Author: Stephen and Jodi

Fast, Fun, Family! That was our reunion in a nutshell.

We had loads of fun with the Baldwin’s this past weekend. We all met up at Seven Peaks pn Friday for a day in the 100 degree sun. Despite burning our feet on the scorching hot sidewalks we had fun! It was a great place to go for children and adults of all ages. After that we went over to Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin’s for dutch oven cooking and a temple Family Home Evening. FYI, Carter is quite a piano player (I heard him jamming out on my parents piano). Scott and Jeana made an announcement – they are expecting a baby on February 5th! JT is going to have a friend on the Baldwin side now – yippee! Grandpa and Grandma also let us guess how much money was in a jar that they’ve been collecting. The family that guesses the dollar amount the closet gets $25 to buy a new movie. Stephen took it pretty serious, we’ll find out who the winner is next week. That night we spent the night with the Babcocks.

The next morning all of the women including Ashley had a girl’s morning out. We ate breakfast at IHOP and distributed our top 10 favorite things/lists to each other (thanks Anne for the idea). It was fun to learn more about each other. We journeyed over to the spa and most of us got pedicures. Michelle and Amy had body wrap and facial. Stephen and Brian plus children got to be in a parade and have a neighborhood breakfast put on for Pioneer Day. After that we rushed over to meet up with each other at the Beattie Reunion (my Grandpa Beattie’s family – mom’s cousins). Some of us got a little tennis in. At precisely 2:00 pm we departed, boys to go play golf and girls to go letterboxing. It was Mason’s first golf experience and he liked it even in the heat! Lily found the letterbox and was so excited. We ended up that evening at Brad and Amy’s house for more food and fun. It was fun to listen to Dallin, Scott, and Eric jam out on their guitars. I thought when I heard “Sunday Bloody Sunday” down the stairs that it was the original for a minute. We finished the night out with a few songs on Rock Band and we were definitely ready for bed!

We did not waste a moment and it was great to be with the Baldwin’s. We don’t have a lot of moments when we are ALL together at one time, so it was a treat. Grandma Baldwin was in seventh heaven. This will be one of her favorite weekends of the whole year. It will be one ours too.

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

Glad to hear you had a great time. We thought you might be too tired for another reunion so soon, but it looks like you recover fast. These are the best of times, making memories with family, cousins and parents. Families are great, a great blessing.
Sunday, July 20, 2008 4:00:54 PM

michelle said…

Looks like a great time! What a fun family!
Monday, July 21, 2008 2:57:58 PM

MZb said…

Thanks for taking all the pictures Stephen. It was good to see al of you. Grant can’t stop taking about going down shot gun falls with Mason. He claims they got some seriously unbelievable air!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:07:32 AM

Jana said…

What a FUN FAMILY! You are such fun people..you guys got a lot in, in that short amount of time!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 4:16:15 PM

Patricia Baldwin/Mom/Grandma said…

Wow! We had a great time, didn’t we? I can’t wait for us to get together again! Thanks to everyone for all you did to make this a successfull time together. And, thanks for all of the pictures, Stephen. I love them all.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:53:40 AM

Stephen/Grandpa B said…

Thanks for doing such a great job with the pictures, Stephen. I suppose it is easy, and fun, when the subject matter is so good. You contribution to our family is very much appreciated.
Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:59:34 PM

Here are a few of the fun shots from bear lake….

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Thanks for the great pictures. We printed them all and are showing them to everybody. You all look so beautiful. Even the boys. We enjoyed the Skype call also. Thanks for everything.
Friday, July 11, 2008 3:35:11 PM

mzb said…

Jodi how come you look so good in a camping picture.
Friday, July 11, 2008 4:24:20 PM

Stephen said…

You can’t hide Beautiful. 🙂 She always looks good to me.
Saturday, July 12, 2008 10:54:54 PM

Aunt Susan said…

Thanks for the pix! It was great to see you all together! I was having my own “fun” at girl’s camp 🙂
Sunday, July 13, 2008 8:32:21 AM

Stacie said…

Those are great! I love the goofey face one! Thanks for the fun memories! Traditions are a good thing to have!
Sunday, July 13, 2008 10:50:36 PM

Grandma Baldwin said…

What a nice looking family! By the sounds and looks of everything, all of you must of had a great time. How wonderful to all be together and enjoy one another’s company. You are a great family. Bruce and Sharon have done a lot of right things to have such a neat family. (“Hello Bruce and Sharon! I hope your mission is going great for you.”) And of course, I’m a little pleased with that cute girl, Jodi that has joined the Parkers. You have all been so good to her. Thanks! And, thanks Stephen, for sharing all of the fun times you have by putting them up on the blog.
Sunday, July 13, 2008 11:33:29 PM

Parade Line UpIt was a big day for our family this fourth of July. All week long we had been preparing to be in the Rexburg Parade. Stephen made a house on wheels that we decorated in American fashion on Monday night for FHE. This house was designed to be pulled behind the go cart that Mason and Stephen made the previous week. And both of these would be pulled by Stephen on his bike. While we were decorating this Paul and Stephen decided it would be fun to build a “Nacho Libre” bike.

