First Time...

Take a look at some recent 'FIRST times':
First time catching Aydrie on camera rolling over...(she's been rolling over for a couple of days now).

First time the kids are in the tub together.


First time bottling chicken:

Started like this...
Frozen

Thawing

Fill bottles, put lids on, place in Pressure Canner

Start the oven...

And wait, and wait, and wait...can't leave the pressure cooker, so I found something productive to do...

Finished product that has at least a 5 year shelf life...sitting on the shelf!



Pretty Dang Exciting, HUH?

On-the-GO

Just some randomly cute stuff:

Brayden and Aydrie ready to GO to church...Precious



Aydrie is starting to cover a lot of carpet - even though she can't roll her chubby rolls yet (but is oh-so-close to doing so). She is able to accomplish this by kicking her legs, rolling from side to side (like a rocking boat), and flinging her arms in every direction.
She started like this:




Then ended like this:



AND...

It may not be Spring outside (anymore), but inside our home it is. We have flowers poppin' up everywhere - including off of Adyrie's head.






Apparently Spring is also On-the-GO...

Have a HAPPY Snowy day!

Miracle Worker

It's SOOOO Great to have a Fixer-Upper around the house!

Cam revived this sad piece of equipment (DVD player). It's a MIRACLE, really...


We thought it was a gonner when we retrieved 4 DVDs that were strategically shoved in the CLOSED DVD slot...

All thanks go to this little guy.

One might wonder what is going on in that creative, rather large, head of his...

I know I do.

More Birthday Fun

Happy Birthday Preston and Shannon!

Preston is Da-bomb because he is TALL
and that's not all-
He is hip
As well as Ripped!
He's good at the babysitting thing
And have you heard him sing? (wow)
We know this is late,
The l0th was the right date (sorry)
Hope you had a Jammin' Birthday
And don't spend your birthday dollar all in one place.


To you, Shannon Celsie (spelling?) Clark:
We're super glad you are our older sis.
We're sorry your birthday we did miss
You're one year older and wiser too
We would like to hang out with you!
You could give BreAnn some styling tips
And Cam could eat your yummy chip dip.
Your party-planning skills are something to brag about
Definitely....WITHOUT A DOUBT!
So Happy Happy Birthday Shannon, dear
Hope you have a fun-filled year!



WE Love you guys!

Glorious OUTings

Because the weather has been GLORIOUS this past week,
we took advantage of it and ventured out of our Happy Home.

The first OUTing we undertook was a little stroll to Arctic Circle.
It is conveniently located only 2 blocks from where we live. You may be thinking we visited this WONDERFUL Ice Cream Creator for it's WONDERFUL Ice Cream...but that was not the case THIS time (it IS the case EVERY OTHER TIME). We stopped by to let Brayden enjoy the slides that are inside Arctic Circle.
("Why not go to a park?" you wonder...A park was our first choice, but there were 2 reasons for our outing that day...First, to BE OUTSIDE and second, to return a DVD to a Redbox which was located very close to the Arctic Circle). Cam purposefully left all forms of money at home so we would not give into the inevitable temptation of their WONDERFUL Ice Cream.
But guess what? While we were enjoying Brayden's laughter as he enjoyed sliding,

a very nice Lady worker offered FREE WONDERFUL Mini Ice Cream Cone samplers.

WOW!

That Ice Cream was WONDERFUL!!!!



Then back into the 2-seater stroller our 2 children went
And back home we strolled.

FANTASTIC OUTing...


The second OUTing we went to is located right behind our living quarters.
It is called...
The Backyard.
Cam was not able to join us on this outing. He was cheerfully helping the many, many customers who came to visit him at his place of work: the Walmart Pharmacy. (This is the place that assists him in 'bringing-home-the-bacon'.)
So, while a pan of Tator-tot/Hashbrowns Casserole(I ran out of Tator-tots and used Hashbrowns for the remaining uncovered part because I figured since Tator-tots and Hashbrowns come from the same family, Potato, it would all taste the same...) baked in the oven, me and Brayden kicked a beach ball into a soccer net, around the yard, and almost over the not-so-tall fence and Aydrie worked on perfecting her new-found hobby - sticking her tiny fist into her mouth...she's very close at getting it all the way in there! She also enjoyed staring at the grass as she lay on her tummy.








