Our Preemies

Today, November 17th, is Prematurity Awareness Day

We hold the March of Dimes very near and dear to our hearts. No one expects to have a premature baby let alone 4 at one time. And though we were prepared (well....as prepared as anyone really can be in our situation) to have them early, we still were scared and uncertain how it would all turn out. Thankfully we had amazing doctors who were very knowledgeable and prepared us for all the possible outcomes. Without all of the research done by the March of Dimes, our children may have had a very different outcome.
We would like you to take a minute and say a prayer for all those who right now are having to deal with the effects of prematurity and the roller coaster of emotions in the NICU. It's a very difficult and uncertain road. We pray God will give peace and comfort in the hard times.

I realize more and more every day HOW TRULY BLESSED we are to have four perfectly healthy, beautiful toddlers. I know not every story turns out this way, but hopefully we can see, through the work of the March of Dimes, more healthy babies and less prematurity!
Please take a second and check out their website and see how you can get involved in your area whether it's through your financial contribution or your precious donation of time!

Look at the huge differences from 2 weeks old to 27 months!

Benjamin

Allie

Anna

Baron

Surviving in the NICU

Playing in our living room.

Thanks for all your love and support!! Have a fabulous week!
Jenny

Flintstones...Meet The (Burkett) Flinstones......

Hope everyone is having a FABULOUS weekend! I know we have had tons of fun--and without eating much candy if you can believe that! (2 pieces per kid for the weekend....)

Thursday night Brian and I attended the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction for our area. It was a deliciously wonderful event:) So many wonderful people and so much good food and all for a great cause. I was a little nervous because I was asked to say a few word. If you know me, you KNOW I am NOT a public speaker. I hate it! BUT since I've been chosen as a finalist in the March of Dimes Mom of the Year Awards, I thought it was the least I could do to help them out. It was a nice night out with my hubby! Thanks mom, dad and Sarah for hanging out with the kiddos!

Friday night our church had a big even called Autumn Fest. This was the 1st time we've ever taken the kids (the last 2 yrs we've been on RSV lock down). Unfortunately it was POURING rain ALL day, so most of the activities were moved indoors. That makes for a VERY crowded place. I think it was overwhelming to the kids at first....so many people, weird costumes, loud music. But they ended up having a great time and looked SUPER cute while doing it!
Here are a few pictures from that night.

...From the town of Bed Rock....

Ben aka Fred Flintstone (He was lovin' the "tri-gang-gals" on his outfit.)

Allie aka Wilma Flintstone

Baron aka Barney Rubble (he was so excited about the X on his shirt! haha)

Anna aka Betty Rubble

Watching a little pre-party cartoons.

Daddy and Benny.

I REALLY can't believe Ben wasn't freaked out by a mascots from one of the universities in town! He loved the BIRD BIRD BIRD!!!!

This is as good as it gets when it comes to a group shot. No one wanted to stop and stand for a picture.

Aunt Sarah (the original Pnut) and Allie (my Peanut!)

Checking out the "petting zoo".

Mommy and Anna taking a break outside. She was easily scared.
And yes I made my shirt---it says "Yes, our hands are full!" I think it helped keep that comment from being repeated over and over that night! hahah!

Precious children of my dear friend Melanie.

Anna and Sarah.

I think the balloon animals stole the show. They were in love with them. "We don't need no stinkin' candy......we've got BALLOONS":)

Baron giving daddy a headbutt. Daddy and the kids love giving each other headbutts. It's so cute!

I think I caught Bear and Papaw off guard:)

Mimi and Allieboo.

Grub time. Snacking on some yummy grilled hot dogs.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures! There are more posts to come this week. We have started moving the kids into different rooms--i.e. Boys Room and Girls Room. Meaning Brian and I get our master bedroom back. (YAY!) It's SOOOOO bittersweet.
I finished the boys room this week and we moved them in yesterday. The girls are sad without the boys but I keep telling them they are getting a new room too.....that will be PINK! I'm hoping they will give me enough nap time this week to get their room painted.
I will post pictures once it's all done. :) By then I think I'll need a vacation!

