when she asked me what color her hair is and I said "Brown" then I asked her what color my hair is and she said "white", ha! I guess it's time to do some root dying. She's a sharp little one, never misses a thing. She can read stories ALLLLLL day long...discovering a new fondness with Thomas the Train, her favorite, of course, being Emily. We are potty training, she's doing GREAT! Stefan and I are already coming up with ideas for how we can spend our extra $40 a month...I vote for a beach vacation!

Team Kirby is back, She's 2 & It's 2010

2010-01-03T01:31:00.007-07:00

My effort to BLOG seemed to escape me throughout the summer, fall and almost this winter too, but now as the snow falls and the early evening is keep me indoors, I have found the motivation to continue with what I have started. Honestly, who let me get YOU hooked on our Team Kirby Blogging, then gave ME the right to enjoy the majority of 2009 without posting for months on end? I sincerely apologizing for my lack of social networking etiquette and because it has 7 months since my last post (I know, I am a disgrace to the blogging community) I have decided to make this post the "Super Mega Team Kirby 09 Extravaganza" and simply say summer, fall and most of winter happened! Posted below are the contents of Team Kirby's last 7 months, meticulously organized into clickable photo biographical links for your viewing pleasure.

So sit back and enjoy, block off a few hours from your day and prepare yourself for Team Kirby summer-fall-start of winter photo submersion.

But first, I feel compeled to give you a quick Greta update... Since June she has somehow managed to go from19 Months to "So Big"...Everyone has heard the saying before, the age old words of wisdom that warn you of how fast your kids will grow-up. There is truth in that wisdom and over the last 7 month we experienced it first hand. We've managed to watched our baby transform into a full-blown toddler. There are no more morning naps, just the afternoon 1-3. No more pureed foods, just "big" food. No more bottle feedings, just big girl cups. No more help from mommy, just "I do it." Nope, all those baby traits have been replaced with the wonder and amazement of a thriving little girl who soaks up the new world around her like a thirsty sponge. And as you can see in the 2 pictures below she is "So Big"

3 days old

25 months old

Now, let the "Super Mega Team Kirby 09 Extravaganza" begin.....

We had a fantastic summer filled with ID-CO-UT camping, Wasatch hiking, Denver time, Sawtooth Music, Steamboat Springs 4th of July celebration, and a beautiful Marble Wedding

(Click here for more pictures of Summer).

Fall was kicked off with a biking trip at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with Grandpa, a solo Daddy - G trip to Gmom's, G's 2nd Birthday with a Nana visit and Halloween

(Click here for more pictures of Fall)

Winter has been a slow start in the Wasatch but we've managed to fill our days with lots of XC ski trips, Thanksgiving trip to Denver, Christmas at home with Gmom and New Years!

(Click here for more pictures of Winter...so far)

We'll there you have it...Team Kirby is back in the saddle again!

That was Swell

2009-06-17T20:03:00.020-06:00

We took a soggy doggy camping trip to the San Rafeal Swell with friends Chris, Erika and Finn, over Memorial Day Weekend. We were no sure we would make it to our camp site, due to the inch of mud icing the road like thick chocolate frosting. But our trusty Snowball (our van) kept her two wheel drive tires on the road until we reached our destination. We were so proud!

It was great to see the kids interact on this trip. The are really becoming friends and learning to play so well together.

They ran together...

They smelled the flowers together...

They chilled-out together...

and they laughed alot!

Despite of all the rain, and wow did it rain, we managed to get in a nice hike...

and the big boys did a little climbing.

It was a great start to our family camping season...

...let the summer begin!

We all had a Swell time!

Nana Time

2009-06-10T19:52:00.011-06:00

Time with Nana is priceless.

Here are a few photos from G and Nana's time together while Mom and Dad were on vacation.

Greta learned a precious family tradition!

They spent time just strolling around.

She got to ride her first pony!

They played at the park!

And they took time to smell the flowers!

I am so glad they got to spend this time together!

We Found Zion and Each Other

2009-06-01T22:11:00.026-06:00

3 wonderful days in Zion!

