Little Sluggers

Today was our last day with Jill and Tyler. We were all sad to see them go and had such a great visit with them. Right now as I write, they are on the plane about to land in Phoenix. Our next visit from the Mendoza Family won't be until July and by then our baby will be here to join the kids. We spent the morning visiting with them and then we went to Parker's game before they left for the airport. Parker was very excited to have his baby cousin cheering him on in his own baseball uniform. Here are some pictures of both our little sluggers.

My Little Pyro

Last night was our ward's annual Priesthood Commemoration Campout/Father and Son's aka Girl's night out for the mom's. Parker has been counting down for weeks. He packed his own bag this year. It was equipped with 2 flashlights, a soccer ball, 2 bags of marshmallows for roasting, a beanie to wear at night, and one really big stick (thanks Papa Tom! :)




He was so excited to camp with his friends and cousins, Nicholas and Daniel (my Uncle Jeff's boys) and brought them each a stick as well. All he could talk about was the fire pit and how he couldn't wait to catch the tip of his stick on fire and blow it out. I gave both he and Justin strict instructions to please come home with all of their flesh intact. Fortunately, the phone never rang and no emergency room visits were required. The boys had a great time running around, playing in the fire, and going down the zip line. Can't wait for next year!

Early Mother's Day

Parker came home Friday with my Mother's Day gift he made at school. He was so cute about it! He told me not to look in the back seat of the car because he had my present there and wanted it to be a surprise for me. Then he asks, "Do you like pens with flowers on them?" How could I not laugh! He is so sweet and innocent! I tried to make him wait until Sunday for me to open his gift, but he couldn't wait, so I opened it once we got inside.





In his card he wrote, "der Mom I will dowe innyfng for you. Mom I will biy a puppy for you. Mom I will biy a Wii for you. Love Parker." Imagine my surprise to find a beautiful flower pen and note pad that was inscribed with "Moms are special...she makes cookies for me"--what more could a mom ask for!

Forty Days to Go!

Thursday night was my baby shower. It was so fun! I had a great time celebrating with family and friends. People were so generous and got me such amazing gifts!



Thanks to my mom, my sister, Jeni, Grandma Lloyd, and Emma for making it such a memorable evening for me and baby. It was so great to see old friends and enjoy such good food. Jeni was a great hostess and had it decorated so beautifully. I loved the "Miracle" picture frame she put the baby's ultrasound picture in--it made me cry! And she found the most beautiful white flowers that were lightly dusted with pale blue and green sparkles.




The blue punch Emma made to celebrate our baby boy was a hit! Everyone kept asking what was in it to make it blue.



My sister planned 2 fun games. We had a trivia one about my pregnancy and then played the candy bar game. Here is a picture of the trivia game winner, Trisha, with Emma.




My favorite type of cake--also one of my cravings this pregnancy. Safeway's chocolate cake with raspberry filling and white buttercream frosting. Can't get enough of the mounds of frosting!




This last picture is for Rachel, who has been asking for a belly shot. Well, here goes nothing!

Big Brother Training

Jill called me as soon as she and Tyler woke up Thursday morning so I could come over and hang out for a sisters day. Tyler is such a good natured baby and is the only person I know that could pull off Donald Trump's hair style (when not combed or with gel in it) and still look cute!







We met up with my mom and sister at Panera after Parker got out of school. He had so much fun keeping Tyler entertained while we ate.




Once we were back at my mom's house, Parker built Tyler his first fort out of pillows and blankets while we prepped the food for the baby shower. Parker was so excited to be able to "babysit" his cousin. He will be the best big brother!

Jill's Kids

Jill got into town late last night for the baby shower. She brought a CD of some photos her friend had taken of the kids, so I wanted to post some of them for you all to see. Haylee, age 6; Emma, age 3 1/2; and Tyler 4 months.

Escargot Anyone?

Today was snail day for Parker's first grade class. They got to find a snail, build a playground for it (with salt filled playdough--I should know, my double batch had a whole cup of it), run tests on it (some were bubbling afterwards), and observe their new pets (that by the way, pee fluorescent yellow liquid.)


Thank goodness I am surrounded by boys in my house, because I had no problem helping the girls pick their snails up when they would try to escape from the cups.

At recess, Parker was chosen to help paint a mural for his school on the ball wall.



And his basil that he planted for Earth Day last week started to sprout.