So Long. . .For Now

Scott Burgin 1991 ~ 2009 18-years-old.

"Scott Douglas Burgin passed away December 3, 2009 in Huntsville, Utah. He was born May 4, 1991 in Santa Ana, California. He is survived by his family: his mom and step dad Leslie Ann and Mike Stevens of Kaysville, his father David Burgin of Layton, his brothers and sisters Mike D and Paige Burgin, Tyler S. Burgin, Dustin J. and Kaylee Burgin, Megan M and Tyler Green, Aaron C Burgin, Katie Ann Burgin, Rachel E. Burgin. His grandparents: Harold and Della Scott, Gwen Burgin, Richard and Fae Burgin.

Scott was a private in the 328 Hospital Support Unit of Ogden, joining the reserves in May of 2008, recently returning from Ft. Lee, Virginia for additional training where he received several commendations for his leadership skills. Scott was known for his quiet artistic abilities, his keen wit, his leadership, and his amazing ability to love and understand. Scotty loved art, music and had a great talent in both.

We loved his beautiful smile, his friendship and his unconditional love, his family wishes to express the following: "Beat me up Scotty", Onyan, Oh- Kathy, It's all good, I know right? Maximus, my best friend, I love you bud... Graveside services for Scott will be held Monday, December 7 at 2 p.m. in the Kaysville Cemetery. Scotty - may your heart be healed, your soul be calmed, and your mind finally have the quiet peace you forever searched for. We pray for the Saviors love and forgiveness, "Where at you is" MOM. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com."

You will be missed, Scotty. We love you and hope you find what you are looking for. We will see you soon.

At the Car Wash. . .

A couple of weeks ago, I decided it was time to wash the car. So I drove down the street to the car wash, and put in my quarters and started the high pressure soap. As I started to spray my car, a homeless man walked by and stopped to yell something at me. I asked what, because I couldn't hear him, and he walked closer still talking. So I stopped spraying and asked him "what" one more time. Then I heard him say "will you please spray me on high pressure?" I asked if he was serious, and he said "yes, spray me hard." So I did, not remembering that I was using the soap. But he said thank you and walked away. Now, I don't know what is worse, the fact that I soaped a bum or the fact that I kept asking him what, inviting a potentially scary person into a car wash bay with me. Either way, I thought that was probably one of the strangest things that has ever happened to me.

Even stranger. . .I saw him the next day.

It's About Time!

I know, a little late, but Congrats to Megan (Mike's sister) and Tyler! They got married at the end of October and I think everything turned out perfect. They got married in the Daybreak Temple and it was so beautiful. I didn't ever go through the when the open house was going on, so it was really great to be there with them on their day. Also, she was the only bride that afternoon, so it was really intimate and nobody was rushed. We had the whole temple to ourselves.

The happy couple!

Megan, Katie and Rachel

Do You Ever Have Those Days?

So, as much as I love being here in California, there are some days when it gets kind of lonely and I find comfort in my new friends, Stacy and Clinton. From TLC's "What Not to Wear". I love the show and look forward to it. Well, on one particularly gloomy day, I was watching said show and had to leave the room. So I paused it and went to do whatever it was, but when I came back to my friends, this is what I saw. . .

I couldn't help but laugh out loud, and then think to myself that I have no real reason to be feeling the way I was. I got myself up (after the show, of course) and remembered that I have so many things to keep me busy, and so many things to make me happy, and of course I am thankful for all of them.

This picture has been cause for many conversations lately, and I am glad that the TV paused where it did. This woman was excited because someone she knew was getting a make over. It wasn't even her! In my life I need to appreciate the little things and enjoy the things that make me happy. I am pretty sure I won't be running around screaming with my hands in the air, but on the inside, this is exactly how I feel. No, not every second of every day, but I try to feel this way at least once every day. Some days are better than others, but I have been blessed with so much that I can't help but give back by being happy and trying to make those around me feel the same way.

