Hailey's Blessing Day

The blessing day is the day that I look forward to my entire pregnancy.  It is just the perfect combination of family, church, a new baby, and a party.  There is always just a sweet spirit about the day, and I absolutely love it. Sunday, November 4th, was Hailey's blessing day.  It was really, on of my very favorite days ever.  The weather was warm and perfect, the blessing was amazing, Hailey couldn't be cuter, and the after party went perfectly.  I took almost 400 pictures... but can you blame me? She is just a stunning little girl.

I'm Back again...

Hi all...

So, Now that I am a few hundred posts behind, the guilt is starting to set in that I have not documented any of our family's life for about a year. That will make me sad one day. At any rate, I am jumping back into blogging full force, and committing myself to having some really awesome blog posts so that I can remember the fun/chaotic/crazy times we are having with our boys.

That being said, I hate to do this, but I think it's time that we go PRIVATE. I really don't even know how to do that yet, but I am sure I will figure it out. leave me a message, email me or facebook me with your email address if you want an invite. All are welcome :)

-Emily

Update on the Boys

Parker will turn 3 in a couple of weeks (January 16th).  Some days I can't believe he is that old, and somedays I feel like he should be at least 5 because he thinks he is.  He is our little analytical guy.  He thinks about things SO much and has the best memory in the world.  He randomly brings up old memories of things we did over 6 months ago.  Usually, I can hardly remember the event he is talking about.  

He recites the alphabet about 20 times a day. He loves to do anything that has to do with letters or reading and has started to read a few simple words on his own.  I wish I could take all the credit for that, but I have to admit that starfall.com and sesamestreet.org 's  learning games were definitely the catalyst for his learning.  He sneaks away multiple times a day, starts up the computer, types in the website, and starts playing his games  "all by my self" -- a common phrase around our house.  

Parker has a very strong-willed personality.  He is organized and calculated and gets upset when things don't turn out how he has pictured them in his head.  He is my resident back-seat-driver and gives me driving directions from his carseat in the back.  He is always telling me where to turn, when to stop, go, speed up, slow down or turn around.  It is also a requirement that we stop long enough at every stop sign for him to spell out the word "S-T-O-P... that spells stop."

Parker also has a fun, crazy side to him.  He loves to play, and wrestle, especially with Chad, who he is OBSESSED with.  He loves to play outside, do bum wars on the trampoline, sing songs, play with any type of ball, and shoots a basketball with PERFECT form... as long as he is shooting from his "sweet spot"  He gives the best hugs without being prompted from us.  And although we complain about it, Chad and I both secretly love it that he climbs into bed with us in the middle of the night.  

18 month old Blake is rough and tough.  He doesn't know his own strength and usually wins the wrestling matches that HE STARTS with Parker.  He is so dramatic on all ends of the spectrum.  He can be the happiest, saddest, funniest, or maddest kid I have ever seen.  Even when he is happy though, he tries to pretend like he is grumpy and complains in jibberish with a scowl on his face if you look at him.  He is a crack up and has more personality in that little body than he knows what to do with.  He adores Parker and wants to copy him all the time.  He is starting to talk a lot more now, loves to dance, run, kick soccer balls, and give long, soft kisses (watch out girls!)

He loves to have his back tickled as he is falling asleep.  And usually will say "Please, please"  if you try to stop.  Gets me everytime.  

Blake is our big eater and will out-eat Parker at any given meal.  Now that they are only about 3 pounds apart, Park needs to start watching his back with this guy around.  

Pretty much... I love my two little guys, and watching them grow and develop into real little people.  They sure are a handful most of the time, but I don't think I would have them any other way.  

New Year, New Goals.

So, yes... I realize I have not blogged since the summer.  I don't know why I think I am so busy, but somehow my days are completely filled up with these two little boys, church duties, friends, house chores, dinner, etc. etc.  By the time I can actually sit down at the computer to do a new post, I am exhausted and need to get in bed so that I can actually wake up for my morning run with my girlfriends.  (which I rarely make it too--- hopefully that will also change this year)  

At any rate, 2 of my resolutions for the new year are to catch up on this blog and to catch up on my sleep.  Operation blog-catch-up seems very daunting.  I decided the best way to do this is to just start with what is happening now, and fill in the missing months when I can.  (thank goodness you can post-date your blog posts on here).  So, there.  The plan is in place for the world to see.  That way someone can hold me to it :)    So, stay tuned for a more new blogging... and good night. 

A week in Utah

We went back out to Utah for the week of July 24th.  It was a fun packed week that started with a family reunion in Park City with my mom's side of the family.   We swam, rode the alpine slide, and started the festivities for my cousin Adam who got married that weekend. The wedding was beautiful, and it was great to be there with so much family.

  

We stayed in Utah for a few more days to celebrate the 24th (pioneer day).  Highlights included: 2 different parades, Bountiful days carnival, A great 10 K run for me, spending time with extended family, 7 peaks water park, Blake's first steps at Steph and Mike's house, fireworks, awesome food, and spending the night up in Midway with our some of our best Maryland buddies, the Skinners.   We love that we can drive to Utah and in just a few short hours be surrounded by so many people that we love!

The Dastrups come to visit

Some of our best friends from Maryland, Joe and Lindsey came to visit us.  Oh, how we've been missing our friends!  It was so great to see them again and meet their new addition, little Max.  He is adorable and fit right in with Parker and Blake.   And now that they are moving to Denver, I think these boys are going to get to see a lot more of each other.  Thanks for visiting us guys.  We love you!

Camping

We decided to try our luck taking the boys camping for one night... the trial run.  After buying all the gear we needed, we went to the lake about 15 minutes from our house and set up our camp spot.  We had a blast and the boys were so excited.   Camping activities included swimming in the lake, playing soccer and badmitten, roasting hotdogs over the fire, Smores, and all of us snuggling in the tent.  

Parker had a really hard time falling asleep because he was SO excited to be sleeping in the tent.  He couldn't stop reminding us that we went camping, and giving us kisses.  It was cute.  Once he finally closed his eyes, Chad and I even snuck in a few card games under the stars.  

Surprisingly, the camping trial run was a success.  Although I have never been big on camping, we had a lot of fun, and bought all of the gear, so, I guess this means we will be camping a lot more in the future....