LOTSA BALLPLAYERS!

Chris playing Korea

David playing Bulgaria

Joshua and Ashleigh played BYU (Chamberlain is next!)

Yes, we know...we're tall, very tall. And no, I didn't play basketball. But what you may not know is that we're also brilliant, wise, thrifty, industrious, and gorgeous. And - almost forgot - sarcastic, especially when we are all gathered around the dinner table on holidays. And, of course, humble. (Smile, wink...)

Angela played BYU

What's with the secret we all have surrounding the phrase, "Lotsa ballplayers?" OK...better document this in the Burgess Boulevard blog before I get too old to remember (although my children won't let me forget). We have a cabin in Pines Ranch in Utah. It's above Park City and a little town called Oakley, next to Kamas. (Are you with me so far?) On occasion we come down from the cabin for a few supplies and shop at the only grocery store in Kamas. A couple of years back Chris, Angela and I walked into the store and at the checkout we had the comment (that we have never had :-I) "you guys are so tall!"  Then to Chris, "do you play basketball?" I then piped in with a phrase that I would hope my children would soon (someday) forget, "there's lotsa ballplayers at the Burgesses!" Chris rolled his eyes and walked out. Angela said something like, "good mom." And then disappeared for fear I would start bragging about my kids playing basketball at Duke, BYU, etc. Hmmm. Two Christmases ago, Angela even bought me a bumper sticker that read, "Love My Ballplayers," which is how I know which of those silver Mercedes in the parking lot is mine. I look for the bumper sticker.

David and Sarah

So, everyone knows by now that my handsome youngest son (also a ballplayer) got engaged. His fiance is beautifully tall, and fits right into the "ballplayer" scenario. And someone posted something on her Facebook wall about them (she and David) are going to have giant children. Well...I just couldn't resist. I had to post, "lotsa ballplayers!" 

So, now you know the story behind the sarcasm and "ballplayers" being spoken anytime I start expounding (which I do tons) about my children - and grandchildren, for that matter. Mother and grandmother rights and all!  For the record (and to answer your obvious questions) ... From the top: Ben is 6'4", Angela 6'3", Chris 6'10, Joshua 6'8", David 6'10". Ken 6'6" and me 6'2". Was Ben adopted? No. The Clayton side are short. :-)

Angela, Ken, Josh, Ashleigh, Sandi, David and Ben

Living on the Lake

The Woodbridge North lake in Irvine, CA

I love where I live, here in the Woodbridge area of Irvine. We moved to Irvine when David was 2 years old, so that would be 23 years. We moved a few times until we built our dream home in Irvine with 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2 family rooms, a huge kitchen, and music studio/office for me. It was great there for near 14 years. Then it was too big with 5 empty bedrooms and Ken and I rattling around there by ourselves. So, 2 years ago we moved from the "big house" to a condo on the lake. It was a very short move, still in Irvine, but only 2 bedrooms, a studio/office for me, 2 bathrooms and an even bigger kitchen. And yes, I was sad to move, but after the kids all left, got married, and David in college, it didn't make sense to stay in that big house without them. I, however, love where we are because we are right on the lake. Our deck goes out over the water. We decorated that beautiful deck to the nines, barbecue out there as much as possible, eat near every meal out there practically year round, and when those grandkids come to visit, they never want to leave that deck. Why? the wildlife.

My Deck...Brooklyn, Madison, Jacquelynn

Every morning I have a ritual. Sun peaks in around 6am, so up we pop with Ken heading to the computer to check email, and me downstairs to first, feed the 12 ducks, 18 coy fish, 8 turtles and an occasional noisy couple of geese. Yes, like clockwork those fish, turtles and ducks are right there awaiting me throwing food out to them in my pajamas. And if I'm a bit behind in schedule, they become very vocal and noisy. It's funny really to hear them make an impatient racket out there. Once they are fed I groggily wander back into the kitchen, mix me a blend (my morning tonic) of an herbal tea, emergenCy (packet of vitamin C), packet of something that reads "greens", then head to the deck to sit there and watch the wildlife chase each other around in the water that surrounds my deck. 

Chamberlain feeding the ducks on the lake.

