First Expressions

Noah when he first saw what Santa brought:

Ethan when he first saw what Santa brought him:

Why Noah and Ethan Have the Coolest Daddy Ever

He is ALWAYS available for hugging, kissing, and wrestling!

He does his best to keep all of the toys/toyboxes in tip-top shape!
Santa makes sure Noah and Ethan's daddy gets the same toys, so we can all play together!

He is always available for a Star Wars' sword fight! (ignore the junk cabinet)

He helps build the best gingerbread houses!

AND, while I am typing this he is cleaning out and washing my truck!

Christmas with Cousins Ava and Bella!

David had to work the day before Christmas, so he, Trina and the girls loaded up and headed to Nanna and Poppa's to have early Christmas. Everyone (including Aunt Laura and future Uncle Wes) came to our house Monday night for our Christmas between the cousins!

Aren't they all adorable!

Noah really took to the girls. He loved on them and talked to them. Ethan, however, had other ideas of how to play with the babies that did not include cuddling!

I love this picture of Noah and Bella! He just makes her laugh!

Ethan decided to get into the action. Here he is with Noah and Bella.

I love this picture! Ava looks like she is shocked at a camera!

Ava opening her fantastic gift from The Burks. (Side note: notice the Valentine's Day bag? Noah collected all of Ethan's too small socks and decided that was Ava and Bella's Christmas gift).

Ethan playing with his front loader.

Noah tearing into his gift from Uncle David and Aunt Trina.

Noah, Ethan, Ava and Bella.

Gingerbread House/Sleigh Making

Timmy and Noah made another gingerbread house this year. Noah and his friend, Machaila, made the gingerbread sleigh.

Santa and the candycanes like to lay down.

Hard at work!
Santa decided to stand back up.

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas!

Christmas Ornaments

Over the years, Timmy and I have bought/accumalted many Christmas ornaments. Below are some of my very favorites:

Disco Ball Mickey Mouse. Purchased on our honeymoon at Disneyworld in 2001.

Mayfield High School. Mayfield, KY. Class of 1997.

I bought this the Christmas we found out I was pregnant. We knew Noah was a boy on December 17, 2003.Noah got this for Daddy his first Christmas.

Noah's first Christmas ornament.

Ethan's first Christmas ornament.

Max's first Christmas.
Our family ornament. Can you believe the girl mis-spelled my name???!!!

Wildcats cooking Cardinals. Enough said.
Noah made this for us in Sunday school last year. My favorite!

Duet

Just Another Friday Night

Sprinkles? Check.

White chocolate? Check.

Oreos? Check.

Sprinkler? Check.

Finished product? Beautiful home-made cookies!

Noah thinks they are great!

What was Ethan doing during all of this, you might ask?

Played with 'Mater!

Noah's Pre-School Program

Noah's Christmas program was tonight and he did great! He sang, rang his bell, and used sign-language for all his songs! Sorry for the red eyes...my camera was on the fritz tonight!

The Christmas tree that Noah and his school performed out of!

Introducing...

The newest member of the Burks' family...presenting...

RUBY-SPENCER!!!

Again, thank you Aunt Laura and future Uncle Wes for the hasty delivery of Noah's newest pet! I do not know what I would have done if you had not brought us Ruby-Spencer! It's funny...almost every day for the 2 1/2 years of Ruby's life, Timmy and I discussed how we could not get Ruby to die! We are not fish people! As soon as she actually does...we cannot get another fish fast enough! We will NOT be discussing the death of Ruby-Spencer. The devestation we saw in Noah made us realize that no matter how much we (or mostly Timmy) do not like cleaning a fish bowl, we NEVER want Noah to be that upset again! So, welcome Ruby-Spencer! I am sure you will lead a very exciting life in your fish bowl in Noah's room!

The Nose Knows

"Ethan. Where is your nose?"

Genius!

Trajedy

I was at the grocery store today when I got the phone call. Timmy said I needed to hurry and get home. Noah found Ruby. Floating. Upside down. We have had Ruby for 2 1/2 years and I must say that has to be some kind of record for a fish, right? Noah was VERY upset, but fortunately for him, he has an Aunt Laura and future Uncle, Wes who love him very much and are on their way right now to see him with a very new fish. I will introduce the new one later. For now, rest in peace, Ruby. Noah loved you very much.

Finally

We have had a challenging time getting Ethan used to regular foods. Everything we would try Ethan would just spit and laugh. I even bought a food processor for the vegetables so he would eat them and that still did not work. However, over the past couple of weeks, Ethan has finally started eating regular food. He loves crackers, bread, cereal, vegetable soup, pasta and sauce and tonight-french fries! We are so thankful!

Punching Bag

Really. Can a punching bag be a good thing for a 4 year old and a 1 year old?

If it is used for hugging, maybe?

Or a floor cushion?

Or as a horse?

Or for bopping each other about the head and face and laughing hysterically?

No matter what Mommy thinks, the boys think it is great!