We Be Pirates!

My little Parker is three now... how does that even happen? One day I'm holding this tiny baby in my arms and the next, I'm chasing after a little boy who is dressed as a pirate and yelling "Arrgghh!" at his 3rd birthday party. It goes by too fast. Which is why I like to throw birthday parties because then at least I can look back at each year of his life and see all the ways he has grown and all the fun memories we have.

This little guy is such light to us. He loves each member of our family, our extended family and our circle of friends. Everyone around him feels that love too. He gives the best hugs and kisses. He loves nursery, he loves to talk about Jesus. He loves to say dinner prayers and every night when we read scriptures, he wants to talk about Ammon fighting the bad guys and getting the sheep back (no matter what story we are actually reading that night). He is learning so much at preschool and has made lots of friends. He loves basketball (and every time he makes a shot he yells "Jimmer!"), soccer, all Disney Pixar movies, and Little Einstein's.

To celebrate my very favorite 3 year old, we had a Pirate party.

There was a huge inflatable water slide:

Grandma lead us on a very fun treasure hunt:

And we had a whole bunch of pirates running around!

Thank you to all of our friends and family who made Parker's day so special. And a special thank you to my family for all of the help.

Happy Birthday my little pirate Parker... but try to slow down a little, you're growing up way too fast!

Oh say can you see....

Have I ever mentioned I love holidays? Well I do. Especially the 4th of July. I have this Patriotic streak in me (I can't listen to the national anthem with out crying, I have a strange impulse to hug soldiers, and I love fireworks) I love all things patriotic. Plus, throw in a little summer, family, BBQ, parades, fireworks... How could you not love this one?

Yes, I made my family dress entirely in red, white and blue.

For those of you unfamiliar with area, there are some nice little po-dunk towns on the out skirts of the city. We ventured out to one of these towns because it has the best parade in the valley. And in addition to the parade, you can enjoy the scenery of the strange-type people that live out in the country. Good ol' country folk, the kind that still wear overalls and chew on grass. No really. I saw it with my own eyes.

The parade was perfect though. Not too long, not too short. A little water, a little candy. Some horses and a marching band. Oh and the fire trucks, like 10 of them. Parker was in parade heaven!

We finished off with a BBQ with my family. And fireworks down town.

My family has a band. I wasn't invited due to my lack of any form of musical talent. Parker was however... I will admit, he has more potential rock star power than me.

How lucky am I to live in a country where I can spend a day like this? Happy Birthday America. You are the source of many joys in my life!

Dad Day

Dear Daddy,

You're a good one. And we really like having you around. You work hard, you play harder and most important, you are a good example of a worthy priesthood holder. We are especially lucky to have you.

Love, Mommy, Parker, and Rylan

Parker's Father's Day BBQ at preschool. And Daddy in all his goofball glory. we sure do love that goofball.

The "men" in my life:

I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful fathers! My dad is also an example of an exceptional man and father. I look up to him in so many ways. Love you Dad :)

I also had the opportunity to express love to my Heavenly Father via my 2nd Father's Day talk in church ( I think its a mean joke to make me speak on Father's Day all the time, how can I not cry and embarrass myself when talking about my dad?) Tyler and I both spoke, his talk was awesome... Im sure mine could have been if you could have understood me through my blubbering. But here is to another Father's Day. Aren't we lucky to have Dads in life? I think so!