Samuel and Camille

SANTA CLAUSE

2011-12-30T16:09:00.002-05:00

Teddy Boy met Santa at our ward Christmas party...my husband has been Santa the last two years in a row but this year we finally got someone else to do it. The older kids still call my husband Samta...our good friend PJ did it and was so good. Teddy was content, not happy or sad on his lap and he is grasping the candy cane for dear life. So happy that he liked it.

Don't you love his candy cane Christmas jammies...thank you to my mother!!!

The Human Swing

2011-12-30T16:05:00.002-05:00

At the beginning of December we got to hang out with the Jacobsen kiddo while their parents went to Arizona. I had a buy one get one free ride on the sky coaster our at Old Town. I asked Katherine if she wanted to go on it with me and she said yes. I was so happy that someone else wanted to go. My husband has done it once and wont do it again and my mother did it last year.

Katherine and I pre swing!!!

Getting all ready!!!

The others rode the little coaster!!!

The whole gang!!!

As of Late

2011-12-30T15:55:00.002-05:00

One day my parents called and wanted to stop by to visit.

Teddy loves Ama and he loves this cute outfit that my aunt Robyn gave him!!!

This was us one morning at 2 am...I had changed his diaper and he was happy as a fiddle but so wide awake. My little guy still has his nights and days mixed around. I have tried to keep him up more during the day but he sometimes just cant help it. I have also tried to take some peoples advice and let him cry at night...one night after 2 hours of crying I finally gave in and fed him and just had to hold him =)...at least he is so cute, makes up for the lack of sleep. I love his hands in the picture...most of the time his hands are like this

One day I decided to try my fake glasses on Teddy...I was sitting at my desk and put them on him, they fit perfectly and he loved them. I then wanted to take a picture so I put him in the rocking chair and the glasses would not go on because they would hit the back of the chair. I angled him sideways and got them somewhat on, he is not the best photo taker, this one is cute of him yawning!!!

Baby Bjorn

2011-12-30T15:54:00.002-05:00

I went on Babies R Us to look for a baby carrier. I got a moby wrap for my baby shower but my little guy has not really liked it. The baby bjorn was 69.99 online and I decided that I wanted one. I checked craigslist one morning and saw one for 15 bucks. I called the lady and she said she lives up north of Orlando but she had sent the carrier with her husband who works on OBT...I called my sister and she headed over there and got it for me. It smelled of smoke but I washed it and it is so perfect. He likes it and I am so happy!!!

4 Generations

2011-12-30T15:48:00.002-05:00

It was so fun to have my Grandma Clark here for a visit. She got to meet Teddy, he loved her!!!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE. It is a 4 generation picture of two mothers and sons. There is my Grandma and my father (her son) and me and Teddy (my son)

So precious, priceless picture!!!

Introducing Juror 124

2011-12-30T15:45:00.002-05:00

My husband had jury duty two weeks ago and he actaully got on a criminal case. It was interesting and fun to hear about what happened and how it all worked. I think it was something that he enjoyed

Family Visit

2011-12-30T15:31:00.003-05:00

The week after we got back from Thanksgiving...my Grandma Clark, Aunt Carol and my cousin and her family came to visit. We did some fun things and it was great to have them here. They have not come for a few years

We went to Disney...We started at the Wilderness Lodge and rode a boat to a few of the resorts and got to watch the fireworks and light show

We also got to go to the Luau at Universal. Our friends the Pokipalas are the people that put it on and they are always so welcoming. When we got there the dancers came out and brought some Christmas presents, they had a huge bag for Teddy...it had diapers and wipes in it. They are so so generous.

My husband and cousin and her husband got called up on stage to dance

The Lover and I

The Ladies

The Whole Group

We had wonderful food and good times...come back to visit soon!!!

Finally

2011-12-30T15:27:00.002-05:00

I have been waiting for over 10 months to go skying. A few weeks ago when my cousins were here we decided to get the jet ski out. It was cold and windy but it was the only day that we could do it. I actually was not going to get in the water but I was driving the jet ski through the canal to our lake when I came across a tree that had been cut and was blocking the way. I hoped off the ski and onto a branch of the tree but it was not strong enough and I fell into the lake. It was not as cold as I thought it was and since I was already wet I decided to ski. It was very fun

Waiting

2011-12-30T15:25:00.004-05:00

My husband came with me to Teddy's doctor's appointment a few days after we got home from Texas. It was so cute...he was kinda cranky as we got there and I was filling out paperwork and getting things situated. I noticed that it got really quiet and turned around and he had sacked out. He gets so tired that he fights and then just cant hold on any longer...so CUTE!!!

Love my little big cheeks man!!!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-30T14:38:00.001-05:00

This year we headed to Texas for Thanksgiving. My husbands family was supposedly all gathering but each week one person said they were not coming so it ended up being just my husbands parents and one of his brothers. Actually his great aunt came for the holiday as well. She was a great help to Teddy and he loved her

Teddy sacked out on the bed, his favorite spot in the chair and he loved to put his hand down my shirt

Aunt Marion

We got to visit the Leightons while we were they. I still cant believe that they now live in my husbands home town.

We got to eat at Texas Roadhouse as a whole group and met Dawna for Brames as well...I LOVE BRAMES and it was fun to have Dawna meet Teddy

Home Owners

2011-12-27T17:56:00.000-05:00

The day before we left for Thanksgiving break we closed on our new home...it was a LONG process and almost did not go through a few times but we were able to close and move some of our things over before we left

Granulation and Silver Nitrate

2011-12-07T10:21:00.002-05:00

Granulation and Silver Nitrate, those are two words that I never want to hear again…At my 6 weeks post OB check up, the nurse practitioner noticed that I had some granulation tissue built up…that made sense for how much I was still really really sore. I just thought that the stitches had not healed correctly or I was sitting too much for work, but it was painful all the time not just sitting or standing. She told me it was pretty much just scar tissue that had not healed and that she would need to cauterize/burn it off. It was actually quite painful, she put silver nitrate on it to get all the granulation tissue off, the silver nitrate cauterizes the unwanted tissue so new cells could grow and hopefully heal right. I had to schedule an appointment for the following week to do the treatment again and they said that I would just have to keep coming back until it was gone. I went in the following week to my actually doctor and he said that the tissue was still quite large and would take many silver nitrate applications to remove and if I wanted to do that I could keep coming back but he gave me another option. If I wanted he could simply just cut it off and then cauterize it and it would hurt for a week or so but it would then heal faster and I would not have to keep coming back each week till it was gone. I went with the cutting it off and ouch, he applied local/topical numbing stuff but it was very painful...overall I am glad that I took that option. It took a week to heal and I have only had a few times where it has been really painful. Things seem to be getting better and like I said at the beginning Granulation and Silver Nitrate are two words that I never want to hear again, but I would go through it all again to have my little man and any future little lads or ladies that await.

Commando

2011-11-19T20:17:00.001-05:00

I put on this camouflage outfit on little boy today and I found this little visor as well...Our house was really cold so I put on these socks too...he looked so cute...he is getting so chunky

WORK

2011-11-19T20:04:00.001-05:00

I went back to work after two weeks...It was the first of the month and I wanted to do my reports...I have worked with these properties for over a year and I did not want someone coming in and changing things up and disrupting my flow...I wish I did not have to work and I could hold my little man all day long but I have to do what I have to do for my little family right now. Maybe someday when we have more kiddos running around I wont have to but for now, I will do my best to support my family.

I had to find a way to feed baby boy and still work, that is where my chin came in handy...if I was reading a document I was fine holding the bottle with my hand but at times I had to click or type, I would just prop the bottle with my chin...I have gotten pretty good at it!!!

The day of Teddy's blessing he got a cough and congesting and started wheezing...My sister is a nurse and checked his lungs and she said they sounded fine and since he did not have a fever they really could not do anything for him, his is too small for medication. He did not feel good the whole week and many days all he wanted me to do was hold him. It made work a little hard but many times I just walked away and spent some time with him. I love this picture...he had been crying and I turned him around and started singing to him...I looked at the reflection on the computer screen and saw this...I had to take a picture...SO SO PRECIOUS!!!

2 Months

2011-11-19T20:03:00.001-05:00

OK, I cannot believe how BIG this boy is getting. I still call him little but I am starting to say little big guy!!! He weighed 12 pounds at his appointment and has such scrumptious cheeks...It amazed me how fast time is flying by!!!

He is starting to slobber all the time. I have to keep a bib on most of the day

This was us one morning at 2 am...he still has his days and nights mixed around. It is great that I can get some work done during the day, but I get so tired as well.

We try and get some tummy time in during the day...he does not like it most of the time, but he is getting stronger...I had to include the picture on the changing mat because this is one place where he LOVES to be. He could be screaming and we lie him down on this mat and he stops...for a little boy who hates getting his diaper changed, I am suprised he loves lying on the diaper changing mat =)...

I cant believe my little big boy has been here for a whole two months...TIME FLIES!!!

Phillips Visit

2011-11-19T20:00:00.001-05:00

While my husbands parents were here, we left little boy with my sister and mother and headed to the golf course. I really did not want to go and leave my little man but I wanted to be supportive and I know he was in good hands. We had breakfast at Sweet Mama's and the headed out to play a round!!! Last time I played with my husband it was a miserable experience; today was ok...better but not great! I love sports and am pretty good at the ones I play; golf is something that I can be good at and can stink at. One shot is perfect and goes far and the next can be a blooper like a foot in front of me and then sometimes I miss altogether. I will have to keep practicing. We did play 18 holes which was so long and time consuming and I was super sore at nights end but I am glad I was able to be supportive

It was very nice of Grandpa and Grandma Phillips to come for Teddy's blessing...here is Ama and Grandma and Teddy...he is LOVED by so many people!!!

A WONDERFUL BLESSING

2011-11-18T16:43:00.002-05:00

We blessed Teddy at church two Sunday's ago. It was a very special day. Thank You to my sister Lindsay for letting Teddy borrow a blessing outfit. There were many ladies in the ward that let me look at their little boys outfits and in the end I choose a little nit one that my nephew Gavin wore on his special day.

My husband gave a very sweet blessing. I can only remember two things about it. He blessed our little boy to be happy and to serve. My friend Renee wrote the blessing down, I just do not know where it ended up; I am going to have to find it!!!

So nice to have Ashlee here!!!

My husbands parents came into town for the blessing. It was very nice to have them here

The Jazzies came all the way from the ranch to support us and baby Teddy...we invited Erik to be in the circle...the others that participated were of course my husband and his father, my father, Richard Danley, Joseph Snider, Scott Sager and Nathan Schmoe (our awesome diligent home teacher)...it was a special day!!!

Halloween

2011-11-18T16:38:00.002-05:00

We headed to Charlotte Again for Halloween this year...I cant believe that a year has come and gone. Last Halloween we were here and never in my wildest dreams would I think that I would have a child in one year, CRAZY...here are some pictures from our trip!!!

