Spectacular 16!

Sixteen years ago today at 8:40 a.m., my second son made his entrance into the world. Parker Lance Evans has been a barrel of fun and energy ever since. Over the years, I've learned that when Parker is determined to do something, there's no stopping him. I remember telling him once when he was about 3 and he was all frustrated and upset about something, "It's okay. It really doesn't matter." He replied in his determined voice, "Well, it matters to ME!"

Parker is Mr. Social. He's always had lots of friends and fits in with so many different kinds of people. He loves to laugh, to text, to listen to music, to sing, to play his guitar, to tease his younger siblings, to cheer for his beloved BYU Cougars and most of all to RUN! If you've followed my blog, you've seen many pictures of him running. In fact, lately the only time he will let me take his picture is when he's at a track or cross country meet.

Parker is also very spiritual and loves his Heavenly Father. He is enthusiastic about the Gospel and faithfully e-mails his brother Nate on his mission each week.

I am blessed to be his mom. There's never a dull moment when Parker's around!

Today, I checked Parker out of school, and we drove to the DMV. He's now an official licensed driver! Wow! As we were headed to the DMV, I told him I brought my camera so we could document the experience. He rolled his eyes, but I told him I'd only do pictures outside afterward. Although it was tempting to take a picture of him while he was having his picture taken for his license. :)

So, Happy Birthday to my new errand boy!!!

AWWWW! Wasn't he an adorable baby?

My new errand boy!

Pulling out of the driveway on his first solo drive.

Off he goes down the street. BY HIMSELF! Yeah, that was a hard thing to watch! Boo hoo!

Cub Scout Chess

Fun times with the Wolf den today. My boys all earned their chess belt loop! Woo hoo! Of course it gave me a perfect chance to take pictures. I used the free TRA actions on these. I like the effect. What do you think?

2009 Simplot Games

Parker was so excited to be able to participate in the 2009 Simplot Games last week. This is a major track meet that includes athletes from all over the U.S. and Canada. We even heard Edmonton mentioned a few times as the announcer was saying the names of athletes in different heats. Made me want to run onto the track and say, "Hey! Have you met Elder Evans? He's about 5'7, light brown hair...wears a suit." But I controlled myself, mostly because security would have thrown me off the premises probably.

Anyway, Parker ran the mile in 4:52.10 -- his personal record. He didn't make the finals, but as his coach said, "You can't really complain about doing your best." So true.

It was quick trip to Pocatello and back -- about 2 hours each way. But when you have Parker's iTrip blasting music all the way, it goes by in a flash.

Parker in the Holt Arena before the race.

Simplot Games signs

Determination at the starting line/
Flying through the air.

Coach Wiley timing Parker's splits.
The big finish. Personal record! Yay!!!

The after-race face.

Love is in the Air

A perfect day for an engagement shoot today. Well, it was a little chilly, but other than that, it was great! And I had a gorgeous couple to work with.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Color Me Surprised!

Today, Derek and I celebrate our 21st anniversary. Time certainly flies when you're having fun. I am so grateful to be married to such a kind, caring, loving, hard-working, honest guy.

It's been an amazing journey with him thus far. We've been through a lot together: four children, job changes, moves, deaths of loved ones, vacations, laughter. Through it all -- good and bad -- he's been there for me. I am so blessed.

This time of year is a little crazy for him since he owns a CPA firm. In fact, when we were engaged, someone mentioned to me that I was completely nuts to be getting married in the middle of tax season to someone who was going to be a CPA. Well, being young and in love, that didn't matter to me then! It's all worked out, though!!

Well, today this man I married completely outdid himself by surprising me with a NEW CAMERA!!! I was completely stunned -- speechless even! It's a Canon 5D Mark II, which I've had my eye on since it debuted a couple of months ago.

Not only that, he gave me a dozen beautiful roses. That's not only very thoughtful, but useful, as well. The flowers gave me something to take photos of with the new camera!!

So here are a few shots with my very fun, awesome new toy!!

Oh, and FYI, there's an Elder Evans Update in my sidebar!

Tried some funky processing on this one. I can't even remember the steps of what I did. I just kept playing with it until I got the effect I liked!

Love Bears All Things

So speaking of love...(since it is Valentine's Day this week and all), I thought immediately of Teddy.

Who?

Alex's favorite stuffed animal of course. Teddy came into Alex's life 3 years ago on Christmas Day. He was such a soft, squishy bear, Alex immediately fell in love with him. Even though Alex is now almost 9, he hasn't outgrown Teddy.

Teddy and Alex have been great pals. Teddy has been with us on vacation, has provided a soft shoulder for Alex to cry on when he's sad, and has narrowly escaped (on more than one occasion) being thrown up on when Alex has been sick during the night. Some of the other stuffed animals in Alex's room haven't been so lucky.

Teddy's looking a little scraggly these days...but that just shows how much he's loved.

Sometimes when I look at Alex giving Teddy a huge hug, it makes me wish it were socially acceptable as an adult to carry around a large, mangy stuffed bear.

Here's Teddy!

Sub 5:00, Baby!

Exciting day for Parker at the UHSTCA Indoor Track Championships on Saturday. He ran the mile in under 5 minutes!! Yay! He crossed the finish line in 4:55.92! He was so excited. He was quite dramatic before he ran, telling me this was the race of his life. Well, he did great. When Derek told me his time as he began the last lap, I just knew Parker was going to do it.

The meet took place at the Utah Olympic Oval, where they had the speed skating competition in the 2002 Winter Olympics. There's a track around the ice. It's quite an amazing venue.

So here are some shots of my Running Brave.

The shoes, awaiting the big race.
Parker dealing with some pre-race jitters.

Parker and his teammates during the warm-up.

Look at him fly!
Right after the race, when we told him he got 4:55. He's so excited he can hardly believe it!
On the phone after the race, sharing the good news with some of his friends.

A shot of the venue.

When The Family Gets Together

My brother Lance and sister-in-law Sue Zan were in town from Georgia last weekend. Several of us in the family went to the Bountiful Temple on Saturday morning. It was a wonderful occasion, as we were there to do my dad's temple work. In case you're not a member of our church and are reading this and wondering what in the world I'm talking about, I'll explain. We believe that by performing ordinances in temples, we seal ourselves as families forever. If a person dies before doing this work himself, someone can later serve as a proxy and perform the ordinances in the temple on behalf of the deceased. It was a beautiful occasion, and I believe my dad was happy we did that work for him that day.

Sunday night, we got together at Jan's for dinner, fun and photographs, of course.

Maddy and Tempe had fun playing dress-up. Every time they put on a new outfit, they would come find me so I could take their picture.

Libby is not too sure what to think of that big camera in her face.


Tempe's pigtails look so cute, don't you think?

Katelyn explaining to everyone that she and Alex are getting ready to go outside and play 'Survivor Man'. Katelyn was a better survivor man than Alex...he didn't even bring a coat.
Helena is loving her first-ever taste of fresh pineapple. YUM!
Those eyes belong to Parker. I try to aim my camera and shoot before he can hide, but he's always too quick for me.
Mallory and Corinne look happy in their matching sweaters.
And finally -- a picture with me and my two older siblings.... Emphasis on older. Just kidding guys. You know I love you!! :)