Easter Fun begins....

So this Easter weekend....I took the kids to the annual Easter egg hunt here in billings...well one the them that they hold..this Easter egg hunt was sponsored by the Harvest church and it was held at the castle rock Park..which is just down the street form us...So we decided to walk there...which was great because...there were so many people..and hardly any places to park...so good choice I thought...though the kids were like mom.....are we there yet..how much longer do we need to walk...I was thinking in my mind that it has been a long winter..they are not exercised enough...we need to get out more..and hopefully with the spring coming we can...lol...Any who..We arrived there..and got a fl yer of where we needed to be and sense my husband had to work this lovely day..I had mercedi pair up with mikayla..in a group and then I took logan and melanie together in logans group..it worked out well...The kids had so much fun hunting for Easter eggs...and they even got quite a few eggs as well...and there were so many kids who saw that other didn't have very many and took from there own basket and gave to kids who did not have much..I thought that was very kind of these kids..there parents are teaching them right...So after that...we adventured home and then dad got home at super time and we began coloring the eggs...This went by pretty fast..they are always so eager to decorate there eggs..and of course every year one of the Easter dyes get tipped over and we have a big mess to clean up....love the smell of vinegar lingering on ...lol...After which was bed time and time to set the easter baskets out....Of course this whole week leading up to Easter mercedi had an easter book that explained Jesus last days and the advents that took place...this was a great way of helping the kids learn a little bit about the savior and what he went through for us..and why we celebrate easter...To know that he died for us...I love teaching the kids about our savior...and they loving hearing the stories....So soon it was morning..and they were up bright and early....which was good because jesse was leaving for work..and he was able to participate with that good news in the morning..they were all very happy to get there sweet gifts....Now sense church doesn't start until one this year..we just waited around until it was time to get ready...listening to church music...As soon as we got all ready..I took there pictures out side..with there easter attire...I made mercedi and mikayla's dresses..though mikayla was not having a good day..she was not wanting to take pictures..I am assuming it was because she was up way to early...lol...any way..logan looked sharp in his new green shirt and tie..and melanie in her cute flower dress...she too will have dresses made when she gets a little older..and they last a while in growth..lol...Then off to church we went..it was a wonderful day and easter celebration...When also had some great dinner...ham and funeral potatoes and corn on the cob and of coarse....I made apple pie...I love apple pie..it is my favorite pie out there...yummmy...What an Easter Day!!!!!
















Say Happy Easter!!!!!!!! Mercedi, Mikayl, Logan, Melanie

Easter Egg Wreath

Something for Easter to get the holidays going....I saw this really cute blog...that was crafts that moms would get together once in a while and make crafts they called it mothers night out...I thought that was very cute...so on one of her ideas they made this really cute Easter egg wreath..it looked so darling and easy...that I had to try it out..and so I went to the store and bought two bags of 48 Easter eggs..in which I use a bag and about 6 more eggs out of the other one..and then I found a card board box..and some cute purple grass..then to the dollar store I found the cutest butterfly accessories and a pretty Easter ribbon to match..I was ready to begin..so next I will show you kind of step by step of what I did....I think you too will be inspired to want to make this cute project...


Cut two 12 inch circles..with a 9 inch in side... and hot glue them together back to back



next start gluing your eggs on...with pointing side facing out and other side facing towards the middle..and go all the way around..leaving an opening at the top for your ribbon.



Next start stuffing the holes with grass that you chose...use a pencil to put glue on the grass in stuff it in to cover any empty spots



Next accessories how you wish to do so..and tie a bow..and you are good to go...

Bathroom up date a little at a time.

So While my husband was gone at the end of march to go to a training in Texas...I was feeling quite board and needed to do something...I was feeling quite crafty...but what to do..I thought of sewing, but nah, I was already going to be doing that this coming April for the girls Easter dresses. so next in line was how about a Easter craft, and yes I did want to do that....but Also i wanted to do something that was going to be a surprise when my husband came home...so the thought came that hey why not re paint your bathroom and change out some things...this is something that I have been wanting to do for awhile...so here is my chance...and I got to work....so down came an old mirror..that was heavy and I was sweating up a storm trying to unscrew it and not drop it at the same time...so phew got that down and then out unscrewed the outlet covers and patched up holes and then taped and started painting...and wow painting bathrooms is not that much fun...there are lots of tiny spaces and crooks and corners...not my favorite thing to do...but then came the decorating and that was fun..I found a fabulous mirror out to home depot and then to target for my shower curtain and then a really shaggy rug out to sams club...I was feeling pretty lucky for everything that I found..and very good prices...and then wallah..the bathroom was done..and all I wanted to do was sit and look at it after it was finished and just think wow...I did that...not a lot of work was done..but it made a difference in my bathroom to me for sure...The color before I painted was a light to medium green color..and I painted it a oatmeal color..very just neutral.....So hope you enjoy my bathroom up date for now..soon will come tile and new cabinets and sinks...yahoo...





