Author: Stephen and Jodi

Broulims

Yesterday I invited Lily to come with me to run some quick errands. One of them was to grab a few items at Broulims – our local grocery store. When I told her that we were going there she chimed from the back seat, “I love that store!” My interests were piqued but I didn’t say anything. A few minutes later she told me why…”Do you know why I love Broulims? It is because it reminds me of ringing the bell at Christmas time.”

We were both wearing a smile when we entered the doors of Broulims. I am so happy that her little heart remembered how good it feels to think of others. I want her to always remember that!

Last week for piano lessons I got to teach Lily. I decided it would be fun to give her a 2 page song to work on over the next couple of months. When I got it out she was very excited because it’s title is “Bubblegum”. I told her we would work on the first 2 lines thinking I didn’t want to overwhelm her. Well, she ended up being upset that she couldn’t do the whole thing. I convinced her to just work on the first page for this week and refine it. Guess what? It’s been a week and she has the entire song memorized! I’ve learned I shouldn’t underestimate a seven year old!

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

That Lily is not only kind, but she’s smart too. That’s a nice combination. Keep up the good work Lily.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:40:00 PM

Aunt Susan said…

Lily, I love your smile and your willingness to work hard. Keep it up and there’s no limit as to what you can do!
Thursday, January 15, 2009 11:11:04 AM

A side of whiskers


The other day I was getting ready to fix Olivia’s hair before we dashed out of the door. She had eaten a piece of toast for breakfast with raspberry jam. Apparently she really liked it because she had a jam mustache that had glued some of her hair to her face. When I started pulling it back into a pony tail, the hairs pulled right out of her head and dangled down off of her cheek. It really made me giggle. I told her I had to run and get the camera…by the time I got back she was giggling right along with me. It is fun to be a mom on days like this!

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

That Olivia is really a sweetheart. Give her a big hug for us.
Sunday, January 11, 2009 1:52:15 AM

Anne said…

What a cutie! It is fun to find humor in life too…especially when our kids are watching!
Sunday, January 11, 2009 2:47:41 PM

Steph said…

That is strong jam. She is cute even with whiskers. Mom is the best calling in the world.
Sunday, January 11, 2009 8:48:26 PM

Resolutions


We all made some resolutions for 2009, and we are starting off with a bang!

Top of our list, like always, is having lots of fun together. Our friends built an ice skating rink in their yard and invited us over for some fun. Here are some pictures of it…

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

Looks like lots of fun, and the weather looks great,at the time of the pictures. That is a great goal, and it is in the family proclamation too. Wholesome family recreational activities. We love to see you having fun as a family.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 10:29:52 AM

John said…

Michelle is jealous. She wants a ice rink in our yard but the weather is just not cold enough. Having fun together is a great goal. Thanks for the great picts.
Thursday, January 08, 2009 6:00:09 PM

Baby’s First Christmas


JT was basically celebrating his 10 month old birthday on Christmas. We can’t believe how fast the time has flown by. We loved watching the world through his happy eyes and smiley face. Santa left JT a walker and his dad is very serious about JT using it. For some reason he thinks JT needs to be getting ready to walk, I (on the other hand) and quite happy with his limited mobility for now. I seem to be winning because all JT wants to do with his walker is play with the toys on front.

It has been a crazy life to keep up with if you are a baby. Lots of parties, lots of people, lots of cold, lots of food that looks good to eat, but can’t because you’re a baby. He was quite the trooper and did pretty good with it all. He has ventured out in the cold to play only a couple of times and is very happy to just stay inside and play with is drawer of toys in the kitchen.

He made Grandma and Grandpa happy as he shouted out his few words with limited use, “Hey”, “mom”, and “dada”. He is very fast as he gets up the stairs and we have yet to teach him the basics of going down. Maybe now that life is slowing down we can work on that. Stephen fixed up the gate so that he will be safe upstairs, but we still need to do several other baby proofing things.

The last couple of days, JT has had a fever and been throwing up. He is in the process of getting his first teeth (bottom two) – and it is not going to happen without a fight I guess. It was the saddest and sickest I’ve ever seen him. I don’t like it! His little head has been burning up and he just looks miserable – poor thing. I hope to see him back to his happy self very soon!

Worth the wait


excited about the matching skirt that I made for her and sistersOlivia had a hard time NOT wanting to see what was under all of the wrapping paper if you remember, but the day finally came and she was happy. She was as excited for her baby brother JT and his presents as she was to get her own. Santa brought her a karaoke barbie head – she can fix her hair and sing with her too. It was fun for her to have Lily and Lexi get their dolls out and have a hair fixing party while they watched movies.

Olivia especially loved having her Grandpa and Grandma here. She had fun tagging a long after either of them wherever they were. Grandma was really excited about going out to the Burton Christmas Dance again this year. Olivia had mixed feelings when Santa Clause came into the room. She would NOT sit on his lap, but she did decide to take the bag of treats. When I asked her if she wanted Santa to bring her a present, she said “NO”. I think she’s glad he did now though.

