Oh the teaching is rewarding!

Elder Kane just baptized Brandan Marcum. He came from a very rough life and it took Elder Kane getting there to make it all happen. Parker loves this kid and said on his baptism day there wasn't a dry eye in the congregation.

You gotta know Elder Kane would love the dogs - not get chased & attacked by them! I'm sure he is in heaven here!

This is Allyson...she was Elder Kane's first baptism. I sent him a variety of CTR rings & he gave her a silicone one on her baptism day. She to this day has not taken it off!

This little 6 yr old boy was so much fun for Elder Kane. When he got home from school he saw Elder Kane and hurried and opened his brand new Book of Mormon and said he's going to be a missionary too someday!

Charlie gets baptized!

The guys are proud of him! Feelin the love here!
Hayley and a bunch of the girls!! He sure has a good support system!

Here's the man of the day! One of Hayley's great friends had a very special day today!

Eugene Oregon welcomes Elder Kane

No snow at home in Idaho, but Oregon sure got some! This is the snowman they built when they got snowed in & couldn't get out and work.
Here poses Elder Kane and Elder Kaumaitotoya (from Fiji). You'd never know from this picture that these 2 did not really get along. Parker is very patient and tolerant & easy going. But...Elder K...was hard for him. After a good "discussion" they started getting along much better. After 6 weeks together Elder K....got transferred to the coast and Elder Kane got a new companion...Elder Plumb. We'll meet him soon.

Elder Kane is loving Oregon!!!

I'd say he's somewhat spoiled in where he lives. The missionaries live in the basement of this home. The Graham's own the home and they own a lot of land....like a lot of land. They run a Christmas Tree Farm and each year they sell over 400,000 Christmas Tree's!

Parker's room...Gotta love the Poky blanket! He said he's so glad he brought it. It makes him feel like home is wherever he is!

Hayley's new room!

She loves her Momma!!! We moved the office/craft room downstairs and moved her upstairs! She loves me and her new room!
One end of the room!

The other side of the room! Now we just need to do curtains and finish embelishing it! She loves the big window and being closer to the bathroom!

Elder Parker did the ceiling and Elder Bowen painted the walls. Mom did the blue around the bottom and the brown trim. It was a fun night...silly Elders should have worn their grubbies...but no.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

Hayley with her friends...Having a blast at the big party the church puts on. They play games and have a big dance & breakfast!

Parker's MTC pictures

This is his district. Some went to Oregon & some went to Florida.
Parker said this guy was his favorite in the MTC. I think it's Elder Wardrop.

His desk in the MTC. Notice he loves his sister most! It was fun to see what he displayed. He loved the picture she made for him. And of course our Elders at home and the dog...Yes, Jessie is sure loved by him!

Christmas at MTC - beautiful lights outside. Parker absolutely loved the MTC but he did NOT like the food!

Christmas Day 2011

We forgot to take many pictures. But Hayley loved her very soft robe!
Here's our tree with just the gifts for 2. Hayley had to work today at the theater, so we did Christmas at 7pm. We had a very nice time together. It was different for sure, but it was still very good!

The big day...He's off to the MTC...gone for 2 years!

It was a very special experience. We had lunch and then headed up to the Provo Temple. We saw so many cars come up, park, family gets out with 1 guy dressed in a suit. Mom's all doing ok until they're asked how they are and then the tears flow! It was so fun to see it all happen.
Fun little shot he took up close. Gosh we will miss him!
Mom and Elder Kane in front of the temple. We took turns with many other families for this spot.
Hayley and Elder Kane. She was a rock that day...no tears at all! Just felt complete peace and was so proud of him. She said there just wasn't anything to cry about. These 2 are so close though...they will miss each other.

Here we are together! But only for a few minutes longer...

There was no time for pictures at the MTC. We pulled in, were directed where to go and in a huge production line, we pulled in while tons of other cars did to. Each car is greeted by 3 missionaries: the greeter, the Mom distracter and the luggage grabber! While luggage grabber gets the bags, Mom gets her hugs and good byes, then Mom cries so distracter starts to do crazy things to get Mom's attention, while greeter wisks your Missionary off before you even notice. Then you are ushered to follow the line & drive out...Took us about 2 minutes to pull in, good bye and out again. I was ok until we exited the grounds then the entire night I cried off & on....he just whispered in my ear..."Mom, it's ok, we can do this"..."I Love You"

We celebrate Christmas Early!

