Cousin Gift Exchange

December 19, 2021

We had our cousin gift exchange at the Bird's on a Sunday night.  Each year we randomly assign draw/assign names.  It's always fun to see the thoughtful gifts given and to watch the cousins interact with each other throughout the evening.

Aub, Stevie, La

We definitely had a great spread with all sorts of homemade treats plus a hot chocolate station.

Ella gave Tanner a pack of tiny little super strong magnets that are fun to play with and mold in to different shapes.

Adam drew Stevie and gave her UNT pjs.  That is the college she is going to next fall, and I love that thoughtful gift idea.

Braddock gave Brinley a cute quilted top.  You can see it in the pictures towards the end of this post.

The group watching the gift openings from the couch.  Benja and Chris in the back.  Megan, Noah, Tanner, Holden, Gram, Stevie and Lauron

Some of the others in the room: Kate, Emily, Lincoln, Grandpa, Brinley w/ Ella, Charity

Holden and Benja  Benjamin got off his mission in August and was only home for a few weeks before heading to school, so it was great having him home over the holidays.

Charity gave Aubrey a super cute sweater and some makeup brushes.  Aub absolutely loved both.  (and I'm positive Charity went well over the $25 limit.)

Brian, Charlotte, Isaiah, Ang, Gram, Stevie, Adam Vore    Behind the couch: David, Adam Bird, Britney, Benja, Chris

This is one of the most exciting gifts of the night.  Kate and Joseph had one of the Bird girls and Lauron had the other.  Kate (in Utah until after Christmas) and Lauron gave them a certificate for a girls afternoon.  Ella and Char were thrilled.  I don't know what all they did, but I think it included pajamas and a movie maybe.  

After the gifts were done, the younger kids headed into the playroom. This highschool/college cousin group was pretty cute.  They laughed and talked and hung out in this corner for quite awhile afterwards.

We also got to see a few stunts with Ella, La and Aubrey.

I loved watching Brinley and Charlotte spend quite awhile playing together too.  They missed each other these past years while she's been at college and then on her mission.

Random December Pictures

The month of December is always packed with all the fun things, and I want to remember them!  So here is another random picture post of a few of those happenings.

Girls afternoon...pedicures!

Love seeing Grandpa and Brinley together.

We are all taking turns helping take care of Gram this month.  Brit, Ang and I go over for two hours every morning and afternoon.  Chris often takes in lunch.  Kerry has helped my dad with extra locks and with taking care of Gram as well.  We are looking for some in home care to help.  Her health since November has greatly declined.  Above is a cute picture of her and Chris.  Below is Nate and Kerry helping Gram with her meds one day.

A windy picture after Brinley's beautiful homecoming talk.  I loved hearing a few of her experiences again.  She is a great speaker and writer and is able to convey her thoughts well.

We are all trying to get to know Erin more.  I especially want Brinley to have the opportunity in the short two weeks home.  Late one night we decorated ginerbread houses. 

Have I mentioned we LOVE having this girl home?!!!!!

Aub had some basketball games that we were able to enjoy.  So sweet that La and Ang took time to come as well.

This puzzle took forever.  Brinley was very diligent.

Charcuterie board w/ Breena

Ang, Erin, Maddie, Benjamin, Joseph & Jake

After Christmas we had a fun cousin day at a friends gym!  We got to meet Benjamin's girlfriend Maddie too.  She was really sweet.

Kate and Brinley had a great time catching up.  They are both in the same major at BYU which is also fun and helpful.  

Tanner's girlfriend Erin came.  She's so beautiful.

Breena joined in the fun as well.  I love it when it works out for one of Aubrey's friends to come over.  It makes her so happy.

We had carolers and it made my night!  I felt so loved by their kind act of service.  (Kristi Phillips, Cathy Bonifay, Marie, Annalise and Patrick Howell, a missionary, Jeff Howell (hat), Jared and Vera Howell)

Brian's probably going to kill me for posting this but I love it!  Parker called and wasn't wearing a shirt.  He had showered and it is so humid there.  He was trying to dry off a little bit.  So Brian, who was at a location in his work truck, took off his shirt and joined the call.  He keeps us laughing for sure. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Brinley reported to the high council the Sunday after she got home.  I saw this in the stake office and thought it was so fun.  Love seeing both Bryn and Park on there.  We have had many blessings as a family from their willingness to serve missions.

