Family Pics

TWO!

Once again - my mind is blown at how fast time flies. On Sunday, my little boy turned TWO! The day he was born is so clear to me in my head... it seriously feels like just yesterday. I'm not sure if I can adequately describe this little guy. He brings so much joy and happiness into our home. I cannot imagine living life without him. He has won over the hearts of all of his grandparents. He has truly got them wrapped around his little finger. And I have to say, I'm right there with them. Ross always gives me a hard time, because he says I let him off too easy - just because he gives me those looks that melt my heart. It's probably true - but I don't admit it! There aren't words to describe how much I love this kid. He is one of a kind. All I can say is - he's amazing - and he's mine!
I love you, Cole. Happy birthday, big guy.

COLE

Dear Santa...

We wrote our letters to Santa the other day... the kids had a blast. I think if Mason could write his ideal letter it would go something like this:

"Dear Santa,

I WANT IT ALL!

Love, Mason"

But after explaining to him that even though Santa is "magic" - it wouldn't be fair to bring him everything, this is what he came up with...

Yes, my SEVEN year old son is asking for "UnderArmor" for Christmas. And specific colors at that! I never, ever, EVER thought I'd have to worry about getting my kids "UnderArmor" until at LEAST Junior High! Seriously - it's a little crazy. But he knows that the "real football players" wear it - and therefore - he needs to have it. I'm fairly sure he thinks that if he wears it he'll be able to play better - or be guaranteed a spot in the NFL or something. I'm not sure what it is - but seriously. Ya gotta love the kid.

And my little Hal needed a few suggestions to get her going. However, after she got a start, she had no problem keepin' it going! Here is her list... "A VANITY"!! That is all she can talk about now. I don't think she knew what it was called at first - but after she asked me - now it's all she can talk about. She wants a vanity for her room. Oh good grief. Do I have anything on these lists purchased? Absolutely not!

Santa doesn't get a list from Cole this year. He will be happy with anything - and besides, Santa just "KNOWS" anyway.

So, as always, Christmas has creeped up on me and I am NOT READY - so here I am in the same boat as every year... wishing I had more time. But oh well - we do the best with what we have and we make it work. Christmas comes whether we like it or not. Even if the Grinch comes and steals all our presents. I wonder if my kids would buy that - - - maybe if I don't get my shopping done, I'll just tell them that the Grinch must've come and taken everything. Can you imagine the fit my kids would throw (one child in particular)?? Ya - I better not.

'TIS THE SEASON!

FLASHBACK

So I was trying to be clever and I started thinking about maybe doing "Flashback Fridays" - and posting a past event every Friday to help me catch up on my blog neglect over the past year. But then I thought about it - and more than likely Friday would roll around and I wouldn't get to it and then I'd just dig myself into a deeper hole. So...... I've decided to just randomly throw in a "Flashback Friday" post MINUS the "Friday" every now and then. It will be very random and in no particular order - so there's your warning. Starting............. NOW.

My first "flashback" has got to be the 1st day of school this year. Here are some pics of my 2 kiddos on their first days!

I'm not gonna go off about how hard the first day of school always is for me. I think we've all got that down. Let's just say - I cried .... again.

And this post wouldn't be complete without including Mason's school picture this year. I L.O.V.E. it!!

Melts my heart to pieces! What a handsome kid!

I LOVE THESE KIDS!

5 YEARS OLD!

I'm in denial. My little girl is NOT 5 years old. I must've counted wrong. Seriously - it's weird that she's that old. She's always been a baby to me - and 5 is just too big. Where's the "rewind" button? It's just not fair. If anybody knows how to slow time down - please do share. Anyway... with very bitter-sweet feelings - I present the:

Her birthday was technically a month ago. But this is the best I could do. Anyway - we had a great day! We always decorate the kids rooms the night before their birthday so that they can wake up to all the excitement. And we always do breakfast in bed. And of course, we had to do PEDICURES!

It was Hal's first time getting a Pedicure. She LOVED it. It's totally her thing. We will definately be going more often - because it just happens to be "my thing" too!!

Hal has had it in her mind for the past year that she wanted to have a "pajama party" for her birthday. So, we invited all her friends and had a pajama party. We made pancakes, painted nails and played games. It turned out fun! These were her invitations: I wanted to take pictures - but it was a little too chaotic! Sorry.

And here is her annual preschool birthday poster!

Our family would not be complete without our Hallie. She is truly a ray of sunshine in our lives. I don't know what I would do without her.

I LOVE YOU, HALLIE GRACE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Halloween

I've decided that Halloween just isn't my holiday. I mean, don't get me wrong - it's all sorts of fun and excitement - but it's all just a little overwhelming to me. This year was especially that way. Between the dance performances, the school parties, the pumpkin carving and the trick-or-treating, I'm just glad I'm still standing.

Seriously though - your kids have their EXACT ideas of what they want to be - and heaven forbid you don't find it.... so you drive to every Walmart, Target and ShopKo in the valley to find it. I literally walked in the door to my house at midnight on the night before Mason's school party with his costume. It would help if every freaking kid didn't have to be "Snake Eyes" along with him. But of course, that's the main reason why he wanted to be him - if every other 7 year old boy didn't want to be Snake Eyes - then why would he?

