Easter Break

Jared took a couple days off of work during the kids Spring break.  It was time to relieve cabin fever and take a trip.  We decided to plan a little stay-cation and try some things around our house that we have wanted to do as a family. 

We found the reservoir in Herriman - 10 minutes from home.

Went swimming at a new rec. center down the street and played racquetball too

Jared took the kids fishing at our Riverton City Pond and then to the park to fly kites.  The trout dinner was tasty!

 Photos of the Saturday before Easter at the Clarks

Cam had another fun idea to play kickball in the field next door.  He even took the mower over and mowed a diamond!

I love this Easter egg hunt!

 

 

 

This was Leisel's split second nap.  And Tessa can't miss out on the fun. :)

my current favorite photo model again..  It's usually the little one I spend lots of time with.

Cute bunch of siblings!

Now some photos of Easter Sunday with the Harstons  

This one makes me want a better camera.  I get fed up with my fuzzy camera phone pictures, although I am sure grateful for the convenience!  Amy took this photo and shared it.  Leisel was a "disciple" in Grandma's little Easter pageant and Jordan played the part of Jesus. 

For the skit the Easter Bunny came to visit and needed to be taught about the true meaning of Easter. 

The kids were riveted.  They love to participate in the shows and the lessons!

Catching up with the Clarks

During  their Spring Break trip, Susie met us for a fun afternoon of mini-golf.  

Then we both made the trip to Bear Lake to spend the weekend with the Clarks watching General Conference. 

It was a bit chilly, but in between Conference sessions Jared carried the kayaks down to the beach and took all the kids for rides.  Landon, Chris and I tried it out too!  Jordan loved it and wanted to learn how to maneuver. 

Birthdays, Baptisms, and Blessings

In March we celebrated as two new nieces were blessed.  I am sadly skimping on the photos lately.  Olivia and Lucy are both so sweet and beautiful!  And they are getting big now..  We will update with the new members of the family soon.

Here are the most recent Clark family photos taken on the blessing day!  (Olivia is with Cam and Haley on the far left.)  I need a digital copy of Grandma and Grandpa too.

 At the end of March we were excited to celebrate Jared's birthday.  Here's his breakfast at home.  And dinner was at the Jazz game with a pre-game visit to the court.  Thanks Dad!

The other birthdays we celebrated were heavy in the Harston family: Isaac, Eric, Mom, Chad, Ben and Beth!

  

We took a quick trip to Poccatello to be there for Isaac's baptism.  There were some Pokemon games, sleepovers and outings to the park too.   

 

Then last but not least, Grandmother Harston turned 90 in April!  We really enjoyed her birthday celebration.  Many family members traveled from far away and can't travel for family gatherings very often.  We feel grateful to be apart of such a wonderful lady's posterity! 

Leisel is 18 months old!

March 9, 2014

 

Winter and Life

Snow play with the neighbor.  The boys were doing front flips into the snowdrift.

Tessa loves to play with other kids.  She is even starting to give up on her imaginary friend because, "He is not real."  So I love it when she plays by herself in creative ways.  (usually during Leisel's nap time)  Sometimes she will get suited up on her own to play outside during a snow or rain storm and create her own world.  

a fun spot -- just her size

We made it to a bowling alley and a U of U men's basketball game with Grandpa Harston.

I made fresh ricotta for lasagna from the kit Rachel sent for Christmas.  So fun! 

I love the shelves Chris made me for Christmas!  No more crooked frames, just great arrangements. :)

Jared's creative brothers hosted a "lightsaber party".  Who knew from some plumbing parts you could create some amazing looking stuff?  The real photos from the party must be on Jared's hard drive.  Maybe when he reads this he'll send then to me, please?

Not warming up yet, but we tried to get out...

Yea for playdates/swaps with cousins!

another Tessa moment during nap time.  I love that she loves Winnie the Pooh.

Free zoo day!

Michael's BYU car did great at the pinewood derby!  He won the judges choice and fastest in his den.

Each month a good reader is recognized in each class at school.  Jordan was in February and Michael in April.

Other cute readers :)

Holiday Blessings

2013 was a year filled with good times, change, challenge, and growth.  In March we loved the Clark family trip to Southern California and Anaheim.  We enjoyed summertime fun with cousins and the first garden in our new Riverton home.  The kids continued their love of learning this fall in a close-by charter school.  Then I miscarried a pregnancy after 10 weeks and Jared started looking for work after things dwindled to a close at his old firm. (To finish that story - The day after Christmas Jared accepted a position at a Salt Lake City firm working with great people!)  The holidays were filled with family togetherness and meaningful lessons.  Throughout all our experiences, we receive the bounty of the Lord's love and blessings.  We look forward to another year of moving forward in worthy goals and treasuring what we have been given.