Quest for Memorial Park/Burger in Seattle

Spent Memorial Day park-hopping in Seattle...Random but we didn't have specific time frame & whole day was fairly cheap considering just the cost o' lunch & gas for all we got to see! Started off @ Locks in Ballard where the boys enjoyed seeing water level rise & fall with boats, but not too many smolts to admire @ this time o' year. Both Chris & I were disappointed 'cuz we knew month o' spawning but just thought the concentration of small fry would be greater.














Guess we gotta go back in July or Aug when they return in force. If they had stuck around, they would've had quite a ride through these chutes!
We did observe some minnows swimming upstream:)














Next we wanted to try a famous burger place that was recently even published in magazine=RedMill. Too bad it is closed every Mon. regardless of holiday-ugh! Embarrassed to say how long we deliberated over where to go next?! Had our hearts set on gourmet hamburger by then, so bitter about settling for food elsewhere but concurred better to be back on water in sun and ended up here-Next time we might go for Scooter's or Burgermaster per popular opinion in the area...Let's just say they're known more for their ice cream cones & we were left wanting!
On to Carkeek Park 'cuz it had cool beach for boys to run around plus jam-packed playground/field. You would've thought it was a holiday with nice weather or something?! :) Don't worry if Dane heard "beach" & thought instantly we were back in HI-thus, his attire:
Cole found a friend: Luke was just happy to be carried by mom outside with his brothers to entertain him:Well, ya can't be nearby Aurora Bridge & not finally check out Fremont Troll?!Quick stop @ Gasworks just 'cuz we were closeby & I'd always admired from freeway. Would've been nice to see sunset, but boys had enough by then & wanted to be homeward bound-Have you ever seen a prettier city? Chris & I have vowed to never leave WA even though we've moved a whole half hour away from where we grew up:)

Happy Happy Birthday Jodi Dear! Need to just give a shout-out to my sister-in-law, who is also new Primary President, for being only birthday girl this month:) Photo credit goes to someone on her side o' fam 'cuz I cropped from her sis' blog!

Eat Drink & Be Merry!

Don't feel like we'd be true SoHill residents if we didn't post an ode to newest hot spot...So we outsmarted other Puyallupians by actually parking & walking up to order during first week of existence while others seriously waited for like 2 hours in line; however, we need to start Sonic Anonymous 'cuz we've since returned more times than we'd like to admit @ all hours:) for all types o' fun treats & drinks...I can proudly say I've tried all the limeades & am working my way through menu:) T'is is a dangerous new phenomenon with lots o' fun variety-the options are endless! Here's our first trip after t-ball/coach pitch & even made it for happy hour @ beg o' month-

Huey's Report Card

Thought I should provide update for youngest Parker boy!Biggest news for Luke is probably that he is on accelerated feeding plan! He went from sampling basic rice cereal last month to thinking he can eat whatever big people are having & whenever thanks to 2 teeth that erupted within past couple weeks...Pretty much if food is present, he assumes he is entitled to a taste or maybe ten! He's not above growling/shrieking to make sure you're aware of his appetite & he's earned himself the nickname Swiper for grabbing his own bites or making a mess if you aren't supplying fast enough to meet his demand! Better late than never, here's his first official taste with spoon followed by quick progression to real drinks & treats:














He can also sit up like big boy...Show his masculine sense of humor re: bodily functions...

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Succumb to namesake of which Chris feared...Become one with Lake Merwin...Only took a few mouthfuls of sand for him to learn that and driftwood are better left on the beach! Feel cool when he can bond with big brothers or if they give him attention. No one can make him laugh like Cole although Dane tries hard:) Oddly enough he looks the most like his eldest bro (or dad)-see for yourself:) When I'm feeling really ambitious I'll find baby pics of all 3 to comp, but best I could do for now (note Cole's pref Sun. attire while poor Huey is still stuck in his Church clothes):
Take advantage of playgrounds...



















Of course, he continues to cooperate with matching color scheme exhibited handsomely here on an orange Sun. afternoon... He has had to undergo sedation during nuclear medicine renal scan not to mention enduring 2 ultrasounds & a VCUG (don't ask me to remember/repeat what that acronym stands for, but ultimately analyzes kidney flow to bladder in hopes not reflux). Apparently those stuffed animals are donated to the hospital for children who have certain procedures:)


















All of these tests stem from obstruction they found during prenatal ultrasounds & hasn't resolved itself, so prob here to stay but doesn't seem aggravated by side effects. Just met with a specialist who reaffirmed that should have nothing to fear or be apprehensive about in future-perhaps high blood pressure but function seems normal?! I also won't try to spell the p-word that is on his reports thus far, but I'm not too worried @ this point & he doesn't look too nervous either:) He actually fell asleep 'cuz regular naptime before IV & gave me a thumbs-up sign when he came back to reality on his own right on time:)














Sorry again for those of you who were alarmed by mention on Chris' face book! As you can see, hasn't slowed him down too much...Waited long enough to post that I might as well add his recent crawling prowess!
People keep asking if it's sooner than our other boys, but can't recall-Guess real test will be how quickly he becomes a two-legged animal:) Can't imagine him actually walking @ 9 mos. like some lil guys I've heard about-whoa! Last but not least, he's grown into a pretty good little sleeper...for the record, I'm not nursing him:) His lashes are growing faster than rest of him & I'm pretty sure our youngest is actually a puppy but quickly changing into a lil' boy right before our eyes--we're loving all 18 lbs. of him even when mom gets to enjoy that much more 'cuz he's "advanced with emotional development" according to his pediatrician & experiencing separation anxiety a bit on the early side!?! Don't let him fool ya; easy to bond with the big personality that comes out of such a tiny guy! And here's to all the critics who doubt the amount of pics taken of third child:)

Kindergarten Circus

Believe it or not, we came home late Thurs. night from HI so we could be @ elementary school on Fri. am for Cole's Kindergarten Circus! We have attended the past 2 yrs. to watch neighbors & friends, so my boys have been counting down for their very own opportunity to star under the big top:) After much deliberation 'cuz he is my son & gentle encouragement from his teacher, Cole decided to be a seal with a couple buddies & a cute girl from other class-It was really quite cute to see the gym decorated with their artwork! Here they are waiting for parade part & also with whole group...













The strong man solo ended up going to Cole's buddy Caleb who is a lil' wrestler anyway, so natural but Cole's orig choice:) In the back row you can see our friend Olivia Dent as an elephant as well:) I also had to take a picture of Cole with our neighbor Matthew who's actually in the other class-He chose to be a clown 'cuz they get to dress up the asst. principal & even throw a pie in his face some years:)














The seal skilz included turning on their stools as well as "balancing" a ball on their noses & playing instruments not to mention barking like seals, being rewarded with fish & keeping their flippers poised for action...Basically it's a culmination of all they've been learning in gym & music classes throughout the year.