More Pictures

Here is the link for more pictures from Christmas.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was pure joy! Family, good food and coffee (thanks to my new Keurig milk frother from Santa), and watching the magic of Christmas through Hunter's eyes. Ga Ga and Pa Pa (Doyl's parents) and both my sisters actually got to our house by 6:00 am to witness Hunter's reaction to finding out Santa had come during the night. Hunter ran directly to the biggest gift, which was wrapped in "Cars" paper, and immediately tore into his Santa gift. A Bruder, flat bed truck with a back hoe loader. Xavier loved his new piano and Hunter's drum.

The Perfect Turkey

After three years of the not-so-perfect Christmas turkey, we finally got a perfect turkey. It was a true Christmas miracle. After it took over 90 minutes to roast a dinky chicken this summer, I had my Viking oven serviced. That, combined with putting the turkey in a bag, and cooking on convection, our 15 pound Christmas turkey came out of the oven after 3 and half hours, cooked perfectly. Cathey was truly tickled. Here is a picture of the grandmas and the perfect turkey.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

The boys got to meet Santa today! Hunter asked for a flatbed truck and a reindeer. We were just thrilled that both Hunter and Xavier sat on Santa's lap and looked at the camera!

Who says we don't have seasons in LA?

Hunter enjoying the fall leaves in our yard.

Finally Healthy

For the first time since September, both of my children are healthy, and have been healthy for almost a week! November pictures coming soon.

Fun in the Tub

Love this shot!

Ear Infections and Pink Eye, Oh My!

Well, the boys continuous colds from October have turned into ear infections and pink eye. Tis the season I guess. Hunter was diagnosed Thursday with conjunctivitis and an ear infection. Yesterday, I said, "Hunter, don't touch your brother, I don't want him to get pink eye". Hunter responded, "Mom, Xavier's eyes are brown". I just had to laugh and I knew despite my best efforts, it was inevitable that Xavier would get it too. I brought Xavier in this morning because of the yellow goopy eyes that he developed last night (conjunctivitis), and sure enough, he has a double ear infection too. The kicker is I brought Xavier into the doctor earlier this week because I suspected ear infections and he was clear! The good news is both the boys are on antibiotics and should be better in 10 days... just in time for Thanksgiving. I am praying we can stay healthy over the holidays!

October Pictures

Here is the link to the Kodak Gallery album of more October Pictures.

Procrastination

I should be attacking the mountain of laundry in the laundry room or washing the kitchen window with peanut butter and jelly smeared over it (Hunter claimed he was finger painting) but instead I decided to change the template of my blog and play around with colors and fonts. I suppose, like Hunter, I needed to express my creativity today. I should get some work done before both the boys wake up...

More Halloween Pictures

Here is the link for more pictures from Halloween.

Halloween

Hunter and Xavier were Thing 1 and Thing 2 from the Cat in the Hat for Halloween. Hunter had so much fun carving the pumpkin and trick-or-treating this year! He slept in his Halloween costume, and woke up in the morning, saying, "I want to go back to Halloween." Unfortunately, after taking care of my sick kids and husband for the last month, now it's my turn, and I spent most of today in bed with a terrible cold. Once I am feeling better, I will post the rest of our Halloween and October pictures.

I think it was a dump truck!

Doyl and I can't figure out where Hunter came up with this, but when he passes gas he claims it was a truck. He is usually very specific too. For example, Hunter will toot, and then say, "I think that was a dump truck". It cracks me up every time.

Underwood Farm

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Underwood Farm last weekend. Hunter liked the tractors the best, and Xavier was a good sport in the backpack.

Look Who's Pulling Up

Xavier started pulling up and standing this past weekend. He is very proud and excited about his new skill. It's keeping mommy very busy, as he doesn't know how to get down, once he is up.

September Pictures

Here is the link for pictures from this September.

Fall

What a busy month it has been at the Burkett house - we are finally getting into our new fall groove! Hunter is going to preschool four days a week in the morning, and loves it! Of course I don't have a good first day of school picture, but I do have this one of him in his Huskies' jersey playing football in the backyard. It brought the Huskies good luck, as they defeated USC that day. Hunter loves screaming, "Go Dawgs!" and the fight song, "Bow Down to Washington" at the top of his lungs. Doyl is very proud. Xavier keeps growing and getting cuter. He crawls all over the house and loves "chasing" the cats. I can't believe he will be 8 months old next week!

Haircut Time!

Hunter After

Xavier After

Xavier had his first haircut last week. I had my stylist do it, and I think it turned out adorable. I had Hunter's haircut today, and I am now regretting having them cut it so short. He had over an inch taken off! At least it will grow back.

