Our First Christmas........with a 2lb Eggplant!

Christmas #2 for the Burkey family was the best yet for us. The whole week leading up to the holiday went by in a blur. Tues & Weds were focused on getting last minute presents bought and wrapped. Thursday was a very good day. It started with stockings in the morning and then a fun football game watched at Applebees with some friends. Steelers clinched a playoff spot and i ended up with some sweet Batman Roos.



Friday i was up early for work. Everyone that worked Friday got paid for an 8 hour day, even though all the branches closed early. But our branch only closed 1 1/2 early and it was on a day we had to work 1 1/2 hours earlier than normal. Thus we pretty much just worked a regular day, but will get paid the same as all the shortened day employees. Gotta love how stuff works out.



But after work we headed home, fully loaded up the Xterra grabbed the dog and headed out. We got to Hoisington just in time for a delicious stuffed peppers supper and then headed to the Hoisington Lutheran Church for their Christmas Eve Service. When we did the candle lighting Kelci's candle got a little too close to my program and suddenly we had a little fire going. But it got blown out and after a chuckle we got back to O Holy Night. After Church we did a lil socializing then it was back in the car to head to Great Bend. Met my parents at their Methodist Church at 11 and got to sing a few of the same songs and light another candle. Luckily no fire this time though!



Christmas morning we were up early to open our stockings and then we headed back to GB to open presents with my side of the family. We got my dad a authentic throwback Franco Harris Jersey and we could tell he really loved it so that made up extremely happy. And Lyla was all over the place and enjoying the wrapping paper more than anything.



Its amazing to see how fast shes moving around, and climbing down from the couch. It was only a few months ago that she even really got into standing up on her own, and now look at her go! Kelci and i both had a few moments where we realized that this time next year we're going to be celebrating Max's first Christmas!



Kelci let my buy myself a few new pairs of running shoes, plus Kelcis mom got me a pair of Vibrams and her parents got us both a new Camcorder so we were crazy blessed this Christmas. My mom hooked me up with a new Tri Jersey (in orange so she can pick me out in the water!) and my sister bought me some Nathan Hydration stuff for long runs. It seemed like we both received way to much stuff, but we were told to enjoy it because next year Max will be hogging all the presents!



We spend Christmas day evening with about 25 of Kelci's relatives on her Moms side and enjoyed more presents, games and grub



Sunday Kelci headed to the Catholic church with her mom and i headed out for a long run. It was only 25 degrees and the wind was blowing ice but it was still worth it to run. Ended up running out in the country on Oil Well access roads and found myself running for a mile down a dry creek bed following a deer trail. It was a literal winter wonderland with white covering everything as far as i could see.



Ended up coming upon a couple black labs on the road and 1 decided to follow me and my running partner (Bryce's dog Mudd) 3 miles all they way home. It had a collar and their neighbors locked him up and promised to call the vet the next day to get him back home.



After that it was time to watch the Chiefs and eat some pizza. Then it was back to Great Bend for a Christmas dinner with my parents. Then we got the dog in the car and headed back to Wichita.



Monday was a 5.3 miler on the river trails with 2 miles on the dirt loop by Botanica to stay out of the wind. Then Kelci and I headed to Wal-mart. We hadn't been full on grocery and supply shopping in probably 2 months. 1 full cart and 200 dollars later and were stocked up for another month or so!



Tuesday after work I got to work making a delicious Meatloaf with potatoes carrots and crescent roll goodness and we got all the Christmas stuff put away and organized back in its spot under the stairs. 45 min on the spin bike and then it was 10:30 and time for bed



Welp that was the week.



Hope everyone had a great Christmas and heres to a even better New Years!

Merry Christmas

I just {LOVE} Christmas! And I can't believe that it's here already!
We did an early Christmas with the Boxberger side of our family last weekend so that everyone could be there. My little cousins are all growing up so fast and it's so fun watching Gabby and Mal open their gifts. They are at that age where everything is so exciting and every gift is awesome to them.

Kevin and I opened out stocking presents yesterday morning since we knew today was going to be hectic. I got a ton of smell good body wash, slippers, and cute panties. Kevin got new dress socks, batman under-roos (what a funny sight) and a Steelers stocking cap. And even though a certain man in our house said that it was unnecessary to buy our unborn child Christmas gifts, there was a surprise in our little avocado's stocking. In haphazard wrapping and scratchy letters there was a baby sized package that said "To Max From Daddy". And I cried...I'm not sure that a present should be so important but that gesture said something to me. Kevin thinks of Max as a part of our family. I get to feel Max every day so I know he/she is real but Kevin doesn't have that constant reminder. All he sees is my ever growing belly. But he's starting to get it... there really is a beautiful child in there waiting for him to love. :) So yes...I cried over a onesie with a spaceship that said "My daddy is out of this world" but I know that little baby shirt will be the best present I get this year!

