90's in Boston means water time.

I was watching the news the other day and when Boston get's in the mid 90's that means it is record setting time. I couldn't believe it. I think it feels so great outside. We have been going on walks around the area and at the first of this week we invited our new friends Sunnie, Joohun, Joowon, and Joohyung to go to a Sprayground/water park just down the road from where we live. I really love that we have sidewalks!We had fun playing at the sprayground. This will have to be a repeat activity in the weeks to come.

Two Months, No Milk.

Willie and I decided to get Parker to drink milk from a straw over two months ago. Two days after he started drinking from the straw and we threw the bottle nipple away he stopped drinking milk. We took off to Utah without a plan. We kept encouraging him to drink milk. We tried getting him to drink from many types of containers and we've tried Chocolate Milk. Willie tried injecting it into him like you would nasty medicine, yuck. I tried tricking him and also tried using food coloring. We made it back to Atlanta and told our Dr. about it. She said, 'you need to get him to drink milk.' That was the advice she gave us. At that point we had been trying for nearly a month. Willie noticed a few weeks ago that Parker doesn't really eat anything dairy. He will eat a little bit of cheddar cheese. He doesn't like the milk, yogurt, ice cream, and all other cheeses. So for those of you who have kids or great knowledge in calcium intake do you have suggestions? By the way Parker doesn't like cold items (Popsicles, ice cream, etc.), he won't try juices and he seems to be a little obsessive compulsive. Should I be that worried?
The other day on 'Word World' there was a great episode that we watched where Ant wouldn't drink milk because he didn't like it. Then he ran into Duck and Shark and they were having a 'try it out picnic.' Ant eventually tried the milk and decided he liked it. I thought it would be a good influence on Parker, he did try a pickle but he wouldn't try the milk.

How to pack.

In our four and a half years of marriage we have moved eight times. We were married and moved in together (1). Three months later we moved to Boise for an internship with Micron (2). Then we had to go back to Logan to attend Utah State (3). School was fun but we missed being in Boise during the summer so we headed back for another internship with Micron. Actually it was the money (4). We hadn't finished school so we moved back to Logan (5). This time we signed a ten month contract kind of scary! We finished up our school year and had Parker come along just a couple of weeks before Willie moved our life out to Georgia (6). I followed Willie with Parker a month later. We stayed in that dungeon for a year. We needed light so we moved across the street (7). Willie really likes internships as we have found out by our previous moves. So our most recent one has taken us to Waltham, Massachusettes. It's near Boston (8).

This last move takes the cake though. As I was packing I decided to color code with stickers. Green stickers meant that the boxes would 'go to Boston'. Red/Orange stickers meant the boxes would 'stay in Georgia'. Whatever went in the luggage meant that it was 'going to Utah'. The best boxes are the following; Kitchen Aide, Toaster, A big cereal box, rice cooker, George (meaning george foreman box), and newly becoming our favorites the Diaper boxes. These boxes have lasted through all eight moves. I'm sorry I have not taken a picture of our cherished boxes. One day I will have to bury them in my backyard, that is if we ever decide to settle somewhere.

If you ever plan to move, stock up on diaper boxes. If you can't find diaper boxes go to your local book store and get some good ones from there. The diaper boxes have handles though so that's what makes them nice. Stock up on old grocery bags, use them to protect your valuables. They do give a nice coushin. Be sure to leave scissors out so you don't have to 'find' a way into your boxes when you arrive to your new home. If you are LDS, talk to your Bishop to get the phone number of Bishops in the area you hope to move into. This works if you plan to live in an apartment for a little while. Also the Bishop can send help on the end where you may not know anyone.
So here is a poor picture of our new apartment. We love the place. We look forward to exploring. We appreciate visitors, so come on by.

To Grandpa and Nana Harrison.

Thanks for letting us stay with you Grandpa and Nana! We had so much fun visiting with you.
The sunsets were beautiful. For one, because we could see them and for two we could take pictures to always remember them.

Thanks for taking us to Willow Park where we enjoyed some monster snow cones. We loved running around looking at all the animals the Willow Park Zoo had to offer; peacocks, tortoise, monkeys, eagles, deer, ducks, coyotes, bobcats, etc.
Thanks Aunt Kim for helping Parker to feed to ducks. He loved spending time with you.
Three generations looking for wildlife.
What a studly man in the white shirt. Cheesy smile, but hey I like it.

Hanging out at Grandpa and Nana's house. Nana loved holding Lincoln.
Nana really loved being around the boys. Parker had a great time at the library reading books and coloring. Grandpa had to keep his distance because he was really sick during our stay with them. Good thing he is all better now, too bad we aren't able to play with him though.

You can't go to Logan and not eat at the Juniper Take-Out. Lincoln and Jer became really good friends. Finally Parker gave Jer some attention. Anytime Parker saw him he said 'unc-l Jer!'