Have a great week!

Jenny

One of our last nights together in the same bedroom! *tear*

Just A Little Sneak Peek....

...at the kid's Halloween costumes (I made them so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they don't destroy them too quickly) because I just couldn't resist. So many people have been asking what they're going to be so I thought I'd give you a little hint.
We can't wait to take them to our church's Autumn Fest Friday night (Our first time ever going as a family since we've been on RSV lock down for the last 2 yrs). I'm hoping the rain will stay away and that we will have a great family night! I promise I'll get pictures up this weekend of our fun night!

Jenny

Ben

Allie

Baron

Anna

Quads Just Wanna Have Fun:)

We have had some fun adventures lately. A couple weeks ago Brian and I took the kids to the state hospital grounds to feed the ducks and geese. The kids LOVED it. I can't even tell you how many times we heard "Duck, duck, DUCK!" We have had some beautiful weather and have taken every opportunity to be outside while we can. The cold is coming soon. (Not that we can't go out in the cold--because we will--....it's just SO much more work....wears me out even thinking about all the layers.)

Daddy with his "flock of quadlings":)

This was our first time out at the park where we didn't take our stroller. It was awesome and nerve racking all at the same time.:) They are growing up so fast!

Benjamin--HANDSOME lil' dude!

Allie snuggling with her daddy.

Allie--absolutely gorgeous:)

Anna--truly beautiful:)

Baron--So Stinkin' Cute!:)

He was so proud that he was able to pick out socks to match his tee-shirt. He was pointing them out to me all day.
These kids crack me up constantly.

Daddy reading to his older 2. All the kids LOVE to read.....like alllllll the time!

Papaw and Bear bear.

Man....if looks could kill!

Ben practicing his "Blue Steel"

Anna's first self-portrait:)

Do you know what's so special about the plastic tub Anna is sitting in?.......

....it's the same tub she was bathed in during her NICU stay!

And Allie's tub pics.

Unbelievable!

Hopefully we have some more adventures planned for later this week including a pumpkin patch and outdoor fun. (If Brian gets to feeling better soon!)

On that note, I covet your prayers for Brian right now. He has been very sick since LAST Monday. I think he is slowly getting better, but I'm praying that he will be back to 100% ASAP! Thank you to all of you who are praying and have called/texted:) We love you and will keep you all updated.
Oh I almost forgot.......I've been working on the our kiddos Halloween costumes and I can't wait to show everybody!
Can you guess what they're going to be? I'll give you a hint the colors are----Orange, White, Brown and Blue.:)
I'll post pictures once I get the finishing touches on them.

XO
Jenny

I Promise We Are Still Alive......

Brian has been really sick for over a week now and life around here has been all out of whack!? Anyway, I promise I'll be doing a new post tonight after the kids go to bed. Lots of cute pictures to come!

Jenny

Happy Birthday Papaw! (and happy due date 2 years ago!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPAW!!!!!
We LOVE you! We are so thankful for such a wonderful grandpa/dad/father in law!

I'm very thankful for such a wonderful Godly dad! Thank you for loving mom and for showing me what a Godly husband and parent is supposed to be like.
We pray for many many more birthdays with you!

Love,
Jenny, Brian and Ben, Allie, Anna, & Baron

Also happy Due Date 2 yrs ago..... can you believe it's gone so quickly!?

Here they are 2 yrs ago (@ 9 weeks old) on their due date).

Suga Bear, Peanut, Bennyboo, Punkypie @ 26 months

2 Weeks of Sickness = Mommy Needs a Day Away!

Yes, the kids have been sick in some form or fashion for the last TWO WEEKS! UGH! This is the longest illness we've ever experienced with them. It's been pitiful to watch them lay around. Thankfully they have been such troopers about it. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and also for all the encouragement:). (I know there were a few times I called some friends and just said......"Will this ever end?....Keep me sane please!":)

My poor Bear....

Ben and Anna

Daddy trying to comfort all his sick babies.