Teddy meeting his cousins Braden and Gavin for the first time. The boys absolutely loved Teddy and wanted to hold and kiss him all day long. One morning they brought me their stuffed animals and wanted Teddy to have them for a while. They got their animals at build a bear so they came with names. Braden's is Bunny Big Ears and Gavin's is Sweet Velvet Teddy, so cute!!!

Our Bishop's family moved a couple of months ago to North Carolina and it happens to be about 5 minutes from my sister and they are in the same ward at church. We got to have lunch with them at Chick fil A and then we took the girls to Walmart and to a movie. I have missed my sweet Joy so much and it was fun to be able to see their wonderful family, here and on Sunday.

So I bought this Teddy bear outfit for our little guy to wear on Halloween...when it came we tried it on but it was HUGE, 0-6 months...and someone else had given us this cow outfit, so I decided to bring them both and maybe wear one for the trunk or treat and one on Halloween. Well he did not get to wear either of them because I left them in Florida. I was so

bummed...We were driving to the airport and I realized I left them in the computer room at the house. My husband was going to overnight the outfits to us but it would have cost more to send them then the actual outfit...I am just glad that we were able to take some pictures before we went, or I guess I could have taken some after...We improvised on the actual Halloween night

Sister Forte gave me this cute little Halloween onsie and so I just put it on him. It was super cold so he was just going to be bundled up and in the stroller, so I was fine with that. My sisters community had a pizza party before the kids went out trick or treating and my nephew took off his fake mustache so he could eat and we put it on Teddy...he looked so cute...It was fun to go out for a bit, all I wanted was some peanut butter m&m's and at the end of the day, I did get one. I also had one almond snicker bar, I usually do not like snickers but I really like the almond one. I had a butterfinger and a reeces and that was it, I tried to be extra careful this trip and I have been trying very hard to loose this baby weight =) This trip was so fun, the Harts are such great hosts and it is just a fun tradition that we have been able to do for two years in a row...I wonder where next year will bring us!!!

A DAY OF FIRST'S

2011-11-18T16:33:00.002-05:00

I just had to add these pictures that I came across, some of them have already been used but I just had to create a little collage of FIRSTS...First Visit to the Doctor, First Diaper Change, First Bath, First time in carseat and in the car, fist time watching a football game, first time being swaddled and first plane ride...I bet there will be many more firsts in the next little while and then I guess throughout life!!!

Swaddle

2011-11-18T16:32:00.005-05:00

This little boy loves to be swaddled...from day one this is his favorite position and I have a professional swaddler in the house. Ashlee does it do good, must be back from working in the mother baby department at hospitals. I can never do it as good as she does but I try my best. She usually does it before he goes to bed but after feeding him and changing his diaper I can never get it to be like hers...but I am getting better at it...these pictures are from the first night home and now...he loves to be in the fetal position!!!

One Month

2011-11-18T16:32:00.004-05:00

Little Boy

2011-11-18T16:05:00.002-05:00

What a Joy it has been to have Teddy in our lives. This little boy is so precious and is LOVED by so many. In our household there are five adults to this one boy and he is spoiled...he does not know how lucky he is and I do not know how lucky I am to have him!!!

HE LOVES THIS LITTLE CHAIR...thank you to Lisa Sager, a lady from church, who has given me so many things...starting with my maternity clothes, then baby clothes and so many fun gadgets...we are so grateful for their generosity and the generosity of so many people!!! The middle picture is the first day we were home and I made sure to strap him in, but I soon realized that he was too small to go anywhere and he has not been strapped in since...probably soon though!!! PS...you probably notice the lower right hand picture and how his blanket is pink, well I came upstairs one night to this...Ashlee said she could not find a blanket so she let him barrow hers, he seemed to like it...I think its attractive when a guy wears a pink shirt but I think we wont be taking him out with the blanket anytime, it will be used at the house.

Little boy helped me out at work, he would lie on my lap and be so perfect while I would get my things done...he loves sleeping on his fathers belly and he has gone out to eat and to the movies more then any other little lad

Bath #1 in the actual bath was not the best experience, it was not the first time having a bath but he hated it in the sink too...this little boy does not like to be naked...Bath #2 was better but he still looks freaked out.

This is my all time favorite picture. I woke up one morning and looked down and saw my little guy with his hands like this. He was totally out, I guess he was dreaming of me picking him up.

Welcome to the World

2011-10-22T12:09:00.008-04:00

I last wrote on Thursday the 15th and I knew that we would be heading to the hospital to have our little lad on Saturday the 17th...This picture was taken on Friday the 16th the night before we had our little boy...this picture does not do justice to what my legs and feet looked liked. The doctor put me on bed rest at my last appointment and told me I had to stay down with my legs elevated till our little guy was born. Lucky it was only one day!!! (Note: this is LONG and it took me over a month to post...I have been writing the story in word and I finally finished it)Saturday September 17, 2011
I could not sleep; I tried so hard because I knew it was going to be a long day but I could not relax and I just watched some TV and sat alone with my thoughts. Going back a little bit; on Thursday at my doctor’s appointment, I had gained 12 pounds in one week since my last visit and my blood pressure was elevated; the doctor checked me and said that I was ripe and ready and dilated to a 4, so he called the hospital and scheduled an induction for 5am on Saturday, which I thought was a good time. I spent Friday lying on the couch relaxing and then I got up around 3am on Saturday and could not stop pacing and just waiting. My fear was that they would be too busy for us to come in at the scheduled time but I called the hospital at 4 and they said to head on in. We got to the hospital in great time and went up to the baby center of Celebration Hospital. The nurses were all waiting for us and they brought us right into the room. I thought that I had preregistered at the hospital after one of my appointments but they did not have all my information in the system. As they were getting me hooked up they were asking me questions and getting me all settled. I am usually ok with pokes and needles but putting the IV into my hand hurt more than I thought it would; I thought if that was an indication of how this day was going to turn out I was not ready. The night nurse was very nice and we had a lot in common. Her husband is a golf professional like my husband and they just moved here from California, close to the place where we would have moved if we had taken the job offer there. They just had a baby a few months ago and were doing the same things we were doing. It was nice of her to talk to us; it calmed my nerves a little bit. She said she would be leaving at 7 that morning and I was scared of who the day nurse was going to be but when she came in she was nice as well and I would not have wanted it any other way. So they started the Pitocin around 6am and we just sat around of a while; I was dilated to a 4 when I went in and was to a 5 within the next few hours. I was surprised at the set up and the TV and movies that they had, we put on the movie tangled; my husband had not seen it before. When we went in for our first ultrasound, that movie was playing in the waiting room and we watched a bit of it but I had wanted him to see it for a while so we put it on. He fell asleep within a few minutes and I did not want to watch it without him, so I turned on another movie and then tried asleep too.

Around 9 we both were awake and finished the movie Tangled. The nurse kept coming in asking me if I felt the contractions; I happened to be having them frequently but I could not feel them. I had to get up frequently to use the restroom My mother and sister were on call, they did not want to come too early but still wanted to be there as well. We called them around 10 and let them know that things were progressing and I was dilated to a 6; they said they would head up in the next little while. The doctor came in around 11:30 and broke my water and within a minute or less of that I started feeling the contractions and feeling them strong. I was not prepared, it went from feeling nothing to feeling everything and I tried to put on a good face but it was painful. The nurse had come in right before the doctor broke the water and asked me when I wanted the epidural and I had almost said I am ok right now maybe in a little while but something told me to tell her that I was ready whenever the anesthesiologist could do it. He was doing an epidural and then a C-section and then would be up. I was so grateful that I told the nurse to put me in the lineup because like I said I started feeling the contractions right away and was so ready at that moment for it. My mother and sister showed up at this time and I had to be strong in fount of them even though it hurt. I would try and turn my head to the side until it was over. The anesthesiologist came up around 12:30 and I was so happy to see him. He administered the drugs to me and I felt the first relief in weeks; it was instant aid that I was so grateful for. I had contemplated doing it all natural but was so happy that I just said to do it. My hands and legs had been hurting for the past three weeks so badly and I had not gotten a good night’s sleep in about that same time. I was induced because my blood pressure had been high and when the epidural was administered my blood pressure dropped and bottomed out a few times, they kept changing my position and checking the pressure every minute and monitoring things very closely. The baby was not handling the contractions good either, his blood pressure would drop too. They put a monitoring device right on his head so they could monitor him more closely and within the hour things were stable.
I was able to relax and even sleep some over the next few hours. My husband was in heaven as he had the remote and turned on Saturday football and I really did not care what he was doing. By 5pm I was dilated to an 8 and things were moving along. The nurse came in and said it was time to push and see if we could get the baby to drop more. She said sometimes people do not get the concept of pushing and it takes a while but I think I got the hang of it and she said I did a good job. My fear was that I was going to have a bowel movement as I pushed and it was not until after I told myself I just had to forget about it that I really started to see some progression. She asked who was going to hold my legs and there was a moment of awkward silence and my husband said I will and my sister took the other side. Never in my mind did I think that they would have to hold my legs, it was weird at first but then I really just did not care I wanted to have this baby. I pushed for 15 minutes and he moved along, he got stuck in the pelvic region for a little while. The nurse decided to sit me up in the bed vertical and see if he would drop more instead of trying to push for 30 more minutes. After I had been up for a few minutes I started to get light headed and not feel well. In February I had passed out after kneeling for a few minutes and I felt like I was going to go out again. They lied me back down and it was just in the nick of time, I know I would have passed out if I had been sitting up any longer. They monitored me for 30 minutes and it took a while to feel better but around 6 she checked me and I was dilated to a 10 and was complete and ready to go. We pushed for 15 or so minutes and she called the doctor. We had thought that he had gone home but he had been down in the break room and came up. It took him about 15 minutes to get up there. Side note my mother is a notary and was supposed to marry our landlords who have been together for 20 years but just decided this past little while that they wanted to get married at the gazebo by my parents’ home this trip while they were here. They decided on the 17^th and we are so lucky that my father became the bishop of our ward a few weeks ago because he was able to step in and perform the marriage while my mother was with us. So back to the hospital we called my dad at 5:00 and I just felt like I should invite him to come up whenever he could; he was going to come up later in the evening but he ended up driving up then. Little boy was waiting for his grandfather because the doctor was all set by 6:30 and I started pushing; my father walked into the room at 6:37 and he was born at 6:38. He weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces and was 19 inches long.
It was perfect timing. He came out screaming and stopped once he was in my arms and then they took him to do all the measurements and stuff and he screamed the whole time until he was safely sound in his daddy’s arms. I was grateful that the sweet nurse that had been with us all day had wanted him to be born before she left at 7 and he did; I was so happy that she able to be there for the delivery. The nurse that came after her for the evening shift was not as nice and very forceful, lucky we changed to the recovery room an hour after we had him.