Another successful OUTing...




Thank GOODNESS for GLORIOUS weather!

Midnight CCCs

Last week we made cookies at MIDNIGHT - Chocolate chip cookies.
They were DE-LISH.....well, mostly...

(I'm on the HUNT for a really, Really, REALLY good recipe for Chocolate chip cookies...I've tried many, but haven't found my favorite yet. So any of you out there who have a CCC (Chocolate Chip Cookie) recipe that you LLLOOOVVVEEE...Please share!)

As a team, we conquered the exciting task of creating delectable chocolaty delights(almost).
I'm so glad that this IrResisTible HOTT Stud MUFFIN is MY teammate!



And of course, our team wouldn't have been complete without this incredible piece of equipment called a BOSCH. In a very short period of time, a Bosch can spin many ingredients into one large ball of YUMMMM. (It makes Bread even better)



We all know the best part of creating edible treats is TASTE-TESTING...And it has to be done...it's a responsibility we were both willing to accept.



(He makes you wish YOU were the one tasting that dough, right?...WOW..that's something else...)


NO - we are NOT smooching that oh-so-tasty beater...


Next,

We ate some of our creations...



And then we shared a few with our garbage can...
(I know, I know, these look very similar to the ones above....but the ones above were NOT burned to a CRISP!)


This is what happens when your timer doesn't go off because the beeper is broken (but it counts time perfectly) and you lose all track of time because you're having a very intense discussion about Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (we're reading the D&C as a couple).

(and maybe because it's MIDNIGHT...and who thinks straight at MIDNIGHT??)

WhOoOops...


I'd say it was a pretty productive night...


SMILES to ALL of you!

Playing Catch-up

Let's play catch-up.
Don't think we haven't been up to much because I haven't blogged....
It's quite the opposite actually...
We have been CRAZY BUSY!!!
So, like I said,
Let's play catch-up...

Here we go -

I'll start with the most EXCITING:

#1 - My sis-in-law, Tawnie, had a BABY GIRL on Sunday (15th)...I'm jealous for 2 reasons:
1. The baby practically slipped right out of her in less than 4 hours....WOW!
2. The baby weighed in at 7 pounds...WOW again! Unlike Tawnie, I'm really good at producing CHUNKERS (but dang cute CHUNKERS!)
CONGRATS STUBBS! SHE IS A DOLL!
(nope, no pictures yet...the camera decided not to join us on our visit to the hospital)

Coming in at #2 spot is the one thing that has been taking up all the extra space in my brain and in my bedroom...
***FOOD STORAGE***
Cam and I decided to get a big part of our food storage (and emergency preparedness stuff) bought and stored for those upcoming rainy days that are bound to happen. We were able to do this because of our great tax return. Even though this food storage plan has been my constant companion for the last 2 months, I have enjoyed becoming more prepared.
We don't have any more room under beds or in closets to store this wonderful stuff. That doesn't mean we QUIT (..although my very patient hubby has felt like doing so once or twice..). It means we make use of our tall, empty walls in our bedroom. Our food storage is stacked ever-so-nicely, in an organized manner, against these walls.

Here's part of what we've collected so far...


We LOVED our journeys to the cannery. Our good friends Randi and Katie accompanied us. You might be wondering how we look in the lunch lady look-a-like outfits (required clothing when participating in canning dried goods)....
4 letters.... H O T T !!! (nope, no pictures once again...maybe next time)
Thank goodness Katie owns a very nice, BIG truck...we owe her big...
We're still building and adding to our food storage...and will continue to do so forever...
GOOD FEELINGS come from building your food storage...

#3 = We've had a lot of fun visitors this past week. The Clark family came to stay for a few days. I tell you what - THEY KNOW HOW TO PARTY!!! I think I taught them a few skills in our Bad mitten game...You Are WELCOME!!!
Please stay again...we have FUN when you are here...and bring that Dog whisperer show again...and some pizza...
Movie + Pizza + Clark Fam = AMAZING...(We love you guys!)

