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.

Kayla Graduates! June 11, 2009

It was an exciting day! Kayla - the last of the kids to graduate from High School - Graduated! Yay! I dropped her off at the Thomas and Mack Center and then met up with everybody for the ceremony. After the ceremony, we had food at Stephanie and Jeremiah's house. Stephanie made the cutest banner congratulating Kayla and the most adorable cake with cute candy graduation caps. We watched a video of Kayla's Spring Concert and visited. Kayla got some great graduations gifts. The Elmers were there and many of her friends from work. It was a great day!

Kayla ready to go!

Kayla singing The Star Spangled Banner at Graduation

Family and Friends

Cute Banner

This is the cake that Stephanie made. Aren't the graduation caps adorable?!!!

Kayla Turns 18. June 13, 2009

It is hard to believe it but my baby girl turned 18! We had a nice birthday dinner celebration at Grandmas house. DJ came. Kathy and Ruthy, Kenny and Kerry, Uncle Tim and of course Grandma!

The Campbells Come to Visit June 2009

Heather, Quinn, Braxton and Rykker all came for a visit. It was fun to see how much the boys have changed. I made this video of the pictures we took of them. The music in the background is from Inside Out's album Primary Colors.

Kansas Trip 2009

On the evening of Thursday, February 26th, we headed for the airport to catch a plane to Kansas. Our plane was delayed because of runway repairs they were making at McCarran and planes were backed up coming in for lack of enough runways. But we finally were in the air and on our way. We got to the airport just before midnight Kansas time and called a taxi to take us to our hotel. In the morning we used the hotel shuttle to go back to the airport to rent a car and we drove into Lawrence with our GPS. When we got there Nyah was going to have lunch and take a nap but I played with her awhile in her room first. She had lots of fun stuff to show me! Shayna's Dad, Grandpa and Grandma were on their way and when they got there, Brad and I went to check into our hotel and then picked up Chinese food for dinner and took it back to James and Shayna's house. We enjoyed the dinner and then played Catch Phrase for a really good time and lots of laughs.

The next day we returned and just visited. There was snow on the ground and it was cold so we all stayed inside.

Sunday was the big event. Graham Blake Clark was blessed in Church. It was good to be there for that. We had early dinner after that. Shayna had made a really great dinner of salads like Costa Vida makes with pork, and black beans and a salad dressing that is sooooo yummy.

Monday we came by for one last visit and to say goodbye. Then we were off to the airport with a stop for lunch. It was our 8 year anniversary so that was our anniversary lunch! We returned the car and returned to Vegas with no problems. Our flight was only slightly delayed but we still made good time on the return. I crocheted the little sweater Nyah is wearing on the way there and while we were visting. She loved it but it was too small for her. Hope we can visit again soon.

Steven and Kim's Wedding 3.28.09

On March 28, 2009, Steven and Kim got married!
The pictures in this post were taken by Mollie Jane Photography.

On March 27th we all had a nice time meeting all the family on both sides at the Fish Market restaurant in Del Mar. It was good to meet Kim's brothers and father. I previously met her sister and mother at the bridal shower. We went to our hotel after and got settled in for the night. The next morning, Brad and I got ready to go to the Temple. Grandma and Kayla got ready a little later and Whitney, Sam and Noah picked them up on their way to the Temple.

The ceremony was wonderful. The temple sealer knew Steven from Steven's working in the Temple. It was fun to hear his comments as they were more personal in nature. After the ceremony we waited outside for the Bride and Groom and took pictures. Then we headed over to Whitney and Rob's place for some lunch. Brad and I then headed to Redlands to check in to the hotel we reserved for Steven and Kim's wedding night. It was a very nice hotel and we brought some snacks and sprinkled some rose petals throughout the room to welcome them when they got there.
Then we went to the reception for more pictures and standing in line to greet all of the guests. Its such a small world because I met the daughter of some people I knew when I lived in Fontana. She was a friend of Kim's. I also met my old Bishop and his wife from when I lived in Fontana. They had moved to Redlands and had been in Kim's families ward. They said that when they got the wedding announcement they just knew it had to be our family because they remembered our names. Steven sang for Kim at Kim's mother's request. I was glad she asked him. He sang, "I'm Peanut Butter and You are Jelly" and everyone loved it.

We had some dancing, food, cutting of the cake and then when it was all over blew bubbles as the bride and groom drove away. They seemed very happy.

CHS and Mack and Woodbury MS Pre-Festival Concert

On March 10, 2009, Chaparral hosted Mack MS (Stephanie's school) choirs and Woodbury MS choirs to come and join them in a Pre-Festival Concert. Its practice for festival! The choirs sounded great and were ready for their upcoming festival.

