Nudist Colony {Revisited}

Remember this post that I wrote at the beginning of my blogging career?
Two year old Hannah running amok in her birthday suit.
And teeny tiny Sammy falling asleep naked.

Now two year old Sammy is following in his sister's footsteps.  Tuesday evening we returned home from swimming all day at High Falls.  I told the kids to take off their swimsuits but not to put on more clothes because I was in the midst of running them some bath water.  No problem.  I came out of the bathroom and the kids were no where to be found.  

I look out the kitchen window to see Hannah & Sam standing next to the van.  Hannah, being the lady that she is, was still completely dressed.  Samuel, on the other hand, was buck naked except for Hannah's red lady bug galoshes.  I have no idea why he's fascinated with those shoes!  

I had to snap a few shots of my gorgeous little Coppertone Baby...

{Clearly I had to do a little photo editing!!}

Lately...

We've 

Exercised.  It's important to stay healthy you know.

 

Practiced learning our numbers. 

 

Had a Tea Party and invited some pretty fancy guests. 

 

 

{including the Mad Hatter.} 

Spent some time with Papa - it's almost been a year since he had his "tuna" removed and he's doing great!

 

This one speaks for itself... 

And Samuel perfected the art of sleeping standing up. 

 

Cherry Delight {for the Crockpot}

Today finds Mr. Clark and me sore from two days (yes, only 2 days!) worth of P90X.  My arms & legs are crying because I've been torturing them the past two evenings.  I have visions of a skinnier healthier me in my mind as I do these workouts.  Otherwise I might just quit right now and console myself with a pint of Ben & Jerry's.  We've got three months of this craziness of ahead of us ...  check back then and I'll let you know if it actually works!!

In other news ... I have a delicious new recipe for you to try.  My sweet Aunt Paula in IN told me she loved the Crockpot Chocolate Cake recipe so I wanted to give her another one to try.  This one is just as yummy and even easier to make!

Cherry Delight

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

1 package (18 1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

******

1.  Place pie filling in Crockpot slow cooker.

2.  Mix together cake mix and butter in a medium bowl.  Spread evenly over cherry filling.  Sprinkle walnuts on top.  Cover; cook on LOW 3 to 4 hours or HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

Serve with whipped topping or ice cream.  

Next time I might add pineapples to the mix and see how that turns out.

Enjoy!! 

Faces of the Ones I Love

These are the beautiful faces that I get the privilege of looking at each and every day!  What could be better?

my dear Mr. Clark

incredibly handsome... unbelievably smart... so witty that sometimes he makes me laugh until I cry...brings me my favorite Ben & Jerry's ice cream...plans the best family vacations... works hard so I can stay home with our two little monkey's...enjoys his new scuba class...looks even more handsome with his new beard... an awesome father and an amazing husband....

I love you!

 my darling Hannah Boo

 Hannah has learned a new word this week...exquisite.  And I think it suits her perfectly.  She's exquisite, even when her face is scrunched up while sleeping.  She's so creative and makes up her own songs.  She only wants Mr. Clark to brush her teeth because he sings the silliest songs while she swishes her bright pink Bubblegum swish.  She loves My Little Pony and stuffed animals.  She counts to 50 and can subtract & add using her fingers (I don't care...I still use my fingers too.)  She spelled 'Milo' and her name out loud yesterday by sounding out each of the letters.  She's gorgeous, especially with her long curls.   And she told me today that when she grows up she's going to:  have a house and let Samuel live with her, she's going to come visit me & Bobby and we can come visit her, and she's going to try a tomato.  Big plans...

my sweet Sammy

My little buddy is so affectionate.  He's constantly giving me hugs and kisses and yelling, "I LUB YOU MOM-MAY!"  He'll go along with Hannah and play any game she wants.  Hannah wills get out her tea set and invite Samuel.  He sits down, slurps his tea, slams his cup down and runs off to find something else to get into.  He enjoys shooting everything in sight (mainly Milo & Ellie) with his toy shotgun.  He would spend all day jumping on the trampoline if we'd let him.  He looks so much like his Papa Jordan.  But best of all ... he's finally starting to speak up and speak in complete sentences.  Hannah normally does all the talking for them both and he's way advanced in the motor skill area so I was never worried.  But it's nice hearing him communicate with us.  Such as, when it was time to leave the lake yesterday, "I not leave Mom-may.  I stay in water!"

