All I want for Christmas...

...is to get this kid out of diapers.

It looks pretty promising, no?

Please, Santa. I have been good.

Little cups

She so innocently asks,

"Daddy, why are you drinking out of little cups?"

Happy Day, friends.

The Spirit of Christmas...Memory #86 and #87

There have been a number of things that have brought a lump of joy to my throat in recent years regarding the children...Growing older, visits with family, and dance recitals, to name a few.

This past weekend, it happened again.

Conor, I don't know if it was how your face lit up when you saw him in person, how you yelled "Dat Dat" in excitement, or just the sweet way you reached for his hand, but I will always remember this year as the Christmas you met Santa.

And sweet Kate...this was the year you made your first Gingerbread House.

It's as sweet and beautiful as you are!

Family Tree Farm

For years following Thankgiving, I have spent hours constructing an artificial tree to kick off Christmas. The kids have been impressed with my efforts, but it was nothing compared to the experience we shared last year when choosing and cutting our very own family tree for the first time. So, one week ago today, we loaded the turkey-filled kids and drove to continue in the new holiday tradition.

There are many things I appreciate about living in South Central, Pennsylvania, and this is one of them. Local growers who make holidays and field trips special.

True to his character, Conor immediately headed for the food, grabbing an apple to take along for the ride.

It was such an enjoyable wagon ride. We pointed out all the different types of Christmas trees from Douglas Firs, White Pines, Blue Spruce, and Concolor Firs, and finally...our choice, the Frasier Fir. All Conor could say was, "WOW!" He said it when he saw the tractor, the apples, the wagon, and the trees. He was clearly impressed. With this kind of a view, it is hard not to be.

The kids paced the rows upon rows of trees until they found the perfect one, and then declared, "This one, Daddy!"

At their instruction, Joe began to cut. And, after the tree had fallen, they celebrated!

We loaded the tree, roping, greens and berries, and then stopped for one last family picture before heading home. It was a wonderful day, more special with every year that passes.

I realized one thing while collecting this memory, these folks are a lot more than the local growers I referenced above. They are true to their name...they are family.

Let the holidays begin!

Giving thanks

On this Thanksgiving Day, we are thankful for so many things...a wonderful family, treasured friends, and two incredible kids...to name a few.

I know as the years pass, I will not be able to keep all the adorable construction, string, and popcicle stick art that comes home weekly. But, I never want to forget how truly beautiful they were, or the pride you felt when hanging them for display.

So, with that said, this year I will smile and remember all the things you were thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Four going on Fourteen

Silence is so rare in this house, you notice it when it happens.

So, I went searching...and found this.

Nail polish opened on the back of the toilet. Toes lined up at attention on the side of the vanity.

In just seconds, our future flashed before my eyes.

I have no idea where she gets it from.

West Coast is the Best Coast

I am sure I am going to field a bit of argument from my dear East coast friends and family, but I am saying it anyway...the West Coast is the Best Coast.

When I loaded my car and headed West over ten years ago, it was this sunset I was chasing.

And, it was on this beach where I was sun bathing alone that I met Joe for the first time. The water was just as bitter cold under my feet as I remember.

And, here, at Petco Park, Home of the Padres, where we left a little piece of us behind.

It was a dozen or so wonderful friends who quickly made an unfamiliar place feel like home. Watching one of them exchange his wedding vows this weekend was a beautiful thing, and seeing he and his wife together will always make me smile.

There is something special about this place. Even ten years later, after many of us are married with children, nothing has seemed to change. The location is just as special, and the people just as dear.

I may be a girl with roots in Texas, but a piece of my heart will always be in San Diego.

Everyone needs an Uncle Brad

I stood in the driveway watching them. Smiling. Conor grabbed the football and went running.

His elbows twisted across his body left and right until finally he was tackled to the ground...letting out a shriek of delight. Then, came a deep breath and a word only I could understand, "Rad!"

Then, it was Katie's turn. She strapped on her plastic skates over her sneakers, grabbed his hands, and closed her eyes as he began running backwards. Her feet unbalanced beneath her flew between his legs, and were stopped only by the grasp of his hands. She then let her body drop to the ground giggling. "Do it again, Uncle Brad!"

He calls her Gracie. And, after she was born, he gifted her with these.

His name is Con Con. And for Christmas, he was gifted with a bag full of Whoopie cushions and wax teeth.

It is a loving, admirable relationship. They want to sit next to him. They want to watch shows with him. They want to sleep in the same bed with him. In a compromise, we lined up little Kate's sleeping bed on the floor beside his bed, and she woke up smiling!

Then, on Halloween, they paraded him around the neighborhood, catching a lift every chance they could get. I don't believe he ever walked empty handed.

My brother has always meant the world to me, but seeing him through the eyes of our children is a whole different kind of special. It's pretty awesome.

Daddy's Little Girl...Twisted

Like most, every Halloween, it is a tradition to gather around the kitchen table and carve pumpkins. Only, in the Clark house, we have one simple rule...No stencils.

Through the years, some very creative, disgusting

evil,

and twisted ideas

have been the outcome. However, since children, the ideas have become more and more PG rated...appropriately so. We don't need the children asking questions we aren't prepared to answer, nor do we need them in our bed after a nightmare.

So, this year, I was not surprised when the creative, evil, twisted mind that is my husband produced this...

All together now...Awwwwww.

I think someone has her Daddy right where she wants him. Twisted.

Precious Moments

It has been over two weeks since I have posted to this blog. Yes, we have been busy and I can give a dozen excuses. But, tonight, it's not at all important.

When heading to the pumpkin patch, I couldn't help but snap a few pictures, smile, and absorb every precious moment. Time passes too quickly.