(So Grateful that my husband, sister and parents were able to be there to witness this miracle)

(They pumped me with so much water that I gained another 10 pounds in the hospital...that was like over 20 pounds of water weight in less then two weeks, eeek)

(Thank You Renee Jacobsen for taking these pictures)

There are many people that have said that with their first born baby they wish they could have taken their nurse home with them…well I am pretty lucky that I have my sister Ashlee. She is a nurse and has spent 10 years working in the mother baby unit or hospitals around the country. We had our little guy on Saturday and came home on Sunday; I had some friends come up to the hospital the day we were leaving and my sister came up with them. When they left she decided to stay with us and spend the last few hours at the hospital and then literally came home with me. I am so grateful for her help.

We are in the process of purchasing a home and right now are living with my parents; there are 5 adults to this one little lad and he is spoiled. He loves being held and cannot stand being naked. The only time he cries and I mean scream is when you change his diaper or clothes, give him a bath or if he is really hungry; I try not to let him get to that point. He is such a precious little boy and we are in love with our little Teddy Bear!!!

He's a Coming!!!

2011-09-15T19:26:00.004-04:00

Its the 15th of the month and all my information at work is due to the state. I had three properties that were being a pain this month and not getting me the information that I needed. I went into the office at 6:00 and was able to get everything done and sent on except the three I was waiting for. I had wanted to get everything taken care before my appointments!!!

I had an ultrasound today and the baby is measuring perfect; he was sucking his thumb and the heart beat was just great. She printed out a picture but this far along you really could not tell because everything is so squished, so I wont post it. I then had an appointment with the Doctor. My blood pressure was high and the urine was not great; along with the major swelling in the lower extremities and the fact that I am dilated to a 4-5 and 80% effaced, the doctor stripped my membrane and set an induction for Saturday morning; saying that I might not make it till then. The end is in sight and I feel so relieved. I just want to get this little guy in my arms and sqeeze an kiss him all day long.

I came across this poem and absolutly love it, I could not express my feelings more!!!

To my unborn child,
what I wish to give you in times to come,
happiness, and wisdom,
a life filled with fun,
to explore all adventures of your curious mind,
to become knowledgeable of what you'll find,
as I await your arrival and the presence of newborn cries,
I picture how you'll look when I open up my eyes.
I feel your movements every time I wake each day,
letting mommy know that you're okay,
obstacles I hope you'll overcome,
education I know you'll get done,
I stay up late reading to you,
talking to my stomach,
a feeling I never knew,
hungry all the time
'No doubt you're a son of mine',
You make me feel happy even when I'm sad,
because the formation of another life makes me glad.
Proud of you I am,
I already know how you'll be,
a smart 'lil' man for mommy to see,
no worries from me a mom to be,
to a special baby boy I can't wait to see.

All Doctored Up

2011-09-14T11:05:00.002-04:00

There is a sweet lady in our ward that is very big on organic and natural remedies. My mother talked to her on the phone and asked if there was anything she knew of that would help my swelling. She sent some wintergreen mineral oil home with my mother and Ashlee and I sat and watched an episode of project runway while she rubbed my hands with this special oil. It made my hands feel different, I would not say they felt great, but the pins and needles shooting pain subsided for a little while and that was really nice. When my mother got home she received a call from this sister in our ward and she said she was on her way over to the house last night with some homemade oils and minerals that she had used from her garden. She stayed for a little while and rubbed my feet and hands and put them in wraps and braces. The wraps on my feet made me look like I had broken legs and my hands looked the same way. My mother snapped a few pictures so we could remember. I ended up sleeping on the couch sitting up last night with my feet propped up on a piano bench and I did actually sleep a little more then an hour at a time; at three my hands were so numb that I had to take off the braces. I am not sure if numb is the right word to use, it just feels like there is so much pressure in there and it can’t go anywhere. By four I ended up soaking in a bath, which was a mistake because my hands and legs started to burn so bad. I realized that she had used Cheyenne pepper in her homemade oils and the heated water irritated that tremendously.

I have my doctors appointment tomorrow and I really hope that things are progressing and maybe I can talk my way into having this little lad a bit early…I mean really a week a 2 days, they can take him and spare me some misery and pain J

She gave me a neck massage as well and that was the best part of the evening!!!
I LOOK HIDEOUS!!! My face is starting to swell as well and my legs are the size of elephants; I had no idea my calfs could get this big...and be so rock hard; it has started to go up my leg as well, I have no knee cap and my thighs are starting to get bigger too. My jeans are starting to get a little too tight around the legs, lucky the end is in sight!

2 Weeks and Counting

2011-09-13T04:35:00.002-04:00

Its 4:45am on a Tuesday morning and I am at the office. I have come in around 4 for the past two mornings; I have not been able to sleep more then 2 hours a night in the past 2 weeks and each day my hands get progressively worse. I have less then two weeks until my due date and the day could not come fast enough. I have tried everything to get my hands to stop aching; the doctors have given me two perscriptions that have not helped with the swelling and pain but ha made me somewhat drowsy. I have fallen asleep in my chair at the office a few times; maybe I should bring my chair home with me and try and sleep in it at night. Last night I tried sleeping sitting up on the couch with the ice pack and then alternating with the heat; it worked out ok...but the only relief I get is soaking my hands in water and applying heat and cold whenever I can. If I could be submersed in water all day long I would not mind being pregnant but since I cant feel my hands most of the time and when I do it feels like sharp needles penetrating my skin it makes life kinda difficult. I only have three more days of work until all my information is due to the state and then I can actively try and get this baby to come out. At my appointment on the 31st the Doctor checked and I was progressing but was not dilated; at my appointment on the 8th it was a different story, I was dilated to a 3 almost 4 and 70% effaced. The doctor told me that I had been working had that week and that the baby might come early. I hope that each week will get progressively better. I have my next appointment in three days and I just hope for my sanity sake that he is ready to come. My sister Tiffani left yesterday to head back home to the middle east; she tried so hard to get this baby to come while she was still here but he did not want to make his appearance. We took long walks and even jumped on our neighbors trampoline at like 11:30 at night. It was quite comical. So now, I just need to make it through these next few days and then this baby needs to come out, I do not think my hands and my sanity can take two more weeks of this; but if they have to endure the pain; I know this little lad is going to be worth it.

ALL-STAR SHOWERING OF LOVE

2011-09-10T11:52:00.006-04:00

This past Thursday some ladies at church threw me the ALL STAR of showers. I felt so loved and got more things for our little guy then I know what to do with. I am so grateful to know so many wonderful women and absolutly love all of them. Thank You for such a fun eveningThis is the darling shower invitation that Heather Munns and Eva Snider made for our little ALL-STAR

The food was awesome. They made the Olive Garden Salad that was so tasty; had some bread and garlic butter from Chimento's (an amazing family owned itilian resturant in town); some stuffed mushrooms, spinch aritchoike dip and some yummy desserts that included cupcakes, pumpkin squares and my favorite texas sheet cake. Thank You to all who contributed

Some of the fun gifts!!! This is a blanket that Sister Lahue made for our little guy, gotta love the golfer in the middle!!! and its Red, White and Blue (which is my husbands favorite colors, not mine). I will have to post the blanket that Little Lizzie Jacobsen made (with the colors of lime green, orange and brown, my favorite)...There were somany other generous gifts. Their was a group gift avaliable and I decided at first I wanted a stoller/car seat combo but ended up going with just a stroller. Eva and I were going to run to the store on Wednesday and try and find something but she ended up looking on Craigslist and found a real nice stroller for a reasoable price. It is a Zooper Hula and its black and turquoise. It is perfect and I am so grateful to have good stroller. Thank You to all!!!

The Whole Crew, minus some that had to leave early!!! What a great group of beautiful women

My mother and sisters, we were missing Lindsay. My sister Tiffani when she was pregnant with my nephew Benton has a picture at this same exact spot, but I was missing. So nice of Patsy of opening up her home and making us feel so welcome. By the way, dont you love my shirt. Eva and Ashlee got this (pea in a pod) top at the salvation army for 2 bucks. What a steal deal

This is now my parents living room. I am going through all of our baby stuff and I cant seem to get organized. But it is fun and I will get it all squared away soon

Pre-Natal Loving

2011-09-10T11:32:00.003-04:00

The way I told my sister Lindsay that I was expecting was by asking her if she could take some pre-natal photographs. We wanted to take pictures when we were in Idaho at the farm where my mother grew up but I ended up not being able to go, so we decided to do it here in Florida when she was here for the reception. Sunday night I was looking nice but we really did not have a vision of what we wanted to do so we planned to do it on Monday. Monday was labor day and we spend the most part of the day up in Orlando at some friends house boating. I was not feeling great and when we got home I crashed on my parents bed. Around 6 she came in and woke me up and asked if I still wanted to do the pictures. At the pointe I almost said no way, I did not want to get up and get ready but I really did want the pictures so I said yes. While the family went out to Wild Florida for the evening; Lindsay and Ashlee stayed behind and glammed me up. We found outfits that might work and we pulled it off with just the right amount of sunlight an sanity I had left. I am so grateful for my sisters and all their hard work; Linz for being the bestest photgraphr ever and Ash for being the best assistant and cheerleader. The photos turned out better then I ever imagined and I am so happy to have them. Below are some of my favorites. They are all property of Hart to Hart digital design.

Didn't they turn out so AMAZING...I love the ones with the baseball stuff and I cant believe that she got me to lay in the lake. We were sitting on the dock and she said she wanted me to go and get my feet wet and splash around. She then said, I have a vision and want you to lay down in the water. I had my favorite jeans on and was hesitant, but I am so glad that I did...Thank You again Lindsay and Ashlee for all your hard work in turnning the couch potato on the bed to this!!!

Fun with B and Z!!!

2011-09-10T10:55:00.003-04:00

It is so nice to have Tiff, Benton and Zoe here for a few weeks. We have done so many fun things. We are tring to spend every second with B and Z since they do not get to come to the states very often. Lucky we have skype but sometimes its not enough

Early Morning Fishing!!!

Some Sister Loving!!!

Merriments and Matrimony

2011-09-10T09:45:00.001-04:00

After spending a few days celebrating my Aunts Wedding, we got to change gears and focus on the little brothers wedding. Taylor and Anne are deeply in love and we are happy to have her part of our Clark Clan. I cant believe her last name is Clark, she is so lucky to not have to change her last name. Her family was so inviting and we loved spending time together. It was sad that my husband was not able to attend because of work commitment; he was missed!!!

Family Shower the Monday before the wedding!!!

Friend Shower in Rexburg!!! After the temple on Thursday night we headed to Nelsons Frozen Custard; this is new to Rextown but not to us. They have one in Saint George and we would always stop on our trips from San Diego.

