We are having major technical problems at our house. Like, my computer is so broken, it won't do anything other than a blue screen. I know you're on pins and needles, waiting for the final installment of "Summer's Finally Here", but you'll just have to keep waiting.
However, thanks to a rare stroke of genius on my part, I talked Jeff into getting an external, back-up hard drive last month, so no pictures or files were lost. It's like I knew that computer was going to fail me!
Fall arrived today. And I think I'm sad about it.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Summer's Finally Here! - Part 2
So, with Krista here, I decided I was brave enough to do the 12 hour drive to Oklahoma to visit my (and her) Auntie Carno, Uncle Reid and several of our cousins. Jeff wimped out and only drove one way with us, then flew back home. He's definitely aware that he got the better end of that deal! I know I already posted about the Oklahoma tubing events here and here. But we did lots more than tubing. Delaney celebrated her 5th birthday, we visited a soda pop store on the historic Rt. 66, we sewed, we played games, we swam in their awesome pool, we bbq'd, we ate out, we had a seriously great time. Next summer we will be going for much longer!
How gorgeous are my cousins? In fact, my neighbor commented to me when Krista was here, "Is your whole family good looking? I've met many of them now, and they are all gorgeous!" I agree, and if I were Krista or Adrianne, I would love this picture just because I look smokin'!
Here's a cute pic of Jackson. This is one of my most favorite of him.
I had to include this pic of my cousin Taylor for two reasons. First, he was super hospitable and let us crash the weekend before he was set to take the bar exam. So, yes, he was trying to study with the Clark+1 circus in town. Second, you know you're a real man when you can pull of purple sunglasses. Even Delaney was jealous.
I think I've well documented how clingy Addison is. She will not go to anyone (well almost anyone). However, she loved my uncle Reid and Taylor. In fact, she would love it when Reid would come home. She'd go running and then he'd proceed to spoil her for the rest of the evening, carrying her from room to room, playing piano for an hour with her on his lap, etc. And, as Taylor would sit studying in his room, if the door was inadvertently left open, she'd be in there, vying for a spot on his lap. It totally cracked us up because Reid and Taylor are both 6'3" or taller, but the bigger the better for her, I suppose!
Thanks to our Nuttall family for such a fantastic 5 days! And, for the record, it was totally worth the 12 hour drive.
For Father's Day, me and the kids gave Jeff tickets to a Kane County Cougars game. They are the local minor league team and Jackson and Delaney love going to the games.
They have fireworks at the end of every game. I guess the music and fireworks were a little too loud for Delaney.
After the game and fireworks, the kids can run the bases.
A fun night, with fun kids. We wouldn't have it any other way.
Stay tuned for the final installment of the Clark family summer events. Then I will finally be caught up! Yeah!
How gorgeous are my cousins? In fact, my neighbor commented to me when Krista was here, "Is your whole family good looking? I've met many of them now, and they are all gorgeous!" I agree, and if I were Krista or Adrianne, I would love this picture just because I look smokin'!
Here's a cute pic of Jackson. This is one of my most favorite of him.
I had to include this pic of my cousin Taylor for two reasons. First, he was super hospitable and let us crash the weekend before he was set to take the bar exam. So, yes, he was trying to study with the Clark+1 circus in town. Second, you know you're a real man when you can pull of purple sunglasses. Even Delaney was jealous.
I think I've well documented how clingy Addison is. She will not go to anyone (well almost anyone). However, she loved my uncle Reid and Taylor. In fact, she would love it when Reid would come home. She'd go running and then he'd proceed to spoil her for the rest of the evening, carrying her from room to room, playing piano for an hour with her on his lap, etc. And, as Taylor would sit studying in his room, if the door was inadvertently left open, she'd be in there, vying for a spot on his lap. It totally cracked us up because Reid and Taylor are both 6'3" or taller, but the bigger the better for her, I suppose!
Thanks to our Nuttall family for such a fantastic 5 days! And, for the record, it was totally worth the 12 hour drive.
For Father's Day, me and the kids gave Jeff tickets to a Kane County Cougars game. They are the local minor league team and Jackson and Delaney love going to the games.
