Mississippi Memories

Tuesday & Wednesday we had a fun time getting to see family and friends and making more memories! Rassie took Parker to her school for the first time so that her students could meet Parker!

Case Kimbrough, Parker's friend, had us over to play for a little bit...the boys were so cute together! They patted each other, laughed and shared toys!

Clay & I enjoyed lunch with family in downtown Grenada and afterwards Granny & Papa had us over to their house for dessert! Granny & Papa are always so hospitable and kind to have friends and family over to their place! What a relaxing afternoon it was visiting and munching on treats!

the winner!!

So, one of Parker's new tricks is showing us the "winner"; we'll say, "Parker, show us the winner!" and he'll fling those little arms into the air and open his mouth really big. It is so cute to watch. He has just started really doing this big the last week and a half or so. The other night he was playing at his little toy box in the living room with his back to us; Clay & I asked him to show us the winner and without even turning around, he lifted both arms (one holding his current toy). Clay and I started dying out laughing. So, in this particular picture, we were on the airplane on the way to MS on Monday. Parker's daddy wanted to show Parker's new trick to the flight attendants! I was so excited that I was able to capture this moment!!!
Parker was so excited to see his Uncle Taylor and Rassie this week! Taylor drove home from school to have dinner with us on Monday evening. Thank you Taylor!!! One of the things that Parker loves when we visit Rassie is for her to read to him. I don't think Rassie minds it so much either! :) Here are Parker and Rassie enjoying some special reading time before going to bed!

we have fled the coop...

Clay, Parker & I fled the coop for a quick last-minute trip down to MS to see family and friends!!! We'll be back later in the week...I can't wait to post some more fun pics of things since we've been here!

Parker Kisses!

Parker loves giving and getting kisses!!! A few weeks ago, Clay & I started saying, "Parker, give mommy/daddy kisses!!!" and he would lean forward with his mouth wide open saying "Aaahhh" and plant a big wet one on the side of our cheek. He gives really sweet ones on the lips too!!! :)

bliss...

This is what mama does after all the chores are done, husband is gone, child is asleep in the bed and the To Do List is made out for the next day...bakes brownies--the fudgy, extra yummy ones! She then plops on the plush, red sofa and reads one of her favorite scapbooking magazines --that she got 3 months before and hasn't yet had time to look at-- while she indulges in the scrumptious chocolate brownies and a cold glass of milk! Aahh! Bliss! :)

daddy's remote

Parker LOVES the tv remote and tries to get his hands on it whenever he can! The other night I walked into the room to check on him (because he had gotten quiet and you know what that usually means....trouble with a capital "T"!). I had to laugh because he was just pushing buttons right and left on that remote. His daddy had left it in the chair so Parker immediately went straight for it and was delighted that his little arms could reach it! (I played around with different features of my camera that night so this one is in black and white!)

Toys, Toys & More Toys!!

Parker loves to get down each morning and play with all of his fun toys! I am amazed at how fast he is learning things. Yesterday, I noticed him pushing the colorful spots on the singing dog to make him talk and sing...he knew exactly which places to push and would just crack up each time the dog would say something. Also, Clay and I have watched him the last several weeks as he is stacking things...toys, mama's bowls from the kitchen, and any other random things he decides need to be stacked. It's so cute that sometimes it's hard to get on to him when he gets into mama's things because he's careful with the items (most of the time! :)) and he always stacks them very neatly and thoughtfully! I can't help but laugh when I walk into the kitchen to see him proudly grinning up at me as he shows me the latest utensils/kitchen items he has found to stack on the floor!

lovin' food and my fisher price toys!

Random but fun pictures!!! The messy food picture was taken on January 12...Parker enjoyed a big dinner that night! Because he ate so good we even gave him dessert! :)

Parker has been loving his FisherPrice Barn that Rassie gave him for his birthday! Loves playing with the little people...He now has the school bus, the airplane and the barn/farm. Clay and I love watching him pile all of the people into one of the buildings/vehicles! The school bus was the first one he received from his great-aunt Val and great-uncle Joe for Christmas; it was immediately one of his favorite toys! Then, for his birthday, he received the airplane from friends Cristie Martin and Tracy Hollstadt! How fun! We'll have to post more pics from playtimes soon!

It's really cold here, so we're staying in a lot! Lots of snow, negative degree temps, ice and overcast days! Looking forward to warmer weather soon! :)

cute pictures of Parker from 2008

More cute pictures of Parker in 2008!!!

Just some fun pics of Parker from the first 7 months of his life! :)

new shoes

Several months ago when Parker started pulling up and walking around furniture, toys, etc. Clay & I decided it was time to get him some new shoes (it was actually in October)...let's be clear here...Parker is not walking everywhere on his own, but he goes 90 to nothing with some assistance whether that be from me, Clay, furniture, toys, walls or anything else he can find! We have polished his "Parker" shoes (yes, that really is the name of the Stride-rite brand of shoes he is wearing!) so many times! At one point, I could be found polishing those things every other night...recently, I have let them go more than I should...you know how time can get away from you and such...

