Canoe trip with some new found cousins. . . (more catching up of summer)

Early, early the day after Homecomers,

we piled in the van and headed to Alley Springs for a canoe trip with some Farnsworth cousins.

We have no pics of the time on the river because the waterproof camera wouldn't turn on. . .

but the kids found lots of treasures (like the sunglasses Timo is modeling).

It was a delightful time with time spent with goggles on looking at fish,

cute little kids playing in the river,

having some serious fun jumping off a cliff, etc. etc.

Back at camp, we ate a delicious dinner Ann had prepared and then Jeremy and Stan built a fire that many stories were told around.  Especially memorable were the Missouri MoMo ones created by Jeremy.  The blue fireflies even came out at the perfect moment, looking like MoMo eyes blinking in the forest surrounding us.

So. . . we met Stan, my second cousin, when he was on a mission in Las Vegas.

We figured out how we are related when both he and my mom were at Thanksgiving with us.

Stan finished up his mission and went back home to St. Louis before we moved to Missouri.

When we moved to Missouri, we were excited to see each other again.

Jeremy and I went to the temple for the first time after our move and you'll never guess who welcomed Jeremy into the Celestial room. . . yep. . . Stan.  It was an awesome moment.

The next morning, we went over to see Alley Springs.

We were not expecting what we saw.

This spring is massive.

Seeing all that clear, pure water surging out of the earth was amazing.

We couldn't help but feel reverent.  It's hard to explain.

It made us think of the "pure spring" that Alma baptized in at the waters of Mormon.

On our way home at the home of "throwed rolls".

They literally throw rolls at you as soon as they come out of the oven. . . across the whole restaurant at distances of about 40 feet.

We finished up the weekend swimming and playing ball.

We are so glad we have connected with more awesome cousins that live close by!!!

Out of the mouths of babes. . .

The other night we were gathering for scriptures.

This is KD's cue to become an acrobat. . . leaping on, around, and over furniture and the other 8 members of the family.

As KD exploded by her, Taffy quipped,

"Karen Diane Baird will be punished for her own sins and not for Adam's transgression."

Nice application of the 2nd article of faith, kiddo.

Pictures of the youngest. . .

I used to worry that perhaps there wouldn't be as many pictures of the younger children. . .

but at the time, I failed to realize that the older children would be older and would love to dress up, pose, and capture the younger.

We have these pics of KD as Cinderella thanks to Sarah, Taffy and Benny.

And, just for the record, the younger pose much more willingly for older siblings than for their mama.

The Debut of "The Baird Family and Friends"

By divine intervention our family was asked to be an act at Homecomers, 

our city's yearly celebration.

The lady who was in charge of "gospel night" heard us sing "Come Thou Fount" 

at Bessie's funeral in June.

(We went to church with Bessie.  She died of cancer.)

At first we said "no" because we only knew one song and were supposed to take up 30 or more minutes, and the girls were going to be at Trek and Efy and we were supposed to leave on a canoe trip the day of Homecomers. . . 

. . . but then both Jeremy and I felt we were being given an opportunity to begin to change the, often negative, perspective on Mormons that is prevalent in this southeast corner of Missouri.

Being pretty much unfamiliar with gospel music, we researched, picked, and learned a whole program in a week with the 5 youngest.  

When Jaycie and Benny got home from Efy, we had to practice every night at 10 p.m. because Jeremy worked every day until the performance.

All the above pics are at the sound check a couple of hours before showtime.

We were all pretty nervous, but more and more of our friends kept showing up to support us. . .

neighbors, new friends, friends from Jeremy's work, and members of our Stake.  

It was very comforting to look out there at all those friendly faces.

It was humid and sweltering as we waited backstage.

We waited and waited.

It was torture to think we were next and then a raffle or something else would go on.

But, finally, the moment came.

"Come Thou Fount" was our opener - Jeremy played the guitar and Jaycie soloed on the violin.

Then came "Amazing Grace", "Down in the River", and an old English hymn you may recognize "If you could hie to Kolob."  That was my favorite.  It was rockin' with Caden on the drum.  Jeremy created an awesome arrangement.