Playing in the snow is short lived at age 3. It takes us more time to get her dressed than she enjoys being outside, but I think that is pretty normal. I have fun having company while I make the hot chocolate! 🙂


playing her “duet” with friend, Ellie.
Grandma and Grandpa magnet
so excited for JT

this is as close as Olivia wanted to get to Santa
slumber parties are always fun – she ended up sleeping in Mason’s bed with him.

Santa found Lily


Lily was consistent with her request for Santa this year, and he delivered just what she asked for – even better. She really wanted an MP3 player, but she got and MP4 player (which plays audio and video). She loves being like Mason and Alexis. She was so excited that Santa also remembered to leave her two new books.

Lily had fun being with all of her Parker cousins and also her Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin. She played her Christmas piano songs (Away in a Manger and Over the River and through the Woods) flawlessly at our little recital with the Puzeys and over the Christmas break she taught herself how to play the song Mason has been learning “Joy to the World”- with both hands! I was very impressed and Mason was a little annoyed. It isn’t fun to have your little sister playing your piano song I guess.

She has also loved playing out in the snow with Mason and Alexis. She is very diligent about wearing her boots, hat, gloves, and coat. Her P.E. teacher taught them to stay warm and she is strictly obedient.

Mason’s Christmas


Mason loves Christmas. He loves getting out of school and he loves playing in the snow with family, and he loves getting presents. This year he learned about Charity and had as much fun giving and serving as he did opening his presents. It was great to see his smile and excitement as he got caught up in the tasks our elf left for us to do – he kept vigil watch for her notes and was the first one in line to carry out the tasks.

Christmas Eve all of the children had a sleep over in Mason’s room. He was happy to wake up Christmas morning to find an MP4 player (even though he really wanted a nintindo DS), he loves his origami calendar and playing marbles left in his stocking. He really loved playing games with his family including Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin who stayed with us for Christmas again this year!

The only bad thing about Christmas is the realization that school must begin once again. It was a sad Sunday evening for Mason as he thought of the days ahead at school – we are so glad that he loves to be home, and proud of him for going to school everyday even though he really, really, really doesn’t enjoy it. For someone so smart it seems kind of funny! Gotta love this kid!

Fun Days for Alexis


Here are some recent pictures of Alexis having fun…

Back in October, I started preparing Alexis that she was going to get a present at Christmas time that she was absolutely going to love. I told her she was going to love it so much that she would need a Depends undergarment on to keep her clothes dry. Her interest was piqued and she tried to get me to spill the beans to no avail. Christmas Eve rolled around and Stephen and I enlisted Mason and Lily into helping us do a “chaser” (Rick’s style) to help unveil the gift. She was sent on an 11 clue scavenger hunt to find the gift. When it was found we heard a LOT of screaming, and it was such a great moment!!!! We love Alexis and all of the service she gives to her family through babysitting, helping with homework and piano practice, reading with little kids, making lunch and dinner and treats, just everything she does! It was easy to give up my “extra” ipod (now that I have my iphone)to share it with her and “pay” her for all of that babysitting she does every Friday night.

Yesterday her candy cane cast was cut off and put into the garbage can at the doctor’s office! She was nervous to walk yesterday without her crutches, but by this morning she walked out of the house for school on both legs and NO crutches. It is going to be nice for all of us to have her back to normal. She can’t wait to go ice skating and sledding!

Family Goals

Here are the goals we have made as a family for 2009:

As a Family
1. Gather and have family prayer in a more timely manor
2. Treat others with respect
3. Go on a family vacation bike ride in August
4. Read Scriptures as a family daily.
5. Go on family hikes this summer.
Stephen
1. Run Marathon
2. Bike a Century
3. Read the Doctrine and Covenants
4. Keep A1C below 6 all year
Jodi
Alexis
1. No Broken Bones
2. Save $100 in the bank
3. Read the Book of Mormon before my 12th Birthday
4. Say Personal prayers daily
5. Go to Girls Camp
6. Be Nice
7. Make a quilt with Mom
8. Run a 5k
9. Finish Faith in God
Mason
1. Finish my Origami Calendars
2. Read the Book of 1 Nephi
3. Hike Teewinot with Dad
Lily
1. Get my ears pierced
2. Get Baptized
3. Read the Book of Matthew
4. Run fun run
Olivia
1. Play with Ellie
2. Whisper in Sacrament Mtg
3. Read book about me and Ellie
4. Learn to swim
JT
1. Learn how to walk
2. Learn to say at least 10 words

Happy Birthday dear Grandma!


We were happy to get to celebrate Grandma Baldwin’s birthday with her this year! We even made her wear the birthday crown…it will be a doubly special day for us now as we get to celebrate little Josie Michele along with our Grandma!

We are glad that Grandma was born – she is a woman who makes a lot of little grandchildren feel extra loved and special. She has a talent for that – it’s always fun when Grandma comes, especially for Christmas and her birthday.