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Monday, June 4, 2012

May Bullet Points

Does anyone else write blogs in their heads?  I have been doing that over the last few weeks, but it doesn't do any good unless I actually write them on here.  We have had so many fun things going on and I figure the easiest thing for me is to write them in bullet points.  And, they aren't tied together well at all.  Oh well, here is our May in a recap.  Hopefully I can post more frequently (instead of laundry or cleaning or napping or watching the Real Housewives during naptime)...

- Mother's Day weekend we headed to Atlanta to hang out with the Hendersons.  It was our first Mother's day without MeMe and it was nice to all be together!  We went to the aquarium and had a blast!  Here is Frank with all of his grandkids:
We went to the aquarium a few years ago (before children), and it continues to be so impressive!  Frank also treated us to the Dolphin show, and it held everyone's attention!  Fabulous.  Seriously, SeaWorld came to Atlanta!
This guy loves animals more than anything, so he was all about the aquarium!  Also, he was spoiled because he got a birthday party with the Henderson side of the family while we were over there.
The 3 Musketeers - Ellie is sweet to put up with these crazies!  And I think Turner and Ellie favor each other!

- The next week was our last week of school, and it was crazy!  We had a fabulous school year, and next year Turner will be in the 3s, John Burke will be in the 2s, and Collins will still be downstairs at MDO with me.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful teachers for all 3 of them!!
- I turned 31 on May 19th and we were in Orange Beach for the week!  Heath drove us down and stayed the first weekend, then drove home and Lindsey and I kept these 6 weasels for the week.
This is a clothed picture of them, plus cousin Chloe on the far left

We had so much fun!  It was wild, exhausting, hilarious...worth it!  Lindsey and I agreed you have to really love a person and their children to spend a week in a condo with them by yourselves.  Good thing we do!  
We watched a LOT of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 
Played and chased each other in and around the condo - you should have seen people look at us.  I guess it was shocking to have a 4 (almost 5) year old, 2 3 year olds, a 2 year old, a 10 month old and a 4 month old, but that's how we roll.  EVERYONE made comments.  A lady at the donut place asked us if we were Catholic, that is the first I have heard it like that.  And I wish I had a nickel for everyone who told us we had our hands full.  Believe me, we knew.  Most people were very nice and understanding - only a few ugly looks.  And a lady in Target told us we looked like the Duggars when they saw this:
Yes, that is Kate holding Collins.  And after an hour in Target, she carried her down the aisle and to the cash register like this.  I was fine with it, not so much for others around me:)  Kate was my little Duggar helper!
-We went out to eat several times, and of course didn't have a chance to take any pictures!  But, we did do a LOT of swimming at the pool and at the beach.  And Collins and Morgan hung with us, and napped in the tent when they needed to!
- On the day of my birthday, Heath took the 4 "big kids" (it's all relative!) on a sailboat ride.  We thought he was a little crazy, but it gave Lindsey and me time to lay out so we went with it.  

They had so much fun!  The captain was named Mr. Richard.  He was great with them, and indulged them as they waved and blew kisses to him the entire rest of the week when they spotted him on the beach in front of the condo.
We had a gorgeous week and precious family time, with some relaxation thrown in (especially Morgan here!) So thankful, and it made 3 kids look like nothing afterwards!  All about perspective I guess.
-We returned from the beach Memorial Weekend, and we were able to hang out at the pool and the lake with friends.  Here are our favorite neighbors after a cookout.  We love York and Perry, and baby brother Ramsay is almost here...

- John Burke loving chocolate ice cream.  He gets a lot of attention - demands it really - lately.  It is because he is 2, not necessarily terrible 2s, but he is just all over the place still.  He is talking a lot more, and seems like more and more of a little boy and less of a baby.  But then he pours chocolate chips all over the floor or draws on the wall with pen or jumps in the water when no one is there to catch him, and I remember he is still my baby too!  This weekend he told Heath to "quit following him" and he told me to turn around in the car when I was talking to him, so he definitely has some spice to his  personality.  But, he is a lover and I am constantly amazed at how different he is from Turner!  

