First Snow of Winter

Wow!  It snowed on Christmas day!  That's the first time that's happened since 1963!!  Isn't that crazy?

Unfortunately I was sick with the mutant plague (cold) that's been going around so I really didn't get outside too much.  The kids & I enjoyed a snowball fight with my family on Xmas day and I finally recovered enough to go sledding with them that Monday.  The snow lingered longer than we thought it would so that was nice as well.

I love snow!  We're excited to see more of it in 2011!!!

The Best Things in Life Really Are Free

1 large box 

(received in the mail from David & Karen) 

+ 

2 cute kids 

=

hours of fun!

One game they like to play is "Baby Moses."  Hannah puts a pillow & blanket in the box then instructs Samuel to get in and lay down.  She tells "poor baby Moses" that she's going to push him down the river (as she pushes him around the kitchen).  It's so sweet!!

Thanksgiving in Pictures

lots and lots of pictures

5 days worth of pictures

...a beautiful farm that's been in Carroll's family since the 1800's...

...football, relaxing, dog watching, and a delicious Thanksgiving meal with a wonderful family...

...a craft fair on a 40* day complete with wind and snow flurries...

...family, family and more family...

family photos from L to R:

Bob & his sister Mary (we stayed with her and her husband Carroll)

Bob, Mary & their sister Nota

Bob, his mother & of course Hannah & Samuel

Mary & Hannah

a family photo - doesn't Grandma Clark look so excited?

Nota with Hannah & Samuel w/Carroll in the background

Mary & the kiddos

 I'm so glad for the opportunity to meet more of Bobby's family.

Thank you for everything Mary & Carroll.  We already miss you and can't wait to see you again!!

...Busy...

We're still here!  We've just been busy.

We've been

 

...going to play dates at Sertoma...getting some really awesome deals using Southern Savers...trying to win the battle of the leaves in our front yard...spending time with family...resting/recovering from the vicious cold that's going around...packing for Maryland

We leave tomorrow for Maryland!  We're all very excited to see Mary & Carroll again.

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family.  We love you!

Random

Hannah & Sam snuggling because they were "scared" while watching 'Curse of the Were Rabbit'. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Everyone has been playing dress up lately...including the cats.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Fall and all of its beauty is upon us.  (Finally)

The leaves were late in changing color this year but they are more gorgeous than I remember them.  The drive up and down the mountain is breath taking.  You should come visit us so you can see them for yourself.

 So we took a "hike" down the road beside our house.  We collected red, yellow and orange leaves to make a craft. 

To Be Remembered...

 -Hannah's Favorites-

       color:  pink

       sport:  soccer (I think b/c Jude plays soccer...)

       movie:  'Ducktails' series and Garfield the Movie

       song:   Jack Johnson and Veggie Tales

       number:  4

       letter:  'H' (of course!)

       book:  Berenstain Bear Books and 'Llama Llama Red Pajamas'

       toy:  'My Little Pony'  

       cartoon:  Caillou

       food:  rice

       person:  Mama & Daddy & Jude

       ice cream flavor:  butter pecan

       snack:  mozzarella cheese sticks

       drink:  Root Beer & Cream Soda

-Samuel's Favorites-
       color:  blue
       sport:  kick ball
       movie:  Wallace & Grommit - Curse of the Were Rabbit
       song:  God Made Me Special (Veggie Tales)
       number:  2
       letter:  'W' (it's the one he can easily recognize)
       book:  currently it's 'Olivia' but he also likes the 'Where's Waldo' books
       toy:  iPad / trampoline / Hot Wheels
       cartoon:  Curious George
       food:  chili
       person:  Milo
       ice cream flavor:  chocolate
       snack:  "Moo Tudes"  (the Aldi version of Go-Gurts but they're really called Moo Tubes)
       drink:  Cream Soda

Not to mention much they love each other.  It's fun watching Hannah & Samuel playing together.  Hannah can make Samuel laugh like no one else can.  They also love to tell each other 'knock knock' jokes.

********** 

Also not the be forgotten:

 Halloween 2010 

Trunk or Treat at Wal Mart.

Playing Dress Up

Yesterday I was folding laundry and I called Hannah to come and help me.  She was in her room and grudgingly joined me in the living room to fold the towels. 
She informed me that she had been in the process of "dressing Ellie" when I interrupted her.  So sorry little girl but chores are important too.

After she and Samuel finished helping me they decided to go outside and play.  I totally forgot about Hannah dressing Ellie until I went into their room to put some clothes away.

This is what I found....