Thanks to Mom, who so graciously FORCED Stefan and I to take a weekend away from life in exchange for a weekend for Nana-Greta time. Our 3 day-40 mile through hike of Zion National Park was not exactly the relaxing, "kick your feet up by the pool with a margarita" escape that Mom was envisioning for us, but it was a classic Kirby "before kid", "remind us why we fell in love" kind of hike!

The weather was perfect, the scenery was breathtaking and the company was way overdue. Most of the hike was surprisingly unexpected for us. We started off at Kolob, heading up LaVerkin Creek. At first it was like we imagined it would be; Mammoth red rocks walls and Colorado Plateau vegetation intermingling with traces of Mojave shrub, a real Southern Utah feel. Gradually we gained elevation, temperatures dropped, and then Pines became dominate. Enter Hopp Valley; a striking box-canyon with the strangely familiar feel of the Rocky Mountains. Lush, brushy under-story, montane wild flowers and towering yellow pines.

Stefan swears he found the largest Pondo on the planet, and I concur. It would have easily taken 5 adults to give this big giant a hug. It was the kind of stature a Redwood could be envious of. In-fact, we had to keep smelling it, a vanilla sweet, to convince ourselves that it was not one that was horribly lost.

The next morning was spent winding our way up Hopp Valley which eventally lead us up to sage brush flat tops and Pine Valley shade. The real views of the hike were now just beyond the horizon. As the day went on, the miles started taking their toll on us. Skirting around the jagged piles of black lava, the remains of an ancient volcano, made my now black-and-blue big toe nail ache with every jarring step (the only casualty of the trip, my poor toe). But knowing that just beyond Lava Point was our final resting place of day 2 gave my "out-of-shape mommy legs" the strength go on to camp. We ended the day with a epic game of GIN, both managing to get GIN an unheard of 2 times!

The final day was long, 13+ miles but all down hill and ALL VIEW. From Lava Point we headed for the West Rim Trail, apply named for its 360 degree views of canyons and neighboring plateaus. The views on the Rim Trail can be partly blamed on the decades of lightening induced forrest fires that have chard the pines and everything else in its path, making us grateful for the blue skies over head. As we descended into Zion Canyon, the trail became steeper, the vertical magnitude of the canyon walls consumed us an civilization eventually rejoined us.

Sitting on the shuttle bus that took us to our awaiting van, we held hands. I am not sure that we spoke a word to each other on the short ride to the car, but I know that we were thinking the same thing. Beer, followed by Chips and Salsa! :)

Our weekend concluded with a fancy Springdale hotel to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary. The Desert Pearl Inn, a cozy Inn right on the Virgin River. Highly recommend it! It's probably the only hotel in Utah with a bidet.

Thanks again Mom!

Oh the Wonderful Things Miss G Can Say

2009-05-11T21:01:00.041-06:00

Greta’s vocabulary is growing daily and she is not holding back on letting us know what it is she wants to say. So far her favorites are… Mama, Dada, Nana, Gm (i.e. GMom), Papa, Pops, Grumpa (i.e. Grandpa), Abby, Angie, Owl, Cheese, ByeBye, Hi, Yeah Yeah!, Milk, Banana, More, Bubble, Bath, Ba (i.e. Flower), Bobo (i.e. Cooper), Truck, Bus, Outside, Skiiiiiiii, Backpack, Dog Dog, Bird and Night Night. She says and can identify objects that are Green and Yellow. She can “Neigh” like a horse, “Moo” light a cow, “Woof” like a dog, “Meow” like a cat, and “Baaabaa” like a sheep. I’m telling you she is our little 19 month prodigy. Along with all the talking she has managed to master the art of running, spinning and walking backwards and has a head of hair that is the likes of Rapunzel, requiring multiple haircuts a month. Video below;

