Gingerbread House??????

Who me? Make a Gingerbread House?? This is one thing we as a family have never done. I hate the idea of it not staying together, the crying when the walls fall over or the candy slides off the roof, etc. But this year, I decided that the kids were old enough to do it by themselves, so I splurged and spent the $9 at Walmart, and bought the Gingerbread House Kit. It was fantastic, or at least it would have been if we had read the instructions correctly. (P.S. Let the walls dry before adding the candy or it will become too heavy and the roof will slide off!!!!) Anyway, we held up the roof with Lego's, ( They work like duct tape, they can fix anything) and here is the finished product. (I added two pictures of the roof because each kid did one side, see if you can guess who did each side.) Well, time to get ready for church. Love ya all---Kathy

Cinnamon Rolls and Snow!!

Here are a few of the things I love about Winter!!!

Kids eating Cinnamon rolls after schoool!

Snow!!! (Only when I am inside in front of a fire!!)

Kids Playing in the Snow!!

MY CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!and of course the Nativity I made my first year of marriage. Isn't it beautiful?

KIDS Marketplace....I'm a gypsy!!!

Today was the big day. The day that my third grader gets a job. (It's about time....right?) Well today was just pretend but it was a great learning experience. The third graders did a work based learning program that teaches them about getting a job and spending their money. Today was the big day that they went to the KIDS Marketplace. Each child got a job that earned them a specific amount of money. (Nick was a Computer Tech.) The money they earned was based on their job and ranged from $200-$400. Nick got $250. They were then told to go to each table and spend money on things like food, clothing and shelter. The tricky part was that there were many other tables like transportation, animal shelter, contributions, medical insurance, furniture, fun, personal care and the all important CHANCE table. They had to spend money at each table. They could choose the less expensive items like a bike for transportation or a bunny for a pet, or they could get something more expensive like a sports car or a horse for a pet. They had to be the ones to make that choice. Now on the very exciting CHANCE table, they had to pick a card. It either would say something like you got in a car wreck, pay $20 dollars to get it fixed (wouldn't it be nice if it only cost $20 in real life), or you got a big raise, your boss gives you $40 dollars (hopefully you get more in real life). Unfortunately, they didn't know what it would be, hence, the CHANCE.

Here's a picture of the Computer Tech. ****He's so cute!!!!****
Here are the Gypsies****We are so cute too!!!!****(Kathy, Julie, Dianne)

Update

Here's an update on the caffeine headache. ITS STILL THERE!!!!! OWWWWIIIEEEEE!!!! Love----Kathy

I'm horribly addicted....

I admit it, I'm terribly, horribly, absolutely addicted to........DIET PEPSI!!! So I decided to start my new years resolution early, no more Diet Pepsi. I am starting day 3 of no caffeine and I have the most massive headache ever. Its weird that yesterday my headache wasn't as bad. Maybe church helped with that or something. But today, MASSIVE headache. Time to pop some Advil I guess. Wish me luck, I will need it. Love----Kathy

"Light up the Night"

Tonight our family as well as many families in our neighborhood celebrated our First Annual "Light up the Night." It was started so that we could donate the money that we would usually spend on Neighbor gifts to someone who could use it during the holidays. It was a wonderful night filled with lots of friends and neighbors coming together for a good cause. The circle around my corner was filled with lots of lights and luminaries. We had a few fire pits to keep us warm, and lots and lots of treats and hot chocolate. We were read a terrific story that I would love to share with you, so that you may fill the spirit of giving like we did tonight. It is called "Christmas Jars" by Jason F. Wright.

