Family Photos 2012

Pictures have always been something I have loved having. From a young age, I carried around a film camera, taking photos of family and friends. I always printed doubles to give away to people in the photos. I love looking back at all these memories whether they are good photos or not. I have no desire to have a really nice camera and take awesome photos or photoshop any of them, I'll leave that to the professional... These photos were taken by Kelsey Pankhurst. She did an amazing job with Ty and we love how the photos turned out. You will notice Ty is not smiling in pretty much all of them. He's a busy boy and we always have a hard time getting him to smile on command.

 mmmm, I love those juicy lips.

 This is my favorite one of Ty.

 My boys.

 Contrary to what this photo looks like, I am not pregnant. The shirt was kind of a looser, flowy (is that a word?) one, and as you can see it did not work to my advantage.

 Pretty much the only smile we got.

 My handsome man!

 I love him!

Some of you have asked how we knew Ty needed glasses. This is how. :)

Camping in Spokane

On Wednesday afternoon wee were invited by the Gundersons to go camping just outside of Spokane and we left early Friday morning. We had SO much fun! These people are so much fun to hang out with, and it was great that they have kids to play with Ty. There was a pool at our campground which was fun to swim in. We went shopping in Spokane and found some AMAZING deals! My favorite part of the trip was our 8 hour day at Silverwood Theme park which included an awesome waterpark.  Seriously the funnest Theme Park ever! So many awesome rides, and the weather could not have been ANY better! It was nice and cool in the morning, enough to deter many people from coming, and nice and hot in the afternoon while we went to the waterpark. There were next to no lineups everywhere. It was awesome! I was glad Char-Lane was brave enough to go on "Aftershock" with me! It was the best rollercoaster I've ever been on. At the waterpark we had so much to do. If you ever have a chance to go to Silverwood, GO! We could have easily spent two days here.  All in all, this was one of the funnest camping trips I've ever done. I would have even liked to have spent an extra day camping because of how busy we were, but Michael had a surgeon appointment to get to. Thanks so much Gundersons for inviting us!

 Michael tending the babies.

 Ty climbing up Brady. Don't worry, Brady wasn't being hurt in this photo.

 Ty really enjoyed playing with the dripping water.

 The pool at our campground. It was SO bright when we were swimming. Also, we learned Ty HATES wearing a life jacket.

 Ty having some snacks. This campsite was awesome because there was so much grass for Ty to crawl around on. We don't have much of a yard so it was nice to let him crawl wherever he wanted.

 Tired children.

 These kids are the cutest!

 So excited to be at Silverwood.

 Taking turns watching the kids. Michael and I watching them while Thomas and Char-Lane ride a rollercoaster.

 The babes.

 She loves Michael.

 The Gundersons taking Summer on her first ride. That's her with her back to the rapids about to get soaked.

Cousins!!! This was a fun way to ride. Thomas got way more wet than I did.

 Swish.

 The men with their basketballs they won.

 Summer hugging Garfield.

 Michael and Ty in front of one of the kids play places at the waterpark. This was right before Ty's life jacket wearing meltdown. 

 This is as we were about to leave the waterpark and hit up a few last rides. 

The Gundersons!

Ty's birthday party

This afternoon we celebrated Ty's first birthday with some close friends and family. I figured a June birthday would always be great for outdoor birthday parties but I don't think you can ever escape the wind in Lethbridge. We had a BBQ at Henderson, and it was a lot of fun!

 Us!! Can you tell it was windy?

 My besties!

 Super excited about his new lawn chair.

 Opening a gift.

 Presenting Ty with his very own cake. And no, I did not make it. I really just didn't want to deal with messing up a cake. Maybe I'll do that next year.

 He's enjoying it!

We always forget to get a family photo, so this was at the VERY end, and Ty was soo ready for a nap.

One year old.

One year ago my life changed forever. I became a mother to the sweetest little boy. Thinking back on this past year, I can't help but feel emotional thinking of all these special memories. Meeting my baby boy, holding him during middle of the night feedings, seeing him smile at me for the first time, watching him figure out how to use his little hands, hearing his giggles, wrestling with him, and most recently, seeing him take his first steps. Being a mother is the most incredible experience I have ever had. I have never felt so much joy in my life as I have in this past year. I am so grateful to be a mother to this little boy who has become so special to me. Happy 1st Birthday Ty boy! We love you!

Film photo taken by Michael.

picture overload

We have been up a lot lately. I'd like to tell you with photos.

 Here is a photo of Ty's first bed head. He must have had a pretty rough night! ha.

 Jessica and Jake graduated University last weekend and so we went to celebrate with them. Here's a photo of Ty and Michael playing on the huge field of grass before dinner. 

 We got them a game called "ladderball". We play it at all our Parker family reunions, and it's always a good one for a group of people. Team 1.

Team 2.

 UGH, okay I know you have all seen this photo already, but I wanted to document it here. Michael went out Sunday morning and found this on our car. Whoever did it placed it, then moved it around. We were so upset. The brick isn't even from our yard. So frustrated that we have to pay out of our pocket for something like this. 

 The Malmbergs invited us down to the cabin at Echo Lake for a few days. It was SO much fun to relax, enjoy the fresh air, and hang out with some awesome friends. Here is Cali wearing Ty's sunglasses. She really loved having them on.

 Dad pushing Ty on the tricycle.

 Michael pushing Cali on the tricycle. You can't tell here but she loves it.

 Okay here are a couple photos of Ty in a life-jacket. SO cute, and here he is actually smiling for the camera! He never does. His face was super squished from the jacket.

 Can Ty even see? haha

 Heading down to the Lake to go in the boat.

 The Dad's dipping the kids feet in the freezing cold water.

 The Moms all ready to go with their kids!

 haha Ty was starting to hate the life-jacket. While we were in the paddleboat, Ty kept leaning over and putting his hands in the water, and then he tried to put his face in the water and drink it.

 Michael would do this to Ty and he would just splash like crazy. I wish I had a picture of Cali too. Dustin would lower her bottom half into the water and she would kick so much. They loved being in the water, even though it was so cold, and were both ready for a warm bath after.

 This is how to entertain two one year olds.

 Michael and Dustin trying to catch a fish that sat in the same spot the whole time we were there. No luck though. They were out like this for about an hour!

 Michael is not naked. He is just slowly lowering himself into the water. Torture. Dustin was smart, and just jumped right in.

 Nicole and I out on the paddleboat.

 Michael and me in our pjs. Notice the BEAUTIFUL sunset. Pictures are usually not very good at showing how beautiful sunsets really are. After the kids went to bed we came outside for a fire and smores.  

 Ty and I chasing the birds at the park.

 Checking out the birds.

 Ty loves all animals! He always gets excited when he sees one. 

We were wondering where all those little guys were.

We also got a lot of shopping done in Kalispell. We love going down there. Now we are home, and getting ready for Ty's first birthday next Saturday. Nothing spectacular, just a BBQ outside to celebrate this little guys first year with our loved ones.