Easter Weekend

For Easter weekend, we were lucky enough to get to spend the whole weekend with my family. It was such a blast! On Friday we went to the hockey game. My mom had picked up some earplugs for Parker because last time he would get scared and upset every time someone cheered. They actually worked pretty well! Thanks Nonni for lookin' out!

(Parker and Great-Grandpa Bob at the hockey game)

On Saturday my dad and Trav started work on a new pergola (spelling?) for their deck. Who knew there was enough sun to get burnt...but Travis sure did!!! Travis and I told my parents that we were going out to dinner with some friends of ours, so not to expect us for dinner that night. Really, my sister had been planning a surprise party for them. It was my mom's 50th birthday on March 22nd and my dad will be turning 50 on April 17th! It was so hard to keep it all a secret, and I think that several people (especially Scott & myself) almost blew it so many times! We were all waiting for them at the Crazy Moose Casino...they were both so surprised! I can't believe we actually pulled it off! Dinner and drinks were a blast. We all had such a great time. A special thanks to Chip's sister Kassie who watched Parker, Caleb, and Drayson that night! I'm sure having all three was quite the handful...but she handled it like a champ! I'm sure Caleb was a big help too (such a great big brother and cousin!)

(Travis & I at the party...check out his sunburn!)


(Sara-Mom-Me at the party)

Sunday was Easter obviously. Travis and Dad finished up the pergola while Mom and I went to church. Parker stayed home and took a nap. After church, we all headed over to my Grandma Janet and Grandpa Bill's house for yummy food and an Easter Egg Hunt!!! Parker did great and everyone had a good time. I, for some strange reason, did not take any pictures. Ugh...I know! Parker had finally warmed-up to Drayson. Of course it was on the day we were leaving! On the first night we were down...Parker would get scared and cry almost every time Drays made a loud noise. It was so sad. I'm sure once we move down there he will get used to all the noise and be just fine! I can only make so much noise in our little apartment...obviously I need to make more!

(Papa Kev-O and Parker hangin' out...you can really see where he inherited his blue eyes and white-blonde hair!)

Now that we are back home Parker is back to being himself. We are getting back on our schedule and he is as noisy as ever! He found a paper bag this morning and decided it was the best toy. He got mad at me when I took it away. He has also figured out how to roll all the way across the living room to get to what he wants. We are really going to have to watch him like a hawk now! It was pretty funny this morning when he rolled over to Deacon and rolled on to his paws. Deacon put up with it for a little bit before he ran away. Parker just wanted to play with his buddy!

Happy Wednesday!

April Journal Entry

outside my window:

It is so sunny and wonderful. I am glad to have the sun back and some warmer weather to go along with it. It has been nice to go for walks and just hang out outside with Parker and Deacon during the day while Trav is in class or at work. I am trying not to get too attached though in fear that it may snow again at any moment...this is Cheney after all.

i am thinking:

That I am so glad that Trav's parents were able to come last weekend to visit. I wish that his brothers were able to come too. I feel like we haven't seen "the uncles" in forever!!! I am also so excited to see my family this weekend for Easter. I just know that Parker and Drays are really going to start having fun together soon.

i am thankful for:

Parker...I think this is going to be a pretty common answer for most of my journal entries. He grows so much so quickly. He does new things everyday. I am so glad that he is a happy and healthy baby. I am also thankful that his little 5:30 a.m. "talk to himself for an hour" phase seems to be over. It is nice to have our 11 hour sleeping baby back!

from the kitchen:

Dishes from tacos last night. They were so yummy! I am excited that my wonderful hubby said that he would do them this morning...so they are staying in the sink until he wakes up! Yay!

i am wearing:

My pj's still. Not that it is a drastic change anyway! I am a sweats-lovin' gal! Travis doesn't comment if I AM wearing sweats...but only if I am NOT wearing them. I am up and down all day long and playing on the floor...jeans just don't cut it for that! I am the type of person who gets out of the shower and puts on a comfy pair of sweats! (Please don't turn me in to TLC's What Not To Wear...Stacey and Clinton would have a COW!)

i am going:

Hopefully for a walk today. We are playing outside with Deacon again today for sure! Parker was hilarious yesterday. We were throwing Deacon's squeaky ball for him (it is so annoying and sounds like a duck-call) and Parker would squeal with laughter every time we would throw the ball, Deacon would run after it, and every time he would bring it back to do it all over again. I am sure that everyone in our apartment complex thought that someone was letting their baby scream...nope...that's just what our kiddo sounds like when he is happy folks!

