John Cole's Big Day!

I will save my official reflections for your actual birthday, John Cole, but wanted to document how much fun YOU had at your first birthday party today!  We had a low turnout from the baby set, but you loved having your Mom and Dad, big brother, Nana and Pop, Resa, Grandfather and Gran-Gran and KK and Kevin there to celebrate!  Mom is glad she got the balloons because you LOVED playing with them.  You even got one to stick on your head with static like your brother was doing.  You didn't eat altogether that much of your cake--which REALLY surprised me--but it may be because you were diagnosed with an ear infection yesterday and are just not yourself.  HOPEFULLY, you, your brother AND your Mom and Dad are going to be well for awhile...hopefully!

Thanks fam for coming out!  John Cole loves you all VERY MUCH!

Thanksgiving Feast

Oops!  Just realized that none of my pics from the actual "feast" turned out but when Preston is in silly face mode you have to take what you can get :)

Loved going with Jeff to the LPECC for this special day.  Preston was quite sad that Pilgrims did not eat Lunchables thus he did not have his regular lunch fare.  We all enjoyed our meal--really, it wasn't that bad--and spending time together.  Of course, Preston and Remy could not stay apart for long, and were wearing their hats backwards clowning around as soon as they got through eating....

P is on day 3 of Augmentin because he was diagnosed with strep throat Monday.  Poor thing was pretty sickly but is ALMOST back to his normal self. Please pray John Cole's CONSTANT runny nose stays just that...a runny nose...an does not turn into a bacterial infection.  He needs to be well for his first birthday bash Saturday!

Hope you are all doing well...it's chilly out there!

Halloween Hijinks

Well, another (and John Cole's FIRST!) Halloween has come and gone and 2012 goes down as one to remember!  I will say that getting good pics of BOTH of the boys has become difficult if not impossible, so I hope these "real life" shots will provide a glimpse of our evening :)

This year for Halloween Preston was the San Diego Zoo "Zookeeper"--costume a Christmas gift from sweet Miss Paige--and John Cole was monkey.  Now, Preston wanted to be the zookeeper so that's why John Cole was a monkey but Jeff and I knew we could not hold him all night thus the idea for the "cage."  I casually mentioned the idea to Grandfather one night and the next thing I know he was here to measure the wagon :)  Thanks, Grandfather, for helping make trick-or-treating a little easier and making us the BIGGEST hit!  Everyone LOVED the monkey in the cage...but I just happen to think it was because of the super cute monkey...

We were not able to go to as many houses as last year,because both boys were SUPER tired, but all in all our night was a HUGE success.  Have to give yet another shout out to Nana for all her help.  Also, I'm grateful to Jeff for being a good sport.

Until next year....

Mrs. Donna's Halloween Party

I'm in a rush but wanted to take a second to post about Preston's big Halloween Party today!  I volunteered to be his "room mother" and this was my first real "gig."  We had a pizza party, made tootsie pop ghosts to take home, played pin the nose on the pumpkin and concluded with a cupcake walk to spooky Halloween music.  I really hope the kids had fun :)  HUGE thanks to my Mom for coming up to help me out!!  Truly, I think we had as much fun as the kids.....

Fun Fall Weekend

WHEW!  What a fun and exhausting 56 hours it has been!  I am literally going to be as soon as I type this but I just had to blog about our great weekend!

At the Bradshaw-Brooks golf tournament this summer, Jeff bid on a trip to the New Mexico State game with the Bulldogs.  Ride on the plane with them, stay at the team hotel with the athletic staff, bus to the game with the team and back....you get the picture.  Well, we won it and have been looking forward to it for months and let me tell you we loved it!  Now, considering the plane touched down in Shreveport at 3am or so this morning (b/c of the runway repairs at MLU) I am SUPER tired but it was an awesome experience I won't soon forget.  We also got to stand on the sidelines for the whole game and that was a treat as well...I may have gotten a little spoiled this weekend :)  MANY thanks to Nana and Pop (KK and Kevin too!) for your help with the boys while we were gone!!

Even though we got three hours of sleep we were all up bright and early to go hear Preston sing in the Traditional Service with "Joyful Noise."  Now, we had been practicing "Follow Jesus" in the car for basically a month so he had it DOWN, but I could never have anticipated how emotional I would feel seeing him stand up in front of  a  PACKED church in his sweet voice singing how he would allow the footprints of Jesus to light his path.  Nana and I both needed Kleenex....

After church, Jeff took us out to Squire Creek for lunch and it was a real treat!  Then Nana and Pop left for home, the Parkers took a SHORT nap, then we headed to the Trinity Fall Festival.  These pics are just ok, but I think you get the idea.  Love Charlotte getting up close and personal to give John Cole a hug.  Preston spent the bulk of his time in the jumpy with a short break for the cake walk.  Then we all had burgers/hot dogs and ended the night with Trunk-or-Treat.  Like I said, WHEW!  But I wouldn't trade this fun, busy time of year for the world.  Goodnight Moon.....

Preston's School Picture 2012

Mainly, I am posting this picture because my blog serves also as my "scrapbook" because there is NO WAY I am sitting down with a glue stick and scissors to properly scrapbook.  Maybe one day....

How CUTE is my big guy on his first official school picture day?  I am quite impressed with Tim Garlington, and will always remember this one.  If you are a family type and you would like one of these let me know :)

Annual Pumpkin Patch Pics

I am literally like a kid at Christmas when I get my files from the FABULOUS Crystal Garcia's annual Pumpkin Patch shoot.  We have been with her since the beginning...and I think she just keeps getting better! Love these pics...and love these boys!  Enjoy :)