Author: Stephen and Jodi

7th Grade Vice President over Activities

I decided to run for Vice President over Activities for the 7th grade last week. And guess what? I won!!! Friday I had to give a speech in front of the whole 6th grade.  There were 8 other people running against me and one of them was my friend, Shay. I wish we could have tied. She gave me some of her ideas so we are both kind of on it. My one minute speech was: 

"Hello…

I would like to make school fun for everyone by using my 1, 2, 3 plan for Fun!

#1 – MORE after school clubs offered! I have some ideas, and I’d like to hear yours – come and talk to me.

#2 – Spring Lip Sync with students AND TEACHERS. How many of you would like to see Tanner sing, “I like ‘em Big, I like ‘em Chunky?” Or even better, Principal Shultz sing, “Who let the dogs out?”

#3 – FUN Fridays – My idea is to try and have free popcorn (and maybe even hot chocolate during the winter) on one Friday every month.

I really would like the opportunity to make school a fun place for everyone! Your vote for me as VP over Activities is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

VOTE FOR Alexis for VICE PRESIDENT over Activities!"

Memorial Weekend Highlights

It was a busy and fun weekend. We worked hard before Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin arrived on Thursday evening so that we could relax and just play. It was so great to have a visit and share time with my parents. Friday night we watched: Paul Blart, The Mall Cop. We had a good laugh.

Lex spent Saturday morning helping Grandma Baldwin make flower arrangements at Uncle Morgans house. Going to String Lake in Grand Teton National Park on Saturday afternoon with Grandpa was a special treat. I couldn’t believe that the girls were in swimming suits and in the water as I looked around and saw frequent patches of snow! JT couldn’t be stopped and he wouldn’t stay out of the water either…his poor little legs were turning purple by the time we pried him out. That little dude LOVES to be outside. All of us loved taking a stroll in the canoe. Grandma stayed up late playing games with us and entertaining. The kids loved having a sleep over with Grandma! Sunday she even slept out on the couch with all of them (minus JT) – that is true love.

We were able to go visit the graves on Sunday. Mason made some origami lilies for Michele’s grave and Lex made a fancy bow to go on them. Lily made a paper flower that said "Families are Forever". Not to be left out, Olivia cut a flower out of paper too. We also went to Great grandpa and grandma Parker’s graves and also Great grandpa and grandma Beattie’s graves and as well as other relative’s.

Monday Stephen, Lex, and Mason went mountain biking while the rest of us stayed home to plant flowers. We are excited that the weather is permitting us to eat out on our deck as often as we want to. It is fun to hear the birds chirp,see the green fields, and watch the blue sky. It is a peaceful place to live – away from all of the other "stuff".


Flower arranging at Uncle Morgans. Olivia didn’t want to leave until Morgan gave out his “fishies”. Morgan has trained her to expect candy whenever she sees him.

Grandpa Baldwin made this walking stick for Lily – it has piano keys on it! Very cool.

Stephen made lipstick out of his snap candy.

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Never a dull moment. You guys definitely will be able to say you really lived and took full advantage in this life experience. We felt a little homesick to see the graves and the fun outdoor shots.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:08:47 PM

Anne said…

Sounds like lots of fun! Wow, looked like cold swimming. Lexy and Mason loved the mountain bike clips. You guys have a cool dad!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:14:30 PM

michelle said…

Fun weekend! What a beautiful lake. Thanks for sharing. You guys have such a great family.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 5:
01:15 PM

Scott said…

Your family is so awesome. I love the pictures of JT sitting in the canoe, and the one of your whole family on the water in the canoe.

Sure miss you guys!
Saturday, May 30, 2009 8:48:56 PM

Let’s do that again.

We went on a pretty intense mountain bike ride today, and Mason for the rest of the day has been asking me, "when can we do that again, Dad?"  We had a great time, I was a little conecerned about the steepness of the hill but Mason sure enjoyed the rush of flying down the hill and through the puddles.  He came home and has been practicing his brake turns to skid the rear tire around the hair pin corners.  Good times were had today.

