THE PARK POST

Sydney was baptized last Sunday.  It was really a special event.  Everybody in the family participated.  Paige and Grandma spoke, Jackson and I said prayers,  McKell conducted the music, and Mike and Grandpa baptized and confirmed her.  Earlier that day Sydney had not been acting very well (probably somewhat due to lack of sleepor the devil :)) and when she went to try her on the white dress Katie had bought for her in Utah, it didn't fit.  Luckily Paige let her borrow the dress she used on her baptism day and Sydney's attitude improved as the day wore on.  I think it helped when she got new scriptures and a journal from us, and this scripture case/purse from Grandma O. She loves having her own set.  She told us that now everyone in the family is baptized she feels older and more a part of the group.

We were so lucky to have a BYU game in Atlanta this year.  We timed it with my parents coming to visit and Sydney's baptism.  It was a beautiful day and an awesome stadium in the heart of Atlanta, not to mention that we killed Georgia Tech. When we first walked into the stadium we had a few comments about "BYU Losers."  But after the game it was pretty silent walking past their fans.  My parents have just finished a 3 year assignment in a temple presidency where they have basically had a full time job.  They came here to celebrate and RELAX!  It's so fun to have them here.  We told them if they really wanted to relax they should head to Florida on their own, so they left for a few days.  Luckily the hurricane has passed by and it's warming up again. 

Somehow the Young Women got roped into being in charge of the Trunk or Treat this year.  The girls wanted it to be more like a carnival with a haunted hallway and donuts and hot chocolate.  They don't think through how much work it will be to make all the stations and then show up for them, but  they wanted to do it, so we delegated each station out to different girls.  Some came through, some didn't, but I think it's important to let them try.  In the end I think everyone had fun.  And the girls that did show up did an amazing job! Costume Parade Awards--Bishop Abalos helped judge Paige's game she made up.  She had pickles for fingers, tortillas for skin, noodles for brains, etc. Our Laurel President, Heather, did the donut eating game. Mike loves the trunk or treat.  He decorated the trunk himself. These two were a big help, both setting up and cleaning up, and they didn't even complain! Sydney and Brooklyn ...

 Last week we decided to level out the area by our fire pit.  This required the use of a back hoe.  Since Mike did not want to pay someone to come do it, he decided to rent a small one and do it himself.  I have to admit I thought he was crazy when he pulled up to the house with the back hoe hitched to a trailer.   He only fell off once, but after 20 min or so he had it figured out.  He was like a little kid with a Tonka truck digging in the dirt.  I have to hand it to him that it was much, much cheaper than what it would have cost to have a professional come do it,  and I think he did a great job.  Sometimes doing it yourself is worth it.  The finished job!!

Paige was asked by John Asenbach to Homecoming this year.  They are just friends, but they had a fun time eating at Hunter's Pub with her other friends Berkley and Jessie and their dates.  The dance itself was not very fun, because the majority of kids at her school don't know how to dance, they mostly "dirty dance" which is just awkward and thankfully not Paige's style. They went for ice cream after and I think over-all she liked it. 

Jackson turned 11 on the 12th of October.  He has sure grown up this last year.  He loves soccer, cars, dub-step,  Rick Riordan books and anything Nike. He has learned how to be a little more organized this year and is doing great in school.  He's also starting to comb his own hair and take showers on his own initiative. Yeah!! We sure love him and are proud of the good kid that he is. For his birthday he invited two friends over and Mike took them to a movie, "Here Comes the Boom."  The highlight of his day was getting a new ipod.  He lost his last one and has been wanting another one for a long time.  I tricked him by wrapping it up in a huge box with soup cans, and put it inside several layers of sacks.  So far he has been extra cautious with it.  Let's hope this one stays around a little longer.

We have been part of a book club for about a year or so now with our friends, Josh and Heidi Packard.  Every month or so one of us picks a book that we all read and then that person typically comes up with a list of questions for discussion at dinner. After we have dessert at one of our houses and usually end up talking for awhile longer.  The reason our book club is so fun is because we all have different views on life and so it can sometimes make for lively discussion. Everyone has to agree on the book and we try to think of books that all of us would enjoy. So far it has worked great!! One of our favorite books we've read was The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics and Religion , by Jonathon Haidt.  This book helped us understand each other's perspective in life and gave us  vocabulary to talk about our differences without feeling threatened or ridiculed.  The best part was Jonathon Haidt actually came to Columbus and gave an awesome...

I was sitting on the sidelines at Jackson's soccer game when Mike called to tell me of the age change announcement for missionaries from 19 to 18 for boys, and more poignantly for me the age from 21 to 19 for girls.  Initially I felt such a rush of joy I started to weep behind my sunglasses. I couldn't believe what this would mean for my own daughters and more broadly for all of the young women I know and love.  But after a few minutes I started to feel the pain of how serving a mission was something I had wanted to do so badly at 19, but couldn't because of the 21 year old policy.  I wondered how different my life story would be if I had been able to experience mission life and growth. I'm sure it would have helped me be less selfish a lot sooner in life, as well as teach me about humility and service. But then I remembered that God's ways are not my ways.  And I started thinking about all of the beautiful blessings I have experienced on my path:  Jerusalem...

A few weeks ago, Mike headed to Utah for a long, but fun and busy weekend.  He had a 20 year mission reunion, the BYU vs. Utah State game, two rounds of golf, two families to visit, and an interview for a fellowship at Huntsman Cancer Institute.  He said it was an awesome weekend and was glad he went.  It's good for him to get away and it reminds us why we like to be back together again too. The famous Elder Clifford (on the left), Elder Prinster and Michael  President and Sister Hess BYU game Wasatch Golf Course   Summer Jolley--the newest Park addition Grandma Arnell and Grandpa Hugh Grandma Joyce looking cute as ever. Elizabeth (twin baby), Emma and Grandma O. Mary (twin baby)--Newest additions to Ogden Family

It has been years since I have played Risk, but wanting to reconnect with my younger side, I recently bought it and taught Mike and some of the kids how to play.  I used to play this game for hours (and yes it does take hours) with my brothers when I was a kid.  Jackson loved it more than any of the girls and wanted to keep playing.  It really is a game about power, domination, and taking over the world.  I was reminded of my competitive nature when I aggressively attacked my own kids' nations and felt a sense of glee when I conquered a whole continent.  I guess growing up with 3 brothers all around me in age helped form some of my "red" personality, but I think I am a competitive person at my core as well. 

 Paige is on Student Council at school this year, which means she is required to dress up all week for homecoming.  Just one more thing to add to her very full plate, but these are the kinds of things she'll probably remember most from high school.  She is such a dedicated, studious, organized, sometimes over-achiever, it's nice to see her just have fun once in awhile.  We have to remind her that most things, like one essay or one test, will not matter in 5 years, but the positive memories of high school dances,  football games with her friends, and eating at waffle house will stay with her forever.