Linda's Legacy

2010-11-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

We had a fun weekend up in Boise the first of the month with Collette. We attended an Evening at the Opera performance with her BSU Opera Theater class for the BSU Singles Ward Stake Fri, November 5th. She sang some beautiful duets with some modern spins - oh Jacob and Edward - and it was fabulous. All of those girls did an outstanding job. We attended the BSU vs Hawaai Warriors game Sat. afternoon and it was more entertaining watching the craziness of Bronco Nation And Collette's cheers for her poly boys on the Warriors team didn't even phase the surrounding boisterous crown. Here are a few pics of the game. Great weekend and great times

Las Vegas Fun

2010-11-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

Dale and I went to Las Vegas October 28 through the 31st to spend time with his two brothers, sister, and their spouse. We got a good deal on the new airline with direct flights from Twin Falls to Vegas. It was a fabulous time and a much needed R&R. Thanks to my wonderful husband for this fun trip, I love him so!
As the billboard say, there was simply nothing else like this broadway show. It blew me away!

The highlight was visiting the Las Vegas Temple, which is the real beauty of the city, up on a hill shining over the worldly glizt and glamor.

The Clarks...l to r: Dale, Lyle (Lindon, UT), Clayton (North Pole, Alaska), Colleen (Satelitte Beach, Florida)

The old part of Las Vegas with the new overhead "sky roof" featured a Queen show...ah Freddy Mercury.

I remember this cowboy in the strip when I was a kid visiting with my family, but is was along the road as part of the main strip.

Part of the night light in Vegas

Sigh....as close to Donny and Marie as I got!

Loved the Bilogio (sp) hotel fountains...reminded me of Oceans Eleven!

Clayton taking advantage of one of pools that featured a "river run".

Beverly, Clayton's wife

Clayton and Beverly's time share condo where we stayed. We were so appreciative for this place to stay and for the wonderful time we all shared together. Thanks everyone!

Random grandchildren pics

2010-11-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

Clearing out my phone, I came across these fun and cute pics of my grandkids that were either taken from my phone or sent to my phone that haven't been posted. Gotta love them all!

Issak playing ball when Jemrey helped with the deck.

Mikelle enjoying being here when Dad worked on the deck.

Kymra Lyn

Kymra in cute dress

Isaak's school picture

Bailey and Malia playing a game at Grandma's ward picnic at Spears

Braden and Cole playing a game at Grandma's ward picnic

Kell and Isaak sporting their masks

Hmmm...which ones are these? cute Orr kids props for their play

Cheesy Kyler, Ryker, and Avery

A night at Grandma's

Braden's birthday nerf gun we bought at Target

Fun in Pocatello and Idaho Falls

2010-11-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

I am late blogging this fun Saturday back on October 16th. We headed to Pocatello and Idaho Falls for a great day with family. We stopped in Pocatello and had lunch with Jeremy, Sarah, Isaak, and Mikelle. I love the kids' darling grins!

Jeremy and Sarah

We then spent the rest of the day at Grandma Kump's church for her 90th birthday celebration with Jef, Sarah, Logan, Mason, Cole, and Ella. It was Jef's birthday, Tuesday, the 12th, so we were glad to go up and spend some time. Sarah helped her Grandma organize and present quilts to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It was an impressive thing. She also gave them a history of her life as well. We had dinner at a local restaurant after and we gave Jef his presents. One was a guitar song book and I told Jef a couple of ones I wanted him to learn and play for me. We enjoyed the day and loved being with our kids and grandkids.

Dale being funny for the grandkids.

Ella loved putting on this high heels from one of the gals there.

Cute kids... L to R: Cole, Logan holding Kady, Wendy's little gal, Mason, and Ella

Sporting their classy looks....cute divas!

Fun times in Idaho Falls

2010-09-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

I spent the last week of August in Idaho Falls with Jef, Sarah, and family. These photos aren't the greatest from my phone, but I did have a great time. A highlight for me is always getting to sit and listen to Jef play his guitar. He is very, very good and has learned some awesome songs.

We went to Gem Lake on the hottest day of the week and enjoyed the water and a picnic.

Logan

Mason

Cole with Grandma

We had lunch after the fun matinee movie one day.

Sun from the window really did make this special! lol

Ella got this cute skirt on a shopping day and I loved her outfit!

Mason, Cole, and Ella the night that Logan was at football and Jef and Sarah to dinner.

We went to the baseball game to watch the Idaho Falls Chuckers play the Missoula Osprey. I could really become a fan of local baseball very quickly!

I brought up some glow sticks and the kids had a fun time lighting up the front yard. Time goes fast when you are having fun! Thanks Idaho Falls family for a great week!

A Big Fan of the Osmonds!

2010-08-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post some awesome pictures of a concert I was able to go on August 7th. It was held at the Twin Falls Fairgrounds by the Boys Scouts of America in celebration of their 100th Anniversary. It was an exciting show from start to finish. It started out with some skydivers dropping into the stadium and a local reserve unit posting the colors. And then Wayne, Merrill, Jay, and Jimmy Osmond came out and on to the stage...you know what a HUGE fan I am of the Osmonds, I was transformed into a teeny-bopper fan! They sang a lot of the songs that they do around the globe for their Osmond's 50th Anniversary Show. They were exceptional entertainers and it was so fun to see video presentations on side screens of them all and the rest of the Osmond family growing up while they sang a favorite of mine..."Through the Years". Yes, I clapped along and sang along and embarrassed Dale, but I knew all the songs and I loved their sense of humor and the stories they told of their lives and those of all the family. The program ended with a pre-recorded patriotic medley played as an impressive fireworks display lit the skies. It was one, if not the best, concert I have been to. Thanks Dale for taking me!

Montana Adventures for Zadyn's Birthday and Cherry Picking

2010-08-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

Collette and I went to Montana to spend a few days with Alisa and family from July 28 thru Aug 1st. We left Thursday around 2pm and took turns driving while the other read Hunger Games out loud, an excellent book that we were reading. The kids were so excited to have us come and we gave Zadyn her birthday presents while we were there. We had a great time visiting and playing outside, roasting smores, and going for walks. It was a great adventure picking cherries in Polson and then going to Flathead Lake fir a picnic. Alisa picks lots every year to can for them to enjoy all year. We drove home Sunday after church and we finished the book and even started the second in the trilogy. It is always such a great time in Montana and I think we will make it an annual event around cherry picking time!

Utah Trip

2010-08-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

The week I spent in Utah from July 19 - 23 visiting my family was wonderful and I was glad to visit with Julie and be there while she had surgeryto repair a broken hip. I stayed with Polly and our visits with her during the day helped her stay positive awaiting her surgery and again afterward. It was a hard surgery for her, osteoporosis is not kind, but they were finally able to secure three pins. The Lord answered all prayers and blessed her with a comfortable and faster recovery than expected. She was able to go back to Heritage Friday afternoon; we all thought she would at least stay in the hospital over the weekend. She loves being back home and we are grateful that she is making a remarkable continued recovery. Thanks for all your prayers and support. We spent one evening enjoying a delicious bbq that Dave and Polly had on their back patio with Dennis (Katie was sick and we missed her). We had a " blast fromthe past" listening to the music of our growing up years. It's amazing how a title or a few words can bring back a whole song and yet I can't even remember what I am to do in the next week!

One of my good friends from high school that I keep in touch with hosted a potluck for me and invited several of our class mates. We had a wonderful time visiting and listening to each other as we shared about our lives and families. One had lost a husband last year due to a farm accident; more than one had lost children; some were divorced and trying to find happiness; some were not active in the church anymore. This made me look at my life and how blessed I am in so many ways. All of us are not without struggles and trials, but I can appreciate even more what I have and not take things for granted. I was happy to reconnect with so many old friends and reflect on memories of how they were all a part of my life and how I was impacted by each one.

Going to Utah is always a rejuvination for me and I hope that I can get down there more often in the future.

Fun Weekend

2010-07-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

We had some family here for a fun packed weekend. Chad and Bailey came Friday night just in time to join the girls as they hosted a bonfire for the YSA branch made from the huge pile of wood off the house. They tried to roast marshmallows, hotdogs, make smores, etc.. but typical Idaho weather brought on a big wind. It was fun while it lasted. Collette's signature pose...Chad and Bailey trying to roast a dogKellsy and CalebAlisa's family came Friday night and stayed in Twin. Jeremy and Sarah's family came Saturday morning and Alisa stopped by, too, while Grant went to the temple before we all headed to Cameron's for lunch before Bailee's baptism. A few fun pics...
Crazy Chad and BaileyGrandpa with Zadyn and RykerAvery and KylerIssak and Mikelle
Bella, Malia, Zadyn, and RykerKids did well all posing here!Bailee in her beautiful dressBailee and CameronGrandma and BaileeCameron's familyJeremy's familyAlisa's familyBailey, Chad, me, and DaleKellsy and ColletteThe kids went swimming at Alisa's hotel after we all ate at the Golden Corral. Those staying with us roasted marshmallows in our small fire pit after that. Sunday, Alisa and Jeremy's family needed to get on the road after breakfast. We were glad they could come and it was nice to have them all visit with Chad and Bailey before they leave for Philadelphia the end of the month. Chad, Bailey, and Collette went to church with us and joined in with the 5th ward's choir traditional Battle Hymn of the Republic for the closing song. Cameron's family came over for dinner and a final visit with Chad and Bailey. We will miss Chad and Bailey and wish them the very best in their new adventure. Dad and I bailed on the fireworks that evening, sleep seemed like a good ending for a wonderful weekend! We enjoyed having family here, we really missed Jef and Sarah and family. Jef had the wonderful opportunity to go to Japan on business and arrived home in Idaho Falls Saturday afternoon. We are anxious to hear all about his trip.

Bailee's 8th Birthday

2010-06-24T18:38:00.001-07:00

Wednesday was Bailee's birthday and it was a fun day. I took Bailee and Braden to the summer matinee movie at 10:30, it was The Incredible Mr. Fox, I actually loved listening to George Clooney talk the whole time! We grabbed some lunch at Sonic and then met everyone at Skateland. Bailee had a party with cake, ice cream, and sodas and lots of skating. She got some fun presents and it was a terrific time. We are all looking forward to her baptism on July 3rd!

Catching up

2010-06-21T09:48:00.001-07:00

Here are some highlights and pics of wonderful events from May and June.
*Braden's kindergarten graduation and Malia *Tillamook, Oregon trip with Dale - at Cheese Factory *on the beach when it wasn't raining
*family trip to Yellowstone *Malia's 3rd birthday

Three Little Kittens

2010-05-27T16:03:00.001-07:00

We now have three little kittens and they are so cute!

