Our Parker

Our sweet little Parker turns 3 today. He is such a wonderful little boy, the kind of kid you can take anywhere and he'll behave himself. He's very predictable and sweet, loves to share, and especially loves to cuddle, much to our pleasure. He walks in our room first thing in the morning, not really awake yet, and climbs in our bed to "spoon" with somebody. Sometimes he'll fall back asleep, but he mostly just needs the hugs to get going each day. We're so proud of the little person he's becoming and we can't wait to watch him grow some more. Happy Birthday Parker!

First birthday!

Turning two in Los Angeles!

Turning three! The cake is covered in Batman sprinkles, which he and Audrey liberally applied.

Happy Parker Day!

Yesterday, April 18th, was Parker Day, a family celebration of the day my parents first went on a date. When we were little, my parents used to surprise us on this day with trips to Disneyland, Dad taking the day off, and fun things that we all loved. Our own little family holiday! What a wonderful tradition, to celebrate their love and share it with us. My mom reminded me of it yesterday, and I thought I would share a couple of sweet pictures of their early life together. Love you Mom and Dad! There aren't two more devoted parents or grandparents and we are all so lucky to have you, or, more appropriately, that you had us.

Sadie Hawkins Dance

Winter Formal, 1970

Wedding Announcement, 1972

Wedding Reception, August 1972

Millennium Cruise, 2000

20 weeks

Ok, that's more like it. This is how I really look, that other picture was somehow skewed. Neal kept telling me to stop sticking my belly out and stand correctly. Um, this is how I stand! My belly sticks out!

Easter is Fun

Here are a few pictures from our lovely Easter weekend. We had wonderful Springtime weather, just a couple of mosquitoes, and good times with friends! Above, Audrey and Parker looking fancy before church this morning.

Here are the kids with Jayden and Chelsea, our little friends, in our yard after our little egg hunt. Note Chelsea's hand in Parker's basket.

Parker and his horrible Spiderman egg-collecting receptacle. I told him we'd get it only if it did the job for Halloween, too.

Audrey finding a transparent egg at the egg hunt at church. I hope you all had a fabulous Easter and that you were able to feel the joy that we felt today as we celebrated our Savior's life and resurrection. Have a great week!

Phew . . .

Ok, Dr. Horn has confirmed that I look about 9 months pregnant in the picture I posted yesterday. He said I'm not nearly as big as that picture makes me look. Thanks, Baby! I'll try to post a more accurate one soon.

Brooming

We really need to get a leaf blower. After Neal mowed the lawn this evening, the kids decided to help by sweeping all of the grass clippings back into the lawn and off the sidewalk. A lot of work, they didn't last long. We're thinking it might be worth $25 to have someone come "mow and blow" this summer. Dr. Horn will be working on his off hours from school, and there just isn't time to mow every 8 days! 

Parker said, "We're brooming."

Their feet turned green.

And here is a little shot of my growing self and my very freckly arm. Audrey took the picture. I look a little bigger here than I am, since my arm is covering my back. At least I think I look bigger than I am. Yikes! I think I'm between 19 and 20 weeks. Isn't baby #3 just the cutest? Thanks to Natalie for the cute shirt!

Here I Stand, Head in Hand, Turn my Face to the Wall . . .

Just wondering how long it's been since you listened to this album. I popped it in today, and boy, it has been way too long. We Parker children were raised on the Beatles; any time we took a road trip, we learned those songs by heart. We were taught by the best; Mom is a die-hard fan, has been since she was 13, and I'm so glad! In fact, when we listen to the Beatles, Audrey and Parker call it "Brama music." Certain Parker children, (ahem, Jooj) have been treated to the concert of a lifetime, Paul McCartney. Neal sometimes practices Beatles songs on his ukelele, and always quizzes me on the lyrics. And I always know them. Why does he even question it? Those songs are part of my subconscious, and maybe that's why they make me feel so happy. Help! is by far my favorite Beatles album. If you haven't heard it, you are missing out, my friends. Oh, it's so good!

Spring into Summer

We took a walk the other day to a little lake-dealy by our house. It's so nice here in the Springtime! We love living in the community we live in; it's ideal for Dr. Horn's commute, the people are friendly, and the pools are incredible. Now if they would just open! Our kids are dying to go swimming!

Chores & Allowance

Today I made a fantastic discovery: My kids are old enough to work! I mean, they do the normal little things like bringing dishes to the sink and cleaning their rooms, but while we were outside getting the mail today, Audrey decided to pick all of the little weeds in the driveway seams. She did such a great job that I gave her 50 cents. You should have seen the look on her face when I told her that if she did extra jobs, she could save up her money to buy whatever she wanted. Oh boy, did she want another job! So I had her clean the kitchen with the floor vac, another 25 cents in the piggy bank. Of course, Parker wanted in, so he put away the toys that were in the living room and helped me load the washing machine. 50 cents for Parker in his fire hydrant bank! This could come in very handy the larger my belly becomes . . .

