Burnett Blabber

Each year at General Conference my mom's family publishes a newsletter called "The Burnett Blabber." All married children and grandchildren are expected to make a submission about the events in their lives over the previous six months. Although you've read a lot of it if you keep up with my blog, I thought I'd post my entry here for kicks as well (the pictures from our St. George trip accompanied this entry):

Hello all! It is so hard to believe that it has been six months and it is once again time for a submission of the Burnett Blabber. Of course our biggest news is the birth of Connor on October 27th. He weighed in at a strapping 8 lb. 14 oz., and he hasn’t stopped growing. He is now 5 months old, weighs almost 20 lbs., and is wearing 12-month clothes. Yikes! He is such a delight to have in our home. Connor is always smiling and laughing, and he adores his older brother and sisters. He also loves to eat (what a surprise, huh?). He recently started on rice cereal and cannot get enough of it. He also loves to suck on apple slices in his high chair during dinner to feel like he’s “part of the crew.” His trial has been bronchiolitis aka pneumonia aka RSV. He got it the first time mid-January and it lasted 6 weeks. We thought we were through the worst of it, but he contracted pneumonia again on Easter. He’s a trooper, however, and he’ll smile through it all.

Shaylee turned 14 in February—can you believe it?!?—and started attending stake dances. I am definitely not old enough for this. She is so beautiful and her dad is determined to keep the boys away. She is still enjoying 8th grade and the dance class she recently started at the Academy of Dance Design near our home. She also loves hanging out with friends, talking on the phone, and shopping. She is an amazing babysitter and is in high demand in Saratoga Springs.

Devin just completed basketball season and cannot wait for Spring Soccer to start. Soccer is his thing (I think he’s related to my side of the family). Devin also recently received his Arrow of Light, the highest rank in cub scouting, and it will be awarded to him at our pack meeting in April. We couldn’t be prouder. His teacher recently told me he is the best speller in the class, and his academic confidence is certainly growing. Devin is such a loving boy, but we have also recently learned that there is a huge tease inside of him just waiting to get out—he gets that from Dennis. He lives to tease Aspen, and although they are constantly at each other, they are also the best of friends. All day while Devin is in school Aspen asks, “Where’s Devin?” “When’s he coming home to play with me?” He’s also a huge help with Connor and is so proud that the two of them look alike.

Aspen is the “apple of my eye” and the “bane of my existence” all rolled into one. She’s been potty training, which has been an adventure, and she takes a dance class (ballet, tap, jazz, and tumbling) at the Academy of Dance Design where Shaylee attends. She feels so grown up! She is developing quite the vocabulary and has the personality to go with it. Recently, when I was absolutely frustrated with her and asked, “Whose child are you?!?” She innocently responded, “I am a child of God.” Touché. I told her to ask Him to come down and deal with her.

Dennis is still the marketing manager for Fireside Bank, but he’s been looking into alternative job possibilities including insurance and opening a car dealership on his own. We’ll see what the next six months hold in store for our family. He is still the chair of the Saratoga Springs Planning Commission and a home teaching supervisor at church.

Shauna still enjoys her position as the director of Project Read, most of the time. It has been a bit stressful lately, but she keeps reminding herself, “This too shall pass.” She is still the bear den leader and plays the organ in church—they claim to be calling her an “assistant organist,” but she’s not going to hold her breath.

The pictures in this letter are from a recent trip we took to St. George. Dennis and Shauna both had to work, but we enjoyed some quality family time as well (as you can see).

We love you all! Dennis, Shauna, Shaylee, Devin, Aspen & Connor

March 31, 2008

I have some of the cutest pictures from this weekend (we finally celebrated Easter with both of our families), but I haven't yet downloaded them, so you'll have to wait. I did want to celebrate a couple of milestones. First, Connor cut a tooth today--woo hoo! Well, I'm actually not positive about the "woo hoo," but it's exciting nonetheless. It's on the bottom, and I can't see it yet, but I can feel it! He has also been sleeping through the night--another woo hoo! He has also been eating more quickly. It's amazing what having a couple more hours (literally) in my day that I am not nursing leaves me time for. I had so much time today (ha ha) that I made a divine curry chicken and rice dish with homemade rolls, fresh steamed asparagus, and deviled eggs. YUM! I was going to make cream puffs for dessert, but our home teachers (bless their souls) sent their wife/mom over with yummy rice crispy treats topped with chocolate--thanks Pam! So I'll make cream puffs for FHE next week.

For FHE tonight we talked about the upcoming conference and how to get the most out of it. We talked about praying for the speakers (beforehand), writing down impressions (during conference), and then reading the Ensign (afterward) to remind us and help us follow through on the things the prophet asks us to do. Here's hoping!

The deviled eggs tonight reminded me that I didn't mention egg coloring from Easter weekend. Aspen had a ball. First she colored all her eggs pink, then she started coloring Shaylee's eggs pink (the eggs Shaylee had already colored), so we convinced her to color her own eggs again. Well, the only color she would put them in was blue so they would turn purple. They were well-colored eggs, which was evident after I peeled them and there were color remnants on the whites inside. They still tasted great!

