Need something to do?

Alexis has been voting at frostedflakes.com with Stephen and I’s email addresses(you have to be above a certain age, and we gave her our permission) for a purpose. If you have the time, she would be so excited if anyone helped vote for a new baseball field in our little town. Apparently the votes only count as 50% of the decision, but wouldn’t it be cool if we WON? I found the following article at kpvi.com, it explains what Lex is so excited about:

"Park in Sugar City a Finalist in Upgrade Contest

It’s known as America’s favorite past time and a local baseball field could soon be revamped in a big way.

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes is helping playing fields across America get an upgrade.

The Heritage/Niebar Park is one of 100 parks in the country that Kellogg’s has chosen to potentially help rebuild.

During the month of May, people across America can vote for one of the 100 parks on frostedflakes.com.

The voting will count for 50 percent of the decision and then 30 fields will be chosen to be re-done by Kellogg’s.

Sugar City Mayor, Glenn Dalling, said the park has a lot of needed repairs and members of the community would love to see a new playing field.

Mark Willis, Hopes to get a new field: "I think it’s a great opportunity for the public to see how great Sugar City is. It’s usually a small town but it has a lot to offer. And to bring more to the families in the community. That’s what we need, what we want."

You can vote once a day from each e-mail you have on www.frostedflakes.com and the voting will end at the start of June."

Play Hard

Lex played like a champ tonight at her game, she kicked the ball funny and rolled her ankle but she didn’t want to stop playing.  She did great and passed a few great assists, she was zig zagging like a sewing machine.  Great Job Lex.

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Lex looks like a real pro. She is a well-rounded young lady.
Friday, May 08, 2009 11:34:01 AM

Michelle said…

Lex. . . you look great! I didn’t realize you were such a soccer player. Wish I could have been at one of your games to cheer you on!
Monday, May 25, 2009 9:21:29 PM

That’s My Girl


First Place

Lily was quite the trooper today, it was time for the 1 mile run again with her school.  It was so fun as I pulled up and saw her class walking over to the high school, she looked back and yelled, "It’s my Dad".  She then reached out and held my hand all the way to the high school.  She is a fun little girl, she seemed nervous for the run but still very excited.

They gave her her number and lined them up at the starting line, she said she wanted me to run with her so I did.  It seemed to me like I was holding her back because she just kept going, she kept saying, "lets pass them" and before we knew it we were ahead of all of them.  For the last lap she really turned on the heat and almost lost me.  She ended up taking first place and i was just happy as can be with her.  She didn’t give up and she was so happy for her friends to finish and cheered them on as well. Good Job Lily.


On your marks…

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Way to go Lily. It looks like running is one of your family’s talent. Your smile was the prettiest thing to us. You are a sweet-heart.
Friday, May 08, 2009 11:30:42 AM

michelle said…

wow lily-you must be a great little runner! Keep that up and you will be able to outrun your parents! good job
Saturday, May 09, 2009 11:23:52 PM

Michelle said…

Lily. . . you are amazing. I don’t know if I could have run a 1 mile race like that. Good Job!
Monday, May 25, 2009 9:25:59 PM

Spring Recital

Tonight we held the second informal Puzey Parker Recital. We kept it low key because some of these pupils are a little shy to play for the masses yet, BUT they really could and should. Maybe next time we’ll make it bigger and test the waters of nerves out on aunts, uncles, and grandparents. (does that even make sense?)

It is really fun to be involved in a recital where half of the children playing are your own and the other half are the children you teach! What (good) proud flowed out of my heart for these awesome young pianists! Lily is a very funny girl. She didn’t want to do the duet with her teacher because the music would be on the piano and she didn’t want people to think she didn’t have her piece memorized! Cracked me up- I wouldn’t’ have even thought of that. Needless to say she was flying solo on both of her songs, "William Tell Overture" and "Leapin’ Lizards". Mason loved learning "The Pink Panther" and also "Saucer Men". He has made great strides this year and improved greatly. I owe it all to his teacher! Lex participated by playing one of her festival songs and also a song she wrote entitled, "Thunderstorm". You should ask her to play it for you, it is really good.

We also had a celebration for all of the kids making the "perfect practice club", they had to practice at least 4 days out of the week for 10 consecutive weeks. They ALL did it and by doing that they were rewarded with a huge ice cream party. They also had to pass of several flash cards naming notes and their location on the piano for their favorite candy bar mix-in. They all did that too, so it was an exciting night.

Stephen had the biggest bowl of ice cream of anyone,and he doesn’t even play! (he must have inherited that ice cream passion from someone?)


These two didn’t want to get left out of all of the fun!

