Welcome to Our Adventure!

Holy Moly!

2011-03-09T12:01:00.005-06:00

*Making some play doh masterpieces*
*These she goes ... *

*Go Jaden Go*

*Charlotte, coloring with her puppy*

*Jaden - LOVES to swim*

*Miss Charlotte ~ 2 Years Old*

*Jaden and her new doll - Kanani - from Nan and Pop*

*Jaden snowmobiling with the neighbors*

*Charlotte going for a walk*

*Future's SO Bright*

I sure have been gone a LONG LONG time ... I checked in with some of the blogs I loved and was surprised to see some stopped blogging ... others have added to their families ... others are pregnant ... and the children have all grown so very much! I have decided (AGAIN!) that I will make it a point to blog at least once a week to keep my family and friends updated with what we're doing and what the kids are up to!

Speaking of kids - Jaden just turned NINE years old this past Saturday! Can't believe she is 9 and Charlotte is 2 already! Jaden celebrated her day at the Mall of America's American Girl Store with 4 of her friends ... then we had a party at the house followed by a sleepover with 6 of her friends! It was chaos - crazy - painful and fun all wrapped in to one day ... I will probably never have a sleepover again until Charlotte asks for one ... Jaden is doing great in school and is still swimming on the South Metro Storm Swim Team ... she is off for a month for break and then starts right back up again in April! She has been in 2 additional swim meets since last year and at one point improved her times by 20 seconds. In one race she came in 3rd overall out of 40 girls who raced! Jason and I are so proud of her and all she has accomplished! She is a really great kid! She spends whatever free time she has by doing arts and crafts - playing with Charlotte and her friends ... she is a busy bee though! Hard to keep up with!

Miss Charlotte is also a busy bee these days! We finally had her ear tubes put in January 3rd and it has been amazing to watch her speech progress! She went from saying only 5 words to saying well over 100 in just 3 months! It is so fun to watch her learn new things! She is obsessed with drawing these days and draws all sorts of things - she also knows her shapes and most of her colors! We do struggle with one shape - that is a square - she calls it cheese - she is obsessed with CHEESE! She woould eat it until she burst if we let her!! She spends most of her days playing with her friends since my home daycare is up and running. She has a lot of fun with the biggers kids in my care and even calls them by their names. She makes me laugh all the time! We are looking forward to the snow EVENTUALLY melting here in Minneapolis - it has been a record snowfall year - ICK! And by now we are beyond sick of it! We need to get outside to play!!

Other than the girls we are chugging along as normal here - My Childcare - Bekah's Bumblebees is up and running and 2/5 days a week I have 6 kids - the other 3 days I have 4. Currently I have 2 babies, a toddler and 3 preschoolers (and Jaden too). It is a busy life and I have to say one of the hardest jobs I have ever done but I am loving it - something amazing about having the ability to teach children new things ... I am so happy I decided to do this! Well I will leave you all with some recent photos of the girls! They are growing and getting so big ... time needs to slow down! Hope everyone out there in blogger land is well! 'See' you all soon!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Charlotte too!

Okay - I am seriously a slacker ... Happy Birthday Aunt Niki

2010-10-25T21:32:00.009-05:00

Jaden with her friend Sydney at the beach
A screaming Charlotte

Uh-Oh ... looks like Jaden left her bedroom door open ...

Jaden with a play-doh masterpiece

Charlotte coloring in the driveway

Jaden hanging around at the park!

Jaden eating some ice cream at the KOA Playground

Little Miss Charlotte

A sleepy Charlotte in front of the campfire

YUMMY cotton candy ice cream

Charlotte & Mommy

Jaden at the KOA Playground

Waterslide fun at Jolene and Jeff's House

Charlotte coloring

Jaden - all ready for school!

Jaden - on a tractor ride!

Chef Charlotte!

Happy Birthday Aunt Niki! We Love and Miss YOU!

Surprise - she managed to find yet another stick!

Jaden playing in the leaves!

Charlotte's 1 girl band!

Big Blue eyes!

For My Sister ...

2010-04-28T10:41:00.008-05:00

~ Charlotte flying high with some help from daddy ~
~ Charlotte showing off her skills - can any of you do this? Not me ~

~ I redid the landscaping around our mailboxes ... ~

~ I also tore out a dead shrub and put this in its place ~

~ Some bathtime hair experimenting ~

~ Jaden with her eggs ad basket on Easter ~

~ My Girls ~

~ Charlotte playing with her basket on Easter ~

~ Jaden getting ready to color Easter Eggs ~

~ Miss Charlotte eating some goldfish while Jaden colors eggs ~

~ Jaden spinning around at the park ~

~ Charlotte hanging around at the park ~

~ Charlotte enjoying some frozen yogurt at Jaden's party ~

~ Jaden with all her friends at her Birthday Party ~

~ Yeah Yeah Yeah - Future's So BRIGHT ~

Since she is one of the few family members NOT on Facebook I am updating my blog for her so she can see pictures of the girls ... of course everyone is welcome to stop on by and see them too! Hope you are all well and enjoying Spring! Spring has certainly SPRUNG here in Minnesota and we've had 6 weeks of amazing weather! Today is sunny and 70 ... tomorrow 75!! We've kept ourselves busy doing lots of yardwork, tree trimming and mulching, flower planting and landscape editting - this weekend we are building our Salsa Garden - a 4'x8' garden plump full of tomatoes, peppers, onions, cilantro, garlic and jalapenos - can NOT wait to start jarring some salsa again! YUMMMY! Other than that we are chugging along. Jaden has about 6 more weeks left until school is out and she can not be more excited! Charlotte is her usual self - playing all day and playing hard! She had her 15 month checkup yesterday with 3 shots - weighed 23lbs and was 31" long - 65th percentile for all - so I've got myself a fairly average kid! She makes me smile everyday - and sometimes pull my hair out too! But it has been so worth it to stay home with her and to be here in the morning with Jaden and here as soon as she gets home at the end of the day. I enjoy having dinner made, house cleaned and lunches prepared - yes I am loving this whole Domestication thing! As far as the daycare goes - I have one final step happening Friday - Fire Marshall Inspection on the house and then the licensors can come on out and do the safety check and I will be ready to open my doors. I have decided to take the summer off and open up in September for the back to school crowd. We are heading to NY in June for 2 weeks to celebrate my nephew Zachary's HS Graduation and of course to see lots of family and friends!! Should be a great summer ... hope everyone is well!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Miss Charlotte

Jaden's 8 and we're having a PARTY!

2010-03-19T11:24:00.004-05:00

~ Charlotte got herself some new sneaker - Twinkle Toes! ~
~ Playing outside in the nice weather ~

~ Jaden with George at dinner ~

~ Charlotte, not feeling great at Jaden's birthday dinner ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADEN - LOVE YOU!

Well so much for my failed New Year's Resolution - blogging more often! Yeah, I suck I guess huh? I can tell by my lack of comments that I suck! I am working on it ... you'd think sitting here at home would allow me MORE time to blog but apparantly this stay at home gig is harder than my office job! Ha Ha!

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There isn't much new around here except that a certain Girl turned 8 recentyl! Yup, Jaden is officially 8 years old which made her VERY happy ... she is no legal she said ... yup, legal to ride in the car with OUT a booster seat! She is very happy about that! We celebrated her day by going to Red Robin for dinner, unfortunately Charlotte, Jason and I all got infected with the Norwalk Virus from contaminated food - yeah GROSS - so Miss Charlotte was feeling crummy and couldn't keep anything down ... Jaden was spared since she managed to sleep at a friends that night so she didn't consume the pizza the rest of us did - GROSS! Charlotte was crabby but Jaden enjoyed her dinner with Grandma, Heather and Savannah! She also got to take Curious George home from school that weekend so he came to dinner too!

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Tomorrow is her birthday party - we're heading to a local hotel to swim and spend the night ... we've got 30 people coming so it should be a wonderful time! She is very excited and now that Charlotte is feeling better - minus the cold she now has - it should be a fun time. Tonight I have a bachelorette party to go to for Heather - cowboy theme - God help me - I am a CITY GIRL so I headed to Goodwill to get a plaid shirt, a jean jacket and some boots - all for just 20 bucks ... should be a fun time though!

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Other than all that we finally got the last bit of snow melted around here - we've had 5 days of 65 degree weather ... it has been SO WONDERFUL to be outside - Charlotte has had a blast walking all around, picking up sticks, leaves and rocks ... a great end to winter officially! Today is back to a normal temp but sounds like 50's will return next week! Jaden is off all next week so that will be perfect - maybe we'll head to Como Zoo or the Children's Museaum! Lot's to do!

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My daycare licensing is on the Fast Track thanks to my reference letters being sent in already and the background check clearing. Alls that I have left is my CPR and 1st Aid class which is next Saturday ... after that I can send my certification copies in with the $50 fee and hopefully they will head out to the house to do a safety check .. YIPPIE! I am hoping that I get my paper license by the middle of April - that would give me all of May and 1/2 of June to prepare and get some children enrolled! I am so excited! Anyone out there in my area need daycare?

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Well I hope all of you out there in Blogger Land are enjoying Spring ... I will stop by and visit RIGHT NOW!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Miss Charlotte

Howdy Ho ... been a while!

2010-02-22T10:18:00.009-06:00

We've Been Busy ... Wanna See?

~ Jason started on Charlotte's tattoo ~
~ Jason and Charlotte are both Capricorns - hence the goat/mermaid thing ~

~ Jaden got her STORM Sweatshirt from Grandma for an early birthday present ~

~ We wear pigtails a LOT now that our hair has grown like a weed! ~

~ We build block towers taller than ourselves! ~

~ We were SO happy to finally GO OUTSIDE for a walk! ~

~ We've had more snow than we would like to have had this year - BLAH! ~

~ We make each other laugh! ~

~ We emptied Grandmas Kitchen Cabinets! ~~ We ate and enjoyed yogurt! ~

~ We can't unplug our Christmas Lights until they thaw out - go ahead, you unplug them - dare ya! ~

~ We celebrated daddy's birthday! ~

~ We went out to BD's Mongolian BBQ to celebrate daddy getting older - grandma came too! ~

~ We went sledding! ~

~ Jaden had her 1st Swim Meet and achieved qualifying C times for the next meet! She did GREAT! ~

~ We've played with friends (Charlotte & Katie) ~

~ We kick back and watch TV - usually NEMO - 100 times or so! ~

I hope everyone who is still out there is blogger land is doing fine and dandy! We are all fine and dandy here as well! Thought that since I promised myself I would blog more I may as well get up off my rear and do just that! So what has been going on around here? Well not too much - same 'ol same 'ol! Which I guess after the year we had last year is a GOOD thing right? Well I decided that after 7 months of looking for a job with NO LUCK I am currently going through licensing for home daycare! I am very excited about the new possibilities that will open up for me and my family! I have already completed my first Orientation Class that was a basic overview of the laws and requirements for licensing. I brought home and filled out the mountains of paperwork - such as background checks, social history background, application as well as curriculum guide. I also read the MN rules and statutes for licensing and signed up for my CPR, 1st Aid and Lifesaving Classes. This Thursday I will be heading to the second Orientation Class that basically reviews my paperwork as well as teaches me a SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome Class. After that the background checks will be processed while I get my house up to the safety compliance standards - you know baby proofing and locking up knives and chemicals and such. Once the safety check is in place I will be given my license and will be ready to market myself out there as Bekah's Bumblebees!!! I will be licensed to take care of 10 children - 2 of them are my own - so I will have open spots for 2 infants (Charlotte will be my open toddle spot) 3 preschool kids (age 2-4) and 3 school agers (age 4-11) ... it should be a lot of fun! Right now I am going through my curriculum and a 'basic' day we would have - such as reading time, music time, free play, dress up time, arts & crafts time, lunch, outdoor play etc. I know it will be the hardest job I have ever had but I have truly LOVED being home with Charlotte and being the one to teach her all that she knows right now ... I know it will be such a rewarding experience for us as a whole!!! So that is my big news - ANYONE out there in the South Metro who needs daycare let me know??? I have plenty of spots open right now - HAH!

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As for life around here - it is GOOD! Jaden is still LOVING her swimming and is really blooming in school! She attened her 1st Competitive Swim Meet at the end of January and she swam 5 events. She placed in all 5 and even got qualifying C times for the freestyle and backstroke - she did amazing and we are so proud of her! She alsi truly loves going to school each day she says! She recently has had a lot of playdates with friends which included sleepovers as well. Shs is such a GREAT kid!! Charlotte is a full time walker and part time faller these days ... she has mastered the art of maneuvering around and is all smiles and so proud of herself ... she also talks - ALOT and LOUD! Both of my girls are joys to be around ... I am one lucky mom!

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Jason is doing well too! He recently spent 5 hours at the tattoo shop and started his Charlotte Tattoo on his leg next to his Jaden Tattoo ... on March 1st he will be getting it colored in ... whoo! It looks great! He is also very excited about the daycare licensing ... he will of course be my business manager as I suck with the whole money thing and he is a genius at it ... and of course owning your own business requires a LOT of record keeping so he is up for the challenge!!!

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As for me - I am happy and sort of stress free for the 1st time in over a year and that is a good change of pace for me ... I look forward to the changes 2010 will bring us all ... the next biggest thing to decide is - my parents are in Florida and have offered to buy Jaden and I a ticket to fly down for a week in March (with Charlotte on my lap) ... I am wishy washy on flying without Jason and with Charlotte on my lap ... and of course Jaden set a goal of not missing any school days - she will miss 6 if we go ... decisions decisions ... I will be sure to let you all know ... as for now here are some pictures from the last month or so!! Have a great day!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

These Boots Were Made For Walking ...

2010-01-28T19:42:00.001-06:00

and that is just what she is doing these days ... here she is in her debut video showing off her newfound skills ... *sigh* Bye Bye Baby ... Hello Toddler ... why does the time go by so damn fast?

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Miss Charlotte

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Charlotte's 1st Boo Boo

2010-01-25T18:59:00.004-06:00

~ Still (kind of smiling) even with a crack on her noggin! ~
~ Miss Charlotte & her 1st Boo Boo (with many more to come) ~
Well it finally happened - Charlotte is a WALKER - but with that will come falls and spills, owies and boo boos ... and that is what happened today! We were standing in the kitchen between the dining room chair and the cabinet drawers. I was trying to put her coat on - which she HATES - and she dodged the coat and decided to sit down - well she was close to my leg when she sat so her bum hit my shin and it propelled her forward - right in to the corner edge of the cabinet! She freaked out - you know that cry with no noise and breathing? Yup, that one! She has huge tears and her head swelled up with blood under the skin ... I ran her across the street to my nurse neighbor and she said she felt she was okay. Luckily she was - she has a nice slice with a red scrape around it as well as a black and blue on its way ... and a big ol' egg on her noggin! Poor baby! Aside from that though she is doing great! She went in for her 1 year checkup last weekend and could not get her shots since she actually had ANOTHER ear infection! *sigh* ... so she is on an antibiotic for 10 days and will go back on February 3rd for a recheck and shots. She did get weighed and measured though - she was 22 lbs 8 oz and was 29" long ... that put her at 67th percentile for weight and 36th percentile for her height - she is almost 7 pounds lighter than Jaden was at a year old ... she is little squirt but full of smiles and giggles! Love my girls!
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Have a great week!
Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Miss Charlotte

No Peas Please ...

2010-01-15T15:04:00.002-06:00

I was in the bedroom reading some news while Charlotte wasin the kitchen eating her pancakes and peas ( I know YUM) for lunch. I kept hearing her laugh and I had no idea what the heck could be so funny. After listening for a bit I grabbed the camera and snuck in to the kitchen to see what was so funny and LOOK at what I found ... seems as though Charlotte has already learned the age old trick of feeding her vegetables to the dog ... I guess I only 'thought' she liked peas ... apparantly Jaden has been telling her how icky they are! It was so funny to watch ... and at least the dog is getting some vegetable in her diet instead of vanilla wafers! Have a Great Weekend everyone ... Hugs from us!
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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Miss Charlotte

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Charlotte's Birthday Party ...

2010-01-04T13:55:00.016-06:00

~ Charlotte's Birthday Party Table ... we printed the momth by month photos and Jaden put them on the table ... ~
~ Charlotte's Birthday Table ... lots of food ... more pictures ~

~ Happy Birthday Charlotte ~

~ Charlotte's cake - made by Sugar Chic Cake Designs ... LOVE IT ~

~ Charlotte's matching SMASH Cake ~

~ Singing Happy Birthday ... she is so wanting to dig right in! ~

~ Jaden & Charlotte ... digging in ... ~

~ Trying to figure all this stuff out ... ~

~ I would have to say she likes it ... ~

~ Her face cracks me up ... what the Heck! ~

~ Great Uncle Dale holding a squeeky clean Charlotte ~

~ Time for some presents ~

~ Ooooh, she likes this one! ~

Well I thought I would hop on here while Charlotte is napping and post some pictures from her Birthday Party! We had a nice afternoon and evening spent with Family and Friends ... Charlotte truly enjoyed her cake this time around (Thank you Herb) ... she also ignored the gifts too ... but the highlight was the cake - she smashed it and ate it and smashed it some more ... then it was off to the bath! Enjoy the pictures ... hope everyone had a Happy and Safe New Year's ...

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Miss Charlotte

Happy 1st Birthday Miss Charlotte ...