We wish you all a very merry Christmas filled with family, friends, love and laughter!

Love,

The Burkey Family

Kevin, Kelci and Max

23 weeks later and now its a PAPAYA!

So its Christmas again…eh


Cool....

I love the idea of Christmas, and I love Christmas itself, its just very time consuming. Not to bah humbug especially because Kelci lives for Christmas, I just find it overwhelming. Outside of the occasional nativity scene the purpose of Christmas is overlooked. Its ridiculously commercialized and maybe that’s great for the economy but it just seems so superfluous in regards to what Christmas means. Personally I don’t need 24 hour radio stations playing different versions of the same 20 Christmas songs, and advertisements for breakfast with Santa at Gander Mountain. I’m sure next year when we get pictures of Max with Santa it won’t be in front of a 30% off gun rack. But there is only another week and then the tree comes down and goes back under the stairs for another 11 months.

But even with all the Christmas distractions.. eh I mean enjoyment J we had a pretty great week. Thursday was dinner in old town with some of Kelci’s co-workers. One of her friends is changing jobs so we went out to Playa Azul. It was a good meal with some good friends. I had skipped out on my bike workout earlier so I don’t know if I really earned my Super Burrito…but it sure was delicious! Friday was the early day at work, then due to the cold and wind I ended up on

The weekend went crazy fast. Work was busy enough to fly by Sat morning and then at home we had a nice lunch and then I hopped on the bike trainer for 1 ½ hours while Kelci took a nap and then did cleaning. Then Kelci left for Christmas shopping and I just lounged around. It was a crazy cold and windy day. Sunday was an early morning with breakfast in bed then headed to the Y. Ran 4 miles on the treadmill then did a 6:12 mile on the indoor track. Base training for running is so boring at 8:30-9:00 mile pace so just felt like running fast. Then I hopped in the pool to loosen up, then rushed home for the Steeler's game.

The game wasn’t on TV locally and neither of us wanted sports bar food, so we pulled the game up on the computer and watched it on our computer screen in the bedroom. And while a 22 inch screen isn’t much it still got the job done. And so did the Steelers. Polamalu had 2 picks and Farrior had 1 and the defense scored most of the points. Eh… that’s Steelers Football

After that Kelci went shopping with her family and I settled down with a Ezra and Coke to watch the Chiefs get destroyed. The horrible thing about this team is every time they play well enough to raise expectations they immediately fail to reach them. Its pretty sad and while their playoff destiny is still in their hands if they cant beat the actually pretty good Rams next Sunday it’ll probably be all she wrote.

Monday was just another Monday with a run at the Y and some delicious BLT Kelci was jonesin’ for. Then Tuesday after work we did some shopping then headed to Babies R Us to register. Kelci and I were both completely overwhelmed right from the get go. We didn’t know what we needed, what we wanted, and what was pointless….so we pretty much just registered for anything. And 1 ½ hours later and 130 scanned items we left knowing a little bit more than when we came in.
Some things I learned:

200 diapers = 40 bucks and a newborn can go through 15 a day. That math comes out to about 80 a month, In DIAPERS only. Absolutely Crazy! And then there are tons of things just to go with diapers, diaper bags, special diaper only trash cans, wipes, jells, creams, and what not.

Baby food containers are cheap, but they take up space. Our little kitchen is pretty crowded, and if we end up with half of the bottles, Tupperware and food sets we registered for, our already overly crowded Kitchen is going to get even cozier.

While a crib is ridiculously expensive that’s the least likely place Max is going to sleep. We already have a bassinet, but there are baby rockers, and sleepers and pack and plays and bundle carriers. Etc etc etc
So basically all this kid is going to do is Eat Sleep and Poop, and if that’s the case and our families and friends come through on the registry we should have all three covered.

I got through 3 quick reads this week.

The first was a John Grisham novel – Playing For Pizza. While his normal book is usually based in the court room this one centered around a football field. In Southern Italy. Its about a Career backup football player who ends up throwing 3 interceptions in just a few minutes during the AFC Championship playing for the Browns (like they’d ever play in the AFC Championships!) He wakes up in the hospital with a Cleveland Lynch mob outside his window and he decides to get out of town. He ends up playing in NFL Italy for the Parma Panthers. It’s a fairly short book that just flies by and is pretty entertaining.

