Parker Lee Thompson in Nauvoo

Time is counting down for us, and multiple "things" have prevented timely additions to my blog. No need in burdening you, my faithful reader, with the reasons for this delay. I promised in my last entry that this would contain loads of stories and pictures of our newest grandson, Parker.

Parker Lee Thompson

 So, how do you describe the first time you see your grandson? We left on our mission knowing that he would come while we were gone, and that was a tough thing to consider. I remember the day he was born, May 7th, 2013. I prayed every day that he would come before the 9th (my birthday). The day he came I was working in the gardens--furiously weeding and trying not to worry. Finally we got a call from Brent with a picture of him holding little Parker in his arms. They were so good to follow up with lots of pictures and opportunities to Skype. . . . but I wanted to hold him!!

At 13 months, Parker came to visit us here in Nauvoo. He was a live-wire of activity and garbled, verbal thoughts, and I had to literally "catch" him to hold him. He was cold and wet and hungry here, so Grandma's lap looked pretty good.

Whenever he looked at Grandpa or me, he was pretty serious-faced, but his mom and dad brought out the smiles and he made a beeline for them. But we got the kisses whenever they left us, and he was getting the hang of waving "goodbye".  Now we can't wait to get to know him better when we return home. 

Yes, he does look like his dad in a few ways, but mostly he is just a sweet, little boy who has two wonderful parents. As time goes by, he will develop his own personality and ways that we will cherish. 

We spent our time playing a new card game, eating whatever we wanted, and just trying to find every spare moment to spend together here in Nauvoo. We performed our vignette as Peter and Abigail in "Rendezvous" for them, and I think they got a kick out of our lack of theatrical skills. We also made it about half way through our performance of "Sunset by the Mississippi" when we had a downpour. Look at these drowned rats . . .

Parker was not sure at first as the thunder rolled and large drops of rain hit him, but his mom and dad convinced him that this was actually "fun".

We went to Hannibal, Missouri, one day. Ashley had been there as a youth with her family, and she became our tour guide as we wandered the streets and visited a lighthouse overlooking the Mississippi. We enjoyed seeing where Mark Twain grew up and it was fun to envision what it might have been like during those important riverboat days. We took a riverboat ride and got to see the river as he would have seen it. Truly, it is "the Big Muddy".

Ashley and Brent made it to all the sites here while we worked. We went on a carriage ride with one of our favorite teamsters, Elder Swapp. His testimony of this place and of the restoration of the gospel comes through loud and clear as he tells of the early settlers of this area and their sacrifices to build the temple and to serve the Lord.

On Sunday afternoon, we had a great time playing in the water here by the RV. Parker started off fully clothed, but by the time it was over he was naked, but loving it all.


Before they left, they came to the Women's Garden where I was working. Don't they make a perfect happy family?

He was pretty fascinated by the cute little girl who was just his size. He liked putting his fingers in our mouths, and hers was open and inviting!

A couple of weeks ago I felt I needed to wash windows--it was hard to watch his fingerprints disappear. They might come off of a window with a little scrubbing, but they can't be removed from our hearts ! And think of all the
fun times to come in Virgin--many, many fingerprints. . . .

Thank you, Brent and Ashley!