tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73908631013226371352024-03-05T21:32:30.224-08:00The Clark Family ExperienceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger350125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-38043501813450615092011-08-22T15:37:00.001-07:002011-08-22T15:37:45.976-07:00A Fond FarewellWell, despite my best efforts, fate threw a kink in my 7 Skirt Styles in 7 Days. My husband's wonderful grandpa, <a target="_blank" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdTD2lYYRakgvKp_BtmX9crVd7le0GNoUaS6MfuHQENwTNG3iFz9edRIxAtnFERoV3an_SJ4xdmKA_I9B-5Foku_Pmuz__C6BvCCNvKR_EEzdinJWaQ1swn2cQy6yuKu_xN3wT_Cux_I/s1600-h/DSCN0368.JPG">John Edward Smith</a> died on Thursday after 87 amazing years of selfless life. He was a fantastic cancer surgeon and part of the Army's Signal Corps during World War II. He always had a kind word about everyone and was a humble doer of good deeds until the day be died. He is a very special man to us; I love him like he was my own grandpa and it has been a tender time of remembrance and reflection for our whole family.<br /><br />With the crazy amount of preparation needed for the funeral (I played my violin with my nieces and we had to practice a lot!), I just couldn't finish the project in 7 days. I apologize and I will definitely make the last two skirts sometime this week. I'm looking forward to wrapping it up and giving you some more inspiration.<br /><br />Today, I'm going to enjoy the amazing spirit of love, comfort, and peace that I have felt since Grandpa died. I know I will see him again and I know he is having a glorious reunion with Grandma and his loved ones in heaven. I appreciate deeply your kind comments full of sympathy and compassion. Hold your family close, take care of each other, do a good deed for someone and have a wonderful week! <br /><br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-25285617151578300212011-08-20T00:53:00.001-07:002011-08-20T00:53:44.303-07:00Day 5: Two-Tiered SkirtHappy Friday! The arrival of the weekend means we're more than halfway done with my 7 Skirt Styles in 7 Days challenge. Where is time going? I hope you've been inspired to give a few of these skirts a try (<a target="_blank" href="http://clarkandlily.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-1-circle-skirt-with-tulle-ruffle.html">Day 1,</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://clarkandlily.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-2-banded-panel-skirt.html">Day 2,</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://clarkandlily.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-3-knit-yoga-skirt.html">Day 3,</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://clarkandlily.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-4-parlor-skirt.html">Day 4</a>). They are an easy way to jazz up any lady's wardrobe, no matter her age.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5642843227556995682'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxyIKLgLEMJC8rAtAEWstv98UYtiiLX09kTRHQnNRwXcM5T8aINz0kkWeRkSkd__mMokjCGWctN94Gl8JkS31nK-jZYMpE0wOdT_N1dti_Vdih6r7P2cMsrw6aM6ek2jsZaiboXDC9Z4/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Today's skirt is a quick and easy one. It's comfy and straightforward, making it perfect for playing all day long, a quick beach cover up or a did-someone-just-knock-on-my-door-as-I'm-stepping-out-of-the-shower? moment. Those are great, right? Ha! These skirts are almost as quick and easy to make as the <a target="_blank" href="http://clarkandlily.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-3-knit-yoga-skirt.html">yoga skirts, </a> so try making a bunch. You can also use the method for this skirt to make multi-tiered skirts, like the long sweeping skirts belly dancers wear. Hmm...I need one.<br /><br />Supplies:<br />1/2 - 1 yard lightweight fabric (cotton, blends, linen, chambray, and seersucker are great)<br />1/2" wide elastic to fit around the waist.<br />Thread to match<br /><br />Measure your wearer's waist and cut a piece of 1/2" wide elastic to that length. Measure down the outside of the leg from the waist to determine your skirt length. <br /><br />Cut the first tier: take the waist measurement and add 5-8" to it to make it a number that's easy to work with (I am not smart in math, so I like to work with even numbers I can calculate quickly). This number is completely arbitrary, so don't worry too much about it. You just need at least five inches to provide ease in the hips. Divide the skirt's length measurement by 3. Use this number (round it up or down to make it easier) plus 1 1/2" to determine the length of the piece of fabric. My measurements were 18" waist and 14" length, so I went with a piece of fabric that was 30" (around the waist) by 6".<br /><br />To cut the next tier, multiply your expanded waist measurement by 1.5. This will give you the width of the tier, and the length is just the total skirt length length number minus the yoke number (so 14-6 gave me 8". Add 1" for seam allowances and cut your second tier. I ended up with tier 1's fabric being 30"x6" and tier 2's fabric being 45"x9".<br /><br />ALERT: I'm in a crisis right now and can't finish the post now, so I'll wrap it up in the morning. Sorry!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-78335126012974540802011-07-21T20:38:00.001-07:002011-07-21T20:38:12.041-07:00Independence Day 2012Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love America and I'm thankful to live in a great land of freedom and opportunity. <br /><br />We celebrated this year by running a 5K in the Freedom Run in Provo. Well, I should say I ran, along with Greg, Leslie, Kinzie, the Alexander family, and Rex and Case in the stroller. It was a blast for me, but since Adam and the kids had to be up by 5:00 a.m., they didn't find it quite as enjoyable.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632015881481988546'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvVBZ5SOcubUagucFj1wT_VRVpoFiyFbzQPCTsN_xrd5KheqX4XDYZE0x2vTewoC-Zdsi8OpK6MSEu8GxFA4d5G_XO1QXd5qc0q7UhMemVpx2-i5_uS9VwzZZS5CR_a9JmUxZpIfVaFg/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We headed to Alpine after the run to get ready for the Neider reunion. It was a fun-filled day with cousins and delicious food and lots of preparation for the highlight of the day: Rob's fireworks spectacular. Adam and Rob set everything up and I made a music mix to go along with it. Karli spent her time being cute and modeling her darling ensemble that we whipped up the night before.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632015883081113938'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JDUKaedrQaQbhExkYZG2ztQj_0w0ppJXrlG_1ZUhPCcGX7Tz3rohEw7tccVvqg8vMjI0lBTkegtQQG-x5m00uZO_AaFfe9PcrzbP5dl9y-Fi90uq3TRVAvD66LwrvXZOnStuLtytlSU/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632015888778366706'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqdoJXTQkN-VogJe2ataH1ehPXWHBkQKEu7TGLCjFB6DGP8HK2GvAps7qaMZoURf0sVgPX4yIXdX8lTvYduEcdIE_Z15RysAjWsdzQlK9nB2yvBH2NLFjsjF6HFcaRtMAJt-DWhRIzp0/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632015899590162578'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRZ35Vgq3Ji7xdz80suD1I3S2I3VEmVrqSNqU2t_uE9IdeGTvvemRp7tPwDJUEIyEtKkc8NBASVXQlWSrEPeHcFBhVvmfDa7Vuqk6D3l4n1konjbblUuIy4kN6uidPMNg0XXpw_7uhVA/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The fireworks were definitely the best part of the day. Aerial fireworks really make a show spectacular and the kids were enthralled.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632015901985525474'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjGfzesZUyv27o046F_Hcm315fBd2R0fejQu7DgLwlsGYH4j5B81WDnbvnndTYy83ORycjV7elW8XdDNeaZpveF29saYfpDcfCkLEwhyphenhyphensSM7X3Kn-r0vruXdmKTXODbrz8tKb6yGJVJc/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />That's Rex peeking out from his hood, enjoying his tasty fingers.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632015904324019330'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjSr_uQ5P-ToI8orabR2ehNt9cUzUlcSD_zlJ5rnxZbdXudDcvYcl4imt6GyhZUj1knQ7YOO87CM-Ym4xKJMJzn6C0VLgT6QdkdZE9vOSeEX1M6aHtZmRGc5is9K48mnNy-ZeDSpoeGA/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />God bless America, land that I love!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-69081129834370425862011-07-21T20:10:00.001-07:002011-07-21T20:10:29.927-07:00Karli's Fifth Birthday<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632008740446451938'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlqdxmmc8dEHToZ1ejVy6m3u7V6AVxM_UiQHxu17vkiT7n34027o1XB-N8AqHySqyu1Awqh8-BOqD3uKO3B7KRQ3zhcxYTdnOfUB-xlbAae6QFTypRvMxUwa0pItnv-hardTuKGH6klw/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My sweet, caring, helpful, creative Kar-Kar turned five. FIVE! She's starting kindergarten, becoming a very good little cheerleader, and getting sweeter every day. We all think she is wonderful and we are happy to have her in our family.<br /><br />She helped me make a Ponyo cake with lots of fondant.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632008750328751234'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s0s_J2hfe3vgehwkSPOaPWwAfbkKkhRRCdnUryVkeh2qvL8gX8ZXGy1HtlBc6dciFmwb86lVTv08BGDnx8Qatsn6jlQmT4D_Yzr0pohPBMlDJnGVQacDUWfBjyPU8PS9kpbWPOPZjPs/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We had a fun party with lots of cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents, and even some friends from Korea.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632008754482841010'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ad_t20qS_bY1tej7nN2XxdElEFhFRoqlA0sFN8Ba3P0moL1_VRqxb-QgZaU3hPyRzHiSPK1CDCGBDh3-XqOxdR0xLfDleL82Q7Ggu9_IQ_PaBuyWyVLQoNb59j8EIizPmCJUsFd8V-g/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I love this expression on her face!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632008763614558146'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBKjjqsadL8lff_0_hXG2iP8rW5CKR4T2qhhpjXKObC-PL1aTkUmJwztq5Xj0rdY3iMkWKBToK38OA_frB6NCcsavr5U5ggvS08qlrStCrDbYuXjGJTQ7a37Rf0ycHbZqBcZfptPVzSE/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />She blew out all the candles like a pro. Happy birthday, Karli! We love you and your free spirit to pieces!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-64099223255037294172011-07-21T20:02:00.001-07:002011-07-21T20:02:18.536-07:00The Alexanders and Kahananuis came to Utah for a loooong visit and we had a blast!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632006644156291922'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFvZxwyiKOfVWd0QW1BKNlEG9OytyYNBZYsuSO7pct6wZmSnifzA1l7wahxpY07jbsj4MwDwJNyph-YpEMforJlr7wKnvDoUT02vRvzYVjTW-1jab54o8Lv3TT_OA3XTP4XpXzWpU0d8/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The kids especially loved the dinosaur museum...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632006655377925586'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOSE3YSE1ujYOKV6E6pdzjEbzmFDC7DZ-obz_DTEsvWF24EtriKLJ68T5-7CMesfPS6TKihrQZW_ecjVvQBxmq3TvMisbMQICE_1EeAO-CpldiLmUTFvkd4-0jPfwKjPZftBfAI5L_Lw/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />...the Children's Discovery Garden...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632006661319344466'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58y6wdBpEjQ4zl71CRj3Y-m3XO98qfZRpvSe7InnxQjjPXFikc-jAPWqXJ3QUt_8BrO8SFSR25OJ67bEg02LBqX1vek1GaVxvFBKzrJbebjdHjgped837WiMltucqmpw-F_BHh0kX6qo/s288/11.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />...and playing in Grandma's and Grandpa's yard. These three boys had a blast! We really missed having Gracie, Cooper, and Colton here to enjoy the fun.<br /><br />After eating way too much yummy food, several birthday parties, Independence Day, and hours of fun, our cousins had to head home. We were so sad! Come back soon, fun families!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-87333356954950593602011-07-21T19:56:00.001-07:002011-07-21T19:56:51.053-07:00Happy Birthday, Adam! You're A Great Father<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5632005255841130930'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGoKyYW06vog-G0rzXpP9WloSiwkxHUekICeGR1YluEo6I__iQf0EwIfqpHljv0VKEhmRXBTiWBY3COc5XRi3jg63XKHkOxhoyiCy4A77MwtVTgXDILTt8oqgZMGph_MxbVJSknP6PVM/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />This handsome guy turned 32 this week, so we made him some yummy food at a barbecue with our families. Despite my best efforts, I totally failed in the gift department. Boo. I feel like a schmuck. He is so good to me on my birthday. Darn it.