Christmas 2011

On Christmas Eve, Melonie gave all the cousins these beautiful handmade pajama sets!! It was so fun having special Christmas pajamas and for everyone to match!

 We loved having Christmas morning at our own house- it was a Sunday, so we did Santa gifts and stockings, then got dressed up for church. 

 I've always wanted to have my house decorated for Christmas and enjoy it, but still be able to spend it with family. This year felt really magical because I got to do that!

 Jackson got a CARS racetrack set from Santa!

 Tyler got a remote control car from Santa!

Then we headed to church with the whole family and went to Grandma and Grandpa's house!

HAPPY BOYS!!

My favorite part of Christmas was something special that happened during present time!

We announced our pregnancy to my family! I wrapped the pregnancy test that I had taken a week earlier and put it in a box with my Tommy's name on it. There was no from name and everyone assumed it was from Melonie. At one point, he started opening it and my mom said, "wait until Melonie comes back, I think that's from her." My mom helped the surprise without even knowing! He opened it up later and saw the pregnancy test... His blank panicked look turned into shock and he asked Melonie if it was from her. She didn't see it or know what it was so she just said, "I don't know, what does it say?" In a way that seemed like it WAS her! A few minutes went by without Melonie stating that she was NOT PREGNANT! Katie was 8 months pregnant at the time so I asked if she peed on a stick.. .she said no. My mom announced it wasn't her! Then I admitted it was from us, and with tears of joy, we announced our due date and our excitement!! Clark party of 5 in August!! 

Everyone kept asking why we gave it to Tommy and I just thought it would be funniest-- way weird if my dad opened it (and my mom was preggo!) and Katie was already pregnant. It also so happens that this baby is due on Tommy's BIRTHDAY!

Preschool Christmas Program!

I was so excited to go to Tyler's Christmas program at preschool (especially since we missed his Halloween one)!

It was so fun to watch him up there with the other kids and visit his classroom and teacher after!

He is in the very middle of the back row- red shirt with a Christmas tree- right under the cross! :)

Grandma and Jack watching from the side for a better view. One of the many reasons I love living near my parents is days like this!

Tyler saw us when he walked out too!

Then we visited his classroom and he showed us his angel:

That night we stayed up late to make cookies for his class party. Man is baking hard work- which is why I don't do it very often. But we sure had fun!

The next day at his class party Santa came to see the kids. I asked him if he got to talk to him and he said, "yeah, I asked him for a snowboard."

Really? A snowboard?!! We had a talk about how Santa loves bringing surprises and knows what he likes to play with! I asked him what gave him that idea and he said the boy in front of him asked for one, so he thought he would too!! So funny!

Tyler

This is over a month late, but not a post I want to skip...

11/19/11
Tyler can write his name!! Since he started preschool in September, he has mastered holding the pencil the right way and writing all the numbers 1-10 and spelling out his name. He can write any letter just by looking at it. Starting in January they will start learning how to write the ABC's. I love his preschool and teacher and I'm so excited he is being challenged and enriched each day. Here is a picture I took the week he first started writing his name!

A friend gave us a mini air-hockey table and this easel and he loves drawing on the chalkboard and painting on the other side. This particular day we were all home from church sick so I was happy the boys had new toys to play with so we could enjoy the day.

Tyler LOVES animals! His favorite books to read are bugs and animal books and enjoys learning about different animals, where they live and what other animals they eat. He found this lizard one day and wasn't scared at all to pick it up. One day our kitty Ringo brought in a dead bird- it was so gross, there were feathers all over the kitchen floor! Tyler went outside and gave him a lecture about how we don't kill birds because they are nice and Jesus created them.

Tyler has such a kind heart. He loves making new friends and loves to make his friends happy. He loves helping me do chores around the house and helping his brother learn new things. Another Sunday that he was sick (he's had lots of colds and ear infections this winter) I came home to him and Daddy doing dishes! He was on drying duty and stacking the dishes like towers- why didn't I think of this?!

