Mallory Buck Photography

Braydon turns 6 on July 7th :)
He just loves super heroes and Mallory and I were tossing ideas around. I told her I want different, colorful and something "Braydon" ( Braydon is so full of energy and just explosive )
Braydon has a one of a kind personality and Mallory captured it perfectly


www.mallorybuckphotography.wordpress.com


I smile ear to ear everytime I see these pictures!













LOVE THEM!

wow! smash session of 4 months!

Ready, set, go

I guess the perfect place to start would be our youngest baby turned one, March 18th. He is such a mess with everything he gets into. He has patience like his daddy.. none ;) He is my little red headed spit fire





Isnt he just too cute?
He looks alot like his daddy the older he gets :)




Another big update in our family, We have decided to move to Pennsylvania. Dramatic enough? Travis and I, for as long as we have been married, have never spent longer than one week together. He has been in the oilfield for almost two years now. He has missed so much already and it really isnt fair :) Our family deserves to be together and my kids deserve to see their daddy longer than two weeks out of the year. On top of the big move, I will become a STAY AT HOME MAMMA! I'm very blessed and extremely grateful that my husband works so hard to provide for us that i will no longer have to work :) He will never understand the gift he has given me to see my babies grow and I will be able to be involved with Braydon's school and extra activities. You could never put a price tag on that :) Thank you hubby for your many sacrifices


Here are some pictures of the house and the area:



The entry way, the way to upstairs and living room



the dining room.. sad but the book shelf is my favorite part lol!


Just a look of the scenery:



I see trees! and look how green it is!!!
Texas will always have my heart but im ready to see some more of God's country :)

Happy Birthday to me!

February 20th, 2010

I turned 25 and I feel totally awesome about it! :) I don't mind getting older. The older I get.. the more fun I have and the more love I have to share. Beau didn't sleep the night before so my hubby wished me a Happy Birthday and got up with our cry baby. I worked out that day ;) and a few of my good friends took me for a mani and pedi :) much needed and i loved every minute of it. Travis took Braydon to my parents house to play baseball and go get my present. Travis gave me a heart necklace from James Avery that says "always in my heart". This necklace means more to me than i think Travis was anticipating. He told me since he was gone that he wanted me to know that he always thought about me and i would always be in his heart. Travis has this "big, bad guy" image but he really is the biggest teddy bear i know.. Had an awesome birthday. Truly memorable :)

minor bump in the road to skinny-land :)

Promised everyone I would keep them updated as soon as I found out about the Fat Girls Club 2010. This is week # 5 and I did not lose weight. I remained the same as week # 3. At least i didn't gain ;). I'm trying not to let it get to me because I still lost inches. We have about one and half days til we see Travis and I couldn't be more happier! I talked with him last night and he is all packed and ready to go :) He flies out at 6:00 am and will fly into Midland at 1:45pm. So excited to see him! When he gets home.. we are going to see his Dad because he will be leaving to go out of town for some time and Travis probably wont see him til he gets back on the 17th of March. Then we are picking up the kids. They will be so happy so see Daddy (Travis ). Braydon has been asking for him everyday :) and if Beau could talk.. I know he would have as well :) Our good friends Katy and BJ will be watching the kids while Travis and I have a romantic dinner. :) I cant wait! Thanks for reading,The Burkholders!

Reading and Walking!

Im so excited to write today's blog :) We have had many issues with Braydon at school and his father thinks he has ADHD and has a learning disability :( Well im here to tell people that Braydon is reading books. It is amazing to watch and listen to him. Although he has no expression when he is streaming the words along ;) He is doing very well :) Im so proud of him and we have been working hard on his spelling words and he has done amazing with those as well :) I believe Braydon will do great things as he grows. He has a heart of gold and he is so sweet and really smart.

Beau is walking.. WALKING EVERYWHERE.. still no teeth.. hopefully soon. He has slept all night these past couple of nights. Hope im not jinxing myself. It seems as though he is whiny and crying for the good part he is awake though. I know he is spoiled rotten but it is very strange for Beau. Im gonna go with teething on that one. Cant really remember how Braydon handled it. I dont remember it being this difficult. Crossing my fingers that he will get some so he can eat some real food. Baby food isnt expensive but it is a hassle to run out and have to drive all the way into town for some more. :)

Travis is still in Pennsylvania. Freezing his Texas butt off ;) It snowed over a foot there yesterday and he said it is still snowing. I cant wait to see him on the 17th. I have missed him alot here lately. I think just because i used to him only being gone a week at time. Today he has been gone 12 days. AHHHH its been hard. He will be home soon enough though :)

Thanks for reading :)

IM HERE!!!!

