Our Christmas Card 2008



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Feliz Navidad

December 23, 2008
FELIZ NAVIDAD

MERRY CHRISTMAS so this week has been awesome so far and its only been one day we had the Christmas Activity yesturday with the whole mission it was amazing. I got to see my old comps and I hung out with Trevor Irvine he´s from the STG if you didn´t know which is sweet it was super fun though we played basketball and it was awesome. I need to apoligize right now the "mail" is taking a super long time to send my Christmas package off dang "mail system" I haven´t got your package yet its at the zone leaders house 2 hours away but I did get a package from the Mujeres Jovenes So you can tell them thanks because I might not oh and the scriptures are great I haven´t read them but I´m sure there great or they wouldn´t be scriptures. So you should Send some Emails to my freinds and wish them a Merry Christmas for me :) I´m super excited for Christmas tomorow we go to perilillo and have Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning were not sure on calling times but I´m going to say about 3 so check what that is your time. What else I guess not to much I´ll be talking to you Thursday so no hay problema alli. Um and P day next week is on wed. not mon. and I´ll have some better advice on Fam. Issues then so anyway communication is just the most important thing. So its Snowing thats no fair I go away for one year and some sweat snow comes in. Most importantly right now is have a Merry Christmas!
Con MUCHISIMO Amor, Elder Parker

*You can email Elder Parker, but he cannot email back..he can write so include your mailing address in your email and be patient!
cparker12@myldsmail.com

Voy a quedarse!! Chase get's to stay in Pichilemu!

Latest Email from Monday December 15th
¡I´m staying in PICHILEMU! my new companion is Elder Nelson he seems way sweet so far.
I assume that's Brittany Jenkins and is James Hesch really Buff? cuz if he is, I know him-He went to my school, weird. (after sending announcement pics) That is him! That's weird. It's sweet Brice Schall got his call to Mexico.
So I sent my old comp off Today and got my new one woohoo. He´s off to Santiago and will live in the same house as my old comp Elder Harris I´m just going to buy a calling card down here so don´t worry about it. and I´ll probably call sometime Christmas so ya know Anyway Elder Nelson seems sweet so far, so that's good. He's from Arizona and yeah I wanted a Latino tambien but this´ll do it'll be pretty sweet. I spent most of today traveling but it´s all right. Anyway nothing really new happened around here in the last week just cambios. So, is Frosty up and Santa too. Bryce is wack if he´s trying to be scrooge. Christmas is the best. I can´t wait for the Navidad thing next week. The whole mission gets together and plays basketball and futból and stuff it´ll be the best. Anyway now I´m just waiting to get that package:) I really don´t think there is much else to say you´ll probably get something from me someday:) well that's about all I can think of chao que le vaya bien! EP

Keanan's Turns 8! Dec. 4th

Keanan at the ripe old age of eight. (my baby's 8!-how did that happen?) Dad made a huge #8 pizza, and we had carrot cake and ice home made ice cream. On his birthday.
Family gathered to help him celebrate.

Two things Keanan loves most are Lego and Star Wars.. he must have blown those candles just right this year, because his wish was granted.

Being eight brings added blessing to Keanan as he was also baptized (Bryce did the honors) and Kelly confirmed him the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

All the Parker's gathered to witness and celebrate this momentous occasion.

A picture with Grandpa and Sharon who came from Meadow to share and to be there for Uncle John to be set apart as a counselor in his Bishopbric.

John, Amy, Kaden, Brennan, Shailee (next one to be baptized) Anson and Jaron all there to support Keanan. He was also fortunate to have many friends and family in attendance for that special occasion. Dustin and Serene gave the talks, and Serene pulled double duty performing a musical number.."The Holy Ghost". It was all lovely. Grandma Stewart, teachers, primary leaders, friends & Brother Andrus from the bishopbric and yes his brother's and sister were all there to share the evening together. We know may other's were there in spirit as well. We are surely blessed with a lot of love and great support of great people.

Big News in a Small Bundle

The Best things DO come in small packages. It's great fun to have and hold this bundle of Baby Boy. He's certainly a popular little fellow in our family.

Austin is growing fast and we are all hanging out with him as much as possible, trying to get our snuggles and catch him awake and alert



Baby Austin arrived Friday November 28th the day after Thanksgiving. And no one was more thankful than Meagan! He weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. Sporting dark hair and baby steel blue eyes (for the time being.)



