Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

It's been a fun morning at our house!! Last night we set the trap to catch our leprechaun and went to bed. This morning when we went to check the trap we found a note saying, "better LUCK next year"!! The kids were a little disappointed until they started looking around the house and found all of the little michievious things the leprechaun had done. He turned our milk and water green, colored on our faces with green marker, and spilled gold chocolate coins all over the place!! We used the green milk to make pancakes which turned our pancakes green. Gage declared St. Patrick's Day his most favorite holiday-- even better than Christmas!!
Setting out the leprechaun trap.

That darn leprechaun got away!! But not before spilling gold chocolate coins everywhere!

Not even the baby was spared. The leprechaun colored her nose green too!!

Amberly devouring her green pancakes

Carrigan taking a big gulp of green milk

I can hear!!!

I took Gage to get his hair cut today. Not just a trim, but all chopped off! Most of you know that Kimball lives vicariously through Gage's thick, long, full bodied hair. Needless to say Kimball is not too happy with me. Gage couldn't be happier!! He has been wanting his hair cut short for some time now. All that hair was high maintenance. Getting ready for school in the mornings will be much easier and I think he looks great. As we were getting in the car to come home Gage excitedly says to me, "Mom, I can hear!!" Poor kid-- all that hair was blocking his hearing!!

Before...

After...

I LOVE Fridays!!!!!

Friday has got to be my favorite day of the week. It is the day I can breath a little easier and just enjoy my family. The kids don't have homework, there are no strict bedtime routines, no extra curricular activities or practices, and Kimball is usually around in the evening. We have dubbed Friday as "family fun night". The kids (and me) can't wait til dad comes home and the festivities can begin. It's nothing major-- just simple stuff like games, movies, pillow fights and of course treats!! It has to be simple or I probably wouldn't enjoy it as much, ya know! Anyway these are pictures from our last "friday fun night". We are looking forward to another in just 2 days!!

Making pizza for dinner. The tricky part was getting the pepperoni's onto the pizza instead of straight into the mouth!

Kimball and I realized that we don't have many pictures of the two of us so we let Carrigan take our picture. She did pretty good minus the missing top of our heads.

Playing games and eating a little (okay alot) too much candy. Our kids LOVE to play games. Tonight was Disney Yatzee.

Pillow fight!!! We are hoping that Kimball's shoulder is still on the path to recovery after this but it sure was fun!

It's not a good pillow fight unless someone gets hurt. At least that's what my Dad always said. So this must have been a good fight because everyone was crying in the end. Ahhh fun times!!!

Look out David Beckham...

So we have entered a new phase in our lives. That of organized athletics. We are trading in our relaxed, quiet Saturday mornings to cheer for "the Crew". Gage has been wanting to play soccer for quite some time now and we are finally in a situation where we can commit to being to practices and games. I can't tell you how excited Gage (and his Dad) are about all of this. He is the youngest and the littlest on his team but doesn't care. Actually, I don't think Gage realizes that he is on the shorter side (okay shortest side!!). We hope this turns out to be a great experience for him. We are hopeful that it will help to build positive character traits such as good sportsmanship, teamwork, and a committment to something. These are pictures from his first practice a few nights ago. He can hardly wait til the next practice!!!

Anyone want to take a guess???

You know the quiz where they show you a picture and you have to guess what it is...well that's what I'm doing here. Any quesses???

I know...I'm being silly. That's what happens when you are stuck at home all week with sick children. We have pink-eye and the stomach flu at our house. Fun times!!!
Any guesses!!

Hit enter several times for the answer---






When Gage was born the R.S. presidencey knitted this blanket for him. It is so soft and warm. Emmalin has taken a real liking to it. We get a kick watching her wrapped up in it. Those fingers and toes are always sticking out. She waves her hands and feet around and giggles at the sight of it. Did you get it right????

We have had a busy weekend! A wedding, a birthday, and Valentines Day. On Friday my youngest sister was married. It was a sweet experience to be in the temple with them as they were sealed for time and eternity. The reception was later that evening and we had tons of fun catching up with family and old friends.