Happy February to everyone!








2010 is going by so fast. I have been so crazy busy!!!! Travis is in Pennsylvania working on rigs two weeks on and then gets to come home for two weeks. It has been hard doing everything by myself. Add the full time job, full time house duties, and working out on top of it all! We get to talk every night for about 10 minutes. :( His location is in a dead spot and he has to drive 15 miles off location to call anyone. The weather has been awful and snowing like crazy that Travis just calls to tell me about his day.. asks about mine.. and the kids and tells me he loves us and he heads back. He will be home the 17th and I pick him up from the airport at 4:10. I'm so excited! I even picked out some cute outfits and I'm going to get all dolled up to see him :) I feel so giddy.. like old times :)


I have lost 10 lbs that i know of. Our next weigh in is Monday the 15th and I will definitely be making a post to let everyone know my progress. I have been so proud of myself. This is the hardest i have ever worked to in shape and making a lifestyle change ;) I have lots of people motivating me and keeping me in check! THANKS! You know who you are :)











Braydon has been having some trouble with school but hopefully we get that all fixed up. He is a very sweet and very active. His teacher is very laid back. Hopefully we can get him to pay attention alittle better. Who knew the attitude would start at 5. I just love the " I know Mom" or " Mom you have said that already" oh and i got the classic eye roll.. its going to fuuunnnn when we start dealing with him at thirteen but I'm preparing myself now.

Beau is getting over bronchitis and teething all at the same time :( I have had many sleepless nights these past few weeks. Its about time he gets some teeth. The 18th he will be 11 months and still no teeth. I took him to the doctor Saturday morning and he weighs 18 lbs. He is getting there. He is going to skinny and tall just like his older brother :) He is walking EVERYWHERE. No more crawling for Bo Bo. He still is wobbly and gets excited and loses his balance. Knock on wood but we haven't had any head bangs or face splants or gooseggs on the forehead.




Here are some recent pictures :)

Happy 2010!

Cant believe that it is 2010. I have written the date wrong ALL day. Ill get in February! :) Alot of great things are happening and we are in our first week!
I started Weight Watchers today. I have all the necessary tools and resources to get me going! I need this and Im going to do it! I no longer can use the excuse that I just had a baby because my baby is about to me 10 months! My oldest baby will be 6 later this year. The first step is realizing enough is enough! Im beyond that point.. its ridiculous! Most importantly... Im doing it for myself and no one else! My husband loves me for me and I know that. We have a great relationship. It gets better everyday! Even after kids and a year of marriage ;) I feel like it would be even better all around if I was happier with myself. Everyone could use more energy. My boys.. I need all the help I can get :)


Beau took his first step yesterday and Daddy got to see it! :) He is gone alot and didnt see his "first" crawl so im happy he got to see at least one first :) He is standing by himself but when he realizes what he is doing.. he QUICKLY drops to the floor! Little stinker! :)


Braydon started back at school and he was so excited!


Still cant believe it is 2010.. You can say it a thousand times over and Im still shocked :) Braydon will be 6 this year and Beau will be one in 3 months! I can never say it enough but time does fly! Thats why I NEVER take tooooo many pictures or too many candid videos! They change so much! and SO fast!


Hope everyone has a blessed 2010 :)
Love the Burkholders!

Christmas Eve 2009

All I can say is the Christmas break went by WAY too fast! I guess time flies when your having too much fun! We were blessed to have Travis home this year for Christmas. He got in Christmas Eve morning around 6:00am and was so excited about the snow and him being off that we did a mini gift exchange in front of the tree.. just the two of us! He got Oakley's... we will see how long these last because he seems to get them every year ;) I got a jewelry box to keep my all of the sudden HUGE collection of jewelry. We got a couple more hours in and I woke up expecting Braydon to be all in the presents and everything.. and he was still in his bed! So i ran in his room and YELLED "Santa came" ( reminds me when i was little and my sister would do that to me ) I have never in all my life seen the boy jump out of bed so fast.. he is a slow morning mover. IT TAKES FOREVER to get him out of bed.. He was so excited about his G.I Joe figurines and movies, and a huge Nerf gun! For Braydon's sake Beau got Santa gifts but only a few... We figured while Beau was still little we would spoil Braydon alittle extra this year. Beau got some squishy blocks that he can chew on or build with brother. He also got books and a toy cell phone and a remote.