Our month of April 2009 was cold and snowy leaving us wondering if spring would ever arrive. We prepared our garden, upgrading it with 3 new raised beds, it rained. We transplanted some overgrown bushes and flowers, it rained. We edged the front yard, removed the invasion of grass from my front flowerbeds, it snowed. The rain parted for a successful 2nd annual Kirby Easter Bunch. The Brunch brought together our friends for a kido egg hunt and big kid mimosa drenched feast. The next weekendwe had planned a fantastic first camping trip of the season to Capital Reef with friends; it rained again, this time the rain managing to stifle our plans. Recovering from the disappointment, with car packed and nowhere to go…we headed off to Montrose to visit Stefan’s Mom. Montrose was rainy too but we kept dry and managed to get out between storms. Greta warmed up to Gmom and Papa in style! Just as I had hoped. I believe her “cling to my pant leg” days are over. A stage I am sure to look back on and miss.

We salvaged the tale end of the weekend, which happened to be Stefan’s 33rd birthday, by skipping work and camping Sunday night just outside of Moab on the river road. It was perfect. We spent the afternoon introducing Greta to the mighty Colorado River and Red Dirt, then watching Dada boulder around on the rocks. After a stunning sunset we settled into the Van for a chilly night of “sleep”…Dad on one side, Mom on the other, G in the middle and cooper just about anywhere he could squeeze in.

May began much like April ended….rain, rain and more rain. Greta took this opportunity to teach herself how to jump in puddles, catch raindrops in her mouth and generally get wet outside.

When not outside,she’s been spending most of her time reading stories, organizing her toys into rows or in cups and putting BoBo (Cooper) to bed on the living room floor. She gabbled up most of the guacamole in celebration of Cinco de May, all the while insisting that Mama and Dada have equal turns dipping our chips, one at a time, in order. I’m thinking she’s a little bit “Type A”, this kid likes to be organized….she could not have gotten that from me??

My wonderful family took me skiing and brunching at Snow Bird for Mother’s Day. It was a wonderful afternoon of corn and eggs benedict. I LOVE being a Mom!

We are well into mid May and the 2008-2009 storm cycles has subsided. The garden has been planted, in new fancy raised beds…thank you honey!, and the grass is soooo green, thank you rain! Skiing is becoming an afterthought, even though there is still has over 100 inches in the hills…it’s insane, I know! Now the backpacks are filled in preparation for our first through-hike in 2 years. Nana has a plane ticket to Salt Lake and I have an ach in our stomach about our first trip away from Greta, ever. 3 Days in Zion. Updates to follow.

Not Enough G in Team Kirby

2009-03-09T23:22:00.035-06:00

Ok, Ok...enough already. After numerous threats, oh I mean requests, and floods of emails, I've finally got it.... Team Kirby of America Blog needs more G Photos...well you got it :)

It's a hard reality to know that Greta does not get to see her extended family often...often enough to just jump into there arms on sight with little hesitation. With our tight schedules and limited vacation time, the long "weekend visit" is barley enough time for her to warm up to the idea of anyone holding her except Mama or Dada. I've read that this is a phase; That her shyness will pass along with the wobbly teeder of her toddler years. I am encouraged that this to be true... Grandpa and Grandma Linda were in town for the first weekend of March. G warmed up to Grandpa as she never had in the past; even going so far to let him sit next to her on the couch to tickle her belly and almost letting him hold her, almost! It was a great visit! Our time spent with Grandpa was packed full of fun. We spent an afternoon at the Olympic Oval for the speed skating finals; witnessing a world record time in the men's 1500, quite the sight to see!

The next day we packed up the van and headed to the hills for our traditional XC ski afternoon. It was the perfect day; blue skies, warm air, kick and glide snow! We had a picnic at our favorite spot on the Beaver Creek Trail, fancy cheese, fresh bread and summer sausage fill our bellies and gave us strength to ski back to the car. The 3 day visit flew by like a flash. It was sad to see them go.

The rest of March was spent mostly in routine; Plastering the dogs nose with stickers; riding the fire truck around the house "Naked Baby Style", working on getting all of her "ducks in a row" and simply spending time just growing up to be a beautiful little girl!

