Washington

My little brother GOT MARRIED, so we went to Washington for the special occasion. While we were there we got to spend sometime with family and have a fun day at the lake boating.  

 Madison is the best traveler! Here she is watching Curious George on our drive. 

 Grandma's house is always so fun. I love how Maddie and Grandma have the routine of collecting the chickens' eggs together. Madison literally looked forward to it everyday!

 Austin's bachelor party the night before the wedding. Scottie planned a few games and it was fun to quiz Austin on Abby's answers. 

Maddie and I dressed in our wedding day best

 My favorite picture! Austin looked so happy coming out of the temple with his new bride. 

 The wedding party 

 Madison dancing with cousin Kai. It was really cute and funny:)

 Fun with Aunt Susan. 

 Mom with her girls being silly

 I loved this aqua door so we snapped a few pics!

 Maddie and Daddy played hide and seek with these huge hay bails and it was so entertaining to watch!  

 Fishing

 Family pic on the boat

 Maddie and Mom

 Once it warmed up we stopped fishing and started playing! Wake boarding was my favorite part for sure:) 

 Scottie clearing the wake. 

 Madison got brave and tried tubing once with Scottie. We went super slow and continued to reminder her she was having fun! LOL. 

 Madison really loved helping Grandpa drive the boat! 

Even though this trip had some rough patches we are so happy we were able to come be with family around this special event. 

Our NEW Backyard!

After two years of struggling to keep grass alive in our backyard, Scottie decided to take matters into his hands and now we have a beautiful playground for Maddie to play with whenever she wants!

Before

After

 During

After attempting to fertilize our grass and burning it, I complained to Scottie that I just couldn't keep our grass looking pretty. I said you can do whatever you want to the yard, I am done with it. Well....within a few minutes he was out there ripping up the grass:) From the beginning Scottie, wanted a glass-less backyard, so he was eager to make sure I didn't change my mind! LOL. 

 Working hard, even after the sun went down.

Getting everything leveled

 My favorite picture:) Scottie's work clothes hanging out!

 Madison was super excited about the whole process and told Dad, "It's gonna be a lot of work Dad!" That has become a mantra now in the Parker Household:) 

 Maddie helping Daddy. 

 Ground cover laid and border bricks placed. 

 LOTS and LOTS of rubber mulch laid and one tired Scottie, happy to be done! 

 Us with Maddie's new play-set. 

She's so excited and calls the tower her "Rapunzel Tower" 

 

 We're hoping to add a path and mini trampoline soon! 

Good work Scottie Jay! 

Madison's 3 Year Old Pictures

I just realized I never posted more of Madison's 3 year old pictures, so here are some . Enjoy!

So in love with this sweet Baby Girl, and adore how she has blessed our home. 

4th of July

We had a happy 4th of July for sure:) A camping and fishing trip for Scottie. BBQ and a firework show Friday night, golfing, and a family firework show on Saturday. Here are some pics of our good times:

 Lookin patriotic in our Red, white, and blue

and my flag toes:)

Watching fireworks

 Fireworks at Eaglewood golf course! Such a great show and Madison LOVED it!

 Golfing on the 4th

 Current Creek camping and fishing for Scottie and the rest of the Parker Boys 

 Another 4th of July project...this time were taking it out...stay tuned!

 Family fireworks. Maddie lighting it with Daddy and then

 running for dear life!

 She loved the sprinklers

 Our cutie watching away 

I am sure Maddie would have stayed up all night watching fireworks. She kept begging to just keep watching a few more from the window. So cute:)

I am so grateful for the 4th of July and for all of the traditions that surround this holiday. I love being reminded of my history teaching days, feeling gratitude for our Founding Fathers, and for the men and women we served and continue to serve to ensure my freedom. The 4th brings back many great childhood memories with my family, and I love making more memories with my sweet little family of three! And finally I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who blesses this country and gave us this promised land. I pray we never forget who paid the ultimate price and gave us eternal freedom through the Atonement. Many God continue to bless America!