This past weekend Shaylee and I had the opportunity to attend the Young Women General Broadcast at the Conference Center. It was such an amazing feeling to stand as President Monson, the new prophet, entered the room. His spirit of love and affection for those young women was so apparent. I loved the theme of "standing strong and immovable." I hope Shaylee got as much out of it as I did.

Arrow of Light

Devin has earned his Arrow of Light Award, the highest rank in Cub Scouting. It took a lot of hard work and dedication, and we are so proud of him! He will receive his award at pack meeting for troop 1034 on Tuesday, April 22. If you are interested in attending, please let me know and I will give you the time and location. If you can't come, please send Devin a message of congratulations so he feels pride in his achievement. Thanks for all your support!

March 23, 2008

Happy Birthday Melissa and Kate! Just thought I'd add that shout out. I know I've posted twice today about Easter and St. George, but I have some random photos that didn't fit and thought I'd add some other info. about the last couple weeks.

First, Connor had two milestones. He went to visit the pediatric surgeons and found out he has an umbilical granuloma on his belly button. Basically, his umbilical cord did not come off completely, and now skin has grown over it (recall the oozing for weeks after it fell off). So they could operate (a minor procedure, but they would have to put him out), but they say it's mostly cosmetic and shouldn't cause him any problems. We're still deciding what to do.

Another big milestone was that he started "real food." Okay, it's just rice cereal, but he can't get enough (as you can see). He has been begging at the table for weeks for anything I'm eating, so we pulled out the high chair and he scarfed it down. I'm hoping it will keep him full a little longer (especially at night). We'll see . . .


I had a big training this past weekend that went well, the girls took dance photos (although Aspen refused to smile, so I'm thinking of just having Dennis take som here), and we had Stake Conference, which was wonderful. Shaylee also had her SEOP for 9th grade--I'm going to have one in high school--AAAHHH!

I think that's about it. This is a cute photo of Aspen with our next door neighbor, Nikki. They were enjoying some of her play jewelry that was a prize for potty training. We are so sad Nikki and her family are moving this week!!!

This is Nikki's mom Lin with Connor.

Shaylee studying hard for the end of the term (it's a sad tribute to our school system that Devin could miss 3 days of school and not have anything to make up). On the other hand, I was bitter with Shaylee's teachers because we tried to get her work before hand so we could have it done, but they made her come in after the fact and cram it all in the day before the end of the term. Ugh. She was a trooper, however, and got it all done and probably pulled straight A's.

St. George

So we had a great time in St. George this past week. I had Adult Ed. meetings Monday-Wednesday, and Dennis decided he could visit some car dealerships (what else), so we decided to take all the kids and make a week of it. The best part was that once I got out of meetings I got to play with my family (no work, no homework, just pure fun and enjoyment). We stayed at the Best Western Abbey Inn (delicious full breakfast--eggs, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, waffles, cereal, yogurt, fruit, etc.). Can I say I would highly recommend it? For the kids, there was a pool, and they spent every second Dennis and I could spare in that pool. Aspen especially enjoyed the "kiddie" pool. Dennis and I loved the hot tub at about 10 p.m. after everyone went to bed.


We also went out for Mongolian BBQ--more yum! If you haven't tried it, you should (I've been craving it again all week). You get to pick what size bowl you want, then choose the vegetables, meats, and sauces, and they cook it up for you on this huge grill (see below).

We went with my friend Teresa, her husband Jorge, and her son Enrique. Enrique has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. He can't talk, but he and Connor were communicating like none other, and I'm sure they knew each other in the preexistence.

This is how much Shaylee liked it . . .

Devin and Aspen, on the other hand, couldn't get enough!

Check out Aspen using chopsticks like a pro!

Are these these the cutest pics of Connor? Gotta love the outlet stores (that hat was a must have!). We also picked up some great deals on spring clothes for all four kids.

Every time we visit St. George we go to the Brigham Young House (at Shaylee's insistence). Funny that she seems to be the one enjoying herself the least.

While we waited for Dennis to visit some car dealerships, we explored some great art galleries and then found a park (with water!) next to the St. George Tabernacle that the kids thoroughly enjoyed.

We also found a Blue Bunny Ice Cream store that the kids could have stayed in forever (too bad I'm still off dairy and had to settle for sorbet--but it was good).

These are some cute pics of the fam we took before heading out (is my hubby a hottie or what?)

Can you tell we enjoyed green grass and flowers? Too bad we returned home to snow!!!

Happy Easter!

Well, so much for the "we're finally feeling good again." Connor woke up stuffy and coughing, again. Ugh. He hasn't eaten all day, but he was trying mightily to get my turkey at dinner--he also had a huge interest in Dennis' smoothie. Anyway, I digresss. That boy could probably go for a month without eating and be just fine.

