First Day of School

 The first day of school is here!  I'm sad that I only have pictures of 2 kids!  We're trying to adjust to being a family of 4 for the next two years!

 Conner, 10th grade @ CHS

Best part of the day - Physics teacher is really cool!

Worst part of the day - We had to get up early. 

Calissa, 8th grade @ SMS

Best part of the day - Drama - just started playing games.

Worst part of the day - PE-  because it's 100 degrees outside and it's in the hottest time of the day.

Diablo Dash

Last Saturday, Kaiser put on a 5K fun walk/run at Newhall Park.  It was only $10 to register and you got a shirt, a medal and snacks.

 They also had free face painting.

 Looking good Calissa!

Drew's family ran with us too.  It was Calissa, Christopher, and Lindsay's first 5K!

 The Romer Family!

 The Burr Family!

 After the race!  We all made it.  Calissa surprised us by running most of it.  She did a great job! 

Uncle Drew ended up coming in 7th overall and first in his age group.  Calissa came in 71st overall and first in her age group and Travis came in 9th overall and 2nd in his age group.  Conner came in 29th overall and 7th in his age group and I came in 75th overall and 4th in my age group.  We had a fun time running the race as a family and plan on doing it again next year! Calissa wasn't so sure about running,but after getting a medal has possibly changed her mind!

Look Who's Driving?

Last Sunday, Conner got his favorite meal (steak) at Sunday dinner!

 Also, got homemade chocolate cake!  YUM!!

 On Wednesday, he was scheduled for his driving test.  I panicked a little when I remembered that they check the headlights and I vaguely remember Parker telling us he had a headlight out.  Once we got there I had him turn on his lights .... and yes, he had a headlight out! I worried and worried and worried (even made Travis drive his car down), but they didn't even check his headlights ...

 and off he drove!

 He came back a short 11 minute later with a big smile on his face.  He only missed three very minor things and got his license!  We are so proud of him! 

That afternoon off he drove for the very first time to Cross Country practice!

Great job Conner!

See you soon!

Somehow the day of "Future Missionary" has arrived.

 Parker's bank was sitting on the counter in the kitchen and made me cry.  All his life he's been saving for a mission and talking about the day that he would go.  That day was finally here, and even though we were very happy for him, we were also sad too!

He was set apart by our Stake President, President March on Monday night at about 9:00 pm.  President March gave him a beautiful blessing.  We were blessed to have our immediate family there as well as Grandma and Grandpa Romer, Uncle Drew and Aunt Tina, as well as Victoria there.

 Tuesday morning we were able to go to the Oakland Temple.  Grandpa wanted a picture with Parker. He had a picture with his Grandpa as he was leaving for his mission and he wanted to have one with Parker as well.

 Parker and me.  Glad that the Oakland Temple is open again.  Parker got to go to the temple three times before his mission in three different temples.  Sacramento, Bountiful and Oakland!

 Good-bye Bay Area!

Tuesday afternoon we had a short family meeting and family prayer before heading off to the airport to fly to SLC.  (A few tears ... okay a lot, were shed as we said good-bye for two years!)  About a month ago, Travis got an email moving Parker's report date to the MTC from August 5th to August 12th.  We were in Utah the week of the 5th, but since the date got changed we decided to fly out with Parker to take him to the MTC. We arrived just before midnight on Tuesday and Grandpa Burr picked us up. 

 Wednesday morning we got up, ate breakfast, and showered.  Travis gave Parker a Father's blessing and Parker gave me (mom) a blessing.  What a special experience that was!  After one last family prayer with Parker and Grandma and Grandpa we took off to drive down to Provo to have lunch before reporting to the MTC.

 We had lunch at The Pizza Factory in Provo.  There were other missionary families there having one last meal together.  They gave us Parker's meal for free because he was reporting to the MTC that day. (None of us had much of an appetite, but it was yummy!)

 We took a quick picture in the car before driving to the MTC.  He was supposed to report at 12:30 ... the first group of the day! 

