life on 700

 At this junction, in the Burgess family, we have decided to move closer to school.

{This will be our 8th move in our 5 years of marriage.}

So close that we actually get to see Josh every day for lunch. 

Which is nice since Chamberlain would go several days without seeing his father.  Josh would wake up before Chamberlain and he would get home after Chamberlain had gone to bed.

Sad.

Moving a block east of school has been a good move for us so far. 

We have a ton more space along with a community apple tree in front and a built in garden with a plethora of tomatoes.

I'm not going to lie, it was a little sickening at first moving back here.  The sight of a bajillion college students really just made me sick. 

However, you cant beat living a few blocks away from the Creamery.

I'm addicted to the milk and maybe the coconut joy ice cream.

I think Chamberlains favorite part is living under the Y.

 

my new favorite pumpkin dish

 {I don't know where or which blog I got this off of

sorry but I couldn't resist this picture is just so beautiful}

Chamberlain and I made these tasty 

Mini Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecakes.

YUM!

I suggest you try them yourselves.

Here is the recipe

Your Welcome!

PUMPKIN OREO CHEESECAKE

2-8 oz pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tbsp. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. canned pumpkin
oreos
whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350* Place cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Beat the cream cheese until creamy. Add the sugar and cream again. Add the eggs one at a time beating after each one. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat again. Place one whole oreo in the bottom of the cupcake liners and fill up the liner 3/4 full with the cheesecake batter. Push another whole oreo into the top of the batter. Bake for 20-22 minutes. Cool in pan for 15-20 min before removing and placing on a wire rack to finish cooling. Keep refrigerated. Top with whipped cream and oreo sprinkles before serving. Makes 24.

marbles

A few weeks ago my parents taught Chamberlain how to play Marbles for FHE.

He has asked me everyday since, to play Marbles with him.

There is only so many times in the day that I can play Marbles.

Our Marbles aren't as cool as my dads when he was a kid.

Chamberlain doesn't care he just wants to play Marbles.

 Serious concentration.

 A jar of my dads Marbles from when he was a kid.

Oh and the Nerds were the prize for the winner.

 the prized steele.

My parents really look like grandparents, don't they!

a birthday smash

This guy turned 25 today.

We ate at smashburger to celebrate.

We made him Homemade Oreos for his gift.

We had fun.

Happy Birthday Truett.

Siri ~ two months

~Siri @ 47 days old~

Height: 24 inches {in the 87%}

Weight: 14 lbs. & 14 oz. {in the 97%}

~Things of note~

You smile like crazy and are trying very hard to laugh out loud.

You coo all the time and especially to Chamberlain and try very hard to get his attention when you are awake. 

You sleep through the night and have been since about week 2, which I love, thank you very much.

You fall asleep easily in your fathers arms. 

I love you so much you are growing super fast and time is flying by.

I wish it would slow down just a bit so I can hold you even longer!

And so I don't forget.

The dress you are wearing is one of Aunt Siri's made from flour sacks that she gave to Sage. We were in Kanab and it was a last minute thing so I was not prepared with your dress, that is why you are wearing Sage's.

*****

While we were in Kanab last week we had our wonderful and patient friend Michelle Federkeil take some photos.

She was not happy at all!

She did not want her picture taken. 

We finally got her to sleep for no joke 4 minutes and were able to get a couple shots in of the sleeping beauty, after being there for 2 hours or so.

Shelbie is constantly telling me to put bows in her hair. 

I am NOT a bow girl. 

I like bows and I like other babies that wear them but I just don't remember to put them on for some reason. I guess I just think to myself she will have plenty of years ahead of her to wear bows.  Bows that will actually stay in her hair for longer than a few minutes without shifting.

However,

I AM a jewelry girl. 

I love LOVE LOVE baby bracelets especially turquoise ones 

from Grandma Chamberlain.

She finally has thick enough wrists to wear at least one of the bracelets.

I can't wait till she is big enough to wear my favorite one.

But for now, this pretty one will do!

saguaro

 nervous.

 thinking he wants to turn back

The stance of a conqueror.

On our way out of the valley Chamberlain and my mother had an intersting conversation on the Saguaro.  Chamberlain feels that the Saguaro are marching up the hills and my mother feels that they are marching down the hills.  So we had to stop and check one out. 

I cant wait to drive down in February when they are all in bloom. 

a request

Dear Joshua,

When we build our house I would like ceilings like this, aren't they beautiful.

As well as this rug to grace our lovely walls.  

Along with hand carved wooden doors as posted below, 

maybe make them a little taller so we wouldn't have to duck. 

And just for fun a sign that reads like this.

Lets see that rug one more time to make sure you pick the right one.

And if you need to see the ceiling and rug in person I wouldn't mind taking a weekend get away to one of my fav. places Cameron AZ, where we can take a tour of the old homestead and pick us up some amazing turquoise jewelry, my favorite.

Love,

Ash

stamps

Good Idea.

Buying creepy Halloween stamps, for Chamberlain, for the 10 hour drive to Hudson's House.

Bad Idea.

Buying creepy Halloween stamps, for Chamberlain, for the 10 hour drive to Hudson's House.

I guess he figured his notebook wasn't good enough and decided to get a little creative.

What was I thinking.

Well, at least it kept him entertained/busy for about 4 hours.

 

Siri never complained. 

fideighty aka 50 & 80

 My Mother and Grandmother turned 50-80 this past weekend. 

The expression on the kids faces, I think, say's it all.

We headed to the Valley of the Sun and partied it up with lots

and lots of family.

Glen, Suzie, Grandma, Mom, Grandpa, Dad, Mike

My Grandparents with 3 of their children plus two spouses.

 

Did I mention it was hot! 

So hot that Chamberlains face was permanently red all weekend from the heat not the sun.

 We sang happy birthday and the boys got upset that they didn't have candles to blow out so we scrounged up what we could find and lighted them.

 My cute baby with Uncle Tim.

Thanks Tim for watching my kiddos.

Sage, Me, Tanner, Eric, Mike, Shelbie and the Grandparents

 Grandparents with their favoritest, cutest, bestest, loveliest, did I mention their FAVORITE grand kids.

 Grandpa.

 I couldn't believe my eyes Hudson is surrounded by two cakes plus ice cream and he chooses to eat shredded cheese. 

Go figure.

 the clean up.

Everyone helped.

The after party. 

Complete with break dancing!

Thanks Mike and Xochi for hosting and to Mike Shelbie and Suzie for the planning.

It was fun.

Oh and this fabulous sign was made by Shelbie and Tim.

Tim made all the letters can you say perfectionist or maybe OCD like his father.

Did I mention it was a great party.

I love my Arizona family!