And then all the noise! All the noise noise noise...:)

Quote straight from the Grinch & captures our Christmas am 'cuz Mrs Claus somewhat lost her mind for a moment on E-bay & thought ok to display drum set & "wild" (aka electric) guitar in addition to mic/piano (latter = mini so Luke could participate in newly formed Parker Bros group). The set Cole rec'd on his 2nd b-day has lasted pretty well, but they had outgrown mere maracas:). Seriously all of 'em are pretty musically inclined thanks to their dad! They can dance too:

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In the meantime, we quickly learned that the guitar in particular is quite loud, has no "off" switch & really doesn't allow for musician to adapt recorded & fairly obnoxious riffs (I think that's the correct term?! obviously surpasses my random mos. attempting basic piano & royally screwing up my only recital). This is the sight that greeted them after visions of sugar plums danced in their heads--Went straight to the instruments & tried 'em out...Who needs Rock Band? But prob where they got half their moves:)
Actually music-making began on Christmas Eve with traditional chimes...Grandpa Gar is very patient with beginners! Also captured Luke's moment when he slipped away from fam to tickle the ivories prior to gift exch.



















Felt more harmonious to have all Shaw girls home for first time in a few years-thanks for sharing Uffens/Bergesons!! For me, not same holidays without whole fam together despite changing dynamics-- "Christmas doesn't come from a store...Maybe Christmas this year means a little bit more!!"
Even if it meant Luke had to share BaPa with his cousin Paige, who is 3 wks younger:) They are very fond of MahMa too (unsure re: proper phonetic spelling, but rest assured diff emph than regular requests for Momma:) per Luke @ least-By the looks on their faces, either presents are serious business when you're 1 y.o. or very likely past their bedtimes:)Once back to our humble abode overnight, I followed the boys' lead this year & let 'em stop to unload their stockings as they came down the stairs vs saving 'em for afterward. Luke knew right what to do with candy, but thought unwrapping was highly overrated-nothing wrong with a litle foil in your chocolate:)














While Luke not pictured with his stash, I promise that he rec'd more than his one token gift last year. For all of 'em, it's obvious that Santa never disappoints thanks to a lot of generous elves in '09!!


















Perhaps you don't care, but to be thorough photo journalist...other fav gifts for Parker boys incl 7-in-1 Bakugans (found @ great price & exclusively on E-bay, respectively) as well as preview to Disneyland trip in Feb with Shaw side!! Much easier to see Brooke and Uffens fly away when we know in 6 short wks we will be bonding again @ Magical Kingdom that Walt built!! I think I'm more excited than the boys once they realized magnitude 'cuz it's been 10 yrs since I was there & can't wait to experience through their eyes for the first time:) Fwiw, the reason Annie is holding that Elmo phone was 'cuz Grandpa announced the surprise on its record feature; however, since then you'd be surprised how much use that toy has gotten on its own @ our house...Don't know about your kids over vaca, but mine went from easily amused to terribly bored in seconds-ugh!














Last but not least to test your memory from previous post, older boys were very patient to save grand opening of Devastator until they were bonding up no. with their Dad rest o' Christmas Day!!

I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In BEFORE Christmas Day

My dad got bright idea last Sat am to go up to Lake WA & try out the Christmas Ship Festival instead of Snowball Express (too dark too fast & earlier times sold out apparently for latter). So even though we should've built an ark en route we literally cruised up there in the rain that very Sat afternoon!Apparently it's been going on for 60 yrs, but first opportunity for us to taste delicious three-course dinner on board Royal Argosy Dinner Ship & watch 2 "performances"...guess you'd have to be there to appreciate the humor in that phrase, but we were a little apprehensive about what was expected of passengers or the ability of the boats themselves:) Little did we know, we would have splendid vocals provided & a little band for the whole night in the dining room whether we liked it or not-ugh! Added our own dance party toward end since we were seated front & center...
Paige quickly caught on that all activities have tendency to become wrestling matches if not careful even in public!
Certainly didn't let the weather dampen our spirits nor the Santa imposter, I mean, happy helper (no offense to red-headed friends, but c'mon! his youth & coloring didn't really go with the image except I guess, emph on red cheeks?! Luke & Paige fully agreed with every fiber of their one-year-old beings:) Notice luxury of being on opposite end of the table from 2 of my 3 always well-mannered little boys:) We took advantage of one more photo op with this guy awaiting the later passengers 'cuz I thought he was a lil' more authentic:) In fact the boys have asked me several times in the car about their confusion re: so many running around & claiming to be Mr Claus?! So not really question of believing, but in whom & all the logistics?:) Ahh, to be 7 again! But I digress...
Anyway, good food & great company with Shaws, Bergesons & Uffens!! Enjoyed gawking @ Bill Gates' home amidst the downpour & festivities surrounding the lit boats encircling us.
I've always been a true Washington girl when it comes to cheesy seasonal songs, but THANKS Clark/Grandpa Gar as well as Grandma Neecy braving elements & footing bill so we could truly enjoy a fun night celebrating Christmas in the NoWest together!

