Over the river and through the woods...

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go...

Even though Grandma & Grandpa weren't there, we couldn't break with Tradition...Tradition! So, we stayed at their house with my brother Brad's family and my sister Kim hosted us all for Thanksgiving (including Shaun & Kristen and families). Basically the whole Clements family was together minus three missionaries.

The littlest kid table. Some enjoying the feast more than others.

Luke and Colby loving the cranberry sauce.

The teenager table (minus a few).

Tryptophan kicking in for Ashtyn & Colby.

Lots of pie, pretzel jello, rockband, movie watching, crafting (really a craft-o-thon, if you will...thanks, Alana), and lots of fun catching up with my siblings. There was even sledding behind the pick-up on the trace of snow on the road.

I also got to have lunch with some of my high school friends. We really missed those of you who couldn't be there (but are counting on Emily to plan a spring retreat. How's that for pressure?).

Then: 1997

Jana, Leslie, Brook & Kristen: Ice skating on New Years Eve

and now

Just 12 years, 15 babies, 4 mini-vans, and 4 short "mom" haircuts later (I mean short & sassy!). (Actually, I'm quite sure Brook drives something bigger than a mini-van?!)

Great to see everyone!!!!

A typical scene caught on film

Friday night dance party. (They definitely get their moves from their Dad)

And this is a little hint of what I, my friend Jeni, and many other women across the nation did last night...

P.S. to all you M.H.S.'ers in town, we are getting together at Bajio in Rexburg next Wednesday at 11:30. Be there!

Too early?

"Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?"



I admit it, I love Christmas...the music, the decorations, the feeling, the food! I can guarantee that our decorations will be up before Thanksgiving (and that is a mutual decision, not just me.) This year we will be having lots of Stinson family at our house which will make it all the merrier. And I've heard from a reliable source that it will be a wet winter...which means more sledding!


So, while I'm in the mood, I'm posting these Christmas cuties...




Zuzu Christmas dresses for those holiday parties and family pictures. (For more info go here.)






And while we are at it, these are my cute nieces Chloe and Maddie sporting their new tops.




And this is my little friend Charlotte, modeling someone else's Christmas present (shhh!)

I'm going to go find some Christmas boxes from storage now...

A cowboy, cowgirl, army man, space ranger, and potato

In September Camden decided he wanted to be Zurg (Buzz Lightyear's nemesis) for Halloween. I thought a Toy Story theme sounded great and started working on costumes for all of us (luckily I was saving his for last). Then, he proceeded to change his mind each week to a sorcerer, then an egyptian, then a pirate, then a vampire, and last an army man. I jumped at the army man idea since it could fit in with Toy Story and made him promise next year he that he couldn't change his mind after October 1st!



So here we are: an army man (Sir, yes Sir!), Mr. Potato Head (Way to go, Idaho!), and Buzz.



Jessie and Woody.


Our day began with the 3rd annual Kai & Camden Halloween Party! (Kai is our next door neighbor and Camden's best buddy). The kids loved the games (we loved the weather which turned out to be nice despite snow flurries earlier this week). I think JoAnn and I have even more fun than the kids, planning the party each year.





Next was trick or treating in the park with our cousins: Bunny Marinn and Cosmo Cougar, Brady.






Last was our ward's trunk-or-treat. Here is Jack chillin' with some buddies.






I love Halloween. To infinity and beyond!!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Fall is my favorite time of year (and my Mom's) and since it is her birthday tomorrow, I am especially missing her. This picture was taken on our first trip to New England (we are in Concord, Mass).


Happy Birthday, MOM!
(She and my Dad are on a mission in Russia).

Speaking of all you great Moms out there...do you ever get in a rut? When you have one of "those days" (or weeks) when you are especially crabby with your kids, and have lost all patience with potty training, homework assignments, and trying to keep them healthy...what do you do to get back on track? (Short of hiring a maid and a personal chef and bathing them in Lysol every hour?)

I've been having one of those weeks...would love to hear how you balance it all.

Farewell to Curtis

This is my nephew, Curtis. Well... this was him about 18 years ago. He is my oldest nephew. In fact, I'm closer in age to him than to his Dad, my brother (Brad).





Here is Curtis with new baby, Jack three years ago. I have pictures of Curtis visiting us in the hospital with each of the boys, but I chose this one for...well, obvious reasons. I had to show off "the hair" which was a "big" member of his life for a couple of years.



Curtis lives about 5 minutes away from us he is one of the boys' favorite people.


On Wednesday he will leave to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Los Angeles, (Spanish speaking). This weekend was his farewell. We hung out with the whole family all weekend.








Saturday night, he and Luke accomplished their goal of playing four sets of drums for Guitar Hero. (Luke, Brad, Curtis, Kyle)



We will really miss you, Curtis! The family get-togethers, Thanksgiving circulars, Rexburg movie theater adventures, and Sunday dinners just won't be the same without you! (how will the turkey trot go on without you?)

12 Years ago today...

Our first date.



The plan was to spend the day in Jackson Hole, but an early snow storm prevented that idea. So, plan B was "night at the museum" with candle light pizza and flood mud. (There were a few other couples, but only "Eggs" and Brook made the cut in this photo).



...and the rest was magic. We were so young!



And just 12 years later...




How did I get to be so lucky?