Then of course when I ask Hal what she wants to be - she comes up with "A Marrying Girl" (aka: a BRIDE). A Bride? Seriously? Not a princess or a fairy or heaven forbid something NOT wearing a poofy dress - A BRIDE! And of course, with her being the only girl in the house - like always, I get a little (just a tiny bit) out of control with the whole thing. My awesome friend Kristy made her a veil, hooked us up with a killer dress and helped us find her all the necessary accessories to be the perfect bride! Seriously - like I've said many times before... perfectionism and Halloween just do not mix well. She would have been perfectly happy in any old white dress with some flowers - but I of course went all out. I have issues. And then of course, the entire time trick-or-treating, she was tripping over her dress, trying to keep up with all the running "big kids". So most of the night was filled with tears and lots of whining.

And by the time I made the 2 oldest ones happy, I was too exhausted to worry about the 2 youngest ones. So Cole ended up in Hal's old "Chicken" costume - with no clue what was going on - and Noah got Dashy's old "Tiger". (What can I say - I used up all my effort on the other 2)

So with much hard work I present to you -

SNAKE EYES

THE BRIDE

THE CHICKEN

& last, but not least...
THE TIGER!

THE CARVING

THE PUMPKINS

...and here's Hal as a the"MUMMY" at her Dance performance. Cutest Mummy I ever did see!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hope yours was as fun as mine!

He's HERE!

Don't pass out, everyone - but yes... I am POSTING ON MY BLOG! Ugh. I don't know what to say about that exactly. I think I just got overwhelmed with how behind I was and gave up. But here I am - giving it another shot. I am not a quitter! So - even though it's a couple days later than I promised (Angie) - at least I'm doin' it! Anyway... be patient with me while I try and catch up. There's a lot to post about.

Ok... moving on!

Here's a picture of me 2 weeks ago - as miserable as can be. Let's just say that this pregnancy did me in! It was quite possibly the most miserable 9 months of my life. I can't think of a day where I didn't wake up nauseated and sick. It was rough. But I took it a day at a time and finally the end was in sight. All of you who are close to me know that I was literally counting down the days in the end. Time couldn't move fast enough. I might have even stayed awake the entire night prior to going to the hospital.

Anyway - the point is - I'm glad it's over.

Which brings me to proudly announce that 11 days ago I brought our 4th (and final, I might add) beautiful child into this world. This makes 3 boys and a 1 princess for us.

I'd like to introduce to you -

NOAH EVANS CLARK
7 lbs 2 oz - 19 inches

There aren't words for how grateful I am to have 4 beautiful, healthy and happy children. I'm filled with emotion as I look back at my life and how I got here. I feel so blessed to be trusted with these amazing little people. There is no way to discribe the wonderful feeling a new baby brings into your home. It is truly a miracle.

I may be slightly partial - but he is truly perfect!

My 2 adorable kids - excited as can be - to see their new little brother. Aren't those the 2 cutest faces you've ever seen?

My poor little Cole. Let's just say that he was "less than excited" to see our new arrival. He really had no clue what was coming. He has been my spoiled little baby for 20 months now - and the ultimate center of our attention - until now. Whenever he would come to see us in the hospital he wouldn't even look at me. It was so hard for me. I've never had one of my kids act like that before. I suppose it's because he's so much younger. But it was hard.

However - as you can see - he's warming up and adjusting very quickly. He still doesn't quite understand the term "soft" - but we are learning!

FOUR KIDS! I can't believe it!

So, all in all we are doing great. Thrilled to finally complete our family of 6! Ask me in a couple of months how I am adjusting. As of right now, I am still recovering from my 4th C-section and welcoming this little one into our family.

Stay tuned! ... There WILL be more.

Cole's 1st Birthday

So as you already know from a previous post ... my little Cole turned ONE! I still have a hard time believing it. It isn't right how fast time goes. Anyway - over the years I've learned with each child that first birthdays don't require much of a celebration, since the birthday child usually doesn't even know what's going on. So, we got together at my in-laws and had cupcakes and ice cream. As you can see - he didn't like the cupcake at all! Anyway... it turned out to be a great day. He seemed to enjoy it, regardless of his confusion. He's such an amazing little boy. He has been since day one. Couldn't possibly love the kid more.

Happy Birthday, baby!

Christmas re-cap

Okay so it's the end of March - so I thought, What better time to start than CHRISTMAS?! So... here's a little Christmas time re-cap for ya.

At our ward Christmas party, Mason and Hals were asked to go up on stage and participate in the Nativity. Hal was supposed to be an "Angel". Now I'm not sure if it's typical of the Heavenly Angels who were present at Christ's birth to have frowns on their faces, and their fingers in their mouth - but apparently there was one special little angel who did just that. Hallie played that part perfectly! This was one of Hallie's typical stage fright moments where she froze. Although I'm fairly sure that acting won't be in Hallie's future, I must say, she was the cutest little angel I've ever laid eyes on!

And Mason was asked to be one of the 3 wisemen. We struggled to come up with the costume, but he sure did a great job. Stood up there like a trooper. What a handsome little wiseman! As you can see, he was towards the back of the stage, trying to peek around someone so that I could take his picture. Good job, M.J.!!

And of course, what's Christmas without SANTA, right? Well, naturally... Hallie was terrified to sit on Santa's lap herself. I almost didn't get her to do it. But I talked her into doing it if she sat on his lap with Mason at the same time. I tell ya - that girl loves her big brother. If Mason is with her, she'll do anything. So, as she waited in line, Mason held her hand and they made it through. It was so adorable, I just had to get a picture of it.

And together we had success! They made it to his lap. (isn't he the cutest Santa you've ever seen?)

And for Cole's first time on Santa's lap, he did awesome! He couldn't take his eyes off him... but he did great. I was so proud of him!

Anyway... MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! (better late than never, right?)