Any Advice?!

So it's been about 11 years since I last moved to a different State and it was just me then so everything fit in 1 car...now there's 4 of us and some days I just don't know where to begin! Since I will be having a baby just before we move (perfect timing right?!) I'm trying to get A LOT done now when I have the energy.
Does anyone have any advice on where I can start or things they have done to help the move go along easier? Any packing and moving advice would be WONDERFUL!

The break-down of our breakdowns!

Once life heard of the baby and the move, it decided to give us a couple surprises...

1. The XBOX gave us the ring of death so Jed went on to fix it, unfortunately 2 seconds before he was done it fell and pretty much exploded, so no more XBOX (which we have been living without just fine)

2. The same day the XBOX exploded, out microwave decided it wanted in on the exploding action, so it gave Jed a light show and sparked when he opened the door. (Thankfully our great friends had an extra one and gave it to us so we're good there...you never realize how much you need a microwave!)

3. Our Mazda is now currently attached to a car dolly outside our home. About 20 minutes outside Tooele, in the middle of nowhere, it gave us problems and eventually just died. Luckily my brother was still needing to go home so he gave us a ride. The first person I asked in our ward if he knew of anyone with a car dolly...had one and he even helped Jed drive out and pick up our car. Jed and his buddy (and everyone he calls) is currently trying to figure out what's wrong, hoping to make it not cost too much for us...we're crossing our fingers for it to NOT be the transmission.

4. Jed just took the truck in to get an oil change and they it's definitely the brakes that are starting to squeak (which means new brakes) and there is a leak that need to be fixed...oh and he also got 2 rock chips filled! Luckily Jed is amazing and knows how to replace the brakes himself (and he thinks we already have some for the truck), so it just means time that will be spent and not money.

When it rains it pours!

The Pause Button

The other night Reid came to me in the middle of the night and told me he had a nightmare. I gave him as much sympathy as i could (since i was half asleep still) and told him that they go away when he wakes up. So now when he goes back to bed (hint hint) that it won't be there anymore. This is what he told me...
"No, I paused it."
Thankfully he went straight to bed right after that and didn't have any more problems, so I guess pausing your nightmares work because it's your choice whether or not you push play again!

It's official!

We have officially decided that we are moving to California. We would love to join the cousins in Arizona and were looking forward to it, but our path has lead us elsewhere! We know it will be an adventure and are looking forward to it!
Only 4 more months until the big move and oh so much to do before then! Really, if you want to get technical, I only have about 2 1/2 months to prepare while I have the strength and energy to do all I can. Our plan is (though plans are always made to get broken), have the baby in June (who knows when she'll show up). Bless her on July 4th and then move that week!
All are welcome to celebrate and help us move! ;)

Preschool Fun

Just wanted to post a reminder about my preschool blog. After a short break (of feeling completely exhausted...hmmmm wonder why?!) I've finally been able to start it up again! Feel free to check it out for any helpful tips and activities to do with your kids! Just click on the link on the left!

Feel free to ask questions, request materials/lesson plans and suggest a topic you are interested in.
(The next couple weeks we will be learning about the Ocean and Community Helpers)

Boy oh Boy!

So I have had a request for a recent photo of me and my belly...

Yes, I am 20 weeks along (5 months) and my baby is sitting low and breached, kicking away at my bladder! Now if this baby continues to be as active as she is inside the womb, I am definitely going to have my hands full when she is born!
SHE? Wait, did I say she? YES! We are having a GIRL!
SHE? Wait, did I say she? YES! We are having a GIRL!

HUGE sigh of relief!

Jed just got accepted to
Western University
School of Dental Medicine
in Pomona, California!

2009 Picture Recap

I have been so behind on my posts, so here is a quick recap of what we did last year!

January

Huge Snowstorm!


February

Farewell Sam!

Girl's Night Out for my Bday!

March

Bridal Veil Falls

First Time Flying a Kite

April

Reid's Bday Party...Rock On!

Visiting Great Grandma Gentry

May

Mother's Day at the Farm


June

Bench Family Reunion

Fish Hatchery in California

July

Cousin Dusty's Baby Blessing

August

Lliam's First Fish!

Daddy 'Fishing' for Crawdads!

Reid Basking in the Sun

September

Reid's 1st Day of School

October

Pumpkin Patch

Dinner in the Mountains

November

Our Road Trip

Tackle Grandpa!

Lliam Making his Birthday Cake

December

Listening to Sam

Opening Presents

Santa Beards

Reid's Catch while Ice Fishing (one of them at least, he outfished Daddy by 10 fish!)

The year 2009 brought us many memories and we anticipate this year with many more to come. From birthdays, a move and entrance into dental school (hopefully), and a new baby...this year is sure to bring us some memorable ones!

Finally!

So I finally have the energy back to start up my preschool again! If anyone is interested I've posted what we did today. This will be the only post for this week but next week will bring more!!! Just click on my link to the right!

