For Nietnie

Parker calls my sister Courtney "nietnie" (not to be confused with the famous blogger NieNie). She recently went off to college and Parker is a little confused and sad about her sudden absence. I took this picture because Courtney and I feel strongly that little boys in tight pajamas are about the cutest thing on earth.

Eating for two at the State Fair 2011

We have a lot of pictures of Parker sitting on anything that could drive.

He ran with his arms outstretched to every ride that had to do with cars.

See what I mean?

So, of course Papa took him on a ride.

This is out of order, but Parker was asleep before we left the parking lot.

Parker's first cotton candy. He doesn't like getting food on his hands, so we often have to feed him.

It's become tradition for Courtney and Parker to get matching tattoos in the dairy barn.

Besides the car ride and french fries, Parker loved seeing all the animals and making their sounds.

My personal favorite, deep fried pickles.

And Parker's personal favorite, french fries. He actually started dancing when we gave him the french fries.

The wonderful State Fair came again this year, we look forward to it about as much as Christmas. We picked a date, consulted a map of the fair and had the day's menu picked out a week or so in advance.
Of course, I normally eat enough for two at the Fair, but this year I had the REAL excuse, with a baby on the way, I dare say I enjoyed the Fair even more this year! Not only that, but the weather was perfect, I couldn't have asked for more! Baby will be here in late February/early March, which also makes it possible to go to the Fair next year (I unfortunately had to miss the Fair the year Parker was born).

Duluth

Split Rock Light House

Gooseberry Falls

Lake Superior

In August, Brett had a two week break between semesters and we decided to go up to Duluth for a day and night. We left Parker with my parents (our first night away from Parker ever!) and had fun seeing the sights. We didn't take a lot of pictures, I guess things don't look as cute without Parker in them.

Picture Overload of Parker's 2nd Birthday Party!

We did a car theme for the party this year. Stoplight crispy treats.

Hot dogs, veggie tray, chips and lemonade.

We had scooter toys out for the kids to drive.

Just before the party, we gave Parker his present. I painted and spruced up my old kitchen set my parents had in their basement. Parker loves to cook and drags out my pots and such anytime I cook. I also found that shopping cart for $2 at a garage sale and my mom helped me make an apron for him too. Of course he loves it and hasn't stopped playing with it. His favorite thing to make for us is fried eggs.

This is out of order but here are the cars the kids could drive on the road. The yellow sign says, "Rental Cars, choose your ride"

Parker and Katy have been friends since Parker was about 2 months old. They play together during our Relief Society Presidency meetings.

Gavin made this cute face when his Daddy pushed him on the inchworm (it moves up and down as it goes forward) but the smile stopped the second the ride did. I wish we had a video.

Reese is more of an after-party girl. She had fun with the balloons my mom brought.

National Night Out and Couch Fort

Our neighborhood had a party for National Night Out. Parker enjoyed watching the fire dept. spray the other kids but wasn't interested in getting wet.

He did enjoy face painting and candy though.

Parker thought he was pretty cool on this ATV the fire dept. uses for prairie fires.

I made Parker a fort on the couch which lasted about 2 mins. Here is Parker pretending to be asleep and doing his fake snore.

Random Pictures

Parker wanted me to take this picture.

I heard Parker talking to someone and this is what I found. Parker had climbed up for a snuggle with a sleepy Reese.

Parker finds Daddy's hat and puts it on like this. Brett does not like the backward hat look and tries to correct him, but Parker won't have it any other way.

One of Parker's favorite activities right now are his matchbox cars. He prefers to put them on the table and play with them there.

Here is Reese still trying to be the baby. I gotta admit, she looks pretty cute.

Mall of America

With my brother in town from Provo, we decided to make a trip to the MOA. Here is Parker at Lego Land. He loved looking at all the displays and was happy in the play area where he could touch everything.

Nana and Papa gave Parker some tickets for rides. He didn't like waiting in line but loved the rides!

Parker was very serious on the truck ride. He was concentrating on steering and it looked like he really thought he was driving.

Brett was at school while we were at the mall, but he met us later at my parent's house. Parker is a bit obsessive with their basketball court and sometimes we all get tired of taking him out there, so he was happy that week when Cameron took him out several times.