One Year

A year ago this day we were bidding farewell to Elder and Sister Esplin as they were headed to New York for their mission. They were just in time to see their grandson Brock be born.

A year later, Elder and Sister Esplin were once again in our home. This time seeing a change in some growing boys.

December 27, 2010

December 27, 2011

Brock Turns 1

Move over Santa, there is a new big man in town! Brock turned 1 the day that the jolly ol' elf makes his rounds and for a moment, that jolly ol' elf was forgotten and replaced with a cake destroying, panda cuddling, thumb sucking, train driving boy.

Though it didn't delay Santa, the Christmas celebrations were put on hold asthe following celebrations took place:

Gingerbread (disguised as Grahm Crackers - fitting for Brock) house competition

Presents (of course)

(his panda pillow pet is one of his favorites)

(some trains)

Cake

Happy Birthday Brock!

The Evolution of Santa Claus Encounters

The evolution of Santa Claus encounters can be described with a simple letter "S".

"S" of course is for "Santa".

With that constant in place we then see another "S" in Parker's first encounter with Santa. This time it was "Sleeping" (Christmas 2008)

A year letter we see another "S". This time it was not so quiet. "S" of course is for "Screaming". (Christmas 2009)

The next year Parker met Santa at a Christmas party in Lindon, UT under the watchful care of Uncle Scott and Aunt Janice. Once again the "S" emerges as "Scott" was instrumental in Santa's appearance. (Christmas 2010)

Another "S" was added to the mix as previous "S's" have been replaced with "Smiles". (Christmas 2011)

This evolution of course is highly individualized as Brock has begun his own pattern of meeting with the Big Man. I guess we will just have to wait and "See".

Flashback - Haircuts

Parker and Brock both got haircuts a few days before their birthdays. Here is a comparison.

Parker's first haircut - July 2009

Brock's first haircut - December 2011

Baby to Boy - Brock's First Haircut

Brock's First Haircut



A haircut can do wonders. It takes a baby and within minutes transforms him into a little boy. For mom this is a momentous and emotional occasion. For dad it is a graduation and one more step towards manhood.

Before

After

Burns - Brothers

Parker was a year and a half, Brock was almost a year. Both had encounters with Grandma's fireplace. Both were tough and emerged triumphant. Here is a look back on our two Burns Brothers:

Parker's Burn - January 2010 - Age 1 1/2

Brock's burn - December 2011 - Age 1 (almost)

Boxing Glove? - Brock burn

I received a phone call that went something like this:

"Devin, don't be worried, but I am in the ER."

Silence on my end.

"Brock burned his hand but he is ok."

Silence on my end, but screaming in the background on the other.

I got in the car and headed over to see the damage. Upon entering the ER there Brock was, after two hours of straight screaming (don't know if he has screamed that much total time in his entire first year!), cuddled up with Aunt Brittany. I then got the story.

Amidst the business of Christmas cookie making, Brock had crawled over to the fire place and in an instant had burned his hand (resulting in screaming, from multiple sources, and a second degree burn that covered a majority of his palm, and the tips of his fingers).

Upon treatment and a wrap that resembled a boxing glove, Brock was right back at crawling, as if nothing had happened. Thank goodness for tough kids and caring family who are nursing him back to health.

Oh, and by the way, the cooking of the cookies continued!!

Testimony

Mom loves to bear her testimony.

Parker watches.

Mom bore her testimony today.

Parker watches, and apparently listens and wants to follow.

Parker had a sacred Sunday. It began as he put on his "missionary clothes" that he insists on wearing every Sunday. It continued as he reverently partook of the sacrament by making sure he used the "right" hand. He anxiously sustained new callings with his "right hand". When the testimony meeting began he listened to the testimonies. Shortly after listening to mom bear testimony and hearing the testimony of other children he said, "I want to bear my testimony." Hesitant for fear that he would make a scene at the microphone we told him that maybe next time. He kept insisting as we laid the rules down. If he were to bear his testimony he would do it alone and we practiced what could be in a testimony. After agreeing to the deal he sheepishly walked up the steps and sat by Bishop Labrum. Having waited his turn he promptly walked up to the podium, moved the step stool over himself, and began to bear his testimony:

"I like to bear my testimony. I want to be a missionary. I like President Monson, President Sharp (Stake President), and Bishop Labrum. I'm thankful for Joseph Smith. I want to be a missionary (2nd time). In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

Dad was relieved, and mom was in tears. Parker sat back down by Bishop for a minute before returning for his congratulations.

Mom bears her testimony.

Parker bears his testimony.

Dad watches, listens, and is grateful for such wonderful testimonies (and later shares his in Priesthood).

Thanksgiving 2011

The T's of Thanksgiving:

1. Turkey

2. Touchdowns

3. Thankfulness

4. TKO's

Thanksgiving 2011 had a little bit of everything. We loaded up our two turkeys and trotted to Price to be with family for the holiday.

Turkey

There was a full house and a full table anxious to dig into this year feast. Brock couldn't wait and so was first to feast. With Brock taking a nap, family gathered around the table, and even kids at a kid table, we were able to have any enjoyable meal of the traditional thanksgiving food.

Though on the kid table, Parker was able to say the "kid table prayer" and even recited the first 6 articles of faith while gathered around the table.

Touchdowns

Thanksgiving isn't complete without some football. Dad and Parker bundled up and had a pre-meal game of"fumble" (our version of tackling whoever has the ball and then fumbling it while yelling, "fumble").

Parker and his cousin Carter hada game of football to help work off the turkey.

More footballcame on Saturday as dad played flag football. Parker roamed the sidelines practicing his punting and kicking. He soon would get bored and found mom and aunt Brittany in the gym exercising. We would say what he did but that doesn't begin with a "T".

TKO's

Parker began his Boxing career as he played Boxing on the Wii for the first time. Apparently it wasn't real enough as the gloves came on the next day for some good bouts with cousins. Of course after each round hugs wouldbe given and then the punching would resume.

Thankfulness

Of course every Thanksgiving is celebrated with gratitude for our Savior and the families we are able to spend time with. What a joy it was tospend time with family and to even make a phone call to Elder and Sister Esplin in New York as well as Carson and his family in Illinois via Skype.