<br /><br />Just six days later was Father's Day. I feel very lucky to be married to Adam and to have children with him. He is a magnificent father! He balances me, always sneaks the kids out after bedtime for milkshake runs, and teaches them great lessons that will help them throughout life. We all adore him. Thanks for being so fantastic, Adam!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-83512164509535113352011-06-10T08:36:00.000-07:002011-06-10T09:41:15.962-07:00I Am Slowly Going CrazySheesh. I always knew that parenting was hard, but I had no idea it was this kind of hard. I've had several things going on that seem to add to the overall mundane, annoying task of being cooped up in the house with four kids all day and most of the time I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. I hate admitting this, because I know it's a real blessing to have children. I adore them! I'm happy that I get to stay home with them to see and hear the cool things they learn. I'd never want it any other way. I wish I could program my kids, though, so that we had more harmony and less cacaphony!<br /><br />Two weeks ago, I was helping my girls clean their HIDEOUSLY messy room. They had three years' worth of dress-ups, broken toys, shoes that don't fit, and piles of miscellany in their tiny closet, all over their floor, behind their beds--the place was truly a disaster. I suddenly started to get really hot. Then, I got really dizzy. The room was spinning, I couldn't breathe, I had a pounding headache, and I couldn't even walk to the kitchen for a drink. I had to crawl. I was having a panic attack! Who does that? After a useless trip to the doctor, the PA decided that since I didn't have traces of thyroid problems in my blood, I must have Labyrinthitis (a middle-ear viral infection). It causes dizziness which causes panic attacks and there's nothing to be done for it since it's a virus. Boo. So I've been having attacks and lots of vertigo for the past 16 days, and I have four more weeks before I'm out of the usual healing period. I can't function and it makes me feel even worse because I'm not accomplishing the things I usually do. Ugh.<br /><br />My three older kids are always, and I mean ALWAYS at each other's throats. I can't stand it anymore! I think that they spend seven or eight collective hours in time out every day. All of my usual punishments or rewards are useless lately, and that is hard for me. Do any of you have good ideas to rememdy this? I'm at a total loss.<br /><br />Amber is out of school for the summer, so she's bored because we have little-kid activities going on for the others. She cries about everything. I ask her to brush her hair, she cries. I ask her if she wants oatmeal or Mini Wheats for breakfast, she cries. I ask her to gather up her shoes from the family room, more tears. AARGH! I am really not looking forward to having her turn 12, when she has an extra dose of hormones on top of her already-emotional personality. I've tried every method of encouragement, reward, threat, and ignorance, but nothing seems to help. Add to this her bossiness and know-it-all personality and it really gets on my nerves. I love the girl and think she's amazing, talented, smart, and hilarious, but sometimes I just can't stand the attitude. Help!<br /><br />Sorry to rant, but I want to document this stage because I've never heard my mom talk about the downs of being a stay-at-home mom. Everything is always loveley and beautiful and harmonious in her account (which, I know, was not, because I lived it). It feels good to vent. I know things will get better, and I'm looking forward to that day! Until then, you'll find me curled up on the floor of my closet, hugging a Diet Pepsi and clutching a handfull of low-strength Advil in my hand, desperately humming "Love at Home" to myself, and dreaming of the day that Adam and I can take a two-week vacation sans-children to Hawaii. He he.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-41708719234413883082011-06-10T08:29:00.000-07:002011-06-10T09:42:49.497-07:00Seperate and Not So Equal<div>Hi Friends. I haven't been blogging here lately because there's someplace else. I'm spending my time with something more rewarding (for now) than the everyday ho-hum of listening to four kids fight all. the. time. Ha ha. I started up a craft blog because I felt like this was becoming one, and I'm hoping to keep this as a family info blog so I can publish it and have it for posterity (just in case my great-great grandson decides that my daily goings on are important for some reason). So if you're interested in my crafting of late, check it out:<br /><br /><a href="http://clarkandlily.blogspot.com">Clark and Lily: A Regular Gal's Crafty Endeavors</a><br /><br />I'm still trying to get it looking nice, but since I can't run PSE on my laptop, it's still pretty feeble. I have a few recipes and tutorials, but mostly its just a place for me to show off my efforts. Maybe no one is looking, but that's okay because I feel like even a void in cyberspace offers some sort of valid audience for me. Eventually, I'd love to have pages of tutorials and recipes and stuff, so hopefully that day will come sooner than later. I'd love your feedback if anything pops into your brain while viewing the site.<br /><br />Happy crafting and happy day, everyone!</div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-65048996416826460202011-06-03T09:54:00.001-07:002011-06-03T09:54:22.400-07:00Amber is a Kindergarten Graduate!I've never been one for graduation ceremonies. However, despite having a labyrinthitis-related panic attack in the gym and trying to wrangle three unruly children, Amber's program at school was adorable, short, and sweet. It's been a great year of learning and fun!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5614037826298740674'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH8vbZxRhyipQWxqvbp4cxJqYo2dLa4fmECLsTfL6INy6zkHmb-0piCBR12XFC3j11e0ijz92fVgQ6p3B8VAdLdfwa5HpOzwlS610ANhMaA3a1_lL7ST8dI9hxsY9iACiEY2hknV7jEE/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The kids sang a few cute songs and recited a poem.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5614037856956893138'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewNCglqCOB4PriyhBafgAuTSCoRGOkdX20atEzsTC4MfoB39Ma9b4HO3AXT_j0noTo-RIir75t76lHWw4lMMEnCC45hjNnQ2yDvjz5t2ZLIiiVkhs3znuEcGg_jaFdAaAK6e8mu5ou3Y/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />Then they received diplomas and had a great photo op. Too bad my phone's camera isn't great.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5614037871190604802'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYJ0VvBKNvsy5fQZJpJ6MgUvHm-qsFJmUC_SJQ3bNna6EfryMF5cWWafTpPCoYYMrP8cGkCgTHS6bl5vJjGXPFjvxSPtMdF5OS3qgJEqKprGbZoGCyf5Sl6AlTNx_niepjcu6jvMiweg/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We headed back to the classroom to pick up her portfolio and grab a snack.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5614037892057123650'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kDBOtVJYGrf1-l-MhEaGjSxEjX6zPSUjDAe7hzbuwP-_VjQmSUKLONiYuxDR85RlN0sVN4kxpVjk-jtp-lbF4reZiVzCueyzHidaDfM0PqBgOhsAEUWP8RDfDTEOc0GUvVrah4SHhyQ/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Mrs. Belnap told the parents how much she loves her group of students and got choked up (she's due next week, after all) and Amber made such a funny face. I thought Amber would be used to crybaby-women by now since I am such a bawler, but no.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5614037910084270898'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDV6mmLZYNR-Atczk6zu2bP66AHykENWXDPNRWn-KLomBW-ETWbFw0WRwl3vHXtKhHs6X_olWfD9RNAlGoxmXHYtJ0hCxwnCcK40X8-B7RHANvi_-2yCKy0c7Brgisq8cW0I8F5tftTwU/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Then it was time for one last hug and a photo with the amazing Mrs. Belnap. She was so sweet and wonderful to Amber. I'm sad that Amber has to move on, but I know it will be fun for her to go to first grade.<br /><br />Way to go, Amber. We love you and think you are a beautiful little smarty-pants. Now, bring on summer!<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-58461811587999657512011-05-22T14:25:00.001-07:002011-05-22T14:25:43.271-07:00This is Why I Love MotherhoodI feel like I have some pretty darn cute children. It's moments like these that make me love being their mama!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5609654782332001714'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_9qerU_ale-PcCNyGDxxeJMP7sdUSWpRFPny6uECq6GbCuxXatw0SK5nBx3z_cfDS_Tr0idRD19CnWKfaQryPA53MVu_rIDAWoGPCNu3WhGdJPgR0D56yEAMJHy-JOzPAcDWXOSK57I/s288/2.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Playing at the playground.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5609654797699346914'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepkrtXkVfkIIv2_owwrdhtK-LGyaYchnxpNIFMUCUlIVcMNfGL8VzHlvCgZv52vpXSv0jhFScjFlrOPn7WQSW5U3TEEQscycc5xO2-Vl3644LtWhEcQquSSKtJPvJ2TXjoZ5d2eMUZqQ/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Playing "Kinzie's Orchestra Concert".<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/115613306827723784284/TheClarkFamilyExperience?authkey=Gv1sRgCKS7jLvG9PDhPg#5609654805459701634'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kf_kqf2VGLwn5wO03b2AXHlKm8y8He75Fi2eplexLjDia4_R4HjUlT_RMb6ZTegl4-w8SFAYg9QvYRB5HQ3ZnE3OGI0v2c_697ZbIBAcWayYQJvSV-669DjUnosmth9Cj85uZAQeHBE/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Playing in the cabinets.<br /><br />Adorable!<br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-39713212448467687252011-05-11T20:33:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:45:23.384-07:00Super Rex is Three Years Old<div>Rex turned three on May 2 and I was, frankly, really excited for his birthday. Every time we'd go to a store, he'd ask, "Hey mom, can I have that for my birthday?" about everything he saw. He wanted a superhero birthday cake, and with my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">new found</span> love of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">homemade</span> fondant, my mind was racing with ideas for a cool cake. At long last, we took Rex shopping and all he wanted was a $5 DVD, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiderman</span> 2, and some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiderman</span> sunglasses. Total cost of his birthday gifts: $9.98. Sweet. We weren't about to remind him that he wanted <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Legos</span>, Thor gear, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Batmobile</span>, and a slew of other obnoxious, noise-making toys. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">There'll</span> be plenty of time for that, right?<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3MaOY7R3wM_6F66yDsOYNhU6AVJl1SQb_G_yptnxZDasOawDgl4i_ZhZDkK_smRaYm99H3BtNQ-UJmefb-GN8Gl65vHscl1VopBMAziUYfEk43hkj3BPrPQcTVSuuUlammhBM1qhVOc/s1600/rex+3+glasses.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668682713138546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3MaOY7R3wM_6F66yDsOYNhU6AVJl1SQb_G_yptnxZDasOawDgl4i_ZhZDkK_smRaYm99H3BtNQ-UJmefb-GN8Gl65vHscl1VopBMAziUYfEk43hkj3BPrPQcTVSuuUlammhBM1qhVOc/s320/rex+3+glasses.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />We celebrated his birthday at home by making these cute minion "cupcakes" and monster faces for dinner (taco salad arranged in silly faces).<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoHC_081DFSl72jd_q9vMqTTdTPEvvwbw3ldVPyMQhyXkJDwbSzkLNTkuaZMrlByC1KQBdqEzLKxuOLMqVhkR86vIvzTXYhcyikKkYfQki0VRfyPb0BeWHj_m377WBHSLqSWH_Ttk4MA/s1600/rex+3+minions.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668697840117730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoHC_081DFSl72jd_q9vMqTTdTPEvvwbw3ldVPyMQhyXkJDwbSzkLNTkuaZMrlByC1KQBdqEzLKxuOLMqVhkR86vIvzTXYhcyikKkYfQki0VRfyPb0BeWHj_m377WBHSLqSWH_Ttk4MA/s320/rex+3+minions.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><br />Since the minions were made from Twinkies, frosting, and smarties, I decided we'd better sit them atop something sort of healthy, so we made bran muffins for the bases. The kids helped me decorate them and they were a big hit!