Later... Deep thoughts

When Val showed the video of their family pics at the reunion I had some thoughts:

I miss Matt's parents. I cried when I saw the pictures of them set to the song, "I believe." I always do. I miss Val Sr. I miss Matt's mom (who I never even got to meet.) I think if I could know Matt's mom, I would have the missing piece of the puzzle that is my husband. I thought about posterity and the importance of family. The rich legacy of faith that can be left behind. The legacy of faith I want to be part of and my children and time.

How quickly it passes.

Family Reunion Season

Ah... Family Reunion Time. We never have McKittrick reunions unless someone dies. (No offense guys, but it's true.) But the Parke family... they know how to reunite. This year all of Matt's side (Uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.) got together in Carey. The highlight was Val's slideshow. He really has that down to an art. I love watching all the pictures and getting a sense of people when they were young. (I have deep thoughts about this but this doesn't seem like the time to share them.) (Maybe later.)

After the big shindig some of Matt's family came back to our house. We went to the ice show. We stayed up too late watching funny you tube videos and laughing. "Twilight, what have you done with my wife?" It was great fun.

This is my niece Ashley. I {heart} her a lot. We used to cheat at Masterpiece.

OK. We still cheat at Masterpiece.

I {heart} this picture of my cute nieces and my favorite brother-in-law Val in the background.

At the water park

(To the tune of 'At the carwash" )

B. O. A. T.

April 2007- Yes, that is snow...and our new boat. Happy Day. . .

Bail Out Another Thousand- Did you know that's what it stood for?

Or how 'bout this one,"The two happiest days in a man's life-

The day he buys his boat... and the day he sells it."

For my birthday (July 5th) we decided to take the boat out. We thought it would be perfect since my mom was here and could help wrestle kids etc. (Also she's never been out on our boat since there is a small window of time here in our neck of the woods to actually use the boat.) (A pitifully small window.) (Have I mentioned how small the window is...)

So...We spend hours loading up with towels, snacks, etc. (I don't know why it always takes us so long, but it does.) We finally pull away from the busy gas station. The whole drive to Magic Resevoir it is Windy. Capital W. And I've lived in Rexburg... so I know wind.

We get there. Matt backs down. I park the truck and boat (straight shot, just like I like it.) (I get super antsy if I have to do any boat/trailer backing.)

I get Riggins out of his seat and walk to the dock where Mom is on the dock and Matt in the boat holding it steady. I jump in the boat. Matt "yells" at me because he wasn't ready for me to jump in the boat. I "yell" that I didn't know. (It's good to get the yelling out of the way straight off.) When we're all in the boat Matt sits in his his captain chair and turns that baby....over. But not on. The boat won't start. Awesome. We try a few things. They don't work.

Matt backs down the ramp. I strip off my warm cozy sweatshirt down to my swimsuit and get in the water. So. Cold. Matt and I guide the boat onto the trailer while my mom drives up while we yell at the kids to stay to the side while I shiver and try to be helpful. After mom parked it we all got back into the boat and hung out for awhile. Seriously. The seven of us just chillin' in the boat, eating snacks, getting windblown, watching 7 other boats pull out. Then we went home.

Good times.

Usually so free with words...

I couldn't think of a good (enough) title. I love these guys.

Turning four

I won't bore you with a lot of details. Suffice it to say.

This is Bella.
She is four.
She is cute, sassy, determined, funny, loud, and an animal lover (among other things).
She is my third child and I love her.

The end.

McCade "graduates" from kindergarten

For the record. I am not entirely sold on all the "graduations" BUT I'm clearly not opposed to it enough to boycott photo ops.

Here is McCade with his BFF, Luke and Mrs. Boatwright, (I'm a card carrying member of the Mrs. Boatwright fan club.) Anyhoo.
"My name is McCade Matthew Parke and I want to work at SunValley when I grow up."