The Happy Couple

My worst fear when Taylor told me that he was getting married in August was 1. I was not going to be able to attend and 2. if I did infact go, I was going to look like a big balloon. As you can see in the pictures I was able to attend. My doctor advised me not to go but I called our Stake President who is a baby doctor and asked him what his opinion was. He said he would go if he was in my position but I would need to go home a pray about it. I understand where the doctors are coming from in not wanting a 8 month pregnant woman traveling for many hours on a plane and all but I also wanted to be at the wedding. I felt at peace with going because the pregancy so far has been fine, I have had no complications. I told my doctor that I was planning on going unless there was something life threating to me and the baby that arrised. Nothing arrised, so I made the trek out. So my number 2 concern was that I was going to look like a huge fat woman at the wedding and in the pictures, but I have to say they turned out great. Annie has so many friends and family that were bridesmaids that we all did not have the same outfit. She told us each to go and find a gray dress to wear. I had a really hard time finding a dress, I did not know how big I was going to be and most of the maternity dresses at a decient price were the strechy cliny material that was not very falttering. My sister Tiffani called me from Qutar a few weeks before the wedding and said that she had a purple maternity dress that was nice and comfortable and she could see if she could find fabric and have them make a dess in gray for me. Needless to say it turned out perfect, better then I thought it would be. I was able to feel pretty and not feel like a complete outcast standing next to my utlra beautiful and skinny sisters. I had to wear my flip flops because the only part of my body that is super swollen are my legs; they looks like elephants. I always told everybody I would rather have swollen legs then a swollen face. I cannot believe how big they are. When they first started swelling I would prop them up on pillows at night and in the morning they would be down a little bit but now that is not the case. They are huge all the time. We did take family pictures; I wonder how they turned out. I was getting ready in Taylor and Annie's room and I saw that she had a paid of gray heals. She wears a size nine so I tried them on and my feet barely fit but they went on; I put the on for the five mintues we took the family picture and then the flip flops went back on. I laugh every time I look at them and so does everybody else... It was a nice trip but I have to say I was glad that it was all over!!!

Mission Parents

2011-09-10T09:22:00.002-04:00

While I was in Utah I was very fortunate to be able to see both of my Mission Presidents and their wives. I was super sad after I left the Crocketts house because I forget to get a picture with them. I stopped by their beautiful home the day I got to Utah and it was very nice to be able to sit and catch up. I had gone to lunch with Sister Crocket last year but I had not seen President Crockett for about 2 years and he was able to be there too. They are so wonderful. I then was able to go and visit the Thurstons at their home the day before we headed to Idaho. Both of my mission presidents live in Sandy, such a small world. President Crockett was called to be the bishop of a singles ward in that area an if the Thurstons had any single children at home, they would be in their ward...they cross paths on occasion. I find it so amazing that I was able to be with these four wonderful people in my year and a half service in Texas. I am so grateful for them and all they are and stand for. I will love you all forever!!!

Sista T

Tiny T!!! While serving in Colleyville (same area as the mission president) on my mission we got to see the Thurstons on occasion. They would take us out to eat sometimes and we would just stop by sometimes. We nicknmed President Thurston Tiny T for fun because he is a big tall teddy bear.
It was so nice again to be able to see the Crocketts and the Thurstons

Introducing Clifford and Julie Holmes

2011-09-10T09:06:00.003-04:00

My mothers oldest sibling and sister got married this past August in the Mount Timpanogos temple. My aunt has been to all of our celebrations, weddings and festivities throughout the years and it was fun to all come together and celebreat with her.

The Happy Couple
My mother and her dad, step mother and siblings, minus the two angels in Heaven who's spirit and presence were felt all day long.

My Father and I

The Parentas

My good friend Jana who I got to spend a little bit of time with this weekend. Love that Lady!!!

CTS during Pregnancy

2011-09-02T08:18:00.008-04:00

It’s interesting the things you take for granted when you have full use of them. I am about 37 weeks pregnant and a week a half ago I started having pain in my arms and hands; at times it becomes unbearable and I have to fight back the tears and its nice when your along and can just let it out. I have not been able to sleep more then a few hours a night I researched online and my signs and symptoms go right along with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is something that can occur in the final months of pregnancy and most of the time will subside after the baby is born.

There are times where I cannot use my hands at all, I cannot brush my hair or put a hair tie in, I cannot hold a pen, and there is severe pain in my hand joints that progresses to a shooting pain or numbness all the way up my arm…whenever I lie down to rest/sleep my entire hands/arms to the shoulder burn and go numb. I try and sleep at night but its nearly impossible most of the time.

A sweet lady I know gave me some splints/wrist braces that have helped some but even at the loosest setting my hands are still numb and painful all the time. The only relief is water; if my hands could be submersed in hot or cold water 24/7 I would be in good shape. I am not one to complain but I am just not sure what to do; my doctors said that there is nothing they can do to help either; Tylenol does not work like my good old ibuprofen and even though my hands are super swollen and legs and feet are the size of elephants they say its normal pregnancy edema and I am just going to have to make due until this little guy arrives. Which I hope will be sooner then later, I am not sure how much more I can take with only a few hours of sleep at night and being in pain all day long.

Ok, now I am off my soap box. I know this is nothing compared to what some people out there face. I live in modern times with technology and medical advances. I wonder what the people in the pioneer days did. They must have been programmed to be stronger then me. I thought I had a high tolerance of pain but maybe I was wrong; or maybe the hands and arms are just so sensitive. Whatever the case; I can do anything for three weeks even being uncomfortable and in pain. And I am grateful for the uncomplicated pregnancy I have had

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during Pregnancy Articles Pregnancy Today

Happy Birthday

2011-08-21T23:32:00.002-04:00

We headed out to the Ranch for my Birthday this year. The Jacobsens were nice enough to host our family. We had a nice meal and they made my favorite dessert a Texas Sheet Cake; it was DEEVINE...What fun company and what a great way to spend a birthday

LOVE THEM JAZZIES

I got these bracelets from my little munchkin friend Joy Forte.

The day after my birthday we headed to Kelly Park and this year it was super nice. One year ago we went up there and the weather was horrible and rainy. It was fun to spend a day of relaxing

California Trip

2011-08-21T22:16:00.008-04:00

I wish it was under happier circumstances that we were able to head to San Diego but we had to attend the funeral of my Grandpa Clark. Within a week of hearing that he was having a hard time he had passed on to the other side and I know that he is in a better place. Death still stings but it was nice to be able to go and attend the memorial service and praise the man that he was. My grandfather was a genuine man, he was loved by so many and his legacy will live on. Someone told me that mourning is the great sign or token of love so it was great to be able to be with family and friends who cherished my Grandfather as much as I didAshlee and I on the plane...FINALLY...on the way to the airport we got a call from Delta that told us that our place was having mechanical problems and it was delayed for 5 hours. We tried to inform them that we were heading to a funeral and needed to get there but they said there was nothing they could do. Lindsay was flying from Charlotte to Atlanta and then we were all suppose to be on the same flight to San Deigo, with this we were going to miss our connection. The airline did give us some meal vouchers and we got to have a nice breakfast. We did get on an earlier flight then we thought but did not make it to Atlanta for the connection. Thats ok, we got lunch in Atlant with out meal vouchers and then finally made it to San Deigo a few hours later then we should have, but we made it. My parents flight had been delayed as well so we came in close to each other and my Aunt picked up my sister so it all worked out.

On the way up to my cousins home we stopped by our old neighborhood and I wanted to get a picture in front of my childhood home. I do not remember much about San Diego but while I was there I was able to recall some things.My beautiful sisters and I. Everyone was wearing black the day of the funeral and I was wearing bright colors, my mother and I really stuck out

It was so nice to see my Grandmother

The graveside service was very sweet. My uncle and cousins are in the navy and air force and they were at the front of the pallbearers carrying the casket, they looked sharp. My father dedicated the grave and my uncle Brian sang a song. All who attended were able to take a blue carnation and throw it into the ground to be buried with my grandfather. It was very nice

All of us that were able to attend.This is a memory shadow box that I made for the funeral. I am not that creative but this turned out pretty nice. I do like the final creation

This is a picture collage that my sister Lindsay made, I think that I posted this before in a previous entry.

It would not be a trip to California without stopping at a donught shop. We woke up the day after the funeral and decided as a family to go to a waterpark for a fun day. I did not bring a swimming suit so we headed to Target so try and find one. On the way home we saw this little donut shop and just had to stop. I remember now that this was something that our family did alot while growing up. They have the best donuts in California, espically the maple bars. I ate way too many but it was so worth it. The weather was AMAZING...it was over 100 degrees but no humid. Here we are in the lazy river
This is the swimming suit that I got, it is perfect. Here I am at 28 weeks

Here is the whole gang at Raging Waters

We could not leave the airport without getting a Jamba Juice...Razmatazz all the way!!!

Overall this was a very nice trip. My mother brought up something that is very special. Her mother passed away when she was a few weeks away from giving birth to my sister and she alway felt that her mom was up there guiding her way to earth. I feel that same way about my grandfather; he is up in heaven with out little guy and he is going to be up there guiding his way down to earth.

You will be missed Grandpa

30-32 Weeks

2011-08-20T10:51:00.001-04:00

30 Weeks

32 Weeks

Growing

2011-07-22T14:41:00.002-04:00

I guess its time to post some pictures of the growing belly!!! I wish I had some other pictures of me then the ones I have of the self portrait with the phone but alas, that is all I have. Please do not pay attention to my bedroom in the background. I think I am going to have someone else take some other pictures sometime

Week 30 to come soon!!!

Rest in Peach Grandpa C

2011-07-16T10:18:00.001-04:00

My sister created a collage of pictures of my grandpa's life to send to him while he was in the hospital. It made it to his room the day before he passed away. I am glad that he had sometime to see this wonderful piece of art!!!

First Comes...

2011-05-22T22:00:00.004-04:00

LOVE...

Then comes MARRIAGE...

Then Comes a BABY in the baby carriage...

Little Boy Phillips: Expected Arrival Septerber 25th

Pictures of the self to come in the near future...It took me long enough to post that we were expecting...

Cruise

2011-05-22T21:20:00.005-04:00

For Christmas my boss gave my husband and I a cruise... He told us that is was a late wedding present and two Christmas presents... We were very happy. We decided to port out of Miami and head to Key West and Cozumel. This was my 4th cruise and my husbands 2nd... The Christmas before last we went as a family on a short 2 night cruise to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean and I had cruised on Norwegian and Carnival. This time around we decided on Celebrity and let me tell you what, it was AWESOME. The embark and disembark were so smooth and the service was WONDERFUL... My husband has told me that he does not want to travel any other cruise lines now that he has done this one... Maybe someday we will hit up the Disney Cruise but for now this was great. The first pictures are of the first day, leaving from my parents home, mom wanted to get a picture before we left. We had to drive to Miami and it was not that bad but we took my husbands car, that has no air and it was kinda miserable but we were excited o get down there. We wanted to get there in plenty of time to get on and we were so surprised at how fast we got through the security and onto the ship, the royal Caribbean took twice as long and we were very happy this time around. We got to our room and were met by our stateroom attendant who introduced himself, we could not stop smiling the whole entire cruise because his name was Shetty but in his accent he pronounced it as Shitty, sorry for anyone reading this but it was hilarious. He was absolutely wonderful and evertime we walked out of our room he would just be there to tell us what way to go... It was fun the first little while to just explore the ship... My husband was in heaven because the ship has Sports Center, something that we do not have in our home right now. He could have been content just being in the room relaxing... I guess you could sum up our trip in 3 L words...

