The Damn Ham

For the past two years, there has been a reoccurring joke regarding "the damn ham" that is to be served on Christmas and Easter at the Burger Family gatherings. Two years ago at Christmas, we decided to try something new for the main meal--brunch. Well, brunch came and went, but Great-Grandpa B refused to eat. He said he wasn't hungry when our 11:00 brunch began. So...he watched us all eat. Then as 2:00 approached a decision was made that he had to eat something. While fixing him a plate he proceeded to ask, "Where's my damn ham!" Yep, just like that....you see he passed on the brunch thinking ham and potatoes was going to be served. So much for trying new things. This past year I received a phone call at the office shortly after Thanksgiving. It was Great-Grandpa B. He was calling to let my dad and I both know that he had already reserved a ham for Christmas. This year at Easter J.D. was given the right of apprentice in ham carving. He did a great job!

Baby Blues

These Baby Blues turned 12 weeks last Wednesday; it is so hard to believe she is three months! Photos taken by Daddy G; he said he was trying to shoot some pictures from her point of view. Enjoy!

Easter People Raise Your Voices

Today we celebrated Easter! Easter is one of my favorite holidays, and this year was even more special for our family as it was Marci's first. This past year we have so many things to be thankful for, but without HIM we wouldn't have anything. Being a parent has put a whole new perspective on life for both of us and we will be forever grateful for the many blessing we have been given. Today, we had a a great day celebrating with family and friends. Our day began with the 8:20 church service followed by a few pictures at our house(Thanks, Aunt Carly!) and then lunch with the family at Grandma and Grandpa B's. Marci wore her Easter dress and of course, a large flower courtesy of Aunt Carly. Her shoe/socks even matched too. No egg hunt this year; we are looking forward to this next year.

Getting stronger

At three days shy of 12 weeks, Marcella has become so strong! She is still very close to rolling over, but her latest trick is tummy time with no tears. She has started liking her tummy time and can now hold her head steady at 45 degrees for several seconds. Here is a snap shot from Sunday afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa B's. We spent the afternoon and evening with Uncle Josh and Rob. They flew in Sunday morning and spent all day flying Grandpa B's new Stearman. I think they logged more than 7 hours that day. It was great having them home!

Could it be love?

After an afternoon of golf with friends for dad and some shopping for Marci and mom, we ended our nice little Saturday in Wichita with our great friends, Nolan and Kristy Pauly. Nolan was actually present for the"pre-game" portion of Marcella's birth. Yes, he kept JD company for a while in our delivery room during the afternoon of January 26 while I labored in the hospital bed. Am I a nice wife or what? Okay...back on track....We had a beautiful evening for our first spring BBQ. Also joining us were Travis and Ashley and their son, Van. Van was born in October and has the most beautiful eyes, ever! While the boys grilled, Van and Marci played...well sort of. By playing I mean Marci layed on her blanket, kicked her legs, and focused very seriously on Van. He on the other hand, literally, couldn't get enough of holding Marci's hand. It was one of the cutest things I've even seen.

Great Grandmother, Merima Carver

This past weekend Marcella visited her Great Grandmother, Merima Carver. Merima, who was born in the merry month of May, will be 93 on the 3rd of May. Grandma Carver now resides in a memory care unit in Wichita, but lived all of her life in Fredonia, Kansas. Although is was not planned, if you'll look above the headboard of her bed you'll notice a picture. This is Marcella's Great Grandfather, Howard. My mom has said many times his favorite thing to smell was a clean baby. This was Great Grandma Carver's first time meeting Marcella. She said over and over and over, "She's not just cute; she's beautiful!" We had a great time visiting Grandma Carver while dad golfed with his good friends Nolan Pauly and Michael Gerber in Newton.

M-U-S-T-A-N-G-S

29/59

April is a busy birthday month for our family! This past weekend we celebrated two special birthdays: Grandma Burger & J.D.'s! To celebrate we fired up the grill for Chicago style hot dogs, root beer floats, and a Dr. Pepper birthday cake....all at Daddy G's request. Marcella slept through most of the party, but overall we had a great afternoon with the family. Great-Grandpa Burger even made it out. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Enchanted Cottage

This past week we celebrated the new Grandma Burger's Birthday! For her birthday gift, I made a stop in at a local store on Santa Fe called Enchanted Cottage. This was my first trip to Enchanted Cottage, and it was a success! After making a bracelet like this that said Grandma I knew I too had to make one for myself. I love my new bracelet!

No Commentary Needed

Mr. Rubber Ducky

As you can tell from this picture Marci is really focusing and tracking objects with her baby blues. This past week she discovered Mr. Rubber Ducky. I got quite the laugh watching her sink her little chin into her chest while focusing on her rubber duck who was floating on her bath water. If only I knew what she was thinking...

Aunt Carly & Cousin Krista

Last weekend, we were surprised by an unexpected visit by Marcella's Aunt Carly and Alby, her yorkie. Wrigley and Nellie are always SO excited to see their Kansas City cousin. Carly had not been home since Marcella's birth so were all glad to see her! Carly was such a HUGE help to us at Marci's birth. She was at the hospital the day and evening Marcella was born, and then came early the next day to help. She stayed all day on Thursday and JD and I have both said numerous times that we are not sure how we would have made it through that first day without her. I think she actually held Marci more than we did that day. And, if you know Carly you know she not only came to the hospital but she brought with her lots of bows and pink frills as well. As soon as Dr. Bachamp said, "It's a girl!" all I could think of was oh man...now Carly and Cousin Krista can buy tutus and bows. I think this was a dream come true for Carly and Krista. Marci loves her Aunt Carly...so much that she even lets her play dress up. Here are a few pictures of Carly, Krista and Marci from this past weekend.

Singing a Song

At a little over ten weeks of age, Marci has started babbling up a storm. She loves to lay on her play mat and smile at herself in the mirror. Her Grandpa B calls it making "monkey shines" at herself. While babbling away, she generally has her legs kicking like crazy. She kicks her legs so hard that at times it literally moves her off of her play mat. Although she hasn't yet rolled over she has made great progress in the past two days. She is wanting to roll to her left. Marci can get her shoulders rotated but not her hips. She's almost there! Here are a few pictures of her babbling away; I'll try to learn how to post some videos of her soon as we have taken quite a few and they will definitely make you smile.

Coach Garber

I think it is fair to say Marcella has stolen his heart! After five seasons of coaching football at Salina Central High School, J.D. has made the desicion to not coach next year. Football has always been his passion, but sometimes in life decisions have to be made that allow us to explore a different passion, like being Dad. We are ALL looking forward to having him around next fall! Although he will not being standing on the sideline wig-wagging in defensive plays, I'm sure you will still be able to find us in the stands on Friday nights cheering on the Mighty, Mighty Mustangs!