December 30, 2012

December 30, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

How can I not try and write about Christmas... it was such a great week.

J was not supposed to be up there, but the picture was too sweet to pass up.

 Monday was Christmas Eve.  We tried to avoid going to any stores at all, but in the end we ran to a few for food items.  We gathered some food items that we were giving to a fellow in the ward and made sure that they got to the correct place.  It snowed quite a bit that day, and the boys had a great time playing in the snow.  It made for a very festive and cozy day. That evening we had tacos for dinner.  Our own little tradition.  Then we had our own little Nativity with the boys.  B-man played the piano for some of the songs that we sang, and RM was the only one that wanted to dress up with me.  I was Mary, and he was a shepherd.  J and B-man informed us that they were the sheep.  After reading the Christmas story and acting it out we then opened up some Christmas jammies from Grandma Dyer.  It was fun to video chat with family throughout the day and see what they were up to... The boys all got to take a bubble bath in our big bathtub.  J loved it so much that he can't understand why he doesn't get a bath in the big bathtub every night.  The boys all went to bed excited, but not too late.

B-man was so excited for his footed jammies.

Ready to go downstairs...

RM loves his new trains.

Trying to keep B-man company.

B-man not feeling good.

Christmas morning the boys woke up a little before seven.  We made sure that they all had their beds made and had brushed their hair and their teeth before they could line up on the stairs.  We took the required pictures, and then let the boys go.  I think they were all pretty happy about what Santa brought them.  B-man seemed the most subdued (which is unusual for him) and after an hour or so, I realized that he was running a fever.  He had what the rest of us had been fighting the last few weeks.  That made him very subdued.   We always open things very slowly, and since Santa brought him Heelies and a rip stick, neither of those work with a sore achy body.  After breakfast of orange rolls and hot chocolate we let him open up a book so that he could at least read and have something to do.  The rest of the day was so pleasant and relaxed.  M delivered many loaves of his great bread to families in the ward.  The little boys loved playing with their new trains, and B-man was happy on the couch.  He even fell asleep and slept for several hours while we were around and playing.  In the afternoon we realized we should probably open the rest of the presents.  We took our time about it and had a great afternoon.  The boys were so cute about everything.  We loved being able to video chat with lots of family from all over.   Sometime during the late afternoon we realized that RM's fever had also returned the poor fellow.  We didn't want to take our germs to Christmas dinner, so we let B-man and RM stay home and watch a movie while we went to our friends for dinner.  They live one block away, and we were in almost constant contact with B-man so we knew they were okay.  Dinner was wonderful, with some great conversation.  Then we came home to get people in bed.  RM had already fallen asleep on the floor actually.

The next day B-man and RM were still running a fever.  He stayed pretty happy reading all of his new books, and hanging out with the family.  It was a quiet day where everyone was happy to just play and enjoy their new things.  M started swimming at a gym close by.  I believe we also got more snow.  That night M had to work.

Thursday everyone seemed to be healthy, but we were not going to take any chances.  M went swimming on his way home from work that day.  He went to bed, and we had a good time just being together.   After dinner that night M had to go back to work again.

The boys wanted a "crazy" picture.

Friday I had decided that we were going to have some fun.  Everyone was fever free for more than a day, and we needed to get out of the house and have some fun.  M came home and went to bed.  Then after RM's nap we got ready for our "adventure."  That's what we call it for J.  J of course was very happy to help pack up some snacks for our adventure.  We have certain things that we save for when we are on adventures, like fruit snacks.  He packed up the bag and even threw in some extra water bottles for us.  Then we were off.  We headed first to the National Botanical Gardens.  They have some model trains going through beautiful displays.  Or at least that's what we have heard.  The line was too long and it was too close to closing so we missed that room.  But we did explore all of the other gardens and we were able to peak in and see quite a bit of it on our own.  We were okay about not waiting in the line.  We also managed to lose J several times, and finally buckled him into the stroller.  The place was packed, but there were some very beautiful plants there.  After the Botanical Gardens we packed up and headed to Cafe Rio for dinner.  The boys were all hungry and happy to eat.  I am so happy that Cafe Rio is now in our area.  Not super close yet, but it is doable with some planning.  After dinner we headed to the temple to see the Christmas lights.  The temple looked beautiful, and the little boys were just in awe.  They kept asking and wanting to go inside, and it's hard to explain to a three year old and two year old why they can't.  After the temple lights we then headed home.  B-man and J fell asleep on the way home, but RM was happy to be awake.  I introduced the boys to Jny Cash on the trip, and they all loved him.  How could they not.  J kept asking "Who sings this song?"  And when I would say "Jny Cash!"  He would say, "Me?!"  It was very cute.

