Cabin Trip

We had a wonderful relaxing weekend with our family at the August.  It was great to relax a bit after the start of school.  The kids loved hanging out with their cousins and I loved soaking in the surroundings and enjoying being away from everything.

The first morning up their Brandon took Annie out for a little walk she enjoyed it until she couldn't see the cabin anymore.

Logan and Guinness excited to get out and play on our first morning up there.

The boys went out boating on Saturday...it was quite windy and rough.  The boys did not enjoy it and refused to go in the water. But the cabin was close enough they could just pull the boat out and get back to the cabin pretty quick.

 

Annie loved these chairs (in fact all the kids loved them) and would climb in and try to rock and look at books...it was very cute.

Kyler playing horseshoes. The kids had fun exploring the woods(but not too far they didn't want to see bears), playing ping pong, horseshoes, playing in an old jeep, and just imagining all kinds of crazy things.  The big boys had fun throwing hatchets.

Kyler enjoying the swing and the breeze through the trees.

Annie and Auntie Sharon hanging out.

Roasting marshmallows.

Conner and his walking stick ready to go exploring.

Annie absolutely loved the freedom and all the open space.  She was everywhere and into everything.  She picked up dirt, sticks, rocks and bugs... She climbed up hills and ran down them and did it all with a giant grin!

We celebrated Pop Pop Steve's birthday the last day we were there. It was nice to have us all together.

The whole Burton gang before we left.  It was a wonderful trip and one we all agree we wouldn't mind taking again, but next time for a little longer.  We had a blast playing and it was also a nice chance to relax and visit. I am so glad we had the chance to go and relax and recharge....I forgot how wonderful it can be just staring at the trees swaying in the breeze and watching rain poring down through the trees.

Thanks Grandma Val and Pop Pop Steve for setting it all up and most of the food. 

 And a special thanks to the Clayton's for sharing their cabin!

Annie's 14th Month

I can't believe Annie is fourteen months already the time has passed so quickly! She is a lot of  fun and really keeps me running.  She is adored by us all and shows us each night how much she adores us by running from Conner to Daddy to Kyler to Mommy giving everyone hugs, so sweet! Annie is learning quickly and although she does not say much she can do just about anything! She no longer walks but runs from place to place. Annie loves to climb anything and everything from ladders (on her brothers bunk bed) to stools, chairs, toys....you name I am pretty sure she has tried to climb it! Annie has figured out child locks and loves to get out the Tupperware and the trash.  She also loves to help and will often throw away things that don't belong in the trash...so we have to be careful.  The three comments I hear most about Annie are "she is so cute", "Wow she is busy!", and "She's quick".....All of which are very true, but she is also so sweet and a wonderful addition to our little family!

 Our bathroom is getting a little tight with all three brushing teeth.

 I tried to get a picture of Annie and me together and this is what we got...I thought it was cute...it shows how busy she is!

 She loves to talk on the phone already!

There is is hanging out under the kitchen sink after she pulled out the trash.

Annie loves water...this was her first time in a large pool.  She went in with Daddy and cried then when Mommy came in she was all smiles! (what a rogue)

Back to School

       It is so hard to believe that it is time for school to start again!! Conner is getting so big...I can't believe he is really in first grade! He seemed to have a good first day.  He had school lunch and had fun in his class.  They sang and he was very excited to have art EVERY day! He got a little confused when he was suppose to go home and thought I had forgot about him....but I think he understands now that some kids start earlier and so they leave earlier. But he came home happy about most of his day and was excited to go back today, so I think that is a good sign.

Conner all ready to go to his first day of first grade! What a big boy.

My helpers ready to walk Conner up to school.

Conner and his teacher, Mrs. Richins.

Conner writing his name at his desk.  He looked so little at the big desk.

Kyler ready for his first day. He was so excited!

Both boys ready to head off to school.  (Annie wanted to be in the middle of it all but would not face the camera.)

