We spent a few weeks in San Diego visiting Stu's family in late Jan/Feb. It was such a great time and, as usual, we LOVE spending time with the Grater Clan!!!! I was very nervous to fly with the boys by myself, but after much research on the internet to get prepared I'd have to say it went smoothly overall. Burke was an angel on both flights, and Sam only got upset for a few minutes each way. My favorite part of the trip was seeing everyone and of course the warm weather. I wish we lived closer to everyone so we could hang out all the time! Sonya and I would be regular yoga partners for sure :) We love you Grandpa and Grandma Grater, Grandma Faye, Auntie Sonya, Uncle Paul, Trixie Moo, Kid Kiddo, and Maximum Trouble and we miss you all like crazy!
Burke seems to be getting bigger every day lately. He is talking up a storm and so fun to play with. Sam is a delight and is growing like a weed too. He smiles and laughs a lot and has many, many ticklish spots which are irresistible to get. I feel so lucky to be the mom of these 2 wonderful boys and I love hanging out with them.
Flying out of SLC with the kids.....alone!! You can't tell from this photo, but I was so nervous and my heart was beating fast.
Auntie Sonya and Burke taking a lunch break at the park.
Bath time!! Sam is a clean little cherub. :)
Sam loves his Uncle Paul.
Burke helping give Trixie a bath.
Meeting Aunt Tiffany for the first time. She fed Burke like a champ!
Awwwwww... Grandma Faye was so wonderful with the kids.
How old are you Burke? "I'm 2" (we worked a long time to get him to do this)
Burke cleaning off the patio, what a big helper!
Happy 2nd Birthday to Sir Burke!!! Grandma Sue and Grandpa Guy got him a Raiders football. He loved it! Once he learns how to read I'm sure he'll dislike it, but for now it's a fun ball to play with. ;)
We snuck in while Burke was asleep for his nap and hung balloons from the ceiling fan in his room. When he awoke, we watched him on the monitor, as he squealed with delight..."Momma, Daddy.....ballooooooons!!" It was awesome. This will be a tradition for sure.
Happy Birthday cake. We couldn't ever get him to actually taste it. Oh well, guess Mom will have to clean up after him :)
Burke and Max were fast friends.
Sam sitting up like a big boy.
Burke and Auntie Sonya playing together at the park. Check out how Burke is looking at Sonya. He idolizes her, it is so cute to watch them together.
Trixie had to get in on the fun too. :)
Burke and Trix marching to check out the playground. Stu played on this exact playground when he was a kid, just like Burke. Pretty cool!
Playing around with Dad at the park.
Sam staying warm with Granddad.
Eating dinner at the RV park Guy and Sue were staying at.
I love this picture of Auntie Sonya and Sammy.
Awwww.... Sam is so cute. I hope someday he can tell us what he is so amazed at. :)
All the guys together. From left to right: Sam, Stu, Burke, Guy, Uncle Larry, Paul
Listening to tunes with Grandma Faye. Burke is in heaven cause he LOVES listening to tunes.
Dick playing guitar at the Super Bowl party. He put on quite a show for us.
Gary and Lupe hosted the Super Bowl party this year. What a back yard they have! It was a lot of fun hanging out with everyone.
Sonya and I were feeling a little crafty one day so we whipped together these adorable banners for the boys, one for Sonya and one for Faye. Mine say 'happy birthday Burke' and 'happy Birthday Sam', Sonya's says 'celebrate' and Faye's says 'Bless this home'. I love how motivated Sonya is in life and thankfully it rubbed off on this project cause we finished them about an hour before I flew home! I seriously could hang out with Sonya all the time. I am lucky to have you as a sister-in-law Son, I think you are wonderful!
Sonya, Paul and Sue at the Super Bowl party.
Stu and Guy during the white elephant exchange at the party
Uncle Larry, Burke and Faye laughing at the silly gifts everyone brought.
Mom and Sam having fun at the party.
The boys and I made it home to SLC!! It was a long day of travel, but the kids really were great. Its so good to be home!!!!
The crocuses stuck their heads out today by our front door. Spring must not be too far away.
It was 54 degrees outside today so Burke and I
had to go enjoy the sunshine. Could he be any cuter?! This is how he smiles when you say 'say cheese' for a picture. I love it so much.
Picking berries off the bush out front. Check out that double chin and his big marshmallow cheeks. I know those will fade as he gets older so I am always kissing them.
What a handsome little guy!
Happy 2nd Birthday Burke!! We love you.
Showing us how he can 'bend and jump'.
Go Chargers! This was the last picture of the photo shoot, Sam has had it and is trying to smile through his tears, and Burke had a football prop, but threw it down cause he was done holding it and wanted to go home. Can't believe the photographer got him to smile. :)
What a living doll. Love his feet!
Samuel's famous smile. What a handsome little bugger.
Pig in a bucket.
Awwwww!
I'm done with this picture taking business. See you later aligator!
Our little cutie pie!
Sam just started doing this 2 days ago. Just in time for family pictures. :)
Double trouble!
Hey Burke, show us what a little kid having a fit looks like. Good boy, that is a very good impression! :)
The Grater Clan
Brothers!!! Oh alright...the cutest brothers in the world, there I said it. :)
What beautiful eyes Sammy has! And a formidable double chin. :)
Getting pretty good on his bike. I love how he sticks his tongue out when he is concentrating.
Playing ball with Simon.
This is Burke, asking to 'get in my crib and play around' face.
You can't see his legs, but he is very purposefully balancing against the side of his crib...on one leg...without the use of his arms. Ya, he is amazing! :) Grandma Madelyn taught him how to balance so now he wants to do it everywhere. He puts so much effort into it, I have to try not to laugh.
What a handsome man Stu is! So. Incredibly. Handsome. :) I love you Baby!