Brinley's Homecoming!!!

By far the very most exciting day of December was December 16th, Brinley's homecoming!  I was giddy for weeks and the closer it got, the more I felt like it was really going to happen.  

Aubrey and Tanner only had finals in the morning, so we didn't have to get creative with skipping classes or worse, basketball practice.  Britney was sweet and made the rounds to get her kids out early so they could be there.  Chris and Ang were getting off a cruise and took an earlier flight so they could be at the airport.  Kerry and family came to support.  Grandpa and Grandma came.  (It was touch and go with her health.)  My uncle, Alan Pitt, was there.  Megan and Adam Vore came with their three little boys. Our King cousins came and the Dave Martins and John Martins were there.  Friends from church came as well to congratulate Brinley and support our family: Bonifays, Shauna Saxton, Morgan Hill  

It was wonderful to feel the love and support for our girl. 

Bird cousins making on a sign while waiting for their brothers to get out of school.

The airport.  Her plane was on time, but it felt like she would never arrive.

Waiting....................

More work on the sign (Aubrey made one too), plus getting everyone to sign the sign.  Ella was diligent.

A few pictures of some of those who came to support.

Ang (sister-in-law), me, Laurel (cousin)

Brit, Char, Stevie, Nathan (Stevie's boyfriend), Quetta, Laurel, Hudson, CJ, Shauna and Gram and Danielle in front

Here is a video of ....The group

Cathy Bonifay, Shari Martin, Gram and Ang

WAITING Some More....I kind of love this picture.

(Morgan, La, Brian-AKA Dad, Holden, Aub, me-aka Mom, random lady)

...we see people form her flight coming down the stairs!

She made it!  We LOVE our Brinley Kate!  It was so great to hug her again.  

The video version↓↓↓

                                    She's Here!

The fam! (...minus our Parker Bryce who is doing good things on his mission in Ghana.)

Grandpa and Grandma Vore

The Birds!  (minus Adam who had to work...and we didn't get a picture with just Hud and Bryn) Charlotte and Ella 

Braddock, 13 1/2,  flexing his height!  He probably changed the most while she was gone.

(Aunt) Britney and Bryn

(Uncle) Kerry 

Getting to see Adam (cousin) and see Christian, who was a premie, when she left

Tanner, Holden (cousin) and Lauron (cousin)

(Uncle) Chris with grand baby Noah

(Aunt) Angelique

Front: Nathan (Stevie's boyfriend), Lincoln, Adam, Quetta, Kerry, Holden, Char, Don Bonifay, Hudson holding Christian, Gram, (Great Uncle) Alan Pitt, Ang, Grandpa holding Ella, Stevie, Brinley, Morgan, Shauna Saxton (former YW leader), Tanner, Aubrey Megan holding Noah, Dad (Brian), Mom (me-Erin), Lauron, Chris, David, Laurel, Danielle, CJ, Emily Martin, Cathy Bonifay, Shari Martin, David Martin and Braddock

We really appreciated everyone coming to support our family and Brinley as she completed her year and a half mission in the Idaho Boise Mission.

After Sister Gwilliam arrived, we had family and the Bonifays over for a light dinner and her release.  We had rolls, meat, cheese and fixings for sandwiches plus chips, fruit and desserts.  (A big thanks to Britney and Megan for helping with the chips and desserts.)  We visited and ate while she and President Vore (AKA Uncle Chris) met in our bedroom to be released.  

When they came out, Pres. Vore read an email from her mission president which expressed his/their love, admiration and appreciation for Sister Gwilliam and her service in the IBM.  Pres. Vore said a few words and then released Brinley as a full time missionary.  

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

A little sibling bonding after everyone left...

Brian and I enjoyed looking through some of Brinley's keepsakes from the mission.

We were so glad to have our girl home.  It will only be for two weeks because BYU starts January 3, 2022, but we will make the best of it!