Allie stayed like this for days:(

Baron

Anna seemed to be the least sick of them all. And a girl has to be stylin' at all times right? Check out those boots....hehe:)


Saturday, since the kids were on the mend, my sister and I took a little road trip to Indianapolis because........ Brian entered me into the March of Dimes: Indiana Mom of the Year contest and I am a top 10 finalist!!!! WooHoo!

The finalists were asked to be at the Babies and Bellies Expo in Indy for a photo shoot. I called up my dear friend Jen Murray and we made a day of it! It was great! I got to meet Brad and the boys, and then we had a nice lunch and a walk around the mall.
The wonderful Indiana director of the March of Dimes, Tanya, gifted us with a free makeup session at Nordstroms so we could look our best before the publicity photo shoot. (It's so funny....even typing out those kind of words--photo shoot, publicity, head shots etc--is so not my typical daily life. Feels weird and fun all in one:))

Me and Jen

My sister Sarah and me

My makeup professional--Portia, working on me:)

Workin' it;)

Anyway, it was a great day and I was sad to see it end. Great bonding time with my sister and my beloved quadmama, Jen.
BUT I was glad to get back to my babies and Brian. The "day off" was just what I needed to get back into my "nice mommy" attitude. I hate to admit it, but having 4 sick 2 year olds for 2 weeks straight can make a mommy not so nice. Lack of sleep, being puked on, pooped on, stressing about keeping them hydrated .....well you get the picture right?:)

So here we are looking much happier. Not 100% yet but I have not doubt this week will be MUCH improved! So I think we're done for the year...we've met our quota for being sick right? I hope so....

Anna Banana

Allie Bug (yeah you can see it around her eyes that she's still tired and not 100% yet--just like her momma. Her eyes don't lie and neither do mine. I could never fake being sick as a kid because of it!)

Benny Boo

Bear da Bear

Love y'all! MUAH!

haha....my sister made me do it!

Have a GREAT Week!

Jenny

All Under One Roof!

Two years ago today we--the six of us--were finally we able to be under one roof as a family for the first time. Bringing Allie home was AMAZING! To be able to hold my children whenever I wanted, to feed them, change them, kiss them, and stare at them at any time was surreal. I finally felt complete having her home. Leaving her in the hospital was SO hard for those few days, but it made her homecoming that much sweeter:).

A huge weight was lifted from our shoulders the moment we drove away from the NICU for the last time. But it was replaced with a huge responsibility--one that we thank God for EVERY DAY!

Allie, from the start, has been a ball of fire!:) She ALWAYS made our ultrasound techs earn their pay by RARELY cooperating. For a few weeks we weren't even sure if she was a boy or girl. Then the day we delivered, she was the one telling the doctor it was time to come out and meet us. She just was so cramped and running out of fluid. I truly believe since she was our tiny one it made her extra strong and able to fight hard.

Allie LOVES to talk and LOVE LOVES to read. It's so sweet to walk in on Allie reading a book to one of her siblings or her baby doll. She's very much a lover/hugger/kisser/comforter and all around sweetheart. She is such a big helper to me. Also she is ALL girl....I mean loves everything pink, bows and ribbons, SHOES, sparkles, Shoes, babies, shoes. Do you see a trend?:)

I love my lil Allie Grace and her sweet face. God blessed me more than I could have ever, ever imagined when He gave me my husband and four children!

Finally going home! (By the way I'm not looking my best in the picture because I had a HORRIBLE case of mastitis this day and felt like doo-doo, but nothing was going to stop me from picking up my baby girl:)

Here are a few of my FAVORITE pictures from our first days with all 4 home....

Ben, Anna, Baron, Allie

Anna, Allie, Baron, Ben

Daddy finally getting to hold all his babies at home:)

And now.....

Peanut

Allie boo

This was a picture just a few days before the kids came down with "the plague".....

.....and today still pretty darn sick:( Just a virus....but it's taking it's sweet time leaving our house! Praying we'll be better this week! Thankfully we don't get sick very often around here.

Thanks for all your prayers, support and love these past 2 years! We're looking forward to many many many more!
Have a great week! I hope to update this week--if we finally get over this virus.

