THE PARK POST

We let Paige host her first boy/girl party a few weeks ago. I think they had fun, other than her siblings wanted to be a part of everything they did. They played band hero, jumped on the tramp, and roasted marshmallows. It's hard to believe in a month she will be a high schooler and starting a whole bunch more "firsts."

Jackson and Mike went to the Columbus Lions indoor arena football game last weekend. Jackson thinks he is going to play in the NFL (even though he has never played on a little league team yet) and so he begged Mike to take him to the game. After about 10 min. into the first quarter Jackson was ready for the real reason he was there: cotton candy and pop. The boy loves to eat. They made it until the third quarter, but that was all he wanted to watch. I have to wonder, though, if it really is about the game for him, or just being with his dad and embracing his maleness. On the drive home Jackson wanted to take a picture of Mike's army hat, which signifies his rank. (Jackson loves hierarchy and prefers those at the top) Ever since learning his dad will be deployed in a real war, and that he is being trained to fire a hand gun (which he will never use), and will have to wear the full body armor while they transport him over to Iraq, he has a new appreciation and admiration for Mike...

One of the perks of having the kiddos all in school are the post-call days Mike gets off from work during the week. We spontaneously go places and usually there is lunch involved (which I especially enjoy). Last week we went back to one of our favorite spots, Callaway Gardens, to see the flowers blooming. We realized as we pulled into our parking spot that pretty much every car in the lot was a Lincoln and that every person in the restaurant was over 65. It felt like a club we didn't belong in, but actually it was a glimpse into the club we will be in some day. I really hope I am never driving a Lincoln, but I remember saying the same thing about a mini-van. Yikes!!

Michael's grandpa, Stan Arnell, was born April 19, 1919 and passed away Dec. 20, 2003. He will always be special to us for many reasons. He has been a huge role model for Mike in his life and one of those men that nobody could dislike. After I met Stan and Ethel in Blackfoot, ID the first time, I knew that I wanted to be a part of their family. I saw the way Stan took care of his wife and the love they shared and I wanted the same love and life for me and Mike. We stayed with them often and loved having Grandpa's famous Cream of Wheat. While we were living in Logan, UT in 2003 we decided on the 19th of Dec. to take a trip up to Blackfoot for the night to visit Grandma and Grandpa Arnell before Christmas. The weather was not that great and Jackson wasn't feeling very well, and although we almost decided against going, Mike felt strongly that we should still go. We spent a fun night with them, exchanged gifts and watched old home movies on the projector screen. Early that...

With the onset of Spring we have seen a whole new category of pollen here in Georgia that we have never experienced. The pollen is so thick and abundant that it literally coats everything like a yellow powdered layer of snow. This has been especially fun for me since I deal with hay fever. I literally have gone through hundreds of tissues, rubbed my itchy eyes raw, and for the first time took medication for it. I have to decide if I would rather feel drowsy or itchy (drowsy is winning out right now). Here are some pictures of the barbeque I have cleaned off three times now. On the upside, the weather has been absolutely beautiful and we have found some new favorite spots around our house where we enjoy lounging. After pounding or dusting off the layer of pollen on our new deck furniture and hammock, we have read scriptures, watched the red cardinals and yellow warblers swoop onto the bird feeder, had family night lessons and life lesson talks, watched the sunset and fireflies, and ...

We had high temps this week in Georgia, so we decided to head to Savannah and Tybee Island for some beach action. We had a great time being all together with no lessons or school to interrupt us. We stayed in a hotel in the historic district of Savannah and walked the famed river street with its cobblestone, ships, and slavery history. The kids enjoyed the swimming pool and having their own room in the hotel (we liked it too). We went to The Pirate's House for dinner one night. It was a bit over-priced, but it was a fun atmosphere. During the days we drove out to Tybee Island where the kids played in the waves for hours and we enjoyed watching them from the beach. It was so relaxing!! I wish we could do it more often.