Everybody's doin' it...but not as groovy as Parkers!

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Don't worry if boys & I stayed cozy during snowfall for about 2 hrs with these silly holiday greetings & other dance styles--Yep, I was even a sucker & paid for this one...might post some more to get my money's worth so thanks in advance for humoring me!?! T'is the season to be jolly & we were quite entertained:)

It's Beginning to Look @ Lot Like Christmas...

Decided to be resourceful this year & chop down the tree in our front yard for Christmas:) With a lot o' help from my dad & mom not to mention the boys' assistance, it was done in about a half hour! Dad showed up @ my door with Santa hat & Mele Kalikimaka t-shirt ready for action incl few different saws to complete the job! The ole' but not-so-trusty chainsaw was the main tool in action...
Cole's protective eyewear so he could be up close & personal:)Dane was all about the tools, but I had to keep reminding him they are NOT toys! Luke was content to be held @ a distance from work in progress! Thanks Aunts Boop & Cait for providing moral support while I turned into fam photog!TTTTTiiiiimmmmmmbbbbbeeeeerrrrr!Finished product actually came a couple days later for FHE; always been a past tradition to get it on Mon. night following Thanksgiving, but boys would have to wait forever to decorate after my lighting ordeal...T'was complicated this year by quite a bit pokier branches yet fuller overall & teething 1 y.o. who insisted I hold him entire night-ugh!
After we enjoyed scent of freshly cut pine in our living room, we decorated gingerbread houses with Dent girls (not to fear, still prior to kickoff of Apple Cup!:) Olivia contributed that fab gingerbread woman, but she pref watching & dancing to Frosty the Snowman alongside the design for rest o' time except she is busy @ work in the background of Dane's close-up:)














That was Dane's response to my request to "look like you're frosting the house"?!


















While Luke would've liked to sample our creations, I made sure he was napping during this experience!

Feasting with First Graders & What If...

...your mom started a temp job & hadn't made it to grocery store beforehand, so you were forced to go to Pizza Hut for FREE personal pan pizzas being a Mon. night! T'was a bit chaotic since we sat adjacent to soccer banquet-So it took forever for waitress to see us let alone replenish the salad bar albeit only paid portion of meal (whoppin' $2.09 for me & Luke plus another trip incl peaches/choc pudding for Cole & Dane:) I know I already mentioned during post re: summer freebies, but every time seems too good to be true:) Who cares if it takes a while for your order to be taken not to mention baked when then they run outta personal pan-sz...All murmuring & growling tummies for naught 'cuz you end up with 2 med-sz pizzas still complimentary-->leftovers on top o' deal!! in addition to leftover cake from coach of soccer team:) We shared with frazzled employees...Never mind that the older boys were more into Phineas & Ferb on overhead TV & wondered why muted-ugh! Tried to ignore fact that Luke had plenty of screams to go around-who needs a girl in this Parker family when he more than compensates despite newfound knowledge of signs for "Please" & "Thank You"?! And so what if Dane crawled under the table few too many times & insisted on using his quarter courtesy of Grandma on candy machine (heaven forbid we save any $ in this house?!) As we were waiting though & fwiw, point of this post is to capture boys' answers to handy menu designed to stimulate quality fam conversation perfect for FHE...Since I don't do a very good job keeping up with the sidebar of their funny quotes & like to read 'em on other blogs, you get to read my lame attempt @ capturing the moment:
?=What if you had a giraffe & wanted to put him in refrigerator?!
C=I would tell him that he was going to have to roll himself into ball 'cuz he was so tall & push him into it!
D=I would cut a hole in the top & very gently (with respective scooping motions) slide his neck out:)

?=What if you had a wild animal as a pet?! What would you choose & why?
C=I would pick an elephant 'cuz then it would clean up after me by picking up things with its trunk:)
D=I would pick a lion 'cuz they are scary & some boys who are mean to girls would stay away!