Mikaela is pretty happy about having here baby brother home. She is wearing the Cinderella princess dress he gave her as his coming home present!

(he likes to sleep a lot!) Mike says he got the "Chase gene" in the sleepy department.

He was down to 6# 13 oz when he came home from the hospital.. but was a hefty 7# 10oz at his week old Doctor appointment! And longer too. Yes we are proud grandparents/uncles! (respectively) and we are so happy to live near all the excitement.

Happily Ever After

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And the Big News for the Parker Family is the Latest New Parker Family created
Dustin and Serene Parker were married Thursday 16 October 2008. What a wonderful occasion that was for all of us. We started off the Day in our beautiful St. George Temple at 10:40 am where Dustin and Serene were married and sealed for Time and All Eternity. It was a gorgeous fall day in Utah's Dixie (low 80's) as the new couple emerged from the glimmering cut glass doors; met with family friends and loved ones some with cameras, and oh yeah, the photographers. An hour or two of photographs and it was time to feed a hungry crowd. We met at the chapel in Bloomington for the best wedding luncheon this side of Rio de Janeiro. Feasting on Brazilian delights including what else, Rice and Beans (Feijaoda) Pastais, (small meat pies), Coxhinas, (Chicken balls, salads and Guarana..oh and Cake! Brigideiro (chocolate) or Beijinohs (coconut). And Elder Parker was there in tow.. (in a manner of speaking.) He was a favorite guest at the open-house as well. The open house was a great place to see so many more old friends and new friends alike and more family too. We have had a full fall thus far and it is rapidly moving into the Holidays now with Halloween around the corner, busy making costumes, and having Birhdays and making plans to welcome our nephew/grandson into the world sometime near the end of November or first part of December. Que legal!!! (how great!!!)

Elder Parker's October 27th Letter from Pichilemu, Chile

So I wrote a great letter but I lost it all when I tried to send It, it´s pretty dumb. Ok so what I forgot to tell you last week is that I saw a penguin here it was totally awesome, it was dead and washed up on the beach but it was awesome. It´s crazy that Brittany´s engaged thats nuts. Oh and I gave my first Blessing for the sick ever and yeah it was in Spanish it was a little crazy woof but it over now. And I saw Dustins Father in Law the other day It was crazy I´m just sitting here in Chile eating lunch with a family and there he is right in front of me and it was nuts (oh and I just so happened to be watching "To this end was I born" at the time I saw Him. If your saying I´m a scriptorian my response is Alma 30:38 the coolest think I did this week was put out candles with my fingers I learned it because we´ve been out of power for 10 days now in the house so we use candles but Its all good we´re moving Wednesday which is sweet also on WEdnesday its the surfing world championships here in Pichilemu the waves are going to be like 50 feet high it´ll be sweet. also we had interviews this week with Pres. Resek He´s a super cool guy, he´s super sweet he just expects us to do whats right cuz were missionaries he´s not a stickler on stupid stuff and for all those who thought Coke would be banned and stuff its not I drink it like everyday its Chilean Water oh and tell Mike the coffee is great and you can get it in the states an Elder was telling me about it and Mate is good I might really get into that soon, mmmm que rico yeah its all good in Pichilemu for Bryce: WHo dumped who and was she like the people in outer darkness D&C 101:91 or where you? yeah I voted I feel so patriotic yeah!!!!!!!!! and tell Keanan to write me I´ll be his little personal shrink this isn´t as comprehensive as my other letter but hopefully it will send with love EP

And the Big News for the Parker Family is the Latest New Parker Family created
Dustin and Serene Parker were married Thursday 16 October 2008. What a wonderful occasion that was for all of us. And Elder Parker was there in tow.. in a manor of speaking. He was a favorite guest to be sure. We have had a full fall thus far and it is rapidly moving into the Holidays now with Halloween around the corner, busy making costumes, and having Birhdays and making plans to welcome our nephew/grandson into the world sometime near the end of November or first part of December. Que legal!!! (how great!!!)