One year ago I was among a handful of unlucky local residents burglarized on Christmas Eve. Seeing your home dismantled and defiled is something indescribable. But it wasn't what I missed that most changed me. It was what I found. During the shuffling in and out of my apartment that memorable night, an anonymous angel left a jar filled with coins and a few 20 dollar bills. On it was inscribed: "The Christmas Jar." I found no name and no explanation. Since that December evening one year age, a blessed mystery has unfolded. Suffice it to say that despite my best denials, the spirit of the jar has affected me too. Though I cannot know how many have been similarly affected by the Christmas Jar tradition, I sense the number is impressive, I suspect many of you today will take jars you've kept tucked away in your homes and deliver them to someone in need. Those needs will vary from social, to emotional, and, of course, to financial. The decision about whom to bless will be made in private ways and in private places. Some will gather around kitchen tables later this morning; others will kneel in prayer on soft living room rugs. Some will not decide until the car seemingly stops itself beside some lonely wanderer. In the days that come, neither givers nor receivers will discuss their experiences beyond the walls of their homes. But by weeks end, and without much fanfare, someone will wash a new jar, cleaning it until it sparkles and reflects his or her kind countenance, then with caring hands this person will wipe it dry and place it in its familiar spot. Each night, one by one, family members will empty their pockets and delight at the clink of change hitting the empty glass bottom. Most days will yield a quarter, a dime, perhaps two nickels and a stray penny. Occasionally Mother will make change for herself by dropping in a worn dollar bill and pulling out an appropriate combination of cool silver coins. Over the months that follow, the gathering change will leave no recognizable void. Occasionally the temptation to borrow for laundry, a movie, or the ice-cream truck will float through the house, over the jar, and out the back door. But it never lands. The money is spoken for. Over the course of twelve months these jars will fill slowly but with purpose. Every day, if only for and instant, the benefactor will consider Christmas. For most, there will be a sweet daily reminder of what this day we call Christmas means. Most will pause, if only for an instant, to consider the miracle of a perfect baby boy born in manger under the brilliant star that predicted it all. Tonight a grateful single mother, or a homeless man, or a young struggling couple -or perhaps even you- might find such a jar. You will lift it up and hold it a foot from you wet eyes, you will spin it. You will examine its uncanny beauty. Then you will wonder why. The answer is simpler than time and curiosity will tell you. It is not the copper and silver colored coins you will empty onto your coffee table. No, the answer is not in the total you will count and put to good purpose in your life. The answer is what went into the jar each day, long before it ever found you.

Tonight impressed me to do better, and to be better. To be more caring. To try harder. And to GIVE MORE. We were all given a jar at our "Light up the Night" party. I have it out on the porch burning as I now type this. I plan on the day after Christmas to clean it out and to start filling it up so that we can find the perfect person or family to give it to next year. Love--Kathy

So we've had a crazy week. Shawn's dad Gordon got rushed to the hospital yesterday with heart failure. AAAhhhh! He is doing better today but is still in the ICU. Tommorow is Thanksgiving and we were going to have all the Burrell's here but with Gordon still in the hospital we have decided to postpone the Burrell Thanksgiving so Gordon will be here with us and so we are heading to Nana's instead. We are stopping by the hospital to check on Shawn's dad on the way and we are picking up his mom to come to Nana's with us. Then we were planning on going down to St. George with my mom and dad and Tony and Charayne but of course Shawn can't go now but he is sending me and the kids. I would rather stay here but Shawn doesn't want the kids to miss out. What a good dad he is. I will keep you all posted on Shawn's dad. Please keep him in your prayers, we wouldn't know what to do without him.

Funny!!!!

Savannah is always getting funny e-mails from her friends. Here is one that I loved.

9 Things I Hate About Everyone

1. People who point at their wrist while asking for the time.... I know where my watch is pal, where the heck is yours?

2. People who are willing to get off their butt to search the entire room for the T.V. remote because they refuse to walk to the T.V. and change the channel manually.

3. When people say 'Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too'. You got that right! What good is cake if you can't eat it?

4. When people say 'it's always the last place you look'. Of course it is. Why the heck would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people do this?

5. When people say while watching a film 'did you see that?'. No Loser, I paid $12 to come to the cinema and stare at the stupid floor.

6. People who ask 'Can I ask you a question?'.... Didn't really give me a choice there, did ya sunshine?

7. When something is 'new and improved!' Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it, couldn't be new.

8. When people say 'life is short'. What the heck?? Life is the longest thing anyone ever does!! What can you do that's longer?

9. When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks 'Has the bus come yet?'. If the bus came, would I still be standing here?

People are so funny!!! Love- Kathy

I'm a freak....

