Incredible in every way

Yea, I know. Any words I use in this post will never do it justice. The almighty YOSEMITE! I guess all I can say is thank you John Muir, President Lincoln, and later, President Roosevelt.

I had wanted to visit Yosemite my entire life, and finally got the opportunity this summer while JT happened to be working on a case in San Fransisco. The kids and I road tripped down from our summer getaway spot, SLC, and kicked it in San Fran for a few days. Then JT and I and the kids headed up to Yosemite for the weekend with a couple of really cool guys JT works with. We climbed all weekend, and had an amazing time taking it all in. I literally can't describe it. No wonder Ansel Adams spent so much of his life photographing the place! Here are a few highlights...

"I'm 4!"

As you can see written on the cake above, Erin turned 3, not 4. Yet for the last while if anyone asked Erin her age, she would promptly and confidently reply, "I'm 4!" I guess after hearing your older brother say that for some time, it sticks.

Erin had a great time at her party with Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents. Those are the best parties, right? She certainly thought so, as she was spoiled with presents and loads of attention (which for Erin is almost better than the gifts.)

Erin was, well lets just say, very excited to see her lollipop cake and cakeball lollipops which came together with a lot of gracious help from the best sister-in-laws in the world! (Thanks gals!)

Every time we asked Erin what she wanted for her birthday, she would say, "PURPLE!" We ended up getting her a scooter, but a very adept Aunt brought on the purple, and it was exactly what she must have been dreaming of!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN!

"Can I ride in the blue car?"

So as many already know, a while back our car was stolen right out of our driveway. It was a bummer, and we often still miss our old 4-runner, but I don't think JT and I will ever regret what we replaced it with...

Coincidentally owning a 1970's Toyota Landcruiser has been a childhood dream for both JT and I, so needless to say, it was not a difficult decision.

On a whim we threw everything into both cars, and headed to very East Texas for Memorial Day Weekend. Some friends told us about a place called Barnwell Mountain, and it didn't dissapoint! I think we have both been wanting to "test" the cruiser out since we got it back in December, but we weren't sure how the kids would like it. We finally decided that since the kids literally beg to drive anywhere and everywhere in the "blue car", that they would most likely tolerate doing just that in the dirt.

We bought JT a wide brimmed hat on the way out of town so he didn't sizzle and fry in the sun, and we caravaned out to Barnwell, a few hours from Dallas. We had an amazing time, and thought we would post some pics and video for all to enjoy. Oh yea, and Mom don't worry, the car seats are strapped in using 8000 lb webbing straps, and we were all lathered in tons of sun screen. (Incase you were wondering:)

I was in a funk!

Seriously, it was bad! I don't know what happened to me the last part of 2009, but I think I sort of checked out for a while. Sure, I am busy, like everyone else, but there really is no excuse. The Texas Clarks definately had our share of bad luck toward the end of the year, and I guess that contributed to my lack of blogging/answering phone calls/responding to texts and emails/sending out Christmas cards. Does anyone send out end of January cards? No? Well I guess there is always next year. This just gives me more time to round up people's adresses, right?

Well anyway, a short update on our family: We are continuing the never ending home remodel. I would say pics to come soon, but I think I have said that before, and I never post them. Maybe I will remember to take some one of these days.

John and Erin are doing great in school! John loves his Teacher, and he has come really far in terms of sitting still, writing, drawing, and reading. It seemes I can't keep enough library books in our house to keep him entertained, but our local library has a playground, so it works out well to go often. Erin loves her two teachers, Mrs. Patty and Ms. Anna. Erin is just funny! I don't know how else to describe her. She just has her own personality, and it is great to watch. She loves teasing her brother, even though she is younger, and she talks in the funniest voices. I won't attempt to describe it. She is just funny!

Our car - our one and only car - was stolen right out of our driveway Thanksgiving night. Oh yes, and my parents had flown in to be with us for Thanksgiving. What amazing hosts we were! It was actually my Dad who discovered the car was missing. JT was able to talk his way into an 8 passsenger rental SUV for the same price as the midsize our insurance wanted us to get. We were still able to make it to the Arboretum while my Parents were here, and my Dad snapped some great photos of our family! We drove, yes drove, to Utah from Dallas this year for Christmas. We ended up driving the rental car so that we could pick up our amazing new Christmas present to ourselves - a new car! OK to be honest we really went all out, and got two new cars. Well, to clarify, one new, and one very old, yet very cool 1975 Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser.



