tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25120356331607955872024-03-13T13:45:20.888-07:00The ClarksThe Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-19678377077417020182011-10-26T21:14:00.000-07:002011-10-26T21:43:11.003-07:00It's been a while...<div align="center">Jeez, its been a while! I feel bad that I blogged Dax's first 2 years of life pretty much weekly (or daily sometimes) and Rocki gets nothing. Life is busy! Here is an updated picture of the kiddos. Rocklyn is 10 1/2 months and so dang fun! She is always smiling and she loves her brother! She has to do everything he does. She is trying to walk.. takes a few steps, but not yet! Daxten or "Super Dax" is his name of choice is in preschool and loving it! He is sassy as ever and makes my heart melt. He tells me probably 10 times a day that he loves me. Austin and I got back a few weeks ago from a dream vacation.. a Mediterranean cruise.Went with 2 other great couples and had a blast! We hit Rome and Sicily Italy,Crete and Athens Greece and Ephesus Turkey. Amazing! My insanely great Dad took a week off work and came and stayed with my kids. 10 days was a LONG time to be away, but man was it fun. But we are back to real life again and everything is great. The business is running fabulous and the weather is getting cooler.. Hallelujah! That's a quick Clark update! :) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668022546380005794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--YfQT5gwPI4/TqjcebfioaI/AAAAAAAABsI/RDu2sUTjUCw/s320/IMG_9531.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668022562593349842" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UKwdotRD4sc/TqjcfX5GoNI/AAAAAAAABso/Qd1mNtgcSwc/s320/IMG_9321%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668022548584064898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PrR-Cm_GDBc/TqjcejtB54I/AAAAAAAABsU/z6A5IrlMOZg/s320/IMG_9827%2Bfix%2B2.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668022563027693122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODVqLcRzcPY/TqjcfZgqLkI/AAAAAAAABsg/k5KNOdJBdU4/s320/IMG_9758.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-79517758553508517052011-02-14T16:32:00.000-08:002011-02-14T20:23:35.200-08:00HEY DADDY...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNm9CdVA6Gw/TVnKMmpSbYI/AAAAAAAABr8/gGH1WyoZ0x4/s1600/IMG_8351%2Bfix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573708331728661890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNm9CdVA6Gw/TVnKMmpSbYI/AAAAAAAABr8/gGH1WyoZ0x4/s800/IMG_8351%2Bfix.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doCvd8Q9Pf0/TVnKMewYNuI/AAAAAAAABr0/fZTiur-19qQ/s1600/IMG_8376%2Bfix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573708329610917602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doCvd8Q9Pf0/TVnKMewYNuI/AAAAAAAABr0/fZTiur-19qQ/s800/IMG_8376%2Bfix.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soO1jcAS58o/TVnKMLRAi6I/AAAAAAAABrs/pi2vSMDLBAE/s1600/IMG_8355%2Bfix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573708324379069346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soO1jcAS58o/TVnKMLRAi6I/AAAAAAAABrs/pi2vSMDLBAE/s800/IMG_8355%2Bfix.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color:#ff0000;">Happy Valentines day! We miss you tons!! </span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Love, Mommy, Duggie and DoJo </span><br /><br /></span></strong><div align="center"></div></div></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-21324085893087700302011-02-12T21:10:00.000-08:002011-02-13T07:00:13.931-08:00Rocklyn's Blessing day<div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Last weekend we blessed our little Rocki girl. It was such an amazing day! We had most of our immediate family (minus some brothers and sisters) and our great friends here to support our little sis. And Austin gave her a beautiful blessing. Everyone stayed all day for the Superbowl and we had a blast. Daxten woke up the next day and said, "I had two grandpa's and two cakes!" he loved having all our family here. By the time we got home from church the princess needed to eat and was grumpy and I didn't even get a picture of her alone in her dress! I said I could just redress her for a photo shoot...hopefully I get around to it! Thanks to everyone who came and helped make it such a special day! </span></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 206px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573037836924955810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCiBwPbB88M/TVdoYq25LKI/AAAAAAAABqk/d2XCxHZCec8/s800/DSC_0033%2B%25282%2529%2Bfix.jpg" /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573037827632615746" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E59zom7fC2U/TVdoYIPbUUI/AAAAAAAABqU/zIcZ5vW9aEw/s800/IMG_8153%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573039588425607346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrNaxRirT8s/TVdp-ntMKLI/AAAAAAAABrE/O6njbNCtn8w/s800/DSC_0018%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">Clark Family<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573040680921572242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V04xIp7x3qU/TVdq-Nkho5I/AAAAAAAABrM/J9SqmK_gNWs/s800/DSC_0007%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">Schoonover Family<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573046437131065410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGmtLgjJE9A/TVdwNRH0GEI/AAAAAAAABrk/ahcnj_1gPr0/s800/IMG_8155%2Bfix.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Jones Family- minus Laurel, Kenni, and Ethan :)<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573037833257349330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4h711cC3Tw/TVdoYdMd8NI/AAAAAAAABqc/hWWMhpM8yFo/s800/DSC_0042%2Bfix%2Bbw.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573037845358030930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4W878s6OzI/TVdoZKRfsFI/AAAAAAAABq0/wVPF9BUtzgM/s800/DSC_0070%2Bfix.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573041703290114498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JIWbTuoybvU/TVdr5uMLkcI/AAAAAAAABrc/Ydw_NtiBMns/s800/DSC_0064%2Bfix.jpg" />Dax thought it was more important to go play football with the boys then take a picture with sis<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573037841565914082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vzPIyrGp2k/TVdoY8JYk-I/AAAAAAAABqs/IEOHmAE9W5E/s800/DSC_0095%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573041106293684018" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LgoIB-99Vk/TVdrW-NI9zI/AAAAAAAABrU/cZWo33wrO8U/s800/DSC_0093%2Bbw.jpg" /><br /><div><div><div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-50238292081972557002011-01-24T19:55:00.000-08:002011-01-24T21:04:38.370-08:00Christmas 2010<div align="center">We went to Utah for Christmas and had a great time! Santa definitely visited and the kiddos got SPOILED rotten from grandpa and grandma! Other then the freezing freezing cold it was a perfect trip. We spent Christmas Eve with my mom and Christmas morning with my dad. Nothing is better then being with family for the holidays.<br /></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565972186944591138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5ONtiJVSI/AAAAAAAABpY/QBfEG-wxZhY/s800/IMG_7923%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"><br />Santa came a few days early to our house in Arizona to bring Dax his big gift. We made him close his eyes...to cute<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565972174308213042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5OM-dZgTI/AAAAAAAABpI/vnExS5q6miA/s800/IMG_7714.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565972177014474610" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5ONIinx3I/AAAAAAAABpQ/j0FIgru3jr0/s800/IMG_7725.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Christmas Eve<br /></span><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565975388454141378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5RIEFgPcI/AAAAAAAABpo/oznMZL4dVjc/s800/IMG_7937%2Bfix.jpg" /> <p align="center">Swayzi and Rocki Girl.. BFF cousins<br /><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565975394154296418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5RIZUhtGI/AAAAAAAABpw/jnSyXssFOoE/s800/IMG_7955%2Bfix.jpg" />Some of the cousins got matching cups for the cousin gift exchange<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565970717159138290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5M4KJ_I_I/AAAAAAAABpA/VO-ErtS3xnY/s800/IMG_7948.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Christmas Morning</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565978023048153314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5ThatqiOI/AAAAAAAABqA/sGm7VvCqVJE/s800/IMG_7984.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565978573805600162" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5UBecePaI/AAAAAAAABqI/4xM5yjJYycI/s800/IMG_8000.