Technical Difficulties

I have been experiencing technical difficulties with my computer lately... it hasn't wanted to upload my pictures lately which explains why I haven't posted, no pictures no fun.  BUT I finally got it working so I'll post about April activities soon.  For now I wanted to post about the books I've read recently:

Elsewhere by Gabreille Zevin gave me a creative look into an alternative afterlife when a fifteen year old girl dies and awakes on a cruiseliner headed to Elsewhere.  In Elsewhere everyone grows younger until they are infants and then sent down the river back to earth where they will be born again.  Liz is not happy about what has happened to her and is faced with the challenge of accepting it and learning to live as she ages younger... which means not ever getting a driver's license, getting married, having children, growing old with the love of her life, etc.  I thought it was incredibly creative and a very unique story!

I have loved the first two Fablehaven stories, and the third one was just as enjoyable.  Book three: Grip of the Shadow Plague by: Brandon Mull was one of his most creative stories.  I loved watching the young characters, Seth and Kendra, grow into their personalities and roles.  The story had several twists, some I thought where lame and others I really enjoyed!  Overall this Shadow Plague is very dangerous and those that live at Fablehaven must be very courageous if they are to defeat those that created it!

Spring Break Week

This last week has been a whole lot of fun!  Todd and Nate both had spring break, so Nate decided to head down here to visit us!  I especially appreciate this since this summer he'll be headed off on an LDS mission and that'll last a couple years... so I enjoy all the time we get to spend together!  We had a lot of fun playing board and video games and even putting together a puzzle, but my favorite part was hiking Angel's Landing.  I hadn't gone on this hike since a few years ago and I had forgotten how hard it was... but it was incredibly enjoyable too!  We had such a great time laughing and teasing, especially when the cliff edge was near... but don't worry we were safe too.  I have to tell you, I was most excited about getting the picture of Todd and I in the hole in the rock, though, because my mom and dad have a picture just like it at about the same age!!  I'm very sentimental!

St. Patrick's Day was a blast as well!  I love every holiday that can be celebrated, because I love reliving and creating new traditions!  This year for St. Patty's we woke up and had green pancakes and scrambled eggs.  Nate and Todd tore

 off my green and pinched me over and over again... I don't think that was fair at all!  Then we made and decorated sugar cookies, as well as make shamrock necklaces.  And for the finale the kids were lead by clues throughout the house until

 they found the "Leprechaun's Golden Treats" (butterscotch candies and such)... I think they were actually disappointed when they found the treasure cause that meant the hunt was over, how interesting!  I hope you all had a great week and holiday!

February Activities

I have felt bad that I haven't been posting like I used to.  I really have enjoyed blogging not only because I can share my life and make new friends, but also because it's a good way to record or "journal" my family's life!  So I'm going to get better at it again, even if I have to do these "month in review" type posts.  So here's how February went:

After Gary's super fun birthday came Valentine's Day.  I absolutely LOVE holidays, because of the traditions I can share with my kiddos that creates lasting memories!  The kids and I created our own Valentine cards to give out to

 friends at Liv's preschool.  The kids used their thumb prints to make hearts!  On the actual day we decorated sugar cookies and made bookmarks to take to our neighborhood friends.  The kids loved it and I loved watching them, especially their excitement when the delivered them!

That night Todd took me out to the a Ballroom Gala put on by the SUU Ballroom Dance Team.  It was a formal occasion with a really yummy dinner!  The team put on a performance and then there was a live band so that all could dance.  It was slightly intimidating to get on the floor with a bunch of people who actually knew what they were doing... but in the end we had SO MUCH FUN!

Later in the month the kids and I headed to salt lake so we could watch Aaron star as Maxwell Smart in the play Get Smart at his high school.  He was a hoot!  I love watching him act, he always seems to be cast just right... the goofy

 characters!  He did a great job!  That same weekend we celebrated his 17th birthday.  It's hard to believe my littlest little brother his 17!  We had a great dinner with the family at Linda's house which was fabulous until we had to pack

 up and head home.  February was a wonderful month full of fun times and a lot of growth!

Gary Boy Turns 3

My little Gary boy turned three last friday (February 6th), so on Saturday we celebrated with a construction themed birthday party!  It was a hit!  First the kids got to try out some of the jobs that can be found on an actual construction site.  They included: hammering nails, screwing in screws, sawing wood, climbing a tall ladder, and painting a house (ours made out of cardboard).  The kids, even the "big kids" loved these activities!  Especially the birthday boy.  When I asked him what his favorite part was he said it was the tractor cake, but I think he loved the activities just as much cause he was the last one we had to drag out of the garage for dinner!  Dinner was scrumptious, and a special thanks to all those who helped me get it ready!  After that we headed back into the garage so the kids could break open a cement truck pinata, just what kids need... more sugar!  Then Gary boy got to unwrap his presents.  I love how appreciative Gary is with each present, because he takes time to check out the new gift.  It's a very unique trait of politeness he has already built in!  For the finale we lit up the tractor, well backhoe, cake (which I was just so happy it turned out), sang happy birthday, and let Gary blow out the candles!  What a great time!  I am so grateful for those that traveled for the occasion (which many of our guests did since we live in the middle of nowhere now)!  It was a very special day!

F.Y.I.

For those of you that do frequent my blog I wanted to apologize for not posting for over the last month... it's been a crazy little bit for us during the holidays and now I've devoted my free time to making blankets for the handful of babies that will be arriving this new year.  I will try to post now and then, but know that we are doing well & that I have not forgotten you, blogger friends!  I will be around and will be posting some fun blankets (at least) soon enough!

Congratulations Dad & Linda

I am so excited to announce that my dad and Linda Clark are getting married!  They met over a year ago and hit off right away!  On Friday, December 12th, he took her to temple square and asked her to marry him... we're all so glad that she said "Yes!"  Linda is an amazing woman with an incredible story of her own!  She's a talented violin player and such a happy woman!  We are very blessed that she has decided to join our family!  Congrats you two!!

Where I've Been

First of all, we're all okay!  But last Saturday on our way to Salt Lake for a couple of family Christmas parties we hit the heart of the storm that we knew was coming.  After about 20 minutes we hit a patch of ice going about 35/40mph.  We slid until we had turned around then hit the dirt shoulder rolling into the median valley until we were back on all fours.  The truck is totaled but none of us were!  My arm was pretty mangled so they took me to the hospital for xrays, but nothing was broken just incredibly bruised and beat.  We were very blessed!  Another great blessing was that my aunt and uncle were not too far ahead of us, by coincidence, so they were able to turn around and help out at the hospital and give us a ride to Salt Lake!  So we ended up in Salt Lake longer then we had planned so I wasn't able to upload pictures, and when we did finally get home our internet was out due to the unexpected blizzard in the desert!  But life is finally settling back to normal, so I hope to get caught up now!