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).