Bookworms

Clark loves to read, and he particularly enjoys his Emergency Vehicles book. He usually reads it upside down, babbles, and makes lots of noises that, I think, sound like sirens. Some might even consider the noises a little girly, but I think he just has great range. The other night I caught both of my boys reading together ... for some reason, I think I will be taking many more pictures like this one in years to come.

Time Out Location?

I had just finished folding all the laundry, which by the way, I don't mind folding, but I LOATHE putting away, when I saw Clark playing around the laundry basket. I immediately thought of the picture that my sisters and I LOVE of my Dad carrying Tricia in a trashcan/laundry basket with her head poking out when she was little. Sooooo, I plopped Clark in to see what he looked like. Tanner and I were cracking up laughing, but Clark just looked at us with his classic Stone Face (which he inherited from his mother). I don't think he loved it in there, which gave me the idea to maybe use it for time-out one day. But that would require 1) that Clark actually need a time out and 2) that the basket NOT be overflowing with dirty laundry ... both of which are a rare occurence indeed.

Go Seahawks!

The Seahawks have a big playoff game against the Bears this Sunday. Coverage begins at 1pm. And if you need some extra motivation to watch, here is a little song to get you pepped.

Airplane Ride

Clark was such a trooper with all the travelling we did this Christmas. The twelve hour drive home from Florida plus the six hour flight to Salt Lake the next morning was a little rough, but thanks to awesome flight attendants Clark got plenty of exercise walking up and down the center aisle and he stopped to meet everyone on board, and it seemed he would wait to move on until he received a smile back. It was only a 3 1/2 hour flight on the way home thanks to the jet stream (I was so happy!) and it also helped that the flight wasn't full so Clark could have his own seat. We actually had a lot of fun, and Clark perfected balancing a cup on his head skills ... seriously.

The Colonel

The day before we planned to drive back to Virginia from Florida, we received a phone call from Tanner's mother telling us that her father had passed away. Tanner's grandfather was an incredibly amazing man, and I wish I had known him earlier on in his life. We decided to fly out to Utah for the funeral. We drove back to Virginia as scheduled the morning of the 3rd, got home at 9pm, unpacked, repacked, and we were on a plane by 11am the next morning. It was wonderful to see all of our family, despite the somewhat sad circumstances.

Grandpa White was a Colonel in the United States Air Force, and lived and served in many different places throughout his life. He fought in World War II, including at the Battle of the Bulge, and many other notable conflicts. During the last few years of his life, he had started to lose his memory, but I will never forget some of the war stories he still told us in such great detail. Tanner and I went and stayed with him one night when we were engaged. He asked us in his quiet, low raspy voice if we were going to sleep in the guest room. Somewhat surprised, we replied "no Grandpa, we are not married yet", to which he said, with a smile and twinkle in his eye, "I hope you can wait that long." Tanner and I were laughing so hard, I don't even know if we responded.

Because of his military status, he received full military honors, and many of his friends from the military came to both the funeral and viewing. I have always had a soft spot for older people, and I just could not take my eyes off of this group of men in their uniforms. You could just tell they had had some amazing life experiences. I wanted to sit down with each of them and just listen.


The funeral was wonderful. We were all glad to be together as a family to celebrate the life of this wonderful man. All of the grandsons were pallbearers and Tanner's mom received the flag that draped his coffin. It was a long day for Clark and by the time we returned to the chapel for dinner, he was tuckered out. We were so glad we were able to be a part of this experience and it is one we will cherish forever.

Happy New Year

I have to admit, I am not a big New Year's fan. I guess it all started when I was a teenager and I never had anyone to kiss at midnight unlike my sisters who always had boyfriends on hand or my parents who had eachother. Watching the ball drop while hearing everyone count it down in the background 2 seconds behind just doesn't do it for me. I think the best New Year's celebration I ever saw was what the French did with the Eiffel Tower in 2000...now that was cool. However, this year was a little bit different because I was around children, and they were just cute. My Clark loved the sparklers, and the Seguine kids had so much fun making noise. I convinced my mom to make cinnamon rolls and we played games most of the night after the kids went to bed.