7 Months!

Xavier turned 7 months old today! Time flies when you're having fun! Xavier is sitting, crawling, drinking from a straw cup, eating solid foods, babbling, and giggling. He was 50 percentile for weight and 75 percentile for height at his well-baby check up a few weeks ago. He adores his big brother and is always smiles for mom and dad. We are so blessed.

Remembering Hunter Crawling

Hunter did the "butt scoot" from 9 to 13 months, and then finally did a traditional crawl before he walked at 16 months.

Xavier Crawling Or Doing The Worm

It's official, I have two kids who are mobile!

August Pictures

I really can't believe tomorrow is the last day of August! In a week, Xavier will be 7 months old, and Hunter will be starting Preschool!! Here is the link for pictures from August. We stayed in LA this month, and enjoyed our backyard, the beach, and visits from the grandparents. We are also very excited that Aunt Hillary and Uncle Jesse moved to Santa Monica this month and love having them here!

That's Mine!

Last Sunday we had Xavier Dedicated at church. Click on this link for more pictures of the special event. After the church service we went out for brunch with Doyl's parents, and my mom and sister. Hunter is going through the "mine" stage, where he claims everything is his. We most often see it at home, when Xavier is playing with a toy, Hunter will yell, "that's mine" and grab it from him. He will also do it at the playground or mommy-me class, and I am getting a little tired of it. Anyhow, when the waiter was clearing our plates at brunch, Hunter yelled, "That's mine!... Mommy they're taking our dishes!" We all had a good laugh.

My Boys

Xavier Starts Solids

Xavier will be 6 months old Friday! We started oatmeal with him this weekend. He is not a fan. I am going to puree some fruits and veggies next week and hopefully that will go over a little better.

Hunter's 3rd Haircut

Hunter is 2 1/2 and was looking a little shaggy, so we decided it was time for a haircut. It's only his 3rd ever. I sent Doyl with Hunter to the hair cut place "First Cuts", with the instructions, "we like the surfer, shaggy look, but clean it up a little - he just needs a trim." Hunter came back with something that was a bit like a mullet. Doyl said he repeated the instructions to the hair cut person and announced he would never take him again. I took Hunter back the next day and had the long hair cut off.

Michigan Pictures

Here is the link to more pictures from our trip to Michigan. We had a lot fun playing at the beach and swimming. Hunter also loved all the toys at Grandma's house. Our first day there was like Christmas morning for Hunter. Flying was as good as it can be with a 2 1/2 year old and a 5 month old. They both did very well on the planes. When we got to Michigan, and when we got back to LA, Hunter cried when we were getting off the planes, "I want to go on another plane!" Adjusting back to West Coast time has been a little more challenging. Both kids are still waking up in the five o'clock hour. We are making progress, but it's exhausting! All in all, we had a great, fun, and relaxing time with family and friends, and the weather stayed decent for our whole trip. What more can you ask for?

Michigan Trip

All dressed up.

Enjoying Superman ice cream with grandpa Brad.

Xavier (5 months old!)

Hunter snacking at the beach.

Here are just a few pictures from our trip to Michigan.
I hope to get a link up to Kodak Gallery later today.

4th of July

Here is a link to a few of my mom's pictures from the 4th of July, at her house on Lake Macatawa in Holland, Michigan.

Facebook

I did it, I joined Facebook.  Because I made a point in my first post on this blog to say I wasn't going to join Facebook, I feel like I should explain.  The first reason is because my dear friend Courtney moved to New York and I discovered that when I can't reach her by phone, she is on Facebook.  Secondly, I am in Holland, Michigan visiting my family and staying with my mom. My mom doesn't have cable TV, and my kids are asleep by 7:00pm, so I have some extra time to actually do Facebook.  I have heard the Facebook is a big time drain, and I am worried I will spend all my free time on it (which is one of the reasons I resisted joining at the beginning).  As you can imagine, as a mom of two young kids, I don't have a lot of time to spare, but at this point, it's done, and I plan to exercise constraint. Unfortunately, I love it, so we will see how disciplined I can be! 

June Pictures

Here's the link for pictures from this month!

The Terrible Twos

Today was a day of terrible twos for Hunter. Everything was a meltdown. He'd ask for milk, you would give him milk, and he'd cry for water. This was how it was today for everything, all day. It makes for a very long day. We thought and nap would cure things this afternoon, but we were not so lucky. It also happened to be the long anticipated Recycle Center Open House. Of course it was a disaster with Hunter. We left with him in tears, screaming all the way to the car, and all the way home. Somehow, we captured a few good pictures and Xavier slept through it all (thankfully).

A Few New Pictures

Xavier hanging out... it took 10 pictures before I got one with smile!

Hunter on the Bumbo (which is for Xavier). Hunter thinks it's a potty.

Hunter reading to Xavier