Camping in Logan canyon

We found a really cool tree on our hike in Logan canyon

The weekend of June 23-25th, we took a little camping trip up Logan canyon with just our little family.  It was our first trip for the summer and we were all filled with a sense of adventure.  We decided to make it fairly simple, "easy camping" is what we call it.

Erika and Heidi chillin' at camp

We stayed in the Left Fork campground in the canyon which is only a few miles out of town.  It has a small stream near the camp, small enough for the kids to have fun in but not very swift.  The second day we drove into the city and went to Toy Story 3, which was great.  (I have to admit that I cried at the end of the movie and I was looking around to make sure no one was watching.  It was very sentimental.)

Erika and Kyle being silly in the "fort" they made

The baby did pretty well on the trip.  He slept right by me in the tent trailer.  The most challenging one this time was actually Heidi, who tends to run off.   We actually had to put her on a "leash" for a little while when we were setting up camp so she wouldn't run away.  We went on a little hike up on the mountain off the road between Logan and Bear Lake and that was fun.  Overall, it was a success.

Me and baby Jared enjoying the campfire

Kyle playing with his animals

Kyle's preschool graduation

                                                                       Kyle singing the "dinosaur song"

Okay, this summer has been sooo crazy so I am a little behind on the posts.  I still would like to do one post for each event, rather than cram them all into one.  So, I thought if I do one a day for the next week or so (when we're home and not traveling), I will be able to get caught up.  Life is so great and there are so many fun little moments I want to share.  (We have taken almost 900 pictures in the last 3 months, to give you an idea.)  We have had such a fun summer- and only a few more weeks left!

          So, Kyle had his preschool graduation on May 26th.   Technically, he didn't actually "graduate" because I decided to put him into two years of preschool because I thought he could use the extra help.   So, he still has another year of preschool before kindergarten, which will be good for him.   He will be going to a different one, though- the same one Erika went to the year before kindergarten. We couldn't help but laugh at his graduation.  Kyle is such a character.  As we were taking his picture, he made at least a dozen different silly faces.  He keeps life interesting for us.  I am proud of Kyle for all that he learned this year.  He has developed a lot socially, including how to interact better with other kids.   He has also learned  letters, numbers, etc.   I have been trying to have "letter time" with just him and I as often as possible.

Beautiful Saviour

Heidi's Birthday

 

On May 25th, only 6 days after Jared was born, Heidi turned 3 years old.  We had a fun evening together as a family.  Heidi has really figured out the whole "birthday thing" now and that was a lot of fun.  All day long she kept singing "Happy Birthday to you" to herself.  She also did really well opening up her presents.  I had fun playing with her with some of her new toys.  

We are so grateful to have Heidi in our home!  She has such a loving, sweet personality.  She is typically pretty quiet and easy-going.  It has been fun to see her cute little personality come through as she has learned to communicate this past year.  She loves to sing songs and dance to music.  I also enjoy watching her play quietly by herself.   She is really content to just play on her own but also enjoys playing with other kids.  She puts up with a lot sometimes, especially from her older brother.  One day at mommy's aerobics class, she had her toy taken away 5 or 6 times by other kids and I watched her quietly pout to herself then move on (She is so used to this at home).  Mommy decided to help her learn to stand up for herself a little!  Heidi also has a special relationship with Lucky, our dog, and can sit and laugh and play quietly with him.   She especially enjoys playing with Erika and Kyle and is constantly mimicking what they say and do.  

    

          Having fun at the "Little Aggies" preschool in Logan at Utah State University (Part of the Up to 3 Program.)  Heidi learned a lot there about following directions and interacting with other kids.  She also became more vocal about what she wants and answering questions.   

Heidi loves to read and can sit for a long time flipping through books.  She will never turn down a story. Out of all my children, Heidi has definitely been my most cuddly.  I love to cuddle with her at bedtime.  I will miss this as she grows older.  She is still a "mommas girl" and she and I have a special bond.  

Heidi swinging at the Dinosaur Park in Ogden back in April.   She has gotten quite the mind of own now and loves to wander and explore.
      We love our little Heidi.  She is so much fun and I am so grateful to have her as my daughter!

My husband- the outdoorsman!

Aaron after fishing up near Challis, ID

Well, since we just celebrated father's day,  I wanted to focus for a few minutes on my amazing husband.  I am so thankful to have him in my life.  Aaron is a great dad.  He helps out with the kids as much as possible and tries to teach them by example and precept.   He also takes the time to play and have fun with them, something I don't always do enough.

Showing off his catch for the kids (The fish is about as big as Heidi!)

