I love this time of year.....

We rode on the Polar Express train to see the Christmas Village

Cody got a little tired of walking

One of the hundreds of little houses decorated for Christmas in the Village

The boys with Santa

It was a little cold.

Typical Californian's!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I love time. It is my favorite gift to give and receive. It seems like we are all in such a huge rush now a days it is so nice to slow down and enjoy each other and this time of year.

My parents came up for a visit. They stayed for 4 days. We went to movies, enjoyed a Christmas dinner (yum), exchanged presents, and endured the cold snowy weather when we visited the Christmas Village downtown. I am so thankful for the time they took to come and see us and the kids, we really enjoyed ourselves. (hey Dad- I cannot see my neighbors house, now you can say that it is dumping!)

We have had many Christmas parties to attend the past couple of weeks. One of my fav's was Dan's family adult only party. We ate at our favorite Chinese restaurants, you know the one that you can only afford to eat at once a year! So yummy, thanks Doug and Sue! Christmas eve was a very nice evening. We spent the night eating good food and playing games all night at Doug and Sue's house, the kids got the softest blankets and PJ's! The best part of the night was when we sat as a whole family and Doug read parts of the Christmas story from the Bible. We then watched the Nativity movie from the church. This was a wonderful teaching moment for the kids, to be able to learn more about our savior's birth from their Grandfather. After we open presents at our house Christmas morning tradition is, we go to Doug and Sue's for really yummy omelets and more presents. We had a great time with all of our brother and sister's and all of those fun little cousins! I am so thankful for that time making memories and remembering the savior.

Christmas morning was a blast! The kids opened their gifts from Santa and Dan and I. I made a decision last year. I felt like the kids really thought that Christmas was all about the presents and did not appreciate what they got. So my decision was that I was going to cut back, way back. The boys got some winter clothes and two small toys from us. Of course Santa should cut back too! Santa brought one toy for each of the boys. They got a few group games and a movie from Dan and I. I had explained that this is what their Christmas would be like a while ago, we needed to appreciate what we had, we are so lucky to have what we have, some kids don't have anything at all..... that got me thinking. We choose names off of the Angle Tree at church. We then purchased those children some really great presents and dropped them off at the collection home. The boys knew that this one present that we bought was probably one of the only presents that would be under that child's tree this year. That feeling that I taught my boys that day is indescribable. They were so happy for everything that they received today so incredibly grateful. I know that this feeling will stay with them for a long time to come, I think that I started a new tradition for our family. I am so grateful for that time with my boys.

I am so grateful for all of the time that our Savior gave to us. All of his sacrifice and love. We watched a cute cartoon last night about the fourth wise man (from the church). This wise man is trying to travel to see the lord but keeps getting sidetracked by people in need. He never makes it to see the savior before the Crucifixion. At the end he is dying and feels like a failure for not finding Jesus in time, the lord says ye hath done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. This is what this time of year is all about. I am so grateful for time the Savior took to teach us these lessons, and as any mother knows these take a lot of time!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We went to Dan's Dad and Mom's house. The food was SO good. My food assignment was Sweet Potatoes. I was told that this is one of Doug's favorite things for Thanksgiving, I was determined to get this perfect. Well, after I boiled the sweet potatoes I was peeling them and could not figure out why they were not orange. Even Bryan walked by and said " thought they were supposed to be orange". I called Sue, confused. She laughed. Then she said "I am sorry I should have told you to get Yam's, not Sweet Potato's!" So long story short, they actually tasted fine with the brown sugar and butter! I got a little teased, but Doug did say that he thought they were great. Next Sunday dinner I am so bringing Yam's I don't care if they go with the meat we are having or not!

