Camping Video

Video footage from our first camping trip. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to capture video of our campfires. It probably had something to do with Mama Bear holding the dual roles of Fire Chief and videographer. Just something about big bonfires and little people that didn't feel quite comfortable. Dave just lauged at me since I was on constant watch but I am proud to say there were no injuries. Check out our August photos on KodakGallery for all the fun photos from the camping trip and the entire month.

Our First Camping Trip!

Labor Day Weekend marked another new experience for Camp Clark. After hearing the weather was going to be beautiful and talking about it for months, we decided to skip the warm-up backyard tent experience and go for the gusto. So we packed up camp and headed south to Cleary Lake Regional Park (only 15 minutes from our home - just in case!). It was SO fun and Lindsey, Taylor & Dylan are true naturals (like their dad). We took our canoe, our bikes, a 2-room tent, our own porta potty (for the kiddos), and ALL the camping essentials - I never knew camping involved so much preparation (thankfully Dave has done this many times before)!! We camped in an area that only had 4 other family campsites and LTD met some new little friends (and so did we). It was gorgeous!! We had so much fun making campfires and grilling our evening meals over a fire and, of course, making Smores. Other highlights included canoeing, swimming at the beautiful sandy beach, reading at night with flash lights in the tent, singing campfire songs, playing at the playground, and bike rides (we did the full lap around the lake and LTD rode their bikes with training wheels the whole way around). Everything was perfect with the exception of me being on full alert each night (while everybody else snored heavily). I heard every hoot of the silly owl perched near our tent and all the scurrying around of racoons at night so needless to say, I didn't get much shut eye. The favorite saying out of the mouths of our babes over the wknd was "let's build a fire camp!" (vs. campfire). We look forward to alot more camping next year and LTD keep reminding us of that. Check out our KodakGallery Link (under right hand column on this blog) for alot more fun photos from camping and from the entire month.

More adorable sayings from LTD:

Lindsey:

"Look at this pretty smile" (as she lays on a big smile)

"Hey, you little stinker!" (to Dylan as he sneaks some of her food)

"I really sad, Mom. I miss Gramma & Papa SO much!" (as we're leaving the airport after visiting Papa & Grandma during their 3 hour layover in Mpls)

Taylor:
"I love you SO much, mommy" (as she hugs me tight and lays a super big kiss on my lips)
"What's goin' on in here?" (as she stomps in the bedroom where Dylan and Lindsey are being super loud)

"It's just a BABY school bus" (about a mini yellow bus that drives by)

Dylan:

"MUSTANG!" (as a Mustang car drives by). Lindsey responds, "That's right, Dylan". Dylan responds back, "I know cars!"

"Yuck" (after sipping from my coffee mug at the park while visiting with another mom). The mom responds, "you must like juice?" Dylan hesitates and responds, "No, I like beer!"

"I'm smokin' my tires!" (as we pedal up to the park and a man tells him how fast he is)

They continue to keep us laughing (most of the time)!!

First Canoe Trip

This past weekend, Daniel Boone (aka Dave Clark) decided to take us all on a family canoe trip in our canoe on the Uptown Lakes in Mpls. It was a beautiful sunny day and LTD had a blast (so did mom)!! We rowed around Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake and had a grand picnic on the banks of Hidden Beach (used to be known for nude sunbathing but thankfully is now a public beach with swimsuits required). The kiddos loved all the ducks and geese and enjoyed singing "Row Row Row Your Boat". Dylan was especially fascinated with the kids that were jumping off the bridge into the water and wanted to try it himself. Uh, let's wait on that one!

I had a woman walk up to me at the swimming area on Hidden Beach while the kids were swimming and said, "Oh my, we saw you row in and I have to say you have the most beautiful family! You are so blessed!!!" Yes, indeed we are - thank you, God!!

Dance, Gymnastics & Balls!

The Olympics have been a highlight to watch at Camp Clark over the last week, especially gymnastics, swimming, diving and volleyball. Needless to say, we have 3 aspiring little ones that are fascinated with the sporting events and feel compelled to imitate what they are watching (or at least give it their best attempt). They all have made sure to put on their "sporting attire" right before we sit down to watch them (bodysuits, gym trunks, swim suits, you name it). It has been an absolute riot and we have managed to capture a few of those crazy moments.

