Easter Bunny

We went to see the Easter Bunny last Friday and decided to grab a few shots of the kids in the studio before we went. Allory is so easy to entertain and of course Jackson is a pro at this camera thing now. It's so funny how well they do together. We have been so blessed with two amazing children. Happy. Healthy. Ours. God is Good! Happy Easter to all :)

Allory Mae : :4 months

Allory was in a great mood after we went to lunch one day, so I decided to sneak her out to the studio for a few quick pics. At just short of 4 months old...she is getting good at grabbing her toys, putting her nuk in her mouth, holding her toes, drooling all over and smiling on command...and laughing quite a bit!

: Notice her name on her onesie? :

Holy Jackson!! After this pic, I started put stuff in her hair :)

Allory is 3 months old already and she was so funny for her mini photo shoot. She cooed at me the entire time...it was hard to get pics with her mouth closed, or at least smiling. Thank you mom for helping me with this shoot. It's always harder doing it by yourself. We love our little girl so much. She is getting so strong now always holding her head up - hating tummy time, but sleeping well. We are so blessed to have such a sweet little girl. Thank you Joy for the fabulous little onesie with her name on it. I may even be able to use it for her 6 months pics when I can see it more :)

Our "little" boy turned four

Jackson Patrick - you bring so much joy and love to us you have no idea. We are so proud of you. We couldn't ask for a better little boy or big brother. Thank you being a kind hearted, happy and smart little man. We are so excited to watch you grow up. We love you so much!

More pics to come of Jackson's photo shoot at Meijer Gardens, but I thought I'd post my favs. He'd start with a silly face, then end up cracking up at himself afterwards...this is when I caught his true smiles that weren't posed :)

Allory's Baptism

Allory Mae Burkholder was baptized into our Church downtown Grand Rapids on Sunday morning. I was baptized at Park when I was right around the same age almost 30 years ago!! Wow...yes I am that old! It is so exciting for us as parents to see our little miracle being blessed in His name. I only hope that she will enjoy Church, Youth Group and timeless relationships through it all as much as I did growing up. Thank you everyone for being there and making it over to the house afterwards for lunch.

Allory...with Mom and Dad

Adam got home from school today just in time for me to snag him into the studio for a few pictures with Allory before he was off to the Basketball game at the High School. After we got a few with him, he snapped some of me as well. As much as he doesn't like to take pictures, I think I have trained him well ;) He has a good eye!

The fabulous circle chair was a gift from the Rineharts to Allory and I am in love with it. It is the perfect prop for little girls. Thanks again Donovan! Allory is 6 weeks now and weighs about 10 lbs. Amazing that it has taken her this long to weigh that much when Jackson was there at about 2 weeks! She is finally getting to the end of her cold - with just a cough holding on.

Bathtime

Like I said before Jackson is such a big help with Allory and wants to be involved with what she is doing. She smiled away at him as he dumped the water over her belly! What sweet kids we have :)

Skiing

Minus the rope tow in our back yard :)

Practicing how to get up after you fall

Adam's favorite hobby is downhill skiing and ever since Jackson was born he kept asking how young can I start teaching him to ski?? Well, last year we never got the chance to take him out because every day that we planned to go the windchill was way too low for a 2 year old. So, this Christmas Break, Jackson finally got to try skiing...yes, it was in our backyard, but we wanted him to get a feel for it before he went out on the slopes! He loved it and Adam was a great teacher (weird, I know). He can't wait to get out to a real ski area. Good job Buddy, we are so proud of you!

Jackson and Allory

The smiles we are getting from Allory are so precious now. She responds to Jackson and his little chats with her. I am excited for them to grow up together. Jackson is so good to her and is such a great big brother. We couldn't be happier. That last few days have been rough for both kids. Allory went into the ER because of her lungs, runny nose, and horrendous cough. They ruled out RSV and think she just has a respiratory virus that will take 7-14 days to clear up. Poor thing - she sounds like she is barking when she coughs! Jackson picked up the same thing from her, but not quite as bad. We've been homebound the last few days trying to recover.

Christmas 2008

Jackson getting his treat out for Santa

Opening gifts Christmas morning

Allory got Jackson Woody to go with his Buzz (for "being a big brother" as he would say)

Seven grandchildren in just under 5 years!!

And you wonder who Lucy got her hair from...

Owen and Maggie

So excited about his new "tools"

"The Hulk" was trying to take out Papa

Brayden wouldn't take off his glasses during most of the gift opening

What a great Christmas we had with our families. After having the whole Burkholder clan over for Christmas Eve, we celebrated with the Heth family and Burkholder family on Christmas Day. Jackson was so excited this year for Santa to come and to open all of his presents. Allory slept through most of the days activities so Jackson helped her open her gifts. Thank you so much to our family for all of your help the past month - we really appreciate everything. We love you all so much!