We went to Pecos for Travis's grandmother's Christmas Eve and boy do i love seeing them! I'm truly blessed with such good in laws! They have always accepted my son and I as just part of the family :) We got TONS and TONS of gifts! and don't forget MONEY!!! never can have too much of that :)

Then we drove back to Midland to go to my sisters house to do our annual gift exchange. We draw names in our family because it is growing and we wanted each person to get a FAB gift. everyone buys for the kids because really as long as they get spoiled... that's whats important. Again the boys got a truck load of toys and clothes! seriously debating on putting the boys in the same room and making a playroom for all their toys. We did alittle "dance" on the Wii... that's is HILARIOUS AND FUN! of course my sisters and I get real competitive and we had a "competition". I was winning for along time but Jade my youngest sister took the cake.. Shortly after we played pictionary. Guys against Girls!

OH AND DID I MENTION THAT CEELIE IS ENGAGED! i know i cant believe it but I'm so excited for her. Kyle is SUCH a good guy and he cares for my sister and her son Caleb!

8th Annual Christmas Party

This tradition started at Kim Kincaid's living room at the Bentwood house when we were sophomores. Kim's mom cooked us all a GREAT supper. She is a fabulous cook. We talked about silly boyfriends, the basic and typical drama of high school. Throughout the years we have lost friends and gained some. Tiffany, Jordan, Kim and I are the only original "high school" buds and the last three years Amanda has joined us :) It is always fun to catch up and laugh at old times. Kim was always the one who handled her own. Someone messed with us.. well she took care of it. Jordan was the motherly girl in the group.. innocent in almost every occasion that we got in trouble but she would be grounded like the rest of us and never complain. Tiff and I were about the same in the sense that we ALWAYS went with the flow. Out of the group, we had the most strict parents so we hesitated alot but it never fully stopped us from doing anything without the group. We have grown into fine young women. Through divorces, "baby daddy" drama, and sadly death.. we have always been there for each other. Most of us are married and expanding our families. I hope our kids grow up to know each other. We were joking last night about my son and Kim's daughter getting married one day. Never know.. I look forward to many more with these girls because they will always hold a special place in my heart. Some of the best years of my life has been shared with these girls!

Wont be long... not long at all

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Braydon, like me and my father are such suckers for sweets. It is a bit ridiculous of how much of a sweet tooth we all have but its something we all have in common besides our looks :) Notice the tree has been finely trimmed. Braydon decided right before the picture that he wanted his tree smaller so he took a huge bite out of it. After explaining that at least for alittle while they are used for decoration and I wanted a picture. He had this HUGE grin on his face. He is so funny and cute.


He'll always hold a special place in my heart ;)

This is how i know Beau is full.. Daddy gets a kick out of it EVERYTIME

Beau has rencently began spitting out his food when he is no longer hungry.. sending a mist of gooey food everywhere :) This was the first time daddy got to see it and he thought it was SOO funny.. Funny at the time.. not cleaning it up :)

Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Started a new tradition this year... The boys will have memories but I figured I would help them along by making Christmas ornaments every year. Havent done it yet but I will this weekend. Hope to see this lasting until they are just "too cool" to make them anymore which I hope that day will never come as any mom would ;). The tree is the only thing I have up this year. Christmas has come WAY to fast this year. Hope to get stuff ALL through out the year this coming up year so I will have plenty of stuff to put out :). Also hope to own a house next Christmas :)

Busy Busy Busy

This is the busiest time of year for pretty everywhere! Especially my job.. getting ready for the end of year and a new beginning as always got me stressed out to the MAX! Taking deep breaths and relaxing at home with my sweet boys. Travis has been working for about 3 straight weeks now. I see him for a maybe an hour before he hits the hay and he is gone before I wake up. I miss him terribly and so do the kids. Beau no longer follows me around when Daddy is home. Sometimes a blessing because I can get some stuff done but when Travis is gone, I feel Beau is looking for him in the house. He also looks for Braydon as they have gotten so close these past couple of months. Braydon enjoys making Beau laugh and they just giggle and giggle. Its so cute to hear them from down the hall. The best sound in the whole world :). I haven't tackled shopping yet for the big day but I intend to Friday and I know EXACTLY what I'm getting everyone. That's the way to shop. Get in and out.. as soon as possible :)


Here are some recent pictures.