Tuesday they began manufacturing this work of art! My old mountain bike was donated to the cause and also a couple of tires from old kid bikes. The steel used was from tractor packaging that Stephen had, and the seat was a piece of an old church pew. Yes, all of these items were found at our home. The only thing purchased was the spray paint, which Paul donated. Paul came up with the name, “Sancha”. It is a fun bike. Come over and try it out sometime! One of Paul’s friends gave Mason the idea that he could park at Broulim’s and take the college girls back and forth from their apartments – he thought that sounded great! Anything to make a buck – maybe in a few years :). Really though, you just have to laugh and smile – which is what we did! Paul looked great pushing his load, and Stephen had his work cut out for him pulling his crew! (He pulled Mason, Lily, Olivia, Harry, Quinn, Kate, and Paige) They made a good memory and had lots of fun being in the parade.

After the parade we went to the Parker/Brewer Homestead for the annual water slide. Like every year it was a blast for all that participated. Check out the photos! Jana graciously donated her dish washing soap and people were lathering up and sliding off of the plastic. It ended up being a beautiful day.

We drove to Idaho Falls to the Kirkham’s for a festive BBQ. Dana knows how to have a party and we felt privileged to be invited now that our family has increased in size, we can be overwhelming! Mason loved trying out the skim board, and did really well. Addy made everyone iccee’s after dinner and we even got to break a piniata. Lex and Ashton had fun doing what they always do, and Lily and Olivia hung out with whoever was doing the funnest thing to them.

After we sang Happy Birthday to America and had cupcakes and ice cream, we drove over by the green belt to watch the fireworks. This year they boasted they were shooting off 13,000 shells! Very cool, I am glad that I was talked into going. Surprisingly it wasn’t even too crazy getting onto the highway and home. I wish we could have gotten a good shot of ALL of the people walking to their cars – it was amazing how many people were walking along the highway!

What a day of fun times!

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

It doesn’t look like you are too proud to have fun. That’s a cool bike, Sancha. Hope it’s still around for us to have a ride. It’s like the bike we rode in from the airport in Puerto Maldonado. Fun times. We love America and our family.
Saturday, July 05, 2008 4:02:24 PM

Pablo said…

Quiero a Sancha!
Sunday, July 06, 2008 12:32:23 AM

Anne said…

Looks like you had a fun time and made some fun memories! See you next week!
Sunday, July 06, 2008 2:33:27 PM

John said…

I love the nacho rig. I feel like I am back in Puno. We will have to go on a ride for old times sake.
Sunday, July 06, 2008 7:03:04 PM

Stacie said…

THanks for pulling my kids in the parade! They had a great time throwing candy! It was a great time! Even if I look like I am not having fun! Thanks ya’ll!
Sunday, July 06, 2008 9:43:02 PM

Jana said…

Good times…I love being a part of this family we have some good memories together I always look forward to making more! Thanks for deleting the pictures of me on the H2O slide those are pretty incriminating!!
Monday, July 07, 2008 10:34:29 AM

Happy Upcoming Independence Day from the Parkers!

“I am glad that I can go to whichever church I want to.” Lily

“America is a special place – we can do whatever we want and make our own choices.” Mason

“I have freedom of religion and I can feel safe here.” Alexis

“I love the flag and the stars.” Olivia

“I love the infrastructure we have – the nice road system & traffic laws. The quality of life and food are nice too…” Stephen

“I am happy we live in a land where there are choices. I am glad that I have possibilities at my fingertips and the chance to worship how I choose. It is nice to go to bed at night and feel safe.” Jodi

Comments:

Elder and Sister Parker said…

We have so many nice things and an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the beauties of life. We are glad our founding fathers were strong men of God who set us up as a God-fearing nation who loves and fights to maintain our freedom. God bless America!
Monday, June 30, 2008 1:30:14 AM

Steph said…

Yesterday in sacrament meeting two little kids sang the National Anthem from the pulpit and I was so proud to be an American. I love the endless opportunities that we have the right to choose from.
Monday, June 30, 2008 9:37:14 AM

Anne said…

It is fun to hear your thoughts on being an American! It is SO lucky, I feel very blessed. My Grandpa Owen always used to cry when we sang the National Anthem, he saw a lot at war, he helped me better appreciate my freedoms. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 7:46:02 AM

Patricia Baldwin/Mom/Grandma said…

You all have made such great comments about our country and being an American. I agree with all of them and add my love for this wonderful country. We are all so blessed to live here. “God Bless America, my home, sweet home!”
Wednesday, July 02, 2008 11:33:59 PM