B-man loved the tree in the background.  

Saturday was a quiet day again.  B-man played with his friends and not much was going on.  That night M and I got a babysitter and went to see "Les Miserables."  A family in our ward had given us tickets to see it in the theatre.  It was such a thoughtful gift!  We happened to be right behind some friends in line to get seated and had a great chat with them.  We both loved the movie, loved it a lot!  I planned ahead and was grateful for my tissues.  I am sure the sixteen year old boy next to me was very confused why I was using it so much.

Sunday was one of M' longest days.  He had the last of tithing settlement and didn't get home until very late.  We were all happy when he got home and we were able to eat dinner. 

We love you all!

The C Crew 

November 18th, 2012

November 18, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

I took advantage of warmer weather on Monday and M and I painted the trim around the exterior of our door.  We had some paint left in the tray and so we ended up painting a bunch of trim around the garage doors in the home too.  It was very much a "if you give a mouse a cookie" type of day. J was happy to "help" us and play outside, and RM was sleeping.  As soon as we were done M took a nap to prepare for working all night.  I cleaned up the mess and once B-man got home we did our normal routine of homework, play, etc.  That night for FHE we talked about the miracle of the seagulls that occurred soon after the pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.

J before the haircut.

Tuesday was a quiet day.  B-man went to piano and was thrilled to start learning his favorite Christmas song "Said Samuel."  The teacher isn't LDS, but was willing to give it a shot.  I printed out a copy for her in a much easier key, and then we are simplifying it a little more.  It was rough at first (he hasn't even learned what an eighth note is) but today (Sunday) he has got the right hand down for the first section. 

M finally finishes this sourdough loaf.  Impressive isn't it?

Wednesday was another quiet day.  We went to the church and played in the afternoon while M met with a person in the ward. That night M had a stake meeting.  Once he got home we watched "Casino Royale" in preparation for watching the new Bond movie next week.

RM before the haircut.

Thursday was another busy day.  We did some work around the house in the morning; I gave all the boys much needed haircuts.  I also had a dental check-up before lunch.  I was so happy to have no cavities.  That afternoon M went with the young men's president to pick up turkeys for an activity that night and I worked with B-man on homework and piano.  We had food from the freezer because we were both so involved in things.  That night M went to mutual, when he got home we watched "Quantum of Solace" and I must admit that I understand the plots much better now. 

RM did not like getting his neck hairs trimmed.

Friday we tried to get some things done too.  We hung a picture in the library, and then when RM was sleeping we put the second coat on the exterior trim.  It looks really good, and it feels good to know that the worst is at least protected from the elements.  There were a few spot the paint was peeling so badly that we could see the bare wood.  Then M came in and went to sleep. When B-man got home I took him over to a friend's house nearby so he could play.  The little boys and I had a fun time together at home. When I went to pick up B-man for dinner, he had conspired a way to stay longer.  So RM and J and I had a quiet dinner together at home.  Then the sister missionaries knocked on the door and I made the executive decision to wake up M so they could talk "business."  B-man came home and all the boys went to bed.  Then M was off to work.

J after the haircut.

Without all the hair he looks totally different.

RM enjoying a snack.

Saturday morning was busy.  We ate breakfast and then got ready to take some friends to the airport.  The car was totally full with both families, but it was a fun little adventure.  We then drove straight to B-man's swimming lesson.  J and RM played with their cars on the pool deck for the thirty minute lesson and then we headed home.  Sadly M was already sleeping by the time we got home.  The rest of the day we worked/played around the house, and then once the jobs were done we went outside and played a lot outside.  At one point we went to a park close to our house and there was a big group of boys from the neighborhood playing "guns."  They were so cute and when picking teams they included RM and J and even let them carry around little toy guns.  They thought they were so big.  J and B-man also rode their bikes or scooters down a big hill in a line with the boys.  They had a great time.  When RM's hands started to get frozen I called it a day so we could go home and eat dinner.  We had a cozy dinner and then I ran to a birthday party for a friend.  Then I ran home so M could get to work.  I have to admit I was happy to miss the bedtime routine!

Today has been a good day. M couldn't leave work early, so he missed church.  J was a little crazy during Sacrament meeting but we made it through.  Primary was a blast.  I'm so glad it went well after last week's craziness.  Now we are home and the boys are reading or sleeping or otherwise quiet.  It's so nice.  M is sleeping and once he wakes up we will have dinner and have a quiet night.