I find if amazing how much G changes these days. Even this month she's gained a new twinkle in her eye. Everyday she's got more to say and new ways to make us smile. Her personality is shining!

The last weekend in March was spent teaching Greta the origin of our Great City of Salt. Antelope Island State Park, surrounded by the Great Salt Lake, is a favorite of ours. There is no other place, that we have found, that captures such a palette of gray, brown and gray-blue. In any other venue this "variety" of color, or lack there of, would be considered drab, but here it is vibrant.

On the island, you can hear the calls of sea gulls, chuckers, canyon wren, meadow lark, and kill deer. You can watch wild buffalo graze the hillsides and brine shrimp feed by the thousands at the waters edge The pungent smell is slightly unpleasant, but when you dip your hands in the water, the the slimy salt film left behind is unmatched. Plus, the beach is a giant sandbox...what can be better then that for a 17 month old?

After convincing G, and Cooper, that it was not a good idea to drink the water, we all played the day away...throwing rocks n the water, burying our hands in the sand and running up and down the shore.

Finally, I must say goodbye. My very good friend from college, MaryLou, lost her dad to a tragic bathroom fall this month. I did not know him well, but what I did know of him showed me that he was filled with courage, strength and kindness. So I say goodbye to a good man and I hope that MaryLou and her family can find peace in this time of sorrow!

Girls Weekend, Valentines Day on the Farm, and Goodbye Q

2009-02-15T13:31:00.050-07:00

Every year my mom gathers up the girls for a weekend of jigsaw puzzles, crafts, ice skating, mountains sunsets, baby deers and lots of wine (after the little girls are in bed of course). This year was no exception. G and I packed our bags said bye bye to the boys (Daddy and Cooper), then jumped on a plane bound for Colorado. Once we arrived we headed straight to Evergreen for our Ponderosa Pine filled weekend with Mom, Ang and the girls (Abby and Jena). It's a good thing that our genetics cooperate because we're still not sure what we would do if one of us had a boy? And although this year had it challenges, somehow it's not as relaxing a weekend as it used to be with all the pre-tween/toddlers running around, we still managed to finish a set a drapes for Angie's front room and allowed mom her cooking fix....mmmm mmmmm mmmm, I might add!

The weekend got me thinking about the importance of girls/women in my life. And how even though my husband is my rock, I still need time to overload on estrogen! It also got me thinking about how I don't spend enough time with "my girls" anymore. And how as years pass; bonds weaken, distance separates and babies are added to a once thriving group of women here in Utah; that I sadly say, I do not see many of anymore, but I do think of them often! The other day I was reminded of the joy and much needed energy this group supplied my being when I received a facebook message that simply said "I miss girls night." It amazing what that little phrase did to my psyche. I do too!

Mid February, Stefan's folks (AKA GMom and PapaD) came for a short but enjoyable visit. We spent Valentines day eating various heart shaped items and then walking them off at Wheeler Historic Farm. G love, love, loved the duck-ducks! We were glad to have had the chance to celebrate a long awaited Christmas with them as well.

Their

visit had been delayed due to an illness that suddenly took over their Quincy dog. The brave guy managed to pack himself up for the long car ride for the visit. We were glad he was able to make it; giving us a chance to see him and ultimately say our final goodbyes. Poor thing passed away shortly after returning home...his kidneys just could not take it anymore. There is still no clear explanation what brought this illness on and soooo fast. Such a sad ending for such a young dog. We will miss that spotted guy!

Happy New Year, We're Getting Old

2009-01-28T13:22:00.037-07:00

New Years came a little early this year...my guess is that the toddlers had a hand in our 9:30pm champain popping. What we lacked in New Years Eve celebration was made up on New Years Day. Last year Stefan and I decided to start a new family tradition, an annual New Years Day XC Ski. This year we rounded up a group of friends to come along. It was the perfect day and the perfect way to start 2009. With mimosa's in our water bottles, thanks Craig, and snacks in our packs we headed off into the Uintah Mountains for an afternoon of snowy white fun.