Flowers and a new Mama

2010-05-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

Alisa and Grant gave me a gift certificate for flowers for my birthday/Mother's Day to plant under my tree out front of the house. They are so beautiful and they are blooming so well right now with the cooler temperatures and rain. Thanks, Orrs.Recently, we have had a female cat come around eating the food we set out front for our cat, Stormy. Well, she is actually one of two or three that frequent the Clark front porch eatery! She was always meowing so desperately and then eating like it was her last meal. We didn't know if she was dropped off in the country or just came from one of the neighbors, but she began to hang out more and more. We decided that she was probably pregnant by the looks of her underbelly and we knew there was no way that Stormy could be the father, but he has been a gentleman and a protector. When Collette came home from work today, she saw some little kitties roaming around out front and the mama kitty feeding one under a bush. And by the looks of the kitties, they are a few weeks old already. She had them probably before she started coming regular and has moved them under the front deck. Collette saw at least two by the bushes, she happened to catch a picture of this little one and its Mama. Good times ahead!

Mason's Baptism

2010-05-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time with family last weekend in Idaho Falls. Mason, Jef and Sarah's son, was baptized. It was a much anticipated occasion and it was so fun to see the other twelve grandchildren's excitement as they watched Mason being baptized and confirmed. Jef did a great job and gave a very beautiful blessing to Mason with the confirmation. All our family was there (except Collette and Kellsy) and many of Sarah's family, too. We all enjoyed probably a little too much eating out together after at an all-you-can-eat salad, pasta, and pizza place! It was a blessing to spend time with our family.

Easter Breakfast

2010-04-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Bailee, Braden, Malia, and Mary joined us for the annual 5th Ward Easter Breakfast at the church, Saturday, March 27th. Our ward always features a pancake breakfast but with a new activities chairman that is a little more health conscious, we had scrambled eggs, ham, and hash browns...fine by me! Dale cooked up a big roaster pan of eggs, ones that had some flavor, we're talking peppers, onions, bacon, etc. Needless to say, that pan went fast! The kids enjoyed winning a cake and cupcakes at the cake walk and filled their basket with lots of candy-filled eggs out on the lawn around the church.

March Happenings

2010-03-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post some events for March...Stake Relief Society did a Relief Society Birthday Celebration Luncheon featuring talks, fun song to changed words of Thanks for the Memories, Hawaiian haystacks and birthday cake, humanitarian hygiene kits, and quilts. We had a great time and completed 364 hygiene kits and 7 quilts. Here is picture that represented my talk about the wonderful legacy of Relief Society: that of charity.. .passed on from heart to heart as President Eyring told us in the RS Broadcast in September. I wanted all the sisters in the stake to remember the "warm fuzzies" President Monson told about last conference and related it to all of their acts of kindness and charity.

I spent a week in Montana with Alisa's kids as she and Grant went to California for a vacation together. We were busy with school, piano, playing at the park, and watching movies with popcorn. I was able to see their ward's pinewood derby, all three older kids entered cars. Avery won 2nd place in his scout division. It was a fun week and glad I was able to go.
Zadyn and her princess crown from Salmon's Burger King
Ryker asked where his momma was and called me daddy all week!
Kids had a blast at the park

Went with Zadyn to speech therapy...she is doing great!
Avery busy at school
Kyler busy at school
Zadyn busy posing for Grandma at school
Avery's car and trophy
Kyler's car
Zadyn's car
Avery practicing piano
Kyler practicing piano
Avery was a big help

My Greatest Blessings Call Me Grandma

2010-02-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

My cherished "wall of fame" I call it in my living room is again updated with current pictures of my very beautiful and handsome grandchildren. Here is my unprofesstional attempt to capture their adorable pictures to share with you all. They go from oldest to youngest, left to right on two rods.
Top rod: Logan (Jef/Sarah) and Avery (Alisa/Grant)Mason (Jef/Sarah) and Bailee (Cameron/Mary)
Kyler (Alisa/Grant) and Braden (Cameron/Mary)
Cole (Jef/Sarah)

Bottom rod: Zadyn (Alisa/Grant) and Isaak (Jeremy/Sarah)
Malia (Cameron/Mary) and Ella (Jef/Sarah)
Ryker (Alisa/Grant) and Mikelle (Jeremy/Sarah)

"Love" from a special angel

2010-02-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

A special angel crafted these blocks of "love" for me at a recent ward Relief Society meeting. I was visiting and then had to leave to go visit another ward in Hazelton and didn't have time to do the craft. LaRene, you are a special angel for making me a set and showing me exactly what you painted on the blocks! Thank you my friend!

Where did January go?

2010-01-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it has been since August that I have posted anything on my blog. I have made it a new goal ( did I just use the"G" word??) to get back to journaling and what better way than to share my life happenings here. I will have to refresh my old brain and hope that I remember how to navigate and get all the things accomplished that I intend to do...isn't that the way life is anyway? Blogging for me means lots or pics, which of course is the ideal, but I can post without pics if that be the case. My phone doesn't take clear pictures anymore as the lens is scratched and I don't remember to take my camera with me. So... thinking a new camera to fit in my purse would really be the incentive to get myself back into the swing of things! Well, we will see!
January! Where did you go! Keeping as busy as I do, it isn't hard to have it zoom by. I love having a temple so close and have had enjoyed so much going once a week and sometimes even more. My presidency goes once a month and we are busy teaching in ward relief societies during their ward conferences, visiting ward additional relief society meetings, speaking in sacrament meeting with high counselors, and planning the stake relief society birthday celebration in March. We had the wonderful opportunity to feed lunch and dinner to our stake presidency and their wives along with a counselor in the mission presidency and our area authority on January 17th. Elder Rowe, our area authority, was our neighbor in Nampa and I taught his two oldest children piano. Small world. I am still hanging in there with my spinning class three days a week and wish that my holiday pounds would go away as fast as January did! I am still attempting to learn Espanol...I study two verses in El Libro De Mormon and write things in Espanol on my erase board cada manana. I still help Dale with the stats as he announces the high school girls' and boys' basketball home games, we are now entering in the girl's tournament games, they are the top seed. Boys haven't fared as well. I get to tend Cameron and Mary's kids once in a while, saw Jeremy, Sarah, and kids for a weekend visit, and Sarah, Logan, and Mason for an evening passing through...just don't get to see all grand kids as much as I like. I have included pics I did take when I dusted off my camera!
Jeremy, Sarah, Isaak, and Mikelle
Malia, Bailey, and Braden

Fun with Grandma

2009-08-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

My adorable grandkids from Idaho Falls - Logan, Mason, Cole, and Ella (Jef and Sarah's) -came and spent 5 days with Grandma and Grandpa... We had a fun time playing baseball outside; playing with the cat, Stormy; doing hop scotch tournaments; watching movies, and playing at the park. They had a fun day with their cousins, Braden, Bailey, and Malia (Cam and Mary's)swimming at the local pool and going to the summer matinee. Here are some pics I took with my phone, not the greatest, but hey...my grandkids are cute no matter what!

The kids enjoying the car ride to Grandma's.

Fun at the kids' favorite park in town by the "army place."Enjoying Grandma's favorite cupcakes...Funfetti...before bed. Should have had baths first!
Swimming at the Jerome Pool and cooling off on a hot day.

Weekend Happenings

2009-08-04T13:41:00.000-07:00

We witnessed two temple weddings, a family sealing, and a baby blessing this past weekend. We were able to see one of our young single adults and good friend and neighbor sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on Friday morning. Then we attended the Twin Falls Temple that evening with Ronald and Ashley Pickett, very good friends and former neighbors, as they took out their endowments. We were so grateful to be in the temple with them Saturday morning for their eternal marriage and the sealing of their family. Here is pictures of Ashley, Ron, and little Trinity outside the temple.
Dale, me, and Collette outside Twin Falls Temple Chad and Bailey came Saturday afternoon and attended his friend's reception in Twin Falls that evening and then he stood in the circle with his friend, Jeffrey Wayment, as he and others blessed his baby girl Sunday morning. We all attended a lunch in the park and I was able to get a cute picture of Jeffrey and Abby's little dolly, Irelynd.

Recent pics...

2009-07-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

Summer continues to be busy and full of fun. Here are some pics taken recently from my camera phone. First are from our trip to Pocatello with Braden, Bailee, and Malia, to pick up Sarah Nanine's niece. We all had lunch at the park and a fun visit. Sarah's sister Wendy's husband is very ill and currently at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake. I volunteered to go up and pick up their little girl, Kady, from Sarah and bring her back to Twin to her Grandmother's. Below are the Braden, Bailee, and Malia rockin' out in the car to Mamma Mia tunes.
Kids playing at Jeremy's with Isaak and Mikelle until Sarah and kids got there from Idaho Falls.
We all had lunch at the park before hitting the road again...
Kady enjoying the ride and Malia snoozing on the way home.
Stake 24th celebration featured lots of fun and games and good food....captured these while just relaxing in our chairs...cheesy grins from me and Dale and of course, cute pictures of the cute girls!
Malia came to play while Cameron, Mary, and kids went on a FHE to see Harry Potter last night. She loves to pet our cat, Stormy.

Montana Weekend

2009-07-09T12:01:00.001-07:00

Last week the girls and I headed to Montana...ROAD TRIP! It was a blast visiting Alisa and family and nice to get away. Weather was excellent and in spite of construction, we made good time. Hey...Collette did such a great job of blogging our trip, check it out and read it on collettesday57.blogspot.com Thanks Alisa, Grant and kids for a super fun time. Here are the few pictures that I took.Patriotic cupcakes on festive cupcake holderZadyn opened early birthday presents and loved her Disney fairy princesses from Grandpa and Grandma.
I couldn't believe how much Avery and Kyler had grown! And Ryker, too. He liked his birthday present musical storybook from Grandpa and Grandma.
Carousel riders at my favorite park in downtown Missoula.Zadyn's Sunday do Guitar hero experts aka Collette, Alisa, and Kellsy

Collette, Zadyn, and Kellsy...BFF'S

April through June Happenings

2009-06-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have stressed about detailed blogging... so here are pictures with brief info on what I am behind on posting! I spent a lot of time today transferring pics from my phone to the computer and realized I had a lot, so it will be long....sorry, but wanted to share my wonderful family and wonderful happenings!
For my birthday in April, we went to Chile's. Cameron and family joined us, pics are of me, Mary and the kids, and Collette and Kellsy's craziness.
May featured Mary's birthday at Cold Stone, a favorite spot to gather!
Bailee had a great dance program and looked so cute in her outfits. She won a best dance award (check out details on Mary's blog). Braden graduated from pre-school and did a fantastic program. I was glad to be able to attend both.I headed up to Idaho Falls on Friday, May 29, to help Sarah, Jef's wife, with the kids while she had surgery the first of June. I stopped in Pocatello and had lunch with Jeremy, Sarah, Isaak, and Mikelle and Chad and Bailey joined us, too. It was fun and so yummy! 1st pic is Bailey and Isaak, 2nd is Sarah and Mikelle, and 2rd is Chad and Bailey.I attended Logan, Jef and Sarah's oldest boy's guitar recital that Friday night and took a video with my camera, but the sound didn't work out. You can see him playing the guitar in my previous post. He did a great job and is taking after his father's superior guitar playing! Sarah hosted a party for Ella's first birthday that Sunday, May 31st. She got some really cute sunglasses and thought she was pretty cool wearing them. Jeremy and family and Chad and Bailey also came. It was fun with great food and a chance to have family together.
Isaak loves to blow kisses goodbye and Mikelle likes to smile for the camera!
I took some more shots of Ella and Cole that week as they played and one of Logan helping Ella down the slide at the park. I really enjoyed my stay and Sarah did fine with everything. In spite of the flu bug going through the house, I had fun and I was able to watch Logan play baseball, go to the library with them, play at the park, and watch a movie with Jef's gourmet popcorn in their media room.
Alisa's Ryker turned 1 on June 8th and we will celebrate that when us girls go up next week. Collette's bday was the 9th and we went to of course for Sushi but didn't take any pics. Jeremy and Sarah and kids came down the weekend of the 13th and we celebrated Isaak's 3rd birthday which was on the 12th and Saraha's, which is on the 28th. I didn't get any pics, it was a busy weekend with a funeral, 2 weddings, Jeremy was a best man for one of them. Logan's 9th bday is tomorrow, but won't be able to be there, so a big Happy Birthday, Logan. Malia turned 2 on the 18th and Bailee, 7, yesterday, the 23rd. I got Maila to pose with Grandma out their backyard at her bbq party. We had Gertie's Pizza for Bailee's bday last night and I took a few pics. Fun and food just go together with the family.
I told Braden to pose and he came up with this goofy face! Dale actually smiled for his pic with Collette and Kellsy!
Whew! I know this is a long blog, but just had to share my wonderful and beautiful family and all the fun we are having this summer!

