Fall Semester

Our school routine is fairly basic so far this year.  We cover some good lessons at home and join a few groups for other school time. 
Michael is participating in a extracurricular boys group called Knights of Freedom.  I love the topics and activities he participates in.  And that he can be with some boys his age who enjoy learning.
We also go to a "Living History Co-op" a few times a month too.
Michael devours books from the library on every topic non-fiction and fiction.  Some regulars are from the Boxcar Children and Tennis Shoes among the Nephites series', Boys Life Magazines, and any National Geographic Kids.
Jordan reading is improving by leaps and bounds too.  He enjoys the stories in "100 Easy Lessons" and reading a book each month to discuss with a "Young Boys Book Club" at the library.
Otherwise we schedule in a few fun and interesting field trips each month.
 
Here are a few schoolish moments of our days this year so far:

Tessa's playdough creation during Michael's math lesson

 Jordan and Tessa in a fun "Monster" theme storytime while Michael reads in the big kid section of the library

Field trip to BYU with Fisher

Jordan loved this field trip!

I loved this field trip to the Fish Hatchery in Springville. :)

It was interesting to see the fish come to the surface of the water in a wave as you walk by...feeding time.

P.E. time at the skate park

Thank goodness Leisel sleeps through most of the productive and unproductive school time.

first snow day

more P.E.

and recess at the Fun Center

Jordan and a baby tiger shark in the touch tank at Living Planet Aquarium

This is the new Scheel's store...

Michael went to a fencing class for a few weeks.  He is in the center of this photo in (oversized) fencing garb.  Jordan had tumbling at the same time and sadly in all the weeks of class I never got a picture of him.... 

 

Name and Blessing

Leisel Alene Clark

a "pure bright spirit"

Baptism & Blessing Day

Michael says it's great to be Eight!

This was a wonderful day for so many reasons!  We prepared by having lots of discussions about baptism in Family Home Evening, with the primary president and in an interview with the bishopric.  My mom helped think through the details of organizing a family meal.  Everyone joined in to support and celebrate with our family. 
The words of the blessings were beautiful.  I think the ordinances were very significant for Michael.  (And he thought the party with so many loved ones was great too!) 
I am grateful for the priesthood power and for membership in Jesus Christ's Church that guides my life.  It is a blessing that my children can learn the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the earliest age.  I'm grateful for Michael's choice to follow Jesus' example.  I know that baptism points the way to eternal life. My knowledge and testimony of the Plan of Salvation is essential and blesses my life every day.  

Sisters

This will be one of my favorite family photos.  Leisel Alene is named after Jared's Grandma Ellen Alene.   

We love these people!

Tricks or Treats

Here's our tradition of showing costumes to Great-Grandma and then visiting a few houses with Aunt Linda.

These ghostbusters at our ward party were amazing!

Here's the tradition at Uncle Ron's costume party for the kids to find a prize in the giant pile of leaves.

This photo caught Tessa in a funny moment, but it works!

Grandma Teresa even had a cute little outfit for Leisel that matched her cousin!

Ghoulish treats Jordan wanted for his birthday, cupcakes with a mini-donut eyeball.

October Birthdays...

Whew!  The boys' birthdays came again and we celebrated! 
They never mind sharing the party with each other....especially when they get to have cake two times anyway -- once with both sides of the family. 

Some Ave Friends

We haven't been able to keep up with all the neat people our family has met during our moving around the country.  But last month we were able to reunite with a few friends from law school.  I got a picture of a few of the get-togethers.  It's nice when we get the time to re-kindle relationships! 

temple square with Inez

These cute girls are growing up!

I think these boys were four when they met!  They still have lots of fun together. 

Fall Festivity

We were glad to find a farm close to us with all the fun fall activities.  

It is a favorite family tradition for our favorite time of year!

Our Tessa

Tessa is three now!  She loves birthdays and reveled this September in her own.  (Yes, my posts are backed up a few months again.) 

Tessa is a very fun, active, and strong-willed girl.  She loves being a girl and thinks anything that is glittery and pink is meant for her.  She is adventurous, outgoing, and independent.  Her enjoyment with dancing, singing, jumping, sliding, tumbling, bike riding etc. is delightful.  Often her overflowing energy precludes her need for sleep.... 

Tessa also loves playing with her brothers.  She has made many of her own lego creations and does a good imitation of sound effects for light sabers.  She follows Jordan's example in her imaginative play, and this summer started enjoying drawing and crafting too.  I find her sitting to "read" books for longer periods of time too.  I really welcome the prospect of quieter activities consuming her attention. 

Recently she has taken the step to using the big girl potty.  Her language is advancing too, and it is fun to see her vocalize all her thoughts.  Tessa loves all the special people in her life, especially cousins and Grandmas.  She says that when she grows up she wants to be a mom. 

We love her very much and look forward to another wonderful year! 

Quadrilateral

The kids love to visit with Leisel and hold and help her.  I love to see them make relationships with her.  She responds to and recognizes them.  I love most to see the adoration in their faces.  I wanted to try to capture that.
  

proud, protective, big brother

 

Tessa asked for weeks before Leisel arrived, "When is my baby going to come?"  She really wanted "her baby to be in her family."  Then she tried to count all her fingers and told me, "I want handfuls of babies, mom."

 

just what we prayed for