Hoe-Down and Patricia's Birthday Dinner

This week our ward held a Hoe-Down and we were encouraged to wear western outfits. The event featured a chili cook-off, line dancing, and some fun activities.

Spence and Gayle with a tired, somewhat reluctant Avril. Alicia came and picked her up shortly after the Hoe-Down started.

Leisa and Bishop Mark Firth won the Best Coordinated Couple outfit award. Leisa sewed the costumes, so no wonder.

We were pretty coordinated too, thanks to Gayle.

Here's another hair-do shot of Avril.

Even though it wasn't quite her birthday, a dinner was held to honor Patricia last night. Gayle and I were at a stake conference session, and joined later for dessert at mom and dad Parkinson's house. Here Jesse, Jared, and Kelly smile for the camera.

Youngest and eldest of the L. Spencer Parkinson kids.

Joyce and Spence

Three generations of girls - Alicia, Avril, and Gayle

I let Avril make noise on the piano whenever I can in hopes she'll develop an interest in it.

Toy Chest shot of Alicia

Avril's recent hairdo with the tail on top reminded Gayle of this shot of Alicia from her childhood.

We still have this toy chest, but now it's painted blue.

Fall Apple Experience, etc.

Yesterday Gayle and I got to babysit Avril for awhile. Avril gets excited when she comes to visit us.

Avril's growing so fast that Gayle had to cut out the feet from this outfit so Avril's feet could stick out. Click on the photo to see Avril's bottom tooth. A second is coming through next to it.

Gayle put Avril's hair up in a tail.

Yesterday we helped Mom pick apples. I also had helped the week before, and she and Dad had also done a lot on their own. They have a Red Delicious tree, a Jonathan tree, and a Golden Delicious tree. We figure 40+ bushels at least came from these trees.

Here's Mom posing next to the last tree picked, the Golden Delicious. The branches in the background will give you an idea of how thick the apples were, and they had even been thinned early in the season. Remember to click on the photo to see it enlarged.

Me with a couple of Jonathan apples. Quite tasty.

Just part of the harvest, kept in their garage. Gayle is giving away several baskets of apples, we've got some, and a lot are going to the food bank too. And still there are plenty for Mom and Dad.

When we got home from picking apples Gayle took some photos at dusk of the changing leaves on our berm. Yes, hosta leaves actually change in cold climates. They go yellow, for the most part, before dying. They come back miraculously each spring.

A close-up of the big hosta on the berm.

And one of some begonias.

Tariq and Family Visit/Conference Weekend

Friday night we enjoyed having my friend from work, Tariq Haq (from New Delhi), over with his family. His wife is Deeba (from Lucknow) and his children are Ali (4 yrs. old) and Ayesha (2nd grade).

Ali skinned his nose at pre-school so he was sporting a band aid. He is a very happy and energetic boy!

Ayesha goes to Thomas Edison elementary school and is taking violin lessons. She likes soccer too.

Tariq, Deeba, and their family moved here about a month ago from the Boston area.

This was the LDS semi-annual conference weekend so we were able to spend time watching church on TV. We (the grandparents) also got to babysit Avril quite a bit this weekend.

Avril loves to play with cell phones, wrist watches, and other gadgets. Here she's got an old remote control and my Timex watch.

"Grandpa, I want to walk, what do I do now?"
We had the great grandparents, Jared, Alicia, and Avril over for French Toast between conference sessions today, and then watched the Sunday afternoon session together. Right now it's raining and cold outside. It blew a lot during the night and this morning, so there are plenty of branches and leaves all over the yard.