Parker Turns 6

It’s so hard to believe that my baby turned six!  Where does all the time go?  He is such a cute kid.  His personality is developing every day.  Some days I am not so sure if I like it!  He can be very strong-willed and has started throwing tantrums.  He also has become somewhat sassy.  In spite of all this, he is still a loving, cute kid.  He brings so much life to our family.  He reminds me a lot of Connor (which I am not sure is always a good thing)!  I can’t wait to see what the future has in store and what great things he will do.  I love you Parker.  I can’t imagine my life or our family without you!

Parker insisted on having a party.  He really wanted to go to the skating rink, but I worried that his friends were still a bit too young for that, so we settled for a party at home.  I tried to keep the number small, but you can see in the pictures that didn’t happen.  I still managed to forget a few key friends!  Oops! 

A pinata was a must!  The kids had a lot of fun with it, but it stressed me out with worry that someone would get hurt.  We only had one slight injury. (Sorry Kate!)

Here’s to another great year.  Parker, I hope all your wishes come true!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  My parents came down from Rexburg to celebrate with us.  We had fun just hanging out and seeing family.  Of course, there was way too much eating….

On Thanksgiving Eve, Sherri and her kids came over to have soup and dessert.  It was fun catching up.

Dinner was yummy, but a lot of work.  My vote is for dinner at Tucano’s next year!  Anyone in?

The kids favorite part of the meal is the sparkling cider.  Bottoms up!

Cheers!  Here’s wishing you all a very happy holiday season!!

Braden’s Accident

Saturday morning I was at the gym and I got a phone call from Braden’s Scout Leader.  He told me that Braden had been in a biking accident and was currently being checked by an EMT.  The next phone call I got was the EMT telling me that they were going to take Braden to the hospital in Moab to be checked out.  She told me that he had been knocked unconscious and they thought his collar bone was broken.  Unfortunately he was three hours away from home and all I could do was sit and wait.  Next, I heard from the doctor at the hospital.  She said that his CT scan had shown a small spot of blood.  She wanted him looked at by a Pediatric Neurologist and monitored overnight.  She wanted him sent to Primary Children’s hospital and so a Life Flight plane was on it’s way from Salt Lake City to pick him up!  I was in shock! Several long hours later, we were finally able to see him and give him a kiss.  He was really being a trooper, but I could tell he was tired and scared.  After another CT scan, they determined that the bleed on his brain must have just been from impact and that it was no longer bleeding.  

After a long night in the hospital, they released him.  He has a concussion and a broken collar bone, but we are all well aware of how lucky we are.  We are so grateful to his wonderful scout leaders who took such good care of him.  We are so thankful to his fellow scouts who were such a support and were so encouraging.  At this holiday season we are the most THANKFUL for Braden and that he is still here with us!!  We know we owe that to our Heavenly Father and to those who said so many prayers on his behalf!

Art with Heart - 2011

Brooklyn, Marlee and Halle heading in for dress rehearsal.

Halle’s team danced to Rio.  The costumes were so fun and the dance was awesome!

Art with Heart is such a great opportunity for the girls to think about others who are in need.  This year was Halle’s fifth year participating.  She was supposed to perform two nights, but due to Rod’s Mom’s funeral, she only performed one night.  We were so grateful to her teacher for being understanding and grateful to the girls for being flexible!

This was the first year that Rod and Parker attended.  They were both impressed.  I love being associated with this dance studio.  It was very apparent which dances belonged to the Dance Club.  Way to go to all the girls and teachers who worked so hard to make this a success! 

Halloween

We had a great time this year for Halloween  As always, the kids loved the Ward Party and “Trunk or Treating”.Parker and his buddies, Micah,Payton, Meagan and Ryder.Halle and her friends Sydney, Sophie and Courtnie.

Parker’s Bestie, Payton!

Braden and Connor’s Jack 0 Lantern Snowman!

Parker was n\Link from the Zelda games and Halle took on a more evil approach by being a Vampire Girl.  The kids had great fun.  A Big thanks to Lauren, Danielle and Sherri for taking my kids trick or treating AGAIN!

Fall Break

We had a great time for fall break this year.  I just took the kids and did little things each day.  We saw a movie, went miniature golfing, went roller skating, and got pedicures.  It was fun and best of all I did not have to work at all!  I love my new job!!

Halle and Parker enjoyed spending the day with their good friends Courtnie and Meagan.Halle cracked me up while we were getting pedicures.  She had to sit slumped down like this to get her feet in the water and feel the massage chair at the same time!

Halle had a birthday party to dress up for.  We had to rush to get her there on time, since we were having so much fun playing.  We had a great time and I enjoyed spending some time with my kids.

Park City Getaway–October 2011

When I was up in Park City for the half marathon, Rod and Connor had to go up to Park City for a lacrosse game. We decided to make a weekend of it and invited Wes to join us. It was fun to have the kids all to ourselves.

This moose was right outside of our hotel window!

We had fun riding the Alpine slide, even though it was really cold!!

I sure love these kids! I am so grateful that they enjoy being together and have so much fun together. I am so blessed!