Family Fun 2012

A few more pictures to catch up on fun events in 2012!

Preston, Darron, and I love sushi (the cooked kind).  We are learning to perfect it at home!

Fun times sledding at the cabin!

Payton and Parker enjoyed hunting Easter eggs at Sportsmans Warehouse this year (Pres was at his cousins house).

2012 Easter Picture

As is tradition, Kimi, Marta (and baby Silas), Becca, Hannah, Laura, and me spent a weekend in April at our Family Cabin.  These weekends are filled with walks, junk food, games, laughter, and some sleep!

More sledding at the cabin with Parker, Brookelynn, and Max!

We had such a great time in Texas at the end of May.  The kids and adults all had so much fun being pulled in this tube behind the boat!  Peepaw took me for a wild ride, and then Peepaw and I took Bubba Hairy the dog for a fun ride too!

Preston and Max had their first guitar recital.  I was so nervous for them.  They both did GREAT!

Soaking up the sun in Texas again.  A little girl and her daddy....too sweet!

Parker sporting his new glasses for the first time.

Darron and I enjoyed a night out at dinner with friends, then the Dirks Bentley concert.  It was awesome!

A good days catch out on the boat with Maggie and Peepaw.  Thanks for hosing them off Parker!

Peepaw and Maggie kept the kids for two days for Darron and I to get away.  We spent an entire day at Six Flags together.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  Then we drove to Oklahoma and spent the night at the Chocotaw Casino and Resort.  It was super nice and the time away is just priceless!

I finally did it!  Becca and I (along with some other friends) went and got our tattoos!  I love it!

Would you believe the parents of these kids have been our first and closest friends since we moved to Alaska...11 years ago.  We all started off with no kids.  Now, between the 4 of us families we have 10 kids, a new addition since this picture in Seward this summer, and one on the way!!  It's been a busy few years!

This was taken in our trailer while camping with friends in Seward.  I just had a feeling....and although the line was faint, there was a definite line!

We drove to Ninilchick with the Coronado's for a weekend of dipnetting this summer.  We camped just up from this beach.  The guys caught a TON of fish and we had the most perfect campground...eventhough it rained alot.  The beach was fun to walk on and we collected tons of rocks.

While Darron was in Texas visiting his grandparents, I got brave and took the kids the the Air Show.  Whew!  What an adventure that was.  After parking and walking about 8 miles total that day, we all had a great time and were worn out by the time we made it home!  We ended the day with pizza and a movie.  While tiring, I wouldn't have done it any differently!  We had a terrific time together!

I love this man.  We have so much fun together.  I love that we have lots of the same interests.  Date nights with Darron are what fuel me and keep me going.  So blessed and thankful!

The Last of the Mohicans!

The Last of the Rizer Mohicans (at least according to OUR plan) is due to arrive mid-March!  We are very excited, and a little surprised!  While we weren't necessarily trying for a number four, Darron never felt like we were quite done (I felt very done, but I guess God was on his side for this one)! :)

So far everything is going great with this pregnancy.  I was pretty nauseous the first trimester, but thankfully that has tapered off and I only feel sick when I'm super hungry.  We haven't been able to hear the baby's heartbeat on the doppler at any of our appointments, but a quick scan on the ultrasound shows the baby is healthy and doing great!  For these reasons alone, I'm guessing it's another little girl!

Payton really wants a baby sister, although she says she'll still love it even if it's a boy.  Preston wants another brother, and Parker has no clue what's going on.  But Pres and Pay keep saying they're happy we're having one more baby....it melts my heart!  I know they will both be great helpers....again!

Cravings have been bad this time too.  Wings is what I am craving all the time....lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, regular....you name it!  I also could eat mozzarella sticks quite often too.  Basically whatever pops into my head at any given moment is what I REALLY want to eat.  I'm learning to practice great self-control!  And thankfully, at 15 weeks, I've only gained 3 pounds!!

We're scheduled for the "big" ultrasound at the end of October and we're planning to find out what this little pickle is (that's what cousin Max thinks we should name the baby).

While it's still kind weird to be experiencing pregnancy all over again...especially when I thought I was all finished with having babies....it is such a joyous and exciting time!  Who doesn't love a little newborn baby and their sweet little baby smell??!!

Parker- The Life of the Party!

Oh Parker.  The title of the post says it all...."The Life of the Party!"  I'm not sure there are enough words to explain this little cutie!  He is stinkin' hilarious!  And mischievous, high energy, brave, daring, all boy, snugly, happy, a boundary pusher, and just all around fun to be with.  Our pediatrician one time said, "Parker is like a campfire.  I just find myself entranced watching him, like I can't take my eyes off of him!"  And answered by telling the doctor that right, we can't take our eyes off of him because who knows where he would go or what he would be in to!

Enough said.....

Parker does love to sit in laps and snuggle, but he doesn't sit still too long....unless he's sick.  While I feel bad for him, I just soak up these sweet moments!

