Merry Christmas 2024

As the end of 2024 is quickly upon us, we are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on how we have learned and grown. It has been a year with ups and down, triumphs and defeats, inactivity and adventure. This time of year always gives us the wonderful opportunity to reflect on the life and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ without whom nothing is possible. We hope this year has brought you many blessings, triumphs, and adventures with little trial, defeat, or boredom. So, here is the rundown of the Burkinshaw happenings. 

Emerson (5) is finally a Kindergartner! He has been “waiting his whole life for this!” He loves Miss Brown and all his new friends. He has made new friends up and down the street, and some afternoons we have to send a search party out to scour the neighborhood so he isn’t late for dinner. Emerson does not want to miss out on anything! He loves all things “boy”--sharks, dragons, dinosaurs, bugs, and snakes. For the Primary Program, he proudly exclaimed, “My name is Emerson Burkinshaw. My favorite animal is a snake, no wait…a skunk!” There were a few giggles from the audience. He loves his primary teachers! Sis Esserine and Sis Glass get an earful of all his adventures, fictitious or factual. The highlight of his summer was Lake Powell and the houseboat. He braved jumping off the top! We love our Emerson and all the adventures he just keeps bringing to us!

Isobel (6) is in First Grade! She is a fantastic reader! She will sit for quite a long time reading her books from school and all the library books. Isobel has moved from picture book checkout to chapter books at the library. She played her first season of soccer with Coach Chase. It took a minute for her to figure out that she could take the ball from the other team, but she got it and scored two goals in her last game. She is fun to watch! She also enjoys goalie and did really well at it. Isobel is still as crafty as they come. She creates calendars, lists, and cards. She has a goal of making her bed every morning so she can earn a dollar at the end of the week. Isobel was also pretty fearless at Lake Powell. The highlight of her summer was going to Nebraska to visit cousins. She loved going to the zoo and doing the slip n’ slide! We sure love our Isobel!

Adelaide (9) is becoming quite the athlete. She joined a cheer team this fall as well as playing on her soccer team. She had a few friends on the cheer team, and picked it up rather quickly. Adelaide now walks around the house chanting with tight elbows and bouncing hairbows. Although she is the smallest on her soccer team, she is one tough cookie. She can play in any position, but likes forward the best. She can weave around people with her speedy little legs. Adelaide loves 4th grade with Mrs. Reeves who had Esme previously. She is a joy in the classroom, and loves to learn! She loves playing with friends all over the street. She is also “dog walking” for a family a few doors down.. She’s not sure if she wants to own a dog someday, but she doesn’t mind walking them. Adelaide loved the tube and getting to know her new aunts at Lake Powell. We are grateful for her cheering us all on!

Esme (10) is just fun! She is now a 5th grader and the oldest at school. She loves to be helpful. Esme was named to be on the Jr. Hope Squad and loves spreading kindness wherever she goes! She played on the same soccer team, the Sweetarts this year. They almost had an undefeated season, with one tie and one loss. She played goalie for the first half of the last game, blocked a penalty kick, and then in the second half scored a penalty kick. Her coach can put her anywhere on the field and she’ll work her hardest for her team. Esme has been reading the Harry Potter series with Grandpa Tim this year. They compare progress and watch the movies whenever they get together. It’s one of her favorite things! Esme practices her piano every afternoon and has created contracts to earn lunch with mom at school when she’s completed them. We are so grateful for her hard work!

Elin (13) is a teenager! She made the middle school soccer team, which is quite a feat in our area. It is extremely competitive! She works hard on the field! Elin also ran track, but has decided that cross-country is more her speed because “it’s not boring”. She has no patience for waiting around for her events. She still writes contracts to earn things, which helps with her piano and violin progress. She gets things done. Elin and friends had a pickleball tournament over the summer, and she is hooked! She also started reffing soccer this fall and discovered how lucrative it is ($20/game). She still babysits quite a bit, and is looking into investments ;) Elin was her YW class president and enjoyed planning activities, but not-so-much the meetings after Church, especially on Fast sunday. She still enjoys her late night “talks” with Molly while she loads the dishwasher and shuts down the house. Boys may come up every-once-in-a-while. We love our Elin! 

