4/21/09 9:54 PM

What a beautiful weekend it was here in the Pacific Northwest. God seemed to smile down on us as the clouds parted and the sun shone. I want to think that the rainy season is over. I hope you all are enjoying comfortable weather wherever you may be. I can imagine my momma cracking the whip and getting my dad and brother raking the yard and getting everything ready for the summer. I was telling Lesley’s parents that I actually somewhat kinda sorta miss yard work. Crazy, yes! Lesley and I hope to have a little house of our own in the next couple of years. We are anxiously waiting to complete school and start making some money. If we have a little yard, we’ll just send Lola to mow the lawn. (Lola loves to eat grass when she’s not eating her own poop)

Lola is such a cute little beast. She continues to grow and develop her adorable little personality. She is really obedient some days. Some days she just does what she wants. For example, last weekend when Lesley and I were at the Miles’ home, Lola decided she wanted to run under the fence and into the horse pasture in the neighboring property. After eating a mound of horse turd, she decided to go say hello to the horse. Meanwhile, we are all calling for Lola to come back. She walked over to the horse and tilted her head, as dogs do, and stared in awe. She was probably thinking that the horse was a really enormous dog. I’m just glad she didn’t try to play with the horse.

Anyway, the 14th of April was my birthday. I wanted to thank all of you for the presents and birthday wishes. You all, especially Lesley, spoiled me. I had to work on my birthday. But after I got off, I went home and unwrapped presents and read Lesley’s funny homemade card. She made be a pan of brownies with a “P” made out of colored chocolate chips. We got some really good cheesesteaks from a nearby restaurant. We had about a half hour to kill before our movie, so we decided to get a little crazy and try the slots at a casino across the street from the theater. This was our first time ever trying our luck in a casino. We played $10 and won $23. So we came out with extra money in our pockets—just enough to buy some popcorn at the movie. I have no plan on returning to the casino. It’s just a weird and dark environment where people become slaves of a bad habit.

Anyway, we saw Mall Cop, which was a funny show. Kevin James is hilarious. He reminds me of my boy Mitch back home. (Speaking of Mitch and Sarah Perkins, they will be having a little boy in 2 months, and I wish them my very best and send my love. One day, their little boy will grow up and be an aggressive street walker like his dad.)

Lesley and I were able to get away last weekend. Lesley’s parents kindly watched little Lola as we went surfing this last Saturday. We drove a couple hours to a place called Westport--Lesley’s favorite place to surf in Washington. It was a sunny, yet windy day. The temperature was a brisk 62 degrees. The ocean was somewhere in the 50s. We rented some thick wetsuits equipped with hoods and booties. I rented a longboard and Lesley used her own short board. Lesley was fun to watch because she is so good. I often struggle to position myself in front of the good waves. Sometimes it feels like I paddle and paddle, somehow managing to get washed up on the beach. I swim a lot for exercise, but surfing kicks my butt. The water is so cold that when you dive under a wave, it feels like somebody is sticking tons of needles in your face. But once the adrenaline gets going, you don’t notice your cold face or numb hands. Anyway, it was a fun trip and I’m glad I married a girl like Lesley who loves to do things like surfing.

Well, it’s my bedtime. Luego.

(Surfing Westport)












(Beacon Rock on the Washington side of the border between WA and OR)


(This landmark made it into Lewis and Clark's journals)


(Overlooking the Columbia from Beacon Rock)


(Lola's First Hike)


(Lola walked a mile each way next to some steep drop-offs. She likes to look over the edge)


(Some Pretty Scenery)


(On the way back down from Beacon)


(My car. Her name is Ruby. I sold my Xterra 2 months ago)

Happy almost Easter

First I must announce that Lesley and I have known each other for one year now! We met on St. Patricks Day last year. Happy one year honey!



Holy crap! It has been a long time since I updated the ol' blog. It seems to have fallen between the cracks as I've been bogged down with work and school. Over the last month, I haven't seen Lesley very much. For the first two weeks in February, I was in New York for work. It was a really long time to be away from my hot wife. I think it was easier on her with me being gone. She said the house was cleaner and there was a lot more food available to eat. I don't know what she's talking about. Ok, so maybe I leave my stuff all over the house and eat a lot of food. I can't help it, I'm a dirty and stinky boy. (My mom would agree and sympathize with Lesley) My mom always warned Lesley of what she's getting herself into.

