Chopped


My mom has been trying to get me to cut my hair…I surprised her by getting it chopped! Jana cut it into an A line tonight. I like it, but it feels weird!

Comments:

Jana said…

Very cute gal no matter what your hair looks like…you are a beauty!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 7:17:11 AM

Aunt Anne said…

Looks cute Lexi! I love it, fun new hairdoo for the holidays!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 8:57:55 AM

Matt said…

I love it you look good.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:40:27 PM

Steph said…

You can’t go wrong with an A-line. You’re pretty no matter what you do with your hair, it’s all about your eyes.
Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:38:55 PM

Christmas Pleasures


AMX Christmas Party – we were given two styrofoam balls and five toothpicks to create a snowman for a prize… we won!We have been enjoying our Christmas Season … it is nice to have the heart opened a little bit larger and eyes more forgiving and countenances more full of light. Here are some pictures of a few of our simple pleasures over the past week.


A new friend at the nursing home named Agnes.
Have I done any good in the world today?
Olivia had a run in with a fork – it was a traumatic experience. Mason (and all the others) were quick to her aide. Mason volunteered to read her a story and she stopped crying and he read her to sleep. sweet moment!

Charity taught us about toys for tots.
Telling the Fire Fighters in Rexburg “thank you and Merry Christmas”. When we went to leave Olivia said, “we didn’t go to the fire station”. She wanted to see a fire truck – so we went back and showed her the brand new “lellow” fire truck!
Alexis put on 10 pair of socks over her cast so she wouldn’t get left out of the winter fun! It was funny watching her crawl around on the snow.

We missed the Baldwin Christmas party in Blackfoot because of a nasty storm…we decided to use our white elephant gifts and have our own party.
Mason found out that White Elephant gifts aren’t always a good deal.
This guy had a lot of fun with an almond m&m he found on the floor.

Now exposed – Uncle Trevin was employee of the month and didn’t even tell us!
Parker Snowflake Production
Having fun in the snow.

Trimming the tree downstairs. Our favorite tree to unpack the
ornaments each child has received over the years – it’s very nostalgic, but Olivia doesn’t understand why Alexis has more than her.
Thanks to Grant and Grace who gave our family a Gingerbread House kit for Christmas! We had a lot of fun for FHE decorating it.
Our Christmas Elf, Charity, left popsicle sticks for us to make snowflake ornaments for the Nursing Home residents…Mason and Lily wanted to get right to work.

Comments:

Jana said…

What fun times and great memories…on the Craigos billboard it says “make memories this year not landfills” Love that you are doing just that with all your fun family events.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 7:15:08 AM

Anne said…

Looks like you are enjoying the holidays! So fun! It all looks like good times!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:00:52 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Looks like lots of fun times. It looks like it will be a white Christmas there. Merry Christmas to you guys.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:00:49 PM

Tio Pablo said…

Thanks for inviting me too! Maybe Charity told you to invite me over cause that really made my day. Thanks!!!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 3:44:44 PM

Magan said…

Fun Stuff!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:16:29 PM

In Case You’re Wondering…

Just in case you’re wondering, one mile in the pool at BYUI equates into 36 laps – that is counting going down and back as 1 lap! Today I had a good giggle in the locker room with my friend, Diana, as we snapped on our swim caps and felt our brains throbbing. We put on our goggle and looked official as we made our way into the pool. While there, I made friends with a few people who gave me a some swimming pointers. Such good tips (one being that when you put your face in the water you are always blowing out so that when you come up for air you can take in a good deep breath) that I was able to come home and tell Stephen that I swam with my face in the water! This is very huge for me and now I feel more optimistic about my goal. I still have a long way to go, but this is a big first step.

Oh ya, and just in case you’re wondering, the picture from my previous post is NOT me! Alexis asked if is was the other day and I had to think hard about telling the truth. 🙂 When I told her no, she said, “Well I didn’t think I’d seen those muscles before.” (sniff, sniff)

Oh, and one more thing – in case you’re wondering…I came across a wonderful quote today, taken from President Monson’s First Presidency Message in the 2008 December Ensign. Here it is:

“The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the ‘spirit of Christmas,’ we need to only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the ‘spirit of Christ.'”

That quote for me encompasses all that I hope to accomplish in life – it is a wonderful thought and aspiration.

Comments:

Bruce and Sharon said…

Thanks for that quote, we really loved it. We have been forced to think more about others this year and it really is a good feeling. We sure miss all of the family but know they are in good hands. You all make us very happy.
Friday, December 12, 2008 4:27:46 PM

Stephanie said…

You go Jo! I will cheer you on the whole way. I can’t get up early let alone to put on a bathing suite and get in a cold pool. You’re crasy! I admire your ambition and hope to get a little some day.
Saturday, December 13, 2008 6:43:55 PM

Diana said…

Swimming is getting better & better. You sound a lot more confident than last week! The “Spirit of Christ”. . . . love it.
Monday, December 15, 2008 1:24:33 PM

Parker Cousins


Olivia, Alexis, JT, Mason, and LilyHere are pictures of the individual families in their Portugal Shirts – just in case anyone wants one of their family and didn’t get one. There are 26 cousins and 2 more on their way.


