HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DOOFIE, WONDERFUL, DELIGHTFUL SHAWN. WE HAVE BEEN SMILLING ALL DAY LONG THINKING ABOUT YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU IN YOUR PUMPKIN COSTUME. I BET YOU WERE THE CUTEST LITTLE PUPMKIN IN TOWN. GRANDNPA SAYS THAT YOU ARE DA DOOF! WE LOVE YOU!

Halloween

All you excited trick or treaters this is the week you have been waiting for! Happy Halloween! I left for my walk this morning with a cool breeze and came home covered in snow. The Wallsburg witch is going to have to wear goggles.

Dad and I are looking forward to our Halloween party at the Millers tomorrow night. Wish we could all be together! We love you all!

P. S. There has to be more thatn 3/4 c. gram crackers. . . I would put at least 2 3/4 c. I just made a small pie so I didn't try that part.

Peaches

Today was the first day of a new plan. Dad and I would take turns making Sunday Dinner for each other. So today was my turn. I can hardly wait until next Sunday.......? I did make an easy peach dessert. If you still have peaches you might want to give it a try. I think the trick is to have lots of peaches and they have to be ripe and sweet. 3/4 c. gram cracker crust
1 c. sugar
1 cube butter
mix together and put in a cookie sheet

1 8 oz Cream Cheese
1 c. powdered sugar beat together well
Fold in 3 small cool-whips (I used real cream)and put on crust and put in fridge

In heavy pan put 3 c. cold water
Add 4 heaping T. Cornstarch, Stir until clear
Add 1 c. sugar
Add 1 t. Almond flavoring (my favorite part)
1/2 pkg. orange jello or less (I used peach)
Bring to Boil, stir until thick, set aside to cool..
Peel 4 c. fresh sliced peaches and fold into sauce
Add on top of cream, return to fridge till firm, couple of hours
Add a little whipping cream and fresh peach slice before serving

Happy Sunday, Is anyone watching the Baseball Play Off Games?

Vail

Dad and I had such a great time in Vail. All husbands and wives need a little time away from regular life. Dad was kind and wonderful. Everything was beautiful and tasted exquisite. We thought of our family and how much fun it would be to be there together. They are building a hotel that surrounds an ice skating rink. It made me think of the snowy night I went ice skating with the older kids in Salt Lake. That was one of those golden memories I will never forget. If you need to run away with your hubby, I volunteer to man the battle station for you. I love you all this Sunday morning. P.S. I learned how to crop a picture today, it wasn't a toilet or a disposal but it makes me proud.

Vail had flowers everywhere. It was a blessed feast for me.

Jenny turns twelve!

Happy Birthday Darling Jenny!!!! Twelve is such a mile stone in your life. You are really something! I love your gorgeous blue eyes, your pretty straight teeth, your snappy ear rings, and of course my favorite, those dimples. You are growing up to be just like your Mom and she is a gift from Heaven, so learn her ways. The cookies you made all by yourself were fabulous, wish I had one right now. I need your reciepe. I still have hope what we can sneak away with Emme and see the Julia cooking show. Bring on the Monday night Root Beer and let's party with Jenny. In case you didn't know this cute family is now the proud distributors of the famous Idaho Spuds. If you are hungry head for their garage. Jenny I can't wait to see you get baptised. Hope you have a wonderful Saturday with all the fun planned. Grandpa and I love you so. You are perfect in every way. Love always, us.

Kim's Birthday!

IT'S LUCK-A-LOU'S BIRTHDAY!!!
What a beautiful child! Kim you have brought so much happiness to our family. Your cheeks are so kissable. You are shinning in your homemade blouse and jumper and hair cut. I thought you were so beautiful, and you still are. I loved doing anything for you, and I still do. We went to Thanksgiving Point to celebrate the big day. We were lucky to have little Jayne.

A lady stopped Kim and asked her about how cute she had Jayne dressed. She wanted to know where she could buy such an adorable outfit. Kim you have always had the gift for dressing you kids so stylish. I loved picking up the kids from school with you and seeing them in their back packs with their friends. They are confident happy children because they know their mother will always be there to get them and love them.

I think Jayne looks like you Kim.

Two angels, happy to be best friends forever!

Happy Birthday Kim! You are wonderful, delightful, a true gift from heaven!

Vail

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breath and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the end of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seem to lose

With my lost saints,--I love thee with breath,

Smiles, tear, of all my life!--and it God chose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I have a camera!!! This is a beautiful painting in the lodge we stayed in Steamboat. The fall leaves were beautiful, the food delish, and your Dad the best. Did I say I love him?

