NC State Fair

The Parken Family is enjoying the Fall here in North Carolina as the leaves are changing colors and pumpkins and apples are everywhere. Our little neck of the woods has a cute nursery on the way to our neighborhood and it is covered in pumpkins and Fall plants. We've been wanting to get out there to take pictures of Everett, but it hasn't happened yet. But what has happened....the NC STATE FAIR! For 10 days, the Fairgrounds are covered with rides, exhibits, and way too much high calorie food items. I didn't think we were going to make it this year with having a nearly 6 month old baby, but we did get to go!!! Our friends, Ethan and Ashley, had free tickets with a free parking pass, so we all made it out Sunday afternoon. Let's just say we did eat our share of fried food. We shared many items so don't think we bought one of each of these to eat on our own! Adam and I tasted: ribbon fries (thin freshly made potato chips that come to you piping hot), corn dog, funnel cake, cheesesteak sandwich, fried cheese, and the new item we tried...fried Oreos. We hunted for the infamous "Pig Licker" - chocolate covered bacon, but couldn't find it. One of my friends said she went last week and got one at noon as they were getting to sell out. That's after 70 pounds of bacon were sold! Needless to say, we'll just try again next year! Here are some pics from that high calorie afternoon!

Ahhh....the craziest of the Fair

This picture is for my Dad. He grows Winter Melons too, but I know we haven't had one this big come out of our yard!

As if you didn't know what food nerds Adam and I were, we love walking around these exhibits where they showcase the fruits and vegetables. Yes, that watermelon won a blue ribbon as it weighs over 211 pounds!

So, I can't read how many pounds that blue ribbon pumpkin weighs, but it is HUGE and there are many others next to it that are quite impressive as well!

Eating some deep fried Oreos with Ethan and Ashley...YUM

Apparently there was little to worry about regarding taking Everett to the Fair. He slept in his car seat holding his blanket in one hand and his little giraffe in the other. Bundled up with a hat and blanket, he slept through the entire thing.

Random Fact from Adam: "How do you like these (facts about) apples? According to Parade magazine:

• The average American eats 17.8 lbs of apples each year
• Cornell University has bred and named 62 varieties of apples, including Empire (a cross between Red Delicious and McIntosh), Cortland and Jonagold (a cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious)
• It takes 10 years to crossbreed a new variety of apple and bring it to market"

Everett's Baby Dedication

Today was a special day to us as we were able to participate in the Parent Commissioning service and Baby Dedication at our church. It was such a special time as we were surrounding by some of our closest friends. Our church organized a luncheon for us all and allowed time for Everett to be prayed for. We continue to pray for his life as he continues to grow. His Scripture verse that we have chosen for him is from Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." With Everett meaning "courageous" and Shane meaning "the Lord is gracious," we felt that this verse speaks of what we desire for our son. Life isn't always easy (Everett has already had surgery) and God has already allowed him to be strong and courageous through that. We want him to know God is with him and protecting him through everything and he has no reason to be terrified, but to be encouraged that His Creator is always there. Thank you for all of you who continue to pray alongside with us as we learn how to parent our precious Everett to know the love of God.

Sarah Fox (visiting from Charlotte), Kristen, The Finocchiaro's (Heather, John, and Savannah)

Branon and Katy, Jerald and Abbey, Ethan and Ashley

Everett getting a little squirmy during pictures

Everett and Mommy

Everett took his first plane ride and trip to Boston this past week! What a fun-filled and busy weekend we had! Everett and I flew up on Thursday and Adam joined us for the weekend when he arrived Saturday morning. We saw a ton of great friends and introduced Everett to many family members up there, too. Our friends Sandra and Nick got married on Sunday and we were blessed to stay with the Richmonds and Mike & Beth while in town. There are LOTS of pictures from the trip, so click HERE to see them all. Here are just a few highlights:

I had an empty seat next to me on the flight....this is how Everett was for most of the flight! He did awesome both ways sleeping most of the flight.

Our friend Merri picked us up from the airport with her son Eli...aren't the two boys so funny as they look completely confused at us!

My great Uncle Tony and Aunt Judy with Cousin Jason and his sons Nathan and Julien

Great friends - Sarah, Allison, and Tracy

Us at the wedding

Visiting the Federici's after picking up Adam from the airport and stopping at Blue Ribbon BBQ

My cousin Kyle with Everett and I

Everett and Uncle Raymond

Everett loved talking and laughing with my Grandmother -
it was so sweet

His first plane ride!

Everett takes his first plane ride to Boston! We are all packed up (thanks to Adam) and all set to go! We'll be taking plenty of pictures, so be on the look out for those when we get back home (Oct 17th). Hope you all are doing well and HAPPY FALL everyone!

Hello friends!

Nothing too new happening over here at the Parken house, but I'm sure some of you consistent readers are looking for some new Everett pictures. I haven't taken too many lately, but this is what I've got! Everett is doing wonderful and looking forward to his first plane ride next week to Boston! We will get a chance to spend time with friends and family! I'm in the process of making sure he has enough warm clothes to wear up there! Here is the handsome man:

Uncle Rock(Jerald) and Aunt Abbey holding Everett as he models his matching hat and shoes compliments of Auntie Bethie.

Dash and Everett talking to each other

Everett is all ready to go to bed! He loves sucking on that thumb lately. We're starting to wondering if we've entered the teething phase as there is lots of drool and lots of toys being put into his mouth!
I'm such a happy boy who loves to talk to anyone who will listen!

Random Fact from Adam: "44 percent of undergrads drop out of college, according to "Crossing the Finish Line" from William Bowen, a former president of Princeton University. Other data from the survey:

• The size, location, and racial mix of a student's high school don't appear to influence his or her ability earn a college degree
• This one's really interesting: those who attend "safety" schools are far more likely to drop out than those who get into "reach" schools.
• 3.0 in high school is the magic number. Students who earn at least a 3.0 grade-point average are far more likely to graduate from college than students just under that mark.
• Bright, well-prepared community college students are 36 percent less likely to make it through to a bachelor's than similarly qualified students who start their degrees at four-year schools.
• Live on campus (if you can afford it): Colleges where most students live on campus and schools that create "honors" groups and "learning communities" are far more successful at graduating students than other universities."