What We've Been Up To

Before Mike started work, we tried to get around to see some stuff. So we made it to a few fun places. We went to the tech museum downtown. It has all sorts of nerdy stuff, like creating a microchip and then programming it, and then having a robot draw a self portrait of you. They also had these robots that would spell out a message in blocks. Whatever you told them to write, they would find the block and do it. This is what Mike was doing while I was in the bathroom.

Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Then, we had to go to another baseball game. Again, the Angels were playing the A's in Oakland, so we went dressed in our Angels gear and sat on the 4th row behind the A's dugout. Dangerous territory, but the Angels won, so it was all worth it. We also got to see some of our favorite players from the Bees that got picked up by the Angels recently. I almost felt like I was home for a minute.
Most recently we went to Carmel. Yesterday in fact. The whole name of the town is Carmel by the Sea, CA. If that tells you anything. It is right by the water, and the downtown was so fun. We went with the intention of going to the art festival, but instead we just explored main street and did a little shopping and lunch. We ate at a delicious restaurant, and then stopped by a little shop called "The White Rabbit." The entire store is based around Alice in Wonderland. The owner even had an original copy of "Through the Looking Glass" that was valued at around $400. Anyway, we decided that we are going to use our Saturdays to explore this area. It is so pretty. Visitors are always welcome. Hope to see you soon.

We Finally Did It!

Well, the day finally came. We packed up the moving van and headed out west. I can still see my mom standing in the middle of the cul de sac jumping up and down and waving her arms. It was a bittersweet moment and an image I most likely will never forget. I will miss my family more than I can say (bitter) but I am so excited to start this new chapter of our lives (sweet) and I know that there are many wonderful adventures in store for us over the next few years. There were only a few tears shed in the last moments together as a family. Mostly as a result of Brooks saying "we will miss you, Mike and Paige" in his teeny tiny little voice, knowing that he means it but not understanding how much he in turn will be missed. Thanks family for all of the support and please please please come see us soon.
Ok, so now on to the move. Mike's mom, stepdad, and little sisters, Katie and Rachel were nice enough to help us with the move. And Mike (stepdad) and Leslie (mom) were even nicer to drive the U-haul through traffic so that we could get there ahead of the truck to get everything set up before we started moving in boxes and furniture. I am so happy that we had their help, but even happier that we had their company.
So, I had no idea, but this was the first time to the beach for these two. These are Mike's little sisters, and they are both so much fun. Rachel (on left) was my driving companion. She read to me, and listened to me sing at the top of my lungs for 12 hours. What an awesome girl! I can't wait for these two to come out and spend a weekend with us.
I just love this picture of Rachel. She looks like she is loving life at this moment and she honestly couldn't get enough of the beach.

Just the girls.

So for now things are going pretty good. Mike starts work tomorrow and we have been busy the last week and a half. We almost have our apartment put together (we just need to hang a few more things) and it is feeling like a home more and more every day. I don't know what I am going to do with myself after he starts working. It has been so fun being able to spend the whole day with him. I still don't have a job, but I am vigilant with the search so hopefully something comes up soon. I am so happy that we are here. Life is good and hopefully only gets better. Here's to California Dreamin'.

never thought i would say this

This is a long post. . .scroll down for more pics and stories. And they are all out of order. I tried to get it in order, but to no avail. So, sorry.

One Last Thing

Over Labor day weekend, we decided that we probably ought to have one last hurrah with the Randles before we move, so we met up in Las Vegas (the Randles currently live in the middle of no where southern Arizona). We (Steph and I) thought that the boys could golf and we could get a spa treatment. It ended up being probably 150 degrees outside (maybe a little less) so the boys gave up on golf while Steph and I were hanging out in the mineral pools at the spa. It is a difficult life we lead. Then we headed in to Vegas for some, you guessed it, shopping and good food.

