4th of July

We had a WONDERFUL 4th of July weekend!!!
We got to escape the HEAT for a few days & enjoy the weekend @ my family's cabin.
Parker LOVED it. He has been DYING to play outside lately, but it is just TOO HOT. So he loved that he was free to go outside ALL DAY LONG!
Parker got to meet some new cousins...Matt on the left & Jake on the right.
He had so much fun with them!

Here we are @ the 4th of July Parade! Yes...those are Llamas. Gotta LOVE small towns!

Watching the parade...it was sprinkling a LITTLE...but not much...

...THEN...out of NOWHERE...starts POURING & HAILING on us! We had to all jump in the truck, because the hail was so big it was HURTING us! I felt bad for all the people in the parade...which QUICKLY ended!

This is looking out our window...there was a little running stream of water in between our tires on the side of the road within minutes!

We SOON realized...we weren't going ANYWHERE. We were STUCK!

After the hail stopped, a NICE man tried pulling us out with a rope...but the rope snapped in half...and we were still stuck...We EVENTUALLY found a way out & back to the Ranch we went!

When we woke up Friday, it was 86degrees...after the parade @ 1pm...we came back & it was 54degrees. It literally dropped more than 30 degrees in 1 hour! This is my sis-in-law Julie & her daughter Gemma & Me & Parker...sitting around the fire we built to stay warm.

Parker was LOVING the cool weather!!!

Grandma...making 4th of July cupcakes with the kiddos. Thanks JULIE for bringing them up for us!

Saturday we were off to the Williams DEER FARM!!! Ever since I was a little girl, we have gone to the Deer Farm by our cabin & it is always fun to watch the kids reactions to the animals.
We walked in the gate & I had poured deer food on Parker's stroller tray & they pretty much attacked him. Not a good start.

Julie, My mom & My sister Heidi...feeding the Deer:)

It didn't take Parker long to decide that he wanted to try. He would put the food right into the Deer's mouth!

Watch out Matt...that Camel is going to bite your ear!

My dad & nephew Tanner & my mom having lots of fun:)

Our little family @ the Deer Farm

Aren't they the CUTEST boys ever!?!

Looking through the gates @ the animals

These are my (2nd?) cousins Melinda & Scott & their CUTE boys, Matt & Jake. It was so fun to meet her kids & get to know them better over the weekend!

Parker was brave enough to let Matt put him down & he just walked around by the deer.

Quite a CUTIE!

"Mom...haven't you taken ENOUGH pictures of me?"

All the kiddos that were at the Ranch!

It was SUCH A GREAT WEEKEND! So RELAXING & COOL!!! Couldn't ask for MORE!
They did cancel their Fireworks because of Fire Danger...which I was a little sad about, but I got over it:)
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The ride home was...Miserable. Parker was NOT HAPPY. I thought he would sleep the whole way home, since he was SO TIRED, but I think he was OVERLY tired from his fun weekend & refused to sleep & wasn't happy the entire car ride!
We finally took a break @ Anthem Outlets & got dinner & they had a Splash Pad, so Parker was in HEAVEN...running around & playing:)

It was a much needed break from the car:)

And now we are home....back to the YUCKY heat, but we were glad to be able to get away for a few days & have a little vacation!!!
We had a WONDERFUL weekend!!!

Fresh & Easy

Matt & I are in LOVE...Matt noticed that there are never very many people in the store(one of the reasons I love it) & is getting a little worried they might go out of business. I decided if I blogged about it, then the 5 of you that read my blog can help me keep them in business!:)

I have to be honest...1st trip in Fresh & Easy=NOT HAPPY, NOT IMPRESSED

2nd...3rd...4th..5th...6th...7th...and so on=VERY HAPPY, IN LOVE

WHY??? I will tell you the top 10 reasons WHY I love it...

1.They have FAMILY parking spots. Thats right. Right up front, just like the handicapped parking spots...signs that say something like "Vehicles with Children" GENIUS. This is simply genius. And they are always open...just for me.