I think I am finally realizing that I enjoy the low key, low maintenance kind of celebrations in life more than the hyped up extravagance that is almost certain to disappoint. I am also not a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions (also something that is always hyped up). I will never forget when Tanner and I were faithful gym goers when in January, it became IMPOSSIBLE to use a weight machine without standing in a line. I was talking about this to one of the employees, and she said "Oh just wait until the middle of February, and it will be back down to regulars." It is just another example of people doing something over the top and have it disappoint in the end. So, as a result, my goals for this year are going to be small and doable...I am going to try to not walk faster than I am able, but try to take a stroll and accomplish some things and enjoy it without feeling stressed or guilty...I am choosing to ignore the conversation we had over Christmas about how guilt can be a great motivator...because for those of you who know me, you know that I am ALL about NO GUILT and NO STRESS.

Holiday Scenes

The Birdhouse + Christmas + lots of kids (cute ones I might add) = LOTS OF FUN!

This is Courtney and Carter playing video games in their 'fort' on the third floor. I got such warm fuzzie's seeing their masterpiece because I myself was a fort master extraordinaire.

Clark + Jonah = Two Cute Towheads

Brianna and Cork performed a puppet show for all of us, and it was so cute. The best part was them imitating Tricia and Dan and correcting each other what was next on the script.

Bowl of M&Ms + Edge of the Table = Clark's enjoyment

Birdhouse Closet + Birdhouse Jacuzzi Bath = Sound Sleep for the Clarkster

Comfie couch + Cartoons = 3 Happy Boys

Shoooooooooter! Come out come out wherever you are! I have some oranges for you! It was really just a ploy so Clark could tug on his fur and lovingly gouge his eyes out, but Shooter graciously endured Clark's attention and then would run away as fast as he could.

We gave Courtney and Carter soccer goals for Christmas, so naturally we had to try them out...and show off our soccer skills...what soccer skills?
It was discovered that Tricia can't really kick a ball, and while I can kick a ball, power does not equal good direction, and Dad's shin + Dan's toe = bruise for Dan. Tanner was the only skilled adult in the group. We never tried it but I think Tanner, Courtney, and Carter could have beat myself, Dad, Tricia, AND Dan.

Tricia and I gave mom and dad a puzzle of the birdhouse. It was my wicked awesome idea, and the company who did it for us was great. It was quite difficult actually! Dad gets sole credit for the sky, Tanner the chimney, Mom the white fence, and myself the front doors and posts, and Tricia the trees on the left and more posts.

Did I mention that we had fun?

Merry Christmas!

We really didn't have high expectations for Clark and his Christmas skills when it came to opening presents and acting excited about the whole affair, but we were pleasantly surprised. He was very intrigued by all the giftwrap when we came down the stairs, and he got really into pulling out his presents in his stocking. I think his favorite gift was of course...new pacies!

He stayed awake during the whole present opening and had fun the whole time particularly playing peekaboo with dad through the glass doors.

We all received wonderful gifts from eachother and our family members and just being with family made it all the better!

Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the birdhouse,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a M-word
(we aren't allowed to say the name for fear they may come back)
The stockings were hung on the banister with care,
plus Clark's adorable one made by Nana was there!

The birdhouse looked great thanks to Nana's hard work!
Nativities and angels decked each room and nook
The tree was beauty and the aroma even greater,
It seems every year we say the tree's never better!

Clark was decked out for the Christmas to come
With green pacie cuz I don't suck my thumb!
And reindeer pjs that fit as snug as a bug
and stories by Daddy before bed in the tub
(yes, he slept in the jacuzzi bathtub the whole vacation...it looked quite comfortable actually).

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

New York Day 2

On Day Two, we decided to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I was excited because while I have been to New York numerous times, it has been about ten years since I have been to Liberty Island. You can't walk up into the statue anymore, because they decided it was just too crowded and too much of a hazard. But you can look up into it from below. It was a nice day and the New York skyline was beautiful. We enjoyed ourselves and I even bought Clark a Statue of Liberty pen that lights up and that he can chew on, and I bought Tanner and I matching hot chocolate mugs. We even stopped off at IKEA on our way out of town to grab a few last minute stocking stuffers for our kids. It was a great trip and I had so much fun with the other women: Joni, Jene, and Amy. Kudos to Joni who is 7 1/2 months pregnant and walked all over town like a champ and also Amy who is newly pregnant and despite what we termed a 'quick throwup stop' just outside of DC was good to go the rest of the trip! I am especially grateful that 4 women can talk for 7 hours straight each way and keep the driver awake with lively conversation!