Author: Stephen Parker

We had a blast today, we went to Bloomington Lake in the morning. On the way there we met up with Ryon and Jana’s Family. We saw plenty of snow drifts on the way up which helped us get excited for how cold the water would be. We found that the rope swing had been modified and just wasn’t as cool as last year. Across the lake was a huge snow glacier that came right down into the water. I thought to myself that would be fun to slide down. then Jana yelled out lets go slide down that drift, so off we went. John and Michelle gave Paul, Jana and Myself a ride across the lake. it was a blast just check out the video footage.

After spending some fun time there we headed back to Bear Lake and had a late lunch. Played for the rest of the afternoon at the lake, then headed back to camp for dinner. Here we sit around the camp fire as I type telling stories and having a little talent show. John led us in the traditional, “Little house in the middle of the woods.” Good times, wish Mom and Dad were here to add to the fun. We plan on calling them on skype in the morning 9:30 AM MST…so be ready Mom and Dad

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

Looks like you are having fun. You are getting pretty brave, no life jackets in the canoes and some are jumping in the lake without them also. We will be anxiously waiting for your call. Remember sun screen.
Friday, July 11, 2008 12:22:36 AM

John said…

The Videos are great. That was a great time. Hard to beat family, snow and ice water.
Sunday, July 13, 2008 9:35:29 PM

We made it. One by one we are trickling in, we got here around 5:00PM, then Lance and Anne pulled in around 6:30PM. John and Michelle arrived next around 7:15PM, Trevin and Stephanie arrived just a few minutes ago 7:35PM. So there is the report for the first night here. We ate some dogs around the fire, we are on the east side of camp this year there is a great view of the lake. More to come, we are planning on hitting Bloomington lake in the morning. Rick and Stacie and Ryon and Jana are due to arrive in the morning sometime. We may go wade tonight in the lake…have to see. Wish Mom and Dad could be here. We are sure talking about them to make it more real.

I had a good time last night trying to get some shots of the lighting storm. I found that it is pretty tricky to get a shot of lightening, I had to just keep snapping shots hoping that it would catch the action. Lily and Mason had a good time watching with me. Lily was getting a little nervous with all the flashing of lights so I told her it was just Heavenly Father’s Fireworks.

Comments:

Jana said…

That was quite a storm last night..Cool pictures! I love a rainy night especially when there is thunder and lightening involved it reminds me of watching storms with dad at 61 Aries on the front porch.
Monday, July 07, 2008 10:26:17 AM

Stephen said…

That brings back a memory or two…good old 61 Aries.
Monday, July 07, 2008 11:55:40 AM

Dad said…

I really like a good thunderstorm. It makes you feel a little more humble, but in a refreshing way. Nice pics!
Monday, July 07, 2008 3:34:05 PM

Pablo said…

Hombre! Me deberias haber llamado, siempre he querido sacar fotos de relampagos. Llamame la proxima vez. Vale!
Monday, July 07, 2008 8:52:09 PM

Jana said…

Speak English man, I don’t know what your saying Loco!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008 4:22:21 PM

This makes it all worth it to see my children walking in the ways of truth. 3rd John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Alexis was leading them in their own little scripture study.

Today was the annual run to Bone and Back. It is a 40 Mile run but we break it up into 5 miles legs. We ran it as the AMX Dev and IT team. Against the AMX HR and Sales team. It got off to a rough start when our first runner was late, we had to have our 4th leg runner run twice. I ran up the hill again this year what a mistake 5 miles up hill the entire way. That is a killer hill, it starts steep and just gets steeper. Good times though.

this is one of the flatter parts of the run
	Lily the water girl	Waterboy
	cheerleaders

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

Good job Stephen, you can do hard things. Looks like a pretty day. Your kids will want to be runners too.
Sunday, June 29, 2008 12:01:09 AM

Steph said…

I love your cheering team, they look great. Good running Stephen, I have such cool brothers.
Monday, June 30, 2008 9:41:59 AM

John said…

Nice work Bean. Good to see you are keeping in shape. You are a great man.

