Baby Jay Born 2.7.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Jay came into this world on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Almost Grandpa Clark's birthday! Brad and I went to San Diego to be there for the birth. Everyone thought he would arrive on February 6th but he waited until February 7th to make his debut. Since he came out a little later than we expected we only got to spend about an hour with him and his parents before we had to head back home. We were running on very little sleep because we had stayed up so late the night before anxious that he might come! I am positive his parents were much more tired than we were since they had been in the hospital since Sunday night and had very little sleep themselves. I hated to leave him but I went back two weeks later for four wonderful days. The pictures above are from that visit. I even got to be there for his first trip to the beach! I love baby Jay!

My Birthday at Disneyland

I know it has been a long time since I have posted so I thought I would start up again with my birthday. Brad and I decided to take a trip and go to Disneyland for my birthday. We had a fun time and it's the first time I have been there during the holidays. We loved the Nightmare Before Christmas haunted mansion and It's a Small World too. The fireworks were spectacular as well. I couldn't believe how gorgeous the castle is all lit up with icicles. I had a wonderful day. The next day we headed down the coast to see Steven and Kim. We had a nice visit and went to church with them on Sunday then headed back home. It was a great birthday.

The Voice Off - Steven J (original)

Elder Kitchen Returns 12/13/2010

Matt returned from his mission on December 13, 2010. He was supposed to arrive in the early afternoon but when his flight arrived he wasn't on it! Fortunately, another missionary was coming home at the same time and his folks had found out that due to some bad weather they had not gotten on the plane on time in Spokane. I had only checked on the Salt Lake leg of the trip and saw that that flight was on time and I didn't realize he wouldn't be on it. The other family knew which flight they got on and let us know that it would be a couple more hours before they arrived. Everybody took a break and found food and drink and we reassembled near the escalators he would be coming down. While we waited we all sang Christmas carols to pass the time. The moment finally came when the flight had landed and the other missionary that returned at the same time came down the escalator. But there was no Matthew! They decided to come down separately so each family could greet them. We were so excited when he finally got here. It was so good to see him. We took him to President Warren's house for him to be released and then went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. After that we took Steven back to the airport to catch his flight back to San Diego. It was so good to have the four kids back together again - even if for only a little while! We are so proud of Matt and his service in the Spokane Washingon Mission. Yay!

Higher Window (by Josh Groban; Cover by Steven Sanford)

Steven's cover of Josh Groban's song "Higher Window". I love it!

October 10, 2009 - Sealing Day

The most glorious wonderful thing happened on 10.10.2009. Brad and I were sealed in the Las Vegas, Nevada Temple for time and all eternity. All of Brad's kids were there—James, Heather and her husband Quinn, Candee and her husband Derek and Blake, and two of mine—Stephanie and Steven along with their spouses, Jeremiah and Kim. Candee and Derek did not come in the Temple with us but watched all the kids - Braxton, Rykker and Derringer and brought them to the Temple afterwards for pictures. We took lots of pictures at the Temple and after at the dinner/party we had at the Church. Many of our friends were there with us and it was a great time. The Penns did the food and Stephanie made cupcakes and we were so happy to have so many of our loved ones there to share our special day. It was a day I had been waiting for for a very long time. Together Forever! What a blessing it is.

Christmas 2009

For some reason I did not take many pictures for Christmas 2009. I have put them into this movie (click the link above) set to the beautiful violin music of Jenny Oaks Baker and her version of Stille Nacht. We had a nice Christmas. Kayla came home from Maui for a short visit. It was good to see her. After exchanging gifts and eating wonderful cinnamon rolls made by mom we went to see the movie "The Princess and the Frog" and really enjoyed it. Steven and Kim came on Christmas Day just in time for dinner. Dinner was wonderful as usual!

Gingerbread Cookies - November 2009

Before Thanksgiving Stephanie and I made Gingerbread cookies using Heather's delicious recipe. I think we doubled or tripled the recipe and made way too many but we wanted to send some to Matthew (Elder Kitchen) and Kayla (in Maui) and keep some for ourselves and to share. They turned out pretty cute and I guess they shipped ok. Kayla said some of hers had fallen apart but they tasted great just the same. Some were gingerbread men and some were cute gingerbread houses.

Kayla Left Home

Well - she did it! Kayla left home to move to Maui on September 1, 2009. I can't believe the last of my children have left the nest. And Kayla has moved so far away. We are going to miss her and her funny laugh.

Here is a picture she took of her ticket to Maui. I cried and cried after leaving her at the airport. She made it there and will be living in my cousin Teri's house, renting a room from her. Bye Kayla - we miss you!

Blake Comes Home 8.28.09

On August, 28. 2009, Blake came home from his mission to Des Moines, Iowa. He looked so good. We barely made it to the airport cause his flight was early. It was great to see him.

All his nephews and his niece were there. It was fun cause some of the kids were born while he was away so this was their first meeting.

We got together for pizza at Heather and Quinn's house that evening and had fun visiting. The next day we went shopping in St. George and Blake and James got new suits and Blake got new shoes. Later we had barbecue at Heather and Quinn's house and visited some more. We got to hear a few funny stories from Blake's mission.

Blake spoke in Church August 30th and did a very good job. Such an inspiration. We are proud of him.