An Update From Columbus Ohio

Spring has officially arrived here in Columbus and I love it, and because I love it I decided to do a random post with all the things we have been up to lately.
Easter-

For Easter this year Scottie and I decided to have some of our fellow med one friends come over for a big Easter dinner. I had an extra turkey and decided having everyone over to enjoy it would be a good way to get rid of it, and to celebrate this important holiday. Each couple brought something to share...and I think we had an incredible Easter Feast. It was so much fun to be with such close friends on this holiday, (especially when we were missing our families). So thanks to you all for coming, and we hope to make this a tradition for many years to come!

The Gals (and Shane of course)

The Bros

Tulips- Who would have known that such a simple thing can create so much joy! So back in September when I started going to gardening club my friend Kendall hosted the club and featured growing tulips and other spring flowers. She gave each one of us some tulip bulbs and wished us luck in planting them. Well I rushed home...much to Scottie's surprise...and planted them with a spoon... (that was the part Scottie was Surprised about). Well me being an unbeliever didn't really think they would bloom in the spring. BUT get this about two weeks ago I came home from work to discover this.

Each day since then has been filled with excitement as I come out the door in the morning on my way to work, or when I come around the corner on my way home from work. I have loved watching my tulips bloom and smile every time I look at them... So remember to enjoy the simple things in life and be a believer.

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Plus I just have to say how much I love Spring, there is just something in the air that makes everyone happier. I went on my usual run on Friday and realized all the trees are in bloom, the grass was green, and the air smelled like SPRING!!! I just felt at home here in Columbus and was grateful for the beautiful Earth God has created for our enjoyment.

Gardening/Cooking Club-I was the host for April. I planned my activity on food storage and quick and easy recipes. We each shared recipes and brought samples to share...so we had lots of yummy food. It was super fun, and we had a good turn out too!

Playing the Food Storage Guessing Game

Having FUN!!!

Here's the YUMMY FOOD

New foods- I did something new the other day for dinner. I made sweet and sour chicken. It was a winner, we both loved it.

And last but not least, I gave in a made cookie dough (It has been more than 6 months). Scottie walked in the kitchen and this is what he discovered. What can I say I love cookie dough.

The END!

My Little Bro's Wedding March 2009

On March 20, 2009 my little brother Andrew married his childhood sweetheart Jill Fuller (now Hansen). Scottie and I were blessed to be there for this wonderful event (thanks to my parents), and now I want to share my experience with you all, so enjoy as usual!!! We were blessed to have spring break the same time they decided to have the wedding so Scottie didn’t have to miss med school…yes for us. OK here it goes..and the trip started out interesting so pay attention.
Tuesday- we fly out to Washington- this is probably the most anticipated plane ride I have ever had because I had a connecting flight with my sister and her two adorable kids. So I was able to spend some time with them before the other relatives could interfere LOL. Priceless!
Jordie giving me a hug after opening his Birthday present

Here the interesting part: We live in between two airports and my brother (yes the one getting married) went to the wrong one to pick us up…you can only imagine he had his mind on other things. So dad came to the rescue and we stayed in a hotel up at Mt. Vernon. (You can only imagine the teasing my brother will get for years to come LOL. Love you Andrew)
Wednesday-Only day in Washington not sick- We spent the day chatting as a family and preparing for the big day. We had to keep the family tradition alive of going out to eat at Applebees, so we did…and this is where the sick part came in
Thursday-FOOD POISIONING!!!-So I woke up at 4am throwing up…well having problems in both ends. The last time I can remember throwing up was when I was 10 so this was no FUN. My sweet incredible husband laid by my side all day long and took care of my every need…he even held my hair up as the prayed to the porcelain bowl (AKA toilet). My love for Scottie grew so much…and I appreciate him so much!
He offered to give me a blessing and I know it is because of his blessing that I was able to go to Andrew’s wedding, luncheon, and reception, and have an incredible time. I am so grateful to have a husband who is worthy to hold the priesthood and act in God’s name!
Friday- The BIG Day- Andrew and Jill were married and it was perfect…see pics above in slideshow (thanks Scottie for remembering to take pics). They were married in the Portland Temple and the weather held out for them…meaning no rain. They had their luncheon at Mary McCranks and then their reception that night. It was a blast and the Fuller family dance was probably my favorite part.
Saturday Sunday and Monday- All good…I saw two life long friends Kari and Kelli who I haven’t seen forever. Spent priceless time with my family, and savored the moments of just being home. And I just realized this is becoming a long post so I must end.
Thanks for reading it all if you did.
My old "roomie" Kelli

I had a wonderful time with my family. It was the first time we were all together in over two years. (family- I love you all so very much and I am so grateful we are sealed together to be a forever family).

Brazilian Party

Here are some of the guys...doing the famous thumbs up pose

Some friends in our ward decided to throw a party for all the people (spouses invited) who served missions in Brazil. We all made Brazilian dishes and then had a big buffet. It was a lot of fun and a wonderful idea. Thanks Jenny Harris for always throwing such great parties. Here is the Hostess and the famous guarana drink

Scottie hard at work!!! We made feijoada

Angie and the dumpster

Well, after many months of Angie trying to get me to post on the blog, I am finally doing it. She has asked me to post since August, here goes nothing. Enjoy.