2.SHADE. This may not be true for YOUR Fresh & Easy, but the one around the corner from MY HOUSE has SHADE! NO grocery stores have shade, I'm not exaggerating. I honestly CAN'T go grocery shopping during the day in the summer months, because when I return to my car...Parker starts sweating before I get him strapped in, usually while he is crying from burning his arm on the carseat. But Fresh & Easy has TREES in their parking lot. What a novel idea!

3.Fruit....Meat...Bread...50% off select items! Now, you don't always know WHAT will be 50% off, but there will always be certain fruits, meats & breads for a great price. Usually it will be what is expiring soon, so I usually use it that night for dinner or within the next couple days. Last week I got a watermelon for 50% off & a loaf of bread for 50% off:)

4.Samples. Who can complain when you have something to snack on while you shop? They usually have samples to try & you won't find me complaining about this. Especially when last week they had cups of fresh fruit, cups of carrots & ranch & cups of YUMMY juice...ALL of which Parker LOVED and happily snacked on the entire time I shopped!

5.Coupons. You might be getting annoyed with those "$5 off when you spend $20" coupons that keep coming to your house in the mail. Not me. That is really a great deal. EVERY time I go in, I basically get 25% off my total. Which is REALLY a good deal, when they already have good prices. And they always give you more coupons for the next week when you check out.

6.Self Check-out. They only have self check-out & there is NEVER a line(probably not the greatest sign for their business-but I LOVE that the store is always empty) BUT I believe it is because they are so efficient. There is ALWAYS someone there ready to help you bag your groceries, BUT you don't have to make small talk with the cashier that wants to touch your baby.

7.It is so Close. This might also not be true for you. And honestly if it wasn't around the corner, I'm pretty sure I would have not gone in one to this day. But it is SO close, I've walked there on several occasions & with gas prices the way they are...its nice I have the option to walk if I want.

8.Price Comparisons. On several of their items, they will have a price comparison. Now they could be lying, but I choose to trust them & get really excited by their DEALS. Example...Green Beans $.44/can. Bashas $.88/can. Fry's $1.10/can. Get the idea. It is nice to see what they have on sale, compared to other stores.

9. Pre-washed fruits & vegetables. I'll be honest, I still suggest washing your fruits & veggies, because you just never know...but what a great idea that their company washes them before they package them up!

10. And last but not least...Matt's FAVORITE thing about Fresh & Easy...The Total Bill. I'll be honest, when I go to Fry's, Bashas, Safeway, Walmart...pretty much ANYWHERE...I can't remember the last time my bill was less than $100. There is just MORE stuff to buy. Fresh & Easy is SIMPLE. They don't have a lot of stuff. This could be a BAD thing(my 1st impression) but it actually is kind of nice for me. Besides, Parker gets VERY GRUMPY if I shop for too long & he hasn't ever been grumpy in a Fresh & Easy...because there is NO REASON to shop for too long in there...it is SMALL!
I just get what I NEED & I almost always come home with everything I need for $40...add in two- $5 off coupons...for a $30 grand total. This makes Matt VERY HAPPY.

It isn't great for everything! They don't have "unique" items. And I still plan to buy all my paper products from Costco or Walmart...but for the essential FOOD stuff..this is OUR STORE!!!

We are in love. TRY IT. Go in with an OPEN MIND. It is VERY SIMPLE. But you will find it has what you NEED...and even some extras like icecream & oreos, just in case you are having a craving. Their prices are low & with coupons, even better.

MANNERS?

Our little CHEESE BALL does NOT KNOW WHAT MANNERS ARE!!!

He has decided that he doesn't need the TRAY to his highchair anymore...he wants to sit right up to the table & hang out with mom & dad while we eat!

No problem...except his CUTE little feet ALWAYS seem to find their way ON TOP of the table!

Parker, just RELAXING...taking a drink:)

Yummy....I better LICK my PLATE CLEAN...this is SO GOOD!