<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvQH6Ciy0JOXzRMuh7teqlJq-FWdDgBsz5nrwVwoK-ZB4AuJ2VUk1OnMHGZ_8YM3FyQT4SyPCBE4BuvVjpG6eLXG1fM5Vdt7EHK3uhoovTKHjSKPl5WOvVj5c2OcTypYCWAg1lcAzWLU/s1600/rex+3+cake+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668144357260050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvQH6Ciy0JOXzRMuh7teqlJq-FWdDgBsz5nrwVwoK-ZB4AuJ2VUk1OnMHGZ_8YM3FyQT4SyPCBE4BuvVjpG6eLXG1fM5Vdt7EHK3uhoovTKHjSKPl5WOvVj5c2OcTypYCWAg1lcAzWLU/s320/rex+3+cake+1.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mette</span> helped me with this cake. The innards are fresh banana cake with cream cheese frosting. Fab-u-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">lous</span>! Everyone loved it.<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIHBfkaH8AnUbUe-edqPg-xVvROBn-LesrT_cmfaqCYBwtZmkS91QUGS-TuswfQmAQ9eKaljRhVGJBn2Ad_uYn0NR2085EFlfqS4rXPtlnA_bQX9Kn6mhy9-BV5iPozmUNsOOPj5Y8dA/s1600/rex+3+super+rex.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668984393964898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIHBfkaH8AnUbUe-edqPg-xVvROBn-LesrT_cmfaqCYBwtZmkS91QUGS-TuswfQmAQ9eKaljRhVGJBn2Ad_uYn0NR2085EFlfqS4rXPtlnA_bQX9Kn6mhy9-BV5iPozmUNsOOPj5Y8dA/s320/rex+3+super+rex.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><br />We had a cute little superhero birthday party for Rex and the cousins a few days later. I cut capes from two plastic tablecloths and the kids decorated them with stickers. Easy! Fun! Cheap! Perfect for toddlers! I cut some masks from felt and attached elastic cord at the edges. It was a perfect way to turn a bunch of motley little ones into adorable superheroes.<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31Mxu81kYErOKKi2PV87m7-j9GIWN7z1SGZgN56qij19VhgnT8lmK07dYl9-EZJ69538YEA8SlzPv8PQvh0kns8qUGWFco0c3mtzKAv0ONqX1o68xVbfgjpr6t0y4172dJqGn3b_LeKc/s1600/rex+3+stickers.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668978315157970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31Mxu81kYErOKKi2PV87m7-j9GIWN7z1SGZgN56qij19VhgnT8lmK07dYl9-EZJ69538YEA8SlzPv8PQvh0kns8qUGWFco0c3mtzKAv0ONqX1o68xVbfgjpr6t0y4172dJqGn3b_LeKc/s320/rex+3+stickers.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />The kids went wild for the glittery foam stickers.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMEOYGE2slcb52O8ByHPv-pCpjMj1SHTGLTUTHai_8AKGcZG8nazIMzm82JN52w-_x9FntUo-PxCZu_Bt81Seu5QO0X1VbxFCKg4bfPYGnLi1zop9MYHixmLFihh2CZVB4Jb78swI_Vc/s1600/rex+3+parker.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668976058678994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMEOYGE2slcb52O8ByHPv-pCpjMj1SHTGLTUTHai_8AKGcZG8nazIMzm82JN52w-_x9FntUo-PxCZu_Bt81Seu5QO0X1VbxFCKg4bfPYGnLi1zop9MYHixmLFihh2CZVB4Jb78swI_Vc/s320/rex+3+parker.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Super Parker!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23E0uSbvvyIkpW61TINZVghprfZdfKf8BVHkgXVFW-sjoAOMQlv5V_pWAWRIS9eStQY2qMKGReHVoHG6J4kLmI_fGULD8qIu3i5qMMdBGI-6bDNmr0AIXmohAR1ZNjw9I_2fxeZK1gJI/s1600/rex+3+whit.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668987113612450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23E0uSbvvyIkpW61TINZVghprfZdfKf8BVHkgXVFW-sjoAOMQlv5V_pWAWRIS9eStQY2qMKGReHVoHG6J4kLmI_fGULD8qIu3i5qMMdBGI-6bDNmr0AIXmohAR1ZNjw9I_2fxeZK1gJI/s320/rex+3+whit.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Whitney looks like she'll have a bright future in crime fighting.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2SkUOFr74Bc8kuyPNGImBDtfiChg2pR4Ow4ogqiYpgJUMpJkHLvAdUNrm8ma5Gx-iCsJUIsKkj-ZaxS3RxgdJsrrSBmRD-1HrP1nY1xKPsa3jzRnliBZndkw1qJ5z2uVBRkRwiyXzu4/s1600/rex+3+karli.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668696219288466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2SkUOFr74Bc8kuyPNGImBDtfiChg2pR4Ow4ogqiYpgJUMpJkHLvAdUNrm8ma5Gx-iCsJUIsKkj-ZaxS3RxgdJsrrSBmRD-1HrP1nY1xKPsa3jzRnliBZndkw1qJ5z2uVBRkRwiyXzu4/s320/rex+3+karli.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Karli</span> is just adorable.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUApkZ3LCdvOXE60GDyGto7jONoVzLgUAqB8UYT3LRuG86ObJ6qhAm2DuKOeODdzsFbEtF39I2HV6rk7XnRaDPk-T91P88swgJ1DQ7cMVIiRrIMTO5nMDcTlhQCdcMvoZ_t7vcmIeayo/s1600/rex+3+hannah.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668692769115522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUApkZ3LCdvOXE60GDyGto7jONoVzLgUAqB8UYT3LRuG86ObJ6qhAm2DuKOeODdzsFbEtF39I2HV6rk7XnRaDPk-T91P88swgJ1DQ7cMVIiRrIMTO5nMDcTlhQCdcMvoZ_t7vcmIeayo/s320/rex+3+hannah.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Hannah flew all the way from Denmark to attend. He he. We were so happy to have her there!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvml2kFAp5iRD8iUugq9JgQov2Pa46Lsr7KdDCmG1-uZmNQYWmnKiIr1H46xRueK-8ADSXzKIUlO8VeZhA5LT3uEzvKjuo2wn-nFVk_JxQb2KI5otGeQpjmnDZS_s4VfjdwSEr15atkXs/s1600/rex+3+cousins.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668677696914386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvml2kFAp5iRD8iUugq9JgQov2Pa46Lsr7KdDCmG1-uZmNQYWmnKiIr1H46xRueK-8ADSXzKIUlO8VeZhA5LT3uEzvKjuo2wn-nFVk_JxQb2KI5otGeQpjmnDZS_s4VfjdwSEr15atkXs/s320/rex+3+cousins.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Aren't they darling?<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2TcQCcokD5KlSmyiLY5WSDygcQ0XsiNDcKLR_J1D8y1NgVrQa-Fx-hOeDO5x2qFKrPBV7UcQbVlvTebE2ueB4EV0AC2SyKO9IRo-Mm1ilvmBifWLfaLwSA-DDzSXbqn0udMJkdcmPOs/s1600/rex+3+case.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668173710983858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2TcQCcokD5KlSmyiLY5WSDygcQ0XsiNDcKLR_J1D8y1NgVrQa-Fx-hOeDO5x2qFKrPBV7UcQbVlvTebE2ueB4EV0AC2SyKO9IRo-Mm1ilvmBifWLfaLwSA-DDzSXbqn0udMJkdcmPOs/s320/rex+3+case.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Too bad you can't hear Case yelling "Du-per Man!" It's precious.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVShE2xb0FBT7krkZ8iB0vB_fnvx4DG4VXzDxXn7ZDUlPMEmUeqMsHPlAJf_n1cpGgl0x944_PZIOC6dAgHbzeiW1uEzEcf0cSES9p5LNgfs1lRE70SsQBTufjFjOFPXD5v8swtur9zoY/s1600/rex+3+cake+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668161592818690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVShE2xb0FBT7krkZ8iB0vB_fnvx4DG4VXzDxXn7ZDUlPMEmUeqMsHPlAJf_n1cpGgl0x944_PZIOC6dAgHbzeiW1uEzEcf0cSES9p5LNgfs1lRE70SsQBTufjFjOFPXD5v8swtur9zoY/s320/rex+3+cake+3.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />I love these pictures of Rex in his mask. He's so cute!<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFGG12CbrpoY1xd5l5Hm_-ABRhXKiizjB_diBPeQwgba1EE4Vhk8n0eO2JsXOsU-BlYk7bAgf0l4OMiM1muROe9rDLuYCLX6FllVzbb4zKr76WAQ72lL7l2RcrroD9sSxmncrEn7jh64/s1600/rex+3+cake+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668155037486402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFGG12CbrpoY1xd5l5Hm_-ABRhXKiizjB_diBPeQwgba1EE4Vhk8n0eO2JsXOsU-BlYk7bAgf0l4OMiM1muROe9rDLuYCLX6FllVzbb4zKr76WAQ72lL7l2RcrroD9sSxmncrEn7jh64/s320/rex+3+cake+2.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUAB-01W_MbQq85UPf1iHJZFBZOXHIoZJ-Yild782bHaxFdMQTppgAGZivdgNGbhSKrJ6w4RgjaWIJga8g_myzk2D4fGSgFurKXPCVN_SgoQ22JnyUpOvVU-4oW4wyY_NXyJkCxP9l-k/s1600/rex+3+cake+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605668169207107778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUAB-01W_MbQq85UPf1iHJZFBZOXHIoZJ-Yild782bHaxFdMQTppgAGZivdgNGbhSKrJ6w4RgjaWIJga8g_myzk2D4fGSgFurKXPCVN_SgoQ22JnyUpOvVU-4oW4wyY_NXyJkCxP9l-k/s320/rex+3+cake+4.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />Rex is such a funny, sweet, smart little kid. He loves candy, climbing, cars and trucks, and everything else boy. I love the way he describes things and how he always says "HI!" to everyone. I even think it's adorable when he steals my phone, heads to the couch, and hides under his blanket so I won't know he has it. He makes our family fun and we love little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rexy</span> to pieces. Happy birthday, Rex. You are super!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-40994697920020638222011-05-11T19:50:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:45:23.524-07:00Fabric, Glue, Sparkles, Flour, Sugar, Mess!<div><div>We've been (okay, fine, I've been) on a creative spree lately. Here are just a few of the projects I've finished in the last month or two. Sadly, by the time I'm finished making them, I have no energy to blog about them, so it's a grand notion that a picture is worth a thousand words!</div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6INXe1tU_xMtKtNeB3xgvrEIiXk-DRm2FoSAASR4lyXgDFZisNUFCARCizT9Mw-o4XEDJbTImF5TKB5Vz0Rxrfll1J2-6xRH2CjBdf-j4hYmjsfgI4LUSRt_Ml97x4oZ1dHpfVe4cb0/s1600/rex+3+cake+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605660050085735634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6INXe1tU_xMtKtNeB3xgvrEIiXk-DRm2FoSAASR4lyXgDFZisNUFCARCizT9Mw-o4XEDJbTImF5TKB5Vz0Rxrfll1J2-6xRH2CjBdf-j4hYmjsfgI4LUSRt_Ml97x4oZ1dHpfVe4cb0/s320/rex+3+cake+1.JPG" /></a></div>Rex's superhero birthday cake, complete with homemade fondant. The inside was fresh banana cake with cream cheese frosting. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Delish</span>!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j1PS9GTiiTn_nBjrGJXh_vKE91s2YJ5OV5K-u8blPUVcEDVxIvnSnbfFlEMeu7LAEiYCQjMTCyWN17o0VLf1yFhbshv5h71T_7HMC68jSlS9DAPrnoxAbsEXHVPVRaC8442CyYaAiho/s1600/md+cupcakes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605660047620663586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j1PS9GTiiTn_nBjrGJXh_vKE91s2YJ5OV5K-u8blPUVcEDVxIvnSnbfFlEMeu7LAEiYCQjMTCyWN17o0VLf1yFhbshv5h71T_7HMC68jSlS9DAPrnoxAbsEXHVPVRaC8442CyYaAiho/s320/md+cupcakes.JPG" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/03/strawberries-and-cream-cupcakes/">Strawberry and cream cupcakes</a> from <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com">Our Best Bites</a> (my new favorite baking info blog). They are divine. Try them out!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKACp3uI6bpejADFXSysuoSdZ2pxlT-7ISu-FAV2G80qQgqOFUkU7nfNYFRgFce9gk3gbLl-5IyWQ8BizC-CuEZqX6DILYENrhVsGIg2JZsWIjciZYrlLxHKpOhe43igKEa0SbiTYccEc/s1600/md+bath+fizzies+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605660040220898018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKACp3uI6bpejADFXSysuoSdZ2pxlT-7ISu-FAV2G80qQgqOFUkU7nfNYFRgFce9gk3gbLl-5IyWQ8BizC-CuEZqX6DILYENrhVsGIg2JZsWIjciZYrlLxHKpOhe43igKEa0SbiTYccEc/s320/md+bath+fizzies+1.JPG" /></a></div><br />Lavender-scented bath <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">fizzies</span> for our moms <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/280275/how-to-make-bath-fizzies">(here's the recipe).</a> They were so fun and easy to make and the kids helped me. You can also hide waterproof surprises inside!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXZNnqG3IDwkiRN0mzWF0xd2Bc-Jusk4Gd2TUBu6s6IpQppFeDxEqVp8ActFjCX5brqM38i2m2miH84TqI93zScS3yD5A0bWfpjzdklbpBzpZB_DC9ltkVdtIvYKQ023mFKesCresSNk/s1600/craft+lehi+bows.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605660037026834210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXZNnqG3IDwkiRN0mzWF0xd2Bc-Jusk4Gd2TUBu6s6IpQppFeDxEqVp8ActFjCX5brqM38i2m2miH84TqI93zScS3yD5A0bWfpjzdklbpBzpZB_DC9ltkVdtIvYKQ023mFKesCresSNk/s320/craft+lehi+bows.JPG" /></a></div><br />8 styles of bows for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lehi</span> Rec Cheer teams to choose from. Now I get to make 160 more. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yay</span>!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs9Uw5jINlwTU7ScI5ZVnF5WeV9OJLkhoBLfyXEFA02X10kVH3cXqCA71aRH1RV4vGi_S-dzoNng1CKhBalMsZM25DZC6t9v3CS6mcZVf9EwL7_9_SKr1YXzgeBvs6tCWPJsDRndQvTM/s1600/TT+finished+tutu.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 227px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605658275268539058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs9Uw5jINlwTU7ScI5ZVnF5WeV9OJLkhoBLfyXEFA02X10kVH3cXqCA71aRH1RV4vGi_S-dzoNng1CKhBalMsZM25DZC6t9v3CS6mcZVf9EwL7_9_SKr1YXzgeBvs6tCWPJsDRndQvTM/s320/TT+finished+tutu.JPG" /></a></div><br />What started out as a cute, fairly simple <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">variegated</span> tutu then turned into three ensembles for the Tulip Princess Pageant in which Amber, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Karli</span>, and my niece Whitney competed. So cute!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqcaQsjLA8kFzqyvUBkA37EbG7xJ7nfwYYWzBpyJdTrhp63T9TNTg0_vOlofx8UIYiHdnkyaUV0SmpXyM4NkmLYKrSVKW1xRXUy8gP4X0t3XmI1HG2AK-zaC9mYqS8guSlgjpcpe90os/s1600/TP+amber+and+karli.