Back To School

I thought these two were excited when they left for school this morning...

...check them out after!!! They LOVED their first day! This is them excitedly telling me about it! Gage is now in 2nd grade with Miss Sanchez and Amberly is in 1st grade with Miss Byers.

When I asked them the BEST part of the day Amberly said, "we got to take turns holding the class pet, Captain Piggy". The class has a guinea pig. This guinea pig gets to go home with one of the students each weekend. Amberly can hardly wait for her turn!

Gage's BEST part is that he gets to sit next to his buddy Garrett. He loved hearing the stories about Garrett's summer. Something about a skunk that walked into the camp fire and a bear he shot and is now a rug in their living room! Who knows!! Gage also said the day was so fun he felt like he had only been there an hour!

It was tough to get them to sleep tonight because they are so excited to go back tomorrow! Yay for school!

(just a note-- the star and heart on their shirts are to cover up the school emblem. Just gotta keep my kiddos safe.)

Gage's Baptism

Saturday was a special day for our family. Gage is our oldest child and therefore the first of our children to be baptized. What a sweet experience it is to watch your children make righteous choices! I couldn't be more proud of Gage. He was surrounded by friends and family who came to support him on this most important day. He definitely felt the love. His Mommer (Kimball's Mom) gave the talk on baptism. His Grandma (my Mom) gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Both gave amazing talks that invited the Spirit into the Chapel and we are thankful for their testimonies. Gage and all of his cousins sang "I Am a Child of God". It was sweet to hear their cute little voices, even when the word weren't quite right. Aunt Ashley played the piano. Aunt Kristi lead the music. Uncle Scott and Uncle Jordan offered the prayers. Papa and Grandpa were the witnesses. Kimball, the most proud Dad, performed the ordinances of baptism and confirmation.
Afterward we congratulated Gage and celebrated with some of his favorite treats-- sugar cookies shaped like him in his baptismal clothes, oatmeal butterscotch bars, and rice krispie treats. The kids ran and played while the adults visited with one another. Kimball and I both come from wonderful families. We are truly blessed. Thanks to all who came. It really meant a lot to our family! Gage was all smiles the whole day and told us he felt very special.

I, Gage Clark, promise to do my best...

...To do my duty to God and

my country,

To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the Pack.

I have never seen a boy so excited to start Scouts. The whole day he kept saying, "I can't believe it's finally here." He has been wearing his scout shirt and reading through his handbook since Saturday when Kimball brought them home. It's fun to see him so enthused. I hope it continues!

Gage Turns 8!!

This was a big birthday for Gage-- 8 years old!! He gets to be baptized and he is starting Scouts. He is one VERY excited boy.

Gage has always loved Gi Joe's (thanks to his Dad) and has quite a collection already. With the new Gi Joe movie coming out it was the perfect time to have a Gi Joe birthday!

His birthday cake wasn't all that I had invisioned. I got started on it too late and I am NOT a night owl. Fortunately Gage was happy with it. For one thing it was Texas Sheet Cake, his VERY favorite! I think Kimball had a good time setting the action figures up on the cake. Kimball had gone to see the Gi Joe movie with his brothers and arrived home as I was sitting at the table staring at a pile of action figures in total confusion. I had NO idea who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.

Gage blowing out his birthday candle. When he discovered that you could buy candles that were numbers he decided THIS was the way to go. It ensured getting your wish. It's easy to blow out just ONE candle.

For his birthday he received his new scout uniform, several Gi Joe action figures, a CTR/soccer tie tack, and a new bionicle. This one had 166 pieces.

He was so excited about his Bionicle and got to work immediately putting it together.

A few thoughts on our sweet boy...

Gage has such a kind heart.

He is a good friend.
He amazes me with his memory. He can remember every little detail of EVERYTHING!

He is a good student. His teacher last year told me often how much fun it is to teach him because he is so eager to learn.
He loves to eat powdered doughnuts. In fact, we gave him a box for his birthday and he HUGGED it!

He LOVES to laugh.
He enjoys swimming and playing soccer.

He is becoming quite the storyteller (much like his Dad).

He loves anything flavored "sour green apple".

His favorite color changed this year from green to red.

Gage is a good kid and we are thrilled that he's ours!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAGE!! We love you!!!

Mommy's Birthday

I have such a sweet little family! The night before my birthday I overheard my children planning out the day. They decided to wake up early and set out the presents and cards they had made and wrapped, set the table for breakfast without being asked, and then make a cake for me. It was fun to lay in bed for a little while the next morning and listen to their excited whisperings to each other. They ran into a problem making the cake when they realized they aren't allowed to use the oven! They decided to ask for a little help. I told them that I didn't need a cake, all I wanted was for them to get along with each other and be helpful the WHOLE day!! They didn't like this plan as much. So we made a cake. We all worked together and got it baked. They each chose 1 color of frosting (Gage-green, Amberly-pink, Carrigan-blue) and then they went to town. I was told to leave the kitchen and no peeking! They couldn't wait to show me their masterpiece! I have never seen so many sprinkles on one cake in my life!!!

Kimball took half the day off from work and so we all just played!! We went out to dinner (which is one of my favorite things to do, because there is no clean-up!) and for a little shopping. Everyone was extra kind and helpful on this day. It was such a fun, relaxing, easy day!! Thank you to my sweet family. You are the BEST!!!!

Emmalin's Happiest Place on Earth

Emmalin loves her bath! We say, "splash, splash" and she squeals and starts slapping the ground or table as if she is splashing the water in the tub. We have a hard time holding on to her as we walk toward the bathroom because she is so excited. It's a fun thing to see. Her brother and sisters delight in this and beg for us to give her a bath. She truly is happiest playing in a few inches of water, or dipping her fingers and toes in the running water coming from the faucet. Anyone nearby is sure to get wet. For such a little thing she can really get the water flying!

Family Fun Night (Dinner Out and the Ward Party)

This is our family journal and so I thought I would include a post about our family's favorite fast food restaurant. We ALL love "El Pollo Loco"! The kids are thrilled with a drumstick in one hand and a quesadilla in the other. It just seems to hit the spot! So this was our first stop tonight.

Even Emmalin enjoyed her drumstick!! Just kidding, she had applesauce and cheerios- but one day...

Our next stop was the Ward Swim Party!! Every summer the ward throws a big swim party at the community pool. It's always fun to hang out together and enjoy the water. Kimball has a great time jumping off the high dive, belly-flopping off the low dive, and sliding down the big slide. He is such a kid!! This year the activities committee provided snow cones. Sooo perfect!!!

Gage and Carrigan playing in the "mushroom". I don't know if that's what it's called but that's what my kids call it.

Kimball with the younger girls. Carrigan is holding on for dear life!

Emmalin wasn't to sure about this. It was a little colder than she is used to!

Bathing beauty. This little fish (aka Amberly) was all over the pool! She loves swimming.

Gage waiting for a bucket of water to dump on his head!

Now this is my kind of "family fun night". All of the cooking, cleaning, and planning was on someone elses shoulders!! We just got to eat, play, and enjoy a fun evening together!