Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always one of my favorite nights, the excitement of things to come and all the craziness in preparing for it. We had Christmas Eve at Jeff's parents house, it was wonderful. The food was delicious as usual and we shoveled it all in as usual. The kids then did talents for the first time this year and Jaxon gave the whole Aunt Mandy poem! This poem was Great G-pa Hawkins favorite poem and since he has passed on we had Jax memorize it. He had it memorized in less than one week and the poem is 30 lines!!! Amazing. The boys then did "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth". The cousins did their parts and it was wonderful. We then did the nativity and it went a little smoother than last year, at least the kids wore their costumes for longer than a minute. Bev then had these new chimes and we tried our best to play Jingle Bells, maybe next year. It ended with the kids opening their pjs and then these amazing boxes!

Our little nativity, baby Jesus (Hunter) only cooperated for a minute though

Our shepherd boy (Jake) and Wise Man (Coop)

Jax had been looking forward to being Joseph for weeks and Jadyn was Mary as usual.

My boys on the donkey with their Christmas jammers!

All the cousins in their pjs wrestling as usual with those cool boxes in the background.

These are the boxes each one was personalized according to each grandkids interest. Bev's friend Janna is absolutely amazing and painted each one. Her brother-in-law actually made the boxes. Jake is all about saving the princess and being the hero with a sword usually. His is a pirate theme, with a map on back (pictures don't even do it justice) with a pirate ship on front. Jaxon has always been into sports especially baseball. So his has a baseball jersey on top with a bunch of balls on front and a baseball diamond on back. Thanks Beverly! We love them!

Blessing Day

We blessed Hunter today, and everything went great surprisingly. Minus my skirt zipper breaking there were no mishaps. He was so good the whole time, I am always afraid they will be screaming in the middle of it, but that has never happened and I've never heard it happen to anyone else. Maybe he knows how special it all is. If only I could remember all that he probably still can. Someday I suppose. Thanks to my great families for all of their help getting everything ready. Hunter, we love you and couldn't ask for a sweeter little guy to add to our family!

I had to tell the story of this quilt. We were at Grandma Hawkins house and she had just finished it and brought it out to show everyone. Jaxon was particularly interested in all the animals on Noah's ark. We all talked about it and then she put it away. Well, about 10 minutes later Jaxon went up to her and said, " Great Grandma, can I see the blanket again with all the animals?" She said sure and got it out. Then he went on the tell her, "I think my mom needs that blanket for her new baby!" (That was when Hunter was still in my belly.) Grandma thought that was so cute that she gave it to us. She is so talented and it is beautiful! I am thankful Jax was so bold to ask her because it is my favorite blanket. It almost tempts me to change our nursery from surfing to Noah's ark. Thanks Grandma H!

Polar Express and Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we went up to Ogden this year. We tried to figure out how long it had been and we don't think we had ever been up there for turkey day officially, we were in Hawaii last time. It was so fun to have all of us there together which doesn't happen very often! Thanksgiving day was busy! The guys went golfing for free at El Monte Golf Course. While we started our day of cooking and boy was it a lot of cooking! The turkey was our biggest fear as usual and it turned out great, thanks to Jeff who kept a close eye on it. All of my cousins on the Squires side came over for pie later that night and it was fun to catch up with them and see all their cute kids. On Friday Mitch and Cami went at 4:30am to shop with all the crazies! We then went up to Park City and shopped a little, next time we should go there earlier, they had some killer deals! Then for our final event we went to see the Polar Express! It's the Heber Creeper turned into that and it was amazing! Next time I am going to put the kids in matching jammies just like the story. It was decorated all Christmas like. We drank hot chocolate, ate cookies and read the story the Polar Express! Mrs. Claus came to visit and give us her cookie recipe and than who stopped by!? Santa himself came and gave the kids bells from his sleigh! We sang Christmas carols to top it off. When Santa came Jake closed his eyes and didn't want to see him, while Jax was all about it. Then when Santa gave him a bell he brighted right up and said I want a motorcycle and a Woody! Jax told Santa he wanted a motorcycle and a Buzz. Jaxon was so cute with the bell, he kept holding it up to his ear and shaking it just like in the movie! This was a great way to kick off the Christmas season! Hopefully we can do it every year or every other year. Thanks mom and dad!

This is Jaxon so excited and you can barely see Jake in the background with a sad face which immediately turned happy when he got the bell! Hunter was more than great the whole time! They are ready to Go!

 A Family pic by the Engine!

Tri Blog

Just for those of you interested in the training required to do an ironman, Jeff created a new blog and is updating all his training, nutrition, and insights. The blog address is: burgessironman.blogspot.com. This is a once in a lifetime chance and it should be really tough and exciting all at the same time. Check it out, maybe it will inspire a few more budding triathletes. The more friends involved in the triathlon experience the more fun it will be to do races! Check it out!

SMILE!!!

I can't get enough of this smile lately! Hunter gave us his first smile at two weeks old and I've been trying to get a pic ever since. It finally happened! I don't think his smile can get any bigger! 

