Misc.

Just to catch up quickly on the rest of what has been happening around the Burkinshaw home, here is a quick recap of the last week or so.

Between the 1st and 2nd session of General Conference John and I decided to plant some more plants in the flowerbed by the door. It was a lot quicker than anticipiated, and once they fill in more, I think it will look fantastic! Only a little more to go!

We also had the opportunity to go camping with people from our church. For it I made some chocolate chip cookies. This was a huge deal for me because I have never been able to make chocolate chip cookies turn out right. Thanks to Grandma's mixer, I was able to achieve near perfect cookies! (It was for the campout)

I also got a few shots of John cooking breakfast. It was a good thing I ate so well that morning because by some slip in judgement I found myself on a 5 mile hike around the lake. Sam (The name we decided on for the little guy in my tummy) got lots of rest during the walk, however I was exhausted by the time we got back, and I am still sore from it even as I write. We had a blast though, and have decided that as long as the weather is as beautiful as it was for us (beautiful meaning cool and cloudy) we wouldn't mind camping out more!

John's Birthday!!!

Ok, so his birthday was on the 23rd of March. We are a little late considering all the things we have had going on the last few weekends. We had to postpone our original plans because of the funeral so instead we snuck it in between the 2nd session of conference on Saturday and the Priesthood session.

So John turned 27 a few weeks ago and we finally got to celebrate with cheescake and singing. John's favorite "Birthday cake" is cheesecake, so every year starting the year we were dating, I've been making John a birthday cheesecake. This one turned out great! (Thanks to Grandma's mixer!) We couldn't possibly eat the whole thing by ourselves so we took it to our dear friends, the Handly's to share!

1) Sarah eating cheesecake!! 2) Morgan showing John that you can eat it from the handle of the fork too; 3) Adam and Elise smiling because it's such a good cheesecake; 4) John looking ready to eat the cake; 5) The beautiful cheesecake itself; 6) Aubrie, John, me and Sarah, and Morgan; 7) Aubrie showing off her beautiful smile; 8) Sarah showing off her food; 9) Aubrie enjoying the cake!

He doesn't like me getting mushy, but I want him and everyone to know what a wonderful husband he is! I am so grateful that he decided to marry me. He is the ideal for me, and I am grateful to have him in my life! ok...Enough mush!

Lots of updating

For Spring Break, John and I didn't get much of a break but our families did.

My parents came to visit us and helped us with some projects around the house. For some reason they like to be put to work when they come. Mom helped watch Lawren for me while my dad and I did some yard work. It's been getting more difficult with my growing belly, but I think Dad did a great job and I enjoyed working with him.

1) John sizing up his belly to mine; 2) I don't know why my dad wasn't in this picture but this is the bed we raised and planted some nandinas in; 3) My handy workmanship with the rocks; 4)Mom with Lawren at one of the nurseries.

Towards the end of the week we got to hang out with John's family who were visiting nearby San Antonio. We got to walk around the Alamo and check out one of the missions. John and I had been there before, but he loved it just as much the second time, especially since we got to spend some time with the family!

1) Walking down the beautiful archway at the Alamo; 2) The family after eating at Fudruckers in San Antonio; 3) Mom and Dad with Jenny and Sara at one of the Missions; 4) Again, picture from the missions; 5) It was a lot to read; 6) Me inside one of the rooms; 7) Sarah looking excited about being there; 8) Another cook archway; 9) John at the doorway to the Sanctuary

1) The detail work in the stone above the doorway; 2) John taking every moment to educate his younger sisters; 3) Sara is proving that she has learned something from geography at school; 4) Jenny trying to climb out of the one of the rooms.

Then at the end of the week, Jessica, Mike, the kids and thier Aunt Whitney (Mike's sister) went with us to the beach. I, being fully clothed was freezing, but somehow the kids were able to get past that and they had a great time! We were glad they came!

1) Benson happily hauling sand in a bucket at the beach; 2) Ben enjoying the water. He was in there most of the time; 3) Gracie and Mike testing our the water; 4) Gracie hauling sand; 5) Sabrina was very excited about something; 6) A cute picture of Jess and Mike walking with Breenie and Aunt Whitney holding Gracie, and Benson chasing the waves; 7) Sabrina showing uncle John something

Grandma

Recently we travelled to Oklahoma for the funeral of my grandmother: Betty Lou Ker. While it was good to see family again, it was an unexpected loss for our family.

Grandma has always been sick with one thing or another since I can remember, so I did not see how this time was any different. It was hard going "home" and not seeing her smiling face, sitting with her on the couch sharing a blanket, and her asking me about how my life is going. She was always smiling and ready to welcome anyone and everyone who came to her home.

I am so grateful for the wonderful women that she was and for the many things she has taught me over the years. Because of the Gospel, we understand that we will see her again, and I know she is taking good care of our little Sam who is waiting to come to earth. I'm glad they got to meet each other. I am grateful for eternal families. I am grateful for our Savoir who atoned for our sins so that we can return back to his presence again. I am grateful for the temples, and the opportunity it gives us to be sealed to our families forever. What a wonderful gift the Savoir has given us and may we always remember it.