Pony Rides and Wagons

We finally used up some free coupons we got about one year ago for free hay/pony rides at Lockwood Park today. Drew got to ride a pony and we all got to go for a hay ride behind a tractor.... not that grandiose by any means, but Drew had a blast!! (which is all that really matters!)

Drew's so funny- anytime he's in a new situation, he gets all serious. No smiles, no laughing, no being silly -which is his normal self. It makes me laugh :)
--Drew riding on Nutmeg--

I think this tractor has a max speed of 3 mph. I kept hoping the bumpy ride would put me into labor, but.... no such luck today :) --Chelsey, Drew, and Mom--

Hay really isn't that comfortable to sit on... Drew and Andy just make it look easy ;) --Drew and Daddy--

We're Wiggin Out!

I love it when the simple things bring such a huge smile to my face! (like this did this morning- how cute can one kid be in an afro wig?!? :)

We're down to the 20's

I am so ready to be done with being pregnant!!!! :) I was excited to get on the blog today and see the little ticker in the 20's-- woohoo! Can't wait to meet this little guy.

Here's a pic of me on Sunday-- this belly of mine must be really popping out lately; I think at least 10 people at church asked how much longer I had to go. Which, roughly translated means, "Wow- you look huge!!" ;) he he



The whole 'nesting' instinct is kicking in as well... here we go! I didn't really feel it with Drew, but all of a sudden this week, I'm washing clothes, organizing, getting everything set up.... I still have 4 weeks to go! Oh boy.... here's to hoping they fly by! :)

My Little Man

They always say kids grow up fast....


I didn't know it would be this fast! I found Drew like this when I got out of the shower the other day. He had turned the laundry basket upside down so he was tall enough to reach the sink, found daddy's razor (don't worry-- the blade was not on it!), and started 'shaving'! So cute! He's also obssessed with putting on daddy's deodorant, cologne, and doing his hair with daddy's gel. What a little man already!

Burningham Family Reunion '08

Chicago 2008: It All Started Here!

We had such a blast planning and pulling off the first ever Burningham Family reunion, here in IL. Whew... it's a lot of work, but all the work paid off-- we had such a blast with everyone! We started out the week by heading to Wisconsin Dells for a few days. We stayed at the Chula Vista resort... what a blast! Has anyone ever been there? We loved the Dells! The second half of the week was spent in the city of Chicago. Wow-- we learned quite a few lessons there:
1. Moving 21 people (including 3 infants and 5 toddlers) around a busy city is harder than you may think
2. Never expect to pay less than $30 to park one car in a big city (which adds up when you've got 3 cars!)
3. Never think that you'll actually get done all the things you had planned in the time frame you planned to do them in
4. Free trolleys around the city are great; BUT, free trolleys are not meant to shuttle 21 people in one group... plan to squish more than you thought possible onto every free trolley you catch!
5. And last but not least-- it's all worth it when you can laugh about it all!

Here are some pics documenting our awesome week!


Some of the group standing near a bouy that was once floating in the waters of Lake Delton, WI. Did you all hear about that? With all the flooding earlier this summer, a levy broke which caused the entire lake to drain! Crazy! We had to stop and see it!


Our family in the same spot... and my big belly at 32 weeks along :)


The whole gang (minus our Drew who was asleep in the car) in front of our Resort at the Dells


Outside Shedd Aquarium, overlooking some of the Chicago City


That weird bean thing in Chicago's Millennium Park... if you don't know what I'm talking about, just catch the opening credits of Oprah one day and you'll see it :)


The whole gang in front of the city... we had a foreign tourist take this picture, and he obviously cut Andy's mom off on one side... ooops! We'll have to get another copy from one of the other cameras :)


Sear's Tower is behind us. We took a boat tour through the city, which was really neat!

We're so blessed to have great family! We're already looking forward to the next Burningham Reunion!!

Whew..... Life is a Whirlwind

Well, after the craziest few weeks of our summer, we finally got the basement ready enough to have people stay down there. We were lucky enough to have Andy's entire family here to our house for the Burningham Family reunion. BUT, our house is not built for 21 people.... SO, we had to get some space ready for them down there. After countless late nights, early mornings, and long days, here's where the basement stands to this day: This is still in "guest" mode. Last night we got the seminary tables set up and once all the seminary stuff is in place, we'll post the "seminary" mode pics of the basement. We're getting anxious-- seminary starts next Tuesday for Andy! Go Babe! Thank goodness for awesome ward members who gave us the couch and futon-- they helped out so much for giving more people places to sleep. And, they'll be nice to have down there for good. I also have the best friends here, who lent me towels, pillows, blankets, sheets, airmattresses... who has all that for 21 people?!? Not me... :) We still have a lot of work to do, but it feels so good to be as far as we are! It's all starting to come together!

Trip to Utah

We're back from our fun trip to the west. We flew out to UT for Andy's youngest brother's wedding last week. It was a great time! We always are so happy to get time to spend with family.... it's hard to be away from them. The wedding went well; everything was beautiful, the party was great, and it all went off without a hitch! We gained a great new sister-in-law, so that's exciting as well! Can you believe that I never even did get a picture of the bride and groom together?! Crazy... of course, our little Drew had a rough afternoon the wedding day (three days in a row with no naps and late nights will do that to a 2 year old! :)

Here's an engagement picture:


In addition to the wedding, we got to do all sorts of fun activities with the fam. We went boating, did the slip'n'slide, played at the lake, Drew got to ride the dirt bike with his grandpa, Drew found one of his new passions: jumping on a trampoline, and we did a lot of hanging out and chatting.

Here are a bunch of pictures!


All of Andy's siblings at the reception


The reception was held in the Burningham's beautiful backyard... it was fun for Andy and I to re-live our own reception (which was also held there!)


Drew and Daddy at the lake


The three of us


Drew and cousin Trent


Drew, Aunt Chelsey, and little Will.... Drew loves Aunt Chelsey :)


Drew and his perfect form on the slip'n'slide! Man, he loved that thing!


Drew, his cousin Trent, and grandma's neighbor doing a train down the slip'n'slide


Drew and Grandpa on the dirtbike


Just one of Drew's new favorite things: riding on an airplane :)