We had so much fun in Utah for Christmas. Here are a few pics...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER!

Yesterday was Parker's birthday. I can't believe he is 2 already!
So, let me explain these pictures a little bit...
All of the sudden it feels like a switch got flipped and Parker decided to become a "terrible two". He is just way more adventurous/exploratory lately. A few days ago I found him wedged between the washer and the wall (about 8 inches wide - maybe). Who knows what he was doing in there??? Not that big of a deal - really - but it gets better. So, the day before his birthday he: Draws (in pen) all over the couch. Then he draws all over a poster that Bryson has spent HOURS working on for school. Then he decides that he wants straight Cool Whip for breakfast (picture). He also figured out how to unlock the front door and OPEN the front door - which he did, in addition to actually GOING out the front door all by himself! (Where is Mom during all of this, you ask? Part of the time I was jogging on the treadmill. But this is the whole point - I have never HAD to really worry about this kind of stuff happening while I was jogging or in the shower or whatever.) ANYWAY, I feel like life has suddenly changed.
OK, I know I am rambling... So, for Parker's birthday we gave him a helium balloon (which he calls his "holla balloon" [i.e. "hot air balloon"]. He carried it around with him almost all day. We also gave him Mickey Mouse pajamas which he really loves (see pic.) After a morning of house cleaning, we took the family to a fun hands-on museum called Explora. There are pictures of Parker in one of the music rooms, making big bubbles with Mom, and in a giant elevator (the picture with the couches and the red walls... it IS huge!) Later that night we had cake and ice cream. Parker wanted a "chug a choo" (train) cake... Overall, I think it was a fun day for everyone. We are so happy to have our little Parker in our family. He is such a joy (even if he IS a "terrible two"... he was a "terrible 0-12 months" too and we still loved him! : )

See Gamma? See?

The other day we were talking to Grandma Steiny on the phone and Parker was telling her about "Khu Khue Pannu... hiii YA!" [Kung Fu Panda]. All the sudden he ran over to the toys and found this Happy Meal treasure (THE Kung Fu Panda) and held it up to the phone. "See Gamma? See???", he said over and over again. He was trying to SHOW her the toy through the phone! Isn't it fun to see how their little minds work? :) I thought it was pretty cute...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This weekend we went and got our Christmas tree. The kids had fun playing in the little Gingerbread House and writing letters to "Santa" (who - by the way - they know about this year) - and picking the perfect tree. The next morning we decorated it and all three of them insisted on putting the star on top, so guess what? They all did. (Aren't we push-overs...)

New Mexico has changed us...

Here in Albuquerque there are lots of gangs and children are forced at a young age to choose which gang they will belong to. Our children have chosen - quite obviously - the "Black Beanie Gang". Parker is the baddest of the bad (notice the gang signs he is flashing in the last two pictures!) What can a parent do?

"luvs for daddy"

At some point each of my kids has decided that they like Dad better than anyone else in the whole world (including me!)... Parker is well on his way.

Fun Fall Outings

Bryson and Abbey's school gives them Fridays off for educational enhancement/extracurricular/family time. It has been so fun this fall to participate in some of the activities (especially the outside ones when the weather is so gorgeous - a little crisp, but STILL SUNNY!) So, a couple of Fridays ago we went to the Albuquerque Aquarium which also has an awesome Botanical Garden complete with giant carrots, ants, pumpkins, bees, and a "castle door" entry. So fun!

Then, this last Friday we went to the Rio Grande Nature Center. That was really cool too. It is nice to be around some big trees every once in a while! : ) They took us on a guided tour of the Bosque (Spanish for "woods" I guess), surrounding the Rio Grande and then we got to go right up to the river. Parker was more interested in his bag of Chex Mix, but Bryson and Abbey were pretty into it...