motorcycle boys

THANK YOU!!!

A big, huge "thank you" to Shannon for cutting my boys' hair today. They look so handsome! I can't believe what I have to do to get Shea to cut his hair four times a year. The boys loved playing with Boston while Shea was in the chair. They loved jumprope and trying out Boston's PW 50 by themselves for the first time! I was a nervous first-time, motorcycle mom. I don't know what I'll do when they have their own and Shea takes them to the track. They looked very cute all geared up with their dad and Uncle Cory hanging on to the back keeping them balanced! Thanks, Cory! I hope your back and knees aren't too sore in the morning.
After the grooming, we went to grab some dinner at Riverside with Cory and Shannon and the six kids. The kids were good, and the food was yummy! Thanks, you two! We love hanging out with our amazing family!
We were a little late helping Ben and Wia move out of their condo, but Shea still got to carry the dryer down two flights of stairs, and move a desk and bookcase. Ben and Olivia are moving into a sweet, new condo at Haymaker in AF. They are excited for a two car garage, and lots more square footage to live in!
We've had a good two days. I made three batches of strawberry freezer jam yesterday. The berries are cheap and yummy right now. I love homemade jam! Too bad it has so much sugar in it. Maybe after I'm skinny. We'll see.
I cleaned the upstairs, took the kids to the park to feed the ducks, did laundry, donated blood, went on a walk with the new stroller, went shopping with my mom, you know...all the things that fill up two days.
We're getting excited for the Race for the Cure on Saturday, and Disneyland on Monday.

Summer's coming...

We've had a good weekend, and a good Monday.
Happy 41st Anniversary to Shea's parents, Jerry and Candy, yesterday. They are wonderful in laws, and loving grandparents to our kiddos. We love them and hope they had fun celebrating with dinner tonight.
We had stake conference this weekend. It was SO nice to sit with Shea during the two hour session on Sunday. The boys were so happy and didn't leave his side for the whole meeting. I just got to chase Lucy, who has decided walking around is much more exciting than sitting through church. She carried a baby doll around with her for the whole meeting. It was very sweet. She suddenly thinks she is very grown up. She loves her dollies and any baby she thinks is smaller than her. She definitely has a mothering instinct.
We spent the day getting ready for a neighborhood barbeque at our house. I had been talking to a neighbor who suggested we have one, and that it should be in our backyard. I was happy to host, and we had a great turn out. I didn't know where to stop inviting people, so we passed out about 60 flyers. We had more than 50 people show up! It was so fun, and so good to get to know some of the newer people on our street.
Tomorrow is busy, for Shea at least. He has the temple in the morning. The boys have school. Shea has a lunch appt. He and I donate blood at the stake center tomorrow afternoon, and he has church meetings tomorrow night. The kids and I might go somewhere and feed ducks. (We have lots of people who left hot dog buns at our house tonight.)
Only 7 more sleeps until Disneyland!

Happy Birthday, Ben!

Yesterday Ben turned 27! I can't believe I have a younger brother that is in his late twenties. Yikes! I hope you had a great day, Benny!

Remember, this is my FIRST attempt.

Digital scrapbooking

I've been trying to figure this out for a few days now. I sat down tonight with enough patience and will power to actually read the "how to get started" instructions. I created one page, and I think I've found a new hobby I love! I tried to upload it so all could see, but I'm not patient enough to figure that out too!
Hopefully I can get caught up and print a scrapbook for the kids to look at and admire. It may take me a while, but at least I can do it without loading all three kids up and braving Roberts or the scrapbook store!

We had a fun barbeque tonight with my high school friend, Ashley and her family. She and her hubby, Ed, have two kids, Evelyn and William. They are darling kids, and we all enjoyed the company!

Shea has been super busy with a big order from a new customer, Media Rain. I think he finished that set up today, and now he's in the basement building 10 more computers for another new-ish customer, Valley Mental Health. He is so amazing and is such a hard worker. We have been so blessed.

I have been spending my days outside with the kids. I took them to the Lehi indoor pool--which they have dubbed "Nephi's pool"--on Friday. We had a blast! No one was there, and the kids stayed close. Lucy clung to me the whole time, but started to relax a little at the end of the outing. It's too late for me to remember Saturday's events. Sunday was church and a birthday dinner for Ben.

I am loving this weather! And I'm going to be loving my sleep in about 15 minutes...

Happy 1st Birthday SOPHIE !!!