I think we will steer clear of restaurants until he gets a bit older...

...and discovers what MANNERS are!!! :-)

I Scream...You Scream...We all Scream...

For Ice Cream!!!

OK...I KNOW I have posted about this before, but I'm hoping to REALLY PRESSURE some of you into coming THIS FRIDAY!!! Poor little Gavin is in the hospital this week with an infection & I wish I could do more to help. Since I can't do anything to help make him feel better, I decided I wanted to try EXTRA hard to make this FUNDRAISER on FRIDAY a SUCCESS!!! This is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to serve AND eat homeade icecream AND listen to great music AND get some GREAT buys during the silent auction!!! Check out my cousin Bethany's Blog for some of the Silent Auction items...there are some GREAT items & I'm really excited for this!!!

We are ONLY PRE-SELLING tickets, so ONCE AGAIN...if you don't have PLANS for THIS FRIDAY...JUNE 27th...7pm-9pm...email me at stacki11@yahoo.com to get your tickets today!!!

This fundraiser will be a LOT of fun & the WHOLE FAMILY is invited!!! All money will go directly to my cousin, to help with the medical costs that are accumulating, as her CUTEST SON is on a waiting list for a new liver. There will be HOMEADE...that's right...HOMEADE icecream in all different kinds of flavors, a silent auction & musical entertainment by JOEY ARROYO and his band! It will be so much fun!!! Everyone that comes will be entered into a raffle for a fun prize! Feel free to spread the word to your friends & family as well...but hurry...it is THIS FRIDAY!!!

I hope to hear from you SOON!!!

Water Fun

We had a Water Party FHE with all our Cousins on Monday & Parker had SO MUCH FUN! They had a kiddie slide with a kiddie pool & he Loved it!

The BIG kids had a big blow up water slide & slip n' slide(behind Parker)

My cute niece Hallie & nephew Powell...such cute SMILES!

Parker showed off his muscles by hanging on the rim of the Basketball hoop!

Matt was playing Basketball most of the night(I know...very surprising) & Parker discovered this kiddie basketball hoop next to the Big One that daddy was playing on & shot the ball over & over & over...Matt was SO proud of his future basketball player!

Brian also left on his mission to Brazil yesterday!!! We went & said our Goodbyes Monday night. I know he will be a GREAT missionary!!!

Happy Father's Day!

"I'm so glad when daddy comes home, Glad as I can be;
Clap my hands and shout for joy, Then climb upon his knee,
Put my arms around his neck, Hug him tight like this,
Pat his cheeks, then give him what? A great big kiss."

This pretty much sums up Parker when Matt comes home from work. He loves his daddy so much & loves it when Matt gets down on the floor & plays with him! I love watching the excitement in his face, when he hears the keys rattling at the front door. He usually takes off RUNNING to find me, because he knows that daddy is going to "Get him!" When he sees him, he'll laugh because he is "safe" in mama's arms & then he will decide that it is worth Matt "tickling him/wrestling with him/etc" & he will run towards Matt & give him a big hug.

Matt is honestly the best dad in the world!!!

And a very Happy Father's Day to my OWN DAD! I know I've said it a million times, but I was honestly blessed with the most amazing dad. I'm pretty sure Matt gets sick of me saying, "You should be more like my dad" or "Why don't you do that like my dad" or "Ya know, if my dad were in this situation, he would..." But it is hard not to, when you honestly admire your dad in every way. Usually after I say something like, "My dad would react like this in this situation"...it usually follows with a justification of some sort from me like "I'm not trying to make you feel bad, it is just that my dad has always been my role model & is the perfect example of what you should or should not do..." Luckily Matt is a good sport about it, because he knows my dad well enough to know that he IS amazing & usually listens to me explain "how my dad would do it":)


I can't let Father's Day go by, without acknowledging my Father-in-law. Matt LOVES his dad. I always grew up thinking that I would like to move away for a few years when I first got married, then come back to raise the kids. When I married Matt, I knew we wouldn't be going anywhere. He LOVES his family & is extremely close with all of them. I love that about him. He talks to his dad more than anyone else in his family & I love that they can call each other up, even if it is just to chat. I REALLY admire their relationship & hope that Matt & Parker can have the same relationship. He is such a great example to us in all that we do & we love him so much!
Happy Father's Day to our WONDERFUL Dads!!! We love you!