They have fireworks at the end of every game. I guess the music and fireworks were a little too loud for Delaney.
After the game and fireworks, the kids can run the bases.
A fun night, with fun kids. We wouldn't have it any other way.
Stay tuned for the final installment of the Clark family summer events. Then I will finally be caught up! Yeah!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Summer's Finally Here! - Part one
Well, summer has finally arrived in the arctic Midwest. It didn't come in June, didn't come in July, didn't come in August, however, September has brought forth some beautifully warm weather. We have just experienced 6 straight days of 80*+ weather. I am not exaggerating when I say that I'm sure we didn't have 6 straight days of sunny, warm weather all summer.
So, now that summer is here, I thought I'd better catch up on our summer activities (I think this may turn into a multi-part series). Maybe my excuse for being a slacker all summer comes from the fact it never actually felt like summer? I wish that were the reason. But, no, in fact, we were just busy like everyone else, and I never found the time to sit at the computer. Time that I know our long, cold winter will surely provide!
Summer brings an increase in sports activity in our home. We started off the summer with a gymnastics performance by Delaney. She is on the pre-team at our local gymnastics place and loves every minute of the 240 that she spends there each week!
Balance Beam is her favorite event. Here she is with her Coach Jordan.
Baseball started for Jackson. It's his favorite sport to play and he really took a liking to pitching. In the early summer he was on the Yankees team. Here he is in action. A little boy on his team said, "When Jackson's pitching, he's in the zone!"
Of course, summer in the Clark household means Krista's coming to visit. We had a blast while she was here. However, we realized that we'd never taken her into Chicago to visit, so we took a Saturday and headed down.
Here's Delaney and Krista on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
At Navy Pier, there are lots of kiddie rides to go on. Delaney chose the Lighthouse ride. She was too little for the swings, so this was her big event!
My favorite ride when I was a kid was the swings. Jackson doesn't quite share the same love for this ride that I do. However, Krista and I managed to get him on it (white knuckles and all). "I think I may have enjoyed it by the very end" was his comment once we were off.
Not to be forgotten, Delaney and I took Addie on the carousel. She loved it!
Here's where the day got interesting. Don't the clouds look nice? See, I'm not exaggerating about our lousy summer (however, many are probably sick of hearing about it). Our kiddos favorite thing to do in the summer is head to Millennium Park and run through the fountains. The day was maybe 65* and those clouds didn't look promising.
Our kids were not to be deterred! They didn't care how cold it was. Here's a picture of these funny fountains. The people pictured on the fountsins sit strait faced for about 3 minutes, then they pucker up, and away they blow. The kids think it's hilarious.
Last year, when we went downtown, Addie was just a fresh little chick. She just dipped her toes in. This year, she got to run and play in the water.
This picture is just a reminder of how crazy we were. Do you see everyone in the background in jeans and sweatshirts? I'm sure they thought the parents who were letting their kids in the water were crazy (or neglectful?).
After the fountains, we went to the "bean" in Millennium Park. It's a huge, silver kidney bean that's fun to take pictures next to.
Last, but not least, we ended the day at Buckingham Fountain. It's been closed for quite a while for re-furbishing so it was fun to see it again. Note that Addie is not in the picture. That's what happens when you take a 12 month old into the city, all day, with no nap.
In wrapping up part one of our summer, I have to include this photo. Jeff and I joke that we have two left green thumbs. We are terrible at keeping any plant alive and therefore have decided to stop wasting money on landscaping, and just worry about what is already in place. However, some front bushes had to come out this year. And, I love hydrangeas. So, a "Better Homes and Gardens" article convinced me I could do it. Back from Home Depot we came with three bushes and look what's happened! It's not only alive, but blooming. Its a good day in the Clark house.
So, now that summer is here, I thought I'd better catch up on our summer activities (I think this may turn into a multi-part series). Maybe my excuse for being a slacker all summer comes from the fact it never actually felt like summer? I wish that were the reason. But, no, in fact, we were just busy like everyone else, and I never found the time to sit at the computer. Time that I know our long, cold winter will surely provide!
