Patriotism

Mommy found a great deal on some baseball tickets and so we all headed out to the ballgame one Friday night. Parker had a great time watching the game, eating game food, and exploring the ballpark, but Mommy's favorite part of the night was the National Anthem, when Parker stood quietly with his hand over his heart listening to the song. Perfect moment!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

4th of July Visitors

Parker was really excited when Ma Pat, Pa Lar, and Uncle Jim came to visit around the 4th of July. Ma Pat has a lot more photos I will add of the trip later, but here are some random ones from Mommy's camera...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

He excitedly watched all the planes come in to their gates and wondered which one was Ma Pat, Pa Lar, and Uncle Jim's.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

As soon as we got settled back at the house he wanted to make sure Pa Lar had a lot of help unwrapping his Father's Day present.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

We went to Daddy's favorite DC museum - The American History Museum. The transportation wing is great and has a lot of ships, trains, and cars. And apparently a girlfriend for Parker! He walked right up to this little girl and started holding her hand and looking at the station wagon with her - really didn't seem to mind she was a statue!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Chance was more than happy to have visitors. Especially when he found the big blow up mattress that Uncle Jim was using unoccupied one evening...That sure is a nice big dog bed!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Ma Pat found Parker a Pilot's hat from the National Air and Space Museum and Pa Lar got some super cool sunglasses from the Washington Nationals baseball game. Parker sure is stylin'.

Bug Pops

When Cole came to visit this summer he brought Parker a great kit to make homemade popsicles. They end up shaped like bugs.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Getting our popsicles ready - Mommy had to look up popsicle recipes!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Helping Mommy make sure they all have enough popsicle mix!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

All filled up and ready to freeze! And they were yummy! We will have to remember this!

Oregon Trip Part 3 - Fish and Waterfalls

We wanted to spend a night up the Columbia river in Hood River to enjoy some more Oregon scenery. Grandma and Grandpa came part way with us to enjoy some crazy adventures.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

First stop - Multnomah Falls - there is nothing about this picture that doesn't make me smile!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Parker really loved the waterfall - this picture doesn't do it justice, it is huge.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

After lunch at the falls we headed up to the Bonneville Dam to watch the fish go through the fish ladder. They were huge!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Then we took a trip to the hatchery to feed the fish...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

They enjoyed Parker's attention...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Along the path Parker found a branch that he used to "tickle" the fish...where does the kid come up with this stuff?

From Photos of Parker Year 3

After parting with Grandma and Grandpa at the hatchery we headed up to Hood River. We had beautiful weather for visit - this is the view from the great room we had at the hotel. Parker got to spend some time swimming in the pool and then we went to one of Daddy's favorite childhood restaurants: Pietro's Pizza!

Oregon Trip Part 2 - The beach

Ben and I cannot resist a trip to the beach when we go to Oregon. I think we lived in Texas and Oklahoma long enough to truly appreciate a real beach. So, we took a day trip to Cannon Beach while we were in Oregon. Parker had an AMAZING time!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

When we first arrived Parker just wanted to sit and play with his bulldozer at the first patch of sand. We convinced him that the sand got a lot better (with less rocks and sticks) further down the beach.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Feet in the sand - feels funny!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Bury Parker time!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Testing out the water with Daddy...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Burying the bulldozer...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Grandma tracked down a bucket from Mo's Restaurant (awesome clam chowder in case you were wondering) and Daddy showed Parker all about the art of sand castles...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

After lunch (did I mention Mo's? Parker took down quite a bit of clam chowder himself) Parker changed into his swimsuit and played in the water some more. He loved chasing waves with Daddy!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Family photo op...

Oregon Trip Part 1

We headed west for daddy's friend Chris's wedding. Parker was really excited to go on an airplane and see Grandma and Grandpa Culver.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Parker helped Grandpa to feed the squirrels...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

And he even met a squirrel friend on the front lawn.

From Photos of Parker Year 3

He checked out the Snoopy Ice Cream Truck while Mommy checked out the deals at Carter's!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Grandpa showed Parker all about tractor driving!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Grandma treated Parker to an ice cream cone after dinner on our last night...He tackled it like a champ!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

We even got a chance to head up to Vancouver to visit with Cole's Grandparents Bruce and Lani! Parker had SOOO much fun! Grandma Lani has a huge Thomas set and helped Parker set it all up to play! She even hooked him up with some great snacks after playtime. He had so much fun he didn't want to leave, and crashed out on the car ride home!

Wadehra Visit Part 2

I have finally managed to upload and organize the photos from my phone and computer, this is another selection from the great visit with Heather, Cole, and baby Eve...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

We all went on a trip to the zoo. It was a warm day, but Cole shared his BOB with Parker so the Mommy's only had to carry Baby Eve...Cole (like Parker) loved the elephants!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Photo break...

From Photos of Parker Year 3

We took a trip downtown to the National Aquarium. It was a smaller aquarium, but perfect for 2 year-olds!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

They even had some Nemo and Dory fish!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

After the aquarium we took a break for some lunch...and a cookie for good boys!

From Photos of Parker Year 3

Back at the house Baby Eve made sure the bouncy seat was in good working condition for Baby Girl Culver...

We had such a great visit with the Wadehra's and can't wait for them to come back!