Monday, June 30, 2008 4:50:23 PM

Anne said…

Way to go! Glad the hill is over for you! Looks like the kids are having fun too!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 7:48:46 AM

Rick and Stacie donated a 1978 Yamaha GT80 to Mason, we went and picked it up early this morning. Mason kept asking the whole ride home can we fix it? What is wrong with it Dad? I had to remind him that we will have to look it over before we can be sure of the problem. We gave it a quick tune up and fired it up. Mason hasn’t been so happy for days. It still needs new rings so we are going to track some down and give it an overhaul. Thanks Rick and Stacie, you made Mason and Me very happy. I had to have Jodi take it for a spin to see it was safe for the kids.

Comments:

Mom and dad said…

Hey, I think the army may want that cycle in Iraq for a smoke screen. Looks like it is a lot of fun. You might just run it a little and the rings might re-seat. Smoke of not, it’s fun. Jodi may ditch the bike and go into moto-cross racing.
Friday, June 27, 2008 4:35:35 AM

Anne said…

Looks like you are having fun! Be careful!
Friday, June 27, 2008 6:31:41 AM

Amy Baldwin said…

That cracks me up that you ride the motorcycle all over your grass. I’ll never forget waking up the morning after Brad and I got engaged and seeing that he had driven my car onto their lawn and was washing it. My Mom would have had a cow if we had driven anything on our lawn. As I would now. I guess things are done differently in Rexburg.
Saturday, June 28, 2008 9:28:03 PM

John said…

Looks like a blast. The smoke make it feel like you are going faster. I hope I can take her for a little spin when we come up next time.

Monday, June 30, 2008 4:52:14 PM

I went to the Temple for my first time as an adult. Today I was there again and had to smile at what a great place it is to be. 🙂

Comments:

Paul said…

I was there today too! Maybe we crossed paths.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:49:17 PM

Steph said…

It is a great place, I can’t wait to go there with my kids when they take out there endowments. It still can’t believe there is a temple in Rexburg. I am excited to go there someday.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 9:52:18 PM

Stephen said…

I want you to start coming with me Paul, the names today were from Argentina and Peru. I just had to smile.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:00:59 PM

Dad and Mom said…

I remember the day that you first went to the temple. I remember that you were almost overcome with awe as we came out and you told me, “I think I just learned more about the plan of salvation in two hours than I have my whole life.” What an amazing place. We miss the temple here a lot, so go a few extra times for us.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 12:18:41 AM

Stacie said…

That is neat Stephen! I remember my first time too! All I could say is that it was not of this world! What a great place to go! Rick and I are going tomorrow at 4:00 anyone is welcome to join us! Maybe we will see you there! Bye now!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 10:38:06 PM

We heard from every one we had talked to that we had to see a Tengo in Buenos Aires. So we did just that, we didn’t realize how fancy of a deal it is down there. Reminded me of a high class show in NYC. We felt a little out of place as we weren’t drinking like they were taking it down. Very cool show, a little PG-13 I would say, but fun. I liked how the orchestra was above the stage.

Tri bordersThis was a neat place to visit, reminded me a lot of Niagara falls, but much bigger. We ran from place to place to see the whole thing, we had to catch a flight at 1 PM so we were making some good time. Very hot and muggy as it was in the jungle. You could see three countries Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina from the tri-borders view point.

rugged wheel chair
	sun came out for just a second	honey time I was getting low
John saved me by running and grabbing me a soda
	look a monkey

top of the trailWhat an amazing bike ride. We started at almost 15,000 feet and finished at around 3,000 feet. Over 60 Miles of riding, mostly downhill but there were a few good hill climbs. One of them was about 2 miles long and I call it heartbreak hill because it was not easy climb. The cliffs along the ride were amazing, to start in the high mountains and finish in the jungle was pretty sweet. In the past over 100 people died every year on this road. For this reason they have built a new much safer route for cars and buses, but the bikers still love the excitement of a near death experience.

Starting Altitude
		long way down
Jana (yana german) and Pablo the mechanic	remains of a bus that went over the cliff last year
		Our little riding group, Members from Japan, Israel, Germany and USA
	locals admiring the bikes	Ending Altitude
chillin in the jungle	Hotel in Coroico after the ride