TIA'S IN THE MTC!!!

Thursday, December 17, 2009
Mission Day 1: She's in the MTC!



Yesterday was a very bitter sweet day for everyone as Tia entered the MTC. She was so excited, talking a mile a minute and shaking everyone's hands! It was very hard to say goodbye, but Tia's attitude made it so much better since she was just so excited to be there. We miss her already, but we know she is where she is supposed to be and where the Lord needs her. So, one day down; let the countdown begin...

Tia's Mission Preparations

We have been busy helping Tia prepare to go on her mission to Utica, New York. She reports to the MTC on Dec. 16th....in just 2 1/2 weeks! We went through the Las Vegas temple on Oct. 31st with her sisters and their husbands.
Last weekend we went back to Alpine and for a farewell in the Alpine 6th ward. It was so wonderful to see all of our friends and family and to feel the love and support for Tia.
Tia did a great job speaking in the meeting on gratitude! Tia, we love you and we're so excited for you!

Catching up!

The Summer flew by for us! It's been hard to find time to blog with so much going on. I'm gonna play catch up for the past couple of months. These events are too important not to mention!

San Francisco: July 31-August 2
We went to San Francisco to see Steph and Mike. Highlights included: clam chowder, riding the cable cars, shopping, Oakland temple visit, and Ash winning the Wicked lottery. Thanks for doing your accounting internship in such a fun city Steph! We will be back!


Back to school: August 24
Matt and Ashley are having a great year so far at Green Valley High School. They go to seminary every morning together and sing in concert choir. Matt made the GVHS men's tennis team and Ashley is returning from last year to play on the girl's team!



Blake Matthew Burnham's Blessing Day: September 6
We all traveled to St. George to see Blake get blessed. He's a handsome little guy and was so well behaved! Em did a great job planning and she and Tia decorated. Chad gave Blake a beautiful blessing. We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend together.


Tia's Mission Call: September 9
After weeks of waiting, Tia got her mission call! She drove it down South where we met her at Emily and Chad's in St. George for the opening. She has been called to serve in the New York Utica mission. She leaves December 16th. Although we will miss her, we are so excited and feel like this is the perfect call for her. She will have an incredible experience. We're so proud of you Sister Zwick!
These three tuned in from Provo on Skype!
Copy and paste this link into your browser to watch a video of Tia opening her call: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1nkceuWU08
Celebration dinner at PF Changs: September 12

Ashley's birthday: September 27
And eighteen years ago today, Ashley was born. She is loved and adored by her siblings.....especially, Matt. She takes extra time out of her busy schedule to make each one of us feel loved and appreciated. Definitely the peacemaker in our crazy family! We love you Ashley! Happy Birthday!

Grand Babies :)

WELCOME BLAKE MATTHEW BURNHAM

We welcomed Blake Matthew Burnham into the world yesterday, July 2nd at 2:02 p.m. He weighed a whopping 8 lbs. 8oz! It was a wonderful, beautiful, spiritual experience for all of us there....Chad, Em (of course), Tia and me. Matt stayed home with Parker much to Parker's delight. Emily did a fantastic job and had an easy time. She was wonderful and beautiful and so is this little guy. He has tons of dark, curly hair and he's very beautiful, but masculine looking. They are thrilled with him.


Last night Parker met his baby brother. He was more interested in Emily's cool water bottle than anything else in the room. He did give baby Blake a kiss and then pushed him away and said, "All done!" We're assuming he just meant that for the moment :)



Jeff and Ashley are coming today for the weekend. We are having so much fun all being together and sharing in this miracle. Thanks for letting us be a part of it, Chad and Em! We love you so much! Last year we were all in Florida together for my birthday, and I didn't think anything could top that one. But, this one's even better!

Mock-tail Party

Ashley has so many cute LDS friends here in Henderson. On Saturday night a group of them through a dance party here at the house with ROOT beer, and non-alcoholic margaritas. We can't say enough good things about the strong youth out here. They have such high standards and lean on each other at school and parties! I thought her party was a fun idea!

Faith In Every Footstep

The Green Valley Stake and Legacy Ward have been planning for the Trek for almost a year now. Two weeks ago the time came for the big journey. Ashley and Matt rode in a bus with the youth in the ward all the way up to Wyoming trails to walk most of the same path the pioneers walked. Jeff and I participated as parents in the trek in our Alpine ward but with the wedding planning we couldn't be on the committee this time. I missed it SO MUCH after seeing the pictures and hearing the talks in church yesterday by the youth and leaders who were on the Trek. The youth were laughing saying they drove 700 miles to walk 10 miles, but that it was worth it. There were times they walked barefoot, treaded through the Sweet Water river, said goodbye to the men (mormon battalion), fought the bugs with bug spray (getting over 80 mesquito bites), pulled handcarts through mud and rivers, endured the bitter winds in the morning and at night, and got a small glimpse of the sacrifices and hardships the pioneers went through. Each youth picked a pioneer to represent on the trek which helped to make the experience an unforgettable one. The youth in our ward are so funny and the best of friends. We are so blessed to work and associate with the amazing leaders and youth in our ward and also participate in well organized activities like the Trek. Thanks Legacy Ward!Ashley and Bishop Clark
Independence Rock Crossing cold Sweetwater River