Merry Holidays, Happy Christmas

Like I said...December was a blur.  But man did we celebrate some holiday festivas!!
First up is we decorated our house and tree!  Kenzie loved decorating the bottom half of tree, and for a few weeks after would redecorate the same spot.

We had some family pictures taken for our Christmas cards by our fav photographer!  Here are some favorites.    

 We also went to the Hamburg Festival of Lights for Kenzie's first time meeting Santa.  She didn't really get the idea that Santa brings presents but she did know Santa says "Ho, Ho, Ho!"  I wasn't sure how she'd take her visit with him, but she went right up to him and sat on his lap.  She was more interested in the fake fireplace next to him and just kept saying "Hot, Hot!" Santa did his best to carry on a conversation although he most just received a blank stare.

Christmas Eve was a quiet day for our family of 3.  Kenzie and Don did a Christmas craft, we watched Christmas movies all day long, and made our traditional cut-outs!  Kenzie was a big fan of helping in the kitchen, especially the decorating part. 

We finished out our night with our tradition of "The Night Before Christmas."  This year Kenzie was grabbing at all of the 3D pages, leaving our unique 3D book in shambles.

 We dubbed this Christmas an "Ikea Christmas" since all of Kenzie's gifts were from...you guessed it, Ikea!  She loved her easel and her kitchen especially.  She said a lot of "Ooooo look Daddy", "ooooo look", "presents!" She did good unwrapping presents, and although she wasn't more interested in the boxes, she was more interested in playing with the toys she had already unwrapped.  I seemed to have skipped out on pictures this year and took videos.  I love looking back at videos of when Kenz was little(er) so I'm making a conscious effort to have more of her.  

Phew!  That was December....and although it seems like such a long time ago, I hope you all had a beautiful holiday as well!  

New York, New York

Talk about dropping.the.ball.  Holy cow.  It's been over a month since I've posted, not to mention completely fell off the Project 52 bandwagon.  I like to think that's what being a mom is all about.  Come on.  Who's with me?

Well December was a whirlwind.  We travelled somewhere every single day of the weekend, the whole month.  From trips to NYC, family parties, and weddings...we were a busy bunch of Burchs.  So it's time to reload and share what we've been up to.  

First up...our trip to NYC.  This seems to be an annual event, although if I was being honest, it doesn't have to be.  I mean, we had a great time, but how many times do you need to see the usual New York Christmas flare.  I think I'd rather enjoy the city in fall, spring, or summer....when its warmer. 

Thursday night we got into our hotel, so we had all day Friday and Saturday to enjoy.  Friday morning we headed over to Hoboken to Carlos' Bakery.  We've been there a few times now, but never with a Kenzie who has a crazy love for cupcakes and cookies.  We let her pick out one cookie and of course she picks the football one.  Man, did Donny luck out!  (Although I didn't...thinking she'd eat it ever so neatly in her carseat.)  We took a quick walk a few blocks down to the water, which has the most amazingly beautiful view of the city.  I can't believe we've never done it!!  It was windy and chilly otherwise I think I could've spent the day there!
We finished the morning with a quick dip in the pool and had time for Kenzie to take a nap!

We headed over to the city and walked through Times Square to lunch at Ellen's Stardust Diner.  Don and I thought it was great and Kenz enjoyed it, especially when our waitress came over and sang to her.  We galavanted through the streets and headed to Central Park and to FAO Schwartz, for our usual bag of $10/lb Swedish fish.  We actually headed back to our hotel pretty early, after a walk down 5th avenue, and a quick pit-stop at the tree. 

So Saturday we took the morning slow again, allowing Kenz to take a nap.  So late afternoon we headed over to the city.  We met up with my friend from college (and blog reader)  Hi Brette!  We then met Justin and Susan, our friends from back home (also a blog reader)  Hey Susan!  for a late pizza lunch before heading to the chaos of Rockefeller Center to see the tree.

Kenzie also got to wear her new Carmello Anthony jersey.  Come on.  Babies in jerseys...to.die.for.  Mackenzie loved the Knicks game, no surprise there.  She even got herself a free t-shirt shot from a canon.  (We had great seats right in front of the center court cameramen, that actually got the t-shirt and passed it on to Kenz.)    She'll grow into it!  On our walk to catch the bus, baby-to-be decided to reel its ugly nauseated head.  Lucky for us my favorite NY pizza place was staring us in the face.  You can not ask for anything more than 1 dollar pizza slice!   

 This girl rides in style

 "Melloooooo"

 Just a little less than one year ago, side by side!

 It was a late late night for this little girl.  I think the latest she's ever stayed up, besides those early early weeks with her.  We headed out Sunday morning to do a little Christmas shopping at Ikea.  And by little, I mean, we finished Christmas and Birthday shopping for this little miss.  
We always have such a fun time on our little trips.  Something about spending every single waking moment with the two most important/favorite people in your life, is really amazing.