What We've Been Up To...

...lots of baths and of course the after bath cuddling:

then of course there's the tiger vs. dinosaur war. The large cat family always wins, in case you were wondering. (and I know you were)

followed by some alphabet learning time with our "alphabet treasure"

And this little guy is as cute as can be...

Oh, and while they do that, I've been working on an I Spy quilt... Tyler and Jackson have already seen me working on it and when they ask what it is and who its for, I tell them it's a surprise for some very special boys. Tyler always says, "is it for me? Is it? I won't tell!"

Nursery pictures and a Primary miracle

The last couple weeks have been a little traumatic for Tyler. Leaving nursery and entering primary was harder on him than I thought it would be. He and Jackson have been in Nursery together for about 6 months, so that was very comfortable for them. I helped in Nursery after we moved here and even after that, I never had any problems with either of them wanting to stay. They loved it and they loved being together!

I scanned in these pictures that Brother Young gave us so that they'd be backed up and I would always have record of them. They gave him his own Book of Mormon with his picture in it, that he loves already.

So here's the story (the long version): The first week of the year, the older kids went to Primary instead of Nursery. Tyler and I sat in Primary for a few minutes and I was delighted he was sitting next to me and I have always loved the primary scene. They did the scripture and prayer where the kid assigned walked all the way up and stood at the podium to speak. Then they invited the Sunbeams to come up and be sung to since they were new. Tyler stood up and walked all the way up to the podium like he was ready to give a talk!! It was so sweet. And even after that he asked me when it was his turn to go up. Well, after about 2 minutes later, he ran out screaming "I wanna go to nursery" and never snapped out of it. Jeff ended up taking him home for the rest of church.
So the next week, I was really worried and hoping that for some reason, he'd be willing to give it another try. I sat with him again, but this time we didn't last half as long. He ran out and we sat on the couches, me hoping and praying that he'd be willing to go to his new class third hour. I just know my Tyler and when he's afraid to do something (or just doesn't want to) there's nothing I can do or say to change that. So a few minutes later, Kari Dunkley (the primary pianist) came over and talked to Tyler. He was shy for a few minutes, but then she hid behind the curtains with him and got down on his level and he let her in and talked to her. Then she said, "Would you like to see where I get to sit in Primary? I get to sit behind the piano. Wanna come with me?" and he said yes!!
So he followed her back to the primary room, sat on the piano bench with her while she played the first couple of songs. I heard him poking at the keys and I realized all the leaders were giving me thumbs up instead of frowning at me for his subtle disturbance. Tyler sat with her for a few minutes and then he sat with the rest of his class. Kari motioned to me to go away :) and I snuck out. I had to teach in Young Women, so all I could do was assume he was doing ok, but after church I walked to his class and he came out grinning with a bag full of handouts, pictures and goodies from his new teacher. He said, "Mom, Primary is fun!" and I couldn't have been happier!

I called Kari after church to thank her for taking the time to talk to Tyler. She told me that Tyler's name kept coming to her mind all week and she meant to stop by but didn't have the time, so she took the opportunity when she saw us at the couches. I knew this was an answer to my prayers! I am so thankful that Kari listened to the promptings and acted on it. This may not seem like a big deal to some, but to me it is another experience that teaches me that our Heavenly Father loves us all so much. That he is aware of our hopes and prayers and worries and concerns. And that he wants us to feel loved- even a little 3 year old who is scared to try something new. I think about how much I love Tyler, and realize that as much as I love him as his mom, God's love for him is even greater. I am thankful for angels in our lives and miracles that make life so sweet and enjoyable!

drum roll please...

We are moving into a house!!!!

My Grandparents have a home in the same neighborhood I lived when I was born. They've been renting it out to the same tenants for over 16 years, but they are unexpectedly moving next month. My grandparents would never ask them to leave, and I know the timing is more than a miracle.

We looked at it today and it is a cute little 3 bedroom, 1 bath home and even has an extra room with tons of windows that can be my sewing/craft room! The boys will have a fenced backyard (with a cement area for bikes), a park nearby and a home to call their own.