So big you can't even see his eyes hardly!

Trick or Treat

What a halloween! We had so much fun! I never could have done it without my family, they are amazing. The boys had a great time, as did I, playing with Cooper! Hopefully he is still young enough he didn't learn any bad habits. The boys were wild now that they had an audience besides their mom. We stayed up late Friday night talking which was so nice. I don't know why but in my family we always sit around the kitchen table to talk, ever since I can remember. Saturday was busy, my parents were so great to take the kids as well as the cousins and play and go see the sheep parade down Cross Hollow Drive. We dressed the boys up and they were so cute. Woody and Buzz Lightyear! I figured it might be the last time I can talk them into wearing a costume I like. We went to the ward trunk or treat. First time for me, it was pretty fun, the boys were more interested in what all the other kids looked like than candy. The hit was Cody's yo yo's. Again my parents were great to hand out candy to all the kids while we took them around. We came home to dinner in a pumpkin, which was yummy. Even Jake my picky eater gobbled it up. We then trick or treated around the neighborhood and Jax ran the whole way while Jake chattered to me nonstop. We went to Grandma Burgess' next. It was great and I was sad to see them all leave on Sunday. Love you guys! Thanks for your help on Sunday Cami, it would have been wild without you!

Buzz Lightyear and Woody

The three oldest cousins

My little Mickey Mouse! Hunter was a trooper even with a tummy ache he was great. Thanks for all the loves Grandma!

Could Woody honestly look any cuter than this?

To infinity and beyond!

The baby is here!

He finally made it here! We had Hunter John Burgess on Thursday, September 24th at 10:40pm. I honestly don't think I could have waited another day. I had my first real painful contraction at 5 or so and Jeff was sure when he got down running we would be going to the hospital. No such luck. Then at 7ish they were finally consistent every 2min! Jeff pulled out the watch and was the timer! We waited till almost 9pm and they were bad enough that I knew we had to go. When we got there I was a 5 not too bad! They put the epidural in at 9:30 and at 10 a was a ten and needless to say the epidural was not working. He was out by 10:20pm and the cutest thing in the world. I was able  to walk around right after which I hadn't been able to do with the others and the recovery has been great. The only thing that is sore is my back from the useless epidural, I haven't been able to hardly walk especially at the end of the day. Hunter is so so sweet and I can't get enough of him. Its been so long since we had a baby. He is eating good, sleeping good and just making us all melt. The boys are so good with him, Jax could hold him all day! Jax is having the hardest time adjusting so far, a little overly emotional but not jealous at all. Jake likes him and plays with him a little but is done after not too long. I couldn't be luckier! 

Our first family picture

Proud dad!

Aren't they sweet, Jake is obsessed with his nose and belly button!

3 days old

Coming home

A Few of My Favorite Things...

A Few Favorite Pictures:

The First Day of School

My Little Rascal

Pondering the wonders of the world

Nothing more traumatic than this! 

Does life get any better than this!

A Few Favorite Moments in Our Life

The other day Jake tilts his head at me and says, " Mom when you grow up to be a princess I will marry you."

Jaxon has always been my best helper in all things from cooking to cleaning, he said the other day," Mom, do you need me to vacuum because you can't bend over anymore?"

In our family we eat breakfast and read scriptures at the same time and then dad brushes his teeth comes back to the table and we kneel for family prayers. I love it that Jaxon always tries to kneel like Jeff, with one knee up and one down on the ground. 

Jake has a tradition as Jeff leaves to go to work that he MUST have at least these three things: a kiss, a hug, and a five with and occasional backwards hug if he is too messy from syrup and dad is too clean. Without those first three things he goes screaming after Jeff's truck in hot pursuit all the while I am waddling behind.

I love to hear Jeff read the boys stories, he never is rushed as I am, he will read book after book sometimes and those really long Dr. Seuss ones that never seem to end and have a thousand words.

I love it that as I get the boys ready and after they are dressed, its teeth and hair time. I always ask them spike or comb. If it's Jake's turn he will always ask,"is Jaxon's spiked or combed?" And whatever Jaxon's is or will be according to Jaxon, that is what Jake does. Luckily Jax hasn't learned to be mean yet and switch mid hairdo.

With all the things in this life we have to be thankful for, our Heavenly Father was so wise in knowing that our children would be our greatest joys! Though practically impossible sometimes they are and no matter how often I have to use my "mother" voice. They luckily always love me in the end. 

