Memorial Day Weekend

When Troy got a new computer we agreed that he wouldn't delete the pictures from the camera once he uploaded them to his computer so I could upload them to my computer (his old one) and I could blog and whatnot without searching through all his files to find the ones I needed. Finally today I commandeered his computer so I could finally do some updates. First up: this last weekend

Fete De Fromages

or in english: Fancy Cheese party. That's right. Lots of people,  lots of crackers, lots of different types of cheeses, and lots of sparkling cider (which actually tastes really good in-between cheese bites. Now we understand why "cheese and wine" is a common phrase) Notice all the fancy clothes? Can't have a fancy party without fancy clothing.

               
                                                       Mmmmmm, Cheese. They voted and the favorites were the gourmandis, the applewood smoked cheddar,  the smoked gouda, and the herb havarti. Only the truly brave went back for seconds of the bleu cheese and that-one-that-tasted-like-Albertsons-seafood -section.
 No one even dared attempt the Idaho shaped cheese.

 Like the bow tie? Troy looked all over town for one and where did he find one? In his closet (possibly from his Madison Orchestra tux-wearing days)

 Look at all those different types of cheese...

...Want some? It will make you beautiful like us....


 Just kidding. Do I look like death warmed over? Cuz I felt like it. I just barely caught a nasty cold this day and was fighting just to stay upright and support my handsome fellow in his crazy antics.

                     
                                                                        Camping
After the Cheese Party we hopped in the car and headed up to Lava Hot Springs for some traditional Memorial Day camping, only to remember we forgot our pillows so we went back. When we got back on the road we were exhausted. I tried my first Rockstar energy drink and let me tell you...I don't know... but I LIKED it. For not being a regular caffeine drinker it was a fun experience and we made it there safely around midnight.

  It was freezing, which we were prepared for, and it rained, which we were not so prepared for.

Really we're not very adventurous people and we have Troy's brother Jordan and his wife Anna to thank for putting it all together and loaning us a tent. Here's Rocky, Jordan, Andrew and Alex in the Hot Pot (I was in the tent being sick)

"don't run Rocky. Rockwell, don't run. Hey! Stop running!" He is SO two years old.

Rockwell and Uncle Jordan. They don't look to happy. Oops.

Did I mention it didn't stop raining ONCE? Check out our flooded campsite. So sad. It was so fun but we just couldn't handle the rain and had to come home the next day instead of staying longer like we planned.

More flooding and mud.

Troy looking for rocks for his terrarium.

This little guy was a trooper. He was also sickie and spent almost the whole day in his carseat all wrapped up and sleeping.

One quick picture. It was so cold.

Packed up and ready to go home. I hope we get to go camping again soon because we really would have been quite cozy if it wasn't wet. And Rockwell LOVEd the dirt and the fire and the sticks and the.... well, everything.

So I guess Monday we unpacked and slept and ate our yummy camp food. It was quite an exciting weekend

Green Canyon Adventure

We wanted to take Rocky swimming. but first Troy had to go rock hunting for his terrarium

 Rockwell is such a good helper

This kid loves the water

 We invited a a bunch of people to go with us. Charles and Nancy are the only ones who made it and we're SO glad they did.

Oh, Troy.

I love this picture of these two

 Rocks, water, fire, and sticks. Every boy's dream night.

Two month old Otto

 The last two months have flown by with our recent move and adjusting to our new place and new baby. Otto is such a sweet baby. I call him "Squeaker" because he really hardly cries. But when he does watch out! He means business. I love how snuggly newborns are. Most mornings he ends up in bed with me.

 I've been pleasantly surprised at how Rockwell has adjusted so quickly. He loves Otto, and then he runs off and plays. He's really grown up in the last two months-maybe because I've stopped babying him. He is definitely a two year old, though.

This guy is so smiley! He just loves to be talked to. It's SO fun. Can you see his dimple on the left hand side? I love that.

His two month stats are: Weight: 10.9 lbs - 25%
                                        Height 22.5 in-    28%
                                         Head 14.8 in - 5%
                 

This is my Temporary Home...

