Author: Stephen and Jodi

when Grandpa and Grandma come. Whether your last name is Baldwin or Parker, if you have Grandpa or Grandma attached at the beginning you have status around here! Last week our family basked in the realms of "Hollywood" for a little star studded weekly activity.

First up, we welcomed the Baldwin Grandparents for a few days while Grandpa was here for eye surgery. Olivia and JT were a little concerned when they saw "pampa" with an eye patch looking like a pirate. We were glad that everything went smoothly with that and before we knew it, the patch was off and Grandpa was sporting some cool shades. The time went quickly and we bid farewell while we licked our spoonfulls of ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.

Next, we anticipated the return of the famous Portugal couple missionaries – Elder and Irma Parker. They arrived in Idaho Falls Saturday morning after a night delay in SLC. All kids (and their parents) were as giddy as you can imagine as they were spotted coming down the escalator. After the luggage wasn’t retreived we drove home and welcomed them back to America with a famous Parker Hot Dog roast. It was fun to watch the introductions of the new babies that have been born the last 18 months: JT, Cooper, and Simon. We hear that little Josie was in on the introductions in SLC before they flew into Idaho Falls. It was also fun to hear more about the friends we met on our visit to Portugal last fall as they reported their mission in church Sunday. More fun times are sure to come, I’m sure. There is always a party going on when you are a Parker.

You can’t put a price tag on a Grandparent’s love and devotion. It is joyful to be the parent and watch my kids idolize Grandpa and Grandma, as Grandpa and Grandma dote right back. The exchange between them all is a pleasure to behold. There is a special bond that comes with the title and every kid deserves Grandparents as amazing as both of ours!!!

Comments:

Anne said…

Yeah! So fun to see your pics at the airport! Thx for sharing! Hope you are all enjoying each other and can’t wait to see you all soon!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:04:09 PM

michelle said…

Thanks for sharing the fun pictures. Grandparents are pretty special people. I love the kids in their Portugal shirts. Zach tries to wear his every day-every once in a while I have to wash it.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 10:14:11 PM

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

It was really fun for us. We are so blessed with a wonderful family. Thanks for all you are doing with your family and for us too.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 6:09:55 AM

Our summer is rolling by with a full calendar and fun visits from aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. This past weekend we were delighted to have the Baldwins (Amy, Bridget, and Abby) up for a visit. They don’t come very often so it was extra special for all of the girls. Stephen decided to take Mason on a Father and Son weekend since they missed the one with the ward. This freed us girls up to have a lot of girl bonding. We made aprons, went to Hannah Montanna, and then went and did a photo shoot at the temple and BYUI gardens. The gardens are sooo beautiful – I could stay there for a very long time if I were there a lone with a book.

The Baldwin’s are night owls and we had some extra late night excitement which resulted in some girl drama on the following days by the Parker girls. It was all worth it to spend those extra hours with cousins.

Thanks for the visit girls and we look forward to more memories down the road. Here are some of our fun pictures…

This week we are anticipating a visit from Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin and then welcoming the Parker Grandparents home from their mission after 18 monts (JT is going to meet them for the first time)! Another exciting week to add to the rest!

these girls weren’t cooperating
couldn’t keep this fella from the fun	Ah, the lazy days of summer	The clan at our photo shoot – I personally LOVE the colors in the back drop…green field, blue sky, & white clouds.
		Olivia was excited to see her other cousin, Brookey, at the splash park.

Comments:

Anne said…

Summer is so fun! The pictures of the gardens make me excited to go to Angelica’s reception up there. The aprons are darling…love them. Keep the good times rollin…as long as you get to sleep in to catch up on those late nights!
Sunday, June 21, 2009 10:28:44 PM

Grandpa & Grandma Parker said…

You girls know how to have fun. The pic are great. Can’t wait to see you.
Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:37:11 PM

Magan said…

Fun times, we must be on the wrong side of the state, we haven’t had any Baldwin family visitors in over 3 years
Monday, June 22, 2009 9:40:04 PM

Grandpa Baldwin said…

I just read Magan’s comment. I feel guilty. We plan to visit Boise in September to be part of Grant’s ordination. Anyway, it has been too long since we’ve been there.

