Freeing our Glee...Rain or Shine?!

In true WA fashion, we braved the elements & brought the boys to the fair twice weather permitting...or not?! Dad had 'em on Purple Friday, so he got to witness his first parade although I heard it was bez stampede OR maybe they just missed it; it is pretty snappy:) Notice the Dr Pepper=always essential ingredient to any outing with dad n' his bravery for releasing the youngest, but how cute that his bro isn't letting him get trampled!
Then they headed through the gates for free admission etc all afternoon & only 20 min of rain apparently...how did they get so lucky? Dad was quite proud that they only spent $5 total! So was I! Still had a lot o' fun makin' the rounds--
Of course, they always wanna check out the Lego display even though they decided they weren't inspired enough to enter the building contest this year.
Next up the drum set composed of odds n' ends, but doesn't really matter when you've got rhythm like the Parker boys!
Apparently SpongeBob was a must-see, but I personally would've preferred the Backyardigans-too bad they aren't there this year until the last weekend & we won't be going back just for that esp when we see @ least one episode per day @ home for free?! Luke doesn't look too sure about him either, but I can guarantee he waved good-bye since that's his pattern with any mascot or character these days:)
Dad was smart to remember the outdoor area is more exciting on the weekends with fishing area, snowshoes n' shooting (poor paper wabbit!) so I'm glad they took advantage or else boys would've missed out on this tradition too:

Can't do the Puyallup without a lil' fake milkage:Apparently the cash went toward more baseball practice-



My turn next on actual fair day...the soggiest to date! I decided I have a love/hate relationship with the Puyallup Fair 'cuz my boys get a crazy case of the "gimmes" n' I just want to skip it all while they're pointing in diff directions & it all costs more money?! Hmmm...The FM Pre-Fair Pack doesn't quite cut it for all 3 boys, so we invested in a "fun card" too & Aunt Cait shared hers as well-So they got in a few games & 5 rides apiece for older boys.
They did a couple (still content in Sillyville though prob last year now that they've been exposed to greater wonders @ Disneyland & are nearing the height restriction) while Luke napped. Then we all waited out the downpour through 3 shows: High Divers, Steve the Pretty Good (comedy n' magic) & Jest in Time Circus (latter of which chose Cole as volunteer to juggle around:)
Cotton candy made the wait a lil' sweeter as did the elephant ear that preceded it...
Thanks to Aunt Cait, we shared some nachos too! Ps I seriously think I could buy food @ every booth, but convinced the boys that Lil' Caesars was worth the wait en route home-Don't worry if it was 8:30PM:) $5.47 total for dinner incl crazy bread 'cuz the pizza wasn't so hot n' ready as advertised!!
After that we browsed through petting zoo & barns of a few animals (love the draft horses esp Clydesdales despite seeing mostly their rears in stalls?! & I always have to go to Pig Palace:). Love this pic, but thought it was interesting that the chicks were only things Luke would go near: Then right back out in the drizzle (figured we were wet already & the stroller was dripping!) so Luke could have his first go on a couple rides. First with brothers...too bad they were so heavy they couldn't maneuver their plane up n' down?! Oh well! The boys did a surefire strength test & beat upon each other with plastic hammers rest o' time-didn't get a pic of their lame, I mean awesome, stuffed animals to add to the thousand already @ our house:)Cool to catch Dane's midair, but prob didn't do their battle justice...should've seen looks I was getting from people as I just let 'em @ it-def realizing I'm a mother of all boys!Then Luke bonded with a couple other monkeys & an alligator! He loves that song, so we thought it was appropriate choice-

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Can't wait...ok I can...until next year?! ps Is it too much to ask for some sun in Sept?

Quarterback Weekend

Thanks to an early b-day present from mom & dad, the boys & I got to fly down to UT over Labor Day weekend. On the day before BYU's season opener vs UW, we cruised down to campus...Had to wait for Brooke & Jake to be done with work/class so of course, the boys wrestled on the Fieldhouse lawn until we spotted 'em coming down the stairs...














Then they picked a good spot for the personal tour to begin:) Never mind Luke's tantrum in the parking lot...or the airport...or...Here come the terrible 2's esp as we reduce binkie time! Anyway, how many kids get to pose with one of the starting QB in his position coach's "war room"? Fun to see the players targeted on the board and all that goes on behind-the-scenes to prep for a big game!














Wasn't his idea, but I wanted to take advantage of my own dad's name being featured on the wall of players who went on to NFL action! Then Dane checked out the new (to us @ least) indoor practice facility-














Luke liked the lifesize pictures of players in the hall of football offices & growled like a cougar the rest of the afternoon...
I'm sure the following will get a mixed response, but I have to mention how cool it was to see a scripture outside the weight room, Bronco's choice of artwork outside his office and to attend the fireside night before gameday...only @ BYU!
















We passed some time on gameday waiting for later kickoff by swinging in the yard of Brooke's new apt:) She has a really cool tree, so the boys were entertained for quite a while!


















Once again my dad's connections were advantageous so we could get up close & personal with players during warm-ups for Jake's college debut!! Of course, it was mighty warm & past nap time so Luke elected to lie on the field instead:) For the record, our seats were the last to see the shade so he fell asleep @ the end of the 3rd quarter-ugh!