Sue's parents were there, it's always so nice to visit with them. Sue's sister Lisa, her husband, and the only daughter still living at home were also there. We never get to see Lisa, so it was good to catch up with her and admire the table decorations she brought with her! Some good family friends from down the street were also able to make it, they have a 14 yr old son that the boys think is so COOL- we love it when they come to family things! We did the Clark family tradition and went to a movie (adults only). We saw Transporter 3, the guys loved it, I thought it was okay- to much violence for my taste.

I just got back from another tradition, all day after Thanksgiving shopping! I like this part. I found AMAZING deals! My shopping is all done for Christmas! I love it, now I get to sit back and enjoy the Holiday with out all of the hustle and bustle of shopping.

Cute Thanksgiving story- This would only happen in Utah. Our theme in preschool this past week was Thanksgiving. We made Indian vests out of brown grocery bags and Indian headbands with feathers cut out of construction paper. I had the kids tell me things that they are thankful for and I wrote them on the feathers. I got alot of my mom, toys, even my favorite little boy said Ms. Clark and me. (I know I shouldn't have favorites but when his mom asks him who loves him instead of saying "mom" he says "Ms. Clark" how can he not be my favorite. When he does something naughty at school he looks at me and says "But Ms. Clark you love me" He is one smart 3 yr. old! -sorry for the side story) One of the other boys said Heavenly Father. It was so precious! This same little boy will just randomly start singing primary song (I constantly have Follow the Prophet in my head because of him!) I told his mom she was doing something right!

I missed being with my side of the family this year, maybe next year if we can get away.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for, my family, good friends, my home, food, my health, and the means Heavenly Father has provided for me to obtain the things my family needs. I am so grateful for many things, the list goes on and on. Today, right now, it's my health. I get results from my moles one week from today. I am grateful for my health.

Park City and a few moles........

I have the cutest boys!!

Looking down at the lower level living room from the upper level living room

The most expensive pizzeria I have ever eaten at!

Walking back up to the car after a nice lunch and stopping at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for dessert!

We spent this past weekend in Park City. Dan is working as the Site Manager at Angy's School and he has been putting in a lot of hours. Mike and Angy gave us the best gift ever, a weekend at the nicest condo I have ever seen! It was 2 level, and had 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 living rooms, 4 jacuzzi tubs, a pool and a full spa. It was so nice to relax and just get away from it all! We had fun walking through shops, eating good food and relaxing around the condo. Thanks Mike and Angy for the memories!!!

Bryan and Cody sitting by the fireplace

I went to the Dermatologist on Friday. She did not like 3 of my moles and took them off. One was on the very tip of my big toe and hurt like you would not believe!!! The other two were no picnic either- back of my upper arm and the inside of my ankle- they still did not compare to the pain on my toe! I was a little nervous and called Angy, she has had melanoma and been through all of this before. She said to not stress. It is the doctor's job to find the funkiest looking moles and take them off. Every 3-6 months (this is how often I have to go in and get checked for the next 5 years) I should have at least 2 moles taken off each time. I will find out the results from the ones taken off this time on Dec. 5. I am sure it will all be fine, I am just a little nervous being this is my first time since "C".

Carol Clark, loving grandmother

Well we just got back from Dan's grandma's funeral. It was a beautiful service. It was nice to reconnect with old cousins and friends. It was fun to hear stories of her life and her adult children tell about the creative, funny, and loving mother she was. My favorite story of the day was about a water fight that consisted of outside water hoses being drug inside the house and 5 gallon buckets of water on the roof!! Grandma Clark was in the middle of it all.

Dan and I were the first of the grandchildren married and she was onr of the first people to accept me, it was as if I were her grandchild from the beginning of my life. She always took time to make us feel special, even my children, her great grandchildren, knew who she was and felt as if they were her favorite! She had such a loving kind heart and I hope to be half the wife, mother, grandmother, and friend she was.

I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life. I know that I will see Grandma again. I think of the reunion that took place in Heaven. Dan's brother Robby must be so happy to have Grandma with him again. I think of her meeting my Grandma Donna, I think if they knew eachother on this earth, they would be great friends. I can see our Heavenly Father wrapping his arms around Grandma, welcoming her home. She will be missed by many people. I am happy that she is no longer suffering and her body is made whole and healthy again.