He loves building things with legos and his trio connect toys and lining up his animals in family groups! He also likes to put pretend bugs in certain places (hall floor, counter tops) to scare me and laughs like crazy when it does!

We love Tyler and his sweetness. He is such a vital part of our family and we are so grateful we get to be his parents!!

Sacramento Trip

On Wednesday, my mom, the boys and I took a roadtrip to Sacramento to visit her family up there! We jam-packed our trip by going to the Zoo, Fairy Tale Town, and lots of family visits!

My Grandpa Boucher reading to Tyler- they have served a few missions for our church in Africa, so they have lots of African animal books and toys. Tyler was in heaven!

This is my Great-Grandma Mimi's home:

My great grandma is 95 years old!! Her husband, Grandpa Austin passed away before Tyler was born. He gave me my patriarchal blessing and they will always be very special to me! I remember Grandma Mimi used to throw big birthday parties for us each summer we went up there. We'd play old fashioned party games and sing songs and she'd wrap up used presents for us that we loved!! It was so nice to see her again and to get this 5 generation photo (that was like pulling teeth for my boys!)

Me- Jack- Great Grandma Mimi- My mom- Grandma Boucher!

And here is us with my mom's aunt Karen! I remember she used to plan a special date with me each time we'd go up in the summer as a kid. She would take me to the craft store to make bracelets, or to the music store for some piano books. She is a very talented piano player!

We had a blast! Zoo and Fairy Tale Town pictures coming soon!

Halloween Night

We had lots of fun on Halloween night. Jeff worked until close, which gave us enough time to play with buddy Olivia and my girlfriend Alissa before we had some family time.

Here are the cute kids (I mean superheros and princess Barbie) getting ready to walk the neighborhood!

We went half way around the block and then boldly stated they were done by sitting down.

We went home and they watched Scooby Doo's Batman and Robin episode and SpongeBob Scaredy Pants. (oh yes, we did!)

This was our next door neighbor's yard- that morning Tyler asked him if he was having a yard sale!! AHAHAHA! The neighbor on my other side was also decked out with spiderwebs and tombstones, so I bought some spider lights in an attempt to fit in the neighborhood and not look like a halloween grinch!

My mom helped me with the flower pots!

After the boys got their second wind, we headed over to my grandparent's and parent's house.

Lanie & Papa, Robin and Batman, I mean Tiger... he decided to wear last year's costume for the rest of the night... ok, whatever! :)

My mom and I wore our matching jackolantern shirts and...

you better believe I wore these stockings too. I love them :) I secretly wish I could wear them everyday.

The next day when I was packing up all the Halloween stuff, Jackson found the face painting sticks. He gave himself a "batman mustache"!!

Jackson Jokes

Well it looks like Tyler has some competition in the funny department. Jackson has been cracking me up lately!

This morning, Jackson climbed in bed with me to cuddle. He already earned his big boy bed fairy prize for staying in bed or getting back in his bed when he wakes up durin the night. The fairy brought him a pack of 3 cars. He was counting and counted all the way to 15! His numbers were so darling- eleben, twelb, tirteen, borteen, bibteen! Started my happy day :)

After that I told him we were going to Target after his gymnastics class (while Tyler was at preschool) and he would get a special present. It was Cars 2, but I wanted him to try to guess. He started guessing, "sponge bob square pants toy?" and said each word slowly and clearly. It was so funny to hear him guess that.

Immediately after that, Ringo ran in our room and started jumping at himself in the mirror. Jackson started cracking up and said, "It's you, Ringo!"

The other day I was helping Jackson on the potty. I was doing whatever I could to keep him sitting there and entertained. My mom gave him a cars sticker book one of the days he was sick and we were stuck in the house. I pulled it out and we were doing stickers, matching colors and shapes. Then he pointed to himself and said, "Jackson Cwark" I said, yes, that's right- you are Jackson Clark... Then he said, "Ty'yer Cwark, Mommy Cwark, Daddy Cwark." Yay, that's right! Then he pointed to the book and said, "Book Cwark!"

It's so fun to have 2 little boys who can talk to me and make me smile all day long!!