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565976045983629090" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5RuVkv_yI/AAAAAAAABp4/C4-wr8uHsUg/s800/IMG_8009.JPG" />Rocki Girl in her 1st pair of Christmas Jammies<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565970691193203362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5M2pbOaqI/AAAAAAAABog/V05fkl9QVfg/s800/skoony%2Bgirls.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565970710523309378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5M3xb4bUI/AAAAAAAABo4/wLzQEEujsUk/s800/IMG_8021.JPG" />Giving "Baby Sissy" Christmas morning kisses<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565970700018269058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5M3KTSO4I/AAAAAAAABoo/Wjs0RETTVmc/s320/IMG_8004.JPG" />Grandpa and Rocklyn<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565970701639146066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TT5M3QVu2lI/AAAAAAAABow/aRJGHAF0iak/s800/IMG_8034.JPG" />I have to end with this picture because it cracks me up! This is how I found my sweet husband pretty much EVERY night of our trip.. In bed with Aunt Trishy watching Football!! haha I love it<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-29468209476002817972011-01-23T18:41:00.000-08:002011-01-23T20:50:27.082-08:00Loved this article...<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Why I can't stop reading Mormon housewife blogs<br /></span>I'm a young, feminist atheist who can't bake a cupcake. Why am I addicted to the shiny, happy lives of these women? </span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">At first glance, Naomi and Stacie and Stephanie and Liz appear to be members of the species known as the "Hipster Mommy Blogger," though perhaps a bit more cheerful and wholesome than most. They have bangs like Zooey Deschanel and closets full of cool vintage dresses. Their houses look like Anthropologie catalogs. Their kids look like Baby Gap models. Their husbands look like young graphic designers, all cute lumberjack shirts and square-framed glasses. They spend their days doing fun craft projects (vintage-y owl throw pillow! Recycled button earrings! Hand-stamped linen napkins!). They spend their weekends throwing big, whimsical dinner parties for their friends, all of whom have equally adorable kids and husbands.<br />But as you page through their blog archives, you notice certain "tells." They're super-young (like, four-kids-at-29 young). They mention relatives in Utah. They drink a suspicious amount of hot chocolate. Finally, you see it: a subtly placed widget with a picture of a temple, or a hyperlink on the word "faith" or "belief." You click the link and up pops the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />Yep, Naomi and Stacie and Stephanie and Liz are Mormons. They're members of a large, close-knit network of Mormon lifestyle bloggers -- young stay-at-home-moms who blog about home and hearth, Latter-day Saint-style. From <a href="http://taza-and-husband.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rockstar Diaries</a> (Naomi) to <a href="http://underagedandengaged.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Underaged and Engaged</a> (Stacie) to <a href="http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nie Nie Dialogues</a> (Stephanie) to <a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/" target="_blank">Say Yes to Hoboken</a> (Liz), Mormon lifestyle bloggers occupy their very own corner of the blogosphere.<br />Their lives are nothing like mine -- I'm your standard-issue late-20-something childless overeducated atheist feminist -- yet I'm completely obsessed with their blogs. On an average day, I'll skim through a half-dozen Mormon blogs, looking at Polaroids of dogs in raincoats or kids in bow ties, reading gratitude lists, admiring sewing projects.<br />I'm not alone, either. Two of my closest friends -- both chronically overworked Ph.D. candidates -- procrastinate for hours poring over <a href="http://www.natthefatrat.com/" target="_blank">Nat the Fat Rat</a> or <a href="http://blog.cjanerun.com/" target="_blank">C. Jane Enjoy It</a>. A <a href="http://jezebel.com/5713769/mormon-gurls-sing-about-being-white-white-and-super-white" target="_blank">recent discussion of Mormonism on the blog Jezebel</a> unleashed a waterfall of confessions in the comments section from other young non-religious women similarly riveted by the shiny, happy domestic lives of their Latter-day Saint sisters.<br />"They have lovely homes, picture-perfect kids, loving, super-attentive husbands, and things seem very normal and calm," writes a commenter named BrookeD, who admits to reading five Mormon blogs daily.<br />"I thought I was the only one!!" responds another commenter.<br />"THANK YOU," adds a third. "I'm another closet non-Mormon reader of Mormon mommy blogs."<br />So why, exactly, are these blogs so fascinating to women like us -- secular, childless women who may have never so much as baked a cupcake, let alone reupholstered our own ottomans with thrifted fabric and vintage grosgrain ribbon? It's not as though we're sniffing around the dark side of the faith, à la "Big Love." And it's not about religion. As someone married to a former Saint (my husband left the church as a teenager), I certainly have no illusions about what life as a Mormon would be like, and I'm sure it's not for me, which makes my obsession with these blogs all the more startling.<br />Well, to use a word that makes me cringe, these blogs are weirdly "uplifting." To read Mormon lifestyle blogs is to peer into a strange and fascinating world where the most fraught issues of modern living -- marriage and child rearing -- appear completely unproblematic. This seems practically subversive to someone like me, weaned on an endless media parade of fretful stories about "work-life balance" and soaring divorce rates and the perils of marrying too young/too old/too whatever. And don't even get me started on the Mommy Blogs, which make parenthood seem like a vale of judgment and anxiety, full of words like "guilt" and "chaos" and "BPA-free" and "episiotomy." Read enough of these, and you'll be ready to remove your own ovaries with a butter knife.<br />"It seems that a lot of popular culture wants to portray marriage and motherhood as demeaning, restrictive or simple, but in the LDS church, motherhood is a very important job, and it's treated with a lot of respect," says Natalie Holbrook, the New York-based author of the popular blog Nat the Fat Rat. "Most of my readers are non-LDS women in their late 20s and early 30s, college educated, many earning secondary degrees on the postgraduate level, and a comment I often get is, 'You are making me want kids, and I've never wanted kids!'"<br />Indeed, Mormon bloggers like Holbrook make marriage and motherhood seem, well, fun. Easy. Joyful. These women seem relaxed and untouched by cynicism. They throw elaborate astronaut-themed birthday parties for their kids and go on Sunday family drives to see the fall leaves change and get mani-pedis with their friends. They often have close, large extended families; moms and sisters are always dropping in to watch the kids or help out with cake decorating. Their lives seem adorable and old-fashioned and comforting.<br />"I've gotten e-mails from readers thanking me for putting a positive spin on marriage and family," Holbrook says. "It's important to acknowledge the hard parts -- and I think we all do -- but why not focus more on the lovely and the beautiful? That positive attitude is a very common theme throughout all aspects of the Mormon faith."<br />This focus on the positive is especially alluring when your own life seems anything but easy. As my friend G. says, of her fascination with Mormon lifestyle blogs, "I'm just jealous. I want to arrange flowers all day too!" She doesn't, really. She's just tired from long days spent in the lab, from a decade of living in a tiny apartment because she's too poor from student loans to buy a house, from constant negotiations about breadwinning status with her artist husband. It's not that she or I want to quit our jobs to bake brownies or sew kiddie Halloween costumes. It's just that for G., Mormon blogs are an escapist fantasy, a way to imagine a sweeter, simpler life.<br />There's been a lot of talk in recent years about "the New Domesticity" -- an increasing interest in old-fashioned, traditionally female tasks like sewing, crafts and jam making. Some pundits see this as a sign that young women yearn to return to some kind of 1950s Ozzie and Harriet existence, that feminism has "failed," that women are realizing they can't have it all, after all. That view is utterly nonsense, in my opinion, but I do think women of my generation are looking to the past in an effort to create fulfilling, happy domestic lives, since the modern world doesn't offer much of a road map. Our parents -- divorced, stressed-out baby boomers -- are hardly paragons of domestic bliss. Nor are the Gen X "Mommy War" soldiers, busy winging snowballs of judgment at each other from across the Internet. (Formula is poison! Baby wearing is child abuse!)<br />If those are the options, I'll take a pass, thanks.