Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy 2011!

Happy New Year from Evan and Eliana.


Taken today, outside! It was a bit chilly, but we had a real quick photo session and then ran back inside.

Mommy's Not Feeling Well

Mommy's got something, don't know if it's the flu or what, but she's hardly left the bed in over 24 hours. I haven't seen her this sick as long as I've known her. So I was with both kids all day, meanwhile, I feel like I'm coming down with something too. Evan went to bed somewhat early, but Eliana was up until midnight teething. By the time I get a minute to myself, I'm too exhausted to do anything. So here's some more pictures from Christmas that I haven't posted yet.


As you can see, it's difficult to get a shot of the two of them together without one of them crying while the other is making a face.

Monday, December 27, 2010

About a Foot

This is what it looked like out the back door late last night. Wind whipped snow continued until early morning. All in all, I think we got about a foot of snow in our first blizzard of the season. There's way more than a foot next to the door in the photo, but that was due to drifting.





Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas 2010

Eliana asleep before her first Christmas (3am)

The calm before the storm. Months of preparation, shopping, hours of wrapping gifts and careful placement under the tree, all for one glorious morning. 


Eliana on her first Christmas morning.

Evan was nice enough to help Eliana open her first gift.


I think that's as far as I'm gonna get tonight. I can't keep my eyes open.







Santa's Coming!

Santa's Workshop is in full effect at his hour. It's just after midnight, and not a creature is stirring, (besides Elvis and Lucy,) and Santa's helpers are busy putting presents under the Christmas tree. Evan and Eliana are fast asleep, while Mommy and Daddy are very excited about tomorrow morning.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Evan and the Lizard


Evan and the Lizard from Pete Burke on Vimeo.

This is from our Florida trip. It was a while before I could get around to editing it, but here it is.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Lunar Eclipse

The Lunar Eclipse, as it appeared this morning at 2:45am.  It was really cold outside. The temperature says 31 degrees, but it felt way colder with that winter wind. The camera was beginning to feel like an ice block in my hand. Not a bad shot to say I got it leaning up against a car, since I don't have a tripod. I set the camera for 2.5 second exposures, so I had hold the camera completely still, holding my breath at times, because even the slightest movement will blur the image. But somehow, I still got a few good snaps. Look for the next Lunar Eclipse that coincides with the Winter Solstice to occur December 21, 2094.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

New Winter Coat



When we got back from Florida, we didn't have a nice warm winter jacket for Evan that fit him. He's outgrown last year's coat, so we got him this nice coat from Crew Cuts, J. Crew's line for kids. I had to sneak these photos of Evan, because he doesn't like having his picture taken right now. At least he's prepared for the cold that's about to come our way.


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Well, Evan's meeting with Santa didn't go so well today. Santa came through the neighborhood on a firetruck, complete with lights and sirens. Evan got to sit on Santa's lap in the firetruck, but as you can see, was not too happy about it. But now when he retells the story, he laughs about how he cried, so I guess it wasn't all that traumatic. 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

1st Snow!


We've only been home a few days and we've already had our first snow. It wasn't much, maybe half an inch, but it was enough to cover the roads and walkways and make everywhere white.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Home.


It was sad when we had to leave, but we had a great time at Nan & Poppy's house in Florida. 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Venus

Venus, as it appeared this morning over my parent's house in Naples, FL at about 5:45am.
(Click on image for full size.)

The temperature's the same at home as it is in Florida.


One More Beach Day

With only a few days left on our trip, we wanted to go to the beach just one more time, especially after hearing how bad the winter already is back up north. Not that it's a heck of a lot warmer down here. With temperatures only in the 60s and a stiff breeze, it was chilly on the beach in Naples yesterday. Not a problem for Evan though, he was running up and down the beach dodging waves, have a grand old time. Seconds after I snapped this picture, he fell in the water, hooded sweatshirt and all, then a wave came over his head. With camera still in hand, I reached in with one hand and pulled him out of the water. He was pretty shaken and upset, and eventually, freezing. Good thing we brought a change of clothes for him. Within a few minutes he wanted to go back in the water.
Eliana and Mommy.
Evan refusing to go quietly. He did not want to leave the beach.


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Bath Time



Evan has been enjoying bubble baths in his Nan's tub. The whirlpool jets make about ten times the amount of bubbles as a normal bath, so Evan loves taking a bath in there. He's not too fond of the whirlpool jets though. 'Terrified' might be a better word.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Fun at the Playground

12:52am. So far, all is quiet, for now. I woke Evan up because the volume on my computer was too loud. He must have insisted on seeing what Daddy was doing, because Mommy marched out of the bedroom with Evan in tow. I convinced him to go back to bed, but now the challenge is making sure Eliana doesn't wake up. She was really tough to get to settle tonight. Anyway, it's nearly 1am before I can sit in front of the computer and start posting an entry.

It's been cold in Naples the past few days. Not as cold as up north, that's a different kind of cold, but it was cold for South Florida. Today was like a chilly fall day in October back home. We went to the local park just outside the gates of my parent's gated community. Evan and Eliana enjoyed the playground for a while before dinner time. Here's some pics from today:









First Steps!


One Small Step from Pete Burke on Vimeo.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Sled Ride!


Evan and I took a little sled ride at Snowfest in Naples, FL yesterday.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Snow in Florida!

Evan and Mommy climb a small mountain of snow.






Ok, so it didn't really snow in Florida today, but we did go to Snowfest in Naples at Golden Gate Community Park,  just outside the gates of where my parents live. We all walked over to check out the snow. It's actually more like a fair, with carnival rides and games. Evan and Eliana had fun playing in the show in 78 degree weather. Although, I'm not sure Eliana is a big snow fan, even though she was born in February. Evan and I waited in line for nearly half an hour just to take the sled ride down a snow covered ramp. He loved it though, and Eliana laughed as we came down the ramp.