We dedicated "There is a reason" to Bessie and Jack and bore testimony of our Savior who heals all our hurts.  (Wendy didn't know what she gave us permission to do when she said it was an open mic and she knew we had a strong faith and we had permission to "testify" all we wanted.)

We invited Bro. Tucker (Bessie's husband), the Snipes, and the Sister missionaries up to help us sing "How Great Thou Art" and then we ended with "When we all get to heaven."

Jeremy made this whole thing possible.  He accompanied all the songs on his guitar.  

Looks like all the practicing he's been doing the past few years paid off.

Afterwards, we hung out with friends. . . 

(Savannah and Sarah)

rode some rides. . .

(KD and I are demonstrating that girls let their emotions show much more than guys - see above pic of Hyrum and Timo.)

and, of course, had some funnel cake.

It was a night to remember.

(Sis. Lundskog even felt ok about not being able to go the Cardinals game.)

Jack

Right before Jaycie and Benny left for EFY,

our neighbor, Jack, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

We live in a subdivision with large lots, most of which are not built on.

Jack was the caretaker of all that land.

We didn't get to talk with him much,

but whenever we would drive by he would give us a big smile and wave.

He was the kind of person that, whenever you saw him, you just wanted to run over to and give him a big hug.

He reminded me of my Grandpa Teichert.

He ended up being in Peggy's house for hospice. He worked for her and was her dear friend.

Before the girls left, we went over and sang him some songs as a family.

While the girls were gone, we made him this birthday cake.  He turned 72.

Like the tractor Sarah made?  That's where we saw him the most.

That week we went over a few more times.

One time I ran down there by myself.  Jack hadn't talked or eaten or really opened his eyes for 24 hours.  When he heard my voice, he opened his eyes and tried to talk to me.  I finally understood that he was asking if the kids had come with me.

So I ran home and got Taffy and KD.

When Jack saw them, his eyes lit up and he reached out to them.

We sang him some more songs until he fell asleep.

Another night, Jeremy and I went over late.  Jeremy brought his guitar and we sang with the clergyman, Peggy, and another friend of Jack's.

Jack died before the girls got back from EFY.

We sang "Come Thou Fount" at his funeral which was in a Baptist church.

We were 9 of the 14 white people there.  

It was an awesome experience (Caden described it as the loudest funeral he'd ever been to).

We were grateful we got honor Jack and his devotion to God with that song.

We miss you Jack!  I hope you've gotten to meet my Grandpa and Dad.

Quick wrap up of some summer

When Jeremy, Jaycie and Benny got home from Trek, 

they had some serious chigger bites.

Medicine application was bonding time.

1 day after returning from Trek,

Jaycie and Benny piled in the car and drove themselves 6 hours to EFY in Bowling Green Kentucky.

They had some serious adventures in their travels.

EFY was awesome. . . we hear.

What else could it be?

Benny's group.

While the girls were gone, the rest of us enjoyed the baby bunnies,

dressing up and hanging with friends,

visiting the Mississippi River and downtown,

and getting immunizations.

(Even I had to get a tetnus. . . my shoulder hurt for weeks! I must be getting old or something.)

Timo and Caden were very brave, but the "Champion" award goes to KD.

She got 6 shots and didn't shed a single tear or squirm to get away as they just kept comin' and comin'.

Caden, lucky for us, has to be doing something or he goes crazy.

This project was an old picnic table left on the lawn when we bought the house.

He sanded and painted it.  It's nice to have a handy teenager around.

Jaycie and Benny got home from EFY just in time for our ward Family History/Talent show activity.

Timo, Sarah, Taffy and KD had put together posters on some ancestors and Jaycie and Benny sang "I'm yours" with Benny accompanying on the ukelele.

(Taffy didn't play the trumpet for her talent - her poster was on my dad and it is his.)

The next few weeks were whirlwinds (as the next few posts will show),

but we squoze in some swimming. . . in the day

and in the night,

played some games,

and rehearsed like crazy for our upcoming debut as

"The Baird Family and Friends."

. . . to be continued.