Tyler Funnies and Wisdom

Our neighbor's dogs bark off and on during the day. We know the mailman is coming when they really get loud... One day during a barking fest, Tyler turned to me and said, "Mom, those dogs hate us."

We had eggs for breakfast. We were done and I was cleaning off the table and I didn't really notice Tyler was back and forth from table (to take a bite) to the couch. He came over and said, "Mom, we have a problem... I bless you'd and my eggs got on the wall." I was laughing way too hard to be mad at him!

Our next door neighbor was going all out for halloween. Every square inch was covered in something spooky! He started pulling everything out of the garage and onto his lawn on Halloween morning. We were leaving to do some errands since Jeff had the morning off. His garage was open and he was pulling out boxes and had a few things setting out on the lawn for him to hang up. Tyler walked over excitedly and asked, "Are you having a garage sale?" I was cracking up, but my neighbor didn't think it was very funny.

We were watching Terra Nova as a family (one of the boys' favorites) and on commercial Tyler said, "If I forget what this show is called, I just think Tyler. Cuz it starts with a T, and then I know Nova. So then I remember Terra Nova." I thought that was so smart of him to think of a way to remember what it's called. He has asked me a few times the last couple weeks "what that show is called again", and this time he thought of a way to remember on his own. He is brilliant!! :)

A Proud Mommy :)

Today was the Primary Program- where all the kids ages 4-11 gave talks, said their lines and sang songs. I love the primary program! It makes you laugh and cry all at the same time.

Tyler's part was:

The scriptures are the word of God. The scriptures are special because they are written by God's prophets.

Jackson even knew Tyler's part and wanted to go up with the kids the whole time. Especially because Jeff was up sitting by his class of 6-7 year olds. My boys looked so handsome in their shirt and ties!

Tyler was asked to give a solo of I am a Child of God- during the year the primary would play American Idol during singing time- where each class would perform a song. The only song Tyler ever wanted to sing was I am a Child of God, so he asked to sing it by himself. I guess he did it so well that they asked him to sing for the program! When I first found out, I was so scared for him, but he was always excited to practice. He did an amazing job and brought us (well at least me) to tears. I am so lucky to have this sweet boy!!

Halloween Festivities (so far!)

The boys got really sick this past week with croup & upper respiratory infections. It was no fun! We missed Tyler's preschool program on Thursday, but luckily he was feeling much better by Friday to participate in our other parties! I did my best to do fun things while they were home when they were feeling up to it.
On Monday we carved pumpkins. And by "we" I really mean I... oh well.

Tyler picked a spider, and Jackson wanted the kitty-cat-bat. Next year we will NOT be using the stencils, they take way too much time. I'm actually thinking painting pumpkins might be a better fit!

On Thursday I made Mummy Dogs for dinner!

Friday we got all dressed up in costume and went to a couple parties!!

Here are my tough Batman & Robin. I kept telling them to smile, but Tyler told me that superheros don't smile!

We went to their gymnastics place for a fun party- one of his favorite teachers, Dustin was also Batman!

Robin showed me his cool hanging-on-a-bar trick!

Then we headed to our church Trunk-Or-Treat party!

They had a train ride, professional face painting, tons of games and trunk or treating at the end- where the kids went around the parking lot and got candy from decorated car trunks!!

Some of our boys favorite friends!

My grandma Lanie and I-- she had to take off her wig and hat for the boys to go to her!!

It was a fun night! Jeff and my Dad were doing the chains at the high school football game, so I had fun with friends, Mom and Grandparents at the party and am excited to have Halloween together with Jeff and the boys tomorrow night!!

Some more funnies:

Since I'm too lazy (tired) to take/attach any pictures and I'm too tired (lazy) to get caught up on summer pictures, here are some funny conversations we've had lately:

--Tyler's preschool is a drive-through drop off. As you drive through, the fenced in playground is on the right and on the left there is a shed and small playhouse. I asked if he ever gets to play over there by the playhouse. He said, "no, I think it's just for the kids that live there." (in the shed.)

