Christmas Letter 2011

In True Cheesy Christmas Letter Fashion…

Catch up with us & sing along!

Proud to Be an American . . . I am now married to a military man.  Michael joined the National Guard and spent 75 long days in the heat at Basic Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He leaves for Officer Candidate School in January for 8 weeks. I have a whole new perspective on freedom. I know you’re not supposed to brag – but my husband is in awesome shape & looks great! We joined him for graduation in August.

Cruel, Cruel Summer… leavin’ me here all alone. This was the summer of camps, camps, and more camps. Timon says his favorites were military kids camp and Lego camp.  Duncan loved sports and art camps. Many of you helped out – thank you so much, esp. our nephew Travis!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun . . . craft morning, pool trips, Time Out for Women, & cooking blog with my sisters. How to fill a sleepless night? I finished my first quilt and repainted the condo. Thank you to all of my girl friends who have kept me sane.

If I Could Turn Back Time . . . Duncan started 1^st grade.  Is there a song called “All Grown Up”??  I know – those of you with teens are making fun of us now. Still kind-of crazy to see them go off together.  All three boys are at Early Light Academy – Timon’s in 4^th grade and Michael is teaching 6^th grade.

Kombayah… According to ethnomusicologist Thomas Miller, this song began as a Gullah spiritual. People might have thought the Gullahs talked funny, but we owe them a vote of thanks. Can you imagine sitting around the campfire singing, "Oh, Lord, come by here" (translation)?  Anyway, this tid-bit is thrown in here as a tribute to the Burchwin Reunion.  We have dear friends from Hawaii who all happen to live in the SL Valley right now.  Our three families enjoyed Labor Day up Hobble Creek Canyon at a Cabin.  Where, yep, we kombayahed around the fire pit. We’ve also been sighted experimenting with various fondue recipes and playing games.

Rise and Shout . . . 2 cougar football games with Grandpa Mac.  One for the whole fam & one with me and fourth grader Timon & his bud Kazden.  The whole funny story is here: http://burnsboys1.blogspot.com/2011/11/byu-vs-id-game.html

If I Were a Rich Man . . . then things like gas prices, doctor bills, and rising grocery costs, wouldn't bother me! I try to tell the boys we are "rich" in other ways . . . love, laughter, fun, faith, family, friends but they don't always see it my way.

Oh Holy Night . . . is my favorite Christmas song.  We are so grateful for

this season where we get to deeply remember our blessings and the Savior

and we get to reconnect with all of you!