Look out for...

...BLUE LIGHTNING!

Good grief ... I'm not sure if I have ever seen anything quite as cute as this little 3 year old soccer team! I could not stop smiling. Hallie is playing in a co-ed Tiny Tot Soccer league and had her first game on Saturday. She is the only girl on her team - and she can't seem to get herself down the field without her fingers in her mouth and her daddy holding her hand. But when they're this cute... who cares?

I mean seriously... pink cleates and all! She's really excited about playing. . . but Hals hates to have any attention drawn to her. So, hopefully she'll warm up and play.

Go BLUE LIGHTNING!

Apparently Ross is coaching next week - so maybe she'll actually give it a good effort! I'll keep ya posted.

It's Salsa Season!

Alrighty so this was one heck of a weekend, I've just gotta tell ya. Every year about this time, some of my friends and I try to be domestic and make SALSA. It was my turn to do it in my kitchen - what a great way to break in a new kitchen! Last year's batch was AMAZING and we all went through it way too fast. So, we wanted to make more this year. Let's just say we went a little overboard, okay. 108 JARS OF SALSA! Don't ask me how it happened or what we were thinking, but we've got enough salsa to run our own mexican restaurant. Way fun, but let's just say I couldn't feel my feet by the end of the day. It's amazing what can happen when you get 5 girlfriends together to do a project! I know you are all amazed and impressed.

So 14 hours later, with frustrated husbands, tired kids and aching bodies we present to you ....

What Angie has officially named our "BFF Salsa". (yes, and she even made labels!)

And I've just gotta say - it is super fantastically delicious! (not that we'd admit it if it wasn't) Might I suggest warming it up with shredded cheese... mmm... mmm...!

Thanks girls! Let's not do it again until next year okay?

What a kid!

Just wanted to show y'all what I see when I walk into this little guy's room every morning. He brings so much happiness into our home!

Cherry Hill...

..."the greatest fun spot there ever was!"

Okay so don't laugh but yes, the very first official Clark family camping trip was to Cherry Hill. Let's just say we don't do a lot of camping. And what we have done has been in a cabin. Sad, I know... but it is officially one of our goals now! (not that that means a whole lot) Anyway, we had a blast last weekend with our buddies campin' out at Cherry Hill. I am so glad that Tina and Scott had the idea and made it all happen - thanks guys! You know you are "virgin" campers when you can't even get your own tent up without needing some assistance. And yes, we went for the giant hotel of a tent - it was awesome.

And heaven only knows why we don't do this more often, because the kids has a blast! They loved sleeping in the tent! Prior to this, the only tent my kids had ever slept in was a shark shaped one in my living room. Sad.

We swam all day and everyone was pooped by the time we got home, but it turned out to be so super fun. I think we might make it a tradition every Labor Day weekend!

Thanks everybody!

A Week of FIRSTS!

So this was a big week for the Clark family - as I'm sure it was for all of you. It was the beginning of just about everything. We are just getting back into the swing of things. After the craziness of summer, it sure is tough getting used to a regular schedule and routine again. But here is our list of "firsts" for the week.

First Day of First Grade!

What the crap is wrong with me? I am like sobbing just blogging about this day. If you saw me you would think someone must have died. It is so hard for me to watch my kids grow up and transition. Why can't we just push "pause" and make it all stop for a while? It is times like this that I am reminded to slow down a bit and cherish the sweet moments of motherhood. Time just goes way too fast!

He looks happy, doesn't he? Well, don't let him fool ya. The kid has bawled and screamed everyday so far, begging me to let him stay home. I'm tellin' ya - It has been bad.

The principal has literally had to physically restrain him to get him to stay at school. I have left the school every day this week, hearing him crying - my heart being ripped apart. Keep your fingers crossed for us that he can get the hang of this! Any advice anyone might have would be great.

First Day Back to Dance!

So, we all know how much Hallie loves to dance.... but what these pictures don't show is how many times she bawled on her first day back after summer. What is wrong with my kids? Seriously... do I coddle them to much? Why do they have such a hard time with separation and new things? I feel like I must be failing at something. Anyway, she will get the hang of it again...