We have been living with my parents for about 6 months and I have loved living with them, they are really wonderful. I have enjoyed visiting with my mom during breakfast and when we do errands together and I love when my Dad comes home from work and the boys yell "Dampa, Dampa" over and over. It's been really fun and I've enjoyed this special time we've had together. I'm so glad we are moving only minutes away, or else I wouldn't be as excited!

I'm thankful for answers to prayers and small miracles and a supportive family that continues to help us out!

Tyler funny

Yesterday I made soup for the boys- my famous Roman Noodles with Egg. So yum!

I moved the boys' booster chairs to the kitchen so they could eat in there instead of on the carpeted dining area. Tyler asked me why the heck I was doing that so I explained to him that it is hard to clean up messes on the carpet, but on the wood floor, it's easy to.

We got through lunch and I got many compliments to the chef. I pulled Tyler out of his seat and as I told him to wash his hands, Jackson dumped his entire tray on the ground, sending his bowl of soup flying.

As I grumbled and started cleaning it up, Tyler yelled happily, "is it easy mom? Is it easy?!"

Haha, that turned my frown upside-down!

Mt. Baldy Monday

Jeff has Mondays off, so we try to do something super fun about once a month. Since we've had lots of rain lately, we decided to drive up to the nearby mountain for some snow fun! Tyler and I made a snowman, and although we forgot a sled, we sent the kids down the hill on a frisbee!!

We don't really have real snow gear, but my mom got the boys nice jackets before we went to Boise for Thanksgiving. Jackson kept telling me what got wet. He'd say "arm. wet." or "foot. wet." One time, he fell off the frisbee sled and yelled, "face!" it was so funny!

We had a great time. I love my adventurous husband and that he is always up for taking us somewhere fun!

Happy New Year!

The Clark Family 2010 Newsletter!

We are loving life in Southern California. There is nothing better than being near family and being able to make memories with those we love…

KIRSTI loves being a mom! Her life is centered around the boys and loves spending time with the family. In her free time she still loves to sew and create things. She loves recording our adventures in the family blog.

JEFF continues to be a hard worker and has enjoyed learning the ins and outs of the grocery business. In his free time he loves playing with the kids, playing Frisbee golf and exploring Southern California. His motto is “work hard/play hard” and loves

TYLER is our happy helper! He loves helping Grandma feed the bird, helping mom bake treats, helping Grandpa clean the pond and helping Daddy watch cartoons. He loves to play animals and enjoys learning all about what they eat and how they might attack their prey. He enjoys building things (and then knocking them over). He enjoys weekly gymnastics classes and learning the alphabet with mom. He is a wonderful big brother and Grandma & Grandpa’s best pal.

JACKSON is our happy, friendly and easygoing little boy. We call him our Walmart Greeter since he welcomes everyone home; yelling their name with a hug and a smile! He repeats anything on request when in a good mood and smiles through time-outs when in a destructive mood. We can tell that it will be very entertaining while he laughs through the terrible twos. His favorite things to do are visit Dad and Grandpa at the market, and see airplanes at a nearby airport on Saturday mornings.

We hope 2010 has been a great year; for us it has been a year of change- moving from friends and loved ones in Texas to a new career and family in Southern California. We are enjoying the family time and wonderful experiences and are especially thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We hope you have a happy, healthy, successful 2011 with more good times and happy memories!

Jackson's Family Party

On New Year's Day, we had Jackson's Cars party. He chose from Toy Story 3, Thomas the Train, and Cars-- and he didn't waver at all in his decision, and kept reminding us all the way through Target check out that he indeed did pick Cars and wasn't gonna change his mind. Wow- so opposite from the way his older brother makes decisions!

(I wish I got a picture of the table with the pinata, goodie bags and cool balloon!!)

Everyone woke up late (thank goodness) so the party started around 12. We had a pinata full of candy and prizes- we let the boys hit at it until it WOULDN't brake! So then the adults joined in. IT was pretty hilarious watching adults play a kid's game! My dad finally broke the CARDBOARD pinata! Who makes a pinata out of thick cardboard?!

(pictures or video coming soon)

Then we did presents and cupcakes- the most yummiest cupcakes ever, made by my super talented friend- chocolate, peanut butter ganache! To die for!