- Turner (taken on Vulcan's leg at a work event at Vulcan for Heath) is currently obsessed with super heroes, though he knows very little about them.  He will wear his big boy underwear consistently now as long as they are Spiderman.  Easy enough for me!  And, Heath did not appreciate it like I did but I asked him to walk out to the car and get something and when he did, he looked at me and said "Who gon' check me, Boo?' a la Sheree from Real Housewives of Atlanta.  He hasn't seen it, but I will say I am realizing how much he is listening when I don't think he is as I quoted it a lot at the beach with Lindsey.  Wow.
- Lastly, this is a picture of Collins with her boyfriend, Sims.  They better get to be fast friends, because they are going to be thrown together a lot!  She is pretty sweet and laughs and smiles a lot. (She is crying in my lap as I write this because it has taken my attention for so long!)  She eats well, sleeps well and narrowly escapes John Burke's "love" every day!  Her baptism is coming up this Sunday, so she will be the center of attention, if only for a brief while :)!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Happy 2nd Birthday!

On April 28th, John Burke turned 2!  Since he is not into anything in particular (unlike Turner's obsession with cars at this age), I decided to do a low-key cookout for his birthday.
"Cars" was the theme - we have watched it in our car no less than 250 times, and I don't think I am exaggerating 

 Originally, my plan was for it to be a riding toy party.  However, the kids had way more fun on the jumpy
 
 Heath grilled chicken and made pizza, of course!

 John Burke had a ball!  And so did we!!

 John Burke, Burkita Jones, Burke Burke...we love you!  You are your own bird, and I am so glad that God gave you to me.  You adore babies, especially your baby sister.  Even if you continue to brush her hair a little too roughly or stick your stinkin' finger in her mouth. UGH!  You give the best hugs, and you love to bother your brother, or "Nuh Nuh" as you have been calling him lately.  Y'all can break out in a full out toddler brawl at the drop of a hat, but you get over it pretty quickly!  You cry when I make you leave school because you love your teachers and friends so much.  And your favorite thing lately is animals - you go nuts when you see dogs and geese especially.  You also have quite the temper, and you like to say "NO!" just for the heck of it.  But, Daddy and I think we will keep you.  
Happy 2nd Birthday!  






Sunday, April 22, 2012

Thomas...and a wedding


This little guy loves him some Thomas the Train. I do not understand why - it is so boring to watch and even listen to when it is playing in the car. But, back in December I bought tickets to go ride Thomas the Train. I really did buy them 4 months in advance, because they have sold out in past years and I didn't want that to happen. And I was 8 months pregnant and not sleeping, so I thought of these things in the middle of the night!!
Walking up from the parking lot - the kids LOVED seeing the "real" Thomas!!
Holding a Scavenger Hunt for all the attractions - these people knew their audience!
Well, our sweet friends the Harlesses made it out there with us and we were able to meet up with Jeanne, Jeremy, Averitt and Zachary. We had so much fun! It was a gorgeous morning out in Calera. The people were very nice and it was such a great, kid-friendly environment! We got to jump on the jumpy, and there was a tent full of train tables!!
There was also miniature golf, a chance to meet Sir Topham Hat (which we skipped when we saw the line!) a tattoo station and John Burke's favorite, a petting zoo!
Since we bought the tickets WAY early, we were able to sit in the first train, right behind Thomas! The boys had a blast and the nice conductor let them stand up as they rode as long as the held the rails!
It was as 20-25 minute ride, and just right in the amount of time. I was very impressed at how organized and thought out the whole event was! But guess who had the best time on the train? This bug-eyed little lady! She smiled and laughed the whole time. She was on the ground of the train, so she must have liked how it felt to ride!
Thank you, Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera for a fantastic morning for our little train enthusiasts! I highly recommend it!
That brings us to this weekend. Our dear, dear friend Kina got married this weekend. She was married at the Botanical Gardens, and of course we had to bring our/her kids to enjoy! They didn't even make it long enough for Kina to walk down the aisle (but she did take her precious time!!), Heath took the boys to the back of the gardens. They were able to yell and wave at her while the vows were going on. Her biggest fans from afar!
Our best shot at a family picture, especially since we didn't do one on Easter!
John Burke and one of his teachers, Wanda - He sure is shameless with these women. Runs right up into their arms
Dee - another one of John Burke's teachers
The groom - Neal
Our favorite bride, Kina!
Their beautiful daughters, Morgan and Mikayla
The happy couple - Mr. and Mrs. Neal Owens
We love y'all!!! Thank you for all you do for our kids!!
Enjoying her first wedding. She is growing so much and is 3 months today!! We love you Baby Sister!!