Parker's 3rd Birthday

All Parker wanted for his 3rd {he tells everyone his 4th, thank goodness it's not} birthday was a "train party." Easy enough, right? But birthdays are special, so it needed to be special too. I thought, and thought... and finally came to the conclusion that a "train party" isn't a train party unless you ride a train. So arrangements and goodies were made. Cupcake in a jar anyone? Thought they would travel better~ just imagine them with a shiny gold lid, and a wooden spoon;)

Then we packed up and headed off to catch the train. This was our family's first time on the front runner~ I know, lame. But I thought this was the perfect opportunity.

My darling kiddos were so darn excited to board that puppy.

Love this picture~

There was a pizza party while we waited~ and then finally we were on the train and headed for the Union Station. The kids were eating it up!

Once we got there we met up with all of our grandparents, aunts & uncles, and cousins, and toured the train museum...

The museum was awesome~ kids thoroughly amused, we headed outside to play on this big guy...

I've never seen monkeys jump in and start climbing so quick~ they were in heaven...

Kiddos everywhere~ so so fun:)

Our attempt at a family picture around the birthday boy~

Parke blowing out his 3 little candles. I can't believe it has already been 3 whole years since I laid eyes on him, seems like only yesterday.

Gifts opened, cupcakes devoured, and then more monkeying around outside~

"Shoo Shoo!" Parke could have stayed there all night...

We filled our tummies with some delicious grub from the Union Grill, and then it was time to catch the train back home...

And he headed off into the sunset with his daddy, and a new addition to his train set at home. It was so nice to sit and relax all the way home, we really need to utilize that train more. Hmm... where to next guys? So the conductor hats I ordered still haven't come~ what the??

It couldn't have been a sweeter day.

Happiest birthday wishes buddy~
We all love you more than anything!

Playgroup Party~

Parker's playgroup came over on Thursday and helped us celebrate his upcoming birthday~

Ah, the sprinkle~rimmed milk. It was so simple, and so much fun! You must try...

The birthday boy and his buddies. That is one darling group of kiddos...

"Shoo shoo" train cupcakes~

And a to~go plate...

And today we are off to the train station for some more birthday fun~

Can't wait to see the look on Parke's face!

Stay tuned...

~xo

Parker~ Lost & Found

The other day I lost this little munchkin. Worst. Feeling. Ever. Turns out he knows his way to the "swippery swide" at Del Taco, and isn't afraid to venture out sans parents. Guess that's what I get for taking the kiddos to work with me, huh? The boy loves him a good playground. All the way home he just kept saying "I runned away" Why yes you did buddy, and you better not ever do it again!

This baby boy of ours is an angel~ that's all there is too it! He pretty much melts our hearts on a daily basis. I have to share some of the darling things he has said lately in his deep little voice~

"Oh, I wub Koda {our dog}. He's my bwes fwend."

"I'n gonna eat dis poof~paste {tooth paste} awl gone!"

"Hey! Wanna pway guys wif me?!" {Lego guys~ so cute}

"Can you hewp me build my shoo shoo train?"

"Carefuw guys, dis is berry speshyl {very special}."

"There's a shark in my bum!" We have no idea what this means. He is dead serious?? So silly.

We were driving in the car and from the back seat I hear, "Mom, dat guy corored {colored} awl ober his arm." I looked over to see in the car next to us was a guy with a tattoo sleeve. I was giggling, because he is constantly being reminded that we don't color on our skin, only on paper:)

I really can't believe that he is going to be 3 in a few days~ my baby! Tear. Really, why can't I just pause my kids right where they are? They are at the perfect ages~ pretty sure I've lost count of how many times I've said that, and it won't be the last!

~xo

Conference Weekend~

Our conference weekend was filled to the brim~ cupcake orders to fill, soccer games to attend, visitors to enjoy, and wonderful messages to take in. I can't believe it is soccer season already~ wow! how time does fly.

After the games everyone was starving~ so Jimmy's it was. Anyone else as addicted to Jimmy Johns as we are? It is true love. And if you eat at Jimmy's, you must go next door to Menchie's and curb your sweet tooth. It has become our family hang~out.

Some bike~riding action...

And then we hosted some very special visitors...

The Ricamunda family. When I met Nic {11 years ago} he had just returned from his mission to the Philippines. He absolutely adored the Philippines, and of course, all of the wonderful people he met there. He would speak Tagalog, listen to their music, use their gestures, crave their food. On one of our first dates he cooked me chicken adobo, and made me fall in love with the Philippines right along with him. He spoke often of his friends, Ian being one of them. They have kept in touch all of these years, and when Nic heard that he was coming to Utah to attend General Conference he immediately began making plans to have Ian and his family over.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved them. They were so kind, down to earth, and fun.

This interaction between Ian's Mother and Rylie was so precious to me...

I meant for them to all sit at the kitchen table~ I promise I'm a better hostess than to just let them belly up to the bar, but it was actually perfect to just sit casually, visit, and laugh.

Old buds~ so fun to see them together. They kept telling each other they hadn't changed:) I was so grateful for the opportunity we had to spend time with them.

It is a night I will never forget.

After our guests left, we stayed up and attempted the ruffle~cake...

There's that pucker I love so much~

Umm... so the ruffles are a little harder than I expected~ and I expected them to be hard. Rylie was begging to color it with edible markers, and Parker wanted to douse it in Christmas sprinkles. It wasn't much to look at, but it sure did taste delicious!

I guess it looked kinda cute with a bunny next to it;)

And then Sunday morning we made our traditional

Conference Crepes

1 1/2 c. milk

1 c. flour

2 eggs

1 T. oil

3 T. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond extract

Whisk ingredients together in large bowl. Heat griddle, and pour 1/4 c. out, smoothing and spreading to desired thickness and size. When bubbly, flip and cook other side. Top with fresh fruit, whipped cream (i always add almond to my cream), cinnamon and sugar, almonds, yogurt, etc.

Enjoy!!

It was such a wonderful weekend~

My absolute favorite message from conference found here. I can not tell you how much I took from it {if you take the time to listen~ listen through the end. It is fabulous}.

p.s. Has anyone else had any issues with their browser's lately when it comes to posting and editing?? I am so frustrated~