In the spa, they had these signs everywhere. I am pretty sure they were directed at all the twenty-something girls who come to have a treatment done, and all they want to do is talk. We thought it was pretty funny.
We ate dinner at Maggiano's, an awesome italian restaurant. It was the first time I have ever had a five course meal, and paced myself enough to still be able to enjoy a leisurely walk down the strip afterward.

The Randles

And the whole gang.

We thought it would be fun to go to the Excalibur and see the Tournament of Kings. And it was really fun. While I was there, I decided 'what the heck!' I am going to enjoy this.' Steph and I cheered so loud for our knight, and at the end he apologized to us for not winning. I am pretty sure that the rest of our section hated us because we wouldn't shut up. After the show, the knights were outside taking pictures and signing autographs. We thought we totally needed a pic with our (little) knight. He was up on a horse the entire time, so we had no idea he was so tiny. I guess in mideval times, you didn't need to be tall, as long as your horse was the same height as the other guy's. It was really fun, although next time I go, I am bringing some silverware with me. I don't do so well when I have to tear my food apart with my hands.

Thanks you guys for a fun weekend. We will see you in California soon. :)

Just a few more pics of the beach in southern California. I thought this was kind of funny. They are all standing with their left hand in their pocket looking at the same thing. From left to right, we have Mike, Bryan, my brother Mike and my brother Trent.

Just the two of us!

Ok, so this house was the cutest house. I took probably eighty-three pics of it with the dream that one day I would have one just like it, with a view of the water, of course.

From this part of the state, on the day that half my family got in the car and the other jumped on a plane, all heading home to Utah, me and Mike were off on yet another adventure. This time we flew to Northern California to go on the monster of all apartment hunts. We looked at probably 25 apartments in 4 days. And no, I didn't take any pictures. But we did find one and signed the paperwork before we came home the next week. We will be living in Campbell, CA. I am really excited, and as I am writing this, I am thinking that we get our moving truck today and in two days we will be on the road to California. Now enough about that because I have a feeling today might be an emotional one.

I've Been Everywhere, Man, I've Been Everywhere. . .

Well, we are finally back home after it feels like the mother of all vacations. It started in the Mile High City (for those of you who aren't down with the Lingo, Denver). I flew out there to meet Mike on his loooong drive back home from Oklahoma. While we were there, we thought we would hit up a Rockies game. We had really great seats and the game itself wasn't too bad either. The stadium is really pretty, and I am bummed that the only picture I got was of the scoreboard, but at least I took one. I am usually terrible at remembering that I have my camera with me.

And from one baseball game to another, (and one state to another) we ended up at Dodger stadium. We spent the week in Newport Beach with my family, and although we tried to take in a game in Anaheim, the Angels weren't in town, so we settled for the next best thing.

Me and Mike at Dodger Stadium

This is the view of Dodger stadium from the (not so) cheap seats. Thanks mom and dad for an awesome vacation. And yes while we were in this vacation, we hit up Disneyland and California adventure, but as I mentioned before, the not-remembering-the-camera problem struck again, but not to worry I always have my 'memories, like the corners of my mind. Misty water colored memories. . .' oh sorry. Anyway, the trip was a blast and I am so glad that we got to go on a great trip before we move.

Girl From Ipanema and Going Mad

There are days when I am at work and all I hear in my head is La di da di da, or some other wordless, mindless tune. . .and usually it passes-until today, that is. The la di da di da, I finally figured out, is my brain's way of telling me that I am slowly going MAD! MAD, I tell you! MAD!!! So, as I was participating in my daily surfing, I decided to check the website of an awesome show, fittingly called "MadMen", thinking I may stumble across an interview or something else that I haven't previously read. Then, I came across this little activity on the website, probably aimed at people just like me with nothing better to do than create 60's era avatars of themselves, while trying to make it through the mind numbing boredome at work, called "MADMEN YOURSELF"! Perfect! Don't mind if I do, and while I am at it, I will madmen people I work with as well as my husband!

