for Aliyah and Grace

Califonia has been fun. We have seen a lot of fruit orchards and vineyards. We even saw a field full of strawberries. We ate at a restraunt with a treehouse inside that Jayce got to play in. It even had a rope bridge that you could walk across. And they had a smoker like daddies that is as big as grandpas black car. We went to Jayden' s football game and uncle Nate's church. When we were at church Jayce and Abe slept all the way through. Everyone was really nice at church and it made me think that we should be more welcoming to new people who come to our ward. Abe stuck his feet in the swimming pool and he laughed. It was too cold to let him get in all the way but maybe we could take him to a pool when we are together again and see if he likes it. 25

Let see, just some fast family facts tonight. Abe is smiling!!! It is the sweetest thing. Those big toothless grins just melt your heart. Grace got her jobs done today before noon. Hallelujah!!!!! This small fact makes a monumental difference in our relationship for the day. It means she gets to play with her best friend. Ya know the great thing about kids is every day is a do over for them. No matter how you messed up with them the day before they wake up in the morning loving you. On that note I think I am going to bed.

wants

i want to learn to speed read.
i want to learn to use google reader,
and to blog from my phone.
i want one extra hand so i could hold
Abe and still have two to type with.

Aliyah above and Grace below
on the bungee trampoline. Jayce
did the Alpine slide with me, mom.

Jayce with his cousin

Abraham at 1 month

What a weekend. We had a great 4 day weekend, i guess maybe since it was four days you can't really call it a weekend. But we had a getaway with the family and all our Clark cousins. I loved the rooms we stayed in and have been trying to figure out how I can go back there at least every couple of months, well I would really like every month but I think I can rationalize to myself every couple. It is so beautiful up there and peaceful and it gets cold at night just like in Rexburg.

The kids were busy the entire time with minimal effort on my part. They did everything from jewelry making to goat feeding, to the Alpine slide and bungee jump trampoline. It was a trip to remember.

Every year when we do this we go to lagoon for the evening with Ryan's company. They always have a raffle for the kids whose parents work at the company and my kids look forward to it every year. I actually do too because it is fun to see how excited they get checking out the prizes right when we get there and see which one they want to win. Well Aliyah won a hula hoop and Grace got a pogo stick which were great but Jayce won the grand prize a new nintendo Wii. When we finally found him at the back of the crowd, he had long since lost interest in the number reading and was playing with his cousin, he was dissappointed because he had wanted to win the skateboard instead. He did however change his mind when we got it home and announced that he was keeping it and that only he and his best friend Bryce could play it and they could do it whenever they wanted too. I just love this little boy!!

Getting back to real life again has been a challenge for me. I greatly appreciate maid service. The kids did pretty good today being back home and trying to get back to a routine. Jayce was trying to get help with cleaning his room by telling me that the "piggies died in it." I guess I should explain what a "pig stye" is! I wish kids never grew up, I love the funny things they do and say. I love my kids sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!

PS Abraham is smiling and me now too and not just Ryan who i admit got the first smiles.

PSS Does anyone else hate the thought of their kids going back to school and being gone six hours out of the day. I mean three would probably be nice but six seems so long.

new chapter

I sent Ryan to out of town this week with our kids to attend our nephews baby blessing. And with that we entered a new chapter of parenting. I let my girls stay for the week with there cousins without us. Now this probably should not be that big of deal. I completely trust and love the people they are staying with but I had a major anxiety attack having to do with not being there. Every senario you can imagine has run through my head. I have tried to think of rational reasons why I should have had them come home but, there were none. When it comes down to it it was the perfect chance to let them spread there wings a bit. It is bitter sweet to see they are learning to get along without me even if it is in a small way.
I am concerned that they may have too much fun and want to permenantly live with there aunt and uncle. They have already been frog catching, backyard camping, stayed up till 1 am and gone fishing and, tomorrow they are going to a big water park. They are having a great time!!! Cousin time is always fun. Jayce on the other hand did not get to stay and he is truly not happy about that. I am glad I can still use the excuse that he is too little to stay that long. Time just keeps moving on and every day the kids get older and closer to being on there own. I hope I am fully appreciating this time with them.

Finally Here

Well we finally got our little baby here on the 9 June. He is amazing! He has these incredible eyes. We named him Abraham Ryan Clark. If you want to see some super cute pictures of him you can check out allysonrandlephotography.blogspot.com She took some amazing pictures of him I just love!