Some Lazing, Some Loving and Some Laughter!

Our first stop and probably my favorite was Key West. Our second cruise as a family was here to Key West and it was fun... We decided to rent some bikes and just do some riding and exploring. We hit the southern most part of the continental US and made sure to stop and get some key lime pie, my FAVORITE... Overall we had a nice day. We only went out for a few hours and got back on the ship before most of the other people got back. My husband wanted to sleep, so I went up to the top deck and layed out and read. I brought the second Hunger Games book with me and just relaxed and ready. I ended up getting pretty sunburned which was so stupid but now it is a nice tan and I like it...

Our Second Stop was Cozumel, Mexico and we had an ok time. It was my husbands birthday and I wish it would have gone a little but more smooth... We decided to buy an excursion to the Mayan Ruins and had to take an hour boat/ferry ride to another island. The ride was unforgettable, we were sitting on the front row and the first 10 minutes were fine, but then it got so bumpy and crazy, I had to shut the window and close my eyes. I opened them a few minutes later to a missing husband. He spent the next 45 minutes in the bathroom puking. There were people throwing up all around and I about died with the sound and smell... By the time we got there I was so happy to be on land... my husband was wasted and lucky the next hour bus ride was air conditioned and he was able to sleep a little. We got to the ruins and had 10 minutes before the pouring rain hit. Lucky out guide had offered umbrellas to us, we almost did not take one but at the last minute did. They pass them out for those that want to keep in the shade for the sun but we used it to keep ourselves dry. There were many many people who did not have any protection and were huddled under trees and anywhere else there was shelter... Needless to say we paid alot of money and it really was not great... We then got on the bus for another 30 minute ride to a beach where at least there was a Mexican buffet meal waiting for us. We really were not starving and we knew we still had another hour ride on the ferry again but it was not that bad. We got to hang out on the beach for an hour and that was nice... The view was amazing and just nice to actually be in Mexico. The ferry ride home was better, I had to kinda coach my husband, we sat in the middle this time around and he closed his eyes the whole time. We were running late and they had to hold the boat for us but we made it. So Happy Birthday to Sam, I bet you will always remember this birthday...

The third was a day at sea and we had a nice time. It was actually Easter Sunday. We spent the day relaxing and eating.. Below are the pictures of the dining we had while cruising. We had booked a table for two but when we got there the first night, they seated us at a huge table for 10, that already had an older couple sitting there. They were drunk and very talkative and it was not exactly what we wanted. I asked my husband to go check on why they had changed our reservation. They ended up having some other people complain and they had given up our seats. We were lucky to get it back and the next three nights we were able to have our own table, with the best best waiter and assistant waiter... They made a special chocolae cake for my husbands birthday and they spelled his name Samuelle... It was so cute... The food was great, I really enjoyed the soups and most nights I had a pasta dish that was awesome. I also loved the breakfast... Most morning I would get a plate heaping full of fruit... They had the best tasting fruit and I wish I could have that every morning... it was super YUMMY!!!

Thank You Jose for such a wonderful wedding and christmas present. We also counted this as our 2nd Wedding aniversity becayse it is coming up next month...

Feb Harts Visit and Ashlee's Birthday Fun

2011-05-22T20:55:00.003-04:00

What a fun time we had when the Harts came to visit back in March... The pictures here are from Ashlee's birthday in January but then the others are from the fun time we had celebrating her birthday in March...

We decided we wanted to go to Wicked but had a hard time finding good tickets within our price range. My mother ended up going to the box office one afternoon and getting 4 tickets but not all in the same area... We got there and ended up being able to sit by eachother and it was super awesome. I LOVE LOVE THIS SHOW...

We also had a fun time out on the lake a few days... I got to take the kiddos around on the tube for HOURS... it was such a blast...

Such a fun group of kids and families...

THIS WEEK!!!

2011-02-26T21:51:00.002-05:00

I am stoked for this week... It is the beginning of the month which means I am going to start being super busy with work but my sister Lindsay and her boys will be here on Wedneday and on Thursday we have tickets to WICKED... Last year I went for the first time and I loved it... I have been singing the songs for the last month and I am looking forward to a fun evening with my mother and sisters... YAY

Since Then

2011-02-26T21:34:00.002-05:00

January and February have flown by... It will be March this week... WOW... These past two months have been busy... In January I attended the Priest/Laurel retreat for the second year in a row, it was held out at the Youth Camp again and this year they brought a more spiritual aspect into the retreat of Missionary Work and Temple Marriage... The stake asked my husband and I to speak on Temple Covenants on Saturday Morning but he had to work so they got another couple to do it... but they did ask me to speak on Missionary Work and the blessings of missionary service. I was able to go through my mission stuff and it was fun to speak to them about my mission and the blessings that I have seen in my life since serving my Savior for a year and a hald in Texas... We had five wonderful girls come out including a non member friend. I think overall it was great... I was a little late getting there on Friday because Brother and Sister Leon were sealed in the Orlando Temple... I was able to go and be a part of it. Sister Leon is the secretary in our Young Womens Presidency and I absolutly love and adore her and her beautiful daughter, I am so happy for them... My Lovely Girls (Zoe, me, Jessica, Emma, Cortney and Brittany)
My sleeping bunk... between my father and I we had three air mattreses and only one of them was usable... I barrowed two from the stake and they went flat... so I got to sleep with a small foam mattress that the Jacobsens so willingly let me barrow. I was pretty sore the next morning...

This Year after breakfast and some workshops we hopped in the car and headed up to the Temple... The temple president and his wife spoke to the youth and it was pretty neat... I had never heard some of the things that he mentioned to them.... Very special, I really really love our Youth... Here is a picture of the Young Men and Young Women, dont they look sharp...

Birthday Pedicure with Renee...

Dinner at Azteca with the Pokipalas... They are so so amazing, they took us to dinner because we gave her a candy bar card and cake for her birthday... They inturn gave us a verbal candy bar card and you wont believe some of the things they had... they ordered online some candy from Hawaii, we felt so special and loved... THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL EVEING...

My father got this amazing deal on a new jet ski and last saturday I was able to take it for a spin, the weather was so nice... The water is getting warmer as well... This summer is going to be really fun...

Christmas 2010

2011-02-26T21:07:00.006-05:00

I somehow got my pictures from my phone to download onto the computer... I LOVE THE HTC EVO, I have contemplated getting a camera for a long time and I think in the next little while I will, but for now my phone is doing a great job... This year was the year to spend the holidays in Texas with the Phillips family. My husband and I decided to drive out instead of flying. Which turned out great in that we had a car for transportation while we were there. I was able to go and visit some mission friends and have a nice break... Since we drove I decided to bring my desktop so I could work the week following Christmas. I was able to get some work done and that was nice... Here are some pictures from the Vacation

Ashlee gave me the latest Tennis Shoes Amoung the Nephites Book for Christmas and I was able to dive into it on the drive out there... We ended up leaving Thursday the 23rd at 4 pm and drove through the night... The last time we drove out there my husband practically drove the whole way because he wanted to but this time around it was pretty even... We made it by 8 the next morning...

This is the only picture I have from Christmas... At least I have one...

For my Sister in Laws Birthday we were going to go putt putt golfing but ended up going bowling instead and I have to say I was a baller... My classes at BYU Idaho years ago paid off... I mean I still did not do that well but I scored in the 160 range... We had a nice time...

I got to have lunch with some friends from my mission and that was so nice to have some catch up time... I love you Eden, Dawna and Lori...

When I was serving in Colleyville I met the Johnson family. They had a daughter at school at BYU Idaho and she came home for a visit... I first met Brittany in the singles ward that I was serving in, she came in looking all cute and hip with these salmon colored high heals that I thought were too cute... I kept in touch with her and ran into her at BYU Idaho when I went up there after my mission. We became good friends and she got married this December while I was in Texas. It was so fun to be able to go to her wedding and see her marry the man of her dreams... I am so happy for Tom and Brittany Coplen!!! Sam so willingly accompianed me to the reception in Colleyville and I was able to see some wonderful families that I met while serving my mission. Tom and Brittney are both from the same home ward but are a few years apart, they met in the singles ward through his sister and they hit it off... I was so happy to be able to celebrate with them... BTW: does my husband look sharp? We went to the Van Hussen Outlet the day before and he went a little out of his comfort zone with some of his purchases and it paid off... SUPER SEXY!!!!

The holiday season was full of love and laughter and I was able to spend time with the family I love...

CHRISTMAS CARD

2011-02-24T20:34:00.000-05:00

My Sister Lindsay of Hart to Hart Digital Design, took our pictures and created our christmas card this year... I saw this design on a website and I told her what I wanted and it turned out perfect... Since I was not able to send it to everyboday this year, I thought I would post it for all to see...

THANKS LINZ... you are so talented!!!

FINALLY

2011-02-24T20:07:00.000-05:00

I finally sat down and updated the blog... I have been thinking about it for months and finally did it...I am missing pictures from Christmas... We headed to Texas for the holidays and I was not diligent in taking pictures, well sorta... I do have my phone... I will post some when I get the chance... Anyway, I am well pleased with myself... ENJOY!!!

Graduation

2011-02-24T19:41:00.000-05:00

My husbands Graduation was December 17th... His parents flew into town and it was a beautiful weekend. The ceremony was nice. Sam was president of his class and got to speak for a few minutes, he did a fine job... We went the the Olive Garden afterwords to Celebrate... YUM

The Most Magical Place in the World & Universal

2011-02-24T19:39:00.000-05:00

Where Dreams Come True... and yet again we were able to go for Free... My parents have the best connections...

My and my pal!!!

Ok, so this was one long day... We have always come home before dark and this time around my sisters wanted to stick it out... We hit up the Magical Kindgom earlier in the day and today was the first time we actally waited in line for Dumbo... I cant believe that that is one of the longest waits in the whole dang place... and its not even that cool, well maybe for the kids... Anyway, we headed to Animal Kingdom for a few and then made it back to Magic Kingdom in time to watch the lighting of Cinderella's castle... It was pretty neat...I have to say that I was pretty tired by nights end and so happy to make it home... I do not know how people come to Disney for 5-10 days and go strong...

