Harbon's Got Talent

Jakey shows us his talent!!

Josh does some flips

Lauryn is so much braver than me!

Katherine & Elisabeth are the judges

Josh & Zachary do a puppet show that none of us understood :D

More judging!!

Lauryn

So, we were driving home from London and we got a text from my brother inviting us all over for Family Home Evening. I guess after the grand final of Britains Got Talent we needed something to fill the void. Hence our activity that night :D Just a few photos from all the fun!!!

Crosby Beach

Lauryn making her sandcastle

Everyone enjoying some ice cream (but us!)

Jacob wants a bucket and spade too!

Josh and his castle, he shovelled a path all the way to the water and was frustrated when he discovered water didnt flow uphill ;D

Lauryn skidding down the sea wall

Jacob had fun in the sand

Katherine's sandcastle is a work of art :D

Down on Crosby Beach having fun :D

Spending an afternoon of half term at Crosby Beach.

Celebrating the end of Travis 2nd year!!

At Stratford-upon-Avon Marina

Josh at cousin Duran's Home, with Eron

The kids riding Uncle Rowlands kit cars with Jacob & Mauricio Duran

Katie, Lauryn & Jacob in the tractor

Sir Josh the knight, Princess' Katherine & Lauryn, Travis & Jacob at Hampton Court Palace, London

On deck of the ''Golden Hinde'' Tudor Navy Ship, London

Travis finished his 2nd year exams, and we went off to London for a few days. The kids were out for Whit Week half term also. We had a fun couple days camping in Chertsey, with the Camping & Caravanning Club. It was great. Weather was good, and the kids enjoyed the club house right next to our pitch. It meant I could watch the last 20 minutes of the Champions League final tho and enjoyed watching Manchester United getting slaughtered by Barcelona. I do like it when I get to witness Manchester United having a good cry!! LOL

We had a good ride into London on the train and after we got some immigration photos done, we went to the Golden Hinde. Its a Tudor sailing ship captained by Sir Francis Drake. We got on a workshop and went thru each level which was demonstrated and shown how each person on the ship would live and things they had to do. The kids loved it. Its always good to find something different away from the usual tourist hot spots everyone knows in London. We had a really lovely walk along the River Thames along Bankside back to Waterloo Station, it took some time, but we could see all the sights on the other side of the river, and walked past Shakespeare's The Globe Theater and the Tate Gallery, Millenium Bridge. Would really liked to go on the London Eye, but its just way too expensive for us. It made a nice change from going in and out of stinky dingy tube stations and not seeing anything.

We had a day at Hampton Court Palace, which was fantastic. It was such a cool place to visit. This was one of the residences of King Henry VIII and so there was lots for us to see here. Lauryn was excited as she has just started the Tudor period at School. We liked seeing the Chapel where he married one of his many wives and the royal box. We had a good laugh in the Maze despite my attempts to memorise the way into the middle, we still got lost LOL.

Then we went to stay with my Auntie Barbara & Uncle Rowland. We just love staying with them. They are so kind and the kids love it at their house. The weather was great the whole time. We had a fun couple hours walking around the market at St Albans town center, and went to a nearby river where the kids could play in the water. There were some huge fish that would swim right past our legs! We had fun times with my cousins Clare & Claudio Duran & Janet & Ian. We had a fun time up at the Duran's ''farm'' on Sunday. It was the best.

We made a stop in Stratford-upon-Avon to break up the travel home. We haven't been there since Katie was a baby. So its been some time. Its such a beautiful place though. We didn't have time to go and look at the birthplace of Shakespeare this time, but we just had enough to spend a couple glorious hours relaxing by the River Avon and having some lunch in the sun.

Now we are awaiting the exam results..........................

Lauryn & her wrist......