Every morning I thank my Heavenly Father for all of my blessings, my fabulous kids and grandchildren, my opportunities to work from home (for 37 years now), my church callings with music, and of course, the beautiful place I'm blessed to live - right on the lake. I love it. And although I am contemplating moving to Utah to be with many of my children, I still hesitate, because I love living on the lake. There's a peaceful feeling you get when you are on the water. I take my laptop and phone out there and make calls, write training's for the business, scripts and marketing tools, and of course, write in my journal and reflect on the blessings that are mine. Living on the lake has given me peace when I've been hurting, and has put a smile on my face when I'm troubled. It's my own little piece of heaven, and whether we move to be closer to the kids or not, I will always treasure these moments when we were living on the lake.

Music to My Ears!

Lights On Broadway 2008

As I was sitting in rehearsal this past Saturday for our newest Irvine stake production, "Amanda's Search for Happiness," I was reflecting back to all of the productions I have been involved with over the years, and it has been extensive. I think the first big one was Little Mary Sunshine in High School, where my task was teaching the music and accompanying the production. While attending the University of Utah I found myself directing sorority productions, music department performances, and many church roadshows. Besides directing choirs since I was 17, I've been blessed to work with some incredibly talented people to include Bob Magrath of Sesame Street fame with the televised March of Dimes telerama, sing as soloist under the baton of many great conductors to include the late Maurice Abravanel of the Utah Symphony (of which Abravanel Hall was named in Salt Lake City, Utah), and perform with incredible musicians, both as a cellist, operatic soloist and conductor. And although all of these musical productions and performances are time consuming, hectic, and get crazy at times, I have loved being very involved with them, and seeing it all come together on opening night.

Lights On Broadway, 2006

The most fun I've had over the years in these productions is when a few of my children were involved. Whether they have sung in the actual production (Ben and Angela), helped me direct with the youth (Angela), or filled in for the "mop" when he didn't show (Chris), it always made it more fun when they were involved. Following the show in November, our ward will be attempting a Messiah Sing-In. That, too will bring memories of singing the lead soprano for eight years. It was always my favorite thing to do all year. I would start preparing my voice around October for the "Rejoice." And although I'm now 60 and won't even attempt the "Rejoice" again, I think I may still have an "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" in me. Who knows. The preparation will take me away from working the business, teaching my talented students, just long enough to reflect on the message of this monumental piece by Handel. Singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" always choked me up and brought tears to my eyes. And I know it will again. I wish I had recorded my involvement all of those years singing the lead soprano in the Messiah. I can't turn back the clock in age with my voice, but I would have loved to have a recording to just ... remember.


To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1

HALLOWEEN MEMORIES

Ben as Superman

I have this darling picture to the left framed sitting in my office. This must have been the start of Ben's love for Superman. In various spook-illy (is that a word?) decorated frames at this time of year, are set out pictures of the kids in costumes I made for them. There's David as Fred Flintstone, Angela as Strawberry Shortcake, Josh wearing one of the pirate outfits  I made that passed from boy to boy, and Chris in the G.I. Joe. I used to spend hours making these costumes, and loved doing so. I scanned these pictures in their frames, and you can tell how old they are. Wish we had had digital cameras in those days, computers, iPhones, iPads, blogs, www.ldsjournal.com, etc. Records would have been kept a lot better and easier.

David as Fred Flintstone

Chris as GI Joe (in frame)

Joshua as a Pirate (in frame)

Angela as Strawberry Shortcake

Chris and Lesa rarely get to celebrate Halloween with being overseas every year at that time. Lesa did find one picture of the girls in costume when they were playing in Dubai. Since Korea, Australia, Turkey, and Poland don't celebrate Halloween, it's hard to round up costumes for the girls. But these to the left are very cute. Did they actually go door to door asking for candy? Probably not. But dressing up is always fun!

Zoey, Ava, Kelli Joe (Dubai)

Here are a few pictures of the grand kids that I could rally. Love the family theme's with princesses, super hero's and Scooby Doo. Cooper always creates the costumes for her children; like I did when they were young. Very talented since she doesn't use a pattern - just her imagination and sketches. Amazing. 