Anyway, I took an online class with the U of Phoenix and it was really intense. I spent hours and hours at school in front of a computer writing one assignment after another. All of the writing assignments I have completed would make for one long book. Thank goodness that I have since started a new class that got me back into my regular schedule.

Lesley has been kicking butt at her school, especially in her "pickle-ball" class. Her clinic rotation has moved her to downtown Seattle. I'm sure she will do great and make a good impression on all the therapists and patients there. Hopefully one day she will be able to work at Valley Medical Hospital, a half block away from our apartment complex.



Lola continues to grow like a weed. After two weeks in New York, I barely recognized her. She had some long legs and was missing some baby teeth. Lesley has been finding random teeth on the floor. As for Lola, she had the toothless smile of a hockey player. Her adult teeth have all grown in, I think. Lesley and I have taken Lola to parks to run around. There is a fenced dog park in Kent where the dogs can run around without their leashes. This was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. I watched as little scared Lola was approached by big dogs who surrounded her and sniffed real close. I got nervous a few times as Lola was jumped on and growled at. But Lola had fun, I think. We also take her to a nearby elementary school and let her run free. She can fun for a half hour straight and not get tired.





The day I went to New York, I sold my beautiful Xterra, "Negra," to a nice little Mormon couple. The day after I got back from New York, I bought a sweet 2003 VW Passat. Her name is "Ruby." She's really fun to drive. We took her to Steven's Pass. Lesley and I went snowboarding for Valentines day. It was so much fun. It was our first time boarding this year and we are now both going through withdrawals. We both can't wait till we are filthy rich and can have season passes. Until then, we will have to sacrifice.

Last weekend we went to downtown Seattle and browsed the skate/surf shop near the Bremerton Ferry. We then went to the North Face store so Lesley could get another jacket. (As if she didn't have a million jackets already) After that we went to a place called Ivers for some amazingly yummy/expensive fish, chips, and chowder.

This weekend, we are going to Samamish (sp?) in Oregon with Lesley's parentals. Hopefully the rain will shut off so we can play outdoors.

Umm......I think my well has run dry and I'm out of things to write. So, adeu till next time.

Parker

Lola Videos

Smart little Lola

It has been a minute since we have last updated our blog. Most of our attention has been spent on Lola, our new puppy. She requires constant supervision to make sure she doesn't spring a leak or leave poo nuggets on our carpet. She is doing well in her potty training as well as her other training. She sits, lays, shakes, gives high fives, and rolls over. I've even taught her how to fart. Ok, maybe I didn't, but she still does it and they stink. She lets stinkers every time she rides in the car. We have taken her to Petsmart to get shots and go shopping. She likes to play with the other doggies and look at the kitties. We love her very much and are excited for the day when she doesn't try to bite our faces and can cuddle with us on the couch. I give full credit to Lesley for her good training. Lesley is so easy going and calm. I hesitate to do any training because as you all know, I lack patience. (My mom is probably nodding her head in agreement!)

Other than that, everything is going great. I have been working some overtime at my work trying to keep my head afloat during this most busy time of the year. On Feb. 1st I will be flying to Rochester, NY for training at our corporate office. I will be there for a couple weeks and will come back and train the Seattle branch on a new payroll software system for 5 or 6 months. I will do nothing else but train. I look forward to it.

Speaking of teaching and training, Lesley and I were todays speakers in sacrament meeting. Lesley did a great job, but left me with tons of time. I now know from seeing Lesley speak, that I married a prophetess.

Lesley has been back in school since early this month. She continues to commute to Tacoma to work in the clinic. She is making a good impression I'm sure.

Well, I think that's all I have today. I'm going to attempt to post another picture and video of us and our pup.

--Parker

"Shizzer was full"

12/8/08 5:42 PM
One of these dogs is ours!!!

It’s been a while since I last updated the ol’ blog. Married life is going great. We continue to push forward in school and work. Lesley is almost done with finals. She has one today and another this week. Then she is done and can relax. Much of her time is going to be spent training our new puppy which we pick up from the airport next Monday. Yay! We are very excited for our new nameless puppy. Lesley told me how excited she is to pick up warm turds in little plastic baggies.