Saturday was not only Valentine's Day, but Arizona's birthday and my mom decided to throw a big party. As if throwing a reception the night before wasn't enough (my Mom is amazing by the way). We barbequed, made ice-cream sundaes, played games, and ate left over wedding cake which was now "birthday cake". Arizona is now 97 years old. The kids (and adults) had a great time. Thanks Mom!!

As I mentioned before, Saturday was Valentine's Day. It has become a fun family holiday for us. We made heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast and sent the kids on a treasure hunt for their valentine's goodies from us. Dinner was a "romantic" candlelight dinner for 6!! And of course I can't let Valentine's day (or any other holiday for that matter) go by without sugar cookies. Growing up my Mom would make us each a giant heart-shaped sugar cookie. I have carried on that tradition with my own family. Whew, what a weekend. And it's only half over. I'm looking forward to a quiet Sunday. Monday is President's Day. Kimball and the kids have the day off from work and school. No special plans yet...I wonder is they make a cookie cutter in the shape of George Washington or Abe Lincoln...hmmmmmmmm

Mike and Kristi West. Welcome to the family Mike!!

At the end of their treasure hunt they found a basket full of craft supplies. They were so excited, they love doing "projects"

Playing football with the uncles at the Arizona birthday party

Our candlelight valentine's dinner

Carrigan enjoying her cookie.

Mommy and Carrigan

Carrigan and I have alot of one on one time together during the day while Gage and Amberly are at school. She is the best little helper with Emmalin. Always willing to grab a new diaper or sit and play for a few minutes with her. I have really enjoyed this time with Carrigan. We have a stronger bond because of it. I love the little person she is turning out to be. She is so funny!!! Always ready with something fun to say or a silly face. She is so imaginative!!! The games and pretend play she can come up with amaze me. I love my sweet girl. These are pictures taken a few days ago. She brought the camera to me and asked for pictures of just the two of us. I realized that we don't have any of just the two of us and so I obliged. She decided on the faces that we made-- kissy, silly, puffy cheeks, etc.

Valentine's Day FHE

Kimball and I always try to do a fun Valentine's Day FHE the Monday before the holiday. This year we told a cute story that was shared by Elder Oaks called, "The Love Drawer" (we found the story on Sugardoodle). The story was about a mother who had a long-term illness. She saved all of the notes and cards that people had given to her during this time in the top drawer of her nightstand. She called it her "love drawer". It helped her to remember that people loved and cared about her. It reminded her that her Heavenly Father loved and cared about her.
We decided that our family would make "love pockets" to hang on our bedroom doors. During the next week we can sneak little notes or drawings or goodies into the pockets for each other. The kids are really excited about this. We are hoping it will fill our home with feelings of love for each other.
We ended with yummy treats. Aunt Janell gave us a recipe for "cinnamon pastries". They were really good! Thanks Janell!!

6 more weeks of winter????????

My kids are disappointed. Last Monday was Groundhogs Day. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and proclaimed 6 more weeks of winter, but our 80 degree weather in February is proving him wrong. So to make it more winter-like we got out the paper and scissors and went to town making snowflake after snowflake and hung them around the house. The kids are proud of their handiwork. Kimball got into too and made some pretty cool ones.

I did hear on the news this morning that we are expecting rain this weekend and cooler temperatures. Maybe Phil wasn't quite so wrong afterall!!!

Three's

In my family things tend to come in three's. A few times now 3 grandbabies have been born within a few months of each other. All three of my girls were part of these groups (another set of 3!!) In fact, Carrigan shares her birthday with one of her cousins. Anyway, this is a picture of the latest set of three. Emmalin, Rachel, and Joslyn. They are a sweet addition to the Wilkins clan.

Only Kimball!!!