"Coug" Chamberlain

Brooklyn, Madison, Jacquelynn 2009

Sutton, Jacquelynn, Brooklyn, Madison - Super Hero Girls 2010

Adelaide, Nolan, Calvin, Oliver and Jane -Scooby Doo Family right down to the car! 2010 (Cooper's magic here.)

I miss Halloween. Now that Angela has moved with her family to Utah, and moving from our big home into this condo on the lake, it's not the same. We got zero trick-er-treaters last year knocking on our front door, and I had a huge metal pumpkin tin filled with big candy bars - the good kind. So, of course, Ken had those for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. (yikes) And, our usual trip over to the church for Trunk-r-Treat didn't happen because we usually go with Angela and her family. :-(  But, it's fun to remember and search for pictures. That's the beauty of scrapbooks and blogs.

Sutton, Madison 2011

Jacquelynn 2011

Brooklyn 2011

2011 Jane, Oliver, Adelaide, Nolan, Calvin

Adelaide a warm Greek Goddess

Oliver Big Bad Wolf from Head to Toe!

Jane and Oliver, 2011

Calvin, Captain America!

Oliver, Big Bad Wolf!

Nolan 2011

Remembering. A word to my children...keep taking tons of pictures, blog, scrapbook and journal. The days you have with your children are precious and fleeting. Enjoy them now. Go trick-r-treating with them - even dress up in full costume. Too soon you'll just have pictures to look at. So celebrate everyday! (and send grandma B pictures)

Chamberlain 2011

Super Camouflage 

Great Soldier!

He's doing it right!

IT'S A BOY!

Chris and Beckham, October 2011

Mid March the phone rang next to my bed at 4:00 am California time, and it was Chris calling from Poland. "Lesa's having a boy, but don't tell anyone because I want to announce it myself!"  OK... a) I didn't know Lesa was pregnant, b) awesome. Ken asked, "who was that?" Of course I couldn't say because I'd been sworn to secrecy. But within the hour it was all over Facebook and Twitter with interesting (proof) pictures that the fourth child for Chris and Lesa was for sure a boy. I smiled when seeing the "proof" visually tweeted.

Beckham "representing" :-)

Ahhh, a proud father and son moment (above with Chris and Beckham), not that girls aren't truly amazing, but there's something magical about a father and son. I had four sons and two daughters. I was blessed with both and adore each of them. They are all so different from each other, from the moment they give out that first cry in the delivery room. Ben didn't stop crying for near nine months. Chris scowled right out of the womb. Josh smiled and had that "peacemaker" aura that has stayed with him. And David came out looking like he was six months old at 13 pounds!  (Yes, don't cringe. He was actually 13 pounds.) And they, along with my girls, Angela and Jessica, have brought me endless joy and happiness.

Calvin 2011 Baseball Star

Ben and Youngest Son, Oliver

Ben, my eldest son, has three fantastic boys (and two lovely girls). I love that Cooper takes lots of great pictures and posts them with her blog, because they live clear out in beautiful Pennsylvania, and I miss out on being involved with their activities. (Thank you Cooper for keeping me updated). 


I loved the picture of the Pinewood Derby, the Father and Sons camping trip (looking for that picture), and the pictures of Calvin decked out in his baseball uniform. Knowing how much Ben loved baseball (one son named Nolan?), I was actually in PA and sat outside in their beautiful backyard, and watched Ben and Calvin play catch. (smile) The funniest thing, however, besides the male bonding that goes on there, was watching Ben attempt to discipline his youngest son, Oliver, at the cabin this summer, where he has a tradition of having them face the wall (or cabin door in this case), and Oliver pounding the door yelling, "I hate you door!" Cute.

Calvin and Nolan at Pinewood Derby 2010

Joshua and Chamberlain 2010
Then there's my third son, Joshua. He has one boy and one girl. Chamberlain is now 5 years old and honestly has more energy that five boys, and always has that mischievous sparkle in his eyes. And he says the darndest things. "Grandma, do you like the Cougs (BYU) better that the Utes? (Utah)." Or while watching BYU football team being demolished by Utah he said, "they need Jimmer!"  Again...cute. Good thing Josh has always had the patience of Job. Ashleigh has written incredible posts in her family blog keeping me in the loop with every activity that their little family is involved with. 
I love it. (Thanks Ashleigh.)

