Happy New Year's Eve

Thursday, December 31, 2009

This morning we took Angelo to go play at Chuck E. Cheese with Dominic and Mattie.  He loves going up there and riding all the rides and playing all the games, but there is one thing he doesn't like... Chuck E. Cheese himself.  The mascot tried to come up to him and shake his hand and he immediately got in my lap and started crying and yelling, "NO... I'm SCARED!" LOL  Not funny for him, but it was funny.  I did finally get him to give Chuck one little high 5.  From then on, he was very aware of where Chuck was at all times.  Dom was the same way.  If Dom thought Chuck was coming close to us, he would hide under the table!  It is pretty odd to see a huge mouse coming at you that looks a little rough.  He's not as well known in our house as say, Mickey Mouse.  I bet Angelo and Dominic might be OK with that huge mouse coming in for a high 5!  But just to be safe, we'll probably wait on that Disney World trip! LOL

Anyways, we are off tonight to go celebrate New Year's Eve with a few of our friends, the Newberry's.  We've gone there probably about 4 years in a row now.  We laugh, play games, then toast to another wonderful year!

We were very blessed this year to move to a new house (closer to our parents and cousins), have a new happy healthy baby girl and to enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a two year old.  We have such great family and friends who are there for us anytime we need help.  Family is the most important thing around here and we are lucky to be so close to most of our immediate family on both sides.  Angelo and Lola are lucky enough to get to see their grandparents and relatives ALL THE TIME!  Here's to another year!... Bring on 2010!

Boys Day

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Even though it is Lola's 8 month b-day today, we decided to take Angelo and Dominic to Jump Zone to burn off some of their ENERGY!!!  Boys indoors all week is not a good combo.  Angelo needs to be outside and run wild for a little bit!  So, since it's so cold, Jump Zone and big bounce houses will have to do!

When we got home from the bounce house, Sheila, Dennis and Kristal all came out to see the kids.  They were up for a while, but then it was naptime!  They were exhausted from all the activity.  We ended up going to our fav. local restaurant, Twisted Root for some dinner, then home to bed!

Energetic at 8 months!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

I can't believe little Lolacakes is already 8 months old!  Where did the time go?  I'm glad I'm doing this blog, at least this way I can look back and remember each day that I had with them when they were little.

Things I know about Lola to date:
1.  She weighed 17.11 lbs at her dr. appt almost 2 weeks ago.
2.  She full out crawls now.
3.  She wiggles more than any kid I know when getting her diaper changed or trying to put her outfits on!
4.  She has started ripping out her bows and hats.
5.  She now plays "shy" when any men talk to her.  She will put her head on my shoulder coyly when someone like my dad or Uncle Tony talk to her.  It's the most precious thing.
6.  She still loves her big brother even though he still pushes her over or gives her a love tap every now and then.
7.  If you sing her name to her or if she hears music she will "dance".  Which means wiggling back and forth, smiling so big.
8.  We had to lower her crib this month because she has started pulling up on things.
9.  She has started pulling up on things.
10.  She is the most precious little girl in the whole world.

Pulling up on her new toy

Pa pa and Mimi came over to babysit today!

Her schedule is still pretty much the same.  She gets up between 7-7:30, eats breakfast, bottle and nap around 10:30, lunch around 12:30, nap and bottle around 3, dinner by 5:15, back down for the night between 6:30-7!  A full day for this mama!

Bounce House Fun

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I can't believe but it's snowing AGAIN!  Three times in a week.  We've never seen this much snow in Texas in our whole lives.  Unfortunatly, this time it only lasted for a little bit.  Didn't even get a good pic of it!

Dominic and Mattie came over to jump in the bounce house with Angelo.  They all had a great time and wore themselves out!  Yea!  That was the whole point of this thing!!

Uncle Tony and the kiddos

Family Game Night

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Hung out at the house all day.  Angelo jumped in the bounce house a good part of the day.  Carol came over to eat and open gifts.  Ant, Jared and Rudy and I played a heated game of catch phrase.  After a few rounds it turned physical between my husband and his brother!  Thought Unc Tone might end up in the ER after re-injuring his knee from an earlier in the week incident involving a taxi cab and a flight of stairs...don't ask! 

Angelo and Jared showing their muscles!

Can someone please come and clean this mess up??!

White Christmas

Friday, December 25, 2009

We woke up to a White Christmas in Texas!  Amazing!  and so pretty.  The kids were up early to see what Santa had left them.  Angelo was walking down the stairs and could see his goodies and was so cute pointing with his mouth wide open in excitement.  We heard a "Holy Mackeral!"  Once they were done playing with some of the new goodies...

we showed them the "big ticket" item that Santa had left... a BOUNCE HOUSE!... in our living room!  Because it was too cold to set up outside or even in the garage!  So, it lives in our living room until either it gets warmer or mommy goes crazy stepping around it every day!  But Angelo has figured out how to turn it on and off by himself, so randomly throughout the day, we hear the loud humming noise of the bounce house... it's like white noise taken to the extreme! 

Lola getting in on the action.  She loves it!  She gets in there and yells!

After the morning chaos, we got ready and made our way (slowly... because of the ice) to the Gaylord Texan for a Christmas morning brunch.  We met Rudy's side of the family up there and also saw Mandy and Frank and their family too.  A whole Renda reunion!