Chase's first installment from inside the MTC

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Parker Family Reunion 22 July 2008

This is quite an occasion, to have everybody in one place at the same time...that is all the Roy & Norine Neilson PARKER family with extended family members included. It was special to honor Aunt Ella and her 98th birthday (born 18 August 1910) And Uncle Darrell Neilson also attending along with Jean, Roy's neice & Son Dave plus a few other new faces.. to be detailed later, maybe. (ha, ha)

Elder Chase S. Parker

Elder Parker loves getting mail... here's how to keep in touch with him

Chase’s Mailing addresses:

(Mission Office for pkg. and full overseas
postage rates -able to include enclosures)
Elder Chase Stewart Parker
Chile Rancagua Mission
German Riesco 230 Suite 703
Rancagua
Chile

POUCH(single page letters only- U.S.
first class postage stamp, tri-fold,
no envelopes or enclosures)
Elder Chase Stewart Parker
Pouch Chile Rancagua Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City Utah 84130-0150
USA

Keanan 7, is finishing up 1st grade and is a published author. He wrote and illustrated a fascinating book all about "Dragon's" He is also here with some highlights from first grade. He loves his teacher Miss Buckner. He is an awesome reader!

Blake's Cub Scout Skit the Old Lady had a V8

Blake's cub pack took first place for their skit, at the Scout Expo in April.
He was the little old lady who lucky for her, had her V8 for the day! His pack also took 2nd place overall for the Ultimate Unit Award.

Chase's Mission Call

Chase received his call to the Chile, Rancagua Mission, (formerly Santiago South Mission) and leaves for the Missionary Training Center, in Provo, Utah July 23rd 2008. He will spend about 3 months there and then off to Chile he goes. It will be springtime in Chile when he arrives. His area extends from the Andes to the Atlantic Coast, and about as far south as 90 miles south of Santiago. We anticipate lots of news from central Chile over the next two years and will be passing it along.

Audries Grave site One Year Later

We passed the one year mark Feb. 1st of Baby Audrie's passing.
A sad time, yet we are blessed and filled with gratitude to have here in our family and in our lives. We are thankful to know we will be together again someday and though we miss her we are able to move ahead and do a lot of good things here in her honor and look forward to that time when we will all be together again.

As of January 2008 Dustin was a student at BYU Hawaii. I know it sounds rough. And if you don't feel sorry for him now, maybe the fact that he is a stagehand at the Polynesian Cultural Center for the night show will access more sympathy for him. But what he has been able to see and do have been quite the experience for him. He returned home April 25th to work and start chunking off the pre-requisites for a degree in Architecture here in St George for now at Dixie State. We are glad to have him home. I know St. George is not the Hawaiian Paradise, but close as you can get in Utah.

We took Dustin and Chase to the Carribean /Mexican Riviera in August for fun in the sun and sand and some deserved R&R. A graduation gift, one long overdue for one.

Grandpa Tom and Jake (our Newest Family addition)

Jake Ryan Varner, was born July 18th 2007Here with Mom, Kori already a huge Trojan Fan go CSU!!!
and Grandma Kim
Catching the game

Chase earns his Eagle Scout

Chase's Eagle Project was planting trees at Dixie State College 's Hansen Stadium and cleaning up around Hurst Baseball Field.
be advised: trees and actual work were heavier and more difficult than they appear!
All his hard work and anticipation come to fruition as Chase is awarded his Eagle Scout,
He did his project in May and had his board of review in June and his Eagle Court in December

Meagan, Mike and Mikaela

Mike is selling our hot properties here in Utah's Dixie with Unison Realty, while Meagan is settling into their new home in Bloomington Hills. Mikaela is dancing and swimming and busy doing all sorts of "Big Girl" activities. Mikeala and Audrie help make the Campbell's home like heaven on earth.

Parkers at a Glance

Settling in to the new school year and all the activities that come with the territory.
We are coming off a hot summer full of mini vacations and visitors birthdays and more.
Kelly's losing pounds and inches, Wendy's losing her mind.
Dustin's in school at Dixie State and preparing to attend BYU Hawaii in January '08.
Chase "The Working Man" is all that! Working for $$$, saving for his mission, Working up a sweat working out, or home work..the kind parents require, he's learning all about life after graduation! Bryce is a Soph. at Dixie High and keeps busy with Band, Scouts, homework and various projects. He is ready now to begin working on his Eagle Project..when he figures out what that will be. Blake is 9, a Bear Cub and in 3rd grade.
He enjoys his new tumbling class. And is also in piano lessons. He is an avid reader. Keanan 6, loves 1st grade and piano lessons and tumbling too. He just learned to do a back handspring. He loves to swim whenever he can.