Ok. I was going to wait until all the hub-bub died down before I went to see the Twilight movie, I mean I have read the book and I know how it ends, but.......I'm a freak. I just can't wait until next Monday while the kids are in school (That was my plan). I have to see it before the weekend. Soooo....I bought a ticket to see it on Friday morning (while the kids are in school). I just can't go through the weekend with everyone asking me if I have seen it yet, I just can't wait 2 whole days until Monday, I have to see it NOW!!! Ok, Friday will do, its not like I'm going to the midnight showing on Thursday or something nutso like that!! (I couldn't get a ticket, they were sold out!!!) Yep, I'm a freak.....a Twilight freak that is.

My Angels!!!!

The year that Savannah got baptized, Shawn's brother decided to get married in Hawaii. Lucky for us we were all invited and it was the trip of a lifetime for Shawn, the kids and I. When I was packing, I decided to just pack Savannah's Baptism dress on the top of the suitcase, just in case I had time to get a picture of her on the beach. This was the result.The picture turned out Beautiful. She looks like an angel. I loved it so much, I have spent 2 years looking for the perfect frames to put in my living room for this picture as well as the picture I was going to take of Nick for his baptism. Believe me, the search was very exhausting. I had to love the frames enough to keep the pictures up forever. Well after two years, I have found the perfect frames and it was time to take Nick's picture. I decided to take his picture down on the red rock in St. George because we have spent so much time there lately and I love the rusty red color. Well, TA-DA!!!! Here is my other angel.I will post a picture of them on my wall once they are both framed so you all can see how they turned out!!!! Love---Kathy

Before and After

Pumpkins Before

Jack-o-lanterns After

Seeds and Guts Before

Yummy Treat After

Yeah Utah Jazz!!

As I have posted before, here at the Burrell house we are big fans of the Utah Jazz. Especially my 8 year old son Nick. Last night the Utah Jazz won their first game of the season against the Denver Nuggets. (98-94) Here are a few pics of the "Big Fan." Notice the Pajama bottoms with the jersey and hat. So cute!!!!!Nick the big Jazz Fan!Nick's favorite player Deron Williams is out with an injury for a few games.
A scary ending to the game but the Jazz pulled off the win. Yippee!!

The Simister Halloween Party

Halloween has always been a fun part of the Simister Family. Growing up, my dad used to dress up in the ugliest mask, wear a huge cape with a hatchet coming out of it and he would run around the neighborhood scaring all the kids. He mostly scared our dog moose, and a few wimpy grown-ups, OK, he scared us kids too. My mom has always had us over for before or on Halloween so her and my dad could see the kids costumes but in the last few years she has put on quite the spread. Yesterday we went over to my parents house and had a blast. We did pictures in the leaves, and then of course a leaf fight. The kids then got to search for a "prize" in the leaves. The boys got balls, and the girls got stuffed puppies. We then went in for dinner, which was a fun potato bar. We got to add our own toppings like chili and cheese or butter and sour cream, or for some of us weirdos, all of the above. My cute mom had decorated the table with Halloween decorations, like spiders and pumpkins, and she also had frozen a red hand to put floating in the punch. After dinner it was birthday time for Rylan and Alana. It was a great party and I cant wait until the next one. Good Job Mom!!!!!

The Scarecrow Festival

Since the kids have just gone off track, it means that we have to find entertainment for them. My friend and I decided to take our kids to the Scarecrow Festival. It was great for the kids. They had a great time riding the pedal cars, climbing the rock wall, getting their faces painted, jumping on the bounce houses, and watching local performers. It was a great off track activity for last week, now what should I do this week...........?????????????????

UEA Weekend!

Well this weekend was the long awaited UEA Weekend. We headed down to SUNNY St. George with some of our friends the Tye's and the Hicks. We went to Sand Hollow and climbed on the rocks and played in the sand and water. The DADS got Grandpa's Jeep stuck in the sand and had to be pulled out by the Ranger. Ha Ha, we all got a good laugh at that one. The Dads went golfing and then the Moms went shopping. The kids got to play at the coolest park ever. It had lots of twisty toys and an awesome Rock climbing wall. We all swam in the pool and played the Wii and played games. We had a great time together. Here are a bunch of pictures---Love, Savannah and Nick