The Joy of Grandkids

2009-05-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

I have spent some fun times with my cute, adorable, crazy grand kids in the last week. Here are some pictures to verify my bragging rights!

First 100 Days

2009-04-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

I am sure that we will be hearing reports and different takes from many people of how the first "100 Days" in office went for the Obama administration. I will be reflecting back on my own historical (0r hysterical?) "100 Days", as I was called to be the Stake Relief Society President on January 20th. I thought it was about time I blogged about this!
I am blessed to have three great women of faith that serve with me and keep me on track. The process for selecting them was truly an "Enos-like" experience and they were selected from assurance in my mind and in my heart. We have grown in unity and love already through attending the temple together, fasting and praying together, and visiting and loving the sisters in our stake together. I was called right in the middle of ward conferences and spoke in two wards and also with a high councilman in a sacrament meeting the first three weeks!
We so enjoyed going together to Salt Lake on April 1st to attend New Leader Training held in the tabernacle. I was able to hug Julie B. Beck and tell her how much I appreciate her and her leadership. We gleaned so much and it gave us great focus and sweet confirmation that what we were doing so far was what the Relief Society General Presidency taught.
We held our first Auxiliary Training on April 16th and used the wealth of information from training to teach the importance of 1-On-1 Ministering As the Savior Did. Also, we are finding out that this is an undaunting task to encourage and inspire sisters to make sure that every meeting, activity, and lessons are fulfilling the purpose of Relief Society.... to increase in faith and personal righteousness, strengthen home and family, and serve the Lord and His children.
We took over the big task of carrying on the Stake RS Enrichment Activity scheduled from the past presidency for April 25th. We had a hard time getting it put together with the focus and theme that was already planned, but through more training, counseling with the priesthood, and fasting and prayer, we changed plans and put together what we hoped the Lord wanted us to do. We had a wonderful activity, "Back to Basics With Spiritual and Temporal Self-Reliance"...how often have you heard about that subject lately? I was concerned that it wouldn't be received very well, but the Spirit bore witness to me during SL training that it was the right thing as a big discussion took place about things that the wards and stakes needed to do to promote and encourage that very topic. All the suggestions that were given were what we were trying to put into place for our enrichment activity. We also took a line from Sister Beck's talk on the recent welfare DVD that "one sister with one skill can be a blessing to many" as we encouraged our stake to work together to help teach and learn self-reliance skills. I had a very special young single adult with a marvelous skill draw me the picture of past and present self-reliant women, as we also added verses to the Primary song and sang to the sisters..."you don't have to push a handcart to be a pioneer". We had several displays and talks on spiritual and temporal self-reliance from sisters that the Lord directed us to use. Our decorating committee created an inspiring and beautiful atmosphere, the few pictures here doesn't even do it justice. The table clothes were different checkered gingham and the cherry blossoms were popcorn spray painted and glued on branches. The picture is an early stage of the decorating, there were many more springy things placed on the tables and the displays along the side of the gym were wonderful. The Lord heard and answered my prayers when I prayed that the sisters would come....we filled the chapel and the gym and everyone was spiritually and physically fed. I have felt the Lord's arms around me many times and have felt so strongly about the issues women face. It is amazing how the Lord qualifies you to complete what He asks you to do. I feel blessed with being able to serve in such a great organization of women...one that Sheri Dew has said is "...the most important gathering of women on this side of the veil..." I learned to love Relief Society through the example of my mother and her dedication to serving her family and neighbors all her life...from my grandmother who served as a mid-wife to help women during the depression...and from many, many more friends and family that have inspired me to stay strong to a cause that was divinely organized.
(Here are just a few pictures I took with my camera)

Chad's Wedding

2009-03-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend in Idaho Falls for Chad's wedding. Thanks to Jef and Sarah for opening up their home to stay and for the gathering place for all the Clarks to hang out. It was a great blessing to have all of my children there and spouses in the temple for the sealing and also Dennis and Katie, Molly, Polly and David, Lyle and Dana, and Tammy. Thanks to all for your help, support, and love. (And it was great to see Molly's Glen and their two darling children at the reception, too.) Also a big thank you to Sarah Nanine and Mary for the beautiful table decorations for the luncheon which are going to be used for the reception here in Jerome this Saturday. I forgot to have everyone do introductions at the luncheon and have the traditional "speeches" by the fathers of the bride and groom and I didn't take my camera or any pictures. I never seem to remember everything! So these pics are either from blogs or face book postings of others. Chad and Bailey outside the Idaho Falls Temple At the reception

Always posing!Oldest grandchildren ( 9 of 13) taken outside the temple: Alisa's Avery, Kyler, Zadyn, all three rows on the left; Jef's three boys Logan, top middle, Mason, top right, and Cole in front of Mason; Cameron's Braden, middle below Logan and Bailey next to him; Jeremy's Isaak in front of Braden.

Cameron's Malia in the middle next to Jeremy's Isaak.

Jeremy's Mikelle

Alisa's Ryker doing what everyone was thinking about

I didn't see a picture of Ella in her cute dress, so here she is at the Valentine's dinner in Twin Falls in front of Cole and as "Daddy's girl", the one I like. (If anyone has one, please post!)

Fiery Foods Show in Albequerque, New Mexico

2009-03-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

Here are the pics that Sarah took from the Fiery Food Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico that we went to February 26th through March 2nd. We survived the long truck ride to and from, but had a great time and did very well. Sarah's little boy Cole went with us and he was such a good boy. We sold out of Habby Bleu...our habenero with bleu cheese and we even took more bottles than last year! They really like that unique sauce. We sold a lot of this year's award winning Chipotle and of course many asked for our original habenero that won first place 2 years ago. We had lots of repeat customers and our sauces have established quite a desired reputation for those wanting some great tasting bbq sauce! We have made lots of friends and it is fun to rub shoulders with those in the "hot sauce" business.

Catching Up

2009-02-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy last couple of weeks. Dale was released from being Branch President in the YSA Branch and we were shipped back to the 5th ward. I was called to be Stake Relief Society President and plunged into ward conferences and speaking assignments. But wanted to post some pictures that I had good intentions of blogging about that will only get a few words of explanation. I tended Cam and Mary's kids one evening last month and took them to a Jerome High School basketball game. They enjoyed it and here is Bailey pointing out the cheerleaders and Braden sporting the lei we all wore for Hawaiian night.

Malia wanted a ribbon in her hair when Collette did Bailee's. Treats kept her happy during the game. Girls on the stairs before the game.

Collette auditioned at U of U for grad school on Saturday, Feb. 14th. We stayed overnight at
Polly's and after the audition had a great visit in American Fork with Julie at Heritage. Dix, Brent, Sonya, Polly, and Dave came and visited, too. My good friend Arlene Heiner and her husband, John came by and visited for a minute. It sure was great to see everyone. We met up with Dennis and Katie at Cafe Rio for lunch before we headed home. When we arrived back, we joined Jef, Sarah, and family and Cam, Mary, and family at theMandarin House for a Valentine's dinner. Here are Braden, Mason, and Bailee enjoying the food!

Logan joining in the craziness. Cole's cute smile and Ella trying to figure out who's taking the picture!

Malia trying out her chopsticks. It was fun to see everyone. Dale took his girls for a Valentine's treat at Cold Stone Ice Cream to top off the day. Will blog more later when time allows! (pictures didn't turn out too bad, considering most of them were taken with my camera phone)

Our Panama Boys

2009-02-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

Ours boys...Louis aka Antonio Banderos, Jose, and David
We had the awesome experience last week of hosting three of the Special Olympic Floor Hockey Team from Panama for three days. I was very nervous at first but when we sent them to Boise Saturday morning, I cried. They left a Panama flag on the decorative tree in the basement where they slept so we would remember them. We loved watching them practice in the stake center, they are so good and so proud. We went with them to tour a dairy; see horses; to the Herrett Planetarium and Museum; get some Cold Stone Ice Cream; and to a CSI basketball game, to name a few. They chuckled when I tried to speak Spanish, it was a slaughtered pronunciation and usually the feminine tense of the words. But they had a special time in Jerome in homes of Mormon families that gave them love as special children of God.

Our Young Single Adults

2009-01-27T07:42:00.000-08:00

Here are some fun pictures of our wonderful and crazy young single adults, oh how we love them!

Here they were trying to form the letters YSA...good try!

Dale and group enjoying the animal game

Collette and friends

Trying to capture the cork

REFLECTIONS...

2009-01-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

The holidays have come and gone and reflecting back, I loved the joy I felt being with friends and family and the experiences that brought me closer to the true meaning of Christmas.

I loved reading some of my favorite Christmas stories, watching favorite Christmas movies and concerts, attending holiday plays, and visiting with cherished family and friends. A high light for me was listening to the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional...this seems to usher in the spirit of the season with the inspiring messages and music.