We had a great Thanksgiving. Lesley learned how to make all the fixins with her mom. I pitched in my expertise when needed. I got to wear a beautiful Relief Society apron so that I wouldn’t spoil my clothes. Lesley invited one of her old roommates from Hawaii to join us for dinner at Lesley’s parents house in Poulsbo. Her roommate brought her fiancé and we talked a lot about our funny meeting story. The day after Thanksgiving we slept in and then drove to Portland, OR for a memorial service held for one of Lesley’s mom’s uncles. It was only a 3-hour drive to Portland. We toured Oregon City and Portland. Both were beautiful places. We saw the movies Bolt and Australia. I definitely recommend Bolt for my cute little nephew Carson. Australia was a great film as well. We are thinking about naming our new doggie after a character named Mrs. Boss. Who knows?

On Saturday morning while my dear wife was still sleeping I went out and bought a Christmas tree. I went to a couple different places and the prices for a real tree were between $50 and $75. Ridiculous. Shoot me. But me, being cheap, found a sweet deal. $15 baby! We went out later and bought some lights and Mardi Gras beads to string across the tree. It looks nice and makes our house smell good. Last night we had some friends come over and watch Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Now the Holidays can officially start after watching that movie.

Well, I better get going. I have homework to do. This is the last week of my “Innovation for Business” class. Plus I need to make some dinner so we don’t wilt away. Peace be unto you!

Its Raining Puppies!

December 15th will be the day we officially become parents!
We will be the proud momma and papa of our own little Welsh Terrier. We haven't decided on a name for her yet so please let us know your sugestions. Parker wants to name her "Pam" after The Office so we really could use your help.

Weekend Update

November 7, 2008

First of all, happy daylight savings time! Now we all get to go to work and school before the sun comes up and get home after it has gone down.

The weather here has been really nice as we transition into the “rainy” season. The leaves on the trees have turned beautiful colors and have since fallen off and blanket our cars and sidewalks. On Halloween I meant to go outside and take a picture of a neat looking tree that had turned the brightest red color, but changed my mind so that the trick-or-treaters wouldn’t know we were home.

Speaking of Halloween, it was a really fun holiday. Lesley and I were both able to dress up for work and school. I dressed up as an old man in a really old and ugly polyester suit with a cane and white hair. Lesley was a goddess from Greek mythology. I told her that being a newlywed doesn’t automatically make her the goddess of love. But she looked hot and I looked old.

We were invited to a Halloween party hosted by some friends from the ward including Devan, a fellow Philly missionary, and his wife Paige. There were a bunch of young newlywed couples like Lesley and I in attendance. We had food, talked, and watched a scary movie. I don’t remember the name of the movie but it took place in some Asian country and involved a little boy who hid in his closet and murdered hospice workers when they took care of grandma. Yeah, I thought the movie was pretty lame.

On Sunday I was called and set apart as……..drum roll please……..a primary teacher. Bro. Smith and I will be team teaching the CTR 8 class. There are about 4 girls and a couple rowdy boys, but nothing I can’t handle. (Considering I used to be one of the little brats that primary teachers dreaded teaching) Lesley has yet to receive a calling. We’re praying for genealogy worker

A couple weeks ago we got a gym membership at Ballys. I didn’t want to get a membership unless there was a pool. My brother Chanse got me into swimming when I got home from my mission and since then it has been my favorite cardio and I fully believe it is the best exercise out there. I go in the mornings before work and Lesley has joined me on many occasions. It seems like I am lifting weights with a lot of brothas (“na’ mean”) and swimming with a lot of old Asians. At least I won’t get fat like a lot of newly married men. I have to work out because Lesley is such a good cook.

Speaking of the dear wife, Lesley has had midterms the last couple weeks. So she’s been studying like crazy every free second she has, and has been pulling off really good grades. I can’t wait till they are done so we can go out and do something fun. Lesley’s car is in the shop getting a valve fixed. Getting cars fixed really bites. But good thing my work is within longboarding distance if we ever get desperate. I just hope we don’t have any more car issues because I don’t want to have to have a car funeral.