How do you all divvy up chores among your kids? Do you pay an allowance or extra money for extra jobs? Just curious what works for you!

FHE

We dyed Easter eggs tonight, a first for the kids, although Audrey is just positive she has done it before. It was fun, although they didn't like eating the eggs. They thought they would and ended up spitting them out in the sink. Lovely.

"Smile with your teeth showing," I said.

Waiting for the egg to turn dark "beeuu"

Parker dyed his fingers.

Our Weekend

This weekend, we split up a bit. Neal and Parker went on our Stake Father and Son's Campout. They had a lot of fun, you can see pictures on Parker's blog here. Audrey and I had some girl time. When we were little and my dad and brothers would go on the campout, my mom would take us girls to the Embassy Suites in Costa Mesa. We called it the pink hotel because it was pink! They had free popcorn and Shirley Temples from 5-6 every night and the next morning we would go to South Coast Plaza. Definite girl time, we loved every minute!

Audrey and I had a little more low-key, low-budg girl time. We had dinner with our girlfriends, painted our toenails, played Barbies and took a bubble bath. Audrey and her 15 guys kept me company in my bed all night and I think she loved every minute, too.

Oh my . . .

Today Parker and I accompanied Audrey's class on a field trip to the Bayou Wildlife Center. It was quite a fun day, filled with pony rides, emus, ostriches, longhorn cattle, and the occasional alligator. The most memorable part of the day occurred just after we boarded a little tram that would take us through the park. Some children were given small buckets of food to throw or hold out to the animals. Parker was on my lap and Audrey was sitting across from us holding one of these buckets. After a minute or so, Audrey said, "Mommy, is that people food?" I said, "No, it's for the animals." Then Audrey said, "Then why did Parker just eat some?"

Yes, Parker was somehow tempted by the little pellets, perhaps thinking they were like popcorn you get at the movies, and to my shock, had eaten one. I had to sweep it all out of his mouth with my finger, then we were graciously offered wipes, paper towels, a bottle of water, and chewing gum, to get that yucky taste out. I asked the attendant if the food was safe and she assured me it was just wheat, oats and protein. Yummy. At least it was harmless, and Parker had skipped his Spiderman vitamin this morning with breakfast.

On the drive home, Audrey asked Parker, "Why did you eat that animal food?" "I thought it was for people," Parker answered. "It was yucky, but I can't taste it anymore." I just smiled and giggled a little. These sillies. Check out Audrey and Parker's blogs for more pictures.

One of the alligators. It was very, very big.

Speaking of big, this guy had some major horns going on. Ick. He was a little too close.

ME

Thanks to Rachel and Steph, here is a little bit of useless information about me. I think you all (except Pa and Bramma) might be getting a little bored of pics of my kiddos. Um, Steph, we are very similar. I wonder why. Do you think it's because we shared a room our whole lives? I had to make up answers that were different from yours because I could have left many of them the same. I didn't want to copy you.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. waitress at a little place (below) in Springville, Utah
2. student editor for professors' manuscripts at the BYU
3. Publications Assistant for the LDS Church
4. piano teacher

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. The Age of Innocence
2. Roman Holiday
3. the new Pride and Prejudice
4. Pirates of the Carribbean

Four places I have lived:
1. The OC
2. Utah
3. London (more like stayed, wouldn't say lived, since it was only for 2.5 months)
4. The Lone Star State

Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Lost
2. Project Runway
3. The Amazing Race
4. Everyday Italian

Four favorite places I have been on vacation:
1. Hawaii
2. Sweden
3. New Zealand
4. Paris

Four websites I visit daily:
1. my email inbox
2. blogs
3. my other email inbox
4. some more blogs, aren't they fun?

Four of my favorite foods:
1. See's chocolate, scotchmallows
2. warm homemade tortillas with some good salsa
3. crepes with lemon juice and sugar or strawberries and whipped cream, or anything else
4. pain au chocolat!

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Hawaii, on a beach
2. Bermuda, on a beach
3. anywhere in London
4. nowhere else but here: life is good

Rain Rain

It was very rainy last week and the kids decided to go out and live it up. They were in the backyard for about 45 minutes and when they were done, they were soaked to the bone. They had so much fun.

Just a little more proof that Parker is crazy . . .

Parker has invented a little something he calls a "water pud." If you ask him what it is he'll say, "it's a pud made out of water." What is a pud you may be asking? Audrey, who is good at Parker-translating says he means puddle, but pud is shorter. Parker stops the drain in the bathroom sink, fills it up about halfway with water, and splashes his hands around in it. Sometimes he may add soap bubbles, sometimes he may add a handful of dirt he has carried through the house. We never know, but if you drain the water pud, say, to wash your hands, he will quickly and quietly return to the bathroom, say calmly "who drained up my water pud?" and proceed to create a new one.

Where do these little people come from anyway?