No, he's not potty trained at two, but he sure thought it was fun to sit on the potty at the cabin!  Goof ball!

We found out at Parker's 18 month appointment that he couldn't see well (thanks for a new digital screening).  After meeting with a pediatric specialist, he's now sporting some cool glasses....when he'll keep them on!  We like to refer to him as "Harry Parker" when he's wearing the glasses. :)

Lovin' that shaggy, curly hair and the fact that he's a momma's boy!

Because his hair grown so fast and I don't know how to trim it without cutting off the curls, he gets to go to the "haircut store" often.  He loves it and the ladies love him!

Parker LOVES to be outside....winter, spring, summer, or fall!  We have to drag him inside!

Leave it to the third child to be the one to test all of the boundaries!  This was the result of him grabbing a hot pan right after we told him it was hot and no touch.  He handled it like a champ though and not anything that is possibly hot, Parker says, "No touch...hot, hot....owie!"

Sporting his cool hand wrap while keeping the blister clean and dry.

The family cabin....so much fun, so relaxing, and full of four-wheeling!  I love that this little man loves to ride on all the trails with his momma!  A boy after my own heart!

Again...need I say more?!  This was a camping weekend.  I turned around to see what Parker was up too, and this is what I found....using the air pump to pump up himself!  Never a dull moment!

And this is why he eats naked most of the time....unless we're in public. :)

My thrill seeker!  Riding his first "roller coaster" at the Bear Paw Festival.  I have no doubt this one will be riding all of the big coasters with me as soon as he's tall enough!

No, this was not his older brother and sister playing dress up.  Parker did this all by himself!  He found Payton's dress up tu-tu, put it on, and found me saying, "See Momma, look!"  He was so proud of himself.  And sadly, this happens at least once every week or so! :)

I'm so thankful we didn't stop with having two kids.  I'm so thankful God had another plan for us.  I can't imagine our lives without this little stinker in it!  He is so loved by everyone, especially his brother and sister.  It's amazing how much grace they give him!  Parker stands out in a crowd.  He's just naturally catches everyone's attention and he just goes with it.  God MUST have big plans for this boy one day....not sure what they will be....they will be BIG!

Payton- My girl!

Payton.  How do I begin to describe all that is wound up in this one little body to make Payton?  Oh how I love this girl.  And yet I'm convinced that every single gray hair on my not-so-old head is directly from Payton!

Payton is so loving.  She loves to hug, and kiss, and snuggle.  She loves to do things for others "just to be nice."  She loves to help.  She's a pleaser (for everyone but her parents I think).  Her love language is physical touch and meaningful time.  When she's out in public, at Sunday school class, or in preschool, she is pretty quiet, well mannered, and a sweetheart.

Then....we have the hormonal Payton.  At home she can be all of the things described above.  Or, she can be the complete opposite!  Payton likes to be in control of situations.  She doesn't like to feel rushed, and she doesn't like to feel like she has no control.  She gets overwhelmed easily and she can go from laughing and sweet, to yelling and throwing a massive fit in under a minute!  It's crazy!

Pay and I have a great relationship.  We really do.  After disciplining her, she always sincerely apologizes and wants to just be with me.  I truly believe she doesn't want her head to spin out of control like it does, but she's having a slow go of learning how to control it!  She's come a long way, but we still have a ways to go.

She's currently on a strike system.  The first strike is a warning, the second strike means no treats (candy) the rest of the day, and the third strike means mommy doesn't rock her at bed time.  We normally spend a good ten minutes just rocking, talking, and singing at bedtime.  When she looses this privilege, it hurts us both.  I love ending my day with precious time spent with just this little girl.

I love our church for so many reasons, one of which was a Father/Daughter dinner night.  The dad's committed themselves to raising their daughters to know the Lord and to love them.  Darron and Payton go all dressed up and she felt like a princess.  So sweet!

Payton wanted her fourth birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.  We had a great time eating pizza, playing games, and opening presents.  

I'm not sure if these two videos will show in the blog, but they are a good glimpse of Payton's goofy, silly personality.  She can be so silly it cracks us up!

Pay loves time with her cousin Max and he is so sweet to her.  They were having a great time sledding together at the cabin.

Two peas in a pod: Maggie and Payton.  Payton loves her Maggie SO much!  And Maggie has such a special place in her heart for Payton.  Maggie came to visit us last Fall and Payton was in heaven....Maggie was too.  I think this is how they spent most of their time together.  

Such a beautiful girl!  I'm gonna be in trouble one of these days!

Pay and Parker have such a sweet bond.  They spend more time together than they do with Preston, mainly because he's in school all day.  These two love to play together, and anytime Payton is sent to her room crying or throwing a fit, Parker is trekking upstairs to check on her.  Payton takes great care of Parker, and Parker imitates everything his sister does....and by everything....I mean the good and the not so good!

