Yeah, He can play ball!

Yeah, He can play ball!
I am such a horrible Aunt. During the Disney Halloween Party, Kevin and my little Buddy was Tyler. Tyler was in charge of us not getting lost. So that of course meant we had to take him on all the way cool rides… like Peter Pan, Dumbo, and of course Pirates. So to make a long story short… On the way out of the Pirates store I see a counter that had Pirates Baseballs. (Remember back to Jayden and Tyler’s last visit to Miami in June where Kevin and I were teaching them both to throw a ball. And my mom bought Jayden a Marlins baseball?) Well, I just had to get the pirates one for Tyler. So I make Kevin pay for the ball (cause I was holding Tyler) and the three Disney employees behind the counter started saying how funny it was that we bought the ball for such a little boy. Kevin made a comment about how he has been teaching him to throw… and the two guys chuckled (like an “yeah right” kind of chuckle). So… what do I do? I sit Tyler on the counter and hand him the ball… with out a cue or anything he tosses the ball (with one hand now) to Kevin. Kevin and Tyler passed the ball back and forth a few times. Those two skeptics jaws drop immediately and say how we need to get him drafted today. Yeah, that’s right! My little String Bean is going to be a Pitcher for the Boston Red Sox one day! I only wish I had gotten it on video. Now, the real issue is my sister not loosing the ball.

If you wanna be a Pirate… Go Arrrrh!

My mom had mentioned that when they tried on Jayden’s Peter Pan costume on the other day he said “Pirate… Arrrh”.

Well, we decided to go over to Portifino Bay Hotel at Universal for Lunch on Saturday and instead of walking from Royal Pacific we took the boat.

This was the perfect time to see the "Pirate" ourselves. So, while he was hanging out with us on the boat (cause his Buddy – my dad- was taking a nap) I got him to show me his pirate.

His little lip curl and eyebrow raise is tooo cute! Johnny Depp - watch out! Jayden the Pirate is coming!

Enjoy!

Welcome to the world Alina!

You did it! You finally arrived here. On August 18, 2008 you decided that today was the day you were going to come out! I wanted to take this time to welcome you to the family. And also let you know what exciting things happened today, the day you were born.

Tropical Storm Fay is bearing down on the State of Florida. Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama is the first African-American man to be nominated for president. Michael Phelps has won a record of 8 Gold medals since the 08 Olympics started on 8/8/08. He has broken the world record in 4 events. Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack Featuring the Songs of ABBA was the album to purchase. – The number one movie today is Tropic Thunder bumping The Dark Knight from Number One (which you saw when you were in mommy’s belly).

Every Family has a Kid that hates to eat…

Ours is Tyler! I had the pleasure of trying to force feed him both mornings I visited. This was a photo my mom captured on one of the attempts to shovel food into his little mouth.

Playing Ball with Tyler

What is worse than teaching a 2 year old to throw an actual baseball?

Teaching the 1 year old to throw an actual baseball!

Yeah, you heard right. Kevin and I have been teaching Tyler to throw a baseball.

Why Kevin and I make a great Aunt and Uncle!

Cause when Jayden needs a diaper change - we just sit back, try to teach him to throw a baseball, prepare for Baseball Scouts, and laugh!

This all started when Amanda asked him "Did you go poo poo?" And this was his response!

"poo poo"

Evening Entertainment

"I saw how bored my brother Ty and Aunt Arianne were getting waiting for Uncle Kevin to come home from work. So... I thought I would entertain them. I did that of course by playing with Aunt Arianne's ottoman. They had a fun time. I mean not just anyone can pull off the Opa Ottoman Dance!" - Jayden

Amanda's Little Man

This is a photo of Jayden and my sister Amanda while my mom and I were cooking dinner.

I just had to take this photo! And of course I have to post it. Heck I even gave him my red wedges to match his outfit!

Baby Tyler... My String Bean

On their last night here Kevin was holding Tyler. As Kevin was taking him to bed I snapped this photo. He is toooooooo cute! It really hit Kevin how something so important could fit in the in the palm of his hand.

