new pool.

we bought a little pool.

well. giant pool. if you saw our last one.

filled it with squirt guns. little boats. and wind up toys 

for the GIANT party.

I was standing there as he flung his undies and shorts 

and dove right in.

I'm sure to impress his favorite little lady.

but all sweet theia could say was 

"gross trent."

great news.

dads surgery is over.

it was a great success.

we are all celebrating.

and recovering.

God is so so good.

the lord is my shepherd.

meet my dad. chip.

chippy as trent affectionately calls him.

tomorrow he is having brain surgery. 

while awake. for four hours.

followed by a surgery to implant a pacemaker type device in his chest.

he has parkinsons disease and this is the second. and final. 

part of the surgeries called deep brain stimulation.

we thank God for moments like these. 

the times that bring us together. filled with faith. and hope.

we are on our knees praying for safety. and success.

we know who is in charge. 

and we know how much he loves dad.

and we are so glad that this. all of this. all of us. are in his hands.

please join us in prayer. 

keep my dad. my mom. my family. the doctors. and nurses. all in your thoughts.

and I look so forward to updating you on the great success of his surgery this time tomorrow.

God is so good.

happy friday.

life is about being a big girl.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

lookout world.

lila is on the move.

and she we couldn't be more proud.

featured on.

today trent's little kingdom is featured on Spearmint Baby.

the antlers were inherited from his great grandfather watson.

the chalkboard was a treasured find. 

the canvas I made tom his first fathers day.

and the little wild thing. well. he was a gift. 

rare wild species spotted.

genus parentis nightis out.

call the zoo, last seen driving north in a mini van.

welcome summer.

welcome watermelon. 

welcome tomatoes.

welcome basil.

I guess its the kid in me. I love Summer.

long days. sitting on the porch. bugbites.

all of it.

happy summer.

mr. cools pool

a busy morning.

hard work.

all for some poolside relaxing.

I think we've outgrown last years pool.

you too.

and a huge greatest ever happy fathers day to my wonderful husband.

may your day be filled with love. laughter. bacon. and endless hours of watching sports on the couch.

happy fathers day!

happy fathers day.

daddy.

26 years of always giving me your best.

you've shown me love. family. and screaming contest in the car.

you taught me about public speaking. training for triathlons. and doing things the right way.

how to dress. how to drive. and how to throw sod.

but most importantly you've shown me what matters. 

and you continue to guide our family down the right path.

loving me. and our family. the way you do best.

happy fathers day. 

love, yaya

happy friday.

life is about growing.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

and yes, our first tomato!

welcome to the club.

yesterday was a milestone kind of day.

our first stomach bug.

as in trent.

It started mid morning and went on till about supper.

he threw up all over my couch. chair. and favorite embroidered pillow.

he threw up all over the rug. the bathroom. and the both of us.

I put him in the bath. 

trying to collect my thoughts. and muster up some courage. 

he only got out to throw up some more. 

all he wanted was me.

to hold him.

so we did.

on the cold bathroom floor.

he was naked as a jay bird.

surrounded by puke.

and love. 

we sat there as still as the two of us ever would be.

it was maybe 4 minutes.

I soaked up every bit of it.

I felt like I was official.

a real mom.

not the bake cookies. push a stroller. read a book kind of mom.

but a a throw up mom.

if mom's got patches. 

this would be a collectors item.

I was so in love.

I've never loved someone like that.

note: the next question is how is he now? 

lets just say...for breakfast he wanted me to make him. 

eggs. sausage. peanut butter. pita bread. bacon. rice. chicken. and a banana.

I think he'll be just fine.

sweet boy.

tom brought me these.

I don't know which is lovelier.

him or the flowers.

him.

sweet reality.

take a closer look.

it's official. 

he's "potty train."

just like that.

he goes in there. wipes. flushes. washes up. 

nice.

it's the thought that counts.

in true burket style.

there's a gift giving theme in our house.

and it's the thought that counts.

in case this is new to you. I'll explain.

when the time comes for gift giving.

we simply write. draw. or tell.

our loved one.

what we have picked out for them.

and it's the thought that counts.

as in. they don't really get anything.

we really absorb the love & joy in the thought.

and enjoy giving items we might otherwise not be able to give.

no returns. money spent. or unwanted clutter to boot.

for tom's birthday in April I really outdid myself.

tickets to the Wizardly World of Harry Potter.

before it opens to the public of course.

 his favorite James Bond Aston Martin to drive us to Orlando.

a monogrammed cape. a lightning bolt tattoo for his forehead.

and a romantic feast of

Pumpkin Pasties. Jelly Slugs. and Butter Beer.

perfect for my dumbledork.

so with Fathers Day coming...

I'm not sure how to top the jelly slugs.

what would you give if it was really just the thought that counts?

weekend update.

weekend update.

we did nothing.

and it was so wonderful.

happy friday.

life can be funny.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

burket style exercise.

daily dance party. after nap. excited for dads arrival.

listen for the sounds of stevie wonder and billy joel behind all the laugher...

true burket style.

tooth fairy.

one sweet baby.

one sleepless night. 

one little tooth.

it finally came.

and she is finally asleep.

how to hang a tire swing.

 a perfectly old tire.

pre-drilled with drain holes.

and bolted with chains for hanging horizontally.

have cowboy throw the rope with something heavy attached

and lasso the branch

listen for cracking.

have cowboy tie a fancy knot.

wake your favorite toddler up from a nap to see how it works.

I think it works.

oh yea. It definitely works.

special thanks to cowboy bob & chippy.

and big al for giving us your perfectly old tire.

if you wanna give it a try, swing on by.

the ringbearer.

he clearly is his fathers child.

despite his dashing looks.

he walked halfway down the aisle tall and proud.

soaking in every friend and fan.

carrying the magic pillow.

turned around to look for me.

I waved for him to go ahead.

and he took off.

running the rest of the way.

then danced the night away with his girls.

the only thing better than marrying tom burket.

was having a little one that is just like him.

I am so in love with this kid.

happy friday.

life is a ride.

enjoy yourself this weekend.

happy friday.

oh lila...

is like a real baby doll. 

has a cackle like an old lady.

thinks her brother is the funniest creature around.

wakes me up each night at 5. my favorite part. just her and I.

and yesterday batted her long eyelashes and told 

cute little Cooper Stock. bye bye.