Little surprises

Well I figured I would try this whole posting a little at once instead of having a mile long post. I will try to do my best. But this first part will be long, just because it's my only form of journal, so I have to write details that I know not everyone cares about. So sorry!

A couple of weekends ago, I surprised Chase with a little getaway to Portland. He usually does not have to many days off during the week, so when I knew he had most of a sat. off and then all day Sunday, I knew I needed to take advantage. I had to think of ways to get him to drive to Portland, which is not an easy task because it's 3 hrs away. So I decided to tell him that I was feeling rebellious and wanted to drive the Dee's hamburger for lunch. Now Dee's is a really old hamburger place that Chase grew up eating in Gresham and of coarse got me hooked on it. They have the best hamburgers ever! So Chase has said on many occasions that he just wants to drive to Dee's for lunch or dinner and then drive back. So I knew it would be a good excuse. I had already dropped Parker off at my parents and had put the suitcase in the trunk before he got home. When he got home from work I told him my plan. His first reaction was, "really?" Not an excited really but a really are you crazy? Then he said, "that would make it like a 60 dollar hamburger, it's kind of a wasted trip if we don't do anything else." So, trying to play it cool, I told him I would leave it up to him. I also told him we could always stop by the mall if that would make the trip more worth it. "Well....what about Parker? Your parents don't want to keep him that long. " So I called my Mom up and asked her if she would keep Parker for the day, and that we probably would not get home until late. Of coarse she already knew, so there was laughter on the side of the phone. So finally he agreed and we were off to eat our 60 dollar hamburger. After Dee's I told him that I wanted to head somewhere else, but I would not tell him where. I told him to wait in the Dee's so I could call my sister and get directions to where I wanted to go. I really just needed an excuse to punch in the address to the navigation so he wouldn't know I had already planned on going somewhere. So we got in the car and started to drive. As we got to the exit, it said Washington Square Mall. Chase just looked at me and started to laugh. "We are going to the mall? I already knew that!" So I said "SURPRISE!, now wasn't that fun, you thought I had somewhere fun to go." Now Chase was supposed to be following the navigation, but instead drove to the mall. So I had to tell him to turn around. He of coarse asked why? I told him he didn't follow the navigation. So he said, "Embassy Suites?" Then I said surprise again. This time his reaction was, "your just joking." I said no. "But we don't have any of our stuff!" So I told him it was in the trunk. He was quite surprised so that was fun. We ate at Claim Jumpers, which was sooooooo good, shopped, and just relaxed. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching Parker!

Parker is still changing everyday. He is starting to get more and more freckles which is so cute. This is the best picture I have to show his freckles. You have to click on it to really see them.

He has really learned to test my patience, which I always thought I had a lot of. His latest phase is throwing his food on the floor. The other day I turned my back for one second and he threw his spaghetti on the floor and broke the plate. I am never quite sure how to react and I obviously don't react how I should cause he just laughs at me. Chase is better at getting angry then I am. Another day I gave him some popcorn and ran upstairs for a minute and then when I came down it was spread out all over the living room floor. But I guess I asked for that one. Never give an almost two year old a bag of popcorn and expect him to keep it in the bag. There has only been one time that I have actually laughed about the mess he has made. The other night he asked for a banana. So I gave him a little bit of one. He ate it just fine and asked for more. So I gave him some more. I was finishing making some cookies, so I was not watching him to carefully. Well he had squished the banana on the kitchen floor with his shoes and was sitting by it. When he tried to stand up, he just fell right back down. He continued to do this a few times until he got really frustrated. It was pretty funny. I think he got what he deserved. I know, mean mamma!

When there are moments I just want to quit, and think to myself I am not cut our to be a mom, Parker will make me laugh, or give me a big kiss and everything is suddenly okay. He is such a joy in our lives and I can't believe he will be two in less then a month. I never thought I could have so much love for someone. In those times of stress and frustration, I have to remind myself of what a good kid he can be, and think of what life would be without him. And quite honestly I wouldn't have our lives be any other way. We are blessed to be parents, and blessed to have Parker in our family.

Parker and dad eating otter pops!

Baking cookies with Mom!

He loves giving kisses!