We let Jackson practice blowing out a candle with his french toast in the morning, and by the 3rd try he got it! He smiled and sang "happy" as we sang to him, and enjoyed that yummy cupcake!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jackson: New Year's Eve

Jackson's birthday is on New Year's Eve Day (the coolest day for a birthday, I think!) And we packed it full of his favorite things.

In the morning, we had a Nerf war, and let Jackson shoot us to his heart's desire. It's so funny how he likes to wear the glasses, but shoot US!

Then, we went to McDonald's and got breakfast to eat at the airport. Jackson asks to go to the airport every morning and anytime we load up in the car!

(I got him the cutest airplane shirt and here he is trying to hold up 2 fingers)

After the airport, we went home for playtime, naptime and party setup.

After Jackson's nap, we went to get a birthday balloon and frozen yogurt--

I love this picture of him! His face is just too cute!

Here is attempt #2 at holding up two fingers. He held up one finger from each hand. That works too :)

After ice cream, the dads got home and we did presents just with our little family. Tyler gave him a set of matchbox airplanes, a Buzz sippy cup and a firetruck book.

Jeff and I gave him a soft Buzz to sleep with and Grandma and Grandpa got him a trike!!

(picture coming soon)

Then, party go-ers arrived and we kicked off our New Year's party!

This is why I think he has the best birthday ever. Not only were we happy he was born not a day later, for tax purposes :) but every birthday will be a party. I feel like we have had a party every day for about a week now! We love our Jackson and he is such an amazing little boy. I am so lucky to be his mommy!

Jeff and I have decided 2011 is going to be awesome!

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas- it was quiet and relaxing and so nice.

I love the magical feeling of Christmas morning, and it felt so special!

I actually woke up before the boys and just waited for them to get up- luckily I didn't have to wait too long!

We started the morning with stockings and Santa's gift. Tyler got a building set and Jackson got a shake and go train.

The boys by the tree!

Tyler gave Jackson a pack of matchbox cars- Jungle edition. I think he clearly understands that the toys Jack gets, Tyler gets also :)

I made them some tie fleece blankets in their favorite characters.

Jackson kept biting the wrapping paper off... then acting grossed out that the paper was in his mouth, then he's spit it out. it was pretty funny to watch!

Then we went to Lanie and Papa's for the Christmas meal, presents and more family time! I didn't get any pictures there, but we had a great time. We always do a Santa puzzle while the boys watch football.

Tyler Talk (and Jackson Talk!!)

I can't believe that Jackson is old enough now for me to be posting about his sayings too!

TYLER:

My Grandma and Grandpa Boucher are here visiting and the boys have been having lots of fun having them around. My mom got a Nerf gun and goggles for her birthday and the boys have been playing gun wars around the house. Yesterday Tyler and Grandpa were battling and Tyler yelled, "Come Get Me (DUM DET ME) Old Man!!" It was so funny- we all started cracking up. My grandpa is always teasing us like crazy, so it was great that Tyler got him a good one :)

For the past couple weeks at church, the older kids in Tyler's Nursery class have been visiting Primary so they can practice for the New Year, when they all move up. This week at church, near the end of Sacrament meeting, I told Tyler, "This is your last week in Nursery and then you get to be in Primary Forever!!" He said, "Forever? But I wanna go home!"

JACKSON:

Jackson has been talking so much lately! He repeats what we say and he is starting to figure things out. He loves watching movies and has a strong opinion about what is on t.v. He frequently walks to me and asks for Cars or Buzz or Ice Age, his favorites right now.

Today we were playing Ker Plunk (I found the game for .99 cents at GoodWill!) and Tyler said he wanted all the pink sticks. Jackson held up his pink stick and said, "Pink!" I asked him to name the other colors, and he couldn't, but he always got the pink ones right. I remember when Tyler's favorite color was purple, his first color to identify and name. It's fun to think that Jackson may be ready to start learning colors!

Then as I was counting the marbles he counted along with me repeating the numbers after me and saying "fourteen" over and over. I guess that's his favorite number!

I have Christmas posts coming soon! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a Happy New Year! We are gearing up for Jackson's Birthday among the New Year's Celebrations. So fun!

Prayers for Baby Caleb!