I'M here... I promise.. just work as been so busy.. through out the day i will be working on updating everyone!

Great Thanksgiving... Bring on Christmas!

I had an amazing Thanksgiving with the husband and baby boy. I missed my oldest Braydon. That's the worst part about having a blended family is that I have to share him with his father and his family. I asked Braydon if he had a good time. From what i could get out, he had a great time :) I enjoyed seeing Travis's family. So did Travis. Also enjoyed seeing almost all of my family. I love this time of year! I'm so very blessed

Happy Thanksgiving

I wanted to get on and wish everyone a safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! This is my favorite holiday. I love all the family and lets not forget food!


This year Travis will be home. We have never spent a Thanksgiving because he has always had to work. That means that we have to go to both families. I will be going to Pecos tonight and i will meet him there. We will wake up and hopefully Cassie ( travis little sister ) will be on her way. She goes to college in stephenville and we have missed her so much :) and she has missed Beau terribly. We will go over to his granddad's and have lunch. Such sweet caring people. I could not have asked for better in laws. We will leave around noon or so because my family's thanksgiving dinner starts at 4.


Its at my mother's house this year so I dont have to travel to Odessa :) Im excited to see my grandmother.. we just found out that she has intestional cancer and to be honest, we are scared to death. Although we remain hopeful.. cancer is a very scary word.. and shocking.. This year will be bittersweet because im hoping there will be many more to come with her but there is no gaurantee. It makes me sad because I cant think about Thanksgiving without her and im not ready too... She says she has alot of fight left in her and I believe in 100%.


Pictures will be up probably monday. Get ready because i intend to take ALOT!

maple pumpkin cheesecake YUMMY!

Prep: 40 minutes
Bake: 68 minutes
Oven : 325 F
Cool: 1 ¾ hours
Chill: 4 hours
Makes: 12 slices

1 ½ cups finely crushed graham crackers
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup, butter, melted
3 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup canned pumpkin
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup pure maple syrup or maple flavored syrup
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs slightly beaten
½ caramel sauce or caramel ice-cream topping

(1) Preheat oven to 325 F. In a medium bowl combined finely crushed graham crackers, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Press crumb mixture onto the bottom and 1 ½ inches up to the sides of an ungreased 9 inch pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven. Transfer to a wire rack ; cool completely

(2) Meanwhile, for filing, in an extra large mixing bowl beat cream cheese w/ an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Add pumpkin, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. Beat cream cheese mixture until well combined. Fold in eggs

(3) Pour filling into crust lined pan. Bake for 60 – 70 minutes or until center appears nearly set when gently shaken

(4) Let cool for an hour

(5) Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours

(6) To serve, top w/ caramel sauce and more crushed graham crackers

This is amazing! ENJOY

Happy 8 months Beau

Well, doesnt look happy because he was hungry and wanted a bottle but today he is 8 months old. Time flies tooo fast... I can remember the ENTIRE day of him being born.. I can remember his first cry.. it was so wonderful.. brought tears to my eyes... that feeling never gets old as i did the same w/ Braydon... He is becoming a little man before my eyes as he is crawling and pulling up on EVERYTHING! He is still rotten and attached to me by the hip :) but he is getting better.. Braydon is starting to want Beau to follow him EVERYWHERE and bring him into his room so they can play ninja turtles and batman together.. Last night he tried playing catch w/ a small football... LOL didnt work out so well.. Beau just looked at him like he was CRAZY!!!! Beau is SO happy when Braydon is around.. i have never seen such a big smile on his face other than when Braydon is walking towards him or tickling him.. it is so sweet :)

My handsome boys!

Not quite sure what I did to deserve such sweet angels... I'm glad God has blessed me

As I get older I am realizing that I'm rich.. in the words that I have a wonderful husband that loves me... two handsome boys who adore me...

A house to keep dry and warm

An awesome job that allows me to give my kids everything and more

Great family to catch me when I feel I'm falling

God is good ALL THE TIME!!!

Glad my life is in perfect perspective.. FINALLY