Parker Family 2009

Tough 2 B a Teenager!

Oh to be young again! :) Here in ND, Keiley-Shai is enjoying the hot summer sun lying in my hammock...complete with her new shades and spray bottle. The only thing missing is her cell phone, ipod, and a large glass of raspberry lemonade! She's our bathing beauty and we are looking forward to a great summer with her here! We Love You, Keiley-Shai!

A Day at the Pool

Daddy's New Camera

Father's Day 2009

Well for those of you who don't already know, Daddy has a brand new hobby to do in his spare time, which makes Mommy extremely happy! He has started his own photography business (parkerpixphotography.com) to have as a side job while in Florida, and then hopes he can expand the business upon his retirement from the US Navy. On Father's Day morning we attempted to go to church, but Mommy thought the summer worship time was 9:30 instead of 9:00.... so instead of going to church, since we were all dressed up in some of our Sunday best anyways, Daddy decided to do a photo shoot out at the Casselton Reservoir. Here are a few of the shots he was able to get.... not too bad considering we ALL wanted to go in six different directions. We decided to be on our best behavior because it was Father's Day AND Mommy's B-Day too! We must have been pretty good because Daddy passed out bubble gum afterwards as a special treat! :) It's amazing what we will do for bubble gum these days. Happy Father's Day Daddy! Hope you enjoyed your day! We sure did!

Happy B-Day Mommy!

Mommy's B-Day is not only the first day of summer, and longest day of the year, but many times it is Father's Day too. Since she and I share the same B-Day month and Daddy missed my B-Day party this year, I got to share a DQ ice cream B-Day cake with Mommy, while celebrating Father's Day with Daddy and Papa at a family BBQ! Mommy says that this was one of her best B-Day's yet!!! I agree... it was a super fun filled day! Love, Kameron

Welcome Daddy and Keiley

Welcome Home Daddy........and Keiley!
So happy to have the whole family together just in time for Father's Day AND Mommy's B-Day!

Take a Kid Fishing!

The kids have asked me almost every day since school was out to take them fishing, so yesterday when they asked my first thought was... their little kids fishing poles were pretty messed up, if I remember right. Well... when I took them down I confirmed my thought that yes they were a mess, but after an hour and a half spent working on them, they were fixed. I was pretty impressed with myself considering I had to cut and remove some line, take the whole reel apart on some, and yet I still managed to get 5 working fishing poles in the end. The next thing we know we were off to buy a fishing license and bait, after packing a quick picnic lunch to eat out at the reservoir park.

Once we arrived out at the reservoir, we had a quick lunch then it was time to FISH. Jaxon and Kierra were very content with the plastic "practice" fish tied onto the end of their line that came with their poles, but the Adrian, Kameron, and Jayden were true fisher-kids! I was amazed at how quickly they learned to bait their own hook, and how to safely carry their rod in one hand and the line with the hook on it in another. There was also no need for casting the rods (thank goodness) since the fish were biting right off the dock. We caught a total of 8 sunfish, and although none of them were keepers, the kids and I sure had a wonderful time!

Small Notes Music Camp

This week Jayden, Jaxon, and Kierra got to attend "Vicki Camp" at the school. Small Notes Music Camp is designed to promote a love for music at a young age, by doing a bunch of musical activities with Vicki and friends including balloons, scarves, kazoos, musical stories, large movement activities, and games. The last day of camp, Vicki sang a special song to each child as she presented them with their certificate! They also get to march in the SummerFest Kiddie parade to be held in August!

Hooray for (child's name)... Horray for You!
Hooray for (child's name)... For All You Do!
You were fantastic, It's True!
Hooray for (child's name).... HOORAY FOR YOU!

Parks and Rec

Farm Safety Day

"Farm Safety" was a great Day full of learning and FUN. I now regret that I have never signed my kids up in the past. Since we don't live on a farm, I thought it probably didn't pertain to us. This year since I was asked to help out with Farm Safety, I decided sure.... "WHY NOT?" After all we do visit The Ebertowski Farm on occasion, and we just love it when Papa Curt gives us rides on his ATV too. We all learned so much today, that we are already looking forward to next summer's Farm Safety Day.

There were 7 different animal groups today.... Cats, Cows, Goats, Pigs, Chickens, Sheep, and Dogs. Mommy was the leader of our DOG group! We went from station to station carrying our mascot sign and we also had to make the correct animal sound when transitioning to a new station. Therefore the name.... "Farm" Safety! Who needs the real animals! We heard some great sound effects today.

Firefighter Joe taught us how to properly put out a fire. We were shown the correct way to use a fire extinguisher, and he allowed a few voluteers to practice on a REAL fire!

Nurse Michelle assisted each child in making a First Aid kit, which was pretty impressive! Lots of handy items to keep at home, in the car, or for on the go! (.... which we are a lot!)

Adrian and former daycare buddy, Tyler, look at their mystery "SUN" bead bracelets. The beads change color to remind kids that sunscreen is necessary on hot summer days.

The kids got to stage a real "practice" 911 call with a dispatcher recording, prompting them with questions, and then got to tour the Casselton Ambulance!

The kids each got to sit in a tractor in an effort to help them understand what "Blind Spots" are and how important it is to keep plenty of distance between themselves and farm equipment.

ATV Safety- The officer demonstrated the difference between smashing an egg into a metal pole WITH a helmet and then WITHOUT one. You can just about imagine the kids' responses!

During the final session of the day on "Weather Safety", Kameron got chosen to help meteorologist, Hutch Johnson, demonstrate what to do in case of a tornado.

Other topics covered throughout the day include Railroad Safety, Grain Safety, Disablities caused by farm and/or other related accidents, and Water/Pool Safety.

I believe that this is the last "Safety" program that the kids are signed up for this summer, however one can never be TOO safe. :) We had a blast learning ALL about safety together, and now I hope and pray that everyone has a SAFE summer!