christmas 2017

This was our first year (in 20 years of marriage) that we have been able to be with both sets of parents at the holidays!  It made for a fun, busy Christmas time!

We helped prepare boxes at a food kitchen with both sides of the family.

The Park adults managed to sneak away for a dinner out which was so fun to just sit and eat and talk and not be interrupted by kids!

We ventured up to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.

We went to church on Christmas Eve, where Natalie sang a beautiful solo.

Grandma made chocolate fondue and hosted everyone on Christmas Eve afternoon.

Delpha was very attached to Brandon!

Four (of the eight) Park siblings with their parents

11 (of the 27) grandkids live here!

Vikki hosted Christmas Eve and we had a delicious turkey dinner followed by some fun Minute-to-Win-It type games.  I retained my title as best drawing on head!

The boys surprisingly won the "dress someone as a snowman" challenge against the girls!

And the highlight was once again the saran wrap ball, which Vikki made larger and more challenging this year, and where we witnessed the true competitive side of these kids!

Christmas morning we had a little time with just the five of us.

Then Grandma and Grandpa Park and Amy came over for a few hours to exchange gifts and have brunch.

The Carlson/Turner clan arrived early afternoon and we spent the afternoon and evening with them, opening presents, eating, and playing games.

And for those that haven't experienced a cat at Christmas time, it's pretty much his favorite time of the year!

Bandit was very interested in our new Planet Earth movie when the birds came on! He sat like this watching for quite awhile!

Grandpa and Grandma Carlson stayed with us the next few days, which were spent mostly just relaxing! 

We are blessed with two wonderful, supportive, loving families and are so grateful for all the time we were able to spend with them at this holiday season!

natalie's first band concert

In 5th grade, kids can choose band, orchestra, or general music.  Natalie decided to do band and learn flute.  Brandon didn't have a choice at our other elementary school and Tyler chose general music, so we attended our very first elementary band concert! 

I worried when I saw six songs on the program, but each one was only about 20 seconds long so it was short and sweet!  It was a bit rough but I had to keep reminding myself that most of these kids had probably never played an instrument until a few months before.  I have decided the hardest job in the whole school is the band teacher!

thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, Kevin's oldest brother Wally and his family came to visit!  We had such a fun time with them!

Wally made the most amazing turkey and stuffing:

 Walter and Walter carving the turkeys!

With 27 people, we decided to have our Thanksgiving feast outside at a church ramada.  I was a bit skeptical, but it turned out great and the weather was perfect! 

 

After we were done eating, the older kids played games and the younger kids ran around.

 Natalie, Savannah, Maggie

Park tradition is one pie per person and we almost had that...20 pies for 27 people!

The rest of the weekend was pretty relaxing.  Michael and Savannah were obsessed with Bandit, who was very tolerant of them.

And just like every other little kid who encounters Kevin, they became attached to him also!

The Park's went to the Park...and to the temple...and to the train museum to see Brandon's eagle project.

It was a wonderful weekend!

happy halloween!

Happy Halloween 2017 from an equestrienne:

Clark Kent alias Superman (or is it Superman alias Clark Kent?):

And a shark attack victim:

And I'll add these ones in just because Brandon was being silly while taking pictures and they make me laugh.  I guess it's better than him being grumpy which is what we often get for pictures these days!