My good friend Brittney and Her Husband Scott came to Florida for the holidays and we were able to go to Universal Studios with them one day. Sam has wanted to go to a theme park for a while and it was fun to be able to spend a day of fun... THANKS SCOTT and BRITT for wanting to play... It was pretty crowded but we had a good time...

We headed back to Harry Potter land right away and there was already a HUGE line of people waiting. Come to find out the ride was broken... GRRR, it would have been fun to go and see just because I do not know when the next time will be when I will be back, but what could we do...

I barrowed a fannie pack from Brittney's dad and wore it all day long... I do say I wore it well...

Old Town

2011-02-24T19:35:00.000-05:00

One night we could not decide what to do, we went through so many different options... finally I remembered that I had purchased a buy one get one free ride on the sky coaster/human swing at Old Town... I called up Sam because I bought the tickets to do together and since he was at work and almost done I thought he could meet us there... Needless to say he told me that he would not do it that night because he needed to prepare mentally to drop 300 feet. I thought that once a person did it they could do it at anytime... I told everone that I would do it by myself and we all headed out there...

What if the really made truck tires this big....

Well, I am happy to say that my dear young mother stepped to the plate and did it with me. I really was fine going at it alone but she told me she would go... LOVE THAT WOMAN... It was a blast... I will try and post the video sometime...

Of course Sam did go on the go carts and I rode a few kiddy rides with B and G... SO fun...

The Bates Arrive!!!

2011-02-24T19:26:00.000-05:00

Tiff and Clan arrived the day after Thanksgiving... we had been anticipating their arrival for a long time. I had never met baby Zoe and it was so fun to meet her... Cuddos to Tiff for making the long trek with a almost 3 year old and a 9 month year old... SO HAPPY YOU MADE IT...

WAITING and FINALLY SEE THEM

Eating up Benton and Z...

Huge Bags...

Loving me some Little GIRL!!!

Thanksgiving

2011-02-24T19:19:00.000-05:00

So fun to have the Harts back again for Thanksgiving... We spent alot of time playing...

Sam took two of his old golf clubs and cut them down and re griped them so the boys could have their own clubs... We then took them to the driving range to hit some balls so that Lindsay could work some...

Braden really could hit the ball pretty well...

Always coming up with creative ideas...

Daddy and his gals... Sam the Turkey Carver...

There are many things that I am thankful for... a awesome husband and family, good health, the gospel of Jesus Christ, my young women and the ladies I work with... AND MANY MORE...

Halloween

2011-02-24T19:16:00.000-05:00

We heading to Charlotte for a quick trip Halloween weekend...Ashlee and I both were into a good book and it was so fun to just READ and spend time with family...
We got to go to this awesome pumkin patch and just spend a relaxing weekend...

Braden the Vampire and Gavin the Walrus

Gotta love my Wally the Walrus...

My dad saw this in a magazine and made it for the boys... it is a cat made out of pumpkins... Just spray paint them black and bling them up... SO CREATIVE

Utah October 2010

2011-02-24T19:15:00.000-05:00

I went out to Utah in October for my Cousin Jessi's wedding... My parents flew out a day before me and I met them there...We drove down to Orem right after my flight came in and we drive up to my Aunts house and see this person standing in her driveway. We do not see the other person kneeling beside him. The person stands and we realize that it is Elder Clark. There was an Elder in his district that had his apendix removed and the other Elders were taking turns with him during the day until he recovered. The house they were staying at happened to be 6 doors down from my Aunt and he got permission to go and leave a note for us. We happened to drive up as he was doing just that... We asked him if we could bring him some food and he wanted Chick-fil-A, which we promptly went and got. We got his companion a jamba juice... YUM... I had Jamba about many time during my visit, cant get enough!!! SO FUN TO SEE TANNER, he is doing great and loving his mission...

Lunch with Grandpa...

Outside the Salt Lake Temple, it was a BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!

Helping out in the Kitchen...

Mckay and Jessi Fitt... beautful bride... so glad I was able to make it out for the Wedding...

September Recap

2010-11-23T17:44:00.000-05:00

I drove out west with Taylor again this year... it was not as long a trip this year... Last year I spent 11 days away but this time was only a quick 4 days because I had to be back for a work seminar... We left after church on Sunday...

We wanted Dominos pizza so bad on our drive that we took a long detour following our gps to this little ghetto place in the middle of nowhere... Lucky it was YUMMY!!!

We spent the first night in the same place as last year Chatanooga, TN... then drove to Saint Louis where we stayed for a few hours with my Aunt and Uncle... We left at 2am to head to Denver... Wednesday we took a drive up into Boulder and hicked some, what a beautiful and breath taking view, here is just one of the many pictures we took... It was so nice to take a break from work and everything, it is something that needs to be done every once in a while...

I made it back in time to attend a Franklin Covey training for work, our boss paid for us to go to a time managment focus seminary, it was very time... got me thinking about my time and what I could be doing better... I left well equipted with the same day planner my mother uses. I bet I wont be as diligent as her but I will try...

The Harts Came down in September for a visit, we celebrated Lindsay's Birthday and just had a great time...

Bonefish Grill....

Celebrating with the Jazzies...ooo boy was I tan

And More Celebrating!!!

Something Soon!!!

2010-11-18T17:05:00.000-05:00

I need more time...I bet there are so many people out there that are saying that same exact thing... I have taken on different responsibilities at work that have kept me so busy. I have so many things that I want to post but cannot find the time to do it. I will definently sometime soon.

Rock Springs Take 2

2010-09-19T16:04:00.000-04:00

Ok, so a few post back was titled Rock Springs and so this one is Rock Springs Take 2... The Jazzies and us decided to try Kelly Park one more time before Taylor left for college. We went the Saturday after school started and made sure to get there before the crowd. Saturdays are usually busy and you have to get there early to be admitted. It had rained every afternoon that week and I was praying that it would not rain the day that we went and it did not until after we had left. We had a blast and it was so nice and pleasent... I even tried to get some sun during lunch... overall it was a blast

August 2010

2010-09-19T15:17:00.000-04:00

Ok... there is no order to these pictures... I posted so many and I do not want to go and put them in order so I will just explain as I go... First up, celebrating Tanners 16th birthday in proxy... Gavin was the person who got to blow out the candles, with my help... Next was saying goodbye to Shawn who is now at Johns Hopkins University!!! We had a little going away party for him at Beef O Bradys...

Next Up is the weekend of fun followed by the week of more fun... As you can see Braden and Gavin are in many of these pictures... Lindsay drove down to Florida and then headed out to Hawaii to shoot a wedding and we got to watch the boys for a week... It was a team effort with my mother, ashlee and myself. It was so fun!!! One weekend we had a sleepover at my parents house with the Jacobsens, some of the Munns and cute little Jordan and Joy Forte. Joy has been begging to come over for weeks now and we finally set the date and it happened to be the weekend that we had more and more people over as well, including the nephews... My parents house was full of love and laughter...

We played the Wi!!!

We ate Ice Cream

We went fishing!!!

We had a huge sleepover in the bonus room!!!

JOY looked so peaceful sleeping

And Happy in the Morning
Gavin fell in love with Jordans shoes... he wore them all night!!!

The sleepover was on a Friday night and on Saturday Morning we headed over to Ranier and April Munns home to use their pool... We had a blast, they have a super fun splash for the kids too... Gavin and Porter had a blast and so did Braden too

More Fishing...
My GIRLS!!!

Saying Goodbye to Elder Stader..

AND THATS IT!!! What a wonderful month!!!

Britney and Ezra!!!

2010-09-19T15:03:00.000-04:00

My good friend Britney and her new little baby Ezra came to town in the beginning of August... I say new baby but he is now 4 months old. It was fun to throw a little shower for her and spend time with friends and family. It was a nice change to have a shower after a baby has already been born..Sister Danley ordered the cake, Ashlee made the cookies and Eva did the decorations (which were awesome by the way)... So fun to celebrate

The whole Crew...

Tanner is OFF!!!

2010-09-19T14:50:00.000-04:00

July 28 the was the day Tanner reported to the MTC!!! Here are a few pictures, wish I could have been there... The morning before he went to the MTC he got to go speak to an EFY group. Brad Wilcox a close friend of the family asked if he wanted to come and talk to the youth, I hear he did a great job

The Beautiful Temple!!!

The last Huggs!!!

AND HE IS OFF, see you in 2 years!!!

They have changed what happens when you arrive at the MTC since I am everyone else in my family has been. They now do not have the parents and family come in and have a meeting. It is a curbside drop off... quick and easy...

Farewell

2010-08-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

Tanner spoke in church the 11th of July... Guess who was the other speaker me. My topic was becoming more like the savior and tanners was being a disciple of Jesus Christ. I think that they went well, Tanner did an exceptional job. He had such a great crowd of friends and non members come and some even stayed the whole time. He has been such a great influence on his friends and their families and he will be a great missionary...

We got to sing happy birthday again!!!

Beach Day With the Harts

2010-08-28T18:59:00.000-04:00

It was fun to spend a few days with the Harts when they came down for Tanner's temple and speaking in church... We went to the beach one day and it was divine... I went into work early and was able to take off a few hours, I am so glad that I did... We always head out to Cocoa Beach and hit up the Holiday Inn pool and access to the beach... It is such a wonderful place...

Temple Day and Birthday

2010-08-28T18:51:00.000-04:00

What a great day July 10th 2010 was. Yes it was my birthday, but it was also the day that Tanner went through the Temple. It was so nice to all be together, we missed the Bates, but we cherished the time together with those who were able to make it. Blake was even able to come down and my husband was able to get off work...

It was one of the best birthday's ever...

4th of July

2010-08-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

The 4th of July fell on a Sunday this year and it ended up being such a wonderful day. My father gave an amazing lesson during the third hour of church on religion and freedom and flags and the significance of all of them. I helped him the night before set up this huge flag in the cultral hall of the church, it was awesome. Our good friends the Jacobsen's have a son Christian who had his eagle court of honor that night too and we brought the flag out to the church ranch and set it up at their church as well... Below are some pictures of the day

We made huge sugar cookies and decorated them like flags and brought them around to our neighbors... Tasty!!!