This was one heavy mirror...but I got it safely down...




Like the white spot..from the lady that painted before me..lol




this just gives you a look at what color is was





The After pictures.....I was very happy with it all....So much fun!!!!!

Yet another addition to our family

So Just last week...we saw an add in the paper for baby weimerianere puppies...we were super excited..so we gave a call and asked if they had any blue male colors..and they did..just one...though it was already spoken for..so we started to look on the internet to see if there were any more prospects available some where else...we did find one..but it was in Boise Idaho..and well that is a little more away then we wanted to travel for a new puppy...but soon the phone rang..and it was the breeder of the puppy that we had inquired about and she said that..sense the lady did not put a deposit down..that they were able to go and head and sell us the puppy..




so we were super excited..and the good part was that she was already in billings selling them that day..she travels up form cut bank Montana..she is the same breeder that we bought keishia from our silver wimerianner..who just turned one on February 25th ..and is no longer consider our puppy...sad..though good...because she is getting well trained and a better dog at that...so on to our new puppy...we ran over to the gas station and picked him up...and name him koby...he is super cute and fun..



and you can already tell..he is a much different puppy then keisha was...he is a little more stubborn and aggressive..he likes to growl at things...hope that changes..



So we are on to training another puppy..to poop and pee out side..and not to chew up house hold items..and to stick his nose in only his food..not ours...we sure do have our work cut out for us..and it is no easy task...so wish us luck in our new found pet...Koby...He is a keeper and we all love him already.

Baby Bath towl Bliss

Well I had a friends baby shower coming up and she is having a little girl..and I was thinking what should I give her...of course I could go out and buy her some baby clothes or little trinkets but I wanted to do something more..and I didn't have much time either to do it in...so I was doing laundry and I came across this baby towel that my step-mother in law bought from wal~mart for Melanie when she was born..and I looked at it..and the Thought came...you know this is something that I could make...





I studied it out by looking at it..and went to work..I bought the towel and the fabric and some bias tape..then went to sewing it together..as I was making it..I was getting so excited because it was turning out exactly how I pictured it to be..of course it being my first one to make...I would do some different techniques next time when sewing it





so I finished the project and made some wash clothes to go with it..and tied them to a cute bath duck that makes sound....included some bath soap and wash..and wallah....It was made...I am so happy to give it to her tonight..I think she will love it..and I can't wait to make some more for other people...

Happy Birthday to Jesse

Well We just celebrated my husbands. 32nd Birthday...He is still trying very hard to grow a beard..Every year..he says it will be then that it comes in full...but lets just face it...I think he will be a baby face for quite some years to come...But hey it will keep him looking young right...lol...To celebrate his birthday this year... I so diligently made french toast in bed for him and we sang happy birthday to him really early in the morning sense he does the same to us



..and then latter in the day I Had the kids Pick him out each a gift...They loved doing this...and they each thought about what they should choose for dad..and if he would like it or not...after choosing there gifts..they each decorated and drew a picture for him on there gift bag...Mercedi..Found a frizz bee with a spider on it..and it was the color blue...She loves playing games with her dad...Mikayla...picked a drawing tablet with some art pencils and colors...Because one of the things she enjoys doing with her dad is drawing and coloring...Logan chose...golf balls, so he can go golfing with his dad..and do sport things...Jesse loved all the gifts that were given..along with two shirts and a new leather man..that is just he tool for everything...



The activity that he chose to do as a family was to go to the Museum of the Rockies...in bozman Mt...it was a neat little museum..and it had really neat dinosaur bones in it..and fun activity's for the kids to enjoy...For dessert...we had of course Cheesecake...this is jesse's favorite cake of all..I mean who could blame him right..it is the good stuff...





We were all so happy to celebrate his birthday with him...along with family members sharing love with cards and phone calls...how each one played a part in making his day the best...We love you Honey pie..and Hope you had the best birthday ever..

A Gift for Valentines

Well Today we got a knock on the door..and when I opened the door..I found a little package in side...I read the address from where it came..and it was sent by a loved one..I thought hmm..it must be for mikayla's birthday...So I opened the box..and inside we found this really cute Card...And some wonderful goodies inside...




I was deeply touched that This loved one..Took Valuable time....And Thought of my wonderful kids...My kids of course were so happy to get something in the mail..and to have it be candy....as well..was just a bonus....They asked who it was from...And I explained to them..Who it was...And they were very excited to have received this gift of love for them...The smallest little things...that some do in life...are some of the biggest things you remember...A little gift of love...is all we need to have and to share...How happy I am that a loved one...Remembered to share there gift of love with someone this Happy Valentines day...It Reminds me of a little Poem...that states...




