Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Ashton and His Sisters.

Ashton is so patient with his sisters. Here he is trying to get Kamryn to laugh, which the video does not do justice. She was giggling uncontrollably. Rylyn gets jealous and wants to play. Since he is saying ouch, why not give him something to say ouch for?

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Katie's progress with Harley

Ryan has his bird; I have mine. Perhaps a little symbolic of their people...Harley is prettier and smarter too. Just kidding goosey boy. Goose says "Puff up they hate that" while holding his breath and expanding his chest. Harley says "Ha Ha" in his best Simpsons impression.

Gooses Geeses I want a golden goose that lays golden eggs for Easter!

Without My Jeep.

Oh what would life be
without my Jeep & me?
Why a Jeep you say
because he likes it that way.

Fixing anything I ask
always upto the task.
My Jeep never seems to age
just a different roll cage.

Tires have seen some wear
showing how he must care.
Over any hill he will climb,
never willingly left behind.

Rough exterior to boot
and when topless so cute!
It's me my Jeep adores,
as I tease him while he snores.

I love my Jeep more than ever,
it helps that he is so clever.
Here without my Jeep?
only because he is asleep.

Each minute alone without
leaves me in no doubt,
I would rust away inside
if left alone without to ride.


Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Harley's Bad Day.



Harley was in a bad mood this morning. He bit me several times and wouldn't let me put him down. Ryan had to come get him off me. Ryan helped me after lunch try again and he was blushing and throwing up for me, Harley not Ryan, and for you non-bird people that's a good thing. This would explain the aggresive behavior, since birds are a bit like school boys when they like a girl. Pull her hair a few times and get noticed more. Good or bad it's all the same in Elementary and bird.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Growing Up Park.

I wanted everyone to get a glimpse of what it meant to grow up a Park. This is written by my younger brother John Park!
“Gaining a Brother”
Growing up it wasn’t a chaotic house hold with several siblings, cats, dogs, and horses that hinted mine was a non nuclear family. It was a basic concept taught by my parents that our family tree branches out farther than immediate siblings. This concept showed that people, who were once strangers, could become important family members; it rocked the boat of the traditional family myth.
One particular addition to my family tree, ending with one of the worst tragedies my family has ever known, brought new meaning to the concept. While my family was still in a massive upset, from my dad’s death, my brother, David, asked our mom if his 18 year old friend, Chuck, who was on bad terms with his own family, could stay with us for just a few days. Dave explained tensions in his friend’s family, reached a breaking point. One day, when he took Chuck home, they pulled up to his house to find all of his belongings in two trash bags sitting on his front porch and the front door locked. Chuck’s hypocritical family, who claimed to be so loving, sent him a clear message. Upon the discovery that he no longer had a home or a family for that matter, Chuck frantically said “I have no where to go what am I suppose to do?” Dave replied “You WILL come live with us.” Even though Dave assured that his friend was a good person, our mom was worried sick about whether or not she could help Chuck without our dad and if it wasn’t good timing for the family. Ultimately, Dave’s judgment was trusted and Chuck moved in with us.
This new character around the house quickly showed that he was unique. After all, who has the guts to approach and hit on a large group of girls all at once using an introduction of, “Hello my name’s Chuck Diggity!”? Well the very same guy who gets his self proclaimed nickname tattooed on his lower back in big bold letters D-I-G-G-I-T-Y. Chuck was one of those few people who could be an absolute trouble maker and have everyone love him for it.
In the midst of endless conflicts with his own family, Chuck learned, to become OUR brother. One learning experience happened on his 19th birthday. The day started off horribly. The only thing he received from his birth family was missionary clothing and accessories, to express their cruel disappointment that he did not go on a mission. Later on, a depressing day took a turn for the best; Chuck was walking out of the front door when our mom asked him to come into the kitchen. “Surprise!” the entire family jumped out of hiding to throw him a classic Park family birthday party. Pictures from that party do not lie; Chuck was emotional and teary eyed the entire time. Shortly after the party he finally let loose his emotions and cried over how much this simple party meant to him. Chuck told Dave “I don’t get how your family can care about me like that”.
To be part of our family, it takes more than just having us care about a person, that person, needs to care about the rest of us. It became apparent this was the case when, some of the people, Dave and Chuck hung out with started getting into the wrong things. At one point, while in a house full of druggies, Chuck got mad about cocaine being brought over. He demanded Dave leave with him. Chuck threatened the druggies, who were bigger and older than him, with choice words, that they were to never come around Dave again or he would make them regret it. Now, it was definitely clear, Chuck, would look after and protect family members, even if it meant being willing to fight a room full of druggies.
After years of being in our family, Chuck got married and then entered the Marine Corps, to give himself direction. Years of pain and trials in his life came to a climax after a devastating fight with his wife. Chuck committed suicide. The largest tragedy next to my dad’s death crushed our family. Our brother died September 5th 2006 in the desert of 29 Palms California. The words “I wish he didn’t do it” barely begin to express the feelings of remorse over this tragedy. There are in fact, no words to describe the aches and pains that my family and I feel in our hearts. The expressions of “I love him so much” and “I miss him” will have to do.
This bitter loss is an everlasting, sealing, testimony that Chuck was part of our family. My family and I could never hurt so much over someone’s death unless, that person, was indeed our brother. The bond and love that we have for Chuck will never break. He is a member of this family because of how much he will always mean to us and what we mean to him. We can’t wait to see him again.
Chuck is the one on the far left below.

