Big Decisions and Full Bellies...I mean Hearts!

OUR BIG DECISION:

We recently made a huge family decision and Travis has decided to join the Air Force. He has always wanted to join the Military, but until now it just wasn't the right time. We had hopes of Travis being able to find a job with one of the Law Enforcement agencies around here. Since the economy is a big pile of poo...that just wasn't in the cards for us. It seems like everyone around here is on a hiring freeze and Travis has been going crazy being "stay-at-home-Daddy!" It was great for him to be able to have the time to spend with Parker and for them to form such a strong bond...but if you know Trav...you know that he is the type of person that has to be "doing something" more than just feeling trapped indoors. At first I was concerned and was only bringing up what I saw as the negatives. We kept discussing it and I started to run out of reasons that Travis shouldn't join! This gives our family a chance to live in places we wouldn't have normally been able to and to see different parts of the country and the world. We are very excited for this next chapter in our lives and appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we embark on this journey. I am so proud of my husband!

PLAYING HOCKEY IN THE SNOW:

The boys really enjoyed the snow! Aren't they so cute in their snow pants and winter gear!

PARKER'S FAVORITE NEW FACE:

This is the face that Parker makes when he is smiling for the camera. It is too funny!

CHRISTMAS EVE:

We spent Christmas Eve with the McCue side of the family at my Uncle Carl & Aunt Lauri's house. It was so much fun and it was great to see everyone. The food was amazing too. Parker had so much fun playing outside and looking through the screen on the window. As soon as we made him come inside he was trying to escape again!

THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER:

My apologies to those of you out there who actually have a "holiday sweater" that you wear every year. Travis thought that he was so funny and mostly wore this sweater to irritate me. It worked!!! It was so ugly and he even found a women's turtleneck with snowflakes on it to make it that much better...and by better I mean worse! I finally got him to agree to not wear it on Christmas Day ( he had already worn it several times )!

CHRISTMAS DAY:

Parker was ready to go... he looks a little peeved in this picture though. Check out his Christmas Jammies though!

We got him a recliner for Christmas. It has a cup holder and everything! He loves it and sits in it every time he sees it.

Parks spent the majority of the morning and early afternoon standing on a box and looking out the window to watch Papa and Daddy check on the prime rib cooking on the grill.

My beautiful mother:

My looking fabulous while preggo sister:

My cousin Ashley (you can't tell in this picture, but she literally makes me look mini-sized):

Parks trying to put the goggles on his head:

THE MIXING BOWL HAT:

Now that the holidays are coming to a close our hearts and bellies are full! We are so lucky to have amazing families and friends to spend the holiday season with!

Our Trip to Petco...& my "Mommy Hearing"

The other day Travis, Parker and I were taking Deacon and Gus to Petco to get groomed. By groomed I mean: bathed, brushed, nails clipped, etc...ALL NOT DONE BY US! It was well worth it to not have to clean dog hair out of the drain, smell wet dog for a couple hours, or get clawed by Deacon when he squirms while getting his nails clipped. While we were there we wandered around with Parks for a while to let him check out the animals. There was a tank with turtles in it down on the bottom shelf. It was at the perfect level for Parker to see right in. After I told him they were turtles...and I swear he said it. Travis told me that I have "Mommy Hearing" and I hear what I want to hear. But even Trav said that he was saying "tuh-tuh." He was even pointing at the tank. Ahh...my baby the genius! Ha ha! I was too busy trying to get a video of him talking to the turtles and didn't get any pictures of that...but I did get some funny pictures of Parker tuned into the fish swimming around.

Parker found Caleb's helmet in the living room and felt the need to put it on.

This was too hilarious!!! Parker was literally squealing laughing. He loves his Papa and his Daddy and they can make him laugh so hard.

cousins...leaves...and trees

what more could 3 little boys ask for?

Drayson was all about looking through the "dog hole" in the fence. Parker joined right on in! Usually all you can see is my parent's dog's nose sticking through.

Parker loves playing with his cousins. He thinks that Caleb is a riot. It doesn't matter what he is doing...Parker follows him around with a big smile on his face! Thanks Caleb for being such a great "big cousin."

Here's What We've Been Up To...

Today we:

Took a walk to the Spudnut Shop to get breakfast.
Drayson and Parker both rode in the stroller on the way down while Caleb rollerbladed. It was a nice start to the morning.

On November 6th we:

Played in the backyard and hopped into the swing.

On October 31st we:

Celebrated Halloween.
Parker was Tom Cruise ("Maverick") from Top Gun. He was too cute in his pilot's jacket. We went and visited Aunt Lauri, Uncle Carl, and cousin Casey (plus their dogs that Parker had a blast playing with). He even got a Tootsie Pop and had pink drool all down his white shirt by the end of it. He also loved his orange Tootsie Pop that he got from our fabulous neighbors.

On October 30th we:

decided that we needed to wear Nonni's backpack around the house.

On October 28th we:

Played in our diaper, socks, and shoes in the living room.
This was obviously a Daddy-doing...not a Mommy-doing. Parker was having a blast though. I think that Trav had changed his diaper and was going to change him out of his jammies and into his clothes for the day when Parker decided that he would rather run around naked. Then he decided that he wanted his shoes on too. You have to admit he does look happy...not to mention SUPER CUTE!

Parker and Drays also played together in a basket while they were hanging out with Daddy/Uncle Trav. He got these hilarious pictures of the hilarious kiddos!

On October 27th we:

played/demolished Nonni and Papa Kev-O's closet.
This is the after...

this is the before...

On October 25th we:

had "Whole-Family Hat Night."
It was too funny. Parker loves to wear hats and had just gotten his new winter hat. Auntie Sara jumped right in and put on one of Papa Kev-O's old hats.

Parker's new winter hat:

My sister cracks me up! Only she could still look stylin' while wearing the Elmer Fudd hat!

Another one of Papa Kev-O's old hats. Parker thought he was so funny...and he was!

On October 24th we:

learned how to take off our own diaper! Yikes!!!
Obviously we can't let him run around without clothes anymore. He just loves it so much!!! I looked over at him and all of a sudden he was pulling at his tabs on his diaper. Next thing I knew he was (very quietly of course...every Mom knows that when their kiddo is being very quiet that they are up to no-good!) diaper-free!!! I immediately called my sister to see if Drayson had started that yet...they are lucky and he doesn't have an interest in yanking his diaper off.

Parks also thinks that he should put anything & everything on his head.

Here's to our fabulous kiddo! He cracks us up...and hopefully you get a kick out of him too. We are very blessed...& tired!