Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Christmas Storybook December 24th


"For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles..And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary." - Mosiah 3:5,8

Song of the Day: Silent Night (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)



Story of the Day: Christmas; or The Good Fairy by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Christmas Storybook December 23rd


"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." - Matthew 2:1-2

Song of the Day: With Wondering Awe (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)



Story of the Day: The Gift of Love by Thomas S. Monson

Christmas Storybook December 22nd


"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." - Luke 2:12-14

Song of the Day: We Three Kings of Orient Are (link contains PDF of sheet music)



Story of the Day: A Boy Learns a Lesson by Thomas Monson

Christmas Storybook December 21st

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:8-11

Song of the Day: When Joseph Went to Bethlehem (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the Day: The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke

Christmas Storybook December 20th


"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:4-7

Song of the Day: Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the Day: Davey and the First Christmas by Beth Vardon

Christmas Storybook December 19th


"And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given." - 3 Nephi 1:19

Song of the Day: Stars Were Gleaming (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)



Story of the Day: I Knew You Would Come by Elizabeth King English

Christmas Storybook December 18th


"Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." -3 Nephi 1:13

Song of the Day: Once Within a Lowly Stable (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the Day: Unexpected Christmas by Marguerite Nixon

Christmas Storybook December 17th


"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." - Luke 1:30-31

Song of the Day: Christmas Bells are Ringing (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the Day: Pattern of Love by Mark Twain

Christmas Storybook December 16th


"And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven." - Helaman 14:5-6

Song of the Day: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)



Story of the Day: The Most Beautiful Thing 

Christmas Storybook December 15th


"And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day." - Helaman 14:3

Song of the Day: Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the Day: The Man Who Missed Christmas by J. Edgar Park (page 6 of this PDF)

Christmas Storybook December 14th


"And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove." - 1 Nephi 11:27

Song of the Day: Who is the Child? (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the Day: The Christmas I Remember Best by Rheuma A. West

Christmas Storybook December 13th


"And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul. And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him." - 1 Nephi 11:20-24

Song of the Day: O Holy Night (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)



Story of the Day: Trouble at the Inn by Dina Donohue

Christmas Storybook December 12th


"And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God? And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh." - 1 Nephi 11:13-18

Song of the Day: What Child Is This? (link includes downloadable sheet music PDF and midi file.)





Story of the Day: Story of Three Trees 

Christmas Storybook December 11th


"Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world." - 1 Nephi 10:4

Song of the Day: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (link includes sheet music PDF)



Story of the Day: The C-C-Choir Boy by Fred Bauer

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Christmas Storybook December 10th

Image result for judean plains

"Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. And this is not all—it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost." - Jacob 7:11-12

Song of the Day: Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the Day: Keeping Baby Warm by Mark Twain

Friday, December 2, 2016

Christmas Storybook December 9th

Related image

"In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." - Jeremiah 23:6

Song of the Day: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)



Story of the Day: Why the Chimes Rang by Raymond MacDonald Alden

Christmas Storybook December 8th

Image result for angels shepherds

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. " - Psalms 24:9-10

Song of the Day: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)



Story of the Day: A Brother Like That


Christmas Storybook December 7th


"Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him." - Isaiah 40:11

Song of the Day: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (link includes autoplayer and downloadable sheet music PDF, mp3s for instruments/vocal and instruments only, etc.)


Story of the day: In the Great Walled Country by Raymond MacDonald Alden

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Aparkolypse: Hauge Homestead Park


Though they're on opposite sides of the lake, Hauge Homestead Park is no Solange Knowles compared to Silver Lake Park's Beyonce. It's a great park with a surprising amount of fun things to do and it's not as crowded as its lacustrine sister.

Fun fact: the park is named after "John Hauge, a Norwegian Pioneer who settled along Silver Lake in the late 1800s."


Play

Though there is plenty of traffic on 19th Ave SE, little wanderers are well shielded from wandering into traffic. The toys were in good shape and a lot of fun. 




 



Amenities/Facilities

Parking is adequate here. Fully functioning bathrooms and a water fountain are between the lot and the play area.There is also a paved path around the park where you can stroll or play Pokemon Go while on your longboard skateboard and not almost get leveled by small children who are also not paying attention to where they're going.

Plenty of picnic tables and a medium-sized grassy area provide plenty of place to play and eat. The picnic shelter has a grill, running water, electricity, and is, of course, reservable.



Hauge Homestead Park has a small unimproved beach (unlike the big sandy beach of Silver Lake Park) with a little dock for small watercraft, like stand up paddle boards for people who totally don't eat it right as they're about to get back on land, much to the amusement of several children. A bit north of that is a fishing dock.






Review

We had never heard of this place before we started doing our tour, but we are glad we came. It's a great place to stop by like we did or host a smaller group event. It's also a good place to teach otherwise intelligent seven year-olds with a new weird payphone fascination that you cannot make a 60 cent phone call using 15 cents.

 

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Aparkolypse: Walter E. Hall Park


After you manage ducking the crossfire on Casino Road, get your family to the big and beautiful Walter E. Hall Park, another fine Everett facility. It's close to Boeing and all of its attending attractions, so there's no excuse to miss this place.


We bet the park stays busy, though there is plenty of parking all along the various features to accommodate large gatherings. Solid bathrooms are available right by the play area, and they have electrical plugs available on the exterior! They also have syringe collection repositories inside for needle-based drug users, who likely aren't the audience for this blog.

Adult Exercise Equipment

Walter E. Hall is the first park we came across with fitness equipment for adults. This park has an upright rowing machine and an elliptical machine, which was very entertaining to watch the kids try to figure out.



Sport Fields

The further away you get from claustrophobic Seattle, the greater possibility your park has wide open fields. The play fields here are huge and beautifully maintained. Several informal soccer games were going on, though you could easily have multiple official matches run simultaneously. We were very impressed with the baseball/softball field and the vast grassy areas.




Skate Park

We nearly overlooked the skate park, but had to stop for some pictures on the way out (Google assembled this panorama). It's down closer to the golf course, setting up in our mind some ideas for a hackneyed 1980s battle-of-generations comedy.  We found this video on YouTube to give you as sense of how people use the skate area for non-photographic purposes.



We didn't survey the golf course. This is the official website. You can also rent the meeting and event space; details are here.

Play

For such a huge facility, there isn't much play equipment. For bigger kids, there's this climbing thing:



The ground of both play areas is covered in fake grass, a choice we hadn't seen yet in our park tour. The junior playground has a nautical theme - standard, yet appropriate for Everett - with a low climbing structure and some scattered toys.









Review

The playground is a little mediocre, but we loved every other aspect of this park. Walter E. Hall (no relation) Park is fabulously maintained with many high quality features.

Bonus: Time Traveling

Sure the kids had fun on the play equipment and out on the field, but what they really enjoyed attempting to use a payphone. They were baffled when their father wouldn't give them money to call their mother at work on it in light of their already paying $150 a month to have portable telephony. Their love of payphones has not ebbed.