So, there couldnt be any worse of a time (well maybe I guess) for Lauryn to fall off the Trampolene and sprain her wrist.... Yes for the first time since we have had the trampolene (of about 5 yrs) we have had our first major incident. Ironically Travis & I had just been discussing prior to the accident how buying it had been a worthwhile investment. Which, despite what happened I still believe it was worth every penny we spent on it. Its still the kids favourite pastime in the garden. They just need to know how to be a bit safer on it. Still Lauryn did give me a shock, when Josh came running in to tell us she was laying on the floor crying. You know everything goes thru your mind. She was lucky, considering how small our yard is and how large the trampolene is. (It takes up almost all the grass of the back yard). So she actually managed to land on the small area of patio surrounding the shed. She put her hand down to protect her head (whilst falling backwards) and landed on her wrist. I called Jenni - it really is handy having a doctor to consult - and felt it was probably best for it be checked for brakes at the hospital. So off we went Lauryn and I on the bumpy, winding, trek to the A&E Dept at Ormskirk Hospital (they are still campaigning for the childrens A&E to be brought back to Southport, last night they had every bit of my support!!!) It is not a fun ride - yeah tell me about it, after having to do it 2 yrs ago to give birth to Jacob - but luckily the roads were emptyish and that did help alot. Lauryn questioned whether or not I knew where I was going and at times, I have to say I wasn't too sure myself, especially when I came to town center didnt know if there was one way systems or not. Shows how slack I am getting by letting travis do all the driving. LOL

We didn't have long to wait, so that was 1 consolation, and I tried to keep Lauryn cheerful in between her crying. We had a good laugh looking for the X-Ray department in a deserted hospital - and got the good news that it wasn't broken but sprained.

The bads news for Lauryn is that she is going away with her school class on an Activity break for the weekend (tomorrow) and this has thrown a GIGANTIC spanner in the works. I went to talk to her teacher this morning, and discuss our options. She won't be able to do many of the activities she was looking forward to: Quad biking and climbing to name a few. She still wants to attempt the caving. I bought her a tube bandage and its helped with the pain today. So she is packed and all ready to go and will get a blessing from Daddy tonight. I am worried and stressed and anxious about it all, and even more worried than I already was about letting my daughter go away for the weekend without me....... so this is going to be a real test for me.

Katherine's 7th Birthday

I asked Katie if she wanted High School Musical or Hannah Montana "That Dolphin one over there" was her reply. Cute

Katie with her blue tounge!

Katie & her Dolphin Plymobil set. Elena loved sitting next to her and watch her open her pressies

At IHOP the birthday girl

The Parker Family at IHOP

Katie in Uncle Brad's Wildcat gear, on the morning of her birthday, after a fun sleepover at Brad & Kacie's ;D

Katie & her birthday cake at her party at Brewers Fayre with all her school friends

Playing with one of her friends on the toys

Katherine celebrated her 7th birthday in April, and because we would be away over Easter she had her birthday party with her friends before we left. She was really indecisive over what to do, you know how they are they think about it all year, and then when it came to the crunch she couldnt choose. So because we were going away I talked to her best friends Mum (whose birthday is only a few days away from Katies) and decided to save money and have a joint birthday party at Brewers Fayre. They had a great time. It was a mixed party this year, but we kept the numbers low and it was a great success. She got tonnes of lovely presents and had a very happy evening.

She actually turned 7 while we were in Utah, and it did prove to be a concern as we wanted to get her a large present (Playmobil Stables) but its way too big for a suitcase and cheaper to buy in England, so pointless buying it over there. So we got her some smaller things instead. Its hard trying to plan to do things and give her a choice when she has no idea where she is going to, but she asked if we could eat out for breakfast, and go swimming. They were her wishes. We were able to fulfill both, on recommendation from her uncles that IHOP tasted better than Dennys (we had never been to IHOP for some reason!) and everyone was so great to make it to breakfast that morning. What a treat! She really loved it, and was surprised when the staff came out to sing Happy Birthday and give her an icecream (icecream for breakfast???) her Uncle Achim would be proud!

Then everyone came to Clearfield Aquatic Center for a swim, and Katie really loved it. In fact all of them did. She went down the slide with Auntie Elisha! Lauryn got to race Daddy in the lap pool, and won ;D Thanks Travis ;D

She finished her day with Pizza and presents at the grandparents and everyone got nice blue tounges from the frosting on her dolphin birthday cake. What a great day!!

I just want to say how much I love my Kat. She is developing well at school and despite some recent challanges she is learning alot about how to cope with opposition, and also to take care of her body. I am pleased with all her progress at school and at swimming, and I love it when she helps me out at home. She really has alot of affection for Jacob, and really likes it when she is awake first and gets to play with him before everyone else gets out of bed. They are 2 peas in a pod.

