My Kids and Chocolate

Blake, Hallie and Chase were able to go spend part of their Christmas break with their family in Florida. Grandma and Grandpa Parker took them to this great Chocolate Factory in town where you get to make your own chocolates! The kids had a great time. Grandma sent some pictures with her iphone and I thought I'd share. :) More pictures from Christmas coming soon...

Getting to Know Me...at Christmas!

I read this on a friend's blog and thought it'd be fun...

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.......or family :-). Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, or post it on your blog!Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually wrapping paper with pretty bows.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I prefer real trees but usually we end up using our artificial tree because it lasts longer. This year we're enjoying the fresh pine scent of a real tree!

3. When do you put your tree up? If it's artificial, the day after Thanksgiving. A real tree, the first weekend in December.

4. When do you take the tree down? Around New Year's Eve.

5. Do you like eggnog? A tiny bit, once in a while.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Have to say my Cabbage Patch Kids.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents who can buy themselves anything they really need.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Hallie. She loves anything girly.

9.Do you have a nativity scene? Yep. I have two but only set one up because the other was my Grandma's and it's breaking apart.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mailed my Christmas cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I've ever had a really bad Christmas present. Except for maybe the year I had the stomach flu. :(

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to start in October or so, but sometimes I don't succeed.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Tamales and home-made salsa.

16. Lights on the tree? I prefer lots of white lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant. I also really enjoy the Transsiberian Orchestra's music.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I've done both, but prefer to stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A shiny gold star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I have carried on a tradition that we did growing up...the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve, it is always a new pair of comfy, cute pajamas!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Grumpy people at the stores.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have a favorite ornament (too many) but I love decorating with lots of red and gold.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I'm not too picky about what we eat, but I always enjoy when we do Mexican food for Christmas dinner.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want my kids to have a fun Christmas and our baby Luke to arrive safe and healthy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Merry Christmas!

My sister, Melissa, went with our family to the temple and took some pictures for us for our Christmas cards and gifts. It was so great! We got lots of great pictures, but decided to just put a few. Hope everyone's Holiday season is starting off great!

Twilight & New Moon

First of all, I saw Twilight on Friday morning with my sister, Melissa, and my Mom. We all really loved it and were especially pleased with Robert Pattinson's performance as Edward. Now, as exciting as that was, I just got an email from Summit Entertainment (the production company) and they've given the "go ahead" to make New Moon! Yay! I'm so excited. :) The special effects are supposed to be a lot more intense in this one and I can't wait to see it! (If you're thinking, wow, she's pathetic....I already know. Hee Hee!)

Halloween 2008

The kids have been so excited for Halloween this year! We trick-or-treated in our neighborhood and the kids made a serious haul on the candy load! Blake went to a Halloween party at his friend's house and had a blast. I even dressed up this year...a very rare occasion. :) We had carmel apples when we got home and watched a scary (Disney Channel) movie. I just love when Halloween is on a Friday. :)

Chase is 5!

I can't believe my baby boy is 5! I always tell Chase that he's my little pumpkin baby, born in October with hair the color of a pumpkin! He is so smart, funny, and special in every way. We are so lucky to have our little Chase in our lives. For his birthday party we were lucky enough to get to go to Bounce U with all of his friends and cousins. They played and bounced, ate pizza and cake and had a blast! Thanks to everyone for coming and thanks for all the fun presents. :)

Chase's Preschool Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

The kids' have been on Fall Break this week and have had no school. Since Chase's preschool was going to Mother Nature's Farm Pumpkin Patch, I decided to bring Blake and Hallie along. They were able to go through a maze, go on a hayride, decorate pumpkins and feed animals. We had lots of fun!

25 Weeks

Finally posting a belly shot. I'm 25 weeks and feeling great!

Blake's First Scout Campout

On Friday, Oct 10th Blake had his first ever Boy Scout Campout and boy did he have fun! Him and three other boys and their leaders went up to Bear Lake near the rim. It was a chilly night with winds up to 70 miles an hour! I packed clothes for him to layer, and he said he was pretty warm...that was until he decided to jump into the freezing cold lake! What was he thinking?! He said that even after he got out, put on his dry clothes and jacket, it still took him the whole ride home to warm up. Crazy kid! They caught crawdads and cooked their own meals. He's looking forward to more campouts in the future.

The Final Preview!!!

Baby Luke

We went for a second ultrasound today (due to placenta previa and needing a better angle of the heart) and we were able to see our cute little guy again. His heart looks perfect and the placenta previa is already gone! Yay! 22 weeks and counting...

Chase's 1st Day of Preschool

I'm a few weeks behind on this, but I wanted to post this cute picture of Chase on his first day of preschool. He goes to Mrs. Rogers preschool 3 days a week and has been loving it! He's having a great time and learning so much already.

