Parker Havin' A Ball!!!

Schoooooooool's Out for Summer!!!

Hello Blogland!

I know, I know... it's been a while! Well schoooooool's out for summer and I have a little more time on my hands. I have enjoyed being home this past week with my little man! He is just so much fun these days. I love that he is so independent and can do so much by himself. He says "My do it, mommy!! My do it!!!"

My goal is to post pictures of our summer activities each week. So here goes...

June 5: Farm Days at the Crooks' Farm

We enjoyed Farm Day at the Crooks' Farm. We fed the chickens and goats. Then took a little hike to a beautiful waterfall. We even got to see and pet 2 snakes. Parker enjoyed riding the John Deere tractor and just simply being outside. We ended the day with a ride on the horsie! What an amazing day with our Foothills family.

June 6: Pool Day with Friends

Parker LOVE, LOVE, LOVES the water! He is doing a great job "fwimming"! Parker has NO fear of the water. He even jumps off the diving board.

June 9: Pool Day

I have a feeling we are going to be at the pool ALOT this summer! When Parker wakes up in the morning I always ask him what he wants to do. And his response is always the same, "Go fwimmning at Aunt Jody's house!"

June 11: Lake Day with Friends
We spent the day on the lake with great friends! We enjoyed playing at the waterfall, swimming at the "beach", and tubing! Oh what fun!

Easter 2011

Halloween 2010

We had a wonderful time trick or treating with friends for Halloween! Here are some pictures from our night:

A special thank you to our official photographer, Christy!

13 Months

Dear Parker,
You are 13 months. You weighed 20 pounds at your 12 month checkup and were 31 inches tall. The doctor said you were tall and skinny, just like Daddy! You are right on track for your weight and you are way above on your height. You still wear size 4 diapers and are wearing 12 months clothes.
At 13 months, you are so much fun. You absolutely LOVE outside ("dout-dide"). When we ask you if you want to go outside, you say, "doutdide" and head to the nearest door and look up at the doorknob. Once outside your favorite thing to do is walk around the yard and pick up leaves, sticks, acorns, berries, and anything else you can hold in those tiny little hands of yours. It's amazing how much stuff you can hold on to. You enjoy taking nightly strolls in your wagon with Papa. Papa is still your favorite person. When you see anyone, and I do mean ANYONE (a picture of a farmer in a book, an African American man in the grocery store, your Fisher Price farmer figurine, your daddy, etc.) wearing a hat you call them Papa. Today you found your hat in the living room and put it on your head and said, "Papa!". Papa recently took you to the golf course and showed you how to hit balls. When we ask you if you want to play golf, you clap your hands together and lean against our legs. You also love to run and kick your ball across the yard.
You have just recently started really playing with your truck. It is the cutest thing!!! You push it around on the floor and make truck noises. You also like to watch it roll down the slide. You think that is the funniest thing!
You've also recently become obsessed with Elmo. Whenever you see him on something, you say, "melmo" and start singing, "La~La~La~La". You also love Bob the Tomato from Veggie Tales. Your favorite Veggie Tales video is Rack, Shack, and Benny.
You also started some new foods this month! Chicken nuggets, chicken pot pies, and grilled cheese sandwiches are all of your new favorite foods. You are still a champ at eating and you LOVE milk.

Happy Birthday, Parker Allen!

Dear Parker,

Today you are O~N~E year old!!! I can't believe I just typed that sentence! This past year has flown by! It seems like just yesterday that you made your entrance into this great big world. Your cry was like music to my ears and when the nurse placed all 7 pounds 15 ounces of you in my arms for the first time, my heart melted. At that moment I marveled at your ten tiny fingers and toes, your cute little nose, and all of your reddish colored hair! I was simply amazed at how perfect you were. Your first year has been full of so much fun. It's been so much fun to watch you grow and learn everyday. I've loved watching all of your "firsts".

You took your first steps at around 10 1/2 months and haven't stopped. Now, you run everywhere you go. You are definitely ALL boy. You LOVE playing outside and even cry when it's time to come in.You like to play with your ball. You have learned to kick it and throw it.

We are so proud of your kind and obedient spirit. You walk around the house and say, "No, no, no! " and point to all of the things we tell you not to touch.

You can say LOTS of words: kitty, doggie, MaMa, DaDa, PaPa, Ju-ten (Justin), peas (please),  and many, many more.  You talk non-stop and I absolutely adore your laughs and giggles. You know all of your signs (all done, please, more) and now even say them while you are signing them.

You love to sing and dance.

