(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.

goodbye 2011.

2011 was an awesome year.

we had 365 days of laughing. crying. and love.

in january we celebrated our home's first birthday.

made an art wall. and silhouettes.

february we celebrated a dairy free valentines.

received mail from yoda. 

and figured out how to be the best wife ever.

march brought beach days. 

our chicken's first eggs. 

and the making of the best little picture book for kiddos.

then we went on the best trip ever.

fell in love with the the farm. the land. and the lambs.

april was spent on the porch. or at the beach. and in the sun.

in may we spent breakfast. lunch. and dinner. with mickey mouse.

and trent rode thunder mountain!

my fave family video yet.

june meant summer. 

the most wonderful time of year!

swimming lessons. lila's little girl room makeover. and a super cute craft.

july brought the best fourth birthday. 

a MUD RACE!

and the making of our family rules.

august filled up with playground reviews.

water days. and a very important birthday girl.

we made the best toy ever. out of a red wagon.

we finished out the summer,

reviewing the rest of the area parks.

and having lots of dance parties. and family dates.

we had our back to school feast.

and went back to school.

and then trent became a tornado.

then our dear abbey came over to take pictures of our everyday.

tea party pictures. story time pictures. playtime pictures.

october took us to the pumpkin patch.

many more days of me starring at my babies while they sleep.

and luke and leia went to school.

we put a spin on halloween with reverse trick-or-treating.

then tom and I went on our honeymoon.

hosted a bridal blessing.

and celebrated my most favorite day ever.

and trent sand this awesome remix.

december was perfection.

we made snow globes. 

a star wars christmas shirt. 

and had a gingerbread contest.

we took the kids glide skating too!

and then lost most of our friends when we wrote about 

the santa situation.

yes, 365 days of true burket style fun.

we couldn't feel more blessed about 2011.

and are excited to see what God has planned for 2012.

front porch living.

 happy fall & happy front porch time.