<br />Enter the Mormon bloggers, with their picture-perfect catalog lives. It is possible to be happy, they seem to whisper. We love our homes. We love our husbands.<br />Of course, the larger question is, are these women's lives really as sweet and simple as they appear? Blogs have always been a way to mediate and prettify your own life; you'd be a fool to compare your real self to someone else's carefully arranged surface self. And Mormons are particularly famous for their "put on a happy face" attitude. The church teaches that the Gospel is the only authentic path to true happiness. So if you're a faithful follower, you better be happy, right?<br />The phenomenon of the happier-than-thou Mormon housewife blogger is so well-recognized it's even spawned a parody blog, <a href="http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Seriously So Blessed</a>, whose fictional author brays things like "We have non-stop fun all the time and are LOVING married life!" and "Speaking of fall, I kind of sometimes want to start a non-profit to help moms who go all of fall without blogging pics of their kids in pumpkin patches, because it seriously breaks my heart!"<br />So why are Mormon women such prolific bloggers? "It probably has something to do with the fact that Mormons are the world's biggest journal-keepers," says my husband, offering a partial explanation. Church elders have long encouraged members to keep regular journals for the dual purposes of historical record-keeping and promoting spiritual insight, and as a result Mormons are champion journalers and scrapbookers. In the 2000s, church elders began officially promoting new media technologies like blogs as a way of spreading the gospel, and the Mormon blogging community soon became so large it earned itself a punny nickname: the Bloggernacle.<br />For many LDS women, blogging about the domestic arts is a natural fit. As ex-Mormon designer Emily Henderson explains on her blog, <a href="http://thebrasspetal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Brass Petal</a>, growing up in large families engenders an attitude of make-do thriftiness -- homemade bread, recycled soda can Christmas ornaments, Salvation Army fashion. With the rise of DIY culture across secular America, all of a sudden those skills have become trendy, even bankable.<br />"Blogging is something they/we can do that feels productive, can potentially make money for our families and can be done from the home at any time," Henderson writes. For young Mormon women, who face immense cultural pressure to stay home with children rather than pursue a career, blogging about their adventures in homemaking becomes a sort of creative outlet, a way of contributing to the larger world beyond the home.<br />The bloggers I read may be as happy with their lot as they seem. Or not. While some Mormon women prosper under the cultural norms for wife- and mother-dom, others chafe. Utah is, after all, the state with the highest rate of prescription antidepressant use, a statistic the president of the Utah Psychiatric Association attributes to the pressure among Mormon women to be ideal wives and mothers. The creator of Seriously So Blessed, an anonymous Mormon woman, addresses this pressure in an online archive of Mormon women interviews called the <a href="http://www.mormonwomen.com/2010/09/08/seriously-so-wise/" target="_blank">Mormon Women Project</a>: "In any highly homogeneous culture we all feel pressure to be and look and think and act a certain way," she says. "You start to think you need to be absolutely perfect in every area."<br />Clearly, life for the Mormon wife is not all crafts and cupcakes. Even if it were, I seriously doubt that crafts and cupcakes are all that much fun when you do them all day, every day.<br />But the basic messages expressed in these blogs -- family is wonderful, life is meant to be enjoyed, celebrate the small things -- are still lovely. And if they help women like me envision a life in which marriage and motherhood could potentially be something other than a miserable, soul-destroying trap, I say, "Right on." I won't be inviting the missionaries inside for hot cocoa now or ever, but I don't plan on stopping my blog habit any time soon.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Emily Matchar is a Chapel Hill, NC-based writer whose work has appeared in Men's Journal, Gourmet, Babble and lots of others. More: <a href="http://www.salon.com/author/emily_matchar/index.html">Emily Matchar</a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">It kind of makes you feel a little bit proud huh? :) </span></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-22069135141984965502010-12-31T14:21:00.000-08:002010-12-31T15:54:18.615-08:00Miss Rocklyn<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 353px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556977056625734914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5ZMN0sNQI/AAAAAAAABoI/wvXKXyfT34M/s800/JM0G7240%2Bsepia.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556977748275591330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5Z0ea3eKI/AAAAAAAABoY/DXIyvPKvXBo/s800/JM0G7216.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556977050662172274" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5ZL3m3dnI/AAAAAAAABoA/xJNCcJO1n0g/s800/7185%2Bb%2526w.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556977744063808178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5Z0OuswrI/AAAAAAAABoQ/d7RfBePr2Ho/s800/JM0G7208.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556977041137360082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5ZLUH-XNI/AAAAAAAABnw/uqKPPvaBkGE/s800/0G7267.jpg" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556977046658338930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5ZLosR0HI/AAAAAAAABn4/Gb7ruh8pKH4/s800/7180%2Bsepia.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5ZLKkibsI/AAAAAAAABno/T_xv--EZN8E/s1600/JM0G7240.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556977038572809922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5ZLKkibsI/AAAAAAAABno/T_xv--EZN8E/s800/JM0G7240.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YYxdc3gI/AAAAAAAABng/MjPphLON_kc/s1600/JM0G7197.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556976172838739458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YYxdc3gI/AAAAAAAABng/MjPphLON_kc/s800/JM0G7197.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YYWxRjHI/AAAAAAAABnY/QPPKa4bVw5A/s1600/JM0G7201%2Bsepia.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556976165674126450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YYWxRjHI/AAAAAAAABnY/QPPKa4bVw5A/s800/JM0G7201%2Bsepia.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YYOWBMJI/AAAAAAAABnQ/e2qH6DH7Njo/s1600/JM0G7227%2Bb%2526w.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556976163412324498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YYOWBMJI/AAAAAAAABnQ/e2qH6DH7Njo/s800/JM0G7227%2Bb%2526w.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YX_iuS0I/AAAAAAAABnI/Tqv_-_F7jmM/s1600/JM0G7249.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556976159439080258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YX_iuS0I/AAAAAAAABnI/Tqv_-_F7jmM/s800/JM0G7249.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YXpNf0kI/AAAAAAAABnA/P7E_zh-XsG4/s1600/JM0G7280.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556976153444471362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TR5YXpNf0kI/AAAAAAAABnA/P7E_zh-XsG4/s800/JM0G7280.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-12564373559944898632010-12-19T17:47:00.000-08:002010-12-19T19:36:23.919-08:00She is here<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Our Princess has arrived! </span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 336px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552583957421193138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ69sL-fd7I/AAAAAAAABm0/_Xv2REZKGgw/s800/1st%2Bpic%2Bedit.jpg" /> And as the true princess that she is, she came on her own time! As most of you know I was scheduled to be induced on Sunday the 12th. We thought we had everything worked out, Austin and Dax and the whole family drove to St. George on Thursday morning for a wedding. I stayed home just in case (good thing) and my mom was going to fly in Friday night to be with me. Austin was driving home Saturday night after the wedding to be ready for Sunday morning. Well Thursday morning I got up and had lots to do on my to do list for the next 2 days. First I went to my last Dr. appt and I was dilated to a 2 1/2 and 70% effaced. So I went on with my day and ran all my errands. I got home around 6 pm and I started having contractions around 9. They were about 9-12 minutes apart and I started to get a little worried! I decided to just go to bed and try to relax. AFTER I kneeled down and prayed that I wouldn't have to go into labor in the night all alone! Well I woke up a few times in the night with contractions but was able to go back to sleep. Huge miracle that I got a good nights sleep. At 5:45 I woke up with a really bad contraction. They started out about 9 minutes apart again and I just knew that I was in labor. I called Austin and told him