There are so many stories we have around here where we say, "only Kimball". Wrestling an emu, bathroom stall battleship, etc. etc. (You all know what I'm talking about). Well tonight we had another "only Kimball" experience. You see I'm a bad wife and make Kimball sew his own badges on his scout shirt. I know...I'm horrible. Anyhoo, he was sewing a badge on his shirt while we were watching the Suns game. He was sewing them by hand and as he went to make another stitch he realized that he had sewn right threw his fingernail. Maybe you had to be there but we got a good laugh out of it and said--"only Kimball"!

Getting Crafty!!!

So, I have been seeing silhouettes that people have been doing of their families and have wanted to try it for sooo long. Finally I got around to doing it. I think they turned out pretty cute.

Anyways, we have had fun looking at them and discovering who has the tiniest or biggest nose, pointiest chin, largest forhead, etc.

Emmalin -- 3 months already!!!

I can't believe she is 3 months old already!! Where does the time go? I didn't want to let this milestone go by without a few pictures of our sweet baby girl.





We love this baby and the sweet feeling she has brought into our home. Gage, Amberly, and Carrigan absolutely adore her. She is definitely a keeper.

We call her our little "spa" girl because she loves being pampered in the bathtub. Nothing makes her happier than the bath.

Emmalin, we love you and are glad you are in our family!!!

Our "Merry" Christmas and "Happy" New Year!!!

Phew--things have been hectic the last few weeks with Kimball's shoulder surgery, the holidays, family in town, and a fun bout of the stomach flu. But we still managed to have lots of fun!

A few of our Christmas Eve traditions include a candelight dinner, the elves bring us new pajamas, we read Christmas stories by the tree while laying on our Christmas pillows (thanks Grandma!), and of course leaving cookies and 9 carrots for the reindeer. Christmas morning was so much fun. Emmalin slept through the whole thing! The favorite gift was the Nintendo Wii!!!

Christmas fun 2008

The girls got bouncy balls to match the one Gage already had and Gage got Hulk Smash hands and a Superman punching bag. Needless to say, the house was chaos. Our little home was overrun with screaming kangaroos and UFC fighters. It was great.

More updates and pictures to come.

Stay tuned.

11 Years

11 years ago to this very day, Tiffin married me (crazy lady). I could go on about how much I think of her as a person. She is amazing!! In 11 years, we have had quite a ride and she has only become a better person. We have 4 wonderful kids and it is due greatly to her efforts and very hard work on a daily basis. She does not get a day off and we are blessed as a family because she does not want time off. Now, I say this knowing that she loves a break from the work, but if you ask her, she does not like being away from the family even if it is very hard work. She sees the rewards it brings and I don't think she looks at it as a "sacrifice" as much as she loves to give of herself for those she loves. For 11 years she has given herself everyday to her family.

Tiffin, I thank you for that sacrifice. I love you for that. You are my strength and my hero.

Forever yours,

Kimball J Clark

Saturday Night Fever with the Clarks

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Ward Christmas Party

We enjoyed a yummy meal (ham, potatoes, gravy, rolls, salad, pumpkin pie, etc). The youth put on a fun little play about the birth of the Savior. The kids especially enjoyed a visit with Santa. Carrigan has been talking about meeting Santa for days now!! The moment finally arrived and she is one happy little girl.

We really like our ward and treasure the friendships we have made with the people in it. It was fun to be able to spend an evening together in celebration of our Saviors birth.

"Winter Program" at Bales Elementary

We enjoyed a concert at the kids school this week. I had the kids ready to go with time to spare so we went ahead to the school a little early. This worked well for us. We were able to sit in the front row! Kimball was so proud of me (he met us at the school after work). Amberly and the kindergarteners went first singing "Jingle bells", "Rudolph", and "Oh Christmas Tree". Gage and the first graders were next singing "Up on the Housetop", "Frosty the Snowman", and "Santa Claus is coming to town. They did a fantastic job.

Kimball and I were a tad bit embarrassed as Amberly (who was in the front) picked her underwear out of her bottom several times during her songs. Others in the audience thought it was pretty funny.