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 241px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605658273093967090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqcaQsjLA8kFzqyvUBkA37EbG7xJ7nfwYYWzBpyJdTrhp63T9TNTg0_vOlofx8UIYiHdnkyaUV0SmpXyM4NkmLYKrSVKW1xRXUy8gP4X0t3XmI1HG2AK-zaC9mYqS8guSlgjpcpe90os/s320/TP+amber+and+karli.JPG" /></a></div><br />These outfits ended up being a lot of work, but only cost me $7.20 for the whole shebang. I love the light green corset tops and lining (they lace up the back...so cute!); the girls looked like little flower fairies. I'm also in love with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ombre</span> effect of layering three colors of tulle inside each petal.<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NsAnoThL6KNEfK84ZkHCspGMxA91nRBpH1EEVyANoavp3EG7oprT23hKsYpioym9-9htNXH0t5-DfK-lsDL4yhe8M81bVmaerPof0oWoqs9SxifEg17nHbKfn4lLeETolGyVMsK8_WI/s1600/skull+messenger+bag.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 249px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605658270001023314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NsAnoThL6KNEfK84ZkHCspGMxA91nRBpH1EEVyANoavp3EG7oprT23hKsYpioym9-9htNXH0t5-DfK-lsDL4yhe8M81bVmaerPof0oWoqs9SxifEg17nHbKfn4lLeETolGyVMsK8_WI/s320/skull+messenger+bag.JPG" /></a></div><br />I found these darling leopard flip-flops at the dollar store and knew they'd be a perfect birthday gift for Amber and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Karli's</span> friend Gracie. Since they were only a buck, though, they needed some jazzing up. I added the liquid sequin fabric strips and made a cute little messenger bag to match. Since I needed coordinating fabric, I painted spots on plain white cotton. We filled the bag with goodies and it turned out to be adorable!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire5FAvGhjzcejR8IQmU55Z6XT4vm5ELxaMSm7XCqFG4NbLUMFB2vKfn0XihxF3D3yBZdTCrFGxEjNcZflCsuqBB5dU0OvHVRp2MSvotQ8qYzURfTt3cHtb52ohS-JWOS8jZinbLFZrUQ/s1600/Robe.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605657941760674050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEire5FAvGhjzcejR8IQmU55Z6XT4vm5ELxaMSm7XCqFG4NbLUMFB2vKfn0XihxF3D3yBZdTCrFGxEjNcZflCsuqBB5dU0OvHVRp2MSvotQ8qYzURfTt3cHtb52ohS-JWOS8jZinbLFZrUQ/s320/Robe.JPG" /></a></div><br />I was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">commissioned</span> to make this robe (ha! That sounds so much cooler than "asked") for a friend of my sisters' who is undergoing chemotherapy. I hope this fabulous, luxuriously silky (and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">sooo</span> annoying to sew on) fabric makes her feel glamorous. What a sad disease cancer is!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0pxAi1Ejrvd7eVW3tk98d_J4sc8RhjGaRCJcXCn0gg2oJQkgaI7z-Y02BP0AfsRAkW1mf5bloSPuClbbxx-UJBWFQv0gKmRjQb9LJaC2m1fCyuqQCrMkAiF6t1AahsU0YJ1vY_61ogc/s1600/PC+layers.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605657937383634690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0pxAi1Ejrvd7eVW3tk98d_J4sc8RhjGaRCJcXCn0gg2oJQkgaI7z-Y02BP0AfsRAkW1mf5bloSPuClbbxx-UJBWFQv0gKmRjQb9LJaC2m1fCyuqQCrMkAiF6t1AahsU0YJ1vY_61ogc/s320/PC+layers.JPG" /></a></div><br />My <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">niece</span> Whitney's "horsey cake" with rainbow layers inside. Love!<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd7IssvRSlLMDGgO_Ee0GV0s2bIRXM-sj6YJAe2KoCtury11c6WyhyqX7sX_rmB7mCD_eNw17Ac2LWmyr7jPUYo99vUcTi3A94vRLo-sGtVNGfWrG3RQywJVZTaxPV1VOK87tffiygFQ/s1600/PC+finished.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605657935911911010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqd7IssvRSlLMDGgO_Ee0GV0s2bIRXM-sj6YJAe2KoCtury11c6WyhyqX7sX_rmB7mCD_eNw17Ac2LWmyr7jPUYo99vUcTi3A94vRLo-sGtVNGfWrG3RQywJVZTaxPV1VOK87tffiygFQ/s320/PC+finished.JPG" /></a></div><br />This is my first attempt at fondant. It is a mess at the bottom but it tasted great and looked darling. Whitney was crazy about it! <br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZTF3o7gpRXuTR-iPDWZS7LnlonjZh5KNs1GmWJe7pQMCP41C4libW5Re7tHM2XU3WfDf3AQM2qs-my6U_KcHIQ-RIgSukE2yEj3QpKrWCZXm0AmXFOjtdS0up8xYAbeXlUaL6udETFA/s1600/karate+kid+headband.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605657931970078354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZTF3o7gpRXuTR-iPDWZS7LnlonjZh5KNs1GmWJe7pQMCP41C4libW5Re7tHM2XU3WfDf3AQM2qs-my6U_KcHIQ-RIgSukE2yEj3QpKrWCZXm0AmXFOjtdS0up8xYAbeXlUaL6udETFA/s320/karate+kid+headband.JPG" /></a></div><br />This one was easy. I cut a strip off the bottom of a white t-shirt, drew on the motif with a Sharpie, and tied it around Rex's head. He's obsessed with "The Karate Kid" and he calls it his Daniel San headband. He sleeps in it. Hilarious.<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfOxpxSe-SFTkfqawx2MOzyHssMXGdSR4UorJ7zIu9lFkWLZylY3H3UPVG2VlOl9BcnPDiqCrbwn0YE4pHpmFA3vsFiDLy_ZAo9wsGYjRSr4jbCUMuvoPlS-0RSMHoa-gi2xK-MxN4pI/s1600/Easter+Dresses.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605657922860118210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfOxpxSe-SFTkfqawx2MOzyHssMXGdSR4UorJ7zIu9lFkWLZylY3H3UPVG2VlOl9BcnPDiqCrbwn0YE4pHpmFA3vsFiDLy_ZAo9wsGYjRSr4jbCUMuvoPlS-0RSMHoa-gi2xK-MxN4pI/s320/Easter+Dresses.JPG" /></a></div><br />Two adorable Easter ensembles for my two adorable girls. I found tutorials for the <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-circle-skirt.html">skirt</a> and <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/warhol-dress-pattern.html">top</a> at <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com">Made,</a> one of my very favorite blogs to read. The girls loved these, which made me so happy! Most of the time, I spend hours making them things about which they feel lukewarm, so seeing their excitement upon finishing these <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">get ups</span> was priceless.<br /><br />Here's to another busy month of crafting, baking, and sewing. I really love it!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-83360890459784899992011-04-17T13:09:00.000-07:002011-04-17T14:30:32.036-07:00Blogger Malfunction!<div>GRRR! I just spent an hour writing a great post about Amber's sixth birthday, and this is what I ended up with. Just know that I'm working on fixing it and I'm about to throw my computer across the room. :) More to come later...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-43828520281696829872011-03-17T12:18:00.000-07:002011-04-23T10:21:07.943-07:00Amber's Sixth Birthday Bash<div>My little girl is six! What?! Where has the time gone? I still vividly remember the month leading up to her birth, the torture of those last three weeks of pregnancy, the vain attempts at throwing myself into labor (like running two miles and jumping on the trampoline every day with that enormous belly of mine), and finally, the excitement of being induced and knowing that all those months of waiting would produce a sweet little girl and change our lives in every way. Sheesh. What a great six years!<br /><br />Amber was so excited to have a big birthday party this year, and of course, her idea of the perfect party was a "Pink Stilettos Party". If you don't know about Pink Stilettos, they are a pop group who recently released their first album. They're gorgeous, talented, and even cooler, they are my sisters. Amber begged them to perform at her party and they sweetly obliged, so all the girls (and boys, and family members including grandpas and uncles)were treated to a private concert. It was awesome.<br /><br />Ever the opinionated fashionista, Amber just HAD to have her own pair of pink stilettos. Fortunately, I found a sweet pair of pink, sparkly, ruffly high heels at Walmart, shoved in the very back of the dress-up section, that were screaming her name. Even better still was that they were only $4. The shoes fit her demands, and then she explained to me in great detail that she wanted a tall cake with two round tiers, not covered in frosting but in whipped cream, with a black bow and ribbon. Since fondant work scares me to death, we compromised on marshmallow flowers. The snack table included purple chocolate in the fountain, gooey popcorn, tons of cookies and other junk food, and Capri Suns tied up with a little bling for each girl (a huge, fake diamond ring--a big hit!). We even found a sassy black and pink high-heel pinata. After a frantic, last-minute set up, we were ready to rock in the studio at my parents' house.<br /><br />My sisters are the best! First, they fixed Amber's hair with extensions and did her makeup. She was smokin' hot and ultra fierce.<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGot2saitVybBMxvcTudyfSGeQQ3laTCpsyvl-1LUpELM4tlq5l8jHfQmBVDWFVNVJ2YrI9c3wP2XaxuRzCLKNwbHtlb63bKtCYduJnSxz9Yty0KpP6fndRbQBZfiBql4kCHxBGsQiWF8/s1600/AB+hair.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596634404852288690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGot2saitVybBMxvcTudyfSGeQQ3laTCpsyvl-1LUpELM4tlq5l8jHfQmBVDWFVNVJ2YrI9c3wP2XaxuRzCLKNwbHtlb63bKtCYduJnSxz9Yty0KpP6fndRbQBZfiBql4kCHxBGsQiWF8/s320/AB+hair.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKZROpwTLpLmY4YM4BbeDCwyZszZ3pUa31dnQR88Wumbl3eeQ0X54dvb8At9XzOqcy1e_BAfHV0MJiM4cyOmSUPmhcHo7aAS-zHiQPhfveKHxGHgZP-iW-nN1CZVvDWIdMUSNZ-pKWvI/s1600/AB+eating.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596634395709652450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKZROpwTLpLmY4YM4BbeDCwyZszZ3pUa31dnQR88Wumbl3eeQ0X54dvb8At9XzOqcy1e_BAfHV0MJiM4cyOmSUPmhcHo7aAS-zHiQPhfveKHxGHgZP-iW-nN1CZVvDWIdMUSNZ-pKWvI/s320/AB+eating.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />Then, all the party guests had a shoe fashion show (Amber's idea, of course...she's obsessed), complete with a runway and an MC (my cute niece, Alyssa). Kinzie, Brooke, and Tayler were the judges, and everyone earned a cute ribbon with their superlative on it (Amber was convinced she needed the "Highest Heels" medal). We decorated little paper purses and had snacks. Then, the moment of truth: Pink Stilettos emerged and then it was a party.<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEYy1xvKG6Uq8yF3LmUDWp5bcBa7WwKJCD_UF5cuaSdb2ttlWk4DpZ1_PluGCtSL_0IMFIxYhrMPr1eJef16JtR4LMmyyobQKruSfhQ22rqIM6fr4YfpakWDOvTjNjCQHn3bH5ka4HAA/s1600/AB+singing.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596636300517064498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEYy1xvKG6Uq8yF3LmUDWp5bcBa7WwKJCD_UF5cuaSdb2ttlWk4DpZ1_PluGCtSL_0IMFIxYhrMPr1eJef16JtR4LMmyyobQKruSfhQ22rqIM6fr4YfpakWDOvTjNjCQHn3bH5ka4HAA/s320/AB+singing.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />They invited most of the girls up to sing with them. "Dreamgirl" seems to be the favorite of most young divas, but PS included "Crazy About You", "Runaway", "Always in Love", and "Thank You" in their set. They finished it off with a dazzling rendition of "Happy Birthday" and everyone loved it. My sisters rock!</div><div align="left"><br />Amber had a grand time, her friends were so adorable, sweet, and generous, and I think everyone who attended really enjoyed the show. I know for sure that these big birthday parties are going to be a seldom thing--like maybe at ages six, twelve, and eighteen. :) I don't have the stamina or financial wherewithal to produce them every year.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOq5pSntYI0IixS88_ipZVbBWenwBZh9j5pP41op2s0M0O_rKlm5xAo0MLs59l2_euGsfphYyG6X9g58M6Nx1NYX-GLRpe5wtZvFLZ9HDN-HdoJqdUIPPmIPp9gQdqSySpC9LyxqWkzY/s1600/AB+Pink+stilettos.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596634429535240786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOq5pSntYI0IixS88_ipZVbBWenwBZh9j5pP41op2s0M0O_rKlm5xAo0MLs59l2_euGsfphYyG6X9g58M6Nx1NYX-GLRpe5wtZvFLZ9HDN-HdoJqdUIPPmIPp9gQdqSySpC9LyxqWkzY/s320/AB+Pink+stilettos.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">The Pink Stilettos plus Amber.<br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQS7BSGzCygw96Vw-KMUBq1xudAZjfN9m1K0Bejpm5B9BMMkpgJC6m83U7Pl9SeHI5L3DWngurI6M_SQ9toQhTOd94i1nMFbkq0lOI_6O9xc8jOudzCRVw-bHagC20OXH25Nd3RSWMD0/s1600/AB+Savanna.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596636284696488754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQS7BSGzCygw96Vw-KMUBq1xudAZjfN9m1K0Bejpm5B9BMMkpgJC6m83U7Pl9SeHI5L3DWngurI6M_SQ9toQhTOd94i1nMFbkq0lOI_6O9xc8jOudzCRVw-bHagC20OXH25Nd3RSWMD0/s320/AB+Savanna.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />This is my cousin Savanna, whose birthday was the same day as Amber's party. She is so sweet and darling!<br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DBFOev627lUxTN7vF2nqpoAh6ksbQbrCkpYFPOdg5L0bxYlAiw9M2ktpmraopvshGCU7MzD39zdFEM92EvC-AkcDKFt_e8JVCG1tmfdvxxkTdFrZCOSma0pjXkCt67wl-ZcNPJd3M84/s1600/AB+Mom.