In a flash...

It seems impossible that it has been six months since I've posted on the blog!  Obviously, life has been a little full the last few months.  I often think about my blog, but I know I'm behind and realize it will take hours to sort through photos, post and write so I just keep putting off this precious keepsake journal that I so dearly love reading and recording the special moments for our family.  So, here I am, finally ready to take a few minutes and go through the last six months at warp speed, just hitting the highlights, and determined to do better at logging in more frequently.

Here goes...

The summer was a break from the daily school routine, but still plenty to keep us busy.

We started the summer off with a bang at the annual Burgin family beach trip to Topsail Island.

Later in June, we were off to the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC to celebrate 14 years of marriage-

because what says romance more than four kids in your hotel room at an indoor waterpark!  Seriously, though, we had a great time and it was special to celebrate with the kiddos.

In August, thanks to a friend watching the older three kids, Jason, Gavin and I were able to head to Louisville, KY to celebrate the marriage of my cousin.  We don't see my extended family often, and traveling with only one 8  month old was a breeze, so it was a special trip.  

By September, we started school in earnest and also celebrated Drew's 5th birthday!  

Fast forward to October.  That is pretty much mine and Jason's favorite month of the year.  The beginning of cool weather, leaves changing, anticipating the holiday season to come, and of course, most importantly the NC State Fair!  We are addicts and usually stay for at least 12-14 hours each year.  

This year, Jenna entered three of the competitions for the elementary age kids.  She received ribbons in two events, sewing and cake decorating!

Here she is pictured with her cake (the  white circular one with purple and green to the top right).  She was so embarrassed to have her picture taken!

A couple weeks later and we were already at Halloween.  We had a Parisian girl, a pirate, a UPS delivery man and a spider scouring the neighborhood for candy that night.

About that time, we discovered that baby #4 also has an affinity for Doritos, just like his Dad!

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving and we were able to spend time with both families.  There are now 10 grandchildren on each side, so it is always a lively time when everyone gets together!

My entire family was able to gather in Concord, my home town, which is a rare treat.  The cousins always get along well, and it was great to catch up with my siblings who I don't get to see very often.

Just to make things interesting, we decided to plan a Disney vacation to take place two weeks before Christmas!  We enjoyed over a week in sunny Florida, 6 days at the Disney Parks and my Dad and his wife were able to join us for 3 of them!

This is just a glimpse into the crazy, Christmas fun that we had at our house this year when Jason's family gathered on Christmas Eve.  

And of course, there is lots of fun to be had with cousins, especially on Christmas Eve!!

2013 was an amazing year.  We added a sixth member to our precious family, enjoyed some awesome times together making lifelong memories and were blessed with health, friendship and provision more than we could ask.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.