2009-12-29T15:43:00.007-06:00

~ Me and Miss Charlotte - one year ago, can't believe how tiny she was ~
~ Little Charlotte in her daddy's arms, safe and sound ~

~ My Big ONE YEAR OLD ... Charlotte Jo - a total JOY ~

Well the year has come and gone - flew by so fast at times and dragged so slow at others ... but the eternal reason for me (as of right now) are my children and today Baby#2, Miss Charlotte Jo, turns ONE! It is so hard to believe that a year ago I was still in labor waiting to hold her ... in 1 1/2 hours she will 'officially' be a year old - 5:19pm central time! It has been a trying year for our household - we were hit with lots of curve balls but in the end of each day we always came home to 2 smiling beautiful girls that made every struggle worth it ... I am not sure where I would be today if I was not blessed to be a mother ... God only knows where that route would have taken me but I don't question it often because the life I have is so amazing ... I thank Jason so very much for becoming my husband - without him (and me too!) there would be no smiling and laughing girls in our house! Have a wonderful day ... Charlotte's big party is Thursday ... of course we will have lots of pictures to share that day too! Until then ....

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Birthday Girl Charlotte

Charlotte WALKING ...

2009-12-28T23:18:00.002-06:00

~ Baby Brady - WELCOME to the World ~

Finally Miss Charlotte took some steps BEFORE her big 1st Birthday tomorrow and we have the proof ... she looks a bit drunk but as cute as ever - oh and her yelling is her way of saying YAY!!!
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In other news ... I want to welcome my brand NEW Great Nephew Brady Michael Kelly in to the family ... he was born tonight at 7:49pm weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 21" long ... he was a HUGE surprise being that he was supposed to be a SHE named Bella! My niece Amanda has lots of stuff to return from her shower but both mom and baby are healthy and happy as can be!
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Happy (almost) 1st Birthday Miss Charlotte ... mommy and daddy love you so very much!
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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four, Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Birthday Girl Charlotte

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Merry Christmas and WOW - Time Sure Did Fly By ...

2009-12-27T16:22:00.006-06:00

~ Jaden and Charlotte outside on the BIG snowbank ~

~ Going sliding down the driveway ~

~ Charlotte's 1st time in the snow ~

~ Jaden got a SNUGGIE from Nan and Pop ~

~ Me & Charlotte ~

~ Jaden got a new swim cap to go with a new bathing suit, towel and goggles ~

~ Charlotte got a stuffed snoopy dog from her sister ~

~ LOOK - Santa brought Jaden new underwear - HAH ~

~ Me (and Charlotte) a year ago today ... how time flies ~

Merry 2nd Day After Christmas Blogger World! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. We had a wonderful Christmas and truly enjoyed spending time with family and friends alike! And Charlotte (kind of) enjoyed her 1st Christmas ... but really couldn't be bothered with gifts or anything like that! Jaden had a GREAT Christmas and helped Charlotte open plenty of gifts. Jason's mom, her boyfriend Herb and sister came up on Wednesday afternoon since MN was set to get plenty of snow - which we did ... they stayed through Saturday and it was a nice new Tradition I think! We enjoyed having them here as well! We had Lasagna, Prime Rib, Bruschetta and salad for dinner and it was delicious!

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We ended up getting 14" of snow on top of the 8-10" we already had so Miss Charlotte surely had a WHITE Christmas! It was beautiful to look at and since we had no place to go - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow ...

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Yesterday Jolene, Jeff and the girls came over to exchange gifts after we got back from the mall ... it was nice to see them - never enough time but we will all be together on Thursday for Charlotte's Big 1st Birthday Party! Mickey Mouse themed of course!We are pretty excited and I am bummed all at the same time ... how did the year fly by so fast! Her party is on New Year's Eve this year and then we will have a big New Year's Eve Party afterwards with lots of friends and neighbors! It should be a great time!

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Today I took Charlotte outside in her NEW snowsuit from nan and pop - she even got boots ... Jaden took her sliding down the driveway across the street and Charlotte LOVED it ... Big smiles all around! While we were doing that Jason turned her carseat around to face the front *sniff sniff* ... she is so close to walking too it isn't funny - she's taken a step or two but decided falling over was a lot of fun so now she stands up and falls down and laughs -- over and over again! It is funny!

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Well I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday ... Happy New Year as well ... my New Year's Resolution ... Blog More - oh and lose 25 pounds of course ... Jason is putting our elipical machine together as I type!!! YIPPIE!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Miss Charlotte

Dear Santa Claus ...

2009-12-17T14:24:00.004-06:00

~ Jaden at Breakfast with Santa ~
~ Charlotte & her recliner - aka - Daddy's lap ~

~ LOVE this picture - we went to the Minneapolis Macy's Christmas Display and Jaden sat on Santa's lap - such a great postcard photo - thanks Carol ~

~ Um - Miss Charlotte did not like the big guy this time around ~

~ Jaden, Charlotte and I at the Macy's exhibit - A Day in the Life of an Elf ~

Please tell me why on earth I would I total up my (ahem, I mean YOUR) Christmas Credit Card Receipts ONE WEEK before Christmas? Please tell me how that would put me in a Ho-Ho-Holiday Mood? Oh and add this to my Christmas list please - #1 a JOB and #2 just some money - please!!!

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In other new Miss Charlotte will be turning a year old in less than 2 weeks ... we are gearing up for Christmas and then a New Year's Eve Birthday Party - we are having a cake made by a professional wedding cake artist thanks to Aunt Adrienne who knows her ... we stole Kristen's theme and chose a Lady Bug design ... nothing too fancy though ... hard to have her birthday so close to Christmas ... at a loss for gift ideas too! She pretty much would be happy with a box filled with newspaper really! She is just so cute though and we are on the VERGE of taking a step ... she tried last night and fell - which she thinks is funny by the way!

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Jaden is doing well too ... got her 1st Trimester report card and she is doing excellent all around and her state math test came back too - she tested High Average on her math and low to average on her reading - which is a great improvement from last year when she HATED reading - she also got exceeds expectations on her report card when it came to reading habits - another AWESOME accomplishment!!! She is also as sweet as ever and I seriously lucked out with such great hearted kids ... here's hoping we have it that way for a while longer ...

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Hope you are all enjoying the Holidays - I am trying but the looming reality of not having a job before unemplyments runs out is REALLY Zapping my Holiday Spirit ... *sigh* but this too shall pass right?

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Happy Holidays Everyone!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

ROUGH Day and an 11 month old ...

2009-11-30T21:16:00.005-06:00

~ Miss Charlotte watching TV in the ER room ... ~
~ Poor Baby ~

~ Miss Charlotte and the Big Brown Bear - 11 months old ~

First off Miss Charlotte turned 11 months old yesterday - one more month until the BIG 1st Birthday Bash! She also came down with a cold that included LOTS of snot ... she slept horribly Saturday night waking every 2 hours - yesterday she spent the day clingy and crying so I figured I would take her in to the Dr's office Monday morning to check on those ears of hers! Sure as you know hat a DOUBLE ear infection this time around ... the dr's wasn't nearly as concerned with her ears as she was with her breathing ... she was raspy and wheezy so they did a neb treatment and he wheeziness cleared up. We headed home and had some lunch - she played a bit and then I rocked her a bit - then I heard more wheezing and coughing so I called the dr and she said go ahead and give her another neb BUT if I had to give another one before 5 then I should bring her back in to clinic ...

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Charlotte went down for a nap and slept soundly for 2 hours - then at 3:30 she woke up in time for us to pick Jaden up from school ... that is when she started freaking mom out ... her breathing waas so loud and fast and wheezy - I could hear her breathing from the back seat of the car. So once I picked Jaden up we headed to the Dr's office for a re-check. Once we got there the checked her oxygen saturation - it was 92 ... they did another neb treatment to see if it would bring her sat up - it didn't ... still 92 ... an Ambulance was called and then Jaden freaked out hinking Charlotte was dying - since on TV everytime an ambulance comes someone dies she said ... it was so sad. Jason came and picked Jaden up while my mother in law left to meet him at the house so he could meet me at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. In the ambulance they put her on 100% oxygen and her color came back and her coughing stopped and she looked SO much better.

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We got to the hospital and her oxygen without any aid was at 98 ... they did a chest Xray and it came back negative for pneumonia and they didi a mucus culture which came back negative for RSV .... so we luckily were sent home since she held her oxygen level on her own for a few hours and she wasn't struggling for air and wasn't wheezing either ... we got home an hour ago, she got her antibiotic for her ears, had a neb treatment and some motrin and now Grandma is upstairs rocking her ... I am thankful Carol is a nurse so we can all get some rest tonight ... here's hoping she starts feeling better SOON!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

Santa Claus is Coming To Town ...

2009-11-21T15:14:00.002-06:00

~ Charlotte and Jaden with Santa - 2009 ~

Just wanted to upload a picture of the girls with Santa ... we went to the Mall today to beat the crowd and it turned out really good ... Charlotte cried right after this picture was taken ... it is a great 1st time for her and of course Jaden always does well ... Have a Happy Weekend!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

Could it be true?

2009-11-17T22:48:00.008-06:00

~ Can anyone guess what this is? Could it be one of Shrek's kids? ~
~ Nope - just Miss Charlotte with Piggy Tails in ... playing with the dog through the window ... how much is that doggy in the window? FREE! (if you're asking me) ~

~ Jolene and Charlotte during one of our many lunch visits to El Loro - YUM! ~

~ Sydney & Jaden ~

~ Christina, Sydney & Jaden outside playing in the leaves ~

Does Miss Charlotte really, truly have 7 teeth in that mouth of hers? Why yes she does - and not a single one popped through with incident - they just suddenly appeared - she is just like Jaden was! She is also on the move when it comes to cruising along any and all furniture - pulling up on things (even things she shouldn't) seems to be a common thing these days ... and with that comes bumps and bruises right? Well she pulled herself up in her crib after napping Saturday and must've fallen and banged her little cheek on the side of the bed because now there is a purpleish bruise on her right cheek - poor baby sobbed like I have never seen! She bounced back fast though and proceeded to bang her mouth a few hours later on a toy! Jeesh ... it is too funny and cute to see her standing up though ... boy this past year has flown right on by without checking to make sure I was okay with that!!! not nice ...

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Jaden and Charlotte both got their flu and swine flu vaccinations last week and now Jaden has been hit with a horribly croupy cough - reminds me of nebulizer days! She says she feels fine and she is fever free so I am not worried (yet!) She did take the night off from swimming yesterday but she did go tonight but was pretty tired from the cough medicine - here's hoping she bounces back soon!

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Other than that we are gearing up for some Christmas Decorating at the Clark House! Charlotte's very 1st Christmas is right around the bend - quickly followed by her Big 1st Birthday ... it is going to get pretty busy around here. We are celebrating her day on New Year's Eve with a party in the afternoon followed by ringing in the New Year afterwards with friends and family! Jaden is the official party planner/decorator and she is super stoked to pick out all the supplies and a cake too! I am just sad she is almost one already - might just have to have another hmmmm?

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Me - well I am trying to find a way to surprise Jason with a weekened getway somewhere warm and cheap (since I am still without a job!) I was hoping to give him a little trip for Christmas but we would take the weekend away right around his birthday in January! If there is anyone out there with some travel ideas please let me know ... we are without a passport so it will have to be within the 50 states ...

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Well I hope all my readers I have abandoned are still out there and doing well ... we are chugging along here as happy as can be ...

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

Happy Halloween ...

2009-11-10T09:29:00.005-06:00

~ The Aspen Avenue NE Christmas Card 2009 - Jenny (passed out), Tony, Keely, Kevin, Dustin and Ross ... gotta love it when Jenny parties ~
~ Can you say SUGAR! ~ Alanna and Sydney

~ Mine and Jason's costume ... do you get it? ~

~ Aunt Adrienne and Charlotte ... I swear if I didn't birth her I would believe she wasn't mine but Adrienne's - WILD! ~

~ Kendra & Sarah - mom and daughter Vampires ~

~ MUMMY DOGS with Spider Web Dipping Sauce ~

~ Witches Brew - frozen hand and all ~

~ Vampiress Jaden ~

~ eeeew - Weiner Worms ~

~ A Gummy Foot - this thing was beyond GROSS - it has crunchy bone parts in it ICK! ~

~ Jaden and Adrienne built the Haunted Gingerbread House - it is pretty cute ~

~ Charlotte's 1st Pumpkin Carving ~

~ Jaden getting ready to carve her pumpkin - she looks kind of evil here ... ~

~ Charlotte inhaling some mandarin oranges ~

~ And this is the New CHUCKY smile ... you all know that creepy doll from Child's Play - yup, she is smiling just like him .... ~

Just posting some pictures from Charlotte's 1st Halloween. We had a great party and enjoyed spending the day with lots of friends and neighbors. Charlotte did NOT get her nap in so she was down for the count at 6:00 (BUMMER) but she woke back up around 9:30 and stayed up past 12 ... it was a fun night. At one point we had about 30 people in the garage and lots of kids in the house playing. Jaden was a gothic vampire, Charlotte was a little yellow duck ... was Brett Favre and Jason was - well just read his t-shirt to find out ... even Aunt Adrienne dressed up as an angel. It was a great time - cold outside but nice and warm in the heated garage! It worked out so well that we will be having Charlotte's big 1st Birthday the same way on New Year's Eve ... can't believe she will be one soon! UGH!

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Nothing else has been going on here - just chugging along, getting ready for the Holidays and trying to figure out plans and gifts! Other than that nothing new .. still unemployed and still enjoying it while I can. Headed to a college campus yesterday to review some classes and programs available ... we will see what I can muster up in regards to a Business Management degree - sigh!

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Hope you are all well - Jaden is still swimming 4 hours a week and still seems to be enjoying it ... as for Charlotte - pulling up on EVERYTHING - falling down too ... and got her 6th tooth this past weekend, 4 on top, 2 on bottom - oh and I have NEVER seen a child suck down mandarin oranges the was she does ... pardon the visual but they seem to be coming out the way they go in - whole ... she is a maniac!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

Oh Say It Ain't So ...

2009-10-29T19:52:00.004-05:00

~ Little Miss Charlotte - 10 Months Old ~
~ Charlotte & The Big Brown Bear - 10 Months Old ~
Is it true ... oh say it ain't so ... is Miss Charlotte 10 months old today? Boy - that went by entirely way too fast for my liking ... and to think - she never got my permission to grow up now did she? I think that just prepares us for the next decade or two of not asking permission! But in all honesty I can't believe how fast the pat 10 months have went by. She is as happy as ever and is a true joy to be around. Shewas even happy when she was feeling crummy last week! She now has 5 teeth and likes to chew on pretty much everything - including Jason's fingers - which hurt a lot now! She is crawling and is pretty darn fast at it and has also decided that standing up in her crib is AWESOME! She does it with the cutest grin on her face ... she is trying to pull up on the couch but can't find anyhing to hold on to but I am sure any day now that will be accomplished. She is my little peanut though - at only 20 pounds she is a full 7 pounds lighter than Jaden was at 10 months old! It has been fun to watch hom movies of Jaden and to be SO shocked at how much they look and sound alike ... Charlotte was even watching then the other day and clapping! So here she is - 10 Months old ... 2 months away from the BIG ONE YEAR ... better start party planning - since it will be on New Year's Eve we've got lots to do and plan ... that too will behere before I know it!
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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

OMG - I pretty much SUCK!

2009-10-24T21:22:00.005-05:00

~ My mom and Dad with The Clark Family of Four and Jason's Mom and Herb ~
~ Jaden with her Arial Face Painting from Aunt Niki at the Mall of America ~

~ Jaden holding up her sign at the airport waiting for Nanny and Poppy to come ~

~ Charlotte and her 1st set of piggy tails ~

~ Charlotte and her big grin at the Corn Maze ~

Well it is officially the longest stretch of Non-Blogging I have done since becoming a regular blogger and really there truly is no reason for it - we haven't been overly busy, I haven't gone back to school so I am not swamped with studying, I have not gone back to work so I am not swamped with orientations and the like ... I pretty much just SUCK! I apologize if there are still people checking in on us and I also apologize for not checking in on anybody else ... I have just taken a hiatus from blogging and the computer all together! Here's hoping now that it is OH SO BEAUTIFUL here (not really) I will start back on my regular blogging schedule!

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So if anyone is out there I guess I will let you all know that things here are fine! Jaden is enjoying school and is loving being on the Mn Storm Swim Team ... she is now swimming 3.5 hours a week and seems to be having a good time doing so! She is also doing great in school - we had her 2nd grade conference 2 weeks ago and she is right on track with reading and math! Jason and I are very proud of how far she's come in her reading - she truly pushes herself and logs each and every book she reads! Other than that she is looking forward to our Halloween Party next saturday where she will present herself as a gothic vampire ... should be interesting! We spent today shopping for clearance Halloween decor and getting our menu ready for Saturday ... so far we are having Dead Man Walking Tacos - Chill You To The Bone Chili - Weiner Worms - Mummy Dogs - Witches Brew - Guacamole Spider Web Dip - MN Wild Rice Pumpkine Hotdish and of course Pumpkin Bars - Jason and I are still without costumes but Jaden has hers and Miss Charlotte is going to be a little yellow duck!!! I am sure we will have plenty of pictures to share ...

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Speaking of Charlotte, last Sunday was her Baptism and it was wonderful. We had 8 of my NY relatives either fly or drive here for it and after you counted MN family and friends we had 35 people there to celebrate this special occassion! She of course did beautifully even though she just came down with her 1st fall/winter cold - which she so generously shared with Jaden and I! She also has mastered the full hands and knees crawling and decided pulling up on things is fun too ... it is hard to believe that she will be 10 months old next week - 2 months from 1 year! UGH! Time goes by too fast! She is as cute as ever and I am loving my time with her at home - though I am sure she is BORED of me by now! She has a new found love - Jaden's Toy Kitchen - she spends hours tearing that thing apart and playing (I mean chewing) on all the pretend foods ... it is fun to watch her enjoy something that Jaden spent hours playing with as a little one!