We had a great Holiday, well I guess I should say Christmas since JT always gets mad at me when I say "holiday." We are Christians after all, but I like to be respectful of all religions and beliefs.

After returning from our Christmas break, we found our heater was broken. It conveniently broke during a record setting cold spell, and when JT was back to traveling 5 days a week. We, meaning the kids and I, had a very cold 4 days while the HVAC guys tried to troubleshoot the problem, and finally ended up installing a new one.

I finally sort of now feel like I am getting my head above the water, or out of the clouds, whichever one you like. Both apply. For my parents sake, at least, I will make an attempt to post more pics and more often. It is taking me a long time to type this sentence because I am knocking on wood with one hand while I type with the other, but I swear if any more bad things... no, I can't even write it. I am working on the bright side. I really am not a pessimist. I have just been in a funk. It's mostly over now, and (again, knocking on wood) bring it on 2010!

Birthday! Yea it was a long time ago, but it was too cool not to post!

OK, so after a long hiatus. I have a backlog of posts that I still want to share. My laptop went down a few weeks ago, with all my pictures stuck inside. I am glad to say that everything is working now, so here is the first of my posts.


This year I decided to let John choose his own birthday party theme. He has somewhat of an obsession with Star Wars. OK it is a full blown obsession, complete with knowing the names of all the characters, and what special powers each one has, oh and what color light saber they carry. JT is so proud!
First we sent the kids through rigorous Jedi training...


Then Darth Vader showed up to test their skills...

The Jedis had been trained well, and the only way Darth Vader could defeat them was with Silly String...
Then we enjoyed cake and presents. This was my second attempt with fondant, and each time I learn something new...

Oh yea, and we had a pinata. No seriously, that is a perfect description of it. I swear if you stared at it the wrong way, it would have broken. After one hit, the thing broke in half. It's not as if the kids cared, but I really wished it could have lasted longer. This is the only pic I had time to get...
It was really fun to see John and his friends enjoying Star Wars as much as JT and I did as kids!

When will it go away?

You know, that frog in my throat that creeps up each time I watch what used to be my Little John get on the bus. How did he get so big? Where has the time gone? All I have is my thousands of digital photos, and sweet, sweet memories. I guess that is just how life is. But why do I need these moments, or monumental milestones, rather, to remind me to enjoy every second with my children, my babies!

I hope that frog goes soon, because it is getting harder to hold back the tears, not easier. Oh yea, and if anyone hears about one of these actually working, call me..

John has just finished his second week of school, but his first all day week of school. At his age, they start them for the first week going 8:00 - 12:00. I was excited to pick him up at noon every day, but John was very frustrated that he didn't get to ride the bus back home.
JT and I are way proud of John! He made it into a Montessori Charter School here in Dallas that was a fairly competitive process. His applications and interviews were way more intense than anything I did to get in to University, so we are way glad he got in.
The bus picks him up a couple of blocks from our house, so Erin, John, and I have a nice walk every morning to the bus.
Dad took a late flight home Sunday night so he could see John off to his first day of school. We asked John on our walk to the bus if he was nervous. He gave us a funny look like, 'should I be?' I guess I shouldn't ask suggestive questions. But his answer was kind of telling of John's personality, "I just need to explore it and then I'll decide."
Getting on the bus, John was the last in line. He looked so small compared to all the other kids. When he got on, the Driver asked John to sign in, and then they were off. Erin took it the hardest outwardly, by trying to chase the bus down as it pulled away, crying, "Where John go?"
JT had to be on the next flight out, so he took off, and I was kind of unsure how to feel. All I know is that it felt really good when he yelled "Mommy!" and threw his arms around me when I picked him up at noon.

Do you love plastic like I do?

So I have had several inquiries about the little gig we carry on in Salt Lake City. It is real, not

just a conversation piece. Here it is...

The warehouse

The sanding room

The drums in the background are viscous urethane and that is what we make these beeeutiful holds from.