Food and Wine Festival at Epcot

As Amanda and Eddy hit Epcot - Arianne, Pam (mom), Kevin and Wayne (dad) were left to try out the yummy treats and tasty adult beverages the International Food and Wine Festival had to offer and babysit the kids.









First Stop: Germany for Lunch and Beer











Tyler liked the Polka Music


















Jayden liked the food!

A quick stop off in Italy for old times sake and a cannoli...













Arianne and Mom near the Ireland Station enjoying some Honey Wine... yummy! (note: Self photo taking picture)












Even Dad had a good time enjoying all the yummyness...

Wines we tasted at this years events that we liked:

Ireland - Bunratty Meade Honey Wine

China - Dragons Hallow Chardonnay

Italy - Cecchi Chianti Classico 

South Africa - Fairview Sauvignon Blanc & Goat Door Chardonnay

Japan - Ozeki Dry Sake

     

Jayden and Tyler go to Universal Studios

No Trip to Universal Studios is complete without your silly JAWS hat!















Even with all the excitement of the parks Jayden still finds time to say "I love you" to his little brother!
















"So much excitement... must take nap... on Dads head..." - Jayden

Jayden and Tyler's first photo session together

Jayden and Tyler get their first picture taken as Big Brother and Little Brother. Meatball does as great job of taking care of String Bean.

Welcome to the world Baby Tyler!

Happy Birthday Jayden!

My little Meatball is growing up... today Jayden turns 1! I just wish I could have been there to spoil him with birthday gifts, encourage him to put his cake all over his face, and wear silly little birthday hats!

Jayden turns 11 months old

"Yeah, I'm so cute! My Aunt Arianne just wants to eat me up... that's because I am a little Meatball!" - Jayden

Ok so I know its not the 31st February just has to put a wrench in the whole thing doesn't it! So today I am celebrating Jayden turning 11 months. It's almost your birthday... my little Meatball!

Jayden turns 4 months

Welcome to the world Baby Jayden Holt!

Before I turn 80....

This is a poem I wrote in honor of my Grandmother....

Before I turn 80.…

Before I turn 80, I want to hold the world in my arms…
Before I turn 80, I want to own an exotic fast car…
Before I turn 80, I will have seen all 50 of these United States…
Before I turn 80, I will have eaten over one million cheesecakes…
I will have over 25 stamps in my passport from all amazing different countries,
And I will have perfected the art of making my Grandmothers Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I will be able to give myself time to heal when the healing is to be done,
without the slightest frown,
I will have danced in my lovers arms in a garden of Jasmine while the light of the moon looks down.

To ride my favorite roller coaster 20 times in a row without claiming I am too old to ride anymore.
I will be able to forgive those who hurt me before storming off and shutting my hearts steel door.
I will have joy in taking naps during the day, like when I was just a kid.
I will have walked along the beaches of Miami with my love, just like my grandparents once did.

I will not be so narcissistic and think every bad comment is directed towards me.
And when things get tough, no matter how bad they are, I will never, ever try to flee.
I will have kissed my love not only on top the Eifle Tower in Paris,
but kissed several times in a gondola gliding across the canals in Venice.
I will have played Texas Hold' um in every casino on the Las Vegas Strip,
And I will have learned the art of not caring about money and giving too much for a Tip.

To do the unthinkable and obtain tickets to both the World Series and the Super Bowl.
And argue with every Yankees fan I know who says the Red Sox don't have a Soul!
To sit outside Big Ben looking for the Second Star to the Right,
And to be a school girl again remembering my past loves in the late hours of the night!
I will have kept journals of all the fine wines and foods I have tasted and consumed,
I will have learned to be inspired by the death of my loved ones instead of grieving away in my room.

I will have the ability to follow my dreams instead of just flying around in a bunch of turbulence.
I will be more bold, daring, sassy, courageous, and fly by the seat of my pants.

Before I turn 80, I will have spent all the penny's that were held in my rainy day tin,
Before I turn 80, I will know the truest treasure is having my life surrounded by friends.
Before I turn 80, I will have prayed with Buddist Monks on top a mountain in Tibet,
Before I turn 80, I will be able to go to my final sleep with not one single regret.

In Memory of my Grandmother
Charlotte Sophia Burgess
January 27, 2005