pure michigan and pure illinois?

first of all, is there a catchy illinois commercial?

i don't think so...it might need one ;)

wow...end of august! crazy! this month has been a blur of family, youth group, friends, flights, car rides, pontoon rides, water, sun, food...

ahhh it was good!

we started off by heading to chicago for a mission trip with the hsyg.

i recommend reading all about here.

some posts are written by the youth...way better than i could have done!

parker spent time with grandma and grandpa schuster.

(i really hope parker comes up with some cute names for the grandparents because writing out and saying grandma and grandpa schuster...deur each time...its too long. just saying....)

post mission trip/fun time with the grandparents, we traveled to michigan to celebrate the marriage

of jillian and drew.

what an amazing wedding.

makes me want to do it all over again.

then the whole deur clan went up to the cottage.

i already posted some pictures from that earlier.

landon and parker...

they are going to be best buds

and get into a lot of mischief

i just know it and can't wait.

brandon then had to fly back and support the family.

what a guy!

he worked and painted the upstairs bedrooms!

pictures to come!

parker and i spent some more time in michigan before heading back to illinois.

mace and parker swimming

grandpa and parker catching water 

fountains are awesome!

post church walk...ahhh!

we had a busy visiting week!

we saw the thills, great-grandma, cousins,

ashley and toby (and family), another wedding...

crazy and fun!

 dinner out with grandpa and grandma

 molly, emma and maddie

 toby and p...only three days apart in age

 beautiful bride!

we finally returned home on sunday evening

and boy does it feel good to be home!

one.

parker, you are one today.

wow. buddy, you have grown so much this past year.

we love you so much!

 

 

 

happy first birthday, parker!!

oh. my. word.

parker will be one tomorrow.

silence.

i'm trying to wrap my head around this.

one.

wow.

pictures tomorrow :)

vacation.

we've been busy...relaxing, eating, swimming, spending time with family. it's been good!

parker spent a week with grandma and grandpa schuster while brandon and i were on a mission trip with the hsyg. then the three of us headed to mi for some cottage time with the deurs.

 paddle board!

 cousin fun

 lunch and boating

 fire by uncle kyle

 life jacket...

 for the seadoo ride!!

 and of course swimming!

 and a paddle board ride!

more pictures and fun to come!!

eleven months.

eleven months. wow.

this past month was huge!

i feel like parker went from baby to little person.

again...he just gets more fun each day.

monthly pictures :)

 so happy and so big!

 and then i took him off the chair...

 tantrum! i now know what the future holds for us...

 happy once again...

 (seriously...this was moments after placing him back on the chair. he won.)

 oh that face.

monthly stats!

weight: about 21 pounds

height: ? getting taller!

skills: crawling! all over! creeping around the furniture and walls (like spiderman!) points to things, points with pointer figure and makes tttt noise,

signs: all done

words: dada, more, mama, ahhh! 

teeth: 8 (4 on top, 4 on bottom)
food: loves everything :) (except green beans)


dear parker, we love you so much. you are getting to be so big and independent  you want to do everything yourself. you move with a funky crawl, you are constantly touching things you know you shouldn't but you've started to cuddle :) my favorite thing you do right now if shake your head no when i tell you know...while you do what you shouldn't be doing. you love to talk, love to climb, and love to get your way. you like to sleep swaddle and often work your way out during the night. you often prop your feet up on the side of the crib...completely relaxed! you bring great joy to our lives! we love you! mom and dad.