Clark Family Reunion.....again

I am experimenting with this blogging pictures in a slideshow/movie idea, so bear with me as I figure it out.

Father's Week....continued

As a continued celebration of fathers this week, I wanted to add Darren's Dad, Terry. When I first met Darren, I had already known his parents because the ward I had moved into, Darren's Dad was the Bishop. I loved him immediately and he was patient with me as feeling comfortable in a new ward didn't come right away. When I began dating Darren and then we became engaged, we were talking in Dad's office about a few pre-wedding things. One of which was what to call my new in-laws. I had seen many difficulties between parents and new daughter-in-laws and I wanted to create a different experience, so when he suggested I call him "Dad" if I felt comfortable, I knew "Dad" it was. Plus, how do you go from "Bishop" to "Terry?" It all worked out, but there are many reasons I love him, and here are just a few:

• He's much like my Dad.....very patient and kind
• He's funny--and when I tease him about things, even though he might want to kill me, he's very fun to laugh with
• His taste in hats.....sigh. See picture below for evidence :o)
• His good nature
• His love for buying random things at the grocery store (like pomegranate juice....remember that Dad? Mom was so bugged. I still laugh at that)
• His willingness to be the travel agent for the entire world (I'm sure he's tired of that role, but I always feel safe when I know Dad has been the planner)
• He's always game to try something new
• We both love Keva
• Like my mom, he's a movie buff
• He loves animals.....I never have to worry about Oliver when he comes to visit
• The only time I ever see his feathers get ruffled is when he is losing a game.....tennis, board games, cards (which isn't very often, let me tell you. However, he has yet to play Snatch again with me after I beat him last time)
• He's unbelievably generous (in our years of health issues and baby issues, Dad has come to me more than once to offer to help us financially in adoption. Although, thus far, it's been fruitless, it's spoke volumes to me that he would approach me on it and be willing to help)
• He has very pretty eyes
• When he's dressed for church, especially in his black suit.......he looks just smashing--I think Dad has gotten more handsome as he has gotten older. Not true for everyone, but true for Dad

I love you Dad......a bunch. Thank you for all you do for me and for our family. It doesn't go unnoticed.This is Dad on our last trip to DC, right outside the National Cathedral. We found him outside, with his little hat on, reading the newspaper while trying to feed a squirrel part of his granola bar.

Favorite Foto

This is a photo taken about 4 years ago at this time of year in Park City. I am on the very right holding one my sister-in-law's twins. Camille, Bonnie, and I just sitting by the pool, holding babies, and watching everyone play. I love this picture. You can almost believe that I fit in here.

Grass Update.....after 2 weeks!

Seriously, look at this! I think we might have a Garden of Eden situation here. I am amazed at how well it's doing after 2+ weeks. Darren will be mowing tomorrow.

Happy Father's Day......day 1

When my Dad joined our family, I was a mere 11 years old, the oldest of 3 children, and had some fears about having a new Dad in our family. All 3 of us wanted Mom to marry Bart, but we all had our own hurts and worries that accompanied it. Over the years that apprehension has grown into a deep feeling of gratitude and peace. I love my Dad. Here's why.....

• I love his kindness to other people
• I love his calm, patient demeanor
• I love how brilliant he is (he reads ALL the time)
• I love his sense of humor (Mystery Science Theater 2000--hilarious)
• I love his willingness to take on 3 kids and want them to be his own
• I love his beautiful hair
• I love when he teases my brothers that I am the favorite
• I love that I have never, ever seen him lose his temper
• I love his foot rubs
• I love that he taught me how to hit golf balls across the river at grandma & grandpa's house
• I love that he gave me his name, had me sealed to him, and in that gave me a sense of security and belonging
• I love that he has taught me that blood is thicker than water, and love is thicker than anything

I love you, Dad......so much. Happy Father's Day........Love, The Favorite :o)

Thank You, Thank You

Happening in 1976:

• Cost of a first class stamp: $0.13
• Life Expectancy: 72 (yep, almost half way there)
• Jimmy Carter was elected President (Yikes!)
• Supreme Court rules that the death penalty is not cruel or unusual and is an acceptable form of punishment (as is Chuck-A-Rama)
• Wimbledon Women's Champ: Chris Evert
• Summer Olympics held in Montreal
• Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck
• Record of the Year: "Love Will Keep Us Together"
• Song of the Year: "Send In the Clowns"--now that is just mean......I just hate clowns. Bar none, the scariest thing out there

Well, it's official......I'm now 33. Whew. Admitting it is the first step, I've heard. This is a lame way to do it, but until I get through my Relief Society lesson tomorrow and live to tell about it, thank you notes will have to wait.

