Nole's Cabbage Patch Photo.....

We finally got around to taking the traditional grandchild's "Cabbage Patch" photo at Grandma's house! If you remember, Grandma has a collection of Cabbage Patch dolls and we have propped all of the grandchildren in with the dolls over the last 18 years.

To refresh your memory, here is the link to Bella's: http://beautifulgiftfromgod.blogspot.com/2009/10/reprise-cabbage-patch-baby.html

AND, here is sweet Nole' in the "Cabbage Patch...

Well, Bella HAD to get in on the action, so here is a photo of her just to show you how much she has grown in two years!
Traditions are so much fun, aren't they? Well, now we will have to wait for the first great-grandchild for the next photo! :)

Happy 2012!

Happy New Year, Everyone! We had a wonderful family night last night.

First, we went out to our newly-opened Olive Garden....Although we went at 4:15, we still had an hour wait! I waited in the car with the littles watching "Signing Time" until our table was ready.

The meal was so good....Elizabeth had a dream meal of smoothies and melted cheese & bread....
We haven't been out to eat as a family for so long and the kids were so well-behaved. What a treat to have a sit-down dinner, be served, AND not have to clean up.

After the dinner, we returned to the house for our annual festivities. Elizabeth went to a movie with two friends who are home from college and Sam went to the Youth for Christ party. So, we had our countdown at 7:30!

My sister got us started on a tradition that is too much fun. Right at the end of the countdown, we wear hats, use blowers, and jump on jumbo-sized bubble wrap laid out on the floor. It was a bit much for Nole', so he made a fast retreat to the livingroom until everything settled down.


We wish you all a "Happy New Year" filled with love, good health, and faith!

Blessings from the Burckhard Family!

Nole's First Christmas

Hope you all had a wonderful, Christ-filled Christmas! Nole's first Christmas home was too much fun! Here's a snapshot of his first Christmas home...







Nole' wishes everyone a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

Who's Got a Beard That's Long and White?

Santa's got a beard that's long and white.

Who comes around on a special night?

Santa comes around on a special night.


Special night. Beard's that white.

Must be Santa, Must be Santa, Must be Santa, Santa Clause!

My Fashionista.....

Oh my, are we in trouble! We have a budding fashionista on our hands......

When Grace saw the "Shake it Up" (Rocky & CeCe) clothing line at Target, she just had to have it! How could we say no?

She loves to look at herself in the mirror from every angle and then gives herself a double "thumbs-up" and says, "Perrrrrfect!"

She is just too much fun! I wish I could have her self-confidence and positive body image!! You, go, Grace!

Finally, I Return!

Hi All! Just popping in to say "hi"! I just noticed it has been a whole month since I last posted. I am not even sure if anyone really reads this old blog anymore (except maybe Grandma), so am trying to decide if it is time to retire from the blogging world. I must say, though, that this blog is the only time I have ever recorded any thoughts, pics, etc. about my family and our life.

I didn't even do baby books.

So, perhaps I should just force myself to keep going.....so at least I have a scrapbook of sorts for when my memory is fading (which feels like it is happening sooner rather than later.)

Today, I am in Sioux Center, IA, with Elizabeth. We are visiting Dordt College as a prospective student. She just loved it here. She is actually staying overnight at the dorms with some girls and I am at a hotel all by my lonesome. What a treat!

The last month was one of the most stressful, agonizing months of our lives. So many overwhelming things happened. The biggest I won't even mention here because I have to respect the privacy of the family member. Let's just say it is so hard!

So, my life is going through some changes, the least of which is that my eldest will be going off to college in less than a year. I am so proud of her, yet will miss her terribly!

Thanks to all of you who continue to read this blog. If I do decide to keep going, I will have to commit to doing a much better job, huh?

Blessings, Paula

Bella Watching "Annie"!

Here's our Bella watching the musical Annie...."Why anyone would want to be an orphan is beyond me!" (Miss Hannigan) Bella agrees with Miss Hannigan!