Driver #2...Scary!!!

Well, it's official. Stetson is now a licensed driver.  I can hardly believe I now have another one to worry about when I hear a siren close by.  Why is it that they are so excited and yet I am so apprehensive to let them grow up.  On occasion I think it's awesome to be able to send them to Winegars to pick up something I forgot while making dinner, but the whole driving friends around, etc. is just too scary to even put into words. 

Congrats!  Remember to buckle up, and no cell phone while driving.  I think I'm going to print off the Oprah challenge and have them both sign it...couldn't hurt.

Another Milestone

Wow, two posts in a week...amazing.  But, today is the day our 2nd turns 16.  AAAAHHH!  Dating, driving, jobs, all the things that a parent hopes they don't get to do too soon, and it's here.  Stetson was born 16 years ago today.  Just like his brother, he too is an awesome young man.  He is looking forward to driving, which I'm not so much, dating, (in groups only) and we are all hoping he gets a job, and soon.  We are headed to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and then he has Young Men's.  We will celebrate with Grandma and Grandpa after eating Texas sheetcake, maybe a theme here.  (Texas)

Stetson David - 7 lbs 9 oz 5:14 p.m.

Best Buddies & Brothers

He always has been one to go to bed on his own.  When he's tired, he wants his sleep.

This is his blessing picture, notice the drip of water on his lip, but I loved the picture. 

What a cute boy!

Where does the Time Go???

18 years ago today I became a mom for the first time.  Today while sitting in church, I remembered how excited I was and also how scared I was to realize it was our job to raise him to be a respectable young man.  I also realized today that thank heavens we didn't have to do it alone.  How could we possibly teach this litte guy everything he needs to know?  Oh how I wish I could go back somedays and do things differently now that I know a little better.  However, I do get so many compliments on him and what a good young man he is.  Happy Birthday Pal.  I can't believe you're an adult.  I remember laying with you as we watched the Price is Right together every morning and can hardly believe that you are now taller than me and a man.  I love you so much and hope we have taught you well.  I am so proud of you and the example you are to your brothers.  I have often told you I'm sorry you were the oldest, because we seem to practice on you...and you handle it well.  Good luck to you in the year ahead...it's going to be a great adventure.

His 1 year old picture.  What a handsome little guy!

He was lucky enough to share the day with Superbowl 44 so everyone is celebrating.  He had his best buddies over for treats and the big game.  Thanks for being good sports and letting me take your pics.  I'm so glad he has such wonderful friends.

Makes me sad to think that only a year from now he could going on a mission. Whereever he goes he is going to be a great missionary.

50th Anniversary and Court of Honor

Usually January is a boring month with nothing much to do.  Not this year.  On Jan 2nd, my entire family celebrated my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary at Maddox in Perry, UT.  It was so much fun.  My sister had a replica of thier original cake and my younger sister and nephew put together a DVD of the past 50 years.  It was so awesome watching us all grow up right before our eyes to songs my parents loved.  I have a wonderful family and it was amazing to see how blessed we have been.  We have had struggles and challenges too, but we all seem to have stayed stong to our beliefs and faith and look forward to many more years to come.

Here's a table of pictures and things through the years.  The cake was a replica of their original one.  Amazing job.

Here we are.  We are so glad Alex was able to join us to help us celebrate.  When she is with us, it feels as if Jody is there, too.  Love you Al.

Here are the three amigos, they had preschool together and kindergarten.  Then Alex moved to Alpine.  They are still very close.  They will all graduate in May.  Go Class of 2010!

Waiting for our dinner.  The food was awesome.  We love Maddox!

Then on Wednesday of this week we had a double Court of Honor to award Bridger and Stetson their Eagles.  Bridger actually earned his almost 18 months ago, but decided to wait and have his given with Stetson.  Wayne also earned his beads from Wood Badge, (that is an experience worth asking him about) and it was a great night.  We have wonderful family, friends and ward members who came to honor the boys this night.  We live in a wonderful place.  Congrats to you both on soaring with the Eagles.

Taking their oath before going to the Eagles nest.

Putting on their new Eagle scarves, or whatever they're called.

The Eagles Nest with the newest members.

