SO TC's brother, James, spent a little over a day with us. He came in from a cruise Sunday night (so jealous!) and went back up to school in Idaho this morning. Our kids always love having family around. We played some games and last night for Family Home Evening we went to Planet Play which was a lot of fun. Thanks for the visit James!
We just got back from a week long trip to Texas to see my really good friend, Candace and her husband,Nate, and their two kids, Garrett and Carlie. Candace and I met our freshman year at BYU. Candace is the sister I never had (though I do have terrific sisters in laws now!) and I am so glad we have stayed in touch over the years! We had a fantastic time! We stayed busy the whole trip. On Thursday we went to a park and then later that night we went swimming at the YMCA. On Friday Candace and I took the kids to the mall in the morning and then that night Candace and I along with a few other friends in her ward went to a women's conference where Julie Beck spoke. She is the leader of the women's organization called the Relief Society in the LDS church. She was very inspirational to listen to and I enjoyed it. Then Candace, her friend, Tiffany, and I went out to Chili's. (Nate and TC enjoyed a game night with some of Nate's friends from work at home). Saturday we went to a restaurant called, Kerby Lane, for breakfast. It was really good food. They had gingerbread pancakes that I really liked! That night we drove about an hour to go to a barbecue place that Nate really loves! It was good. They give you a bunch of meat on some paper along with bread and crackers. Sunday we went to church, went on a walk and enjoyed hanging out. Monday we went into Austin and saw some sites. We went to Mount Bonnell and another park after that which I can't remember the name right now. There were a lot of peacocks there though! Then we ate at a food trailer called, Torchey's (spelling?), drove around The University of Texas and went to a park. Tuesday we went to a sand park. Along with all those festivities we enjoyed hanging out and talking, getting frozen yogurt, eating Blue Bell ice cream (TC loves Blue Bell ice cream!), playing Kinect, playing games, doing puzzles with the kids, and watching Breaking Dawn. It was SO SO FUN! IT is also SO SO SAD that we probably won't see Candace and Nate and their kids for a couple of years! Sigh. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!
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So we celebrated Valentine's Day this past weekend since tomorrow we have some other stuff going on and TC gets up really early on Wednesdays. On Friday TC and I went out on date to the Olive Garden and to the ballet Don Quixote. We had a nice evening and the ballet was really good. I did not really know the story of Don Quixote before seeing this ballet and it was entertaining and actually pretty funny. I forgot to take any pictures though. Saturday evening TC took Savanna on a Daddy/Daughter date to a community dance. Savanna had such a fun time and always love going out with her daddy. I love how happy she looks in all of the pictures on her date. She feels like the most special girl in the world when her daddy takes her out! It's so precious. TC's sister, April, was also here visiting this weekend and it was fun to spend some time with her. I hope all of you have a Happy Valentine's Day! Valentine's Day has always been my least favorite holiday (I just don't like how commercialized it is and that we need a day to express our love to each other.) It is starting to grow on me a little bit more though.
Playing in the Princess Tent with Aunt April
Savanna and TC's date
TC even let her stay out a little bit later so they could ride the train for fun.
These two sure love each other and though they occasionally get into trouble they play really well together and love being with each other. Clark misses Savanna if he is not around her. Savanna plays the director role of telling Clark what to do and Clark is a good little brother and pretty much does what she tells him to. It is so much fun to watch these two together. It warms my heart to see it and it is just a special time in their lives because this is really the only time they will have to spend so much time together!
So Mr. Clark is now 22 months! He really is almost 2. That is just crazy. We love Clark and he gets more and more fun every day. His favorite things right now include: his family, dancing, doing puzzles, coloring (aka scribbling), playing with his sister and doing anything she does, dogs, treats, and CARS, TRAINS, BUSES, AND CARS, CARS, CARS. He loves to play with all his little cars and the track and battery operated cars we got him. These are his favorite toys right now and he plays with them every day. Clark is really starting to show his little personality and is talking a lot. I have to admit though that I don't always know what he is saying. Some of his words are very clear and some are not. Clark is very happy and it is really easy to make him laugh. He also can be stubborn and is most likely to be upset if you interrupt him playing with his cars or tell him he can't have a cookie. We love our little Clark. Here are some of the things we have heard Clark say recently.
"Adidas (Savanna) hit me."
"Push Mama!" (His favorite game to play when I change his diaper. He pushes me with his feet and I pretend to fall or run into things. He thinks it is hilarious.)
"Cheese too" (Or whenever he wants something that someone else has he will say the word followed by too)
"I love Mama. I love Da Da." (Though usually we have to prompt him to say this)
" Get the spoon."
"Bring me Mama!"
(In the car) "Not cold. Mama cold?" (He was not cold but was asking if I was. So sweet.)
"Mitt Romney!" (Savanna taught him that one. )
"Hug Mama! Hug Adidas. Hug Daddy!"
"No No Mama!" (Or Dada or Savanna whenever we ask him to do something he does not want to.)
"Oh gosh!"
"Of course!"
"Smurf straw" (Savanna has a smurf straw and he will remind me to get it for her and the way he says it is hilarious.)
"Bambi"
Ok yes I know that I am lucky that Savanna has made it this long with napping so well. However, it seems like she is starting to phase them out. Last week she took one every other day and now we are on the third day in a row of no naps. I have to admit this feels like a big adjustment for me! What do you moms of no napping kids do with them all day? And we have to be home during that time because Clark is napping. I do try to do quiet time for an hour (though I was used to her napping for at least two hours and sometimes up to three hours), she plays with friends occasionally and we have done movies a couple of times. I don't want to use movies too much though. Does anyone have any other ideas?
YES!!!!!!! FLORIDA GOT IT RIGHT!!!!! MITT IS ONE MORE STEP CLOSER TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!
TC grew up in Washington and Ashley grew up in Southern Florida. TC is the oldest and has three sisters and one brother. Ashley is the oldest and has two younger brothers. Both attended Brigham Young University-Ashley majoring in Psychology and TC in Biotechnology. Ashley received a Master's degree from the University of Utah in Social Work. Both enjoy bowling, tennis, racquetball, and watching movies. They also like music and both play the piano and sing. They enjoy spending time with friends and family.