Snow Day

All right, we've reached the end of the updates for this season. Today Joe and I decided that Oliver and Henry needed to experience playing in the snow. Sometimes I wonder how Joe and I get ourselves into these situations, but all I can really say is, I am glad I don't live in Wisconsin - sorry Dad!

The story starts - Joe and I decided that playing in the snow would be fun. Normally this is something we would save for Idyllwild. It's about an hour from our house; we get a cabin in town and play in the snow, shop in the cute, little stores, and then settle into our place for the night or two. Well there isn't any snow in Idyllwild until February-ish normally and we wanted to do snow this week. So Joe had the amazing idea to take the aerial tram up to the top of the mountain in Palm Springs. There is snow at the top of the mountain, let's do it.

I have never been excited about the idea of taking that tram. The whole idea freaks me out, but I figured, why not give it a go. So we did, after gathering all the warm clothes and snow gear we could, buying sleds at Sports Chalet, and packing up snacks and such. It was SO DARN COLD when we got to the top! It was raining down below, so when we got to the top of the mountain, it was of course snowing. We did anticipate this. What we did not anticipate was the wind factor. We knew it was 20 mph winds at the top, but we didn't know what that really meant until we got up there.

We had come this far though and we were going to play in the snow. So we bundled up, headed outside, and walked about a mile downhill to the valley area where the wind was calmer and we could use our newly purchased sleds.

Funny thing, speaking of sleds, we had bought three, but we obviously we're not going to be using these sleds like we had thought all day long. I heard someone saying they were going to buy a sled in the gift shop and I knew they were $20 at the gift shop. So I grabbed the girl and said, hey, do you want to buy one of our sleds for $7? I was happy I made a little money back on the sleds since we didn't need all of them and we were not going to drag those puppies back up the hill when we were done to save them for next year.

Back to the snow. We got to the bottom of the hill and sledded, sled, slid, I don't know, down the hill a couple of times. Oliver really just wanted to eat the snow, which he could have done without the mile walk to the bottom. Henry just looked sad, all red-cheeked and runny-nosed. So after maybe twenty minutes we headed back up the hill.

On the way up, the wind kicked up so hard, it was a rough walk back. For the most part, Henry buried his little face in my chest so that he was protected. But at the end stretch of the path, the wind was blowing so hard, the snow was just pelting me in the face and I had brain freeze big time. Who knew that could happen without eating or drinking something cold. I am not sure what Joe's experience was, but I'm sure it was something similar since he was carrying Oliver the whole way.

We went inside, shook off the snow, and went back down the mountain on the tram. Once we were back to the car, changed into dry clothes, and driving towards home, Joe and I decided it was a fun day. It's too bad we don't still need some winter cards of some sort because we got some pretty good snowy photos. I would head back up the mountain on the tram again during the summer to do some hiking in gentler weather conditions. But we will save our snow days for Idyllwild next time.

Christmas Morning

I would have to say this Christmas morning has been the most fun since having kids. This is the first year I think Oliver really got the idea of Santa Claus and was excited for it. And when we asked Oliver why we give presents, he said it was because it was Jesus' birthday. So we got the meaning and the magic of Christmas down I think.

I also really enjoyed this Christmas because it was Henry's first Christmas. It was fun that his first Christmas was at ten months old. Even though he didn't know what was going on really, he enjoyed the sparkly Christmas decorations, especially the ornaments on the tree in the living room (thank goodness for shatter-proof ornaments), the wrapping paper and bows, and the toys inside the paper. It did seem odd to me that it was his first Christmas because Oliver had his first when he was only two weeks old. But no matter, it was special.

My parents came over Christmas Eve and spent the night. They woke up Christmas morning with us and opened presents. Later that day, Ryan and Sherry, Calvin's son and his wife, came over for Christmas dinner. It was a lovely evening getting to know Ryan and Sherry more and they got a very special Christmas present of their own - a new baby on the way.

Here are some pictures from Christmas Day.

Christmas Season

Okay, we have a lot to catch up on here. First, I had this whole idea of writing a post around gingerbread... I feel like Oliver decorated a lot of gingerbread this year, and other cookies and treats. But unfortunately, I lost the pictures of the second gingerbread house we decorated at the Mission Inn, along with some other holiday photos, like my lovely cake for Jesus' birthday that fell apart. But that is okay. You can't always guarantee the reliability of technology and even though we can't see them, the memories are still there in my family's minds (except Henry's - poor guy, being too little and all).

I do wish I had the pictures of the gingerbread house from the Mission Inn though. It was quite commical and in the end, the whole thing fell apart when we went to put it in the box. This is the second baked good I have mentioned falling apart. Maybe I need to stick with store-bought, pre-assembled next year...