September 12

It is September and I am holding on to each beautiful day. I have been pressing flowers to pull out in February, for place mats or to put in frames or book marks. . . who knows? But they brighten my soul. The cosmos are the best right now, purple and whispie.We have been to Salt Lake for the past three days to horse shows for Dad. I have decided that I have to love what he loves, because I do so love him. We stayed last night till midnight. I loved to listen as he talked about what he liked about each horse. I wish I had my camera to share the light in his eyes. I think he is trying to figure out how to get Palomino babies. We have separated the babies from the moms. So the babies are crying and the poor mom's moaning.I went on a 4 wheeler ride with the Laurels and Priests to the highest point around. We could see down Hobble Creek, Clear to Strawberry, Deer Creek and Park City all from one point. It was amazing!

We went to the Katy and Tyler's Primary Sacrament meeting today. Bret gave a the opening prayer and Nicole the closing. Tyler gave two long hard parts and did so good. Katy had hers memorized perfect. They sang wonderful and Grandpa and I cried. We are so proud of the Clark Family. It was nostalgic to sit in our old church benches and remember us as a young family. We were lucky to live among such good people. I remember last year when Dax sang out so loud and clear from the pulpit. He threw his arms around grandpa's legs and broke out in song in the hall, it was great. Jason usually conducts his Primary Program, we can't wait to go see it. Their Primary always sings so loud and knows every word. Kelly are you going to be in Florida for your Program? Dad and I are so proud of all of you and what great members of your wards you are!!!!! Nothing in the world could make us happier! Count your many blessings name them one by one.. . . we have many!

August Birthdays!

These pictures might me a little old but, our Birthday wishes are brand new. We love spunk Katie who loves to skate, jump, bounce, dribble, shoot, bike, and ice block. We hope you had fun tonight with Abbie ice blocking. Happy Birthday Katy, we love you! Kenners your eyes are so beautiful. We hope you have a wonderful # 12 tomorrow. . . .
a new young woman, a Jr. High School Student, and our oldest grandchild. We think you are the best and we love you like crazy!

Handsome Bret with the foxy wife. We are so proud of you. We love your handsome brown skin, your positive attitude, your voice on the phone and your quirky sense of humor! We love you!

Grady had his birthday on July 29th, but we were a little slow in celebrating, so we will post him too. In this picture he looks soft and tender, but we hear his is scrambling like crazy to keep up with his brothers. He is going to be standing tall when it is time to staff the Heaps Boys Football Team. Grady we wish we could give you a big birthday hug and lots of birthday kisses. We love you always!

August Birthdays!!!!!

Love is in the Details

This is the divine work we mothers do, perhaps for a time, it is our vocation--taking care of the invisible. I must pay attention to my own physical and spiritual health, to the inner workings of my marriage, to the emotions security of my children, to our need for fun and play, to the quality of our relationships. When I keep my balance, I feel empowered, for I am guided then not by fear or pressure, but by the small quiet voice within that whispers "Enough".

Yoked

Good Morning! I have my strength back, how about the rest of you? It has been raining and thundering the last two nights. Dad and I have been sitting curled up in blankets thinking about our family. What joy comes from loving those who the Lord has given us as our best frieinds. Although Jamie and hers were not here, they were never far away. I wonder how many times we mentioned the Heaps, maybe a hundred? It was as if they were here. I have so many tender memories. My favoritie scripture for today is Matthew 11:28-29. It talks about being yoked to the Savior. Life is easier when we are yoked, teathered, or connected to the Savior, or to our loved ones. Look at these sweet pictures of cousins with arms around each other, yoked.

When the Clark's stayed with us, Jenny was never far from Shawn, he was always on her mind.

Check out Tyler's arm and Jace's. I felt yoked to Kim and Nicole as I was watched Kelly's kids. One of the dearest moments was when we were at Thanksgiving Point getting ready to go home. We were all tired and sun cooked. I was trying to get the Thompsons in the car, Nicole got her family in the car and then she came over and helped me. She fixed everyone's seat belt and talked softly to explained just what was coming next. Bret you are so lucky to have this calm wonderful mother organizing your home! The highlight of the entire adventure for me was the last night in the parking lot of 5 Guys. We cried and hugged and cried some more. . . little Maizie sobbed, Tyler cried just to look at the Thompsons. Emilee, Jenny,McKinnely and Madison couldn't bear the thought of separation. Kelly and I had to not look at each other during the burgers and fries. I believe we are all yoked together for a reason. Our family is going to take care of each other forever. . what a party! When we are yoked together our burdens become light. Please ask me to tend your children. . . that is one of my greatest joys! That is how I can stay close to your families. (Dad loves it too he just doesn't express it, especially if he is tired). The night I heard about little Jace's fall I wanted to crawl in his bed with him and curl him close to me. I saw The Time Travler's Wife last night and I believe we have the gift somewhere inside of us to travel where we want, but we just have to learn how to use it. I think it is going to come and then boom. . . we can be toether when ever we want. Now that will be a real party! McKinnely, thank you for your scripture!! The rest of you keep thinking. I love you all and smile all day long just thinking about you. HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!