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I will be back tomorrow or Monday to post pictures of my family' visit from NY - We all loved every second they were here and as always it sucks that they are gone already! Once again - time goes by way too fast ... but for now here are a few pictures of Jaden and Charlotte!

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Hope you are all healthy and well!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Miss Charlotte

Hard to believe she is really only 7!!

2009-10-02T11:46:00.004-05:00

~ My Beautiful Jaden ~

Just popping in to post a few new pictures ... Jaden has school pictures today so she asked me to crimp her hair - remember doing that ladies? Well I spent about 15 minutes on her hair because she has so damn much of it but in the end it turned out AWESOME! I can't believe she is really only 7 years old and I can not believe how blonde her hair is - it is crazy! In other Jaden news - tonight is her last South Metro Storm Swim Class - after the class we will talk with the coach and hear what he thinks we should do next. Jason and I are excited to hear what his opinion is ... tomorrow she has her regular Foss Swim School Class and she is looking forward to the 1/2 hour class vs. the hour class - she is pretty tired but she has progressed so much in just 2 weeks ... speaking of two weeks - my family arrive in two weeks for Charlotte's Baptism - We are all super excited to have then here!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~ Charlotte working on her crawling skills ~

Charlotte is inching closer and closer to crawling ... she has mastered the position and can even get up to a sitting position from a tummy position but her hands and knees are not coordinated just yet but she's so proud when she is on her hands and knees ... can't believe she is 9 months old already! Where does the time go? She heads to the Pediatrician today for her regular shots plus a flu shot and the ever important ear check - here is hoping they are fluid free - if they are we think she can start her own swimming lessons this winter ... she LOVES the water so it would be a blast to have her in swim class as well. We will see ...

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Hope you are all staying warm - it is rainy - gloomy and cold here ... in fact so rainy our roof was leaking like a faucet last night - thanks to my ever so handy husband we think he sealed the roof vent where all the water was pouring in ... he is such a great guy - I found a good one on the internet 12 years ago ....

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason , Jaden and Baby Charlotte

9 Months Old!!!

2009-09-29T20:51:00.003-05:00

~ Charlotte & The Big Brown Bear - 9 Months Old ~

Just popping in to put up Charlotte's 9 Month Photo ... it truly is hard to believe that she is already 9 months old! Time does go by entirely too fast when it comes to our children! But she is as cute as ever and I am enjoying my time home with her. This morning she woke up and had her top right tooth popping through ... that means she has 3 teeth and we're on our way towards STEAK! I called my mom to let her know she will be working her way toward that goal ... She is also ever so close to crawling. She has the motion and can get herself from a lying down position to a sitting position with NO problem but I think she realizes that if she rolls towards her destination and then sits up she can get to what she wants faster than trying to move her arms and legs at the same time - but I know she'll get there - I SERIOUSLY need to get to baby proofing!! That is on my weekend to do list! So aside from her being as cute as can be she is still the happiest baby I have ever seen ... there is nothing that gets her too upset unless she's hungry or her diaper is dirty. She takes 3 hour naps in her crib during the day and goes to bed at night around 8:00 and sleeps straight through until about 7 or 8 (sometimes even 9!!!) I am a lucky momma ... she likes her sleep just like her sister ... so here is Charlotte's 9 Month Photo ...

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Jaden is LOVING her MN Storm Swim Clinic which wraps up this Friday. We will be talking with the coach to hear what his evaluations are. She was asked to perform the butterfly kick to show everyone and the coach said she was excellent - she loves the butterfly - he called her "His Flyer" ... so we are proud of her and she is truly pushing herself to do well ... Not sure what I did in life to deserve such great kids but I will take it ...

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Oh and we are now 15 days and counting until my mom and dad fly in for Charlotte's Baptism ... my brother, sister, sister in law, nieces and nephew are arriving via car on Thursday! I know the drive will be so boring and long but I am excited for them all to get here ... we are planning a HUGE brunch after the baptism for 35 people and they all can't wait to hang out and talk with my mom - what can I say - I lucked out with awesome parents too!

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Have a wonderful night!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Poor Charlotte ...

2009-09-25T19:59:00.007-05:00

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It seems as though she not only has ear infections on a regular basis but recently she has been found to be suffering from globophobia ... this is so sad to me and I am not sure how to help her overcome this ... it looks like her birthday party may suffer as a result ... What is globophobia you all are asking ... well it seems as though Charlotte has a fear of BALLOONS ... now I am obviously being sarcastic and please if there is anyone out there who seriously suffers from globophobia I apologize up front ... in all honesty I found it funny to try to figure out why every time I put Charlotte in her highchair she would get this nervous fakish type cry ... well finally it dawned on me - I have had the Vikings Mylar balloon clipped to the dining room chair for the past 2 weeks - well the air has started to seep out of the balloon so it was starting to get that weird drunken type float going on. That is the part that was freaking Charlotte out - it would just slowly float by her and make a crinkly noise and then there would be tears ... it was funny at first but once I truly realized that the tears were those big giant ones and she would jump if the balloon was tapped - well then I felt pretty bad for her ... so looks like balloons are OUT for the Big 1st Birthday unless we can help her overcome her fear ... any ideas?

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Hope you are all having a wonderful start to your weekend - we are hopefully headed HERE tomorrow if the rain stays away ...

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Have a GREAT Weekend!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

The Mn Storm Swim Team

2009-09-22T09:42:00.006-05:00

~ Jaden diving in to the pool ~
~ Jaden listening to the coach tell the class how to "Squeeze their brains with their elbows!" ~
~ Getting ready to do some diving ~

~ Charlotte watching her sister swim (see her bug bite?) ~

~ Jaden taking the lead ~

~ Jaden coming up from behind ~

~ Jaden doing some swimming ~

~ Ready - Get Set - GO! ~

Happy Tuesday Everyone! Well it has finally gotten in to seasonable temperatures here in MN - today is 70 an rainy - after 2 weeks in the 80's with sun and more sun ... Jaden was excited to be able to wear jeans and a long sleeved shirt ... if only she realized what temps were right around the bend she might savor some more days of shorts and tank tops ... *sigh* ... At least she will be able to swim all winter long between Foss Swim School and her MN Storm Swim Team Clinic she started last night. She enjoyed her time last night but did say she was pretty tired - she should be though - the pool length is longer than Foss' and she had to swim the entire length, non-stop back and forth for about 45 minutes straight. I would never have made it past 5 minutes that is for sure!!! After swimming for 45 minutes they started to learn the techniques of diving. This ws funny - let's just say there were a 'few' belly flops going on ... Jaden included ... but once again, who am I kidding, I would never but a bathing suit on in public anyhow let alone dive!! Yeah right!

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Jason and I were very proud of her after her first class ... she swam and listened to the coaches' directions and she stuck with it even though she was pretty pooped. She was excited to get a MN Storm swim cap to wear - made her feel 'Cool' she said. Jason and I thought it made her look grown up already! She has 3 more hour long classes this week and 4 hour long classes next week and then we will let her decide if she thinks she is ready for a competitive team activity. Also we will make sure the coaches' feel she is ready too ... we would hate to get her discouraged and then decide to not do any swimming at all!! So we will see ...

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As for Charlotte ... she was PERFECT last night while we watched Jaden swim. She played with some toys, ate some cereal puffs and just watched for the entire hour - I was thankful her MONSTER SCREAM remained inside until we got outside ... oh and speaking of Monster - Charlotte will be turning in to Baby Franestein for Halloween ... she may look so sweet and cute but there is a Little Monster hiding in there and she comes out often! She also managed to get bit of stung by some sort of bug right between her eyes Friday while we were on our walk ... by Saturday night it was swollen and puffed out so much that her eyes were all red underneath ... Jason said she looked like a Baby Klingon ... I was so sad for her ... I decided I would wai until Monday to see how it looked and thankfully it has gone down a lot ... she does have a dot in the center where she was bit (by what I have no idea) ... I am hoping that's the last of the Charlotte Buffet!

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Hope everyone is well and enjoying the First Day of Fall!!!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!!

Go Vikings ...

2009-09-17T09:20:00.005-05:00

~ Charlotte is ready for kickoff ~
~ Me and My Girls ~

~ Alanna and Jaden eating their sandwiches and watching the game ~

~ This WILL be my tattoo of Charlotte once I am ready to get it - I LOVE THIS PICTURE ~

~ Charlotte giving Harley Dog some lovin ~

~ My 3 Vikings Fans ~

~ Jaden decorating her Vikings Cupcakes ~

~ Charlotte says "SKOL Vikings!" ~

~ LOOK who that is - the voice of NeiHi KoiLan - or however you spell and say it! ~

~ Charlotte just waking up as we got to the Annual Target Book Fair ~

Happy Thursday Everyone ... I tell you - being (without a job) I find that I have no idea what the heck day it is ... they all flow in to one GIANT weekend - kind of nice actually! But today is Thursday so I figured I would pop on to blogger and post some photos and of course blab about our week. So if you are REALLY REALLY bored kick off your shoes and stay a bit ...

Let's see - Jaden has enjoyed being back at school and is pretty excited to be a 2nd grader. This year all the students had to get a planner to keep their homework assignments in. Well as soon as Jaden gets home she opens her planner and starts her homework. So far she has had to get in the habit of reading every night for at least 15 minutes and to tell us what her goals for the year are. She wants to be more organized in art, learn more math and be at school every day this year. We will see how she does but I think those are excellent goals. She also started back at swim school. She is happy to be back and enjoys learning the techniques of swimming. We also signed her up for an 8 session clinic with the MN Storm Swim and Dive Teams. She starts that Monday and it is 4 days a week/an hour a day/for two weeks. If she likes it we will sign her up for that team once the Fall Session at Foss Swim School ends. The only difference between the 2 are that the MN Storm offers her a chance to grow through the program even after she's 18 plus it is a competitive swim team environment so hopefully she enjoys it. Other than that it has been pretty quiet around here - which is nice for a change!

Miss Charlotte is getting closer and closer to crawling - she tries SO hard to get there but falls on her belly which then gets her pretty mad! Her and I are working on the hand/knee coordination but really - what the heck do I know - hopefully we will get there soon - or not so soon since I have NO baby proofing done!!! Uh-Oh! Other than that she has discovered a new sound - it is a WHINE! Oh my goodness I am hoping she finds another sound soon because this new one is a bit annoying - especially after about 3 hours of it ... she is as happy and as cute as ever though and I am enjoying all the time I am getting with her! Yesterday we surprised Jason at work and went to lunch - he was happy and proud to show herto his coworkers - they haven't seen her since she was about 2 weeks old - that was a LONG time ago!

We haven't been too busy around here - I have cleaned out all the clothes closets in the house to get them ready for fall clothes and I moved all Jaden's toys to the spare room because her closet was getting filled with junk and her clothes no longer fit in it. Charlotte's closet has some fall clothes in it thanks to Jolene but I am pretty sure we'll be heading out shortly to get some more - PLUS Halloween Costume shopping ... I can't wait to reveal their costumes this year!

My parents, brother, sister in law, nieces, nephew and sister all arrive in 4 weeks for Charlotte's Baptism - I am excited to have them here to celebrate PLUS my niece Hannah and nephew Matthew have never been here so it will be a wonderful family visit. I am thinking we will hit the MOA and the Apple Orchard ... it will be so much fun - Jaden is counting down the days too!!

This past weekend was the NFL Season Opener so we (kind of) all donned our Vikings gear and had a few friends over to watch the game - TheVikings won and I am happy to say I got some AWESOME photos of my girls ... I hope the winning continues for Jason's sake ... he is NOT a Brett Favre fan but wants to be ....

Have a wonderful rest of the week - Charlotte and I are heading to Godfather's Pizza to have lunch with Jolene ... until next time ...

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Purple Hair!!

2009-09-12T10:39:00.005-05:00

~ Back View ~
~ Top View ~

~ Front View ~

Well I finally went in to The Fringe Salon and had Dustin (my neighbor and Alanna's dad) color my hair purple ... it turned out pretty good and not too freaky or gothlike at all ... what do you all think?

We're heading off to swimming - then the Annual Target Children's Book Fair in Bloomington - then we're meeting up with Heather, Dan and Savannah at the Buffalo Tap Bar and Grill and then Driveway Drinking with the neighbors - ahhhh!

Have a Great Weekend!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Last Weekend of Summer and First Day of School

2009-09-08T14:35:00.010-05:00

~ Jaden dressed and all ready to start 2nd grade ~
~ Jaden & Charlotte - 1st Day of School 2009 ~

~ Jaden getting ready to head in to school with her sunflowers for her teacher ~

~ Jaden eating her oatmeal on the 1st Day of School ~

~ Charlotte enjoying the waterpark ~

~ Cascade Bay Waterpark - Eagan, MN ~

~ Jaden and Hannah ~

~ Kendra & Jaden @ Cascade Bay Waterpark ~

~ EXHAUSTED ~

~ Charlotte & a little boy were playing @ The Park and he tried to take her stick - she pulled it away and scratched her face - but still oh so happy! ~

~ Sydney - Jaden & Savannah at the Chutes & Ladders Park in Bloomington ~

~ Chutes & Laddes Park - Bloomington, MN ~

~ Jaden at our beach near our house - Prior Lake ~

~ Charlotte LOVING the sand at Sandpoint Beach ~

~ Jaden outside her classroom door at the Back To School Event ~

Well it is the UNofficial official end to summer ... I hope everyone had a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend. Our last weekend of summer was fun and busy. Friday night we did the usual ... driveway drinking with our neighbors and then ordering some pizza. Saturday was Jaden's 1st Fall Session of swimming - she is happy to be back and we're happy to have a schedule in the house again. She picked up her swimming where she left off and aside from getting tired she was happy as can be. We decided to move her up to the BIG Level so now she swims with 7-13 year olds. We are hoping she moves up to he next level by Spring which will include non-competitive swim meets.

After swimming we had Sarah, Koz and Kendra over for a BBQ but before grilling out Sarah, Kendra, Jaden, Charlotte and I met up with Jolene, Jeff & the girls at Cascade Bay Waterpark in Eagan. it was a beautiful day and this waterpark is pretty great - especially for an all day admittance of $9.00 - you can't beat that! Charlotte had a wonderful time in the water and Jaden enjoyed all the waterslides and swimming with her friends. We even went on the lazy river where Charlotte and I got caught in the rapids and waterfalls - and got SOAKED - Charlotte LOVED it ... me - not so much ... it was a fun day! We spent about 3 hours swimming and Charlotte was asleep before we even eft the parking lot. Jaden headed home with Hannah for a sleepover. Sarah, Kendra, Charlotte and I headed to my house where the guys had corn and burgers ready by the time we arrived. Our neighbors (Jenny and Kevin) came over and brought a HUGE tray of shrimp cocktail ... it was a fun night.

Sunday we did the usual - laundry and relax - we also watched a few movies. It was a nice day. Jaden played with some friends and we did our usual walk around the nieghborhood. Sunday night our dishwasher was acting weird - wouldn't turn on if the sink light was off - WEIRD! So Jason turned the light switch on and the dishwasher sparked and smoke billowed out of it - WTH! The dishwasher is a whole 60 days old - so he shut the circuit breaker off and the replacement/repair guys comes tomorrow!!!

Yesterday Jaden spent her last day of summer with Alanna and Sydney. Those girls spent hours in the pool ... they enojoyed a filled day of play before settling in for a shower and bedtime ... school started today!

This morning we picked up some awesome sunflowers for her teacher before I dropped her off ... then I headed out for an interview with Charlotte - good offer but only 8 weeks of work - not very practical right now ... we will see if it works out ... but for now I will post some pictures ... Hope you all had a great long weekend ... ONLY 36 days until my family arrives for Charlotte's Batism - can't wait! whoo-hoo ... (but who's counting?)

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Charlotte's New Smile ...

2009-09-02T10:27:00.005-05:00

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~ Charlotte's New SNORT Laugh ~

Happy Wednesday Everyone ... just wanted to post some new video of Charlotte's new smile and (ahem) snort! Seems as though she thinks this is pretty funny and does it often!! I finally got her video taped and can prove it ... she aways STOPS snorting when people look at her!

In other news - summer is speeding to a close and school starts next Tuesday! I am so bummed summer is done but even more sad that my baby will be a 2nd grader! Tonight we head to school to meet her teacher and drop off all of her school supplies ... it should be a fun year for her now that she enjoys reading so much so I am excited for her to jump back into school. Her swimming starts up this Saturday also ... she took the summer off but now we're back in to the (swim) of things. Her classes run right up to December 22nd! She also starts Sunday School on the 13th - which is the same day as the Church Summer End Party ... should be a busy September even with school starting. As for today ... we're hanging out at home ... we'll be having a BBQ Saturday and possibly heading to the waterpark too!

So in the meantime - Have a Wonderful Day everyone!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Guess who's 8 months old!!

2009-08-31T17:36:00.006-05:00

~ Baby Charlotte - 8 Months Old ~
~ Charlotte, Jaden and Savannah ~

~ Jaden - about to start 2nd grade in 1 week ~

Miss Charlotte is!!! I can not believe that she is already 8 months old! She is starting to crawl already and has gotten her two bottom front teeth! She still enjoys her baby oatmeal cereal and baby food. We've tried some table food such as mac and cheese but she spits the noodles right out at you. She likes her wagon wheels and yogurt melts and most of all - she LOVES her Yobaby Yogurt! She has tried all the flavors and she actually says 'MMMMM' when she eats it! She is such a happy and joyful baby and is never in a bad mood unless she's exhausted. We also moved her to a big girl car seat this month since her legs were getting too long to use the baby car seat! She is a joy to be around and I love her more and more each day - but I have to say - the one and only person that makes her smile ALL the time is her sister - she LOVES Jaden and giggles when she sees her - it melts my heart to watch! I look forward to watching her grow and change but a side of me misses her teeny babyness ...