Summer brings an increase in sports activity in our home. We started off the summer with a gymnastics performance by Delaney. She is on the pre-team at our local gymnastics place and loves every minute of the 240 that she spends there each week!
Balance Beam is her favorite event. Here she is with her Coach Jordan.
*all the pictures are blurry because no flash was allowed, as to not disturb the athletes*
Baseball started for Jackson. It's his favorite sport to play and he really took a liking to pitching. In the early summer he was on the Yankees team. Here he is in action. A little boy on his team said, "When Jackson's pitching, he's in the zone!"
Of course, summer in the Clark household means Krista's coming to visit. We had a blast while she was here. However, we realized that we'd never taken her into Chicago to visit, so we took a Saturday and headed down.Here's Delaney and Krista on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.
At Navy Pier, there are lots of kiddie rides to go on. Delaney chose the Lighthouse ride. She was too little for the swings, so this was her big event!
My favorite ride when I was a kid was the swings. Jackson doesn't quite share the same love for this ride that I do. However, Krista and I managed to get him on it (white knuckles and all). "I think I may have enjoyed it by the very end" was his comment once we were off.
Not to be forgotten, Delaney and I took Addie on the carousel. She loved it!
Here's where the day got interesting. Don't the clouds look nice? See, I'm not exaggerating about our lousy summer (however, many are probably sick of hearing about it). Our kiddos favorite thing to do in the summer is head to Millennium Park and run through the fountains. The day was maybe 65* and those clouds didn't look promising.
Our kids were not to be deterred! They didn't care how cold it was. Here's a picture of these funny fountains. The people pictured on the fountsins sit strait faced for about 3 minutes, then they pucker up, and away they blow. The kids think it's hilarious.
Last year, when we went downtown, Addie was just a fresh little chick. She just dipped her toes in. This year, she got to run and play in the water.
This picture is just a reminder of how crazy we were. Do you see everyone in the background in jeans and sweatshirts? I'm sure they thought the parents who were letting their kids in the water were crazy (or neglectful?).
After the fountains, we went to the "bean" in Millennium Park. It's a huge, silver kidney bean that's fun to take pictures next to.
Last, but not least, we ended the day at Buckingham Fountain. It's been closed for quite a while for re-furbishing so it was fun to see it again. Note that Addie is not in the picture. That's what happens when you take a 12 month old into the city, all day, with no nap.
In wrapping up part one of our summer, I have to include this photo. Jeff and I joke that we have two left green thumbs. We are terrible at keeping any plant alive and therefore have decided to stop wasting money on landscaping, and just worry about what is already in place. However, some front bushes had to come out this year. And, I love hydrangeas. So, a "Better Homes and Gardens" article convinced me I could do it. Back from Home Depot we came with three bushes and look what's happened! It's not only alive, but blooming. Its a good day in the Clark house.
Friday, August 28, 2009
3rd and K
How did we get here again? It seems near impossible that another year has gone by. But, alas, back to school we go.
Chicago has given us the coldest, rainiest, cloudiest summer on record. That's right, since they started recording weather, back in 1895 or so, they've never recorded a summer colder than this past one. Aren't we lucky? You'll remember how thrilled I was with last winter. In any case, back to school 2009 wouldn't have been complete without a cold, rainy day to start it off.
It was so humid, my lens was fogging up.
Delaney is in afternoon kindergarten, so she didn't get on the bus with Jackson in the morning.
Jackson and our neighbor (and fellow 3rd grader), Tyler.
Delaney, all ready for afternoon kindergarten. She asked 10 times that morning if it was time. When I told her she would leave after lunch (when she asked at 10 am), she responded, "Can I just eat lunch now, then?"
The Kindy bus picks Delaney up right at our driveway. She's seen here climbing on without a care in the world. Mr. Bus Driver was really cute, too. Right when the door opened, he said, "Hi Delaney". Made this sad mama's heart not seem as heavy, to know she has a nice bus driver.
And, as any normal, Kindy mom would do, I put her on the bus and drove straight to the school to make sure she got there okay, knew where she was going, didn't get molested or kidnapped on the way, etc. It was drizzling when she got on the bus, but in the 10 minutes it took to finish the stops and get to school, it had started pouring! Fun thing for Delaney is that she is in class with several girls she already knew. Here she is in a dead run for cover, with two friends from preschool, Reece and Madelyn.