16 Months

Matt informed me that it has been awhile since I did a post on Parker, so I decided I better get to it...

16 Months Old
Weight: 24lbs 3 oz-45%
Height: 32" -50%
Head: 19 1/4"-90%

Ok...so our little CUTIE is still kinda on the short/small side with a big head, but the doctor did say that he was leveling off in head size & still growing in height/weight. We LOVE his big head anyways:) Just makes for a LOT of bumps & bruises, since it throws him off balance:)

He did great @ his Doctor's Appt this week...we had to go in and get shots that I guess he was supposed to get at 15 months. I had no idea about this check-up until we took him in for a sore throat a couple weeks ago & they informed us that he should have gotten shots/check-up at 15 months. Oh well...only a month late.

Parker is SUCH A FUN KID! He is always on the go & quite mischevious!! He gets into EVERYTHING & is pretty spoiled. He better enjoy it while he is the only child:) He is quite a smarty & seems to understand most things that I say(except "NO"...of course). I can ask him to bring me his shoes, or get me a diaper or get a yogurt out of the fridge,etc and he will do it. He still doesn't talk much, but says a few words here & there and ALWAYS gets his point across as to what he wants. He is pretty good at sports already & Matt is quite a proud dad! He can use a bat to swing & hit a ball off a tee & he is pretty good at kicking a soccer ball while running(I need to post videos of these). He loves to throw EVERYTHING, but we are trying to narrow it down to just balls. He loves us to be down on the floor, playing with him. He loves to ride on our backs & his new found love is climbing up on things & JUMPING off...whether we are ready to catch him or not.

We have had some pretty fun play dates lately. I'm so grateful for such great friends! I wish I got pictures at the Movie Theatre today:) Mandy & I tried taking our kids to see "Surfs Up" & well...I learned that Parker isn't quite old enough to sit & enjoy a movie & Mandy's 3 kids all wanted her attention at the same time...so we might stick to hanging out at the house, before I try a another movie for awhile. It did give us something to do though & it was a GREAT deal(Summer Movie Program)!

Here is Parker coloring with Ella & Charlie...2 of his favorite friends!

Should I be worried that Parker LOVES to hang my earrings off his ears...he thinks it is so funny:)

He LOVES to play the Wii with daddy. It is pretty funny to watch him imitate Matt---my favorite is the sounds that Parker makes while he "plays"...he gets pretty into it!

THANKS for all the CONGRATS on our exciting news! To answer all your questions, I am feeling GREAT! Thank goodness...I feel really lucky to not have gotten sick with Parker or this one! I am 14 weeks along & I am due December 13th...so I'm going to have to be READY for Christmas early this year! When we asked Parker if he wanted to be a Big Brother, he said, "No...no...no...no..nooooo" HOPEFULLY he didn't quite understand what we asked & will be THRILLED when the baby comes(wishful thinking...I know)

***Somebody(Shanell) teach me how to ROTATE my pictures on my Mac...without saving them to iPhoto. Why can't I rotate them straight from my camera???

You asked for RANDOM...

Chaya tagged me to list 6 random facts about myself...
Here I go...

1. When I started college I wanted to be a sign language interpreter, then I changed my mind to become a Nurse, then I changed my mind to Elementary Education, then I changed my mind to Special Education...4 colleges later, I graduated in Business Management!! I know...RANDOM.

2. I ate chicken feet while living in China...it tasted like chewy skin on a bone...SICK. The fried ones are slightly better than the boiled ones. But what isn't better fried?