When we ask you where your hair is you point to your hair. You can show us where your eyes, ears, teeth, nose, and belly button are too! You can also tell us what the cow says (booooo), the bees say (buzz), the kitty says (dickle, dickle).

You are eating all kinds of things. Eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, turkey, chicken, and many, many fruits and veggies. I think your favorite food is a tie between waffles and cheese.

You love your family. When the door opens, you go running to see who it is and start saying DaDa or PaPa. You love your PaPa. He is definitely your favorite person, after Mommy of course. You love to play rough with your Uncle Justin. Uncle Phillip and Aunt Jody give you endless tickles and you squeal everytime. You like to play silly games with Daddy. You could sit in Gram's lap all day and read books if she'd let you.

You are very loving and caring. You give the best hugs and kisses.  

September 5, 2009 was a day that I will never forget! I earned a new title that day. A title that I had no prior training for. A title that I wasn't completely prepared for. A title that I had always dreamed of having. I'm so honored to have the title of mother, and it's all because of you, son. I am blessed beyond words to be your mommy.

God knew exactly what He was doing when he gave us you. You have been an amazing addition to our family and I CANNOT imagine our lives without you. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you, little man.  Happy Birthday, Parker Allen!!!

11 Month Picture

Georgia Aquarium

A couple of weekends ago, we headed to the Georgia Aquarium for the day. Fortunately, we ordered our tickets ahead of time which I HIGHLY recommend. It was very crowded but we enjoyed our day despite the masses of people. Parker loved looking at all the beautiful fish and sea creatures. Here are some pictures of our day:

Fun with Cousins!

In July Mom and I made a trip to Charlotte to visit my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins. We had fun swimming, shopping, and seeing all of their cool animals. We were able to get pictures with Megan and Matt, but Alex is in that teenage mode and doesn't stay home long enough to get a pic and if he did he was sleeping. Oh to live the life of a teenager again! While we were there we were able to meet Miss Juliana Moon. Her Daddy and Daron were roomates at Clemson. She is absolutely beautiful!!!

Ten Months Old

Dear Parker,
You are TEN months old. DOUBLE DIGITS, watch out!!! Once again Mommy is a little behind on posting your monthly pictures and updating your new accomplishments. Your ninth month was full of many accomplishments. It is so much fun to watch you learn and grow each month. You are so SMART, a baby genius, at least we think! Here are some things you are up to lately:
* You have mastered crawling.
* You can pull up on things like chairs, the sofa, basically anything within reach.
* You can stand unassisted for a few seconds.
* You can walk while holding on to the side of the pack-n-play or sofa.
* You are eating more things like yogurt, cheese, meats, and veggies.
* You drink from your sippy cup like a pro.
* Your favorite snacks are bananas. You can eat a whole banana.You like to feed them to your self and make quite a mess in your high chair.
* You went to the beach and LOVED it. (more on that in a seperate post)
* You enjoy the swimming and splashing in the pool.
* You can wave bye-bye.
* You can pick things up using your thumb and finger. I have to keep the floors really clean otherwise you go around picking up tiny pieces of grass or leaves.
* You say na-na (no-no) when we tell you no. You understand what it means, but don't always obey.
* You recognize your name.
* You can say PaPa, MaMa, DaDa, & baby.
* You can do your sign language for please and all done. We are working on more and thank you.

We ♥ you little man! You are one amazing little dude! Never forget that Mommy loves you, Daddy loves you, and Jesus love you, too!

Celebrating the Red, White, and Blue

Each 4th of July we have friends and family over for food, games, and FiReWoRkS!!! Our city puts on an amazing fireworks display in the field just below our house. Our front yard is the perfect place to watch the fireworks show. We are so incredibly blessed with awesome family and friends. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the 4th, celebrating the red, white, and blue!! Here are some pictures of our celebration:

Parker & Papa

Ashlee & Parker

Ms. Goss & Austin

Mommy & Parker

The Stegall Family

Rebekkah & Michelle

Sweet Zuri

Gavin

Lawton

Parker & Nolan

Austin and Parker

The Ball Pit was a HUGE hit!

The Wagon Rides were also a big hit!

Aunt Trudy & Parker

Noah

The Odom Boys

Happy 4th of July! (10 months old!)

The Homemade Ice Cream Makers! Dave & Daron (Double D)

Waiting on the the fireworks to begin...

Will he LOVE 'em or HATE 'em?

I told you it was amazing!!!

They were REALLY loud because they are so close, but....

Parker LOVED the fireworks! He sat in PaPa's lap, laid back, and watched the BIG kabooms!

Hope everyone had a great 4th! We are so blessed to live in such a great Nation! ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL! PRAISE GOD!