Happy Easter! It was weird this year because my family ended up being out of town, and Dennis' family is having a "Spring Celebration" next week. So we colored eggs on our own and had our own Easter egg hunt (see photos below). We didn't have a pinata (a strange tradition my family has had for as long as I can remember), and I forgot to make deviled eggs for Easter dinner. Oh well, guess we'll do all that next week. I'm also a little bitter Dennis didn't get photos of the kids in their Easter outfits--another "to do" for next week.

We have been trying to think of ways to make Easter more "Christ-centered" and less commercialized. We decided to hide an empty egg and then discuss the empty tomb as we wrapped up our hunt. Then, I had an epiphane (spiritual prompting, awesome idea, you name it, I had it). I wrote a letter to each child expressing my love for them and bearing my testimony of the Savior. It was a powerful experience for me to write the letters, and it started Easter off right because I had them each read the letters before finding their baskets and digging into massive amounts of sugar.

I am so grateful for my Savior and for His atonement for me. In the words of a favorite song: "I know God lives; I know He loves me; I know He hears me and He answers when I pray; I know His Son, is my Redeemer, and that He died for me that I might live eternally one day." I am so grateful for my testimony and for parents who raised me in the gospel and built the foundations of a testimony that would serve me throughout my life. I hope I can in turn share that sacred gift with my children. As we celebrate Easter, not His death, but the empty tomb found three days later and the sacred atonement, I hope each of us will take thetime to reflect on the blessings we have been given.

New Pics

Okay, so some of these are old, but I finally got them off my camera (I think I had 85 that I hadn't ever put on my computer--yikes!). Remember, this is not Dennis taking pictures with his fancy shmancy camera; this is Shauna trying to record precious moments with the fam (plus, my camera fits in the diaper bag).

These first pictures are old (4 months, actually), because they were taken the week before Connor was born (notice there are no pictures of me!). My brother Mark and his family were up visiting from Texas and he asked me if I could arrange to have the baby while he was in town. Boy how I would have loved to oblige! So this is us taking Aspen and his two girls (Maddie and Sydnie) to Jump On It! For those of you who haven't been there, it's this awesome warehouse with 40 wall-t0-wall trampolines (some mounted against the wall, etc.) plus blow-up slides, etc. for the little kids. What a party! Yes, I should not admit to jumping on a trampoline at 39+ weeks pregnant, but I would have tried anything. Luckily, Connor came the day before Mark left (unluckily, his wife and girls were sick, so they did not get to come to the hospital and only saw pictures).

This is Aspen on the slide (her favorite thing there).

Aspen's cousin Sydnie.

Aspen again :-)

Aspen and Sydnie with Uncle Mark. Can you see the adoring look on Aspen's face? She couldn't get enough of him!!!

Aspen and mommy at nap time (Aspen looks like she's napping, huh?).

This picture is one of my favorites . . . this is Aspen in her swimming suit ready to "shovel snow." Uh huh. First, there was a blizzard outside, so there was no way we were going out to shovel. Second, a swim suit?!?! This child has some serious clothing issues (reference previous post with photo of her "ready for church" in underwear and snow boots). We're working on it.

This quality photo of Dennis is taken at my parent's house the night Aspen got the flu and puked all over him. Poor guy! And he's still smiling . . . what a trooper! I'm just amazed my dad still had those fashionable red sweats hanging around.

Ahh, the miniature golf trip I promised photos of (dangling participle, yikes!). Anyway, this was our FHE activity a couple weeks ago and we had a blast.

Aspen would hit the ball from the start, then pick it up from wherever it landed, place it next to the hole, and putt it in. She is an excellent putter (especially from 2 inches).

Daddy helped Aspen a bit.

Can't even miniature golf without the blue tooth . . . it's a sad commentary on life in these United States.

Devin looking ferocious about his putt.

I think he made it!

Shaylee's idea of putting was to swing wildly until it eventually fell in the hole or we just gave her "6."

Ahh yes, mom miniature golfing one handed while carrying Connor, asleep, in a belly pack. Lovely. I even came in second!

Not sure why we took these naked photos of Connor, but he seems pretty happy about the whole thing.

This is "FHE" later the same week as miniature golf. Every month we hold FHE with Dennis' brother Jeremy and his family, and Dennis' sister Wendy and her family. We rotate houses, but Jeremy's house is a construction zone right now (they're finishing the basement), so we went bowling instead. Dennis' sister Alicia came with her man, and his parents came as well. It was a lot of fun.
The crew.

Devin winds up.

Shaylee was a pro!

Aspen loved bumpers and the cute rolly thing that helped her get the ball going.

Aspen with Uncle Nick and cousin Ellie.

Mom helping Aspen (she bowled for both Dennis and I and grandpa--I don't think my score would have been any better if I'd bowled it myself, seeing as I've never broken 100). Frightening, huh?

That's all for now. More later on our fun trip to St. George, Connor's doctor appointment, etc. I have to get the "quality" photos off Dennis' camera. :-)