Thanksgiving Point

Kyle, Erika, and Kaidynce

Over Labor Day Weekend, Aaron's brother Thayne drove up from California for a visit so we had to seize that opportunity and go down to Salt Lake to see him and the kids.   

We spent some time on Labor Day at the Farm at Thanksgiving Point.  They had a lot of farm animals to pet, pony rides, a wagon ride, and play areas for the kids.  

Enjoying a wagon ride with the whole Parkinson crew.  

Heidi loves cuddling with her grandma.

One of the kids' favorite parts was the pony ride.  

Help us- we can't get out!   (Oh, darn!  I guess we'll
come back to get you in a couple of hours...)  :)

School Days

I know it has been over a month since school started, but I wanted to post a few pictures from the big day.  On August 28th, the kids headed back to school and I had mixed feelings.  Of course, I was very excited for them to go back- mostly because they were all so excited!  But, I would also miss having them around.  We had gotten a pretty good routine set up at home with chores, reading and learning time, and play time every day and I was sad to see that end.   

Erika in her new class- 4th grade!

Some things that are different this year vs. last year is that Erika, Kyle, and Heidi all go to school all day this year.  Heidi has been in preschool the last 2 years a few days a week for a couple hours, so this was a big jump for her to go to school all day.  I wasn't worried about the length of time, though, as she LOVES SCHOOL.   (I guess it is just ME that is having anxiety for HER.)  Kyle was in half-day kindergarten last year so I went from having one in school all day with two half-day kids to 3 all-day kids, quite a change!  So, now it's just me, Jared, and Jordan at home all day.   It's a lot quieter and nice in a way, but I also miss the 3 oldest while they're gone.   It is also nice to have all 3 of them walk to school together in the morning and walk home together.   

Kyle found his seat and was ready to learn!  1st Grade

I wasn't too worried about Erika and Kyle with the transition to a new class.  They both did awesome making new friends and being examples to the other kids.  Parent Teacher Conference last week was a big pay-day for me to hear about their progress in school.  

I was mostly concerned about Heidi going to all-day kindergarten.  I don't think I've ever felt this way before, but I had all these fears:  "How will she eat lunch there without me?" and "What if she can't button up her pants in the bathroom?" or "What if she gets lost in the building and can't find her class?"  I just wanted to go to school with her all day and hold her hand, and help her through it all.    But I know I can't.  Eventually you have to let them venture out and learn it on their own, even if they aren't completely independent.  I know she has so many challenges to overcome before I feel like she is where she needs to be.   But, she has a wonderful teacher and a smaller class so I am confident that this will be a good year for her as well.  I have the opportunity of helping in her class once a week and it has been great to be involved in what they are doing at school and to see how Heidi is doing.   I also leave every time with a greater appreciation for what they are teaching at school and don't think I could do the same with her at home.   She is already making great progress and I am so pleased!    

Can you tell Heidi is excited about kindergarten? 

Brigham City Temple Open House

On August 20th, we had the opportunity of going to the Brigham City Temple Open House.  We have been anticipating this day for  a long time now.  This temple will be OUR temple- the closest one we now have to our house, only about 20 min. away.   What a beautiful place it is!  I was in awe of the architecture- the hand carved and hand-painted moldings, murals, chandeliers, furnishings-  It is just so beautiful!!   More beautiful than the structure itself is the spirit felt within those walls.  It was not yet dedicated, but there was still a special feeling there.  I know my children could feel it as they walked through.  

Just after our tour, Aaron had the opportunity of ushering at the temple.  He got to stand out in the parking lot and point people in the right direction with a big welcoming smile.  It was a great experience for him, but a long day on his feet.  

A few weeks later, Aaron and I had the opportunity of ushering inside the temple together.  We were so blessed to have this chance- a friend had this assignment from their ward and was unable to attend.  I was also so thankful that my mom was able to come up and watch the kids while we did this.   It was an experience I will never forget.  I was able to spend about 2 hours in the Celestial Room, 1 1/2 in the sealing room, and the rest in the Telestial room.  One of the neatest things was just watching the peoples' faces as they entered the rooms and saw (and felt) the beauty there.  All I really did was smile and answer any questions, but what I wanted to do was just bear my soul to them, to share my testimony of this gospel and the power of temples.  Hopefully some of them could feel it, or at least see it in my eyes.  As I was standing in the sealing room, watching family after family come in and look into the mirrors that go on forever, reflecting on eternity, I was overcome by the spirit.  This is what "happily ever after" is really all about. We want to be with our families forever, united in love that goes on after this life.  I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be a part of this great work!  

Here are some pictures of the temple I got from the Herald Journal website:

Instruction Room

Baptismal Font

Sealing Room

Celestial Room

Bride's Room

Box Elder County Fair

Jared and Heidi LOVING the train ride (Can you tell Jared is having fun?  
 That is the face he makes when he's enjoying the ride...)

We had such a great time at the County fair this year just going on the rides.  It has been several years since we have been to any theme parks like Lagoon or Disneyland so this is an easy substitute for a fun night out.   One thing we love about the fair is that it is a lot cheaper and our kids are still small enough that they don't really need a full day of rides at an expensive theme park.  On Wednesdays at the fair it is family day so every ride is a dollar.  This might seem like a lot, and it can add up, but if each child gets to go on 4 or 5 rides, it still turns out being a lot cheaper than Lagoon, without the travel or the stress of an all-day excursion.  

I got to go on one ride with the kids- I call it the "egg scrambler", similar to the one at Lagoon.   Aaron got a great shot of us having a blast on the ride!  Kyle liked it so much, he had to go again with Aaron:

Can you tell they are having fun?   Heidi and Erika are trying to be so stoic.

I find it a little comical that after all that excitement,  the little ones end up crying- not because they are not having fun, but because they want more!  The ironic thing is that it has the opposite effect on mom and dad.  It's like when I push Jared on the swing.  He ALWAYS, without fail, cries when I take him out.  He just doesn't want the fun to end.  So I think, "So why did I take you, then?"  Then I remember the way he was beaming on the carousel and the car ride and decide it was still worth it.  

After a little cotton candy and a lot of silliness, Jared is feeling much better, even though he has to sit with me and wait for the rest of the family on the Ferris Wheel.