Jenny

****Check out Kim & Alex's Blog---they're bringing all 4 of their quads home tomorrow and I'm SO excited for them!!!!! We love ya guys!****

Ben-ham-meeeen!

Two years ago today Benjamin Russell came home with us! It was awesome to have my big (he was 6 lbs---that seemed HUGE compared to the others!:)) little man home. I think taking him home was the hardest because I knew we were leaving Allie alone in the NICU. Although we knew she would be home in just a few days, I cried leaving. It was very bittersweet seeing the end of the Nicu roller coaster in sight. I knew it would be so much busier at our house with the ratio of parents to babies now off, and it was!
Ben had the hardest transition coming home. I think it was TOO quiet at our house without all the NICU noises (alarms, nurses/doctors talking, etc). We started playing music when they were in their cribs and really just kept on with life--not trying to be quiet and it seemed to work. We kept the kids on the same schedule they were on in the NICU so at least that was an easy transition. Thankfully Ben finally settled in after a few weeks and has been wonderful ever since.

He has always been our BIG eater. Even when he was a baby he would suck down those bottles in minutes! It truly was a sight to see:) Every time we go the the pediatrician for a check up he comments on Ben's strength and just how solid he is. He is AMAZINGLY strong! I always say that's because he was on the bottom of the baby pile and had to be like Atlas and hold the other 3 up for 31 weeks and 1 day!
Not only does he have strong muscles but also a strong will and at the same time is very sensitive. It makes for a very sweet combination (most of the time....). In many ways he is my clone! (What do you think??)


I love him unconditionally and he will always be my "first born"--by one minute:)
I love you Ben-Ben!

**Check back on the 21st for Allie's day!! And many more fun posts to come.
Right now, though, the kids are sick and it's not so fun. Please keep us in your prayers that this bug will move on through quickly!:)**

Thanks!:)
Jenny

My first time holding 3 at home:) Yes I was A LOT more tired in this picture:)

Ben, Baron, & Anna

I promise this isn't a posed picture! He got the book and blanket and sat down to have a good read! SOOO CUTE!

Check out those guns:) And those EYES!

Having some fun at the park. I'm so excited that fall is almost here!

A Bear Moved Into Our House....

....2 years ago today! We always assumed Baron would be the last one to come home because he needed more breathing assistance from the beginning. It just seemed that we did the 2- steps-forward-1-step-back dance with him more than with the others. But he was just being sneaky. I guess he had other plans in mind. He knew he was last to be born, but wouldn't be last to go home.
It was so amazing having two of my four sweet, beautiful children home. But it was also harder to split my time between the two at the hospital and the two at home (all the while pumping and trying to catch a few blinks of sleep in there somewhere).
Baron is such a wonderful little man. I love him wholeheartedly. He really is a crack-up! He makes such funny "boy noises". Those of you with boys know what I'm talking about (vroom..scruuuch...boom). He is a big talker nowadays. I wouldn't have guessed it early on, but he keeps up with his jabber-mouth sister Allie. Baron is an early riser and definitely likes to be heard---ie he's our alarm clock!!:)
My heart would not be complete without my Baron Ross in it.
I love you buddy!

Jenny
(check back next week for the other 2 homecoming posts)

Such a little cute stink!

Daddy holding Bear and Punkin AT HOME for the first time. Such an amazing feeling!

My little daredevil trying out the big kid swings for the first time!

Doing his signature ROAR noise! (To him bears, lions, & tigers, all sounds the same...)

Of course I had to have a group shot in here. Stopping to have snack while playing on our church's playground. What a sweaty good time:)

Two Years Ago Today....

Our sweet Anna came home from the NICU! It was such an amazing day. I could not actually believe that it was happening. Really being able to leave the hospital with my tiny little 4-ish lbs baby who was still only 35 weeks gestation was amazing.
Anna is such a sweet heart. I love her with all my heart (as I do the others of course). But she is so much like me with I was little--very shy and soft spoken but can get really wound up when she wants! I am so thankful for God blessing me with Anna Ruth. Our family would not be complete without her.
I hope you all have a great Labor Day!
Jenny

FINALLY going home!!