There were a few things that were disappointing, but all in all, the celebration was wonderful. We had lots of beautiful snow, of which I shoveled continually it seemed, that resulted in some pretty challenging road conditions. I didn't let that stop me from traveling to Twin Falls to get the one present that I was promised would arrive the day before Christmas. I didn't let the 1 hour fight-to-the-finish (of which I won!) fiasco with Verizon over Chad's new phone get me down. Dale, Collette and I enjoyed caroling and taking goodies to neighbors and dear friends. We used a gift card and ate at the Outback in Twin Falls on Christmas Eve that my sister Polly gave us and then finished up caroling at the hospital. There weren't very many patients and the few that were there along with the nursing staff smiled and thanked us for coming and sharing our love with them. I didn't sleep very well...no surprise there, I have always been the earliest riser on Christmas day in my family...but the wind was blowing very hard and snow coming down and I just knew Chad would not make it from Pocatello. We had all the family for Thanksgiving, so he was the only one that was coming. And sure enough, they closed the roads. Collette and I were having a hard time and I couldn't convince anyone to open presents until noon when we decided to quit moping around and enjoy the day. I loved talking to my children and grandchildren and felt of their excitement. We had a good visit with Chad over the phone and arranged a time that we could take his Christmas up to Pocatello the next week. Mary's mother couldn't make it in from Utah and they couldn't go down with the closed road, so we invited Cameron and his family to come and eat dinner with us. Tammy and her son, Daniel, couldn't get home to Utah either, so we invited them and also the missionaries. Dale made his terriyaki chicken and rice and his coconut cake (fresh from scratch) and we feasted on that and rolls, salads, and other goodies. I didn't take pictures AGAIN...I guess that should be one of my New Year's resolutions, but Collette took a few and posted them.

The day after Christmas, we took 18 young people from the branch to the Twin Falls temple and did two sessions of baptisms and confirmations. I love that temple and I love our branch! We had such a spiritual experience and I am so amazed at the dedication of these young people traveling on slick roads to come and give of their service. We had pizza after at Maxie's and can't wait until we can schedule some more sessions in the temple.

We headed to Pocatello Tuesday the 30th as a break in the weather and warmer temperatures cleared the roads. We had a party at Jeremy's house with Chad and Bailey and celebrated again with pizza, cherry chocolates, and sugar cookies...what more did we need? Dale, Collette, Chad, and I attended the Idaho Falls temple that next morning with a young lady in our branch that went through for the first time. We then headed to Jef and Sarah's to check out their beautiful new house and then all went to Primo's pizza...I think I have had my fill of pizza for awhile. Jeremy and family joined us, too. When Jef got home from work, he popped us some popcorn in his new theater-style popper as we played Logan's Apples to Apples - Junior Edition game. And of course a gathering would not be complete without some Rock Band action down in their new theater room. It was a fun two days and we were so glad to visit with everyone there.

On New Years Eve, we went to the big multi-stake Young Single Adult bash at the College of Southern Idaho. Our branch was in charge of showing sci-fi movies, so Dale and I ran the projector and watched crazy kids come and go. There were lots of kids and lots to do and this was the second year we brought in the New Year with the younger generation!

New Year's Day was pretty well a vegetate day...I watched a couple of bowl games and a Halmark holiday movie...and munched on I HOPE to be the last of the snacks and goodies!

The Clark family is starting The Biggest Loser come Monday, so I will be better at the gym and better at watching what I eat and better at raising the bar...the bar bells instead of the brownie and cookie bars!!!

I hope all of you have a great 2009 and will continue to feel in your hearts the love you felt during the holidays...and to share the love of the Savior with all your friends and family.

Two Cute Reindeer

2008-12-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

I was able to go see Bailee and Braden's school Christmas programs and they were so cute and were the very best singers in their classes. Here are some pics I took with my phone camera. Thanks for inviting Grandma to your programs!

Enjoying fun together with our awesome YSA Branch

2008-12-16T14:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of pictures of Dale and I enjoying some great activities with the singles branch.

We had a wonderful SLC Temple Square trip recently, attending the temple, shopping, eating, and seeing the lights.

One of the girls snapped a picture of us walking back to the van in the car garage, Dale talking on his phone to one of the youth. She labeled it "president and first lady"... I thought that was cool!

Here we are with Stan and Cathy Lott at the Branch Talent Night singing a song to our young friends, "Text My Cell Rock" ( I changed the words to the December Reader's Digest song they had published of "Ring My Cell Rock" to the tune of "Jingle Bell Rock").

Love working with our awesome branch and they keep us young at heart!

Thanksgiving Memories of 1973

2008-12-09T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hey Arlene...I was inspired by your post of you and John's first Christmas together. I rummaged through some photos of mine but couldn't find Dale and my first Christmas, maybe because we both worked on that day at the Utah State Training School. But I found this one at Mom's on Thanksgiving. I am digging the purple polyester!

I loved this one showing Mom's Thanksgiving table. That is Dix, my oldest brother by me and there is my sister Polly seating Audrey, her oldest girl. There is the great cornucopia Mom set on the table every year and all the good food. I didnt see her lazy susan with the olives and pickles, but I am sure it was there. Notice a favorite of mine but not anyone else in my family, the green lime jello salad with cottage cheese and pineapple and a hint of mayonnaise, by each plate. Ah, this brought back wonderful memories, I even thought about the year before I was married and when I accidentally put salt in the pumpkin pie filling instead of sugar! Good thing Mom was patient as we hurried and made more. We really did have wonderful Thanksgivings at Mom Gauger's.

Wonderful Thanksgiving

2008-12-01T12:23:00.001-08:00

Good food, fun times, rousing basketball, amazing Guitar Hero/Rock Band, movies, crafts, games, visiting...all shared by 25 members of the Clark Family! Yes, when all together we total 25. We went to the church for the day and enjoyed all the activities with plenty of space. The only mishap this year is when Mason cut his eye. I didn't get as many pictures as I had planned on, I took a lot of basketball shots and a few others, so I am pirating pics from other people's files and facebook as we speak to share. I am doing two posts to get all the pictures somewhat together. This one will be of the grandkids and the next one will be of rock band/guitar hero, basketball, and other random shots. I had a great time with all my family and I am so thankful for them and that we all had the chance to be together.

Grandma went with Sarah and Mason to the er when he ran into a metal post at the church and cut his eye. Mason was a brave soul and endured the gluing of his eye shut along with the cut.

The grandkids had fun coloring placemats, decorating turkey cookies, playing basketball and other games, watching movies, doing a candy walk, and a gift exchange game.

Here is a group photo of some of them coloring their placemats.

Decorating turkey cookies: Order with parent in parentheses: Zadyn(Alisa); Logan(Jef); Mason(Cam); Braden(Cam); Bailee(Cam); Isaak(Jeremy); Kyler(Alisa); Cole(Jef)

Malia(Cam) I wish we would have gotten a pic of her playing Red Rover and Duck, Duck Goose, she was the star for sure!

Isaak with olives...like father, like son...loves those olives!

Three newest babies...Jeremy's Mikelle held by Collette; Jef's Ella held by her brother Logan, Alisa's Ryker

Kids making a basket...Grandma tried to get everyone while they were making the shot.

Braden(Cam); Cole(Jef); Logan(Jef); Mason(Jef); Avery(Alisa); Isaac(Jeremy); Kyler(Alisa); Bailee(Cam); Zadyn(Alisa)

Grandma loved having all 13 of her precious grandkids together and loved seeing them play and have a fun time toether.

More Thanksgiving Fun Times

2008-11-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

Dale carving and Cameron sampling
The Clark Family Rock Band: 1st two pics include L-Jeremy on guitar; Alisa on drums, Jef on vocals, and Cam on guitar and another of Alisa on drums. 2nd photo - Grant doing drums as son, Avery watches. 3rd -Mary keeping the beat. 4th - Chad, the "little" drummer boy-

Collette with Jeremy's Mikelle

Jeremy doing his balancing act with Mikelle.

Traditional basketball game with the Clark boys: Jef, Cameron, Jeremy, and Chad.

Julie's Birthday Celebration

2008-11-04T05:53:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, I was able to go to American Fork for my sister Julie's birthday. She loves this annual gathering of her family to help her celebrate. It was so great to see her and my family and to visit with each other. We all enjoyed watching Julie open her presents and of course all enjoyed eating birthday cake and ice cream. I was excited to see some of my nieces and nephews and some of their beautiful cnildren, too. A nice surprise was when my very special friend, Arlene Smith Heiner, dropped in to say hi. I mentioned on her blog that I was going to be there and told her to swing by if she could and she did! We missed Polly and Dave, they were away visiting their daughters and families, and Dix, who was in St. George with family. A big thank you to Collette and her friend Kellsy for driving me down and to my brothers and sister and their spouses for making this event such a special one for Julie and for all of us.

Sonya and Julie opening presents

l to r: Alex, Brent, and Dennis

Mark and Lori

my friend Arlene and I

front l ro r: Jenny holding Tosh, Julie, me, Mark and Alex; back: Katie, Adam, Kim holding Kayden, Andy, Betty, Dennis, Collette, Sonya, Lori, and Brent

Fun Times!

2008-10-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Alisa and Grant were able to get away together on a business trip for a few days, so Avery, Kyler, and Zadyn got to stay with Grandpa and Grandma. We had a fun time and stayed busy with their school work, watching movies, playing at the park, decorating Halloween cookies, going to the Jerome Homecoming parade and football game, and to the Farmer's Market, where they did a fun craft and helped Grandpa sell his bbq sauce.

This last one was on the parade route. We were sneaky and watched the beginning of the parade and then hurried and parked at the end to see it again. Jeremy and Sarah came for the weekend, too, and we had a fun visit with them and their cute Mikelle and Isaak. They are growing up fast, too!Last night for our YSA branch, we had a fun pumpkin carving Family Home Evening. Thanks to my friend, Cathy, for taking these pics for the branch history and for you all to see what a great group of young people we have! Pictured here are: Collette and Maria; me, Katherine, Matt, and Stan in the background; the whole group and their creations.

Check out my last weekend blog on The Clark Family Blog

2008-10-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Conference Weekend

2008-10-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

I love fall! I know this is mainly due to the fact that my Mother loved this season as well. I love the beginning of October as I watch with excitement as the leaves begin to turn and as our pumpkins and winter squash mature. And it also means that we get to watch General Conference. This is something that our family has enjoyed doing together over the years, sometimes living in areas where we could only hear it on the radio or watch limited sessions on a local TV channel. When Dale was Stake Media Chairman, we would go faithfully to the stake center with him and watched the sessions as he recorded them for stake and ward libraries. This continued even after he was released until we got dish network.
Our young single adult branch were given some conference tickets this rotation and it didn’t take us long to work out schedules and arrangements so we could make the trip down to Salt Lake and watch two sessions in the Conference Center. We had only been to conference there in the center one other time some years ago when Collette was away at school, so we were glad that she had that Saturday off from work so she could go with us. Pouring rain didn’t damper our spirits as we made our way to the Conference Center Saturday morning. We arrived early so that we didn’t have to be too far up in the balcony section. For those of you that have had the privilege of attending conference live, you know how great it is to watch down front as General Authorities and church leaders come in and take their seats while the MoTab quietly rehearses. There aren’t words to describe the feelings that come over you when the choir stands as signal for all to stand and the entire place simultaneously becomes silent as the prophet and his counselors walk in. Tears came to my eyes and the Spirit bore witness to me that President Monson indeed is a prophet of God. We so enjoyed listening to all the inspired speakers and music and there is just something about being there in person that makes it extra special…(and the fact that I stayed awake through it all!). We were able to watch the afternoon session with my sister Polly and her family in Sandy and then eat and visit. This was a treat for me, as I don’t get to Utah as often as I would like and see my family.