What a cutie! This year flew by so quickly--and Sophie Love got long n' lean! We love you, baby girl!

Happy Birthday, Zak!

The picture I wanted of Shea and Zak is in the wrong format. Lame! We hope you had a happy day, Zak!

Also, I booked our Disneyland vacation tonight! Yea! We're going from the 14th to the 18th of May. We swore we'd never do a weekend day at Disneyland ever, so we're going to the parks on a Tues., Wed., and Thurs., and staying in the Disneyland Hotel. The Grand Californian didn't have any rooms left since we waited a week to book our trip. We'll have fun, and we'll do that next time. How much time do you spend in the room anyway? Right Shashi? We're also going to do breakfast with Goofy and friends one morning. We've never done that, but always heard how fun it is.

Did I mention how much I LOVE DISNEYLAND?

My baby's growing up...

As of yesterday, one day after she turned 11 months old, Lucy is walking! She has consistently taken 10-15 steps for two days. She even prefers to stand and walk instead of crawling. She still looks so little to be toddling around. It is very cute! The boys started walking at 10 1/2 months and I don't remember them seeming so small when they started. They were so husky and tough. I thought she would take longer to get up the courage to take so many steps, but she just keeps surprising me!

Happy, Happy Birthday Kelly Dear!

Happy Birthday to the most amazing #&*ty year old I know!

Handsome boys

This is our sweet Baby Eli who has been home from the hospital for almost 36 hours now! He is so sweet and very handsome.
This is Elder Cam (on the left.) Jenn inspired me to blog a picture of his mission. He only has about 3 1/2 months left in Japan! He started in the Nagoya mission, but was moved to the Kobe mission that reopened a few months ago. We love our Uncle Cam!

YEA!

It's been a good day so far.
Yesterday I spent most of the day on the phone. I woke up to a message that Cooper's name had been drawn to attend the Renaissance charter school in Lehi. Then, two hours later I got a call that two spots had opened up and both my boys could go to the Kindergarten Enhancement class at Learning Dynamics next year. That means that they'll go Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 11 to Learning Dynamics where they'll be in an accelerated class. They'll keep reading and end the year reading at a second grade level. They'll also keep doing math, learning to tell time, learning skip counting, learning sentence structure, parts and punctuation, and doing great art projects! I am so excited for them to get to go!
Obviously, I made up my mind to send them to the public school afternoon kindergarten, since they're excited to ride the bus and it's close, and then Learning Dynamics on Tues./Thurs. mornings. If they didn't love learning so much, it would have been a harder decision. Yea!
Then, I had to go weigh in for my diet. I usually wouldn't post for all to read, but I was proud of myself, and all the positive encouragement helps. I have lost 14.2 pounds and 6 1/2 inches in four weeks! I was very excited after a kind of discouraging week last week with the whole diet thing.
Other exciting news...Baby Eli got to come home from the hospital yesterday! We are going to go see him and finally get to hold him this evening sometime. He is such a handsome guy, and reminds me a lot of my babies (only skinnier :)
Also, (I promise I'm almost done) we're going to Disneyland from May 14th through the 18th! I haven't been for two years, and I love that place! The boys went last Spring with my mom. It will be a blast since the boys are now tall enough to ride everything! FUN!!!

Happy belated birthday, Todd!

Happy birthday to Todd on the 15th--a funky, hip, white boy! (and a great brother-in-law!) We love you, Todd!

Call me Little Miss Sunshine

And, no, I didn't like the edited movie. We rented it from Family Video, and it was still lame. I understand it had really bad language, but you don't get that from the Family Vid. Anyway, that's just a side note...

I did sound very negative in my last blog! Sorry! I was just typing thoughts, and they were pretty random. I was trying to list off my accomplishments for the week, but then I didn't want to sound like I was bragging or boring or whatever else people might think. It was a mental activity for myself. You know those kind?

Anyway, thanks Todd and Jane for letting us come visit. The kids had a ball doing whatever they were doing. We enjoyed talking to you two and seeing the funny YouTube videos. We always enjoy family company. We have the most awesome, wonderful, fun family ever! All of you--you know who you are!

Good night, and good Friday tomorrow!

Where is the week going??

I can't believe it's already Thursday afternoon. For the record, I have cooked almost every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) this week. Given, yesterday's lunch was at Costco, but I came home and cooked lunch for myself. This includes lighting and grilling on the bbq.
The house was cleaned earlier this week. The laundry is slowly piling up again. Lame blog.

