7 Years

We married 7 years ago today...look how much younger we look! I think we both officially feel "old" now. We haven't celebrated yet but soon...

Love you babe or should I say..."te amo bebé"...see you Friday

Dallas World Aquarium

On Friday before Amy and Aiden had to fly home we all went to the Dallas World Aquarium. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how cool it was. We went to the Long Beach Aquarium last summer and that was neat - but the Dallas one was better! It was like an indoor rainforest with plants and waterfalls. There was a sloth hanging out right above the walkways and turtles lined the pathways too. It wasn't your typical look into the tank - type aquarium.
Aiden reaching out to touch the glass on the Anaconda's aquarium. It was cool because it was moving and we saw it go from land to in the water swimming.

Grandma showing Ella and Aiden the sting rays.

The Gang (minus Will and Brandon - our tireless providers who worked while we played & Aunt Stephie who is working her tail off to get her diploma at BYU in April)
These two cuties have officially outgrown the double stroller (by virtue of fighting with each other and fighting with me to ride in it). Am I ready for two kids to be walking instead of being buckled down? The answer: NO.

Ella with a Jaguar (not your typical aquarium animal!)
Me & My Kidos

Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa for a FUN day!

Celebrating Brody (& Ella) again!

On Monday the 18th Aunt Amy and Cousin Aiden flew in from California to play with us! We were all looking forward to their trip and getting to spend time with them. The first thing we did was celebrate the kids birthdays - again! Brody got a special dinner and another dinosaur cake at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He also got some more presents from Grandma and Grandpa and both kids got presents from Aunt Amy and Uncle Will. It was lots of fun to see the three cousins play and interact more now that Aiden is a little older.

Dinosaur (or Dragon) cake #2 -- bought for only $1.49! Yeah Mom! Love Manager's Specials!

Ella got to open a few presents too - she is very into it now!
Ella helping Brody open one of his gifts from Aunt Amy

Brody holding a new Dr. Seuss collection from Aunt Amy. He loves books and words! He is doing awesome on his letter sounds and is starting to sound out beginner words.

Celebrating Brody

For Brody's birthday we headed to the Plano Train Show. Its an annual event where train enthusiasts could come and show their set-ups and vendors could sell stuff. Both Brody and Ella loved watching the trains come and go. We were amazed at what detail and creativity (and money!) these people put into their hobby. It was a perfect outing for our train loving birthday boy.

Afterwards, we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's and had cake and opened some presents. He was thrilled to get a few new trains for his own collection and a Buzz Lightyear suitcase so he can have a sleepover with his Grandparents.

Burton Family at the train show
Watching the trains go by...
Brody & Ella in front of a "Thomas and Friends Mount Rushmore"
The kids went on a train ride with Dad...they are in the coal hopper (right behind the engine)

Brody's first request was a train cake - but he had that last year...so then he asked for a "4 year old - not too scary dinosaur cake" I think he was happy with it.

Happy Birthday Brody!

Check Ups

Both kids had their well-visit with the doctor after their birthdays...they are doing well and growing like weeds! I have to say the 4 year visit sort of stinks - there are lots of shots!! We ended up splitting it up for Brody. I guess California and Texas require different things, so Brody was going to need 6 to catch up. Yuck! He ended up with 4 today, and then he'll get the other two on his 5th birthday to be ready for Kindergarten. Ella only had 1 - lucky girl. She was REALLY sweet to Brody afterwards though - she bent down and kissed both his legs. I have some really loving kids...I hope it stays that way!

The stats:

Ella at 2 years:
weight: 28 lbs 2 oz (75%)
height: 36 in (95%)
head: way off the charts

Brody at 4 years
weight: 32 lbs 6 oz (15-20%) hooray! We are up from 3%!
height: 40 3/4 in (50-75%)
BMI: 3%

Four!

Here are a few photos of Brody's first 4 years of life! We had a fun day celebrating with him...but more on that later...

Born January 16th 2006

1st birthday

2nd birthday

3rd birthday

4th birthday

He looks a little out of it - because he is...he woke up today not feeling great, but has been a trooper all day and has loved all the attention on his special day. He is a very sweet boy who comes in every morning and says good morning mommy. He (sometimes) will say to me without being prompted "Thank you for the yummy dinner mommy". He always is quick to give hugs and kisses. He is bright! He loves to learn and has in the last month or so exploded with his letters and there sounds. He now sees words and is trying to sound them out. It has been the most exciting thing for me to watch (so far) as things he is learning "click" and all of the sudden he is writing words and sounding them out. We love how excited he gets about everything. He is a special 4 year old boy and we love him lots!

Celebrating the Birthday Girl

A yummy breakfast with pancakes, bacon, and hot chocolate (made with hot chocolate mix and not cocoa!)

Ella with her birthday cake...after she had already snuck a few bites. After dinner it had gotten quiet and we found her in the other room eating all the roses off the cake...its a good thing it was her birthday cake!

Ella's birthday cake - after Ella had snuck a few bites...

The Birthday Girl!
Taking a phone call from her Great Grandparents in Sacramento singing happy birthday to her...

After opening her gifts she is petting her new kitty "Meow Meow"