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596634421570600018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DBFOev627lUxTN7vF2nqpoAh6ksbQbrCkpYFPOdg5L0bxYlAiw9M2ktpmraopvshGCU7MzD39zdFEM92EvC-AkcDKFt_e8JVCG1tmfdvxxkTdFrZCOSma0pjXkCt67wl-ZcNPJd3M84/s320/AB+Mom.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />My cake started to slump halfway through the party, but it tasted great. I never look nice in pictures of my kids' birthdays because I spend all day on those darn cakes. I don't know if they're worth the trouble.<br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO0ZGWm8GR52Q94ROoGaXDEXl85a4pFP17UYYjFYgmh97zjJMrT8fcaN73Vz9YarCvx-ox-hQLNqxEkdWmYDEmfa2HJhOka7Omvirsl3OBJU_OX0WV_0HOaIblNkbXYS6c0nPvc0WNgY/s1600/AB+happy+birthday.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596634410484041506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO0ZGWm8GR52Q94ROoGaXDEXl85a4pFP17UYYjFYgmh97zjJMrT8fcaN73Vz9YarCvx-ox-hQLNqxEkdWmYDEmfa2HJhOka7Omvirsl3OBJU_OX0WV_0HOaIblNkbXYS6c0nPvc0WNgY/s320/AB+happy+birthday.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Happy birthday, sweet Amber! We love you and think you are fabulous!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-52036383503997973162011-02-14T01:01:00.001-08:002011-02-14T01:12:39.977-08:00My Thrifty, Crafty Projects of LateI always shun decorating my own house because we have been entirely transient for the duration of our married life and I can't stand hauling superfluity around with us wherever we go. Granted, I do have a few decor items that hold remarkable sentimental value, but they all fit into one diaper box. Our walls are mostly bare, but I've grown to greatly appreciate the minimalistic sense of calm they lend to the inevitably cluttered floor (thank you, children).<br /><br />At long last, I broke down and decided to make some Valentine's Day decorations. I started with a small vinyl quote for my front door, and then made a heart to hang on the wall in our family room. The heart turned out so well that I figured I could make a matching bunting. Then, I discovered yards of hot pink tulle at the bottom of my fabric bin and...voila! I had a darling little lovey-dovey-yet-funky-pseudovintage vignette that I'm crazy about. The best part: I made the heart and bunting from diaper boxes, some old WSJ pages, and paint I already had lying around the house. FREE! Those are my favorite kind of projects.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-W6fKqS0-jFLnmrOGviAOK9Mcdf7dpWjZHtyXAzZ-qbLtfhVBwZ-WkPvQ68W0S86aCi11FDtuIb-hU-etLTcwn_zQBCJhlAroJra9BVesNufLupKAGyNc4HtDSuIrEGrvInOXSpWWsJg/s1600/grungy+heart.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573469644574676242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-W6fKqS0-jFLnmrOGviAOK9Mcdf7dpWjZHtyXAzZ-qbLtfhVBwZ-WkPvQ68W0S86aCi11FDtuIb-hU-etLTcwn_zQBCJhlAroJra9BVesNufLupKAGyNc4HtDSuIrEGrvInOXSpWWsJg/s320/grungy+heart.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhdnfY_xUDI9CZcMFfaIPArod73KWNkL42hAaXkYu91DbunA_t6L6dcZUyatxr70cbSJUwec6C1gOeFzrTMNeQR2KR8SW3pTIM5adzJkLH2mEWvLmPju30av0auVNEJCq5gyN-tGKN0Y/s1600/grungy+be+mine.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573469647490479890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhdnfY_xUDI9CZcMFfaIPArod73KWNkL42hAaXkYu91DbunA_t6L6dcZUyatxr70cbSJUwec6C1gOeFzrTMNeQR2KR8SW3pTIM5adzJkLH2mEWvLmPju30av0auVNEJCq5gyN-tGKN0Y/s320/grungy+be+mine.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EGLSciGfPAO-O6Kl45hYbwE7rrZIQlH2w1x9N4kCrKZEj2h7v-e_tEhWo4KZcMbi0O4ZmmcwD1PujvgycaqpqVOiwjVh1nxicOrCnNACM9fq84n4p6hsWCmQQo12bD6qWhexKWWuHLI/s1600/south+wall.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573469630503077474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EGLSciGfPAO-O6Kl45hYbwE7rrZIQlH2w1x9N4kCrKZEj2h7v-e_tEhWo4KZcMbi0O4ZmmcwD1PujvgycaqpqVOiwjVh1nxicOrCnNACM9fq84n4p6hsWCmQQo12bD6qWhexKWWuHLI/s320/south+wall.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RmqRsvmZq5EgBueVlxh5n2DgOBah85Ghc_jFAMVz_FArYXg7yeKZ_BeB9XXJrNXkis6Q0yi47Ro4KmE_UEpNCR4A746QhPKhTWLTkQkRwyrCO4jfZinOtCvwZAO_OJWscAm6aiWlJr8/s1600/grungy+north+wall.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573469640634138450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RmqRsvmZq5EgBueVlxh5n2DgOBah85Ghc_jFAMVz_FArYXg7yeKZ_BeB9XXJrNXkis6Q0yi47Ro4KmE_UEpNCR4A746QhPKhTWLTkQkRwyrCO4jfZinOtCvwZAO_OJWscAm6aiWlJr8/s320/grungy+north+wall.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now I'm hooked and I can't wait to get going on my St. Patrick's Day creations. Nine years later, I guess it's high time I add a little holiday cheer to the family, right? My kids love it and so do I, once I get the decorations up and forget about the hassle of storing them later. Cheers, everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-22020487514242910332011-02-14T00:49:00.001-08:002011-02-14T00:59:27.439-08:00Caped Crusader Conquers the Commode<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQie29U7W325Bz0H03nuIkCNqYGs7m0vnFEbKYmpoC7emsN_R84n4gN7JuIPh3AF7xOhdggsnfFOh8fFnAixX51A9OsyYgZ-LYyvJhXqm0qunKxRedFqyHpICxVk7Gp4CgE6l0YQeukY/s1600/DSCN1205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573465096418445810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQie29U7W325Bz0H03nuIkCNqYGs7m0vnFEbKYmpoC7emsN_R84n4gN7JuIPh3AF7xOhdggsnfFOh8fFnAixX51A9OsyYgZ-LYyvJhXqm0qunKxRedFqyHpICxVk7Gp4CgE6l0YQeukY/s320/DSCN1205.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />After months of my lamest attempt ever at trying to talk Rex into using the potty and forsaking diapers for good, he woke up last Sunday and said "I need to go potty!" Upon completion of this fabulous task, he wanted to wear undies. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. From that moment on, he never went back to diapers (except at night, but even those are staying dry...yay!). It is grand to only have one child in diapers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_cau4sZpuwPUQR9dXvEzeqZ14-BtWrCTAzOER6f59SQG6jf35gMIadH2oHI3NP687_RAD-NrU2_VC4HD58C01yuXQz09Me75f4tY6ZV9_I5n01erXRwRDX3EFnX_M8esoIXt_E4tk3g/s1600/DSCN1206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573465100845500642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_cau4sZpuwPUQR9dXvEzeqZ14-BtWrCTAzOER6f59SQG6jf35gMIadH2oHI3NP687_RAD-NrU2_VC4HD58C01yuXQz09Me75f4tY6ZV9_I5n01erXRwRDX3EFnX_M8esoIXt_E4tk3g/s320/DSCN1206.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />For an awesome reward, Adam indulged Rex's superhero obsession and bought him these rockin' Batman jammies. Of course, though, Rex wears them all day, every day and gets mad at anyone who calls them p.j.s. "They not jammies! They Batman clothes!" Excuse me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWNopPxjMtnhjhjakq7F4CwYsQUE1DYSGrguRktaEaumxllAXulcXRW0lPrJUyRtxN54Mc1-iqweXTKDzzPFIXZT_8DbzQPKNNaoHa0fQnZW6Hwe4_vzDdRhvcpJqMjQ_yLxFP8CCaug/s1600/DSCN1209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573465109370940178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWNopPxjMtnhjhjakq7F4CwYsQUE1DYSGrguRktaEaumxllAXulcXRW0lPrJUyRtxN54Mc1-iqweXTKDzzPFIXZT_8DbzQPKNNaoHa0fQnZW6Hwe4_vzDdRhvcpJqMjQ_yLxFP8CCaug/s320/DSCN1209.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I am proud of Rex, Adam is proud of Rex, the other kids are proud of Rex, and Rex is proud of Rex. Everyone wins!...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDxFvUfQy9FI-EAnqqumie2_tNYCV0UFxHwQID_vRhCN2mPfZqsfVyE2W_1rVkpttz-3xsnGjNWZeMqHoC7O7vSPhFtpwU2B2x8ATuaJxk2ePfP8mSc7v-hwzNrZp7dYJGx-qUD-U310/s1600/DSCN1208.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573465102695117858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDxFvUfQy9FI-EAnqqumie2_tNYCV0UFxHwQID_vRhCN2mPfZqsfVyE2W_1rVkpttz-3xsnGjNWZeMqHoC7O7vSPhFtpwU2B2x8ATuaJxk2ePfP8mSc7v-hwzNrZp7dYJGx-qUD-U310/s320/DSCN1208.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />...and Batman flies off into the night.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-46333734671696430302011-02-14T00:45:00.000-08:002011-02-14T00:49:14.401-08:00Amber's AdmirerToday when Amber came home from school, I found this in her backpack:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6tntx_0Iy7kbY8l27Cq_PalvrTfvPqjdbuKu9Iqk9jTk6twOQ5FlcedVtA1AjKiCgHQfZCR_UIgrL-O_iQxm4pTdyybrdMlR-Hrg618yVsO5I6ujNUa9aMkJJWIQmJmuxDNA2f3OzDA/s1600/DSCN1190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573463801042611330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6tntx_0Iy7kbY8l27Cq_PalvrTfvPqjdbuKu9Iqk9jTk6twOQ5FlcedVtA1AjKiCgHQfZCR_UIgrL-O_iQxm4pTdyybrdMlR-Hrg618yVsO5I6ujNUa9aMkJJWIQmJmuxDNA2f3OzDA/s320/DSCN1190.JPG" border="0" /></a>Her teacher lets the students send "mail" to each other and a cute litte boy named Jacobi sent her this "how sweet you are beautiful" message. Cute! A few days later, he sent her a candy-gram at school. I think it's darling to see their crushes, especially near Valentine's Day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-86826233750067287072011-02-14T00:21:00.000-08:002011-02-14T00:45:02.126-08:00Copycat StrutMy name is Case Clark and I'm learning new things every day. Mom and Dad think it's a blast to see me put my fountain of knowledge to use. I walk, talk a little, get into everything, wrestle my siblings and parents, head-butt people, pick my nose on cue and laugh my head off, and basically melt Mom's heart every day. I've developed quite a feisty little temper, too, which nobody loves, but when you're the youngest, what choice do you have? I have to assert myself somehow, I suppose. Here's a rundown of my best new discoveries:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvEgnCzjl2IQz8l8Exnn9XvbTqIpcy0yqY4RSS0kIlyv9Zdl5piImN3PkHXl-1Wi0ZZ3-SMqS9DsV3l8zr2TiB3rAF_ejkQ1jWCKPRfudxh6vz-wNERMyW6Wg-vZWrO-8o9ic8v126f8/s1600/DSCN1210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573460718341811666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvEgnCzjl2IQz8l8Exnn9XvbTqIpcy0yqY4RSS0kIlyv9Zdl5piImN3PkHXl-1Wi0ZZ3-SMqS9DsV3l8zr2TiB3rAF_ejkQ1jWCKPRfudxh6vz-wNERMyW6Wg-vZWrO-8o9ic8v126f8/s320/DSCN1210.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kitchen cabinets: pots and pans make the best noise in the house aside from whining children, especially when clanged on the floor while Mom is trying to make dinner. She loves it!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCflWiPrlhPFOT1EzoG02jxOde_wOgVWoEgT8kxgPUfmrpCT-dVpN4Lhi1DsliEy0xiaotzrvBmagJj3cZghGg81NIuVzU952JIYHa9O5UPWTXuIJu64ZB1QD9hBFsysgdOlaecVJ8gFo/s1600/DSCN1202.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573460715859275314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCflWiPrlhPFOT1EzoG02jxOde_wOgVWoEgT8kxgPUfmrpCT-dVpN4Lhi1DsliEy0xiaotzrvBmagJj3cZghGg81NIuVzU952JIYHa9O5UPWTXuIJu64ZB1QD9hBFsysgdOlaecVJ8gFo/s320/DSCN1202.JPG" border="0" /></a> Amber's and Karli's closet is a treasure trove of soft, furry items with which I like to suck my thumb (just like my three older siblings do!).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a_49CO72T1hgux2ARA_DedQjmLXLysmpzEsRzJJCRJ-RBhyac3rS2G-R6LH36_eHCFYmu9jkJuBLCksdMBjmXijHdZcWGCVxLx1NDMN_1Ec5sJnT26f1CIPoP4FwTYIi65QgBbD5FNs/s1600/DSCN1192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573460385939619586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a_49CO72T1hgux2ARA_DedQjmLXLysmpzEsRzJJCRJ-RBhyac3rS2G-R6LH36_eHCFYmu9jkJuBLCksdMBjmXijHdZcWGCVxLx1NDMN_1Ec5sJnT26f1CIPoP4FwTYIi65QgBbD5FNs/s320/DSCN1192.JPG" border="0" /></a> First, I crawl...<br /><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpfkwz-9dRd9ZgylyaOF3WTtHrtG5n91aLjIJ_L2Xcp27Ge9TCwhpiLz2t-FapRVfEt-mHH584CU8DRwp1v5MCXIGNySIORjvVfZU15CyJOjZI5rD8TS9FaOD4sJtZsOMmKQc4ZNmr8c/s1600/DSCN1193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573460381597214546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpfkwz-9dRd9ZgylyaOF3WTtHrtG5n91aLjIJ_L2Xcp27Ge9TCwhpiLz2t-FapRVfEt-mHH584CU8DRwp1v5MCXIGNySIORjvVfZU15CyJOjZI5rD8TS9FaOD4sJtZsOMmKQc4ZNmr8c/s320/DSCN1193.JPG" border="0" /></a>Then I stand...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI9u3OMx7z48M-9Hf69JcZ95Kdc5HutEOWhAWisKP-FfHwFALls4Yg3FgPayVF9AxNJxCOEb7_rnu6nCNiim984QC3uR5wgYaqox1wwhsb3rOl5s2-D96K4rpJWBFd7WOAVNJrjuNTqc/s1600/DSCN1194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573460375038135122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlI9u3OMx7z48M-9Hf69JcZ95Kdc5HutEOWhAWisKP-FfHwFALls4Yg3FgPayVF9AxNJxCOEb7_rnu6nCNiim984QC3uR5wgYaqox1wwhsb3rOl5s2-D96K4rpJWBFd7WOAVNJrjuNTqc/s320/DSCN1194.JPG" border="0" /></a> Then I make a run for the camera. Maybe one of these days Mom will let me snag it.