We Love Our Dad(s):)

As promised, this tribute is long overdue but very necessary to commemorate Fathers' Day & the father of my children in particular...Christopher Scot Parker! Since I'm pregnant, I'll probably get all emotional as I type this post:) but t'is true that he is a fabulous father & has been for nearly 6 yrs. although he'll be the first to admit that he has had to grow into it, learns right along with 'em & is much more comfortable once the boys are about 2 yrs. old vs. baby-In his defense, he doesn't feel like there's much he can do for 'em @ that age but I know he'll try again with Thing #3! I'm so grateful for the long hours that he works to support us & reward their every wish! He's constantly bringing home surprises for his best buddies even if it's just an extra Happy Meal toy that he charmed outta the McDonalds drive-thru worker:) I worry sometimes about the precedents he sets especially with his generosity toward them, but then I see how much he loves his boys & would do anything for 'em! He wrestles with 'em, admires their creations & asks about their day, even calling to talk just to them & makes sure they're set for every sports season:) It's gotten to the point that Cole & Dane consider him an in-house expert on just about everything & will question me if I say or do anything that he doesn't validate:) "Is that right Dad?" He whips 'em into shape for Church as well as nightly family prayers, makes valiant efforts (however sporadic) to support organized FHE in addition to providing explanations for any principle or answers to their sincere questions! He is constantly boosting their confidence as well as noticing their talents & positive attributes; I appreciate his outlook toward them after I've had a long day:) He's great @ remembering to enjoy the moment & their capabilities not to mention respective age...I love him for being such a dedicated dad & above all, showing his love to them & for me through them! No matter what, my sons will never doubt that they have won first place in his mind & heart!!
While I'm @ it, I need to also thank my dad for all he is & does for our lil' family- Even though we don't get to see my father-in-law very often since he lives in UT, I'm also thankful that he has been an example to my husband and cares about his grandsons all the way up in WA-

On to Graduation Blue & White

I need to do a better job of recognizing others in my family on their special days...So I have to give a shout-out to my youngest sister Brooke since she is now a mighty CHS alumnus! She is adored by her nephews & will be missed-They wanted to get her this graduation Barbie:) As you can see, she looks just like her! After we made sure to capture the moment in a picture with her graduation gear (as Cole called it:), we left the boys with some friends & enjoyed commencement @ Tacoma Dome much more without them:)















My niece Anna was a good sport, thanks to the Diet Coke in her bottle-hey, I don't blame Rach=whatever works!:) I was reminded by a speaker there that Boop started kindergarten the same year I graduated from high school, so I felt old but proud to cheer on another Shaw girl who'd accomplished much as a Viking:) Now she's headed to BYU! In fact, she only has a week until she starts summer term-Glad Britt will be nearby & we will get to see her in July, August & October to make the transition easier:) Fun to be with all my sisters over the weekend & especially on Fathers' Day! We even made a quick trip down to the cabin & had farewell dinner @ Ram (on waterfront)Flashbacks o' Brooke's senior year-Can't believe my beautiful baby sister is almost 18?! Homecoming=Princess Brooke & her escort:)
Britt & I reliving our glory days:) OR making a fool outta ourselves-you decide! But we had fun in the process...








Cole & Dane with their favorite cheerleader aunt; we owe Dane's fascination with Iron Man theme song to Curtis Pep Band & he was found @ times throughout the year on the speaker wanting to have his own box on which to cheer:) Not quite where Chris envisioned his son during football games, but hey! Sure had fun watching Boop in action-





Last but not least, pre-prom with her date:)

A Very Merry Unbirthday

Cole looked forward to the last day o' preschool not 'cuz he was happy to be done for the summer (although that has its perks when the sun is actually out & we just wanna play vs. normal routine) but it allowed him & the other summer birthday kids to celebrate in advance:) He brought something nonedible last year (animal-shaped squirt guns), so this year he requested traditional cupcakes! His plan for weeks (like mother like son:)) was to have pink frosting with princess toppers for the girls & green frosting with TNMT toppers for the boys; however, the latter was not available & I got cheap @ the party store. We decided to save the cool ninja guys for his real b-day goodie bags (guess I gotta go online to find the TNMT stuff he still wants for Aug.) & stick to Kung-Fu Panda toppers for now. He'd just gone to see the movie the previous night with his dad & some friends so he could provide a review too:) I figured the girls wouldn't really care anyway as long as they could still enjoy the sweet treat?! Funfetti is for everybody even if my boys are now claiming to be "aklergic to girls":)

Can't believe my eldest son is headed to kindergarten in the fall?! Whoa! IF I can get myself up & moving in the morning, I'll still have a couple hours with just the baby (or my bed or to get ready for the day:)) 'cuz it'll be Dane's turn to have preschool & both will be gone on MWF starting in Sept!