THE PARK POST

Paige is serving as secretary for Student Council at Columbus High School.  She had a busy week organizing events, dressing up, getting balloons, helping at the half-time event, decorating for the dance, etc.  I honestly can't believe she accomplishes all that she does.  She is so organized and dependable. Most importantly she is learning she can't do everything perfectly, and sometimes things don't turn out the way you planned, but you have to just move on and LET IT GO!!     She also knows how to pick really good friends!  They all went to the dance together and had a blast!

Jackson turned 12 on the 12th of October.  He doesn't need or expect a lot of fanfare for his birthday.  Maybe it is just a boy thing, but it's kind of nice to not feel pressure to please him.  I took him shopping at Dick's, we went to the Percy Jackson movie, and then the whole family went to Red Robin for dinner.      Jackson was ordained a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood on Oct. 17 by his dad here in our home.  Bishop Hansen also came and participated.  The ordination and blessing were really beautiful. It was a neat father/son moment.  He has grown up so much this last year.  A few days later we had a youth temple trip and Jackson got to be a part of it.  He really loved it!

To celebrate 20 years of marriage, we splurged and took a trip of a lifetime to the Mediterranean.  It was such an amazing week that I will never forget.  Worth every euro in my opinion!  We flew in to Barcelona and boarded our ship "The Liberty of the Seas." The dining room in the ship was amazing!  We definitely enjoyed the food! BARCELONA, SPAIN  Las Ramblas is the main walk way through Barcelona.  There are street performers and artists everywhere. We only spent a couple hours here.  We need to go back someday to see all the sights.     TOULON, FRANCE   Our first attempt at trying to speak French did not go so well.  I ordered a cream puff and water, but had to resort to pointing and grunting since I had a brain fart during the whole transaction.  Pretty humbling.    The bells began to ring at this old church.  Maybe this is where Jean Val ...