Comments:

Michelle said…

Talented kids and parents! I am so glad they have gained the love of music. Keep up the good work.
Monday, May 04, 2009 8:28:23 AM

Jana said…

Fun times…maybe next time we will have to sneak a peek from the window so we can get a glance at these awesome kids and their talents!!
Monday, May 04, 2009 2:13:59 PM

Steph said…

Olivia is going to outdo them all! Good job guys, your talents will be needed, in Grandma and Grandpa’s Branch the missionaries are the only ones who play the piano. Keep in up.
Monday, May 04, 2009 3:05:01 PM

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Piano playing is a great talent. Most of the missionaries who play are sure thankful that Mom made them practice. Even in seminary , it was a blessing to have kids who could play in each class.
Friday, May 08, 2009 11:10:56 AM

Patricia said…

Great job everyone!!! I’m sitting here smiling and feeling so pleased with all of you. Keep up the good work. You’re all awesome.
Grandma Baldwin/Mom
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 9:12:56 AM

Go Big Blue


A few of the lucky ones

Hopefully Lex won’t get too upset with me for breaking this news to you first, but…..

She tried out to be a cheerleader last Friday and MADE IT!!!! She is so excited she can’t stand it. It was fun to be there when she read her number on the list, she just about mowed me over when she jumped on me! I was so happy for her. She text her dad, "Daddy I made it!!!!!" So sweet it melted all of the fear that Stephen felt of his little girl growing up. She is excited to be following in the footsteps of Grandpa Parker, and various aunts. Definitely not her mom! This is definitely out of my element I kept asking her "when are your auditions?" She would try to be patient as she explained that they are try outs! I guess I will learn the swing of things soon enough. Like, also learning that saying "Woo hoo" is a swear word in cheer world. FYI.

I am proud of her for trying to do something new and working hard to accomplish that goal. She will be fabulous. I’m sure she’ll be adding her own two cents later.

Woo hoo for LEX! (oops, I mean –  Go Diggers!)

 

Comments:

Michelle said…

Wow Lexi-That will be so much fun. You are such a cute, good girl-your sweet glow will make a big difference! Go Diggers!!!
Monday, May 04, 2009 8:32:40 AM

Jana said…

Way to go Lex… Can’t wait to look for you in the 4th of July parade this year!! GO DIGGERS!
Monday, May 04, 2009 2:18:31 PM

Steph said…

Trevin is so proud! He can teach you some cheers from when he was a Digger. Go Big Blue!
Monday, May 04, 2009 3:11:57 PM

Riley said…

Good job Lex!!!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 4:22:06 PM

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Congratulations! We will be looking for you in the parade too.
Friday, May 08, 2009 11:09:01 AM

15 months old now

JT is getting up there in months now – WOW! Time has a crazy way of rolling by quickly, especially with five kids. I love it, even if it feels out of control most of the time! I am trying to love/live every moment I can and not just go through the motions, it is hard not to wear myself out, but it beats the alternative (watching soap operas and eating bon bons ðŸ™‚ ).  

Because life can get crazy I find that my JT time is delegated to someone else in the family and I feel sad at night thinking of all of the things I missed out on. I guess it is good for the siblings to serve each other once in a while and develop their own bonds of love. Sounds like I’m a little jealous of my own kids. They all love JT and watching him grow.  Here are some of the things we have discovered:

JT can say – dada, momma(sparingly), hot, hat, ttttttt(tractor), nana(banana), and other various chatters.

JT will now eat food that has not been purreed in the food processor – he was getting picky there for a minute with textures! And I am happy to report that he will now feed himself, when I am feeling patient enough to clean up a big mess.

JT loves to eat bananas, yogurt, potato soup, chili, carrots, and drinks lots of milk. He also like to sneak in a few whoppers from dad’s stash, or eat a spoonful of ice cream.

JT waits by the patio door longingly everyday and makes a run for it if any door opens. He is ready to be outside – all of the time! He especially loves to be pushed in his swing (I love to hear his giggle and see is great big space between his teeth). He has a bitter-sweet relationship with tractors. He loves them from a distance and shouts out "ttttttttt" but then when they get close he screams with fright. I guess a giant tractor could be a bit intimidating to a 1 year old. You can imagine how stoked Mason was to discover this common interest among them. He rushed to his room and dug out some of his favorite tractors to let JT play with.  JT is lucky to have an awesome big brother. He also has a good arm – chucks anything he is done playing with, sippy cups, pacifier, balls, etc. He is also getting good at dribbling a soccer ball.

JT likes his dad  –  A LOT. He gets offended if Stephen doesn’t talk to him or pick him up when he walks by. Stephen is always great at giving him the attention he needs and has such fun playing with his little boy. 

I love kissing those sweet cheeks and hearing his happy laugh every moment I can.

