We got invited to tromp along on the annual Hulbert creek walk this year. I think I may have had as much fun as Caden which is saying something. Their property is beautiful, the weather was perfect, and what mom doesn't love watching her little boy do what all boys should get to do...get dirty.Caden has turned into a major mommy & daddy's boy since our move. I'm sure our new friends wouldn't even believe me if I told them he used to actually interact with other kids. He was basically in this position the ENTIRE time. Super fun for me. They say I'll miss it when he'd rather be with his friends so I'm embracing the constant embracing. Some days more than others.When I walked out the door Bryan made some snide comment about me being hot. Deal with it honey. You brought me to the country, you gave me two male children, and you even bought me the muck boots for Christmas. The pink hoodie is about as hot as it gets.There were quite a few casualties along the hike. I'm the mean aunt that laughed and took pictures. Caden was extremely concerned for Evan, "Cousin your bum is muddy. Your bum is really, really muddy. It's yucky!"

Most of the gang except for Caden, who was of course clinging to my leg.

It doesn't get much prettier than this.

We have been taking on the dreaded potty training.
The first fews days were AW.FUL!
I'm talking he'd hold it for 6 hours with me putting him on the potty every 20 minutes and then hide under the table to let it all out awful.
Today he finally ran to the bathroom himself yelling, mommy I gotta pee!
I don't think I will be any prouder the day he graduates college.

Parky Turns One.

Our sweet Parker turned one on New Years Eve. We celebrated him with a color bash. Each person came in their assigned color. We had colored cupcakes, every color of crush soda, all the colors fruit provides, and all the colors that tortilla chips come in.
{I got made fun of for my lack of color; let's just say in all the madness of getting things cleaned and ready I forgot to wash my colored shirt.} I had to take Parker in to get some shots. When the nurse saw his birth date she said, that must have been the worst New Years celebration ever. I couldn't have felt differently. It was the most memorable, special New Years I will probably ever experience. At his party we did an exact count down to the moment Parker was born. As we counted down from ten I couldn't finish because I was so overwhelmed at the amount of joy this precious little boy has brought to our home. Truly, I am so blessed to be his mother. One of the games we played was Parker or Caden. I constantly {at least twice a week} get asked if they are twins. This baffles me since Parker is about 1/2 Caden's size and has zero hair but they do look alike. Here's a sample. :)

One.Two.Three.Four.Five.Bryan came up with the brilliant idea of getting a colorful parachute as one of the party games. Seriously, I felt like we were in pre-school again. It was fantastic! Seriously. :)Parker got to sit in the center and get paraded around. He looked like he felt pretty important.
We even got some sliding action going on.

The party turned out exactly as we'd hoped. Parker is one lucky boy to be surrounded by so much family love near and far. And we are one lucky family to have him.