Watching her first AUBURN football game with daddy!

She's such a climbing daredevil. She scares the mom in me on a daily basis:)

My sweet Punkin--how can you resist this face? Those eyes??

The whole crew:)

Our Trip to ATL and a Few other Extras.

So for Brian's birthday, his mom bought got us tickets to go to Sean Hannity's Freedom Concert (I know there are MANY differing ideas when it comes to politics so PLEASE don't bring it up on here just because I'm mentioning this) in Atlanta. She and Brian's sister, Barbara, came too. It was a quick little over night trip (the first time we've gone together that far away and left the children over night). We had a great time! It was fun to see all the performers and be with family. It was also sooooo nice to sleep in that next morning--something Brian and I never get to do!

On our way back home we decided since we don't get away just the two of us much, that we'd make a side trip. We stopped in Chattanooga and visited Ruby Falls. It was SO much fun and so beautiful! Brian was cracking me up the whole time acting like such a kid.
As much fun as we had I missed the quads SO much. It was so nice to see them come running when we got home. Thanks Mimi and Papaw for taking such good care of them while we were gone! We love you both! And thank you Christine for the trip! We love you too!
Here are just a few of the many pictures I took.

Yeah...self portraits don't always turn out great:)

My sister-in-law, Barbara and me at the concert.

Brian's mom and sister (it was so crowded it was hard to get a good picture:))

Here are a few pictures of the performers/speakers

Sean Hannity

Lee Greenwood

Rich Little impersonating Bush. He was HILARIOUS!

Charlie Daniels Band. They were amazing! "Devil Went Down to Georgia" never sounded so good.

John Voight

Michael W. Smith

Lt. Col. Oliver North

Billy Ray Cyrus (just isn't the same without the mullet...hehe)

Ruby Falls was BEAUTIFUL and Amazing! If you've never been there I would definitely suggest going!

And I can't do a post with out a few pictures of my precious ones:)

Coloring and stickering......such big kids! Allie was all about wearing the stickers more than putting them on paper.

The kids (Barely fitting) in the baby swings at the park last week. Thanks Haley for helping me push:)

Same swings, same kids....one year ago. Notice a size difference?:)

I couldn't help myself.....this video is SO cute. (please excuse my annoying voice on it) I love these kids SO much!!!
Hope you enjoy!

Jenny

Honest Scrap!

Alright ladies and gentlemen, my sweet friend and fellow quad momma, Charity has passed on the Honest Scrap award to me--meaning I'm supposed to share 10 fun facts about myself. So here we go.....

1. I know the entire movie The Princess Bride word for word. (Yes I watched it a few times as a kid...hehe)
2. I was a ballerina for almost 15 years. I think having strong ankles and legs from dancing helped me get through my pregnancy!
3. I do NOT function well with out some caffeine throughout the day. No coffee though --yuck.
4. I love photography and have a dream of someday doing it professionally. It doesn't hurt that I have 4 of the MOST beautiful children in world to practice on:)
5. Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. I love all the seasons (and thankfully where we live we get all 4) but fall is the prettiest. There's just something about being in a comfy pair of jeans and a sweatshirt while watching football.
6. I wish I could be more "domestic"---like sewing, canning, gardening, but there's only so much time in my days right now. I should just pick one thing and start learning right? I'd like to sew.....:) But hey at least I can crochet!
7. When I was pregnant the smell of my refrigerator LITERALLY made me vomit. (Just to clarify--there was no real smell. It was clean.) I just have an amazingly sensitive nose and I guess the hormones were just overdoing it. It was brutal---just think of how many times a woman pregnant with quads eating 4000 calories a day has to get into the fridge!:)
8. If I eat tomato-y food right before I go to sleep, I have Wild and Vivid dreams all night!
9. I love being outdoors (but HATE mosquitoes). I've been spelunking, climbing & repelling, white water rafting and camped on a beach with friends for 8 days (twice).
10. I was pre-med in college for a while and still LOVE all things medical --surgeries etc. Fascinating:) Yes I'm a dork!