Kim's Bridal Shower - February 21, 2009

On Friday, February 20, Kayla and I drove down to San Diego to attend Kim's bridal shower. We made a stop in Barstow for gas and to Burger King to get something to eat. That Burger King was understaffed and we took more time there than we wanted to. Then we hit a detour somewhere on the way where they had the freeway closed and we had to get off and take the detour before getting back on. We heard later from Kim that there was some kind of sink hole in the freeway. That took an extra half hour because of the slow down funneling everyone off. We finally got there and stopped to visit Whitney for a few minutes and firm up our plans for the next day's trip to Orange County to the shower. Then we got directions from our GPS to go to Kim's apartment (soon to be Steven and Kim's). We found it with a little help from Steven and spent some time visiting with them before going to bed. Kim had not been living in the apartment yet but was getting it all set up to move in. It is a nice little apartment and we slept well. The next day we got up and got ready and then headed to the spot where Kim said we should all meet. A park and ride near where she was currently living. Then I drove Kim, Melinda, Whitney, Kayla and me to the shower which was being given by Kim's aunt. It was a beautiful home on the hills overlooking the ocean.

We could see Catalina from there. The shower was fun with a nice lunch and Kim got lots of fun things. I got her some things from Zappos.com, of course. I got to meet her Grandma Lenore that knows Brad's Aunt Phyllis. It was fun to meet some of the women in Kim's family. Back to the apartment we changed our clothes then went to visit a little at Whitney's. Then Steven, Kim, Kayla and I went to this little hole in the wall Mexican Restaurant to eat. Afterward, we visited before going to bed. The next day Kayla and I met Steven at Perry's for some breakfast. Steven had a nice talk with Kayla and she and I drove home in time to get to Grandma's for dinner. The sad part was I got a speeding ticket - but not until I was all the way back to town. Boo hoo. All in all we had a very fun time.

Auntie's Funeral - February 14, 2009

On Friday, February 13th we headed up to Panaca with Brad's Brothers Regan and Greg to attend Auntie Audrey Roden's funeral on Saturday. We had a nice ride and got there with no problems. Brad and I had gone to Panaca the weekend before to visit Auntie and we were glad we got to see her. She passed away Monday after we had been there so we felt good that we had been able to go up and spend some time with her. Brad read to her and we visited and she told us a little about when she used to work for the government by watching for airplanes that flew over. I think she said they kept a log.

The funeral was lovely. I led the opening song, Brad said the opening prayer. Dennis, Debbie and Daniel spoke. Andrea, Tammy, Danny and another young lady from Panaca sang. Tawny would have sung but she had surgery on her sinuses and was not feeling well enough. Later in the service Andrea sang a solo and it was lovely. Greg gave the closing prayer and then we went to the cemetary for the dedication. Then it was back to the church to visit and to eat some food provided by the ladies from church. We had more food later that evening at Bev and Jack's house. Heather and Quinn came with the twins so it was fun to spend time with them. Kristy and her husband Nat were there too. Aunt Rosalee and Lawrence were there from New Mexico, too. Uncle Dean and Uncle Royal made the journey from Salt Lake and left that same day to return.

The next day we ate some breakfast and visited and then had to head back to Vegas around 1pm so that Regan could make his flight home. Greg missed his flight home (sort of Brad's fault)! Who knew that if you aren't there an hour before your flight they can sell your seat to someone else. Sorry Greg. He stayed overnight and caught another flight the next day. Poor guy spent the whole day traveling. Here are the pictures from the funeral day.

The Twins - Christmas 2008

The day after Christmas Heather, Quinn, Braxton and Rykker came for a visit. They also brought the dogs, Jasmine, Cooper and Braveheart. We had a great visit. They got here Friday evening. On Saturday we went shopping to Nike at the Outlet Mall and then over to Bass Pro Shops so Brad could spend some of his Christmas present gift cards. Sunday we had dinner at Grandma's and visited. It was great to spend time with them and see the babies. They are changing so quickly. I hope we get to see them again soon! Here is a little video of the pictures we took!

Christmas Day 2008

This year for Christmas things were a little quieter, fewer gifts and a very nice feeling. This year we drew names for Christmas at Mom's. We did this for 2 reasons. Cut costs and just make it a nicer feeling - not all about gifts. It was also different not having Matt there. But he said he was enjoying the MTC and the spirit there and he would be thinking of us.
We had our traditional homemade (by Grandma) cinnamon rolls - Yum - and an egg dish.
We also started a new tradition. I brought a little white Christmas stocking for Jesus and those who wanted to put a note in it with their gift to Jesus. It could be anything from trying to be kinder or doing a good deed everyday, to something we wanted to do to improve ourselves or get closer to Jesus. I explained that the notes would stay confidential and inside the stocking until next year when we would get them out to review what we gifted to Jesus and make a new note for the next year. After I explained this new tradition we sang Silent Night and I reminded everyone that Matt said he would be thinking of us while we sang.

