Patient Parker 2010

9 months old

6 months old

2 months old

In 2010 Parker was born and our hearts were captured right away! When that first smile graced his little face it seemed to unlock some unknown love in our family and we can't stop trying to make him smile.

Parker brings with him a calming influence on our family. He is laid back and full of joy. He is very content to sit back and figure things out before diving into anything. He is thorough and takes his time discovering new things.

Parker LOVES and ADORES his big brother Jackson. Last Saturday Rob and Jack went fishing and Parker and I spent the day together. The entire day Parker kept looking beyond me to see if he could catch a glimpse of the Jack that wasn't there. Parker gets really sad when we have to drop Jackson off at school...he complains for a couple minutes after Jack gets out of the car. I hope as they get older their bond as brothers will only increase.

Parker is sensitive. If I ever have to tell him "no" he gets a little sad...I might have to be careful for that in the future. He is social. He can waive "hi" and "goodbye" now. He especially likes to waive "hello" to you in the mornings when he wakes up. Parker is a snuggler he really likes to snuggle when he is tired. Parker's loves right now are:

- Bath time (the kid could spend all day there)

- Eating - LOVES to eat anything I put in front of him

- Playing with toys and watching Jack run around

- Clapping and waiving

- Giving forehead bonks to you...kinda like a forehead hug

Parker has been such a fantastic addition to our family. We are all totally in love with this boy. Can't wait to see what you turn into little man.

Just Jack 2010

Jack sporting his Football unioform

Riding Thomas the Tank Engine

As this new year of 2011 starts I wanted to take a chance to write down some thoughts and feelings that I have concerning Jackson and his growth this past year. Jackson has had many changes this year the main being a change from toddler to young boy. He is no longer holding onto anything toddler...it is all BOY!

Jack has been attending pre-school this year and LOVES it. He is so happy to go ALL BY HIMSELF. He loves learning and is asking about what rhymes and what letters go with what to make words and is learning to write. Jackson has quite a thirst for knowledge and a great memory...he can recall something that happened a year ago. He can't get enough of going to school and he adores his teacher Mrs. Mikel.

Jack became a BIG BROTHER this past year. His little brother Parker absolutely and completely loves him. Jackson can make him laugh and smile and he is found telling Parker all about his day and what is going to happen next or what his favorite idea is at the moment. Jackson is learning to share his toys and help Parker out when he is sad. Jackson has shown much love and kindness as well as this unknown (to his parents) tenderness towards his little brother. He helps him eat his Cheerios and will sing to him when he is going to sleep he also is a wonderful entertainer. Jackson and Parker love to take baths together and love to explore the water world that the tub turns into.

Jackson is blessed with LOTS and LOTS of energy. This past year he has been learning to hone that energy and use it where it is appropriate.

Jackson started soccer in the Fall and showed us his athletic abilities as well as learning to listen to a coach and be a member of a team. He had a great experience and can't wait to get back on the field in the Spring.

Jackson is a pretty tall kid for his age. In Disneyland that worked mostly to his advantage except on one ride that was a really fast train (a little too scary for a three-year-old). He was also tested for all types of allergies this year...we called it the "Isty Bisty Spider" scratch test at the doctors. We found out for certain that he is allergic to peanuts...we pretty much knew that but it is nice to know the severity of it. With his height is makes it a little tricky to find clothes that fit him well. He is really tall and skinny and in between toddler and boy clothes. He seems to be just fine wearing warm-up pants and or athletic shorts and University of Utah t-shirts all day everyday.

Jackson is a bright spot in our home. He is intelligent, fast, learning to stay within the limits that are set and just a joy to be around. Jackson is very opinionated and isn't swayed easily. He loves to be social and asks daily to play with friends and or to go to either Grandma's houses to play. He ADORES his cousins and can't get enough of playing with them.

Some of Jackson's loves of the past year have been golfing with his dad at the driving range, playing soccer, going to the University of Utah Football and Basketball games. He loves to play with trains...Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends to be exact. He can be found round the clock singing...any and all types of songs. As of the last month he is really into Lego Star Wars due to a Wii game Rob introduced him to- the Wii is also one of his loves.

We love having Jackson in our family and as his parents he has forced us to up our game and be constantly aware of how we are teaching and rearing him. He has made a lot of progress this year and we are so proud of him and can't wait to see the boy he is turning into.

Childhood Memories

I just ate a bowl of Life cereal with Jack this morning for breakfast and I was instantly transported back to my moms kitchen as a child. Sitting at the breakfast nook with my siblings when life was a little more simple. I find it fascinating how eating certain foods can bring back such strong memories. I love the scene in the movie Ratatouille where the mean old food critic eats one bite of Remy's food and he is flooded with a memory of eating the same dish as a child from his mother's kitchen that healed his heart as well as his soul. I might love food a little too much, but those were some great memories brought back by a bowl of cereal.

Holiday Fun Part II

We were so lucky to have Rob home for the week between Christmas and New Years. We spent the time hanging out with family, seeing movies, playing games with friends, shopping and just spending some quality time together as a family. We went snowshoeing one day up Big Cottonwood canyon. It was BEAUTIFUL, but really cold. The kiddos did really well despite the cold. Jack even tried out his new snowshoes Santa brought him.

Parker was a little tuckered out!

Jack wanted "NEEDED" a ride on the way down, so I took a turn carrying him. We passed someone on the trail who asked why Rob wasn't carrying a child and I told them this was my way of burning off a few extra calories. I think it worked ;)!

Holiday Fun

Christmas was MAGICAL this year! Rob and I were so excited Christmas morning that we were awake quite a while before the kiddos. We feel very blessed this time of year to have the love of family and friends and most importantly our Savior Jesus Christ. We had so much fun celebrating this year, it felt like one HUGE party.

Cousin Alex playing on the Iphone...probably making our pictures into really fat people.
Felt Family Party

Ryan and Jack checking out the presents!

Gonzalez Family Party

Joaquin, Jack and Isaiah

Parker Christmas morning checking out his new toys!

Jack on his new Bike.