Sooo Original

We put so much thought and effort into our boys' costumes this year, I can't belive it's taken me nearly a month to post a picture.

Two Buzz Lightyears... they were only 2 of the dozen or so at the trunk-or-treat.

While these costumes reflect mine and Mark's enthusiasm about the holiday, Parker was excited beyond excited. He wore his costume every day leading up to Halloween and insisted that his brother put on his Buzz costume as well.

So while they may not have been the most original, it sure was fun because Parker's chronic Buzz lightyear impersonations were priceless. (Until he got to preschool and Buzz Lightyear, Spiderman, Ironman, and Thomas the train (???) all started showing their super hero powers that included beating each other up.) You couldn't help but feel why dressing up is so exciting to little kids.

Camping in Pinetop?

I think it was Pinetop, I can't remember. I can hardly remember what we were there for. Some sort of training for scout leaders in the stake... or something. (I just turned 29. Might as well be 79. I can remember nothing. If you want to see me confused just start a sentence with, "Remember when...")

So a while ago we went camping. Our first camping trip as a family of 4. As I look at my attempt to document the occasion, I only notice that every picture has something slightly humerous about it.

Like, how in Parker's excitement to pee on trees he forgot to be obscure about it.

Or how in the kickball game, even with a runner on base, the third baseman is sitting on the base.

And this one! Do I even need to point it out to you? Look at the size of that melon! This angle is not working for you, Ben. This one's just screaming for a caption that I can't come up with. Broken pencil, hands in the pockets, muddy shoes... what is it?

This is Parker

He's into dressing himself right now. It's sooo fun.

But in reality, if he's got clothes on. Than we're doing good. Kid is quite the streaker.

Sometimes I call him "King of the Obvious". It starts when he gets up in the morning, when he exclaims "Parker's awake!" Then, "Parker's hungry. Parker's gonna eat breakfast. Parker's eating toast. Mommy's eating eggs. Ben doesn't have any teeth." He'll pretty much narrate your day for you.

He's gauranteed to start every conversation with, "Hi. I'm Parker." Even if you know him, and he knows you.

Ask him something he doesn't want to answer like, "Why is Ben crying?" and all his comprehension skills disappear. "Huh?" ask again "Huh? What?" And then when he finally gets around to telling you he's super nonchalant, "I stomped on Ben's back."

He can also lose his ability to comprehend when you ask him to do something. It's either, "huh?" or "Parker's sick."

And we're going on about month 9 of him referring to his father as "Mark". Everyone said, "Yeah, my kids went thru that phase." Did it last 9+ months?

I think this kid is the bomb! He makes for great company! I'm sad that we're creeping up on 3.5. My favorite age is slipping away.

(Another example of King of the Obvious: we went to the Dr on Tuesday and he got a shot in his arm. When the nurse put the needle in he just looked at her and yelled, "That hurts! That hurts Parker's arm!" And then when we passed her in the hall on the way out he's like, "You hurt my shoulder!" Maybe you had to be there, but it was really funny at the time.)

This is Ben

He's 6 months old. And probably one of the smiliest babies you've ever met. Unless, he's mad. Then he could probably be the maddest baby you've ever met. (Confusing? Yeah, I know. Funny how the same baby that is so easy to get to smile, is so easy to tick off.)


About a month ago he learned to sit.


And then the next day he started to do what we call the "crawl and lunge".

See the scooting of the knees below:

And then when the arms aren't cooridinated to move with the knees you lunge:

It's working for him. He gets around. Around everywhere.

And like I said, it's been about a month and those arms are showing no sign of getting on board with a coordinated crawl, so I'm thinking the crawl and lunge is here to stay.

He didn't even look back

Parker had his first day of preschool today. He loved it, and has been asking to go back to school all night. From what I can gather he likes Mrs. Patty, eating fruit, making pictures, and the orange box (???).






His class is full of little boys. I think out of 20 kids, there are 15 boys. So his teacher told me today that they have their hands full. But she's grateful to have Parker (beaming). She said he listened and followed directions really well (not surprising). But she also said he didn't get a treat with the rest of the kids because he wouldn't drink his milk (even less surprising- But also slightly annoying. Really? Why do you care if he drinks his milk? Are YOU any more or less thirsty?)

Weekend Report

One of the many reasons I love my in-laws is because of where they live. I had never been to California prior to meeting Mark, so it's all quite novel to me and I love it! There's so much to do there, and no way to be bored. This weekend we had an especially fun time because all of us were together under one roof. That doesn't happen often so it was really special!

This weekend Parker nervously took on the beach.

Good thing his cousins (who basically live on the beach) were there to help him get acclimated. He loves his cousin "Kell", even let her bury him in the sand. He also got to go out in the kayak. Everyone out on the water that we rowed past he would excitedly tell, "Parker's in the shoe boat!"

Benjamin got his first (of I'm sure what will by many) sunburns. He'll curse me for that skin someday. I know I was not pleased with my parents for giving me such sensitive skin.

And he rounded out his meetings of all his great grandparents for the summer. Here he is with Mark's only living grandparent, Grandpa John. He's a super genuine person and always fun to visit with.
Look at those chubby-licious baby thighs! I think he's going to give Parker a run for his money in the chubbiest infant thigh competition. He's not quite there yet.

The men folk played games, while the women went dress shopping. Mark's sister is getting married in November, and she bought her dress after trying on only 3 dresses! {lucky}

And there-in lies the reason for the family gathering. We all just had to meet Adam. I'm sure you don't need explanation on who the newly engaged ones are. The ones that can't stop holding hands long enough to take a picture.

And look at these two hams. Mark's 17 year old brother. Parker can hardly keep them straight. You know how Parker loves to count... "How many Dads? 1... 2. TWO Dads!"

Hypothetically Speaking

Lets say you had a three-year-old who refused to eat anything except cold cereal. And lets say you also had an abundant supply of breast milk. Would you consider offering your three-year- old cereal with breast milk?

Do you think I am

Disgusting for even thinking of this?

or

Genious for figuring out a way to get some serious nutrition in my three-year-old?

For those of us not eating cereal with breast milk for dinner (which would be all of us because remember we're just hypothetical right now) we had these for dinner. They were delicious and easy! My kind of cooking!