So remember how we sold our house, said goodbye to our kitties and got rid of most of our stuff in anticipation for our big move across the country once Troy graduated? (Oh, yes, Troy graduated, but he didn't walk, so there's no pictures. It was kindof anticlimatic so I didn't do a whole post on it, but I was very excited) Well, we did move... all...the way.... to..........Sugar City. We didn't even make it 5 miles out of Rexburg. Why you ask? We were going to do construction for Troy's brother in law (hence the move) BUT Troy got two commissions to do sculptures for people here, and possibly an opportunity to teach art classes. So when it came right down to it the decision was between breaking his body and expanding his portfolio. So here we are. Still here. Still here indeffinately. In limbo waiting for Troy to put his portfolio together and apply for Grad school to see where that takes us.
      We found a cozy little two bedroom apartment in Sugar City. It was the most usable spacef or the best price and closest to Troy's work at Ace. We like the apartment ok but not apartment living-we know too much about the neighbors we hardly know.  I try not to think that we could have stayed in our trailer for another year with our kitties. I try not to miss our yard and our ward and our third bedroom. What's done is done and we're making an adventure out of it. So here's to  a new, hopefully short, chapter of our lives....

The Last Two Weeks

These last two weeks have flown by. I appreciate the help of my our families while we try to adjust to having two sweet boys to keep our hands full.


 This is Otto 1 week old

I slept in one morning and Rockwell's movie ended too soon. He got a hold of the open Nutella jar and got it EVERyWHERE. Haha! He almost looks sorry here.

\

We took Rockwell swimming at Jordan and Anna's complex swimming pool. He kinda liked it. Mostly he wanted the ball some other kids had brought. We'll have to try again... with a ball... and a life jacket. Something here about Rockwell... He is very cautious. I never worry about him jumping off things that are too high or climbing things he can't handle. He's very aware of his limitations. So at the pool he would turn around and carefully back into the pool and was very careful the whole time.

Otto at two weeks old. He sleeps so much right now that I can hardly get pictures of him with his eyes open. He doesn't cry when he's hungry at night, but I wake up to the sound of him sucking on his hands! Only if I fall back asleep and let him go too long will he squawk. He only cries when I bathe him or change his diaper. I hope he stays this good natured.

Troy's cousin Ryan came and visited from Montana and brought his wife and little boy who is about Rocky's age. The boys played so well together. I LOVE this picture of them fist bumping.

Aaaand one more of sweet Otto for your viewing pleasure. Doing here what he does best. I'm not complaining. Not one bit.

Of all the balls that Rocky is obsessed with, basketballs take the cake. This is his new favorite sport. Sometimes he even tries to shoot hoops by himself. Poor kid doesn't know what a disadvantage he'll have being a short basketball player cuz he didn't get any tall genes from us.

Otto Fredrick Parson

Troy and I joked that this baby wouldn't come until he finished his big sewing project for the big fashion show on saturday night. He finished it Saturday morning (after literally working on it all night), showered, styled his hair, and we went to the doctor to be checked. He didn't think I was in labor- I guess I'm I need to crank up the dramatics next time. Luckily the Dr believed me (I was nervous he would send us home) and sent us up to the hospital. The rest was pretty smooth sailing. At one point I think I said "This kid better come soon because I'm starving!" and he came not long after that. Troy even made it to his fashion show. We are SO happy he's here and part of our family. He was 6 lb 7 oz 18 inches long

Troy with his second son. He was there this time! Haha! They were still fixing me up in the background.

Me and my second son after I caught my breath.

Grandma and Grandpa Parson

Great Grandpa Jack and Great Grandma Barnes

Luckily we snapped this picture fast because he handed him back in about 2 seconds. Rockwell has been so sweet with him. He gives him kisses and shares his blankie with him. Don't get me wrong, he's having a hard time adjusting, but towards the baby he's been very sweet.

        Grandma and Grandpa Barnes

I had to post a picture of his sweet grey and orange going home outfit.

A Sad Farewell

I really need to stop underestimate the power of craigslist. Troy and i decided that the best thing for the cats would be to find them new homes since a few major moves seem to be on our horizon. Doubting anyone would want two adult cats we posted them on craigslist, KSL, and Rexburgswap.The next day Troy got a call from a young couple who wanted to come take a look. They went home with Bandit. The next day someone emailed. They went home with Monster. I wanted to call them and tell them "Just kidding". I wasn't ready to give up my Monster.

Today Troy got a text from the couple who took Bandit. They said "We just wanted to let you know Bandit is doing great. We could not have asked for a better cat" When I talked to the people who took Monster, they said he was adjusting well, they loved him and they like his attitude. So while we miss our kitties, it's a relief to know they went to good homes and are well taken care of.