A picture with the two of us rarely ever happens. I printed it off and it's hanging up with our family pictures. Aren't we so cute?
Willie was REALLY excited to go to Juniper!

Life Happens.

An updated picture of the boys. They are getting bigger and wiser.

Here is an outline of our last month and a half. All of which will hopefully get posted in full as time allows.
-Willie visiting Germany.
-Packing for three separate occasions; Utah, Georgia, Massachusetts.
-Vacation in Utah
*Five crazy days with my family which led to us catching colds
*Five relaxed days with Willie's dad.
*Five entertaining days with Willie's mom.
*Five days spent in bliss (Combe cabin).
-Travel home to Atlanta, stressful.
-Six days packing and preparing to move to Boston.
-Three days of travel in the car with two little boys. I only went insane a few times.
-Moving into our new home, for the eighth or ninth time.
-Relax. Walks. Willie putting in 40 hours a week.
-No milk for about 2 months, any suggestions?

This is where we have been. Life has been good, bad and in between. We have been blessed along the road. I am so grateful for my family who is supportive of the decisions we make. I love my husband for taking us on all of these wild adventures. I read a quote on a blog somewhere; 'when you are home you wish you were having an adventure and when you are on an adventure you wish you were home.' I am grateful for the friends that we have made along the way. Most especially the Merkley's and Salmons.

LAGOON.

Okay so when you leave Utah for awhile and you decide to come back you just need to hit all the attractions. Lagoon was the attraction we hit this time around and we did it twice! I can't remember when I last went, but I know that it's been over two years. There have been so many changes to the childrens section at Lagoon. There are a lot of cool 'new' rides. I say 'new' but they may have been there for a super long time. We enjoyed the cold water at Lagoon-a-beach. Well actually the water was really cold compared to what we are use to in Atlanta. Lincoln did awesome the whole time, he just stayed on his natural course throughout the day. He even got to go on a ride. My cousin had the privilege of taking him on the Odyssy (octopus) ride.

Parker and his younger cousin became riding companions. Parker preferred Logan many times. One of the rides that Parker did well on was this car. He went on the ride four times.

The train was one of the rides we could go on the second day because it kept us all dry. Yes, we bounced back to Lagoon and it was raining nearly the whole time we were there. In the picture above we have Uncle Brady on the left with Kaylee, Daxton and Jordan next to him. In the back it's Parker, Me, my sister Andi then Logan is with Willie. My older sister Jess took the picture for us.

Here's the cool train that we went on.

Parker as cute when it was raining. He had this huge umbrella and kept spinning and walking around with it. Only on occasion would he share the umbrella. Our niece Jordan is in the picture with Willie and Parker.

The Merry-Go-Round was another ride we could do in the rain. Parker and I picked out the sweetest ride we could find. Well maybe just the corn was sweet, ha ha dumb joke. Parker was a little worn out and beginning to get sick at this point in our vacation.

Jordan and Daxton riding Puff the dragon, at least that's what I always called this ride.

Parker and Logan on the cars again. And just below the are riding in the classic old boats. Parker cried the first half then discoved how cool the bell was. He did alright in the end.

My sister loves to put the kids on the bumper car ride because when you put them in and they start to go they decide to just sit there and watch everyone else. P-man did okay until the first movement was backwards, he might have tried to drive it had it gone forward.

Kaylee and Parker riding in the strollers.

One of Parkers first rides. He liked the steering wheel, but was a little unsure about going up and down and around.

Overall Lagoon was a pretty good time. We had a lot of fun watching all the kids. Willie and I did get to try out the 'new' ride, Wicked. Wow. We also were able to enjoy an old classic, the Tidal Wave. I had fun with my sisters and my mom. Thanks mom for the bounce-back.

Fourth of July

I am grateful for Independence Day. I am grateful for those who serve our country. I am grateful for the freedoms we have in this country. I am grateful that I could go back to Utah to be with my family for the Fourth of July. We really had a great time doing our annual 5k run/walk race. The best part is the t-shirt that you get when you have finished. After the morning race we had a great breakfast provided by the 'Kiwanis/Elk' guys. Parker enjoyed the pancakes. We then went back to where the race was and watched the Old Glory Days Parade. Parker now associates a firetruck with 'cany' (candy). He did really well until the high school senior class got him wet with their water guns.

Grandma Nanette was eager to take Lincoln for a little bit. Lincoln enjoyed snuggling up into her for the whole parade. I enjoyed it because I had my hands free to take pictures and grab a few pieces of candy.

Willie was Parkers designated bag holder. Willie was really good at chasing down the candy with Parker and filling up the bag. Parker had fun with his cousins; Kaylee, Daxton and especially Logan.

Logan had a fun time and kept saying 'wooooo'. He and Parker are good buddies.

Here is Parker loving the firetrucks, and there were a whole bunch of them for him to enjoy.

'CANY'