Photos

I just wanted to share this link... Tara did clayton's brand new baby pics and still has one of his shots on her website..but right now through her blog she is offering a great deal so I wanted to share!


http://tmcustomportraits.blogspot.com/

So... Thanks to you dear Clayton & Dylan... and someday more babies to come

I know that mother's day is supposed to be a day where we recognize our own Mother's and all that they do for us... but on the eve of that day I am feeling rather blessed to be a Mother myself.
I often thank Clayton and Dylan for letting them be their Mom, and I mean it. I am so lucky to be a Mother, that Heavenly Father has trusted me with these precious souls. I am lucky to watch them grow, and learn. Experience their ups and downs with them. I love learning to laugh as the lunch out at Taco Bell goes terribly wrong, because it was a late night, and an early morning, and we are already late for nap... When will I learn! I love seeing their eyes light up, as they learn about Heaven, and Heavenly father, and Jesus. I love that I have 2 sets of eyes on me all the time, even in the dressing room at the nike store, on a trip that their Father was on too... I love the conversation in the dressing room between Clayton and I while I tried on a sports bra: "mom why do you not have milk in your boobs?"
Me: "Because I don't have anymore babies to feed.."
Clayton: "but when Heavenly Father puts another baby in your belly you are going to need to drink a lot of milk so you have it to feed the baby when it comes out."
Me: laughing and smiling, "you are right Clayton"
I love knowing my place on the earth, and my place in Heavenly Father's plan. I hope I am doing it right, and I love learning how to do it every day!

Wonderful Vacation with my boys

Earlier this year my girlfriends and I had a garage sale.. that was pretty successful. I was afraid if I didn't do something exciting with my $$$ it would end up at Target or Gymboree..... So I bought plane tickets for me and the kids and we flew to Vegas to spend wed-monday with my dear friend Mary Smith and her kids! We had a great time enduring the chaos of 4 kids under 4 and 3 adults, in a 2 bedroom apartment! Clayton had a bit of a rough time, and his behavior showed it. When we left he was just getting over a bit of a virus, and with us sleeping in the front room Clayton and Dylan were waking up at 6am! (we don't wake up early!!) So my poor Clayton was juggling the traveling and his extreme tiredness and unfourtnatly we were subject to a handful of meltdowns. But when he wasn't upset he was near perfect. I had a hard time with his behavior. I felt bad that Mary had to see him act that way, and was sad because that is not who Clay is or how he regularly acts. I also felt bad for him, that I was letting him down because maybe I was not able to react or parent as well as he deserved because I was on my own with both boys, and tired as well.
These pictures are completley out of order, but here is a peak at our adventures through Mesquite, NV and St. George, UT.

We passed the St. George Temple on the freeway and the kids were so excited to see "God's Castle" that Mary and I decided to take a trip in one morning to their visitors' center and to walk the Temple grounds. Dodger and Clayton climbed the large staircase to the top and parked it in the doorway!
A large staircase to rest...
climbing on up!
Sweden turned 2 in Feb and Dylan will be 2 at the end of May.. they enjoyed bath time together and snuggling in the towels on the floor waiting to be lotioned up!
The big boys taking it easy!
Once again our little hams..being cheesy together!

"Cheese Momma!!"

Polly found lots of spots to snuggle in with the kids either during play-time or nap-time...

The best part of vacation was the sitting around and doing nothing part... the weather of course was beautiful and we lounged in the water and played with squirt guns.

Dodger Smith

Claton Clapp

Sweden Smith

Dylan Clapp

Our last morning with the Smith family, we had a pancake breakfast birthday party. Mary and I decorated the evening before with streamers and balloons. All 4 kids received a book and bubble wand as their birthday gift. Mary made pancakes with chocolate doughnuts on top to hold the candle. It was a great way to spend our last morning together!

The last picture of our monkeys together!!

Some super cute Sunny-Sunday no-occasion wear... and few grandparents

So excited about the wonderfully sunny day Sunday turned out to be! I was even more thrilled.. pathetic I know... that I got to put new outfits on the boys! After naps we sported our new threads while hiking 'round' lake with my Dad, step-MOM, and sisters.

if it was good, why not great

I think I should start keeping score.. but if i live to tell the tale that may be enough! Today was good.. close enough to great to count. I am truly blessed to be able to love my boys. Clay was great, Dylan was cute. My best moments today were on the couch, yes i let myself sit down, and had a mid-day read with the boys and the neighbor girl i watch... an entire 30 minutes. Do you know how many red fish blue fish books that is! Nearly perfect! Clayton can pick out the word fish, off of the page, and Dylan can tell you what most of the books are called or what they are about by looking at the cover.
I didn't make it to the gym today, but I think I am still breathing, so I will not dwell on that loss. I had a scentsy party tonight, and it went great. I really enjoy it, nothing in particular, or maybe just that it is going well and that I am good at it. It is hard to know if I am good at something anymore, as Mothering is sort of an abstract event! Aric just walked into the kitchen from working on the car and said, "life is good" we measure it differently at times! But love it just the same!
I love this life!

Just a little love note....

A week ago today my first born turned 4 years old. I am still not sure how I feel about it; by the time I figure it out he will be 5 and I have to start all over again! Clayton is one of the smartest boys I know, one of the whiniest, but The CuTESt. I feel like we are on a constant learning curve. Between him and Dylan by the time we figure something out, something new comes along. I guess Heavenly Father knows I don't like to be bored, or to do the same thing over and over again! Still I know how lucky I am to be a Mother, what a gift, and blessing that in itself is! I am thankful for all that Clayton has taught me, as my first he is truly the one teaching me how to be a Mom and I hope that his younger brother will thank him for it someday. ( we can hope right?!)

Blast off Birthday #4

Thursday Clayton will turn 4... I want to cry just thinking about it.. where has the time gone...
In honor of his day we threw him an out of this world space themed party. I just wanted to share a few of the pic from the festivities. The living area was decorated with a large inflatable solar system hung from the ceiling, along with white christmas lights (stars) and paper stars as well. Aric bbq costco dogs, strawberries and salad.. but mostly strawberries for the kids! We decorated treat sacs, ate lunch, went on an asteroid egg hunt, took our picture in a spaceship, and launched a bubble rocket. The weather was decent so we played in the house, garage and back yard. Opened presents, and ate a wonderful Rocket cake.. made by betty aric's mom! It was such fun.. and yes the decorations are still up until friday when it is officially over!