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtBqyFg8W7wa7P7djoU7ci9xwe6xSHhH4yCKG4hz1GalFLS9Y5lo5A5o1XXNZDWdkpWKa1HcwE3Bc8yWzOeJJ9Utypd8u0sg6vGJMp8K-U1ucbpUBqNDdxoYn2KcI_UxZgamJf1z3CQ/s1600/DSCN1181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573460370696398354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtBqyFg8W7wa7P7djoU7ci9xwe6xSHhH4yCKG4hz1GalFLS9Y5lo5A5o1XXNZDWdkpWKa1HcwE3Bc8yWzOeJJ9Utypd8u0sg6vGJMp8K-U1ucbpUBqNDdxoYn2KcI_UxZgamJf1z3CQ/s320/DSCN1181.JPG" border="0" /></a> Yes, it is possible to have a wedgie when wearing a diaper. It happens when you suddenly outgrow your footed jammies.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2SjOTKYXssSbHyupGgsL8cSAWF8CjE81zpl73B54jei6cOk51_5qSDq8wJikeZR-_nlBUsMtS01iEOagZZ870r37EGQJFSz1eOQtR2hBYXxhi52JUupKQCccKPFfocPIO00zqghdqGQ/s1600/DSCN1095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573460366294564434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2SjOTKYXssSbHyupGgsL8cSAWF8CjE81zpl73B54jei6cOk51_5qSDq8wJikeZR-_nlBUsMtS01iEOagZZ870r37EGQJFSz1eOQtR2hBYXxhi52JUupKQCccKPFfocPIO00zqghdqGQ/s320/DSCN1095.JPG" border="0" /></a> Now that I'm such a big boy, I should start acting like one and guzzle milk straight from the jug. I will, after I've finished my giant gulp of milk, exclaim "disgusting!", "yummy", "Da Da", "Mommy", "shake", "play!" and I'll copy any other word anyone tells me. Yes, I'm brilliant and hilarious and everyone loves me!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-80779966994021894802011-01-26T10:19:00.000-08:002011-01-26T10:28:26.896-08:00Pink Polka Dot PartyGrandma Shelley is, like most grandmas, a master at making things fun for the grandchildren. She told the girls about a "pink polka dot party" that she wanted to have with Amber, Karli, and Gracie. Finally, the glorious day arrived and my daughters were so excited to be able to have the party with their cousins Libby, Kya, and Addie who were visiting from out of town. We missed Whitney, Olivia, Evelyn, and Elle. A sequel is in order for sure!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1tMLuY9Ka01Zu3wb1gpLS-_SiuR_o6rJerCKzXCnKCGhvbVGWKkmhSqMM1Ncb6N_OCx874LDQqLY7KqBiI6fXXFxp7QF5qv8bAN0jDLMMRfS8pVaGXG-YAh7DosRE_eSUTrH0UL25pA/s1600/polkadot+table.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566562343987999890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1tMLuY9Ka01Zu3wb1gpLS-_SiuR_o6rJerCKzXCnKCGhvbVGWKkmhSqMM1Ncb6N_OCx874LDQqLY7KqBiI6fXXFxp7QF5qv8bAN0jDLMMRfS8pVaGXG-YAh7DosRE_eSUTrH0UL25pA/s320/polkadot+table.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtcZrGNa3QuwHDoXJZkdsTQaIfVZqitZFedbEvArCgIbCtr8dvpYQlCcAOa2P0pn3PzBzffi8jZ5YfD59GZtqzQc6IHS9Y930T-a3s4-rBygaB4G7NhY5ateR4cdN6pyWcbmTlpV7QRw/s1600/polkadot+west.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566562340727116258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtcZrGNa3QuwHDoXJZkdsTQaIfVZqitZFedbEvArCgIbCtr8dvpYQlCcAOa2P0pn3PzBzffi8jZ5YfD59GZtqzQc6IHS9Y930T-a3s4-rBygaB4G7NhY5ateR4cdN6pyWcbmTlpV7QRw/s320/polkadot+west.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq82BTzUsNENE5xk52FyTlsea34nIA9raFh-iY-_n1uW2uF6P10xZVn7YpJ16nozBHMqcM83Mzlah0Grvgfkahw4mVPf212CfhnANCMHr-K5GvNmVN61wZeI5eD4Xp90tgadeXK4d4K8/s1600/polkadot+presents.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566562333300965314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq82BTzUsNENE5xk52FyTlsea34nIA9raFh-iY-_n1uW2uF6P10xZVn7YpJ16nozBHMqcM83Mzlah0Grvgfkahw4mVPf212CfhnANCMHr-K5GvNmVN61wZeI5eD4Xp90tgadeXK4d4K8/s320/polkadot+presents.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvOPd85RhLx2wvF2wQIc-ulS0lsA68Y0OkiIWB9ud5vzoRYhRP85DKvIc469L748DhPxHhwKhEGWojlMtZHwhJHcD6GV_6yxo-py0k3ELukd2q_xG8llCYiQt3PaO8B6ERwLS03axg4A/s1600/polkadot+karli+mic.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566562331689469202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvOPd85RhLx2wvF2wQIc-ulS0lsA68Y0OkiIWB9ud5vzoRYhRP85DKvIc469L748DhPxHhwKhEGWojlMtZHwhJHcD6GV_6yxo-py0k3ELukd2q_xG8llCYiQt3PaO8B6ERwLS03axg4A/s320/polkadot+karli+mic.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WeDQJIyZnaR-AzzBDPdZk6ZJqA4dDqLfATcWtx0U0iTXucZpLP11nj7rMzsA1eTs0-cZk9TA4Y7mWaqCIkpyIjJGmvAZvXIKI2MHdy1aHqsjCZRi5_b0MhT0pjhJbKu9sPfGMy-cyQg/s1600/polkadot+girls.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561930707576226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WeDQJIyZnaR-AzzBDPdZk6ZJqA4dDqLfATcWtx0U0iTXucZpLP11nj7rMzsA1eTs0-cZk9TA4Y7mWaqCIkpyIjJGmvAZvXIKI2MHdy1aHqsjCZRi5_b0MhT0pjhJbKu9sPfGMy-cyQg/s320/polkadot+girls.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiunyJmi7CkzhSnM5Eg9kYzaU4wpDNrkr82IdMgAa3frPDYojYezwOJbM6COFeYxHYLhbgOfKjxqz2wo5iiIrqeLC9ArHdKnLPRf47lGOlZVCgbf2p-ApxE9JGHjH6orgIgKLR6fZ_8Fk/s1600/polkadot+food.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561921695441554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiunyJmi7CkzhSnM5Eg9kYzaU4wpDNrkr82IdMgAa3frPDYojYezwOJbM6COFeYxHYLhbgOfKjxqz2wo5iiIrqeLC9ArHdKnLPRf47lGOlZVCgbf2p-ApxE9JGHjH6orgIgKLR6fZ_8Fk/s320/polkadot+food.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zGgyYXNxzz0GVnNkmvV6JPD5gaD7SUZL2uucBi9FC6k6iLAEzump2hcw0fTh3bwQSDRy8XA6jLtClI_rcldFjhvnjpL2Z1j67ahZ-KN9af2pJkG50Z_xFE6KM6guKuDmtaWVrirDYAo/s1600/polkadot+east.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561913409968994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zGgyYXNxzz0GVnNkmvV6JPD5gaD7SUZL2uucBi9FC6k6iLAEzump2hcw0fTh3bwQSDRy8XA6jLtClI_rcldFjhvnjpL2Z1j67ahZ-KN9af2pJkG50Z_xFE6KM6guKuDmtaWVrirDYAo/s320/polkadot+east.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw7HaBzs57gCzD8-o7JzGFGyFrS6HyTNPMb1AQD3QpvoPK8tPNaFswjA39XrMTQzvRjIo8kh8yRrSUkH9GZW5pHRIzUPFTCC9LOMOL9vlBhoDg7Qd127moe3SBL0uUCLNpAb0dy01u1k/s1600/polkadot+amber+mic.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561904579833874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw7HaBzs57gCzD8-o7JzGFGyFrS6HyTNPMb1AQD3QpvoPK8tPNaFswjA39XrMTQzvRjIo8kh8yRrSUkH9GZW5pHRIzUPFTCC9LOMOL9vlBhoDg7Qd127moe3SBL0uUCLNpAb0dy01u1k/s320/polkadot+amber+mic.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepi4p7WCVawYUnRNU0mPofMuhmzsy3X4YQmRYIEFFEiAsmQfi0AD-AdAIqot1CewqyJ11QH9mJMTklk7M-UzK6WCkJdZwfnpHlu4e3SaKLcL1U2Ab5BH11tT6LliYNhqkLSkKjs0JffI/s1600/polkadot+amber.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566561903410868226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepi4p7WCVawYUnRNU0mPofMuhmzsy3X4YQmRYIEFFEiAsmQfi0AD-AdAIqot1CewqyJ11QH9mJMTklk7M-UzK6WCkJdZwfnpHlu4e3SaKLcL1U2Ab5BH11tT6LliYNhqkLSkKjs0JffI/s320/polkadot+amber.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-90179037217349990182010-12-27T11:25:00.000-08:002011-01-20T19:37:12.114-08:00My Baby is One Year Old!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeyvtZfpenSiFsqAYtfl_VGUwmX_4C86I3qI7fZleWRl06pvBMAhDQkll40j7niTLY_DcfS0SdvfcMQpJ3Efs8Ajzjg7FVp1wkXto0zXAFW-m_UhSDPtgVZU-j8AdiY8UAFaafQzJ3EI/s1600/DSCN5603.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562903458304425202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeyvtZfpenSiFsqAYtfl_VGUwmX_4C86I3qI7fZleWRl06pvBMAhDQkll40j7niTLY_DcfS0SdvfcMQpJ3Efs8Ajzjg7FVp1wkXto0zXAFW-m_UhSDPtgVZU-j8AdiY8UAFaafQzJ3EI/s320/DSCN5603.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oaSIjHeaWqcsCsFysDgRxwdzpANXuNpwgx6ixkQLuYU4fkY33R2kkgK90aS-vZ49oUkWiNSxk4IyofQzewDACpgsvXlhDyuhtnVwx4uaU8ddy4lyUvqiL3YCZShyphenhyphenPznhc6EU7OUV-yo/s1600/DSCN5605.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562903451436058050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oaSIjHeaWqcsCsFysDgRxwdzpANXuNpwgx6ixkQLuYU4fkY33R2kkgK90aS-vZ49oUkWiNSxk4IyofQzewDACpgsvXlhDyuhtnVwx4uaU8ddy4lyUvqiL3YCZShyphenhyphenPznhc6EU7OUV-yo/s320/DSCN5605.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Where does the time go? I vividly remember all the end-of-pregnancy drama I experienced last year like it was yesterday. It's been a wonderful year and I love having Case in our family. He's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">delightfully</span> sweet, cuddly, and adorable. His brown eyes and olive skin are so handsome and different from anyone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">else's</span> in our family (thank you, Clark genes, for finally appearing). Everyone loves Case and we are all thrilled to have him around. </div><div> </div><div>Since he's the youngest (rip off) and since he only turned one this year (rip off again), we didn't do much to celebrate. Amber and I actually went to San Diego on Case's birthday, so I made a penguin cake and we had a tiny party with my parents, Jen and her family, Adam's parents, and us after Christmas. The cake didn't turn out quite as well as I wanted it to, but Case loved it and it tasted good. He loved being the birthday boy and would smile bashfully when anyone wished him a happy day.</div><br /><div>I've tried to enjoy every aspect of Case's babyhood since he's my last and it's been a fantastic 12 months of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">snugly</span>, squishy kisses, miserable ear infections, and the cutest giggle. I love my little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Queso</span>!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-23898150982467028482010-12-26T11:33:00.000-08:002011-01-17T21:12:55.800-08:00Girls' Trip: Poinsettia Bowl 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKemwoUQQqwjSpOg-5VIP9_foDrXrjiWk7u3vdJGG4SxK4ZlQTqvsGufwVp0FNADC5pa10g55TbzwGgH2CJMGcL2Ff2c5UBgNiHNbAjI4xkHMKmCkUJDU2OI8-28q1Oz-98knwbN1J8c/s1600/pb+nat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563386142506655858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKemwoUQQqwjSpOg-5VIP9_foDrXrjiWk7u3vdJGG4SxK4ZlQTqvsGufwVp0FNADC5pa10g55TbzwGgH2CJMGcL2Ff2c5UBgNiHNbAjI4xkHMKmCkUJDU2OI8-28q1Oz-98knwbN1J8c/s320/pb+nat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My mom and sisters choreograph the halftime show for the Poinsettia Bowl every year, but since it's right before Christmas, we haven't been able to work out a family trip to San Diego to participate. I really wanted to go this year because the halftime show involved honoring members of the Armed Services, and Adam's brother Dave would represent the Marines, Adam's Grandpa Smith would represent the Army, my cousin Fletcher would represent the Navy, and my Grandpa Rydalch would represent the Air Force. I was secretly really bummed that we couldn't make the trip.<br /><br />Enter my wonderful husband, Adam. At the last minute, he arranged for Amber and I to fly to San Diego on a private jet (amazing!) on Wednesday morning, attend the game on Thursday night, and fly home on Friday (Christmas Eve) morning. Despite several mishaps, the trip was a blast! It was great fun to be able to have a "girls' trip" with Amber, and we felt like major celebrities when we drove right onto the runway, had our bags loaded and car parked by the valet service, snuggled into the huge leather seats, and were in the air only five minutes later. The ride was fantastic! I can never fly commercial again...he he.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBluLn2JRcuxiBlkZhQtiYvtimjX4qzCXGNZK3DO2Nadd7wws3imt_aVTFFh4HUkmQdnhnV3Hzcw4WYplFF126A0FvZVIZfum_QTGbu7hbSuYk5MeDaxgSRCRboLemRUv9JLnhMXriC0/s1600/pb+plane.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563386146423189890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBluLn2JRcuxiBlkZhQtiYvtimjX4qzCXGNZK3DO2Nadd7wws3imt_aVTFFh4HUkmQdnhnV3Hzcw4WYplFF126A0FvZVIZfum_QTGbu7hbSuYk5MeDaxgSRCRboLemRUv9JLnhMXriC0/s320/pb+plane.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg-yK7-7fvvXYAYe3HAyRrPARVqlZ5CalShLNyAiG1ct5QD3m5NdvvnXgoSUejSb1Hrp0gY-pSXdP87tzwYdmCAV5zjNzqbDLNsNPodRso0G1DBhvHJk8-n6wKxQ48RVUSwobndsz_uQ/s1600/pb+plane+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563386149212802482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg-yK7-7fvvXYAYe3HAyRrPARVqlZ5CalShLNyAiG1ct5QD3m5NdvvnXgoSUejSb1Hrp0gY-pSXdP87tzwYdmCAV5zjNzqbDLNsNPodRso0G1DBhvHJk8-n6wKxQ48RVUSwobndsz_uQ/s320/pb+plane+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />San Diego was completely flooded when we arrived, so we couldn't go anywhere (no shopping, boo!). Everyone and everything was soggy as could be, but we made the most of it and hung out in the hotel room watching football with Grandpa and Lorna, Greg and Leslie, Rob and Amy, Dave and Maren, Ryan and Steph, and eleven kids. It was a party! After a soggy night, several hours of rehersals, and a few episodes of Amber vomiting, it was time for us to get our glittery poinsettias painted on our faces and head to Qualcomm Stadium for the game. Wahoo!