Jessi, Kenzie, Zach, Haley
Sami, Kassie, Owen, and Will
Jana (sitting in for baby Brewer), Harry, Hannah, and Carson

Matt, Riley, Parker, Taylor, and Brooke
Cooper, Kate, Quinn, Paige, and Rhett

Lily Catch Up


Out in the fields of Bethlehem, Shepherds were watching their flocks.Lily has had some fun things happen recently.

She was in her the annual Central Elementary Christmas Program last week. She did such a great job. Her class did a cute little dance as sheep. She showed us exactly where she would be and we sat right in front of her! She didn’t loose character once when we called out her name. She was focused and did her job. One of her favorite songs was “I have a little Dreydle”. I teared up a little bit when all of the kids were singing “let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”. Watching children sing Christmas music really put me in the Christmas mood.

This past Sunday, Lily notified us that one of her two front teeth was ready to come out – and it really was. She asked Stephen to get out his leatherman and he yanked it out in one pull. Lily was happy to wake up the next morning to find the tooth fairy found her! I personally think she is ultra brave – I know I would never have let my dad use his pliers in my mouth. I guess she knows she can trust him and that it’s been done before on Lex and Mason.

We are so lucky to get to be with Lily each day, she is one in a million.

Comments:

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

WOW, you are brave, I don’t like anyone to pull my teeth. You make a cute sheep too. You are such a sweet girl, and so happy too. We love you.
Friday, December 12, 2008 4:21:38 PM

Stephanie said…

If it’s one thing your dad is good at it’s using pliers. I am happy the tooth fair found you. You have an even cuter smile. You make a great sheep, I love the ears.
Saturday, December 13, 2008 6:37:59 PM

This girl’s not in College anymore!


This will be me someday – I hope?!The weather is changing here in my neck of the woods – which makes running NOT seem as fun as it normally does. Because really it is just about my favorite thing to do everyday (wake up at 5:30 am and bundle up to hit the pavement with a nice cold head wind prevailing)- NOT REALLY! I guess I do actually enjoy my emotional therapy session with friends and being able to get exercise out of the way is a nice benefit, along with seeing shooting stars and watching the moon change through its cycle. O.k. so maybe it’s not THAT BAD – especially not bad enough to merit what I am now succumbing myself to do on Tuesday mornings!

SWIMMING AT BYUI

My friend Diana did the research and gave me the news that we could go swimming at the college during the cold months. I thought I would enjoy trying to get good enough to maybe attempt my goal of doing a triathlon. Last week was a rude awakening! Here is what I learned:

1. A 33 year old body that has had 5 children looks a lot different than it did when it was in college! (I hope I didn’t scare any of the cute college girls out of having children when they saw my 90 year old looking varicose veins from behind!) I am SO keeping it real for them! I guess I am going to opt for looking at my aging body as a trophy. I earned each little flaw and roll and sag! I am who I am – a REAL person. FYI – the swimming suits are very modest!

2. Swimming for me is NOT going to be easy. In fact, I am a little bit overwhelmed with how far I need to go. The truth of the matter is, I can’t even put my face in the water. So I am have a 90 year old body and a 3 year old mind when it comes to swimming. I thought of all the times I have lectured my children about how you have to pay your dues and build a little bit at a time to achieve hard things. FYI – little did I know that I would be eating my words!

3. Do you even know how many laps you have to do to swim a mile? A whole stinky a lot – WOW! And it is really good for the upper body because mine was a more than a little tight the day after! FYI- I think I may have swam 8 laps (that is counting down as 1 and back as 1), pretty funny huh?

Well here is to life out of my comfort zone – is tomorrow really Tuesday?

UggGHhh

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Sounds like a brave thing to do in all three ways. We think that any woman who has five kids and still has the courage to make a serious attempt at keeping physically fit is a champion human being, especially with all the other things a Mom has to do. You certainly are a champion in our book. May all those young ladies be so happy and physically fit as you when they are 33.
Monday, December 08, 2008 3:12:42 PM

Diana said…

Whatever. . . . . You put us all to shame, you haven’t fooled anyone! However, I am very proud of you for doing something you don’t want to do! It takes a lot of courage!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 7:17:07 PM

Patricia said…

Good job, Jodi. I am very proud of you. Keep up the good work! Love you, Mom
Thursday, December 11, 2008 8:06:46 AM

Whitney said…

You are always trying something new and experiencing life to the fullest. Good Job! That is a lot of laps. Swimming is hard work. So is a mile your goal?
Friday, December 12, 2008 11:31:19 PM

Tough Break


Looking goodThis last Saturday I was rock climbing with my cousins (Kassie, Paige, Riley and Taylor) at my Grandpa and Grandma’s house. Then we wanted to pull ourselves up on the ropes Riley started having the feeling that we shouldn’t do it. We didn’t think anything of it so we started pulling ourselves up, while we were pulling ourselves up, my harness came untied and I went flying to the ground. Riley said she saw the rope fly up and I was not on it. She heard a thud looked down and saw me lying on the floor. Everyone was like “are you ok Lex?” I said, “no.” That night I ended up going swimming to green canyon and jumped off the diving board several times, everyone was carrying me around like a back pack. My dad told me to tough it up because he thought I was just playing it up.