I believe that in order to be a good father, one must first be a good husband, as this has such a huge impact on the kids.   Aaron is such a wonderful man- everything I could ever want as a companion and best friend.   He sees the best in me and helps me to be a better person.  He has so many qualities that make me want to be better.   He is a happy person, hard-working, thoughtful and appreciative of me.  He is always striving to learn more and to be better.  I am thankful for how hard he works for our family.  He is very goal- oriented and when he puts his mind to a task, he doesn't stop until it gets done.    He also likes to have fun.  We have a little motto in our family- "we work hard and we play hard."  I am grateful we can have fun as a family.

Aaron also had a thirst for gospel knowledge and I am thankful for all he is able to share with me and our children.  I don't know how I got so lucky, but I know I did and I am so grateful.  Thanks Aaron, for being a great husband and father.  I hope you know how much we love you!!  

Aaron and my dad hunting for cow elk this last January.

Our exciting new addition!

The day finally arrived for our new little one to come-  Jared Lyle Parkinson was born on Wednesday, May 19th at 2:18 pm. He came 3 1/2 weeks early, so it was a little unexpected, but we are glad that he is here and he is healthy.   Although we weren't quite sure when it would happen, it wasn't a huge surprise that he came early.  At my Dr apt on May 10th I was only 35 weeks and already dilated to 3 cm.  I couldn't believe it!!  The Dr said I needed to take it easy- no more exercise, heavy lifting, etc.  It would be better for the baby if I could make it to at least 37 weeks.  So, I was trying to buy some time and make it two more weeks if possible.  I felt like a time bomb ready to blow up any minute.  It can be hard to just "take it easy", though,  especially with so many things to do to get ready for the baby to come.  I did try, and put off many of the things I had hoped to get done.  I could have used a few more weeks to prepare, but the baby had other plans.

The night before he was born,  I had planned a Young Women's activity with all the girls in my ward where we drove clear down to Bountiful to a Wedding/Prom dress shop and had a lesson about  modesty.  They were able to try on some dresses and it was a really great experience.  I don't really feel like it was too much stress.  I do look at it as a tender mercy that I was able to follow through with it that night because I had really wanted to be there.

     At 1:15 am that next morning, I went into labor.   I woke Aaron up and we called a neighbor to come over until my mom could get here from Sandy.  We arrived at the hospital (Logan Regional) at about 3:15 and I was a little disappointed to find I was only at 4 cm.  I felt like I should've been at least at 6 with the way I had been contracting.  After that the contractions started to slow down a little, too.  Because I was only 36.5 weeks (so 2 days short of full term) they weren't going to try to stop labor but also couldn't do anything to help it progress.  So, Aaron and I walked around in the halls and just waited around.  Until I could prove that I was progressing into full labor, I just had to wait it out through contractions.

Finally at around 10:15, the Dr came in and I was 5 cm.  He broke my water and then just after this I got my epidural.   Again, we waited until I was complete.  Then, I had to push through 4 contractions and he was born.   He was 7 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long.   He came out crying with apgars of 8 and 9.  He was doing a little bit of grunting right at first so after a few minutes they took him and put him on some CPAP for about and hour and then he was just fine.  He has been so great- a great eater and sleeper and we have enjoyed him so much.  Our experience at the hospital was great.  It was nice to be pampered for a few days and have time to recover.    

We came home Friday morning and have been making the transition to a family of SIX!!!  The kids have  been so excited about their new baby brother and that has been a lot of fun.

We are grateful to be so blessed by our father in Heaven, who has given us this beautiful blessing in our lives.   We are so happy that he is healthy and there were no complications. What an amazing thing to have a family- to be able to find joy in being parents to a new little spirit sent straight from heaven!   Although having a new baby includes plenty of work, sleepless nights, and many other adjustments,  we are ready to take it on and look forward to many fun and rewarding times ahead.

Happy Birthday Lucky!

I know this may seem kind-of silly, but our dog turned one-year old on April 26th and the kids really wanted to celebrate his birthday.   So, for his first birthday, we had a little celebration.   Erika and I made him home-made dog biscuits from a kids cookbook.  We wrapped him a little gift and sang happy birthday to him.  Then, after the "celebration", he got to finish off a big ham bone from the Sunday dinner a few days before.  (His favorite part).  I doubt this will be a yearly thing, but it was fun for this time.  Having a dog has definitely been a different experience for me than I thought it would be.  I guess it's different from the perspective of "the mom" vs a child who simply plays with it and doesn't have to train it or do much to take care of it besides give it lots of love.  It has been a lot harder for me than I remember it as a child.  I have found I have less patience with him, and less time for him with all the other demands on my time.   But, I know the kids love him and have fun with him and that was the main reason we got him.  He can be a little stinker at times but he is also very cute- lucky him.