First official collegiate pass completion!!Maple bars are sweet treats anytime but esp in the form of a cougar tail:) Not to worry, we had plenty of liquid refreshment too while cheering on the home team--



















T'was indeed quarterback weekend & they all came out to see the Tale of 2 Jakes (LtoR: Steve Young, Robbie Bosco & Ty Detmer; also present during halftime: Virgil Carter, Jim McMahon-even carried out flag ahead of team:) & Gifford Nielson + Sark though he wisely chose to stay in the locker room) Appreciate the fact that boys humored me to pose in the scorching heat!Of course, we had to have proof we were in Provo by the traditional Cougar statue as well:

Luke loves him some Jake! This was taken day after he asked us to push rewind on interviews again & again then pointed out every newspaper picture:)


This was first time since signing that Jake was able to be approached by media!
And of course, the boys have to take full advantage of the pool despite being indoors with our last glimpse of sun apparently now that we're back in the NoWest!?!
Thanks Aunt Cait n Grandpa Gar for making it so all 3 weren't hanging on me the entire time!
Didn't get pictures to capture fun with my cousins & their kids in Heber on Sunday, but was great to spend time with family! Now we gotta think of something else to which we can look forward--guess there's always next Saturday when we can cheer for both cats n' dawgs!!

Merwin Mecca

J/K! Can't end summer posts without ode to the waterfall that caps the creek near our cabin:) Quarterback weekend will be next--Speaking of which, Brooke took Jake and Boett up when we weren't there in July, so I had promised Cole that we'd go again! His wish came true when more cousins came into town since Zac was ready for action as well...Dane wanted to join us in addition to being Tiffin's first attempt. Grandpa Gar is always willing to lead the way so Meg and I put our youngest down for naps then grabbed Wes to make the group complete since Mike was resting up for his marathon this past Sat-WTG Dr Uffens! We do appreciate Mom, Rach & Boop holding down the fort in our absence although wasn't the same without them!
It's kinda like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" as far as the route is concerned, so I really noticed some beautiful spots along the way. Of course, I'm not just one to take pics o' scenery so had to add Parker boys:)

I have gone up @ least two dozen?! times @ my ripe ole' age, but never subjected myself to refreshing dip in the pool @ our final destination knowing full well how chilly it is en route let alone the lake itself. Wanted to have another picture with my daddy @ the top though as I've never done this hike without him:) Exciting to follow in his footsteps though by helping my own sons!But I'm always up to try the natural rock slides on way back down-For some reason, I don't mind if I freeze my rear off since I can afford to lose some lbs on my lower half:) Please disregard that not to mention how chubby my cheeks look in like every single pic-ugh! Obvious that I haven't paid attention to what I've been eating lately; I will blame it on mom for always feeding us so well during week @ Merwin:/ But anyway, I convinced a few to join me.














As I mentioned the landscape always seems to change a bit from year to year, so our main mini waterfall that we used to brave is actually gone. Here Grandpa/Uncle Gar is initiating the boys with a replacement:) He's pointing out Dane underneath before it's Cole's turn!














Meagan and I have kids close in age except youngest who are a year apart. Difference for older 2: Zac & Cole=3 mos./Dane & Tiffin=1 wk! Glad the Websters could come up again; always makes for a memorable time in August!
So great to Ali back as well for first time in what? 5 yrs?! Not pictured: Getting back up on a ski (after 3 yr hiatus for me @ least!) & a Fab Nurtz tourney around midnight on one o' few nights that I didn't crash when the kids were sent to bed:) The rest of you out-o'-st cousins who couldn't make it are in big trouble and better mark it on your 2011 calendars now...we seriously missed you! Sad to say, it's gonna get harder even for all 5 sisters to be together in one summer week, but oh so worth it!! Not possible without mom & dad's hospitality, for which we are ever so grateful!
ps Cousins Paige n' Anna are lil' fish now too, but will prob be a few more summers before able to make the hike! So Cole entertained 'em in the yard with some rousing rounds literally of Ring Around the Rosy-that song will never be same for me after someone alluded to true meaning when we resorted to it during nursery, but they were cute together @ the cabin:)

CGP's #8 on 8/8!!!!!!!!

Heading down to Provo over Labor Day weekend for Tale of 2 Jakes (just a teaser for next post), but it meant we got special permission to have Cole's baptism on his very birthday since that's what it's all about when you turn 8:)Despite confusion between camera 1 & camera 2, wanted to picture Parker men with Grandpa & Grandma Parker visiting from UT-Luke is kinda a "one n' done" guy, so was halfway outta this pic; however, we had to capture all of the grandkids together before they spread cross country from NV to KY not to mention Aunt Brooke heads back to Y. Special that all could make it to Cole's special day since soon my boys will be only ones in the Great NoWest! But we enjoyed quality bonding while it lasted...


Brotherly love:) One of Cole's biggest fans is his medium bro! For the record, I don't know what I'd do without him on rare weekend am when I get to sleep in courtesy of his help with small bro as well! He is such a great large bro!

So many other kind Puyallup friends/fam came out to support Cole-We are so grateful & Wish he could've personally greeted them all not to mention had more pics taken to remember those in attendance just for him! So guess lame attempt now to thank also Aunt Sherry & Uncle Basil, Chad & Kyla Parker, Paul & Ardie VanValkenbergs, rest of Dents, Troy Haueter & kids, Bro Vinson (Primary teacher) & kids, Hoffmans, Sis Johnston (preschool teacher), Carlyles, Bro & Sis Mecum (Scout advisor), Candice Reifschneider & Tammy & Jenny McDonald. Hope I didn't forget anyone!?!
We had 8 white desserts available afterward, but Cole wasn't interested in all of 'em:) Still had to blow out candles on official day eh!?!
ps Our 8 y.o. doesn't know how mom & dad really feel about Scouts yet, so have tried really hard not to squelch his Wolf enthusiasm!?! Once a professional (or his handy grandma who unfortunately freq ends up with anything involving repairs esp sewing kind) gets hold of patches on his shirt, then he'll really be good to go! I seemed to have misplaced my thimble to save my thumbs in the process?! He also managed to pass off nearly all of his Cub prereqs in one sitting so is well on his way:) Only 3 of 'em in his pack, so they really need him!