Holiday Blog 2008

This is the first ever holiday blog. I figured it might be a good time to let you all know what we have been up to this year.

Ashlynn is now in Kindergarten. She loves her school and looks forward to going every day. It amazes us the things she is learning and picking up. It is hard to believe that she will be turning 6 in February. She is making progress in school and is in the early stages of reading. Her teacher tells us that she is always willing to help and is friends with everyone. Her teacher is Mrs. Hannah and Ashlynn just loves her. When we first told Ashlynn who her teacher was she said “Oh Mrs. Hannah Montana”. Other than school, Ashlynn in the last year has been busy learning to ride her bike (no success with the two wheels, but close), learning to water ski (she almost did it), and kneeboarding. This year brings with it the possibility of having her tonsils and adenoids out. We go to an ENT on the 31st. She has had about 5 ear infections since August and the Mommy in me just wasn’t willing to wait another 6 months so we are off for a second opinion we will keep you all posted.

Murray is 2 ½. We all know the fun that being 2 involves. I think we have been dealing with the terrible 2’s for a year now. I am looking forward to the day that not every little thing turns into a temper tantrum. He is a very independent little boy and is definitely ALL BOY. He loves his cars and trucks. But shows is tender side and loves his babies too (which are stuffed Husky’s) he carries them everywhere. His absolute favorite thing though is Mickey Mouse. He loves school and his Ms. Amy and thanks to school he is now potty trained and doing an awesome job at it. He is learning his letters, numbers, and colors quickly but we enjoy counting to 10 the most. This year brought our first and second trips to the ER with Murray. At his birthday party he got the present of 6 stitches in his cheek and about a month ago we were in the ER with a 104 fever. We know these trips are the first of many with a very active and curious little boy.

As for me, I am enjoying my first year teaching. I have been teaching 6th & 7th Grade Creative Speech and 7th Grade English. There are many challenges in teaching middle school but I have always said this is the age that I like teaching the best. In the next year, I hope to finally complete my Master’s and will be done for a little while with going to school.

Andrew is close to finishing his 2nd Master’s. He still enjoys his job as Asst. Principal and like me enjoys being in a middle school. This year we got a Wii and Andrew has quickly found that he is a “Guitar Hero”. I also think that he likes the fact that I am working again. It is nice to have the extra income coming in and we are looking at a Kitchen Remodel.

We hope this catches you up on what has been happening in our lives. Enjoy the holidays and keep checking the blog for the latest and greatest news from The Clarks.

Holiday Pictures -- An Attempt

We attempted to get Christmas Pictures the other day. But they didn't work out very well.

Murray getting mad at Ashlynn for making him pose.
When you get one to look and be happy the other one always looks away.
Not bad here but a smile would be nice.
Now let's add another 2 year old to the mix. Let's just say...Forget About It!
But with a little bribe of food...we may get lucky...but don't count on it.
Attempt one at the pictures didn't go very well. At some point taking their pictures has got to get easier. It was fun though I can't wait to see what happens when we try again!

Stayed tuned...

How to Cook a Turkey -- By. Ashlynn

Ashlynn was asked by her teacher How to Cook a Turkey. Here is her response...

"Go to a farm and get a live turkey. Put him in your car. He will wobble in your car. Take out all of the blood with a yellow sucker thing. Put stuffing in him made of out mashed potatoes, carrots and onions. Put vegtables and carrots around it. Cook it in a long pot because turkeys are big. Cook for 6 minutes. The oven should be really hot so the turkey doesn't move anymore."

Enjoy!!

Trick Or Treat

Another year another round of Trick or Treating. The theme this year....Star Wars....What 5 year old girl and 2 year old boy pick charcters from Star Wars for Halloween?

Ashlynn dressed up as Princess Leia (aka Padme) since they didn't have a costume for Princess Leia we got this one. And she insisted on having a light saber.

Murray was Darth Vader. Even though he can't say Darth Vader the breathing noise he made when he saw the costume was how the choice was made.

Here is Murray and Koen having a light saber fight.
Princess Leia, Darth Vader and an Elephant.

Murray chasing Ashlynn with a light saber.

Murray almost missed out on Trick Or Treating. He came down with a nasty cough earlier in the week and to be on the safe side Daddy took Murray to the doctor and he has bronchitis. Which was bad enough to require breathing treatments 3 times a day through the weekend. But we were still able to get out and get some candy!!

A Hodge Podge!!

Life continues to be busy. We have been enjoying the time outside before the winter weather hits. Here are some pictures from the last few weeks!!

Murray and his constant companions.....his matchbox cars!!!

Ashlynn riding a horse at the pumpkin patch the other day.

Murray and Ashlynn in the hunt for the perfect Halloween pumpkin.

Murray running through the pumpkins.

Ashlynn learning to ride her bike....we are hoping next summer she will be up and riding on two wheels!!

Murray and his "bike". I am figuring next summer we will have to get him his own bike. Cause whatever Big Sis does he wants to do too.

Daddy and Ashlynn going on the Motorcycle. (Yes I am crazy...But we trust Daddy)

Look for Halloween pictures to be up this weekend.......hopefully!!!

Go BLUE!!!!!!

Ashlynn made it to her first UofM game at The Big House. She was a real trooper too. We left at 7:15am to tailgate and did not get home until 6:30pm. Part of the Game was spent sitting with Mommy, Uncle Craig, and Aunt Kelly. Then we lost out to Nonnie and Pa. Ashlynn loved cheering on the team and even proclaimed that she wanted to be a Cheerleader for Michigan. And she made sure to say a "Girl Cheerleader". This was her first introduction to the idea that Boy's could be cheerleaders too.
Ashlynn and Pa while we were waiting in line to get into the MDen.

