Front Yard Dazzle

Yesterday I told you were were going to get out the holiday stuff after our great time getting in the holiday spirit.  Today Travis decorated the front yard while Parker and I went and did holiday baking with Grandma Vancil and Justin's girlfriend Sarah.  The 60 degree temperatures didn't hurt either ;)

When Parker and I returned home, Parker was dazzled by the yard ornamentation.  He went running right over to Mr. Snowman as if he remembered him from last year.

He also picked up an extension cord box and was prepared to help.  He was much more of a help this year!

Duck...duck...

No Parker those are Penguins.

Duck...!

OK, so our penguins are now called ducks!

Dad, I think you  need to move it more to the left.

The penguins aka ducks, are new as are the small lighted twigs. 

The colored icicles and rope lights are also new. 

Just helping the block get into the holiday spirit!

Holiday Cheer

It's a great day for a balloon parade!

Today we took Parker to the Festival of Tree's parade in Davenport.  He loved the balloons!  It was 40 degrees out, we had great seats, great company and a GREAT time!

We met up with the Nelson's at the parade.  Carter and Parker are great buddies!

As usual, Parker loved the bands....they weren't as good as the Marching Streaks though...

  

Whoa, that's a big balloon!

The boys even did their first Y.M.C.A. dance.

The big man...Santa Claus even made an appearance.  Parker is still trying to figure out how to get Santa to come to his house.

Think, think, think....

We had a great time and hope to make this a yearly tradition.

Tonight was also the Lighting of John Deere Commons.  Parker was a trooper and held out until the celebration started this evening.  

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1..... 

 

This was just the kind of day to get the Stecher's into the holiday spirit! 

Gotta run, we're going to start to put up some lights and decorations around here!

Budding Artist

Parker has taken up the art of drawing.

He wants to be a cartoonist like his dad!

Travis drew the sheep in Parker's room and is EXCELLENT at drawing Disney characters.

Parker's first Masterpiece.

You can bet this is going on the refrigerator! :)

Parker's One Year Photos

Thanks Jodie!  You did an amazing job as always.  No one will ever be able to tell that it was 33 degrees out when we did this ;)

http://jodiemcnally.com/photography/parker/

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!