A magical place

Chase and I just got back from a very long much needed vacation. We decided to use our tax return to go on a vacation before we would never get the chance to go alone again. So we contemplated the many places we could go. Hawaii, Las Vegas, another cruise or Florida. So we picked Florida. We figured there was a lot to do there and I had never been to Disney World, so why not? So we celebrated Parkers birthday on Saturday and on Sunday we were off to the races. Now none of this would have been possible without my mom and dads willingness to take Parker for 10 days. Yes I said it 10 days!!! Thanks Mom and Dad for watching him, I always know he is in good hands with you. Our first full day there we hit up Wet n' Wild. It's a huge water park and unfortunatly I did not capture the park as well as I should. We spent most of the day here and then went back 3 more times.

That night we went downtown disney to check out all the shops and things down there. It was pretty cool, and we ate and amazing dinner at the rainforest cafe. After dinner we just walked around and killed some time. It was fun to just people watch, because people from all over the world come to this so called magical place. It was kind of nice being out at 11:00 at night and still having the weather be really nice.

These last pictures are from lego land. It was pretty amazing what they could build out of legos.

The next day we were off to see 2 parks of Disney world. The first one we attempted was animal kingdom. I am not going to lie, I was not to impressed. Partly was because of the lines, and it was to stinkin hot to wait out in the sun. So the only so called ride we went on was the African Safari. We waited in line for 70 minutes, which was crazy. But we finally made it to the front and we were off. Unfortunatly I do not think it was worth waiting that long, but it is all part of the experience.

After the Safari we walked around a little bit more and saw that everything had a long wait so we said forget it. We could have opted for the fast passes but you can only do one at a time and we really did not want to wait around any longer. So we went back to our condo, ate lunch and took a nap. I know we are real adventurest. So that evening we went to hollywood studios which was the old MGM. It's the same place just a new name. We happened to strike out at this one as well. We saw the little mermaid and went on the backstage tour and that was it. When we were at our condo there was a lightning storm, so a lot of the rides were down because of electrical issues. We really wanted to do the rock'n rollercoaster but that was not going to happen. So two parks down and two to go. We were not all to excited to see what the next ones had in store for us. So we took a couple of days off from disney world and did other things. One of the nights we went to a baseball game. Tampa Bay Rays agains Chicago Cubs. It was pretty fun. I was really excited to eat baseball food until I saw the prices. It was worse the Disney World food and Airport food. I got a pretzel for 6.00. That's not even with the cheese. Ridiculous. But we had a great time at the game, and what made it even better was that the devil rays won!!!

Like I said we took a couple of days off from Disney World and decided to head back there on Sunday (I know we are bad), but I now know why they call it the magic kingdom. It was quite magical that we got to ride all of the rides, and a couple of them twice. The longest we waited was probably 20 minutes. But we got there right when it opened and headed to the back of the park where splash mountain was and another roller coaster. We got right on, and were pretty hyped about that. Because we rode splash mountain first, we were soaked for a while. But it was well worth it.

Parkers 1st birthday

Last Saturday our little Parker turned 1 year old!!! It is crazy how the time flys. We were so busy getting ready for Florida that we did not have a huge bash for him. His birthday was on Wednesday but we waited to celebrate it so some of Chase's family could be here for it. So on his real birthday the only present he got was 4 shots and a prick in the heal. It was quite the rough afternoon for him. When we got home from the doctors he was walking on the driveway and face planted it. So you will see he pretty bruise in all his birthday pictures. Chases parents, Chelsea and Chan all were in town so it made it a even more special day for Parker. Thanks mom for letting us have his party at your house!! We were sure glad to have both sets of grandparents there. Parker loves his Grandparents and they sure do love him back!!

The afternoon was filled with a yummy dinner, cake, and presents. I think Parker enjoyed all three of them.

Parker saw a plate of watermelon and grabbed it all on his own. He stuffed the whole piece in his mouth and attempted to eat it. It was pretty funny and not to mention messy. As far as the cake went...he was not to keen on the lighted candel. He has some kind of fear of flashing lights and fire. Looks like he developed that from his aunt Shayla and Darcee.

So daddy had to help him out. He also did not get really messy with the cake like we hoped. It always makes for a good picture. He just stayed on the safe side and played with it a little.

After we ate cake, we gathered to the living room to watch Parker open his very first presents. He did a pretty good job with the first one, and then he just wanted to play with the paper.

He had a fun time playing with his new toys. He got great gifts from everyone. Thanks for everything!!!

We have enjoyed this past year with Parker. We have had many poopy diapers, wet beds, fevers, colds, sleepless nights, and laughs. We are so greatful for our little one in our lives. He has brought us much joy and is such a blessing to us. We look forward to watching him grow and learn.

I've been tagged

Sorry about the format it is not supposed to look like this. Four jobs I've had: 1) Waitress at the inn cafe out at Eagle Crest 2) Bike lady out at Eagle Crest 3) Sun Mountain Fun Center, YEAH!!! 4) Receptionist at SunWest Builders (miss you guys) Four movies I've watched more than once: 1) Cinderella Story 2) The Wedding Planner 3) Pirates of the Carribean (only because of Chase) 4) National Treasure Four places I've lived: 1) Redmond 2) Rexburg 3) Bend 4) Redmond Four TV shows I watch: 1) So you think you can dance (my fav) 2) American Idol 3) Gilmore Girls 4) Oprah Four places I've been: 1) Mexico 2) Virginia 3) New Orleans 4) Washington DC Four people who email me regularly (doesn’t include blogging comments): 1) My sisters 2) My mom 3) My Dad 4) Swearingen Four of my favorite foods: 1) Chocolate covered strawberrys 2) Chicken 3) A good salad 4) Can't think of anymore, I am pretty picky Four places I would like to visit: 1) Paris 2) Fiji 3) Hawaii 4) New York Four things I'm looking forward to in the coming year: 1) Florida (Disney world and all the works, 5 days!) 2) Chase to be done with school 3) Summer 4) Parker to be 1 Four friends I'm tagging: 1)Megan 2)Darcee 3) Jessica 4) Resa

