(not) the last post.

we started with a plot of land 

and a desire to document the building of our house.

it grew into the story of our growing home and family.

it has been almost two and a half years,

and 566 posts.

there has been a giant birthday. chickens. 

and the start of a new company.

craft projects. family adventures. 

and a recipe for the best oatmeal ever.

I'm so thankful this precious time has been documented

in such a way.

but as the kids are harder to chase with a camera,

and they are maturing from babes to little and big kiddos. 

I think it is best to take this time in our lives to align our course.

Our hope is that we can put away our biggest distractions 

and focus on our

faith and family.

this is not the last post.

but perhaps the last for awhile.

us.

this is us. the burkets.

a family big on play. and fun.

we're big on helping. or at least working on it.

and serving in all the small ways.

we sneak in hugs. 

and kisses, all day long.

because it's a big thing to us. 

we are big on talking.

and try our hardest to be even bigger about listening. 

we want our kiddos to feel important.

and pretty special.

because they are.

in a big big way.

and not because of anything any of us did. 

or ever will do.

but because of God and his big love for us. 

we know God is big about the burkets.

we know he has great plans for us. all of us.

so we pray big. praise big.

and do everything we know to do, to raise a family that is big on God.

so that above all else. 

our love for Christ will shine the biggest & the brightest.

whether we are big on training and teaching babes.

or big on providing for our family. thank you hubs.

or big about just being little. 

this is us.

we certainly don't often get it right, but we 

are big on trying and big on trusting.

Big things are planned for all of us.

Big and little.

super summer.

we had the best summer ever.

we made two lists before school was out.

a summer sand bucket list, of fun things to do.

and a learning list, of things the kids needed training or teaching on.

summer sand bucket list:

snowballs (shaved ice @ the beach)

mini golf

camping

little boy david day 

good time to mention the kids made up the list.

slip n slide

see winter the dolphin

paint

cook

put on a play

add a pulley & bucket to the fort

playdates with pals

picnic

legoland

sleepover at grandparents, almost nightly

write letters, mail letters

play in the garden

downtown disney

open gym at gymnastics

service activities

rays game

ride on grandpa johns boat

family dates

columbia in ybor city, see dinner show

food fight

swim at nanas

beach

tie dye shirts 

(we splatter painted instead)

messy day

learning list:

count really high

another one of trent's requests

ride bike

learn address. birthday.

eating out of a lunchbox

making new friends

learn to swim

keep journal

no grumbling

using words

assertiveness

yes mam. no mam.

cleaning and cooking

praying skills

there are a few things we didn't tackle like learning to tie shoes and fishing on the seawall.

and there were a few extras we didn't plan on like giving up the fafa (pacifier) 

and the sweet love the two babes showed for each other.

they were inseparable!

my most favorite part were the long breakfasts.

not having to go anywhere. 

the summer was a super success.

I loved each day together and am so so thankful for this sweet time.

winter in summer.

a couple weeks ago, my bestie and I took our kiddos to see winter.

you know winter right?

well, not only did we get to see winter.

we got to see other rescue dolphins. turtles. and fish.

and stingrays.

and sharks!

but of all the attractions, the kiddos were most excited just to see their buds.

the fifth.

our sweet trent turned five on the fifth.

and all of his guys were there to wish him happy birthday when he woke up.

we love celebrating kiddos birthdays because it means they are alive and growing.

and it also means that we get to have a ridiculously fun day.

doing whatever. yes whatever. it is our little one wants to do.

we spent the first three hours at lego land. 

and if you know us, that is a burket theme park longest record. 

just enough time to ride two crazy roller coasters. drool over the mini land. and hit up the water park.

before the heat and crowds arrived.

then we were off to downtown disney for lunch at rainforest cafe.

and a box full of delicious treats from baby cakes.

we topped the night off with a spaghetti dinner with family.

and a giant slumber party in mom & dads room.

happy birthday to the world's coolest five year old!

love, mom & dad

ps. kuddos to dad for the mad instagram skills!

weeki wachee.

we celebrated our gigi's birthday with a mini adventure trip to week wachee.

weeki wachee is a super.cool.kitchy.old.florida.roadside.attraction.

with rules like no running. no t backs. no cussing. and no boom boxes.

our hearts desire was to make it in time for the big mermaid show.

something our gigi remembers doing as a little girl.

and just as we thought. little miss was in total awe.

she loves mermaids.

she even got to take her picture with one.

we saw alligators and snakes in the reptile show.

and then hopped on a boat for a river cruise.

it was beautiful.

there were fish. a manatee. and a bald eagle nest. 

we were all in awe.

it was a perfect day.

a great summer adventure.

and super way to celebrate our gigi.

not pictured: 

trent and I swimming in the freezing cold spring water 

and a manatee coming up right alongside of us.

so cool! literally.