Joshua and Chamberlain (fun Buzz wings)

I'm definitely not being partial here to boys (although my children think I am), this post is just highlighting the five (5) grand sons I do have, out of the sixteen (16) grandchildren. Talking about those eleven (11) girls will take more than one post, right? And I will definitely do that.  For today, however, I will look at pictures, record in my journal memories of my boys before I forget, and warmly smile. My sons have made me very proud. And their sons will do the same for them. 


Chris posed a question to me last year, because I tend to use my motherly rights that include bragging about my sons (my "ball players"). He asked, "who are you going to brag about when we all retire from playing basketball?" Of course my answer was, "Chamberlain!" That, again is a grandmotherly rite, right? 

THE ENGAGEMENT

Sunday, the 16th of October, I was watching a show I love and have watched fifteen times - The Proposal. The phone rang and it was my youngest son, David. He asked what I was doing. I told him, then he said, "I just asked Sarah to marry me." After a gleeful "wonderful!" I asked for details. To my amazement my son described how he had proposed, and I was proud of his thoughtful, romantic actions to do one of the most important things in his life. To marry and start a life together. 

That took me back to reflecting on Ken and I's engagement, and it made me smile. The week before Ken took to one knee at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, right in front of the temple, he had randomly said, "we need to get married before I start school in September." Not shocked (for some reason since it had only been a couple of months that we had known each other), I said "OK." But the official asking with the ring was done right there in front of the temple. I think Ken said something like, "well, I'd better make if official and ask you to marry me." 

Ben and Cooper

I messaged the kids and both Ben and Chris replied with pictures of when and where. I knew Ben and Cooper's engagement story would be romantic. He has always had that inherited affectionate side. He said, "In March of 1998, I flew out to Washington, DC to visit Cooper at her parents' house. While there, we went sight-seeing around the National Monuments. The famous cherry blossoms were in full bloom around the tidal basin and when we got to the Jefferson Memorial (Cooper's favorite) I lead her to the back pillars where there
weren't any tourists, saying that I wanted a picture, then knelt down to fish around in my backpack for the 'camera'. Instead I pulled out a ring and asked Cooper to marry me." This photo was taken that very day, right after he proposed. Ahhhh, perfection.

Chris and Lesa

Chris was working out in Sarasota, Florida at the IMG Training Facility and Lesa had come to visit. After a lovely dinner at the Charthouse right on the water, they took a walk along the beach, got ice cream, then there on the sand Chris knelt on one knee and asked Lesa to marry him. The setting was perfect. 


I'm yet to hear back on this engagement story and picture request from Josh or Angela, but I know it was a special time for both of them.  That leads me to David and Sarah. David carved two pumpkins with "WILL YOU" in one and 'MARRY ME" in the other. After returning home from dinner and Sarah was out of the front room, David lit the pumpkins and got on one knee and there asked her to marry him. Ahhh...who knew David could be so romantic?  I did. It's in is DNA - but don't tell anyone.  

David and Sarah

VISITING GRANDMA

Madison at Park

Jaquelynn and Happy Meal toy  

Brooklyn hiding from camera

Moving from the big house where Ken and I were rattling around 5 empty bedrooms, 2 empty family rooms, and 5 empty bathrooms had us rethink continuing to live on Rockwren, a custom home we had built for our five wonderful children. We lived there 14 years, but it was time to move, and move we did to a gorgeous location right on the lake. Our deck actually goes out over the water. We wake up to quacking ducks, squawking geese, 12-18 huge Coy fish and 4-8 turtles every morning. It is wonderful! However, when family comes to visit...it's too small. So we spend time on the deck (because everything seems to get broken indoors), and at the nearest park.

Finding a park in Irvine is simple. Go right or left or straight or backward, since Irvine is the #1 planned community in the US and is built around two man-made lakes and 75 parks that include swimming pools, tennis courts, volley ball plot, basketball hoops or kids play areas. It's a heavenly resort-feeling community that we love. And we love having the kids visit, no matter how crowded, noisy, sticky and uncomfortable it gets. They are why we do what we do. Families are forever!

Brooklyn, Madison, Jacquelynn on Grandma's Deck

Chamberlain with Grandpa and Grandma