True Cougars

While we did nothing so dramatic as the Utah State ritual (yeah Trevor, I am still appalled by this), last weekend we got some of our friends together for a pilgrimage not to be missed by BYU students. Since Landon will be graduating in April - and there's a good chance of snow that time of year - we thought this might be our last chance to do something he's never done. We hiked the Y mountain! It's not much of a hike - a couple of miles straight uphill - but the view is really pretty, and hey, it's fun to say you've been! Here's proof of our new status as "True Cougars":

We got lucky - and a blast from Kylie's college past was in town from Florida - thanks so much for coming, Camille, it was so much fun to see you! I can't wait until our next random adventure!

Jesse and Catherine came too, and our good friend Jenna. Kyle missed out, because it was a ton of fun. After our escapade, we made a stop at the Creamery on Ninth - another Provo must do, and another first for Landon. We sure are loving living in Provo!

Going Green and Flying South

Ok folks... this is it... the big one... I know you have all been waiting. The rumors have been rampant, the suspense unbearable, the waiting acute. I am here to confirm it.

Yes, we have found a new job! (APPLAUSE)

Kylie is now proudly a UVU Wolverine! She is working for the Studios and Broadcast Services department. She gets to run cameras and is helping to develop a non-profit cable TV station for the school. She also does scheduling, billing, and whatever other tasks are needed. She's even been roped into an inauguration already. So far? It's a big hit. Awesome guys to work with, home at 5:20 every evening, 10 minute drive to work, and best of all....

We moved to Provo!

We live in a basement apartment near the temple. Every second has been fun. We love our new house (we get to paint walls and work with the yard when we want to), and we LOVE being close together every day. We've been able to participate in all kinds of school stuff for Landon, and our lives overall have become much less stressful. Less commuting, less working, less stressing about the economy, more time spent together = happy life! We miss our little place in West J - after all, it was our first real home and we have so many amazing memories there. But it is time for a new adventure. We have been so blessed through everything, and are grateful for amazing friends and family. Please come visit us, we'll be here all winter!

A Magical Week!

*Disclaimer: this post covers 9 days of the most memorable vacation in recorded history. There will be TONS of pictures. Believe it or not, I actually narrowed them down quite a bit. Consider yourself warned.

I am overdue on blogging (again). I missed a lot of events in the Burgener household (graduations, reunions, activities galore), but if I stop to try and catch up on all of them I'll never make it. So I'll have to be content with starting here and being more consistent in the future.

Thanks to the fiscal responsibility of my paternal grandparents and the generosity of my parents, we were blessed with the amazing opportunity to spend a week on vacation with my whole family (except my brother, who was very much missed) in DisneyWorld!! We still can't believe it. We keep talking about how we never thought we'd actually see the EPCOT dome with our own eyes. But see it we did!

The week was so fun, it can't be described entirely in words. We went on dozens of fast and furious rides, walked what seemed like hundreds of miles, saw a part of the country that we'd never seen before, crossed some things off our 'to do before I die' lists, and spent loads of time just being together. It was definitely something we'll remember forever. But, in the words of LeVar Burton, "you don't have to take my word for it..."

I see it! We're there!

Having a magical day...

The Tree of Life (Animal Kingdom)

Best restaurant in the whole world. We learned to hula, and watched fireworks, and saw a volcano, and ate amazing food, and stole the bread, and just generally caused a ruckus. What can we say? We're the Jackson five!

...I'm sure we deserved it.
Definitely met Mickey Mouse. What kind of a Disney trip would it be if we hadn't?
Dinosaurs were everywhere...I think this is what the celestial kingdom will look like when Landon gets there.

New Facebook picture anyone?

Sure Tom, you can call me Becky if you want to!
Singin' in the Rain (at Hollywood Studios)
Oh yes, we were really there. Did we see the space shuttle? Yes, yes we did.

Just for Erin!
On Sept. 9, 2009, we saw this same shuttle fly through space above our house. Crazy.
Don't tell Mickey we borrowed his hat.
Oh - so this is the other side of heaven!
Just for Kelly.
Just for fun.

Partway through the week, my parents gave us yet ANOTHER surprise. We went on a private cruise to watch the fireworks over Cinderella's castle. Probably the coolest thing I've ever done. Our boat captain's name was Roger, which was just too hilarious.
Awww...I always knew we were princesses! By the way, Snow White said I was wearing her favorite color, and it looked good on me. :) Made my day. Yes, I am 4 years old.

Proof we were there. (Epcot)

We also made a pilgrimage to the Lego store...can you tell this trip was a dream come true for Landon?
Our firstborn...Reginald, the Mammoth. He lives in our living room if you want to meet him.

Stella enjoying the Muppet 3D show.
Tiki room anyone?

Stella's favorite ride. 10 points if you know where we are.
Liberty Tavern in Magic Kingdom.

Getting ready to go on the Teacups with the master - my father.

If you made it to this point - wow! Thanks for looking at my pictures. I have the coolest parents in the world. We can't wait to go back someday!