?=What if you had a million dollars (If I had a million dollars...thanks Bare Naked Ladies for the tune now in my head:), how would you spend it?
C=I would buy most gigantic pizza! (Can ya tell he was famished?? No worries if he had pizza for lunch too:)
D=I would buy a hundred and a million (currently his fav & freq used #:) Bakugans (also fav o' week).

?=What if you were President for a day?
C=I would throw away all the money (oh wait...hasn't that been done?:/ & say that everything was for free!
D= I would give a free toy to all the kids in the country! (Can ya tell he's countin' down 'til Christmas & mixing up Obama with Santa?! Hmmm...)

For further evidence that the Parker boys aren't starving, next day we visited Cole's school again to help with set-up for Annual Thanksgiving Feast. The kids are encouraged to buy hot lunch that day & then moms supplement with veggies, rolls & desserts!
Cole in line with the ladies first...notice he isn't the only toothless wonder in first grade:) So is adorable Liv!! Payton is a cutie too!Then he sat with male buddies of course (Matthew, William & Evan)! Luke was sequestered to the backpack so he wasn't crashing & burning all over the dining area. Dane felt pretty cool to be incl once again & even left with his own turkey hat:)

Also need to recog b-day girls in the fam, beloved sis (+in-law) & Aunts Britt & Staci (right on Thanksgiving this year)!!

Yakima is all about good friends, fruit & fun! The boys & I slipped away to the self-proclaimed "Palm Springs of WA":) (per billboard on way outta town) for Veterans' Day in hopes to help while my good friend Krista was on semi-bedrest but we ended up more on receiving end!! Enjoyed turkey dinner right after arrival on Tues night followed by cute movie Up! Re-Con, Miss Beth & Ty camped out in their parents' room so we could take over their beds; we were even greeted by these signs:)














Of course kids ignored fact that they could sleep in on day off o' school, but had a great time while moms tried to relax in the am-Luke kept busy by loading the dishwasher...
We all sweated a bit in the afternoon over 90 lbs. apples but don't be fooled:) A machine really did most of the work for our applesauce...Ended up leaving with more jars than I brought full of pears, peaches & jam too!Couldn't hit the road before a stop @ Miner's for tasty burgers & shakes. Luke dipped with best of 'em & who could blame him with their bbq ranch fry sauce?! All as good as I remembered:)

T'was short n' sweet visit but well worth it! Thanks Hills!

Little Boy(s) Blue & Christmas Preview

Random post, but I just love my lil' boys' coordination on Sun. in particular...even when they've outgrown their shirts! It's no secret that I've been rolling up their sleeves in button-up shirts for a while as they aren't long enough otherwise. Had to take a pic if it's the last time in this set-anyone know where I can find that classic pin-stripe for my oldest these days? I should've grabbed last one I saw @ consignment store but alas! I was too cheap & now can't find @ Old Navy etc?!
Prob shouldn't be posting this in Nov, but frankly could've in Aug. We (boys already discovered then so we couldn't blame on Santa:( thought Devastator (combo of 6 Transformers) would be hot commodity not unlike Tickle Me Elmo of yesteryear, so snagged what we thought was great deal a couple months ago. Then saw on sale for less this past week, so exchanged & used the difference for more early holiday shopping! Dane was my lil' elf on errands, so he got to see the purchase of his Leapster game on sale. I also picked up some costumes 75% off @ Wal-Mart. Will need to adapt Luke's size if intended for Halloween '10, but I'm afraid others will turn into dress-up. Not bad for $5 apiece, but prob too small by next year?! Guess that won't be end of world 'cuz they think they're coolest things ever now & have already changed their minds re: plan for coming costumes about 5x since Halloween:) I don't know where they got their tendency to plan ahead?!:) Anyway, their new coat & boots respectively were really more needs than wants (not joking about latter since part o' daily attire @ Parker house!!) & can't wait to be wrapped under tree...btw, Dane's expression is intentional 'cuz he was saying "Christmas Rocks!" as I took the pic but I didn't get his 2 thumbs-up in this shot & yes, Cole was hugging Devastator & studying the box long before the camera appeared on the scene! Don't worry if they have already made 2 wish lists from magazine clippings composed of a plethora of items that won't make it into their hot lil' hands no matter how good they've been this year...hate to tell 'em Santa is on a very limited budget his year 'cuz they're extreme believers in a omniproducing toy shop! You can bet I will be emph that t'is better to give than rec've starting tomorrow!!