Parker's Family Birthday Party

 My cute boys.  Parker wanted a blue and white panda cake for his birthday this year.  At least I've gotten good use out of my pan, since I keep making pandas out of it!

 Parker and Kenzie wasted no time getting out onto the lake once we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's.  It had been raining when we left our house, so I hadn't expected the afternoon to turn nice. 

 Cameron's ta-da pose as he gets ready to take the paddle boat out with Mom & Dad.  He was not deterred by the lack of a swimsuit or the cool water.  In fact, at one point he yelled, "Here you go, Mom!" and splashed me.  I frowned and said, "Thanks Cameron," to which he grinned and yelled, "Welcome!"

 Finally, when his teeth started chattering and his diaper had absorbed half the lake, Cameron waddled ashore and was willing to come inside and change his clothes.  I thought he was cute with his messy hair and crossed ankles, playing on my phone while he waited for dinner. 

 My big 7-year-old was excited to finally cut into his favorite fudge truffle cake.

Singing Happy Birthday.

Parker was spoiled again with more presents and some money.  He added up all his birthday money in his head, and when Daddy asked him what he would buy he exclaimed, "I don't even know!"  Ah, to be seven.  This ends the celebratory weekend for Parker!  Happy Birthday to our Parkee Bud!

Parker's Friend Birthday Party

 Parker has a very sweet Daddy.  Here he is helping a large, boisterous group of boys make paper airplanes.  I was so glad he took the day off and was around to help me - it was a busy party!

 I kept forgetting to take pictures, but here they were testing their accuracy trying to land their planes in the hula hoop. 

 Here they were down to the very end of "hot potato" (but with an airplane -- Parker planned all his games to have an airplane theme, which was cute).  Parker won, which worked out well.  The other kids even cheered, "The birthday boy won!" and Parker threw both arms in the air in a victory cheer. 

I loved this picture - all the boys trying to see what Parker's present was.  He made a haul, and has all sorts of neat toys to play with now.  I'm glad he had a fun time at his plane party, and has lots of little friends in the neighborhood to play with.

Parker is 7!

 Parker was so excited for his birthday today!  They sang to him at school, and he got a nifty birthday crown.  When he came home and saw his presents sitting out ready for him, he cheered!

 Mommy and Daddy got him a new scooter.  He had outgrown his other scooter, and had to hunch over to use it, so it was time for a big boy one!

 This was Parker's reaction as he opened every single present.  He was thrilled with everything!

Case in point: here is a video of his reaction to some neat cars that he can decorate himself.  He wanted to paint them right away.  We had to convince him to keep opening the rest of his presents!  (Also you can see Cameron busy playing with Parker's new toys.  He enjoyed Parker's birthday, too!)

 Last year Parker asked for balloons.  This year he didn't say anything, but since we happened to be near the party store this morning, we picked up a few to surprise him.  He carried them around like they were the neatest thing ever.  I love that he is easily pleased.

 Great-grandma Hubbard sent him $20!

 Little brother had to be right there with the presents, too.  He was very interested in all the new stuff!

After his birthday party with his friends, Parker declared we would eat at McDonald's.  He requested we not go, "through the driveway" (drive-thru) because he wanted to play at the play place this time.  (Cameron is climbing up the slide in the background).  Then they went home and watched a movie!  Parker said it was the best birthday ever, and we are glad he had a fun day.  Parker is a fun kid to have in our family.  

Happy Birthday, Parkee Bud!

4th Grade Utah Program

Today the 4th grade put on a program to show off what they learned about Utah history this year.  They sang some songs, and a few kids square danced.  Kenzie was to the side, and behind other kids, so it was hard to see her.  Cameron kept saying, "Didi where?" (He can say Kenzie, but usually still calls her Didi.)  Anyways, Kenzie is the little head in the back row, to the left of the boy in the blue sweatshirt.  When I could see her, I could tell she was really singing away.

Kenzie was one of the few kids to have a speaking part.  She didn't warn me ahead of time that she even had a part, so I was glad I happened to be trying to focus my camera when she suddenly headed up to the microphone!  She's a cute kid, and she has enjoyed 4th grade.  I can't believe it's already almost over!

Mother's Day

 My kids are very sweet.  Kenzie made me an "M" out of her lego bricks.  I took a picture so she could keep her bricks.

 Cameron and Kenzie posing in front of the breakfast sandwich maker they picked out for me.  Chris said he was out-voted by Kenzie & Parker at the store.  I do like an english muffin with egg and cheese!  They know me well.

Parker made me a cute note and a little door hanger that has a poem about leaving Mom alone when it's on the door.  (In case you're wondering, no, so far the door hanger doesn't work!)  It's still cute, though, since it was painted and decorated by my sweet first grader.  They are fun kids to be Mommy to!

Adam and Chelsea's Wedding

 Yesterday we were able to go to the Salt Lake Temple to see our nephew Adam's wedding.  We even spotted Elder Dallin H. Oaks in the sealing room next to the one we were in. 

 Thankfully there were lots of older cousins to keep an eye on our kiddos while we were inside - here Hayden was spinning Cameron around.  Cameron wound up so dizzy he sat down and frowned, and didn't want to spin anymore!

 The happy couple leaving the temple!

A family photo.  Cameron is all red in the face from running in circles!

 An impromptu ring-around-the-rosy while waiting for pictures.

 At about this point, we left to pick up some dinner before the reception!  Everyone was tired and needed a little break.

 Cameron was very pleased to get a whole plate of treats at the reception, and he and Uncle Torry counted the goodies together for awhile.

 This is the only other picture I took, of Adam and Chelsea's first dance.  About this point, Cameron sighed and stated, "I tired!" We headed home after the long, but special day.

Congrats to Adam and Chelsea!