I honestly can not believe that 2009 is amongst us. Each New Year we take time to remember the events of the year in passing. Team Kirby started 2008 off as new parents with a 3 month old in tow. We ended the year with much earned experience, knowledge, personal growth and inspiring confidence with a one year old walking by our side. We spent most of the year introducing Greta to the world, as her awareness and abilities gradually awakened. We expirenced her first smile, her first giggle, her first food, her first haircut, her first beach, her first birthday and her fist steps. We took her camping, backpacking, hiking, skiing, to the state fair, to the

library, to the pool, to the hot springs, and out to dinner. We introduced her to green grass, to fall leaves, to the moon and the stars, to cold water in between her toes, to her extended family and to ice cream! We read story, after story, after story! But mainly, we sat back and watched our little baby girl grow into a toddler.

2008 turned out to be a fantastic year for Team Kirby...with the exception of losing two loved ones in our lives. In June, we lost Stefan's Aunt Joan when she lost her battle with pancatic cancer and in September we lost my uncle Bob when Lou Gehrig's disease took his last ounce of strength. It is always hard to loss family, especally when that family member was so present in our lives. And as it turns out, it is much harder to deal with these losses when distance places you far from those you need to be with in times of sorrow. We will miss them both!

We spent our mid-January weekend back in Colorado for a 40th birthday celebration. That's right, I said it...we celebrated our good friends 40th birthday. All implications apply. WE'RE GETTING OLD! This by no way means that Stefan and I are even close to turning 40, we still have 7 long years.... but it does mean that we have been given the $200 for passing go and no longer have to show our ID at the door, if you know what I mean. Jokes aside, we did get to spend a fabulous weekend in Silverthorne amongst friends, Hot Dam and hangovers. All of which we have been lacking lately!

Now as 2009 is slipping quickly past us...for tomorrow is February...we end our month as we began...on skis with friends. Life is good!

Oh No, Not Santa!

2008-12-30T20:04:00.078-07:00

A Denver Christmas with the Denham, Stauter, Sherman, Kirby Family:

Greta meet Santa 3 times this Christmas and despite the fact that she loathed the sight of him, she still managed to get more then coal in her stocking (Unlike her cousin, Jena, who proclaimed on Christmas Eve that she hated Santa Claus because her mom told her had to give up her binkies this year in exchange for presents...yeah, she got coal alright).

Greta's first run-in with the jolly old bearded man was at her school Christmas pageant. The pageant was fantastic. Greta, seven of her classmates and her two teachers pranced around the stage to the Nutcracker. We were so proud. Her encounter with Santa after the pageant however was much more traumatic. She lasted less than a second before leaping from his lap into our arms, balling her little head off. But of course, like the good parents we are, we made her stay in his arms just long enough for the photo op. Then if that was not enough, we did it to her again....yes, for another photo op...but this time it was one with her cousins in Denver.

And as the saying goes,"third times a charm".
As luck would have it, Greta's final meeting with Mr. Kringle was sealed behind a foot of glass and gallons of water. Santa was swimming with the fish at the downtown aquarium....luckily for him she loves fish and actually enjoyed seeing him that time.

Our sleigh ride home to Denver was a white knuckle Wyoming special. 50 MPH winds, blowing snow, no road in sight and mad semi-trucks zooming by at mock speed. But after a short 11 hour drive (that should have only taken 8 hours) we arrived at our destination... the crazily fun fill and packed to the gills with events... Home-Sweet-Home.

We enjoyed every minute spent with Dad & Linda, Mom & Mike, Ang, Scott & the girls (Abby & Jena), Grandma, Uncle Pat & Aunt Connie, Aunt Sandy (for the first time in 37 years without her soulmate Uncle Bob....we miss you Bob!!!), Aunt Susie, and all the step family (step sisters, bothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins & grandma).

