Ward Halloween Party (Nolan is Dobby from Harry Potter)

(all pics taken today 10/27/12)

Nolan 6 months

A state park near our house

A natural shopper like his momma.

First time at the pool

First time swimming

First time eating real food

Party time, excellent

Goodbye Facebook

Nolan is almost crawling.

Give him a few more days and he will be getting around like a bandit. We enjoy watching him as he figures out how to get around. He rolls all over the place and stretches for toys/dogs that are within reach so he can squeeze them with his kung-fu grip and place them into his drooling mouth. He loves to scream and smile. Mom makes him smile and laugh out loud because of her funny faces and sounds.

I can't believe that it has been six months since we had Nolan. Time flies. I try to take it all in and remember/write all the details. He grows into a bigger boy every morning that I see him. I wish time would slow down. Thank goodness for video cameras and pictures that capture the moments.

I'm greatful that Lesley can stay home and take care of him. She is such a good, caring, and loving mom. She is a good example in every way.

We took Nolan to the pool the other day to see how he would do in the water. The pool at the Y was so cold that he just cried the whole time. We would like to get him in swimming lessons within the next couple months.

Well, the weather has turned to rainy season. Consequently we will not see the sun till after the 4th of July next year. Literally! So I need to get online and find a nice and sunny vacation to break up the rain and gloom of the Northwest. Maybe I'll find some good wood projects to build in the garage on cold winter nights.

Work is going great. We are really busy during this part of the year. Everybody is trying to get their surgeries in before the end of the year. One of our big money maker product lines was acquired by another company and I'm eager to see how that plays out. I'm confident that we will keep the line, plus carry more products from the new company, like total ankle replacements. I love my job and am lucky to have it.

I'm excited to go into the holiday season. I'm especially excited that we get to go home to my family for Christmas. I miss them a lot and I know they miss Nolan! We will get some snowboarding in and enjoy watching Nolan play with his cousins.

General conference was awesome! I learned a lot about being a true disciple of Christ. I also got the impression that it isn't good enough just to be luke warm in the gospel. I was also prompted to simplify my life by getting rid of facebook. I didn't spend much time on it, maybe 5 or 10 minutes a day. I realized that I need to check-in with God more throughout the day than I need to check-in with friends. I also believe that my blog is a better place to follow my family.

Anyway, life is good and we are happy.

Make sure to vote at the upcoming presidential election.

Much love,

Parker

Since I last updated the blog, we have taken his 3rd and 4th month pictures. We have also been to Utah for our Summer vacation.

Utah was really fun. This was Lesley's first year not going to Lake Powell. She really missed going, but it was impossible to be apart from Nolan because he is still breast feeding and she would miss him too much. We spent a lot of time with my family. My family had a ton of fun seeing, loving, and playing with Nolan. I was also able to give Nolan his first haircut.

While in Utah, we saw the grandparents, nephews, and friends. We celebrated my mom's birthday. I hiked to the peak of Timponogos with my 3x mission companion Zion. It was a long, hot, and challenging hike. The view from the top was amazing. The peak still freaks me out with the high elevation and drop-offs. 

We spent a lot of time camping--3 days with my parents, and 3 days at the Miles' family reunion. It was Nolan's first time camping in a tent. Lesley and I helped my dad and brother work on another structure next to our cabin. It was fun to work on that. 

I left the family reunion a day early because I had to go back to work.  I was in Utah for a week and a half. Lesley stayed almost another two weeks with her sister. It was miserable for me to be without my little family, especially Nolan. He grew up so much in the time he was away. 

He loves to talk and be heard. He loves to smile. He has recently discovered how to roll from his back to his belly. He'll wake us up at night screaming because he can't get back to his back.

Anyway, Lesley and I have picked up a couple decorating projects that we will be restoring in the coming days. I'll post pictures when we get them. 

Until next time,

Parker