(l to r - Will, Paul, Joel, David, and Dale)

Dale went to the priesthood session with David and his three sons as we girls had a wonderful visit. Polly had just been to her high school reunion, so we laughed and reminisced over the class photo she had and memories of those younger years. It is always such an emotional and spiritual rejuvenation for me to share experiences and common convictions with my strong, special sister. Sunday morning, we had to be in our seats before Music and the Spoken Word began its broadcast.

We were pretty excited to hear this program live and it was touching to hear the commentator talk about a story of service to orphans that paralleled a similar experience Collette had on her trip to China with the BYU-H choir. It was just as powerful the second time we stood and reverenced President Monson and others as they entered the center and my heart and spirit was full again as we witnessed first hand the Lord’s counsel through His servants. Walking through Temple Square after the session, we stopped and listened to the sister missionaries sing hymns and we were so thrilled to see and talk to the sister missionary from Denmark (back row first one on the left in blue) that came and helped out with the Twin Falls Temple Open House. She was the missionary who welcomed, explained procedures, and showed the video in many of the tour sessions that Dale and I led. Small world!

We were "true tourists" and had someone snap our picture. We listened to the afternoon session on the car radio as we drove home and feeling ever so blessed for our opportunity to attend and listen to conference and to be with family.

Staying Busy With Life

2008-10-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

Don't faint, whatever you do! I have been a bit lazy...well a lot of lazy...but I have the incentive back to blog again (thanks, Polly, for inspiring me to get moving!) A lot has happened in my life since the temple dedication and here are a few high lights.Some friends talked me into taking a new gym class for the month of September on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. I was ready for something different so eagerly signed up. On Mondays we did kick boxing and that was a challenge. The instructor really got into it, shouting and grunting incentives and she thought I was really getting into it, too, when I would scream out...she didn't know that it was from kicking the steel pole below the bag! But I just named my bag "frustrations" and mastered the punches. Wednesdays, we did some taibo (sp?) aerobics and that really was a workout, but much better than sweating with the oldies and Richard Simmons! Fridays, we did spinning. I really liked that, it was the easiest for me, seeing how I had already been doing 45 minutes on the eliptical machines upstairs. I decided that it was good to change it up again and signed up for the pilates class for October. After my first class, I thought I was going to die! It was the hardest class so far for me. I wanted to quit, but will keep trying. My friends are very encouraging and I will try not to be afraid of the instructor when she yells at me to keep my stomach in!
I have loved being in the temple every Thursday morning since it opened. I have done many names in initiatory and endowments sessions. I feel so at home there because of the connection from my open house and dedication experiences. It is a thrill to always see so many friendly and loving faces that I know from my stake serving and participating in sessions. Our young single adults have done baptisms and confirmations and have already participated in cleaning the temple one late evening. I feel so blessed to have a temple so close and I am just basking in the spirit and love I feel there.

Fall brings Book Club again and it's fun meeting with friends to discuss interesting books and current issues. We've discussed the delightful book, The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith while enjoying yummy German chocolate cake. I will be reviewing the next book entitled Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Queen Noor. This author is Lisa Halaby, the distinguished Arab-American who married King Hussein of Jordan and became Noor Al Hussein, Queen of Jordan. Here are pictures of our Tuesday Book Club.

Other books that we will be discussing this year are: the children's book, Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare; Winners Never Cheat by Jon Huntsman; The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson, and Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. In December, we have a tasters lunch of favorite holiday recipes and donate money to our local library for a new book.

We had the chance to go to General Conference this past weekend, so stay tuned...that will be my next blog.

An Awe-inspiring Experience

2008-09-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Finally, I am able to sit down and blog my wonderful experience with our Twin Falls Temple dedication. They had such a grand write-up in the Church News about it, I hope that you can all read that. I still can't believe it sometimes that it is over, but we are so grateful to have our temple completed, dedicated, and up and running.

On the morning of the dedication, Dale, Collette, and I went in to the stake center to view the cornerstone dedication via satellite that Bonneville was taping for the 14 stake area. We went about an hour early to secure a good seat and as we sat there listening to the feed of hymns playing along with a prepared video of our temple inside and out, I grew more anxious and scared as time when on. I watched the procedures very carefully, especially the music part, so that I would know just what to do when our time came. When we saw President Monson come into the celestial room, I was overwhelmed, knowing that we would personally witness this in just a few hours. The music, talks, and dedicatory prayer were so inspirational. And of course the highlight was the Hosanna Shout. I was pretty nervous when the session was over and reminded to Dale that I would like a blessing. He asked a friend, Gordon Ford, a counselor in the Stake Presidency, to help and Gordon invited us all to go to the stake offices. Our stake president and his other counselor, also very good friends, arrived there shortly after. Within minutes, the entire stake presidency, along with Dale, participated in the blessing. My stake president, Paul Tateoka, gave me an incredible blessing of comfort and peace. He then blessed Collette. I was calm and felt I could do the task before me with faith and trust in the Lord's guidance.

We warmed up and rehearsed in the stake center at 3:30 and then walked over to the temple. We were instructed to be there 30 minutes prior to the start. It was amazing to be in the temple and to walk right up to the celestial room. Dale was able to be in the celestial room and sit by me close to the organ. I programed all the stops for the organ as we practiced earlier in the week and began to play prelude. My fingers were a bit shaky at first, but I settled down pretty quickly. I was nervous still, but my stomach wasn't as upset, even with the camera close by. Ten minutes before the start, I could hear it turn and zoom in on me a couple of times. I really wasn't told at anytime during the whole training and rehearsal process just when to start or stop the music. I took my cue from the morning session I watched, so when the people stood up in the celestial room and the brethren walked in and then everyone sat down again, that's when the organ music stopped. It was electrifying when the people stood up and the prophet and those with him walked into the room. I could not see them because my music books were too tall and I didn't want to mess up the notes by looking away! I could feet the spirit so strong. I ended the prelude and began to arrange for the first hymn. I heard President Neilson, who was sitting by Dale, whisper to me after a few very silent moments..."Sister Clark, you have about 4 more minutes..." The brethren were early this time, so I put my prelude book up and played another song or two. I was a little embarrassed, but I hoped those viewing it would think it was "technical difficulties". The second little glitch came during the first song when I tried to play on the upper register for the softer parts and it blared out louder than the intended softer sound, but only those close to the organ may have noticed. I felt the impression to stay on the bottom keyboard after it happened again on the next song and not worry about the top one. I was a little frustrated and to be honest, I probably didn't get everything I could out of the experience and what was said because of my worrying about technical things. Didn't I get a blessing and shouldn't everything be working perfectly? It came to me that even though things didn't go as smoothly as I was hoping, what I did was acceptable to the Lord and everyone there. Talking to people afterwards, they didn't notice a thing. I didn't play wrong notes that I was aware of and the choir was so wonderful. I remembered also that it sounded so much louder to me with the external speakers right below me, so it turned out okay. I was so grateful to be in the celestial room and to play the organ. It was inspiring to be in the presence of the prophet, he looked very tired to me, but it was the 4th session of a very long day. His daughter was with him as Sister Monson was ill. She told of how Sister Monson washed and packed everything for Pres. Monson so he could go. The dedicatory prayer was so awesome, I am glad I can reread and study it again. I stood and did the Hosanna Shout and then hurried to get on the organ for the song. I think we rattled the chandelier! During the closing song, there were many quiet sobs heard, the spirit was so strong. I was very touched and overwhelmed. I loved the experience now that I can reflect back and see things for what they were, not for how I perceived them at the time. Thank you for all your support, I definitely know I was given much "outside" help to do what I did.

Going now to the temple is such a unique experience because of all that I was involved with as it became a reality. Giving tours, taking friends through, practicing and then playing in the celestial room, it all makes it feel so much like "my" temple. I looked in the corner of the celestial room after our first session where the organ was and will probably always look there and remember the humbling experience I had and thank my Heavenly Father for the talents he has blessed me with.

Playing the organ in the celestial room...

2008-08-20T13:26:00.001-07:00

It was a very exciting day yesterday for me and a very anxious day, as well. I was able to go to our new temple and practice on the organ preparing for the dedication session this Sunday. Because we do not have a chapel waiting area with an organ in this smaller temple, they brought one in for the dedication and placed it in the celestial room. All the furniture and plants were moved out (by some of our fantastic YSA Elders). The director of our choir and some other organists and I thought through where the organ would be best positioned as it has no external speakers. They are located on the inside in the front of the organ. It was placed by the wall in the corner so that the speakers would come back to the wall and carry the sound around so that the choir could hear it best. But, the problem is that the organist hears the sound very loud and it was very difficult for me to get a feel for how loud I should play. It sounds way too loud, but then you are hearing all the sound as it comes from the organ. We got all the stops figured out, it is a different organ than I am used to playing. It has two volume pedals, one for the great registry (keyboard on the bottom) and one for the swell (keyboard on the top). I was stressing to keep moving back and forth from the other as I practiced playing from one register to the other with the different verses. I stayed an extra hour practicing...just me in the celestial room playing. People would come and peek in, like the workers who were touching up paint and nicks on the wall from the open house and those who were getting things set up for the dedication. I felt very overwhelmed because I just kept thinking about how was I going to play for the dedication session with the prophet and other leaders there, members from our stake, and I would only have one other time to play, that evening when our choir did a run through. I decided to say a quick prayer before I left to ask Heavenly Father to please bless me that my efforts would be okay. I dedicated my upcoming performance to Him and thanked Him for the opportunity to play and for the talents He gave me. I felt much better as I left.
Before our choir began rehearsing that evening, the organist from the previous choir was commenting about the organ as I was setting up my music. She just happened to mention how you had to play both volume pedals at the same time, place your foot in the middle of both of them and then you didn't have to move from pedal to pedal each time you moved from the keyboards. Wow! That was such an enlightening thing for me. It made all the difference in the world, I could just pedal like I was used to with one pedal. It was a bit awkward at first to feel and push them both down, but with keeping my shoe on, I could do it! (I usually take my shoes off to play). I was grateful that this organist felt the need to mention that technique to me.
Collette and I and the other choir members had a great rehearsal and the sound was incredible. It echoed because of the emptiness of the room, they hadn't gotten all the chairs in yet. So we had to remember to adjust whatever we were doing to how it was going to be with many chairs and lots of people inside. They kept telling me to play louder and louder...needless to say I had a slight headache when I was through, but I know the Lord will bless me to remember just where to place the volume pedals down for the right levels. The Hosanna Shout blew me away. I had to play so loud that I thought the chandelier would break!
It is going to be a wonderful and very spiritual experience this Sunday. As mentioned before, we do the last session which will be broadcast to all the stakes outside our temple district. Chad will be able to see it at his stake center in Pocatello.
May I ask all of you to keep me in your prayers for Sunday, I would appreciate it.
Can't wait to blog about the experience next week.!