Anyway, first for your viewing pleasure, some photos of the first gingerbread house we decorated at home and some holiday photos from Disneyland.

Weighing and Pondering

"But Mary was keeping within herself all these things weighing and pondering them in her heart."

Luke 2:19

This is the key verse from my daily devotional this morning. I've always loved this verse and never realized how special it is until I became a mother. Imagine being Mary, having gone through everything she had, being told she was going to give birth to the Savior by an angel, facing persecution because she was pregnant out of wedlock, being married to Joseph, and later swept off to Bethlehem while very pregnant. Then it all culminated in the birth of her son in a manger, surrounded by animals and lots of hay and dirt. I remember being stressed about delivering Henry in our local hospital because it doesn't have the greatest reputation. I can't imagine having to do it in a stable.

When I first had my children, I remember trying to study their faces and their little features, thinking to myself that someday I might forget those moments. But imagine being Mary, giving birth to the Savior of the world, knowing that the life your little one is about to live is not going to be an easy one and not knowing what the future holds for him, but knowing that it's going to be incredible. I can only wonder what things were going through her mind with everything going on around her. Not only did she have wise men and shepherds showing up at her door, but the Heavens around her were rejoicing and the fate of the entire universe was being affected by the baby she held in her arms.

My daily devotional goes on to talk about the business of the holiday season and reminds us to slow down and ponder like Mary did. It says, "Weighing and pondering. Could we do the same? Could we dare find calm in the Christmas chaos? A holy hush among the hustle? More importantly, could we model for the wide-eyed kids in our lives just how to slow down and, like the Wise Men of old, actually look for the Savior?"
 
After reading this, I feel fired. I haven't done a good job of showing my kids what Christmas is all about. I have taken them to Disneyland to see the snow, waited in line for Santa a couple times, and ran around with them gathering presents for the family. Not that there is anything wrong with doing any of those things. They are all part of my children's memories and I wouldn't change it. But in considering there is one more week left before Christmas is here, this is a good reminder to slow down and spend the time left really pondering and contemplating the amazing gift of Christ, born to save us and love us for all eternity. It's time to put my focus back on Jesus and help my children really see and understand the Christ in Christmas. Cheesy, I know, but true.

Cabo San Lucas Pictures

Cruising with the Parlas

This past week we vacationed with my parents, venturing on a cruise to Cabo San Lucas, during which Oliver's birthday fell. I don't think Oliver realizes it's a big deal to spend your birthday on Lover's Beach in a tropical place, but Joe and I loved the beach, the clear waters, and the resort with pools and a drink, since we had the kids with us.

The cruise was great. We maneuvered nap times and got away when we could for adult time. Oliver and Henry, along with their parents, got their fill of all kinds of foods. We've yet to go back to pre-vacationing diets, but oh well. It's Christmas...

Woody's Round-Up - Oliver Style

Thanksgiving and Birthday Party

We just finished a round of hosting parties - Thanksgiving and Oliver's 3rd Birthday. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work to do both in the same weekend.

What I'm about to say may seem out of left field, but I was watching Glee last night and one of the characters was signing a song from Evita. The song reminded me of driving around with one of closest friends in high school listening to the Evita sound track. I then started thinking about how life has taken us on a long, lovely journey from those care-free days in high school.

My friend now has three children and I was looking at her Face Book page and her oldest was nine years old yesterday. I remember maybe a year or two after she had her daughter, meeting her for lunch and she brought her beautiful little girl, and I thought then it was such a different world she was living in from mine. But here we are a few years later and Joe and I have two children of our own.

All this to say that in remembering all these things from watching Kurt on Glee, I am amazed to think about the plans God has had for my friend's life, and for mine. It's such a wonderful thing to see where we used to be, and where God has brought us, and where He will take us as the years go by. The time has certainly passed quickly from the days in high school, but looking back every event has been beautiful and amazing when I see in the context of where God was taking me and Joe through each experience.

I was thinking the other day about what my Oliver would tell me if I asked him what he wants to be where when he grows up, probably something along the lines of a pirate, or Woody. And then I thought, what would I want for him to be - first thought, a Christ-Follower more than anything in me, is my greatest desire for him and Henry. Second, content came to mind. I hope my boys grow up to be content with where God leads them in life, in who they become and the blessings they experience, and even the challenges they will face that will shape them and take them to where God has planned to use them the most.

