Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Clark turns 12!

Looking back over the summer, it's been very busy and fun.  Soon after our family reunions and trips, we attended a Boy Scout court of honor where Clark received his Tenderfoot award.  He is done with 2nd Class and has just TWO requirements left for 1st Class.  Here's to getting them done soon....
July 19 2015 (2)

Cal and Elden at said court of honor.
July 19 2015

A couple of times each year, or at least once, it seems there is a cooler, rainy day with not many people at the pool.  It's kind of fun being practically the only people there!
July 21 2015 (3)

During shopping one time at Target Shanna found this Coke bottle with her name on it, surprisingly! We aren't Coke drinkers, but it's fun to see her name with the correct spelling!
July 21 2015 (4)

My Aunt Susan, and three of my cousins stopped briefly for a visit!  It was so great to see them.  My cousin Sara in the picture recently became engaged when this photo was taken and is now married!  So exciting! My other cousin, Steven, is standing behind me.  Sara and Steven are Aunt Susan's kids (her two youngest) and the cute guy on the right, Spencer, is my first cousin once removed.  Aunt Susan's oldest boy Jonathen, is Spencer's dad.  I was really impressed with these young men.  I don't see Steven and Spencer very much at all, and Spencer I know even less.  But when they came in our house for a brief visit they talked and visited.  I noticed that they both had cell phones (Clark was interested in them) but they basically left them alone while they were inside with family.  I could just see a teenager in a slightly awkward situation (being with people you don't really know) and whipping out their phone to stay entertained.  These guys didn't do that, and I just thought it was so neat.  And isn't it sad I thought that was so neat?! 
July 21 2015 (6)

Towards the end of July Shanna and Haley started an Activity Days camp with the girls from the two wards here. The camp had a pioneer theme.  The girls did all sorts of things from carving, to handwashing clothes, baking bread, creating toy wagons, learning square dancing, making soup and candle holders...etc!  They LOVED it!  
July 21 2015 (7)

One evening during the week of Activity Day camp we went on a bike ride.  I love seeing all of us out on the road. We were playing a game that night while riding bikes, that the kids had made up...Mario Cart.
July 21 2015 (8)

July 21 2015 (9)

July 21 2015 (10)

Lee ordered bags for his office!  We got the idea from his brother Kent...Thanks for the idea!
July 21 2015

During this time we also started renovating our bathroom.  Someday soon I'll do a big 'ol post on that from start to finish! 
July 22 2015 (2)

The girls practicing square/line dancing.
July 22 2015 (3)

Summertime wonders...
July 22 2015

July 23 2015 (3)

I read this book.  Loved it.  It caused me to really think about my life, attitude and gratefulness.
July 23 2015 (4)

The girls also learned some stiching and were able to stitch their name on aprons that their awesome leader Rachel made for them.
July 23 2015 (5)

Brother bonding at the pool...
July 23 2015

Feeding ducks while girls were busy with pioneer activities.
July 24 2015 (2)

July 24 2015

The last day of their camp was at my friend's house.  Jenny invited all of us to come for a potluck lunch, and swim.  They had moved in about a week earlier!  It was so fun to see their place, swim and hangout.  The girls performed for us.
July 24 2015 (3)

Seeing the front of their aprons, and subsequently seeing their backsides when they turned around, made me think of the Parent Trap.  Remember the part when the girl cuts the other girl's skirt back off? Too funy.
July 24 2015 (5)

Okay, now on to the reason of the post.  Clark's birthday!!!  Clark's birthday was in the midst of our bathroom renovation, but we still did some fun things for him.  Hopefully he enjoyed his day! This may jump around a little, but he requested scones for dinner.
July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (2)

I made him some mint brownies and gave him the option to decorate them himself, which he agreed to.  I bought some vintage Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle party favors at a local party store a couple years ago.  I had the intent of selling them for a high price on eBay, but never did.  The kids somehow found some of the items on Clark's birthday and he decorated his brownies with some of the items...like a Shredder candle.
July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (3)

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July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (7)

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July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday

July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (5)

July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (6)

July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (9)

One of his birthday presents was for him and some friends to go paintballing.  They have done so, and loved it!
July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (13)

Clark seemed to really enjoy the day. The kids started swimming lessons that same day, but Clark didn't go, pointing out that it was his birthday. 
July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday (17)

For the birthday breakfast we had bacon...and something else....?
July 27 2015 Clark 12th birthday

Some more random photos....Cal on a date with Lee.
July 28 2015 (2)

July 28 2015 (3)

About a week after Clark's birthday some of my siblings came to town, along with my parents, to be here for his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood.  When male members of the church turn 12 (or if they join the church after age 12), and are found worthy, they receive the Aaronic Priesthood.  It's the same priesthood that Aaron, Moses' brother, was ordained to in the Old Testament.  Hence the name, Aaronic Priesthood.

Lois and Jeff moved that weekend, so my parents brought down their kids to hang out with us while we awaited everyone else's arrival!

Can you tell my girls like to dote on Rhett?
Aug 1 2015 (2)

Aug 1 2015 (5)

On our way to church that day....
Aug 2 2015

We are so proud of you Clark!  You have exciting things ahead as you carry out your Priesthood duties, like serving a mission! Pretty good family photo!!! My brother Sheldon and his wife, Ciera, sent Clark his awesome tie.  See picture below.  He really likes it!
Aug 2 2015 (2)

I love that Clark is taller than me!  He is now a proud suit owner!  Now Lee needs to get another one...
Aug 2 2015 (7)

Darrell, Daniel, Lois, and their families were able to be here that Saturday night/Sunday.  We love having family here!  So do all the kids!
Aug 2 2015 (8)

Aug 2 2015 (9)

Clark getting a selfie with his new CTR ring (stands for Choose the Right), while sporting a Hello Kitty headband, ha ha.
Aug 2 2015 (10)

Sunday afternoon walk with the family!
Aug 2 2015 (12)

My parents are starting to search out a place to buy after their mission.  Yes, they are going on another mission!  They will be serving at the family history mission at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT.  We are so excited for them! We stopped at a house near ours that is for sale.  Though I am not sure if it's for sale anymore.  At the time of the pictures, it was unoccupied, so we headed there on our walk.

Aug 2 2015 (13)

Nice big crew!
Aug 2 2015 (14)

Aug 2 2015 (17)

Happy birthday Clark!!!  What a great milestone birthday.  Keep up the great work!

1 comment:

Deb B said...

Super fun! I wish that we could have been there!!!! Clark looks so happy. I'm also glad your renovation is done. And the pool area at your friends house has gorgeous landscaping!