Our Christmas Marathon was filled with dinner at Moms, dinner at Dads, Lunch with Grandma, Christmas Eve dinner at Moms and Christmas dinner at Step Grandma Marges. In between all the eating, there was a trip to the Aquarium, last minute shopping, the occasional stroller walk... Oh and frantically helping Mom & Mike complete their remodel (which turned out GORGEOUS!!!) in preparation for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner...which by the skin or our teeth they managed to pull off! And even though it is almost as exhausting recapping the weeks events as it was actually participating in them ... I would not have miss it for the world!

Then just when you thought I was done, the craziness continues... in the form of a little tradition that my mom has kept up ever since I can remember. The Christmas Eve Present. See, in my family all the presents get opened on Christmas Day, expect for one....the Christmas Day Pajama's*! (*Shipped express to my mom's house from Santa, to be opened the night before Christmas so that Christmas morning we all have matching outfits) All I have to say is that this year Santa went way to far!!! To far being defined as; red silk shorts with HO HO HO embroidered on the tush accompanied by matching Santa hats... I do love my mom for keeping this tradition alive, but I am starting to think that she may need a little help next year :)

So as the tradition goes we woke up Christmas morning, dressed in my HO HO HO's, (Somehow Santa always forgets about Stefan...I may have to write him a letter next year), and ran down the stairs at 6am to witness another memorable Family Christmas. Greta really got the hang of the gift thing this year. Of course the bows were way more interesting then the gifts themself.

Amongst all the running around Stefan sought refuge in the mountains for an afternoon with his big dog and his mountain house property. I'm glad he got a chance to go spend some time down there to unwind. It's the place he tells me that he feels closest to his Dad, something I know he needs! The land is recovering beautifully from the fire and we look forward to rebuilding soon (well, at least in the next 10 years or when ever we win that lottery)!

The only part of this Christmas that was missed this year was time spent with Stefan side of the family. We look forward to their visit in the coming new year! To all our friends and loved ones... we wish you all peace and good health as this year comes to an end. We are so fortunate to have all of you in our lives. Seek happiness, spread kindness and get out & enjoy life!

More Kirby fun to come in 2009!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

2008-12-07T13:44:00.018-07:00

There is no other holiday that makes me think of family more then the one quickly approaching. Christmas was always the one time of year were my mom really "did it up"!

Every square inch of our house was dripping with red, green and gold. Garland seemed to literally grow in our house, wrapping itself around every possible surface darning itself with lights, ribbon and pine-cones. A year rearly went by where my sister and I up weren't bundled up and packed into our Bronco 4X4, bound for the Front Range Foothills and the nearest tree cutting area. We would walk for what seemed to be miles to find that perfect tree. Perfect being defined by my mom as "That's it", no other question where asked.

Even the year when the "That's it" was 26 feet tall (No really, picture the scene from Christmas Vacation, it was us). I always thought she was a crazy woman for spending so much time and energy just for a few days in December.

But now as distance has placed itself between me and home and now that I have a home and family of my own, there is nothing more that I long for then to fill my home with the same warmth and holiday cheer as that created by my mom.

So, as the tradition stands, the week following Thanksgiving was spend sifting through the closet under the stairs in search for those magical boxes labeled "X-MAS",

picking out the "That's it" tree and spending the rest of the day with holiday music filling the air while me and my family placed each memory filled ornament on the tree.

I know that Thanksgiving is the time for saying "thanks" but for me it is the week after Thanksgiving that I feel so thankful. Thankful that I grew-up in a warm and loving home, a home filled with memories and tradition that I am honored to continue and pass along to my own daughter.

Staycation & Thanksgiving at GMom's

2008-11-30T18:13:00.047-07:00

Staycation|stāyˈkā sh ən; və-|noun

1. a period of leisure defined by not leaving ones primary residence. 2. an extended period of recreation, esp. one spent wanting to be away from home or in traveling but rather spent in ones

backyard because one realizes that one has

no monetary funds and/ or is so exhausted that one can not leave ones own doorstep: they took a staycation in their backyard | people stayed at home

for a staycation [as adj. ]| a staycation home.

