Sunday, October 7, 2012

School

 After an endless summer jam packed with swim lessons and beach days, we were all ready to trade our buckets and shovels for pencils and paint. I always loved the new beginning of a school year... new classes, new teachers, new friends, a blank slate and a new challenge.  Owen loves school too. Although he was so ready to start school, and seemed equally excited about his new school and meeting new friends, I could tell he was sizing things up the first few days, noticing the differences, taking everything in.  Im so proud of my boy... he did a great job adjusting.  Your mama could learn a few things from you Owen.
I made the morning special, with a gift bag of school treats and his favorite home made muffins.
Finding our room and anxiously waiting to see what's inside. I hope you never lose your easily excited spirit.  Its contagious to me, it helps me see life through fresh lenses and brings me such joy.
 Peyton loves the playground as much as her brother.
 My little scientist, exploring the microscope.
You win us all over Owen, with your enthusiasm, your curiosity, and your love for people.
Here is Owen with one of his new teachers, they are so loving!
  
Owen does a great job being his own kid... Ive noticed he is a leader in that way.  He doesnt go along with what everyone else is doing, he is comfortable standing on his own 2 feet.  I pray he keeps this quality, for the long road ahead of trudging his own path as he grows.
We are so excited to be sharing a class with one of Owen's friends since birth, Cameron, and she is precious.  We love building this memory together.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Staycation 2012

 5 families and 7 kids in one home for 3 days and 2 nights... and it was heaven.  Our friends, who have amazing parents, with an amazing (resort like) home, invited all of Marks friends to staycation for a weekend this summer.   We share such a deep history with this group of people, so it was so special to spend such a concentrated amount of time just being with them.  Early mornings with the kids, late nights with just the adults (SO fun), and lazy afternoons just hanging out together.
We enjoyed long days by the pool,

 and split up all of the meals and cooked and ate together. 
 Pizza making.  Incredible Pizza making.
 Home Brew, with custom labeling.
Kids in jammies for most of the morning, 
at least until they changed into their swimsuits.
The fellas and their boys.
Thank you for hosting Zakaryans... we love you guys.  
We look forward to the next staycation.

Monday, September 10, 2012

This summer according to my iphone

I was terrible at taking pictures this summer.  It happens when I get relaxed, or when I am having fun, I get lost in the moment... but I did take a bunch of pictures with my phone, 
so here is our summer according to my iphone.
It was such a good summer.
 
Owen and his buddies took a swim class together.
Owen learned how to swim... 
 and now he is crazy!!  Jumping in by himself and swimming to the side, 
only to jump right back in again.
We enjoyed lots of family mornings at the beach,
and bluff nights with our friends.
There was lots of pirating,
 LOTS.  Do we need an intervention?
 Tresure collecting everywhere we go.
This little love grew up... 
and discovered pony tails.
A boys night out at the Angels game.
  Sibling love.
 Serious card wars with these two.  Its serious.
 Date nights with bub 
 Mornings out with Gramps... coffee, the park, the island.  Those are good days.
We are loving the long warm days and the time with family and friends... these are sweet times.
Thankful.

4th of July

 Hip hip hooray!  Its the 4th of July!
Jimmy's flippin cakes,
And all of our favorite families are here to celebrate with us.
 There's a band,
 And everyone is dressed in their red white and blue,
 We love this tradition... 
come celebrate with us next year.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

El Capitan Year 3

The Burton Family kicked off this summer with our annual El Capitan camping trip.  El Cap is one of my favorite places in this world, and I treasure the long, magical days there with family.  There is nothing more relaxing and recharging to me than spending all day outside in this beautiful place with all of my family.  Its heaven.  This year, the definite highlight of the trip was watching the kids experience life in the outdoors for a few days...
 These happy campers are the cutest....
Stella Bella.
 
This trip truly incorporates only the good parts of camping...
Eating amazing meals outdoors... (at the cafe) cheers!
Bike rides for Owen
Lawn games
swimming
walk to the beach
toasting marshmellows over the campfire (Owen's favorite) 
 
sleeping in tents together (with beds and clean sheets, of course ;) )
And quality time with my sisters and their families...
This was the bobsy twins first trip... they were naturals. 
Thanks to Gramps for the trip...
Couldnt ask for a better patriarch for our family. 
I love the invaluable memories and traditions you give us.

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