Happy Valentine's Day

We just finished kissing and saying good night to 3 very happy children that are "full of love". They had such a sweet day including a V-Day party at school complete with face painting and exchanging valentine cards with their teacher and classmates. Mom even got to pick them up from school today which was such a super treat for me. The smiles on their faces when I arrived were priceless! Dave and the children treated me to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe at the MOA so we could check out the free Josh Wilson concert in the rotunda afterwards. Josh is a Christian music artist and his latest hit is featured on our blog "I Refuse" which is one of our family's favorites. Great song with so much truth and meaning.

We hope you all enjoyed your Valentine's Day as well. Below are a few photos from our date tonight. Dylan is sporting a newly roughed up nose; the aftermath of a sledding "incident" yesterday. Let's just say boys will be boys and Dad won the race :)

Perfect Playdate

This last week was hilacious. Mama Bear had weeklong training at work to get certified in 2 different AIA courses (American Institute of Architects): Wayfinding: The Psychology of Movement, and Introduction to Digital Signage. I passed and am officially certified to present the CEU courses to architectural and design firms! The downside, I have been studying and preparing all week and have had very little time for my family. So on Friday at 5pm, it was time to turn the career button off and focus on the people I love most in life. Dave and I treated the children to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants Friday night and afterwards, I fell asleep by 9pm snuggled tightly in the arms of our children. What a perfect way to end a very busy work week.

Today after Dylan's soccer match, I couldn't wait to share the entire day with LTD so I treated them to a Mommy Date at the MN Zoo. What a perfectly GORgeous day!! The sun was shining and the weather was a balmy 35 degrees above 0 which was a breath of fresh air compared to the sub zero temps we have had all week. We truly had such a blast and I savored every single moment with my favorite little people. They even talked me into lollipops and zoo stuffed animals (thank goodness Sugar Police was not around to ix-nay the lollies AND the animals were half-off :). They deserved it!

My heart about broke in a million pieces this week when Lindsey said to me at bedtime "Mom, are you going to leave AGAIN tomorrow morning before we get to say goodbye? I don't like work!" The next morning as I finished my shower at 5:30am and opened the shower door, there at my feet was Lindsey with her pillow pet and blankie laying on the shower rug looking up at me with sad puppy eyes and said so softly, "I didn't want to miss your kiss this morning, mommy." I had all I could do to avoid breaking into a river of tears.

All in all, life is good and I am thankful for life, family, friends, our health, our church, our home, cars to drive, food on our table, and our liberty and freedom (thanks to our troops). Thank you God from the depths of our hearts for blessing our family in so many ways. God is great and to Him we owe EVERYTHING. It's not about what we do, but what's been done for us. Amen :)

Snow Tubing

Nothing better than snow tubing in 35 degree weather & sunshine with awesome friends! Late yesterday afternoon the Brigham's joined our family for a fun family outing. It was perfect weather at Buck Hill and we all had an absolute blast! Fun was definitely had by all. We had lots of races (Dave seemed to win most the time - of course :) and we thoroughly enjoyed the great outdoors in such balmy weather for MN. The outdoor bonfire was a big hit as well. LTD had so much fun with Ava, Asa and Aidan since we don't get to see them as much as we would like. All that distance between our suburbs and busy schedules I guess :)

Afterwards, we savored a delicious dinner at a local Mongolian grill before the duo slumber parties commenced: boys took off for the man cave at the Brigham's and the girls kicked back at Camp Clark. I believe it is safe to say the kiddos were in high heaven and the parents appreciated quality time together, especially after the munchkins fell asleep after the giggling and chatting subsided.

Lynne and I have already begun the plans for a waterpark weekend and this summer's cabin retreat - summer is not that far off - or at least we can only hope :)

Simple Joys

We had a FABULOUS weekend! Lots going on between sledding, soccer, swimming, a dance performance, sunday school/Bible study/church, birthday parties, mom & daughter spa date for a pedicure, birthday party at Lifetime, play date at a Kindergarten friend's home and last but definitely not least..........notes from children.

LTD love to read, write and color. Between activities, you can always find them at our kitchen island or in my office/schoolroom creating "something" which we really need to post more pictures of. Dave and I get such a kick out of the notes we receive and the lovely art masterpieces. They all put so much of their hearts into each creation which have completely taken over our fridge and our walls/doors. Here are just a few:

Lindsey dreaming of another trip to DisneyWorld

Ready for our trip to TX

Taylor's birthday card to Vanilla (her stuffed dog)

Inside the card

Dylan's rules on his bedroom door

#1 - No babes coming in my room with diapers

#2 - I can ???

#3 - No whining in my bedroom

A note on his door after a small quarrel

Taylor, I am mad at you and you too, Lindsey

I don't invite you in my bedroom

No people allowed

Camp Clark Conversations

This weekend as we got to share some relaxing, quality family time together, we realized that we have really slacked off in keeping our blog updated and keeping up with recent videos and photos. Shame on us!!! So I made a personal pact to snap out of it and MAKE the time. What better way to recharge than to recap some of the sayings around Camp Clark we have heard over the last month or so. We are including a few photos from our lovely fall to help inspire us that warm weather is indeed around the corner. At least it will be when we head to Texas in a few weeks to visit Papa and Grandma Clark!

We love our daddy...

...and our mama too!
Camp Clark posing outdoors

Lindsey

As mom is trying to get them all to try oysters on crackers and Dylan is NOT interested, Lindsey says, "come on Dylan, live on the edge!"