3. I asked Matt to a dance in high school & did NOT ENJOY myself. It was Senior Co-Ed & I guess he thought that I liked him, because I asked him...so he basically avoided me the whole date. He is LUCKY I forgave him for that:) I'd like to remind everyone that Matt asked ME on his 1st date a couple years before this & I didn't assume he liked me & I didn't avoid him the whole night--I had FUN on the date!

4. I didn't like "Red Sauce" growing up. No Spaghetti. No Pizza. Nothing with red sauce. Except Lasagna, it was my FAVORITE. That doesn't make sense?

5. My 1st kiss was when I was 13. I was babysitting a cute family that lived around the corner. The little boy(probably 7 or so?) told me he had a surprise for me & told me to close my eyes. I did as I was told & the next thing I knew, his lips were on mine! haha! Lets just say I kept my eyes OPEN when I babysat him from then on! Ok...that doesn't REALLY count as my 1st kiss:)

6. I fall asleep the SECOND I am horizontal. None of this tossing & turning/thinking/reading/etc before I can fall asleep. I am OUT the minute I lay down. I sleep flat on my back & never really move the entire night. I also have to have my left foot crossed over my right foot before I fall asleep. I know-Random.

I tag Heidi, Amy H & Catherine

Good News...

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

I Love To See The Temple...

These are some of the YOUNG WOMEN in our ward that went & did Baptisms this week. I just LOVE the feeling I get when I am inside the temple & it was such a wonderful opportunity for these girls!

We had to kill about an HOUR, while we waited for the BOYS to finish up, so we enjoyed walking through the "Reflections of Christ" Gallery & then we met up with the boys for pizza!

I LOVE these GIRLS!!!

Barefooted Goodness!

This is the SURPRISE Matt had for me when I got home!!!
What? You don't see anything different from before?
Well..I DO! And that is all that matters!

You see...our carpet was DISGUSTING!

Check out ALL those stains! Parker would spill & I would clean & Parker would spill & I would clean & Matt would spill & I would clean & I would spill & I would clean & on top of that...our carpet was EXTREMELY light, so EVERY STAIN would be VERY OBVIOUS!


Check out these RIPPLES in the carpet--that drove me absolutely CRAZY!

But look at our room now!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!
NEW CARPET...in a DARKER shade!!!

The difference is pretty obvious when you see them next to eachother!

I had to give a SHOUT OUT to my AMAZING HUSBAND! I know...I know...all of you are extremely jealous that he would think of surprising me with this while I was out of town! I am one lucky girl!!! I just LOVE walking barefoot around my house now & letting my toes squish into the carpet.
OH...in case you were wondering...
YES...Matt picked out the color himself. When I discovered this, I was EXTREMELY nervous. EXTREMELY.
I explained that CARPET IS A BIG THING & THAT MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE LET ME PICK IT OUT! What if I didn't like it??????
Well...there was NO NEED TO WORRY! I LOVE it so much & probably would have spent a month trying to make up my mind & would have ended up picking this color in the end!
I LOVE IT...LOVE IT...LOVE IT!!!

Thanks Babe!
Oh...and Thanks Government...for our Stimulus Check that financed this surprise:)

Youth Conference

I had to leave my BABY this weekend & despite my WORRIES & TEARS...I came back yesterday to a very ALIVE & HAPPY little boy! As part of my new calling I have in my ward, I was lucky enough to go to our ward's YOUTH CONFERENCE.
We left on Thursday & drove up to the Snowflake Temple & introduced our theme("A Hero Within") of the weekend & then on we went to our camp site. I was a bit concerned when we were driving in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE...but eventually we came upon a canyon, with a lake @ the bottom & it was a perfect place to camp. The couple that was in charge did SUCH A GREAT JOB & the weekend was wonderful! The youth had a good time & while there were a few mishaps along the way...we enjoyed ourselves & made it back alive...tired...but alive.

AND...my husband is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING & had a GREAT SURPRISE waiting for me when I got home! Stay tuned for details...

OH...AND...my mother-in-law found my camera in their couch! HOORAY!!!