In other news - I decided to pass on the other job offer due to the NO TIME OFF for 6 months restriction. I am just not in that mental spot to be able to commit to that. I need to be able to attend Jaden's Halloween Party at school and if my kids are sick I NEED to stay home with them. This job offer was also trying to low ball me to see if I'd take the job for any dollar amount and right now I am in a place where I don't need to do that so I will stay at home with Charlotte and Jaden and do my job as their mom ... Jason said to sit home and relax and take it 1 day at a time - so I will!! So my new job title is Simply MOM! I like the sound of that!

Have a Great Week Everyone!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Sunday Somethings ...

2009-08-23T20:39:00.008-05:00

~ Jason, Jaden & I - where's Charlotte? Sleeping in her stroller :0( ~

~ Charlotte in her new 'Cadillac of a carseat' ... she is so much more comfy in this! ~

~ Charlotte watching Jaden climb the rock walls ~
~ Coming on down the wall ~
~ Repelling down - this was her favorite part she said ~

~ Ringing the bell at the top of the rock wall ~ ~ Trevor helping Jaden on her 1st attempt at rock climbing ... she did GREAT! ~ ~ Trevor giving Jaden some tips on climbing ~

~ Miss Charlotte's new smile ... this cracks me up ... she hisses when she does this ~

~ Jaden on the swings at the playground ~

~ Charlotte giving some love to her blanket ~

~ Jaden and Charlotte heading to Grandma's for Herb's Party ~ ~ UH OH - look who's trying to pull herself up already! ~

~ CRAZY BABY ~

~ See those pearly whites in there? ~

~ Charlotte in her new Pink Rubber Ducky Bathtub! ~

Happy Sunday Everyone ... well another weekend is over and August is quickly coming to an end *sigh* ... we had a busy weekend and the weather was beautiful. The week was a rainy one but the weekend was perfect!

Wednesday I headed to URS to pack up all my work belongings. I was put on stand-by status on July 24th - basically URS could call me back in to work if there was enough billable work to bring me back. Well I decided that it was time to part ways completely. I am sad to no longer be associated with all the wonderful people I have come to love working with - but I needed to do what was best for me and my family so we parted ways - I left Minneapolis for the last time (workwise) and headed home - just as a tornado was heading towards downtown. There are a TON of photos on the Startribune website shwoing toppled trees and sidewalks torn apart - plus roofs torn off and such ... it is pretty crazy what Mother Nature is capable of!!! But I digress - I am now 100% unemployed and I am not sure what to think about that - this is the first time in my adult likfe that I am without a job. I did interview for a position 2 weeks ago and they offered me the job on the spot but we have some salary talks to do before I accept it since the pay cut is significant. But in the end I have options - which is more than most people these days have!!!

Now on to some other news - Friday I took Charlotte to the Dr to have her ear re-checked ... she STILL has fluid on her ear - no infection but fluid. The Dr wasn't optimistic regarding the upcoming winter so keep your fingers crossed that this is just a phase ... Charlotte is on her medicince for another week and unless something happens before hand she won't be seen until her 9 month well baby visit! NINE MONTHS - is she really almost that old? UGH!

After Charlotte's appointment I met up with a co-worker of mine, Katie. Katie is pregnant with her 1st child and she's due january 2nd ... she just found out she is having a boy so the 3 of us headed to Babies R Us to do some shopping. It was fun to shop and just spend time with her ... she is a great friend that I sadly judged too soon and in the end I missed out on her friendship years ago - but I am glad to be a part of her life now with Baby Westphal on the way! Oh and while we were shopping I had to pick up a Big Girl carseat for Miss Charlotte - she no longer fits length wise in the baby seat! *another sigh* ... we did a lot of shopping and I had some excellent car packing skills to get it all stuffed in the car!!! Let's do that again Katie - soon?

Saturday we headed to Albert Lea for a surprise 70th Birthday party for my Mother In Law's boyfriend Herb. It was indeed a surprise and it was fun to see his smiling reaction. The party was held at this great park with a realy nice pavillion and playground. Charlotte was as perfect as always and Jaden enjoyed her acorn hunting!!! After the party we headed to the Rock Gym where Jason's best friend Trevor works. Jaden and Jason both climbed the walls and I am SO proud at how well Jaden did and how she did not give up!! She even jumped off one of the cliffs!!!

Today was Sunday so that means laundry and relaxing ... Jaden had a friend over to swim and play while Jason, Charlotte and I walked across the street to Jenny and Kevin's house for some snacks and a few drinks ... so all in all a PERFECT WEEK!

I promise to be a better blogger ... such a slacker these days! I hope all of my friends are well ...

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Just some pictures ... another tooth, road trip, horse track and swimming!

2009-08-17T10:16:00.007-05:00

~ Sydney - Charlotte - Jaden - enjoying some swim time ~
~ Charlotte kicked back in her high chair and eating some wagon wheel puffs - she really is this happy ALL the time ~

~ Charlotte playing with her penguin punch bag from Jolene ~

~ Sydney - Jaden - Alanna - playing dress up ~

~ A Blimp in the sky above our house ~

~ My Beautiful Jaden - I can't believe she'll be a 2nd grader soon and then an 8 year old ~

~ Charlotte enjoying the Yo Baby Yogurt and feeding herself these days ~

~ Charlotte & Dan ~

~ Charlotte hanging out with dad on the floor ~

~ Auntie Adrienne giving Charlotte a snack - LOOK at those baby rolls - LOVE EM! ~

~ Addison - she'll be a year old at the end of August ~

~ Jamie and Charlotte at the race track ~

~ There go the horses - Canterbury Park, Shakopee MN ~

~ Sarah with her Little girl Addison ~

~ Jackson - Charlotte - Jaden ~

~ Charlotte with Great Aunt Gertrude ~

~ There is a tooth in there ~

~ These fingers pretty much stay in her mouth 24/7 these days - LOOK at those eyes ~

~ Jaden and Charlotte heading to Amery Wisconsin ~

Just wanted to hop on here and post some pictures! We had a busy week last week since the girls were home with me! My Mother In Law Carol came to visit Tuesday and stayed until Thursday so we were busy. Last Monday I took Charlotte to th DR for an ear infections - I am happy to say she is doing so much better! Tuesday we headed to the Outlet Mall to get school clothes for Jaden - I save over $200 shopping there versus the mall ... Jaden loves all her clothes from Justice for Girls and I love the deals we found. Miss Charlotte also got a few outfits for winter! Wednesday I had a call back interview and was offered the job on the spot - great news - we have some salary negotiating left to do and then I think I will accept the poisition and start a path towards a new type of career!!! I am nervous and excited and a bit sad all at the same time ... damn hormones!!! After my interview we drove to Wisconsin to visit my Mother In Laws' Aunt Gertrude ... she lives on a farm where they raise Clydesdale Horses that travel the fair circuit throughout the Midwest! It was a relaxing day and Miss Charlotte was a tropper for all the time she spent in her carseat!!! Thursday our old neighbors Sarah, Jackson and Addison came over to play. It was fun to see them - they were AWESOME neighbors! Later that night we all met up at the Horse Track - Canterbury park - it is $1.00 night on Thursdays so we enjoyed some food, drinks and races oh and Miss Charlotte got her 2nd tooth right on the bottom next to her 1st one ... - Friday we all swam since it was so hot outside. Chralotte had a blast in the pool and spent an hour splashing away! It was so nice ... we had a BBQ on Saturday with Heather, Dan, Savannah and my sister in law Adrienne ... the weather wasn't the greatest but we had a nice time!! So I figured I would jus blab a bit and post some pictures ... hope you're all doing well! Have a great week!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

You Would Think ...

2009-08-10T15:05:00.007-05:00

~ Charlotte's 6 month portraits ... what a BIG GIRL sitting all by herself ~
~ Charlotte - 6 months old - her usual pose ... arms flapping like a bird with a big ol grin ~

~ Sunset on the way home from Grandma's House ~

~ I don't think they thought this was what was going to happen ~

~ Jaden and Grandma - BEFORE the ride moved ~

~ Baby Charlotte @ The Fair - we were sitting under a red tent ~

~ Jaden riding a pony ~

~ Jaden riding a tractor ~

~ I took this because it reminded me of Donkey from Shrek ~

~ A Beautiful Peacock ~

~ A Llama without any spit ~

~ Charlotte celebrating National Night Out ~

~ Jaden running from a kid filled park during National Night Out ~

That by my being recently without job I would have LOTS AND LOTS of free time to sit on my rear end - eating bon bons - and blogging right? Well it seems as though I have kept myself busy enough to neglect my dear blog and all of its DEAR READERS! So for that I am truly sorry ... but we missed blogging this past week and we're back with some updates and of course new photos to share!

Let's see - Jaden and Charlotte enjoyed last week at daycare while I job searched at home and went on some promising interviews. I also managed to guiltily (hmm) float on top of the pool while reading a few books and getting a little color to my pasty self. Tuesday our neighborhood celebrated National Night Out up at our park ... there were a TON of kids there - didn't realize we had that many children in the neighborhood. We had lots of food and it was fun meeting new people. Wednesday the girls and I headed down to Albert Lea to meet up with my Mother In Law Carol and head to the Freeborn County Fair for some rides, animals and of course fair food. It was a great time and the weather was FINALLY warm out - a bit too warm in the sun for Charlotte! Friday I had an interview in the morning and then I was scheduled to watch Jaden's friend Alanna. So after the interview Alanna and I headed to my daycare to pick up the girls so they could come home and play. Jaden's other friend Sydney also came over to pass the time away since Minnesota finally received some MUCH needed rain all day Friday - actually 3" of rain fell - it was wet, thunderous rain with lots of lightening and roof shaking thunder. Saturday brought with it a LOT of humidity and heat - we had no plans for the weekend so we stayed home and enjoyed doing nothing for a change. Yesterday Jaden had Sydney and Alanna over to play again and Sydney spent the night. Charlotte, Jaden and I have all come down with the same annoying cold and I am sorry to report that after a very sad night of sleep for Miss Charlotte she has yet another ear infection - same ear - same situation - different medication this time. Even stronger than Zithromax - the dr wants to see her again in 2 weeks and she said if we have 3 more ear infections in the next 5 months we will have to talk about ear tubes - so cross your fingers for her will ya?

Let's see - tomorrow my Mother In Law is coming up to stay until Thursday. You see - this week my daycare is closed so I originally needed a babysitter for a few days. I was taking Monday and Friday off and Carol was coming up to watch the girls Tuesday-Thursday. Well now that I am 'off' we made some fun plans. Tomorrow we are heading to the Albertville Outlets with my neighbor Jenny so I can get some school shopping done for Jaden. Wednesday I have a call back interview and then we will be heading to visit Carol's Aunt's Horse Farm in Wisconsin. Thursday I am not sure what plans we have yet but the weather here is supposed to be AWESOME so I am sure it will entail swimming and playdates.

So in the meantime - enjoy the new pictures - these are the portraits we had taken of Charlotte last week - she is getting so big and I know I'm her mom but I swear she is just the cutest thing!!

I hope you're all well and enjoying the last weeks of summer - ugh! I promise to visit you all this week!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

1st TOOTH and What Do You Do ...

2009-08-03T09:27:00.012-05:00

Well Miss Charlotte got her first tooth today! I wouldn't have known she was even getting one since she has been her normal happy joyful self! I just so happened to put my finger in her mouth and check and SURPRISE - A TOOTH!

~ Miss Charlotte ~

Oh and What Do You Do When your Tomato plant gets to be THIS big? You make some HOMEMADE SALSA!! ~ My GINORMOUS Tomato Plant with about 32 tomatoes on it ~
~ These are Jason's pepper plants - jalapeno, anaheim, banana and sweet banana ~
~ Just a 'few' of my ripe tomatoes ~
~ Here is what I start off with - no measuring of course - just throw it all in a blender ~

~ Add some cilantro and then a 1/4 cup of lemon juice ~

~ For this batch I cut up 2 red peppers ~

~ I also cut up 1/2 of a red onion and 2 whole white onions ~

~ Next - the tomatoes OF COURSE ~

~ Next is Jason's favorite part - I used only 1/2 of this giant jalapeno this time~

~ Next is my FAVORITE part - the garlic of course - I use the minced garlic since it is easiest~ ~ Top it off with another handful of cilantro ~

~ Throw it ALL in the blender and press the Smoothie Setting ~

~ TADA ... Homemade Salsa Rebekah's Style ~

I have found myself eating this on prety much EVERYTHING! Last night I added it to some chicken in foil packets ... baked it on 425 in the oven for 30 minutes and it was FABULOUS! Hmm, maybe I found myself a new job huh? Or at least a hobby that is healthy to eat?

Well have a wonderful day everyone! I will be back later with pictures of the kids ... since they are what most people stop by to see anyhow!

Love ~ The Clark Family of FOUR ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Slacker Poster and I Have A 7 Month Old!!

2009-07-28T08:51:00.007-05:00

~ Charlotte - 7 Months Old Today! ~

~ Charlotte in her Turtle Float (she doesn't look too thrilled does she?) ~
~ Me and My Girls in the pool ~

~ Uh-Oh - Fast Foward 9 years ... she was a MANIAC on the Bumper Cars ~

~ Jaden on the Roller Coaster at the Scott County Fair ~

~ LOOK - Twin Cows - Ho-Ho and Twinkie ~

~ One of the Stalheim Farm Clydesdales - he is HUGE ~

~ The Stalheim Farms Horse Carriage ~

~ Jaden standing by a Horse Sculpture ~

~ Charlotte getting some LOVE from Jolene ~

~ Yup - This is her normal grin!! ~

Well it is official - I am a SLACKER! I have had nothing but time on my hands the past few days but still no post! Hmm - what the heck ... well if any of you have a facebook account and have read my status then some of you know that recently I was put on furlough at work - kind of a "lack of work' scenario. I could be called back in the next few weeks if we get enough work to support that decision or I will be laid off and be without a job. So as you may know the past few days have been trying and stressful! I am usually a pretty negative person in general ... usually upbeat but rarely do I look for the good in things first. Tha pretains to situation as well as meeting new people ... I joke - sadly - that I usually hate you before I like you ... so when this situation occured I realized there truly is nothing I can do about it. I will sit home for the next 2 weeks and hope for a phone call back to my job. If that phone call doesn't come I will take Charlote and Jaden out of daycare and stay at home with them for a few month while I look for work. In the end I will be a stay at home mom - something I NEVER thought I wanted to do much less be able to do it but I am excited for this opportunity to actaully be the one to raise my children ... in the end I have to make lemonade out of my lemons ... and with two beautiful faces like Jaden and Charlotte's I am sure to have the sweetest lemonade around! So bear with me if I sway towards doom and gloom ... I am not trying to be negative but we all know how life comes at us with fastballs and curves and alls I can hope for is a base hit - no need for a homerun!

But in the meantime we have been busy around our house ... Friday I had taken the day off since daycare was closed so Jaden, Charlotte and I met up with Jolene and Hannah for lunch. After lunch we headed to our house so the big girls could swim and the mooms could talk. It was a fun time to be able to spend alone with Jolene - usually we are both so torn between kids and husbands that we lose out on one on one time to just be us. Now that I am without a job at least for a few weeks I am sure we will have lunch often!!! Right Jo?

After the girls swam they asked if Hannah could sleep over - of course it was fine and a great idea so Hannah spent the night. Jason made a bonfire and we had ourselves some smores!! It was a good time ... Saturday was my Mother In Law Carol's birthday. She came up to spend the day with us at our County Fair ... it was a fun time last year so we made the trek again this year. Carol's Aunt and cousin have raised Clydesdale horses for a long time and they were showing their horses in the County Fair so it was fun to meet some family members and to watch the horses. Stalheim Farms in Wisconsin is the name of the farm - it was a great show to watch too!

Next we headed to eat some fair food - corn dogs, pizza, french fries and funnel cakes - YUM! After that Jaden went on rides and Jason won her a new stuffed animal this year - a TURTLE! I love it and want one for myself!!! After the fair we headed home where Carol hung out for a while before heading home.

Sunday wasa relaxing day with the usual laundry and such. Charlotte did use her turtle float in the BIG pool for the 1st time! She cried at first but once she saw the toy and splash area on her float she was happy as can be ... she did better than I did in that cold water. It was fun to watch her face too! I also can NOT believe that she turned 7 months old today ... it is pretty crazy how fast the time has gone by but also how much she has grown and changed! She is a pretty perfect baby if you ask me and makes me smile all the time. She has finally started rolling over and over and over - she has been rolling for a bit but would pitch a fit on her tummy but now she rolls all around. She prefers to sit all by herself on the floor with toys surrounding her. She will spend hours in her exersaucer chewing on all the dangling things. She also fell in love with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Channel. When she sees his face and hears his voice she squels with delight. It is pretty cute! She weighed in at 19 pound and was 26" long already! What a big girl. Speaking of big girl - when you say "Who's a Big Girl?" to her she starts clapping now - it is too cute! I just love her to pieces ... I have been blessed with both my girls!!

Well I am off to apply for more jobs ... wish me luck! I went to a seminar last night to sell some nutritional supplements from home - here's hoping that turns into something!

