Lunch!

Mac and cheese so good, Parker couldn't even stay awake.

Christmas at the Strahm's

Playing piano with Aunt Lauryn

Christmas at the Davies' house.

Christmas at the Huske's house

Merry Christmas!

Slam dunk!

I swear this is actually for Parker. And yes it lowers down to 3
feet. I just need to do some durability testing.

Bedtime?

Guess which one took too naps today?

On the couch

Snuggling with Bella. Yes, those are dog clothes.

Mouseketeer

Just eatin' a corndog.

Good girl

Taking a break.

I think I heard him ask for a magazine.

Snack time

Too much turkey.

Busted!

It's pajama time!

Monkey!

There's a monkey loose in the basement! This is his Halloween
costume, more pictures on their way.

Parker after a good night's sleep

No more ear infections, sinus infection almost gone, Parker is feeling
good! The toast with pear preserves helps.

Feeling better

Slept most of the night and fever is almost gone.

Ear infections

Turns out he has an ear infection, so he started antibiotics tonight. He's got a temp still of around 101. :(

Sick day

Parker is staying home today with dad. He got 5 shots on Thursday, so
that might be why he is running a little hot.

Golfing on a Sunday morning.

A boy and his dog.

Preseason training.

Parker just finished coach Woolery's Boot Camp and got a new ball too!

Just like dad in the car!

Good eater.

Parker just decided that he loves corn. He likes pizza too.

Update

I know everyone enjoys seeing the pictures that we post of our adorable baby boy...well, not really a baby anymore :( ...our toddler!! I thought an update of what's been going on might be fun to post! Parker had his first birthday on September 20th- it was a warm September day and we had a lot of fun. He loves all of his new toys and enjoys his new toy room down in the basement (our family room). Parker is a pretty good walker now and is learning how to answer questions...the only problem is that he answers "yes" to everything..."Parker, do you want to take a nap"...."yes!" He will also shake his head no, but I can't tell if he's being silly or really saying no. :) He is a Momma's boy and is going through seperation anxiety...it's his way of letting me know that he loves me! Parker has learned to throw the ball for Bella and this is what she has been waiting for! It is fun to watch them play...Bella is not so moody now and she even lets the neighbor kids/dogs play with her!

We are looking forward to fall- my birthday is right around the corner and our 4th anniversary. No big plans in the near future...just the usual. Work is going good for Brandon and I- we have a busy month ahead of us, but have fun doing it. We are looking forward to the holidays with Parker!

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Big boy helping with the plants.

Headed out to the links.

Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

Parker loves the swing that his daddy got him for his birthday!

Building stuff

Maybe Parker can help finish the deck!

Toward facing big boy!

Parker looked like he'd never been in the Honda when we put him in
forward facing for the first time. Now he's watching Mickey Mouse
while he rides in style.

Parker's first birthday!

Parker's party was a success! More pictures and video coming soon.

Our trip to Paris!

Parker's new chair

Parker is walking!!!

Parker started wobling out some steps a couple of weeks ago, but in the last few days he's really started moving around and doing it on his own, no coaxing needed! Don't know if this is good or bad, but likes walking around in his new shoes!

On Saturday we went to Camp Mt. Hermon and dedicated a peace pole in honor and in memory of grandma Catherine "Katie" Strahm.

Parker can eat a whole slice of a large pizza by himself!

Parker playing with his big stuffed dog.

This is the dog that Annette (one of Brooke's coworkers) got him when he was born. His first photoshoot was on this dog.

Swinging in Snowmass

Parker and Mommy in Snowmass Village

Parker and I are in Snowmass Village, CO with my mom- we left Brandon and Bella at home to finish the deck! :) Yesterday Parker tried to walk to me and took two steps! Today we went swimming and walked around the village- there are a lot of stairs everywhere, so the stroller is hard to haul around, but that is the only flaw...it is BEAUTIFUL!! Parker went on his first airplane ride and he did great...such a happy boy! Right now Parker is trying to dismantle the screen on the front window. :) Our condo is SO nice...it's fun to go to Colorado in the summer and not camp...to live in luxury! This is a picture of Parker and I- with the mountains surrounding us- we're standing on our front porch.