Even Caleb was involved with doing the flag ceremony.

We are so proud of our boys.  Congrats to you both.  And it only took a little coaxing from the mom, ok that and they wanted their licenses.  Oh well, it's done.  I found this on another blog that I "stalk", I loved it.  Enjoy...

When they were babies people would tell me, "enjoy them becaue before you knew it they'd be all grown up and I wouldn't know where the time had gone."  And although I believe them, I didn't fully appreciate how quickly my boys would wiggle through my fingers like they used to in the bathtub & turn into the men they've become.  If  you have a son you know what I mean.  One day he's soft and tender and wrapping his arms around your neck, and the next he hugs  you and your nose mashes up against his collarbone.  You hug him back and feel how strong he has become and how much taller he is than you.  And you think, oh my, this isn't a boy, this is a man...my  little boy, my son, my son is a man.

And at that moment you can start sobbing, or you can stand up tall, unmash your nose and get on with your life. 
I loved it...and so true.  They grow up way to fast.  And no one can prepare you for that, even if they tell you, you don't think it will happen to you.

Catching Up and Happy New Year

Stetson got the camera he wanted, but was sitting too close to me and the picture didn't turn out so great.  Sorry pal, this will have to do for your Christmas morning photo.

Caleb got the Snuggie he so desperately wanted.  He loves these things.

Christmas p.j.'s...shocker.  It's been a long time since they were all matching but these were so soft and cozy I couldn't resist.  They loved them!

Bridger loves the movie UP!

Caleb has always wanted to go to Build a Bear Workshop and so this year even though he may outgrow it quickly we went one night for FHE.  It's moose that he named C Dub and the lights work.  What a fun store.  Glad I didn't go there before we could have spent many $$$ there.

Shoveling the snow.  It's been a great week to just stay home and enjoy each others company.

The next day was beautiful with all the snow and the sun finally coming out. 

Hope you're enjoying the new year.  Tomorrow it's off to my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary party at Maddox.  It's been a great holiday.  Hope yours was just as good.  Because Monday it's back to school, work and life in general.

Must be Santa...or is it??? & the Family Christmas Party

The doorbell rang last night and look who was there.  Is it Santa or the Grinch...not sure.  He brought some yummy treats and filled our home with laughter.  He is hilarious.

Burningham Family Christmas the party was held at our house this year.  The real Santa comes every year and this year no one was disappointed.  Even though it's a bit crowded, it is such a good time to have everyone here.  With the exception of my sister Jody who I'm sure watched from above, her son Josh, my niece and her husband Skylar, all were here.  We have an awesome family and are looking forward to celebrating my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary in a couple of weeks.  I think maybe we should do this monthly.  It was a lot of fun. 

Santa trying to tell Bridger that Bountiful High is the best, Bridger would not have anything to do with it, he is a true Wildcat. 

Caleb and Santa.

Bridger and Bree going to the Christmas Dance.  Thanks for being a good sports and letting me take some pics. before you left.

Boring is Good!

Every year I send out Christmas cards.  For several years I did a family newsletter as we have several friends who live quite a distance and it was the best way to update them on our lives.  Each year it was fun to see the changes of the boys and what they had been doing for the previous year.  Each year Wayne and I pretty much stayed the same, with the exception of growing older and getting a few more gray hairs.  Well, this would have been a good year to write a Christmas letter and I negelected to do so.  We had a lot of challenges and growing experiences this year, and personally, I'm hoping to go back to the same old newsletter of before. 

If you're a follower of our blog, you know that this year we:  Had an appendititus with a week long hospital stay, change of employment after 22 years with the same company, had a car stolen from the school parking lot - during school lunch, have new transportation, put a new roof on our home, had another earn his Eagle rank in Scouting, and a few other issues that have helped us to realize what is truly important in our lives.  Through all of this we were reminded that we have wonderful family and friends who love and support us.  It truly has been a year of growth for  us, and to be quite honest one that we are only too happy to say goodbye to. 

So, I guess all those  years I thought our letter was a bit mundane and perhaps boring, I'm so hoping that next year's letter goes back to just that.  Boring is good, I will remember that and not wish for things to write in my Christmas letters again.