Dear Parks

Parks,
You are almost 4 years old.
Some days, I look back at everything and think about how much things have changed and how far we have all come. Over the years, your dad and I have fallen in love all over again. I feel that us becoming parents has shown off an entirely different side of each of us... and your Daddy is such an amazing father. He loves you more and more every day.
You are such a bright young boy, and you have taught me so much. (Patience would be at the top of that list!!! =) I am so grateful to you.
You like to have drawn out conversations in  the car and they are full of everything to: What., Where, When and How's!! You are so intrigued by the world around you, and you are so ready to learn.
Every week your vocabulary gets bigger and bigger, and on certain occasions I am often very surprised by how well you understand certain situations.
Parks, your Mommy is a person who is often worried about everyone around her-- sometimes, I think you are very much like me in that manner. :)
I adore the way you "Shake your Bum" and dance around the house, and the way you want to be "like SO funny!"
You are such a great older brother.
Today we went to the splash park. You always love being out doors and relishing in the sun.
I observed you playing with other kids and enjoying yourself... I can recall the days of no worries or regrets. Enjoy these freeing moments as they do not last forever....
Thanks for being who you are and loving life. It's such a great quality.
Each day I recognize something I can learn from you.
I try to remind myself often of your great qualities and to let them shine.
Thanks for choosing me as your Momma.
xoxo
Love, Mommy.

Dear Tracen

My little baby boy... today you are almost 13 months old. 
I recently decided that it was time that I start writing to you and your brother.
I can not believe how fast time has gone. 

I can still remember the first moments, hours, 

and days after you were born. 

I don't ever recall thinking that you looked much like your older brother, however, 

you look very much like an Irvine. 

You have always been fairly cuddly, and up until recently, 

you only wanted me, your momma!!
I am so glad that you chose me as your Momma, 

and I pray I will raise you up in the correct manner so the Lord will be proud. 
You, Tray, are such a happy little bundle. 

I really love your laugh and the way you mock everyone around you. 

You attempt to beat-box, cackle, blow kisses, and play peak-a-boo.
Right now your vocabulary is growing quite quickly! You can say: 

Momma, Dadda, Parks (Paw), 

No no, knock-knock, 

More (Moe), and Bath (ba)!! 

However, child, you can scream!! 

You often scream when you are hungry, want attention, do not want to do something, 

when your stuck, not getting your way, 

dont want your bum changed.... etc, etc.. 

We gotta work on that one!! 

I cant get over how much fun you are some days.

Your Daddy and I often say that we love having two boys! Thanks for bringing us

so much joy.
Tray, i just wanted to mention, one last time, 

how proud I am to be your mother! Here is to more letters in the future... 

to you and your brother!

Parks says:

Parks dancing around the living room.....
ME: Parks, go to the bathroom..... stop holding it...
Parks: I don't need to mom, nothing is in my bum...."

5 Years.

There has been a few times that I have looked back on my life and realized how lucky & blessed I was to have found my husband when I did.
I met him in August of 2006, which was the same month my cousin got married. I remember attending her wedding, and being so ecstatic for her, and for the love that she had found. I also can recall thinking that one day, I would really like to have that same bond with someone... little did I know, that was just around the corner for me.
From the time I was really young, it was important for me to marry someone who wanted very similar things as I did. I wanted someone who would encourage me to be active in church, and someone who held the priesthood. Tyson was both of those things... and before I knew it, he was asking me to become not only his best friend, but his eternal companion. He brought me back to life and gave me many things to be excited, optimistic and goal oriented about.
March 10th is our official anniversary, but a few weeks ago, on February 16th, we decided to celebrate our lives with one another and go on a quick cruise.
Our cruise left out of Long Beach and went to Ensenada... We had a really good time relaxing together and remembering why we fell in love with one another. We went to hilarious comedy shows, took long naps, slept in, had NO obligations, laughed a lot at our own jokes, and ate LOTS of delicious food.
Here's a few pictures of our adventure.

Tracen-- almost one year old!!

Girl, You crazy!

Tracen is now 11 months old.

His birthday is March 24th, so it is coming up here swiftly.