I tried to be brave and go to church but tripped on my way in and hurt myself worse. I was in some serious pain so Tara gave me some ibuprofen. Later that day we had a party at my Aunt Stacie’s house, we went to the Christmas devotional and then went home. My dad was still telling me to try and walk on it to make it feel better. This morning my mom had a feeling that she should take me to the doctor. We found out that I had broken my Tibia (the larger bone in you lower leg). In the spirit of the season the Dr gave me a red and green striped cast. Come and see me and my crutches.


Just for those who want to see a tibia
nice and festive

Comments:

Dad said…

Sorry Lex, You are a lot tougher than I give you credit. I will make sure to pamper you more.
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:16:40 AM

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Alexis, you sure have had your share of tough luck with broken bones this year. We sure hope it’s all over for the rest of your life. We are so sorry that it happened, but you sure showed a lot of grit trying to push through it. Thanks for being such a powerful grand-daughter. That is the best looking cast we’ve ever seen!
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:22:06 AM

Paul said…

Man girl you are tough. I know what it is like to have a Dad tell you to be tough. Grandpa broke my hand when he slammed it in the trunk and I broke both my feet. It was my Mom not my Dad who ended up taking me to the doctor. Thank goodness for sweet Moms!!!
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:33:56 AM

Riley said…

No one listens to the fun sized people!!!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:42:52 PM

matt said…

Now I have to ‘jump’ out of the tree again!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:45:32 PM

Stacie said…

Wow Lexi! That is a fun cast! how long do you have to wear it? You need to drink more milk!! Take care of yourself!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:19:00 PM

Grandpa Baldwin said…

Lex, We are so sorry to see you have to go through another broken bone! And all in one year! I remember you falling from the ladder to the playhouse at our home in Rexburg! All these accidents make the Resurretion more meaningful -everything will be restored to its proper and perfect frame, even a hair of the head shall not be lost. You have an awesome cast! I know what it’s like to have a broken tibia (and fibula) – not fun, as your dad would say. We are anxious to visit during the Christmas holidays.
Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:44:35 AM

Patricia said…

Soooo sorry, Lex! What a deal a break is around your ankle. You be careful so it can heal fast, okay? I love your cast. You have a very “gifted” and “talented” Dr. My cast last year was a festive green one, also. However it lacked the strips. You got a bonus. Sure love you. Take care. (Your “broken bone” gift is on the way!) Love, Grandma B.
Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:57:27 AM

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Parker


On your marks…The kids loved the shirts you gave them, I had to post a quick report so Dad could make it his wallpaper before he goes to bed tonight 🙂


get set…
Go!
They look great

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

Thank you all so much. We were really missing the noise of our big family. It was so fun to see you open the presents. Thanks to Stephen and Jodi for getting them there and wrapping them all so nice. Oh how we miss you all, but what a strong influence for us here. We feel the power of your prayers every day.
Sunday, December 07, 2008 2:16:25 PM

Steph said…

They were so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa, it was like having them there. I love the shirts, I am going to have to order one for me. I am so proud of these kids, they all get along and help each other, they don’t choose favorites or leave anyone out. I love all of you so much. It is good to be close to family, I love you all tons! Have a good season of giving.
Sunday, December 07, 2008 9:40:51 PM

Jodi said…

All my kids are wearing their shirts today! They each even slept in her shirts so they would be all ready with her Portugal shirt on. Thanks so much!
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:49:36 AM

Thankful for Family


Thanksgiving Day at Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin’s House – such good food!We are sooo thankful to come from good families! We had a wonderful thanksgiving in Utah with the Baldwins. It was so much fun seeing everyone and making another memory. Taking it easy, making music, and just eating good food with the people we love – what more could we ask for? We missed Scott and Jeana and their fam…hopefully the turkey was good down in Texas!

Seriously – our families’ (Baldwin and Parker) make the top of our Thanksgiving list this year! We love ’em!!!!!!!

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Amen. Olivia is sure looking a lot like Alexis in that picture.
Sunday, November 30, 2008 8:18:42 AM

Magan said…

Memories were made with all those cousins. Grant can’t stop talking about his blow gun he made with Stephen. Good to see all of you.
Sunday, November 30, 2008 7:29:10 PM

Anne said…

What a fun time! Glad Lily is healing, hope it continues to heal quickly! It was fun to see you and your cute family! Hugs!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 10:12:02 AM