Ewan (15) has a permit. Yes, folks…we are going to have three drivers next year! Ewan played soccer in the Spring with Paul as his coach. He spent the summer running around Prosper with friends. Ewan convinced Molly to give him a perm. He looks pretty good sporting curls. He is now a freshman at Prosper High School. It’s a little crowded, but he’s enjoyed being part of the football team this Fall. He also does 5:45am Seminary with the twins. He’s good about waking up early and getting his stuff done. Ewan is still playing the cello and piano. He has motivation to practice so he can earn practice time behind the wheel. He’s ready for independence or something, but don’t worry he doesn’t quite know where the sink or laundry room is…he’ll need us for a little while longer! Ewan still looks for challenging work at school. We’ve been giving him “classic literature” to analyze with Paul to keep him engaged and busy. He is growing into quite a young man! We are grateful for him!

Aislee (16) is a junior! She has two dual credit classes and one AP class that keep her busy. She enjoys teaching piano and babysitting to earn money for Swig runs. Aislee is a driver and tries to convince Molly that she can drive everywhere and anywhere. *breathe* Aislee is a good helper and likes having the house organized and clean. She also went to FSY in Denton this summer. She liked getting to know other kids in our area and has kept contact through texts and meeting up for local dances. She loved getting to know her new aunts this summer and learning to wakeboard. Aislee is also playing the guitar with Paul’s tutelage. She went to Prosper High School’s Homecoming dance with a good friend and had a great time! We didn’t do the “Texas Mums” for which she is grateful. When she’s not busy with school work or music, she can be found reading or baking cookies. Aislee likes her early release afternoons and getting rides home with boys. We love Aislee and her goodness!

Olivia (16) is also a junior! She is enjoying the Ready-Set-Teach program at Prosper High where she gets to intern with an elementary teacher. She’s also involved in American Sign Language. Who would have thought her very expressive nature is a wonderful asset when doing sign language?! Olivia went to the Walnut Grove Homecoming and enjoyed the “Texas Mum” tradition with her date. She had a good time! Olivia took up reffing soccer this Spring and continued through the Fall. She likes reffing the younger kids, but the real money is in the older games. She’s learning how to be confident with her calls, even if it makes a coach unhappy. She also enjoyed Lake Powell with family and learned to wakeboard. Olivia loved her counselors at FSY and the girls in her group. It’s good to have good friends. She is busy with AP classes, juggling babysitting, reffing, and socializing. She still plays the violin for the school orchestra and has piano lessons with Grandma Stacey.  She is a hard worker and we love her!

Molly has spent much for 2024 the same way as the previous year. She coached Isobel, Adelaide, and Elin’s soccer teams, and enjoyed having Paul assist for Elin’s Fall season. She loved having Emerson home for the last few months of Spring before he started kindergarten. He helped her with many house projects, and made lots of messes. Her little buddy accompanied her to all the end of year parties and assemblies. Now, she gets to eat lunch with him once a month and get the biggest hugs when he gets off the bus! Molly has had the best time perfecting sourdough bread, butter chicken with Naan, lemon raspberry cake, and grilled chicken. She loved teaching the Relief Society class at Church, but now teaches youth Sunday School (Ewan’s class). Adventures for the year included a drive to Utah for Uncle Coy’s wedding, a drive to Nebraska with the younger four, hiking Cottonwood Canyon in Utah with Paul for a few days, and then Lake Powell. She finally got to hop on a ski and show Paul after 17 years! She’s looking forward to another year of adventures! 

Paul continues to be busy with work. New projects and opportunities seem to be the name of the game. He enjoys being busy so it’s all good. Paul has continued running and lifting to keep himself mobile. He gets up before the sun to get his miles in while Molly takes kids to Seminary. Paul enjoyed driving the kids on a tube in Hot Springs, Arkansas for Spring Break as well as hiking among the Ozarks. It was a bit chilly for our Texas blood! He taught Emerson how to ride a bike so he could have a buddy with him everywhere!  Paul traveled a little for work and avoided the long drive to Utah in June, but made it just in time to go to a wedding and drive home. He may like that set up! Paul had a big birthday that we won’t really talk about, but with age comes wisdom, right? The girls on Elin’s soccer team are grateful for the extra set of feet and patience he brings to practice, and louder voice at games. Paul wakeboarded at Lake Powell and it was so fun to see him do things he loves! He’s the best!

Well, that’s a wrap! Another year down in the books! We are grateful for friends and family who have loved and supported us. As we look forward to the coming year, may we prepare ourselves and our homes to make more room for the Light of the World, our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is who gives us purpose and moves us forward towards His Second Coming. Our dear Prophet said, “...now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.” May this season bring you the peace and joy only found through Christ.

Much Love, 

The Burkinshaws