Alright now that you know a few more things about me.....it's your turn
The Holsey Triplets
The Tubre Quads
The Shrew's Nest
Baby Changalang
The Berger Bunch
The King Squad
The Wright Five
4tunate


Check back soon---I'm working on a post about Brian and my trip to ATL and some other fun things:)

Jenny

Happy 3rd Anniversary of Your 29th Birthday Brian!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN/DADDY!!!!!!


This post is dedicated to you!! We love you and could never ask for a better daddy/husband.
Thank you for being you and for all you do for us.
We hope and pray for many many more birthdays!

XOXO
Jenny, Ben, Allie, Anna, and Baron

Take a walk down memory lane with us.....(lots of pictures)

Baby Brian 2 weeks old

3 week old Brian with his dad, Russell

6 months (can you tell it was the 70's?:)

9 months (I can see similarities between him and all the kids in this picture)

13 months

Brian with his Pa-pa (grandpa), Dad, brother Rusty and great grandpa Zollie

YES....that's a MULLET!:) haha.

Cute Brian and his little sister Barbara.

I love this picture of Brian and his parents. 2001 I think.

2002, not long after Brian and I met. ( I was already in love....:))

Valentine's day 2003--we're engaged!:)

At Tavern on the Green NYC 2006. Little did we know how drastically our lives would change in just a few months!

Christmas 2006, Sarah (my sis), Brian and I.

D-Day! 08/08/07!

Daddy (and Allie) changing his first of thousands of diapers!

First time holding all 4!
Ben, Allie, Anna, Baron
I love how the girls look like they're kissing the boys:)

At our friend's cookout. The kids were about 3 weeks old and still in the hospital.

Watching the first Auburn game of the year with Anna.

Daddy and his babies.

I LOVE this picture of Baron and Brian.

Babies babies everywhere.

The love of a father.....beautiful.

Brian with his Aunt Kathy and Allie.

St Louis June 2008.

Daddy comforting his poor baby girl after her VCUG.:(

Daddy and his girls napping.

Father's Day 2009

"Hip hip hip hippopotamus...."

One of Brian's favorite things......Steak:)

WAR EAGLE!

Brian.....you are an amazing father, husband, protector, provider and we love you so much! Happy 32nd Birthday!

2 Year Checkup

So I took the crew to the doctor for our 2 year checkup. (Thank you SO much for your help Heather. AND Daddy got to leave work for a few minutes and join us which of course the kids were so excited about!:)) I DEFINITELY needed the extra hands this time. And to think I was going to do it all alone. HA! They OBVIOUSLY remembered the office and all the shots from last time because they were NOT happy campers once we got back to do their weights and heights. The nurse kept telling me that it's normal for this age.....yeah well still doesn't make it any easier. I felt bad because all morning I was talking to them about going to the doctor and not having to get shots this time, and of course today they decide to do finger sticks to check for anemia. Oh well. They did great overall.
The doctor was very happy with all of the children. And from now on there's no more adjusting for prematurity. YAY!:)

Allie (the petite flower)
24 lbs

32 3/4 inches

Baron
25 lbs 13.5 oz
33 3/4 inches

Anna
26 lbs 12 oz
34 3/4 inches

Benjamin
30 lbs (yes you read that right THIRTY!)
33 3/8 inches

Have a great rest of the week!

Jenny

A Rockin' Good Time!** UPDATED**

The kids rockin' out on what I wish was our front porch. But alas, it's good ole Cracker Barrel. (One of my favorite places to take the kids since they ALWAYS have enough chairs for the kids to sit in and there's so much for them to look at!) It's funny because BTQ (before the quads), I would have never based where we would go out to eat by how many high chairs/booster seats the place had. Now it's one of the top qualifiers:). Funny how life changes. Anyway.
The kids look and act so grown up now. I can't believe my little babies are so big. After visiting Kim's babies in the NICU last week, my kids seem like giants!? I think they have pretty much caught up developmentally for their age. We will find out tomorrow at our 2 year checkup. I will post all that exciting info tomorrow.:)
We've been taking advantage of the hot but not melt-your-face-off hot days lately. The kids have seen our deflated pool outside and have been begging me to get it out for them. So after a large spider massacre, (EWWWW....) I got it out and cleaned it up for some fun afternoon splashing. And of course they loved every second of it. (I too loved it --except for all the mosquitoes bites!!! Anyone have ideas on getting rid of them without spraying the yard?)
Not much else to report for today. And I can hear the kiddos jumping in the cribs so I guess that's my cue to finish this.

