Bachelor Party at Casa Burke

This weekend, Brendan decided to have a Bachelor's Party for his close friend Kevin, who is getting married in a couple of weeks. The four boys pictured, have been friends for almost 2 decades. Steve, Jason, Kevin and Brendan.

The party started on Friday night when they decided to go out to dinner. Then they ended back up at our house playing "Halo" until all hours of the morning. They all stayed the night, because really at that hour we didn't want them driving home.

The next day they went to a movie and played some more video games.

As tradition, Kevin received the, "Sugar Pudding, Sweeter than a Chocolate Spoon" doll. Each time one of these guys got married they received this item. So yes, Brendan and I have been the keepers of this for almost two years and I am thrilled to be passing it on!

What If -- By Brendan

“What if” is one of my favorite games. It’s an easy game to play. Simply say, “what if” followed by any question you can think of. Although typically reserved for long road trips and drawn out meetings, “What if” can be played any time. Just ask Nikki who has the “privilege” of playing often, especially while she’s trying to fall asleep or read in peace.

Since no one is within earshot, and Nikki deserves a break, I’ll play a quick game of “What if” by my lonesome. Feel free to substitute your own responses where applicable.


What if… Hillary Clinton becomes our new President?

Response: We’re moving to Canada where our taxes will only be 60 percent of our annual income. Mind you, I have no qualms with a woman in the White House, just THAT one.

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What if… Mitt Romney becomes our new President?

Response: He’ll owe my dad about a million favors after single-handedly financially supporting his entire campaign. Surely, I jest. Or, do I?

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What if… Nikki hadn’t convinced me to see Juno last night?

Response: I would have missed the chance to laugh for two hours straight. I’m still laughing. If you liked Nacho Libre, Hot Rod or Blades of Glory, go see this movie. If you laughed more than once during Wild Hogs or Delta Farce, don’t waste your money. Juno is not for you.

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What if… I grew a sweet Beowulf goatee to win a bet?

Response: Hello? Done that. There is ongoing debate, however, concerning the quality of the goatee. But if you ask me, it was a flawless replication of the mighty warrior’s majestic man tresses. Please note that I have no plans to grow another goatee unless, of course, we’re revisited by the late 1990’s.

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What if… Nikki didn’t have a major crush on Tim Riggins of the show Friday Night Lights?

Response: Then I would feel a lot guiltier about my crush on Lila Garrity of the same show.

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What if… I spent an hour shoveling our driveway after a snowstorm?

Response: It would snow another 5 inches that night. (Repeat this question five, no, 10 times.)

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What if… Jake and I had been successful in our efforts to franchise an Ikea in Utah back in 2001?

Response: I’d be rich enough to buy my friends instead of trying to amuse them with silly blog entries.

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What if… I reluctantly shed a tear or two while watching The Kite Runner?

Response: See it for yourself before you judge me. Besides, I’m pretty well stocked in manly man department after growing my sweet Beowulf goatee.

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What if… Aliens came to earth and forced us to reenact the Star Wars Trilogy for their amusement?

Response: Dibs on Chewbacca! I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right. The suit would get hot and sweaty and may even start to stink. But hey, when ya’ll are memorizing your lines, I’ll be in the Millennium Falcon playing Holographic Chess with my droid buddies.

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What if… Stephanie Meyer rewrites Twilight from Edward’s perspective?

Response: OhMyGosh, who cares!? (This response also applies to any Dancing With the Stars or Britney Spears references.)

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What if… the Utah Jazz were in first place in the Northwest Division?

Response: Then my beloved Trail Blazers wouldn’t be. You see my dilemma.

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What if… I weren’t LDS and had to choose another religion?

Response: There are a lot of options out there, some more attractive than others. Ultimately, I’d have to go with Oprahism. Not only does she have an immense following, but you do seem get a lot of free stuff. My only hang-up would the hourly meeting five days a week. Tough call…

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What if… you are actually still reading this?

Response: I commend you for your ability to endure through this scripted blather. Rest assured, there is more where that came from.

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Stay tuned next week for a real blog entry from my sweet wife Nikki.

Peace out.

Jerusalem Reunion and New Year's Eve

10 Years ago I had the awesome opportunity of traveling to the Holy Land for a Semester Abroad. Fall of 1997, I found myself at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies with 176 amazing people. Over this Christmas Holiday, we had a 10 year reunion for our group. I was so excited for it. It was such a fun night. What was so great about it is that everyone looked the same, just a little bit more mature.

My Semester in Jerusalem was such an amazing time. The faculty, staff and students were so much fun. I learned so much about the history and the people of the MiddleEast.

Here is a shot of all of us!

Also, a couple of my dearest and closest friends I met in Jerusalem: Brooke & Roselyn. We ended up all being roommates back at BYU and have been life long friends even though we are separated by many miles!!

On New Years Eve we headed down to Morgan and Steph's for a party. We had yummy Mexican Food and Chocolate Fondue for Dessert!! Kasey and Denver were there and also our long lost friends Brittany and Eric. We usually only see them around Holidays, so it was so fun to see them and catch up with them!! We ended up playing games until all hours of the morning, and sad but true that all the kids were still awake at that time!!

Christmas 2007

This Christmas we were in Idaho with my family!! We definitely had a White Christmas as we got snowed in on Christmas Eve. It was a total white out, which I love!! The whole family made it home for Christmas so it was a good time had by all.