and then my mom. I wanted to make sure that I was in real labor before I brought everyone back. So I called my midwife and she said to come on in and she would check me before I had them fly in. (Austin was supposed to be able to have a friend of the brides personal plane fly him back if I went into labor so I told him to call and get it ready just in case.) Well my mom decided to jump on the first flight out to be with me</div><div align="center">just in case. SOOO I hurried and jumped in the shower (didn't even wash my hair) and threw some stuff in a bag just in case I wasn't coming home and I was out the door. By then I was having contractions about 6 min apart and they were hurting! I jumped in the truck (Austin took my car) and NO gas! I had to go pump gas while having full on contractions! All I could think is, "this in an adventure, don't cry!"So I made it to the Dr's office and I was in pain. Ramona (my amazing midwife) hurried and checked me and I was dilated to a 5.5 and completely effaced. (With Dax I went from a 5 to a 10 in one contraction) so I LOST IT. I thought I was going to have this little girl all alone. She said we needed to get to the hospital right now. She said she would drive me because I couldn't drive myself and the nurse was freaking out saying that it was to big a liability issue, so I said I would just drive myself. (it was only 2 exits away) Ramona agreed but said she would drive right behind me in case I needed to pull over. I called Austin as I was driving to the hospital and said get here NOW that he was probably not going to make it. He informed me that the plane was not available and he and Dax were driving to Las Vegas to catch a flight. I called my mom and she was driving to the airport and was giving me the pep talk that I could do this. That I was a strong woman and that I could do this alone. By the time I got the hospital I was not doing so good and the kicker was having to walk into the ER ALONE carrying my bags and check myself in. Yes everyone was staring and they probably thought I was a teenage mother doing this all alone. I was pretty embarrassed and was emotionally not stable so I said to the man in front of me, (yes there was a line to check in) who kept turning around to stare at me while I breathed through my contractions, VERY loudly so the whole waiting room could hear, "MY HUSBAND IS COMING! HE IS ON A PLANE TO BE HERE WITH ME." haha I can laugh about it now. So I got checked in and taken right to my room and while I was changing I called my amazing friend Brooke who lives super close to the hospital to please come right now. And my mom had called my cousins (my only family in AZ) to come. They both made it there in record speed and got there just as I was getting my epidural. Brooke held my hand as I got the magic shot. I started to calm down after that and I had gotten my emotions under control (put my big girl panties on) and said I could do this. I also got a blessing from Brooke's husband Spencer and I just knew everything was going to be ok. So they checked me at about 10 am and I was dilated to an 8. So they decided not to check me again and as long as I didn't need to feel the urge to push they would let me be, and try to wait for Austin and my mom. My moms flight got in at 11:30 (THANK YOU my amazing friend JEN for picking her up and getting her there) and Austin's at 1:30. Well lets just say it was A PURE MIRACLE and answered prayers because they both made it! Austin pulled into the hospital parking lot as my water broke and was dilated to a 10. He walked in the door at 2 and she was born at 2:24! The birth went amazing and everything was perfect. I didn't even need a pain pill or an ice pack my whole recovery! She is just beautiful and we are so happy. Here are some pics of the amazing day...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580165348667762" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ66PdZ8sXI/AAAAAAAABmM/FF6Vj8y5U5Y/s800/IMG_7441.JPG" /> <p align="center">My amazing support group who got me through till my hubby arrived<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552581046492995746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ67Cv7IIKI/AAAAAAAABms/RfSGsApe4L0/s800/IMG_7444.JPG" /></p><div align="center">My mom and I<br /></div><br /><p align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580174041059554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ66P9yYEOI/AAAAAAAABmU/wCPeMQp7bT0/s800/IMG_7442.JPG" /></p><p align="center">I don't think I have ever been so excited to see him!<br /></p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578832527475218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ65B4QnQhI/AAAAAAAABmE/e7Pt4A0dtuo/s800/IMG_7465.JPG" />First look at her<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578823863323074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ65BX-6ycI/AAAAAAAABl0/_kYOCDNfZJw/s800/IMG_7487.JPG" /> <p align="center">Puckering up at daddy<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552580176223921826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ66QF6z5qI/AAAAAAAABmc/DFAAAyyQQ5A/s800/IMG_7461.JPG" /></p><div align="center">Holding on to daddy<br /><br /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578827804622450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ65BmqmPnI/AAAAAAAABl8/elejSg4vMXA/s800/IMG_7512.JPG" /> <p align="center">Our first family pic of 4<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578813513989586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ65AxbcfdI/AAAAAAAABlk/EtbvUp8hPqg/s800/IMG_7536.JPG" />Heading home!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">1 week old </span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ65BDqgJ0I/AAAAAAAABls/Dd0RCA2hw5M/s1600/IMG_7771%2Bfix3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552578818408982338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TQ65BDqgJ0I/AAAAAAAABls/Dd0RCA2hw5M/s800/IMG_7771%2Bfix3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-66593318293563665452010-12-07T14:23:00.001-08:002010-12-07T15:11:57.852-08:00My Baby Shower!<div align="center">I had the cutest little baby girl shower EVER last week! Thanks a million to my amazing friend Charde', sister-in-law Bree, and mother in law Delight. They did such a darling job on everything! It could not of been any cuter. It was so fun to have my house a full decorated GIRL HEAVEN instead of it being covered in trucks, trains, and motorcycles! :) Thanks to all the girls who came and made it such a fun evening.. I LOVED it. And I got some SUPER cute stuff. I cant wait to see her in everything! 5 days!!<br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548070800744960722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP60_5Me0tI/AAAAAAAABkM/7thExEhKHYg/s800/IMG_7366%2Bfix.jpg" />We had a YUMMY Crepe bar with all the toppings.. bananas, strawberries,peanut butter, chocolate,cream cheese sauce, powdered sugar and whip cream... mmmm<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 103px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548070809878109810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP61AbN_nnI/AAAAAAAABkc/R7Q6f7n4LHI/s800/tutus%2Band%2Bbows.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548070808681241266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP61AWwo2rI/AAAAAAAABkU/aHdb7_of5qQ/s800/IMG_7367.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548073397534891730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP63XC_cntI/AAAAAAAABlM/LpPnIpNu2N0/s800/IMG_7412.JPG" /> Delight, Bree, and Grandma<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548070821865888194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP61BH4GmcI/AAAAAAAABkk/mHIgF8DPuzs/s800/IMG_7368.JPG" /> Charde' and Stephanie.. old roommate's and great friends!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548073386086062914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP63WYV1W0I/AAAAAAAABlE/n0wSLnlBsIc/s800/IMG_7411.JPG" />Jenn, Baby Arli, and Ryann<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548073376173636290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP63VzahusI/AAAAAAAABk8/LGzpY3nNJus/s800/IMG_7400.JPG" /> My cousins, Kim, Lindsey, and Steph </div><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548073372218490162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP63Vkri_TI/AAAAAAAABk0/KiJ2MMHsxoU/s800/IMG_7372%2Bfix.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548079567739331202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP68-My0ooI/AAAAAAAABlc/t1mUoKx1e5E/s320/IMG_7420.JPG" />Delight made me this darling quilt to go in her crib (its a sneak peak of what her room colors are.. I cant wait to get it all done this week so I can post pictures!!) She is amazing. She also made me her famous burp cloths.. LOVE them.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548070827999232978" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP61BeuaA9I/AAAAAAAABks/qZDeKnO6MUw/s800/IMG_7377%2Bfix.jpg" /> My family is beyond talented and Bree made me the cutest headbands and leggings. She made this outfit out of old jeans and lace.. so STINKING CUTE!!