Happy Birthday Mommy!

Monday was my 30th birthday! 

Travis had lots of great plans for me on my birthday but our weekend of the flu crushed most of those :(  I did have a great day with well wishes, great cards, gifts and a lot of love from everyone! 

I have done a lot in 30 years! 

I have gone to Jamaica, NYC, Washington DC, Hawaii, Alabama, Arizona, and lots of Midwestern states. 

I have graduated from High School, College, and Grad School while working full time.

I have purchased a car, a home, and lots of teaching supplies ;)

I have made many wonderful friends and memories over 30 years.

I have maintained and grown a loving friendship with my parents and brother even during rocky times.

I  have married a loving man who is hilarious and makes me laugh every day, even the bad days.

and my proudest accomplishment of 30 years....

Parker!

He too, makes me laugh daily and is filling my life with so much joy and love I can't wait to spend the  next 30 years watching him grow and "do a lot".

Thanks for making my birthday great!

Here's to the next 30!

Reporting illness

Thursday
It started a week ago today.  Parker had a friend get sick at his daycare.  Then at 4:30PM, Parker got his very first flu bug.....and he puked....on Grandma!  He was very sick all night on Thursday evening.  Kim, Parker's daycare provider and her two girls are sick with the flu as well.  Another child also gets sick.

Saturday
Misty woke up at 4AM with Parker's flu.  It was horrible!  Travis, thinking he'd be next was smart enough to begin gathering all of Parker's things.  Parker was taken out of the house and to Travis' parents for an undisclosed amount of time.  We had no idea how long the flu would last.  By the time Travis got to his parents he was sick.  He came home and we both spent the rest of the day/night in different rooms in and out of consciousness...not really on the consciousness, but it sure felt like it!  Parker got to spend his first night away from mom and dad in a rushed, unplanned trip to Grandma and Grandpa's
Misty's dad also becomes ill with the same flu.

Sunday
Neither Travis nor Misty felt better so there was a changing of the guards for Parker duty.  Grandma Vancil meets up with Grandma/pa Stecher and they do the exchange.  Parker spends the rest of the day in Monmouth with Grandma Vancil.  By Sunday night around 6PM Misty and Travis thought they could take care of Parker again, although not quite themselves.  Parker is returned home.
The parent of the two sick day care friends becomes sick with same flu.

Monday
Everyone returns to work and school

Wednesday
Grandma Vancil gets the flu.....sorry Grandma!

Through this report you can tell it's been a rocky health week here. :(  However we are so grateful to have parents/grandparents who live so close that they could bail us out when we physically could not take care of Parker!   Parker had a great time all weekend!  If only we all could have been so lucky!  We hope none of you get this awful bug, it was the worst we have been ill in a long time. 

 

 



Parker walking early stages

The Friday before Halloween we had off of school.  It worked out perfectly. Parker had been taking a few steps here and there all week, but when my dad, and Travis' parents were here and my mom was at the door Parker really took off. This was great because it was unplanned to have all the grandparents here and we're glad they got to experience this with us!  He is a much better walker already but I thought it would be fun to share the beginning stages. 

Monkey Business

We've had a little monkey business going on at home today!

Parker Ooo, Ooo's like a monkey so it was a perfect fit this Halloween!

We started off at Grandma and Grandpa Stecher's

Walking to their house....

Then off to Grandpa Vancil's...

Uh, they're not answering the door...knock louder!

Don't feed the wild animals!

Then we stopped at Grandma Vancil's.  Grandma made our costume this year.  Didn't she do a great job?

Ooo, Ooo, Ooo! :)

Thanks for all the time and labor that went into this fabulous custom made costume Grandma!  It fit like a glove!

Parker also spent time with some of his friends this Halloween!  WOW!  Halloween is a tiring event!  We've been on the go since 2PM...Parker hit the sack at 7:30PM...

  

Happy Halloween 2010!

For the love of Goldfish!

Parker has been super hungry today.  So as soon as we got home I fed him some goldfish.  I set the container down, set him down and hustled into the kitchen to add some milk in his sipppy cup.  It was awfully quiet.....

This is what I returned to...lid off, goldfish all over.

I think there's still some in here mom!

Busy Fall Season

We've been busy these last few weeks of fall!  I figured I should catch up on our whereabouts!

Last weekend was Galesburg's homecoming.  Travis and Parker were decked out in "Streaks" gear for the big game.  Parker even got his first tattoo at the game.  You'll have to pardon the very tired eyes of our tattooed boy.  He made it 2 + hours past his bedtime at the game!

It's also been Scenic Drive here! These are the HUMONGOUS mums we got in Knoxville on the last day of Spoon River.  Would you believe we got 3 for 20 bucks?  We were able to split them and make even more mums for our back yard!  Here's hoping they come back in the spring...

Last week was my cousin Addi's wedding.  She had a beautiful day and pretty fall setting for her wedding.  Parker decided that weddings wear him out!

On Sunday the whole Vancil side of the family went to Country Corner pumpkin patch.  We had a nice time together.  Parker was going on only a 30 minute nap that day so we think he did REALLY well.  We can't wait to go on a fun fall trip again next year with everyone. 

Enjoying a hay-rack ride 

Riding with Grandpa Vancil.  Which pumpkin should I choose? 

Are all of these for MEEEE????

The "men" of the family checking out the pumpkins.

Hi!  What do you think of this place?

Hey, guys, I think I want this one.... 

Yep, this is the one I pick. 

They call this a pie pumpkin...it sure doesn't taste like pie to me!

We also bid farewell to another Jr. High football season.  We love that Dad is a coach and we've had fun at his games, but we are sure glad he's home more now!  Congrats on another great season Dad!

So, that about sums it up!  We've been enjoying this beautiful fall weather and hope it hangs on for a few more weeks! 

Powdered Doughnuts

Today Parker had powdered doughnuts for breakfast.

YUM!

Running Around Town

Today Parker was caught running around town....

 

Hmmmm....where should we go today?

Innkeepers?  I'm a big boy now...I have to have my cup of joe!

A stop by the park.

Maybe I'll just rest a bit on the bench before heading home.

Playtime in my room!

 See ya' later!  Thanks for stoping by!