Keeping it quick

I just wanted to add a couple of pictures on here that I thought were so cute of Parker. To start we have detected a lazy eye in our little one. If you click on the picture you will be able to tell. It is inherited through the wonderful Perdue side. Megan has one and sometimes I do too. Next thing we have come to realize is Parker makes a big mess when he eats. Ever since he has been able to feed himself, I never hesitate to let him do it. But I have learned that somethings I probably should help him with. For instance spaghettio's. He had a nice long bath after this dinner! Parker also loves being outside and he wants to do anything that dad is doing. Chase was washing the car so Parker was trying to help. And then after a long day of work, he sometimes just crashes on the floor. Those are my favorite times. But.... It doesn't last long and he is up and ready for more!

It's been awhile

Nothing to exciting has been happening in our lives. We just got back from Darcee's wedding, which was in Utah. Chase and I had the pleasure of a long car ride there and back. On the way there we drove through the night, (which I was not to thrilled about) but we made it in one piece. And the nice thing about that was, Parker slept pretty much the whole ten hours. I was dreading the car ride home, thinking we would have to stop a few times to get Parker out of the car, but he did a great job. We stopped once for dinner and that was it. But we had a great time in Utah being with both of our families. Since Chases parents moved there we do not get to see them very often, so it was nice to say with them for the week.

Chase took Parker to go visit Grandpa at work.

Chels looking so excited to be stuck with Parker :)

Grandpa and Parker playing.

Here is a video of Chelsea, that Chase happened to capture on camera. Thanks for being a good aunt Chels, and fetching Parkers binky.

We also had the opportunity to watch Shane and Darcee be sealed in the Temple. It was such a great experience. When Megan got married I could not go into the temple, so it was nice to be able to see one of my sisters. Darcee looked beautiful, and we lucked out with no rain. Our whole family except for Brady was there. But Brady we did not forget about you!!!

Brady we miss you!!!

Here are some other pictures we took.

The Bridemaids

Me and Alicia

Uncle Tyler playing with Parker. I think Parker spit in his hair :)

The beautiful couple

The Bride at her best moment

Parker being a little monkey

Parker not wanting to take a picture with mommy! He has become quite the daddy's boy. :(

Besides the wedding, life has pretty much been the same here. Chase is super busy with everything he tries to fit into his life. He is taking 21 credits, putting in time at the fire station, and still trying to put in some time working construction. He also got excepted into the paramedic program next year, and that will be full time. So we are going to finally live the life as poor college students, living off of student loans and love. One more year though and he should be done. YEAH!!!

However, through all the craziness in his life he always makes time for us. Parker is always so excited to see him when he gets home. If I am holding him, and Chase walks in, Parker will start whinning and walk right over to Chase. He has become quite the daddy's boy. I know a lot of mothers would love the break, and yes I sometimes do, but it is sad when all he wants is daddy. I guess it is just another one of his stages. Oh...I guess since I last wrote, Parker has started walking. He quite the cruiser. He has attempted a few times to run, but he usually just ends up face planting it. But it is fun watching him grow and learn new things. It is so crazy to me that he is almost 1!! Time sure does fly. We are hoping by the time he turns one he will have some teeth. We think some are coming in, so hopefully.

As for me, I am just counting down the days for school to be over. I love love love my job, but I am ready for a break. Chase and I are going to take a little vacation by ourselves and leave Parker for the first time. We are going to Orlando for a week. I have never been to Florida so I am so excited. And I will not lie, I am pretty excited to sleep as well. Thanks Mom and Dad for agreeing to watch him. My only hope is he does not keep them up to much. He does pretty good here sleeping in his crib, but my mom is having a hard time getting him to take naps in the portable crib.

So that is it for the Caldwell Clan.

Parkers Room!

I know a couple of my friends have been asking for me to post some pictures of Parkers room, so I am finally going to do it. And it has been one week since Parker has been sleeping through the night!!! What a miracle. And not to mention in his own crib. Chase was at the fire station last Monday so I decided to buck up and stick Parker in the crib. Usually he just comes into bed with me because I don't like to be alone. But I knew I had to break his terrible habit. So I read him a bed time story kissed him goodnight and stuck him in his crib. And then I waited and expected the worst. Of coarse my poor baby cried and it took all my strength not to run in and love him. So I went downstairs and called my sister to keep me occupied. Parker cried for about 15 minutes and then it was silence. So I went to bed, and not being able to sleep, snuck into his room and slept on the little bed in there. He woke up once, but I just gave him his bottle and he was asleep for the rest of the night. So tues. night comes around and I did the same thing. Read him a story, kissed him goodnight and laid him down. He cried for about 5 minutes this time. The rest of the week, there was no crying. It was FABULOUS. So not that I have written this I hope I do not jinx it. So here are some pics.

This is Parker bathroom!

This is where we keep his books and blankets

The sign says I am a child of God.

The extra bed, and the picture with the fire truck is Chase when he was little.

The door, and another picture of Chase when he was little.

And last but not least the crib. And the sign above it is homemade from chase and myself. It is kind of hard to read but at the top of the sign it says, EST. June 11, 2007 and then on the bottom it says Fire Co.

So that is Parkers room. FIRE FIRE FIRE. So when we have a girl, I am going to make it so frilly and cute Chase is gonna hate it. Not that I hate this room. I had a fun time decorating it and making it our own.