Catching Up!

Wow! What a beginning for 2010! We have been so busy! Here's what we've been up to! Last month we went out to lunch with Parker's birthmom and birth grandma. It was so fun to spend time with them, despite chasing Parker around the restaurant! We love them so much and are so grateful to have them so close so that we can see them and they can see Parker as he grows! The only thing that would have made it better was if Parker's birthfather could have been there! He is serving in Iraq right now and we miss him and pray for him every night in our family prayers.

Parker's birthmom, Kissy, Parker and Me
Parker is wearing his adoption shirtI bought for him from Mrs. R's etsy shop. She has tons of new stuff! Go check it out here!

No matter what we do,
this is the picture face we are getting these days!

Last month I went on a scrapbook retreat with my mom, my SIL Lindsey and her mom Gloria. Yes, my brother married a girl named Lindsey, who's mom's name is Gloria (Bryan's mom's name) she also has a sister named Heather, like me, and she has a brother named Byron, almost Bryan. It's really funny! Anyway, we went to Vegas baby! The retreat was at a very nice hotel, a little ways from the strip and we had a great time! We got there the day before and went to a couple local scrapbook stores. Then we headed down to the strip and got some souvenirs for our kiddies and husbands. We went to Claim Jumper for a late dinner and headed back to our hotel. The next morning we got up and went down to get checked in for the crop. They had tables set up in one of the ballrooms and we could stay all day and all night if we wanted! Lindsey and I stayed until 6:00 am the first day! We were the only ones there for several hours! It was awesome! The next day we made it till 4:00 am. We were so tired, but got a ton done and had so much fun! We made some great friends with the girls that were next to us. They were from Vegas and helped us get where we wanted to go for food and shopping etc. I can't wait to go on another retreat!

This is my spot at the table with all the essentials
including adhesives, pens, brads, punches, stamps
and of course, plenty of diet coke!

From left to right: Lindsey, Gloria, Me and my Mamma Ceri

We ate at the casino one night and the waitress asked if we wanted any dessert. Lindsey asked if they had ice cream and the waitress offered to bring her a hot fudge sundae. As you can see, Lindsey was a little surprised by how fancy and big it was!

Parker opening the presents I brought back for him

The other day some of Parker's friends came over to play. When these boys get together it's so funny to me! If they are watching a movie they have to all sit by each other. Here they are crammed into the chair!

Here they have their tv faces on!
And Zach is clinging tightly to the train of course! His favorite!

Whatever you do don't look away from the tv,
but still give mom that cheesy smile!

And finally Valentine's Day. Well, the day before anyway. Since Valentine's was on a Sunday this year, and my Sunday included going to two ward conferences, and two meetings after that, I made pink heart shaped pancakes Saturday morning. Parker wanted red pancakes, but I told him I couldn't make them red, so we settled for pink. Bryan and I went to lunch and a movie on Fri and a ward Valentine's dinner on Sat. I was gone pretty much all day Sunday, but the rest of the day and all day Monday Parker said, "Happy Valentine's Day Mom!" over and over. It was really cute. Well, that pretty much covers it! I am very busy with my new calling as 1st counselor in the Stake Young Women and I am very grateful to my sister Heather and to Bryan's mom who have been wonderful watching Parker so I can go to all my meetings etc. for my new calling. Thank you so much! And to my wonderful husband who puts up with a house that isn't always clean and dinners that don't always get made, I love you and thank you for supporting me and working so hard for our family! I love you!

Happy Valentine's Day!