The second was a book I have been waiting to read for some time. Its called Again to Carthage by John Parker. He wrote a book in the 70’s about a Olympic class collegiate Miler named Quentin Cassady, called Once a runner. It was a book he wrote not for money but because he loved 2 things, writing and running and as a elite runner himself he truly got into the lifestyle of a 70’s distance runner. He sold once a runner out of the trunk of his car for years and it was only briefly published. So for 20 years copies were ridiculously hard to come by and it was selling used for 50-100 dollars. I was able to find a digital copy online a few years ago and read it sitting at my computer. Well now 25+ years later he picked up a few years after where he left off is Quentin’s life, and Q is now a Olympic Silver Medalist, a successful lawyer and a recreational runner. But due to some big emotional losses he realizes that hes not done with his Olympic dreams. So he sets to work and over the next year and a half tries to turn himself back into a world class runner, but this time at the Marathon. A absolutely great book that’s def worth reading.

The 3rd book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and is book 1 of her hunger games trilogy. It’s a young adult series not far from The maze runner, Harry Potter etc, but its set in a post apocalyptic USA where the totalitarian government rules over 12 districts and from district 12 is a young girl who supports her family illegally hunting the grounds outside of her district. She ends up as her districts contestant in the “Hunger Games” a fight to the death contest pitting 2 teens from each district against each other. It’s a fairly good book I reread before I dig into the rest of the trilogy that I have not read yet.

The {UGLY} truth...

It's been said a few times that I was a "not so cute" baby. And while I feel this statement has been overused by some (Kevin) I believe it is "somewhat" true. Take this picture for instance. I'm not hideous...just a bit pudgy with squinty eyes. Ok and my head is kinda funny shaped. I feel it can also be said that Kevin was a "not so cute" baby. Take for example, exhibit 1 shown below. The kid looks like he just went to the dentist but I honestly believe that was him giving his [good] smile! :)

That baby ugliness didn't last for too long...look at us below! All smiles and loving life!
There were however some awkward stages along the way...I think we had matching glasses? And with the help of contact lenses we grew out of the geeky look. And look at us now! Who would have thought these two semi-good looking people (I inserted the word {semi} here so that I wouldn't look conceited ;) ) came from those funny looking babies?

So while it seems that baby Max as no hope for being a cute baby I would like us all to remember that the baby stage doesn't last too long and that to a mother, a baby is ALWAYS cute...at least that's what our Mom's told themselves. :)

We love you baby Max and to us you are already the cutest thing in the {World}!

Just call me Santa!

You see I do have the big ol' belly and I have a ton of gifts under the tree!




That's right my friends I am down to 2 presents left to buy. I am so darn particular when it comes to gift giving! I want the person to look down in their box or bag and think "Wow! Kevin and Kelci really know just who I am!" Or maybe they could say "This IS exactly what I wanted! How did they know?" Have you ever received that gift that was right on target? And your eyes just lit up after seeing it? That's what every present should do!

And even when the recipient believes they are being very specific I feel the need to find "exactly" what they want. Since I know my little brother doesn't read this I'll give you an example. He said, "I want a good pair of wool gloves". Really? Not exactly exciting but I spent a good 2 hours "shopping" on the Internet just to find the king of wool gloves. And to go one further... I found wool "long-johns" to go with these wool gloves! He wanted wool...well he's gettin it! :)

So here's to spending the rest of the evening surrounded by pretty bags, bows and boxes! If you find the perfect gift you can't wrap it in just anything right? :)

Christmas 2009 in Florida

I'm so darn excited!

Promise not to laugh? :)

I'm taking a crocheting class in January!!!

I know, it sounds funny but I am ecstatic! I've been a bit bored lately, and I know all of that will change soon, but I feel like I need a hobby. So Crocheting it is! It looks relaxing and it doesn't require mass amounts of supplies be carried wherever you go. Oh and just think of all the cute stuff I can make for Max!

It will probably take me forever to be this good but can't you just see our baby in a little beanie like this! Who would have ever thought I'd be so excited about a bit of yarn and some needles?!

So friends and family put in your orders for next Christmas...or maybe the year after that...I guess it all depends on my crocheting ability!

Happy Thursday!

Another Week in the Life

Weds was a half day at work which meant i had my "Honey Do" list waiting for me when i got off of work. So some time was spent fixing tile in the bathroom, folding laundry, and cleaning up a few neglected corners of our house where my junk tends to congregate. But i did find some time to hop on the Trek and spin away on the trainer while i watch Knight & Day. Which was only mildly entertaining, not remotely plausable and pretty much unfunny even when it tried. Vanilla Sky is a pretty amazing movie with both Cameron Diaz and Cruise but outside of Gangs of New York i cant think of any other memorable performances for Diaz. But eh, i'm no critic and it got me through a 1 & 1/2 Hour SweatFest.


Thursday was just another day of work and then when i walked outside afterwords i couldnt wait to get home and run. It was almost 60 degrees and no wind and felt perfect. Got home grabbed the garmin, some shorts and my trainers and I was out the door. I hadnt run in almost 2 weeks due to the blisters so i kept it pretty short and only ran 3 1/2 but it felt great. Ran faster than i should have but i was just excited to be running. 25 min later i was back home just as the sun went down. Then with perfect timing Kelci got home just as i got out of the shower and we headed to dillions so i could get the stuff to make Steak Fried Rice. After i made supper we just spent the rest of the night watching tv, reading, and lounging like the old married couple we are!