Tanner and Christian

Rock Springs

2010-07-04T16:43:00.000-04:00

When we first moved to Florida we would come up to Kelly Park/Rock Springs many times during the summer with our friends the Pratts and the McCrelesses... We have not been in a few years and decided it was time to go again with the Jacobsens... Friday Morning we got up early and headed up there... Sam had school and work so he was not able to go but I told him that I was going to work on my suntan. He is so dark right now from playing golf and working outside that I wanted to get a little too... So the drive up there it was raining and we were thinking we might have to do something else. This was the first morning this summer that it has rained, we have had the afternoon showers most days but not the constant rain. When we got up there we decided to head up the the park and try out luck. We got rented tubes and stacked them on the suburbans. We made it to the springs and started the float. The water is always 72 degrees, which is nice on a really hot sunny day but it was a tad bit cold today. I jumped in at the very beginning and it was not as bad as I thought it would be but it was not as I remembered. Below are some pictures. After the first time down the river we stopped for lunch, we grilled hot dogs in the rain with an umbrella covering the grill, it was 10 am when we ate, we were all hungry... We then floated the river two more time and left around 1 to come home. We are going to have to go back when it is warmer and not raining. We stopped for dairy queen on the way home and the sun finally came out for a bit, dang why did it not cooperate for us... O well, we still had a great time with the Jazzies...

The Whole Gang, minus my mother who was taking the picture

Loading the car and driving the half mile to the park

I love my facial expressing as I sat down on the tube and the cold water engulfed my body...

The Crew!!!

Lizzie, Mary and I... ,

My parents and I...

LUNCH BREAK!!!

What a fun day!!!

TANNER'S MISSION CALL

2010-07-03T21:53:00.000-04:00

While we were on the trek Tanners mission call came!!! It was so fun to come home and see it waiting on the counter. We all got cleaned up and then he opened it... He is going to be serving in the Provo Utah Mission. He is going to be learning Spanish and he is happy about that. I have heard that the Provo mission the the highest baptising mission in the church. Two of my roomates in the MTC went to the Provo Mission and they loved it... He will be a great missionary. It is weird that my mom's father and two sisters live in his mission. I think that there is a chance that he will be seeing some family members, you never know though... YAY FOR ELDER CLARK... who goes into the MTC on July 28!!!

Happy Fathers Day

2010-07-03T21:16:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day to the Bestest Dad in the whole entire world... Well I know Sam will be one heck of a dad, but this is a shout out for Ronald B... LOVE YOU DAD!!!

Trek 2010

2010-07-03T20:45:00.000-04:00

This Year Our Youth Conference was a trek... The last trek that I went on was in 2002 when I was a junior in High School. We did it in the end of July the first time and it was a killer... This year they did the trek in the middle of June and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. It was challenging at times but so worth it... The best part about it was that Taylor and Brooke Henderson were our Big Brother and Big Sister and Tanner and Shawn were in out family. We had 4 girls in our group two from our ward and two from another ward and 4 more guys. I have to say that we had the best family in the whole trek... Day one we traveled about 13 miles, we got heavy rain for a long while in the afternoon but it was refreshing. At one pointe along the trail the lightning and thunder got so bad that they made us stop and go under tarps... Taylor, Brooke and I ended up under the handcart and we had a blast... I have the picture below!!! My father was in charge of two things this trek; the Anti-Mormon Expierence and the Ferry... He put so much time and effort into both of these... Below are a few pictures of the anti mormon's. My mother is trying so hard to be mean. The other people are Natalie Soloman, Brian Melick, Les Brigh, Daniel and Emily Munns. Brother Soloman came late but also participated. I love the picture below of my father. He was wearing a wig and had a huge knife, he never said a word just sat there looking mean and growled... Let me explain a little bit about the ferry. 4 years ago they had a ferry that was ok but not the best, the first hand cart and people that came across fell into the river... So my father being the perfectionist he is created the best ferry ever. He build two docks one on each bank and then had ropes going across... It was almost fail proof, I say almost because one cart almost fell in... I will explain below...
Here is our group coming to the ferry!!! So above I mentioned that a hand cart almost went into the river... That handcart happened to be ours... So when the ferry was pulled back to the dock Taylor and Brian were suppose to tie it onto a piece of wood and when the handcart was on the ferry it would be undone and then able to go across... So our family was the only family that let the youth do the ferry all my themselves. Most other groups the pa and the big brother helped out, but we let the kids do it all... So I am standing at the top of the hill and I watch as the handcart is going down onto the dock and starting to go onto the ferry when the ferry starts to float away with only half of the handcart on it... Tanner and a girl name Brittany were stratling the dock and the ferry and I thought that they were going to fall in, but they did not... Taylor ran down and pulled the roap back and they were able to get the handcart back up the hill... below is a picture of them pushing the handcart back up... I witnesed a miracle because that handcart was suppose to fall into the water, someone had to have been helping hold it up... I am so glad that our stuff did not get wet...

So as I mentioned above the first day we traveled about 13+ miles and made it to camp way passed dark... The trek that I went on while I was a youth had a yucky meal the first night, to show us how awful the pioneers had it. The meal was like water/broth and salt with a little roll... It was pretty bad. Sister Bainer this year wanted the youth to be well fed and they had a beef stew waiting for us that was so so yummy... I usually dont care for stew, but it was really good... Taylor and Brooke made a great tent for us to sleep under... So the first night was misrable... It took a while to get all the kids in and down and then I went out and changed and brushed my teeth and readied for bed. I was so tired.. It was past midnight when I finally into bed... I brought my handy earpluggs along and not 5 minutes after I put them in and I was laying comfortable I felt someone shaking me. It was a girl in our group that said she was not feeling well... The leaders had already left and we were left to fend for ourselves. If it had gotten too bad there was a way to call for help. So Brooke and I woke Taylor up and he was able to give her a priesthood blessing, we spent the next two hours rubbing her back and helping her to relax. She finally went down around 2. We were beyond tired but you know when you get so tired you cant sleep, well that is what happened. We spent the next hour rubbing eachothers backs and feet.... We finally went down by 3 and I sleped on and off till 6 when I was wide awake... Ready to start day 2...

Day 2 was great. We had breakfast and a family scripture study and left camp around 10... We did not travel too far this day, only about 4 miles or so to the mail camp... We got to the mail camp and found the perfect place to make a tent... Taylor was the mastermind behind our place of rest which the trekkers deemed two names... The Deseret Marriot and the Tasha Mahala... My father had bought a huge tarp that we were able to throw over a huge tree limb. Really this was the best tent ever... We acually won the best camp site award and were able to get our deseret first that night... We stayed in camp that afternoon and had hair washing, slip in slide fun and gun shooting... This night was alot better, no one got sick

Day 3 we got up and had a wonderful meeting with the stake president and then a testimony meeting. It was so great to hear our youth bear testimony and strengthen eachother. We left there around 2 and made it to the Salt Lake Valley where our friends and family were waiting... I am so glad that we particiapted...

Olive Garden and SAK

2010-07-03T20:41:00.000-04:00

I dont remember the ocasion, I think it was my mother birthday we went out to eat at the Olive Garden and then we headed out to SAK comedy club. I remember going to this comedy club when I was like 12 with the Pratts and we decided to go again. It was really really fun!!! The comedy was clean and we laughed many time, especially Taylor whose laugh is contagious... We also fount this wonderful frozen yogurt place for desert... I think we will have to go again!!!

Harts Visit

2010-07-03T20:34:00.000-04:00

It was a blast having Lindsay and the boys come down for Graduation and stay for a week... We always feast when they come to town...

Lindsay got this bautiful new dress that was a perfect hiding place for the G man!!!

Braden loved holding Rita, our neighbors little Girl... I say its time for the Harts to add a little gal to the mix...

For Family Home Evening we played the duck game and sang some songs... So much fun... My mother has so many FHE games and activites from when we were young. It is nice to get them out sometimes when the nephews come to town

Graduation

2010-07-03T20:07:00.000-04:00

The last of the Clark children is now graduated from High School!!! After 28 years of schooling my parents are now done...

Tanner with Friends!!!

Grad Party

2010-07-03T19:43:00.000-04:00

We had a graduation party at my parents house for Tanner and we had a great turn out. Tanner has been friends with four other boys for the last 8 years and this party was to celebrate their accomplishments. They are called The Five

Awesome Group of Friends

Tay grilling it up

TRIBUTE

2010-07-03T19:41:00.000-04:00

TO THE BEST SEMINARY TEACHER!!!

My mother has taught early morning Seminary for the last 4 and a half years. This was her final year and the students gave her this poster. Her class was great. I was able to sub for her a few times and if I was a seminary teacher this would be the class that I would want to teach...

Luau

2010-07-03T19:38:00.000-04:00

Last month the Hunters Creek Ward had a Luau for their Young Men/ Young Woman fundraiser. We invited our good friends the Buxtons and the Barclays... It was great

The had some audience members get on stage and Ashley and I got chosen. I will try and put the video on this post because I started to shake my hips and then they just stared going faster and faster. I realized that the young man behind me came up and stared assisting me... It was pretty funny...

The Ladies

The Boys!!!

I Hope They Call Me on a MIssion

2010-05-24T18:43:00.000-04:00

The last of the Clark children has put in his mission papers....Tanner has dreamed of going to BYU for a year and then heading out on a mission, but the bishop of our ward called him in and asked him to pray about serving a mission before going to school... He got the impression to go now and this is child 6 or 6...

So far three have been state side and two have been foreign... with three Spanish speakers and two English...

Lindsay served in Santa Cruz, Boliva

Ashlee served in the Los Angles Temple Visitors center/Proselyting Spanish Speaking

Tiffani Served in Santiago, Chile

I served in Fort Worth, Texas

Taylor served in Denver, Colorado and

Tanner is awaiting his call...

and dont forget about Dad who served in the Northern States Indian Mission, dont think that is the exact name but its close...

What a Hansome Young Man... We cant wait to find out where you will be serving for the next two years...

Work Station

2010-05-23T20:49:00.000-04:00

Taylor with Preferred Real Estate and Camille with Preferred Compliance Solutions have invaded the back office. This was a few weeks ago before Taylor got a job with a pool servicing company and is no longer there during the days... but it was fun while it lasted...

Culture Night

2010-05-23T20:23:00.000-04:00

The Laurel's this month decided to have a culture night...Everybody brough different food from around the world and we had a nice feast... YUMMY... I brought an Asisan Bowtie Pasta Salad that was to die for. My mom had it while she was in Dubai and it is one that we will have often... I love new foods...

Emma and some of her friends from Dance Team came and taught us some salsa... I am not that good, but I sure try... These girls did a good job

I love these girls...

Kick Ball

2010-05-23T20:18:00.000-04:00

We played Kick Ball a few weeks back for our combined activity... We had a great time. Tanner let me barrow some socks that were in his trunk, pretty stylish.

Jessica and I

The Whole Gang

Zoe Jean Bates

2010-05-23T20:09:00.000-04:00

I am a new Aunt... Well I have been for 2 months, but I am just poting pictures now. Zoe Jean Bates was born on March 14... She was 5 weeks early and weighed in at 4 lbs and I think 9 oz... She was super small and now is getting some cubby cheeks. It is so hard being so far away and cant wait till December to see her...

Bridal Shower

2010-05-23T19:41:00.000-04:00

We had a bridal shower for Heidi Aponte a few weeks back. We had a good turn out and it was fun to celebrate together. Cant believe a year ago I was doing the same thing... WOW, time flies...