Hello cute family. What excitement I feel in the air as we get ready for the Thompsons to come. We are holding our breath. I have been reading many books about children who fall away from the church and Satin gains control of their lives. Our Family has to fight this threat head on and not allow Satin to have any part of our lives. I am longing for a family meeting. I feel like we have missed out the last few years at Lagona. I went home early because Grandpa died, then Matt was in the hospital, and then dang it this year we had to watch Lagona from afar as the Heaps were the only ones to make it there. But I am hoping we can have a family meeting this next Sunday. Jamie if you are not here we will have to call you and have you listen in. I am feeling great strength as I watch our amazing kids grow up. McKinnley has talked to me on the phone and shared thoughts from a fireside and her testimony. Max is so strong, Tyler shook the hands of an apostle in Midway this week and the list goes on. . . What I would like to do, is have everyone pick one of their favorite scriptures from The Book of Mormon, and write one sentence about what is means to them. You could put it on my comments on my blog. Then I will type them up and give everyone a copy at our meeting. This way, each of us should have 20 or more new favorite Book of Mormon scriptures. We could write in our scriptures in the margins this is Kades scripture for 2009. Kade likes this one because it reminds him of the day he was baptised. Can you imagine how fun it would be through the years to keep sharing one scripture a year. Before you know it we would have a whole book of favorites because our cousins have told us why they like a certain scripture. McKinnley, Emilee, Jenny, and Madison could you pick a scripture and share it with us at our meeting? Tyler would you tell us about shaking the hand of a apostle . Don't worry about bringing your scriptures because I have plenty. If anyone has a good story about learning from the Book of Mormon please share it. Kelly, McKinnley and Madison went to a fireside where the Young Woman General President talked. They called me and shared thoughts about keeping our youth away from Satins traps. She had three suggestions: 1. Say your prayers each day. 2. Read your scriptures 5 minutes a day. 3. Smile. Just simple steps that we can do to keep the Holy Ghost as our companion each day. There is great strength in the Clark name! Lets join forces to help each other as our youth are getting ready to enter the teenage years. I can't wait to hug you all!!!! I love-a-love-a-love you. P. S. You are going to love Grandpa's new favorite scripture!



It seems like these pictures were taken just a minute ago, and yet imagine how much they have changed. Life moves so fast!

We are going to be attending to these boys missionary farewells before we know it. I am predicting Alaska, Africa, and Amsterdam. World get ready.

I am sitting on the back porch with Dad, it is dark and we are remembering times when you have all been here. Matt is here and he is doing so good. We have our fingers crossed. He is getting a bowl of cereal and strawberries. He is working with the nicest men is Wallsburg building a house. He come home so tired and hungry and he is ready for bed early. But he likes what he is doing and he is working hard. He still loves Candice and they have started talking on the phone again. She is in Arizona and loves her job. I am reading a book that is incredible. I might just have to share a part or two with you.

The Book is called Rescuing Wayward Children. There is a part where it talks about the fact that our children proved valiant in the cause of truth and enjoyed an exalted past, they had a strong testimony in the pre-existence. We must bear testimony

often to them to help them recall the sense of having know before. Jeffery Holland calls these spiritual re collections "echoes of other earlier testimonies" It simply remains for the Awakener to do the work of awaking. God will give them weakness that will humble them and draw them to Christ. God's timing is an act of mercy. He is not going to

lose any of his children.

Is this not gorgeous!

"Nothing has so profound an effect on you as the way your children turn out. Through the sealing ordinances of the temple, special powers are given to parents that tether a child to them. Harnessing that power is the quest of a lifetime." I am so hopeful, and not afraid like I have been for so long.

Marion has been in the hospitol for two weeks, she is tired and wants to just jump over to heaven to see Don, her first husband, but it isn't going to be that easy. I have a 97 year old friend up the street that is trying to die. I look at her each morning and see the dearest angel there. What lessons life has to teach us. I love my family!