When we were all done opening presents we visited for awhile then went to see the movie, "Marley and Me". It was a great movie that made you laugh and cry.
Then - back to Mom's for a delicious dinner and pie with whipped cream. I whipped the cream and made too much! Oops.
Merry Christmas!

CHS Mariachi Concert - December 16, 2008

Kayla took a Mariachi Guitar class this year for fun. She has long wanted to learn to play the guitar and is having a ton of fun in this class. Here are a few pictures from her concert.

CHS Christmas Concert - December 11, 2008

The day after we returned from taking Matt to the MTC

we attended Kayla's Christmas Choir Concert
at Chaparral High School.
All the choirs sounded great.
Here is a picture of Kayla.
If you want to see all of the
pictures we took you can click here.

Expressions sang:

• Jumble Bells
• Deck the Halls in 7/8
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Still, Still, Still

Varsity Choir sang:

• Riu Riu Chiu
• Swinging With Santa Claus
• Baby What You Going to Be

Matt to the Missionary Training Center - December 9th and 10th, 2008

We all woke up early on December 9 to hit the road to Utah to take Matt to the MTC. There was Brad, Me, Kayla, Stephanie, Jeremiah and of course, Matt. DJ was there in the morning to say goodbye and take the picture for us and off we went!

First stop was McDonald's where we got some breakfast to go! Then on the road with a stop in Cedar City to deliver some presents purchased from Zappos.com for Heather and Quinn. We got to see the babies and visit a few minutes then we had some lunch and hit the road again. Matt drove part of the way from before we got to Beaver the rest of the way into Provo. We stayed at the Residence Inn in Orem which is very close to the MTC. After unloading the car and freshening up we hit the road to Salt Lake City to see the lights at Temple Square. It was very beautiful but cold!!! We also took some pictures inside the Tabernacle. Then we made a stop at a Deseret Book Store to buy a few things.
After that we met up with Roger, Melissa, Caitlin, Jessica and Maria for dinner at this neat Brazillian restaurant called Rodizio Grill. Yummy food. I highly recommend it, but bring plenty of money! We had a fun time there and then we headed back to our hotel where we were off to bed.
The next morning we decided that we would go to IHOP for breakfast. Same place we had breakfast before we took Steven to the MTC. We really missed Steven and were sorry he could not come but he had finals at school in San Diego. After breakfast we went back to the hotel to load up the car with all of our stuff and went to the MTC where they unloaded Matt's stuff and we went inside. Matt got his official name tag - Elder Kitchen - and we took plenty of pictures.
We gathered in a room with all of the other missionaries who were reporting at the same time and their families. They played lots of those sappy commercials about family that bring tears to your eyes before the meeting started - so I was already teary eyed as the meeting began. We got a little card with Matt's address at the MTC and they told us a little about what he would be doing for the next few weeks while at the MTC and of course we sang, "Called to Serve" which I had a hard time getting through.
Then it was time for goodbye hugs and Matt went out one door and we all went out another. Of course, I cried. We stopped at another Deseret Book and bought a card to send him before we left. We all wrote a note in it and found the post office (with our Tom Tom) and mailed it.
I cried off and on all the way home. We stopped at Cracker Barrel in St. George for dinner and purchased some fun treats to mail Matt in a care package. It was a good trip. We are so proud of Matt!

Mack Middle School Christmas Choir Concert - December 8, 2008

Stephanie's third year teaching and this was her best Christmas Concert yet! The kids were very well behaved and sang beautifully. The audience is starting to get the idea that just because the concert has to be held in the gym doesn't mean they get to be roudy and loud. There were a few times when Stephanie waited while the audience quieted down but they got the idea. I took videos and Brad took pictures. I am only posting the picture of Stephanie because I don't know if parents would object to their childrens' pictures being posted online. One of the groups wore cute antlers while singing one of their songs. Stephanie wore them too!

Open House - December 7, 2008

On Sunday, December 7th we held a joint Open House with Jessica at Roger and Melissa's home. It was great of them to host the party so that people could see both Jessica and Matthew and wish them well before they leave. We had quite a few people there, good food and fun.

Matt's Talk in Church - November 30, 2008

On November 30, 2008, Matt spoke in Church. It is tradition that before a missionary leaves for their mission they speak in Church. Also on the program that day were Roger (who spoke), Caitlin and Jessica did a musical number, then Jessica spoke (who is also leaving for her mission), then Stephanie, Steven, Matthew and Kayla sang a musical number "Lord Please Hear My Prayer", then Matt spoke. He did a fantastic job. He seemed so grown up. Bev and Jack, Robert, Whitney and Sam and Noah and Grandma came to hear him speak as well as Quinn and Heather and the twins. After Church we all went to Grandma's house and had food, fun and visiting. Its hard to believe that Matt will be gone for 2 years. We look forward to seeing what he does and where he goes! Good luck Matthew!

Here is a video of the kids practicing for their musical number!