Fat Flake Festival

On Saturday night we took the kids to the Fat Flake Festival.  Shea was up there with Canyon Sports promoting his new business.  He and a friend have started a new seasonal business and have hooked up with Canyon Sports to do it.  They are delivering ski and snowboard rentals, discount lift tickets, and ski accessories to people who come here to ski.  Instead of having to pack your ski stuff and pay for it to fly, you can call Shea and he will have everything delivered to your hotel.  It's a really cool idea, and I hope they do well with it.  If you know anyone who is coming here to ski, let them know that they can get their stuff brought right to them and then picked up from their hotel when they're finished and ready to go back home!

Anyway, at the festival Shea took the boys ice skating for the first time.  They had a great time while I watched Lucy run around and be crazy.  When they got tired of that we visited the Canyon Sports booth and enjoyed hot chocolate and marshmallows roasted over the fire they had burning.  It was a fun evening where we did something different from the usual.

Thank you, Girlies!

Even though we're not acknowledging the event that is too-quickly approaching, I just got home from a wonderful pre-birthday lunch at Paradise Bakery with some of my most wonderful friends. We enjoyed yummy food and fun conversation--for 2 1/2 hours! Thank you, Jerianne for coordinating. Thank you Tammy, Nicole (who is almost 30-gasp!), Emily, Carla, Angela, Danielle, and Jerianne! I love you girls.

Grateful

I just wanted to remember how lifted up by the Spirit I felt today.  I had a great day in primary where our Stake President and his second counselor came and taught the senior sharing time.  It was an uplifting message about reading the Book of Mormon every day and a promise that if we do so, we will be abundantly blessed.  I am totally recommitted to doing that for me and my family.  We have markedly improved recently, but we can still do better.  

As a family we had the chance to go to baby Ivy's blessing.  What a miracle a new spirit is.  It was touching to be there and to witness the power of the priesthood in action.

Tonight, Shea, Jerry, Candy and I went to a Mt. Timpanogos temple workers fireside where the presiding speaker was Elder L. Tom Perry.  The blessings of the temple are magnificent.  I am so grateful to have that Spirit in my home on a weekly basis.  Again, I have recommitted myself to going to the temple and basking in the Spirit there more often.  I need it.  My family needs it.

My Coop

The boys and I were spending an evening together last night.  They love to count down the "sleeps" until exciting days or events.  We were counting sleeps until Christmas, Valentines (why?), Friday, and I mentioned my birthday.

Then they started asking me what gifts I wanted.  What do you say when you don't have your "list" ready and memorized?  They wouldn't believe me if I said I didn't really want anything.  So, to help, Cooper chimed in, "Mom, do you want something stylish for your birthday?"  

I thought he was pretty funny, and pretty observant.

happy birthday, Janie

To one of the most inspiring wives and mothers I know...I hope you had a relaxing day!  Seriously, this sister-in-law of mine has 6 of the most wonderful kiddos--and darn good looking kids too--and a husband who is so devoted and loving.  It's all because she is so wonderful!  I love you, Jane.

May the Force be with you

Welcome, baby Mya Christine!

Shea's baby sister, Candace, and her husband, Judd, welcomed (very wearily, I might add) their first baby girl on Saturday.  Candace endured 29 hours of labor and ended up having an emergency c-section after not progressing past a 4 in that amount of time.  She put up a fight though!  

Baby Mya weighed in at a slender 10 lbs. 5 oz.!!!!!!!  She is such a beautiful baby, and she is already so loved.  I especially love all her chins.  Shea took a darling picture of Lucy the baby monster holding her newest cousin.  I'll get that so you can all see how precious Mya is.   Later.

Happy Birthday, Shannon!

To an amazing, motivating, fun, energetic, active, compassionate and loving sister-in-law...Happy Birthday!  We love you and your sweet family so much.  We hope you have a great day too.  (How can you not have fun if your birthday is on Halloween?)

the week in pictures

Coop and Baby Lilli (who looks just like her daddy!)

Without these ladies, I would be insane and a failure!

Primary Program Practice and Pizza Party

These kids did the most amazing job today.  I was so proud of all of them!  I was especially impressed by the ones I know have issues with speaking in public and shyness.  I was very emotional all day.  My brother Marc said I am the most emotional primary pres. he's ever seen.  Like I care what my 17-year-old brother thinks.  I did have a hard time speaking without crying during the program though.  I can see why he thinks that.