Baby Rita and I had the same color hair band in. So so cute... I love living next door to them...

The whole gang!!!

Blakemore's Visit

2010-05-23T19:38:00.000-04:00

My cousins Todd and Natalie were in Florida this past month with the Make a Wish foundation and they were able to come out to our house...

Zach loved the water and would have stayed out there all night...

What a great opportunity for their little family...

TC and Sham

2010-05-23T19:37:00.000-04:00

Taylor was gone for his birthdat on April 7th, so when he got home in the end of the month we celebrated his and Sam's birthday together... We had a few families come over and celebrate and we just had a grand old time...

For those of you who watch the shoe Minute to Win It, we decided to do our own version of it here. Taylor loves the show and came up with all of these fun things... It was a hoot hoot, so fun!!!

Happy Birthday Babe

UTAH and Adams Wedding

2010-05-23T19:30:00.000-04:00

My mother and I were able to go out to Utah for my Cousin Adams wedding. Adam and I are three months apart. We have grown up doing everything together and I was so grateful that I was able to attend his wedding. I was able to take off 4 days of work and just have an enjoyable time. The first picture here is of my little nephew Zane and his first soccer match. He is 4 and loves american football, but since they did not have football americano this spring, he had to go with just plain football or soccer...

This is Nate, the youngest cousin on my moms side of the family. He is a doll and just cracks me up... The first time I saw him he was smiling and then gave me this scowl and then every time he would look at me in those few days would be the same thing... I wish I had a picture of him scowling at me... but here he was looking at someone else and giving a huge grin...

The happy couple...

All of my moms siblings and her dad and his wife were able to be there... He got married in Rexburg, and it was a drive for alot of them, but it was so nice to all be together... Hope we can do it soon

New Beginnings

2010-05-23T19:28:00.000-04:00

For our new beginings this year our theme was the Olympics...I ended up making a DVD for our girls and I use a website called Face in Hole, do put their faces on pictures... I used various Winter Olympic sports... Each girl had four pictures. Three of which were sporting pictures and the last one was of them holding up gold medals. It turned out pretty good and I was well pleased that I was able to pull it off... I am so grateful to be serving in the YW orginization. I am learning alot...

The Harts Visit

2010-05-23T19:17:00.000-04:00

We had so much fun when the Harts came to visit in Febuary... These pictures are in no particular order... This first one is of the boys helping out grandpa with a bend sign... such great helpers... My dad was so patience in letting the boys hammer and help...

The boys got to ride horses at the ranch and we had so much fun. Gavin was a little hesitant to get on the horse, but after getting aboard he LOVED it... Braden is a great horseman...

My mom and I tried to take the boys to the fair one day but they did not open till later in the afternoon. We ended going to the bookstore and playing with the trains and reading for a few hours... They got to pick one thing to take home. Braden chose some binocluars and Gavin got this book....

The birthday that lasted all month. Singing again to the wonderufl ashlee...
The board that Robert Broke... Braden is getting to be a great Tai Kwan Do boy...
After the rodeo...

It was so fun to have the Harts here... I was about to say can't wait till they come again, but they will be here this week... my time flies.

Birthday Girl

2010-05-23T19:04:00.000-04:00

Ashlee is 30... it was fun to celebrate with the Jacobsens... There are so many things that I love about Ashlee... but why dont I just use bullet points to explain...

. She is Awesome

. She is Smart

. She is Happy

. She is Lovely

.She is an Example

. She is Extraordinary

LOVE THE CARD

Phantom

2010-05-23T19:03:00.000-04:00

For my sisters Birthday we went to the Phantom of the Opera... I have always wanted to see it and I was so glad that we got to go. We did not have the best of seats at the beginning but at intermission we moved up closer and that was nice... Thanks Ashlee for having a birthday and coming to Florida to celebrate...

Priest-Laurel Retreat

2010-05-23T19:01:00.000-04:00

I can remember back to 2001 when I was in Young Womens attending the Priest/Laurel retreats... now 9 years later here I am attending as a leader. We had a blast and I absolutly love my girls. They are so awesome and I am so grateful for their courage and strength. Friday night we got to spend some time with the bishop doing fun games and having a testimony meeting around the campfire. It really was an uplifting experience listening to these youth talk about what they face everyday and how they can find strength...

The balloon game was so so funny to watch...

Happy Birthday Benton

2010-05-23T18:52:00.000-04:00

My little nephew turned 2 in January and we had a birthday party for him... he was a happy boy!!!

We wish you lived closer...

Catfish and Monkey

2010-05-23T18:43:00.000-04:00

Fishing

2010-05-23T18:28:00.000-04:00

It was fun to go fishing with Benton and Tiff when they were here at the end of last year... I came across these pictures and wanted to post them...

Gatorland

2010-03-22T21:36:00.000-04:00

When everyone was home we decided to go to Gatorland. We had a great time, the weather was nice, it had been super cold but this day it was only small jacket that was needed.

Christmas Cruise

2010-03-22T21:03:00.000-04:00

I AM FINALLY GETTING AROUND TO BLOGGING THE LAST FEW MONTHS...

For Christmas this Year we all went on a cruise. There were 14 and a half people. Tiffani was pregnant and not technically suppose to go but she hid her baby bump well. I have been on two other cruises before our first was on the Norwegian Cruise Line and the second was a Carnival Cruise. This was the first time on Royal Caribbean. It was a short trip but very fun... We ported out of Miami and went to Nassau. We visit the Atlantis and just spent quality time as a family. Here I have captured some of the fun with colleges. This was Sam's first cruise and he absolutely loved it and would like to go on one every year. At least that is what he proclaimed as we were walking the deck late one night. Well see how that goes, but I would say we will be going on some throughout our lives.

The food was great and they said we were sitting at the Captains table, but I don't think that meant what it sounds like. We got our food last and were the last ones out of the dinning room most of the nights. But it was pretty good.

The boys of the family braved the water in the Bahamas. I cannot tell you how cold it was because I did not attempt to touch it, which is different than the younger me who would always be the first and the last one out of the water. I am now starting to enjoy just observing. The waves were so so so big. At one point one of the waves got the best of Sam and my brother in law Blake. Sam came up to us with blood all over his face from a far it looked like some of his teeth were knocked out, but it just happened to be a bloody nose which is not a rare occurrence for him. It looked a lot worse than it was. Blake got trashed around on one wave and said he somersaulted and thought he would not be able to get air. CRAZY, anyway it was a beautiful day...

We also found a Jamba Juice that was so refreshing. That is one thing that I miss about not living our West, NO JAMBA Juice. We do have a Planet Smoothie and the smoothies at Natures Table are good, but not as good as a Razzmatazz... I had to add pictures of the little boys, they seemed to love every minute and take it all in. I love them...

Here Comes Santa

2010-02-04T19:58:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve was so fun this year. We got a visit from Santa (Samta, from our ward christmas party) and the boys had mixed reactions... Braden loved it...

Gavin had the same look the whole time... and

Benton- not so much!!!

Each person got to take a picture with Santa... Thank You for Visiting the Clark Home!!

Sam and the Boys

2010-02-04T19:43:00.000-05:00

So the day before Christmas my sisters all went out to finish the last minute shopping and Sam and I volunteered to watch the boys. We had a good time. One of the projects was to mow the grass at the home that we live. Well none of the boys wanted to be left out so Sam took them all on the lawn mower. They had a great time. Braden and Benton took a break half way through and came inside for a snack but G stayed the whole time. By the end they were all on the mower again. They even got to ride with him back to my parents house, which is about 10 houses down.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

2010-02-03T21:54:00.000-05:00

For my dads birthday we had a great party. We had a few famlies come and celebrate with us...

We all got to sing Happy Birthday and since it was close to christmas we sang come carols too... It is always so fun when we get out the instruments and all the kids get to participate. Even the young boys...

Speaking of young boys. They fell in love with the horsey, AKA Uncle Sam... or as Benton calls him Sham!!!

Get Together

2010-02-03T21:19:00.000-05:00

We had the annual get-together with Tanner's friends families. We had an awesome dinner and a fun gift exchange. It is great to spend this time of year with Friends and family!!!

Nursing Home Caroling

2009-12-30T19:48:00.000-05:00

We had our Traditional Christmas Caroling with the Pratts the week before Christmas... We usually go to two different homes but this year we just went to one. We were a little smaller in numbers but it was alright... We had a few others join us and that was nice... It is nice to bring cheer to those that are sometime forgotten...

Tanners Friend Shawn joined us this year and we hope that he and his family will join us again...

Return With Honor

2009-12-30T15:01:00.000-05:00

Our Good Friend Porter John Brown: AKA PJ, just got home off his mission a week ago. It was fun to go to the airport to see him return... I cant believe that a whole two years has passed since we said goodbye to him... He left right after I came home, that means that it has been two years since I got home, now that is INSANE. Life is rolling...

We got there and just waited in suspense. Then he came and ran down the terminal... GUESS WHERE HE HEADED FIRST...

His Mama...

Then the Papa...

The Family minus the Biglers but including Hinton who was born after he left, this was the first meeting!!! It might take some time to get use to him, but he will... YAY FOR THE BROWNS...

The Whole Welcoming Committee...

Shower for Eva and Baby Rita

2009-12-30T14:55:00.000-05:00

My next door neighbor Eva is pregnant with her fourth child a baby girl... We had a shower for her at my mothers house a little while ago and I wanted to show you what I made... Well not really what I made because the awesome Heather Munns really did all the work, I was just the assistant... The Theme of the shower was Lady bugs and Heather and I decided to do the cake. I went over to her house at 1:00 on a Friday Afternoon and by 8 that night this is what we had done... It was the first time that any of us had used fondant and it was a little bit of a challenge but we did it... It turned out pretty darn good for our first time... what do you think?

The fondant that we had was white and I got to be the one to do the coloring... I really spent an hour or more kneeding the color into the white fondant... my hands were pretty tired but I have to say that it was well worth it...

We also made little cupcakes that turned out super cute...

The Food... We had tons...

The Whole Crew

Cant Wait to See Baby Rita in a few days... She was suppose to come into the world today due a C-Section but she turned at the last minute and we now have to wait to see this little girl... COME SOON...

Ward Christmas Party

2009-12-30T14:54:00.000-05:00

We had our Ward Christmas party our at a members home in town. It was a great little gathering with most of the typical families there... Sam was asked to be Santa and he practiced his HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS often. He started out being very enthusiastic but got a little weak by the end... Below are a few pictures... The older kids knew that it was him by his voice and laugh... They started calling him Samta... Ha Ha...

Funny Side not... when I first went up to sit on his lap I gave him a kiss on the cheek... The Young Women's president later told me that she thought that it was my father who was Santa and she told the person standing next to her and it was weird that I was getting frisky with my father... It was hilarious.. I love our ward...