It was so fun to be at home and watch all the kids get so excited about Christmas. Of course on Christmas Eve, we read the Christmas Story and talked about the real reason for the Season. My Dad did a wonderful job of teaching everyone about the Savior and all the symbols that come around Christmas Time.

We were actually all shocked on Christmas morning when the kids slept in until 8:30! All the adults were awake and up before the kids, well except for Brendan.

A lot of our family traditions revolve around food, YUMMY!! Christmas Morning, we always have a Grapefruit, Crepes, and Ham. We all LOVE this meal and my Mom is such a great sport to do this for us every year!!

Also this Christmas was really wonderful because we got to welcome a new member into our family. Ian Thomas Johnson was born Nov. 12th and this is the first opportunity we all got to meet him. He is just darling and so dang cute. He is a really good baby and it was so fun to spend some time with him. Ian is the second son of Jessica (my little sister) and Steve.

Holidays -- Get Togethers w/ Family & Friends

What I just love about the Holidays is the gathering of Family and Friends.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a get together in Herriman at Julie and Ben's House!! There were a ton of my dearest friends there. We had such a good time and had great food. I just adore everyone that was there and consider so blessed to have so many wonderful friends. We have definately grown in size with spouses and children, but I say the more the merrier!!

People pictured: Brendan, Nikki, Jen, Chris, Eric, Melissa Darren, Craig. Next row: Chad, Melanie, Ben, Julie, Tiffany, Nalani, & Lani

This weekend, we had dinner with Brendan's Grandma, otherwise known as Mina. She is such a darling women and we always have so much fun with her. We took this picture of her, she wanted to show off the lap blanket that Brendan and I got her for Christmas. Isn't she just so cute!!

After dinner with Mina, we went over to Todd and Anna's house. A bunch of the guys that Brendan went to Graduate School with get together every so often. We always have such a great time with these guys. We play games and talk!!

I just love the Holidays for all the get togethers. I hope all of you are having a fabulous Holiday Season and are getting to spend it with loved ones!!

People Pictured: Stanton, Becky, Burke, Brendan, Anna, Todd, Wyatt, Olivia, Brian, Heather, & Elizabeth.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

As most of you know, Brendan is from the Northwest and he insists that at Christmas Time, we get a "REAL" tree. He says, "We are not getting a fake tree, because we are not having a fake Christmas."

I do have to admit, I love the smell of having a real tree in the house. And it is fun going down to a tree lot, picking out a tree, packing it up and bringing it home. It reminds me of when I was little.

I thought I would post a couple pictures of our "REAL" Christmas Tree.

I love this time of year, and hope that all of you are having a wonderful time as well!!

10 Ways to know you are in Our Ward by Brendan Burke

Every ward is unique. Some are more unique than others. So, if you ever find yourself in West Jordan, Utah thinking, “I wonder if I’m in Brendan and Nikki’s ward,” here’s a helpful list.

10 Ways You Know You In Our Ward:

You notice the chapel is painted a soothing mint green. Wait, it’s really more of a “pistash, pismashio, pisashio… green gravy color.” Two points for whomever just got that reference.

Your wife catches you every time you try to sneak your Sudoku puzzles into Sacrament meeting. Moreover, your wife catches you every time you try to sneak contraband in from the outside.

Sacramento meeting lasts exactly six minutes following seven (yes, seven) consecutive baby blessings. During these weeks you’ll find yourself deep within the overflow, which means every baby held up will look the exact same. Names, however, will differ, except for the three that end in “aiden.” You know, Braiden, Kaiden, Jaiden, etc.

Opening exercises provide many (I mean, MANY) opportunities to give service. Summer months have been known to boast up to eight service projects a week. Should your schedule not permit you to help lay your neighbor’s sod or put up his fence on, say, a Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m., there are several weekend service opportunities available.

You wonder why Brother X has never seemed liked you, only to find out two years later that he’s been holding a 900 year-old grudge since your ancestors ran his out of their Irish castle a century ago. Oh, and if you find yourself thinking, “YES!” inside your head as he explains it to you, make sure your face displays no outward expression of your internal satisfaction. I’ve never been so proud to be a Burke.

You notice three nurseries, two primaries and one priest. Also, you can count everyone older than 40 on one hand, even after losing your right thumb in a high school shop-class accident.

When closing your eyes for a prayer, you hear up to eight crying children. You would hear more, but science has proven that the human mind can only process eight different sounds at once. By science, of course, I mean my own weekly experiments.

Children in the congregation can be found in groups throughout the chapel. These “church play dates” typically feature a robust menu of fruit snacks, juice boxes, crackers, Teddy Grahams, Cheerios and more.

If you find you’re the only guy in the building wearing a shirt of color (black, for example) you’re probably the same guy who’s trying to sneak in the Sudoku puzzles.

And the #1 way to tell you’re in our ward… You see a fist-size toy metal helicopter fly straight past a row of people and hit a lady square in the head. As the poor lady grabs her head in pain, you notice the mother of the little culprit ask the injured lady’s husband to return the helicopter. No “I’m sorry”, no “are you all right?” She just asked for the toy. Where was the culprit’s father doing the entire time? He was busy playing games on his Palm Pilot not bothering to look up. I don’t blame him. At least his wife lets him bring his toys in church.