Montana birthday and blessing

2008-08-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

We had a great time traveling to Montana to be part of the Orr birthday and blessing weekend. It was great weather and we went up through Cascade this time to enjoy the scenery. (We usually go around on flat, boring roads to temper the motion sickness.) Zadyn had a fun birthday and really had fun with all her presents. She clung to Grandpa Clark for the weekend, he thought that was pretty special. Her princess crown cake was a huge hit with all the cousins and George's dutch oven peach cobbler seemed to be a bigger hit for the adults. Everyone loved roasting smores over the firepit, too. For those of us that ate way too much, we went for an evening walk with Alisa, Ryker, and Zadyn. They have a nice walking path that runs around their subdivision and further up to a creek bed. Zadyn loves throwing rocks.
I was a bit jealous because Ryker smiled ALL the time at Collette and I could only manage a few smiles for Grandma...must be losing my touch! Sunday was special with Ryker being blessed. Grant gave a beautiful blessing and I was so proud of him. He is serving in the bishopric in their ward and he gives countless hours of service. He was conducting and all of their music people were out of town, so I was able to help him out and played the organ for sacrament meeting. We rocked on Called to Serve for the closing song!
We feasted on pulled bbq pork with salads, watermelon, etc and etc...as we sat outside in 70 degree weather, visiting and enjoying the day.
Here are a few pictures I took...Collette took most of them so we'll get her posting some more on her blog.

We so enjoy our trips...few as they are...to visit Alisa and family. Looking forward to having the kids come spend a week with Grandma in October.

Loving the Grandma Visits

2008-08-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

Being a Grandma is such a wonderful thing...I only wish all of my grandchildren were closer. I spent last week at Jeremy and Sarah's helping with Mikelle. She is such a sweet little baby girl. Big brother Isaak loved watching movies with Grandma and taking our daily walks to the park for lunch. The school district there brings around a mini school bus that serves lunch to any kids that come from age 1 to 19. And they were great lunches! They featured a main item, such as a ham and cheese sandwich, pizza stick, corn dob, cheeseburger, etc. They served milk and juice, with some kind of fruit snack and a chips snack. Isaak loved climbing on the playground and going down the slides over and over and when his energy was spent, we got his lunch and he enjoyed eating it at the park. We played outside in the cool of the evening and went one night to watch Jeremy play league softball. I loved rocking Mikelle and of course Isaak wanted Grandma to rock him, too.Isaak loves to hold his little sister and give her kisses, but sometimes shows her just how much he loves her a litttle too hard, but he is learning. Sarah is doing remarkably well and is a very patient mother. We are looking forward to seeing them all again the first of September when Mikelle will be blessed.

"Swinging" Weekend

2008-07-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

We had the chance to go to Pocatello last Friday to visit with family. We stayed at Jeremy and Sarah's on our way to Utah Saturday for Dale's nephew's wedding in American Fork. Alisa and Grant were in Idaho Falls to go to the temple, so they met us at the Blackfoot Park Friday evening, a fun mid-way place to let the kids play together and all visit. Uncle Chad was a hit and the kids enjoyed going down the slide train- style with him. They loved to swing and thanks to Aunt Collette, we have these great pictures.
Little Ryker is really growing up fast! He loves to be outside with everyone. We enjoyed going to Burger King after and getting some yummy ice cream.

The wedding Saturday morning in the Mount Timpanogas Temple was very beautiful. We enjoyed visiting with Dale's family, we don't get to do that very often. We stopped and had a nice visit with my sister, Julie. She is always so glad to see us and fills me in on what is going on in AF and all about the family there.
We are headed up Pocatello way again this weekend to see our new little Mikelle and to do the farmer's market in Idaho Falls Saturday morning.

Baptism and Blessing

2008-07-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

This was a special weekend for the Clark family. Jef and Sarah's oldest boy, Logan, was baptized Saturday the 5th at their Stake center in Kuna. Jef did a beautiful job with the baptism and confirmation, I was very proud of him. Logan was so excited and I am very proud of him, too. It certainly is a milestone when your first grandchild is baptized. Sarah will blog more details and pictures.

After dinner at their house, we all went swimming in the motel where we were staying. I had a fun and busy time taking turns zooming Malia and Cole around in the pool. Chad pretty well kept everyone wet with his cannonballs. I can't believe what little fishes my grandkids are!

Ella was blessed Sunday in their ward and Chad, Dale, and Cameron stood in the circle from our family. Jefrey gave a beautiful blessing and Sarah bore a wonderful testimony. This sweet granddaughter is number 11 of the 13 grandchildren that we will have by the end of this month. After lunch we took pictures, here are a few that I liked.Thanks Sarah for suggesting this one of Jef, Ella, and me.

I liked these with Grandpa posing with his grandchildren, as it is a rare occurance that he gets the chance to do so. They all love their grandpa very much.

I love all of our family very much. They are so special to me and I am so grateful that we have the chance to be a forever family.

Fun on the 4th of July

2008-07-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

We celebrated the 4th of July at Cameron and Mary's. We barbequed in the back yard, it really is looking great with Mary's beauitful flowers and their newly- stained fence that they worked hard on earlier that day. Bailee wanted me to watch a movie they recorded from the Disney channel called "Camp Rock" that we saw the previews of when I tended them a while back, so we watched it in Braden's room. Even when the kids got tired of it, I just had to finish it, even though it had a predictable teeny-bopper plot and the Joshua Brothers saving the day! We walked to a dead-end street near their house and watched the fireworks from CSI at dark and then finished off the evening with Cameron and Chad firing off some fun ones in front of their house. I took my camera but relaxed so much that I didn't take any pictures. Mary took some and I think she will post them. (I did make a festive "Wave Your Flag" cake from a recipe out of a magazine...put that one in Mary, if it turned out). Thanks for a great time!

Grandma Trip

2008-07-02T11:03:00.000-07:00

I loved my trip to Montana to Alisa's and was blessed to be able to fly there and spend 12 days. I only get to visit there maybe once or twice a year, so this was a special time. I was so glad to help with cute little Ryker and have so much fun with Avery, Kyler, and Zadyn. I mostly played with the kids while Mom tried to rest when Ryker rested. In the mornings we went for walks or rode bikes on their bike path; jumped on the trampoline; enjoyed swinging; played baseball and school; and weeded in the garden a few rows everyday. After lunch, we went downstairs and "rested" (I think Grandma was the only one who closed her eyes for any length of time) and watched a movie, we took turns choosing. We went to the library after Ryker's check-up one day and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows on their portable fire pit one evening. It warmed up enough to run through the sprinkler and play in the pool. Ryker is very lucky to have such attentive brothers and sister, they always loved singing and reading to him. Here are a few pictures that I took, you can tell Ryker has changed, as new babies do, in the time I was there. Looking forward to his blessing in August and celebrating Zadyn's birthday.

Love Being a Grandma!

2008-06-16T15:56:00.001-07:00

Because I will be gone to Montana on Bailee's birthday, I invited her to a sleep over at Grandma's and then a day of lunch and shopping for her birthday. We had a very fun time and we like to bake treats. She loves to do everything and is good at it, she even brought her cute apron she bought at the farmer's market. We decided on snickerdoodle cookies and you can see how yummy they turned out. She took some home to share, especially for her Dad for Father's Day. She chose a Kung Fu Panda Happy Meal at McDonalds after shopping at WalMart to pick out presents for her and Malia. We like to shop as well as bake!

Friday, we headed to Pocatello for Isaak's birthday at Ross Park. Everyone enjoyed a chicken dinner and my favorite... bakery birthday cake. He loved running around with his cousins. Jef and family were there and favorite uncle Chad. Sarah's family were all there, too and it was a great time.

We did the Idaho Falls farmer's market Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day, one of the best they've had all week, considering they got snow there a few days before. We sold lots of sauce and we always get a kick out of people watching.

Next Grandma stop....Montana! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Love to you all....will blog my trip when I get back.

CATCHING UP!

2008-06-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Well..it's been a long time since I blogged anything and hard getting back to it. I get that mind set where if I don't have pictures, I think I can't blog. Lots has happened since April and I don't even know if I can remember all the happenings I would like to post, but I will mention some highlights.

I have enjoyed playing the piano for the Jerome High School Choirs again this year and Collette and I had a fun time as chaperones when they went on their Lagoon trip and competition. Collette blogged about this and posted my cheesy stage appearance, so enough said about that. We had another fun and very successful Idaho Falls Farmer's Market selling our bbq sauce on May 17th and Dale set up and sold at the Twin Falls Market by CSI for the first time on the 10th when we were in Utah. He had a great first time and sold lots of sauce. We had a big day at the kitchen in Caldwell making sauce on the 23rd. We did over 1200 bottles. We were hoping Sarah would have her baby that weekend and I could just stay, but I guess I needed to go back home and speak at the baptism that Saturday of our dear neighbors' daughter-in-law, Ashley Pickett Dale was able to ordain her husband, Ronald, an Elder on Sunday and then we all witnessed Ron confirming her and then blessing their little daughter. Collette and I went to the Boise Temple on the 27th and I planned to just stay as the baby was scheduled to come on the 29th. The doctor allowed Sarah to have her on the 27th, so it was exciting to welcome Ella Nanine on that day. I was thankful to help Jef and Sarah when Ella was born, it was fun to be there with the boys. They sure were excited and loved going to the hospital with me to see her. I also took them to karate, went to the park, watched ball games, helped construct legos ( Mason and I did the car in the picture) and watched movies. Friday night, Jef and I rocked out to some of his songs he has been working on with his new electric guitar, I jammed on the piano and it was a blast. We played them for Dale when he came to get me Saturday.

Two grandchilden graduated from Kindergarten in May. I wasn't able to see Bailee as it was the same day Ella was born. Congrats to her and Mason. I was able to go see Mason with Jef and Cole. They are growing up and are very smart, as ALL of my beautiful grandchildren are!!!

I have been rehearsing Sunday afternoons as the organist with our tri-stake dedication choir that will sing on August 24th at the Twin Falls Temple dedication. They have been intense practices, but will pay off when we are privileged to sing. Dale and I have attended tour guide training and our stakes' days are July 16th and August 2nd. We found out Sunday that President Monson will be here with the other authorities. Our YSA branch will get to help pass out shoe coverings on the day that the 70's come and give the VIP tour in July. These experiences will be remembered for a life time.

Collette did a stellar performance on June 5th for her recital. I was so proud of her and felt honored to play the piano for her. We were pretty nervous for the performance, but Chad and Dale gave us blessings and the Lord really was in charge that night as we dedicated the concert to Him. Chad was here for the weekend and his friend Bailee, we hasn't been home for a visit in a long time. We tended Cam and Mary's kids this past Saturday as they attended a wedding in Sun Valley. They were good kids and they loved spending time with Chad and Collette, too.

Sunday was a very surprising day for us. I don't take my cell phone to church and didn't check it when we got home around 1:30. Alisa called shortly after and said she tried calling us to let us know that our grandson, Ryker Thomas was born at 8:20 that morning. I was so surprised, as we had just talked on Thursday and scheduled my flight for the 17th to be there when she had the baby on the 20th. But we were so glad that everything turned out okay as she had it c-section. We decided that I would just keep my frequent flyer flight as it wouldn't be cost effective to try to change it and Grant would be back to work when I got there, so could be a better help then.