ENJOY:)
Jenny

Benjamin Russell
Strong and Sensitive

Allie Grace
Funny and SO Talkative

Baron Ross
Snuggly and Happy

Anna Ruth
SO Sweet and Shy

POOL TIME!!

They have finally started paying attention to planes and helicopters. It's funny. It's like the mother ship is calling to them when one flies over. They all stop dead in their tracks and look up. Usually Bear is the first to announce "paane, paane".

Happy Birthday Grumpus, we miss you...

Happy Birthday, Grumpus. We miss you...

Dad and me, the day before his brain surgery to remove a non-cancerous tumor in early 2007. He really wasn't himself at that time, as the tumor impacted his personality, but I think it's the last picture of us together, unfortunately. I'm glad Jenny's family is better about taking pictures, even though it drives me bonkers sometimes...

Mom and Dad, just before the surgery again.

Dad holding my niece, Alana the day she was born, 4/30/2008, long since recovered from the brain tumor. We thought we had so many years left with this sweet man.

Grumpus & Ben, Mother's Day 2008

Grumpus and Anna, Christmas 2007

Grumpus & Ben, Christmas 2007

Grumpus and the kids on his one and only trip to Evansville, October 2007. He and I had a good time as father and son. I even took him to a big yard sale at the 4-H Fairgrounds while he was here... something he loved to do. I wish I had time for one more with him.

If you care to see last year's birthday post, click here.

Russell "Grumpus" Burkett
(08/17/1945-08/09/2008)

Favorite Moments from Our Birthday Weekend

For the kid's 2nd birthday we took a trip down to Alabama to visit Brian's side of the family. It was a good trip and the kids had a great party. It was nice to be with family, especially since it was also the one year anniversary of Russell's (Grumpus) passing. It was helpful to have the kids around since they are such an easy distraction for all:). We love all of our family and are thankful for each and every member:)

Here are some of the pictures taken throughout the weekend.
Enjoy:)
Jenny

I LOVE this picture of Anna and her daddy in Grumpus's chair. Such love...

Aunt Barbara with Anna and Allie.

The young batch of cousins in the Burkett family. Baron, Allie, Benjamin, Anna, & Alana.

MY BIG TWO YEAR OLDS......

Big muscle man Ben.

Sweet and Sassy Allie.

Busy little man Baron.

My shy sweet-hearted Anna.

(sorry this picture is a little blurry. it was the best we could get at the moment)
The quads at their birthday party. Also in this picture: Aunt Wendy, Pa-pa (the quad's great grandpa), cousin Alex and Grandmama.

Grandmama helping the girls eat their yummy cake since I wasn't up for a total face-smashed-in-the-cake kind of party.

The great grandfathers, Pa-Pa and Granddaddy. I love that the kids have so many grands, great grands and even a great great grand in their lives.

Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet babies! They couldn't get enough cake! Loved it!

Eating lunch at their party. We had a cookout and a little party at the church across the street from Grandmama's house. Since it was sweltering outside we thought it best to have it there since we have so much family to celebrate with. It turned out great. Thanks to everyone who helped!

Pa-Pa, Grandaddy and Aunt Kathy "Kitty Kat"

Pa-Pa and Bear bear.

Daddy and Benner

Cousin Alana. It was so cute. The kids started saying her name---"yawnna"-- while we were down there.

Brian and his boys.

Mommy trying to teach the kids (again.....) about sharing with our siblings.:)

Little Peanut (and Anna too) actually kept her ponytails in for the entire party. It was too adorable. If you know my girls---this is a huge feat!