<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548073404534460546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TP63XdERkII/AAAAAAAABlU/Fe7tq0D3OSs/s800/IMG_7425.JPG" /></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-7785434421381782862010-11-29T18:44:00.001-08:002010-11-29T19:07:18.748-08:00Turkey Day<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> We had Thanksgiving at the Clark's and it was a great, relaxing, fun day. Dinner was AWESOME! We ate outside and it was beautiful! That's why we live in Arizona... we can eat Thanksgiving dinner out on the lawn. Love it.<br /></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545168915785830546" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlv9Tz0JI/AAAAAAAABj8/JZB9uMxXulE/s320/IMG_7248%2Bfix.jpg" />This is what Dax's dinner consisted of</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545169660509009682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRmbTnptxI/AAAAAAAABkE/igl-oC5gXNE/s320/IMG_7241%2Bfix%2B2.jpg" />Family Picture and 37 weeks pregnant.. 2 WEEKS TO GO!! (I am getting induced Sunday the 12th!)<br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlvZptvbI/AAAAAAAABj0/H_WZXy_vE5k/s1600/IMG_7249%2Bfix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545168906214030770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlvZptvbI/AAAAAAAABj0/H_WZXy_vE5k/s320/IMG_7249%2Bfix.jpg" /></a> Is Cannon not the stinking cutest?! Love that boy!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlvFsL0qI/AAAAAAAABjs/NjRzn9TSZZY/s1600/IMG_7252%2Bfix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545168900855681698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlvFsL0qI/AAAAAAAABjs/NjRzn9TSZZY/s320/IMG_7252%2Bfix.jpg" /></a> Bryce & Bree<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlun0BEqI/AAAAAAAABjk/zoa13IehfSY/s1600/IMG_7257%2Bfix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545168892835467938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlun0BEqI/AAAAAAAABjk/zoa13IehfSY/s320/IMG_7257%2Bfix.jpg" /></a>All 4 girls :) <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlus5KkCI/AAAAAAAABjc/rUXC8xjo0PY/s1600/IMG_7259%2Bfix.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545168894199238690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TPRlus5KkCI/AAAAAAAABjc/rUXC8xjo0PY/s320/IMG_7259%2Bfix.jpg" /></a> Getting a ride on uncle Mitch <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Hope Y'all had a GREAT Thanksgiving!!<br /></span><div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-6516734589887134202010-11-21T13:19:00.001-08:002010-11-21T13:51:11.212-08:00Family Camping Trip<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">This weekend me and my boys loaded up and went camping at Bear Canyon Lake up on the rim. It was so beautiful and cold! I know this is kind of lame but I got really emotional when we were leaving.. this is probably the last trip we will take as just a little family of 3! Not that I am not SOOO excited for this little princess but its never going to be just me and the boys again. So we enjoyed every second of it! We rode the quad, found and cut our own firewood, cooked tinfoil dinners, roasted smores, sat around the fire and talked, slept in the back of the truck under the stars and fished! We had lots of fun<br /></span><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542116422843035170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TOmNhe9q7iI/AAAAAAAABiU/i3vIp_RP5tw/s800/IMG_7186%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542116435243648130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TOmNiNKNRII/AAAAAAAABik/KMOHyhrPSyo/s800/IMG_7205%2Bfix.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542116425540273474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TOmNhpAvhUI/AAAAAAAABic/0uShsC1No-M/s800/IMG_7203%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542116436334441618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TOmNiRORdJI/AAAAAAAABis/o1Mk6cmuyOU/s800/IMG_7221%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542118291594194194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TOmPOQmqrRI/AAAAAAAABi8/s-pIkFkbyGY/s800/IMG_7233%2Bfix.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542116450462280322" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TOmNjF2nKoI/AAAAAAAABi0/jCc5C2qwSRs/s800/IMG_7229%2Bfix.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I love my boys! <br /></span><br /><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-44682302721452259662010-10-07T12:12:00.000-07:002010-10-07T14:01:30.743-07:00Fall Fun<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4rr6jVrVI/AAAAAAAABiM/mPbcQf39ANI/s1600/IMG_6353+fix.jpg"></a> We found the best <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">Fall Festival</span> Ever! And it happened to be right around the corner from us! Cox Farm is <span style="font-size:180%;">60 </span>acres of fall heaven! For $9 we got a hayride, rode tractors, milked cows, enjoyed the petting zoo, did "farm chores", rode all there HUGE slides, got there to die for apple cider and kettle corn, enjoyed live music, picked <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">pumpkins</span> and just had a blast!! Excuse my overload of pictures, we had so much <span style="font-size:180%;">fun</span>! <br /></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525400825560705138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4qxqkyKHI/AAAAAAAABiE/GdQlJimFVRw/s800/IMG_6399+fix.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525393761340792066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4kWeTgnQI/AAAAAAAABhk/6NybnDD-sC8/s800/IMG_6393+fix.jpg" /><span style="font-size:130%;">Dax and Dad on the hay ride</span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525394616710264242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4lIQze9bI/AAAAAAAABhs/wfL55hizI7g/s800/IMG_6384.JPG" />Dax DROOLING over all the tractors<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525392511087878306" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4jNsv_IKI/AAAAAAAABhc/X5jJWna-Ks0/s800/IMG_6376.JPG" /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525399678907851858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4pu69cJFI/AAAAAAAABh8/WQx2v3Xyq_k/s800/IMG_6380+fix.jpg" />Oh Bless her heart! Don't you nursing mommy's feel like this sometimes?? Well, when you feel like complaining just think of dear Ms. Piggy here, it could be worse! :)<br /></span><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4gWosgjlI/AAAAAAAABhU/lhr6eRdzWMg/s1600/IMG_6405+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525389366083489362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4gWosgjlI/AAAAAAAABhU/lhr6eRdzWMg/s800/IMG_6405+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4gD9WgyuI/AAAAAAAABhM/_8dMVAdV-5E/s1600/IMG_6411+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525389045210860258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4gD9WgyuI/AAAAAAAABhM/_8dMVAdV-5E/s800/IMG_6411+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">I don't know who is having more fun<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4fq_YhB2I/AAAAAAAABhE/941NyYpFTsU/s1600/IMG_6416+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525388616259405666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4fq_YhB2I/AAAAAAAABhE/941NyYpFTsU/s800/IMG_6416+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> I was a Happy Camper<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4fPIh1AOI/AAAAAAAABg8/be5I0p_RsUc/s1600/IMG_6443+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525388137678045410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4fPIh1AOI/AAAAAAAABg8/be5I0p_RsUc/s800/IMG_6443+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">There free apple cider shacks<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4e_mGJBkI/AAAAAAAABg0/Hn4EHuGhWCE/s1600/IMG_6418.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525387870737073730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4e_mGJBkI/AAAAAAAABg0/Hn4EHuGhWCE/s800/IMG_6418.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> Is that not the cutest barn ever? I was in love. There were animals all the way through then upstairs was a huge slide that took you outside<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4eBSkfIHI/AAAAAAAABgs/6Ske4ocR6vo/s1600/IMG_6433+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 337px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525386800343752818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4eBSkfIHI/AAAAAAAABgs/6Ske4ocR6vo/s800/IMG_6433+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4dx9Gk1NI/AAAAAAAABgk/LhxXm7d_80Q/s1600/IMG_6438+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525386536883115218" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4dx9Gk1NI/AAAAAAAABgk/LhxXm7d_80Q/s800/IMG_6438+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> Learning to milk cows<br /><br /></span><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4c5rUOzNI/AAAAAAAABgc/Ia2y5Z7bcHo/s1600/IMG_6442+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525385570035879122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4c5rUOzNI/AAAAAAAABgc/Ia2y5Z7bcHo/s800/IMG_6442+fix.jpg" /></span></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4c3vjGJLI/AAAAAAAABgU/gxHKzLwBxfQ/s1600/IMG_6450+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525385536812229810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4c3vjGJLI/AAAAAAAABgU/gxHKzLwBxfQ/s800/IMG_6450+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4c0zifPqI/AAAAAAAABgM/a0vviwaSsak/s1600/IMG_6455+fix.