His personality is very colorful and fun, overall he's a very happy baby!

He is walking, but only about 5 steps at a time. He gets a little nervous. I must say though, it has been nice that he is not walking. Parks was walking at 9 1/2 - 10 months, which was WAY too early!!

He is talking as well, he says:

-Momma

-Moe (More)

-Dadda

-Paw (Parks)

-Dog

-Deer

& of course "No".

He plays patty cake and some times uses sign language to say "More",

He is a very mischievous little man, but already listens more then his brother did at this age.

He has a contagious little laugh!

He adores his Momma, and wants me to always hold him.. total Momma's boy!

He eats, and eats, and eats, and eats. He's a chunky little thing... and will almost eat anything!

Other then eating, his most favorite thing to do, is to take a warm bath!

He is tiny in his size-- only in the 20th percentile for height!! 

Anyhow, I am grateful for my little monkey's! 

They have been so fun and I love having boys... they are becoming such good buddies!

Slacker.

Good day!


I know, I know, I am fully aware of my slacking off lately. I am rather disappointed in this.
Things just haven't seemed to slow down at all lately.

Where to begin?

In the last six months:

-Tyson has received a raise and has gotten promoted at Morgan Pest Control, He is also still a volunteer fireman and has recently gone on a few "structure" fires. I use to get a little nervous about these fires, but not so much anymore.... He totally loves it. He says it's an adrenaline rush, and beyond rewarding when they have an opportunity to save someone's life. Tyson is going to school this semester, and hopefully will be able to get a degree within the next year or so.

- I have continued to do hair at Salone Sienne and I honestly do love doing hair. It's not always an easy job-- achieving exactly what the client is shooting for, however, when I make someone feel beautiful, it's totally worth it. I am also working for DB Systems in Hurricane. I mostly list items on Ebay for them ( and I get to do this from home) But occasionally I work in the warehouse on random things. I am grateful for this job... it's really nice to be able to do this from home and make some extra money. I am also the enrichment coordinator for church. I have a full-blown love/hate relationship with this calling... but, non-the-less, it's coming along okay.

- Parks is still going to Pre-school and he really loves it. He loves riding the bus, loves his friends, and really loves learning. He has improved on many levels but of course, he IS still 3 1/2 and can be troublesome. I relish the opportunities I have with him where we have full conversations about the new things he is interested in, new friends, new favorites, etc. He often surprises me at how quick-witted he can be for his small size. He adores Scooby-doo, Dino Dan, and Umizoomi right now. I say, right now, because these 'things' seem to change on a regular basis. Parks is such a handsome little boy. He has exceptionally long, thick eyelashes and gorgeous brown eyes. I've wished many times to have those beautiful eyelashes.

- Tracen is now 10 months old and is such a chub lub! I could easily eat him up with kisses all day. He is a total Momma's boy and I have thoroughly enjoyed this. Parks is/was only that way when he is/was tired, sick, hurt, etc. My little Tray-Bug is starting to walk but isn't as steady as he sometimes thinks he ought to be. He has probably gotten way more goose eggs then the average ten month old. I'm sure of it... Poor kid. Tracen loves to eat, and eat, and eat... oh, and eat. He outright loathes bath time and will spend forever playing the bath. Right now he is teething but does have his bottom two teeth already. He is into mimicking right now and will try to mimic almost anything we do... He blows raspberries like nobodies business, and has started to babble. He can say Momma, Dadda, and of course: no. =D Tray has the most adorable dimples ever. Every time he shows off his tiny two-teeth grin his little dimples pop out -- or in. ;) I am crazy about them.

Anyhow, so here's a slight update on what's going on. I will try to work on keeping up a little more.. Especially with photos!!
xoxox

{park says}

Parks: Mom, whats Maya going to be for Halloween?
Me: A Princess.
Parks: What's Tracen going to be?
Me: A monster
Parks: What's Shawn going to be?
Me: A hippie!!
Parks: OH, I want to be a Hippo, or a Rhino!
Me: No, Parks, a Hip-pie, hippie!
Parks: Yeah, a hipp-o, hippo!