Our nephew Brad, his daughter Madelyn (yes I am a great aunt at 28.....very weird), my sister-in-law Barbara and her daughter Alana.

Brian and his great niece Maddy. No it did NOT make us want more:) Although it is fun to hold a baby again:)

Ben thought it was so hilarious to put this headband (aka a manly ninja band--not a girly thing at all right?!) on and slide it up on his head. He was walking around all weekend like this.

My beautiful Anna Ruth.

We love this little girl. Spoiled rotten:)

Grandmama reading to Baron and Alana.

Alana with her "picture face" and Allie wondering what in the world the baby is doing. It was cute because my kids were calling her a baby and she was calling them babies. In reality they are only 9 months older than her. All still babies to me:)

Chillaxin' in the rocky (what they call all things that rock) having a snack.

Daddy and his clone.



On our way down to Alabama we made a stop to see my grandparents in KY. We don't get to see them enough and I really wanted to see my great grandmother, Tutu. It's been almost 2 yrs since I've had the chance to see her so I wanted to bring the kids to see her again. (click here to see the pictures from last time we visited her--first time with the quads!) She loves these babies. And although she suffers from dementia, she remembers the babies somewhat. She calls them THE babies. She's going to be 99 years old in a few weeks and I just love her so much. So thankful that my children have a great great grandmother in their life.

5 generations
me w/ Ben, nana (my gma) w/ Baron, Allie w/ my mom, Anna w/ my sister and Tutu in front.

The family (my dad was working and couldn't make the trip). We were quite the spectacle at the nursing home.

I LOVE this picture. This is her face when she realized who was there to see her. The babies! She just kept saying how sweet they were and how she loves them. Brings a tear to my eye even now thinking about it.

My sister has moved home from Germany! We are SO excited to have her home. The kids are getting to know her now and I love it! She left before their 1st birthday so they didn't remember her much, but are making up for lost time.

Baron and Sarah being silly:)

Allie showing her displeasure that the cookies were all gone......

Aunt Sarah reading to the kids. They love her:)

Update on Kim and the Quads!

(I wrote this last night, but wanted to check with Alex and Kim before I started posting all these pictures. I guess I was just too excited for you all to see these beautiful babies! Thanks guys for the pleasure of seeing them!)

Brian and I just got back from visiting Kim and Alex at the hospital. Everyone is doing GREAT! Kim is such a trooper. She looked great! We even got to go see the babies. I can't tell you all the emotions and memories it brought back being in the NICU. They are even in the same pod with some of the same nurses (AWESOME ones btw) that we had. Continue to pray for all 4 babies and for Kim to heal.

Here are a few pictures I took while visiting.:)

The quads first pictures! (sorry I can't tell you which one is which and I didn't write it down after I took the picture of these pictures. oops:))



Me and the proud mama Kim!


Alesandra
4:42pm
3 lbs 12 oz
16 inches (i think.)




Aiden
4:42 pm
3 lbs 2.8 oz
15 1/4 inches





Ashton
4:43 pm
3 lbs 1.6 oz
15 something inches




Arabella
4:44 pm
3 lbs 2.6 oz
15 1/2 inches

King Quads born TODAY!:) **UPDATED**

Today is the day! At 4:30pm today, my friend Kim King and her husband Alex (and their 3 children) are going to be welcoming their sweet quadruplets into the world. Pray that they are all healthy, including Kim. Also pray that she recovers well and that the transition from a family of 5 to a family of 9 goes well.
I can't wait to meet these beautiful babies, Aiden, Ashton, Arabella and Alesandra.
I will keep you updated as I know more.

(Kim you have done an AMAZING job at growing these babies! 32 weeks is awesome!)

More to come....
Jenny

btw...i'm working on a post about our trip down south. check back in a day or so....many CUTE pictures!


I have pictures and an update on Kim and the quads.

Kim is doing GREAT! Brian and I were able to visit with Kim and Alex this evening and it was great to see them and to visit the babies in the NICU. I want to ask their permission before I post any pictures of their sweet babies on here.
They are all doing great though!

Jenny