She's a natural, though... don't ya think? ;)

First Time Eating Watermelon!

Don't go thinkin' that there was any chance of takin' it away from him either, because I tried. He wasn't havin' it. What kid doesn't love watermelon, right?

First Day Back to Soccer!

And of course we would have to start Soccer this week. Naturally it would all come at once, right? Let the routine begin!! So, we had our usual melt down about the name of the team. Mason's team name ideas never get the majority of the votes for some reason. He really wanted to be the "UTES" because they were red... but majority ruled and they are the "Red Torches" Mason says "that's stupid!" - but I think we are over it now. He's just thrilled that he finally got to be RED (his very favorite color!).

It has been a physically and emotionally exhausting week - but we made it through. I'm glad it's a holiday weekend now. I can already use a day off.

Hope y'all had a great week!!

Not to brag or anything but....

Could he be any cuter?

Arizona in August...

...and we survived!

Okay, so as most of you know, we just got back from Arizona. I know, I know, we are crazy to do that in the middle of August! But when your husband is doing business down there, and your family lives there... you can't miss the chance to tag along. So, we spent a little bit of time in the sun, but most of the time, we tried to go from one Air Conditioned place to the next. It's the only way to survive, I'm afraid. So, here are some pictures from our trip!

So, first of all I need to paint a picture for everyone. My parents house is like our favorite place. When we go there it is always just a magical little experience.

My mom has her house fixed up perfectly with a toyroom that looks like Santa's workshop just for her grandkids. She always has everything so nice, with chocolate truffles by our bedside and everything. It is better than any hotel or B&B you could ever find. Trust me.


We usually walk in to see signs like this. These are just a couple of the cute things that we usually see at Grandma and Grandpa's that make things so special. Thanks mom and dad!

We decided to take the boat up to "Canyon Lake" for a little fun in the sun. We had so much fun being back on the Lake again. It was just like old times. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Chad, Landon and Mason Check out the rocks behind them - this lake was really pretty!

This was Cole's first boating trip! He seemed to like it!

SUMO TUBE BABY!

Okay, if you've never had the chance to experience the "Sumo Tube", you need to! This is Chad, Ross and me kickin' some butt at it. Turns out I'm pretty dang good at it. It is so much fun to do. If you need a fun new boating toy - get one!! So fun! But nobody kicks butt quite like my brother on the wakeboard. But then again, he usually kicks my butt at everything. What can I say?

And of course, we had to go to a Diamondbacks game while we were there. It was really fun to go to a MLB game - Mason loved it! It was a good game, too - it was close. But the D-backs pulled through!

GO D-BACKS!!

And then to thank us for watching Landon and Ash, Chad and Andrea gave us an awesome night out without the kids at an amazing restaurant called Roys. If you are ever somewhere where you have the opportunity to dine at Roys, do so, because it is amazing food and super fun atmosphere.

Thanks, Chad and Andrea! It was not necessary at all, but we LOVED it!

We even got to spend some time with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins that was long overdue!

So, all in all it was a super fun trip that as usual, went way too fast! We had a great time, though. Too bad we can't live closer to our family. But it sure makes vacation a party!! Love you guys!

Attention Twilight Fans!!

Okay so if you are like me, counting down the days until the movie is released... you'll be happy to know that the release date has moved up to November 21st. That's like 3 weeks early!! I'm so excited. Anyone interested in joining our midnight showing group, feel free!!

For more info, check out http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/. K... I'm a loser, but whatever!

Memories...

Okay so my cute friend Teri did this TAG and I think it looks like a lot of fun! Do as you wish with it... but let's keep it alive!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, just anything you remember.

2. Next, repost these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's pretty fun to see the responses.

Happy blogging friends!

It's DONE!

Okay so as many of you know... my kitchen is FINALLY done! I am so excited about it. It doesn't even feel like my house. The process seemed like forever, and camping out in the basement was not my favorite... but I must say it was all very worth it in the end. Here are some before and after pictures.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

So, after about a month and a half of camping out in our basement, lots of fast food and extreme messiness... we are finally enjoying our new kitchen! It is awesome, I must say. If you want to see more pics of the kitchen before and after... check out facebook!