The Kirby's Staycation (November 7-11)

become a reality one evening when Stefan realized that by taking one vacation day off from work we could enjoy a whopping 5 days a leisure

KIRBY STYLE! We baked bread (the best potato-rosemary bead he has ever made!),skied a Saturday afternoon away with the DuRoss clan,

took in the local Hoogle Zoo for the first time, raked leaves, cleaned and winterized the house, watched Greta master her new walkin moves (that's right she's walking!) and even managed to move the rotting pumpkins off the porch to their final resting place, our backyard compost, to make way for Christmas Cheer. The best part of the weekend was that we did not drive more then 15 miles from home and did not spend more then $20! It was a spontaneous, energized, relaxing, do nothing but did a lot, way overdue, time-off

for the family.

Thanksgiving took us to Montrose, Colorado

to visit Stefan's Mom and Step-Dad. The weather cooperated making the drive dry and uneventful...thankfully. We filled our stomaches with all the goodies of Thanksgiving... the favorite being the "to die for" pecan pie (*of course Jess did not participate in the whole tradition of turkey day ... but was thankful that her conscience was clear). On friday, we attempted to shed a few of our newly acquired pounds by taking a walk along the Uncompagrhe River

just outside of Ridgeway State Park.

Our goal, to sneaking a peek at Bald Eagles who are

wintering in the area. It was truly a sight!

There must have been 30 of them perching in the barren trees boardering the riverbed. The rest of the long weekend was spent eating leftovers and watching Greta whip up imaginary cuisine between her toddling excursions around the house.

It is amazing to watch how fast she is gaining strength and balance with each new step.

Now we welcome December (which I can not believe is tomorrow...time sure has gone by fast lately). It was a mild November...We're ready for winter! Bring on the SNOW!

We're Finally Blogging

2008-11-02T13:14:00.009-07:00

After many months of putting off fixing our website and after many request from friends/family to get our #$%^* together and create a blog instead....we have gracefully accepted our comcast defeat and created http://teamkirbyofamerica.blogspot.com/ I have to admit that part of the delay in creating this blog was my silly feelings of intimidation. I am a tech savvy person, I am a GIS Analyst

for Christ's sake, but I still do not know how to text on my cell phone, I just recently joined the world of facebook but have no idea how to use it and just today opened a gmail account (only because blogspot made me do it). You may be saying to yourself that "She's way behind her generation" and I can deal with that...mainly because it is true! This whole blogging thing is

all new to me...but you have to give me credit...I am trying! Soooo hang on and enjoy the blogging ride because...

Team Kirby of America are finally blogging!

When I started this this post I struggled to figure out where in time to start??? I've settled on starting off our first blog with the month of October

2008. My choice solely motivated by Miss G.

The beginning of the month Greta celebrated her 1st birthday October 13, 2008. With all her Grandparents on hand (Nana (we missed Pops), Grandpa and Grandma Linda, G-Ma, and Popa-D) and a room full of friends, we made a cake and partied!

"To the world you are one person but to one person you are the world" ~ Anonymous

Greta's birthday celebration was also a day for Stefan and I to celebrate too. We made it through our first year of parenting! The trying times and sleepless nights that everyone warned us about turned out to be moot points in utter amazement we shared as we watched our baby grow into a toddler.

After the cake flour settled, we packed up the van and headed south to canyon country for our last camping trip of 2008. There really is nothing like red sandstone and yellow cottonwood leaves. days were warm and wonderful. Nights were chilly almost too chilly for Miss G. All in all it was a great end to the first Kirby Family camping season.

The month wrapped up with another celebration. This time it was time to

help good friends, Pam and Justin, get ready to welcome a little one of their own into there lives. With a little help we sent them away that night will a jar full of advise, arms full of baby gear and a truck full of hand-me-downs.

The month ended, of course, with Halloween.

This year Miss G wagged her way around the neighborhood dress as a Dog. Cooper did not think that was funny!

Rain ended our night early, a welcomed sign that winter is finally here after a mild indian summer of a fall. With that, we venture into November. I promise to post at least once a month. I hope you've enjoyed our first family blog :)