The Burks Family: April 2009

We went to Oregon to visit our family and friends for Spring Break. We had an action-packed week, and we loved every minute of it. We flew out the evening of April 3rd. This was Dylan's first flight. He did so good on the plane. The girls helped out a lot.

Our plane

In the airport

On the plane. We were in lucky row seven.

Dylan did so good. I wasn't sure if I was going to be that lady with the crying baby that everyone stares at and wonders why she can't get her baby to stop. Luckily, I was the lady with a happy baby and well-behaved girls.

On April 4th, we went to Julia's house for her birthday. We had yummy pizza and cupcakes. It was great to see everyone.

All of our kids are getting so big! From left: Carter just turned 6, Sophia 8, Jeffery 15, Dylan 6 1/2 mo., Harrison almost 8, Addison 12, Kyla almost 4, Kenzie 6.

Happy Birthday Julia! Blowing out candles on her cherry chip cake with rainbow chip frosting cupcakes.

Early Easter baskets from my Mom and Dad. They were in Utah when we got to Oregon, but she had everything ready and waiting.

On April 4th and 5th, the girls went and visited their Dad. Dylan and I went and did some shopping at the mall.

On April 6th, we went to dinner with Babs (a co-worker and friend of mine) But I forgot to take some pictures. The evening of the 6th Crystal and her family flew in and my parents did too.

On April 7th - 8th, we all went to the Coast! It was Dylan's first trip to the beach. We went to Lincoln City, OR.

It was SO cold and windy. We parked the cars so that we had a wind barrier, and built some sand castles. Payton had a great time smashing them.

Even though it was freezing, we still got out and had fun until we couldn't move our hands anymore.

Grandkids and Grandparents. Alex is missing because he was with his Dad.

Grandma stayed in the car with the little men so they could stay warm.

Mr. Seagull stopped by to see what we were doing.

Dylan loves to bite his lower lip ever since he got his two bottom teeth.

We stayed at the Ashley Inn and Suites. We were on the third floor and got rooms right next to each other.

After we checked in we hit the salt water pool and the spa to warm up. It was Dylan and Owen's first time in a swimming pool.

Dad photo-crashing our picture. He thinks he's so funny.

Swimming Sweeties. These girls love the pool, any pool. They are good swimmers.

Dylan had a great time in the pool, but it wore him out. He fell asleep. Addison and Sophia are little fish and could have swam all night.

After swimming, we went to Mo's. A landmark in Taft, Oregon just out of Lincoln City. They have excellent clam chowder, but none of us ordered it. Kinda funny...

The boys kept Grandpa and Grandma busy. But we all got to eat our yummy food evenually. My Mom said she loves that Crystal and I had babies at the same time because then Grandma and Grandpa don't have to share.

The next morning, we checked out of the Hotel and went to the outlet mall. We shopped til we dropped. It was great. Then we went back home. Dylan cried 99.9% of the way home, which was lovely. My Dad and the girls had to listen to it all. Sorry guys! Dylan is not a car traveler. I'm hoping he will grow out of it soon.

Uncle Kevin and Dylan.

After we got back from the coast, we went to Andy and Anna's for dinner. We had excellent tacos. Chris wished he could have come. (tacos are his fav)

Pam and Bill. (Andy's parents) Dylan met Pam a few days earlier when we stopped in to see her and their house they are remodeling, but this was the first time Dylan and Bill met.

Julia and James. Go Beavers!

Dylan enjoying a spoon to chew on.

April 9th, Penny and Lita came to visit. Penny was Sophia's Daycare Provider. We just love her. Lita is her granddaughter. Sophia always wants to visit Penny when we come to Oregon. It was wonderful to visit with them both. We had a great lunch with them at my Mom's because Penny is also remodeling her house.

Addison did a great job getting Dylan to sleep. (he's under all those poke-a-dots)

Then that evening, the girls went to their Dad's to color Easter eggs. My mom kept Dylan, and I went to Jessica's to listen to Crystal demo Nu Skin (a product she is selling) and watch Twilight.

I haven't read the book, but Addison did and liked it. She is now reading New Moon. I thought the movie was good though.

Nicole and Jessica. They are both preg-o and are so cute. Thanks for hosting Jessica!

That same night, the girls spent the night at Andy and Anna's. Well, at least they were supposed to. We dropped Anna off after the movie, and I went in to say good night to the girls, and Sophia said she had a sore throat, so she came home with me. But she got to spend most the night with Kenzie and Kyla.

Then on April 10th, Dylan and I went to lunch with Randi. Anna had the girls and they got to play some more with Kenz and Kyla. Randi and I were best friends in middle and high school. It was great to catch up with her. We will have to do it again next time we come up. We need more than a lunch hour next time though.

From Left: Richelle, Cierra, and Addison. Richelle came and spent the night at my mom's on Friday night. We went and picked her up after school. Richelle lived next door to us when we lived in Oregon. The Brunson's were awesome neighbors and we miss them a lot. I'm thankful we have stayed in touch. Addy and Richelle are a month and one day part.

Here is a picture of my old house in Oregon. The front corner of it anyway. I didn't want to stand in front and take a picture because I didn't know if they were home. So I took a picture when I was in front of Richelle's house.

We came home on April 11th, and took a picture in front of the stacked luggage in the baggage claim area. The girls read books and Dylan was good on the ride home. It was so wonderful to see everyone and we miss you all already. Thanks to Mom and Dad for having us! We love you. It was great to come home because I missed Chris and wished he could have come, but he had to work. He will have to come with us next time.