Gardner Village witches with two sweet girls

We had a good time and had to get one last girls' trip in before Baby Lilli came.  Girls are so fun! 

Announcing....

Baby Lillian Faye Burr (Lilly)

6 lbs. 11 oz.  (exactly the same as her big sister, Audrey Rose)

19 in. (again, exactly the same as Audrey)

Her mommy was hooked up to pitocin at 8 a.m.,  water broken at 8:30 a.m.,  pushed three times and Baby Lily was born at 10:15 a.m.!!!

I told Olivia that she should think about having 800 kids if they all come out so easily!  She is blessed with easy pregnancies, births, and beautiful babies.  We are so excited to have another sweet baby girl to love and spoil.  

I love you, Ben, Olivia, Audrey and Lillian!

p.s. loading pictures on this thing sometimes drives me insane!  Also, I need to get a better shot of just Lillian.

Fall Break

Most of our Fall Break was spent with Camden and Cooper wearing Shea's shorts and shirts and Lucy wearing the boys' clothes.  Okay, Lucy only wore this for a few hours after church until I made her change to look more girly, but it was cute to see her running around with the boys for a while!  I was a good mother and even let Cam and Coop go to Arctic Circle with Grandma to get an ice cream in these clothes.  She was so proud.  She was also so bored since Matt, Marc and my dad were all working in NoCal spreading straw on the reseeded wildfire areas. 

Today we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese for some late lunch and play time.  There were maybe two other families there and it was heavenly!  The kids ran from game to game trying to win tickets and Lulu followed them around and rode a few of the lame rides.  She loved this dragon, but hated the monster truck.  "Truck is too scawy, mom."  She was also a little apprehensive about the singing and dancing animatronic mouse and his posse.  I have to admit, they're lame and a little scary.
On Sunday we watched Grandpa and Matt and Marc land in the neighbor's empty lot.  They were just being dropped off by the helipool--is that what you call a helicopter car pool?  My dad's pilot, Randy, continued on to the Provo airport with Huey--the helicopter--and they will begin another straw job in Moab this week.  I have fond memories of the times my grandpa or my dad would come home and the pilot would land in the church parking lot, so it was nostalgic for me.  My kids had big smiles on their faces too.

Now it's back to school and normal life.  I got to mop the floor this morning, and the bathroom cleaning will continue tonight and probably in the morning.  We're looking forward to our primary program and practice this weekend along with a Halloween party, a stake primary meeting, blood donation, and a new baby niece!  

Good luck with the delivery, Olivia!  We're so excited to meet Baby ______.  And Candace and Baby Girl _____ won't be far behind.  I'm excited to have all these sweet baby girls to snuggle.

Photo tag

for Shannon...

Choose the fourth picture from the fourth picture folder on your computer...

Mine was the pumpkin carving fest we have with Webbs every year.  This was taken in October 2004!

I tag...Jenna, Julie H., Andrea T., Andrea B., Jerianne, and Emily BoxCox, and Lindsay!

I'm a slacker...but only when it comes to blogging.

I promise I do other stuff.  I was busy helping in the boys' class last week, cheering on Matt and Marc in their win against AF, going to see Thriller with my mom, going to a baby shower for Olivia, being sick with a cold and getting flowers from my sweet husband, going to dinner at Paradise Bakery with the Taylors to celebrate our time with Andrea, going to dinner with Shea at Cam's UVU restaurant (Chinese--yum!), watching the Cougars win again, making a visit to Costco, planning sharing time and conducting on Sunday, hosting the Taylor family FHE on Sunday night, and being so proud of my boys as they played their last Fall soccer games this week.  One was on a beautiful Fall Tuesday evening, and the other was in the snow on Saturday.  They each scored twice during the freezing game!  They had an awesome season and are looking forward to Spring season.

I'm a little relieved that all that's on the schedule for this week is a baby shower for my darling cousin tomorrow and UEA break!  I need to plan something fun.

Field Trip

I love the fact that I get to be with my boys during the day and in the classroom so much.  I realize other mothers would love that opportunity but don't get it as often.  I feel bad for that.