AND...my roommate (while at SUU) popped in for awhile! It was great chatting with Cindy...she's a Dietitian now...DOUBLE WOW WOW! She's a REAL professional at what she does - I'm thinking about hiring her to create nutritious meals for me ...and to play on a volleyball team with me because SHE IS THAT GOOD!!!
I also learned that she's quite the huntress.
AND she has very pretty hair...she should be a hair model.
We will definitely get together again in the next 3 years to play catch-up because I LOVE IT! Actually, I wish it happened more often with all my friends.

Here's an old picture (taken at St. George Temple) of some of my BEAUTIFUL roommates. It's been a few years.
Cindy is the one in red.




Here we are at #4 - which includes 5, 6, and 7...(hurrying things along)
-My wonderful and very helpful brother brought our dryer to us because the one we were using decided it liked to dry one batch of my cloths in 4 hours instead of 1. So, Tood-a-loo to you, old dryer and HELLLLO newer-but-still-used newer dryer!
-I got another calling at church - Along with being a ward missionary with my sweetie-pie, I'm now the Beehive advisor...YIPEE...I've not been in Young Women's since I graduated from it 7 years ago but I'm excited and looking forward to it...
-I haven't bought bread for a month now. I make wheat bread FROM SCRATCH...yep, I even grind the wheat (electric grinders are AWESOME...but so is our hand grinder we have stowed away for now). It's quite satisfying and rewarding making bread...
I think making bread is a marvelous talent...one I have yet to master...



-AND LAST - Who else has been enjoying this GORGEOUS weather we've been having?

We're ready for Spring!



Well, stay tuned for more Catch-up...and pictures.

Good Night

I can do a LOT!

I turned 5 months old yesterday.
Goodness, I'm getting BIG!

The most recent change I experienced was sleeping in a crib. I am very good at it. It's a lot better than the bassinet because I was a little squished in that tiny compartment and in the crib I can stretch all I want.


I'm also letting my mom and dad in on all the secrets I've been keeping. My talking consists of some 'hmmmmms' and some 'ohhhhhhs' and some 'ahhhhhs' and a few high squeals.

My cute older brother can get me to giggle more than anybody else. I giggle the most when Brayden is rolling cars at mom's feet. It's hilarious!


My hott mamma is debating weather to start feeding me cereal. I now wake up at 4 a.m instead of the regular 6 or 7 a.m. and I'm starving! The doctor said to wait until 6 months.

My head is still extremely odd-shaped. The pediatrician said that if my head hasn't some-what reshaped itself by 6 months, then I'll get to wear a helmet.

Rolling from my stomach to my back is easy...but I've only rolled back-to-stomach once...I'll keep at it...

I've propelled myself off the couch only ONCE so far and I can almost shimmy myself out of my bouncer seat.


WOW - I can do a LOT at 5 months.

Birthday Wishes for You

Here's a Happy LATE Birthday to my AMAZING MOM and ADORABLE SIS...Both are one year older, and BOTH look 5 Years YOUNGER! I think it's the Sterling water.....(OHHH! How I MISS that Sterling water...we like to call it CELESTIAL WATER and every time we visit, we make sure to bring a few water bottles of Heaven back with us...)

I'm going to share with you just one FANTASTIC piece of information about these two FINE Ladies. (I could go on forever about these two...but we're keeping this SHORT and SWEET...cause they are both SHORT AND SWEET....

Meet my MOTHER - Clare Ann Fowles


My mother is Amazing because she can DO IT ALL...She is ALL of the following: (And we're going to count ALL of these as ONE BIG PIECE OF INFORMATION)
My mom is an impressive cook - One day I will learn her secret of how she makes 5 different foods found in the frige turn into 1 LARGE casserole
My mom is Very, Very, VERY patient...I have 9 brothers and 2 sisters...that's all I'm going to say.
My mom is not afraid of anything...she can exterminate BIG Ugly spiders with the best of them...If she is afraid of something, she has never let us know or shown any fear...I also love that she isn't afraid to do scary things...like driving a 15 passenger van on the FREEWAY...like milking the cow is the wee hours of the morning when it is still very darkish outside...
My mom is a 24 hour - at home doctor...she has doctor-ish answers for my doctor-ish questions. I always consult my mom before going to a doctor...I usually end up at the doctors because my mom cannot write a perscription...darn it! However, she does calm my fears and helps me grasp reality...
My mom has helped raise at least half the kids in Sterling...she is ALWAYS home and is willing to help in the babysitting area for those that need her.
(My GOODNESS! She's amazing, isn't she?!?...Let's keep going...)
My mother is the most selfLESS person I know.
She has a very good pair of LISTENING ears...I use their service ALL the time...I am never turned away.
My mom is 5 different people at church EVERY Sunday - primary teacher, Relief Society conductor AND teacher, kid-coraller, and prayer giver. WOW!
And most important: My Mom is FULL of UNCONDITIONAL Love!

