It's been a crazy couple of years (2010-2012)

Looking back over the last two years, we continue to find joy and contentment in our family.

While life has not been without trials, struggles, disappointments, and loss, we remain true to ourselves, each other, and the Lord.

We are grateful for our time in Boise, and the good associations we enjoy, and look forward with faith to the future.

We thank our Heavenly Father every day for our family.


Scott
Scott is an engineer, builder, and all around handyman.  He is always ready to help the girls with their math, fix something for his home teaching families, cut something out for Relief Society, or fix something around the house.

His projects over the last two years have included replacing the kitchen floor vinyl with tile (a physically daunting task we were close to abandoning before we even got the old floor up - glad we didn't), laying down hardwood floors in the dinning and living rooms (after he flooded the downstairs replacing a faucet), refinishing the master bedroom furniture, fixing cars, maintaining bikes, and doing loads of laundry at the laundry mat when Jen inadvertently brought home bed bugs from a garage sale.  He's is truly amazing.

Scott is also building a better job for himself by returning to school to get his Master's degree in Material Science Engineering.  Moving from sales to engineering, something he is passionate about, has been an exciting change.  With an assistantship through Boise State University paying for his schooling and a stipend to live on, he has engrossed himself in his work and school and excelled.  He is currently finishing classes preparing to finish and defend his thesis and looking for full time employment.

He is devoted to making his family happy and patiently weathers life's storms in a sea of women - even the dog is a girl.  He misses having his son around to wrestle with.

Some of his favorite times during the last couple of years have included biking on the greenbelt, camping, working on projects with his children, attending family reunions, and enjoying not having a 9-5 job.

Recently Scott was able to stand in the circle to set Sean apart as a missionary, and bear his testimony to him of his love of the Savior and the importance of the gospel in his life.  Sean has an excellent example of a father and priesthood holder in his father, and we are grateful for him.

Jennifer
Usually the phrase used to describe Jen is hard worker.  It's not something she loves to hear, preferring fun-loving, happy, and intelligent, but people will perceive what they will and when it comes down to it, she has worked really hard the last couple of years.

For two years Jen served as Relief Society president, loving working with the women of the ward, sharing in their joys and sorrows, and really getting to put her shoulder to the wheel.  She had great counselors (Donna Stepherson and Lori Cranney) and worked with a fabulous bishop, Monte Moore; however with only a year left to complete her degree and a significant amount of work left to do, she asked to be released.  It was not an easy decision and she often second guessed herself, but things worked out in the end.

Turning to her degree, she tackled a writing biographies class by researching and writing her grandmother Frances Hutchen's life story.  Spending a few weekends with her gathering information, and extra time on the phone, she finished her work just a month before her grandmother unexpectedly
passed away.  She ended up reading the life story during the funeral.


Finishing her bachelor's degree at the beginning of July, 2012, Jennifer graduated with the summer graduating class of BYU in August.  Conveniently, her sister Amy moved to Provo that summer and was able to host a mini family reunion at the same time.  Her siblings Amy, Nathan, and Richard, and her parents were there, as well as Scott's sisters Michelle and Kerstin.

In May 2012, Jennifer had the opportunity to fly to Switzerland to visit her sister Amy and daughter Megan (who was having a European experience).  After flying into Zurich, Amy picked her up and they spent ten days together touring different parts of Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.  Visiting castles, hiking in the Alps, walking around little towns, and attending church were just some of the highlights of the trip.

Jen also got to take a quick trip to visit a friend (Jeri Moore) in Portland.  She took her friends Trittica and Donna along as well and they had a great time hiking and visiting the coast.

Jen also bought a business, a community newspaper called The Independent News.  This takes a lot of her time, but she loves the work and using her writing talents.  To see the newspaper,  click on the following link:

The Independent News

Sean

If I had to say who has gone through the most change over the last two years, I would have to say Sean and that his transformation is only beginning. 

Sean graduated May of 2011 from Capital High School.  His graduation ceremony was held at Taco Bell Arena and attended by his Grandpa and Grandma Burnside and Great Grandma Hutchens.  Grandma and Grandpa Anderson couldn't make it to the graduation, but came close to that time as they prepared to go on their mission to California.

Sean worked full time during the summer at Micron doing computer networking, and began college at Utah State University in Logan that fall.  He quickly became involved in marching band, jazz band, and made the swing dance team.  Dancing became a huge part of his life and he made many new friends and acquaintances in Logan and Salt Lake.  He also began work at the Space Dynamics lab doing computer networking and enjoyed the work and the people at the lab.

In preparation for his mission, Sean had his wisdom teeth out and a hernia repair.  He looked like a different person after his wisdom teeth procedure, but felt much better once mom got all the right medicine to him (she forgot his antibiotics).

Sean received his mission call to Londrina Brazil on June 20, 2012.  He opened it in Logan with his friends, but skyped his family.  It was 168 days before he could enter the MTC, and then to his disappointment, his visa did not come in and he had to fly to the Provo MTC instead of the Brazil MTC.  We all went to the Boise Airport to see him off, and his Aunt Amy picked him up in Salt Lake to drive him to Provo.

He gave a great farewell talk, and was happy to have quite a few friends and family there to wish him well.  He began dating Jeanne Munk about two months before he left and was glad she could come up and go dancing with him one more time.

                                

The best experience was President Alder setting him apart and the great blessing he was given.  We will anxiously await his return! 

Megan

The trouble is, Megan has too many interests to choose just one.  She has developed talents in speech and debate, musical theater, advanced acting, color guard and excels in academics.  

What to do?  She just does it all.  Her freshman year she was in the fall play (Peter Pan), and color guard and debate, but her junior year she chose to forgo the fall play for color guard.