This weekend we are going to Pocatello to celebrate Isaak's birthday Friday and do the Farmer's Market on Saturday. Then Collette flies out to Hawaii on Monday, I, to Montana on Tuesday, and then Dale to Mexico for work on the 23rd. So, I will be back posting the end of the month.

April 26th - Special Day: Birthday Celebration and the Barbeque Season Just Got Better!

2008-04-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 26th marked the first official Farmer's Market in Idaho Falls. It was a chilly 32 degrees at 9am and only about half the vendors that usually come showed up. But Habby Too was there and ready to get everyone started with the best sauce for their barbeque season! I was glad that our booth faced the sun so we could stay warm for the first few hours until it gradually warmed up a bit. We actually sold more this first market day than we did last year. It was rewarding to have repeat customers come and request their favorites sauces. Chad and his friend Bailey came with us and Bailey's family, who live in Idaho Falls, came and checked us out. We were pleased that they bought a bottle of sauce...should I take stock in that for any reason??? Jeremy, Sarah, and Isaak came later. Isaak loves the market because he can sample all the tasty things and see the ducks on the water behind our booth. It was Chad's birthday, so we went to a fun pizza place called Craigos...all you can eat pizza, salad and pasta bar. They made it special for Chad's day with a balloon, an ice cream treat, and they even sang Happy Birthday to him. It was a fantastic day and we are looking forward to our next market day in May when we can talk to people about our sauce and spend time with our family there.

55 is great!

2008-04-21T09:10:00.001-07:00

My oh my...never thought I would be saying that! Since turning 52, when ever anyone that would be brave enough to ask how old I was, I would unequivocally answer with a laugh the reverse number of my age...25, and then the next year, 35. I have to admit last year I cringed a little with 45. So, ha...this year it was straight up 55...couldn't reverse that one. I have never been one to fuss over my own birthday, who does? I love fussing over other birthdays, but my own...well, it just comes and goes and life goes on. Although this year I was deeply touched with all the fun gifts, cards, greetings, and calls that I received for my birthday. I was shown again on this birthday that I have a caring, supportive family and lots of good friends…all of whom continually touch my life in so many ways. Thanks to all who made this 55 year old feel special.

Here are some pictures that Dale took with his phone - I forgot the camera AGAIN - celebrating at Chiles restaurant in Twin Falls on Thursday of last week with Cameron's family.

Uplifted and Replenished

2008-04-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

What a glorious conference! I have anticipated watching this conference for a while now and hunkered down in my chair for the weekend with my pen and notebook in hand (I still enjoy taking notes). I was in awe of the Solemn Assembly in the Saturday morning session. What a great privilege it was to stand with Relief Society sisters all over the world and sustain our beloved Prophet and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. The Spirit bore witness to me that we are led by the Lord's anointed. There was such a tremendous spirit about this conference, as was mentioned several times. You could see and feel the mantle that rested on President Monson. I loved it when he invoked his blessings upon us and encouraged us to move forward together in this great work. And I was overwhelmed with the powerful mantle that Pres. Uchdorf emulated as he conducted and instructed us. He has been a great speaker, but now he is even more so. The calling of the new apostle, Elder Christofferson, was exciting to me because his talks have been favorites of mine to use in Seminary. I loved seeing Elder Wirthlin sitting in his chair and stronger than last conference. Each talk just radiated the Spirit and the counsel to strengthen our testimony was a reoccurring theme. I felt such love for my parents as Pres. Uchdorf spoke of "Faith of our Fathers". Sister Tanner, that was released as General YW's Pres., spoke of several of the things that I delight in as well. The new YW Presidency certainly presented themselves well at the press conference. I could go on and on about each talk, but will spare you that. There were "rapid fire mesages" that Pres. Monson described, but we certainly feasted well on the "smorgesboard" of counsel we received. I didn't know anything about his beloved wife being in a coma from her fall, but his sense of humor and love came through so lovingly. What an example to us. I took courage when he said he prayed for us and rededicated my commitment to continue to pray for him. Goosebumps are one of the strong ways that I feel the Spirit, and I certainly felt "chilled" and thrilled so much during this conference. I hope you all enjoyed it, too.

A Very Special Date

2008-03-17T07:31:00.001-07:00

The long anticipated dates for the open house and dedication of our Twin Falls Temple came Sunday morning. My daughter Alisa called about 9 am with the exciting news. Yea, she is in Montana and she read the news online on the temple update site and called to see if I knew. I checked the Magic Valley newspaper online and they had this beautiful picture of the temple with the wonderful announcements of the dates. Open house for general public will be July 11 through August 18th. The youth production will be Saturday, August 23. The dedication of our temple will be on Sunday, August 24, a very special date for Dale and I. We are so excited that the church will be celebrating with us our 35th wedding anniversary! We are looking forward to serving as open house guides and Collette and I will begin rehearsing in a couple of weeks for the dedication choir that we are involved in. This is such a tremendous blessing for us and we are grateful to have this beautiful temple in our midst.

Another Busy Weekend!

2008-03-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Jeremy and Sarah, for letting us stay at your place Thursday night, we had a great visit and loved being with you. Sarah is feeling pretty good and looking "swell". They are welcoming a little girl in July. We certainly don't get there often enough, but that will change come next month when we begin our bbq sauce markets in IF.Isaak is such a goof ball...just like his Dad! The shirt says it all, doesn't it? Dual meaning, with the antics of an active little boy and the schedule of a Dad in grad student and a Mom working nights. Isaak loves his Uncle Chad and Aunt Collette and is a ham posing for the camera. Chad and Collette downloaded some great songs on my MP3 player for the gym. I just love these two crazy kids, they keep us in stitches!
We attended the temple marriage in Idaho Falls Friday morning of one of Chad's best friends and two of our wonderful young single adults that have been serving faithfully in the branch. We love seeing them come and hate seeing them go. We then traveled home in time for a baptism of a dear friend's husband in 5th ward Friday evening. Saturday brought the annual piano Music Festival that I help run in the morning and a bridal shower for another special young single adult in the afternoon. Chad and a fellow groomsman at the reception Saturday evening. He had so many funny responses to all the questions of the guests when they asked him when he was getting married. I so enjoy being with family and love all the events that we are so fortunate to be able to participate in. We are truly blessed.

We dont need FEMA when we have YSA'S!

2008-02-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

Last night for Branch Family Home Evening, our wonderful young single adults came to the rescue of our 1st counselor in the branch presidency and his wife. The accumulated snow that built up around their house melted at such a rapid rate with temperatures getting in the lower 50's. The ground is still pretty much frozen so the melt had nowhere to go, except through a window and in their basement. The impact actually broke their window and water went everywhere....about 3 inches! About 16 young people went over and after accessing the situation, immediately set up a "bucket brigade" of people from downstairs up to the garage to carry stuff from the basement rooms and went to work.(Collette is at the bottom of the stairs.) Boxes and boxes of storage, toys, crafts, furniture, etc. were taken out and they were glad to have lots of helping hands and strong muscles.Service Master Carpets was there steadily pumping water out as our YSA's got everything else out that needed to be removed. The pictures really don't show all the horrendous damage of bark, leaves, broken glass, etc. in the smaller bedrooms.

Our girls gave out the message that hey...don't mess with us! (Collette, far right, in a favorite attitude pose of hers!) Our great YSA's certainly know how to give service, work hard, play, and have fun together. We love and appreciate all they did to help the Lott's in their time of need.

Weekend Update

2008-02-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

Another fun weekend to blog about, probably dull to most, but fun for us. Friday night found us with no basketball games to announce, we are officially done for the season. So, I talked Dale into going to Walmart...whoopee... to do some much needed shopping for the weekend. He is a good sport and he actually bought a movie he was looking for. I was telling him about the new chocolate individual serving dessert snacks that they now feature in the stores to satisfy your cravings with only the touch of your microwave. We didn't buy any, however, but he came up with his own decadent chocolate pudding cake delight that was probably better than what the store offers and it made watching the 10 o'clock news definately more exciting! On the Saturday mornings that we are home, Dale always fixes me some healthy wholegrain wheat pancakes for breakfast with sugar free syrup and they are yummy (we have to do something in the name of good health after our Friday night treats). After breakfast, we finished up some shopping in Twin Falls so that we would be home for a visit from Jef's famly after lunch. Sarah's sister, Wendy, had her baby and they were coming to Jerome to see her new little girl, Kady K. We were glad to see our Kuna family again, even if just for a few hours. We headed to Hazelton to our Stake Valentine dinner and enjoyed visiting with some of our 5th ward friends that we don't see much. They had a fantastic program, a musical family from Buhl with 11 children, most adopted from Haiti, that sang and performed with numerous instruments. It was impressive to see the talent of these children and what they had been taught from their musical parents...not only singing and performing, but love and togetherness. When we got home, I noticed that the Halmark channel had a movie on that I haven't seen yet from a series that I love, the Sarah, Plain and Tall movies with Glenn Close and Christopher Walken. They had what I assume was the third one??... "Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter's End." We were enjoying it when all of a sudden at around 11:30pm the power went out and we were sitting in the dark. We scrambled to get our flashlights and candles lit. When Collette got home from her evening out, we were sitting talking and waiting for the power to be restored and heard a strange noise. Dale thought it was probably the dairy's generator coming on down the road, but it kept getting louder and louder. I joked that maybe we were being invaded as we figured out that it was a helicopter, but sad to realize it was the life flight helicopter. We noticed looking out our back window that there was a terrible accident involving hitting a power pole a mile north as we saw numerous cop car lights flashing and the ones from the helicopter. We figured the power wouldn't be coming on anytime soon and went to bed. Sunday was a great day, Collette sang a solo in sacrament meeting and Chad came around supper time from Pocatello. We haven't seen Chad since Christmas. He went with us to a Young Single Adult Root Beer Float Game night at the Branch's 1st counselor's home. We laughed and played fun games, such as Tabu and Mad Gab with 13 young singles. And it's always fun when Chad and Collette are together on a team! Monday, Chad visited the dentist and then he and Collette went to lunch before he had to leave in the afternoon. Jerome schools have a three day break, so Collette headed to Pocatello to visit Jeremy, Sarah, and Isaak and her good friend, Celestia for a couple of days. So, it is quiet at the home front once again...for a few days, anyway.