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525385486343814818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4c0zifPqI/AAAAAAAABgM/a0vviwaSsak/s800/IMG_6455+fix.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 219px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525385467754780770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4czuShGGI/AAAAAAAABf8/ObD_yvfDUk0/s320/IMG_6465+fix.jpg" /><br />Picking out there pumpkin! In case you are wondering.. our new pumpkin weighs 74 pounds!! It is awesome! Austin can't wait to carve it. We just have to find enough room to get it home!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525385476138595890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK4c0NhX9jI/AAAAAAAABgE/nhilfmf94As/s800/IMG_6460+fix.jpg" /><br />It was a GREAT day!! <span style="color:#ff6600;">Fall</span> is my favorite!<br /><br /></span><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-31872960664665981802010-10-06T18:00:00.000-07:002010-10-07T05:18:37.461-07:00Oh hello!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Oh Hi.. yes we are still alive and well! :) I have been stinking it up in the blogging world. But see this little boy.. he keeps me busy. He is so dang funny, and naughty and the best little boy. I have really been trying to just enjoy him while its just him and I in the day before this little girl comes. We have had lots of fun and I just don't think I could love him anymore! We are enjoying some BEAUTIFUL fall weather here in Va.. its in the 50's!! Pants and sweatshirts and blankets.I love it! I will miss it.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">"Baby Sissy" (what Daxey boy calls her,and all of us because she still has no name) is doing great! I am 30 weeks and feeling fabulous. I cant believe she will be here before we know it! Dax loves telling me where baby sissy is (In case I forget) and points and kisses my belly. Pretty dang cute. He is going to be an awesome big brother. If we can keep the body slamming to a minimum.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Next Tuesday Dax and I fly home and Austin will follow on Thursday.. So excited!! I really need some Costa Vida and Golden Spoon, oh man have I been craving ALL SUMMER! MMM get in my belly! Oh and I cant wait to see our family and friends! I am pregnant.. priorities get all crazy :) AND my HOUSE! Oh dear I cant wait to be home in our house!! </span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525106471966595378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK0fEB_H2TI/AAAAAAAABfs/IWwMNKGO2a4/s320/IMG_6332.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525106482095943826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TK0fEnuJcJI/AAAAAAAABf0/TIgV9vTriS4/s320/IMG_6334.jpg" />The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-23042676212515158592010-09-03T18:13:00.001-07:002010-10-07T15:33:43.195-07:00Heels and hammers<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512861829555168434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TIGeoCZyJLI/AAAAAAAABdc/xF94TZGh_HU/s800/heels+and+hammer.jpg" /><span style="font-size:130%;"> I dont know what to say about this. I will say at least he has a hammer in his hand, and I am quite impressed he can walk around in these like its nothing!</span></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513084993498455842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TIJpl44DHyI/AAAAAAAABdk/IoDdYpOJyLM/s800/mom+6+months.jpg" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TIGenuMc5OI/AAAAAAAABdU/Y0ZNuFOkKfo/s1600/mom+6+months.jpg"></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Dont laugh at me, I totally did the picture in the mirror of myself today. If I didn't you would never see my belly becuase the husband is gone 99% of the time right now! :) 25 weeks 15 to go! (Hopefully sooner)</span> </div></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-76285182650225428882010-08-25T15:08:00.000-07:002010-08-25T15:38:04.069-07:00I did it!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">I made my 1st rag quilt all by myself! Without the support of my amazing mother-in-law! (Well kind of, she refreshed my memory on the phone of how much fabric to use) Baby Girl now has her first blanket! Don't look to close, its not perfect.. but I think it turned out pretty cute!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509473160218087698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/THWUphZZERI/AAAAAAAABdM/5xMGcGBi420/s400/Benzley%27s+1st+Blanket.jpg" /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-4975258741491734312010-08-20T17:41:00.000-07:002010-08-21T06:53:03.412-07:00Pink, bows, and Lace!<div align="center">I am so excited to have a little girl around I can barely stand it! I love my boys SO MUCH but I need a female around to balance it out.. and so I can dress her and paint her toes and buy her dolls and barbies!! :) I have been LOVING making some girl onsies and bows. I found this old school white lace and I have been dying it different colors and I am in love! I am so excited for this little girl to get here and see these little things filled out!<br /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507658574209460450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TG8iStvjqOI/AAAAAAAABcs/m3O0Z4PPivw/s400/baby+outfits+3.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I needed to see a headband on a head so Dax gladly was my model.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507658582065180354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TG8iTLAgbsI/AAAAAAAABc8/1sC6eKG3Tpg/s400/IMG_4265+fix.jpg" /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507658562238792162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TG8iSBJhweI/AAAAAAAABck/mW18bHQtLsk/s400/baby+outfits+2.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">This little stinker also helped me make cookies today and while a batch was baking I went and did some chores.. Dax was to quiet so I went to find him.. where was he? In the kitchen on the floor eating the cookie dough. Not just some cookie dough.. HALF the bowl! Cutest Cookie Monster I ever did see! :) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 353px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507658579010354370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TG8iS_oLfMI/AAAAAAAABc0/oHIQctmlYE8/s400/cookie+monster.jpg" /><br /><br />Life is good and not to eventful other then making little girl stuff, going to the gym (made an oath I wouldn't gain 60 pounds like I did the 1st time) and playing with my Daxey Boy! Austin is working hard and doing great out here. We are coming home October 15th! We are VERY excited. It is really hard to be ACROSS the United States away from our home and from family and friends for this long! But we are so blessed to have the work we do so no complaining from me. This pregnancy is going AWESOME! I feel good and she moves ALL the time. I wake up in the night to full on Olympic soccer games going on in there. She has been such a stinker and wouldn't move whenever Austin tried to feel her so during one of the games the other night I woke him up and he finally got to feel her. She does have a name.. but I call her one and Austin another. So we might just have to meet her and see what fits or Austin will hopefully just give in.. whatever comes first! :) Ill post a pic soon of my growing belly, we have been really lame with the camera lately!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TG8haWYnB-I/AAAAAAAABcc/w7YpcU3K-Hc/s1600/cookie+monster.jpg"></a></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-44658515354706239262010-08-06T17:22:00.000-07:002010-08-06T18:04:59.917-07:00TWO<div align="center">Happy Birthday to our Daxey Boy! Yesterday our little stud entered the official terrible twos! We had a fun day! Dad took the morning off and we partied. We opened presents in the morning and he got a new bike and helmet along with a set of rescue cars, new Thomas train, books and a few new movies. Then we went to kid heaven.. where else other then Chucke Cheese! He had a blast. We had lunch, did cupcakes and sent daddy to work. Then Dax and mom went on a date to see Toy Story 3! He made it through a whole hour! Better then I thought he might. This little boy is such a joy in our lives. We are so lucky to have him. He is so sweet and loving, but also outgoing and fun and makes us laugh all the time. We love you little Stud.. Happy Birthday! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502462418205476882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TFysaoMTCBI/AAAAAAAABcE/Yf4qGIvn1f8/s320/Big+2.