In May we realized Payton couldn't see distances at all.  She's now sporting some cute little glasses and she does a great job wearing them everyday.

How sad is this sweet little face?  After a few days of random vomiting and off and on fevers, I started to get concerned.  Pay would go from totally fine, to totally lethargic with a high fever.  Of course we were on vacation in Texas.  After a full work up of chest x-rays, etc, the doctor found that Payton had a good case of pneumonia.  Poor little girl!  With some strong antibiotics and breathing treatments, she bounced back pretty quickly.  It's so hard to see my little ones not feeling well.  This broke my heart...she was so miserable.

And the two inseparables again!  Saying good-bye at the airport is always SO hard...almost more than I can bear.  Thank goodness for a chatty Maggie and a chatty Payton.  They talk on the phone several times a week.  I love it!

Payton loves babies and loves helping with our friends little ones.  She was so excited and proud to feed Silas is bottle (by the way, all of her babies are currently names Sila....after this cute little guy)!

Payton would tell you that cousin Brookelynn is her best friend, eventhough their six years apart.  She looks up to Brookelynn and wants to be just like her.  Brookelynn is very sweet to Pay and loves to do little things to make Payton feel special.

A girl and her two brothers....love it!

And a quick shot of my girl being a girly-girl.  She loves all things girl!  Payton loves dresses, make-up, hair stuff, nail polish, purses, babies, etc.  But don't let that fool you....she's still dig in the dirt and she's generally covered in food, mud, or something that's hard to get off!

I am so thankful for my sweet girl.  She makes me trust in God.  She makes me humble.  She makes me pray.  She makes me feel so loved and special.  I am so thankful for the relationship we have now, and I just pray that as she continues to grow older, we continue to be close.  I also pray that she continues to learn more self-control and how to reign in her big personality.  I have no doubt she will be mighty in God's kingdom when she learns to trust God and not need to be in control all of the time.  But I sure love her....and she's worth all the gray hairs in the world (that's why they make dye, right?)

Preston- All Grown UP!

I truly can't believe my first born is almost 7!  In some ways it's hard to remember him as a baby, but at the same time I can't believe he's in first grade and doing so many "grown-up" things!

Preston is a great kid!  He's always been pretty laid back and easy going.  He can be emotional, especially when he's tired, but for the most part, he doesn't need a lot of attention and tends to just go with the flow.

Preston loves to laugh, especially with his cousin/best friend Max.  When those two boys are together, giggles and laughter are a constant!  They love to have sleep overs at each others houses, and miss each other terribly between the end of school on Friday and when they see each other Monday morning!  They are so blessed to have each other and I am so thankful!

Preston took snowboarding lessons this past winter.  He loved it, especially getting to ride the chair lift and boarding all the way down!  He's excited for this winter to try again!

For his sixth birthday he wanted a Pirate Party.  So he and I stained paper together to create piratey invites.  We had a ton of fun being creative together!

The official Pirate Party invite.  All of his friends dressed as pirates, had treasure maps to find their treasure box, and them decorated the boxes.  Cake was eaten, games were played, and a fun time was had by all.

At the end of Kindergarten, Preston and Max got to ride the train from Anchorage to Wasilla with their class.  They then played at a park, had lunch at McDonald's and rode the school bus home.  The boys had a great day.

Ahhh....fishing in Texas on Maggie and Peepaw's boat.  A boy after my own heart.  Preston has loved fishing since he was little.  This was the first summer he was able to successfully fish off the boat by himself, realing in the fish and all!  Love this kid!

Most of the time he's a great big brother!

Although Pres and Pay have their moments of arguing and annoying each other, they truly do love each other.  Pres has started offering to play babies with Payton and he's learning to help her control her attitude and fits with gentle reminders.  Times where they hug and play together are good for a momma's heart!

We spent one night a week on the soccer field again.  I was proud of Preston for wanting to play, eventhough Max didn't play this summer.  He had a great time and started to really get in there and go after the ball.

Ah yes, the two-wheeler.  At the beginning of the summer, Pres was determined to learn to ride a "two-wheeler."  While camping in Palmer, I took off his training wheels and with just a little practice, he had it down.  He also had a few good wipeouts, but he was tough and handled them like a champ.  We had so much fun riding bikes this summer!

Max's love for basketball is spilling onto Preston.  The boys played bball any chance they got this summer at Max's house.  And they are on a bball team this Fall together.  Preston is so excited....here's hoping he's got more coordination in his little body than his momma ever had!

My sweet boy.  He loves other kids, especially younger kids.  Alayah is new to our group of friends....she's currently in foster care with the Wilson's and we are hoping and praying they can adopt her soon.  Pres loves her and is always willing to play with her and help out.

I am so proud of my big boy.  He has a heart for God, loves people and is out going.  He gets along with just about anyone and makes life joyful and fun.  I know God has big plans for this guy, and I can't wait to see him continue to grow in the Lord and follow His leading!