Christmas 2007

Christmas this year was bittersweet. Without my dad here things just weren't the same, but we made the best of it that we could. Johnna set out a nice tribute to dad, complete with a bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey that Pop had given to me last Christmas. We drank a toast to him and shared some of our best Russell Byrd moments. On the brighter side, being that we had Jake and it was his first Christmas our spirits were lifted quite a bit. Obviously, Jake had been getting all kinds of things from his loving parents and grandparents all year long so trying to figure out stuff he didn't have took a little thought. His two biggest gifts were a new chair just for him and a rocking/bouncing pony. He especially loved the pony as you can see in the picture. All in all I'd say his first Christmas was a huge success. Maybe next year we can get Jake to be a little more comfortable with Santa.

First time meeting Santa

Johnna, Jake, my mom and I attended a Christmas party at our friend's house on December 23, 2007. While we were there Santa arrived in his trusty golf cart to deliver early presents to all of the kids. This was the first time in Jake's young life he was going to meet Santa and we were all excited, yet very nervous about it. Things didn't start out so well and Jake started crying immediately upon seeing Santa pull up in the golf cart. As Santa read the names on each present he handed out, Jake seemed to become more and more uneasy about the big jolly man in the red suit and funny hat. Close to the end a small gift was removed from from Santa's gift bag and he read Jake's name aloud. As Johnna walked him up to Santa's lap Jake began to scream. However, the funniest part came after Johnna had set Jake in Santa's lap and he turned to look up at the person whose lap he'd been set on. When Jake realized he was sitting in the arms of the round man with the big beard he lost it. We were so happy to have the camera on hand to catch the special moment.

Jake's 1st Steps

It has been really exciting lately as Jake has learned to walk without having to hold onto anything. His first steps were short-lived, but they brought a huge smile to his face and have opened up a whole new world for him. Here's a short video of his first steps.

The Big Day!!!

Well today was the day. At 1:30pm Johnna and I were officially pronounced the parents of Jake Ryan Byrd. The Court hearing took about 15 minutes and we were surrounded by friends and family for support. Judge John Nelson told us that he was very happy for us and that Jake looked to be a perfect fit for our family. What a perfect Christmas present this was in a year so full of ups and downs.

The Double J & M Ranch

At least one day each week Jake spends the day at the Double J & M Ranch, or "the farm" as Johnna calls it. Her parents have a beautiful piece of land covered with tangelo trees on the South Yuma Mesa with a riding arena, two horses, and tons of fun things to play with - including an old Farmall Tractor that belonged to Johnna's grandfather. Grandpa Bornt loves to show off the tractor to all the kids and sometimes he starts it up and gives them a ride. On this day though, Jake got to ride on the lawn mower with Grandpa Bornt. Grandma Bornt watches their every move from the kitchen window and always has the gauze, black electrical tape (that's another story) and Scooby Doo bandaids ready (just in case). Jake loves it out there and always comes home in a great mood. We do our best to get out there and enjoy the fresh air as often as possible.

Deer Hunt

In November I went deer hunting in the desert northeast of Yuma with a few friends. I have been drawn a couple of times in the last several years, but have been unsuccessful. This year was different. By about 7:00 a.m. my friend Sonny and I had hiked nearly 4 miles across the desert to a spot he and some other friends had seen deer earlier that month. We were completely amazed by how many deer we saw that morning. It seemed nearly every five minutes or so groups of seven to twelve deer would be within 400 yards of us. Sonny was able to get off a couple of shots at two groups as they past by him at about 200 yards. I had parked myself in the opening of a small passageway in the rock of the ridge line we were hunting. From my vantage point I could see Sonny a couple of hundred yards away following after the two groups he had shot at. While I was sitting there watching a heard a gunshot to my right that sounded like it was right next to me. As I peered around the outcropping of rock I saw a group of eleven to thirteen deer coming up the wash below the ridge line. They were still about 300 yards out so I positioned myself for a comfortable 80-100 yard shot at the wash down below me. I assumed the deer would continue to travel up the wash, but I was wrong. As I waited with my eye in the scope watching the wash below I noticed it was taking an awful long time for those deer to come into view. Just about the time I was processing that thought I saw a blur of what appeared to be hair come into view of the scope. I lifted my head to see what it was and I was staring eye-to-eye with the lead deer in the group. The deers had followed a game trail up the ridge line and had intended to continue through the passageway I was standing in. I'm not sure who was more surprised at that moment, me or the deer. So in the brief second it took for my mind to realize that there was a deer standing five yards in front of me I pulled off a "reaction shot." There was no aiming because honestly what was the point he was fifteen feet away. The shot rang out and the deer took off up the ridge line. I'd missed! The next thing I knew deer after deer after deer were scurrying up the ridge line one-by-one in front of me like a some kind of video game. I wasn't sure whether I should shoot at another deer because what if I had hit the first one. As the last deer passed in front of me I decided to shoot again. It hit him in the hind quarters but was a good enough shot to get him down and out within a minute or so twenty yards from me. As I waited to ensure he was dead I couldn't believe what had just happened. I searched the spot where the first deer I'd shot at was and no blood trail was visible anywhere. When I finally walked up to the downed deer I realized just how big he was. However, the full appreciation of how nice the deer didn't begin to set in for two or three days. If nothing else, this hunt has proven to me that it is better to be lucky than good sometimes.

Halloween 2007

With our characteristically warm weather here in Yuma during Halloween Johnna wanted to ensure that Jake stayed plenty cool. So her idea was to find a costume that would allow for maximum ventilation. Seeing as the "baby in a diaper" costume would not be too creative Johnna came up with the great idea of "Toga party baby." Jake was a great sport about wearing the costume for about three minutes before he had enough. Jake was very intrigued by aunt Marla's "Good Witch" costume and scared to death by grandma Bornt's "Escaped mental hospital patient" costume.

Angel Adventure Walk

On October 13, 2007, Johnna, Jake, mom and I traveled to Phoenix to meet up with family and friends for the Angel Adventure Walk. This event was held to raise money and awareness for the National Brain Tumor Foundation and we walked in memory of my cousin Jaydie who fought the tough fight against cancer for nearly a year. The walk was 5k and Jake only made it one lap before crashing. Before we left, the NTBF announced that the Jaydie Lynn King Foundation had raised more money than any other group that participated. Way to go team!!!

Grandma Feeds Baby Byrd

My mom got a kick out of the way Jake opened his mouth like a little "Byrd" when we would feed him and I couldn't help recording it for everyone else to see.

Happy Birthday Grandma

In August our family celebrated my grandmother's 70th birthday with a huge surprise party. As a part of the celebration a professional photographer was there and took many great family photos. Jake was dressed to impress with his white button down and black pants. He's not even a year old and we already know he's going to be very popular with the ladies.

Jumper vs. Saucer

My mom had bought Jake one of those jumpers and he absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, his saucer didn't bounce quite as well. But Jake sure gave it everything he had and seemed to have a good time. We are a bit concerned that the constant rattling of his noodle could result in more drooling and maybe even a funny twitch.

I think we need a taller crib

I walked in to Jake's room to get him out of his crib only to find out that he was nearly out of it already. Not quite, but he was standing at the railing gnawing at the wood. Now whenever we try to put him down for his nap he immediately stands at the railing and starts gnawing.

Jake's 1st Video

It's September 26, 2007, and Jake has learned to pull himself up to a standing position.