Burton Reunion 2013 - Central California Coast

I was in charge of the Burton family reunion this year.  My siblings and I rotate who is in charge by birth order so I am in charge every seven years...which isn't too bad, really.  I have always wanted to hold my reunion in California and have it a sibling only reunion instead of extended family.  I knew it would be a sacrifice of time and money for my siblings to attend and wondered how good of a turnout I would have.  As it turned out, only one couple (Phil & Cathryn) was not able to attend.

It has always been a pipe dream of mine to have all of my siblings and their spouses in my house at the same time.  Except for the absence of Phil & Cathryn, that dream came true as we kicked-off the reunion at my home on Monday evening, June 17th.  As the couples arrived, they were greeted by this sign in my entryway. 

That evening we had a barbecue, played a get-to-know-you game, and those who wanted to swam.  It was a very pleasant evening.

  

  On Tuesday morning, we arose early in order to hit the road and travel 6 hours to San Simeon where we went to Elephant Seal Beach and visited Hearst Castle.

The winds were very high and it was pretty cool at Elephant Seal Beach, but just a few miles away at Hearst Castle, but weather was perfect.

 (Kent & Ann)

After Hearst Castle, we traveled to Morro Bay where we ate dinner and spent the night. 

These pictures were taken in front of our hotel.

 (Lynda)

After we left the hotel, we went to Morro Rock and walked around the rocks and the beach.

(Morro Rock)

 (Len, Jan, Scott, Ann, Kent, & Alan)

 (Gayle & Scott

(Ken, Jane, Gayle, Lynda, & Neal with Morrow rock in the background)

We next headed to Montana de Orro which is a beautiful spot with a great beach and cliffs bordering the ocean.  They have a nice trail you can walk to look out over the cliffs.

 (Ken & Alan)

(I almost captured Len getting wet from a wave)

 (Ken & Neal - our mountain goats)

 (the group looking over the cliffs)

(Ken - king of the mountain)

We next headed to Los Osos Oak Tree Preserve where we hiked among a grove of old enchanting oak trees. 

 (speaking with a fellow hiker about the poison oak in the area)

 (Our family favorite - the bum tree)

 (Janice's reaction to the bum tree)

 (Gayle's reaction to the bum tree)

(Ken is like a little monkey)

Although we had had a pretty full day, we weren't done yet.  We traveled to Solvang where we explored the town, ate dinner at the famous "Split Pea Anderson's" Restaurant, and then went to Solvang's Outdoor Theaterfest to watch "Fiddler on the Roof", which we loved!!!

 (Kristen & Jackson joined us at Split Pea Anderson's)

 (Kent & Ann outside Split Pea Anderson's)

 (Our hotel in Solvang - very quaint)

 (theater from the outside)

(theater stage)

For our last day of the reunion, we traveled to Santa Barbara where we visited the Presidio, ate lunch, then visited the wharf and walked the beach.

 (outside the presidio)

 (inside a Catholic church)

 (Kristen & Jackson joined us for lunch)

(On the wharf - Kent, Ann, Jan, Len, Ken, Jane, Joan, Alan - [Neal & Lynda & Gayle & Scott had already left the runion at this point])

Well, I felt like this reunion was a blast and was a big success.  I am glad that things turned out as well as they did.  We did a lot and saw a lot, but mostly I just loved being with my siblings and sharing some of the beauties of California with them.  

Officially Elder & Sister Stott

Since our missionary tags arrived a few days ago, we got set apart yesterday, and we held our Pathway "Kick-off" Fireside last night, I am starting to feel a lot more official as a missionary.  Still getting used to the idea, but I like how it feels.

Our Pathway Kick-off fireside last night was a huge success!!!  We were worried that nobody would show up and that we wouldn't be able to put together a minimum of 15 students for our 30+ age group.  Alan and I were both too skeptical...where was our faith?  The chapel was practically full, and most interested parties were over 30 years old.  So many individuals age 30+ signed up as interested in the program (roughly 85) that it will be necessary to call at least one other couple as missionaries to accommodate the potential student load.  Amazing!  Big things are happening in our Stake, and this is just one of them.

A few weeks ago for our Stake Conference we had a visiting authority, Elder Whiting, speak.  During his talk he said that he felt a special spirit in our Stake and that we were on the path to doing great things. (I am paraphrasing since all of my notes disappeared from my iPad)  He said that he has seldom, if ever, said that to any other Stake during the conferences he has visited.

Our Stake Leadership is exceptional and our Stake President has great vision on where the stake needs to go.  Our Stake set the record at the Los Angeles Temple about 1 1/2 years ago for the most members to attend a chapel session as well as the most members who came with Family File cards to do the work of their own ancestors.  This year's theme for the Stake is to move to higher ground and bring others with us.  I think that by implementing the Pathway Program in our Stake we will see an increase in spirituality and an increase in activity as those who are less active participate in the program and get involved with the required religion classes.  I can't wait to see the miracles that will take place in the lives of the participants!

Ella's Baptism

On June 1, 2013 our Granddaughter, Ella, was baptized by her father, Eric, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

 Ella got to be baptized twice because her dress didn't go all the way under the first time.  Eric made sure it stayed down the 2nd time around.

This occasion also turned out to be somewhat of a family reunion for us since three of our children (Ryan, Jared, and Cheryl) were also able to make the trip. We missed you Kyle, Emily & Milo! Wish you could have joined us.

 We were all able to participate in the baptism.  Alan conducted, I led the music, Cheryl gave a talk on baptism, Jared & Ella sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth", and Ryan gave the closing prayer.  Nicole played the piano and gave the opening prayer, Sharon Beesley (Nicole's Mom) gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, and Rulon Beesley (Nicole's Dad) confirmed Ella.  Everything turned out beautifully. 

******

Ella loves to dance.  She took four different dance classes this year and Livi took one.  We happened to be in Scottsbluff the same weekend as their yearly dance performance.  This is a huge event in Scottsbluff.  It takes place in the High School auditorium where they hold 3 performances to a packed audience each performance. The performance lasts 3 hours. I was amazed at how many girls are involved with dance there.  Who knew dance was so popular?

Ella dancing her "hip hop" dance

Livi dancing the "Animal" dance (middle front - sorry about the bad picture)

This pic shows Livi & Ella after their first performance holding the flowers their parents presented to them for doing such a great job.  It took me a while to get used to all the makeup they are wearing...but I think the girls secretly enjoyed wearing makeup.