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