My Bad!

I have been SO bad about updating our family blog over the last month. It seems like summer is running away on us and there is so little time, so much to do yet. We have had such an incredible summer and we only have one month left before Kindergarten starts (sore subject with me as I fight to hold back tears on that issue). ANYWAY, I am back in the saddle regarding this blog and hope to keep it better updated in closing out our last month of summer. LOTS planned and so much to look forward to.

In the meantime, check out our KodakGallery link for just posted "misc photos from June & July". Cheers!

http://classic.kodakgallery.com/campclark

Bittersweet Birthday Week

Last week Sunday, July 18, I turned 46 years old! Yikes. That means I am rounding the corner to 50. BUT, as I reflect on my life, where I have been, where I am now, and what matters most......."It's Not About Me".

It's not about how much money we make, what we do for a profession, what size house we live in, what kind of cars we drive, what brand clothes or jewlery we sport, or the size of our bank accounts and financial portfolios. Living for Jesus Christ is the ultimate purpose in this temporary life and I can say that with 100% confidence and blessed assurance. The legacy we leave to our children and their children is the most important gift "we humans" can leave behind. But nothing compares to the ultimate gift we have already received just by believing in our Savior. That's definitely worth celebrating.

So, this last week I celebrated 46 years of "this life" with my very best friend (Dave), our sweet children, our genuinely amazing friends and their beautiful children. The following slideshow captures some of my favorite moments from this past week that I was priveleged to share with some of the most important people in my life. The Best is yet to Come!

Schwartzenberger Reunion

What do you get when you combine a smorgasbord of german food, children laughing and partaking in outdoor games and baseball, a family auction where Dave picked up his new "one man band" contraption, 60th birthday celebration for Aunt Mac, an outdoor picnic at Sertoma Park, volleyball, 50th wedding celebration for Uncle Jerome and Aunt Christine complete with a dinner and dance with a polka band, Grandma Good playing her accordian and singing with her brother and sister, children and adults alike doing the Chicken Dance and Holky Polky..........................................................

The Schwartzenber Family Reunion!!!

Here are just a few photos. Like in our last post, feel free to check out lots more in our KodakGallery link or on Facebook.

Ya Oughta Go Ta North Dakota!

As the song goes..........

"Ya oughta go ta....North Dakota......see the cattle and the wheat and the folks that can't be beat! Ya say hello ta....North Dakota.....and you just can't say goodbye!"

SO true. We are back in Minnesota after a 2-week trip home to Bismarck to see family and friends. We had an absolute blast and were so sad to have to say goodbye. Nothing beats sharing time with high school friends and family from across the country (for two family reunions), Grandma Good's 69th birthday celebration, Mandan parade, fireworks displays, enjoying a bonfire and sleepover at Uncle Ken's gorgeous new home, listening to Dave sing karoake outdoors at Tom's party, playing volleyball with family, fishing with Papa and Grandma Clark, swimming, walking with friends, playing ball with Papa Kemmet, bike riding to the park, polka dancing, eating TONS of german food, picnics, savoring pizza burgers flying style from the Big Boy, sipping Clam Diggers on the deck at the Broken Oar on the river, golfing the junior links with Papa Clark, ETC ETC ETC. Seriously, the list could go on and on.

To all our friends and family we shared time with, THANK YOU SO MUCH, for the fond memories, laughter, cheer, tears and helping make this one of our best vacations ever. To those who couldn't make it back, we sincerely missed you.

Here are just a FEW photos. Please feel free to check out lots more by clicking on our KodakGallery link on the right hand side of this blog OR by checking us out on Facebook. We only wished we would have taken more.

Dylan, The Super Hero!

Here's to Brother Dylan!

Tonight as we were out in the yard playing, I heard a cheerful familar sound.........carousel music. What? Where's is it coming from? As I looked down the street, I saw this big white truck headed our way with children's music blaring loudly. That's right.....it was an old fashion ice cream truck!! The kiddos and I were bursting with excitement when we realized what it was and that it was headed our way. The ice cream truck is such a fond childhood memory for me! The kiddos asked, "Mommy, can we get some ice cream.......PLEEEAAASE?" My initial response was "Oh no, I don't believe I have any money" (since I truly didn't have any cash on me). But as quick as a flash, as the truck pulled right in front of our driveway, Dylan came running out of the house waving a $20 bill with a HUGE smile on his face beaming "I'm buying, girls!" (he had run up to his room and pulled cash out of his piggy bank). It was truly a classic and I laughed hysterically as the girls were jumping up and down screaming "YEAH DYLAN!!!!!!". So they each picked out their frozen treat of choice and Dylan received oodles of thanks and kisses.


What a little dude! We are always telling him how much we love his caring heart, his amazing generosity and his gift of thoughtfulness. He is "so full of love" and the chance to be a Super Hero to his sisters is priceless. When he told his dad tonight at bedtime what he had done, he could hardly contain himself he was so joyful and proud. It's moments like these that are glimpses of Heaven on earth.

Tooth Fairy Not Fooled This Time!

About a month ago, Dylan was feeling a little left out; his sisters had each lost two teeth and received visits from the Tooth Fairy. He wanted her to visit him too and thought he could trick the Tooth Fairy by placing a small piece of a pork rib bone from dinner under his pillow. NOT!! She left him a note under his pillow saying she was almost fooled but checked inside his mouth while he was sleeping and that he was a "jokester".

Not this time......Dylan lost his first real tooth last night - WOOO HOOO!! He was proud as a peacock and couldn't wait to show everybody. Imagine his delight when he woke up this morning to cold hard cash laying under his pillow. The first question he asked was "how much is the government going to take?" HA! Children are just way too smart :)

The Tooth

Close-Up of the Gap

One happy little dude

Do I look different to you?

5-1/2 Year Stats

June 1 was an overlooked milestone for LTD.......their 5-1/2 yr birthday!!! Dave and I typically measure and document their height and weight on their birthdays and "half birthdays" and we sort of dropped the ball this year. What in the world; how dare we!!! LTD were sure to remind us of our oversight. And so, here are their 5-1/2 yr stats a few weeks late along with a favorite quote from each of them in the last week:

Lindsey Height: 42-7/8"h

Weight: 38 lbs

Quote of the Week: "Taylooooor! PLEEEAAASE stop your yappin'! I need my sleep so I can grow!" (at bedtime as the "yapper" continues to chatter while L tries to get to sleep)

Taylor Height: 42"h

Weight: 34-1/2 lbs

Quote of the Week: "Mom, my children have VBS this week and I'm gonna need you to do crafts. I'm gonna sing and play games and read Bible stories to my honeys." (as 50+ stuffed animals and dolls are set up ready to go; she wants to duplicate her fun experience at Vacation Bible School last week at our church)

Dylan

Height: 43-1/2"h

Weight: 38 lbs

Quote of the Week: "Beat 'em off the line, Dad! (A few seconds later) AWESOME, you're in first!" (as the stoplight turns green, Dave hits the gas and pulls ahead of the car next to us - in our hot rod minivan)