Kyler at school.  He had a great day! He was a little bummed that he wasn't going to have show and tell everyday, but loved his class.  He came home and wouldn't stop talking about it. (which as you know is a big deal for Kyler as he is a man of few words.) He liked singing the best.

Kyler with his teacher, Mrs. Flack.

Trip to Logan

We decided it would b fun to take the kids on a trip up to Logan because it had been a long time since we had been there and we wanted Conner to see where he lived as a baby.  So we made a day of it. We visited the cheese factory and Kyler was fascinated with all the big machines through the window and all the different cheeses.  Then we got lunch at our favorite spot Old Grist Mill and took our food to our favorite park for a picnic. Annie loved the freedom and there was plenty of grass to let her run.

Annie coming back for a bite to eat.

The boys had fun on the tire swing, Kyler thought it was so cool that they could turn a wheel into a swing!

Annie also had fun swinging, but her favorite was the slide, but I couldn't get a picture...it took two of us to help her there...one at the top and one at the bottom. After we played at the park we went to see the temple and USU.  The temple was very busy, with brides everywhere so we didn't stay long.

Up at USU campus we got some Aggie ice cream and showed the boys the campus.  We had a nice little walk.  The boys really enjoyed their ice cream and liked having a cone to eat it out of.

We walked all the way down to Old Main and the boys loved that they could climb up on the "A" and were showing me how tough they were. Annie slept in the stroller while we walked.

After our trip through USU we showed them the stadium and the house where Conner lived for almost two years.....he asked why people move and why we don't live in Logan anymore.  He then said he wanted to stay,...Kyler says I don't, I want to go home! So we finished off our trip with a trip to one of our favorite restaurants Cafe Sabor.  The boys were not so sure about going until Brian showed them it was an old train station.  It then became their favorite part of the trip. 

Annie is 13 Months!

It is so Hard to Believe that over a month has past since Annie's birthday. She is so busy and I often wonder what is going through her head. She is very sweet and loves people. She will give anyone she passes a smile. She is curious about everything and has a zest for life. Here are some of her latest life lessons.

It is fun to wear Daddy's shirt

But it is not so easy to walk in.

Dressing up is fun!

Running free outside is wonderful, especially when you are chased!

Mommy is right I shouldn't eat dirt...it really doesn't taste good.

Sometime we all get a little sad and need hugs.

Purses are great for holding all kinds of treasures!

Having a girl in our home has been different and wonderful.  She has her Daddy wrapped around her finger, her brothers adore her and take great care of her and Mommy has a had time resisting all the beautiful "girly" things.  We love you Miss Annie!

Annie's Party

We celebrated Annie's  Birthday with my parents and Brian's family on Sunday, July 18th at a near by park and it was great.  The weather was mostly bearable for the middle of July and the kids really enjoyed the park.  Annie seemed to know that she was the center of attention and loved it!  She was wandering every where and loved the freedom. 

Here is the whole gang.

Annie was thrilled to have everyone sing to her and was dancing. She then clapped when everyone finished. So cute!

This is the cake I made for Annie.  It was a light lavender number one with pink flowers and royal icing butterflies we made.  To the left is a cupcake I made to look like a flower, just for Annie.

Annie had never had cake before because of her allergy to milk and was unsure what to do with it.

But that did not last long.

She devoured every last bite and loved it!

Off on a little walk in her party dress from her Auntie Sharon.

Opening presents. This little doggy is so sweet and helps Annie want to stay in bed. Thanks Ben and Angel!

Annie loves this little car and plays with it all the time.  She tells her brothers off if they touch it. Thanks Brandon and Sharon!

Grandma Val made Annie this beautiful doll and dress.  So sweet and precious.  Thanks Grandma and PopPop! 

Annie really loved the watermelon and this piece from the table and when people started trying to get her picture she took off because she thought they were going to take it away. When she realized she was safe she sat down and devoured it.  She then got mad at Daddy when he took the rind away.

A special thanks to my Mom and Dad who drove out here and helped with the cake, food and everything.  Thank you also for the books that kids all love them!

Happy Birthday Annie! You are a sweet, beautiful loving little girl!