Burke's 51st Week- Burke's First Christmas!



Christmas 2011
Burke's First Christmas!



Burke is ready for the holiday festivities.

He investigates each present to see which are for him.

He didn't participate in any holiday cooking.... just some rearranging of the cabinet contents.

Dan and I loaded up the car with Burke, Gage, gifts and baby gear galore and headed to Wichita for Christmas. We attended Christmas Eve Service at Westlink Christian Church across the street from Nonna and Papa. Burke recognized Silent Night that I sing to him nightly, but he got a bit squirmy.

Merry Christmas! Christmas Morning Santa found us in Wichita.

Tissue paper was a hit!

Oops! This is not edible paper.

Burke loves his new box.

Who needs plastic toys when a box will do just fine ??? especially when it is powered by mom or dad. They make great sound effects, but someone should check their license, they are bad drivers.

Burke got his first pair of cowboy boots!

... and a dump truck

All dressed for the day and trying out the new kicks. A little wobbly.

Great times at Nonna and Papa's house.

Great Grandma Jean and Richard enjoyed the holiday company.

Burke and Aunt Debbie watched the holiday hubbub.

Great Grandma Jo Jo

My cousins got to meet little man. I haven't seen them for years!

Whoa! It is snowing in there. So cool!

Papa, you are the best!

Burke is working on a few teeth and getting rid of a cold. He even lost his voice. He was a pretty good sport considering how busy of a day it was and how crummy he felt. He slept for 14 hours following Christmas Day.

Burke's 50th Week- Walk this way

Burke is finding new modes of transportation. We call this his elephant walk. He is stepping away from furniture to check his balance. Daycare reports that he has taken a few steps. We will believe it when we see it. Could he be walking by his first birthday in a few weeks?

 If he sticks his tongue out it helps his concentration. Burke gets this from Dan. : )

 Burke is 11 months old!

 Is there a pony in here? I will pretend I can ride this package!

 The most notable new skill is Burke showing his muscles. He clenches his fists so hard he shakes and growls. Dan and I strongly encourage this behavior and can not get enough. Video to come next week.

 Burke is the best gift we gave ourselves this year.

 Nice cheeks! Awe Mom. Can you see I am naked?

This photo will show up later in Burke's life, most likely when he has a date over in highschool.

 This lever must do something. Hmm. Not sure why you need it. Just go to the bathroom in your pants. Someone will clean it up.

 Mo hawk!

 Mom! I just dropped my toy over the side of the crib. If you get it for me one more time I promise I will take a nap. ; )

Burke's 49th Week

Burke is cruising around furniture and would love to climb the stairs if we let him. He often waves bye bye and might give you a high five if he is feeling like it. He is pretty happy and has a contagious giggle. We can't wait for our first Christmas with him. We had our Christmas photos of Burke taken at JC Penny's portrait studio this weekend.

 Burke posing for our new camera as dad plays with the settings.

 Sure. We will cuddle and model for the photographer. Gotta love our snuggle time before bed. The best way to end any day, in footie pajamas and reading a good book in our snuggle chair.

Burke is official. Our little family has stockings on our mantle with each of our names.

We are officially ready for Christmas.

 Nonna came to town to help out with Burke and baby shower preparations. She is wonderful help.

My very best friend, Polly, is expecting her first baby- Burke's future girlfriend, Brecken, in January. I hosted the baby shower on Saturday. I have been waiting for this opportunity to celebrate this little chic's arrival.

 Nonna repeatedly built Burke his very own Stonehenge in our kitchen so he could knock them over. The funny thing was that he would gently pick the top block off the top without knocking the tower over. What a ham!

 Shower Decor & Party Pics

 I decorated my whole Christmas Tree Pink for the shower! So fun!

 Prego girlfriends- Tis the Season.

We had a great shower!

Burke's 48th Week

The countdown is on to Burke's first birthday. It's amazing how fast this wonderful year has gone. Christmas is just around the corner too. We enjoyed a relaxing weekend at home decorating for Christmas, prepping for my friend Polly's baby shower here, and making some chili. Friday night we took Burke swimming at our gym's indoor pool. He had a blast splashing and wiggling. Our early Christmas present arrived, a new Cannon digial SLR camera. You may notice a better quality photo now. : )

 Saturday night, Auntie Nicole and kids came over to get some Burke love so Dan and I snuck out to an adults only dinner. Thanks Griers!

 Burke is a maniac. Crawling everywhere, pulling up and starting to cruise along furniture. He also discovered how to unroll toilet paper and rip it apart. I did not photo this mess, but I giggled and watched the whole time I watched him create it. Its the little things in life that make Burke happy- so they make me happy. Gotta have a little fun.

 Bundled up to go to our new church. This Sunday was the grand opening of the new Rez West building.

Burke's 47th Week- First Turkey Day

Burke loves my necklaces and face dives into my neck to eat them daily. This evening I put my necklace on him. He wanted it off immediately.

 Dan thought Burke's woodsmen pajamas were missing his wool socks.

 We hosted Thanksgiving this year. Karyl and Uncle Larry joined us in KC. While we waited for the turkey to cook we enjoyed the pretty day outside.

 One mean game of hide and go seek.

 Vroom Vroom.

 After dinner we walked to the park to get some fresh air and walk off the turkey dinner. Happy Thanksgiving!