My little nephew is having hernia surgery tomorrow. Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen? Just wanted him to know we are thinking of him and will be praying for him all day. Love you Mel and T...

My most important *things*

Lately, I've been missing my stuff. Especially since it's Christmastime and I have some special Christmas decorations buried down deep somewhere in our storage unit. We are living with my parents while we are saving up for a house of our own in this hard economy/expensive Southern California. All my stuff fits in 2 bedrooms, and I've been realizing lately that the most important things I have are my people. I knew we'd be downgrading when we left our house in Texas, so I've been gearing up for letting go of a lot of my things. But now that I've been living with only our necessities, I've realized I need next to nothing to be happy. Don't get me wrong, my parents have everything, so it's not like we've been living hard. I just know that when we do empty our storage unit and move into a house of our own, I'll be ready to let go of the things I don't even remember we have anymore. Because I really like the feeling that I have all that I really need when I hug my boys. They are my most important things.

TyLah

Tyler has been so cute lately with all the things he's been learning and saying. He used to say his name "Ty'yer" but has learned if he sticks out his tongue, he gets the L sound. So he sticks out his tongue in the middle of his name and it's pretty cute!

He still loves animals and is so fascinated to learn about where they live, what they eat and all other details he can learn. I only have to teach him something once and it sticks. He has his dad's great sense of direction (thank goodness!) and already knows his right and left (he and Grandma have been practicing!) and tells us how to get home, which direction to turn and if the light is red or green.

The other day we watched Elf while Jackson took a nap and he liked it so much, he asked to watch it again when it ended! Later that day we were at a park and went to the bathroom and he yelled "these toilets are huge!" a line from the movie, and I had to laugh when I too noticed the big metal toilets were quite large.

Today he went to Primary at Church (for the kids turning 4 and up) to practice- he'll be in Sunbeams (the 4 ear old class) in January! One of the leaders told me he did a great job today especially during Singing Time and kept saying, "My name is TyLah!"

Grumpy Face!

Jackson is our little funny kid. He's always making the funniest facial expressions and sounds. If we say "Grumpy Face!" He makes this face:

and then he's right back to his smiley self when we say "Happy Face". It's pretty fun to watch.

I can't believe that Jackson will be 2 in a couple weeks! I remember the Christmas right before he was born. I was so anxious to have him, yet calm and ready. He is such a wonderful addition to our family!

Some of his favorite things:

Seeing a bus, airplane or truck

Playing doggie when Tyler is a tiger

Eating snacks and drinking milk

Going on a walk or to the park

Going to free play at Tyler's gymnastics

Seeing Daddy, Grandpa and Grandma at work

Getting a Jelly Bean for doing something good

Taking a bath

Going to Target and getting popcorn

He is always along for the ride and usually so easygoing about what we do and where we go. Although lately, he's started to show an opinion about certain things like what blanket he uses, where he sits at the table and if he's going to show off a trick/say a word or not. He must almost be two!!

Thanksgiving and Now Christmas...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving- tons of family time, just how I like it! Since Tommy and Melonie were blessing Caleb the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we flew up to celebrate!

Thanks for the cheesy smiles everyone :)

The kids had a BLAST... and I mean blast. Tyler keeps telling me he misses his cousins.

We had quite a bit of snow which was a nice treat! Jeff even got to take Tyler sledding which they had a blast--maybe I'll add a video later.

And Melonie made these darling Turkey Shirts for all the kids!!

We had an endless supply of laughs... especially the one time I pulled out my camera

and had to get one of the "originals"

And one of my very favorite parts of the trip was holding this little cutie pie. Look at those eyes!!

After our Thanksgiving celebrations, we moved right on to Christmas with Lily's dance performance and a visit to Santa's Workshop. Monday night they got their Christmas Tree and Tuesday the lights went up, we did some shopping and got right into the holiday spirit! (somehow since I've gotten home and have a few too many to-do's on my list I'm feeling a little more like the Grinch.)

Jackson asked for a Choo Choo Train and Tyler asked for "a rhino. But not the soft kind, the hard kind" Although today he told me he changed his mind and wants a black helicopter. I told him he'll have to write him a letter and how nice of you to give Santa so many details, I bet he loves that :)