The setting.

As usual, they are true to their personalities. He is refusing to let go of Summer. She is embracing leggings, boots, and all things Fall!

Precious moments indeed.

Sending love from Salt Lake

Hi Kids,

This week, your Mama is in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a beautiful setting...a city within the mountains. Gorgeous.

Here in the mountains, the sun doesn't rise until later in the morning...half past 7am. The city is clean, and the people are incredibly active...fit...and healthy. I wouldn't expect any less from a city with this many hiking and ski trails to offer.

Your Dad and I came here six years ago to ski Alta and visit our friend, Jackie. We had an awesome time, but the place looks completely different without the snow.

I will be home tomorrow long after the two of you go to bed, and look forward to feeling your warm hugs come Friday morning. Kisses to you both.

Love, Mom.

You know you are getting old when...

I guess I should have seen the signs.

Like the time I asked little Kate, "what's the magic word?" and did not receive "Please." in response. Or, the time I had to explain why there were smile lines growing on my face. Oh, and then there was my self portrait...and attempt at exercise ...

Well, last night it really hit me.

Kate: Mama?

Mom: Just a minute, Kate.

Kate: Mama?

(pause)

Kate: Mama?

Mom: Just a minute, Kate.

Kate: Mama?

Kate: Mama?

Mom: What is it Kate? You sound like a broken record.

Kate: Mama? What is a record?

Yep. Hits you right between the eyes, doesn't it? Old.

Something Magical

It has been at least 25 years since I have stepped foot in DisneyWorld. I was amazed. I was awed. I am exhausted. While I am here on business, and didn't have too much time for play, I was able to find out some pretty cool facts about Disney. And, as I promised last year, this trip has me sharing with you the magic of Disney through my adult eyes.

Kids, Mommy is staying at the Beach Club.

It's heaven. This is the view from the end of the backyard. The sandy beach overlooks the Boardwalk ahead.

At night, they display Disney movies on big screens, roast smores over an open fire, and the kids splash and laugh, while falling down the slide that twists around the large mast of a ship wrecked on the beach.

All of this, while the fireworks decorate the sky during the nine o'clock hour. It's a beautiful thing to see.

Every day, my room was refreshed with new towels in the shapes of all things Disney...Mickey himself, a monkey from the Animal Kingdom, and what I believe was the Eiffel Tower advertising their Paris Disney location.

So cool! I can't wait for us to try this at home!

From hotel to hotel, Disney is known for hiding Mickey Mouse shapes in their decor. Here are just a few I took a moment to capture.

The two on the top are the rugs in the Animal Kingdom and the Beach Club. The bottom left is the wallpaper at the Beach Club, and the bottom right, the corner of the TV in the Animal Kingdom. It's an ongoing scavenger hunt I can't wait to play with the both of you when we make our first trip as a family of four!

Since DisneyWorld is located in Orlando, Florida, and Florida is known for Alligators, I was on the look out. While this little guy (in the back) tried to get me to feed him...

Please remember this little fact. People shouldn't feed alligators because it causes them to lose their fear of humans. Creepy.

As I pack up my bags and close the blinds on Disney for the last time tonight, know that I love you this much

and can't wait to see you at home!

Love you. Always.
Mom

Don't Blink

I am at a loss for words tonight. In February of this year, you moved into a toddler bed...and it brought a lump to my throat.

Tonight, we set up your big boy bed.

Ignore the need for a haircut...just look at the joy in that face!

Then, your sister offered up her bed rails, climbed into your new bed, and read you stories for at least an hour. Yep, I cried.

Children, I promise to always remember these moments.

As you get older, please promise to always bring your Mom Kleenex. Sniff...sniff.

Beautiful Day

With the kids back in school and the temperatures beginning to fall, Joe recruited me for one last trip down to the beach before packing away our sun screen and suits for the 2010 season. With Hurricane Igor quickly approaching Bermuda, we were guaranteed some impressive waves and nice cool, winds for an enjoyable afternoon at the beach.

We arrived to our choice of prime beach parking, and walked just over the dunes to find a spot.

Once there, we set up camp and began making art with the sand. Conor focused on the foundation and structure of the towers, while Kate worked on the details to decorate it...sand molds of fish and shells. They are true to their personalities at everything they do.

The day reminded me of many afternoons spent on the opposite Coast. The sun was high, the breeze cool, and the sand felt good between my toes. Only on this summer day, I was enjoying the view of the beach with my family. Sometimes you don't realize how much you need the time until you take it. It was a beautiful day.

Fall

My last post was twelve days ago. I have no excuse for falling behind...except...well...it's Fall. The temperatures are beginning to drop, the leaves on the trees taking a turn to brighter colors, and the four of us have been enjoying the cool crisp outdoors this time of year. Here is what we have been up to...

South Central Pennsylvania is known for many things...the Amish, Gettysburg, Hershey, and trains. On this particular weekend, we took the kids to Strasburg Railroad. It was founded in 1832 and has a coal burning steam train.

This may not sound exciting to some, but our kids haven't yet seen DisneyWorld. Ha.

We waved to all the passengers while we shared an afternoon picnic in the shade. All Aboard!

We have been exploring all the corners of our yard, finding empty nests left from the Spring

and a family of bunnies preparing for the winter months ahead.

Even the dogs have been in on the fun, finding a groundhog feeding under the apple tree.

We have been riding bikes

and playing with chalk.

Due to Conor's latest fascination, our drive way looks like a scary crime scene. Here, our little crime investigator traces the latest victim...

And this...friends and family preparing for the start of the fantasy draft.

Even Conor grabbed a laptop and a seat.

Indeed Fall has arrived.