Parker turned ONE!

I received a great gift for Mother's Day (besides the new running shoes and workout clothes!) - A airplane ticket to San Diego to see Parker and help celebrate his first birthday with him Mommy and Daddy!

I arrived pretty early on Friday morning and our first stop was a really great fabric store! Dallas has pathetic fabric stores, so Ashley took me to one on the way home that has super cute stuff!  I indulged in a couple pieces to make a cute apron.

Which came first?

If I'd had room in my suitcase, I'd have brought home yards and yards!

Then we went straight to work at party preparations!

We made party hat cake pops!

And the most delicious Vanilla Cup Cakes with toppers designed by Drew!

On Saturday, Sam made fajitas, Ashley made black beans, Spanish rice, and guacamole!  It was a super yummy meal.

Before the party, we took Mr. Parker to get his first haircut.  We went to a salon for kids and they did a great job!

Before.....

During.....

And after!  He is so handsome and looks like such a big boy!

Then we were off to the park for the big party!! 

Sam decorated with a darling homemade-by-Ashley banner!

Parker played in the sand!

Jim Pontzious, David and Solveig Bassham, Judy Bassham, Terri Pontzious and Howard Bassham - all Jon's side of the family!  Way to represent!

Some other friends and neighbors were in attendance and fun was had by ALL!  Especially the guest of honor.  He received some super fun gifts....

Parker's Mom and Dad gave him this great Radio Flyer!  Ashley made the darling "1" t-shirt!

Howard and Judy gave Parker this fire truck!  Parker's little friend had a blast pushing him around on it (all girls love to push boys around, don't they?).  Parker was digging it, too!

Of course, the highlight was watching Park-man dig into his very own, homemade birthday cake!

Mini cake made by Mom! (Ashley)

Mmmmmmm.

Good stuff!  

He easily ate one third of the cake - by himself!  He's just like his grandma!

Great party, Parker!  Number two will be here before we know it!

A Celebration

My parents were married on the same day Drew and Rachel were. Only 50 years earlier. That's a pretty amazing accomplishment - especially knowing my Mom and Dad! Just kidding.... my parents are wonderful people and it's no shock at all that after 50 years of ups and downs, three kids (I still say I'm adopted), multiple moves, huge community and church responsibilities, illnesses and joy, they are still man and wife.

Being together for Drew and Rachel's wedding was a perfect opportunity to celebrate those 50 years. We had a wonderful party!

Here's the invitation

There were enough of us for two tables!

I had photos of Mom and Dad around the tables.

Dinner was from Maggiano's and was delicious. The best part was no one was stuck in the kitchen preparing food!

Drew and Rachel had one last hurrah at the kids table. Now they have to be grown ups.

Don't they look wonderful?

The Best Family

Mom and Dad with the grandchildren (all but three)!

And with their first Great-grandchild, Parker!

It's amazing what has come of the union of these two people!  We're so glad you found each other.  Thanks for being the wonderful parents you are and helping us become who we are.  I'm so proud to be your daughter.  I love you!

It Was A Merry Month!

2008 has been a wonderfully eventful year.  It's fitting that we wrapped it up with a wonderful Christmas season.  Here are some highlights.

Karen's Mom and Dad arrived mid month and are staying a whole month.  They are blessed to be in such good health and we enjoy having them in our home.   Dad turned 80 this year and Mom isn't too far behind.  Don't they look great?

We hosted our annual Chili and Chowder party in our new home!  We loved having old friends from Plano and our new Prosper friends all together.  The food was de-lish and the company was even better!

Our great neighbor Mike Koster and the Morleys, new church friends.

Prosper church friends the Platts and the Fergusons.

Long time Plano friends Rhoberta Blankmeyer, George and Heather Nail and Cindy Bell

Ashley had fun visiting with college roomate Kristin Willardson and her sister Jenny.

On Christmas Eve, we headed for the mall for our traditional kids photo with Santa.  We've done this since Ashley's first Christmas.  There are a few more people in the photo and for the first time, a second generation is included.  Parker was remarkably cooperative!  We actually had a harder time getting everyone else to pay attention and smile.  

The photo Karen took looks pretty good, too!

Will and Molly looking picture perfect!

The professional image - pretty good looking family, I think.  Nice socks, Santa!

Everyone had a great time!

After the photo, we all (except for Drew who had to go back to work) headed to the Original Pancake House for a yummy breakfast - Breakfast AFTER Santa.

Molly's Swedish Pancakes were as big as she is!!

Ashley and Sam

Grandpa Jon and Ashley

Beautiful Lucy and Adorable Molly

Perfectly adorable Parker!

We had a fun visit with an old friend from Karen's YW Prez days.  Charlie Thiot served on Stake Youth Committee, along with Ashley.  He's married now and has a really cute (and itty bitty) daughter, Keelie.  I managed to only take pictures of the babies. 

The standoff.

We also were able to celebrate in other ways of which we didn't get photos - school parties, a choir concert, an ornament painting party, seeing Christmas lights in Highland Park, playing games and visiting with each other.  We've had a wonderful time with family and friends and appreciate so much all who add so much to our lives.  

Up next - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day....