Well, you guessed it. The top picture is me (in the green dress), in my special little scenario, walking right past my husbands private secretary "excuse me", to surprise my hubby for lunch. And of course a homemade lunch is waiting in the picnic basket in the car, along with a checked blanket, perfectly suited for an afternoon picnic-seriously, it's not like anyone actually worked in the sixties!
And here is the famous hubby. We will pretend that Sterling Cooper (in this scenario) is an accounting firm, instead of an ad agency. He is the big man on campus, with his power suit, briefcase, and of course his always lit pipe! Ow, baby! Eat your heart out ladies! Just remember-he's taken, and I am always watching. . .(how's that for drama?)

I am so excited for the new season to start! Thanks Erin and Bryan for getting me hooked on this awesome show. And for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, seasons 1 and 2 are available to rent! Run, don't walk, to your nearest video store and watch it! NOW!

And yes, you can call me a nerd.

(Ok, so a little explanation on the title. Whenever I watch MADMEN, or if I am reading an interview with an character/actor, for some reason the song "Girl from Ipanema" pops in to my head. I think it is because it has the most old school, elevator-music sound to it than any other song I have ever heard. And it totally belongs in a poolside scene-man, I should be a writer or something).

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

HOME! I can't believe where the time has gone! My little brother is home from his mission! It has been two years! He served in the Phillippines, Tacloban mission and although he has somewhat of an asian accent (or whatever you might call it-a mix of tons of different languages all rolled in to one), and acts really strange (why is that?), it is so much fun to have him home. It feels like it did before I got married. It was me and him, and here we are again.

These are the delicious cupcakes (at least one flavor) that my parent's neighbor, Rebecca Jensen, made for the homecoming get-to-gether. She did such a great job! Heck forget about the returned missionary, we have gourmet cupcakes here! (If you need cupcakes for any sort of occasion, i.e. wedding, farewell, homecoming, baby/wedding shower, GNO, let me know, and I would be more than thrilled to get you her info. Her website should be up an running soon.)

Trent with Mom and Dad

And of course one with Brooks. We made him a shirt that said I {heart} Uncle Trent! And he HAD to wear it the next day too. It was so cute to see Brooks with Trent. He stood in awe the entire time we were at the airport.

Welcome home, Trent! We love you and missed you! It is so great to have you home!

A Little Less Conversation, a Little More Shopping, Please

As it turns out, this post is long overdue, but I need to document the fun things that I do (take a trip to Vegas with the girls) and the things I do that are so out of character for me, although not unwelcome by any means (shopping for 12 hours straight.)

The idea came to us one day when I was talking to Steph via instant message complaining about how badly I needed to get away and hence the idea was born and booked within a couple of days. We decided that a shopping trip was definitely in order, therefore we planned nothing but what stores we had to hit. We were ready to go, just had to wait until the magic day.

We stayed at the Stratosphere although it was more of a home ground for us to layout out our booty from a hard days work, pass out on the bed and wake up only to repeat said activities the next day. Of course, we had to eat at In 'n out. I know, so cliche for a trip to Vegas, but what the heck-it was delicious. It was the perfect little get away for the girls before life got to the point where we wouldn't be able to jump in the same car and drive out of town. Steph has since moved to Arizona for probably the craziest reason-to live with her husband, sheesh! Who does that? Love you two! Jacy just bought a new house, Congrats, Jacy, and is now up to her ears in remodeling, and then there is this dark cloud looming over my head like I am getting ready to move myself away from family and friends, and pretty much anything that is familiar. . .why do I have that feeling? Oh yea, that's right, we are getting ready to move to the Sunshine state never to return again! Just kidding, we will be back at Christmas. Anyway, it was so fun, and I am so thankful to have such fun friends.

