Spencer's Big Day...Kindergarten!

It's a day I actually thought would never arrive...honestly, there were times I believed all 4 of my children would be by my side as constant companions for the rest of my life. Yet, as each year passes they seem to be moving further and further from this. Today they all are in school, and at the same school together, for one year only.

Spencer was SO excited to go to school. He is so ready and I think he will do amazing things! I will miss having him as my little buddy all day, but we still get to hang out in the mornings for the next year! He actually laughed at me as we waited for the bus today and told me, "You're going to be all alone!". Anyways, he got on the bus like such a big boy and as I walked away I actually got teary-eyed...I think I shed 2 tears...one for sadness to see them all growing-up and one for JOY that we are moving on to the next exciting chapter of our lives!

I love being a Mom! It makes my heart happy!

Wicked!

Jake and I have been wanting to see the musical, "Wicked", for years now. Everytime we would hear about it the timing would be wrong or the price too high...so this time around we just made it work! Since next week is his birthday we decided to make it a birthday-night-out!

After the cruise we went on last month, Jake decided that his suit wasn't "dressy" enough when I get all-fancy. So, while he was out working a couple weeks ago he saw a Tuxedo shop that was closing and selling all of their tuxedos for $40...he jumped at the chance and completely on his own bought himself a tuxedo. I thought it was so funny and random that he did that...but he was so excited for the opportunity to get all dressed-up for our night out at the theater! He just says that a women's best accessory is a well-dressed man (I believe he heard that on a commercial)...so, he was helping me out!! Anyways, it was really fun to have a reason to get fancy and go out on the town with my studly husband!

By the way...I was worried that with all the hype I have heard about the show that I might be disappointed in the end...NOT the case! "Wicked" was so fun and clever...Jake and I both had a blast and didn't want it to end! LOVED it

Demolition Derby!

While I was working at a wedding the other night, Jake had the opportunity to take the kids to the local Demolition Derby. Honestly, I was super-bummed...I really wanted to go with them! Oh well... Anyways, they went with our great friends and neighbors, the Goldings. The kids had such a blast cheering for the "Tigress" truck and the "BYU" car...they came home with entertaining stories of crashes, fires and ringing ears! It was quite the evening and I am glad they got to hang out with their Dad for the night!

Lagoon, Baby!!

This year we won tickets to Lagoon at the Art City 5K...so off we went! It was so fun because Aunt Sarah and Uncle Brady brought their family and Aunt Holly and Uncle Sam brought theirs...cousins for everyone!! Audree was super-brave and tried lots of new big rides, and she LOVED them...especially the big swings and "The Bat". Spencer loved all the rides too...he was only bummed because he wasn't big enough to go on several of the really big ones...maybe next year, if he eats his veggies!! Karlee and Rylee just ran from one ride to the next for hours on end (something they learned from their Dad!). It was a great day for everyone!!

St. George!

We even found time to hang out in St. George for a couple days! We sure love when Daddy has to work down there during the summer! We love to swim all day and play golf all night! Capping off the evening with a little Neilsen's Custard hits the spot!

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Camping!

It was hard to find the time to fit all the fun stuff we had planned into one little summer! But, us Clarks...we never give up! So, we found a weekend to getaway to the mountains and have a campout. This summer has been a killer for wildfires and we were worried that we wouldn't even be allowed to campout with a campfire...but it all worked out and we cooked some fantastic hot dogs and s'mores! Even Grandma and Grandpa Clark came with us! We camped at Diamond Fork in Spanish Fork Canyon and we hiked around, played by the stream, tossed the frisbee and enjoyed being together.

After spending a great night in the tent...Grandma and Grandpa really roughed it...no tent needed! We decided to hike to the "Hot Pots". We were not aware of how long of a hike it was, nor how stinky the "Hot Pots" would be. The kids were troopers and took on that hike with ease...we didn't even mind when the rain started to pour down on us as we hiked back down the mountain! It was a memorable day!!