Baby Eli is doing really well. His parents have been very frustrated with the NICU nurses at Timpanogos Hospital. Apparently they are all "raunchy" (I don't know if I can say that on a blog that people who don't know me very well sometimes read, but--that's the word that three people have used to describe these nurses.) So, I believe them. They are rude, unsympathetic, and pushy. Does that sound better?
I haven't seen Baby Eli because he's been in the NICU, and I've had a cold. I'm almost healed, and he's almost ready to come home. He just needs to become a better BFer. (That's breast feeder for those of you not in the Burr family.) It would probably help if the nurses didn't keep filling his tummy up via feeding tube and then letting his mom nurse him. If he were hungry, he'd eat. It seems logical, but apparently I don't know what I'm talking about. Adam and Ashley are beyond annoyed. Poor kids. They are going to make great parents.

Have I told anyone lately that I'm ready for a long, sunshin-y, tropical vacation? Well, I am. Now you know.
Update complete. My life is boring sometimes. I am looking forward to date night tomorrow. My mom already called and offered to tend the kids. She, my dad, and the twins are headed to Hawaii on Sunday. Rough life. She's getting in her time before she gets to enjoy the beach, a sweet hotel suite, eating out, and sunbathing.
Seriously, my life is this exciting all the time.
Later.

My sweet, new nephew, Eli Adam Burr, arrived 8 days early on Saturday at 1 p.m. His mommy and daddy (Ashley and Adam) are so excited for him to be here! He weighed only 6 lbs. and is 18 inches long. Since he swallowed some meconium on his way out, he has to be in the NICU while his body reabsorbs it. His breathing has been hard for his little body to keep up with. He will get to go home to his parents in a few days, we hope.
Congratulations Addy and Ash! He is so handsome! I love you guys.

Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter weekend filled with parties, church, and food! We enjoyed feeling the love of the Savior as we celebrated His Resurrection. The kids did their best to smile as I tried to take their pictures, get them all to look, and make sure Lucy's silk dress didn't get dirty! That was a big enough job on its own! They looked darling though, so it was worth it.

The boys enjoyed the egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa's house! They, with their cousins Mia and Max, found so many eggs stuffed with money and melted chocolate. It was such a warm, beautiful day.

The married kids in my family also got to go on an Easter egg hunt. My dad hid eggs full of money in the front yard. Each couple, Matt, and Marc were supposed to find 8 eggs for a total of 40, but we think there are still 8 eggs hiding where we didn't find them, and my dad couldn't remember hiding them! We all had a good time.

We really had fun at the Hansen Easter party where we ate lunch, played lots of games, and all the kids got to search for their hidden Easter baskets! The boys loved Bunny Bingo, watching the adults try to jumprope, and being with their Taylor cousins! Lucy loved being with her Aunt Candace in the shade.

Lucy was loving this plum! She munched on it while I made dinner. It was so cute!

Kelly's Quilt

I love you, Kelly! It took me about 2 months, but I finished it! Now you'll have it to snuggle up in after your next treatment. Happy cuddling!

I loved these pictures

I'm a little late in posting about Sunday, but we had a good time with Shea's 14,086 cousins at his grandpa's birthday party. We really enjoyed watching General Conference and spending Sunday together!

Last night we did the egg activity for FHE. We had the boys find the 12 eggs that had symbols of Easter in them. We talked about the symbols and the real story of the Atonement and Crucifixion. It was very touching to hear the boys tell me this morning what Easter really is about. I love it when a mother's hard work and teaching pays off--although sometimes it takes a while to make a difference!

Today I have lunch for a friend's birthday, the boys have school, Shea is at the temple, and I need to get to the grocery store. I'm also happy to announce that Kelly's blanket--that has taken me forever--is almost done! I'm just finishing hand-stitching the binding. I was afraid to start since I hadn't done it before, but it's turning out just fine! Sorry, Kel! You'll get it today, I hope!

Brothers' Trip to Zions

Shea just tried to blog some photos and memories of his brothers' trip, and lost all his work! He gave up on the blogging thing after one attempt. I can't say I blame him though. It's pretty frustrating.

Who says bribes don't work?

