Sunday, April 29, 2012

Tessa Color Festival/Race

Yesterday Alicia ran in a 5k race at the American West Historical Farm out near Wellsville.  It was a fund-raiser for Tessa, a 28 yr. old mom of two who has cancer.  The Farm held its annual baby animal day on the same day.  As usual, in spite of having a day that hit 88 degrees earlier in the week, it was cool and windy for the race and baby animals.  In fact, on Friday there were snow flurries during the afternoon.  Here are some shots from the event:
 Alicia, at left, running with her friend, Shanae, the gal to the right of Alicia.  Note that they are covering their hands.
 Gayle, posing with the snowy Wellsville Mountains in the background.  The coats indicate the coolness.  We tried to stay in the sun and out of the wind.
 Kristen Crockett and two of her kids ran (the kids ran a 1-mile course instead of the 5k).  Here are Carly and Brandon Crockett.
 Rob didn't run, he baby sat Courtney.  Here they pose together.
 The course was very muddy according to Alicia, which made running very laborious.  Here's a view to the north.
 McKel checked out the wooden "horse" (I assume that's what it represented).
 Avril, near the same animal.
 Ali, nearing the finish line.  Note the colors (they passed through a section where you could throw powdered colors on one another).
 A colorful contestant.
 Kristen wrapping up the race too.
 More colorful runners.
 Avril went to the coloring area too!
 McKel didn't quite know what to make of the whole thing.
 Shanae, Tessa (the young mother for whom the event was held), Alicia, and the two kids.
 Next we hit the pony ride.  McKel was psyched to ride a horse.
 Avril couldn't wait to get on a pony too.
 Helmets were obligatory.
 We had to do the train ride too.
 Papa loves those girls.  They're kind of attached to him too.
 And of course we had to pet some baby animals.
 Even big animals are fun to pet and feed.
There were a bunch of Peacocks, including a white one.  They were hanging out with some calves.
 The white Peacock was spectacular.  He loved showing off to the crowd.
 And of course the Wellsville Mountains were especially scenic, as they are virtually any season of the year.
Today we took some quick shots of the girls before leaving for church to show the cute outfits.

Different expressions.
Too cute!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Steve, Susan, Keri, Dallin come to visit

Steve, Susan, and Keri went to BYU for Dallin's graduation, and then made it up to Logan to stay with grandma Joyce for a couple of days.  Saturday evening the Logan relatives got together for a Fredrico's pizza dinner and catching up.  Here I'm sitting with Sam, Robert, and Spencer Lee.
 Here are Alicia, Jared, Brittney, and Adrian resting until the pizza arrives.  Alicia had ridden her road bike to and from Rick Springs (up Logan canyon) on a training ride earlier that day.  I had ridden with Mark Firth and his son-in-law, Jake.  We only went to Blacksmith Fork Canyon and back, but it was a nice ride too.  I was learning about drafting and proper road riding etiquette and technique.
 Keri, Susan, Joyce, Arleen, and Tracine.
 The girls closest to me (literally and figuratively) -- McKel, Gayle, Alicia, and Avril.
 The machos - Spencer Lee, Jared, Stephen, and Dallin.
 You can't have a gathering at the Country Club Drive family homestead without taking a few basketball shots!  Here Brit is preparing to show Adrian how it's done.  Note the beautiful spring blossoms on nearby trees and bushes.
 Avril, a budding botanist, carefully studies a seed pod from a nearby tree as the sun begins setting.  See one of the landmark deer in the background.
The adults enjoyed swapping stories from their youth, growing up in the Parkinson clan, or otherwise just catching up.

Friday, April 20, 2012

April 20, 2012 Update

 Avril and McKel have lots of special days at their pre-school.  One day in late March was funny hair and funny socks day.  Here is Avril's "look" for the day.
 McKel sported a similar "do" and a pretty wild shirt too.
 Another day was a princess and super hero day.  Avril seemed a natural for this one.
 We love the cute smile.
 Here's McKel on the princess day, while still in her high chair.
 The two princesses, waiting for their princes to come!
 Gayle, still showing her chin bruises, holds the two sisters on PF and teddy bear day (for pre-school).
 Jared helps me read bedtime stories to the girls.
Some of the Muncys came up to visit grandma Joyce, and some of us made it up to visit with them.
 Alicia and her daughters show their pretty smiles!
 Avril is ready to start looking for easter eggs at her pre-school's egg hunt day.
 The Easter Bunny made it to the pre-school too.
 Trish held a combined birthday party at her new house on April 7th.  Lots of family and friends showed up.  April 16th is Adrian, Arleen, Jared, Edison, George, and Parker's birthday!!  Six in one extended family have the same birthday (of course 3 are triplets).
 The star, by the way, is one of the hanging decorations.  Jared, Adrian, and Brit enjoying the party at Patricia's house.
 Avril examining one of her Easter basket treasures.
 McKel loved Easter too.
 Here's Avril being a big sister to McKel.
 Yes, she has a runny nose (she and Avril seem to most of the time), but she sure is cute anyway.
 Avril had a dental appointment and got to lie on her back and watch a movie on the ceiling while listening through ear pieces.  She was very calm and grown up while the dentist worked on her.
 Jared, hanging out with his niece on the eve of the birthday dinner we held on Saturday,  April 14th at our house (two days before the actual birthday).
 McKel cooperating with Arleen.
 Adrian and his daughter, Brittney.
 The three in our immediate family with April 16 birthdays.
 Robert and grandma Joyce made it down for the dinner too.
 Brit is a true Grizzly of LHS!
 The spark's still there after all these years.  Gayle's chin bruises from her fall are almost gone.
 The birthday dessert was cheesecake instead of cake.  Adrian and Arleen share one (what, only two candles!).
 Jared got the other cheesecake, with one candle.
 Avril had to help with the candle blowing.
 Avril helped Arleen and Adrian too.
McKel had a fun time too.  It's nice to be held by an adult once in awhile, though.