GIRLS NIGHT

My little sis, Shelley, left for the summer to live in NY, so we had a girls night this past Thursday. It is so much fun to get together with the girls, but sadly we don't do it enough. We usually get a little giddy and start giggling at EVERYTHING. Which is part of the reason it is so much fun! We are going to miss you, Shell, while you are gone!! Do tons of shopping!

me and Shelley
me, Laura, Mom, Ashley, Shelley and Andrea

We went to La Vigna for dinner.

YUMMY

CUTE!

One on one time with Keagan--Easton was taking a nap.

She was rolling all over the floor trying to figure out how to get Easton's cup, she finally did and I don't think she knew what to do with it. All the hard work and then what?
Easton, being the cheese
So serious

Aidan

Today is my nephew, Aidan's 4th birthday.

Happy birthday DUDE! We love you!

Ready, Set, GO!

Well, the Pinewood Derby for the Cub Scouts was last night. Interesting. It was really cute how the boys got so excited and Easton was excited for a while--two year old attention span--. The interesting thing to me, was the Dad's that got a little TOO competitive. This is for the Cub Scouts--right?? One dad actually made the race officiator redo a couple of the races because his boy's car didn't do that well. The excuse was "The track is crooked . . . ." HMMM. There were some dads who even made their own car and raced it against the other "Older Scouts". Parker vowed to me he would never do that. Thank you, honey!

One funny thing I forgot about--when the Webelos came over a couple of weeks ago to our house, Parker was trying to bond with them and pulled out his old comic books. One of the comic books Parker got when he was about their age, and one of the boys said, "Wow, this is ancient!" HOLY COW---am I so old to these boys that I am considered ANCIENT??

More Zions pics

Long, long drive, but well worth it. I would recommend to anyone to go down and see the beautiful mountains and go on a couple of hikes. We didn't do anything too hard, too many kids in tow, and too out of shape, but the ones we did were beautiful.

Cute couple! Keagan was snoozing in the Moby wrap and Easton was on Parker's back.
Lawton, Aidan, Olive, Opa, Abbey, Oma, Easton and Parker
Abbey and Aidan. I love this picture, I think it is so sweet how they were holding hands.
The fam
Miss Keagie stretching

Zions

We got back from Zions National Park last night. We went down with Parker's parents (visiting from Virginia) and his brother's family. It was so nice down there! The weather was perfect and it was great to spend some uninterrupted time with the family. I got a TON of pictures, but just picked a few of my favorites.

Our MOBY WRAP advertisement. Parker with Keagan and me with Easton. (If you are wondering why I was carrying the heavy child, Easton was having a traumatic day and didn't want ANYTHING to do with his daddy.)
The cabin Parker's brother found online for us to stay at! Good job, Lawton!
Keagan in the Moby, sleeping and Easton being dragged by me . . . .
Me and Easton
The whole gang.

me, Keagan, Opa, Easton, Abbey, Amy, Olive (on Amy's back), Oma, Aidan (behind Parker's Mom) and Lawton

Mother's Day

Here are some late Mother's Day pictures.

Keagan and Mommy
Easton, Keagan and Mommy
"DON'T TAKE MY PICTURE!"

Keagan's 7th Month Appt

Keagan had her 7 month appointment today. She is doing really well, meeting her milestones, growing, etc. She is 13 lbs. 14 oz, the 2nd% and she is 26.8 inches, the 60th%, so kinda tall and VERY skinny. But, the doctor said she looks good and is not worried about her. Yipee! She has had a little cold the past couple of days, but she is such a good, sweet baby and just wants to cuddle with Mommy.

eating a banana
Mother's Day

To Scout or Not To Scout . . .

That is the question. Parker's answer is a resounding NO.

We had our first Webelos meeting tonight. Interesting. We are supposed to have 5 or 6 boys, but only 2 came. One boy was really sweet and was very excited. The other one . . . a little strange (putting it nicely).
Let me start at last week. So, it took us forever to get a hold of the old Webelos leaders to get the information we needed. We finally did and Parker went over to their house to get the "gear". He came home with a HUGE box of -- well -- junk. That is my "non-scouting" opinion. When I first saw the box, I was a little overwhelmed and quite a bit frustrated. "What have we gotten ourselves into?" I kept asking myself. Looking through the material, binders, etc., was a bit daunting and it seems like this is more than the regular church calling. I know, I know, MAGNIFY YOUR CALLING. I don't know if I am there yet. Especially if I have to wear one of the ugly scout uniforms. (I am determined to get through this calling without getting one, but we will see. . . )
So, that is the update on our family scouting experience. Not much yet, but the Pinewood Derby is in a couple of weeks, so hopefully some great stories from that.

Girlie Night

So, last night I threw a baby shower for my friend Tara from high school. 5 other girls from the old gang came and it was so much fun to chat for a couple of hours! It has been too long since we have gotten together! I made a diaper cake for Tara with the help of my mom and sister, Shelley. I think it turned out so cute.
After everyone left, of course I remembered that I hadn't taken any pictures! I even had my camera out to do so, but I forgot!

To all of my girlfriends--love ya and I am so glad we got to see each other! Good luck to Tara with the rest of her pregnancy and her labor! She will be a great mommy!

Parker Pipes in

A few weeks back Julie encouraged me to write of my feelings for my children for posterity sake, here goes:

My young son Easton, from the moment I witnessed your big eyes staring at me wrapped in your first blanket I have considered you my angel. I think of you as miracle from god helping me to see that despite all the evil, death, pain, and misery witnessed that there is light, there is hope projected from Him, through you, unto me each day. I swore to raise you to be honest, righteous, kind, smart, and proud of who you are. You have so much strength. When I was your age my mother's friends would often tell her that I was the "angriest boy" they had ever seen. I thank god that you are kind and unselfish in your love, you have blessed me forever and I will always protect you and love you with all my heart.

Keagan, you are, with the exception of your mother, the prettiest girl I have ever seen, for the first few months you were with us I had a hard time being close and emotional with you, you seemed so soft and delicate (like a flower in full bloom). I, being who I am, wasn't sure how to treat something so pure, you intimated me. I have been in countless confrontations, I almost never hold my opinions in, and have only been intimidated by two other people (your mother, and Buddy) in my whole life, you scared me. Then one day, you leaned your soft head on my shoulder, your little hand resting on my chest over my thumping heart, your eyes looked up at me and projected a faint smile of peace and safety. I cried a singular tear, kissed your head and knew that you were mine. I will always protect you, you will never have to fear anything or anybody, I will always honor your mother who loves us all so much, and make sure that when you grow up, the man you marry honors these same commitments.

To both of my children, I love you very much. Please, love one another.