Shea and I bought the boys a new game for their GameCube, and I thought we were going to save it for their birthday. I was so proud of myself for beginning the shopping early since I have 4 birthdays in 6 days in May! Shea couldn't wait until then to give it to them though. Apparently, he is sick of only playing Super Smash Bros. He's a funny kid.
Well, he left with his brothers, and I was ready to make a deal with the boys. I showed them the game and they responded with hugs for each other, excited yells, and huge smiles! Then I told them the conditions they had to meet to get the game. 10 nights--all night--their own beds. I would do anything at this point, and now I think I have the right "motivation."
Last night was a complete success! They did it! Lucy was wide awake from 5 to 7 a.m., so I went in to check on the boys. Cooper had climbed into Camden's bed and they were snuggled together. It was very tender and cute. I didn't feel so bad about making them be alone because they are never really alone. They can sleep that way every night for the rest of forever as long as I have my own bed! (Let's be honest. Lucy sleeps with me and Shea, so I'm never really alone either. That day may never come.) Only 9 more sleeps until Lego Star Wars!
Yesterday was a good one. I took the kids to Syracuse to visit a friend and her new baby. We spent the day there, came home for dinner, snuggled, and went to bed.
Today has been good too! I was visit taught this morning, the kids went to school, and Lucy and I went to the store. Home teachers are coming at 2:30 then we'll probably go visit Grandma and Grandpa until I have to make dinner for a family in our ward tonight. So far we've been busy and happy, but we miss our dad! Love you, hon! (Since there's no phone access and a one in a million chance you'll think to read the blog!)

Check out my Slide Show!

Where did my week go?

Probably no one cares where I've been or why I haven't blogged for a whole week! Sorry. I don't know what I've been doing--I've just been preoccupied I guess.
Shannon, you'll be happy to know I did a 2 day cleanse last week. You would have been so proud of me! Only this juice, protein, and green veggies for two days. For any of you who really know me and my eating habits, that was tough! I was amazed that I actually had any will power. Shea came to bed with ice cream one night, and my mom ate chocolate covered cinnamon bears in front of me too. I was so good! I did have a killer headache for two days from the lack of sugar. I decided I lived on sugar and carbs--not a good combo if you want to look good in a swimming suit. But, I'm working on changing my ways...we'll see how it goes.
Some friends invited us over on Friday for pizza and a movie. We had fun laughing and talking, and they had fun eating while I had to eat chicken and a green salad before I went. Do you know how good pizza crust looks when you're trying not to eat carbs for two days? I know--two days--I'm pretty pathetic. But I was strong--and I lost 6 pounds in the process! Yahoo!
On Saturday we ran errands and then had Ben and Olivia over for games. My Jerusalem friend, Heidi, called me because her hubby is out of town and she needed to get out. So she and her sweet 2 1/2 month old baby Landon came over to hang out and have dinner. It was fun to see her and talk for a while!
Today the boys have been playing GameCube and have been outside. Our new neighbor girls got a new cockapoo puppy today, so the boys played with them and it for a while outside. Lucy loved the puppy! She tried not to let the grass touch her bare legs while chasing it around the yard. The boys also took Lucy on Hummer rides for like 30 minutes. I love those things! Lucy's face is so cute when she is riding. It's so funny.
I think I'm making Shea take me to dinner tonight since he is going to be gone on his brothers' trip from Wednesday to Saturday. He's very excited, and it sounds like they have a lot of fun things planned!
These font colors are the colors of the flowers blooming in my garden right now. I love spring!

FHE

Tonight we had Nana, Papa, Kelly and Jake up for a bbq and to see the new deck. We had to have dinner anyway, and since we bought the meat at Costco, there was more than enough. We had steak, salad, chips, steamed artichokes with garlic lemon butter, and gooey butter cake for dessert. It was very yummy and fun!

Just a note, Lucy loved the artichokes even dipped in butter! She is such a funny baby. She doesn't want any food that the big people won't eat. She spits out all baby food, won't bother with the Gerber puffs, and hates plain Cheerios. She loves bean and cheese tortillas, chicken salad sandwiches, plums and apples she can bite herself, and cereal with milk. She thinks she is a grown up--it's pretty funny.

She and Aunt Kelly have the same hairdo! You don't need hair when you have such a beautiful face and a perfectly round head! Actually, Kelly is probably the only person who has less hair than Lucy. Boy, will those curls be worth it when they grow in--for Lucy and maybe Kelly too!

(For those of you who don't know, Kelly is having her second chemo treatment tomorrow for breast cancer. Kelly is Shea's oldest sister--and one of the best aunts ever!) My kids absolutely adore her. Good luck tomorrow, Kel.