Give Her A Day

What can you give to one small girl?
A diamond ring, a baton to twirl?
A pretty pink dress with lots of bows,
or dainty sandals that show her toes.
A walk in the woods, a romp in the park,
a shopping trip from dusk till dark?
A shine new bike, a kitten for a pet?
No, there's still time for such things,
yet...
Give her a day of her very own.
Just one small girl and her Dad alone.
Give her the gift that only you can,
the companionship of her old man.
Games are outgrown and toys decay,
but she'll never forget
if you give her a day.

Today...was like that one day...but with out them really here....Families are forever..and We should always try to give Our one day...in what ever way we can...

My new found talent..that I'm learning

So I thought I would pose for....lol....I am really enjoying playing the guitar...it has been a lot of fun....when I was a little girl..I use to have one..well I guess I wasn't that little I was about 11 years old..but I did enjoy playing the guitar then as well...I use to play go on and kiss the girl...from the little mermaid..and He's got the whole world in his hands...I'm sure there were other songs...but I remember those songs the most....Though soon I wasn't able to play anymore...there were financial drawbacks in the family and I could no longer take lessons..so I believe we got rid of the guitar at a yard sale...and I haven't picked one up sense then...but my husband...knowing that I use to play once...and thought you know this might be something fun for her to do..and re learn how to play...so for Christmas...he surprised me with this guitar...I had no idea that he got me anything at all for Christmas..and to see it Christmas morning..and to know that he had chosen that for me..made me cry...tears of joy...I was blown away that he thought of me..and wanted me to exceed in a new found talent...I was very happy that I got a guitar to start playing again...Though having the guitar and starting to try to pick up playing again has been quite hard...I thought this should be a breeze but It turned out to be more work that I suspected...but I have been practicing and practicing and i can admit I am doing better then day one...I just need to learn the secret to the perfect strum pattern...lol...other than that..I am memorizing my chords and practicing on changing them faster...So again I am so very happy to have this guitar to try to become better at a talent..long lost....

Recap of the burk family In 2010

Well....Its been a whole year..and I have only posted on here I think twice...not so great...I guess I just got so involved in updating through face book...so I thought I should put some things together to let you know what the burk family has been up to..this past year of 2010...



So at the begining of the year...I surprised my husband with dinner all decorated up and then we went to a place that you get to desgin your own dish and eat ice cream...it was lots of fun..as you can see...we enjoyed it..and now we have a candy dish to always remember it as well..





Easter came..and we went to utah to vist family...it was super fun...also melanie at the time developed a rash that was huge...we found out that she is allergic to tapioca pudding..and it did not do well with her...poor little girl...but she is doing fine..the kids were all dressed up in there easter attire...



























Just before mothers day..I ran my first competing run every...it is the mothers day run that they do every year for mothers day...it was very fun and exciting..I ran A two mile run in 16 minutes and 26 seconds...I thought it was very fun and neat..it made me feel Like doing more runs...In which I did...and I posted one of them on here already...another I did was the quality of life run..and it was five miles..and I ran it in 41 minutes..my fast run yet...









Jesse...also this year picked up a new found hobby...he bought a kayak and enjoyed taking it to the lake over here..and just relaxing while he rows away...we will see how he enjoys it this summer to come..









Not only just one new hobby but also another...Paint balling he goes with some men from our ward..and other friends..they would meet on Saturday mornings..and drive out to Laural and just play it up...they played capture the flag....he really enjoys it a lot..
















We also added a new member to our family....our Dog Keisha...she is a silver wimerianer....and is full of energy...she has destroyed many things!!!! But despite all that..she is a fun and lovable dog..and we all love her...she will get better with time....lol




One Sunday afternoon...we decided to go and check out a trail they have here in billings...it is called two moon park..and it is a very neat little trail..it some what reminded us of home...in bits here and there....with the river and trees...and a dirt trail...we enjoyed our selves..and it was a nice sunny day...and a good Sunday after noon...We saw this frog there..that was huge..and it looked just like a big leaf..until it moved to jump into the mud pond...very fun for the kids..they got all super excited about seeing it...

















In June we took a trip to go and see MT. Rush More It was awesome.,,though the whole time we were there it rained and rained...the sun shine came every now and then...but we also went and saw reptile gardens...and the kids loved that..it was so much fun for them...and we went to story book island..on the good day..as you can see...it was nice out side...WE went with some friends of ours here in billings...and it made it fun...this was our first family vacation ever!!!!!










After the trip to Mt. Rush More...we decided to go house hunting...to find the perfect house for us!!!!! Though we did not have much time to find one...we only had two weeks to find one..so we could be out of our town house in the next month...so we looked every day for three hours each until we found what we were looking for...though I don't have a pic for it...we love the house...we got a house with three front rooms..one being unfinished...six bedrooms..one being unfinished...three bath rooms...and a wonderful sized back yard...with just a field out back...very peaceful and quite...we didn't do much until then...

