We Moved!

Why the move, you ask? Backyard, backyard, backyard! Parker loves having some room to run and get dirty. Between me being big and pregnant and the two flights of stairs we used to have to go up and down, we didn't get out much. We did need a little more space and I was anxious to get away from the stairs. Thanks to everyone who helped us move and watched Parker during this busy time!

As you can see, Parker just loves our 'new house,' as he calls it. The neighbors, who share the duplex with us, have a little boy who is just a few months older than Parker. It is so fun for Parker to have a playmate and nice for me to have another mom to chat with during the day. We love our new home and are pretty much all settled in now. Paul is back in school and also interviewing quite a bit for next summer internships. Life is getting quite busy once again. It will only get more busy with a new little one in a few weeks, but we are so excited to meet our little girl.

Backyard fun! Catching water from the sprinkler in his little bowl.

The previous tenants left us a great tomato garden. As I have mentioned before, Parker loves tomatoes (as do Paul and I) and can often be found picking one off the vine himself and biting into it. Here he is eating tomatoes and cheese with his favorite friend, Fuzzy (his stuffed bear).

Running in the backyard. His favorite game, since we have been here is baseball. He loves to have you hold the mitt and pitch him the ball. Surprisingly, he can actually hit it with his little bat! And sometimes, he will 'run the bases,' which means he runs the length of the yard and back.

Another thing Parker likes to do these days is to sing with all of his animals. We usually sing primary songs and I move their heads and make different voices for each one. Parker likes to line them up (or have me line them up) and then sit in the group with them while we sing. Here he is with all of them in his new room.

Here are some pictures of our new place. It is mostly put together now, with a few things left to finish up. You will see pretty much everything except the bathroom and our room (it is still the least put together). Maybe I will add more later.

Living Room:

Parker's (and Autumn's) Room:


The Kitchen:

**I do need to add a little tribute to my husband, although he does not like when I do this. Our big move was on my birthday. After a long day of heavy lifting and furniture arranging, he took me out to a great dinner at Ruby River and a surprise birthday picnic in the canyon, complete with birthday balloons (thanks Jill), flowers, birthday cookies and Sparkling cider in fancy glasses. I have a wonderful husband, who goes out of his way to make me feel special. Thanks Paul!

What We've Been Up To...

It seems that every now and then, I get behind and have do to a 'quick-update.' Between our laptop dying. packing and moving, Paul starting back up at school, etc; I haven't seemed to have much time to blog. I hope that this picture update of our lives will get you all up to speed:

At the end of July, I was able to get together with some mission friends. It was fun to see how everyone is doing and see their little ones.

Also, at the end of July, Paul and I watched Nelson and Cullan (Jill's youngest boys), while Jill and the rest of the fam were on the Pioneer Trek for their ward. This is Parker just loungin' at their house. He really looks like he is playing the gameboy!

While at Jill's house, my old roommate and very good friend, Stephanie, came by to visit. It was so good to see her and her new little girl.

Uh Oh...Spaghettios! Need I say more? This picture just reminds me why I am so happy that Parker's high chair no longer has to be on carpet.

This is Parker at the Trax station. On the second to last day of Paul's externship in Salt Lake, Parker and I dropped him off and spent the morning riding Trax. We went to Temple Square for a while and stopped and ate lunch downtown. Mostly we just rode the 'train,' until Paul was done. Then we all got to ride the 'train' back to our car. It was fun to have special Mom and Parker time, although it wore me out!

The next few pictures are from our ward 'Chat 'N Chew'. Pretty much, we get together on Sunday evenings to mingle with other couples and eat treats. We have been in our ward for 3 years and have made some GREAT friends. We sure are going to miss them!

The Wilcoxes and the Walters

The Dodsons

Steven Alfred and the Koontzs

And this final video, is a tribute to our little boy, Parker. We were playing with his alphabet puzzle, which has an animal associated with each letter. When we got to the L for lion, he got up and started 'roaring' (which turned into squealing) and running back and forth with his 'paws' in the air. I don't know where we learned this, but it was pretty funny.

Parker is getting so grownup! Everyday he learns something new and he seems to be more and more like a little boy, instead of a baby. He talks so much and pretty much will copy anything you say. He surprises me with his great pronunciation and practically complete sentences. He knows the alphabet, colors, can almost count to 20 and sings along to a few of his favorite Primary songs (Nephi's Courage is his latest favorite.) I am amazed by him everyday; how much his little brain can hold in and how much he is beginning to understand the world around him. I love his little giggly laugh, as he loves to make his own silly jokes and laugh at himself. He is excited for 'Baby Autumn' (which he says perfectly with his cute little voice, as he makes sure that she is included in our prayers). He says he is going to make her laugh and help change her diapers. He will a big help for me and great big brother.

First Annual Jones Family Girls' Weekend

All of the girls! (Except me, I am taking the picture)

We pulled it off! Despite many comments from brothers and spouses, we all got away for a spectacular girl's weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped watch the kiddos while we were away. It was so much fun just to be with everyone.

Ever since I got back from girl's weekend and have mentioned it to friends, they respond with, "What did you do?" I almost can't think of what exactly we did. But the truth is, every minute was packed with shopping, eating, pampering ourselves (haircuts and pedicures), watching movies and decorating Julie's new apartment. There was even a breakfast baby shower for me, walking along the beach, games, late night chats, etc. All of this crammed into 2 and half days! I was extremely tired for atleast 3 days after I got back. It was so much fun and great to have a little getaway with the girls. I really couldn't ask for better in laws They are amazing and so fun to be around. Thanks for a wonderful weekend everyone!

Measuring for picture placement; this was the hardest part.

But it turned out perfect!

Futon Assembly
Julie's new home decor

BJ's for dessert

Breakfast Baby Shower
Pedicures

While in SoCal, I got to sneak away and go to lunch with my Mom and Sister, Kristin and her two girls, Hannah and Sydney. We talked and laughed. it was so fun to see you guys!

Independence Day in Idaho

Paul, Parker and I got to go visit my brother Andrew, his wife Trena and their little boy, Jordan, in Pocatello for the 4th of July weekend. It was the perfect trip. Tons of fun for us and for the kids, and also plenty of time to rest and relax. The activities included: a trip to the park, a barbeque, backyard pool fun, a great fireworks show by the city of Pocatello, Paul played basketball with Andrew's ward, I finally gave Paul a haircut, a trip to the mall playground, the Ross Park Pool, dinner at Craigos, a bath for Parker and Jordan, our own fireworks show, a game night of Clue and some late night chatting. We finished it off with Sacrament meeting at Andrew and Trena's ward and headed back to Provo. I forgot the best part! Every afternoon, when we put the boys down for a nap, we all took naps! It was exactly what I needed! We had such a fun time! Thanks for everything Andrew and Trena!

I realized that I took a ton of photos on our trip. I narrowed them down, but there are still quite a few. Enjoy!

Just waking up

Ball Pit! Parker eventually tried to take this over and wouldn't let Jordan in.

The Park! Who is having more fun? Parker or his Dad?

The Swings (above and below)

Pool Fun!

Resting together. (They kept laying down and then they would look at each other and laugh.)

Popsicles!

At the Fireworks

Jazzlyn(neice), Trena, Jordan and Andrew

Beautiful Sunset

Sparklers!

At the pool

Exploring at the pool

Buffet at Craigos! (above and below)

Bath time! (above and below)

Our fireworks show!