February- March 2014

February was a great, but busy busy month. Events were not necessarily in this order, but we did this, all of this while working full time, raising a busy boy and having some extra fun in every minute.

With the help of two friends, I hosted a baby shower for our dear friends Cheryll and Joe the first weekend in Feb.

 Dan went to Breckenridge to ski with some college friends and had a blast. 

 Burke ended up getting sick on Valentine's Day so Mom and Burke spent the day cuddling. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Valentine's Day. Ok. I could, but I ate up all his hugs. This was really the only sick day from him this winter…knock on wood. A pretty healthy winter really.

Planes, Trains and Puzzles are still Burke's version of heaven. He loves puzzles! Two months after Christmas and Santa's train set is still a favorite. I love it too since he will occupy himself for 30 minutes just building his track, setting up his trains and then laying down and smiling while he watches them go around and around.

My Christmas present was long weekend in Chicago.

Dan and I chose to go to Chicago in February. Brrr! It may have been 15 degrees outside but we didn't let that slow us down. 

We went to the Billy Goat Tavern for a Cheez Booga.

We checked out the Chicago Art Institute.

Here Dan attempts to appreciate this modern art.

Here is a snowy view outside of the Planetarium that is right on Lake Michigan.

We stepped out on the scary viewing deck of the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower.

We ate deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's. Yum. Dan fell in love…with the pizza.

We had a drink at Gibson's the bar featured on the TV Show "The League."

We walked to a "Pancake House" that was known for their apple or fruit filled dutchboys.

We walked Michigan Avenue and stopped at the one and only Garmin Store.

We stopped to see our reflection in "The Bean."

Atop the 95the floor of the John Hancock building we enjoyed a nice adult dinner out and the view.

We toured the Field Museum and took Dan's picture with Sue (behind him).

We enjoyed a Chicago dog in the snow between the Field Museum and the Planetarium.

Our last day we explored the Shedd Aquarium and missed our Burke for this attraction.

Back at home we took Mr. B to "Donalds" for some ice cream.

Burke loves his cousins. Pizza dinner out with the Griers.

Burke and I drove down to Wichita to catch up with the Nonna and Papa and his great grandparents.

We had a late afternoon storm so we cuddled on the deck and watched it storm.

Burke's friend Theo celebrated his 3rd birthday with a superhero party.

Playing basketball at our gym.

We had our friends Mike, Staci and their daughter Eliza over for dinner and a playdate. 

January 2014

Burke turned 3!

 Burke (and Dan's) obsession led to an airplane themed birthday party. Dusty Crophopper is favorite around here so he was our featured plane. Burke sleeps with his Dusty toy. This place is like an airport with all the airplane toys. Dan regularly performs air shows for Burke.

 I am proud to say I made his cake. It had 4 layers, 1 blue, 1 orange and 2 white, all vanilla.

 A chocolate cake with LOTS of sprinkles.

 Barf Bags in the Baggage Claim for our kid friends.

 The Grandmas here to help and chat before the party started.

 Time to blow out 3 candles!

 Presents!

 Fun times with family, friends and neighbors.

 My how much changes in one year. He has definitely become a little boy! A wonderful, imaginative, sneaky, silly, loving and fun little boy. We love him so much and couldn't imagine life without him.

 Polly and Brecken came to celebrate.

We had a beautiful day for his birthday. Burke got a new 16" bike and we actually got to go try it out. Brecken was pippin' wheelies, thanks to her mama's hard work.

 Burke learning to ride his bike.

 Burke did amazing on his new bike. When he would fall, he might cry, but he would hop right back up and get on his bike. It is a little big for him now but come summer, it will be just right.

Thanks for staying and playing Vaders!

At Burke's 3 year doctor appointment he weighed 32 lbs and is 36.5" tall. He is in the 30% percentile for weight and height. He is now below average on both of these measurements so I am waiting for that growth spurt to kick in.

December 2013

 Time to prepare for the holidays!

Since it is the first Christmas in our house I am very anxious to get the Christmas tree up and stockings hung with care.

 It is getting cold. Cuddlin' weather.

Burke now invites you to cuddle. 

"Mommy, do you wanna cuddle on the couch with me?"

 Garmin hosted a family holiday party at Zonkers, a kids indoor entertainment spot with arcade, bounce houses, indoor roller coaster and of course, Santa.

 Santa is telling Burke that he knows Thomas the Train. Burke clearly told Santa that he wanted a race car and a train. 

 Burke can sing "Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph."

 When we got home from seeing Santa, a new elf had arrived on our fireplace. He is a scout elf that will help Santa keep an eye on Burke to see if he is being naughty or nice. Burke was intrigued by the rule that you can't touch him. 

Burke named his elf Dusty (like Dusty Crophopper in the Disney Planes movie).

Dusty is going to be having fun finding new activities to be doing each morning when Burke finds him.

Burke's 1st School Program. He is on the front row at the VERY far right. They sang 4 songs.

Christmas Morning is here!

Burke discovers what Santa brought him.

 TRAINS!

 He honestly didn't need any presents besides the trains since he didn't want to break away from the trains to open any other presents.

 A new winter coat for our Feb. trip to Chicago.

Grandma Jean and Richard joined in the Christmas morning fun.

What a fun Christmas morning!

 The Annual Christmas Eve Eve Party at the Pacey's house. So fun!

 Grandma Karyl stayed and played for a few days

Dan treated us and the Pacey's to a night flight to get an aerial view of the Plaza lights. It was a smooth flight and we had great weather. It was so peaceful up there. Thanks Pilot Dan!