Before I forget, here are a few more words straight from the mouths of babes:

Dylan - "Move it, woman!" (talking to the car in front of us when we are stopped at a red light and it turns green - gee, wonder where he picked that up? - hint: a male driver who thinks women drive badly)

Lindsey - "Oh Taylor, isn't that just adorable?" (about a puppy at the park)

Taylor - "Oh look, Papa's Cheese!" (Papa Egg is known for having Velveeta in his fridge and mom ended up buying some due to the popular request).

Cupcakes & Corn

Here's a video of Dylan's Potty Party celebration!! We are so very proud of our little dude!!

Here's to Brother Dylan, He's Potty Trained Now!

Yes, that's right; Dylan is potty trained and we are so very proud of our little dude!!! Tonight we had an official Potty Party to celebrate his big accomplishment. First, LTD got to help by making triple chocolate fudge cupcakes (after receiving approval from the Sugar Police), then they frosted them with cream cheese frosting (customized with their favorite color; D was green, L was purple and T was pink), then the candles were added in each of their muffins, and THEN the song......


"Here's to brother Dylan, brother Dylan, brother Dylan....
here's to brother Dylan, he's potty trained now...
He pees and he poops and he wipes and he flushes...
here's to brother Dylan, he's potty trained now!"
(we will have to post the video of this milestone once I am organized enough to share it).

Next week Tuesday we venture off to the Mall of America for Toddler Tuesday to ride on all the rides as a final celebration. This is one of Dylan's favorite places (next to North Dakota) and a huge incentive this last "potty trial" (along with peanut M & M's; of course approved by the Sugar Police). It worked and we are SO relieved and anxious to close that chapter. Whew!!!!

Simple Thoughts and Funny Quotes

Only one more month of summer left! Looking back on the last few months, what an incredible reinforcement of how grateful Dave and I for each other and our health, our 3 beautiful, healthy children, our amazing families, and our wonderful friends. We continue to thank the Lord every day for the gifts He has blessed us with. (The photo above is a group shot on a warm summer night on Prior Lake with great friends: the Little's, the Erickson's and us - it just so happens we each have a set of triplets + 1).

Speaking of gifts, recently I was treated to dinner by 3 of my dearest friends (Ann, Terrie & Vicki) whom I always enjoy sharing quality time with. One thing we talked about was the challenge of becoming financially "dependent" on your spouse when you choose to stay home with your children instead of work. There are pros and cons, sacrifices are made, priorities change, but in all honesty, the truly important things in life really get put into perspective. I have gained so much in the last 3-1/2 years that is worth WAY more than anything money could ever buy and I am eternally grateful for the journey. After all, we only have 7 short years before they start 1st grade (only 3-1/2 left!!) to share in all their glory and truly savor each and every moment, 24/7/365. Such little sacrifice for such an enormous gift.

On to the fun stuff, there have been lots of cute sayings coming from the mouths of LTD recently and here are just a few:

LINDSEY - "Dylan, did you just talk back to me and use a "tone"?"

"It's go time!" (when we took off for the zoo one morning)

"I'd like two blue M & M's to match my eyes, please"

TAYLOR - "There's corn in my poop!" (at potty time: we ate corn on the cob the day prior). Then a few days later, "hey mom, where's the corn?" as she stared into the toilet bowl

"Dilly Bar, I am SO proud of you!" (after Dylan went potty on the toilet)

"Speed up, mom, and catch daddy!" (as Dave blows by our mini van in his sports car)

DYLAN - After I told them I would "throw" them in the bathtub after dinner he said, "NO, we could get hurt!"

"Ah-men is at bedtime; A-men is for breakfast!" (the dilemma of A-men vs. Ah-men during prayer time)

"That's 'scusting!" (admiring his recent droppings in the toilet)

PS - DYLAN IS POTTY TRAINED - YEAH!!!!!!!! (Finally :)