Have a GREAT Day!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Home Remodel Tour ~ Kitchen

2009-07-22T09:27:00.000-05:00

~ Kitchen Cabinets - BEFORE ~
~ Kitchen - BEFORE - but after I painted the walls from a key lime green to a brown ~
~ The Old Dishwasher ~

~ The Old Stove - ICK! ~

~ The Old Refrigerator - cover in art work - that is what made it pretty ~

~ The New and Shiney Fridge ~

~ By Far my FAVORITE part - The New Stove & Microwave ~

~ Just a view of the new white cabinets I painted ... and the ugly counter tops ~

~ The New Dishwasher - White Cabinets and New Refrigerator ~

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Well I thought I would finally post the pictures of the kitchen ... but when I was putting pictures together I realized Jason and I have now redone EVERY single room in our 1982 house. We bought it 7 years ago because we LOVED the yard and the neighborhood ... we never thought we would have stayed there as long as we have but after 7 years we managed to make our house a home and I admit ... I LOVE IT! Of course riasing 2 beautiful children in it makes it a houseful of memories too! We started the makeover the month after we bought it by gutting the basement and redoing the whole thing. Next we painted the bathroom downstairs, the dining room, kitchen and living room upstairs. About 2 years later we added on a 4 season glass enclosed sunroom and turned that into our living room so Jaden could have a playroom. At the same time we added on we gutted the bathroom upstairs and did that work ourselves. The next project we tackled was our bedroom. We ripped off the wallpaper and painted the seafoam green walls blood red. The summer of 2006 we tore our old deck off and had it rebuilt at the same time we added the swimming pool. That mess of course led to a whole landscape makeover around the entire house. The last project turned out to be a HUGE one when we added on to the house when I found out I was pregnant last year. That project added 400sf to the house and 2 more bedrooms. After that was done and I was no longer pregnant we painted the bedroom downstairs to cover up the bright pink and purple. We also replaced the entire utility room witha new Furnace, Water Softener, A/C Unit as well as an air purifier and a humidifier! We've obviously been busy and when I type all that it is quite obvious where all our money went the last 7 years! But it has been a fun ride ... so I decided that my next few posts will be Before and After pictures of our house ... want to joine me? Let me know if you have done some remodeling as well - it will be fun to see what everyone has done!

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Guess What Everyone!!! My kitchen is finally finished (well minus the new counter tops but those are coming next!) I finally finished painting 3-4 coats of white high gloss paint on the cabinets and doors Thursday night. I had a lot of help from my neighbor Jenny and of course Jaden. Thursday Jason hung all the doors back up and I crossed that off my list. The only thing we waited on next was the appliance delivery. Friday night came and went without a phone call scheduling a delivery time … luckily Charlotte woke up at 6am Saturday to eat so I called the warehouse to check the status and they told me we weren’t scheduled for delivery until Monday – um excuse me? I told them that my receipt stated the delivery was the 18th and that I had been without a stove for 2 weeks already and that I needed a stove since we were having a BBQ Saturday and I needed to make macaroni salad. I was of course saying this with an unpleasant tone which put the wheels in motion and an error was discovered on their end. Low and behold my appliances were delivered at 1:00 Saturday afternoon – my BBQ started at 3:30! The installation of the microwave and dishwasher was scheduled for Monday! I have to say the kitchen (aside from counter tops) looks SO much better than I had imagined. The old microwave is gone and I have more counter space … as you can see there isn’t much counter space in my kitchen so having just an inch more makes a HUGE difference! I have to say that the sleek black and stainless make the whole space feel ‘clean’ if you know what I mean – not that I am a dirty person but the newness adds to the clean atmosphere. I am happy that this project is now off my list … it had been on there for 7 years!!! So let me know what think ...

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Other than the kitchen ‘stuff’ Charlotte is recovering from her ear infection but she has a horrible cough and a pretty pitiful cry without a voice. She is a little ‘off’ and her sleeping at night is affected which makes her a little more tired than normal. She is eating well and still smiling normal … she really is a happy happy girl! I am hoping she is back to her normal self by the weekend. I am off Friday yet again since daycare is closed again so the girls and I are meeting Hannah and Jolene for lunch. Saturday Carol is coming up and we are heading to the Scott County Fair for Charlotte’s 1st Fair Experience! It should be fun … then hopefully relaxing by the pool on Sunday! Hope you are all having a wonderful week so far …

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

A Play Date, A BBQ and Another Ear Infection ...

2009-07-19T21:02:00.004-05:00

~ Peter & Charlotte @ Chuck E Cheese ~
~ Peter on the carousel ... see his tongue out ... he was just too cute ~

~ Lynda & Charlotte ~

~ Peter, Jaden & Greta ... getting their pictures drawn @ Chuck E Cheese ~

~ Charlotte feeding herself these days - so grown up ~

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Ours was as good as it could be with the unseasonably cold temperatures we had - only a high of 60 Friday ... what the heck happened to summer? It was okay though because we got to meet up with the Lund Family at Chuck E Cheese. It was fun to finally meet a blogging mom I 'know' so much about by reading her site. Her children were so beautiful and well behaved ... and I was happy to see Jaden and Greta eventually hit it off once their shyness wore off as well ... I took some good pictures of the girls and of course a couple cute pictures of Peter ... he is so darn cute. Charlotte and Peter hit it off and I did see a flirty smile on Charlotte's lips at one point - UhOh! It was a fun way to spend a chilly day and it was great to meet Lynda and talk in person - Lynda we will have to get the girls together again soon! Jaden told everyone about her new friend Greta - it was so cute! Oh and guess what else - I got a replacement bear snuggy for Charlotte - it was like I never lost it in the first place ... phew!

Yesterday we had a BBQ at the house. I also got my new appliances delivered and COOKED on a stove for the 1st time in 2 weeks. It was glorious. The dishwasher and microwave hood get installed tomorrow. Jason is staying home to wait for the installation and it came at the perfect time since Poor Little Charlotte is feeling pretty crummy. I swear yesterday she cried more in 1 day than she has her entire life. Evetually my friend Heathr and I took her to Urgent Care where she was diagnosed with another ear infection. She got put on Zithromax since she is allergic to the cillans. Last night her smiles returned and she felt a bit better after a VERY long night of perfect sleep. Today she looks better but she sounds horrible. She has a cough that has stolen her voice ... alls you hear is a little whisper when she tries to make noise or cry - it is pretty sad! I am hoping after another day home tomorrow she will be feeling better soon.

Jaden had a sleepover Friday with Alanna and they had a fun time doing makeovers and crafts. It was a nice night for a sleepover so she set up her tent in the bedroom and they ate popcorn and watched a movie. They play well together and (sometimes) it is fun to hear them talking ... though they so sound like teenagers - scary!

Well I hope you all had a nice weekend ... I will post pictures of the kitchen on Tuesday once ALL my appliances are in and functional - Whoo hoo ...

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom today ... they are up at my brothers beach house in Maine eating lobster and relaxing I hope - she deserves it but we wish we were they this summer ... next year for sure! Have a Great night!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Check out this giveaway ...

2009-07-16T12:16:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to POP in today and have you all stop over to this website ... Lora at Life with the Browns has just posted her 100th post and she is giving away some GREAT Pampered Chef gifts ... there are a TONS of ways to enter so you have plenty of chances ...

Also - I am HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to report that after 11 days of painting my kitchen cabinets are FINALLY painted white and ready to be re-hung tonight. I am relieved that they are done! Jaden helped me with the 3rd coat last night and THANKFULLY my neighbor Jenny also came by each night to help as well. Now alls that is left are the appliances that are set to arrive at some point on Saturday - then new countertops ... I thought our current ones were ALWAYS ugly but now - even more so ... that is the LAST step in the kitchen refurbish! Phew! I am going to do a few posts soon showing all the before and after photos we have for each room in the house - we have now officially redone or painted every SQUARE INCH of our house we were sure we wouldn't be in for long - that was 7 years ago ... it is now finally the house we've wanted it to be - just took some elbow grease (and a 'little' money!)

So Have a Happy Thursday ... I am off from work tomorrow since my daycare is closed - we are meeting up with Lynda from Life with The Lunds ... I am excited to meet her and her darling kids and of course to have some pizza at Chuck E Cheese ... whoo-hoo!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden & Baby Charlotte (who has yet another cold!)

Blog Hop ~ Tuesday July 14, 2009

2009-07-14T08:16:00.013-05:00

~ Charlotte & Katie in the froggie pool ~
~ SO SAD - Miss Charlotte is growing out of her swing ... ~
Well it is Tuesday and thanks for Brent Riggs we can all participate in Blog Hop Tuesday's! This week’s theme is "3 Things You Didn't Know About Me (or Us)". This one might be a bit hard for me since I blab way too much about myself or my family so we will see what I can come up with as well as 'possibly' posting a 'few' photos of the girls! So let's begin ... ~ My Tattoo - A Portrait of Jaden when she was about 1 1/2 years old ~
~ Jason's tatoo of his and Jaden's Zodiac Sign ~
1. I LOVE tattoos ... I currently (only) have 2 tattoos on my body but I will be getting another one of Charlotte's portrait to match Jaden's I have on my back. Not sure when I will get it but I am one of those people who kind of 'like' the pain of tattooing. I have always said Thank Goodness they cost so much or else I would be covered in them. Jason is also a BIG fan of tattooing as he currently has 3 - 1 being a LARGE piece representing his zodiac sign and Jaden's as well. It is a pretty impressive tattoo! Right now my tattoo is actually shown on the website where I got the tattoo done ... You can see it here ... Electric Dragonland ... click on Tattoos - Shanh Anderson - Portraits and you will see Jaden right there! ~ Jason and I in Florida for Jaden's 5th Birthday ~
2. MOST of you know this is you read my “about Me’ section but I figured I would post it anyhow … Jason and I met back in 1997 using AOL 4.0 – it was the first time I used a computer for chat room services and he was logged in under his friends name. My screen name was Sm1lesAlot and his was Hord420. I started chatting with him because my birthday is 420 and it was in his screen name – well little did I know that 420 means something a little different to pot heads in these parts. 420 is the police call number when there is a pot bust! HA! Yeah – I knew nothing about that! Fast forward 11 years and we’ve been married for 10 of those. It was the best decision I have ever made – aside from moving WAY TOO FAR from my side of the family that is! ~ Jaden's new haircut - you can see it on the left side of her head ~
3. This on is about “US’ – of Jaden I should say. You see last year she decided to grow out her bangs. It has taken her almost a year to get them to the length she REALLY liked. Well last weekend she was playing with glitter lava and molding a lion and a monkey. I don’t have to sit and watch her play with this stuff since she is old enough to clean up after she’s done. Well I came out of the bedroom and she was in the dining room crying. I asked her what happened and she whispered “I cut my hair”. I said WHAT!? She showed me where her hair was – there was a pretty big chunk of it in the garbage. I looked at the front of her bangs and there it was – she cut about 5” of her bangs and left about ¼” of hair on the left side of her forehead. She cried and said “I made a BIG mistake”. I laughed since this was the 1st time she’d ever done this. She was even more upset when I told her I could have gotten the glitter lava out of her hair with water! The kicker to all of this though – she didn’t go in the bathroom to do this because we would have seen her – instead she used the microwave door as a mirror to cut her hair! Now that is funny!!! Her hair doesn’t look too bad though – thankfully!
So NOW it is your turn to link to the Blog Hop so we can all have some fun learning about eachother!
Have a Happy Tuesday!
Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

FFF ~ Red, White and Blue? How about Red, White, Pink and Blue?

2009-07-10T08:39:00.004-05:00

~ My ALL TIME FAVORITE Photo of Jaden on 4th of July - 3 years old! ~
~ Jaden in her Red, White (pink) and Blue whith the Clark/Johnson Family ~

~ Mommy and Charlotte in our 4th of July atire ~

~ Charlotte (with Aunt Adrienne) waving her little American Flag ~

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Thought I would post a FFF sine I haven't done so in a LONG LONG time! This weeks theme from Sarah is Red White and Blue in honor of the 4th of July of course! Well I don't have too much Red White and Blue but since Jaden, Charlotte and I got matching Red, White, Pink and Blue matching 4th of July shirts I have a fews of those to share ... Hope you all are having a wonderful week. I have the 2nd coat of Enamel paint on my cabinets - 1 more to go and we should be good to move on to the cabinet doors - which I will be painting tomorrow. We don't have much going on this weekend - thank goodness! Tonight we are going to hang out at my Daycare's house so the kids can play and the parents can talk and (drink a bit!) Tomorrow I will be painting the cabinets in the morning and then Koz, Sarah and Kendra are coming over to swim and hang out. Tomorrow night we are heading to Fuddruckers (YUM) to have dinner with Jolene, Jeff, Hannah and Katie ... then Sunday! The weather is supposed to be sunny and 82 all weekend - WHOO HOO! I am 8 days away from new appliances ... boy I am missing my stove!!!

Have a Great Friday!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Our Busy Weekend ~ 4th of July and Much More PICTURE OVERLOAD AHEAD

2009-07-08T13:00:00.013-05:00

*** So Sad ... the last picture taken of Charlotte with her Bear Lovey **

~ Charlotte sitting in her stroller @ Jenny & Kevin's house ~
~ Jaden flying her balsa wood plane ~

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Well it seems as though I fell off the face of the earth for the long Holiday Weekend!! Well I am happy to report that all is well and we had a really wonderful and long weekend. It started Thursday – Jason had the day off from work so I got to work early in order to leave early to get Charlotte in for her 6 month check-up. She is doing GREAT! She weighed 19 pounds EVEN and was 26” long. She started sitting up all by herself a week or so ago so she enjoyed sitting on the examination table and shredding the sanitary paper that covers the table. She LOVED it and really tore into all of it. When Dr. Bob came in he said that he refers to the 6 month visit as the “I discovered paper”. Too funny! He rechecked her ears and all was clear. Her heart murmur that was detected a week ago was still there but he said it was very very faint and that this mom should stop worrying about it all together – sounds good to me! He also said not to buy too much more baby food because pretty soon she will realize that her food isn’t nearly as tasty looking as our and she will start grabbing and watching everything we put in our mouths! Sure enough … she is grabbing at everything these days! Growing too fast for my liking but her little personality is so cute it is easy to watch her grow up – albeit too fast but fun!
After Charlotte’s appointment I headed to the grocery store in order to pick up stuff to make my taco dip and the oreo cookie balls. I spent the evening cooking and packaging up all the taco dip ingredients and then we headed across the street to hang out with Jenny and Kevin. We had a few drinks while Jaden played with her balsa wood airplane and Charlotte sat in her stroller playing with her toys and making cat eyes at Kevin – she LOVES him! Later we ordered pizza while I got the girls in bed and made the Oreo balls … it was a fun night and the weather was beautiful!

~ We're On Our Way ~
~ Herb, Carol, Charlotte, Rebekah, Jaden, Jason and Adrienne ~

~ Charlotte sleeping @ the parade ~
~ A Solemn reminder ~

~ Charlotte watching Jaden swim inthe lake - look at those cheeks ~

~ The Cross on the Church given in memory of Jason's Grandparents ~

~ The Plaque inside the church telling parishioners about the church cross ~

~ Carl Johann - Mararetta - Bengt family visiting from Sweden ~

~ Jaden and Charlotte standing by Jason's Grandparent's headstone ~

~ *GASP* Another photo of me and Charlotte ~

~ The Yummy America/Sweden Cake ~

~ Ardell feeding Charlotte - she is Jason's mom's good friend ~

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Friday we all had to get up fairly early in order to get packed up and ready to drive to Albert Lea for the Johnson Family Reunion. Jason’s mom had her cousin and his family fly in from Sweden and she decided it would be a fun way to introduce all of us to him. We had a great time and there was WAY TOO much food. Charlotte got loved on by everyone and Jaden enjoyed hanging all over Melissa! Poor Melissa – Jaden has used her as a jungle gym since she was able to walk! Next will be Charlotte’s turn to climb all over her! The gathering was held at Jason’s grandparent’s little farm church in Lunder, MN and we got to go out to the cemetery and ‘visit’ Beatrice and Stanley. It was a beautiful and warm day out and Jaden asked lots of questions. It is such a bummer that they are no longer here with us … we all miss them very much!
After the reunion we headed to my Mother In Law’s house to cool off. Jaden got into her bathing suit and then I walked her and Charlotte down to the beach so she could swim before heading to the parade. Jaden enjoyed cooling off and Charlotte liked sitting all by herself watching the waves. It was cute to see Charlotte sitting up all by herself … maybe now we can grow that hair on the back of her head!

After swimming we walked back to the house so we could get ready to go to the parade. Jason, Jaden, Charlotte, Uncle Dale, Carl Johann, Bengt and I walked to Adrienne’s work to meet her there. We sat right behind her truck and watched the parade and as always it was a WONDERFUL time. Charlotte was SO tired and eventually she gave in and fell asleep on my lap … once she fell asleep she dropped her head to her hands, opened her mouth and the drool just poured out – it was pretty funny! We had a really great time meeting so many family members as well as learning so much from Bengt, Margarita and Carl Johann – we hope to someday visit them in Sweden! We stayed visiting in Albert Lea until around 10:30 and pulled into our driveway around midnight … it was a long but fun day! ~ Jaden and Alanna with their sparklers ~

~ Jaden waiting for the fireworks to start ~

~ Alanna holding Charlotte ~

~ FINALLY - Charlotte and Mommy ~

~ Had to post this - do you see the HEART? ~

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We didn’t really have any plans for the 4th of July except for me to paint the kitchen. I did manage to sell my old appliances on Craig’s List for $150.00 but the kicker to the deal was that the person buying REALLY needed a stove ASAP. So his son came to pick it up Saturday afternoon – Jason helped him load it into the truck when they managed to drop the oven resulting in the glass oven door being smashed into teeny tiny pieces ALL over the garage as well as a few slices across Jason’s hand! UGH! So we took $50.00 off the price and they new owners will return after our new appliances arrive to pick up the rest of the ‘old’ stuff. So I am without a stove or oven for 2 weeks - if I miss it I guess I cook – if not then I can put a plant in place of an oven right? But seriously I am already missing my stovetop – how do you make Kraft Mac N’ Cheese without a stove!!??