Some old some new

Some of this post is going to be a little delayed so sorry for the old new. First piece of old news, Chase and I celebrated our 4th anniversary in March. I had planned a weekend in Portland but had to cancel that when I found out Chase had to work. So then we delayed it a little more and I had planned on spending a weekend at the Inn of the Seventh Mountain resort in Bend. Well I ended up cancelling that as well because of illnesses in the family. So we then decided to just make a day trip to Portland. We went to the Temple to do a session, shopped and went to a Blazer game. Unfortunately we did not document the trip very well. The only picture is one that Chase took at the Blazer game.....

yup that's right, the Portland cheerleaders. Go Blazers!!

The second piece of old news is from Easter. This year we spent Easter at my parents house. They were out of town for an early anniversary trip, so I again was put in charge of Tyler. I figured since our house is a lot smaller, it would be more exciting to do our Easter traditions in a bigger house. I woke up earlier than the rest of the family and spread all the candy around the house as well as hid the Easter baskets. Tyler has been finding his Easter basket for years now, and I really wanted to find a hiding place where he would not find it right off the bat. And I must say I was very successful with both his and Chases basket. Parker loved the candy all over the floor. His first reaction coming down the stairs was "wow"! He was not quite sure what to do at first, but soon learned to put the candy in the bag.

After about 20 min Chase and Tyler both found their baskets,.

I procrastinated and didn't go to the store for Easter stuff until Sat. night, so to my surprise there was nothing for me to buy. So it was a good thing my mom bought Parker a very cute outfit, a book, and a hopping, singing, Easter bunny. Parker was a little scared of it at first, but it didn't last long and we were blessed with listening to this bunny over and over again.

This is the outfit Mom got for Parker.

We tried getting some family pictures before church, but Parker did not want to cooperate, so the only good shot I have is of him.

Parker continues to grow and learn new things every day. It's been fun watching the new things that he picks up on. His newest saying is, "I don't want it." He says it to everything, whether he really does want something or not. So although his speaking capacity is growing, I can't say the same for his skinny body. It is always a miracle when we can get him to eat 3 meals a day. It's hard finding things he likes to eat, but then when we do, he will eat it for 3 or 4 days and then be sick of it. He usually loves anything with noodles.

But he will always eat a cookie (oreo), or a good bowl of ice cream.

Parker still loves putting my shoes on. He kind of reminds me of the cat or mouse, I can't remember which, from shrek with the tall boots.

Parker is such a joy to be around, and although he is hitting the terrible 2 stage a little early, we still laugh uncontrollably at his corkiness and the silly things that he does or says.

These past couple of month we have been able to see some of our family who lives in Utah. Taylor came for a short visit to say by before he left to go serve our country. We are proud of him and his decision he made to this. He will be in our thoughts and prayers as he starts the next stage in his life.

Darcee also came for a week to visit and it was fun to see her. We had a girls night with mom and went shopping and had a yummy dinner at Johnny Carino's. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard. Darcee bought Parker a cute outfit from the Children's Place and he has already gotten to wear it.

Chases Mom and Dad were also able to come visit for a couple of days. My parents left for Darcee's graduation so we needed a sitter for Parker. Chase's Mom was so gracious to come and watch Parker for two days. Dane had to work, so he ended up flying here on Friday afternoon and then flew back home early Saturday morning. Parker loved playing with Grandma and Grandpa Caldwell. He was all giggles and loved showing off for them. We didn't take any pictures, but are soooooo glad they could come for a little visit!

Off to Prom they go!

With my parents gone in Utah for Darcee's graduation, I was given the responsibility to send Tyler off to prom and do the whole mom thing. I am sure my mom would have done much better at capturing the moment, but I tried the best I could to do justice. Tyler looked so handsome and grown up. And of course his date/girlfriend Hailey, looked Beautiful.

Here are the before pictures.

The during pictures, and notice how he doesn't even need a mirror to get ready. Boys are so different from girls. He didn't even check himself out in the mirror before he went to get Hailey. He is a confident boy as you can tell from his muscle pictures. Haha.

And of the after pictures. Parker loves Hailey and wanted a picture with her. I wish he would always be the happy in pictures for me. But I guess that's what happens when you are young and pretty :)

Tyler is really really excited to go to prom if you can't tell by his face!

Here are Tyler's Best friends, Jake, Cole, and Cody. It was nice to see them all so handsome and dressed up nice.

And yes, they are flashing a gang sign. It's the Mormon Mafia.

So that is all the details I know, so if you want to know anything about dinner and the dance, then you will have to go straight to the source.