So Long, Summer!

Hard to believe, but Jane is now 2 (as of July 3rd) and Vaughn is now 1 (as of Aug. 9th). The kids have really "found" each other in that they are truly best friends and love playing together (thank goodness!).

Although Vaughn still has very little desire to walk, he has recently shown an interest in standing up---especially around the coffee table. We are in no hurry for another little runner around the house---so, Vaughn, feel free to take your sweet time.

Jane started preschool a month ago and LOVES it! Despite the screams the first week or so, she now looks forward to going to see her teachers and friends. She always walks right in the door and says, "Bye, bye Mommy [or Daddy]" without even looking back. We love it! She'll come home every day with beautiful artwork and blab something new that we can't understand. It's adorable to watch her grow and change.

The four of us had a great summer, visiting Dana's family in Indiana, Michigan, Chicago and Florida. Despite some of the "challenging" flights, we all survived and have great photos and memories to prove it!

Vote!

Jane wants you to get out and vote...and if you don't, Captain Adorable will come get you!

Our House

Many of you were aware that Dana and I were undergoing (and are still in the midst) of a major home addition project. Although we still have a ton of interior "finishing" work to do and exterior landscaping, we are at a great place where we can enjoy the fruits of our labors. Here are some pics we took along the way as well as some "before/after" shots to help you visualize. Dana just hung our old swing on the front porch this weekend and we love it. Nothing like sitting out front to watch life happen in front of you!

A Day at the Park

What do we Arizonans love about great weather? Getting outside! And the Burkhardt's love to go to the park. Jane loves playing in the sand---who doesn't?

Gotta Love Halloween

Gotta love Halloween! We snapped a few with our friends (the Zurawski Family)---Jamey (mom), Simone (19 months) and Quinn (3 months). Jane was a mermaid and Vaughn was Tigger. So fun!

Jane's First Trip to the Phoenix Children's Museum

Phoenix recently opened up a spectacular Children's Museum...and Jane loved it! Whether it was playing in the pretend kitchen or climbing on the huge pile of bean bags, she just couldn't wipe the smiles off her face. Thanks to Mom, our family now has a year-long membership and we'll certainly use it!

Our Family - Getting You Caught Up

Welcome to the Team Burkhardt Blog! A lot has changed since Dana and I happily exchanged our wedding vows in April of 2006. We bought a house in Central Phoenix, got pregnant with our beautiful daughter Jane and 3 months after she was born, we got pregnant again with our adorable son, Vaughn. And to top it all off, we underwent a MAJOR home addition project during my second pregnancy!

Born 7-3-07, Jane Marie is now almost 16 months old and certianly keeping us on our toes. She learned how to walk about a month ago and it has been non-stop action since then! Her bright red hair has slightly faded to a sweet, strawberry blonde and her giggly personality just continues to get cuter everyday. Aside from mama and dada, "shoes" was her first word. Yikes, what are we in for?



Vaughn Warren was born on 8-9-08 and is almost 3 months old. His hair is a brighter red than Janes was and we have a feeling it won't fade! I think he resembles Conan O'Brien, Mom insists it is Woody Woodpecker---either way, he has his daddy's adorable face and couldn't be sweeter. The cooing and smiles make you melt. We look forward to the day that he can chase his big-sis and give her a run for her money.





















Dana still works for national residential architecture firm, BSB Design. He is still a land planner/designer and although work has slowed down due to the economy, he continues to work on really exciting projects both in and outside Arizona.

A few months before Vaughn was born, I decided to stay at home with both kids and very much enjoy my new career. Instead of managing projects and advertising budgets, I now manage nap schedules and family budgets. It's fun to know I am making a difference with the ones I love most. I'll likely work outside the home again someday, but for now, I am really enjoying my time with my new family.