Work, Work, Work

Parker 6/14/11
Here Lies:  A Worker

I am watching the letters of this word being put together & know that I am spelling a word but also laughing because it looks so funny.  Anyhow,  we spent a great deal of time two weeks ago putting some finishing (using this word loosely) touches on our backyard.  We loaded six yards of playground bark chips on Tuesday night, until long past dark.  Then Friday, because Paul needed one wheelbarrow load of gravel for the faucet area, well let's just get a whole truck load so that we can fill in the area around the concrete slab!  6,000 pounds of gravel really builds up the muscles!  

Who says work builds character...all I see are exhausted faces & the continual sound of "can I be done now?"  Even so, the boys worked hard alongside their hardworking Dad.  I am grateful for the soul-filling satisfaction that comes from working.  You know that feeling, a feeling of exhaustion that leaves you with the sense that you can do anything, create anything, & be anything you desire.  And as a mother, to see my boys (& even my daughter with her little purple wheelbarrow) working together with their Dad brings an overwhelming gratitude for the ability to work & for the character I know is being built.  

Work:  the face says it all.

Hard-working friends help the job move along.

Kyralyn:  Our soft & sweet for this hard & sweaty job!

Dallin 6/17/11

Not too much left now, Son!

defn:  Work

9 Years of Celebration

 Parker, we've been celebrating you even before that special day in April, 9 years ago.  It began with an early morning basketball game for Dad and then a sod-laying party at Grandpa Spencer's new house.  We welcomed you to the world at 2:52 pm.  Of course, at that time, you didn't have a name yet.  When Dallin came to meet you at the hospital later, we asked him the question, "should we name him Logan or Parker?"  His response, "Pa - tr."  

We agreed.

Happy Birthday Parker

aka "Park-Man," "Parker Parker," "Parker P," or "Little Blonde Bomber"
We love you!

1 week old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old (you learned how to signal '3' just like a basketball referee!)

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old & full of kisses for sister

Turning 6 was also the year of the birthday fishing trip; we tried at the Resevoir but ended up catching one later at a stocked pond.  You loved the catching part, but wiggled just like the fish at the rest of it!  This one was part of dinner!

7 years old

8 years old

8 was also the birthday of the Poem Play for 2nd Grade.  You recited & acted out several poems on your own & with classmates:  "Scary Book," "Jabberwocky," "Spaghetti," & "The Gettysburg Address."  Some other favorites to recite were "1492," "Don't Quit," & "A Poem In My Pocket"

9 years old

9 was also the birthday of the soccer game.  You got to open your gifts in time to play with them a bit before your game.  You played the 1st half as goalie, then finished the game as mid-fielder.  Afterward you enjoyed a dinner of fettucini alfredo with shrimp, a vegetable that I can't remember right now, IBC Root Beer (from Lincoln), & mud pie for dessert.

San Francisco, Without Flowers in my Hair

Golden Gate Bridge
12/19/09

Once upon a time, Paul and I took a little trip together.  For one day (I think it was just over 24 hours...) we left our home, the craziness of Christmas preparations, and the kids (who were too busy being spoiled by Uncle Lincoln & Aunt Michelle to notice our absence).  Back home, the flowers had long ago stopped blooming so I did not wear any in my hair.  (I always hear this song when I think of San Francisco...don't know why, I've never even seen The Graduate...did try it once on Netflix but switched to something else after a few minutes...)

We flew into Oakland on Saturday morning (December 19, 2009), & drove into San Francisco straight to Fisherman's Wharf.  We walked around for a while then drove down Lombard Street, and through the city a bit.  Then we went back to Lombard Street where I got out at the top and jogged down to the bottom to capture pics.  When Paul got to the bottom I jumped in the car and we were off to the Golden Gate Bridge.  It was a very windy day and not too clear.  Then on into Oakland to get ready for Christmas dinner with his Oakland Ultra Steam men & their spouses.  After dinner we went to see the Christmas lights at the Oakland Temple.  The lights are my favorite part of Christmas & these were beautifully done.  Sunday morning we flew back home so that we could pick up the kids and get up to Temple Square where Dallin was performing with the Children's Choir.  It was a nice, if quick, getaway!

