January 2012...

January always seems to be a light month for pictures.  We still have lots of fun this month, but coming off of all the excitement of Christmas, we just take a break from everything and relax :).  In fact, you will see that there wasn't a single picture of Caleb taken all month...he was around, I promise!  Getting into EVERYTHING. No time for pictures when we are chasing him around all the time...and illnesses...our family has never been sicker than we were in January.  Seems like we all got a little bit of something and passed it around.  We were happy when the calendar was turned and we put that part of this month behind us!

Hannah's first trip to the dentist.  She was very excited to go and was happy when mommy picked her up from school.  Here she is styling in her bib...

 Getting her teeth counted and cleaned.  It tickled when she got her teeth polished, and she didn't mind the flossing at all.  She liked to be able to pick out her shades (hollywoods as she calls them).

 All done...and everything was perfect.  She's our brave little girl!!  She'll be back in 6 months!

 Snowfall...this winter has been very slim on the white stuff--ok by me, but there are lots of snow enthusiasts that have missed out on a lot a skiing, snowmobiling, etc.  Hannah and daddy spent some time out in the snow...

 Ike has always loved the snow, too, and whines to go out and play.

 January also marked Hannah's first haircut.  Her hair had gotten quite uneven in the back and was all the way down her back when it was wet...so it was time to get a trim and even her out.

 With Word World on TV and a snack in her hands, she's up for anything ;).

 Here are her little baby curls...

 Finished product...

Road Trip!

The next morning we woke early for the ten and a half hour drive to visit our family in Kansas. Hannah and Caleb were SO wonderful in the car.  There were lots of snacks and movies watched, but minimal whining and only three short stops, we made it in record time!  

We were met with much excitement by Emma, Gracie, and Abby.  Hannah and Caleb LOVE LOVE LOVE their cousins and we always have such a wonderful time when we are all together. Because everyone had to wait to open presents, as soon as we arrived it was time to get into the fun!  

Mimi and Papa with their five little monkeys...Gracie (5), Abby (7), Emma (2), Hannah (3) , Caleb (1)...

 Caleb loved being pulled around in the dolly wagon :).  Being the only boy didn't seem to bother him in the least!

 The weather was beautiful while we were there and we took a road trip to Crown Center Plaza to do some ice skating and to go to Kaleidoscope for some coloring and painting.  The kids had a lot of fun...and so did the parents.  Tim helping Gracie keep her balance and footing...

 Abby did a great job and after only a few times around with Uncle Craig, she was confident enough to try it by herself!

 Hannah was a little reluctant at first, she takes a while to get acclimated to new things (much like her momma), but after a while we convinced her to go around with mommy and daddy.  She really enjoyed the adventure!

 The whole gang!  Mimi and Papa were nice enough to entertain Caleb while we were skating and chaperone the snack area--there isn't one Burkhalter trip too big or too small in which you don't need a snack!!!

 Kaleidoscope...where you are able to paint, color, tape, cut, all you want.  The kids had a great time being creative and sharing that time together.

 After a few days in Kansas we all headed to Missouri to spend some time at Mimi and Papa's house and to share some time with Great Grandpa Art.  The train table was a big hit!

We had an absolutely amazing Christmas season.  We loved seeing all of our family, spending time in fellowship together, and eating lots of delicious things.  We are so humbled during this time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and with His birth we are able to experience the greatest gift that could have ever been given to us, something that we have free to share each and every day of our lives, the light and the love of Christ who was born just so that we could each be saved and have eternal life. It is fun to give the perfect gift to someone we love...just imagine how much pleasure our God gets when we share the gift of His son with someone.  May this next year bring so many opportunities for each one of us to do just that.  I thank God for each one of you who spends the time reading these blogs.  Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year!

Christmas Morning...

Santa did come during the night and left some great treats for all of us!!!

Just waking up...

 So exciting!!!

 Caleb loved throwing the balls of paper most of all!

 Hannah opening up her stocking stuffers...

 And her present from Caleb--a horn for her big girl bike!

 Craig and his Kindle.  He also got a PS3 and a remote control helicopter and car...we joked he got a lot of the same gifts a 7 year old kid would.  I guess that's what keeps us feeling young :).

 Caleb opening up his super soft pillow pet...

Then, it was time to have some brunch and head to grandma and grandpa's...

Over the river and through the woods...to Grandmother's house we go...

Time for the Terpstra celebration to begin.  We had a delicious meal followed by a lot of fun opening presents, but first, some family pics...

Aunt Kristen, Cousin Amos, and Uncle Curt

 The whole clan...all looking!!!

 Caleb, Grandma, Grandpa, Hannah

 Merry Christmas!

 Aunt Kristen opening up a gift from Hannah...her very own juggling balls.  We uncovered this gift of Kristen's during Hannah's third birthday party and Hannah thought it was very neat...

 So we got her some balls so she can juggle whenever she wants :).

 Best buds...

'Twas the night before Christmas...

All dressed up and ready for church.  We went to the 3:00 service, had dinner, and were home in time to set out some special things for Santa and read The Night Before Christmas.  When we were leaving dinner and walking to the car and talking to Hannah about how we had to get home and go to bed so Santa could come, we looked up in the sky and saw twinkling lights traveling through the air.  Hannah got so excited and made us hurry home because she just KNEW it was Santa!!!  It was very precious and something I will never forget!

Hannah, at 3, thought this Christmas was the best!

Reading The Night Before Christmas in our matching Christmas jammies handmade by Grandma!

Cookies and milk for Santa...

Writing Santa a note before bed...

Such an exciting time for the kiddos...even though I had trouble sleeping with all of the excitement, we finally gave in and woke them up the next morning to start the festivities!