Parker's Party!

For Parker's party this year- I really wanted to do something duckie related. He loves water and loves to play with his duckie! I thought that doing candy as the main refreshment would save on money and prep time- so that's what we went with. Well... the colors of the candy were so vibrant and pretty when placed in glass candy dishes- that doing blue, yellow,and white duckie themed party just didn't fit. And we already had the candy. So... we did both. It really wasn't the most cohesive and I'm not even sure the guests saw the ducks (or the duck shaped ice cubes that took 4 days to re-freeze) but it was sooo fun! A TON of people showed up, and even a few surprises showed up! All in all, it was a great party. OH, and yes. He had his very own cake. :)

here's where I got my ideas from: the ballon wreath , the yarn balls, and the sponge water bombs (pictured in the pool)

Parker Post- 1 year!

HOLY COW!

I literally can not explain how weird it is that Parker is 1! I mean, am I really old enough to have a 1 year old? Did I really survive one whole year with a child? And he's normal---WHAT!?!

It's CRAZY! Even still. I always just think he's 9 months old. I dunno why. I guess the same reason I still think I'm 18. Who knows?

Anyways-- here are Parker's stats: 

Height: 29.5 inches

Weight: 20.5 lbs
Head Circumference:    (who cares?) 

 {this is him at the DR's and the onesie I made for him}

About Parker: 

He LOVES to: 

-take a bath

-swim

-push things around

-crawl

-chase after anyone who 

leaves from the front door

-play with electronics- a NO NO

-sleep with 1 of 2 light blue crocheted blankets 

(one made by each of his great-grandmas)

-eat... basically everything

-especially meatballs and animal crackers

-playing with other kids

He DOESN'T like: 

-getting his diaper changed

-getting dressed

-being held

-staying quiet during church

-juice

-getting his ears/nose/hands/face cleaned

-being dirty 

(those last two really don't work together... hence the daily battle)

-anything cold

-cuddling

Other: 

-he signs more, all done and is working on please and thank you

-he loves to crawl and is VERY close to walking

-loves to laugh, and he smiles a lot

-he flips the pages while we read

-he claps by holding one hand still and moving just one hand

-he drinks VIT D milk 

-drinks water from a sippy cup

-he takes two 2 hour naps a day

-can climb up and over the couch/pew 

-can stand/squat by himself

{the family at Coney's getting some froyo}

My mom, Morgan (left) and Gabrielle (right) and Alyssa (not pictured) were all here for Parker's birthday! The day before we got to go to a tour of a candy factory! It was a blast! So glad they all could come- even if it was for just a quick visit. 

Parker had a great birthday! Love you, Parker! :)

Erica's Baby Shower

I was able to host a baby shower for my SIL Erica. 

We're excited to meet Eric Reed Alvey Jr.
And his due date is my birth date- so woot woot!! 

I just wanted to share some pictures of the party- it was a blast! 

Thanks to everyone that came and supported Erica and baby Reed!

Ideas came from: cupcake to go

July 2011

Our July was pretty eventful. So is every month, right?? 

It started out with the 4th of July. 

We headed up some mountain for Grandpa Chuck's (Jed's dad's dad) annual breakfast. 

It was delish and a fun way to start the rest of the festivities! 

Then we went home, got ready, and headed up to Roy for the other Alvey's BBQ. There was so many people there, yummy food, and Parker got passed around to everyone- so for me, it was a hit! 

This is was we made: 

I got the recipe from Craftaholics Anonymous. I made each layer over several days, and just garnished the top that day. It made it way easier, and much more fun. 

You'd think after that jello dish- that things like this wouldn't happen: 

but they do. 'Tis life. 

Then we went to the Benson reunion the next weekend. It was in this beautiful location: 

Parker got to play with his Grandma's hat

hang out with Dad

and we did an "Amazing Race" with the whole family. Jed and I were team captains for our teams- and my team won 2nd place and Jed's team won 3rd. Then we both were in the horseshoe tournament and my team got 4th place and Jed's team won. It was SOOO much fun! I loved how organized everything was, and I got to meet a lot of new family members. I even volunteered to help out next year-- which should be fun. 

Then we watched my cousins for 4 days. We stayed at their house and basically didn't see Parker the entire time we were there. There kids just love Parker and he LOVES the attention they give him. It was fun to get to spend time with them, and to help out so my aunt and uncle could have a getaway. 

Then we celebrated our 2 year anniversary! We went out to the Olive Garden for lunch one day. {Thanks Lillie for watching Parker!) 

