Parker Turns Fourteen

It's hard to believe, but Parker is 14 and he'll be in high school next year!! It's also not so hard to believe because he continues to grow so much and impress us with his love of God, empathy for others, inquisitive mind, and consistent yet evolving sense of humor. He had some specific requests for his birthday meals so see below for a picture of those. And here is a bit more about 14-year-old Parker. He...

• is taller that his mama! It isn't by much at this point, but he's definitely taller.
• crushed middle school and he's very excited to be moving on. Look out Lincoln High School!
• still loves soccer and is playing for Seattle United again. He's thrilled to be on the same premier team as last year.
• ran for the Hamilton Middle School track team this spring instead of soccer and did amazing. It was basically a time to hang out with friends and also do some running, both of which he loves. And it turns out he's a really good distance runner!
• still really enjoys golf and getting out there with David. He tolerates being out there with his brothers. None of the brothers enjoy getting tips from each other. Go figure. 
• participated in Friday night ski bus again and really loved it. He only got lost once and broke just one ski pole while skiing this season. 😬
• loves Tater with all his heart and soul. 
• could still eat his weight in bread (and most carbs). His favorite foods are pasta, bread, chocolate, and dessert. His least favorite foods are squash, mushrooms, and olives.
• still has a plethora of favorite sports teams, including the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Guardians, WSU Cougars, Portland Trailblazers, FC Barcelona, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Seahawks, and Seattle Kraken.
• still loves being with his family and would usually choose to be home with us on a Friday night. 
• is fully a teenager - the sense of humor, the language that sometime seems like a foreign language to the rest of us, the fluffy hair, a bit of angst, the increased independence, and the acquisition of a cell phone. We are (mostly) loving this spicy age. 
• stays up much later than he used to. It's often a struggle to get him into bed by 9:30 each night. 
• wakes up in the morning with the sweetest disheveled look always in search of a hug. Who could say no to that?!

{birthday baguette}

P.S. Parker Turns 13