Memorial Day Weekend Fun!

We all had a GREAT weekend taking time to have fun, relax, be productive, and hang out with friends. Friday night started with an evening out with the girls in Downtown Raleigh. On Saturday, Adam and I got a ton of stuff done around the house while Everett took his 4 hour nap! Yes, it is true! Everett has consolidated his 2 naps into 1 now. So, instead of doing two 2 hour naps, he just does 1 gigantic nap after lunch. Needless to say, Adam and I can accomplish a lot in that time! Sunday was a special day because on the last Sunday before Memorial Day, we were bringing Everett home from the hospital. Our friend, Amanda, babysat for us and Adam and I enjoyed an awesome date night. Monday included a few errands and taking it easy around the house. Heather, John, and Savannah joined for a cookout feast and the kids enjoyed playing in the water on the deck. It was a fun filled weekend!

All the ladies - Alicia, Renu, Katy, Heather, Kristen, and Me

Everett rode his wagon down to the pool. He is staring intently at the other kids in the pool as he patiently waits for his turn.

Testing out his new float

Everett and Daddy in their Hawaiian shirts on Memorial Day

I love Everett's swim outfit!

Enjoying the pool on the deck

We're so thankful for good friends!

Heather and I were cleaning up in the kitchen and we looked up to find Everett like this. We have no idea how he got in his toy bin, but we were definitely laughing!

Yes Everett, we caught you!

Playtime!

Everett has had a lot of fun lately spending time with some of his friends. I took him to the play area at the mall for the first time and loved climbing on the structures and being around all the kids. He is starting to say more words "ight" - light, "done" - all done, "ink" - drink, "yummy," and "night night". He is able to shake his head yes or no, and do sign language for all done. Everett loves loves making people laugh and will laugh right along with you too. He has such a charming personality and he is so very lovable! Here are some pictures of him having a good time with friends.

Everett was SO excited

He loved being in this sailboat

Everett opened his birthday present from Kyle and enjoyed playing with the card

Kyle and Everett in the pool

Sharing pool toys

Dash and Everett at the neighborhood playground

Everett loved going down the slide!

Our new playroom

Excuse me Everett, but what are you doing!?!?

Showing Savannah my tent

Random Fact from Adam: "There are more than 34,000 post offices in the country, which is more locations than Walmart, Starbucks, and McDonalds combined (Newsweek article)"

Happy Mother's Day!

Adam and I are so blessed to have amazing Moms in our lives and we are truly thankful for all they do for our family! Thanks Mom and Mom!

This year's Mother's Day was quite different from last year. Last year, my Mother's Day was spent in the NICU next to Everett as he was continuing to recover from his surgery. This year, we all spent the day in downtown Raleigh as a family and had an awesome time! On Saturday, I got to sleep in late while Adam took care of Everett. Ahhhh, that felt so good! We then headed to Downtown for lunch at The Diner. Cute atmosphere and pretty good food! After filling our bellies up, we walked over to the Museum of Science. Such a cool museum....4 floors of ocean life, snakes, butterflies, etc. etc. etc. The best part of it all, Everett just took his afternoon nap in his stroller. Way to go little man!

We then did a quick look around in the Museum of History as it was across the street. Not as much to see there, but still a great place to check out. I got treated to a little refreshment of an Italian Creme Soda and a coffee shop downtown as we continued to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine. One of our most favorite spots downtown is Raleigh Times for great and unique beers. We took a table outside and enjoyed yet another refreshing drink before heading to dinner. Dinner was at a new Italian restaurant called Gravy.....so delicious! The day was topped off by popcorn and watching The Blind Side at home after Everett went to bed. It really was an AWESOME way to celebrate and spend time with my family. THANK YOU Adam!

Everett loves to sit in this position in his carseat and make himself laugh. He was laughing nearly the whole time we were driving Downtown. Adam and I were just cracking up!!

The largest shark's mouth and teeth to be found

Blue Whale skeleton...this thing was gigantic

Butterfly Conservatory

Everett loved checking everything out!

Looking at the fishes

Dinosaurs!