God has been so gracious to Joe and I and has blessed our lives in ways I know we have never and can never deserve. In reflecting on Thanksgiving, I can feel mostly honest is saying, sure a new shirt would be nice, or some curtains for my living room, but when I really examine how my life has been blessed, I can feel content and overwhelmingly thankful for all that God has given us. Not to say I don't have my selfish moments, I would be lying if I said I didn't. But I just hope that someday Oliver and Henry will examine their lives and feel the same contentedness, joy, and gratefulness to our Lord that I feel now.

Christmas Season is Up and Going

Now I know I can't really complain about the rain; it's actually quite nice and after talking to my dad in Wisconsin, I understand it could be a lot worse. But after being trapped inside all day, we just couldn't take it any more and we went to see Santa! We figured it was something fun to do that wouldn't cost us any extra money (thank you Groupon) and we could beat the holiday crowds.

Oliver was a bit skeptical at first, but after explaining that he would get to tell Santa what toys he wanted for Christmas, he was game. Henry however, was not as keen on talking to Jolly Ole St. Nick. In Santa's defense, Henry is in the phase where he doesn't want to visit with very many people who are not mom or dad. Santa was very sweet about holding Henry with crying and all and told Joe he was honored to be a part of Henry's first Christmas.

This is not the best photo as it's a picture of a picture, but it as least gives you an idea of the fun we had last night.

Things to Look Forward to...

Today has been a rough day for our darling Joe Parla. Don't get me wrong, the rest of us are disappointed about what has happened, but no one is more forlorn than Joe. Sadly, our cruise that was scheduled for the first week in December has been cancelled due to the fire that broke out on the ship about a week ago.

I learned an important lesson from all of this - there is reason why you should not tell your kids what your big plans are until you are actually there, doing it. You never know when the cruise you have been talking to your three year-old about for months will get cancelled last minute. But in my defense, how was I to know the boat would light on fire - I mean come on, really!

In the end we are still cruising, just not on the Splendor and not the seven nights we had all anticipated, and we got a nice discount on a future cruise. So although it's not what we had been planning for it, there are still memories to be made with our family exploring a new place. And let's face it, this gives Joe a new reason to continue researching cruises and driving me crazy (I say that with love) with talks about different options and rooms and destinations and more and more talk about cruising...

On another note, here are a couple updated photos of the boys. Oliver recently took advantage of a Groupon for Build-A-Bear and made himself a reindeer. We couldn't let Henry be left out, so Oliver was kind enough to help make a puppy dog for his little brother.

This week is my last week of full time work. Starting next week, I will be going down to two days of work per week, and three days home with the boys. I am really looking forward to spending more time with my kids, having an opportunity to clean my house, and not always feeling so rushed with everything. I am so incredibly thankful that God has blessed our family with this opportunity and appreciative of a work place that is so understanding about my need to be with my family more.

Speaking of next week, we will also be charging forward with potty training Oliver. We putting the diapers aside for a week, staying home, and heading to the potty every hour with underwear in pants. I’m really glad we are still going on our cruise because that has been part of my leverage for getting Oliver to start going in the potty all the time. We've been telling him he has to learn to wear underwear so that he can go swimming on the cruise ship. Wish us luck everyone, we're hoping for the best results and one less diaper bill each month.

The Annual Parla Bash

Swoosh, thank goodness Halloween is over! It's a lot of work to host a party for the neighborhood each year on Halloween, but it's also a lot of fun. I did tell Joe though, I am glad Halloween is on a weekday next year, so no one will be too disappointed if we scale way back.

This year's Peter Pan theme was enjoyment for most of the family. Once costume was dawned, Oliver ran around the house declaring, "Off the Neverland!" and "Fly Till Morning!" Henry however, was over his Lost Boy costume after about ten minutes. I suspected as much from him since he was in no mood to allow Joe and me to decorate earlier that day, so I put it on long enough to get the family photo and then spared him from more misery.

I'm not quite sure how trick or treating went since Joe took Oliver out and I stayed home with Oliver to hand out candy. But I did hear reports from friends that Oliver might have asked for more candy from a neighbor or two. He came back with a bag full, so I can only assume he and Joe were successful. Meanwhile, Henry and I handed out 90 candy bars and had to turn off the porch lights on the last couple straggling teenagers out for candy.

With Halloween costumes packed away, I am looking forward to the Holidays to come in the next couple months. We have three weeks until we host Thanksgiving at our home for the family, complete with my first attempt at cooking at Turkey. In addition, we have birthday parties and a cruise intertwined with other festivities. The rest of this year is going to fly by!

 

Halloween Costumes

Here are pictures of the boys in their Halloween costumes. Getting a good picture is much tougher as Oliver gets older, and with two, getting a smile from both at the same time. But we got lucky and got a good prodcut for both kids.

Annual Halloween Party!