Parker turns 9!

Our firstborn turned 9 this August.  It's his last year of living in the single digits and that just seems crazy. Here are 9 of the things we love about him:
1. He is one hard worker
2. Parker is a tough dude~ proven with his stitches in the knee
3. Brave~ started public school with excitement
4. Adventurous~ loves to camp and do anything outdoors
5. Friend~ easily made new friends in a new classroom
6. Contagious laugh~ enough said!
7. Natural teacher~ we are always amazed at how he teaches his siblings.
8. Helpful!!!
9. Lover of the Word~ he loves reading his Bibles and we pray this continues all the years of his life!

His "friend" Batman party!

#4 was "Adventurous" and this picture proves it!!!  This is not a sleeping bag… it is a bivy sack, a tent! Parker saw his "Uncle" Keeton using one of these while they were backcountry camping and that is all he could talk about.  He was soooo excited!

His family Batman party.  This picture will always be a special one~ our last party with Gramma Elmer.  Parker, she was your biggest fan!  We love you son! 

Parker's 1st day at PUBLIC school

3rd grade!  It's hard to believe he is already a third grader!  Parker is all smiles in this pic and I was all nerves and tears!  Back before we had children, Kep and I decided we would homeschool during the K-2 years and then prayerfully consider each year afterwards.  AHHH!  My eldest was done with 2nd grade and after many prayers, I knew it was time for him to try out our local public school.  BUT~ my heart was oh so sad.  I barely slept for the 2 weeks prior to school starting.  I was sad to let go of him.  I was nervous he wouldn't use all the manners we've taught him.  I was scared of him being affected by the world and not remembering the spiritual Truths we've read/sang to him since he was a babe.  I didn't know if he would mesh with his multiage 2-3 classroom since he would be the "NKOTBlock"!

Well, all my insomnia and worries were a waste of time!  Which I knew would be the case!  I was completely humbled during that first week of school as every single worry was completely taken care of by our loving Lord.  He worked out every detail.  I am forever grateful for the smooth transition to Shaw Elementary!

The Fair 2013

We had a fun fair day with our Gelatt friends.

some more hikes!

We LOVE to be in Hatcher's Pass and this summer it was especially fun because of all the warm days up there.  

 Here are Ping and Pong.  This is how we frequently refer to these 2 silly ones who share a brain.  They  could spend all day every day together and laugh their way through most days!  I love the sweet and silly bond they share~ what a blessing!

And, then there are these 2 who also share a brain, birth order and personality.  Love!

 my 3 kids!  I LOVE how God has blessed me with such an amazing gift in each of them!  Every day is not easy but at the end of most days I know I have it REAL good!  LoVe THEM!

kids' bike race

Kep always competes in the "Tour of Anchorage" bike races in August.  We love going to cheer him on!  Then, at the end of the races we get to cheer our kids on as they compete in the kids' race!  Savannah rode hard on her Barbie bike!

Great racing Kroon green team!

Noah the soccer dude!

 Noah played his heart out again this summer out on the soccer field.  We love watching him smile from ear to ear as he runs around!  Such a cute kid!

Here he has every reason to smile... a medal, his own can of MUGs and his best buddy Thomas by his side!

we love our time in the boat!

1st set of stitches in the family

Poor Parker and poor me.  It was a Monday night and we were headed out to Noah's soccer practice.  All the kids were getting out to the car and I ran back in to get one more water bottle.  And then I heard a blood curdling scream.  I ran back out to the car.  Poor Parker was huddled on the car floor in front of his seat.  Then I saw his knee with a huge gash in it.  I was so confused as to how his knee could be so badly injured inside the car but there was no time for questions.  The poor guy had to be in tons of pain but he was being so brave~ not even making a sound!  I felt so bad for him and yet I was so proud of him for helping me out by acting way beyond his years.  (Of course our first major injury had to happen while Kep was gone commercial fishing!) 

See wasn't it awful!?!  The nurse measured the opening at 1cm by 4cm with some bone showing in the middle.  Yuck!  Again, Parker was so incredibly brave.  While they were cleaning his wound and stitching him up, all he did was squeeze my hand and make one soft grunt.  I kept praying with him and asking God to give both of us strength~ boy did HE ever come through!  After we had been home for awhile, Parker was paging through these photos and he noticed that his gash was in the shape of a heart.  He told me that's because God loves Him.  YES indeed!

After some inner stitches and 14 outer stitches, he was good to go!

Now, all we had to do was keep his leg straight for 2 weeks and away from water during our state's hottest summer ever!  Parker was a trooper!  He enjoyed all the extra time on his new IPod and rarely complained about missing out on boating fun and playground dates.

Eklutna with YL pals