Truly, I just wanted to express my love and gratitude for all the cards, gifts, phone calls, and "Happy Birthday" wishes that I received this week. It's such a boost and means the world to me to hear from you. I know you all have busy lives and lots going on, so I truly recognize the sacrifices. Thank you. I love each of you and I will be getting my notes in the mail.

We Planted GRASS!!!

Finally, after 3 million years......the wait is over. We actually planted grass in our yard.....and it's coming up. I am so excited about this I can't stand it. It feels like we have a real house now and the feeling outside is beginning to reflect the feeling inside. I just love green and growth in my yard. :o) My entire family, every sibling and my parents, came to help us. I think that, working together in harmony at MY house, was an almost bigger gift than getting grass. Thank you Mom, Dad, Ammer, Josh, Jake, Zachary......I love each of you so.

Okay.....here are the before pictures.....And one week later......you can see the green! It's like green fur all over the ground! It's so exciting!

Favorite Foto--Embarrassing my brother

I really try and be a cool sister. Sometimes it's just really fun to be the big sister, and humiliate my brothers. This is me on Halloween, wearing a shirt like a pumpkin, a skirt like a witch, and a mask that looks like some scary old man........trying to kiss and love on my brother Zach when he got out of school. My "coolness" might have gone down a bit for Zach, but it really was worth it. It's one of those things that is passed down through the generations.....right?
On the upside, when I was in high school and came to Seminary once for a meeting, one of the other students came in from the hallway into the room we were meeting in to tell me that there were 2 nuns in the foyer that wanted to know more about the church. Yeah. I got out there and it's my mother and her friend dressed up in nun outfits. Zach, baby, you got off easy! :o)

Happy Birthday, Catherine

My Auntie Catherine is 58 years old today. In her honor, a few things about her......Happy Birthday, Cath!!! 1-She's my mother's sister.....the 2nd to youngest and older than my mother by 5 years
2-She's been 'the other parent' for us off and on through the years
3-She's lives 2 blocks away from my Mom and it's very fun to get my hot chocolate and walk down there in the morning.....
4-Cath has very strong feelings about animal kindness
5-Equally as strong are those for people who are unkind to the elderly
6-We have the same hands (more so than any other person in our family)
7-She has a dog named Annie.....who beefed up this winter and now weighs (when she's soaking wet.....3 ounces)
8-Annie is a Pomeranian
9-Cath likes Carol Channing
10-Cath likes chocolate covered blueberries
11-Cath loves cheese
12-She has the most quirky sense of humor--it's hilarious sometimes
13-I can't see a pair of Keds tennis shoes and not think of Cath
14-She calls them short pants, instead of capris
15-She thinks peanut butter on toast is good
16-She and my mother taught me to swim before I could say full sentences
17-She used to be a lifeguard
18-She used to work with mentally handicapped children and adults and they still know her and love her when they see her
19-She used to work with mentally ill adults and they feel the same way
20-There isn't much in human behavior that phases her
21-She loves to go to the Villa
22-She likes it when we share starts from our gardens
23-On Halloween we like to go over to her house, dressed in scary garb, and frighten the trick-or-treaters......her idea, mind you (it's so fun)
24-Our birthdays are exactly one week apart
25-Her middle name is Elizabeth......like the Queen.....
26-She was named after 2 of her mother's sisters
27-"Gads" was one of her favorite words
28-We used to have contests on who could drink V-8 juice the quietest in the middle of the night when she'd come and stay with us......only Cath could get a 7 year old to drink V-8 juice
29-She has a heart of gold
30-She fakes knee injuries to get out of getting beat in tennis :o)
Happy Birthday, Catherine.......I love you!