Deck

Yesterday we finished the last of the rails on the deck. It was only 97 degrees, so not too hot. We still need to finish the stairs and the facia, the facia, and the postcaps. Brooke also put together the new table. We finally have some shade on the deck!

Going for a ride with Will!

Parker in Colorado

Our trip to Colorado

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Colorado.  I might add some details to the pictures later to explain what you are seeing.  Yes, some of the pictures will need explaining.

http://gallery.mac.com/brandon.riffel#100149

Brooke overlooking San Isabel, CO

Lymann led us up to this beautiful overlook above San Isabel, Colorado.

Parker's 9 Month Check-Up

Friday was Parker's 9 month birthday- he spent it with Aunt April at the park- they had lots of fun together! Today we went to his 9 month check-up at the doctor- Parker weighs in at 19 lbs 9.5 oz and he is 28 inches long. Everything was good!! Our doctor thinks she heard him say "Ellen" (her name)...she e-mailed Grandma Robbie to tell her that Parker said this! :) Parker also got to see Aunt Ci Ci (Cindy) at the doctor's office. She was working when we went in for his check-up...he showed off for her and she told us, once again, that Parker needs to get involved in modeling...ha ha! He is the cutest boy ever!

Parker's favorite YouTube Video

I found Parker's favoritve video on YouTube!
Yes, I know it's in Dutch!

Thunderstorms and an Exciting Day Ahead

We had a rough morning...Bella up at 3:30 am with the thunderstorms and Parker up at 5:00 am and ready to play!! I think Parker was excited because today starts his "summer" with his Aunt Dani watching him for 8 weeks! He love his aunts and uncles...and he can't wait to go to the pool with Aunt Dani! Don't worry- she'll be equipped with the camera!! :)

Happy in the car!

Parker is in a REALLY good mood today!

Going to Great Grandma Ruth's

We're headed to Topeka to visit GreatGrandpa and Grandma Davies. Parker will get to see his aunt April for the first time since Christmas!

Parker with his Pooh ears on

Parker had a great time at his cousin Cameron's first birthday party.

Brooke Graduating with her MBA

Technically, Brooke completed her MBA last summer, but the official graduation ceremony for her graduating class wasn't until this spring. She finished it in less than 2 years and got done just before Parker was born. Here she is walking across the stage, she got hugs from just about everybody up there, what a celebrity!

A few movies

Here are a few movies that I finally got off the camera.  They are on our youtube page as well.

This one is Parker, Bella, and Brooke playing in his new swimming pool.  This is while we were camping at Council Grove Reservoir.

This is of his great aunt Carol giving him his first haircut.  It was getting really long, and hung down past his eyes when he was getting a bath!

Good Morning!

Parker slept in this morning- until 5:45 am!! We were happy to get a full 8 hours of sleep!! I just wanted to update everyone on Parker's accomplishments in the past month- he started crawling a little over a month ago, he can pull himself up to a standing position and he can sit back down (this is a hard skill to learn), he got his first haircut- and it looks very good, he went swimming in his new pool...he went camping for the first time, he is getting four teeth (ouch!), and he almost has a wave (bye-bye) down- he did that this morning when I left for work!! Can you tell that we love every milestone...even though part of me wishes he was still a little baby!

Our First Blog

I woke up this morning and decided to start a blog about our family...I'm not sure why I didn't start it earlier!! We are doing great! Parker is now almost 9 months old and he is the perfect baby! He is crawling, eating "people" food, just a happy boy!! He loves his mommy and daddy and his puppy dog, Bella. He loves hanging out with his grandmas and grandpas, his cousins, and his aunts and uncles. He gets excited when we go outside, watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, eat, give him a bath, play in his pool, etc. He is so much fun!! We are looking forward to a great summer!!!