July 4th 2008

Happy 4th! We had a great day which started out with a parade. I think Nolan's favorite "float" was the Monster Trucks that came through; very exciting! :) Then we went over to the park for a reinactment of the Sam Bass Shootout. Later in the day Uncle Dennis and our family friend Steve came over for a fajita dinner and fireworks. We have a great front yard for seeing the fireworks that they put off at the park, so we don't have to fight any traffic. It was a great day!

Yummy! They tossed out candy at the parade...

I couldn't resist adding this picture.

We got this fake mustache out of a vending machine.

Nolan wasn't a fan, but it was a pretty good laugh for us!

We're making him grow up so fast... :)

And I made my flag cake (it's becomming a tradition)

Future Baseball Star

Does this pose look familiar?

He just needs to have the helmet on and a bat in his hands.

I couldn't pass up posting this adorable picture of him!

Okay... so the truth is that he was pointing at an airplane!

But he looked like a future baseball star to me!!

He's actually pretty good at hitting the ball off the tee, so

who know's maybe he will be someday!

Swim Lessons

I thought I would do some catch up posts while I have the time since this little baby girl hasn't decided to come out and see us yet!

So... Here's some pics from Nolan's swim lessons that we had through the city. It was a good introduction to the water, but I think Nolan was already past the introductory part. Let's just say that we call him "No Fear Nolan" around the water. :) He learned a few things from the lessons, but I think next year we'll belly up the money for some really good lessons! His favorite thing to do is to jump off the edge under water and then kick and paddle back to the ledge, only to follow by doing it over, and over, and over again...

On the last day they "graduated" and got a certificate of achievement. Too cute!

Nolan made a new friend in class named Zach! :)

Father's Day 2008

We were lucky to have Patrick off work for a few days prior to Father's Day. Nolan and his Daddy enjoyed spending time together; one favorite being the pool! Patrick's parents came in for a visit, so we all got to spend Father's Day together! It was a nice day. Patrick slaved over the smoker for many hours to produce an AWESOME brisket and chicken meal. Sorry, no pics of the food, but it was YUMMY! Happy Father's Day Patrick (aka Nolan's Dada.)

Giving Dada his Father's Day card.

He picked it out himself and if you look at the pic to follow this one, you'll know why!

Yep, it's a tractor!! :)

(well, really a ride lawn mower, but in Nolans world they are all tractors!)

We like to create memories here in the Sparks household of child endangerment...

But so much fun for Nolan!

Nolan enjoyed your visit out here Nana & Papa!

Happy Father's Day to all those dads out there!

Fun at the Splash park

We occasionally go to this splash water park with Nolan's friend Ty. Here are some pics from the last trip. Nolan was having a blast until he got the wind knocked out of him when he collided with a bigger kid. It's all fun & games until someone gets hurt! He survived but didn't feel like playing in the water any more after that. Poor kid...

A Shower for Baby Girl Sparks

In preparation for lil' miss baby girl Sparks, my good friends threw me a shower! It was a beautifully decorated event and I am very grateful to have such great friends! Thank you to everyone for all of the "girlie" things that I received because I sure needed some pink around here! :)

These are the three special gal pals that hosted the event:

from left to right is Rachael, (me), Heather, and Michelle

THANKS AGAIN GIRLS!!!

Here is an up close shot of the flowers that my momma had delivered for the special occasion...

And as most of you know, I love tulips...

Michelle made me a beautiful diaper cake...

Not everyone's pics turned out because of the light in the background :( But the rest of the pics are of me with friends that attended the shower.

Me and Lauren

Me and Joy

Me and Ralphie

Me and Siobhan (left) and her sister (from Ireland) - forgive me Siobhan but I have forgotten her name. She was sweet to come and even brought me a lil' something all the way from Ireland!!

Thanks again to everyone for making this such a special day!

Toddler Bed...What a Big Boy!

Nolan is now officially in his "toddler" bed. (Next step will be his big boy bed.) He is doing great staying in bed and not getting out. Although my threatening him might have something to do with that! Ha! Just kidding, but he hasn't had any issues what so ever since we made the official switch. Yea for Nolan!!

Here he is "pretending" to be asleep...

Peeking out to see if I'm watching him...


He is still so excited to get into his bed for both nap times and bed times.

The only draw back for me is that now he wants me to read his stories to him while I sit on the floor next to the bed. Not fun for a pregnant momma! I've begged and pleaded with him to go sit on the comfy sofa that is in his room, but no such luck! :( Oh well, at least I'm not having any issues with him sleeping in his new bed.

Oh, and by the way, isn't the little mini bed stinkin' cute, especially with his little night stand right next to it?!?!? :)

Anyways, Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!