Don't you think my family is simply exquisite? 

Birthday's, Pool Parties, and Fireworks

We were one busy family this past weekend!  I didn't cook one single meal and we stayed home long enough to sleep and shower before moving on to the next activity.  Our weekends are normally very relaxed and we stay home.  At least we were together as a family and we were spending time with our families.

Friday:  Toy Story 3: 3D with Pops, Tommy, and Donald.

Saturday:  Pool Party @ with Paden, a quick shower then, My 
                 Grandmother's surprise party for her 80th birthday.

 

 {My Great Aunt Frieda and my Dad's sister Marie}

Sunday: Independence Day, Grill out & fireworks at my parent's   

              house with Emily, Lee, Joan, Bonnie, Tim, Pops & Tommy.

 

Simply Sammy

Sammy is such a sweetheart.  He's growing at warp speed and his wonderful little personality emerges more and more with each passing day.

Here are just a few of the things I love about my little buddy!

He'll get out of the van and then turn to hold Hannah's hand and help her out. He's such a gentleman. 

 

He likes lemonade and loves pink lemonade. Just like his mommy.

 
Our little cutie has a favorite outfit: his white shirt with the guitar on the front being the one he choses the most. He'll strum the guitar with his fingers and sing, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

 
He wants me to sing 'The Ants Go Marching {Three by Three} every night when I tuck him into bed. My fingers are the ants and they "march" up his legs and tickle his tummy. He laughs every time.

 
Speaking of bed. I was very proud that he shared an air mattress with Hannah while we were in IN. They never argued, kicked or whined. Amazing!

 
The phrase heard most often from Samuel is, "Where is it Mommy? Where iPod go?" He loves playing Castle Defender on Bobby's iPod Touch. He knows how to turn it on, flip the screen to the games and tap the one he wants. He's pretty good at defending his castle too.  (Not sure if this is a good thing or not...)

 
Sam is an awesome traveler. 

(Sammy, pre-hair cut, wearing Hannah's galoshes.)

 
His favorite movie is still 'Night at the Museum.'

 
I love that Sam still sleeps with his favorite snuggle buddy...Mystery.

 

He adores his Papa.  He's always right behind my Dad asking, "What you doing Papa?"

 

He loves his big sister and cannot stand to be away from her for long periods.

 

He loves shoes and has named just about every pair he owns:  Jackie shoes, Bonnie shoes, Keds, Papa boots, "Old Naby" shoes (generally named after the person who bought them for him or the place he bought them.  Very creative I know.)

 

He called Ryan & Bethany's dog {Vader} Gator for some reason.  One morning he called him "Alligator!"

 

Sammy willingly helps around the house.  He rinses dishes, separates clothes, makes his bed to the best of his abilities, and vacuums.  He'd use the Swiffer Wet Jet every day if I'd let him!   

 

There's much more but that's enough for now.  You get the point.  I have the cutest son in the world!!

a mini-family reunion

We're now on our second trip in two weeks.  This time we have the kids with us (happy dance).  We're currently in IN visiting Bobby's family.  Normally we come up for the 4th of July but his classes @ Clemson start on the 2nd so we had to come early.   So we basically got home last Friday, unpacked, cleaned the house, washed all the laundry and repacked. 

Today we just stayed @ home with Ryan & Bethany and relaxed.  Then we headed out to eat dinner with some of Bobby's aunts and uncles.  We ate some delicious food and then spent the next few hours just hanging around talking.  I love Bobby's family...

Bethany & the kiddos

 Bobby & his cousin Dewayne

Bobby's cousin Lori.

 

Sammy is by far the cutest...

Uncle Don...

 

The Girls...