And the baby is...

A BOY! We went for our 20 week ultrasound this morning. Everything about the baby looked normal and perfect. I was more prepared to hear it was a girl and was a little surprised that we're having another boy! We are thrilled and can't wait to welcome our little Luke!

Baby's Kicking

Okay, so I seriously doubt this is a real picture, but it is way amazing! Obviously not a picture of me, but I am feeling my little one kicking. I love this part of pregnancy. About 2 weeks until we get to find out what it is...my only request is a healthy baby!

Our Little Trip to Las Vegas

Blake, Hallie & Chase went to St. George to visit their Dad, Jennifer and Jack last week. Nate and I went to meet them in Las Vegas this weekend to pick them up and bring them home. Nate and I stayed at the Excalibur hotel and had one night alone, and one night with the kids. Nate and I went to see the Tournament of Kings show, which we loved! Once the kids arrived, we took them to Circus Circus' Adventure Dome. They had a great time! Such a fun place. It was nice to get away, but even nicer to have my kids home!

Blake's First Time Babysitting

Nate and I wanted to go to an afternoon dinner and decided to let Blake try out his babysitting skills. We promised to pay him if he played with the kids and was responsible. So with our cell phones in case of emergency, we left! I was so proud of him! The kids had a great time and Blake showed just how much he's growing up.

A New Barlow

Okay, so I guess I'll post this news now! I've been so nervous since I received the news that I'm expecting. I haven't really let myself get too excited. I've been hesitant to put it on my blog, but after hearing the heartbeat at 10 weeks today (170bpm!) I feel a little more confident. Nate, the kids and I are very excited about a new addition to our family. Coming January 2009!

Hallie's Baptism

Hallie had a very special day today. Not only did she turn 8, but she was able to be baptized on her Birthday! Hallie was baptized by her dad, Bryan and was able to have lots of extended family come to watch! Thanks to Grandma & Papa and their kids, Granny & Gramps, Bryan & Jennifer and Jack, Brooke & her boys, Robert & Lisa and their boys, Dan & his kids, Bianca, Greg & Marcia, Natalie & Scott and the girls, Bob & Lisa, the Lindsay Ward Bishopric, the Nesbits, the Alexanders, and the Yungfleisches. You guys are amazing! Thanks the support and for making this such a special day for Hallie! :)

Hallie's Birthday Party

We had 10 little girls over for a Girls Night Out of swimming, pizza and a trip to the ice cream shop! It was crazy but fun! Hallie had a ball! Thanks for all you sweet girls for coming :)

Hallie is 8!

I can't believe my baby girl is 8 years old! It doesn't seem like long ago I was giving birth to a tiny little baby girl with the longest eyelashes I'd ever seen! She was born at 8:28am on June 7, 2000. She weighed 5lbs 12oz and was 19 inches long...tiny little peanut! She's such a special girl and definitely the princess of our family. Hallie is wonderful with little kids and babies and has such a sensitive heart and is kind to everyone. We love our Hallie! Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

My New Favorite Quote

"It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

Father & Sons Campout

On their way out of town. The camping spot! Chase in the hollow tree.

Blake shaving balloons with shaving cream on them...one of the fun games they played.

Nate took Blake and Chase to our ward's Father and Sons Campout last weekend and they had a really great time!!! The temperature was below freezing during the night and pleasant during the day. We're fortunate to have such beautiful places to camp nearby.

New Gilbert Temple

I had heard that Gilbert was getting a temple but I was so excited when my cousin sent me a link to this photo! Wow! It's going to be so beautiful! We're already so fortunate to be close to one temple and now we'll have two!

Such a Busy Life

Our life has been so crazy busy lately! Hallie takes dance, Chase is in soccer and Blake is playing baseball. Almost everyday of the week we have something!...Not to mention, I was just released as a den leader in Cub Scouts along with teaching the Valiant 9 primary class and Nate is an assistant Nursery Leader (or as he calls it: Nursery Bouncer). Life is busy but lots of fun! I think I'm looking forward to summer! :) I took these pictures of Hallie and Chase after one of Chase's soccer practices and I just thought they were cute!

Awesome Field Trip

Blake is in the Oceanography Club at Houston Elementary. After months of preparation and fundraisers, they are taking a trip to Sea World in San Diego! Blake and his friends will be riding a chartered bus to Seal Beach tomorrow for lunch and then to San Diego to check in and spend the night Thursday night. They get to sleep under the shark tank...he's so excited! Friday morning they get to eat have Breakfast with Shamu (supposedly an awesome adventure)! After they get to have a day of fun at Sea World. He's very excited for a fun adventure! ***But Mom's going to miss him :(