We love you all!

The Clark Crew

November 11, 2012

November 11, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday M was off work, and B-man was home from school.  It was so nice to have such a relaxing day together.  We did some work around the house, and just had a quiet day.  In the afternoon we delivered some coats and blankets to a drop off spot.  Our stake was helping in a multi stake effort to send items needed to victims of Sandy.  It was encouraging to see how much can be gathered in a very short amount of time.  We also went to the library.  The boys were all excited to go pick out their own books.  J declared that he wanted a "airplane book and a shark book."  He was thrilled that we found both.  We then headed home for dinner and FHE. 

Tuesday was election day.  We were all excited about it.  B-man was off of school again and we decided to go do something fun.  I ran to the grocery store, then we went to vote.  No long lines for us.  Then we drove to a little museum not very far away that we had never been to.  It is a farm museum, and has lots of information on Loudoun county and its farming roots.  M knows someone that works at the museum and she gave us free passes to get in.  All the boys loved some horses that you can climb onto and pretend to be riding.  After the museum we treated the kids to lunch at Costco before heading home for naps.  B-man had piano lessons that day, and is doing great.   M had interviews at the church and while B-man was at piano, and then after we ran around in the gym while he got his meetings in.  I need to do that more often when it is too cold outside.  That evening M went to a friend's house to watch and celebrate as Virginia voted for Romney.  Except it didn't really work out that way.  He came home before the media could call it either way, and we were disappointed (a huge understatement) when we woke up  in the morning.

Wednesday B-man was back at school and we were back to the usual routine.  That morning I had a friend over with her kids so we could catch up and the kids could play.  J and RM were both very territorial, so apparently we need to have more people over. 

Thursday I took the same friend to the airport.  Of course J was super excited for an excuse to go to the airport, and I was grateful that RM stayed awake until we got home so he could nap.  The rest of the day was really quiet.

Friday M was home.  Everyone is excited when M doesn't have to work.  B-man was very excited for his Veteran's day assembly at school and wore his Cub Scout uniform.  It was very cute how excited he was.  He loves military anything right now.  We had a busy morning.  I ran to the grocery store and then we went to take the little boys to a bounce house.  They had earned free passes from a clean check-up at the dentist.  We had to make them promise not to tell B-man...  So far so good.  RM is fearless and will climb up any slide to go down.  They both also loved a little train that you sit in and get pushed in a circle.  After they expended a bunch of energy the "free play" time was up and we stopped at a nursery on the way home.  We have some big plans for our yard, we are getting very close to being able to install some new trees at our house.  Small trees that will hopefully grow quickly...  We also stopped at Costco so M could get almonds for a coworker.  He is his office's almond supplier.  We then went home and had a relaxing afternoon, enjoying the slightly warmer temperatures.  That night we had pizza for our family party and then watched "Rango" as a family.  All the boys loved it, and no one was crying because they were scared, so it was a success.

Saturday I forced to be a productive day.  We had temperatures in the sixties and work that had to be done on the house and the yard.  I started off going to garage sales.  I hit one garage sale with a ridiculous amount of stuff and super cheap prices.  I got 25 articles of clothing (including a Timex watch for B-man), brand new Heely shoes, a Wii fit, and a brand new skateboard for $11.  It was awesome!  Seriously such a blessing.  Then I ran home to meet M at B-man's swimming lesson so he could have his goggles.  I took the little boys home with me, but J was NOT happy about that.  He wanted to be with his dad.  While J decided to be happy I started cutting the holly in our front yard.  It is big and beautiful but needed to be shortened a little to be more in scale.  I think M was shocked when he drove up and saw me with the big hedger electric tool working.  B-man actually helped quite a bit too.  I think he likes using power tools.  I gave M the job to prepare our front door trim to be painted, so he was sanding and caulking so we can paint on Monday.  I also spray painted our house numbers and door bell so they will hopefully look fresh and updated.  I love spray paint.  I also trimmed the roses and finished the weeding in the garden beds.  I was so grateful to have some warmer weather to get the jobs done!  That night we had pancakes and bacon for dinner, and then we enjoyed a calm evening.  I think the boys were tired from all their playing outside all day.  That night M and I watched a few "X-Files" before going to bed.

Today has been a good day so far.  Sacrament meeting went really well.  Primary was okay.  The kids were squirrely!  I hope they still like me...  Hopefully M will be home earlier today, and we will have a fun dinner on the grill to enjoy this nice weather!

We love you all!

The C Crew