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!