i am hoping:

That whatever is going on with Trav's car is not a big deal and that it will be an easy fix for my Dad.

i am hearing:

Parker playing on his activity mat. He has learned a new noise...it is basically a scream. He is totally entertained by it and I am sure that our neighbors LOVE it. I am also hearing the kitchen sink and the sound of my hubby doing the dishes now.

around the house:

Nothing much. I have already vacuumed this morning. I have to do it several times a day because Deacon sheds like a beast!

one of my favorite things:

QUIET! Parker goes down so quietly for naps most of the time. He falls asleep so fast. Although he has decided he is a big boy and can sleep on his tummy now. There is no stopping him!

some plans for the upcoming month:

Tri-Cities for Easter...Lots of walks...Nothing all that exciting for the month of April (other than my sister's birthday and my dad's birthday).

some pictures i am sharing:

Ahhh...the joys of teething. His first little tooth has broken the skin. He has actually been alright during the whole thing. We'll see if that keeps up!

He plays so well by himself. Such a good self-entertainer.

I just love his sweet smiles and giggles. He is a riot. You can hear him laughing from anywhere.

Ahhh...love! His new obsession is the cell phone. We had to dig up an old cell phone of mine so that he will chew on that instead of mine or the TV remote.

Happy 27th Sis!

Well...it is my big sister's birthday today. I couldn't wish a happy day for anyone better. She is the most amazing sister, friend, mom, wife, daughter...I could go on...but you get the idea. She has always been there for me and I know that I can call her with all of my ridiculous questions.

While we were growing up, we got along pretty well. Although we weren't really friends until we were both in high school. It is then that I realized how lucky I was to have Sara as a sister and friend. Then she left for college. I wasn't expecting to miss her as much as I did and was always excited for her to come home. Then she moved even farther away...to Arizona. Going to visit her and Chip (and Ellie...ahh I miss that stubborn little dog) for spring break was such a blast! Before I knew it, she was getting married. I have never seen a more beautiful bride.

Then it was time for me to head off to college. While I was there I got the phone call that she was pregnant. I couldn't wait to be an aunt. I knew that Sara would be the best Mom! That time flew by too and Caleb joined the family. Sara is one of those pregnant women and all other pregnant women wish they could look like! Always stunning, always thin, always lookin' good!

Anyways...enough babbling on about the past. Time for the here and now! Sara and I had always joked that it would be fun to be pregnant at the same time. (Both knowing that I would be bitter and huge...and she would be glowing and little). We never really thought that it would happen, but miracles really do come true. My prediction was right, but all the same, she was the best support system and getting to be there while she delivered Drayson was the best prep ever! After that I was ready to go and knew that I could do it too! If you could have seen how beautiful she looked the whole time at the hospital it would make you sick!

Sara--my sister and friend...you have taught me more than you know and I couldn't have a better role model. You have shown me how to be a good friend, mom, and person. I can't wait until we are finally living in the same town and we can watch our little boys grow up together. Have a wonderful birthday. I love you!

happy birthday to my hubby

These pictures crack me up. You can really tell the difference that 4 years makes. He still looks so young, but those early...whew!

I can't believe that Trav is 22 today! This last year has just flown by...I guess that's what happens when you have a baby at home! It is so hard for me to comprehend that Travis was only 18 when we first met. To think back on how he was then...and think of how he is now...let me tell you, the changes are so drastic! If someone would have asked me if in 4 years we would be married with a 5 month old son back then...I would have laughed in their face! Travis was your typical college freshman guy...just out to have fun. Needless to say, he has really grown up in the last 4 years. Travis is the most amazing man, husband, and father. I am so thankful for him and how hard he works (mostly so that I can stay home with Parker...but also so that he can finish up his degree and get out of Cheney!) Not only is he a full-time student, Dad, and husband but he also works basically full-time on top of it. Anybody who can handle being a husband and father in their early 20's is exceptional (Trav & my brother-in-law Chip are both amazing husbands/fathers/hard workers). Anyone who knows Trav knows what a blast he is to be around. He has one of those care-free attitudes that rub off on you (even if it is only temporarily). To me Travis still seems so young. He is always the "youngin" of any group we hang out with and never fails to rub it in our faces that we are the "old ones."

So here is to my old young husband...I love you babe!