I pointed out where I used to live as we were driving by one day. Lindsey asked "did you know dad yet?" and I said no, that it was before I met him. She candidly replied "oh, so dad was just another guy with curly hair back then."

"When you cut onions, they make my eyes soggy."

"I don't want pancakes anymore. There is too much wheat gluten in them."

"Taylor, you should listen to me because I am bigger and I know better."

At bedtime, Lindsey is stroking Taylor's hair as we pray. She leans over and kisses her on the cheek and says, "ok little girl, let's get you to bed. Say goodnight to your children."

"I can't help it mom, my butt keeps fartin' today."

Dad instructs them to clean their playroom and sets the timer. Lindsey says, "stop doing this to us. Stop the timer now!"

Taylor

In a public restroom, I asked Taylor if she had gone bathroom yet. She said loudly, "yah, but not a bad poop, mom. It actually looks like a hot dog."

One morning as I give her a kiss good morning, she lights up and says "mom, I am SO full of love today....here feel (as she places my hand on her heart)."

"I don't want pancakes today because they make Lindsey fart."

One morning at breakfast Taylor says "I think I'm allergic to liberals." Lindsey adds, "I don't think Obama knows God." Dylan chimes in "Yah, I don't think Obama will be going to heaven."

Dad asks who Taylor wants to pray for tonight and she says, "I wanna pray that Obama gets outta here."

"Oh, I just LOVE all my children. I am SUCH a good mommy, aren't I."

"Mom, will you sleep with me? Just until my eyes close ever so slightly?"

Dylan

"Know why all the girls at school like me? They like my face."

"Dad, you look sassy today!" (as dad is dressed in a suit to usher for church)

"I got a bad paper cut at school. It bled really bad, like a red rain storm."

Dad was telling them about the history of Pearl Harbor . Dylan said "I'd like to bomb bad people but I don't fly a plane."

"Dad, I want to shovel a bunch of driveways so I can buy a snowmobile, a car hood to pull the girls and a 4-more wheeler OR a 6-more wheeler!" (meaning a 4-wheeler)

"When you die, dad, I'll take your boat and go fishin' at the cabin up north and then take it to Texas to fish with Grandpa."

As dad gives them their allowance one Sunday morning and helps them count it Dylan says, "money makes me sneeze."

"We need to love one another, Lindsey!" (she didn't want to play with him at that moment)

"Mom, you look really pretty today, like an angel."

Playing in the fall leaves

Trio of Angels

Perfoming & Powder

Saturday was a full day indeed! Dad is now volunteering to coach Dylan's indoor soccer team so they headed over to the school for his first soccer game of the season. In the meantime, the girls had another dance performance so off the girls and I went to a different school so they could shine. The girls did a great job and had fun with their girlfriends which is all that matters.

After all the action, we headed over to our neighborhood sledding hill to take in the best powder of the season. It was a perfect day for sledding and we were out there for 2 hours. Dylan met some fun new friends (daredevil boys) and mom and the girls perfected our triple belly whopper (me on my belly on the sled, then Lindsey stacked on top, then Taylor on top of her). We only had one major wipeout with a minor head consussion but we're all good. Just kidding! Seriously, Taylor got whipped off a few times but no tears.

We just picked up a new sled and snowboard today and the kiddos are super anxious to try them out on Monday since they don't have school. Stay tuned....hopefully no broken body limbs to report on!

Christmas 2010

I cannot believe it has been almost one month since we have taken the time to update our blog. Time flies when you are having FUN! Our Christmas season is over and gone but the countless memories live on. Thank you from the depths of our hearts to our family and friends for helping make this Christmas one of our best yet. We spent 9 whole days back in Bismarck over Christmas and New Years' and it was such a welcome break.

We have prepared a slideshow of a few Christmas traditions including creating gingerbread houses, baking and decorating cut-out cookies, Papa's Polar Patch in Bismarck and Christmas Eve at Papa and Grandma Good's. But first, a summary of all the special moments we shared back home in North Dakota over Christmas:

Watching The Sound of Music (thus the slideshow song)

Sledding

Papa's Polar Patch and ATV Sled Rides

Sliding on sleds on the ice

Bonfire complete with hot cocoa and S'mores

Dinner and a movie to celebrate Dave's birthday

Tangled in 3D

Rollerskating

Listening to Christmas music

Singing Christmas carols

Devouring Papa and Grandma's baked goods

Snuggling and reading with Grandma Good

Slumber party with cousin Eastynn

Hugging Uncle Ken and playing with cousins Sarah & Jordan

Painting at Papa & Grandma Kemmet's

Joking around with Papa Kemmet

Celebrating Baby Jesus' birthday

Cocktails and socializing with friends (mom and dad)

Chocolate shakes with Grandma (LTD)

Christmas celebration with Aunt Helen's family

Happy hour at Grandma's

Pizza burgers flying style, fries, gravy and Hot-N-Tot from Big Boy

LTD sleeping by the fireplace waiting for Santa

Eyes filled with wonder when cookies & milk were gone the next AM

Hugs, smiles and giggles from happy children

Dylan building a Lego village with Dad

The girls playing with their new dolls

Papa Good's infamous breakfasts

Watching children's eyes light up opening presents

Talking to my brother Bruce on the phone (in Arkansas)

New Years Eve with fun friends despite blizzard conditions

Surrounded by love and forever grateful