BEFORE

(Jacy, Steph, and Moi)

I am pretty sure this is a before pic, because after, as you can see in the next picture, I am pretty sure we had zero energy, not even enough to muster up a smile. So here we go with the before and after.

AFTER

Thanks for ALL the fun memories girls.

Round Here. . .

So, not much is going on right now, but I thought I could write about all the little things that I am doing to keep my mind occupied. Over memorial day weekend, Mike came home for a visit! Woo Hoo! I picked him up at the airport and brought him home to a house full of people moving all of our furniture out and into a storage unit. Welcome Home Babe! And thanks to all the helping hands that day, we definitely couldn't have done it without you. As for when we moved out, it wasn't until about 3 days later, so we spent a couple of nights sleeping on our mattress on the living room floor (I know, a little white trash, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do), with absolutely no other furniture and no food in the entire house. It was quite the experience, but it was nice to just hang out and have most of the moving done. On memorial day we went 4-wheeling with Spencer and Steph up Farmington Canyon. I guess you could call it our last big hurrah. Spencer is leaving to do the same training Mike has been doing, so lo and behold me and Steph are being abandoned by our husbands, left to fend for ourselves living in our parents' basements!

(Me, Mike, Spencer and Steph)

Actually, it has been nice being back home. It is a little strange, I'm not going to lie, but I am so grateful to my parents for letting me mooch off of them for the rest of the summer. Mom and Dad's house will be our last stop before heading off to California. It is nice to be spending time with them now, because come September it will no longer be a short drive to visit family.

As far as summer goes, it is going. I haven't really done anything yet to make it feel like summer. No baseball games, no swimming, nothing, nada, zilch! And not that I am planning on returning any time soon, but I miss having the quiet parts of my day filled with homework and projects. School really helped keep my mind off things I otherwise don't like to think about (the fact that I still have 9 weeks, and some odd days left until Mike comes home), but I'm not counting or anything. I will see him in a few weeks when he comes home to visit over the 4th of July, so adding to the fact that Independence Day is my favorite holiday, having Mike home will make sitting in my parent's backyard eating homemade ice-cream and watching fireworks that much more enjoyable.

How Did I Get So Lucky?

I know I am a day late, but better late than never, right?

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that I am so lucky to have two wonderful mothers that are the best example to me of what a mother should be. If I am half the mother they are, then my kids will be pretty well off.

I think I have the best mom any girl could ever ask for. She is patient, and she always sees the best in everyone. She has always been our number one fan, no matter what activity we were involved with at the time. She was always on the sidelines at soccer games, on the front row at school plays, dance, piano, and voice recitals. At times she almost seems like the energizer bunny. She never slows down and that smile is always on her face. I have so many fun memories with my mom, whether I was sitting in the back of an aerobics studio listening to my mom count off a routine for the class (by the way mom, I loved the headbands and leg warmers), or just dancing like lunatics in the kitchen to some of our favorite songs. Somehow, she even got my brothers to participate in this activity. We spend so much time laughing, and having a good time (even though I am sorry that a lot of the laughing is at my mom's expense) she has always been a good sport and put up with us. I love her dearly, and don't know what I will do when she doesn't live just 10 minutes up the street.

I am so lucky to have a sister that has been such a great example to me for the past 27 years. She, too, is an excellent mom (as you can see by the happy boy in the picture). She loves to have a good time, and seems to always have the energy for it (wonder where she got that from). I have vivid memories of Erin doing a full on dance routine, while carrying on a conversation with whoever was in the room at the time, and not missing a beat. She has so much energy, and just like my mom, I rarely see her without a smile. She definitely notices the positive things in life and the smallest things make her happy, and she is able to put smiles on the faces of those around her. I am a better person because of these women, and I can't ask for anything more. I love you guys. Thanks mom and Erin for being you! And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Georgia on My Mind

I have to start off by saying when we were in Atlanta, Mike was hit hard with a cold so we decided to just stay in and watch a movie, and this is the movie we watched.  It was so good.  I think I am obsessed.  I can't think of what else to say about it but that it made me feel good.  I am so glad that I saw it and highly recommend it.

