Sunday, April 28, 2013

Disney




We got an awesome up-to-date Clark family photo by the Disney castle that I will post here....


The two Donald's on our morning walk to the park.  Susie made the spiffy shirts!  We each got to chose a character. :)
Michael loves Mickey!
The penny arcade.  The only thing at Disney that really costs a penny and Michael was looking forward to it. :)
Fairy Godmother was the first character Tessa met.  After that she got the hang of it and ran to hug them like they were the most special friends. 
I love this reaction to the princesses too!  Adoring...  or in awe...

Jedi Training Camp


Trainride around the park while Jared took the boys on rides.




We didn't stay together with the Clarks, but we were pretty lucky to run into some of the group 5-6 times throughout the day.

Beckah loves Tink!

Disney knows how to make moments.  We pay an arm and a leg to go, but everything there is beautiful and magical.  

A favorite ride.  I loved that I got to go with the three big kids.  

"It's a Small World" is my favorite attraction that I remember from when I was a kid.  Jared was impressed that I know the song by heart.  I was happy that Tessa loved it too.  She stood up and waved to the figures almost the whole ride.  I think Michael kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but he caught on to the theme by the end.  Jordan just liked that our boat was floating in the water. :)     

Meeting Mickey was the only "long" line we waited in to meet a character.  We went to Mickey's house in Toontown and then afterward raced to meet the group for dinner.  

Disney Parade!  I loved walking into the park and seeing Mary Poppins there to greet guests or Peter Pan and Wendy waving to the little ones. 

On our way

A very important event each morning...  Susie made these cute countdowns for the kids :)  Meanwhile I prepared for our trip in March by planning and packing up the gear and food for nine days of adventure in Southern California.  The family van was bursting at the seams.  
We made it through an unforeseen snowstorm before stopping in St. George. 

Yea! We made it to the Las Vegas temple before meeting up with my cousin Courtney.  The temples were definitely some of the highlights of the trip!!
The Venetian gondolas.  The story goes that the waterway was drained three times for repainting before the hue was just right. 

The Water show at the Belagio.  The spring themed botanical garden in the lobby was very impressive.  There was a glass greenhouse with hundreds of butterflies and hatching cacoons.
The replica architecture was fun to see, but mainly we were glad to see Courtney.  As a side-note, this was my first visit to Vegas and now we can say that we don't really recommend it....  
Little Ben is in the middle with the boys piloting the plane Matt flies for work.

Matt always has lots of fun stories.  They were great hosts!  We enjoyed visiting them on the way to California and on the way back home. 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Field Trips with Fisher

Tessa gets some one on one with Candy after a field trip and cupcakes for Fisher's birthday. 
We look forward to field trips with Fisher and Candy.  This year we fit in visits to a Doctor's office, the Museum of People and Cultures, the Gale Center Museum, Uncle Tim the computer guy, and Shine Brite.

Chris Douglas is a programmer for Shine Brite Kids who taught us about web development and illustration.  So awesome! 

Asher and Pickle came along for Mexican mask creating.


Winter

Champion Skaters
Video of Sledding with Dad (if it works)
snowforts
1st tastes of food
Michael took this photo on a late Sunday night visit to Dr. Grandpa... At least one member of the family was sick in turns during January and February.

Birthdays with Cousins in Hyrum!
Math
Lego The Hobbit


Another lego craze for the boys -- Bionicles
and Mechs

Tessa's "friend" one afternoon after bowling
more friends .. a photo to send to Ella

Jordan's awesome new gymnastics class at Gymcats
He's on the rings hiding behind the bar
Michael loves playing all the songs he learns at piano lessons
meeting reptiles at Halea's birthday party

Michael noticed that giraffes have blue tongues at the zoo.  

last but not least..  Tessa got to take her first dance class! 

A Ray of Sunshine




I try to take a photo of each Clark kid in this outfit from Ira Visitiv.  She lives in St. Petersburg now and has her first baby!

My Valentines

Jordan loved that he could read this card from Inez!

These kids love bologna!

making Valentines at Adam's house :)

heart pizzas

Sugar (and cookies)

Clarks in 2013



Here's our updated family photo.  
And here's to a new year of peace, kindness, and growth...for all of us!  :)