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502458446954303762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TFyozeIPERI/AAAAAAAABbk/I4XJuGdmoHc/s320/IMG_6041.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502458441179318754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TFyozInXyeI/AAAAAAAABbc/nt0YlTF7Ct4/s320/just+like+daddy.jpg" />So this totally cracked me up. He is completely OCD like his Dad and had to neatly stack all his presents into his bike compartment after he opened them. So funny!<br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502458423783753234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TFyoyHz8hhI/AAAAAAAABbM/e6X2c0NAvlQ/s320/IMG_6040+fix.jpg" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502461447997626866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TFyriJ4uGfI/AAAAAAAABb8/TlEhC6KVDD4/s320/IMG_6092.JPG" />Through all his fun activities through the day his favorite I think was popping his balloons! ALL boy!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502458421198062258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TFyox-LeArI/AAAAAAAABbE/0lWCfBYI5So/s320/Birthday+cake.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502458427503529090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TFyoyVqzzII/AAAAAAAABbU/bmXeV1xV4L4/s320/IMG_6080.JPG" /><br />LOVE this boy<br /><br /><div></div><div><br /><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-88290342189757093382010-07-06T17:44:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:08:44.553-07:004th of July Weekend.. DC style!<div align="center">Oh we had a fun weekend! It started on Saturday morning Charde and I took the babies to the Parade. Then that night we did fireworks at home with daddy. On Sunday we took advantage of being close to DC and we went to the 30th annual capitol concert! Let me just start by saying it was the hottest day of year so far... it was HOT HOT HOT! We got a hotel with the Overson's downtown just 6 blocks from the Capitol so we could give the babies a nap and get them to bed after fireworks instead of being stuck in traffic. SO GLAD we did. Charde and I decided to leave the boys in the hotel for naps and we would go get in line at the capitol. We waited in the line and when the doors opened at 3 we raced in and got front row seats on the lawn! AMAZING! Since we were there ALL DAY(sweating profusely) we got to see all the stars come out and warm up and they were so close! It was extremely scolding hot but it was so fun! Reba McEntire, David Archuletta, Darius Rucker and a few more played, they had the national bands playing and it was just a HOOT. We felt so patriotic! Then they let the fireworks off over the National Monument. Pretty dang cool experience. I don't think we will ever do it again, but so glad we did it!<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490985526147004130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPmPljNtuI/AAAAAAAABas/uV3dFn4ceOw/s320/parade.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490985534322753474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPmQEAdv8I/AAAAAAAABa0/-Wm65DN1Wjg/s320/IMG_3575.jpg" />Dax waved to everyone in the Parade. He loved it.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490964164461788194" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPS0LEk_CI/AAAAAAAABZc/UmJqIuXHLdo/s320/IMG_3582.JPG" /> Ice cream and fireworks. Nothing better.<br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490978193707946530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPfkyFg0iI/AAAAAAAABac/SlDrp1J_pEE/s320/IMG_3584.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490985522013076354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPmPWJm-4I/AAAAAAAABak/TboL843TZ1g/s320/IMG_3605+fix.jpg" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490970957181178626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPY_j7FUwI/AAAAAAAABaE/NR36IqA3arE/s320/derious+rucker.jpg" /> Thats Darius Rucker behind us warming up<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490964177777675362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPS08rVTGI/AAAAAAAABZs/_841mjfaNUk/s320/reba.jpg" /><br /><div>That would be Reba McEntire waving at us!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490964183318636946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPS1RUZqZI/AAAAAAAABZ8/JYmuFfv3iog/s320/IMG_3641.JPG" /> Fireworks!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPS1IbeshI/AAAAAAAABZ0/DLL5S-DoeCI/s1600/fireworks.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490964180932407826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TDPS1IbeshI/AAAAAAAABZ0/DLL5S-DoeCI/s320/fireworks.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Hope everyone had a <span style="font-size:180%;">GREAT</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">4th </span>of <span style="color:#000099;">July</span>!!<br /><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-29164882393376356652010-06-24T06:33:00.000-07:002010-06-24T07:06:44.705-07:00No More Two Boys & A lonely Girl!!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Its a <span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff6666;"><strong>GIRL</strong></span>!!!!! </span></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Can you believe it?? We can't!! We broke the Clark Family curse! For those of you that don't know, this is the 1st<span style="color:#000000;"> girl</span> after 5 amazing boys and 2 boy grand baby's! We are so thrilled and are so excited to meet our little Girl!! We didn't know if it was possible to ever say those words :) Bring on the tutu's, barbies,painted toes, dollies, bows and <strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">PINK</span></strong>!! Yes!!!!! </span></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486341164698897378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TCNmOK57C-I/AAAAAAAABZE/3d2utyGtysQ/s320/celebrate.jpg" /><span style="font-size:130%;">Our Celebration<br /></span><br /></div><p align="center"> </p>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-37948300651947201552010-06-08T17:42:00.000-07:002010-06-08T18:35:04.871-07:00Im a big kid Now.... Almost<div align="center">Or so he thinks he is a big kid now. Let me tell you the story. So Dax has been FASCINATED with the toilet the last few weeks. Anytime you go he has to watch, he loves to flush, stick things in it, get naked and climb up on it, do all the things that makes it harder for mom. So Sunday I go to change his bum and he gets up and runs off . Off to the toilet...its become routine. After a few minutes of <span style="color:#000000;">him</span> being silent I sent Austin in to check on him (after 2 minutes of him being quite is never good) and the kid had ALL BY HIMSELF climbed up and went <span style="font-size:180%;">#2</span>!! So dang <span style="font-size:180%;">proud</span> but not quite sure if I am ready! Well I guess I should take this summer and just knock out potty training by the time the baby comes... maybe :)<br /></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480569240366260994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TA7kr9L2owI/AAAAAAAABXs/yWFQoe79yq0/s320/First+poop+on+the+toilet!.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Speaking of Baby, here is our little peanut! I went to the Dr last week and everything looked great! I was measuring a few days big which is fabulous. He/She was moving all over and kicking and punching. It was the best. I also pooched out this week. Defiantly have a baby bump. It seems to early. Ready or not.. here it comes!<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480578069646207202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TA7st40O6OI/AAAAAAAABYE/B8vTutDoZMY/s320/IMG_3123.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"><br />Here are some more pics of Daxey boy to show you what he has been up to<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480570984002255522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TA7mRcvEeqI/AAAAAAAABX8/vlCZRF6dJfc/s320/IMG_3060+fix.jpg" /><br /><p align="center">2 words- CARTOON JUNKIE! First thing in the morning instead of crawling in bed with us anymore he runs out and turns the TV on. He can sit this way for hours unless I turn it off. Little stinker. </p><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480570968615065266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/TA7mQjaelrI/AAAAAAAABX0/9i1aNwGKdvk/s320/IMG_3101+fix.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Well Dax and I are flying off to Utah tomorrow. I am running the Wasatch Ragnar..wish me luck, I need it!! I signed up last summer with my mom and aunts and was so pumped and ready to go, then got pregnant and sick and stopped running for a while- and I am struggling! If I don't blog about it in about 2 weeks.. I died doing it. :) </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Have a great week! </div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-66887123748834407982010-05-17T15:00:00.000-07:002010-05-18T05:37:57.625-07:00What Daxey Boy has been up to....