Then, we arranged for Charles and Erica to babysit Parker (OVERNIGHT!!! thank you, thank you) and we got to go to the drive inn to see Harry Potter! It was a magical night- mixed emotions about leaving Parker- but it was really REALLY nice to have some time with just the two of us. {The FIRST overnight since Parker was born!}

Then the next weekend we went camping with our ward and then the next weekend we went camping with a big group of friends. Both were awesome trips and Parker did so well. I feel LAME because I didn't really get pictures of either trip- because we were just having WAY too much fun to stop and get a picture I guess. 

Here are a few other pictures for your viewing pleasure: 

Up next for the Alvey's is a baby shower, first birthday/party, hopefully getting a job offer, and applying for grad school. YAY! Life is gonna start calming down.

Bra shopping

I am in the market for a new bra. 

{Whoa, Aubrey. Isn't that a sensitive subject to be putting out in "blogland"? No- it's a fact of life. And I'm pretty sure no men read this blog. So I'm okay with it}

My friend, Christine, told me she was gonna look at my blog today. 

No one has ever told me they were gonna look at my blog. 

I was {MORTIFIED}.

Why? Cuz I haven't posted on here forever. 

and because I have so many high hopes for this URL-- that have NOT happened. 

Anywho--- welcome, Dean!

Back to the BRA situation. 

For those of you who are equally or more "endowed" than I am in the chestal region, I am SO Sorry! I think they make bra's for sizes nearly A-B... and after that- you are just expected to deal with the icky spillover, back bulge, and all other sorts of uncomfortable-ness.

Why am I so suddenly interested in this?
I am DOOONNNNNEEEE breastfeeding. 

Parker is 11 months and 9 days old, and I am done. Well, WE are done to be exact. 

Let's just say 6 teeth {fangs} are not allowed ANYWHERE near these jewels. 

My experience with breastfeeding was a ROLLARCOASTER to say the least, but I passed my goal of 6 months a LOOONNNNGG time ago, and with Parker now totally fine without my milk- I feel like doing some sort of rain dance, 

except I CAN"T. Cuz my bra doesn't hold these things in. 

So here's where YOU come in. Have you found a brand or style that has helped you? Or have any suggestions for when I go bra shopping for a NON-nursing bra?  I really need some help here, sisters. (Literal and figurative sisters)

Please leave a comment.

Vacation 2011

We had the GREAT fortune of getting to VACA again this summer! It was an amazing trip {nearly COAST to COAST} and it was totally worth it. Here are our pictures: 

 

 Before we left- at the airport

 first FAMILY flight. Parker's 3rd

 At OMA's. and OUT- in ILLINOIS

 Jed helping Grandma

 Uncle Grant with Parker

 Oma giving Parker a bath!

 Cousin Ryan with Parker- going to the park

 Shelling the shrimp (Ashley, Me, Amol, and Jeremy)

 Lauren and the kiddos

 Jared, Parker, and Callie

 Dad and Parker

 Oma and Parker (GREAT picture!)

 I just love how Parker is sitting!

 Parker is in the coffee table at the Wheeler's!

 VIRGINIA

 COUSINsss

 washing the car

 pool fun!

 the Atlantic

 converts from Jed's mission: the Wackerly's (LOVE them!)

 the Botanical Garden

 the ocean again..

 Ryan playing with Parker

 Another convert family: the Baum's (sweet family!)

 Aunt Day and Parker

 SISTERS

 waiting in a LONGGGGG line at the airport

on our way home.... 

We had an amazing time. Seriously. From the get go when I searched FOREVER for airline tickets-- I was getting excited. I don't think it was until we were on the airplane that I realized how STOKED I was. We headed to Illinois first to help with preparations for my Uncle Jared's sealing in the Chicago temple.

The week was full of busy preparations, walks through my hometown, yummy food courtesy of Jared, and good ole' fashioned quality family time. We got to see so much family and friends and make so many special memories. My grandmother so lovingly opened her home to everyone and made us all feel at home, like usual. She really is one of my favorite people. 

Then we were headed to Virginia. This dual trip was different than we had planned- but with the right price and perfect timing, we just continued on to the coast. The weather was HOTTTT but we loved getting to stay with my sister. Her three kids (almost 4!!!) were soooo great with Parker. They played with him the Entire time, and taught him how to go UP stairs! yay! 

Getting to see the ocean, visiting Jed's mission area and converts, as well as the nearly daily trips to the pool made this trip amazing. But my favorite part of everything was getting to spend time with my sister and her family. When I found out they were moving to Virginia I thought it would be forever until we would get to see them. So when this trip unfolded- I was sooo extatic. Thanks Day for opening your home and your arms. Always.