Parker's Baptism!

Parker was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on June 8th and it was a beautiful day. 

Parker was very excited to be baptized and take this first step on the covenant path.

Ben baptized and confirmed her, Grandma Dee and Grandpa Luke were the witnesses, Grandma Leah and I said the prayers, Grandma Lindi played the piano and Ashtyn led the music, Grandpa Danny spoke on Baptism, and Macie Morton (a young adult in our ward that Parker is close with) gave the talk on baptism. Parker said going under the water didn't feel any different to her, but she felt the Spirit strongly during the talks, songs, and her confirmation. She knows she made a good decision to be baptized.

We were so grateful to all the family that came to support Parker!

After the baptism, we had donuts at our house. The kids loved playing with cousins and the adults loved visiting together.

Poor Jonathan needed a nap!

Jessica took Parker's baptism pictures for us and I love them. They turned out beautifully. I especially loved seeing Parker's enthusiasm for taking the pictures and her deep desire to be baptized. I am very proud of the young woman she is growing into. She makes choices to be Christlike and loving every day and has a desire to follow God.

 

Parker's 8th Birthday!

Parker turned 8 at the beginning of June and had a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family! 

Last year, we started a 12 day birthday countdown tradition (similar to the 12 days of Christmas) and had a lot of fun continuing the tradition for Parker this year.

One of her favorite days was when she got to make a cake mix herself! She also really loved the drawing and sticker books.

We also do a birthday date with our kids each year. Because she was turning 8, she got to pick a date out in the city. She really wanted to go somewhere to eat Brazilian beans and rice. She also picked going to a trampoline park for her activity. 

We stopped at a gas station and let her buy this little treat toy. She loved it and was super excited.

Our first stop was Tucanos! 

Parker liked a lot of the food.

She tried shrimp and thought it was okay. She really loved the rolls, steak, chicken hearts, and beans and rice (though she said my beans and rice is better XD). She didn't like the cheesy bread (Ben and I were very surprised), grilled pineapple, and fried banana.

Making a wish in the fountain!

Our next stop was the trampoline park!

She loved jumping around!

Her favorite part was the obstacle course. She loved the challenge and kept trying until she could get it!

She also loved doing flips, making friends, and playing on the little playground they had.

A last stop for ice cream before driving home.

She had a blast!

At the trampoline park, I twisted my ankle. I was stepping off the obstacle course and the curb they had around the edges of the room was crooked there and I fell. A lady sitting on a bench nearby asked if I was okay and I was like, "Yeah, I'm fine." But then I tried to stand up and realized my ankle was hurt and sat back down. It was a while before I could walk limp around on it, but by the time we were leaving the park, it was feeling a little better. Then we had to drive home for 3 hours and my ankle got pretty bad. The drive was pretty miserable and I was worried about how sleep would go, because it hurt a lot by the time I was going to bed. But I was able to sleep pretty well and it was feeling pretty good the next morning. I was able to hobble around and the more I used it, the better it got. By that night, I was able to walk normally on it, though it was still sore. Now (a few weeks later), I can use it normally, it's just a tiny bit sore/stiff sometimes. 

We did her birthday date on Thursday, May 29 and then did her birthday party on her birthday (Saturday). Friday night, I decorated so she could wake up on her birthday to them!

She picked Pokemon as her theme and it turned out cute!

The morning of her birthday, I made donuts (one of the kids' favorite traditions). I let my bread machine mix up the dough, then "fry" them in the air fryer and have a really yummy glaze recipe. I love the recipe, these are our favorite donuts!

Then it was time for her party! Most years, we do a get together with family for their birthday, but the year they turn 8, they get to do a friend party. 

My silly attempt at a pokeball with the cupcakes 😂

Parker loved it and all the kids loved the cupcakes and the Oreos, so 🤷

I did like how the table turned out though! 

We had blank Pokemon cards the kids could color as everyone was arriving.

The decorations turned out cute and Parker loved it.

We started with making their own Pokemon cards!

Less people than we were expecting showed up, but Parker was happy because her best friend from church and her cousin Thomas was there and I thought it ended up being just the right amount of kids.

Then we did a Pokemon scavenger hunt. They had to find all the Pokemon I had hid around the house, following the clues, and then once they found them all, they got a Pokemon Trainer certificate. 

Then it was present time!

Parker loved all the presents she got!

Happy birthday, Parker!

Time for cake and ice cream!

We finished off the party with a Pokemon movement game. The kids had a lot of fun with it! We finished just a couple minutes before everyone's parents showed up and they got to take home a little gift bag. The party turned out great! Parker loved having her friends over and I think everyone had a lot of fun!