Comments:

Jana said…

What a cute kid…time flies when your having fun, glad your having fun together!!
Monday, May 04, 2009 2:20:26 PM

Steph said…

He sounds like a chip off the old block. He and Mason both are. That’s good to have your boys follow your example.
Monday, May 04, 2009 3:14:15 PM

Mom and dad Parker said…

We can’t wait to meet him in person. Having a big family is like a life-time leap of faith. YOu just keep leaping and leaping. Good job!
Friday, May 08, 2009 11:06:50 AM

A Suggestion

This is for you dad (Grandpa Baldwin)…

Yesterday my dad sent an email to our family suggesting "that each of us, as well as the grandchildren who are old enough to read and understand it, review the conference address given by Elder Gary E. Stevenson (http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-31,00.html), and perhaps use the talk as a basis of a Family Home Evening."

So tonight we took him up on his offer. We took a virtual tour of our home as we listened to Elder Stevenson talk and reviewed our family standards as well. It was definitely an FHE to document for the record books…everyone was happy, everyone particpated, everyone left wanting to try harder. THANKS DAD for the great suggestion! Our children took one of the quotes from Elder Stevenson’s talk literally. It said, "Even our young children have been encouraged to visit the temple grounds and touch the temple. President Thomas S. Monson once counseled, “As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us." After hearing this they all asked if we could go touch the temple tonight, because we live so close we did.  We are very blessed to have a temple to "touch" our lives. Stephen and I’s favorite quote from the talk, "There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home. Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple." Good things to think ALWAYS!

 

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

Take care of the little things cause sometimes they become the big things. We are excited to go to the temple again. It’s a big thing in our
Monday, April 27, 2009 11:38:31 PM

Magan said…

We to had a positive experience from our FHE. Thanks to Grandpa B
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 2:15:56 PM

John said…

Thanks for sharing. I loved the great photos. They represent many things. We will have to give that talk a try for one of our upcoming FHE’s. Our new temple is almost complete.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 4:09:02 PM

Patricia said…

Your dad and I are so pleased for what you did with your family. Thanks fordoing what he sugested you to do and then some. What a blessing it will be for you and your family. WE love you all and miss you!
Dad and Mom Baldwin
Friday, May 01, 2009 10:03:20 PM

Stephen said…

Sometimes ideas come (perhaps inspiration). When we act upon the promptings blessings come. We are excited to know that our children and grandchildren are “touched” by the temple. Touching the outside just makes is a stronger touch upon our hearts. I can promise the grand-children that their heart will be touched and forever strong when they (as youth and adults) are able to go to the temple. Thanks, Stephen and Jodi for being a positive influence upon your children.
Sunday, May 03, 2009 12:51:59 PM

An Elephant and Lily

What do the two have in common, they never forget.

Last night as we read scriptures with the family Lily somehow, I can’t even remember how, was offended because she was cut off in the middle of her scripture.  She locked up and wouldn’t calm down until far after the reading time was over.  So tonight as we were getting ready for FHE she was in charge of reading the scripture to open the mtg with, I couldn’t believe it when she chose to share the exact verse she was asked to read last night.  Now that is stubborn to the max, she didn’t forget that she was cut off and she wanted to have her chance to finish what she had started.  She is one of a kind.

Comments:

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

She is kind of like someone else we know. Stubborn for the good is great, we just have to mold it a little. “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything” Keep up the reading of scriptures Lily.
Monday, April 27, 2009 11:43:34 PM

Patricia said…

You’re awesome, Lily! We love you for who you are! Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin
Friday, May 01, 2009 10:09:40 PM

Piano Recital

Alexis had her end of year piano recital Friday night. She played the songs that she played for festival last weekend, "The Wild Horseman", and "Song for a Princess". Jodi, Lily and her friend Emi said she did great. She got her festival score back and was happy to get a 98. She is looking forward to earning her statue next year. It is great to see her progression and I really enjoy hearing her practice.

Idaho History Program


Mason with his teacher….he loves her because she doesn’t like to give homework!

Mason participated in the annual fourth grade Idaho History Program this past week. He was very happy for this day to come, because he had to miss P.E. for two weeks while they practiced for this program! We are proud of him for doing his best, even though at times it looked as if it were very painful for him to have to sing all of those songs in front of all of us parents. He gave me a smile when we were all singing "Here we have Idaho, winning her way to fame…." I think it is because he knew that it would all be over really soon.

My favorite part was in the car when Alexis said, "I told my friends, "isn’t my brother cute?’" Then Mason said, "Did you show them JT?" And then she said, "I was talking about you!" He is a pretty handsome Idahoan.


getting ready to take the stage

dreaming about when P.E. will happen again

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

It’s good to see Mason getting a good well-rounded education. We think he’s handsome too.
Monday, April 20, 2009 7:28:26 AM

Jana said…

Way to go Mason..whenever we cross the Idaho boarder I always sing the Idaho song! It will come in handy someday on a long road trip.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 7:47:49 PM

Michelle said…

I LOVE your hair Mason! You know . . . I remember a few of the counties of Idaho from my days in 4th grade many moons ago.
I love the state song for Idaho. Way to go!
Monday, May 25, 2009 9:24:06 PM