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA4-S3TS4Sr9_C98P2o8lDFKRLmfGvkCGQ7Kx7XQW-u5EgV70DciEzm11fxCjHCQHkdBTc3aocQibfirgd-IIxudWAAzzqkq2y3fDxvrci_IzjVoPgiShd6FZ8Q_ywxNs5J30SGIQ-e4/s1600/pb+nachos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563386139098838354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA4-S3TS4Sr9_C98P2o8lDFKRLmfGvkCGQ7Kx7XQW-u5EgV70DciEzm11fxCjHCQHkdBTc3aocQibfirgd-IIxudWAAzzqkq2y3fDxvrci_IzjVoPgiShd6FZ8Q_ywxNs5J30SGIQ-e4/s320/pb+nachos.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We had second-row seats, right behind SDSU's team on the sidelines, and it was thrilling to be that close to all of the action. We could clearly hear the coaches calling plays, etc. and the best part of those seats was being able to watch the hundreds of Navy Midshipmen march onto the field in perfect squads for the National Anthem, during which Navy performed a sweet fly-over. What a sight and what a sound! The game was so-so, and soon it was time for us to head to the tunnel to prepare for our big entrance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAX_f3uJF5GCZUGpxFw4MM4MpyzcSKG90xVNQWidyTEcGFE0rbzM0u7ZGtpyQWgntY01amQFC0wXixwaUA0U2DSnVEEgUtvYae4uxfcmVc7c2MoZiT7mG9hS_lOKJx_lARVXNCM77zIU/s1600/pb+santa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563386291036661346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAX_f3uJF5GCZUGpxFw4MM4MpyzcSKG90xVNQWidyTEcGFE0rbzM0u7ZGtpyQWgntY01amQFC0wXixwaUA0U2DSnVEEgUtvYae4uxfcmVc7c2MoZiT7mG9hS_lOKJx_lARVXNCM77zIU/s320/pb+santa.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The halftime production turned out to be an almost total disaster. Mr. Sound Guy screwed up the music (even after three sound checks earlier in the day, duh!) so badly that the timing of every subsequent event was ruined. The dancers didn't have their cues so they didn't dance, the fireworks started too early...it was an utter mess. The only thing that went perfectly was the honoring of the Veterans--thank heavens. Despite the sobbing performers, the totally-miffed parents, and the ridiculous Poinsettia Bowl staff who did nothing to make it up to us, I had a great time being involved in something of that magnitude. Since I was a coach, I got to be on the field for the whole second half of the game. It was surreal and loud and fun and amazing. I was proud of Amber for performing her little heart out even though she didn't have music, and I'm excited to try it again next year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3BhHPF02BsQu7ZXX7zzvcpl_1y5ReF3II6aMG6S1ohlP8R5PtV-hA7t6JTWLp23QACBDVjLK-RLh6PrD1uSTmK_1BMPcWSRV39BI2wFHyD4ZLTrZeSIKMQb64N7AMWtCs6S0yJOvGfI/s1600/pb+nat+and+shell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563388458354175490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3BhHPF02BsQu7ZXX7zzvcpl_1y5ReF3II6aMG6S1ohlP8R5PtV-hA7t6JTWLp23QACBDVjLK-RLh6PrD1uSTmK_1BMPcWSRV39BI2wFHyD4ZLTrZeSIKMQb64N7AMWtCs6S0yJOvGfI/s320/pb+nat+and+shell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KR2P0xzAu2fjkjNjOdcl9hexeyEcVVgM8E7bVh0PKoxYq6Hp_l0GVAiKTGl9otkiWjkBtrR5bpURxA_kAELYO6X8gFRiHnCrUBKvdGMSTTBdVzC88ipWYmFHMaQ_dSG9gp_2SkJZS4Q/s1600/pb+pompoms.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563386288675709666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KR2P0xzAu2fjkjNjOdcl9hexeyEcVVgM8E7bVh0PKoxYq6Hp_l0GVAiKTGl9otkiWjkBtrR5bpURxA_kAELYO6X8gFRiHnCrUBKvdGMSTTBdVzC88ipWYmFHMaQ_dSG9gp_2SkJZS4Q/s320/pb+pompoms.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNKC0cYBhd51D8zHnMRR9z2F9qO1VWqjw4WyJ5mwecKq3ok_8YbF_K7SGyFjjkUgZxVBaOv4IrHkhyphenhyphenS5KDkSQCHpnLE_OUlr31O_3QCDOUfwWPMBuqw_atSX1_zWnMX1Urwientc1JbQ/s1600/pb+amber.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563386133701212482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNKC0cYBhd51D8zHnMRR9z2F9qO1VWqjw4WyJ5mwecKq3ok_8YbF_K7SGyFjjkUgZxVBaOv4IrHkhyphenhyphenS5KDkSQCHpnLE_OUlr31O_3QCDOUfwWPMBuqw_atSX1_zWnMX1Urwientc1JbQ/s320/pb+amber.jpg" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-64942123859319041452010-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:002010-11-29T20:08:38.070-08:00Rivalry RevelryIf there's a reason to convene and consume, the Clark family finds it and has a party. We were all stoked to bring the noise and the trash talk at Greg and Leslie's house on Saturday when U of U played BYU in the annual Deseret Duel. Of course, we knew the Utes would win, and I think we were evenly matched in the Utes:Cougars ratio. Thankfully, after a painfully uneventful and in-offensive game, the Utes squeaked out a win at the last second with an awesome blocked field goal attempt. Days later, the family is still arguing over the calls by the refs, the methods of coaching, where the most LDS prophets went to school, which team really has the Spirit, etc. I love this rivalry!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuBtaWwFwWjBGfFmJJ5f_vljsnEynUoT99eaSqIjYd0K017uPTmKwLAmG1b_0pSJGgBJr6kkWJq0GTo1i6153ILkGbjJh2J2XfYBCHmMZzYFrOwAKkWkjfwUGZ0tFpbxVMcUIOGfzeIE/s1600/rex+and+kinz.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545184679541963666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuBtaWwFwWjBGfFmJJ5f_vljsnEynUoT99eaSqIjYd0K017uPTmKwLAmG1b_0pSJGgBJr6kkWJq0GTo1i6153ILkGbjJh2J2XfYBCHmMZzYFrOwAKkWkjfwUGZ0tFpbxVMcUIOGfzeIE/s320/rex+and+kinz.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Rex and Kinzi sported crimson. Kinzi is a waffler, though. The next day, she wore a BYU sweatshirt. Traitor!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0V9OGj38PrdpAc1i5taLvetQL2aoUyfeHREH8KKitz4nur2Bz86ZZgwwqVVQqbswk8Bnon0EkY48LZEr6wKfueYKl41qszkowX_nHGGkLL5DmdY29Q2ROTKzQ3ihpr3dgO5fLuQhmiw/s1600/amber+shirt.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545184672509291970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0V9OGj38PrdpAc1i5taLvetQL2aoUyfeHREH8KKitz4nur2Bz86ZZgwwqVVQqbswk8Bnon0EkY48LZEr6wKfueYKl41qszkowX_nHGGkLL5DmdY29Q2ROTKzQ3ihpr3dgO5fLuQhmiw/s320/amber+shirt.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Amber decided on Saturday morning that she HAD to have a BYU shirt, so I quickly made her this one out of a man's t-shirt I got on clearance at Walmart this summer. I used a freezer paper stencil and acrylic paint to make the "Y". For about an hour of time and some white-trash methods, I think it turned out pretty well. She loved it.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibttWRzM-dRi0jXFrep6PkECILQrM-BtNBtM-UajMUDQBWJ1esNgOT9qWOaKERfmioxE4MNF-lteQLBNaVienlSf69c347lmkJdx8zcGVZNK34C8GJv_PVm-fT2mJWPy8BFGgICj40Afo/s1600/amber+y.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545184654120124466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibttWRzM-dRi0jXFrep6PkECILQrM-BtNBtM-UajMUDQBWJ1esNgOT9qWOaKERfmioxE4MNF-lteQLBNaVienlSf69c347lmkJdx8zcGVZNK34C8GJv_PVm-fT2mJWPy8BFGgICj40Afo/s320/amber+y.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Amber was really representing the Y. Where did she come from?<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVsC6DzWbO5MTedIX16JHrrE_1xNwN2-acQ1j9T3ijx5mDAUfwMpN3dM49wpQ-emq8sTAN0hhhQOUMX22uWh20sTV96EDmlDi8C41y66TMysovzmo0KimAudfiEW3Gt_dhYths3M8trA/s1600/byu+karli.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545184652868990386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVsC6DzWbO5MTedIX16JHrrE_1xNwN2-acQ1j9T3ijx5mDAUfwMpN3dM49wpQ-emq8sTAN0hhhQOUMX22uWh20sTV96EDmlDi8C41y66TMysovzmo0KimAudfiEW3Gt_dhYths3M8trA/s320/byu+karli.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Karli was all for BYU as well. I made her a cute shirt, too, out of some blue and white gingham fabric she fell in love with. Of course, though, when I was finished, she found a number of problems with it and refused to wear it. Kinz let her borrow the wig, so that was good enough for Karli.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhennlHvTywaIYvQzpyV_dumOfvzseO4IiOvNMeT2SX0DUT0NeCrhCPjE2rbC0ZKvblQNjIGIyRmenk4QGw_zmnyS2EQ7P5ShOZu6QE9F-FF9lpFn1KnyNLhE11fcdGxm50EYMFBpkLjh8/s1600/case+and+parker.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545184643548817570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhennlHvTywaIYvQzpyV_dumOfvzseO4IiOvNMeT2SX0DUT0NeCrhCPjE2rbC0ZKvblQNjIGIyRmenk4QGw_zmnyS2EQ7P5ShOZu6QE9F-FF9lpFn1KnyNLhE11fcdGxm50EYMFBpkLjh8/s320/case+and+parker.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Case is a Ute fan by default; he has all the gear thanks to Grandpa Brad.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKalLYMfstNEDqZMsHI1gGgNCh9kep54aAtOdhvGVzRwR6Xw5GUilERNT9DeDvZYfNzK38VsSsjO3YwESoXPRV-Ec8nRzqjJYJPA1Y_hNLo8Hm500cMykiqWBg155ecjdE6CGd_DLa4F4/s1600/rex+michigan.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545183263075522146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKalLYMfstNEDqZMsHI1gGgNCh9kep54aAtOdhvGVzRwR6Xw5GUilERNT9DeDvZYfNzK38VsSsjO3YwESoXPRV-Ec8nRzqjJYJPA1Y_hNLo8Hm500cMykiqWBg155ecjdE6CGd_DLa4F4/s320/rex+michigan.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Since Adam and I have brainwashed Rex into being a Ute fan (get 'em while they're fresh!), Amber said he had to cheer for MSU as well. She provided the green M tattoo on his forehead for some Spartan love.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8yeg8JI9K3tcBW6Y88FmhTrg9vbKZF46DyJnQmboQAbQZY4qZlHuLCh0ym7REPUBCl921zwOJph8u88eQwjtJcGyoSLdvOKil6EL3HlhvdQSNl-_57Yl-CQmLnHG99b4zkLdv_IS2iE/s1600/whit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545183256652386050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8yeg8JI9K3tcBW6Y88FmhTrg9vbKZF46DyJnQmboQAbQZY4qZlHuLCh0ym7REPUBCl921zwOJph8u88eQwjtJcGyoSLdvOKil6EL3HlhvdQSNl-_57Yl-CQmLnHG99b4zkLdv_IS2iE/s320/whit.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Whitney was just happy to be there; I don't think she could have cared less about the game. She's adorable!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheunOxB6j_JdEPjSa9J849y3KNrJbFr2TwWnREGbPp_3w0IxGD84pAYcoUP4VDfZltlBY6tGwxqhbaFWBZv7Vad0z0vuNbB712LrHpD1zh-DJOfigazfvTKOr2I89AoUU58opusoq_0_A/s1600/parker+confused.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545183251192772994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheunOxB6j_JdEPjSa9J849y3KNrJbFr2TwWnREGbPp_3w0IxGD84pAYcoUP4VDfZltlBY6tGwxqhbaFWBZv7Vad0z0vuNbB712LrHpD1zh-DJOfigazfvTKOr2I89AoUU58opusoq_0_A/s320/parker+confused.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />This poor little boy is so confused! Can you tell he's related to Kinzi? BYU hat and Utah shirt. Nice.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTfb_60Hv3GhAUqVC6519MrB68frwysPfWk1i9G2CwM5W0A2Dx-00Gu4Z-CcPOw7GrLilwb8A72HKxrOpOTGjnN-91NmQm1ONiiz-nw1jBct9Znc_AkZJ46lCRnEkHKpKNZ1NuhMLk1o/s1600/game+watching.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545183236632278290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTfb_60Hv3GhAUqVC6519MrB68frwysPfWk1i9G2CwM5W0A2Dx-00Gu4Z-CcPOw7GrLilwb8A72HKxrOpOTGjnN-91NmQm1ONiiz-nw1jBct9Znc_AkZJ46lCRnEkHKpKNZ1NuhMLk1o/s320/game+watching.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Things were pretty tense during the game. We even had an adult throw a fit and stomp upstairs because the little kids were in his way. Tee hee. It's just a game, people!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYF4ca9_dfI2hzVfwu3xMJCWoC2-0Q3Fhzw3fFr21jK7aqgin5PDHJbbmvPfISM_6sDZX0AXnLyG5Pk7T3z4LR6XmvCzNvTY2V1djEvItU6zxTzx5Roup2vkYRGBdJjzwgPHhcLSpn9E4/s1600/DSCN1045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545183219930798610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYF4ca9_dfI2hzVfwu3xMJCWoC2-0Q3Fhzw3fFr21jK7aqgin5PDHJbbmvPfISM_6sDZX0AXnLyG5Pk7T3z4LR6XmvCzNvTY2V1djEvItU6zxTzx5Roup2vkYRGBdJjzwgPHhcLSpn9E4/s320/DSCN1045.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />The best part of the Ute's victory was Adam's computer speakers blasting the Utah fight song at the end of the game. It was adorable to see the little kids dance, and I loved seeing Greg, Leslie, Amber, Karli, and even Kinzi cringe.</div><br /><br /><div>So until next year, we have the bragging rights. A Utah fam are we.....GO UTES! </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-11395266806925328092010-11-27T08:59:00.000-08:002010-11-27T09:40:29.896-08:00Happy Thanksgiving to AllThanksgiving this year was marvelous; we spent it at Greg and Leslie's house with them, Kristi, Jake, Kinzi, Whitney, and Parker, Adam's cousin Dean, and Grandpa Smith and Grandma Lorna. While a huge family gathering with everyone present is always a party, it was nice to have a small group. Since there were only six little kids present, the chaos was notably reduced which made a nice, relaxing afternoon.