Bear Lake

Bear Lake is one of the highlights of the summer, for all of us. The kids love the water, sand, and cousins, and we love the shallow water, all of Garry's "toys", and that it actually is relaxing for the adults as well as the kids. You grab the lawn chairs and blow-up toys, head to the beach, and you don't have to move unless you want to. It is the one weekend of the year that my skin (besides my face and arms) sees sunshine. It is so much fun, and a family tradition that I hope will continue for many years to come.

It seems funny that when I take pictures of my children each year, they are doing the exact same thing as they were doing the year before. Tyler has so much fun pushing the kids around in the boat (I think he was some sort of an engine in a previous life). Isaac is always building sand castles and not looking at the camera (too busy). Audrey always puts on her best smile for the camera and is usually splashing around in the shallow water with the other little girls. And Nathan is just.....Nathan, looking cute and getting away with murder:) Thank goodness for Bear Lake. It just wouldn't be Summer without it!

SOARING!!!

Jon had the greatest idea for his dad's birthday--a glider ride with SOAR Utah! The Heber Valley has the perfect afternoon updrafts from Provo Canyon to make soaring really possible and popular. When Tyler heard about the idea, and heard that there was room for one more passenger, he jumped around the room and was begging us to let him go with Grandpa. It made sense, being the family member that has the greatest interest in planes.

So, today we took Grandpa and Tyler to the airport and, with my heart pounding in my chest, sent them off for their glider ride. Both were excited as they hopped on the golf cart that followed the plane and the glider onto the tarmac. It was thumbs up when it was time for take-off. Here is the proof that they really did it and didn't even die (which I worried about a couple of times, since I am Eleanor Lewis's daughter:)

Can you see the outline of the "Indian Princess" lying atop Mt. Timpanogos? It is when I look at pictures like these and I think, "Wow. I live here."

climbing higher...

and then came the recovery.

I guess the ride was pretty bumpy with the storm rolling in. I should have put two and two together and realized that a kid who gets carsick in Provo Canyon might get a little motion sick in a glider that can catch an upswing and climb hundreds of feet in seconds. He never lost it, but

you might be able to catch the green tint in his cheeks (or the lack of color altogether). After the ride, Tyler said, "I'm so sick. That was awesome, but I'm never doing it again."

Grandpa said, "It was okay, but pretty blah actually. I'd rather go skydiving again."

So, for one it was too much. For the other it was not quite enough.

Happy Birthday anyway, Grandpa!

And Tyler, don't give up on flying yet!

At least they can say they have gone soaring in a glider.

Hey, Isaac said he will do it in a few years.

Hmmm. But who will we get to go with him:)?

You might be a proud parent if......

You can see the makings of a pilot, engineer, scientist, or mechanical whiz as you watch your son excel at so many things and become passionate about new things. I can't wait to see what you are going to accomplish in your life, Tyler!

Field day is a day of fun and awards, including Audrey winning the tug-o-war, and Isaac winning the basketball toss in his class. Tyler's highlight--being sprayed "in the eyes" by a fire truck.

Your child has learned how to play the clarinet amazingly well in only one school year!

Your daughter graduates from Kindergarten knowing how to read very well, and has had a wonderful year with a wonderful teacher!

You watch as your son earns the Citizenship Award and the Academic Excellence award for his class. (and turns and shows them to his friend:)

Looking at their report cards, attending their activities, and watching them excel are some of the sweetest moments of my life so far. It is so rewarding as a parent and is sweeter every year! Thanks for being great kids and for doing your best!

Surprise! Happy Birthday, Audrey!

It wasn't too hard to keep Audrey's surprise party from her, since I only decided to do it 2 days before her birthday. I was walking through the grocery store when either inspiration hit me or a moment of delirium, and I saw the pinata that would make the party complete. She was surprised, and a little taken back, but I think she had a lot of fun with all of her neighborhood friends. She is such a wonderful little girl. She is so obedient and always tries to do what is right. We love her so much!The pinata was nearly indestructable! After everyone had about 5 turns and Audrey had hit the sturdy "adorable" clown at least 100 times, Audrey's cousin, Kaylee, finally finished him off, with a little help from Jon:)

Audrey also had her dance recital in the month of May. She did a fantastic job, of course. I know I am a partial parent, but she did know the dance the best out of any of the girls. We were so proud of our little Ballerina. Yes, I am starting to live my life and my lost dreams through Audrey already, and she is only six! It is a little hard to see, but she is the one on the front row on the right side. They did their dance to the song "Part of Your World." It is so fun to watch her excitement about ballet. She says she doesn't even get nervous. I guess she really is a natural!