Another year gone, another begins. Does anyone else feel like there must only be 20 hours in a day now? I am sure the days are shorter now...I can't get everything done, that I need to get done, in a day anymore. I'm not keeping up like I should, with PTO, church responsibilities, housework...not to mention my favorite jobs--like being a wife and mom. And it feels like being back in school has only amplified my lack of time management skills. My mom used to say every September how glad she was to be back in a routine. Hopefully a routine will help me find those 4 hours I've been missing?
Chicago has given us the coldest, rainiest, cloudiest summer on record. That's right, since they started recording weather, back in 1895 or so, they've never recorded a summer colder than this past one. Aren't we lucky? You'll remember how thrilled I was with last winter. In any case, back to school 2009 wouldn't have been complete without a cold, rainy day to start it off.
It was so humid, my lens was fogging up.
Delaney is in afternoon kindergarten, so she didn't get on the bus with Jackson in the morning.
Jackson and our neighbor (and fellow 3rd grader), Tyler.
Delaney, all ready for afternoon kindergarten. She asked 10 times that morning if it was time. When I told her she would leave after lunch (when she asked at 10 am), she responded, "Can I just eat lunch now, then?"
The Kindy bus picks Delaney up right at our driveway. She's seen here climbing on without a care in the world. Mr. Bus Driver was really cute, too. Right when the door opened, he said, "Hi Delaney". Made this sad mama's heart not seem as heavy, to know she has a nice bus driver.
And, as any normal, Kindy mom would do, I put her on the bus and drove straight to the school to make sure she got there okay, knew where she was going, didn't get molested or kidnapped on the way, etc. It was drizzling when she got on the bus, but in the 10 minutes it took to finish the stops and get to school, it had started pouring! Fun thing for Delaney is that she is in class with several girls she already knew. Here she is in a dead run for cover, with two friends from preschool, Reece and Madelyn.
Another year gone, another begins. Does anyone else feel like there must only be 20 hours in a day now? I am sure the days are shorter now...I can't get everything done, that I need to get done, in a day anymore. I'm not keeping up like I should, with PTO, church responsibilities, housework...not to mention my favorite jobs--like being a wife and mom. And it feels like being back in school has only amplified my lack of time management skills. My mom used to say every September how glad she was to be back in a routine. Hopefully a routine will help me find those 4 hours I've been missing?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Dear Delaney,
Delaney, today you left for Kindergarten. I know all parents wonder where the time went, but I truly wonder how it all happened. How did the past 5 years just fly by, in the blink of an eye, without me taking it all in. Or maybe I took in more than I remember, sitting here now. Because all I can sit here and think of is that those 5 years are over. Your time, at home with me, safely controlling what/who/where/when seems to have slipped by far too quickly.
And, today is your 5 year, one month birthday. And, I haven't written you your birthday letter yet. So, I'm doing it at 5 years and one month old. I hope that's okay, I think it is, because we had a crazy, busy, wonderful month. One, you're glad you didn't miss, and so that's why I'm behind.
We went to your great aunt Carolyn's house for your birthday. I love (well, we all love) Carolyn, and she's invited us for years to drive down and see her in Oklahoma. Well, with Krista in town, I decided I was brave enough to make the 12 hour drive by myself and off we went. It was fun to spend a birthday with family...it's a treat we don't enjoy too often. It was fun to celebrate a birthday at the Nuttall's with all their birthday traditions. You ate dinner on a special plate and drank out of a margarita glass.
Grandma and Grandpa Critt sent a huge balloon bouquet and you had plenty of presents to open on your big morning.
Now, on the occasion of you being five and all, I've decided what are my five favorite things about my most favorite five year old!
1. You love to help around the house. Rarely does a day go by when you haven't asked me what you can do to help me. In fact, just this evening, you told me you thought now that you are in school, Saturday mornings would be a good day to clean. Because, you're not as available to help as you once were. I am endlessly grateful for your diligence with helping, whether it's picking up toys, helping Addie, unloading the dishwasher, sweeping up crumbs under Addie's highchair, or sorting laundry. You're willing to do it all! And with a smile. And once the task is over, you're looking for the next. Thank you for being such a help. This year since Addie arrived has been easier thanks to your helping hands.