Everett enjoying the museum

Daddy and Everett

Mommy and Everett

Random Fact we learned at the Museum: "North Carolina is the only place in North America where emeralds are mined."

Splish splash!

Everett got a swimming pool from my parents and a wagon from Adam's parents. The awesome sprinkler beach ball is from the Whittingtons. It is over 90 degrees today and we thought we'd test out all of these great gifts! Thanks everyone as the boys had a blast and I'm sure they will for many more sunny days to come! And yes, both boys are covered in sunscreen head to toe!

Testing out the water

Why is that ball spraying water?

Splish splash....we're having fun!

Playing in the water spray

Enjoying the water play

Quick ride in the wagon while we dry off

All dry and playing inside

Happy Birthday Everett!!!

One year ago, Everett Shane Parken was born at 9:13 am weighing 4 pounds and 10 ounces. After his surgery and 3 weeks in the hospital, he was home with us and we have been having fun ever since. Everett has such a sense of humor and overall happy personality. He LOVES playing peek-a-boo, being outside, and trying new foods. He will talk to anyone who will listen and loves to socialize. Some of Everett's closest friends are: Dash (they spend 4 days a week together), Savannah, Annabelle, and Evan. Everett has mastered the art of cruising and will take some steps if holding your hands. He is a champion eater and loves to laugh. Adam and I are truly blessed to be his parents and continue to thank God for his life. We love you Everett and Happy First Birthday!

Just born

Home from the hospital

2 months old

4 months old

1 year old

1 year old

1 year old

To celebrate Everett's birthday, we had an airplane themed party on Saturday. The party planning started with the invitations. I found these adorable invitations by AndersRuff on Etsy and had to have them! Check out their site as these 2 ladies have some cute stuff!!

Love these boarding pass invitations!

Then, I got slightly obsessed with the party favors. I saw the idea of suitcases for party favors from Everyday Celebrating and couldn't let it go. So, I embarked on making the suitcases myself. After 2 days of work, I got them done. I searched forever for the perfect travel stickers that didn't cost too much and lucked out to find them in the $.25 bin at Michael's. Inside the suitcases were: a bag of cookies shaped like a shirt, hat, and boot; bag of Chinese candy, and a bag of peanuts with a label reading "Thanks for flying Parken Airways!" Here's how they turned out...

The suitcases

Items inside the suitcases

Official Baggage Claim for the party

The sign on our front door for the party

After the party favors were figured out, time for the menu. We went with an international food theme including the airport codes on each food label. The menu consisted of:

• Italy - meatballs
• China - egg rolls
• Greek - greek pasta salad
• Normandy - rummagrout (norweigian rice pudding....thanks Kristen!)
• France - strawberries romanoff
• Thailand - cucumber and peanut salad
• Germany - bratwurst
• Mexico - black bean and corn salsa with chips
• Lebanon - hummus with pita and veggies
• Jamaica - pineapple chicken skewers
• USA/DFW - hamburger sliders
• And of course......an airplane birthday cake
  

The food spread

The cake! I can't believed I actually got the cake to work!

Everett's personal birthday cake

Tasting cake/frosting for the first time

Getting good and messy

Birthday fun!

Everett got this awesome red chair from Uncle Johnny, Auntie Heather and Savannah. He loves climbing on it and sitting in it! He also got that cute little pig flashlight from Matt and Mandy and wouldn't let it go all day. He was pretty happy with his chair and flashlight for the afternoon!

With today being Everett's birthday, we took him out for brunch after church. Everett wore his cute birthday outfit picked out by his Mama and Grandpa and he looks so handsome! He enjoyed spending time with some of his friends at the church nursery and loved talking to our waitress at the restaurant. We completed the outing with a trip to the Farmer's Market and to the Chinese store to pick up food for dinner.

Birthday Brunch at Vivace

Daddy and Everett

Looking at the fish at the Chinese store

Having fun checking out the fishies

Doing laps with my Granddaddy

Relaxing in my chair

The Birthday Boy

Mommy and Everett

WE ALL LOVE YOU EVERETT!!!
What a fun weekend to celebrate your birthday!