With that said, I had a great time on the first grade field trip today.  All 7 classes went to Mountain View High School (my old stompin' grounds) to watch the Utah Symphony perform some weather-related music.  I was impressed by the talent of the Symphony members and by the respect shown by my little group.  45 minutes of music without words is a lot for most grown ups!  They really were good, and we enjoyed sack lunches after at the park.  Watching all those kids climbing all over the playground reminded me of watching an ant hill.  

I love my boys--and I love that they still light up when I get to be in school with them.  Snuggling in between them on the stinky bus ride made it all worth it!

Facebook...the ultimate distraction

Apparently I am the only one in the universe who wasn't on Facebook before yesterday.  I started a profile and have spent way too much time finding old friends and connecting over cyber space with some of the friends I see daily.  

In other busy news...

--the Primary program is written and parts are handed out

--cub scouts is a little more organized and I know way more about the administration part of it after last week

--I'm planning and in charge of the majority of my 10 year Jerusalem reunion that is tomorrow night.  I'm excited to go, but I'll be happy to have that off my list of things to do.

--My hair appt. for tomorrow was canceled.  Boo.  But it's because my cousin is having a baby tonight, and her sister does my hair.

--People must sense my stress level since I was supposed to go to the boys' class and help with math testing today, but the teacher called and changed it to Friday.  How did she know I didn't have a car or a husband to watch Lucy for today?  Thank heavens for my amazing and selfless friend, Jerianne, for offering the use of her car and her babysitting services.  I'm relieved I'm not in debt to her now for all that.

--Sweet Camden slipped and fell in a mud puddle that covered the whole right side of his body.  He called me from school and couldn't talk for two whole minutes as he cried.  So much for not having to use Jerianne's car.  Thanks again, my dear.  I had to take the poor boy some clean clothes.  It felt so good to put my arms around him and tell him that I loved him, and dirt never hurt anyone.

Lucy is obsessed

with babies.  She was in heaven while snuggling sweet Baby Ivy this week.  She's ready for more girl cousins who will be making their debuts in October.  Candace, Olivia, if you need a babysitter...call Lulu.

Our family's new additions

Shea was so sick of his Treo--that never worked correctly from day 1.  We went to get him a new phone, but his contract with Verizon had been extended when I used his upgrade to get a new phone a few months ago.  He had to pay the early-cancellation fee for himself, so he thought it would be easier to just add me to the AT&T family from the get-go.  Thanks, Honey! 

Jane, any operational tips would be helpful. 

on my mind...

1.  Baby Ivy is the sweetest little thing.  She is one of the most beautiful babies ever.  Congratulations, Cory and Shannon!

2.  I really need my carpets cleaned.  After a few "incidents" I need to just call and schedule.  Who do you like?  Are they really expensive?  I just don't feel like paying $300 to get it done.

3.  Presidency meeting tonight.  Primary stress.  I have GOT to get that program written.

4.  I'm feeling like I need some new jeans and tops.  Anyone have any favorite fits or store suggestions?

5.  Nei*%bor drama is driving me crazy.  That's all I'm saying.

I finally uploaded photos...some old, some new

Our ward had a luau last week. The kids were so excited to dress up. They were certain that our family would win the prize for best costumes. We went all out. I had a grass skirt on (over a normal skirt) and a flower in my hair. The boys kept telling me how beautiful I looked. Is that all it takes?

Aunt Kelly is a favorite of ALL the girls!
Happy birthday, Grandma!
Remember eating school pizza for lunch? Yum! We've eaten with the boys the past 3 Fridays. Lucy is in heaven. She would stay at school all day if I let her.

The boys like to clean off lunch tables instead of going to recess on some days. Cleaning earns them "cougar bucks" that they use to buy knick-knacks at the school store later. I'm thinking of implementing "taylor tender" or something to get them to clean up more at home. They're actually great cleaners; I've just been overwhelmed lately.

It's over!

And I must admit it was a very spiritual experience for me.  I felt the hand of the Lord as I was preparing all week, and I really felt like what I said was what He wanted me to say.  I was validated and pretty shocked when the stake president used a lot of the same phrases that I did.  He is either very good at listening to the talks before his and using that information to form the thoughts he shares, or we were on the same page.  I like to believe it was the latter.

