THE PARK POST

Paige performed in Swan Lake this last weekend. She has rehearsed many hours over the last month and worked really hard. We have enjoyed watching her progress and we were impressed with how professional the whole performance was. These photos were taken at the dress rehearsal the night before. They don't allow photography during the performance. The woman in the picture is the director of Columbus Ballet, Maria Hirsch. She is very strict and a little on the mean side, but Paige respects her a lot and says she is a wonderful teacher. This is the River Center Theater where they perform. Paige and McKell after the show.

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day" ~William Shakespeare 20 years ago we were seniors in high school, worrying about what to wear to the school dance. (I probably should have worried a little more.) 10 years ago we lived in Lehi.(McKell was 1, Paige was 3) We had just learned we would be moving to Kirksville, Missouri for med. school. "The Future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." ~C.S. Lewis

We paid some serious money (gulp) to put up a fence. It has helped give us some privacy, but now the kids are asking "when do we get our dog?" Reality has just sunk in.

I am working on our family blog book and I find it ironic that I am spending more time blogging and editing than I ever dreamed I would. I think it will be worth it in the end. McKell says I'm addicted and I think she might be right. There is no end in sight.

We sure had a fun time with Katie here for the weekend. Too bad she was sick for most of it, but she put on a happy face and still showed us all a great time. She has always felt like part of our immediate family. We are so happy for her that she is finding all the happiness she deserves. We can't wait to meet Mr. Redd soon. These photos are from Underground Atlanta. There was a MLK celebration happening close by because the Martin Luther King Center is right by here. We understood what it felt like to be in the minority for a day. I'm sure we stuck out like a sore thumb.

One night while Katie was here we played virtual tennis and bowling on the wii. Because everyone likes to win around here there is high intensity and volume that erupts frequently. This inevitably leads to real wrestling and fighting. Jackson learned that his dad is still bigger and tougher than him in real life.

While Katie was visiting us this weekend we ate at Shogun, a Japanese place where they cook the food in front of you and tell the same jokes you've heard at other places like this. (Like "egg roll" while they roll an egg) They throw rice into the air and you catch it in your mouth. The kids liked it a lot. Jackson was enthralled by the knives, fire, and jokes of the chef. Sydney was biting her sleeves most of the time once the fire singed our eyebrows. But overall we had a fun time and the kids actually ate some vegetables (not Sydney of course, she ordered mini corndogs.)

Many people fear public speaking, roller coasters, heights, spiders. . .you know things that are scary. Well today I faced one of my biggest fears, a sewing machine. I decided to think of it as a challenge or a project and not get worried about failing at it or not being perfect at it. It was very liberating just threading the machine step by step and realizing I could do it. I guess you're never too old to learn.

Grandpa Ogden turned 68 yesterday. He has had quite the year dealing with all of his health issues. This picture reminds me of the handsome, confident, intelligent, athletic, energetic, humorous, sarcastic, dreamer he has always been. We look forward to another game of scum soon.

On Saturday we got fed up with Sydney's IKEA dresser that has never worked properly and Mike purchased his first ax and proceeded to chop it up for firewood. Jackson couldn't believe his dad knew how to wield an axe. It sure impressed him. The ski goggles were not the most attractive part, but Mike's eyes are our livelihood so they had to be protected.

We decided to go bowling yesterday to help celebrate McKell's birthday since she didn't get to do a lot on her actual birthday. Sydney loved the bowling shoes, slick floor, and the loud music. It made her want to dance.

McKell is realizing that birthdays lose a little of their magic the older you get. She was busy all day long with music and gymnastics and so she didn't get home until 8:00. We did try to make it a little fun for her by inviting over a couple of her friends to eat cake and watch a movie with us. She is officially a tween now. McKell and Sydney opening a gift from Grandma and Grandpa. Paige enjoying the festivities. Another "homemade" cake. :) McKell looking impatient with Mom at her school. These cupcakes for her class really were homemade. (out of a box) McKell's closest friend here in Georgia, Amber. For some reason she always picks the shortest girls as her close friends. :)

Happy Birthday McKell!

It seems like around the holidays the sports start to take over a little here at our house. Every game seems to hold major significance for one reason or another, and now that my husband has HD on his big screen we have to watch just to appreciate the beauty of the picture. (I do have to admit the picture is more clear, but I don't think it will change our lives.) Jackson is starting to get into watching and playing sports. I have to say I enjoy watching my kids play more than the professionals on TV. It is fun to see him maturing and growing in new ways. Last week at basketball practice his coach had them scrimmage some 8th graders who had just taken 8th in the country in a tournament. They take sports very seriously here in the South, and the competition level is a little different than it was in Washington. There are some serious athletes here and this will be a whole new ball game for him this year.