--The song came on the radio that says "I'm only gonna break break your, break break your heart" (you, know, that one :)) And Tyler said, "Why would he say that? That's not nice at all." Then after a couple thoughtful minutes he said, "Well maybe he's talking to a rattle snake, cuz I wanna break a rattle snake. Or maybe he was talking to a crocodile. Cuz that would be ok."

--My family's business is Wolfe's Market so when we get groceries, we don't have to pay for them (I know, we are so blessed!) As I was putting the bags in the car, Tyler said, "oh no! We forgot to pay for our food.... we always forget to pay for our food!" Once I stopped laughing, I explained to him how lucky we are and that we get food from daddy's hard work.

--Yesterday we found out Katie & Randy are having a baby girl!!!! Tyler has been praying everyday that "Katie's baby will be a boy and make sure it's not a girl" So I was worried about his reaction. But he just said, "oh man, I wanted it to be a boy." and I told him we don't get to decide what babies we get-- who decides?" And he answered "Jesus!"

--Tonight after he prayed that Katie's baby girl will become a mommy, he told me he wanted to be a daddy. "Petuz Daddy's get to do workouts and I wanna do workouts too. And daddy's get to work at Wolfe's Market and I wanna work at Wolfe's Market too!"

Tyler Funnies!

A few weeks ago, Tyler woke up and told me, "Mom, my bed is magic because Lily is in it and I can talk to her!"

We were on the beach and a funny looking guy with a metal detector walked by. Tyler asked me, "What's that?" I said, "it's a metal detector, when it goes over some treasure it makes a noise."

Tyler, "oh, does it say, 'you got some treasure?'"

Tyler was sitting on his feet with his legs crossed. He looked at me and I could tell he was in pain, but also scared.

T: "Mom, something feels weird in my foot."

Me: "Oh, does it feel all tingly, like something is poking your foot?"

T: "yes!"

Me: "your foot fell asleep, wiggle it around and it'll feel better."

T:"No, it's not asleep, see, I can move it. It's awake!"

I've had a little bit of road rage lately and the other day there was a car driving SO SLOW! Like 10mph in a 25. I kept yelling at him to go faster, what the heck are you doing? And Tyler said, "maybe there is a slow sign" I thought that was funny- he knows about stop signs and light signals, so it makes sense that there could be a slow sign too!

Memories from TODAY

Well I need to do a post on the whole month of August, but I only have time now to write about today. Today was a great day full of lots of emotions and memories. It was a crazy day from the second I woke up.

I started the day early to Jackson climbing into bed with us. It has been quite the habit for him. If he ever wakes up in the night, the only way to convince him it's still sleep time is for him to crawl in bed with us. The next thing i remember Tyler is up and its time to start our busy day. Tyler picked out his new clothes, Jeff took Jackson to my moms on his way to work and Tyler and I were off to his first day of preschool. Today was the open house where he saw his classroom and met his teacher and new friends. It was great- I'm so excited about his teacher and the room looks like a prime place for learning!

Of course Tyler was all about the toys so he hung out with the dinos.

Next we did some errands, including a couple trips to the new store I'm selling my creations at-- Terri is doing all the sewing and I help get materials, cut pieces, deliver items and make the bows and hair pins, earrings, etc... Cutest little store and I'm really hoping it'll be lucrative for us!

In the afternoon we swam with friends at my moms and had a great time. Then we went to yoga. Usually I meet my friend Alissa but she and Olivia didn't make it. The boys were bummed, but still wanted to play in the kids klub. I usually love yoga, but I wasn't feeling it at all today. I had such a busy day that i thought I'd enjoy the quiet time, but I kept almost falling asleep and wishing I was in bed -even if Jackson was crowding in on my sleeping space :)

