Training as a Family


I have been trying to prepare myself for the upcoming AMA Challenge this weekend. Since it is 30 miles to the base of the Ashton hill, it is not practical to go and train on the actual course. I decided to do all my riding around my house on any hill I could find. To make it more challenging I attached the bike trailer to my bike and take turns pulling a few kids at a time in the trailer. That adds up to 150 pounds of payload to my ride and hopefully will make it seem more like the steepness of the Ashton Hill.

Each Ride I think to myself this is such a beautiful place to ride, seeing the setting sun across the miles and miles of Grain, and Potato fields. I decided to snap some shots to hopefully preserve this feeling for this winter when the scene changes. Mason the animal beat me to the top of the hill. Good job Mason!


Love the look on Olivia’s Face
This is where the Cowboy rides away

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

It’s nice to include the family in your training and your personal activities. It puts them in their place, at the top of your priorities in life. What security must come as a child to know that you are #1.
Friday, September 19, 2008 1:28:23 AM

Anne said…

Good Luck, it is fun you are including your kids! I think the more time they spend outside the happier they are. Can’t wait to hear all about your ride!
Friday, September 19, 2008 5:15:45 AM

Jodi said…

You are a crazy, but strong man! I can’t believe you WANTED to pull Alexis, Lily, and Olivia in the bike trailer?! Way to push yourself and be your best – you will do amazing on Saturday because you’re prepared and you aren’t afraid of hard things! I’ll be the water girl.
Friday, September 19, 2008 9:06:12 AM

Love at Home


Loved seeing my wife and daughter playing the violin together tonight. They were playing “Love at Home” and it truly brought love and peace to our home. Thanks Alexis and Jodi.

Comments:

jana said…

How fun to see a mother daughter duet we need to hear that sometime soon. Indeed there is love at home when you have a mother teaching her daughter the finer things in life!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:33:38 AM

Mom and dad Parker said…

Nice to see you play together. We expect that Alexis will be the 1st chair violin in the Sugar High School orchestra some day. Keep playing.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 3:20:52 PM

Swags


I was sitting in probably one of the most beautiful places in Rexburg Friday morning. As I sat there I looked at the draperies they were beautiful swags. I thought about my younger years and when I used to watch my mother make them (along with other amazing draperies) for a living. My dad would install them. I have pretty talented parents don’t you think? My mom learned how to make drapes from my dad’s mom, Lila Baldwin. They did this to supplement the income. The business name was of course, “Baldwin Draperies”.

I remember coming home from school when I was Lily’s and Mason’s ages and one of my chores was to help fold drapes. My mom constructed these drapes with a huge green serger and hemmer. She also had a very large drape table. It was a fun day when she needed to recover it. She would have to use her ruler and pen to write on the canvas the measurements so that she could make cuts easier.

My mom would wake up sooooo early in the morning to work without any interruptions (I can understand that now that I have five kids too). She was such a hard worker to be able to do that work and still take care of all of her children’s needs. I got to play out in the drape room (a room built onto the back of our detached garage) during the day while everyone else was at school. I loved the carpet best! It was a bunch of random carpet samples glued to the cement floor. It was great for playing hop scotch. I also loved using the drape book samples of fabric to pretend I was an interior designer.

Those were the days…

Comments:

Stephen said…

It is always fun to hear about good memories from the past. Makes me wonder what things are sticking in our children’s minds to be called upon later in life.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 10:21:12 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

These are nice and meaningful memories. Mason will undoubtably remember his dad putting together tractors, Matt will remember Trevin’s roofing enterprise, Will will have a smorgasboard of memories, and all have memories of the service their Mom’s and Dads gave readily to others. Memories enrich or sadden our days in our older years. What fond memories we all have of Oregon coastlines, trips to Mexico, and even sad but meaningful funerals that glue us all together and make us hold on tight to our heritage.
Monday, September 15, 2008 12:57:02 AM

Stacie said…

I just attended a funeral of Blake Mortensens mom. She had cancer for 4 years and in the end had the same cancer Grandma Parker had. All of the children gave a little tribute and it was fun to hear their memories of their mother! It reminded me of being young with my mom! Memories are good! I hope when I am old I can remember the good times! Yes there are hard times too and they do make us stronger! I have gained a testimony of journaling lately! So I am going to start writing more! Thanks for sharing Jodi!
Monday, September 15, 2008 9:51:52 AM

jana said…

WOW what a tear jerker…I just am so glad to have the mother and father that I have and the great sisters, brothers, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws that I can learn from daily you are all amazing and make me smile. Jodi your mom is a neat lady thanks for sharing your neat stories with me.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:30:16 AM

Where’s mine dad?


Olivia wanted to know where her computer was as she watched Stephen work the other day. He gave her an old one to feel like she was cool.

Comments:

Dad said…

She loved it, she didn’t want me to log in for her, because she liked hearing it beep at her when she typed the wrong password. I think she thought it was her cash register because she kept selling me pages from her coloring book.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 10:11:25 PM

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

The glasses are a nice touch. Here comes the next generation of computer whizes.
Monday, September 15, 2008 12:51:50 AM

Jana said…

too funny, I love that girl!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:25:28 AM

Tah Tah, My Love!