So anyway, a couple of weeks ago I took a trip to Georgia to spend some time with Mike.  It was definitely way too short, but we had a good time none the less.  We stayed downtown and were within walking distance of the world's largest aquarium, and the World of Coke.  You heard me, I said the WORLD OF COKE!  Coke and sea creatures.  I was in heaven! 
This is Mike having a coke with Mr. Pemberton, the founder of Coke.  Originally Coke was an alcoholic beverage, but in 1885 he came up with a nonalcoholic alternative.  And aren't we glad that he did!
This is a sea dragon.  I thought it was so cool.  It actually looks like a miniature version of Pete's friend, Elliott. 
This is a whale shark.  Some interesting facts about whale sharks.  They are the largest living fish species, can grow to be up to 40 feet long and weigh about 15 tons, and can live for about 70 years.  And they are able to house the monstrous creatures in the aquarium.  I thought that was pretty cool. 
We went to lunch at a burger place just across the street called Johnny Rockets.  I was a fun restaurant, and they even have in-house entertainment.  The waiters and waitresses did a full on choreographed dance for everyone.  It was fun.

The outside of the aquarium.

Some crabs, but these aren't just any crabs.  These are giant crabs whose legs can grow to be 14 feet long.  They were huge, the picture just doesn't do them justice.
And of course we have the giant Coke bottle.  One can't help but throw out their goal to not drink coke/diet coke when surrounded by giant coke bottles.  Yes, we did partake but it was delicious!
This is the tasting room at the World of Coke.  Coke has 64 different flavors all over the world, and they have every single one on tap in this very room.  It was pretty cool.

Everywhere Mike goes, he has to represent!  Go Utes!  It was such a fun trip, I was sad when it ended, but he gets to come home soon for a little visit and I can't wait.  

However Far Away. . .

As Valentine's day came and went this year, for the most part it was very uneventful. Now I say for the most part because my awesome parents stayed in on V-day to have dinner and watch a movie with me. I woke up early on Saturday morning and made a list of things that I needed to do that day. I made a trip to Lowe's and then to the grocery store and until the cashier wished me a Happy Valentine's day, I had totally forgotten what day it was. When your husband is gone, and you are spending the day alone, ignorance is bliss, especially when it comes to the love-fest we like to call Valentine's Day. So, I tried to get totally wrapped up in what I was doing so that I wouldn't think about it. All of these feelings of total and utter disgust for the holiday itself would be thrown right out the window if I were talking about the weekend before Valentine's Day. So let me take myself back.

Mike and I knew that we weren't going to be able to spend Valentines day together (again), and had talked about doing something special before hand. Well, I kept asking him what he wanted to do and he didn't care, so I took it into my own hands and planned what I would consider a perfect date night. I thought it would be so great to get a couple's massage and then spend the night at a cute little B&B, and then have the following day off to do absolutely nothing but hang out. After doing a little research and tweaking my plans just a little, the perfect weekend was planned and paid for, and I did it all on my own. We ended up going to Heber and we got massages at a spa up there and then we went to dinner at a cute little restaurant, called Breadstix. Then I had booked us a room at the Homestead ( like I said, I tweaked the plans a little bit, but have you ever tried to book a B&B in the vacinity of Park City in February? Yeah, it's impossible, unless you want to spend $400/night.) But it turned out to be so charming and the perfect night was made even better being holed up in our cabin-style room with my cute husband watching The Office and 30 Rock. I took then next day off and we worked on the house and got Mike packed and just hung out. I love nothing more than just having a day off with Mike, because it is so rare. Anyway, just wanted to say that Mike is the greatest and I miss him everyday! Can't wait to see you soon (hopefully)!

(This picture has nothing to do with our weekend, it is just my favorite picture of us!)