Then we headed over to a street festival in La Verne. We met Alissa and Terri, so the boys got their Olivia time- bouncing in the bounce house and pushing the stroller together. We found the balloon guy and of course had to get balloon animals. Tyler picked a tiger- what a surprise :) and Jackson wanted the huge fish floating in the air. They picked their colors and watched in awe as the balloon guy made the animals. Then we kept walking through the fair. A couple minutes later, I see Jackson's hand in the air and up went his fish. I tried to grab it but instead watched it float away. The look on Jackson's face was the saddest face I had ever seen!!! Bottom lip out all the way and he could hardly breath. I leaned in to hug him and tell him it was ok and realized I have tears running down my cheeks! So we hugged and cried together for a minute in the middle of a crowd, and I'm freaking out because of course I have no cash and can't buy my baby a new fish :( Alissa bought it for us in the first place because I forgot my money. Terri came to the rescue and got him another one and got a huge hug in return.

I know it sounds crazy that I really cried over that, but the thought of my child in pain or sad is absolutely heartbreaking!! And I had no control, the tears just started coming. It was a great day of hard work and successes- Jackson went the whole day with no accidents for the first time ever- yesterday he had 3+ and I almost didn't put him in underwear (except we are out of pull ups!!) So it must've been fate.

Such a great day after an exhausting week of potty training and starting up our business-My body and brain are just plain exhausted. I'm so thankful for my life and my family and my husband and my kids and my friends. I have so many blessings around me and totally recognize them!

Malibu Beach!!

August was a CRAZY month (to say the least!) I taught 3 art/craft camps the first couple weeks, so I was really busy. Even though we had a family vacation just the month before, we needed to get away as a family and spend some relaxing time together. The Wride's invited us to Malibu Beach with them, they get a camp site every year- so we joined them for a night and stayed the next day. We had a blast and I came home refreshed and relaxed.

Here are the boys in front of our big family tent. It fits 2 (blow up) queen mattresses, so for the first time, we could be comfortable while sleeping next to the kids!

The next day we walked down to the beach to lay out, relax and take a little hike! We ended up getting over a cliff to a private portion of the beach! Then the waves came crashing and we had to hurry back!

The cliff was taller than us, so it took both of us to get the kids over and back.

Still on the private chunk of beach-- then the tide came up!

The main part of the beach is where they filmed the movie Grease! It was so cool and beautiful!

Mostly we played in the sand- dug a gigantic hole,

put the kids in it:

I got to sit and watch them play!!!

Of course I can only sit for so long until Jeff tells me to get up and play (or sit in a hole!)

Luckily he let me get out before he filled it with sand!!

My little poopsies!! :)

Seriously, we had so much fun! We really needed this relaxing weekend to ourselves. I am enjoying camping more and more with the boys being older and us getting the new tent that allows for a more comfortable night's sleep!

I am a Child of God

After church today I was told by a few different people that my Tyler got up in Primary to sing a solo of I am a Child of God at the podium. Of course when I heard this I instantly teared up, and feel so lucky that he is my little boy.

Ever since he was a baby, I would sing this song to him as a lullaby. And even today, we sing it every night before bed as I tickle their backs. Tyler and Jackson sing along and it is our special time. I am so lucky to know that:

I am a Child of God

and He has sent me here,

has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear.

Lead me, Guide me, walk beside me

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do, to live with him someday.

This song has always been special to me. My Grandpa Boucher used to sing it to us when he would visit, along with Oh Canada and tell stories of his life. We sang it at my grandparents mission farewell the first time they went to Africa together, when I was a kid. I've always known the words are true and I'm sure my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ started with the knowledge of this song. When I first had Tyler, one of my favorite things to do was hold him in the rocking chair. Naturally, I would sing to him and the only songs that would come to my mind are primary songs. This one in particular. I have a horrible voice (truly) when I sing aloud, except when I am singing to my children. My fear of singing completely goes away when I sing with my boys. When he was 3 I worked hard to teach him the words and was surprised it only took a couple nights for him to sing with me. Now when he hears it he calls it 'our song' and I'm sure it will always be special for us! I hope my kids will always understand that our Heavenly Father loves us and we are here on earth for a purpose. I know He will never leave our side, and is always helping us to find our way back home. I feel so lucky to know this truth and so grateful that Tyler embraces it as well. Today was very rewarding for me!