<br /><br /><br />The food was spectacular as usual: Leslie's excellent turkey breast AND cinnamon-glazed ham, sweet potato casserole complete with broiled marshmallows, potatoes and gravy, green been casserole, corn casserole with tons of cheese on top, fresh cranberry sauce, stuffing, cran-grape salad, 12-layer jello, Lorna's rolls with three different varieties of homemade jam. For dessert, we had pumpkin pie and lemon-cheese pie--two of my very favorites. I ate and ate and ate, and definitely had a food hangover afterward. Aah...I love Thanksgiving!<br /><br /><br /><br />My favorite part of the holiday was the cute shirts I made for my kids. I used some recycled men's V-necks for Amber and Karli's (she insisted on a tank top, the crazy kid) and two hand-me-down ready made shirts for the boys. The letters are all scraps of old t-shirts appliqued with brown thread, and "adorable" on both girls' shirts was spelled out in rhinestones. They were darling!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32PhlXcsF4fsh6RQ6fryi-divResw9QdD6XomNHIsA97MugHkVRKal3xO1gsDgPOz1puWydSGf43uSgwk-m9tHXUYfFGO2ecMvBNsudFuifh-nlW5MLef3pPwAArzgpGCn1xXO0FOM4Q/s1600/DSCN1015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544284078235753618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32PhlXcsF4fsh6RQ6fryi-divResw9QdD6XomNHIsA97MugHkVRKal3xO1gsDgPOz1puWydSGf43uSgwk-m9tHXUYfFGO2ecMvBNsudFuifh-nlW5MLef3pPwAArzgpGCn1xXO0FOM4Q/s320/DSCN1015.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center">Rex and Whitney had a blast together.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RHwD0JqO5JEbmV-S2U0ndafyJ0gWJDHK5GGZXPJq7VHBglv0jECXHTRFDZ8n_Gw7Fybp_HtKcYQIgGp_3M_yWUaQqYEh1hVU40S1cFMoRhVnzz84jfTTClbFUFd0bc3ibIJzXDI-QdY/s1600/DSCN1018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544284072249600626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RHwD0JqO5JEbmV-S2U0ndafyJ0gWJDHK5GGZXPJq7VHBglv0jECXHTRFDZ8n_Gw7Fybp_HtKcYQIgGp_3M_yWUaQqYEh1hVU40S1cFMoRhVnzz84jfTTClbFUFd0bc3ibIJzXDI-QdY/s320/DSCN1018.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center">Karli did lots of puzzles while waiting for dinner.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs_zdlQNXds_ZRP9r9Kch2p7ySP88ugMvxsunzVqdQSptAzSxKTqFScsEDMF7S0WvzViOhSX_Kgpaa96IqXRgSBmnhdlQBky50ZM71k70Tn4XQTfNvPTonMLFmgXUo0cmM4UH-VWcUFE/s1600/DSCN1019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544284070888852338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrs_zdlQNXds_ZRP9r9Kch2p7ySP88ugMvxsunzVqdQSptAzSxKTqFScsEDMF7S0WvzViOhSX_Kgpaa96IqXRgSBmnhdlQBky50ZM71k70Tn4XQTfNvPTonMLFmgXUo0cmM4UH-VWcUFE/s320/DSCN1019.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center">Parker taught Case how to be even more trouble than he already is.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObm5LzutdLTt7cCoedeDZoaZD_g3tU5RBdENhrYz-d0G-N6zyOcYSoD5G6hsEMT9vGRqg_xIMqg8UnCGCqBwt_6SDbWmp5L5JVYmiHjK3VaQcbh7_Xo1D2zJ_3My1rr5WYL1WudYbNhY/s1600/DSCN1022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544284059998756274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObm5LzutdLTt7cCoedeDZoaZD_g3tU5RBdENhrYz-d0G-N6zyOcYSoD5G6hsEMT9vGRqg_xIMqg8UnCGCqBwt_6SDbWmp5L5JVYmiHjK3VaQcbh7_Xo1D2zJ_3My1rr5WYL1WudYbNhY/s320/DSCN1022.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center">Case was thrilled by every bite of food; he'd squeal and laugh every time the fork approached his mouth.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvQYOEj-0iEn9_S2BkbLXzI_FvvNQYYgcjtCFkJVVioEO3SpXCMLZkj1Bz7pb0s0nHkL1znFDMzG26kYnTwsRiz8ifCBpqHBXnG1ROrhHuDA0jBiZ4HoEHQn8IA2JtK4tago24SMAjkg/s1600/DSCN1007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544282532593131618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvQYOEj-0iEn9_S2BkbLXzI_FvvNQYYgcjtCFkJVVioEO3SpXCMLZkj1Bz7pb0s0nHkL1znFDMzG26kYnTwsRiz8ifCBpqHBXnG1ROrhHuDA0jBiZ4HoEHQn8IA2JtK4tago24SMAjkg/s320/DSCN1007.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thankful to be adorable.</div><p align="center"><br /><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihoUjSSlzep0vulEhz9crxpaEtFw4ABEiGTQ99A8lnuM_KUPrS355EmD6MgucyjCAdwTsyfbUQpfC-unCjXcKQETJyRR9KlIbR3kSkSUZKX0VV4caNLkaSWG6nrp-HQOlgKwEvI2USjM/s1600/DSCN1001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544282524494017970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihoUjSSlzep0vulEhz9crxpaEtFw4ABEiGTQ99A8lnuM_KUPrS355EmD6MgucyjCAdwTsyfbUQpfC-unCjXcKQETJyRR9KlIbR3kSkSUZKX0VV4caNLkaSWG6nrp-HQOlgKwEvI2USjM/s320/DSCN1001.JPG" border="0" /></a> I also made Karli's headband out of old t-shirt scraps; those roses are my new favorite item to craft.</div><p align="center"><br /><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiL0oMnJESzYuuL3424x2udvrReyzCQK4tLfQ7USei7V7aQYAVGISC47JZMiAVjVkZY4evY19s8Jarl5MjmWELstKkmoP51BQRc0-9qXtzWk71FBuuwXqUe6cpl1vaF6m6cSlSBs4Mt8/s1600/DSCN1005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544282516535445778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiL0oMnJESzYuuL3424x2udvrReyzCQK4tLfQ7USei7V7aQYAVGISC47JZMiAVjVkZY4evY19s8Jarl5MjmWELstKkmoP51BQRc0-9qXtzWk71FBuuwXqUe6cpl1vaF6m6cSlSBs4Mt8/s320/DSCN1005.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thankful to be awesome.</div><p align="center"><br /><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcpdVGUl7kC7CW1Vo0YNZ9wL9re1A39UvOsKLBNpASbYafC_URxPqyyG9xmRioo3xZ63CG5YQ6OwNuT7983K14C9BA_uVK59N8juVecyeGulcXQqT2PE9AFOYEg6riLRcdGKuRIgAxfA/s1600/DSCN1014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544282505875674258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcpdVGUl7kC7CW1Vo0YNZ9wL9re1A39UvOsKLBNpASbYafC_URxPqyyG9xmRioo3xZ63CG5YQ6OwNuT7983K14C9BA_uVK59N8juVecyeGulcXQqT2PE9AFOYEg6riLRcdGKuRIgAxfA/s320/DSCN1014.JPG" border="0" /></a> Little turkey.</div><p align="center"><br /><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3sXmm1_vbI2-EEASIOhiyKb-irYDmEC5ujS9TBD-izyM-QDCgZcMh5EC_mSdBk48I-bkJP0JIcjkGzJvFww0w3el1JeiKlVmMRpjA7yZe45_9RJphBAFbw01b7XTYe44YZ4O-Kfjsqo/s1600/DSCN1011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544282501092043394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3sXmm1_vbI2-EEASIOhiyKb-irYDmEC5ujS9TBD-izyM-QDCgZcMh5EC_mSdBk48I-bkJP0JIcjkGzJvFww0w3el1JeiKlVmMRpjA7yZe45_9RJphBAFbw01b7XTYe44YZ4O-Kfjsqo/s320/DSCN1011.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center">I'm thankful for these cuties!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-49520885502819285782010-11-23T19:20:00.000-08:002010-11-23T19:45:31.715-08:00A Crazy, Wonderful LifeEveryone who reads my blog will know exactly when the batteries in my camera die; they're dead. Hence, the shortage of posts lately. That's not the only reason, though. Life is speeding up for me and our little family. I can't believe how quickly the days fly by, the laundry just keeps piling up, and the dishes move from the cabinets to the table to the sink seemingly on their own. Between my job, Amber's school, and the hundreds of trips to the doctor's office, I feel like I live in a blur. It's a good blur, but it's insane!<br /><br />I always love November and the heightened sense of gratitude that I feel. This year has been great mixed with not-so-great, and I'm feeling right now like we're stuck in a rut. While things definitely could be (and have been) worse, I'm ready to move on to the settled-down-and-established phase of life. Then again, I wonder if there ever will be a phase like that for my family. It seems like the world has changed significantly in the past ten years. Will there ever be such a thing as job security? Does my lifetime view of "middle class" even exist anymore? Call me a real pessimist, but I am starting to think that we may be scraping by in one way or another for the rest of our lives. <br /><br />I gave a talk in church last week about President Monson's conference address entitled "The Divine Gift of Gratitude". It helped me remember that the important things in life are the things I already have: my husband, our kids, the gospel, a testimony. I am glad I had to speak on that talk, because I really need that reminder now. This is an awful thing to say, but I feel like we've suffered through the starving student era, had babies, paid our tithing faithfully, and we've paid our dues. I'm ready to be over that! <br /><br />Here's to a bright future, enduring hope, and a wonderful holiday season filled with love and happiness. I'm blessed to know what I know, and to have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I know that I have a Savior who makes it possible for me to repent of my sins and I feel divinely blessed to have Adam, Amber, Karli, Rex and Case in my life. We have wonderful parents and family members who bless us daily. I appreciate all of their help and kindness. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7390863101322637135.post-54189050496098599012010-10-31T23:25:00.000-07:002010-11-24T23:33:17.046-08:00Halloween 2010Halloween is one of my favorite holidays; I get to make costumes for my kids, they always look adorable, we eat waaay too many treats, and we carve pumpkins. This year, I was a witch...my usual look because I don't have to try very hard at all. Rex and Case sported the Sons of Anarchy getups that Rex and Colton wore last year, Karli was Tiana from "Princess and the Frog" and Amber was Claudia, the vampire princess from "Interview with a Vampire." We had a hootin', hollerin', howl of a time!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihABVAS5TOaMmJfa0-lHlwLiGvi2PQ7fWRU9dBW6rgYfPn_Rjlk3oJ9xfJjirjlY_rrOjsZB8KQqaQROeJzPRIu-qfmp-Pylg_z19v3xEOIQFwZlHpBSKsPIf9b713Dc9840eAWOBq7y0/s1600/DSCN0987.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543385801682285282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihABVAS5TOaMmJfa0-lHlwLiGvi2PQ7fWRU9dBW6rgYfPn_Rjlk3oJ9xfJjirjlY_rrOjsZB8KQqaQROeJzPRIu-qfmp-Pylg_z19v3xEOIQFwZlHpBSKsPIf9b713Dc9840eAWOBq7y0/s320/DSCN0987.JPG" border="0" /></a> My tough little biker who still sucks his thumb.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x_-az5jFihcYi558qFghzkp4mNAEFuUkaQi1EQl6jPux6VlqQHgZCfSjQdrDpDwU8jV4KgcIwXbobmUFa1lU0G9aBTBFIXfav-vPlxc-fEPpR44F5lNwtDtOIBk43l723E4T7JXa2Cs/s1600/DSCN0985.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543385789074390834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x_-az5jFihcYi558qFghzkp4mNAEFuUkaQi1EQl6jPux6VlqQHgZCfSjQdrDpDwU8jV4KgcIwXbobmUFa1lU0G9aBTBFIXfav-vPlxc-fEPpR44F5lNwtDtOIBk43l723E4T7JXa2Cs/s320/DSCN0985.JPG" border="0" /></a> Just because she's dressed like a princess doesn't mean she eats like one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr_xmu2-vAgXy1zSD9ig8FV0MPRI-H6rgjMbeAwTNYgfxAAgA9iCF8IzsTDNpp0RZIki51BkhoM6BTCdawuHWPvMQy5lAUI1WT-GgZtFHNRnFR-pz8iphMpYmTXMwKym1lQ3Pif0eNTQ/s1600/DSCN0978.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543385780266039634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr_xmu2-vAgXy1zSD9ig8FV0MPRI-H6rgjMbeAwTNYgfxAAgA9iCF8IzsTDNpp0RZIki51BkhoM6BTCdawuHWPvMQy5lAUI1WT-GgZtFHNRnFR-pz8iphMpYmTXMwKym1lQ3Pif0eNTQ/s320/DSCN0978.JPG" border="0" /></a> The boys' mohawks were my favorite part of their costumes.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxxjiJRvcbB2e9i9JIngpMBbvYIA6nXSSGJu7maujD964YwMKiC8UnRa3SZJfEM-UjAqrhNDJqanlsGtzblDaPvmuI1A0H5Iv891AHc6zoHDZvFgpOKeuRKWrEv3awj_GEWizJTutOAA/s1600/DSCN0973.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543385778492138786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxxjiJRvcbB2e9i9JIngpMBbvYIA6nXSSGJu7maujD964YwMKiC8UnRa3SZJfEM-UjAqrhNDJqanlsGtzblDaPvmuI1A0H5Iv891AHc6zoHDZvFgpOKeuRKWrEv3awj_GEWizJTutOAA/s320/DSCN0973.JPG" border="0" /></a> Too cute to be hardcore.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eFdPfQy4qjIrYOa2LbmE-xjHTLeiUIloc3Ll5EAqvJSiSnD2UZ6bZmhky_NJpafzE3QUU2lY1Awg81yX7paPF1jlx36MCr9Bl9ze_8j3kveuVPitDcpegdvV-fX_IIscGiCug7H3yFI/s1600/DSCN0972.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543385774847419170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eFdPfQy4qjIrYOa2LbmE-xjHTLeiUIloc3Ll5EAqvJSiSnD2UZ6bZmhky_NJpafzE3QUU2lY1Awg81yX7paPF1jlx36MCr9Bl9ze_8j3kveuVPitDcpegdvV-fX_IIscGiCug7H3yFI/s320/DSCN0972.JPG" border="0" /></a> They were so excited to trick or treat that they didn't want to pose for a decent picture.</div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0