I love you sweetheart xx

USA Vacation

Our family at Salt Lake Temple

Jacob wanted his own photo with the Temple. My precious boy x

The kids all waiting excitedly for the Joseph Smith movie

In the Bobsled at Park City Olympic Park

We had a great trip during April. Our trip was all about the kids, so in that regard it was a success. They came home happy and positive. It was so good to visit with friends and spend time with the Parker family. They all dealt with it in their own little ways, I found it interesting how each one of them responded to the situation. The children really liked the sunny weather and also the snow, and we had some great experiences in Salt Lake City. It was good for us as parents to have those special experiences with our children. I was especially touched at their response to the church experiences they had.

March

The kids having a picnic inside

Josh & Jacob being cute

A sunset pic I took thru the trees at the Pine Woods

The kids on an adventure......

Joshua & Jacob being my cute boys

Here is some pics from the last month that I downloaded from my camera. We finally decided to bite the bullet and take the kids back to Utah for Easter. It'll be a good trip for them, but already I am feeling like we are never going to fit everything into the 2 weeks. Whatever we need to do for them will come first though and is top priority. They are excited and worried at the same time. It will be a big deal for them.

Josh stunned us by passing his Level 1 & 5 meters at swimming. And being moved up into the next class. He is awesome. I stupidly tried to move them all to a different day of swimming (but at the same place) in an effort to have them all swimming at the same time, instead of us hanging out at the Pool half the night on Fridays. It was not to be. Although Lauryn loved the teacher of her class, and she was suggesting that Lauryn should actually be on Level 7 not 5 as she has just been on, Katie & Josh however didn't like it one bit. Josh's class for some reason had massive kids in it, and they were doing stuff he has no chance of doing yet. It was annoying and frustrating for Travis (who was doing all the watching I was doing paperwork!) that Josh new teacher just stood there rolling her eyes because he couldn't do anything she was asking. I didnt like that. So we moved them back to Fridays. The swimming co-ordinator was mad at me, but she had said we could switch them back if we wanted, and to be honest I rather they 'liked' their swimming teachers and lessons than hated them. I pay the Pool enough money every 10 weeks so they can live with it ;D

Lauryn also came home with her 200 meters certificate this week. They are my super swimmers.

Grandpa Robert Roland Parker

This post is a tribute to our Grandpa Parker who died this past week. We are so sad that the last time we got to see him (above) was over 3 years ago. We love him so much and we will miss him with all of our hearts. He was an inspiration to us both and our lives have been made better because he was in them. We named Jacob Robert after Grandpa (& my dad) so at least his name will go on in our family! We will love you forever Grandpa x

Lauryn gets her National Swim Level 5!!!!

Friday was testing day, and unfortunantly due to Jacob's sickness I missed it! But she was so excited about getting this far, and its a great boost to her confidence. She is the fastest swimmer in her group and often catches the person in front and has to slow down. Travis and I are always telling her to swim around them LOL ;D

At least this week is 'Free swimmming' with it being half term, so we will be meeting the cousin's at the Pool in Formby and she will be able to show me what she has done. She is looking forward to racing her cousins in the big pool. ;D

Valentine's Day

These are my beautiful roses.......................

OK so we had planned a romantic night out, without the kids, but had to cancel at the last minute, as Jacob started throwing up, he had caught the dreaded 24 hr stomache bug that was going around and had previously hit Katherine & Joshua. (Lauryn & I had the honors of catching it the next day!) I felt so bad for my poor little guy, Travis took the 3 older ones to their swimming lessons, and I stayed home and cuddled my baby. I supose by now we are prepared for this kind of thing, and though disappointing, it didn't matter really. (and on the plus Jenni has offered to watch them another night)

We had Els the next day, while Jen & Pete went to the temple, it was hilarious walking around the shops with all the kids and my neice. We got ALOT of stares. You know - like how did we manage to have 2 babies, that obviously were not twins, but not a big enough gap to physically possibly happen!!! LOL. It was pretty hilarious. She should have been wearing a T-shirt that said "I'm the neice" ;D

You didn't know they had so much talent?!

caught in the act!

playing the demo!

Katherine gets a Hair cut!!! (finally...)

Cheeky Girl!

Katherine & her missing tooth

Beautiful girl of mine x

Katherine finally got her hair cut for the first time in about 3 years! At least! Her hair was so long, but it was in bad shape and we (Kate & I) finally realised/came to terms with that something had to be done about it. She was very brave and had at least 4 inches off. Its so much better and very cute. It will grow back soon, I promise... x