The Parker Family

Sweet 16

We were supposed to be watching Kansas vs. Syracuse. It would have been awesome. Epic. A rematch of a traumatic college experience. (Long story.)

Instead we saw Stanford play Dayton and Florida play UCLA

And I had a bad attitude.

Our view:

These banner hung directly above us. 2008 is missing (the year KU beat Memphis in the finals- remember Mario??) I had to chuckle- they got that season wiped away because of cheating issues.

At halftime of the second game we slipped down to some empty Dayton seats on the FOURTH row. I have to admit- the change in scenery fixed my bad attitude. :)

Then new view:

It really was a fun "date"- it just would have been SO much sweeter to have seen the Jayhawks...

(Yes, I wore a KU scarf in protest.)

Apparently, Tiger Woods and Richard Sherman were in attendance (didn't see them.) But we did see Tim Tebow in a box close to where we were. A little kid sitting in front of us started going CRAZY- jumping and pointing. His mom looked really embarrassed, ha! He had spotted Tebow, and ended up getting to go up and meet him.

Some more familiar faces:

So fun.

Thanks, Gran-Gran and Pepa for coming to babysit!!

Iowa (8) well technically KANSAS, I guess...

On the way home we stopped (and crashed) Sharidyn's 3rd birthday party. It was a Frozen themed party, and you'd better believe my girls loved it! Jess threw a cute little party!

Sharidyn (my cousin's daughter) is the Princess Elsa in front:

No one told these two to hold hands!

(Cousins Jackson and Sharidyn)

There was even a real Elsa there!

(Also known as Lauryn, Brian's girlfriend, and a really good sport!)

We were so happy to be able to stop and see family on the way home. We even got to meet two little cousins who have joined the family since last July! (Hollie and Jacey)

The oldest and youngest of Grammy great-grandkids:

Jackson so sweetly shared his goldfish with Isaac = instant friends!

(these two were born only two weeks apart)

Sharidyn did not want to pose for a picture. She sweetly told me "no, thank you." :)

Happy Birthday, anyway, Princess Elsa/Sharidyn!!

And- THANK YOU to Jessica and Kevin for letting us join in the celebration and visit for a little bit on the way home! We love you guys!

We hit the road after the party and drove through the night to get home. I think by the time JD and I fell into bed (without unloaded anything but the kids and the essentials) it was about 5:30 Sunday morning. Not my favorite way to travel, but it worked! :)

Isaac's favorite thing to do when the big kids run in to a gas station for a bathroom break:

Iowa (7)

The middle/end of March is a good time for me to have afternoons in front of a TV. I LOVE this time of year. Until I hate it. (March Madness.)

Maybe I should be clear- I don't just sit in front of a TV in the afternoon as a rule. My parents went to work after lunch, my kids napped (or read) for a couple of hours, JD was gone to the NAIA tournament, and the first & second rounds of the NCAA tourney were on.. = Not a bad combo. :)

Halle helping to entertain Isaac during a (late afternoon) KU game:

Isaac will cheer with me most of the time. I love it when he's really watching and he'll yell (behind his pacifier) "MADE IT!!" ha!

Poor Isaac was stuck upstairs with me & the TV while the rest of them played in the basement.

Thanks for letting us spend so much time ~~tearing up~~ at your house, Nana & Papa!

Iowa (6)

Well, Dolly is still around! I took better pictures with my real camera (vs. the phone) but I have been too lazy to download them. Maybe some other time. :)

Even Isaac got a ride!

Iowa (5)

The Science Center of Iowa was a highlight of the trip!

It is similar to the Children's Museum of Memphis, only it had more hands-on exhibits for older kids too. A really great place to visit with kids of all ages (and adults!)