Nutcracker

Kaitlyn and I started a new holiday tradition today: a performance of The Nutcracker by the Charlotte Ballet Company. It was amazing and is one of my new favorite traditions. I'm so glad Kate is old enough to now appreciate and enjoy the ballet and even more thankful that she told me: 'Mama, it's beautiful to watch, but I just want to do gymnastics'. Whew! Our bank account thanks you my dear! For now, we'll just be spectators in this sport!

Finished the afternoon with a favorite meal!

A Tale of Four Trees

Here our holiday trees this year. I have to say, our family tree is not only my favorite of them all because it showcases all of our 'family' ornaments we've acquired and made throughout the years, but this year, I love that we're able to have it in our newly finished sunroom done by my hard working husband. Good work honey- we love it! 

Family movie date

This morning the kids woke up to find that our family elves had left them some gifts- a new pair of pj's and tickets to go see a movie first thing! We put on the pajamas and hopped in the car and headed to the theatre. There we found hot chocolate and cookies waiting for us and..... Santa! The kids both enjoyed telling Santa about their lists: a gymnastics mat for Kaitlyn, something spiderman for Mikey as well as a 'parachute guy'. Kaitlyn even saw some neighborhood/ school friends there and while taking a picture with them, Santa sneaked up behind to 'photobomb' their picture! Then it was off to our seats where we watched Mikey's most favorite movie: The Polar Express. Such a fun morning!

Mountain Fun

We had an amazing time this past weekend. We took a trip to the Boone/ Blowing Rock area of NC with our neighbors and rented a cabin for a couple of nights. Normally we drive up this time of year to cut down our family Christmas tree but we've always just made it a day- trip. Mike had the wonderful idea of extending it to a whole weekend and it was wonderful. Our friends who live across the street were able to come too- the McIntyre family. They're have 2 children: Sophia is 3 and Louis who is 1 and they are adorable!

First, the cabin. I could kick myself as I don't have a picture of it but it was great. It had a rec room downstairs that had a pool table and off of the balcony in that room was an outdoor hot tub! Let's just say the kids LOVED these features. The kids had their own room with 2 twin beds and they had slumber parties every night. We spent Saturday walking around the quaint town of Blowing Rock which our family loves. The kids have some favorite playgrounds in the town that we explore and play in. Then we had a delicious lunch and headed back to the cabin. After a rest, we visited Mast General Store to stock up on our candy fix for the year (one of moms favorite stops!). The next morning the kids woke up and took a nice dip in the hot tub before breakfast.  Then, we went back to Mast and ran into Santa!! Kaitlyn was surprisingly shy for this visit but explained afterwards that she thought this Santa was a 'helper' and not the REAL Santa! Good girl. Then we went to the Christmas tree farm and 

Had a picnic of sandwiches on the back of daddy's truck before finding our perfect family tree. It was such a fun, festive family trip. I can't wait to make this a new holiday tradition!!!! 

Checking out the view from the living room

Swinging on the porch!

High Country Hideaway!

Hot cocoa 

Kaitlyn loves taking family photos 

Candy boy

Telling Santa his list (spiderman everything!)

Not sure about this 'Santa' ;)

Off to find our tree! Love hayrides!

Now on to finish decorating!! 

Thanksgiving 2015

This year, we hosted thanksgiving at our home and invited some friends/family that live in the neighborhood. The Marinelli's (our pool neighbors and more like family) Nana Pat, Papa Joe, Uncle Kevin #2 and his friend Isabelle. We also had the McIntyre's that live across the street with their two adorable children- Sophia (3) and Louis (1). 

It was a wonderful day- I spent the morning cooking and dad worked so hard finishing the sunroom (a project he's been working nights and weekends on For. Ev. Er!) so we could set up a table and eat in there. And it was so great! It was a beautiful fall day and we sat around the big table with the new floor-to-ceiling windows open and enjoyed our wonderful meal and conversation. Later that evening our family's 'scout elves' came back from the North Pole to see how the kids are behaving so they can report to Santa every day! 

I was too busy enjoying myself with our friends and family so I didn't take many pictures but I will share what I have- I hope you all had as amazing of a day/weekend as our family did. Love to you all!!

My little turkeys! 

Three kids at our kids table. Kaitlyn helped me make pilgrim hat crayon holders so they would have some fun waiting for the grown ups!

My full plate before......

And after!!!! YUM! 

Papa Joe trying to avoid my camera!

Our leftovers! We had SO MUCH FOOD!

Buddy and Red Sparkle came just in time to watch the Panthers crush the Cowboys #keeppounding

The kiddos in their new Jammie's from the elves and new 'stuffies' from Nana Pat and Papa Joe

Happy thanksgiving everyone!! 

WHAT IS GOING ON?!!

Well, I guess it's safe to say that I'll never be a professional blogger--- WHAT? A WHOLE YEAR has past with no posts?! FAIL.
I won't bore you with excuses, and I'm not going to try to go back in the past and try to make up the time (honestly, that's one of the reasons I've been gone for so long). I will just say that I'm sorry and that I will try to do better.
The Burke Band IS doing wonderful... amazing even, and I can't wait to share what we are currently up to. For starters, this morning I found that Kaitlyn's writing about 'How to Cook a Turkey' has been published in our small towns' newspaper- yay Kate! If you'd like to see it, you can click here for the article (it's the second picture on the right hand side of the screen).

Speaking of that little turkey, she has had so much fun this past week in school learning about the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Mikey even came home from school Monday to tell me that the Pilgrims traveled on the 'Sunflower'. Good boy. That's why he's the 'Stupid Star' (his accent is horrible but I think he means SUPER STAR) most days in his class!

Katie went on a 'field trip' on the Mayflower. She had to pack this small bag with only ONE item that she loved.... she picked her 'woo-doo' (lovey) that she's had since Mikey was born.

A Pilgrim and a Turkey came home from school on Monday

Princess Fast Wolf (because she's fast, and likes wolves- duh. ???!)

Gobble! Gobble!

I'm very sorry that I've been so horrible at posting/blogging but I will do my best to do better. Can't wait for all of the fun that we have in store for our little Band and I can't wait to share it with you!

Our Gymnast

Kaitlyn had her gymnastics Christmas show this week. She was....adorable! Love this girl so much and how hard she works.

Showing me her name in the program!!

Her friend, Kylee