I have a feeling that she was attempting to put the hat on Ellie too.

Hannah is just creative like that.  No lace bonnets and blankets for our kitty.  Nope, she's going to be dressed for winter.

Play Date Cake Pops

The past few weeks the kids and I have been meeting with a group of mom's & their kids (they're mostly Hannah & Samuel's age).  We normally go to Sertoma so the kids can get some fresh air and play on the play ground.  But this past week we invited everyone to our house to make some cake pops.  It ended up raining that morning so it was a good thing we had other plans!

There were six Mom's (including myself) and nine kids!  Our house was  crowded and loud and fun!  There were kids running everywhere and Hannah & Sam's room was a disaster by the end of the afternoon.  But I loved every minute of it.  I love kids (never thought I'd see the day where I'd say that!)

I had plans for the kids to help with the cake pops but the mom's ended up doing most of the work -because they were so neat to make.  The candy melts were ruined because my bowl melted in the microwave.  Thankfully Jessica was there and she whipped up some home made icing for us.  The moms dipped the cake balls in the icing and then we let our kids decorate them.  They were delicious but a little too sweet.  And that's saying a lot coming from me.  

Here are some pictures from our play date...

I thought this was such a sweet picture of Hannah I*, my Hannah and Eden L* reading books together.

 

Hannah, Hannah I*, Sam and Ezra L* 

  Notice the green pop right in front of Sam?  He had green sprinkles and basically poured them over two of the pops and that was it. 

 

I'd say the cake pops were a success! 

...Shannon & Brady... 

 See Sam's two cake pops?  They weren't pretty but they were good.

Marathon

On October 30th Bobby completed his first marathon.  {The Spinx Run Fest in Greenville}  I am so incredibly proud of him!!

He had to be there at 8am in the morning -poor guy- so the kids and I came a little later in the morning.  I became panicky as we inched our way through the traffic & found a parking spot.  I was sure that we would be too late to watch Bobby finish.  But as we were walking to Fleur Field (and petting every dog that we encountered, which was a lot!  Everyone takes their dogs w/them in G'ville.) I heard the announcer say the first marathoner had finished, so I knew we were fine.  (no offense babe)

The kids and I made our way into the stadium and found a spot next to the finish line so we would be sure to see Bobby when he came through.

We didn't have to wait too long though...he finished in 3:57:27!!

Way to go Bobby!!  We're so proud of you!!  You're amazing!!

*********** 

Hannah will not take a serious picture anymore! 

Sammy waits anxiously for Daddy to finish.

 I love how serious Bobby is when he's running.  He doesn't make it look fun does he? ;-)

Pictures of My Babies

at OSP.

I have the cutest kids in the world!

{Fall Fun}

This past weekend was Walhalla's annual Oktoberfest.  Or really the annual Beer Festival. 

We took the kids during the day Saturday while it was warm and less crowded.  After a delicious lunch (let's face it... I look forward to the Oktoberfest all year b/c they have the most delicious food!) the kids rode several of the rides. 

When the ride tickets were almost gone we bought a funnel cake and a lemonade and sat down to eat and watch the German Dancers.  Sammy was so fascinated by the dancers that he didn't want to leave when we were ready to move on.  "No Mommy.  I stay here!"

In the evening Bob came to our house to stay with the kids while Bobby & I went back to the Oktoberfest.  There's nothing better than eating lunch and supper there... 
We just enjoy walking around, eating, and running into friends that we only see once or twice a year. 

I'm almost sad that it's over.  At least I have Thanksgiving to look forward to!

{Fall Love}

Miss. Hannah is...

{My Babies}

'

Nothing very exciting has been happening around the Clark household lately.  Just...


Bobby has been training for a full marathon which which will be at the end of this month.   I'm so proud of him.  I can barely run a mile so I certainly admire his dedication!

Hannah is still working on learning to read.  She's getting better every day.   In addition to learning to read she's been working on addition {funny I know!}  We've worked just a few minutes each day on math.  She's more interested in reading and writing at the moment so that's what we've been focusing on the most.

Samuel has been making great strides in learning his letters.  Yesterday he surprised me by pointing to and naming the 'W' on a book!  Woot!  He still loves playing with cars and jumping on the trampoline.  Nothing new :-)

Heather no longer has a baby sitting job due to a series of unfortunate events.  So at the moment I'm working on deep cleaning the house, playing with and teaching the kids and enjoying every bit of this fall weather.  I must say that I'm seriously looking forward to the Oktoberfest this weekend and all of the delicious food that comes with it!