See ya later old friend….my mom surprised me and took me to get my cast off earlier than I was supposed to. My friend, Ashton, was having a swimming birthday party Friday night so my mom called the doctor and I got to get my cast off just in time (5 days early)! I told my mom that I had a tan when they took it off, she said it was just caked on dirt – it is a bunch of dead skin waiting to come off. Gross! It feels weird having it off, but I am very happy. When I threw it in the garbage at the doctor’s office I was a little sad because it had been a part of me for 6 weeks and I really liked the attention!

Comments:

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

That was kind of a cool cast. You wore it well, and you didn’t let it slow you down much. Thanks for being such a fine grand-daughter. We are surrounded by spiritual giants.
Monday, September 15, 2008 12:47:30 AM

AUnt Jana said…

YIPPEEEE!! What a cool mom and Dr.to hook you up for Ashton’s party. Glad your arm is all better.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:26:55 AM

Quality Family Fun


FriendsToday our family participated in the Rolling Hills Classic, a run benefiting Autism Awareness. We had a lot of fun and it was a beautiful day in Rexburg, Idaho. It was fun to cheer for each other and be proud and spend time together doing something good for our bodies.

Comments:

Dad & Mom Parker said…

Sounds like a worthy cause and a fun family activity too.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 7:27:29 AM

Jana said…

I can cheer like nobody!! I love a good cause to cheer on my family at any event.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 7:16:14 PM

Stacie said…

We have such a cool family! I was happy to be the cheerleader! Way to go all ya’ll!
Monday, September 15, 2008 9:46:25 AM

michelle said…

Looks like a fun time! I love that kids got to run too! You guys all look great. I love the hair Jana!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 10:24:04 PM

That’s My Sis!


I was happy today to see Steph do the Rolling Hills Classic, cold turkey! She ran like a champ, even up the hills. It was fun to run with her for some of it as well. When the going got tough she just kept running. I just had to let her know I was proud of her…Good Job Steph!

Comments:

Dad & Mom Parker said…

You go girl!!! What does cold turkey mean? Running without training? It looks like the whole family is getting into shape for something. We’ll be cheerleaders and photographers when we get back.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 7:21:06 AM

Jana said…

I was proud of Stephanie and Jodie they are both crazy to run those hills!! Way to go girls!
Sunday, September 14, 2008 7:13:20 PM

Stacie said…

I too am proud to be her sister! Way to go!
Monday, September 15, 2008 9:49:01 AM

Dead Meat


Lily has been insistent about wearing her tennis shoes to school each day. She said she needs them so she can run fast to chase the boys. Watch out boys, she is a fast runner! She usually comes home with a report each day for me, once I asked what she does when she catches the boys. She said, “They are dead meat!” Basically the girls catch the boys and say, “You’re dead meat” and then they are released to be chased again.

Comments:

Dad Parker said…

Sounds like great exercise and a fun social activity. We ought to do it at our next family social. It would be a fun change of pace.

Friday, September 12, 2008 9:16:00 AM

Dad said…

I had to take this picture because of how cute it was when she told me, “Today is not gym, but I wore my running shoes anyway so I could chase the boys.” Cute little girl.
Friday, September 12, 2008 11:12:31 AM

Anne said…

Sounds like fun to me! Hope those running shoes can keep up with you too!
Saturday, September 13, 2008 7:15:27 AM

Aunt Jana said…

Run lily run… I bet you caught all kinds of boys. And it helped you train for your fun run on Saturday.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 7:21:38 PM

See and need, fill a need


This morning Alexis took on the challenge to make breakfast. She whipped out some eggs and bacon and made us quite a nice little breakfast. She even topped them with a little cheese as a garnish. Coolest part is that she was not even asked to make breakfast, “See and need, fill a need.” Thanks Alexis it was great!

Comments:

Dad and Grandpa Parker said…

That’s a good sign of maturity and thoughtfulness when we do something good without even being asked. Kind of reminds me of a great seminary scripture mastery scripture. See D&C 58:26-29. In fact, I guess we all have to get to be that way in order become what we are supposed to become here on Earth.
Good example, Alexis!
Friday, September 12, 2008 9:06:45 AM

Uncle John said…

Very impressive. You are a wonderful girl. Your parents are lucky to have a girl like you. Keep up the great work.
Friday, September 12, 2008 10:55:12 PM

Anne said…

Mmmmm…looks yummy! Way to help out! You are a great girl, keep up the good work!
Saturday, September 13, 2008 7:13:47 AM

Aunt Jana said…

Way to go Lexi..you are a great example to all of us! Keep on serving.
Sunday, September 14, 2008 7:19:55 PM

Amy Baldwin said…

Lexi, will you put a little idea into Bridget’s head to do something like this? Although Bridget does like to make baked goods.
Friday, October 10, 2008 12:37:35 PM