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

You get guy like Mason to the mountains, and he will always have a good time. He sure is looking like a well-rounded fine young man more all the time.
Monday, May 25, 2009 11:55:21 PM

Anne said…

Pretty cool stuff you will have to take Lance some time!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:18:50 PM

You are a lot tougher than you think

Today Alexis proved to me and all around her that she is a lot tougher than she thinks…We went for a pretty intense mountain bike ride we rode over 8 miles went several thousands of feet up hill and back down and she just kept going.  She got a little down when she couldn’t breathe because of all the hill climbing but pulled right out of it.  I was impressed  with her as we took a shortcut straight up the mountain,  I helped her by pushing her bike up the very steep face. As we approached the top offered to push her bike the rest of the way if she would just push it to the next big tree.  She replied, "why don’t I just do it myself" as if to say, "I can do it".  Tough little girl.


Almost there…

Comments:

Grandma and grandpa Parker said…

Looked like a fun ride. She is really a tough young lady, and so cheerful that she is always fun to be around.
Monday, May 25, 2009 11:52:32 PM

Anne said…

Way to go Lexi! Your are tough!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:17:56 PM

It was all for Mason

After several weekends of putting Mason off, we finally did it! We went camping – o.k. so we didn’t go far (we went out to our forest), but we are counting it anyway. We ate tinfoil dinners, roasted marshmallows, and got out the sleeping bags. It was worth it all for the joy on Mason’s face. In fact, the whole family just loved spending time together laughing and feeling nostalgic from the past camping excursions!  Although Stephen was feeling a little like he has betrayed his old rockwood popup trailer he is trying to look forward to the future with our "new" trailer. The rest of us are just happy it will keep us dry, warm, and safe.

The other photos are from the mile run where Mason just ran his tail off!

Comments:

Grandpa said…

Mason, you are my kind of guy. Camping is good, even in the back yard. You guys have such a great yard. I used to sleep out in the back yard 5 days a week. We will have to get in some good camping this summer.
Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:20:32 AM

Anne said…

Looks like a fun camping trip to me! Glad you got it in Mason!
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:52:41 AM

John said…

Nice work. You can never go wrong with a sleeping bag and a fire. I am glad to see you guys having some great times together.
Friday, May 22, 2009 10:43:30 PM

Wrappin’ it up

Tonight was the last night of Club Spring Soccer for Coach Parker and Alexis. The "Bobcabulldiggers" ended strong in a tie game against the Bonneville Bonecrushers. It was fun to watch and take notice of how much improvement has been going on. The wind was also there once again to remind us that most things in life don’t always happen the way you want -you have to work hard, sometimes you win but most times you don’t, and keep moving forward! Lots of good life lessons. It is nice to know that our Tuesday and Wednesday nights on the calendar can make room for different activities.

Speaking of wrappin’ it up…today was Olivia’s last day of playgroup. She and her friends have had many fun times learning the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and shapes. Our field trip was suppose to be to the Nature Park for picnic and play but the wind made us take a detour to Arctic Circle. There were NO disappointed girls. We are afraid for next Wednesday when Olivia realizes that playgroup is really over – guess we can make room on the calendar for Wednesday morning too.

It’s all up to the memory now!

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Just to be on a team like that was winning, but having such a great coach and cheering section puts the icing on the cake. Great season Alexis and great job Stephen!
Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:30:57 AM

Anne said…

Sounds like a fun season! My team growing up had lots of victories and lots of losses, it just makes the victories even better. Olivia looks so grown up and happy in her play group. Good thing her siblings will be around to help keep her busy soon!
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:49:50 AM

Magan said…

Such a sweet picture of Lex and her dad. Dads are very special.
Friday, May 22, 2009 8:46:14 AM

Michelle said…

Love the soccer pictures. . . reminds me of my fam. How fun to have Stephen be Lex’s soccer coach. Seriously Stephen. . . you are a great person – being a competition soccer coach is a lot of hard work. I’m sure you and Lex will have lots of great memories!
Monday, May 25, 2009 9:18:13 PM

Tough little Jodi

My work is having a little campain to help us get more active, and since spouses are invited to participate Jodi is in it too.  With us training for the Dam Marathon in June it really makes it the perfect timing for us.  I don’t want to have this come across as bragging, I just want her to know I am impressed with her. I am just so proud of little Jo and her hard work.  She is a real trooper!  Makes me proud to be her running partner.

