Parker's 4th Birthday Party

On Sunday we had a Mad Scientist Birthday party for Parker. We invited his friends from school and our best friend's children to come have fun with us. I saw this themed party in the Family Fun magazine about 10 months ago and I told David about it and he was all for it. As always I make the birthday cake and try to think of something creative to make. So this time I made a Flask shaped birthday cake for the party. It was so cool and everyone thought I would have won the birthday cake award.
David made different signage to go around the house. So cool!
Here was our chemical storage area for the experiments that we would do like making slime.
The hard working scientist at work on the volcano.
Dropping mentos in a Diet Coke. See the fountain that it makes.
Parker getting ready to blow out his candles.
Mommy with her boys watching daddy add more baking soda to the volcano.
Parker and his friend Carter playing with the slime.
Parker and Gavin watching the experiments.
Then of course we had the Gator and Jeep out for fun times riding around the yard. The children remember doing this last year at his party. Parker loved playing with his friends yesterday more than watching the science experiments. David and I were so tired last night from our fun birthday party that we both put on. Happy 4th Birthday Parker!!!

Getting our Christmas Tree

Another tradition that we have every year as a couple and now with the boys is to look for the perfect "Real" Christmas tree. Parker has really enjoyed it this year to find one with us and remembers that we go get a real one every year. During our stop to Lowe's we had to make a stop by the lawnmovers for Parker to ride on them. Well Caleb wanted to join him as well and loved grabbing the stirring wheel.
Here is Parker trying to hold onto to Caleb for the picture

Daddy had to help hold Caleb while I took the picture

The boys having fun riding the lawnmover together

Parker took a picture of his own shadow while we were looking for the perfect tree

Parker was having fun looking around with us

Happy 4th Birthday Parker!

David and I can't believe our firstborn, Parker was born 4 years ago today. We are so honored and proud to be his parents. Parker we love you so much and love the joy and laughter that you bring into our lives each day (even when you do throw a tantrum :)) Parker woke up this morning anxious to open his presents first thing. He had a hard time going to sleep last night, because he wanted his present then.

An excited Parker getting a Star Wars lego set.

Parker got his first 2 transformers today. He has been playing with Daddy's old ones.

Well Parker decided to climb up the ladder to help Daddy hang up the wreath. Such a dare devil and even our neighbor Rick couldn't believe he was doing it.

He made me nervous to see him come down the ladder.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2009 at our home in Birmingham. This is the first year that we stayed home instead of traveling to see family (actually we did stay home 4 years ago when we were waiting for Parker to be born). Of course we miss our family dearly and wish that we could all visit with everyone and watch all the grandkids play. So glad that we were able to talk with the family this morning on skype. Thanks Meredith and Steve for helping Mom set it up on her computer this morning.
I am so thankful to God for restoring our marriage this year and having my best friend/husband by my side everyday. We are also very thankful for 2 wonderful little boys who are such a joy to be around. The list can go on and on for what we are thankful for. It has been really nice to be able to relax as a family today at home while cooking/baking our Thanksgiving meal. Here is one of our great moments today. I love to see the boys plat with their Daddy.

I love my boys.

Caleb and Parker having fun being tickled by Daddy.

Caleb looking cute and happy as ever.

Parker wanted to paint and make an egg carton boat this afternoon. We love his imagination and the things he will come up with next.

Traditions

A few weeks ago for my MOMS bible study we had a lady speak on Traditions throughout the year for your family. It got me thinking what has been our traditions with both David and my family and then what new traditions can we come up with as a family of 4. For the last 4 years we have gotten Parker's handprint put on a custom ornament by Do It Yourself Crafts in town here. I love this place and so does Parker. Over the years we have gotten his handprints and footprints put on plates. So this year we have now started Caleb's handprint and will do more with his prints in the future. Caleb's hand on the left and Parker's custom design on the right

Wow look how big Parker's handprint is on the right. So glad that we have done this every year

While we waited to get their prints done, Parker panited these ornaments for our tree. We now have a nice collection of these as well. I love Christmas decorations and especially ones that have meaning to them.

Another item that we got done a few years ago for Parker was a custom pumpkin. Well this year we had to get one for Caleb as well. We almost weren't able to have one carved for us since the lady who does them had a heart attack and wasn't do very many this year. While I was recovering from surgery, I asked David to go paint Caleb's pumpkin and for Parker to go along to paint some items. They had a lot of painting together and trying to keep what they painted a secret from me until I picked them up a week later.

On Friday morning this place will be open very early and is offering some Black Friday deals. I am so tempted to go and do some more items of the boys prints. So we will have to see how we feel on Friday morning if we can go.

Our custom "C" pumpkin on our front door. My best friend has a metal business on the side and she gave this one to me just because. I love how it looks on our front door.

I had asked her a few months ago, if she could paint a "cross" for me to put on our back patio area. Last week I finally got it and boy do I love it. It now makes our sitting area in the back more complete.

Caleb having fun around the house

Can't believe how much the boys are growing up so fast. Caleb isn't rolling over yet, that arm is just getting in his way. It will be soon!!! Here are some pictures of Caleb around the house in the past few weeks. He is sitting up so well and loves playing with his toys. Parker is very anxious to get the toys out of attic for Caleb to start playing with them. David and I were talking the other night that in a year from now when Caleb is walking/running around our boys will be all over the house playing with us and each other. So glad that they have each other. Everyday I am so thankful for my husband and our 2 handsome boys. I am so blessed to have them in my life and I look forward to many happy years together. I am wearing my Samford sweatshirt. Daddy picked my outfit this morning and dressed me while Mommy was doing a vendor show.
David and I bought this sweatshirt for our niece Hannah 12 years ago. I found it in the tubes of clothing from the sisters and was so thrilled that he can wear it.

Look at me.

My only smocked piece of clothing that I will ever wear. Mommy just had to put it on for Church this morning and take some pictures of me in it. I look so cute in it. Not to worry I don't like smocked items on little boys, but this one is pretty cute with the barn scence.

My second time in the swing and boy do I love it.

I just got back from taking both boys in to see the doctor this morning. They have been struggling with a cold/cough for 3 weeks. The last two days Caleb has been more fussy and not his usual self. So guess what he has his first ear infections in both ears. Both boys are now on antibotics to help move these colds out of their bodies. So shocked that Caleb didn't have a fever with this ear infection, every time Parker had a fever it would be an ear infection. Parker had so many ear infection in his first year of life and had to get tubes in his ears.

Thanksgiving play

Last week was the Thanksgiving play at Parker's school. This was the first time that he was in a play all dressed up as an Indian. He didn't want to stay up on stage with everyone once he saw Daddy and me. So I had to go up front and sit by him while Daddy recorded the play.

Parker looking at Mommy while the play was going on.

Parker only wanted to sit on the bottom step which was closer to me.