So the other day angie was getting ready to go for a run and had to go throw some garbage away in the dumpster and clean out the vaccuum filter. To clean the filter, we usually hit the filter on the side of the dumpster until all the dust and stuff comes out of it. Well I was sitting in the office reading and I looked up out the window just in time to watch her hit the filter twice and then watch it slip out of her hand and fall into the dumpster. I laughed a bit and thought she would come up to get me, but to my delight, she looked left and right and then decided to climb in herself, so naturally, my reaction was to go grab the camera. I managed to catch her in the dumpster then she noticed me filming and did a show.

Good times dumpster diving in Columbus.

And Angie getting out of the dumpster.

Then she still cleaned the filter after she got out.

77 degrees and we're lovin it!

HOLY COW it was 77 degrees today. Scottie and I almost didn't know what to do with ourselves. I knew we had to be outside and enjoy this heat wave so guess what we did???
We had our own Parker Family sporting event. We used our big front yard and hit some golf balls, played catch, and even threw the pig skin around.
Needless to say we loved the warm...well I should say hot weather today.

Passing the Praxis

ME CELEBRATING...I did it!!!!!!

Not many knew but I have been studying for two of the hardest tests of my life for the past 4 months, and now the results are in...I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Utah required different praxis tests, so when I moved to Ohio I had to take on two different ones. Passing these tests will hopefully help me get a teaching job out here so keep your fingers crossed...I miss teaching so much...and it would be a dream come true if i could teach again...so wish me luck!!!

Scottie and I went out to my favorite restaurant to celebrate when we got my scores

Random Pics

So I haven't been a good blogger lately, but I realized it is because I haven't been a good picture
taker...So here are the few that I have.

Scottie surprised me and took me to the Ohio State Hockey game. It was our first hockey game together and was a lot of fun.

Here is the Medical Student

Scottie has been hard at work here at OSU and I am proud to say he has completely rocked his first year as a medical student. I have been impressed with his work ethic and how successful he has been. Scottie even has found time to volunteer at the free clinic and gets practice screening patients. Keep it up babe you rock!!!

FRIENDS

I just got off the phone with one of my best friends and I realized I am so blessed to have such amazing friends no matter where I live. I am so grateful to my friends from Washington who went through all of those crazy school years with me, and to my pals that went with me to BYU and to the friends/roomies I met and lived with in Utah. We sure became like family to each other and I think we will always feel that way (thanks for being there for me ALWAYS!!!) I am especailly grateful for the people I have met here in Ohio, we have grown so close already and I am so happy for the fun times we are able to have with each other during this eventful time of our lives. I feel like the Lord has always blessed me to know amazing people who have touched my live in so many ways... So this post is to all of you (not just the ones pictured) who have touched my life and who have been my friend.

I love you all!!!

SCOTTIE VS THE BUZZERS

Scottie decided it was time to give himself a hair cut

BEFORE

AFTER

I couldn't believe how different he looked, hope you were surprised too!!!

Scottie has been a wild man out here in Ohio and hasn't given himself a hair cut for about 4 months!!! The before picture is what he looked like the other night...then he decided it was time to shock everyone and buzzed his hair all off. He has gotten all different types of reactions... one of my personal favorites was when I ran into him at work and I didn't recognize him myself!!! He also had a lot of fun cutting his hair, so I decided to make a slideshow of the crazy event!

Christmas Break

Christmas in Washington

The Family Tree... looks like we were good this year

This year Scottie and I celebrated Christmas in Washington with my family. We were able to spend ten days with my family, and we loved every minute of our time there. Break always seems to go by so quickly... and then you have to re-adjust to real life... maybe that is way I am so late in getting my pics posted. I hope you enjoy.

Our tradition of lining up youngest to the oldest before we can go in the living room and look at the tree

Good lookin boys... in new coats

New boots...I am excited

Andrew must have been really good this year...Santa brought him a new snowboard

Here are lots of fun random pictures of our trip. We ate lots of really good food (thanks to mom's good cooking),played lots of Nintendo wii, saw some good friends, enjoyed lots of time with the family, and had the first white Christmas in Washington that I can ever remember!!!

Washington got the most snow they have ever received this winter, so I took lots of pictures around the house to document this historical event... we had about two feet of snow at my house.

My most favorite dog in the world with me in the back of our house

The Front

Look at all the SNOW... I can't believe it

Our Christmas day feast...well before we ate

US all at Applebees a Wednesday night tradition

And last but not least, a picture of Andrew and his finance Jill. Andrew proposed to Jill, his high school sweetheart on Christmas day... Congrats you two. SIDENOTE: I couldn't get Andrew to take a serious picture the whole trip so this one will have to work out. They are getting married on March 21st... so that is when our next Washington trip will be. That's all for now folks.