Friday i was up early for work which seemed to just drag on, but some days are like that i guess, after work i got home and it was pretty nice out. So i quickly changed and took the dog out and started running. Worked my way down the river to Seneca and then headed into Riverside Park. Went the Wichita Tennis Center and around the lake. Noticed it was starting to get dark so high tailed it back home. Was a good 5 miler that i never pushed the pace on. Kelci was home when i got back and was practically salavating at a picture of a new pie at Pizza Hut, so while i showered she ordered and I was ushered out the door still dripping so i could go pick it up.



Saturday and Sunday were pretty lazy days. Saturday morning after a bowl of cereal i hopped on the trainer for an hour and a half and watched the Expendables. Which alot of people havent cared for but it completely met my expectations of mass violence in fairly unrealistic conditions so it was a win win. After that it was alot of lounging and being lazy.



Sunday came and I found myself planted in front of the TV watching football. Watched the Chiefs pull of a W and then rearranged some furniture to help make room in the !Nursery! for the crib and dresser we'll need for Max! Then I just hung around until the STEELERS game. A few friends came over for the game and we enjoyed a delicous chipotle dinner. The game was a defensive battle and yet again Polamalu saved the day and we ended up with a close win and the top of the AFC North standings.



Monday was work then 5 miles on the tready at the Y while i read on the Kindle, its actually not to hard to read while running ive found especially since i can make the letters larger and more visible. Kelci called as i was leaving the y and needed eggs and milk. This happened to be the one day i leave my wallet sitting in our bedroom so i had to head home first, run inside, then head right back out to head to dillions. All while completely drenched in sweat. I'm a pretty heavy sweater and running at the Y is running in a suana for me. I'm sure my head was steaming when i walked out of there!


Tuesday was work then an hour on the trainer. Then just a quiet night with wifey, around 9 Kelci mentioned being hungry for ice cream so while she thought I was out walking Bax, We had actually climbed in the car and raced to Braums and back, so when we came back in i was able to surprise Kelci with a double dipped cone in bed! Also after work we did find out something pretty amazing though. We were suprised with some big news from within our family that we couldnt be happier about, but which is probably still a secret for now.


Finished reading the 2nd book in the Maze Runner Trilogy - The Scorch Trials - by James Dashner. It was a quick read, and while its aimed at young adults. i.e. Teens & tweens i still found it entertaining. Its wildly different from the first book but in a intriguing way. It picks up only hours after the first book lets off and puts the protagonists through some seemly insurmountable challenges. Book has alot of seeing the good guys die and the bad guys win, with some new allys and a few new enemies. A great book but unfortunately the final book is still in production with a Fall 2011 Release. So it will be awhile til i see how it turns out.






After that I paid 9.99 on the kindle for the newest release from Clive Cussler. Since the book was 30 bucks at Dillions the other day i'm realizing that this kindle might just pay for itself. Cussler has been writing novels based around Seafaring adventurer Dirk Pitt for over 30 years and they have all been great books. Alot of tight scrapes and implausable situations where Pitt always seems to get away unscathed with the treasure and the girl. While Pitt has had to mature and is turning the reins over to his twin children, they share the same love of the sea and sense of adventure. Only negative - that unfortunately I was only able to enjoy this quick book for 2 days!

Blog Slacker

Yep that's what I am!

We had a weekend to stay at home and do a whole lot of nothing so that's what I did...well besides the laundry, sweeping, heavy cleaning, etc. :) We watched a few movies (my suggestion is to skip Eat,Pray,Love- it was cute but lasts way too long), and a few shows, and I went shopping. I'm almost/kinda/sorta done shopping except for 3 and 1/2 people. And these people are {HARD} to shop for. I want to find the perfect gift but just can't seem to pinpoint it.

Sunday we watched the Steelers game at home with friends! Woo Hoo! No crappy food from Brooklyn's! The game was another exciting one and the stress made Max a bit jumpy! :) I think he/she takes after it's Daddy already! He/She might be born with a Steelers birthmark.

Max is now a PAPAYA! That's what he/she will stay for the next 2 weeks. It's face is fully formed and it's ears are working pretty well. Let's hope that Max is a fan of Christmas music because it's Mommy sure is! :) Oh and I was in the bathtub on Saturday for a little soak and I saw my stomach move for the first time! AAAGGGHHH! Talk about a weird sight! That's my little Max in there! Awesome!
The following photos are from week 21 and 4 days. I haven't had anybody ask when I was due so that makes me wonder if people just think I'm a bit pudgy?!? Ha I love it!