Comments:

michelle said…

Go Jodi! I am impressed too-I am hoping you will pass some of your motivation my way-I am really needing it!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 8:46:57 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

You two are getting plenty active. You will live forever at that rate. You might as well live intense. That will prepare you to be better missionaries when you retire.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 3:55:43 PM

Jodi said…

Let us not forget who reminds me to add my “time”- Mr. Competitive and #1 spot holder. Definitely not what a “normal” exercise schedule would be, but convenient timing to get a better rate on insurance :). I’m sure I couldn’t keep up with the couple missionaries in Portugal.
Thursday, May 21, 2009 9:00:05 AM

The Naked Artist

Sometimes (when you’re three) you just have to strip down to be inspired!

Comments:

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

Sometimes clothes really get in the way. She probably didn’t want to ruin anything with the paint. Way to go Olivia!!
Monday, May 11, 2009 2:46:00 PM

John said…

That is what I do for all of my painting. Both on the canvas and on the walls. I just work better and it saves on clean up time. She is a cutie!
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:31:40 PM

Anne said…

Olivia just gave me a great smile for the day! So cute and funny!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:40:49 PM

baby tOOth Decay

The other day as JT was walking around being busy I noticed something when he smiled: THIS! It made me laugh. Apparently somebody left one of these beads laying around, he popped it in his mouth and then bit it down over the top of his tooth. It was stuck on there very well and needed to be pried off. What a funny boy.

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

You might need to get a dentist license with all the tooth work you have to do on the kids.
Monday, May 11, 2009 2:43:32 PM

Anne said…

Wow!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:42:21 PM

Family First

Saturday came and brought something new: A Duathlon.  Something none of us have ever done. The course was a 5 K run and a fifteen mile bike ride. Stephen, Jodi, Alexis, and Mason took their bikes to the Madison High School to the starting line. Lily was there as moral support and cheerleader. Olivia and JT got to stay home this time. The goal was to finish – which all accomplished and loved receiving a medal to prove it. The weather was perfect.  It was fun to share the day with family and friends both. We saw Stephanie and Paul, Ryon (the event planner), Jana and families. Stephen also talked our friends Dave, Ryan, Casey, Tanner and Ashlyn into participating as well.

Alexis was so excited to ride Great Grandpa Parker’s bike – too bad looks aren’t the same as functionality! It was a work out for her – Mason was awesome to come back with Stephen to check on her 2 or 3 times sacrificing his personal best time. It meant a lot to Lex when mentally she knew we would be the last ones crossing the finish line. There weren’t many kids (4 counting them to be exact) out willing to take this on.  They are awesome to try, do, and then finish! Both Lex and Mason proudly wore their shirts to school today.

By the way, doesn’t that finish line look fabulous? It was hand welded by Stephen as well as the racks for the bikes! Pretty talented fella.


The end – literally!

Mason ended up going even further than 15 miles when it was all said and done!
Lily’s reward was finding $5!

Stephen just took down a whole banana so he has chipmunk cheeks

Comments:

michelle said…

Good job guys-I could not ride 15 miles! I am so impressed with your family. You guys prove that hard things can be done!
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:51:21 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Good deal!! You leave the swimming out and we might even try it.
Monday, May 11, 2009 1:56:07 PM

John said…

That looks like a great race. We all should do it next year. Great work little Parker’s.
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:30:47 PM

Patricia said…

I am so pleased with all of you runners and bikers!!! Way to go. I don’t know how you did it Alexis and Mason!!! Wow! You guys are all so tough and buff. Did you get stiff and sore? I sure would have. Good job. Keep it up.
Love you all! Grandma B., Pat and Mom
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 12:07:20 AM

Magan said…

Good job guys
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:02:08 PM

Anne said…

Very cool! Way to go guys! You are so tough!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:35:06 PM