When will this end?

I have to go into the Dermatologist and the Plastic Surgeon for my 3 month check up. I can't believe it has been 3 months since the big "C"!!! There is a mole on my leg that my dermatologist did not like and she will be cutting it out this time. I am a little nervous, keep me in your prayers please :) The plastic surgeon just wants to make sure everything is healing nicely, I am still numb on the top of my head and along the hairline where the incision is. Last time he said that if this is still going on at the 3 month check up it will probably be permanent. So do you think if I don't go into the check up then that means it won't be permanent? he, he, he.

Happy Birthday Wenona!

Wenona,

Thank you for being such a huge part of my life! You are "my person". I don't know what I would do without you. You know more about me then any other person on this earth! I miss you so much and count you as one of my favorite blessings. Thank you for all that you have gotten me through and all that you continue to see me through! I love you. I hope your day was wonderful, I'm sorry I couldn't be there!

Love,
Tara

Halloween!!!

It has been a crazy few weeks! We moved! Our new place is very nice. It is only about 1 yr. old, they are still building new homes on our street. The new ward is great, very down to earth and friendly. This has been such a blessing, a friend of ours owns the place and agreed to a month to month lease, this way when Dan gets hired on the Highway Patrol we can move without having to worry about breaking a lease.

The background process for Dan is finished and we should hear any day if he passed it. Please keep Dan and the people making this decision in your prayers. We are trying our very hardest to keep our faith and remain calm, but we are human and the stress creeps in ever so slowly!

I had a great Halloween birthday! Of course we went Trick or Treating! Bryan and Cody were both cowboys and Cole was Indiana Jones, I love the D.I.!!! I was a cat, my preschool kids loved it, they kept petting my head and saying "Good kitty".

Cody started playing Basketball this week (I forgot a camera). He is so good, 6 baskets in row! Bryan and Cole start playing after Christmas- can you believe it is almost here?!

Snow!!!!

The snow is now here! We got dumped on. 8 inches in 48 hours. This is the first snow fall of the year, and the kids could not be happier. Dan is also so excited, this means more money (snow plowing with his Dad and brother), and boy do we need it, medical bills from all of my stuff is adding up! I love the cold, it is fall and I actually get to wear sweaters. I love the crisp cool weather. This next week it is supposed to warm up to at least 70, swimming weather.

Things kids say: Today in preschool we were reading The Very Hungary Caterpillar. After the caterpillar eats all of the food he becomes fat. Well, this started all of the kids on "My Mom's fat" "My Grandma's fat" "My Mom's not fat". Then a few of them started to tell me about how their parents fight. Mine fought in the park, mine fight when I'm in bed at night! Oh if these parents were in the room! I couldn't help but giggle! hee, hee ,hee!! I guess we need to be more careful on what we say around our kids!!!

I know, I know

Okay. It has been a while since my last post. They made me sign up for a new blog because it's been so long! I am going to try my hardest to reach my goal to blog at least once a month. Here's the update:

This summer- We spent time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at the family cabin with Dan's family, what a blast. We also spent 2 weeks in California visiting my family and friends, we had such a great time and miss living close to them all, especially our Niece and Nephew (sorry everyone else, they are just so cute!) We spent a lot of time camping, going to parks, and local water parks.

Bryan- Can you believe he is in the 5th grade? I was having a hard time believing it until we started to get the attitude to go along with it! He really is such a good kid. He's doing really well in school, enjoying soccer we have games every Saturday (I think the coordination caught up, he's really good!), having fun at scouts, and swimming in the pool that his grandparents just put in! He's liking his piano lessons and getting good at his tumbling- he has a really "cool" guy teacher who teaches them lots of neat tricks!

