So much to be THANKFUL for!

We have had a great couple of days giving thanks and spending time as a family.  It always goes by way too quickly but I am grateful for the time we do have together.  I hope you and yours had a great turkey day!

John Cole is TWO Curious!

Had a great time this morning partying with this cute little two year old!  We had a great turnout and although it is NASTY outside these sweet kiddos didn't notice :)  I wanted to document how many times John Cole has told me "tank you" today--as I was loading his cake in the car, as I drove off from picking up his balloons, and most importantly when I asked him if he enjoyed his party.  Thanks to all who came to celebrate!!!

I'm sad he's really not a baby anymore but I am so excited to watch his little personality develop.  Mommy, Daddy and "Paky" love you very much John Cole!

A celebrity sighting....

It's been a kind of slow "news week" in the Parker household.  John Cole was diagnosed with the "Croup" on Halloween he and I spent Halloween night in our jammies while Daddy and Preston went to a friends house for spooky fun.  

** Don't knock Halloween in your jammies until you have tried it.  I very  much enjoyed it.  Now, I did spend the night on a sleeping bag in John Cole's room because I did not trust the monitor...I had to hear every breath my baby was taking...but all it all it was a pretty great night :)

John Cole, if I am really being honest with myself, is JUST NOW getting completely back to normal 11 days later.  The cough lingered and his coloring was just not right.  He's doing great now, and I am so thankful for his sweet teachers at Trinity for calling me ASAP when they new he was a sick baby boy. 

Jeff and Preston have been hunting deer.  They have yet to kill one.  I have been ordering meat online and REALLY hope they kill one soon :)  It's organic y'all!

The house is really coming along.  We had a couple of minor issues with the cabinets which were installed last week, but all in all they were great.  They aren't even saying Christmas anymore--which I KNEW there was no way--and even though in my heart of hearts I DREAMED we would be "settled" in our new home at Christmas I KNOW that moving first of January makes a whole lot more sense and will be soooooo much less chaotic.  Pics later I promise.

Oh..and last but not least....I sorta met Willie last night.  Low key political fundraiser thing was going on so I just got our sweet high school sitter to come over for long enough for me to go get this photo op.  Jeff says it's not like me to be so starstruck.  Maybe it's not...just couldn't help myself.  More later and stay warm!

Best Birthday Ever

I turned 35 today.  It was without question the best birthday ever and I praise God for the bountiful blessings in my life.  Sweet Preston bounding down the stairs with birthday greetings straight out of bed, sweet two year old birthday kisses, great workout, Bible study with my sweet friends (plus a CUPCAKE!), rainy afternoon at home coloring with my boys then a DATE with my hubby.  These two scary Monsters went to Trunk or Treat at the church :)  Today was a good day.....

Trinity Fall Fest

Trinity's Fall Festival is one of my favorite church events of the year!  Mainly because The Refuge folks and Traditional folks all get to hang out together.  And of course we usually spend the evening with "Reese" and we all have a good time.  I was disappointed John Cole did not want to ride "Garfield" the horse, but as you can see Preston enjoyed his ride on "Midnight."   The tissue paper hat station was pretty fun too.  I'm just waiting to be asked in the morning if he can wear it to school :)  After hamburgers and hot dogs we called it a night.  Hope you have had a great weekend!

PS:  Please keep praying for Gran.  She's BACK in the hospital after just three short days at home.  Thanks!

SURPRISE!

We've been planning for months!  The invites were sent well over a month ago.  We told her we were going to dinner at Squire for her birthday, but she got a HUGE surprise.  Everyone was in on it....even Preston who was a steel trap :)  I will never forget the look on her face, and I don't think she will ever forget this night either.  Happy 60th Mom!

PS: There are a TON of pictures...I'm going to get them in an album for you!

CES Pumpkin Day

Well, if you thought I didn't get many pictures of Apple Day, just look at how few I got on Pumpkin Day!  I was put to work and happy to do it as I manned one of the craft stations pretty much solo.  Love getting to see how the kids interact and getting to know the teachers better.  As you can tell Preston absolutely ADORES Ms. Reno...for good reason she is just the sweetest...and he's learning sooooooo much.  I think only my family reads this so I want to chronicle also I was so happy to be at school today when Preston won his first "award."  All of those art classes I put him in paid off I guess :)  Anyway, I have yet to see his art but it won second place for the entire Kindergarten.  Way to go Preston!  We are proud of you thriving in school.

Hope you get out and enjoy this weather..it's GORGEOUS!  Happy Weekend!