Just an ordinary day.

Gabriel eating some sweet potatoes straight from Grandma's garden. Yum!

We have settled into a fairly smooth schedule for this fall.  Our older three are of course at school most of the day, and at least for now we have limited after school activities. Which leaves me with a little breathing room (hence the attempt to post on here:) and some one-on-one time with my two little boys. Nathan is in Pre-K and loves the idea of finally going to school with the big kids.  This has been a big adjustment for him, but one that we were both ready for. His class is a little under 3 hours long each morning. When he comes home he is full of reports about the playground, songs, and the other kids. 

As a result of all his big siblings attending school, Gabriel has a routine nap schedule and I am sane again. Summers are wonderful for spending time together, but not so great for infant nap schedules.  This fall has been a welcomed relief. 

Nathan still loves to help wash dishes.

TRY

I can not even imagine having this blog up to date. That is too much of a job to comprehend right now. However, I recently read over some old posts and am hugely grateful that they exist. The small details that they capture are moments from our family's history preserved. How quickly time erases fleeting habits, schedules, nicknames. Even trials and challenges are somehow gone from my mind with the passing of days. And because I fully realize that my full, busy, chaotic days will at some point be just memories, I have to try.
 Some for the next bit, I am just going to try.
Not everything can be captured on camera, because my hands are full of a sweet baby boy and his quicker than lightening big brother. These hands are busy driving and cooking and helping and holding. Photos will not be edited. Descriptions will be short.
But they will exist!!
I have to try!

Happy Birthday Tanner

He keeps growing!

 This past year has been full of so many wonderful things and accomplishments for Tanner:

-A great big brother (now to 4) and example in our family.

-An example to his Burke and McMullin cousins, all 24 of them.

-Advanced in Boys Scouts to the rank of Life.

-Actively involved in ALL young men activities at church (it helps that his Dad is the President).

-A diligent Deacon class president at church.

-Is learning his second instrument; saxophone.

-Inducted into Beta Club and competed at State convention.

-Won honors for Calisthenics for the Mind.

-Competed in Scholar Bowl, his team placed 2nd in the region.

-Science Fair Project won at school level, regional level and earned Gold at State.

-High Honors recipient at school.

-Continues to master his fear of public speaking.

-Held large role in school Drama production, "Unplugged".

-Loves to play soccer, swim, run, exercise, baseball and football with cousins.

-He truly wants to do what is right!

If his first year of being a teenager is an indicator of things to come, we will take it!

On way to school with his traditional doughnuts for his homeroom class.

Pizza Friday

Pizza is a Friday tradition in our family. Quatros, Papa Johns, Dominos- We love them all. Dear to my heart though is our homemade version. Margaret and I whipped some up last week.

Gabe isn't quite ready to eat it yet, but he can still get in on some of our Friday night fun.

So glad that I get to spend my time with these people.

Margaret's Baptism

Margaret chose to be baptized to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to become a member

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

We were so happy to celebrate with her and that her Aunt Julia and cousin Lizzie were able to be here with us.

All of us just before her baptism.

The entire Burke family (minus Jason) just after her baptism.

I failed to get a picture of all of the McMullins together. But we were happy to have them at our house for lunch that afternoon.

Mr. Asher, just a few weeks old.

The Cisternas Family was in town for Asher's baby blessing and we were so glad that they came for your baptism as well.

Abe and baby Caleb.

Lizzie and Caleb.

Truth

Believe the Bib!

9 months young

Our sweet baby boy is growing up fast!

Happy NINE months Gabriel!