Happy Birthday, Nate!

On May 10, 2010, Nathan Paul Burton turned 2 years old (even though he said he was 3 for about a week)! He is at such a fun age and is always making us laugh and smile. I have to admit that the presents he received were the things that I wanted him to have. I think he is allright with them as well:)

He got a small basketball hoop, since he was always trying to shoot the basketball in Isaac's hoop. Also, Nathan and Audrey received a play kitchen as a joint birthday present and it has been a big hit with all the kids. His birthday was a lot of fun, and , true to Burton form, the festivities lasted 3 days. On Sunday we celebrated Nathan's birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Burton's house. The video below is of Nathan blowing out his candles that night. Don't ask me why he tried to eat the tablecloth! He has those "Isaac moments" every so often. And in case you wonder, the reference to being a "decent human being" was in reference to a discussion we were having earlier when Stacey told Mom Burton that she had raised very "decent" kids. Oh, do we have fun!

Spring Break at "The Ranch"

I am finally getting around to posting our pictures from Spring Break. We spent the first part of the week at Grandma Foote's ranch house that is on the East side of Zions National Park in Southern Utah. It is one of our favorite places to escape. And you really do escape from cell phone reception and e-mail, so we become virtually unreachable, for better or for worse. We always have tons of fun at the Ranch, whether we are hiking, looking at Indian artifacts, wading in the stream, catching tadpoles, golf, swimming at the Thunderbird (in the summer), going to the sand dunes, eating dutch oven, playing cards, or just letting the kids play with their cousins around the Ranch house, we always seem to have a great time.

Nathan at it again!

He's a mover. He's a shaker. He's a lip-sync singin' sensation! (Some of his best work is about 40 seconds into the video). He can't stand still when he hears music playing!

Easter in Idaho

"Easter Fun" Recipe:

• start with a great weekend at Oma and Opa's house, cousins included!
• next, watch Uncle Curtis dye 2 dozen Easter eggs in less than 10 minutes (Curtis, you are the official Easter egg maniac! Thanks for adding such fun to the festivities:)
• mix with make-your-own egg holders from Wales (lovingly and thoughtfully sent from "Auntie Deb")
• stir with a lot of laughing at Nathan and how cute he is
• add tons of fun with Scooter the dog
• top it all of with spending time with the greatest family ever! (Opa and Oma Lewis, Katie and Curtis, Chloe, Liam, and Tomas)

Tyler's Night to Shine

Last Thursday night, Tyler received his Arrow of Light award, the highest award you can receive as a Cub Scout. There was a really nice ceremony, and then Tyler was presented with his Arrow of Light, a walking stick, and a pocket knife (which one do you think he was the most excited about?). We are so proud of him and his accomplishments to receive this award!

You did it, Ty!

Burton Family Numa Numa

Uncle Curtis made a music CD for Isaac's birthday (mainly to annoy Jonathan) with a variety of international songs. One of the songs was made famous by a YouTube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60og9gwKh1o). Here are our kids watching and imitating the video. Thanks Uncle Curtis for bringing such great culture into our lives.

Nathan and His Snowman!

Nathan Smiling, Isaac Laughing Video

I don't know which is funnier - Nathan's smile or Isaac's laugh :)

Welcome to our Blog!

Welcome, family and friends, to our blog. I'm sure I will get the hang of this as time goes on, but bear with me while I learn how to do this! I am going to try to post some pictures and videos of the family from the last month. They are mostly of Nathan and his snowman that he loved (until it melted). He keeps us laughing as his clever and cute personality shines through more and more everyday. Hope you enjoy the pics and videos (eventually when I figure out how to do this:)

Family Picture

This is our family picture from Christmas 2009.