Birthday Rewind

I know I'm doing things a little out of order-but I'm trying to get everything in so that when I do the next blog book/scrapbook, everything is included that I want to remember. And with the way my memory is going, if I don't write about it now....I won't remember what we did.

Parker's birthday was on a Tuesday-not so great on a school + dance day. But, despite that, we still tried to make it as happy as possible.

Her morning birthday request was Swedish Pancakes-what most people call Crepes.

She got a really cute outfit from G&G Taft and she wore her new shirt to school. It's still a little cold for the capri's that were included....

Scott wanted to get her something really special since it is her 8th b-day. He went and got her roses and balloons and took them to school when we took her birthday treats to her class. She was so excited and I'm not joking, they were the prettiest, longest lasting roses I've had in the house for a while!!

We let her miss the last hour of dance and let her choose where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner. Her criteria was "somewhere where I will get a free dessert". Red Robin it was. There was actually a giant red robin walking around the restaurant which Presley would have NOTHING to do with. She didn't care for him at all. The other kids thought it was great!

She thoroughly enjoyed her free ice cream dessert-as you can see. It really was the cherry on top!
We raced home and had Mamie & Gramps and Matt & Ashley over for presents and cake and ice cream. Parker was thrilled with her presents and her requests from us was a Selena Gomez barbie that has hypercolor clothing. It changes with warm/cold water. I was glad that even though she seems to be entering that "tween" stage all too quickly, that she still wanted a barbie doll. Matt & Ashley got her a super cute outfit and Mamie and Gramps got her a new church outfit, complete with new shoes. Parker got to go shopping all by herself with Mamie and had so much fun trying on a ton of dresses.

The other HIT of the night was days of the week socks. If I would've known how much she (and Pacie) both liked them, I would've bought them AGES ago! It makes me laugh that she likes them so much.

Her requested cake was a flower cake that was "purple and blue". So despite the colored tongues...and teeth in all of the present pictures, I'm glad that I was able to make our little 8 year old girl happy!!

She was intent on making these silly faces all night....so I'm putting one on here-just to show her that I will!!

Skating Queens

For part of Parker's 8th birthday request, she wanted to go roller skating. Her birthday was on a Tuesday-not the most celebratory day of the week. We did go to dinner that night and open some presents, but on Saturday, we met at Starlite Skating with our good friends the Hunsakers.

Starlite has been around since probably the 70's here in Idaho Falls. I have vivid memories of that blue floor, and psychedelic carpeting that is still in place. We weren't sure how the kids would do, seeing as they've never skated before. We weren't even sure that we were going to rent skates for Presley, but then decided to just to see how she did.

Turns out- Presley was the absolute Skating Queen! The first couple of times around the rink she held onto the bar and after that, she just went around-no assistance required thank you very much.

Landon on the other hand was like a living cartoon. He could not keep his feet underneath him. One of us had to hang onto him for life and limb. Once Scott tightened up his skates a bit-things were a bit better. But it was really really funny to watch him.

Pacie and Parker both did great. Pacie was a bit more timid but soon let go of the railing and was on her way helping her friend Brittany gather her courage to let go too. Parker didn't even bother with the railing and just took off on her own.

After we went to Craigo's for a quick dinner and just fun.

We will be going again I am sure-especially to tap into Presley's apparent skating talents!

Parker's Baptism Day

I know that I've said a lot about this day. It was everything I had ever hoped it would be for our little girl. She looked beautiful and just kept giggling and bouncing, almost like she didn't know how to contain her excitement! Scott gave her a beautiful confirmation blessing and we had so many loved ones there to support her. Thanks to everyone who made her day so special. There are a lot of pictures....just a warning. :)
Parker all in her white clothes.

Grandma and Grandpa Taft

Robbie, Christy, Haley, Peyton, Saylor, Paisley and Grady Taft
Our little bunch before the baptism.

Danny, Rachel, Niamh, Ryan, and Bergin Reilly

With Mamie just after getting bapized.
Daddy and Parker all in their whites.

Me and my sweet girl.

Parker with Mamie and Gramps
The Peterson Family

Kirk, Nancy, Whitney, Jenn, Sadie, Connor, Sophie, Doug, Rebekah, Brady

Bryce, Krystal, Bridger and Logan
Parker with some of her friends:

Pacie, Morgan, Shelby, Ilah, Olivia and Niamh
Me with Parker right after she was baptized and changed.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Andrus

Great Grandma and Grandpa Landon

Amy, Elle and Addison (Carter, Cannon and Kate were there also.)

Parker, Elle and Sadie

Parker and Haley
My family-Minus Matt & Ashley and Mitch and Sarah

(Matt & Ashley were there-but had to leave right after to go take a test.

We really missed Mitch and Sarah and their little ones as well.)
Tyler, Devri, Cooper, Paxton and Olivia Nulph
4-Generations. I am so thankful my grandparents could be there!
Tyler and Ashlee

A letter to my daughter...

Tomorrow our oldest daughter will be getting baptized.

I am so thankful for her decision, so overwhelmed by her faith, and so grateful to be her mother.

Parker is one of the most caring and sweet girls I know. She is wise beyond her years and has always been so incredibly responsible. She is loving and kind to everyone and is always looking for people to help and befriend. She is a hard worker and is such an amazing helper to me. She is so smart and is just talented. Just plain talented. Everything she tries, she is good at. I know that Parker is excited for tomorrow and that she is ready for this step in her life.

I am so thankful for a church that teaches morals and values to make us better people. I am so thankful that I know there is a plan and that this life is more than just temporary. I am so thankful that I have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who made everything possible for me.

Parker-you are such a joy to me. I love you and can't wait to share in your special day tomorrow. Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter.

We're having a.....

Baby GIRL!!!

We just got back from the doctor. We are having a baby girl sometime in June.

I have to admit, I wasn't too shocked. I was kind of feeling girl all along. And even though another boy would've been great-another healthy little girl is definitely not a blessing we are going to turn down.

We had Parker and Pacie with us at the ultra sound. We had many talks about what they wanted our baby to be....and both of the girls from the moment we told them we were pregnant were very adamant that it should be a brother. When the doctor announced that it was a girl, Pacie broke down in tears. Literal sobbing tears. It took some talking down, and a Cafe Rio lunch (Okay, who am I kidding-that was for me) but she is okay now. And I know as soon as this sweet little baby is born-she will be even more excited.

So-we must do pink really well.

And Landon will continue to be one spoiled little man.

The big question....

We go to the doctor today at 3:15 for our 20 week ultra sound. We have debated on finding out the gender of this baby, seeing as we have one of each. Well, three of one and one of the other. Turns out, we are both way too impatient to wait the extra 18 weeks or so.

Tune in later to see if it's pink, (AGAIN), or maybe another splash of blue....

Either way, we are overjoyed to be adding another little spirit to our home.

We will also be taking Parker and Pacie with us today. It should be a very neat experience.