Well, for Parker's birthday, Grandmother & Granddaddy told us they wanted to buy him some new shoes! So, on Monday evening Clay & I took Parker to the Stride-rite store to buy some new shoes and guess what kind he got?! The "Nolens"!!! (yes, that really is the name of the brand we bought! Too funny huh?) We bought them a little big so that he will probably start wearing them around mid-February. They look so cute on him though!

lovin' the girls!

The MN Girls: Tressa, Tracy, Cristie & Carrie
Locations:
Tressa - Bermuda
Tracy - Kansas City
Cristie & Carrie - Apple Valley, MN

All met in Apple Valley, MN in 2006. Soooo thankful for the friendship! Even though we may not all be together now...we remain close and in touch. Every time each one of us is in town, it's tradition to go out to eat at Kincaids in Downtown St. Paul (thank you Tressa!) and then to play some serious cards (Spades!). We always have such a fun time together. Thankful for the year that we met and the strong ties that we made. Thankful for our totally different personalities. Thankful for the bond that keeps us together! Thankful for this past weekend getting to see my MN Girls!!! :)

growing up

First haircut, family picture at Parker's first birthday party, and Parker eating birthday cake...I can't believe how fast our precious little boy is growing! One whole year has gone by since he came home with us from the hospital!!! I am proud and thankful that I can honestly say that I have not let a single month pass without capturing pictures of everyday moments and special times with him. I may have neglected other things, but I have tried to live in the moment with Clay and Parker! Hmmm, speaking of fun moments, maybe I should do a recap of 2008 on here! Check back for that soon! :)

It's snowing big, fluffy snowflakes here today. So far, over 4 inches...and of course I'm wearing the wrong kind of shoes for this weather. Need to buy some new brown boots that are waterproof...I'm adding that to my "To Do" list now...

Happy First Birthday!!!

What a special weekend! Parker's first haircut (and oh my goodness he looks so precious with his new little cut!), his first birthday party, and fun times spent with friends!

For his birthday on Saturday, we had a delicious cake from Byerly's, yummy cupcakes with buttercream frosting, and some fruit and dip. I had fun putting out the decorations! A tabletopper with all the gifts on the kitchen table...my favorite was a picture of us in the middle from when Parker was born with a baby rattle and his baby cup. Also, a mini album that I had put together for him and his handprints that they had made for Clay and me at daycare as our Christmas gift from Parker! Greta and Ben came along to play with Parker along with some of mine and Clay's friends! We visited and had the kids do a project with their handprints...I can't talk too much about that yet, because I don't want to spoil the suprise for those of you who will be getting one in the mail soon! :) We then opened up some of the gifts and had cake and ice cream!

Parker was a little tired by the time we broke out the cake and didn't think he was going to like it, but as soon as daddy put some to his lips, he was hooked! :) Of course, after everyone left Parker crashed in daddy's arms! I had so much fun picking up and reminiscing over the afternoon!

That evening, Parker stayed with a friend of ours while Tressa, Tracy, Cristie and I went out to dinner at Kincaid's. (Tressa had flown in from Bermuda and Tracy drove in from Kansas City!) We had a delicious dinner with topped off with a lavendar cosmo! Yummy! Of course, the night is not complete until followed up with a game of Spades! Such fun getting to catch up with friends!

bath time

I love bath time with Parker! He is so much fun and too cute to watch as he splashes and plays in the tub each night! His great-aunt Cindy, great-uncle John and cousin Jason gave him a "Bathketball" set for Christmas and it has definately been a hit in the tub! He just laughs and splashes as hard as he can. Mama has fun wiping the room down afterwards also! :)

"Daddy & Parker" time!

Parker is growing up so fast it's hard to believe! Clay and I are amazed at how fast he is changing also! I have such a fun time watching Clay and Parker play and read together! It's such a special "daddy & Parker" bonding time! Clay can entertain and make Parker laugh in a way that no one else can!

stuff

Lots of "stuff" to do...Christmas Cards (yes, I know...I'm way behind on lots of things right now), Christmas gifts still to mail, insurance junk, planning Parker's Bday party this coming weekend, thank you's....those are just a few of the many things that have been boggling my mind this weekend. It was so great to get some cleaning and organizing done over the New Year's Holiday, but I really could use about 2 more weeks!!!

christmas pics

christmas memories

Happy New Year!!!
The holidays were fun this year as Clay & I watched Parker play in the evenings with his toys and tot around the apartment getting his hands on everything he could get his hands on. Because we were going out of town for Christmas, we let Parker open some gifts from family early. We were actually surprised at how well he did. He ripped off all of the paper himself and would actually peer into the boxes waiting to see what was going to be inside! It was so cute! In the last two pictures, he is in two of the pj's that were given to him to wear this year...they are 2 of mine and Clay's favorite!! The red is from Nana & Poppie in Vietnam and the green with Santas on it is from Rassie!

We had so much fun taking Parker to Disneyworld for Christmas! Parker & I flew in on Tuesday before Christmas and met up with Nana & Poppie & Ashleigh, Kaylee & Lacey. Clay was able to fly in that Friday and join us! We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge; it was cozy and very nice! Parker's favorite ride was "It's a Small World"; we took him on it twice...he was mesmorized by the small people singing and dancing! He got to meet and take pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and several of the other characters! At first, he was a little scared, but after the second character he would start cracking up when he saw them and tap them on the nose! What a special Christmas this year with Parker!