FIVE generations

Lucy Wilkes (93), Elizabeth Wilkes Burgener (47), Landon Burgener (26), Robert Wilkes (72), and Walter Burgener (12.5 months)

Taken June 23rd, 2012 in Afton, Wyoming

Veni Vedi Vici

Thursday, June 21st: Provo, UT. Here's how it went down:

 

 

Less than 2 hours after it started, Landon had successfully defended his master's thesis! He received straight passes from his committee without conditions, which is pretty rare - one professor on his committee said it was only the 2nd student in 16 years that he'd given a straight pass to. I am so proud of my man, and try to call him "master" as often as possible. Love you babe!

Epic Week Part 4: Fossil Beds

Still catching up!

On our drive to Boise, we passed a place called the Hagerman Fossil Beds. Of course my Geologist husband at once begged to go. But it was late, we were all exhausted, and just wanted to get there. So I said we'd stop on the way back. He held me to it.

It turned out to be a fun little detour. We didn't see many fossils, but the park ranger at the visitors center was quite informative. She sent us on a beautiful drive to see parts of Idaho we hadn't previously explored. Landon kept excitedly pointing out geological features and demanding I take photos of this or that boulder. If he ever finishes school and becomes a professor, he'll have an impressive collection of photos to aid in his lectures. :)

Walt slept through most of it, but he woke up at the end and enjoyed the view with us.

We're always up for an adventure, and I'm really glad we stopped here. We might not get another chance to be in that little corner of the world, and it was worth the 40 minute detour to see my husband's face light up like that. I believe that Walt has firmly inherited this curiosity about the world, and I hope he'll love to explore random sites as much as his parents do!

Happy Birthday Walt!

So I know I already did a sappy post about my baby turning 1...but seeing as how we were in a car for most of his actual birthday, the real celebrations were delayed a bit. The next weekend we had a huge party for our little guy, and it was so much fun!!

I may have had a ridiculous amount of fun planning this party. I figure this is the last party I'll get to plan just for the fun of it. For the next few years at least, we'll be far away from family and won't have big celebrations like this. And soon, Walt will start having his own opinions about birthdays.

Since I knew I'd need the cooperation of Landon, I let him have a lot of input on the theme. We're both huge Winnie-The-Pooh fans, and it seemed like such a delicious "baby" theme - not too grown up for our little one-year-old. And those old E.H. Shepard illustrations are irresistible.

Landon has mad cake carving skills.

I discovered a new love for "Bot-O-Honey." Who knew?

We partied in the park - so grateful that the weather cooperated, since our apartment would have been much too small to host all of the lovely people who came to support us.

 Left to right: Summer Rupper (Landon's thesis advisor), Grandpa Burgener, Grandma Burgener, Abigail Rupper, Jesse, Catherine, and Nikolai Stricklan, Grandpa Jackson, Walt, Dad, Eli Rupper, Uncle Wes, Cousin Stella, Aunt Erin, Mom, Grandma Jackson, Cousin Siena, Jessica Williams (Landon's labmate), "Aunt" Laura Riley (Landon's labmate and a frequent babysitter), and Adam Rupper. (not pictured:  Aunt Abby - taking the picture - and Aunt Wendy, Uncle Josh and Aunt Sam, who arrived a little later)

3 different families all bought the same dinosaur wrapping paper...it's like Walt's Dad is a geologist, or something.

We didn't plan much - no games or prizes - just lots of visiting, eating good food, opening presents, and unadulterated, childhood fun. After a lot of frantic preparation over a few of the craziest weeks of our lives, I was actually able to sit down and enjoy my baby's party. I loved that.

Landon had his first taste of soda (root beer) on his first birthday, and it's great family story - so we wanted to carry on that tradition. Surprisingly, after Walt got over the shock, he liked it!

We'll always remember the grin on his face as everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and clapped for him. Like he couldn't believe this was all for him. We'll always remember the hilariously meticulous way he sampled his cake: one tiny handful at a time, carefully wiping his hand off on his shirt between bites. We'll always cherish the two beautiful handmade quilts he received from his grandmas. And we'll always remember the look of pure joy he got when we plopped him into his new red wagon and took him for a ride around the park. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a great day!

Epic Week Part Three: 5, 4, 3, 2...

Five years ago we got married. The day was lovely - hot - but lovely. We were so happy. Cheesy, in love, over the moon happy. We celebrated with family and friends, and loved every second of it.

Four years ago we celebrated our first year of marriage with a little trip to Park City. It was great to get away from obligations and just be together. We were so happy. Cheesy, in love, over the moon happy.

Three years ago, Landon was away at field camp, and I was home and out of work. It wasn't the high point of our lives...but we were so happy. Cheesy, in love, over the moon happy.

Two years ago we took a trip to Switzerland. It wasn't actually connected to our anniversary, but who wouldn't want to celebrate in romantic Lausanne? We were so happy. Cheesy, in love, over the moon happy.

Last year, we celebrated (or didn't celebrate, actually) in the NICU. We were stressed, scared, and utterly exhausted. But even then, looking at the new love of our lives, we were so happy. Cheesy, in love, over the moon happy.

So this year, for our fifth anniversary, when we found ourselves on a road trip to celebrate another marriage altogether, it didn't seem that crazy. It was almost a calm year for us. :) We left Walt at the reception with his aunt Abby and went to the Cheesecake Factory, then browsed Barnes and Noble and treated ourselves to one book each. And it was great. The perfect little celebration of us.

We know we're cheesy. But, five years later, we are even happier than we were on our wedding day. We have plenty of ups and downs in life, work, school, house-keeping...but really never in our relationship. I married this guy who is just unbelievably kind, never has a harsh criticism or mean word for me or anyone else. And I try to live up to that and treat him well too. You might not believe me, but we don't fight. We just don't. We look out for each other. We seldom disagree, and never on anything truly important. And we are so happy. Cheesy, in love, over the moon happy.

So deal with it.

Dear world,

Be jealous.

Love,
Landon and Kylie

Epic Week Part Two: Birthday Boy

Last week I was mom to a little baby boy.

He gave me kisses...

Loved to play outside...

And was always getting into mischief. 

On Friday, I became mom to a "toddler." (Although he doesn't toddle quite yet...and Landon insists he is a baby until age two. Fine with me!)

He still gives kisses, plays outside, and has adventures.

It's funny, but it all seems different now. I look at him and I see this little boy, full of personality and independence. In my head I know that nothing physically changed on his first birthday, but in my heart there is a new, small kind of longing for that tiny sweet baby who relied on me for everything; who fit so perfectly in my arms.

Then again, there is excitement that this little boy I now call mine knows who I am. He knows his name. He is learning and growing and feeling and loving every single day, and I get to be part of that.

All the same, a piece of me will always miss my baby. He occupies a special place in my heart, and he'll stay there forever. I am overjoyed at the prospect that each year, my mother's heart will expand -- to keep the place of all the little Walt's that came before, and love each grown-up boy even more than the last.

Happy Birthday, baby. I cannot wait to see what's in store for you. We love you, Walter boy!

Epic Week Part One: The Wedding

I think I'm still in shock. I can't believe my best friend hero idol big brother is married. I can't believe he landed such an amazing wife. Or maybe I can. He is pretty awesome. The wedding day was beautiful, perfect, and supremely happy. We are all tired out. But it was great. I was not the wedding photographer (thank goodness!), and I didn't even take my camera to the temple because I wanted to just enjoy it. So here's a random assortment of luncheon and reception photos. Love you guys!