So many people said so many kind things about my talk and have gone out of their way to do so.  My dad even said that I made him cry.  That is no small task.  I think I've seen him cry only when saying goodbye for two years to each of my brothers as they left to serve their missions.  That's three times in my whole life.  So, thank you to all of you for your encouraging and kind words.  You really made me feel adequate.

I knew it was going to be an emotional night when the choir opened the meeting by singing "A Child's Prayer."  I'm so grateful I didn't have to immediately follow that song.  I cried through almost my whole talk, but I was blessed (I guess that's what you'd call it) to be able to speak in an understandable voice.  At least Shea told me he could understand every word.

I have been thinking a lot about the relationships I have been blessed to have in my life.  First, and most importantly, I have an amazing husband that loves me.  I have three beautiful and caring children who are so pure and so good.  And I have a family (Burrs and Taylors) who would support me through anything--and do just that.

I also have been blessed to have relationships with so many talented, amazing and inspiring friends.  Thank you.  You have no idea what your influence and examples have done for me.

Happy birthday, Ally and Chase!

So I'm a week late for Chase's birthday, but I've had a busy week!  I do love that kid though.  He is so good and honest and...good.  Now he's a teenager, and one of the greatest ones I know.  Happy late birthday, bud.

And his smokin' hot sister, Ally turned 15 today.  What a ride her parents are in for!  She is one of the happiest, most outgoing, funniest girls ever.  If I were 15, I'd want to be just like Ally.  I'm a little bit older than that and I still want to be just like her.  Have a good one, sweet girl!

Shea and I dropped the kids off at Nana and Papa's for an evening of fun.  We went to watch Matt and Marc play football.  It was so nice to be able to watch the game for once!

Tomorrow should be super busy.  Soccer game at 11, shopping for a new outfit to speak in, Candace's baby shower at 3, BYU game in between, stake conference meeting at 7...

Wish me luck!

What we've been doing

Stuff.  That pretty much sums it up.  We've kept busy with doing stuff.  Nothing exciting, but time consuming all the same.  We've been busy with everything from Fall soccer season, Matt and Marc's senior year of football at Lone Peak, BYU football and entertaining neighbors during half time, baby Victoria's blessing, primary, school, back to school night, stake bishopric dinner, creating and mailing baby shower invites, finishing that stupid Breaking Dawn book, shopping in Park City, cleaning, cooking, laundry...

and preparing my talk for our adult STAKE CONFERENCE meeting on Saturday evening.  You might not hear from me again this week.  ugh.  

Happy Anniversary, Hot Stuff! Happy Birthday, Mom!

Yes, I got married on my mom's 40th birthday.  She scheduled the temple that day, and it happened to be one of the last Saturdays before school started.  It was a beautiful day, and I love sharing it with her every year now.  

I woke up to get the boys ready for school and found that Shea had left a sweet note on the fridge that wished me a happy anniversary.  He was working his 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. weekly temple shift.  That won't stop us from celebrating though!  I'm excited to spend this afternoon and evening with my favorite person in the whole world.  We really are a perfect match, and the last 8 years could not have been better or happier.  I don't know what people are talking about when they tell you the first year is tough and that there's something called a "7 year itch."  Those people must not be married to the most wonderful person ever.  I love you, babe.

For the birthday Lucy, Shea and I celebrated with my mom, dad, Olivia, Audrey, Cameron, and Ashley at Thai Village for lunch.  

My mother is the most giving, service-minded, selfless person I have ever heard of.  She is fun, always busy, and amazingly spiritual.  Everyone who meets her instantly loves her.  I am blessed to have her as my mother and my example.  I love you, Mom! 

First day of forever...