We enjoy returning to Rexburg. The more often we return and the long we stay there the harder it is to return to Orem. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission and to serve in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. We know our mission activities are important and that people can be helped in the difficult times we find ourselves in.

We really appreciate the good things our family are doing and love to hear about all the fun things you all do. We look forward to visiting the family whenever we can arrange the time. Who knows, maybe next summer will
be quite different and we will be pushing the window of over-staying!

Monday, June 29, 2009 1:12:13 PM

Mountain Biking at Hawly Gulch

We have had a full weekend! We were most excited to have company. John and Michelle’s family came up. Friday morning John, Stephen, and Trevin took a bunch of cool kids mountain biking. They had a lot of fun with many crazy stories to tell. The rest of us went to the Spray Park and braved the cool weather. JT and Olivia loved riding the carousal. We topped the day off going out on a 5 couple date to Craigo’s Pizza to do our carboload. I know I felt like a giant ball of dough rolling out of the restaurant – we ate well. John told us some funny stories, our personal favorite about a girl in the back of his friend’s pick up truck. You’ll have to have him tell it to you. While we were out Haley, Lex, Kenzie, and Mason made a great movie entitled, "The Parker Bunch". It was a day in the life of a mom. We’ll have to show it to you some time.

John and Michelle were so awesome to help us out with our children while we ran! We owe them major big time and appreciate them so much. JT loved his Uncle John – John put a wagon together for him and took him to see the tractors. After the marathon we came home and relaxed for a quick minute before going to Aunt Dot and Uncle Everett’s 70th anniversary reception. Isn’t that just amazing! Seventy years – they look great and were so happy.

Now we are very tired and hope to sleep a lot tonight and then take a long nap tomorrow!

	Love the bike transportation
	The Happy Married Couple of 70 Years	Stephanie ran the 5K – way to go!

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

What a wonderful and meaningful week-end. We were sure glad you shared them on the site. All this and the Gospel too!
Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:51:45 PM

michelle said…

Way to go guys! You are very inspiring. Thanks for letting us stay at your house. The kids had a blast. So did the parents.
Sunday, June 14, 2009 3:27:54 PM

Jana said…

Very proud of you both and Stephanie, We had a fun weekend too. It’s fun to be a part of something so great.
Monday, June 15, 2009 1:05:39 PM

Magan said…

Very inspiring events accomplishing a marathon and celebrating a marriage of 70 years. “Life is Good”

Monday, June 15, 2009 4:09:26 PM

The day finally came and we are officially OUT of school for the summer! The kids road their bikes to school and by the time Alexis came home had thrown together a water party for all her friends. She is getting this party thing down a little too well, but we were happy to be the hosts. They had fun playing with water balloons and buckets and most of all having a mud fight in the pond Stephen quickly made with his tractor. Olivia hung out on the porch with her friend in the safety zone, but had fun being the water balloon guard. We missed Lily (she was at her friend’s house) – luckily JT decided to take a long nap. Alexis’s friend brought a game called, "sling shot", that looks totally fun. We decided we have to make it for all of our reunions this summer.

Here’s to many more happy and warm summer days!

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Looks like some good country fun. We enjoyed lots of parties with our kids friends over the years. The fun is just there waiting to be unfolded. Work hard, play hard!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 12:48:33 AM

michelle said…

You guys can really throw a party! Looks like a blast-Zach is very jealous. Happy Summer to you! We still have a month to go.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 8:39:48 AM

John said…

Who needs Green Canyon. You just need to put up a little swing and you will be in business. Looks like a great time.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 5:21:56 PM

Anne said…

Looks like a great time! Happy summer!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 5:36:42 PM

Steph said…

How did Stephen stay dry and clean? That looks like a ton of fun. There is nothing better than a good mud fight.
Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:52:38 PM

Jana said…

you gotta love a good mud fight…you guys are fun parents.
Thursday, June 11, 2009 4:37:49 PM

Magan said…

What a party!
Thursday, June 11, 2009 6:08:20 PM