Next we have the girls starting school...They are now going to eagle cliff school..and they were very excited about that...Mercedi is in third grade..and Mikayla is in 1st...they are growing up so fast...










So for the past 7 1/2 years my brother Nathan has been in prison..and we haven't been able to see him...so when we all found out that he was going to be able to get out...we were all super excited he got out a couple of weeks before my birthday so we traveled down to go and see him my birthday weekend...it was the best birthday ever..I got to visit with my brother Nathan and just hug him away...he has grown so much sense the last time I have seen him...and it is so wearied to see him as a man..because all these years I have been viewing him as a young 17 year old boy...that was the last time I had seen him..and had memories...so to see him all grown up was different...but we sure did love visiting with him...and are so very thankful that he is home..and gets to start a new and finish his life around the family!!!!!...












Right before I turned 30!!!!!! this year..I went and had my eyes chedcked..and found out that I have a astigmatism...not to bad..just saying that well when I read and drive...I should where my eye glasses to help out...so I thought it would be super cool to have them..and I at first wore them all the time to get use to them..but then thought...you know I think I will just where them when needed...but I do like them..and the coloring on them....











This year was also a very special year...this year.... My husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary..and we celebrated it..by going to the temple her in billings..and doing sealing...it was very nice and peaceful..and made our marriage seem even more real and meaningful...by reminding our selves of the covenants we made the day we were sealed together in the temple for all time and eternity...How I love this man...and will continue to do so for the rest of eternity...
















Soon our favorite time of the year comes...Fall...we love it..well maybe more so me..all the colors and smells it has to offer...This Halloween...we dressed up as the "Burk Stones"...we had a lot of fun with this..and I just tore fabric and made it happen...we went to our ward Halloween party..and then trunk 0r treated...also the weather was not to bad..it made it nice..






So right before thanksgiving..we went to the pet smart store..to go and find a crate for our dog...to be in while we were out and about for the winter..and we walked by the adoption center..and I spotted this Siamese lynx cat..and he had such a pretty color and he was soft..and he just melted our hearts...even my husband thought he was a cool looking cat..so we adopted him and brought him home...and gave him the name Riley...soon after bringing him home...he started sneezing and goo was coming out of his eyes and nose..so we took him to the vet and he had caught an upper respiratory infection from the shelter..so we got him so meds..and I began to have to nurse him back to health...so after two weeks of that..he was better..and has become best friends with the dog..and the dog likes the cat as well...they play well together...they even groom each other...it is very cute....








After Halloween....Comes Thanks Giving..and oh how we love candy yamms...and stuffing and Turkey..and mashed potatoes..and Pumpkin pie..and egg nogg...You just name all those thanksgiving toppings..and we love them....so we were going to have family coming..but change of plans at the last minute...no one could come..so I made this huge turkey and all this food...and we had left overs for a week..no joke..we kinda put on pounds over this holiday...lol...but I decorated the table up and we just enjoyed it together as a family....















Soon After thanksgiving...we got our first real....snow storm...it was fun...and we all went out side and played in it..after going on a scavenger hunt to find all the snow attire!!!!!...So we got the sled out and the shovel and started playing...while I pulled the kids around on the sled...jesse shoveled the side walks...It was not to cold out side..but cold enough to come back in and enjoy some hot chocolate...latter that night...yummm











After thanks giving and our first snow fall of the year..It was time to go and chop down a christmas tree...we went to Red lodge here in billings...by the ski resort and hiked up a hill with snow up to our waist..it was fun..the kids enjoyed it and it tired them out as well...We found a super tall tree out there in the forest..It wasn't the tree I was looking for..I wanted the grizzwald tree..but no one wanted to go further up the mountain...lol...so we went for this tree...it was super tall..and skinny..But we made it out to look some what beautiful..lol






For an activity we did as a family right before Christmas..we went to the Moss Mansion here in billings..and it was really neat..they had some really neat rooms in there..and right now was the family celebration event going on..and they had a Christmas tree in each room...decorated..and then you voted on which one you thought was the coolest..and they had crafts for the kids to make..they made a stocking and a little angel...I thought that was really neat of them to do that...the kids enjoyed looking through this mansion...and just going crazy at all the old stuff they use to have...it was a fun family outing!!!!



























What a wonderful year it was this last year of 2010...we had some great fun and adventures...and we just enjoyed life to the fullest...It is so much fun to have our children..and get to watch them grow...and to have my husband...and see how hard he works to make this family happy and taken care of...This is our last picture for the year..our family pic..for our christmas cards...It was fun trying to get everyone to say cheese and be happy..while we pushed the timer on the camera...on our way to church...but it worked out great...So to all my friends and family...I hope you enjoyed this last year of burk fun!!!!