For the first time ever...we break the rule! Today is actually Parker's birthday...he turns 19! But since he heads to MTC tomorrow we decided to do Birthday and Christmas together. Never to be done again! Here he opens his very nice & sturdy umbrella...after all he's going to Oregon!
Here he sits with all his goods! He's all dressed up because in a little while we head to the Stake President's office to set him apart as an LDS Missionary!

Hayley got him a couple very cool hats!

He got her feather earrings & other fun stuff too! She was excited!

Another cool hat!

See...I told ya, pretty cool! He loved it!

Here he poses in all his gear! Coat, Hat, Backpack! Now off we go to get him official! He's so excited...now if Mom could just quit crying!

Farewell Open House

Hadley...one of Parker's best friends. They spent many many hours recording beatboxing video's to upload onto You Tube! These 2 will miss each other a lot!
Matt Green, Jordan Smith & Kerry Burnett. These 4 had a great time in high school! Jordan will have his mission papers in in the spring of 2012 & Kerry in summer 2012.
It's good to have great friends!!!

Elder Bowen & Elder Parker...currently serving in our area. They spent a lot of time with Parker and gave him a lot of advise...in return he gave them a lot of rides! Elder Bowen just came out at Thanksgiving...so he's not far ahead of Parker. We love these guys!

Setting up the Tree...

Parker had a tough time with this today...he was very quiet. I finally asked him what was wrong & then it hit me...last Christmas a home for 2 years...He had a tough time putting up the tree this year. I am so glad we only miss 1 Christmas with him...he gets to come home right before Christmas when he's done with his Mission.
Hayley on the other hand got the TV Dish playing Christmas music and was totally in the mood for the tree...soon there'd be presents!!

He's feeling it...He'll miss these dogs!

We've had Sasha since Parker was 5! She's getting old and she's sick. He kinda hopes she dies while he's gone so he doesn't have to deal with it. Thanks! But he loves this Jessie! Made me promise not to get rid of her while he's gone! She is beautiful and we love her, but I love her more outside or sound asleep on the living room floor! He took pictures of them with him & I noticed the one of Jessie is front & center on his desk.

Princess Tea!!!

It's just such a neat thing. Poky's Show Choir gets to take on the rolls of several Disney Prince & Princesses. Then it's a huge deal in the community and quite spendy too. Little girls get all dressed up and come spend an afternoon or evening with a Prince or Princess. They get to eat with them, do crafts with them and get pictures with them and see a show!
Here they are escorted down the staircase...

Hayley waits in line to greet the little girls!

Hayley goes to Co-Ed dance 2011

A little out of order maybe...but here's the photo's of the big day! Parker deserved to eat at the event since he helped set it all up. And...Elder Owens & Elder Parker got stiffed for their dinner appointment, so they joined us too! Thus the table on the side!
Hayley went with Spencer Jesse. Oh and if he wasn't the absolute perfect date! He was so fun & such a gentleman all day & night! They had a blast!

Here the group of 8 dates all sit around the table for dinner! It looked fancy, but dinner was Salad, Pizza & Cupcakes.

Here's Spencer posing....

Spencer and Hayley are the first to arrive for dinner! They were so surprized at how beautiful it was! Mom did a pretty good job!

Their theme was Winter Wonderland. So, I decided I'd do the decorations. Silver tablecloths with white tule for the girls chairs. They had square gray plates with white salad plates. Lighted trees and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. Parker was a huge help for that part!

Hayley and her best friend ever...Kylee Miller got ready together.
They are both absolutely beautiful!!!

In the morning, the girls all kidnapped the boys and took them to play football and then come back to our house for sugar cookie decorating and hot chocolate! Then they snuggled with blankets and their treats and watched ELF. They had a blast. Here's the cookie fun!

The guys!!! Spencer is the goofy one in front!

And....the girls!!!