When we finally got back home after naps, my side of the family came over to celebrate.  We ate and watched the kids play with their new toys!  Angelo had to show everyone his new bounce house, even recruiting a few people to get in there and jump with him!

Playing harmonica with Uncle Bryan... notice the concentration...

Gettin' a lift from Grandpa

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Thanks to my husband who told me it was 10am, when really it was only 7:45.  I mean, can I EVER sleep in???  My kids aren't even here and I'm getting up early. Oh well, a little room service breakfast, then we are out the door.  I keep hearing all this talk about "SNOW".  As we are driving home, running a few last minute errands and shopping, it has started sleeting.  I never watch the weather, so of course, I have on flip-flops.  YIKES!  Finally arrive home to my sweet little boy running to me kissing me telling me, "Mommy, I miss you".  Melt my heart.  Love him. 

It's Christmas Eve so we planned on having people over tonight to eat and be merry.  But the weather wasn't cooperating, so only a few made it... my parents, brother, Anthony, Jared.  This was the first Christmas that I can remember it snowing.  It's pretty, but I'm so glad it only comes about once... or twice a year!  We ate, played in the snow, played Scattergories then ate some more!  Just as I thought it was going to be a full fledged slumber party, they all decided to brave the storm and go home.  Just as well, Santa was on his way...

It's going to be a White Christmas!

Ready for the SNOW!

Playing in the SNOW with Uncle Bryan

Rudy making snow angels

Reading the story right before bedtime

Not sure... Rudy and Jared in a "loving" embrace

Happy Birthday to Me!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

My children actually let me sleep until 8:15am this morning... MIRACLE!  This morning was spent hanging out with my favorite little boy playing cars.  Then his sister woke up and we ate, went to Starbucks (for my b-day!) and played around until daddy got home.  I got my hair 'did' this afternoon by one of my oldest and dearest friends, Missie.  She gave me some sweet ringlets... lol.  All will look good by 7pm.  Headed home to get ready for a night out with my husband.  Thanks to my sweet parents who babysit ALL THE TIME!  They came over so Rudy and I could go stay at Hotel ZaZa for my birthday.  We stayed in a super cute suite courtesy of my favorite brother in law who surprised me by taking care of the room for my b-day present! Thank you Anthony!

We headed down for happy hour and dinner with some of my favorite friends.  A good time was had by all!  My cheeks hurt from smiling so much!  It's fun to hang out with old friends.  You forget how many good times you've had until you start reminiscing.  Love them all.  Thanks for making the trek out to Dallas to hang out with me!  My camera died, so I'm hoping that I will get some of their pics of this night!

(insert friends at dinner) :)

One of the Burkett Family Christmases...

Sunday, December 20, 2009

OK, so this date is out of order on my blog, which really bugs me, but I don't know how to move it!

Anyways, still relevant. 

We got together tonight over at my parents house for dinner with my dad's side of the family.  My uncle is going to have shoulder surgery on Tuesday, so they won't be able to make it on Christmas Eve, so we decided to celebrate early.

Uncle Archie and Aunt Margaret

Aunt Shelly and cousin Keith

Silly Boy

Dallas Mavs

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Lola enjoyed her first trip to NorthPark Mall today in Dallas for some last minute Christmas shopping.  I wish I would have had time to get her Santa pic taken, but I was in a hurry!  I know I will regret that later!! 

Tonight, I enjoyed a much needed girls night out that my friend Bryanna arranged.  We met at her house then headed over to a new place to meet up with other friends called Ocean Prime before heading over to watch the Mav's game in a suite!  It's so nice to go have some fun with friends, but this mama was tired by 9:15!  I really need to step up my game!

Just thought this was a cool pic at Ocean Prime that I took on Bry's camera!

Jennifer, Terra, Bryanna and Moi

All the girls in the suite

Being silly with Jennifer

And She's Off...

Monday, December 21, 2009

Lola is officially a crawler!  As long as you put something down, out of her reach, that she wants to go for.. she will crawl to get it.  She has this funny way of crawling right now with one of her legs sticking out.  I always thought little girls crawl funny because they always have on a dress that gets in the way, but she hasn't had one on today and she still crawls like that!  Now we have to be super careful that none of Angelo's toys are in her path, since most things end up in her mouth.  Just waiting on that 3rd tooth to make an appearance! 

Renda Family Christmas

Saturday, December 19, 2009

After the Gingerbread decorating fun, we headed back home to pick up daddy to go do a good deed for a Roanoke Family.  We adopted a family from the Roanoke Food Pantry that had two little boys and a single mom who is down on her luck and can't find a job.  We gave them some much needed Christmas cheer (and a lot of fun toys!).  We hope to do this every year, especially when the kids are older so they know how blessed we are with the things God has provided for us.

After Angelo's nap, we loaded up the car and headed off to the Renda Family Christmas.  The boys enjoyed playing on the swingset.  Not for too long since Angelo still has a runny nose and it was cold outside!  We had a great time with just family.  Lola went to sleep early so missed most of the activity.  We ate, opened presents and then watched the kids play with their gifts!  Angelo was a big hit, staying up until 11, playing with all of Rocco's toys... since he went to bed!

Lola's Christmas outfit

Cool gift from Aunt Nat... personalized signed helmet from Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware

The Nobu Spread...almost too pretty to eat!

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