After the oven fiasco Jaden, my neighbor Jenny and I headed to Home Depot to pick out new coutertops and paint for the walls. I decided to paint my cabinets high gloss white instead of staining then so here is hoping they turn out well – I am starting them tonight!! I started painting around 6 and was done with the 3 coats by 8:30 – just in time to walk to the beach and watch the fireworks. We walked down with Jenny, Kevin, Dustin, Kathy and Alanna. We brought out sparklers and some beverages and had a good time. Charlotte was unfazed by the fireworks and enjoyed swinging on the playground while they were going off.

~ Katie looking cool in her shades ~

~ Charlotte in the kiddie pool for the 1st time ~

~ Hannah and Jaden - Best Friends since they were babies ~

~ Charlotte sleeping with her lost lovey - sad! ~

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Sunday we headed to Jolene and Jeff’s house for a BBQ and so the girls could play and swim. Charlotte played in her first kiddie pool and kind of liked it. She also managed to fall asleep in the baby swing outside again – I’ve gotta get one of those! Hannah and Jaden played well as always. We had a great dinner cooked by Jeff and I got to spend time with my best friend so it was a win-win! After dinner we did some sparklers in the driveway and then headed to the trail down the street to walk around the pond near their house. We enjoyed the walk and stopped at the playground for some play time. We got back to the house around 8:30 – packed up and headed home … that is where I was when I realized that I lost Charlotte’s pink teddy bear lovey with her name on it – Jolene gave it to her at my baby shower and Charlotte was just beginning to snuggle with it … I am SO beyond bummed and sad that he is missing. Jolene and I have looked every place we could to try and find it – she even walked around the pond again to see if it fell out of the stroller. I SWEAR I put it in the stroller and can’t figure out how it would have fallen out without me stepping on it but we seriously have no idea where it is. I have ordered her a new one and will take it to get embroidered at the mall but it is still sad to think her little lovey is lost somewhere!! Thankfully she isn’t old enough to be so attatched that she is distraught! So we will move on from this with lessons learned!!! UGH!

~ Ella - Jaden - Madi with their sparklers - or sprinklers as Ella calls them ~

~ Jaden - Madi - Ella watching the smoke bombs @ the park ~

~ Madi - Jaden - Ella swimming~

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So THAT in a BIG FAT nutshell is what we’ve been up to – busy busy busy! Monday Jaden headed to Lifetime Fitness with our neighbors Steve, Christina and Jenna. They went on all the water slides so Jaden had a blast. Jason, Charlotte and I headed out for a nice long walk by ourselves and got lost a little bit – hee hee! Yesterday when I picked up Jaden we brought Dani’s daughter’s Ella and Madi home with us. The girls’ swam, played with the hamster, ate dinner, went to the park, did sparklers and got ice cream … so Jaden has been VERY busy and this morning said she was taking a nap today!! Wish I could!

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So Have a Great Day everyone … I will post photos of the kitchen as soon as I finish it … and if any of you want – I have a new blog where I am posting a food journal … (I’ve already seen where my ‘bad’ choices are) … I could use any healthy recipes you have … trying to get to a more comfy size not to mention I am in a wedding April 2010 … so if you aren’t too busy – or bored stop by and leave me some of your recipes … I promise to cook them once I have a stove!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Charlotte

Tuesday Blog Hop ~ Favorite Photo

2009-07-07T08:30:00.007-05:00

~ My Two Beautiful Girls @ The Johnson Family Reunion ~

Happy Tuesday ALL! I wanted to join in on the Blog Hop Fun put on my MckMama and Brent Riggs! Let me introduce myself ~ Hello everyone ... My name is Rebekah and I am the blabber of this here blog. I am a wife to my wonderful husband Jason and a mom to two beautiful daughters - Jaden is 7 and Charlotte is 6 months old! I moved to MN from Troy, NY in May 1998 and have been here ever since. My husband and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary! This is the place I come to in order to share what we're doing day to day ... it started out as a way to keep my lng distance family connected but has turned in to a neat little diary of our lives ... so WELCOME TO OUR ADVENTURE! I look forward to 'meeting' all of you too!

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This week on Blog Hop Tuesday we are posting our favorite photo with a caption ... well of course I am putting up ANY picture of my two girls together since every photo I have of them is my favorite ... this was taken on July 3rd when we headed to a Family Reunion with Jason's family ... it was a great time and we truly enjoyed meeting relatives from Sweden as well as relatives we haven't seen in a while! We also stayed to watch the July 3rd Parade as we do every year! Albert Lea puts on a WONDERFUL parade every year ... I have SO many more photos to share but for now here is a preview! Have a HaPpY BlOg HoP tUeSdAy!!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Charlotte!

Our New Appliances and I'm A Winner - Winner - Chicken Dinner

2009-07-01T14:48:00.005-05:00

My New Stove - Soooo Shiney!
My New Over The Range Microwave - can't wait for this one since right now the microwave takes up a whole lot of counter space!!

New Fridge - can't wait to clean lots of baby handprints and sloppy kiss marks off of this!!

New Dishwasher ... so lovely!

Cute Bracelet I won over at Life As A Bushey

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Just wanted to do a quick post and show - anyone who is interested - our new appliances ... of course once I repaint the kitchen and stain the cabinets this weekend I will take new pictures of the kitchen with the new appliances actually IN the kitchen ... just wanted to show everyone what we bought ... can't wait!

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Oh and before I log off I wanted to post two blogs that hosted giveaways recently and GUESS WHAT! I was the winner winner chicken dinner at both of these cute sites. I think I just might have to do my own giveaway soon! Don't know what to giveaway (anyone want a used fridge, stove and/or dishwasher!!) ... but stop by these sites and read all about these great familes ... and you never know - maybe they'll have another giveaway real soon!

Over at Sweet As Punkin Pie I won a $25.00 gift certificate to Hoohobbers ... I am pretty sure I will have NO Problem finding something cute to buy for the girls!

I also won the cutest Frog Charm Bracelet over at Life As A Bushey

Maybe I will be 3/3 and win the cute little Gummie Doll over at Southern Sews ... hmmm!

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Have a great night ... Charlotte has her 6 month Well Baby Visit tomorrow so I will be back to let you all know how it goes ...

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

A Summer Festival, New Appliances, An Allergy, 6 Months Old and another Fun Giveaway...

2009-06-29T21:55:00.012-05:00

** I did a Side By Side of Jaden and Charlotte at about the same age ... this kind of creeps me out - almost like we had twins 7 years apart **

Do You Think They Look Alike?

~ HAPPY 1/2 BIRTHDAY Charlotte ~

~ I love that wide mouthed smile ... 6 months old already ~ ~ Charlotte's rash all over her little chubby arms ... poor baby! ~
~ Charlotte's rash ... she is still a happy baby even when she is broken out in hives ... how'd I get so lucky? ~

~ Charlotte CHOWING on her mesh feeder filled with ice ~

~ Heather and Charlotte ~
~ Jaden got her face painted ... it is STILL on there ... I think they used a sharpie!! ~

~ Charlotte and Jason at Dan Patch Days (hmm, who does she look like?) ~

~ Charlotte doing some sit-ups in the carseat ... look at her face ... that's hard work! ~

~ Rub A Dub Dub a Big Blue Eyed Baby in the TUB - her eyes are wild ... I will have to find the picture of Jaden just like this one ... creepy ~

~ SISTERS - FOREVER ~

~ Savannah and Jaden ~

~ The Giant King Kong Bounce House @ Dan Patch Days ~

~ A few more bouncey 'things' at Dan Patch Days ~

~ Charlotte enjoying the feeling of grass for the 1st time ~

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Hey there - long time no type ... we have been a little bit busy around these parts. I am hoping, with fingers crossed, that we may have reached the point where we can relax. We did have a beautiful weekend and had a nice time at a local Summer Festival - Dan Patch Days in Savage, MN. Charlotte did in fact have an ear infection diagnosed last Monday. She was put on Amoxicillan and stayed home with her daddy on Tuesday. All was well on Wednesday and Thursday until Thursday afternoon when Dani at daycare called and said Charlotte was so miserable, not eating and had a rash break out all over her face, neck and tummy. I headed to the house to take Charlotte to the Dr's office for a once over to rule in or out a drug allergy. Turns out the Dr felt she had roseola which was exacerbated by the high humidity and heat we've had all week. All was good and I stayed home with her on Friday. She woke up Friday with no evidence of a rash of any kind. All was well and we spent Friday night at a friend's house while Jaden swam in their pool with their daughter. Saturday we had plans to head to Dan Patch Days. The weather was horrible in the morning but the sun came out around 3:30 and we headed 2 miles down the road for some inflatable bouncer fun, food, drinks and music. Charlotte's rash was gone and the girls were loving the festival. We met up with Koz, Sarah, kendra, Heather, Dan, Savannah, Jolene, Jeff, Hannah, Katie and my daycare provider (Dani)'s entire family. It was a beautiful evening with a great breeze. Charlotte was getting loved up by everyone of course and Jaden had a blast jumping all evening in the many inflatable jumpers. The music was also great and we all had an awesome time as usual. We headed towards the car right before the fireworks started so I could put Charlotte in the car. Everyone else sat on hill and watched the fireworks go off. Charlotte and I watched them from the car and she seemed to have liked them! Our Sunday was busy as well - the usual household chores and Jaden had a birthday party at Dani's house - they spent the afternoon tubing on the lake and swimming off the boat. She came home at 4 and fell asleep until 6 ... she must've been exhausted. After she woke up we headed to Best Buy to look at the appliance package they had advertised. By 7:30 we walked out of there the PROUD owners of a new fridge, oven, dishwasher and microwave hood ... I am beyond exicited since our current appliances are original - which puts them at over 20 years old ... the New Stainless Steel Shininess should be here by July 18th! Whoo-hoo ... before they arrive I need to get my rear in gear and re-paint my kitchen and stain my cabinets ... busy busy busy!

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So as you can see our weekend was busy but wonderful and as of this morning Charlotte remained RASH FREE. That was until this afternoon when she broke out in hives all over her entire body ... so we ONCE AGAIN headed to the Dr's office to have her rechecked. Her ears were clear and her throat was normal but she does in fact have an allergy to Amoxicillan! Just like her mom ... she looks horrible and bumpy and red and just miserable - but on the PLUS side she is as happy as can be! She also turned 6 months old today ... an you believe that? I can't! Once again - that whole time flies thing stinks sometimes!!! But Charlotte is HOPEFULLY on the mend ... the Dr also detected a benign heart murmur which she said is a very common thing in almost 85% of babies and small children and they repair themselves as the child grows! Um, ok - like I need anything else to add to my PARANOID MOM LIST!!!! Thanks Doc ... but in all seriousness the Dr said she is fine and they flagged her chart to say she has a drug allergy - hopefully she is good to go when we head BACK to the Dr's on Thursday for her 6 month well baby visit ... UGH!

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I am so excited that this is a 4 day work week even though I am a bit busy at work ... Thursday Jason has the day off as a floating Holiday so he is taking the girls to daycare and hanging the gutters and shutters on the house ... then Friday we are heading to Albert Lea for a Family Reunion type gathering with some relatives who flew in from Sweden yesterday. They are here int he US for 2 weeks and we are excited to get together with family! I am making my 7 layer taco dip and some Oreo Cookie Balls - YUM! Then the annual 3rd of July Parade is at 6 in Albert Lea ... they have the most amazing Parade to celebrate the 4th ... Jaden loves parades and this will be Charlotte's very 1st parade ... the rest of the Holiday weekend will be relaxing!!!! So that - in a GREAT BIG GIANT NUTSHELL is what we've been doing ... time to take a breath! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that your week ahead is just as great!

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Oh and stop by this cute blog and enter her contest ... it ends tonight ... Sweet as Punkin Pie! She is giving away a gift certificate to this really cute store ... check it out! Hoohobbers!

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Have a Happy 4th of July! I should be back before but just in case ...

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

How About A Gummie Doll Giveaway!!!

2009-06-25T12:15:00.004-05:00

~ I LOVE this Harper Gummie Doll ~

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I was visiting my friend Kristen's blog and saw she was posting some news about a great giveaway! Well I decided to check it out and I LOVE this cute little Gummie Doll! I would love to get one of these for Charlotte but winning one would also be nice:0) So stop on by Southern Sews or the Southern Sews Etsy Shop and enter to win a Gummie Doll too! I personally LOVE the Harper Gummie Doll in the zebra stripes of course ... and being that little Charlotte should be getting some pearly whites and day (or month) now this woule be an excellent toy to have on hand to absorb some fast flowing slobber!

Thanks Kristen - I hope you win if we don't ...

* Oh and some Charlotte news ... it seems as though she may be allergic to Amoxicillan ... she has an appointment today to check her ears and her rash that is all over her neck, trunk, ears, scalp and face ... poor kid - and as if that isn't ENOUGH ALREADY - she has diarrhea on top of all that ... she can't seem to catch a break ... and amazingly she is in a great mood (aside from feleing itchy and scratchy!) Smiling and giggling in spite of the whole ordeal!!! *

Hope you are all having a wonderful week so far! We have been trying to stay cool here and this weekend it seems as though the humidity will drop and we can enjoy being outside instead of feeling like we can't breathe when we're out ...

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Where Am I?

2009-06-23T12:52:00.017-05:00

Well it seems as though I had way too much to say when it wasn’t of any importance but now that I had something to share, like my anniversary surprise, I haven’t said a word. Well I am back and I have plenty to say – about a lot of things! Let’s start out with Friday shall we? Well I decided to take the day off since I knew I had way too much to try to fit in to the timeframe I had for myself. So I was woken up by a kiss and a Happy Anniversary wish from Jason. He got showered and cleaned up and when he went to kiss me goodbye I saw the gift bag he placed on my night stand. He wanted me to open it up so I did and I was surprised with what he bought for me. He bought me a High Definition Video Recorder! I was so excited … I have wanted to get a new one of these since our old VHS one broke years ago and I have been taking videos with my digital camera. It was such a nice surprise. He even wrote a sweet note in my card saying “I hope this can record memories for the next 10 years like the memories I have form the last 10 years!” What a softie! After all that he headed to work and I got up and got the girls ready. The 3 of us headed to Perkins for breakfast – we were supposed to meet up with Jolene and Hannah but Katie was sick so we didn’t, instead the 3 of us enjoyed our morning together. I dropped them off at daycare and then I went grocery shopping for the month. I got home and put all the groceries away and then headed to downtown Minneapolis to CHECK IN TO THE HOTEL! Yup, you see we had dinner reservations for Oceanaire (YUM by the way). Oceanaire is located in the Hyatt Regency Hotel so I thought it would be a nice surprise to reserve a room there for the night. Jason had NO idea that I had this planned. In fact he thought we were heading to dinner and then walked downtown for a bit and then back home. Instead I had an appointment for him at an old fashioned Barber Shop where he was pampered with a straight razor shave. Then we headed to dinner. It was so good. Jason ordered shrimp and steak and I had the yummy jumbo crab cakes. We were then surprised with a flambéed ice cream desert which the waiter set on fire at the table. It was so fun to watch – and believe it or not I didn’t take a SINGLE picture of dinner! Or Jason and I dressed up either – WTH! After dinner he still had no idea where we were going or what we were doing. So I decided to tell him we could walk the skyway since it was raining. We walked towards the hotel elevators and then I told him to turn left since this was where we were staying for the night!! He was surprised … we took the elevator up to the 12th floor where I had another surprise for him! I had room service deliver chocolate covered strawberries and champagne to the room before he arrived. He was so excited to see those HUGE strawberries – and the HUGE king sized bed. We had a great view of the new Twins Stadium and downtown. It was a nice surprise. After we relaxed a bit and changed our clothes we went downstairs and walked along Nicollet Mall – it is a pedestrian only street with outdoor bars and cafés. We walked for a bit and stopped at the liquor store to browse their huge selection of beer and wine. Then we walked to the CBS Building and Jason got to be on the news – he was standing behind the glass window when the news anchors were doing the 10pm newscast. It was pretty funny. Then we walked to our hotel and had a few drinks in the hotel bar. We truly enjoyed ourselves – we relaxed – we talked – we ‘snuggled’ – we remembered – we will do it again soon! It was a great surprise and I am proud that I kept my mouth shut because he would have been bummed if he figured it out!! So that was my suspenseful Anniversary Surprise – not Hawaii but it was pretty nice!
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~ Our King Sized Bed in the hotel ~
~ Champagne and Strawberries ~

~ LOOK at those things ... ~

~ The Minneapolis Skyline @ Night ~

~ A view of the new Twins Stadium behind the steeple ~

~ A pretty little park outside our window ~

~ The First Presbryterian Church - it is beautiful! ~

~ A view of Nicollet Avenue & Peavey Plaza ~

~ The Building in the middle is where I work on the 16th floor ~

~ Jaden and Miss Calico Kitty ~

~ Jaden playing BINGO ~

~ Jaden pinning the lollipop on the lollipop stick - and she GOT IT! ~

~ Charlotte in her new high chair watching Jaden make smoothies ~

~ Jaden made Jason a smoothie, a card and an omelet for Father's Day ~

~ HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - 2009 ~

~ Baby Charlotte sitting up all by herself ~

~ Jaden enjoying her New Float - A Giant Walrus ~

~ Jaden making Tater Tot Hot Dish for Father's Day 2009 ~

We got up around 8:30 Saturday morning and got cleaned up and checked out. We got home around 10:30 or so and I was happy to see the girls. We were heading to the Calico Critters Fun Day at the Hobby Store in Bloomington so we hung out at home for a bit and then Jason’s mom headed home (THANKS CAROL for watching the girls). The 2 of us headed to the hobby store and enjoyed some giveaways, arts and crafts and games. It was HOT HOT HOT outside so after we left we picked up some Jimmy John’s sandwiches and headed home. Jaden’s friend Alanna came over to swim and play while Jason did some yard work and I watched Charlotte. Poor Charlotte started to not feel so great come Saturday night so we stayed inside where it was cool. Sunday was Father’s Day so Jaden and I got up and started making Jason his breakfast. She made him a strawberry banana smoothie and an egg omelet shaped like a heart! It sure did make him smile … It was a nice Father’s Day he said. For the majority of the day it was dreary out so Jason and Jaden headed to Home Depot to pick up some odds and ends and they came home with new pool floats for all of us. Jaden got a HUGE walrus and Charlotte got a cute turtle float with a canopy! The sun did eventually come out and it got HOT and STEAMY real quick so Jason and Jaden swam the night away. Jaden helped make Tater Tot Hot Dish and then BAM the weekend was over!!! But it was a great weekend!