Yes, that is just ONE FANTASTIC piece of information that I Love about my mom...(can you imagine how long this post would be if I wrote ALL the great things about my mother?)

Happy Birthday to you, MOM!

Now, Here's my youngest Sister, Kandice.


Kandice is in 5th Grade. She is an EXCELLENT student...she LIKES to read. Kandice's teachers LOVE her (yes, I know this because I was a teacher at her school...)
Kandice knows how to do cross-stich...THAT IS COOL!
Kandice has PRETTY hair. I like it a lot...she even lets me style it every now and then!
Kandice is a good friend. She doesn't like contention.
Kandice can do Ballroom dancing...and her partner is her older brother that is shorter than her...so cute! They are both excellent dancers.
Kandice is a GOOD person...
Last of all, something I LOVE about Kandice is what a VERY big help to my mother she is...The children at my family's house LOVE Kandice because she will take them outside to jump on the tramp, or ride bikes, or chase the kitties around the yard, or pet the horses, or swing on the neighbor's swings, or throw balls at the basketball hoop...and I didn't realize what a BIG job this really is until I became a mother...it takes a very patient and WILLING person to do all these things with kids...I am still learning how to be that kind of WILLING person.

Happy Birthday to you, Kandice!

We hope both your birthdays were like bundles of bright sun rays - full of Happiness. Wish we could have been there!

WE LOVE YOU!

Weekend Mornings

WeekEND Mornings are my FAVORITE!
They are my favorite because NOBODY in the Clark household is in a HURRY!
WeekDAY mornings are full of HUSTLE and BUSTLE...
Those mornings go something like this:
...Cam, waking up 10 minutes before he should be walking into his classroom, finds his way into his Snow College sweatshirt and whatever pants are the closest. (I'm sure his classmates wonder if he has any other wearable piece of clothing besides this beloved sweatshirt...) Next he runs around the house looking for his Camouflage-hunter hat to cover his ruffly BLACK locks (I LOVE the black....I'm hoping that gene outsmarts my light brown/blond gene and passes to one of our children someday).
...Meanwhile, I stumble around the kitchen, hastily putting some kind of edible sack lunch together (usually consisting of yummy leftovers) for my very-close-to-being-late Stud Muffin.
...Brayden joins in the chaos by running around the house in close step behind his daddy and says: "I wanna drink-o-milk" which is promptly followed by "I wanna watch a show." When his requests are not immediately fulfilled by his father, he then turns to his mother and repeats his needs once again...and again...and again...
...And don't forget about Aydrie...she's either dancing away in dream-land (lucky girl!) or making HER needs known to everybody, including those who live above us and possibly even the neighbors.

HUSTLE AND BUSTLE, I tell you, HUSTLE AND BUSTLE

As soon as Cam is all put together, there's a kiss for me, and one for Brayden (he makes sure his daddy doesn't leave his cheeks un-smooched), a 'have a good day' and 'don't forget your lunch' from me, some "I love yous" from everybody, and a "I wanna watch a show" from Brayden.
The weekday morning has officially started....weather we want it to or not!

NOW... weekEND mornings go something like this:



(We'll need to upgrade to a KING sized bed when we have more kids)

Cam is now the one dancing in dreamland, maybe even bouncing off pink fluffy clouds and singing something that resembles Enya...

No hustle and bustle...

Just enjoying the sound of chirping birds outside my window and Cam's quiet snore...
...and of course Brayden's 'I wanna drink-o-milk' and 'I wanna watch a show.'

That's why I LOVE weekEND mornings.