 We pulled into the MTC and it was time to drop him off!  The elder who escorted Parker offered to take one last picture of us.  We did good ... no tears until it was time to give one last hug! (I'm crying right now as I type this remembering how that felt!) 

 One last wave and off he walked for the next two years. He took a piece of my heart with him!

 We are so excited for him and know he will learn and grow and be an influence for good wherever he goes!  We love you Elder Burr!  See you soon!

Conner's 16th birthday!

Conner turned 16 on Sunday! We had just gotten back from Utah the night before and he got his homemade cinnamon rolls on Sunday morning before church!

 Yum!!

 He got a Dodger blanket from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kellie.  He also got seat covers from Parker, a few Dodger things for his wall and a basketball case for his Jimmer signed basketball from us.  He also got a new key fob for his car!

 After church, we headed over to Uncle Drew's.  He was celebrating his 40th birthday (a month early).  Aunt Tina bought Conner his own birthday cake and the crowd sang to him.

 Happy 40th birthday Uncle Drew!

(That frosting turned everyone's mouth black!)

Happy birthday Conner!

We love you!

Utah Trip

We were able to go to Utah last week, for the week.  We left early on Saturday morning and were blessed with a beautiful sunrise!

 We got to Utah on Saturday in the early evening and got to have some yummy dinner and then have dessert at Nielsen's Frozen Custard.  Sunday, we attended church.

 Monday morning we drove down to BYU (in the rain) and checked Conner into EFY for the week. He had a great time at EFY!

 After we dropped him off, we went to the Cougar Sports Museum on BYU's campus.  They had this cool map of where Cougar Athletes are serving so we decided to get a picture with Parker too!

 Y Football practice facility.  My guys don't look so big compared to the football players!

 Calissa is a little bored!

 How high they can jump!  Crazy high!

Tallest and shortest athletes!  

 True Blue BYU Alumni (with the Y in the background)

We learned that they planned on doing BYU on the mountain, but started with the Y to make sure it was centered.  Then, it was a lot of work, so they just left it the "Y."

 BYU Cougar 

Tuesday, we went to the Bountiful Temple with Grandma and Grandpa Burr, MiQuelle and Jordan.

 Then, we went to get pedicures.  Pretty toes!

 Wednesday, we went to see Great Grandpa Romer at took him to eat at the Olive Garden.  We came across these crazy insects! 

 Great Grandpa got a new dog, Bella.  Calissa really loved her.  She really loved Travis!  It made us laugh.  She's a great dog ... she just sheds a lot!

 We love you Grandpa! 

 Beautiful flowers at Grandma and Grandpa Burr's house.

Wednesday evening we went up Mueller Park Canyon to have dinner.

 It was so beautiful up there!

 Parker

 and I on a little hike!

Some of the gang at dinner.

Calissa, Kylie, Kennedy, Uncle Teylor, Kaiser, Aunt Jami

 It poured for about 10 minutes.  Grandma said it could only rain for 10 minutes ... and sure enough ... 10 minutes and it was done!

Travis, Parker, Grandma, Aunt MiQuelle, and Uncle Jordan

 Cousins and friends!

Parker, Kaisen, Kylie, Kennedy and Calissa

 Thursday we went to Lagoon for the day!

Rocket ... Re-Entry

 Uncle Jordan and Parker on the swings.

 On the train. 

 Calissa not excited to be in line for the Spider! (She ended up loving it)

 Cannibal!  We rode this twice today (a brand new ride).  It was pretty awesome!

 Friday we went out to breakfast and to the movies.  The big kids and adults saw, "Ant Man."  Kennedy, Calissa and I saw "The Minion Movie."  The guys helped move some rock and then during an epic storm (never seen a storm move in that fast), we headed out for some more Nielsen's Frozen Custard.

 Last concrete for the next two years!

 Saturday, we got up bright and early and took off about 6:00 am, to head down to Provo to pick up Conner from EFY.  He had an amazing time!  Then, we drove home that day!  Another great trip to Utah!