2. You are as girly as they come. I know, another cliche', but I cannot believe how girly you really are. You used to only eat strawberry yogurt, because it's the only pink one. You walk girly, with your hands flexed upwards, and your hips swinging back and forth. You curtsy when you tell me about something you did well. You dance around the house, singing, and looking to for the dress with the best "twirl factor". You love having nails painted, jewelry, purses, lipstick, shoes and clothes. You would spend every day in a dress if I let you. You love nightgowns. You are 100% girl and I love the contrast that you have provided against Jackson. You are a total opposite of him, and I love the soft, female presence you bring to our home.
3. You are tough as a nut. I know, it seems contrary to being girly, but for you it's not at all. Last month when you got your kindergarten shots (all 5 of them!) you didn't even flinch. On the very last one, you just said "Ow". The nurse was shocked at how you just sat there, but that's how you've been since you were a baby. When you got your ears pierced last fall, you were so excited, despite all my warnings that it would hurt, you didn't cry. You even said it didn't hurt (although I could tell it did). You are amazingly brave. You hardly ever get scared. You aren't fearful of anything. This month, when we were at Bear Mountain Ranch, those horses were 5 times your size, and I was scared of them. But, not you. You loved to be next to them, petting, feeding, and grooming them. I am proud of your fierce spirit. I hope you are never afraid to try anything.
4. You are at an age where everything you say is so funny, and yet so smart. Having spent the week in Oklahoma last month, we got to see many huge, "bible belt" churches. Huge churches with big crosses out front. Right near Aunt Carolyn's house was a cross that stood at least 3 stories high. About 4 or 5 hours into our trip home, you piped up from the backseat.
"Mom, did Jesus die in Oklahoma?"
"What??? No, why would you assume that?"
"Well, that big cross by Carolyn's house. I just thought, maybe, that's where he died."
The question seemed so funny to me, but then, as I think about it, I can see why you think he died there. That's probably one of the biggest crosses you'd ever seen. It's amazing to me the way you take everything in, and then the sometimes funny way it comes back out. Like tonight when I was trying to explain to you what being electrocuted was, and you said, "Oh, I'd become a light bulb!". Well, sure, if that's how you sort it out, for me it's close enough.
5. Joy. Delaney, all 5 of my favorite things could have just been joy, joy, joy, joy, joy. You are nothing short of joyful. You are rarely sad, angry, or resentful. You are simply put - joyful. You assume the best, even if the worst is intended. You are quick to forgive and even quicker to ask forgiveness. You are wise beyond your years in your understanding of feelings and empathy. You are so happy, that when you get sad, I am sure to listen because I know it must be something really important. You fill our home with joy and happiness, and I am so thankful for that. You bring a light into mine and Dad's life that is unique to you, alone, and I look forward to it every single day.
Happy 5th (and one month) Birthday, Laney Bug.
I love you.
Mom
Sunday, August 2, 2009
It's all her fault...
My favorite 15 year old has been visiting for a few weeks, and it's cut into my blogging time. But, of course, I wouldn't have it any other way, and I plan on crying the whole drive back from Nauvoo where I drop her off tomorrow for EFY. It's been a fantastic 3 weeks having her here and Delaney was hoping today that her mom would let us adopt her ("But, I've always wanted an older sister...").
A recent Delaney funny - I (Kelli) have no strong feelings towards Michael Jackson. I grew up in a different country and missed the whole 80s as a result. Therefore, while it's too bad he died at a young age, I'm not heart broken over it either. So, I haven't watched much coverage of it, the funeral, etc. So, I would never have thought my 5 year old even knew anything about it. So, I was shocked the other day when I'm in the kitchen with Delaney and she asks me,
"Mom, do you think Michael Jackson and Joseph Smith are friends?"
"Ummm...what???"
"Yeah, now that they're both in heaven, don't you think they're friends?"
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