Winter Storm Watch


When they say winter storm watch in Utah pay attention! My mom drove down with my neices and nephew to visit on a winter storm watch day and couldn't get home until the next morning. The power was out half the night, and we had so much fun. They shut down I-15 and people had to stay in their cars or the Hampton Inn at Thanksgiving Point. Look at our house it was blowing so hard it covered all our windows so you couldn't see out. It was a blizzard!

IT'S HARLEY DAY!

Today is Harley day in the Hellewell home. Around 11 years ago I raised two Macaws from naked baby hatchlings. My favorite was a Harlequin Macaw I named Harley. My Mom and Dad had bought the eggs and while waiting for them to hatch my dad passed away. He was going to be the one to raise the Macaws, because my mom is allegic to baby bird formula. Since my Dad wasn't there I was asked to raise the babies. I was 18 years old, and very excited and nervous to take this job on. The babies had to be fed every hour the first two weeks then every two hours and working down until they were weaned several months later.
I loved my birds more than I had expected, but I wasn't at a point in life where I could spend time with them. I started College full-time in the fall and was working part-time. They were not happy being alone all day. I decided in spring 1998 that they needed someone who had more time for them. It took months to find homes for them. Several people wanted Harley, but he was so attatched to me he didn't take to them. Then a guy came along that Harley liked, but I was nervous about Harley's choice. Ron had never owned a pet and lived in an appartment with his wife and daughter. Ron made payments over the next three months, visiting weekly. By the time Harley was ready to go I felt like they had been fully prepared and were ready. I drove Harley to his new home, set up his cage, and said good-bye. I kept their number and called to check a couple times until he was well adjusted.
Two years passed and in the summer of 2000 life had changed. I was married and staying home with our 6 month old Mason. I called to make sure my birds were still happy and see if there was any chance of having them back. When I called on Harley I had a heartbreak. They had sold him 6 months before. Ron didn't explain why, and had no response when I reminded him of our agreement to call me if anything was ever not working out. I suspect money problems and to him the bird was cash.
Then in January 2008 we saw a Harlequin Macaw on KSL.com. Since a Harlequin Macaw is a hybrid of a Blue and Gold and a Greenwing macaw they are somewhat rare. I had to check but it was with no real hope. We emailed and come to find out it's Harley! It had been 10 years since I had seen him. We visited him at his home, and found that he had a wonderful family after all. He was in full feather, a happy well adjusted bird. After three visits we decided we wanted him to be a part of our family. We had to save up to buy him, so Mason asked if he could buy Harley for me. He used all his piggy bank money adding up to $20 to go in on the bird with Ryan. Between Ryan and Mason they bought the bird for me!

In light of finding Harley and having him come back to me I have to say My Heavenly Father loves me. He knows me personally. He cares for my happiness. I also know that Ryan and Mason love me! Thank you so much guys! It is with great joy and much expression I say...
"It's Harley Day!"

Thursday, February 14, 2008

We're Famous!

Check this out. Our friend, Ian, looked us up on google maps and there is not only a picture of our house, but us! I am veeeerrrrry prego with Kamryn pushing a wheel barrow, Ashton is playing in the dirt, and Ryan is putting the sprinklers in the yard. Ha ha who knew such a trivial thing would be captured forever and posted online without our say so. Watch what you do in your yards when google maps drives by. The funny thing...I remember seeing them drive by and telling Ryan we were going to be famous.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

New Table?



Ryan and I have been wanting to get a new table since our out dated white 6" tile top one didn't match our kitchen with the black appliances. We have looked and looked but couldn't find one we liked the looks and price of. We came to the decision that painting it black and retiling it would be better than nothing, so here it is. I actually like it better than all the tables we looked at and it cost under $100?!?

Monday, February 11, 2008

Time to Mop!




"What are you guys doing?"

Today Ashton and Rylyn decided to well... baptize the bathroom. I am downstairs working on Taxes when I here running water and laughing. I wait hoping they are being good, thinking since they are happy I should get some work done. After about 5 minutes and a lot more laughing I decide it's time to check. Oops should have checked sooner. I guess it's time to mop the floor, and the walls, and the ceiling, and the counter, heck let's just mop the kids too. Just check out the pictures if you think I exagerate.



Thursday, February 7, 2008

A Family That Plays Together Stays Together!


I thought our family moto would be an appropriate way to start our family Blog page. We try to live by this as much as possible. It is our goal when the kids grow up they are eachothers best friends and want to hang out with us as much as possible. Last night is an example of one of the good times. We spontaneously started playing hide-and-go-seek and it turned into an hour of fun. Ryan takes the most creative hiding place award with putting Mason(7) in the linen closet on the top shelf under a pillow, Ashton(3) in the cupboard under the bathroom sink, and Rylyn in the stuffed animals with only her had sticking out. Not all nights are this way of course tonight was not so much fun with the bed time business of "I can't sleep cuz Daddy's not home" "My stomach hurts" "I want a sippy cup." Grumpy mommies don't make good playmates.