My first introduction to the city:  trolls tolls

 

Love the bridges

Ah, the island of mysterious treasure, mateys!

Warm & inviting, even in winter!

Invigorating, Majestic, Intimidating:  Love it!

Had a great bowl of clam chowder for lunch here

Quirk:  Paul & I are both left-handed (but none of our kids are!)

The robot men were very entertaining

 Lombard Street

Caught a good gust of wind for this one!

 San Francisco Bay & Alcatraz
12/19/09

Tremendous Challenge

6/6/11

 

During our drive home from Montana, we stopped for a late breakfast/early lunch.  Parker got out of the car a bit sleepy, telling us he wasn't that hungry so could we just keep driving?  Something changed between the parked car and the restaurant table.  The manager stopped by to welcome us and Parker asked what the largest breakfast on the menu was.  The Tremendous Twelve.  The manager also mentioned that it was so big Parker wouldn't be able to eat it all.  Oh, the challenge was on!  The food was brought out: 4 pancakes, 3 eggs, 2 sausage links, 2 bacon slices & a generous helping of hashbrowns.  A little bit later the waitress came and cleared away both empty plates!  He'd done it; he'd beat the challenge!  The manager stopped by and Parker proudly announced that he'd eaten it all.  The reward?  Pie on the house.  And he ate it all up!

Meet Me In Montana

The 4-wheeler is Dallin's favorite to drive!
6/4/11

The mountains were in our eyes & we were surrounded by big skies a couple of weekends ago.  We celebrated the end of our school year with some time in Montana to celebrate with Kylene & her family as she graduated from high school.  Out came the dolls, the strollers & the hot pink high heels for Kyralyn (unfortunately for the hot pink heels, she discovered the playful & spicey shoes still in her cousins' closets...what can I say, the girl has an eye for an awesome shoe!)  For the boys, it was a long 1/2 an hour wait before Kaysen got home from school, but they passed the time with a soccer ball, soccer goals and the trampoline.  

The throttle is her favorite part of this machine!
Daddy will have a tough time keeping up when she gets to drive by herself in a few years!
6/4/11

After dinner, preparations for Kylene's graduation party the next day needed to be made.  People had gone their separate directions except for a few visiting in the family room.  A little while later, Jonette came in and apologetically informed me that Kyle had introduced Parker to Kaysen's new toy.  So this was why he was so adamant about packing jeans!  Kyle's a good coach and Parker spent any time he could that evening and the next, driving (in first gear...but still driving)!

Intent & loving every minute!
6/3/11

Pretty soon others were driving around as well.  Kyle got out his big bike and Paul took it for a drive. (Did you get the gravel smoothed out yet Kyle?)  

Oh Yeah!
6/3/11

Even Grandpa was able to check off "ride a dirt bike" from his bucket list.  

There goes Grandpa!
6/3/11

 Saturday the weather was great for a graduation & a party for friends & family.  Sunday was her seminary graduation and then home to pack up for an early leave on Monday. 

We love you, Dan!
6/4/11

Congratulations, Kylene!
(Check out those awesome, yet confused collars)
6/5/11

All in all it was a wonderful trip:  great company, all the comforts of home and then some, great food, laughs, late nights, new surprises (boyfriends & kisses) and even a few games of hand-and-foot.  Thanks for giving us your room Kiera and for doing Kyralyn's hair & nails (ok, and Parker's too)!  Thanks for a great trip Kyle, Jonette, Kylene, Kiera & Kaysen!

Pillow Heads

Parker & Kyralyn making the most of the car ride home from Montana.

"Really, Mom?"

This afternoon included a quick run to the library to pick up a book I'd placed on hold several weeks ago.  I'd heard of "Atlas Shrugged" the movie, never knowing it was a book until our local radio talk show host was talking about it & also mentioned it's probably a top 10 book on everyone's shelves.  My interest was piqued.  (I really don't know what I'm getting into with this novel...whether I finish it or not?  Maybe I should check with my dad first, if it's worth it, he's read it).  Once Parker got dinner in the oven & ran out to play I thought I'd sit down with it for a few minutes.  A little bit later, in comes Parker, up in arms and set to inform me of one of his brother's transgressions.  He stopped mid-sentence when he saw the cover of my new read.  
"Really, Mom?  Naked dude?"