Ashlynn taking a picture of Toledo running back a LOOOOOONG touchdown.

And sadly....Michigan Lost to Toledo. But it was still fun to watch Ashlynn enjoy what we hope is her first of many Michigan Games in the Big House.And speaking of Big House...here are two pictures of the current construction project taking place. To make the Big House and even BIGGER HOUSE!!!!

Gooooooooooooooal! Soccer Time!!

In an effort to introduce Ashlynn to the Wide World of Sports we started Soccer in the beginning of September. She seems to like it. But we are all in agreement that Murray enjoy's being on the field more than she does. Oh....Did I mention that Daddy is her coach?????

First Day of School

Ashlynn's First Day of school has come and gone. She loves school and looks forward to going. Her teacher Mrs. Hannah is great and sends home weekly updates as to what will they will be learning for the week. Ashlynn has been hard at work learning pre reading skills, math, social studies, along with many other things. Last week we had our first "Homework" which led to a fight because it was a nice day and she wanted to go play with her friend Angela. Hopefully this homework thing will get a little better. But I know that will not be the case!

Murray's First Day of "School" was not as easy as Ashlynn's. We spent a good two weeks crying in the morning for Mommy. Then he just would not like going into school. But shortly after Grandpa would drop him off he would be fine. We are now at the point that he yells "MY SCHOOL" if we drive by. He is really enjoying it and has been learning lots of new songs and even starting to name colors. Not to mention the best thing he is actually using the potty at school. He has his sticker chart and as Ashlynn says he has A LOT of stickers.

We are slowly getting into the new routine of our lives and it seems to be going fairly well. Both kids are really enjoying and thriving in school and I am really happy with my new job. Teaching 6th & 7th Graders sure is a challenge but I am having a great time with it. Andrew's school year has started off good too. He came home the other day informing us that he wrote a grant and that they were awarded the money along with the grant being published. So life is very busy here as you can tell since it has been forever since I updated the Blog but we are all enjoying it.

Baby Charlie!!!

Welcome to the world Charlie!!! 8lbs 4ozs. 21 inches!!!!

Congrats Jean and Andy!! He is beautiful!!!! Well worth the wait!!

Big News!!!!!

Well....I went for a job interview the day before we left for KC and got a call back the morning we were leaving informing me that the school would like me to come back for a second interview August 5. I went in for a lesson plan interview today and much to my surprise I walked into a classroom with 8 kids and the 4 people who interviewed me before. With a few quick changes to the lesson it managed to go off with out a hitch. It was a super fun lesson and the kids really LOVED it. I was told I would be getting a call back in the morning after they finished the interviews. About 2+ hours later I get a phone call from the principal with a job offer!!!! I really couldn't believe it and I am super excited and a little scared but am looking forward to this next challenge!! By the way it is a 7th grade position. Which I really am happy about because my dream was to teach in the middle school.

Kansas City Here We Come!!!

We took a Girls Trip to Kansas City last weekend to visit Ashlynn's Fairy Godmother Jean and Prince Andy before baby Charlie makes his appearance in the next few weeks. It was a great time and lots of fun. But it sure was hot and humid.

Ashlynn and Jelly Bean were good friends before the weekend was over. Jelly Bean was a little hesitant at first and wasn't quite sure what to make of Ashlynn and all her jumping and running around. They bonded over the sprinkler which they both LOVED playing in.


Ashlynn was a real trooper and even though we all dragged her shopping we found some fountains for her to play in....which she just loved!

Fairy Godmother Jean promised a trip to Union Station for Ashlynn to see the Trains.The Frog Prince Andy gave Ashlynn a boost to check out the Train Models that were at the Station.
Ashlynn adores Andy and even convinced him to carry her Cow Purse. Which he did without any complaint!
Ashlynn and her Fairy Godmother Jean and Andy.

After a very busy weekend we headed home...but on the way we wanted to stop so Ashlynn could get a look at the Mighty Mississippi. Our route just happened to take us into Hannibal, MO which is the home of Samuel Clemens (Aka Mark Twain). Sadly having 3 teachers around meant Ashlynn was dragged around town. We were very glad we stopped and just loved this little town on the River.

Ashlynn however did not share are excitement of the town....this is her being mad that we made the decision to walk around.

Her tune changed quickly when we happened upon a train just leaving town that Ashlynn was able to see up close.

Ashlynn standing on a hill over looking the Mississippi River.

It's a Family Affair!!!

Well this weekend at the lake brought us Family. Uncle Tommy and Aunt Marilyn were in visiting from Oregon. While my Mom's Cousin Deb came to visit with two of her kids they live over in the K-Zoo area. Granny and Great Pa came up too. We had a good time and lots of water and boating was had by all.

Great Pa and Granny enjoying some time on the boat!

The "We're So Pretty" Twins....
Ashlynn and her Buddy Nick...."He is still cute this year" (Ashlynn's Comment)
Daddy and Murray swimming.
Hail Hail...the Gangs ALL here...Well...almost everyone....
Ashlynn and Daddy on the Doo. Craig, Kelly and Koen...Apparently the ride on the Doo was so boring Koen went to sleep.
Ashlynn and Uncle Tommy.
Ashlynn the Fish.
Uncle Tom and Aunt Marilyn on the Doo.