It was during her sophomore year she spent the spring semester in Europe touring Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Monte Carlo.  It required a lot of effort to finish up her online schooling as well as participating in the spring musical Bells are Ringing.  She also spent a chunk of her summer finishing up the other classes she had missed, taking her finals the day before she began the fall semester.  

Despite a brief fainting spell before her first flight to Washington DC, the trip went pretty smoothly, and as master story teller to the Quinn children, customizing stories for each child, she gave Amy and Ryan some respite at the end of each day.

Megan has also almost finished her Personal Progress, finishing one of her projects (a quilt) with Grandma Burnside in Montana.  

She recently brought home a Superior Award from a speech competition, competed in the state drama, and Chalestoned for President Monson during the Youth Cultural Celebration of the Boise temple rededication.

She continues to sing her way through life and her vibrancy and enthusiasm are a testament to her great spirit.   

Kimber

Following in her older sister's footsteps, Kimber is drama through and through (usually not in a bad way).  

She is lucky to have a great group of friends to hang out with, and over the last two years has continued to grow in confidence and grace.

Kimber still struggles with increasingly intrusive scoliosis, but doesn't let it slow her down or keep her from participating in life.  She especially enjoyed the Youth Cultural Celebration for the Boise Temple rededication and would like to be more involved in dance.

Drama aside, Kimber loves art and poetry and is developing those talents in pursuit of her Personal Progress.  

During the past two years Kimber has participated in Snow White with Missoula Children's Little Theater, and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe in seventh grade as the Maugrim (the wolf captain of the guard).  She hopes to have a part in the spring play Alice in Wonderland.

Kimber is smart and confident, obedient and sensitive.  It's not just her red hair and shy smile that set her apart, but also her willingness to jump in and help when others would rather go out and play.  

Smiling, she skips in at the end of her school day and enjoys taking time to visit with her mother.

Kimber's spirit and personality continue to grow and develop as she explores the talents the Lord has blessed her with, and we look forward to her coming years in high school. 

Brooke

When Brooke wants something from life she sticks to it until she accomplishes it.  

The talents Brooke loves to work on the most are gymnastics and acting.  Around the house and really anywhere we go you will find her upside down walking on her hands or doing walk-overs.

She uses voice characterization when playing imagination games with her stuffed animals and in school reads out loud with enthusiasm and expression.

Brooke makes friends wherever she goes and is often the first one to ask if she can have a friend over.  She is creative and fun and does not need a computer game to entertain her.

Doing good in school, quickly finishing homework and consistently practicing the piano are chores in which  Brooke excels.  She also works hard to keep her room clean and help her mom when asked.

She is also enjoying her oil pastels and sketch book she received from her big brother before he left on his mission.

Kendra

No frills, no fluff, just a down to earth girl with her own agenda.

Kendra has really grown over the last couple of years, overtaking her sister in height  by an inch or two. 

She was lucky this year to get a technology classroom and enjoys practicing her math skills with computer programs.  She is also a big help in class and sorts all the classes papers for her teacher.

Kendra's true love is swimming and it is her dearest wish to get back on swim team in the spring.  She came home with a lot of ribbons over the summer and wants to keep up the momentum.

A girl that speaks her mind, Kendra has no problem expressing how she feels about any given topic, but would rather not do it in a public forum.  

She has talked herself into believing she has stage fright, and last year did not want to participate in her piano recital.  She mustered her courage and did wonderfully.

We can't wait to see what Kendra will do next and she makes us laugh all the time.

Kendra is fascinated by all things electronic and if she is not playing a game or watching a movie, she is happy to lay on her bed and watch a movie in her head.  

She has also taken a liking to helping her mom in the kitchen and is becoming a master potato peeler and vegetable chopper.

While her love of insects may not be a strong as it used to be, Kendra still has an affinity for animals and her prodigious care of her gold fish has them almost ready to outgrow their tank.  

Interesting Family Events

Kristine Bingham and her boys Francisco (Cisco) and Christopher (Fofi) lived with us for two years. They were a great addition to the family.

During our Provo reunion, Grandpa Burnside enlisted the help of willing hands to bring in the hay. There was twice as much hay as first expected, but milk shakes afterwards made up for it. 

Sean left for the Provo MTC on December 5, 2012 at 6:30 am. The whole family got up early to see him off at the airport. 

It was a rush attending the races at the Meridian Speedway with Nielsons - earplugs recommended! 

Grandpa and Grandma Burnside returned from their mission to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. They upgraded their business to a Meineke auto shop and bought a couple of rental houses in Boise. We hope they eventually move here.

Grandma and Grandpa Anderson left on their mission to Anaheim, California, but not before the visited us in Idaho.

Why We Love Being a Family
Some may think family happiness can only be achieved during the easy times, but it has been our experience that we have been happy even when life has been difficult. We have weathered financial setbacks, bed bugs, operations, car accidents, disappointments, and loss, but at the end of most days, as we kneel in prayer, it is gratitude that permeates our hearts for a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed us with each other.

The joys out weigh the sorrows hands down and we find that if we are patient the Lord has something better for us down the road. Looking back over the last two years our pictures remind us of the amazing journey we are on, and give us hope for the future.

Just having sent Sean on his mission, he will be absent from our pictures for the next two years, but ever present in our hearts as we pray for him daily while he is gone. Our family dynamics will continue to change over the next few years, and we look forward to our continued growth.

We love being a family because each day we know we have someone to count on, someone to love us, and someone to witness our accomplishments. We laugh together, play together, sing together, and worship together, and thank our Heavenly Father for the freedom to do so.

" . . . the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." - The Family, A Proclamation to the World