Birthday Party

Duncan turned 2 on June 24th. We had a fun day! Don't judge my cake/cupcake snake too harsh. I know this is something I really really need to work on. I should just buy their cakes because this is so embarrassing to me. Oh well, life goes on.

Duncan is very loved/spoiled. He received a Strider bike. All the kids love it! Watch out world! As soon as it cools off here Duncan is going to be zipping around everywhere on his cool ride. Until then he will ride in the house.Grandma and Grandpa Park sent down his gift early and it has been hiding. I was told not to touch it because it is very loud. I was thinking "oh great!" Grandparents always seem to get away with the annoying gifts. This toy is actually a great one. All the kids play with it too. It is a Toy Story 3 car toy. They actually kinda race down the spiral track. Kinda cool even for me I have to admit. :)

One HAPPY boy!Bike and race track.

My attempt at a snake cake/cupcakes. lol

My Dear Sweet Duncan,
I just wanted to take a few minutes to write a some things down about your stage in life right now. You are always so fun to play with. You laugh at everything. We have been very blessed to have you in our home. You are one tough kid! Half the time I don't know where you have received all your bumps and bruises. I guess that's part of being a boy. Some other things you really like are:

• swimming in the big backyard pool
  
• sleeping with either mom or dad on your big bed
• your blanket
• teasing your older siblings
  
• holding your baby sister
• going on 4-wheeler rides (mostly with daddy)
• you are daddy's little puppy dog
• You are very smart and know which car is mommy's and which car is daddy's. you always get so excited when you see them even if you open the garage and see them
• loves piggy back rides from his sissy (Dantzel)
• Loves to be outside
• Loves to play with his friend Ari. They are so cute together too
• Loves to eat. You are always the first to the dinner table and last to leave.

Kinda funny but, you decided to throw your binky away on your birthday. This has been kinda hard during nap and night time. I am proud of you for deciding to be BIG. I think we will get through this hopefully soon. He hasn't even tried to take Brea's binky once. This was my big fear.
We are so happy that you are beginning to talk so we can understand what it is that you need or want.
Duncan I hope you know that we LOVE you!
Love, Mommy

summer fun

We have had a lot happen and I have been horrible at keeping up at the blog. Here are a few things that have been going on since school got out for the summer

James last day of Pre-school

Brea's first time in the tumbler watching mommy wash the car

Brea turned 4 months old

Duncan decided he likes the backyard swimming pool

James thinks the pool is "AWESOME"

We went to Aunt Jodi's house and played with these cute puppies

My Favorite "cutest" little pup

Duncan learning to drive

All the kids at the museum (sorry Dallas flash went off and this was the best photo)

Dantzel playing at Aunt Dallas's house
Trying to enjoy his vacation but, work calls always come in...

Dantzel riding Kaven's strider bike

Brea playing at the Family friends house

As you can see I was not very good at taking pictures. I have figured out the reason behind this. It is because:
1. I always have a kid in my arms. My camera almost take 2 hands it is kinda heavy.
2.I am always having so much fun with whoever we are with that I forget to get the camera out until it is too late
3. I am sure there are a lot of other reasons but, I don't want to be a complainer and so I will leave it at that!

So while I was on my week long vacation these are a few things we did:

• Spent a few days/night with Jodi and Chris in Annabella (watched a lot of kids so they could tile their new house)
• did a photo shoot for my sister (she breeds and sell mini/toy schnauzers)
• went shopping at the District (JC Penny's is always fun) The kids and Brandon got a few clothes
• delivered a puppy for my sister
• had a Park family reunion and met some new cousins. Ramie adopted these 2 cute girls
• spent some time at Dallas and Tim's house. They are always such great hosts
• Let the kids ride bikes and play in the courtyard at Dallas's
  
• Got together with some Family Friends
• Went to the Church History Museum (the Kid part only) with Dallas, Tim & Family and also Matt & Jaxon
• James had a sleepover with Jaxon (he had a blast)
• James played Mario Cart with Jaxon and was entertained for hours
  
• Visited Grandma and Grandpa Rice (Aunt Cindy came over to see baby)
• Had dinner and games with Lynn and Richard and Family
• Went and saw Shawn
• Drove home in some wicked rain on Father's Day Sunday
  

These are just a few things we packed into our week long trip. Brandon joined us on Wednesday night late. I was trying to keep the kids away so he could study for his Brokers test. He is almost ready for that now with us being away! :)

New Family Pictures

I guess Brandon wanted new family pictures because all of the sudden he got the camera out. I LOVE being able to take photos ourselves. I am grateful for a husband who keeps me on my toes with photos shoots. I didn't even have to stress for a week about the clothes and if we matched perfect. I think we did pretty well considering I had no idea until the camera came out. We needed to update because we didn't have a family photo with sweet little Brea in it. We are a happy family of 6.

catch up

I have been so busy. Bottling apple pie filling, getting ready to bottle beets, squeezing oranges and drying apples. It has been a lot of work but very rewarding. I love teaching my kids to be healthy. I love that they get right up on the kitchen counter and help. I did this when I was a kid and I feel very blessed that I can try and teach my kids to help out in the kitchen.

James helped me pick this huge turnip. Isn't this a cool picture

Brea turned 3 months and I need to get these pictures posted because pretty soon she will be 4 months. I also went and got her little ears pierced. She got cute little diamonds. All the kids got to come and watch. I think Daddy was a little surprised to see that I actually took her and had them done. He thought they were the magnet earrings at first. He should know me better than that already. He said they were cute and so I knew I was OK.

Look real close and you can see her cute little earring. I also painted her fingernails. Its so fun having another girl around to play with. :)

We have had a lot of visitors. We love that we can open our doors for everyone. Family is very important to us. Spending time with them is so much fun!Emery, Tim and Dantzel