Anyone Interested?

I will be placing an order with Mary Kay in a couple of weeks and am wondering if anyone is interested in receiving
30% off your order!
Please let me know if you are interested in ordering anything. Feel free to leave a comment on here with a way to contact you or email me at
lonaburton@yahoo.com.
This invite goes out to your friends as well, so pass the news along!

HELP!

Has anyone seen Lego Star Wars fruit snacks?!
I have looked just about everywhere!

Is Santa Coming Tonight?

Last night was Reid's preschool Christmas party and Santa was there. When he first came out, Reid was scared, he didn't want Santa to see him so he hid under the table. (I have no idea why he was so scared). I got Lliam to go up, but he was a little timid and finally Reid decided to be brave enough and go up too! By the end of the night he wanted to make sure he said goodbye to Santa!

And what did they ask Santa to give them?

Reid: A big, real snake
Lliam: Lego Star Wars fruit snacks

(And so now every night, they ask if Santa is coming!)

Christmas Tag!

1. Have you started your Christmas shopping?
Yes and I only have 2 more people to shop for!

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.
Growing up we always would do a live nativity with the kids and we each could participate in the program on Christmas Eve night. I tried that last year on my side, didn't quite turn out due to the ages of the kids, but we'll try again!

3. When do you put up your tree?
Typically I like to do it around the 1st of December, that way we can enjoy it for a whole month and it feels more like Christmas. However, this year our tree and decorations are still in storage out home (Jed's parents) but should be coming tomorrow hopefully! So this weekend is when we'll put it up!

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
I went for my first time this year and it wasn't too bad. There were some amazing deals so if I have someone to go with me next year, I just might go again!

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?
So far it's always been travel. We love our family and do as much as we can while we can! We switch off every year so we go somewhere different!

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
From my childhood: My Uncle Brett came dressed as Santa and sat in the rocking chair. He would rock and laugh and eventually tip backwards and fall. As a child, it was hilarious!

Recently: Just last year Reid was so excited about Santa coming. He wouldn't go to sleep. Finally, when everything was quiet and we thought Reid was asleep, we started to bring out the Santa presents. As we were bringing out his present, he POPPED up from behind a couch! We quickly turned around and put down his present so he didn't have a chance to see it and I snatched him up and took back to his room. He told me that he was hiding so he can see Santa!

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time?
It would have to be A Charlie Brown Christmas.

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking?
Since we are always at parent's home I haven't had to do all of it before, or be in charge. But I do always help!

9. Fake or real tree?
Unfortunately fake right now. We can'T afford a real one every year so we were blessed with a free fake one last year. Hopefully one day we can go back to real.

10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
Panic? What panic?

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
I would be all done, but I may be helping someone else get theirs done!

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
Just being with family and not having to worry about the cares of the world. I enjoy standing in the kitchen munching on the goodies, chatting and dancing with everyone at the Burton's. And playing with the kiddos and enjoying the loudness and craziness at the Gentry's.

13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
The ones my children make. We decorate our tree with their ornaments, so nothing is really matching but it still looks good to me!

14. Christmas music, yes or no? And if yes, what is your favorite song?
Definitely YES! I love Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, Rudolph version. This is a group my dad listened to growing up and he passed it down to us and now I'm passing it down to my kids!

15. When do you plan to finish all of your shopping?
Before we leave for Grandma's and Grandpa's house...hopefully!

So now that you've read this, TAG your it! Copy the questions on your blog and answer them! It's so fun seeing what everyone's traditions and favorites are!

Merry Christmas!

Another Interview!

Although we don't have an acceptance yet, things are looking better. Jed has another interview in Pamona, California at Western University.
On January 7th he'll be at UNLV and then the 9th at Western.

Up To's!

It's been such a long time since I've last posted and I know I've promised pictures, however I am not at the computer that has all of my pictures, so you're going to have to sit through a boring post again!

Lliam: Turned 3 on the 28th of November! I can't believe he is growing so much! He loves his brother and continues to copy him as much as he could! He is fully potty-trained (no more little accidents! Though he does still wait till the last minute!)

Reid: Absolutely love preschool and does so well. He is such a good friend, especially to the girls! He's starting out way too young to have any kind of girlfriends! He is a good big brother and includes Lliam in his playing!

Leona: Is busy as ever! Has taken 3 classes for her Bachelor Degree so far and has gotten all A's! Still is a Nanny for 6 kids and tries to do preschool for Lliam and Nolan ever now and then!

Jed: Is stressful as ever waiting for replies from dental schools. We've received a couple more rejections but are on the wait-list for 4 schools. There is still hope, but we still have to wait!

We are excited to be spending time with family every chance we can. Thanksgiving was wonderful in St. George with my family and we are anticipating Christmas in Upalco with Jed's family! We love you all and wish we can spend some time with everyone! We hope you have a Merry Christmas!
(This may or may not be our Christmas Letter...we'll see how much time I can find!)