I never realized how emotional I would be when my boys started spending most of their days away from me. I have been torn between being so happy and excited for them to be in first grade--I remember clearly a lot of things that happened to me when I was in first grade--and being sad that the first six years of their lives went so quickly. I can't even fathom how quickly the next six will go. Despite my feelings, today was a milestone.
The boys popped out of bed and hurriedly dressed themselves in the outfits they picked out last night. They decided that if they slept in just underwear, they would be able to get dressed in no time. It worked! The morning routine went smoothly even though I got teary while making their first lunches to eat in the lunch room.
We took them to school, everyone dressed and pictures taken by 9. Lucy couldn't forget her backpack! We walked them into their classroom, helped them unload their pencil boxes and teacher supplies, and introduced them to the two other boys sitting across from them. I got teary again as I kissed them and told them to have a great day! The smiles on their faces were priceless and seeing them helped my heart.
As I went through my day I couldn't help but think of them. When would they have recess? When would they eat lunch? Would they find the love notes I tucked in between their sandwiches and their chips? Would they make friends? Would they do well on their work?
I spent the day making cupcakes and entertaining Lucy. I planned with some neighbors to have a first day of school celebration. We set a table up by the bus stop and loaded it with all kinds of treats. Jerianne had decorated with balloons anchored by picture books and accented with apples. It was so festive! The kids' faces lit up when they got off and saw all the food. They each picked a treat or three and headed home. It was definitely a tradition I want to continue each year.
I didn't get much out of the boys until dinner. They were too busy playing outside with friends. They told me later that they had a fun day, had two recesses, asked the teacher when they got to go home, and took a nap on their desk. We're still working on enforcing an earlier bed time. The nap, they told me, was after they finished their papers and were waiting for the rest of the class to finish too. Knowing them, I'm sure it wasn't much of a nap.
Tomorrow...day 2, and my 8th anniversary!

Happy birthday, Uncle Cam!

Cam celebrated his 1-year home from his mission mark and his 22nd birthday! To celebrate the adults in the family went to see the comedian Brian Regan at Thanksgiving Point. We laughed our heads off and had a great time.

We love you, Uncle Cam Cam! We hope your day was happy.

Cam has a lot of new things happening in his life. He is moving out into a condo with friends next week, he has a new job (but he worked there before his mission) at California Pizza Kitchen as a server, and he is starting culinary school at UVU at the end of the month. It's definitely an exciting time!

Super Duper

I did a post dedicated to Camden last week, and Cooper keeps seeing it and asking me to post a picture of just him.  How can you say no to this cute kid?

Cooper is my sweetheart.  Lately he has been so good with Lucy.  He wants to make her bottles, get her clean diapers, and he is especially good at watching her while she is outside playing with him and all the neighbor kids.  He and Camden are best friends, and I love that.  I watch them interact sometimes, and I am touched by how close they are.  I hope they are always each other's #1.

Lately I have been heard to say that I would love to have another set of twins, and for the most part, I would.  These boys are wonderful!  They are so excited to start first grade--it makes me so sad, but I have to keep encouraging them.  And I will.  They need the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment that comes from doing everything so well.

I love you, little buddy!

My Broadway Top 10

1.  Les Miserables...no matter how many times I have seen this, I cry every time when Fantine gives her daughter to Valjean's "keeping" and then dies.  I think this story is the most powerful and the most moving of any play I've seen.  The balance between Mercy and Justice is one of the most difficult to attain.  With that said, my favorite character is Javert--the policeman.  I know, he's supposed to be the bad guy but whoever plays him is always very strong and has an incredible voice.  I have often said that if I were to choose one single talent it would be to have a broadway-worthy voice.

Shea and I had the opportunity to see this on Saturday night at Tuacahn.  It was wonderful and the talent was as good as I've seen (with a few exceptions.  Jean Valjean there was a little too stylized and yell-y for me, and he barely made it through "Bring Him Home.")  

I saw Les Mis on Broadway in October of last year with two of my SILs.  It was unreal.  I'm so glad I went then; it's gone now.

2.  Jekyll and Hyde...yes, I realize I've only seen this at the Hale, but it was amazing.  I actually went three times while it was playing.  I've known the music forever, but to watch as one man plays two characters simultaneously who sound completely different as he sings--it's pretty unbelievable.  

3.  Wicked...do I need to explain?  When I went in NYC last Fall, we had the chance to see the woman who originated the role of Elphaba.  She is the one raking in the money from the royalty checks each month.  It was a chance of a lifetime!

4-10 change spots depending on what I'm in the mood to see.  Miss Saigon, Phantom, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Pirates of Penzance, Hairspray...

Happy birthday, Audrey!

We had a fun party yesterday for 2-year-old Audrey.  We swam in the pool, had a yummy dinner, sang "Happy Birthday to You" which sounded like the MoTab (must have been Olivia's family's singing--my family sounds horrible!) ate cake with ice cream,  and watched as Audrey opened a million presents.  

We hope she had a great birthday!  Lucy and she are very best friends and it is so fun to watch them grow up together.