Brent's Mission Call

Brent was home in Orem with a bunch of friends, neighbors and family. Jill, Karrissa and Joe were on video-chat, and I had just landed at the SLC airport (early) and was listening in via cellphone as Brent read his mission call.

Dear Elder Parsons:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission.

You should report to the Missionary Training Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Wednesday, 13 August, 2008. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language.

Yea! The waiting is over. Brent, and the entire family is excited for this opportunity.

A couple of years ago I had a teaching assignment down in Sao Paulo, and on a walk one morning just happened past the Sao Paulo MTC. Some of the best food of my life was in Brazil.

This is going to be a great experience for Brent, and for all of us at home. Congratulations Brent!

More Baby Pictures

Karrissa, Joe and Kylie came home last night. And then after a bit of a sleepless night - I got to hold Kylie for a couple of hours this morning...

...then found she liked sitting up in the chair by herself just fine.So I had a bit of time to catch up on e-mails and do this blog posting.

Some close-ups of her toes and long fingers!

A Day with McKinley...

Today we got to spend the day watching McKinley while Karrissa, Joe and Kylie are at the hospital recovering.We first took her shopping for toys... of course Grandma has to get her some new toys when we come to town. More bubbles, a little play tent (princess theme), and a 'aah aah aah' (Little Mermaid) little scooter.Then off to the Alliante library's singing time. McKinley likes the big stuffed bear (had to give it a hug) and the HUGE Goldfish. The singing time and book reading was fun. Jill got down on the floor and helped out.Since we promised... we then had to take her over to the park to see the ducks (quack quack) and the turtles (hand-sign) and the 'swides'. The park there is very nice with a waterfall, lots of ducks, and turtles of all sizes. The playground has a 'dinosaur' theme - with that real soft stuff to walk on.McKinley had fun on the Swing - though it took about 15 pictures to get one that turned out alright, and the Slides. She wanted to go on the 'big slides' but Jill remembered the 'bang-ouch, bang-ouch' last time Alysha took her on it.Then in the early afternoon to the hospital to see the baby, and have lunch with Joe in the hospital cafeteria.Her scooter made lots of noise (a perfect grandparents toy) in the hospital room. McKinley likes the baby - and we had fun watching her 'investigate' her new little sister.Someone in the hospital made a little knit hat for Kylie - but McKinley requestioned it right off Kylie's head.
Time to go home for a nap...

Kylie Elizabeth Winward Arrives!

Our second grand-daughter came to visit this evening... here are the particulars

• Born April 28th, 2008 - 6:09pm
• Las Vegas Nevada
• 7.1 lbs, 20 inches
• Beautiful!
• Long fingers and toes (like her Mom, Sister and Grandma)

I think she looks a lot like McKinley... but Jill says she's her own little girl. I like holding her!

Karrissa and Joe can fill you in on the details of the labor and birth (Jill and I watched McKinley today - then I had her all alone while Jill went in for the final part of the delivery - and she still lives!)

We then took McKinley in to see her little sister. Here are some photos from our visit tonight. More tomorrow... I thought I'd post a bunch of photos... sorry. But these girls are so dang cute!

Typing Speed Test

My daughter Karrissa challenged me to try out the typing speed test online here.

Give it a try!

I hit 75 wpm the first pass - Karrissa is up in the 90s

Accuracy counts - go give it a try.

Willamette Valley

Saturday Morning Jill woke me up to go with her on a walk along the Willamette River along a path by our hotel. Knowing me... I wasn't thrilled to wake up and walk... but Jill asked so I went along. Of course it was really fun and I ended up enjoying it. There were little plaques along the way describing the history of the local area (my favorite) - and then we happened upon a local Farmer's market as well. The vegtables were gorgeous and huge! Amazing since its still so early in the season.Then for a drive down the Willamette Valley to Eugene for the BYU -vs- OU Lacrosse game. (see previous post)Then another drive back up the valley all the way to the Portland Airport.No wonder all the people were so interested to get to the end of the Oregon Trail! This place is phenomenal! Such nice farmland - I was very impressed.Then a quick flight down to Las Vegas to spend Karrissa's Birthday with her. I made here pancakes for breakfast, and fried rice for dinner (Mom made her ice cream pie)

It was fun to have McKinley recognize us at the airport, then squeal this morning when she woke up and recognized me again! Jill got to spend all the the 2nd and 3rd hours with McKinley at the church nursery today too.
Tomorrow's the big day! - Karrissa gets induced in the morning. We should soon have another grand-daughter!

Oregon State -vs- BYU Game Photos

Here are some photos from the OSU -vs- BYU Lacrosse Game last Thursday night.