First Day Of School

Jaxon had his first day of preschool on Tuesday! He has been dying to go and has memorized everything about his teacher for the past two months, he even knows how to get there! His cousins started a week before him and he just couldn't hold back the jealous feelings. So we made a chain to count down the days till he started. We read the Bernsteins Bears Go to School book and he memorized everything they did in that book and associated it with his new school. He told everyone their would be painting and clay. We got his backpack out the night before and put in the stuff he needed to bring and then he was totally pumped to wear his new shoes I had put away until his first day of school and we laid out his new outfit! I asked me to make breakfast bundt rolls for his school breakfast. He was darling! We picked up Jeff and we all took him to school. He was so big. We went in and checked out all the rooms and he said I just knew school would be fun, mom! If only this would last for the next 14+ years. I am so proud of him. Jake is having an adjustment and the first day got to go to work with dad to keep his mind off Jaxon. Its easy with just one kid! I feel bad because sometimes he doesn't get the one on one that he needs. I've got to work on that! Soon baby #3 will be here and he won't get all my attention. He brings a backpack too when we drop off and pick up Jaxon. Too cute, I just love being a mom. This was one of those pivotal days I will never forget! I couldn't get any luckier to have such a wonderful family.

Closer to IRONMAN...

THE UTAH HALF!!!

He did it and did GREAT! Jeff did his first half distance triathlon which is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 run. And to put it all together I have never in my life seen worse weather. We saw it all. The only let them swim half because the wind was blowing so hard two buoys blew away and they couldn't get them on again. He did great on the swim considering the weather and on to the bike which he did fast. It rained, blew, hailed, sprinkled and then the sun even came out as the race finished. The run was the toughest part like usual but he did great. It was fun for me because they did an out and back course twice so I was able to take pics and cheer him on. He finished in 5 hrs. 48 min.! Way to go hon! You are seriously amazing and so tough. I am so proud I am now the wife of a half ironman! Love you! Can't wait for IRONMAN St. George!

Just coming out of the swim into transition!

Speedy on the bike even in bad weather!

Transition Time! Get that GU in!

The finish line! Way to go!

Post race! Why did I do that?!?

First Soccer Practice!

You don't know how long I have waited for this day. Jaxon's first day of soccer practice was two weeks ago and I honestly don't know who was more excited, him or me. We had a parent meeting as well so the whole fam went and he did great! He immediately asked for soccer shoes afterwards and knowing the sucker his dad is he got just the right ones. He did really good. We will see how it goes. I was going to coach with Jeff's help because I would be having the baby right in the season but when we called back they had already found someone, so we will see how she is. She already told us she knows nothing so we will see. 

Jace and Cassie's wedding

Jace and Cassie are finally married and I never knew anyone who wanted to be married as badly as those two! The temple sealing was so good, I just love being there, so much good advice and such a strong spirit! Its amazing! The luncheon was yummy yummy! All of us girls were in charge of decorating for the luncheon and it turned out so cute, I was quite proud of us! We came home and relaxed for a few hours and then went to the reception and boy was that a party! It was a picnic theme, we grilled burgers and hotdogs, had a huge tub of watermelons, we even had an ice cream freezer for dessert, it wasn't you typical skimpy meal at a wedding, it was a feast! I can't even count how many ice cream bars and popsicles just me and the boys went through! The kids looked so cute all in red, the party lasted all night. We didn't get home in bed till midnight!!! Congrats you two!

Pure entertainment!

Finally cutting the cake!

How do I get this off?

Watch out belly! Its almost knocking Jaxon over!

Our luncheon decor! Good job girls!

Jaxon's Birthday

Jaxon had his fourth birthday and it was about time! He had been asking everyday for two weeks if it was his birthday yet or not. We had a spiderman party and that is what he got was spiderman everything! He got a new bike as well as bike shorts and gloves, and socks. He will be set with the new bike jersey my mom made for him. It was a fun party and always a whirlwind of opening and trying toys out. My parents came down and we had a great time, it was a busy week with the 24th of July, Bev's bday, Jaxon's bday and Jace's wedding! I couldn't have done it all without them! Thanks mom and dad!

This is the whole outfit! He was so proud!

The new bike, he looked at the training wheels when he first got it like what are those doing on there, so we took them off for him.

Blowing out the candles as fast as possible!

The masterpiece, I love making cakes, hopefully the older the kids get they won't get too complicated.

Happy birthday Jax! We love you so much and your sweet personality. We love that you want to do bike races like dad and you are always so good to include your brother in playing with friends and riding bikes, he loves to follow you around. You are growing up so fast and are mom's BEST helper, cleaning, weeding, and so quick to obey, it helps me so much! We love you!

Independence Day Parade

Happy Fourth of July!!!

We went up to the cabin and played all day on the third and on Saturday we woke up for the pancake breakfast which was great and then got ready for the parade. Grandma Burgess painted the grandkids faces like clowns and Jaxon, Jadyn, and Connor wore the clown outfits from when Jeff, Jayme, and Jim were little. Jake was not going to be left out. He insisted on face paint and rode his bike the whole way in the parade! I was so proud of him, we were a little behind the others but we kept racing the car behind us to keep us. He was so cute waving his little hand while his legs kept pedaling. Jax didn't have training wheels, so he would stop to wave at everyone. It was a great idea and the kids loved it! Thanks grandma and jayme for walking with us, they would have been long gone in the parade without you!