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Yesterday was back to work and daycare and it was 95 outside … today we have an excessive heat advisory at 105 … ugh! Sadly Charlotte got a fever of 102 yesterday so I took her to the Dr where she was diagnosed with her first ear infection! Poor Baby! She is on Motrin and Amoxicillin for her ear. She did sleep well last night but was pitiful and still warm this morning – plus she wasn’t interested in eating at all – RED FLAG! So she is home with Jason today and Jaden is at Daycare swimming and playing with the kids! I am sitting here at work trying to focus in the heat – it is even warm in the office! But I won’t complain right – in 6 months it will be -40 again!!! So I am sorry for talking WAY TOO MUCH yet again but I thought I would get all of this out of the way! Oh and today is my 200th post!! Whoo-Hoo – you win nothing … sorry!~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Have a great week and enjoy all the pictures!

Love ~ The Clark Family ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Yup - I didn't forget to post ...

2009-06-18T19:18:00.005-05:00

~ This is just PROOF to my dad and sister that MY calendar for JUNE 14, 2009 did in fact say it was Father's Day ~
~ A Sleepy Charlotte after a long and hot day playing at daycare ~

~It is only the 3rd full day of Summer Vacation and Jaden is already taking a nap after a busy day at daycare ~

~ A Drooley Baby Charlotte ~

You all thought I was FINALLY going to stop talking didn't you? Well I figured I would just stop by quick and say a BIG THANK YOU to Lynda over at Sox That Rock ... I was the lucky winner of her recent blog giveaway and we wom some SUPER cute shoes and socks ... Charlotte will look adorable in them when she can wear them ... I think I will have to do one of these giveaways soon! Thanks Lynda - we will have to plan a meeting at the zoo to swap goodies!!~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I also wanted to just let everyone know that our friend Corey underwent brain surgery on Tuesday and the report so far is GREAT NEWS. The Dr's think they got all of the tumor and after further analysis there are conflicting pathologies ... one being a benign tumor ... So keep praying for some more great news. Corey was awake and actually walking yesterday!! Can you believe that? Jason is visiting with him as I type and I am sitting home with my girls and Jaden's friend Alanna ... it was a hot and steamy day here so they were swimming for while. Now they're watching a movie and eating popcorn!

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Tomorrow is our Anniversary - thanks for all the well wishes - and I decided to take the day off from work. We are meeting Jolene and Hannah for breakfast at Perkins, then grocery shopping as well as getting some things ready for my surprise for Jason ... should be a busy and FUN filled day. Jason has an appointment for a straight razor shave (he's been looking all over for a place that does this the old fashioned way) so we are heading to Uptown before dinner at 6:00. Then dinner and then WALA my surprise for him!!!

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So until then here are a few pictures of my girls ... Have a great night and 'see' you all tomorrow!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

WARNING: Lots of Wedding Blabbing Ahead * Read At Your Own Risk*

2009-06-17T11:32:00.015-05:00

~ JUST MARRIED ~

~ You May Now Kiss The Bride - Awwww ~

~ The Church ~

~ Just a photo of me with my flowers ~
~ The Bride (aka) ME ~

~ The Bridesmaids (l-r) Adrienne, Alyssa, my sister Jenny, Amanda, Me, my sister Niki, my sister in law Amanda and Sara ~

~ The Groomsmen (l-r) Koz, Corey, my brother Harry, my nephew Zachary, Jason, Trevor, Rick and Rian ~

~ My Mom, Me and my Dad ~

~ Me and My Dad during the Father/Daughter Dance - he was singing to me ~

~ My Grandmother Mary and I ~

~ Jason's Grandparents, Me, Jason, Carol and Adrienne ~

~ Jason with his mom, Carol and his sister, Adrienne ~

~ Jason's Grandparents - Stanley & Beatrice ~

~ Our Wedding Cake - made at the same bakery my mom's wedding cake was made ~

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10 Years ago – June 19, 1999, Jason and I were married in a little red brick church in Troy, New York. We flew to into New York a few days beforehand and got ready for the big day. We (meaning I) had planned a wedding with a fairly large wedding party who were also coming from MN so we picked them up in NYC and spent the day sightseeing – it was a wonderful start to the wedding weekend. Our wedding was a small and intimate gathering. The church wasn’t too extravagant and neither was the reception room. Each of us got dressed apart, Jason and the guys at the hotel and me and the girls at my Aunt Sue and Uncle Brian’s house. The limo picked me and the girls up and we headed to the church where Jason and the guys were already inside with the guests. We waited outside for a little while as guests funneled in. That is the point in which I got very nervous and a little nauseous. I didn’t think I would get very nervous but I was wrong. The wedding was about to begin and we started lining up in the church hallway. My brother and nephew Zachary walked my mom down the aisle first. Next were the bridesmaids and groomsmen, followed by my Jr Bride and Jr Groom – Amanda and Zachary. My sister Jenny (Maid of Honor) was the last to go before my dad and I headed down.
The ceremony was wonderful. We both read our vowed without messing up and we lit the unity candle without setting fire to anything. We were also lucky enough to have my niece, who was only 9 at the time, sing at our wedding. She has an amazing voice and to have her be such a special part of my wedding was wonderful. We always were so close and then I up and left NY and with that decision I know I broke Amanda and Zachary’s heart … it was a tough decision but in the long run it was the best one. So to have her sing at my wedding made me the lucky one.
After the ceremony we had pictures done and lots of them. We then hopped in to the limo and drove 2 whole blocks to the reception venue. We then waited outside for al of us to be called in by the DJ. It was a fun time waiting outside and looking forward to relaxing and enjoying friends and family. We had a LOT of family there of course. My family is a pretty large one and Jason’s family is a pretty small one. We had about 125 people in attendance. It was a fun experience to ‘merge’ all of us together. Jason’s mom, grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt, sister and cousins all flew in to celebrate our wedding day. It was also Jason’s grandfather’s birthday the day after so we celebrated his big day with our big day.
Our wedding was an open bar wedding – with my family it has to be (he he). We also had karaoke at our wedding which I have to say was a fun experience. With the steady flow of alcohol and karaoke we had plenty of laughs. We all had a wonderful time and to think that it was 10 years ago already is pretty amazing. Jason and I always joked that we didn’t think we’d still be married by now. I admit that I had my doubts throughout the years but then the most amazing thing happened – we became parents and I SWEAR the love and respect we had for each other just multiplied when Jaden arrived. Fast forward 7 years later and we were blessed with the arrival of Charlotte … yet another thing neither of us imagine … that we’d be parents at all let alone have two beautiful girls to take care of.
A lot has gone on in the last 10 years … family members have been added and family members have passed on. Sadly, Jason’s grandmother Beatrice and Grandfather Stanley are both gone now. Grandpa Stanley loved Jaden and would have adored Charlotte’s smiley face. Grandma Beatrice (or Little Grandma as Jaden called her) LOVED Jaden (or Miss America as Beatrice called Jaden) and I just know Grandma would have eaten Charlotte up with hugs and kisses by now. It is very sad that they are gone and are sorely missed by all of us. My cousin Matt has also passed away this past year unexpectedly and his smile will be missed for years and years to come. We also lost Jason’s stepfather Moe in 2001. He sure would have LOVED being a grandfather to both Jaden and Charlotte and I am sure they would have been spoiled by him – something about those little girls you know! We also added to our families! Jason’s sister Adrienne was married so we gained Chuck as a brother in law and a tease if you ask Jaden. Jason’s cousin Melissa was also married so we have Damien as part of our family now too. Not to mention my sister was married to Dave and my brother married Amanda. They also added 2 more grandkids to the bunch – Hannah and Matthew. Lots of wonderful things have happened since Jason and I said “I DO” and we wouldn’t change a thing about the past 10 years. In fact I love him more today than I did the day I married him. There is so much about us that has grown and changed for the better. I am thankful that I found him over 11 years ago. I am grateful he gave me the chance to be ME and moved me all the way out here. I am thankful we stayed together through thick and thin. I am also grateful that we have many more years to share with each other but OF COURSE I am most thankful for Jaden and Charlotte – they were made out of true love and they are loved so very much!

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So Thank You Jason for loving me unconditionally and for all you do as a husband and father! You are one in a billion and I do love your awesomeness!!! I am looking forward to oh so many more years together – and who knows – maybe another baby (or two) J/K!!~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Thanks for sitting through my long winded history of our wedding – if you are still reading that is :0) … I hope you enjoy all the photos – gosh we look SO different.

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Only 2 more days until my Anniversary Surprise for Jason … I am so excited! I am pretty sure he has no idea but you never know! Shhhh!
Have a great day everyone – go hug your family!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

MORE Anniversaries ... and A Prayer Request

2009-06-16T10:08:00.011-05:00

~ Jenny and Dave - 2008 ~
~ My (older) Siter Jenny (Dave is behind her) - 2008 ~
~ My (little brother) dancing with his wife Amanda - 2008 ~

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I guess this is the week of Anniversary Celebrations! I wanted to wish my (older) sister Jennifer and my brother in law Dave a Happy Anniversary! Today they've been married 9 years (*I think). I also wanted to wish my brother Harry and my sister in law Amanda a Happy Anniversary - they were married on June 8, 2002! And of course Jason and I will be married 10 years this coming Friday ... I have only 3 more days to keep my mouth shut (God Help Me) and keep my surprise a surprise ... wish me luck!

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I also wanted to come to you and ask you all for some prayers for one of our friends. Corey was in our wedding 10 years ago and has had some family hardships in the last 4 years. His daughter Sophia was born 13 weeks early and she spent a LOT of time in the NICU as you can imagine. Well I am happy to report that Sophia is a normal (albeit tiney) and fiesty 4 years old. Two years ago Corey's wife was pregnant again and carried Aiden full term but at a routine ultrasound Aiden was diagnosed with hydrops and sadly passed away a few hours after birth. He would be turning 2 years old this July. They do also have another baby girl who was born healthy and full term in October 2008. Well as if the heartache of losing a child wasn't enough for one family to endure Corey recently suffered a seizure at work and CAT scane revealed that he has a brain tumor. The type is a Grade 3 Astrocytoma - survival for this type is 3 years without surgery and 5-7 years with surgery. He is looking into surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester where my mother in law is a nurse. I ask for you all to just say a few prayers for Corey, his wife Rachel and daughters Sophia and Ava. Corey is a wonderful friend and is always willing to help anyone out in need ... now he is in need so I will be praying fervently. He does NOT have a blog or a website (just a facebook Notes page) so I will try to keep you updated as I find out things. Thank you everyone!

* and just for some 'fun' click on this link to see a video of Corey doing Karoke (The Safety Dance) at our wedding in 1999 *

THE SAFETY DANCE ala Karaoke Style

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Sorry for the down news but I hope you all have wonderful day!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad, Jolene & Jeff

2009-06-15T09:40:00.010-05:00

~ Mom & Dad - 1968 ~
~ Mom & Dad - 2008 ~
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Well I am starting my new week off and 'hoping' I can go 7/7 again ... today's post is a tribute to my parents - who have been married 41 years today. You may remember last year Jaden and I flew out to NY for Father's Day but really it was a surprise 40th Anniversary Party for my mom and dad that my sisters, brother and I threw. We had a replica wedding cake, a DJ, 100 family and friends to celebrate and lots of memories to share. We had a wonderful time and I wish all 4 of us were able to fly out there again this year to surprise them again. Hopefully they will fly out here some time this summer and we will head to Wisconsin Dells for some waterpark action! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! Love you and Miss you more!
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I also wanted to wish my Bestest Friend in the Whole Wide World a Happy Anniversary today too! Jolene and Jeff have been married 14 years today!!! I don't know what I would do with my (in)sanity if I didn't have Jolene around to help me. We met each other back when I dropped Jaden (then 6 months old) off at daycare. Hannah was in the same daycare. Fast forward a few months and we realized we lived in the same neighborhood. It didn't take much from there to become close friends. We have now known each other for almost 7 years and our first borns have been the best of friends since they were wee little ones. Jolene had Katie 2 years ago and I was blessed to be in the room for her delivery and was honored to be her GodMother. Then less than 2 years later Little Charlotte was born and I of course wanted Jolene there for Charlotte's arrival. Jolene is also Charlotte's GodMother (though her dedication isn't until October!) So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JOLENE AND JEFF! We love you guys!

~ Jolene & I ~
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Tomorrow is my sister Jennifer's anniversary and Jason and I will be married 10 years on Friday and I am SO SO excited to surprise him with a wonderful night out ... stay tuned for details!
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WHAT!!??!! No info on the 'kids' ... well they had a wonderful weekend! This week starts Jaden's 1st full week of summer vacation and sadly Miss Charlotte is getting a cold - here's hoping we have an uneventful week! 'See' you all tomorrow!
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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

7 For 7 and The Week Ahead ...

2009-06-14T17:59:00.008-05:00

~Jason and Rebekah - June 19, 1999 (OH MY!)~
~Jaden on top of the world and the Ferris Wheel~

~The East Side of Valley Fair on a PERFECT DAY~

~Jaden and Alanna swimming today~

~And as you can see Charlotte just LOVED swimming for the 1st time!!~

~Jaden and Jason on the balloons~

~Jaden on the MILD THING - a Lesser version of the WILD THING~

~Jason (with his arm up) and Jaden on the WILD THING - about to go upside down A LOT~

~A View of the Wild Thing from the Ferris Wheel~

~Jaden and Jason on the Mad Mouse~

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Well I did it - 7 posts in 7 days ... now I am pretty sure by now I have nothing to say - but it's not like I had much to say in the first place right ... well I figured I would post a few more pictures from our day at Valley Fair and a few pictures of Jaden, Alanna and Charlotte swimming today!! Plus a picture to 'tease' you all about the week ahead leading up to my 10 year anniversary! Yeah, not much of a tease - I am pretty boring and have a drame free life so I guess I won't complain ... I hate drama! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Ours, as you can see, was a busy and fun one. Today we got up, ate breakfast and then Jaden's friend Alanna came over to swim. We headed out for some lunch then we all hit the library before heading back home to swim some more. Right now Jaden is at her friend's house having dinner. I am cooking up some baked homefries on the grill to accompany our grilled steaks, Jason is haning lights out on the deck and Charlotte is scotting across the living room floor on her back - scraping off any hair that thought it would be a good idead to grow back - CRAZY GIRL!

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Have a GREAT rest of the weekend!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

A Day At Valley Fair ~ 2009

2009-06-13T20:14:00.009-05:00

WE SMILED

THEN WE ATE A LITTLE BIT

AND WE SMILED SOME MORE

THEN WE (meaning Charlotte) SLEPT

THEN WE RODE THE FERRIS WHEEL

ALL FOUR OF US (Charlotte's 1st!)

THEN WE (meaning Jaden) GOT WET

AND EVEN WETTER

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AND THEN WE HEADED HOME ... INTO THE SUNSET ... AND OUR BEDS!

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Yup - we're home from Valley Fair and it was a WONDERFUL time ... but we are all sunburned (well, except Charlotte), our feet are tired and we're hungry so I thought I would make sure i posted (6/7 this week) with a few pictures (of the many) that I took today! Hope you all had a Glorious Saturday - we sure did! 'See" you tomorow with more pictures and a longer post about our fun day at the park!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Last Day and Green Beans A NO-GO

2009-06-12T00:00:00.005-05:00

(ABOVE: Jaden and Charlotte on Jaden's last day of school!! Oh how I LOVE these two girls!)
(ABOVE: Jaden reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear to Charlotte - My little reader!!)
(ABOVE: My Little Big Girl in her Booster Seat!!!)
Well I did it (so far) I am now 5/5 on my posts this week! Now I have really nothing much to say to anyone except thanks for stopping by and saying HI! It is Friday already ... phew! I figured I would stray (yet again) from a FFF post and post a picture and a video. This is a photo Jaden (castless) holding her sister on her very last day as a 1st grader (*sniff sniff*). Of course I am so proud of her for all of her accomplishments but most of all I am happy for her. She did what she set out to do ... SHE IS A READER! It was a big struggle for her with tears and lots of moments of self doubt. She hated the thought of reading a book just 6 short months ago and now guess what - She's got herself her very own library card with her very own signature on it. And guess what else, she wants to go to the library tomorrow to pick out 3 chapter books! Jason and I are so proud of her - beyond words! She is a truly wonderful little girl and we are lucky to be her parents! WAY TO GO JADEN! Mommy and Daddy Love You Noddle!
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I also figured I would post a picture (or two) of Charlotte as well as this video ... it cracks me up! We tried green beans tonight and as you can see from the video she was LESS than impressed with the taste and alls I could do was laugh (and spoon more in to her open mouth!) Yeah - maybe we'll try again in a day or two but then again - I wouldn't eat them either! Oh and I also thought I'd post the video I took of her adorable laugh ... yup - she loves her sister!
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Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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So I hope you all have a GLORIOUS weekend! We finally got our much needed rain and I am happy to say we've got sunny skies and warm temps in store for the weekend. I do believ we are heading to Valley Fair on Saturday for an early Father's Day gift (roller coasters and all) since next Friday is our anniversary (and my much anticipated SURPRISE). Plus Jason's mom is spending the night Friday to watch the girls while we stroll around downtown Minneapolis. Then a craft days spent at the Hobby Store on the 20th ... so this Saturday we will be walking around Valley Fair and riding rides (well not me - I am on stroller duty *phew). So I will hopefully be back Saturday with another post and then I will be 6/6 - are you all SICK of me yet? I kind of am!
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Oh and I've said it all week ... stop by these two sites for some awesome giveaways ...
Lynda over at Soxs That Rock and the Godseysix Blog - GOOD LUCK!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby 'NO GREEN BEANS' Charlotte!