<div align="center">This last week I bought Dax a old School kitchen set off craigslist (the exact same one I grew up with actually) and he loves it. He cooks me food all day long </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472362739843645266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S_G86wZ2v1I/AAAAAAAABXM/FajP3cTuciw/s320/kitchen+set.jpg" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">This vacuum has been the best $1 I have ever spent!( Hit up some garage sells and scored on some toys) He has to take it everywhere!! In the car, to the park, in bed. Saying he LOVES it is an understatement. He doesn't stop vacuuming!</div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472362763149444386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S_G88HOZBSI/AAAAAAAABXc/HfsE4vjPdg4/s320/vacume.jpg" /><br />We also got a Dr. set and he puts the stethoscope up to your heart and says "beep beep" beep beep" "beep beep" Dad taught him <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472362760597867250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S_G879uDCvI/AAAAAAAABXU/taSygjybpIE/s320/playing+dr+with+mom.jpg" /><br /><br />He also loves to blow dry his hair like mommy. Not so good at that yet..<br />But he is going to make some woman very happy one day, a Dr. that loves to cook, clean, and is in touch with his feminine side! We can only hope right :)<br /><br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472362735974770562" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S_G86h_cZ4I/AAAAAAAABXE/CPnKi7IMwHc/s320/hair+dryer.jpg" /> <div align="center"><br /><br /><br />He also has something to tell you......<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S_G86GlrWjI/AAAAAAAABW8/S6-ecDgrVY8/s1600/Big+Brother.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472362728618940978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S_G86GlrWjI/AAAAAAAABW8/S6-ecDgrVY8/s320/Big+Brother.jpg" /></a> Yes its true, we are having<span style="font-size:180%;"> BABY #2</span>!! We are 2 1/2 months along and <span style="font-size:180%;">VERY</span> excited!<br /><br /><br /><br />So I have had an excuse for not blogging these last 2 months! I have been sick since the week before we got a positive test. (Although I didn't need those 2 pink lines to tell me I was pregnant, I knew that nauseous feeling quite well) But, it has been SOOO much better then Dax, I actually have some good days and on the bad ones it doesn't last all day. HUGE change from being sick with Dax 24/7 for the first 4 months. So I will take it! :)<br /><br /><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-53815877746058603242010-05-10T08:24:00.000-07:002010-05-11T19:36:00.868-07:00We are alive!!<div align="center">Oh my goodness its been so long! I have so much catching up to do... or not. Maybe I will just keep updated from here on out. :) Well we made it to <span style="font-size:180%;">Virginia</span>!! We are safe and all settled into our little apartment. Its so green and gorgeous and we are only 15 minutes from Washington DC. Austin got right back into the swing of selling and its going to be a GREAT summer! We are really excited for another summer of adventures to add to our books. We went and did some exploring in DC yesterday and cant wait to see all of it. Last week I took Dax to the Zoo with some other moms and there kiddos. It was a lot of fun and the best part is its FREE! That's one thing I am more then happy about, pretty much everything to tour in this great Nations Capitol is Free! Doesn't get better then that!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469664517256774770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S-gm5h-mBHI/AAAAAAAABV8/BUhecFhP3qI/s320/IMG_3019+fix.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469664492338602754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S-gm4FJo4wI/AAAAAAAABVs/fNxuEn5fvX0/s320/IMG_3006+fix.jpg" />Dax didn't quite know what to think of GIANT Lincoln. He was pretty fascinated<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469664500905042834" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S-gm4lECY5I/AAAAAAAABV0/GJGUkBnec7I/s320/IMG_3040+fix.jpg" />This little squirrel came right up to us and wanted some food! So we shared our trail mix and it would eat right out of the kids hands! I think this was their favorite part.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">The National Zoo<br /></span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469664486546538482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S-gm3vks__I/AAAAAAAABVk/M6d-u15JsSY/s320/IMG_2991+fix.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469674352849667010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S-gv2CarQ8I/AAAAAAAABWE/UVze96ddIos/s320/IMG_2986+fix.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469664477906445522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S-gm3PYvpNI/AAAAAAAABVc/NT6B7jbaxhk/s320/IMG_2983+fix.jpg" /> Aunt Cassie showing Dax and Hadlee the elephants<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-67238684478364197932010-03-11T20:23:00.000-08:002010-03-11T20:44:06.674-08:00Pictures with my monster<div><div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last week I did a favor for a friend and had a photo shoot with her sweet newborn baby boy (So much fun! Maybe I will share them if I get permission) But while we were waiting me and Daxey Boy had a photo shoot! We think its summer around here already</span></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447600259174805394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S5nDkrZwr5I/AAAAAAAABTs/55NCpzBbG48/s400/IMG_2413+fix.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447600265078503586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S5nDlBZT-KI/AAAAAAAABT0/_XSj_yRDXxE/s400/IMG_2419+fix+2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447602196533932242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S5nFVcoK8NI/AAAAAAAABT8/AuytCqEyBaU/s400/IMG_2407+fix+2.jpg" /></div><br /><div align="center"> </div><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-28234366438356949112010-03-09T19:30:00.001-08:002010-03-09T19:51:14.872-08:00A mind of his own<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is how <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dax</span> insisted to go to bed tonight. He screamed like we were ripping his arm off when we tried to take it off. So <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Daxten</span> is snug as a bug up in his bed safe as can be with his helmet on! Oh I love my son. </span></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446847435855028690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S5cW4l_i4dI/AAAAAAAABTE/U9_rQKgADdM/s400/helmet+Dax.jpg" /><br /><br /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-43642150343501910912010-02-23T19:10:00.000-08:002010-02-23T19:40:11.257-08:00We all have bums!<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">So Dax's new facsination is lifting up Sadie's tail and going <span style="font-size:180%;">ewww. Ewww</span>. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So this morning we were all laying in bed and Dax was going off over and over, eww ewww while lifting Sadies tail up. So I finally said Dax, Sadies bum isnt gross we all have bums. So I pointed to his and said you have a bum then pointed to Dads and said Dad has a bum and then to mine, so does Mommy. We all have bums and they are not ewww. He thought for a second... then patted me right on my bum and with that look of absolute disgust said <span style="font-size:180%;">Ewwwwwww</span>!!!!! Well I tried.</span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441648978046589826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S4Se6hjVm4I/AAAAAAAABS0/VkeO9m-zkwI/s320/daxten.jpg" /> <p align="center">This kid kills me<br /></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512035633160795587.post-35979713087857997322010-02-17T20:09:00.000-08:002010-02-17T20:27:57.643-08:00He knows him<div align="center"><strong>For Valentines Day Austin got me this gorgeous marble Christus. I LOVE IT! But when Dax was down for a nap the other day I put it up on the shelf in the front room. Well Dax walked past it the other day for the first time and stopped, looked up and pointed and went ohhhh.... he knew exactly who it was. My heart just beamed. Now no matter where we are in the house you go where's Jesus? And he will run in and point to him up on the shelf and say Jssus. It melts me</strong><br /></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439434592224350866" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S3zA8TiBEpI/AAAAAAAABSs/a5PJ26WXzlk/s320/dax+and+jesus.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439432716756211426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbK7w5_K0WM/S3y_PI3kVuI/AAAAAAAABSk/Gph4r5OPP9U/s400/jesus.jpg" /></div>The Clarkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12707106070867025448noreply@blogger.com10