2nd Date of Christmas

 (photos by April)

 For our 2nd date of Christmas we went ice skating at millenium park.

So fun to skating just below the bean!

April decided to forego this little date and took pictures instead (:

We were bummed she didn't come with us but are quite grateful for the pictures!

We have so many lovely pictures of us now courtesy of her

talent, skill, and love for us.

One of the many, MANY reasons we're grateful she's 

a part of our family (:

xoxo,

lyss

1st Date Of Christmas

Our first date of Christmas was to go see the Macy's Christmas tree,

which in all honesty was a disappointment.

We had way more fun playing in all the fake living room setups 

and riding the 8 escalators.

April made it just that much more fun too (:

Geez we love this girl!

xoxo,

lyss

2 years....

(photo by April)

2 years ago today we drove into this big city, 

newly married,

in the middle of a snow storm, 

driving a moving truck through tiny one way streets,

and not a clue what we were in for.

We're so glad we did.

We adore this city of ours and only enjoy it more the longer we're here.

Thanks for a wonderful 2 years Chicago,

love,

The Burkhardt's

"Its so delightful when your imaginings come true, isn't it?" ~Anne

I'm so glad that my dream of a sister/best friend came true (:

although it is quite better than I EVER dreamt it would be....

xoxo,

lyss

Scratch that....

I just figured out how to put new posts in old spots,

so the influx of new posts will be in their proper date of order.

Which means they're back there if you want to see them (:

Sorry for the confusion.

xoxo,

lyss

I should warn you

I think I may have temporarily fixed our little google problem

and so there may be a great influx of posts for the next little bit.

I just really want to get these sweet memories out and down before

they are lost in the recesses of to do lists and daily cares (:

also....

guess who's coming in today!!! 

YIPPEE KI YAY!!!!

Let the fun begin.

and Mama, I promise to glare off all the good looking Chicago young men (:

Happy Saturday!

xoxo,

lyss

Well, its official now

As of last week we have lived in our little "transitional" apartment for 1 year,

which means this is the place I've lived the longest since I left my parents home

in spring of '07.

Ironic no?

Ohhhh this little apartment without a proper front door, very little light,

and a wimpy excuse of a kitchen.

(Not to mention the age old grime that no matter how I scrub has decided it is here to stay)

We didn't intend to live here long,

but plans changed and we decided to settle in instead (:

Oh little basement apartment,

you have demanded creativity in order to be livable

made me brave with the many opportunities you gave to kill little pests

and humbled me with the rather poor first impression you give our guests.

You have been fairly perfect for us in this season of life.

You have pushed us out of our traditional view of how a home should

look, feel, and function and challenged us to define for ourselves what "home"

 means for our little family.

You were cool and quiet in the summer when we needed a place to escape 

the pressures of the sun and work,

and you are quite cozy in the winter when the wind blows us in and 

we settle in to work and study.

You are not my favorite, 

I will be happy to leave you for more light filled spaces with proper front doors,

but I am very VERY grateful for you and how God has used you

and your deficiencies to grow us and teach us.

happy one year little basement apartment.

xoxo,

lyss