Cole- Big 3rd grader is doing great. He's doing pretty good in school, unfortunately he got his spelling from his mom. I can't help but think how grateful I am for spell check! Cole decided not to play soccer this year but cannot wait until basketball starts in another couple of months. He loves scouts. He's also becoming quite the swimmer and diver, he can do back and front flips off of the diving board! He is a natural at piano and is having fun with his tumbling teacher (same one that Bry has).

Cody- 2nd grade! Where does the time go? Cody is one of those kids that school just comes so easily for, reminds me of my brother. Cody will also play basketball in another couple of months. Cody is the best at the back flip off of the diving board, we all are impressed, he is definitely a little fish. Cody loves piano and is also really good at it. His tumbling teacher says that both him and Cole are naturals.

Dan- He has applied for Highway Patrol. We just found out that he passed the really harsh test they took 2 weeks ago and has been put into the background process. Dan has done all that he can and then some, we pray now constantly, as we know it is now in God's hands and which ever way it goes now it is his will. Dan keeps busy by working, and helping around the house. Because Dan works nights and sleeps when everyone is gone during the day, he is more of a Mr. Mom then he ever has been! We are so lucky to have him as a father and husband.

Me- Well I have been very busy! My sister in law Angy has talked me into quite a few things this past year. I am now the preschool director at her preschool, teach piano one night a week and she has just talked me into creating and running her new birthday party program. We will be putting on really fun birthday parties at the school, I am pretty excited about it. I am working anywhere between 30 and 40 hours weekly. I still make it home 3-4 days a week before the kids are home from school! I am one of the luckiest mom's ever! When the kids get home they will usually take turns practicing the piano, our home is always filled with so much music, it has a way of inviting the spirit. I am the den leader in our ward, Cole is in my group, it is quite fun! We meet once a week, I secretly wish we met more often. I guess my biggest news has been the pesky cancer that needed to be removed just over a month ago. They believe they got it all, only time will tell :) The biggest pain was the reconstruction. The cancer was on my forehead, it was the size of a quarter and went down to my skull. I had to have plastic surgery two days after the cancer was removed. It was quite yucky. I am so glad that we had a plastic surgeon do the reconstruction, it is healing nicely and with a little bit of makeup you won't be able to hardly see the scar. I have been very humbled by this whole experience and am grateful for the wisdom of our heavenly Father, I have learned so much about cancer. The kindness of others has beena real comfort, from my mom telling me she would come all the way from California to just "be here" to people showing up at my door with dinner without me knowing they were coming. I have also learned how to accept service, it's a lot harder then it sounds, and others do deserve the blessings that come from service. Since this experience I am one of those annoying Mom's who makes sure her children and EVERYONE else's around me have on plenty of sunblock. I slather it on and as my parents found out when they came to visit me I make sure other adults do to. Just normal sunblock won't do you should all be using broad band sun screen, it protects ALL layers of skin not just the top. Did you also know that most (not all) sun damage is done before you are even 20? Please protect your kids, tan babies are cute, but at what cost? I am apologizing ahead of time to my whole family, sorry if this will annoy you- TO BAD!!! :)

All in all we are doing well. We are happy and anticipating the fall and soon the snow- the kids love to go sledding and snow boarding. Life is good and we are looking forward to the many changes ahead!

My sister wanted me to post my yucky pics from the reconstruction so here is one, this is a about a week after surgery, the bruising and swelling is almost gone. As you can see the top incision goes from just past the middle of my forehead and into my hair line. The second one goes from the middle of my forehead straight down to my eyebrow. The kids think it's cool I have a big T on my forehead for Tara!















One of our favorite places to go is This is the Place in Salt Lake City. They have games, panning for gold, a petting farm, pony rides, a train ride, and replicas of houses from some of the early settlers. It is very educational and fun for the kids!







I found Mom and Dad's job when they retire!!!! The Old Man playing checkers with Cody and the Old Lady playing marbles on the floor with the boys!