Thankful Thursday and MORE Great Giveaways!!

2009-06-11T11:06:00.009-05:00

(I am THANKFUL for my husband, Jason, for all he has done for me and all he continues to do ~ And without him I would not be a wife or a mom today! Not to mention he's easy on the eyes and he has a GREAT hind end - sorry hon!!!)
(I am THANKFUL for my parents - though they are too far away - they have always been there and are a huge support for me even 1200 miles away and they adore both my girls with all their heart. Not to mention without them I wouldn't be here!)
(I am THANKFUL that I have a great relationship with my Mother In Law and that she adores her grandchildren and is always there when we need her. And of course Jason wouldn't exist without her!)

(I am THANKFUL for my BESTEST friend in the whole world Jolene - who listens to me when I scream, cries when I cry, watched my daughter come in to the world, treats my children like they're her own and would give me the shirt off her back - even if it wouldn't fit!)

(I am THANKFUL - overflowing - for this little gem above ... of course Jaden was my 1st born and the little one who stole my heart the second I knew I was pregnant. She makes me smile every day and it only takes her smile to make my day go from grey to sunshine!)

(I am THANKFUL that I decided having 1 child was ok but having another one would be better - this little blue eyed baby scared me the minute I found out about her and every day since my heart smiles knowing that I was blessed to be her momma ... her ever changing personality makes life fun and her smile at the end of the day puts me at ease!)

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Well I am on point and 4 for 4 this week ... YIPPIE! I am sure you are all bored out of your minds reading about our mundane lives ... but here we go ... I thought I would do a Thankful Thursday Post since I have lots to be thankful for ... So what are YOU THANKFUL FOR?

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Oh and be sure to stop by these two LOVELY ladies' blogs for some Great Giveaways!

Lynda over at Soxs That Rock and the Godseysix Blog - GOOD LUCK!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Way Back Whens-Day ...

2009-06-10T11:22:00.008-05:00

(ABOVE: Me and Harry ~ Way Back Whens-Day!)

(ABOVE: The Thompson Siblings ~ left-right ~ Jennifer, Rebekah, Harry and Nicole)
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Well I am 'officially' 3 for 3 on posts this week! Maybe I will post everyday ... or maybe I just jinxed myself and you won't hear from me again until winter ... Ha - slim chance on that one! I thought I would do a Way Back Whens-Day Post today ... this is a picture of me WAY WAY BACK! I think I am 2 years old in this picture (right mom?) and my little brother Harry is a little baby still. So that would make this poicture about 30 years old - that is WAY BACK! Wow how different we look now ... I think Harry had more hair Way Back than he does now (sorry Harry!) But seriously - my brother and I are only 19 month apart (give or take) and we spent a lot of time with each other growing up. Lots of play time, lots of jail break and tag in the alley, lots of tv watching (A-Team, GI Joe and Knight Rider), bike riding and lots of trouble making I am sure. He is a great little brother who is not so little anymore. He has grown up and is a husband and a father now ... there goes that stinkin' time thing again ... getting away from us all! Hope you are all having a wonderful week so far! Jaden has 1 1/2 days left as a 1st grader and then summer starts Friday! She is going fishing at school tomorrow and then she gets out at noon! She is so excited to be able to spend the entire day with her sister at Dani's House - I am sure if Charlotte knew she would be equally excited!! She ADORES Jaden! And for a little more Way Back (but not nearly as far) here is a picture of Jaden as a baby ... and Miss Charlotte - not so long ago!
(ABOVE: Way Back Whens-Day ~ Jaden about 2 weeks old)

(ABOVE: Way Back Whens-Day ~ Baby Charlotte ~ 2 days old!)

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See you tomorrow! And don't forget to stop by this AWESOME blog and sign up for her super AWESOME giveaways ... GODSEYSIX

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Quick Update and a Giveaway ...

2009-06-09T12:33:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to pop on quick ... Jaden did get her cast off yesterday (YAY!) But she does need to wear her sling for the next 2 weeks and take it easy. She has a final check up with the Orthopedic Surgeon and then we should (hopefully) be good to go. She was realived to FINALLY itch the 'itch' thats been itching her for the past 2 weeks. Her arm looks funny being so white and scaley ... she acted like she was getting a masage when I washed her arm with warm soapy water and then lotioned her up after we got home ... it was cute! I am *hopeful* with my fingers crossed that we will not have any more *issues* on monkey bars or any other playground stuff for a LONG time ...

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So that is the news for the day ... oh and stop by this site for a GREAT way to win some AWESOME stuff ...

GODSEYSIX

Have a great day ... I can't believe I am now 2 for 2 on posts this week ... I will be visiting my blogger friends in a bit!!

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

Is this REALLY my baby?

2009-06-08T13:41:00.007-05:00

(ABOVE: My Big Girl ... she looks SO much bigger in this picture and her eyes are CRAZY blue - oh how I love her!!)

(ABOVE: My Little Charlotte riding her very 1st Carousel @ Chuck E Cheese - looking at her self in the mirror was the highlight of the ride!!)

(ABOVE: Little Baby Charlotte ~ In PJ's too Big ... now they are too small :0(

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I got some pictures emailed to me from Jolene and there is one in particular that almost made me tear up ... is this REALLY my baby? Is this really the baby who was a little more than 6 pounds at a week old? How and Why the heck does time go by without asking us moms if it is okay? Kind of makes me anxious and happy all at the same time ... I am happy that Charlotte is growing up so well and turning in to quite the little 'explorer'. I am happy to watch her face light up whenever her sister walks in the room. My heart smiles from the inside out when I hear her laugh uncontrolably when Jaden makes a silly face or noise at her. I giggle when I watch her legs go CRAZY when she sees a spoon full of mushy cereal come her way. I laugh out loud when I see her scoot across the living room floor when she is left alone for 5 minutes. But I wish that someone would just 'check with me' first to make sure I remember all these things. Time goes by too fast ... sometimes it is sweet and sometimes it is bittersweet! *sigh* I guess my mood matches the dreay weather outside - which Jaden promptly told my mom this story while on the phone with her -

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*Jaden: "Well it rained all day and it sucked even thought the cows near Dani's house (daycare) really need the rain"

*Me: After realizing what she said "Jaden you aren't supposed to say that word - it is like saying SHIT" ... yeah - good lesson MOM - DUH!

*Jaden: "Well the rain did Suck Mom"

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How true you are Jaden ... what a horrible example your mom is huh? Well I am off to meet Jason and Jaden at the Orthopedic Surgeon's Office - hoping we will be returning home with NO more cast!!!

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HAVE A GREAT DAY!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

WOW ~ I am a little behind this week ...

2009-06-07T11:32:00.007-05:00

(ABOVE: A VERY smiley Charlotte at the zoo)
(ABOVE: Jaden watching the seals swim at the zoo)

(ABOVE: A VERY sleepy Charlotte on the way home from the park - drool and all!)

(ABOVE: Charlotte and Jolene at Hananh's show)

(ABOVE: She's amazing - Hannah doing a cartwheel off the balance beam)

(ABOVE: Hannah and Jaden jumping on the bouncer - just like old times)

(ABOVE: Hannah doing an AWESOME cartwheel!!)

Hey everyone - if you are still out there! I was shocked when I saw that I haven't posted any blabbing in a week! What the heck ... well I guess that is what happens when life (aka work) gets in the way! We did have a good week though and now we are about to start another one tomorrow! UGH! Not too much has been going on since last Sunday except that our neighbor Amy finally had her 3rd baby!!! We are so excited to welcome Baby Nora Marie to the world and the neighborhood! That makes 3 girls under the age of 4 for Amy and Steve! Oh my! I will post a picture of her as soon as I get one!

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So other than that we are in the home stretch for school to be over and summer to begin! Jaden has 3 1/2 more days as a 1st grader and then summer vacation! WHOO HOO! Tomorrow she is taking a field trip to the library and a local park and then we are picking her up right after she gets off the bus to get her cast (hopefully) removed! I hope it is healed well enough and corretly to have it removed - if not 2 more weeks! So cross your fingers!!! Tomorrow my Mother In Law Carol is coming up to spend the night because my daycare is closed Tuesday so she is staying home with Charlotte and picking Jaden up from school - THANK YOU CAROL - we are lucky she works as a nurse and works 3rd shift ... not so sure she is thankful for that when it is time to get up for work but we LOVE IT!

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We spent yesterday (enjoying) the rain - we have been SO dry here that a day of rain, though dreary, was welcomed!! So what did we do - we hit the mall and then Chuck E Cheese ... we met up with Jolene, Jeff, the girls and Jo's mom! It was packed due to the rain but the girls had fun ... Charlotte rode her very first carousel but Jolene took the pictures so once she sends them to me I will post them!! LOVE YOU JO!!!

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So other than that boring stuff above we had a good week ... oh and Monday Jaden, Charlotte and I went to watch Hannah's final gymnastics show and on the way home we stopped at McDonald's - Jaden and I PROMPTLY lost out appetites when we saw this in front of us at the drive-thru! ICK!!! Jaden kept asking where the 'rest' of it was and why were his eyes open!! Gross!

(ABOVE: I think this is an elk head ... we aren't the 'outdoorsey' type so this is not something we see often - especially at the McDonald's Drive-Thru!)

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Well have a great week everyone! Hopefully I will post again before next Sunday! Oh and Jason and I will be married 10 years on June 19th and I have a HUGE HUGE HUGE Surprise in store for him and I am fighting every ounce of myself to NOT spoil it ... I can't wait to tell everyone what it is! But not yet ---

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte!

5 Months Old and A Trip To The ZOO!

2009-05-31T10:34:00.008-05:00

(ABOVE: Charlotte and The Big Brown Bear ~ 5 Months Old!)

(ABOVE: Jaden riding the Tornado at Como Town)

(ABOVE: How about a little swim time with the seal?)

(ABOVE: The Bison - or - Water Buffalo)

(ABOVE: Jaden's FAVORITE Animal ~ The Zebra)

(ABOVE: The Baby Giraffe @ The Como Zoo)

(ABOVE: Jaden with Charlotte on her 1st trip to Como Zoo in St. Paul)

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Just thought I would pop on today and post a picture of Charlotte next to the Big Brown Bear since she turned 5 months old Friday ... we also headed to the Como Zoo yesterday - just me and my girls - since Jason was installing a new Water Softener and garga shelving. Como Zoo is a FREE zoo in St. Paul and it has always been one of my favorite places to take Jaden - and did I mention it is FREE! It was a beautiful day out and we had a great time. Charlotte was wonderful in her stroller for the 4 hours we were there and Jaden is always good. We enjoyed seeing a baby Zebra and Giraffe and had a snack while we walked around - cheese curds - YUM! Then we browsed the gift shop and got Jaden a stuffed Polar Bear and a T-Shirt and I also got Charlotte a Como Zoo T-Shirt too! It was a great day. Today it is supposed to get to 85 and HOT so the menu calls for swimming and lots of it - might even get Charlotte in the pool for the 1st time - STAY TUNED! Hope you are have a wondeful weekend!

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Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Show Us Where You Live Friday ~ Children's Rooms/Nurseries

2009-05-29T11:16:00.017-05:00

(ABOVE: Shall we head up stairs to see the girls' bedrooms ...)

~ FIRST STOP - JADEN'S ROOM ~

(ABOVE: Jaden's bed, night stand, cork board and 3 of her MANY stuffed animals she sleeps with!)

(ABOVE: PART of Jaden's closet - I think she needs more clothes - and more pink!)

(ABOVE: Jaden's dresser, hamper and part of her closet!)

(ABOVE: By Far Jaden's FAVORITE spot in her room - her desk - where she spend HOURS doing arts and crafts!!!)

(ABOVE: The view of Jaden's room from the hallway)

~ NOW ON TO CHARLOTTE'S ROOM ~

(ABOVE: This is the comforter for Charlotte's crib - of course she never uses it so I decided to sew some ribbon to the top and hang in on the quilt rack I had - on the shelf are the Vermont Teddy Bears Jason bought me, a piggy bank from a friend, a painting of Winnie The Pool my dad painted and Jaden's walking shoes from when she was a baby!)

(ABOVE: This was Jaden's little rocking chair filled with some of Jaden's baby animals. Hanging on the wall is Jaden's Christening Gown as well as the Christening Slip made out of my mom's wedding dress - all of us 'girls' in the family have worn it under our gowns ... it is a great family heirloom!)

(ABOVE: Charlotte's little closet - these are some of her clothes - the rest are in totes under her crib!)

(ABOVE: Charlotte's crib from the hallway - this is her HAPPY SPOT - I puther in here at 8pm every night awake and you never hear a peep putof her until morning - yeah, I am luncky I know! And I did paint her name on the wall while home on bed rest!)

(ABOVE: The place where I cherish time with Charlotte - rocking her at night - well before she started sleeping 12 hours at night! I bought these window WALLIES for her room to add some color and she loves to sit on your lap and look 'out the windows')

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Well I FINALLY am able to do one of these posts that I read about every Friday over at Kelly's Korner. This week we are touring Children's Rooms and/or Nurseries ... well for those of you who follow me know that once I found out I was pregnant with Charlotte last May I panicked becuase our 'starter home' only had 2 bedrooms. We mulled over our options and were about to list our home for sale when the market fell out underneath us ... so we added on instead. In the end (about 10 days before Miss Charlotte arrived) our 2 brand spanken new bedrooms were complete. They turned out beautiful and we all had a blast decorating them. Of course Jadenand I shopped well before I was put on bedrest and bought lots of things for her new room and I got most of Miss Charlotte's 'stuff' at my baby shower in October so we (I) were anxiously waiting the project completion! So on to the tour of Jaden and Charlotte's Bedrooms ... TO see LOTS and LOTS more beautiful home tours visit Kelly's Korner . You never know - next week you might join in on the fun too!

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Oh and Little Miss Charlotte turns FIVE MONTHS OLD today! I can not believe how fast that time flew by! I wish I could make it stop or at least slow down! Before you know it I will have a 14 year old and a 7 year old ... and who knows ... maybe another baby! HA! That's not that funny is it?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Love ~ The Clark Family of Four ~ Rebekah, Jason, Jaden and Baby Charlotte

Welcome to Our Adventure!

Holy Moly!

Okay - I am seriously a slacker ... Happy Birthday Aunt Niki

For My Sister ...

Jaden's 8 and we're having a PARTY!

Howdy Ho ... been a while!

These Boots Were Made For Walking ...

Charlotte's 1st Boo Boo

No Peas Please ...

Charlotte's Birthday Party ...

Happy 1st Birthday Miss Charlotte ...

Charlotte WALKING ...

Merry Christmas and WOW - Time Sure Did Fly By ...

Dear Santa Claus ...

ROUGH Day and an 11 month old ...

Santa Claus is Coming To Town ...

Could it be true?

Happy Halloween ...

Oh Say It Ain't So ...

OMG - I pretty much SUCK!

Hard to believe she is really only 7!!

9 Months Old!!!

Poor Charlotte ...

The Mn Storm Swim Team

Go Vikings ...

Purple Hair!!

Last Weekend of Summer and First Day of School

Charlotte's New Smile ...

Guess who's 8 months old!!

Sunday Somethings ...

Just some pictures ... another tooth, road trip, horse track and swimming!

You Would Think ...

1st TOOTH and What Do You Do ...

Slacker Poster and I Have A 7 Month Old!!

Home Remodel Tour ~ Kitchen

A Play Date, A BBQ and Another Ear Infection ...

Check out this giveaway ...

Blog Hop ~ Tuesday July 14, 2009

FFF ~ Red, White and Blue? How about Red, White, Pink and Blue?

Our Busy Weekend ~ 4th of July and Much More ** PICTURE OVERLOAD AHEAD **

Tuesday Blog Hop ~ Favorite Photo

Our New Appliances and I'm A Winner - Winner - Chicken Dinner

A Summer Festival, New Appliances, An Allergy, 6 Months Old and another Fun Giveaway...

How About A Gummie Doll Giveaway!!!

Where Am I?

Yup - I didn't forget to post ...

*WARNING: Lots of Wedding Blabbing Ahead* * Read At Your Own Risk*

MORE Anniversaries ... and A Prayer Request

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad, Jolene & Jeff

7 For 7 and The Week Ahead ...

A Day At Valley Fair ~ 2009

Last Day and Green Beans A NO-GO

Thankful Thursday and MORE Great Giveaways!!

Way Back Whens-Day ...

Quick Update and a Giveaway ...

Is this REALLY my baby?

WOW ~ I am a little behind this week ...

5 Months Old and A Trip To The ZOO!

Show Us Where You Live Friday ~ Children's Rooms/Nurseries

Our Busy Weekend ~ 4th of July and Much More PICTURE OVERLOAD AHEAD

WARNING: Lots of Wedding Blabbing Ahead * Read At Your Own Risk*