Weekend in Kuna

2008-02-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

I finally got the chance to get away…yay! Yes, get out of the house, where I’ve sort of been cooped up, mainly by choice, on account of snowy and icy roads, further than a trip to town or Twin for a short shopping binge. Dale and I traveled to Kuna on Friday afternoon to Jef and Sarah’s for a Habby Too business meeting and playtime with the grandkids. And of course I forgot my camera and Sarah’s wasn’t working, but I can still blog without pictures! We were so happy to see them and catch up on that has been going on up their way since Christmas. Logan played two piano pieces for us that he has memorized for his upcoming music festival next month. He is becoming quite the piano player and has his Dad’s rhythm. Jef has been working hard on his guitar and we talked him into playing it for us. I was very impressed with his Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”, especially the single note solo parts. He certainly is my “guitar hero”. Mason showed us the books he got at a fun book exchange, so I read some great stories to the boys before dinner. One was a book about lightening and thunder and how you can create your own sparks by shuffling your feet on the carpet and then touching metal. Grandpa demonstrated this very well and was shocking their fingers, they almost thought he was magic! Cole was very interested in a book about a dinosaur and he told me all about it several times after dinner during the business meeting and while the other boys were watching a movie.
Saturday morning, we went with Sarah to their stake center to watch the Church’s Worldwide Training meeting. I loved it and especially liked the fact that they presented perspective to the young single adults on how they can build up a righteous posterity. It was a thrill to listen to our prophet, President Monson, address the adults of the church for the first time since he was sustained as the prophet.
After the meeting, we ate lunch and then played some fun games on their intendo Wii. I was fascinated with the interaction play and had a blast bowling. I hadn’t bowled in years! Logan beat me, I think about 120 to 95. Jef beat Dale by three pins in a close one. Jef was the baseball winner, but Mason and Logan really know how to play these games. I tried tennis, but hey…I admit that I am a spectator there. Jef programmed some favorite music of mine on a mini mp3 player that he had so that I could take it to the gym and really rock out. He also gave me an arm band to wear and a cable to access it to the computer for future programming. (*I wore it this morning and it was so cool to have my hands free for ALL of the workout… Again, a big thanks, Jef)
We hated to say goodbye after such a short visit, but we needed to get to the temple and then home. It was such a beautiful, sunny day in Boise…58 degrees…“balmy” enough to run around without a coat. The temple was beautiful and I got to sit by Dale because the session was completely full. We decided on our way home to text some of our young single adults to see if any of them would like to meet us at Appleby’s in Twin Falls for dinner. Collette got off work at 7:00 and she met us there, along with 4 others. It is always fun times hanging out with those young singles.
Such a fun weekend, packed full of great things that reminded me of what is important in my life and what I am very thankful for.

Our Beloved Prophet

2008-02-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

I was so glad and felt very blessed to be able to watch the funeral proceedings of President Gordon B. Hinckley broadcast on BYU-TV. It was such a spiritual and uplifting funeral and so many things touched me that I heard and saw throughout the services. I hope you don't mind a lengthy blog here with my feelings about it.
It was a joy for me to see and hear Jane Clayson Johnson as one of the commentators for the funeral. As you remember, she was a successful news anchor that received a lot of worldly criticism when she left her career as she married to raise a family. I was one of her faithful fans and enjoyed watching her when she was on The Early Show on CBS. I thought then what a great example she was of the church. Just like at President’s Faust’s funeral, the apostles lined up on both sides of the entryway where the family and casket came into the Conference Center. It was such a powerful thing to see those great men who loved and served President Hinckley all stand together in reverence for him and his family. I felt their strength and love.
I was touched when President Monson, at the beginning of the funeral, recognized President Hinckley’s bishop and stake president sitting on the stand. I wondered what that would be like, to be the bishop of the Prophet of God. It really strengthened my testimony of how church organization functions the same everywhere. Ever since I watched an entertaining and quite humorous Education Week presentation by Sister Marjorie Hinckley and her daughters at a Relief Society retreat years ago, I have admired and appreciated President’s Hinckley’s daughters. They have truly honored and taken care of their parents in their advancing years and more so since their mother died. I was so touched with daughter Virginia Pearce’s talk about her father and how, after the death of his wife and his deep grief and mourning, President Hinckley took the added compassion and faith deeply carved in his heart, put on his shoes, and went to work. He did so two years later after his diagnosis with cancer…mourned the loss of his good health and then put on his shoes and went to work. That gave me courage to commit everyday to put on my shoes every morning and go to work! I was touched when H. David’s Burton mentioned in his talk that within minutes of the announcement of the death of President Hinckley how the airwaves were full of text messages around the globe from the youth of the church. How he loved the youth! I do, too, and instantly remembered how many texts we received that Sunday evening from our young single adult branch members within minutes of when we heard the sad news.
I was touched by Earl C. Tingey’s talk that focused on the footprints on the sand of President Hinckley. One that I especially appreciated was the prophet’s sense of humor. I have always loved President Hinckley’s humor and wit and recalled how many times he taught others that a sense of humor is what gets you through life. How very true that is because I have had to rely on humor in many troubled and hard times.
I was touched when Boyd K. Packer reminded us of how the succession of the church works and remembered that Dale taught that very thing at branch FHE last Monday night. He also asked the young single adults to pray for three things : for the Hinckley family; for strength for President Monson; and for the testimony that President Monson is the Lord’s choice for the next prophet. I took his counsel and was blessed with powerful spiritual impressions. I was touched when Henry B.Eyring reminded us that President Hinckley always optimistically counseled, ”things will work out” and, from encouragement from his own father in the mission field, to “forget yourself and go to work”. Elder Eyring told us that President Hinckley had been doing that ever since and had put the gospel of Jesus Christ "down in his heart" and encouraged Elder Eyring when he served in the Church Education System to teach seminary and youth leaders to teach the youth to get the gospel down in their hearts. I remembered that I received that counsel from Elder Eyring as a seminary teacher in a training session. Difficult task, but certainly worth it! President Hinckley taught us all to not only give our best, but our very best and there is not a better way to do that than to put the gospel of Jesus Christ down in our hearts and to teach our beloved youth to do the same. Elder Eyring told us that President Hinckley wanted to be in Rexsburg for the dedication of the new temple there and I was a little saddened to realize that President Hinckley would not be at our temple dedication this summer. But I know he will be there in spirit and can I hope that President Monson will be there?
I felt the sweet, yet powerful witness that President Monson was indeed the next prophet of the church as I listened to his tribute to President Hinckley. Again, he lovingly spoke of the humorous side of the prophet and I loved his account of how his doctor, the same as President Hincklely, tried to get President Monson to tell the prophet how important it was that he use his cane to walk with instead of doing things with it like waving it and tapping people on the shoulder. President Monson then told the doctor that he was President Hinckley’s counselor and that he was his doctor, and that he tell him! I laughed and was reassured that our next prophet, President Monson, was obedient and had apparently taken the counsel of his beloved prophet and friend… to have a sense of humor to get you through the difficult times. I was touched when he quoted the scripture and gave counsel to President Hinckley’s posterity and that he gave to President Faust’s family at his funeral: New Testament - 3 John verse 4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." That is the same wish for all of us parents and I am thankful that my children have given me such great joy.
When President Monson quoted the words of the hymn, “God Be With You” that President Hinckley recently gave himself in a conference session and then bid tender farewell by saying, “Gordon, God be with you,” I wept. And never stopped as we watched the poignant pictures of President Hinckley’s legacy shown as the choir sang the beautiful closing song, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”. My testimony of the Savior’s resurrection and gift of eternal life was strengthened.
Again, I was so touched to see the apostles line up when the casket and family left the center, especially when one reached out and touched the casket in a loving gesture. To see many audience members wave white handkerchiefs reminded me of how President Hinckley and the saints worldwide did that very thing while parting.
At the graveside service, I smiled when President Monson lovingly reminded us that 2 out of the 3 in their former presidency were on the other side. He told of President Hinckley’s wish to have a box of dirt from England where he served his mission placed in his grave so that he could be buried on not only American soil, but also his beloved England’s soil. I, too, felt like I should leave “nothing undone” in my life and continue to keep going strong. I was mesmerized with the striking bagpipe player as he marched around and played a medley of some of President Hinckley’s favorite songs, (and mine) “O Danny Boy”, “Amazing Grace” and “Praise to the Man”. Such feelings of gratitude and love for our beloved President Hinckley were overwhelming and I wanted to “stand a little taller” and have the deep abiding faith that “it will work out” no matter what comes my way. I have no doubt in my mind that he is a prophet of God and that he rests with Him and with his cherished Marjorie. May we all support and sustain President Monson as he continues to love and guide the church.

Weekend at Grandma's

2008-01-29T16:20:00.001-08:00

Saturday was a fun day with Bailee and Braden. They hung out with Grandma and Grandpa while Mom, Dad, and Malia went to Boise. They brought all their snow gear and had fun climbing the remaining snow piles out front. We tried to sled down the backyard slope, but the snow was too dry and the sled kept stopping.
Bailee gave me a recipe before Christmas to make called Applesauce Muffins that she downloaded from one of her favorite sites. We decided to make it and they turned out yummy! Bailee and Braden helped measure all the ingredients, stir the batter, line the tins with cupcake papers, and then fill them with the batter. They decided to add some craisons, too. The hardest part was waiting for them to bake and then to cool before we could eat them.
We found some fun Valentine activities to do that I had saved that were left over from Primary Achievement Days. Bailee loves to do projects and made these adorable Valentine boxes. We also like to go through old Friend magazines and we cut and pasted stories on popcicle sticks.

Braden likes to play legos and always creates some great things with the legos from the toy closet.We had a "picnic" style lunch in the living room while we watched Scooby Doo cartoons. The yummy muffins were a great treat. It was a really fun day and we hope to do it again real soon. Not to leave out our sweet Malia, we had Cam's family over for Sunday dinner and I couldn't resist taking a picture of her enjoying the raspberry jello salad.

2008-01-21T17:04:00.000-08:00

Check out the Twin Falls Temple
update on the Clark Family blog.

2008 and counting....

2008-01-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

I am late with my New Year's greeting to everyone, but I still want to wish everyone a Happy 2008. I have been busy finalizing the 2007 Young Single Adult Branch history so that I can get it printed and then add all the pictures I have and those that members have collected for me. I am the branch historian and this report/project is due on the 15th of this month. I hope I will make it! I have also compiled the history for 2006 and a short report on the few months when we began as a YSA Group in August of 2005. I can't believe that we are starting our 3rd year in the YSA Branch. We love working with the young adults, but I must say that I miss our home ward once in a while. It has been interesting to read back on all the experiences and blessings we've shared with these young people and all that we have accomplished in the short time we've been organized. We look forward to many more this year.

I so enjoyed Christmas and I didn't get that blogged, either. So here are some highlights. I love having my family here, (even though it is a lot of work) and we always miss Alisa and her family. Montana roads make it tough in the winter, but we did enjoy a fun visit with them over Thanksgiving. It was nice to have Chad and Collette home again, last year they were both gone for Christmas. I pulled a few surprises for them, which I love to do for Christmas. You can see on the Clark Family blog the good times we had with Rock Band and Guitar Hero. For our Christmas dinner we all ate favorite Clark traditions such as Dale's sweet and sour pork and parmesan cheese ball; Mary's pudding salad and gingersnaps; Sarah's spinach dip, crackers, and relish tray; Collette's broccoli salad; and my little smokies in Habby Too sauce, sugar cookies, and another cheese cake. Grandma tended the grand kids one night (thanks Dale, Chad, and Collette for your help) while all the parents went out to dinner together. We cut out old Christmas cards, put puzzles together, and watched a movie while we munched on popcorn. I am already thinking about next year's plans for Thanksgiving as that is the winter holiday when the family will all be together again.

For New Year's, Dale and I went to the 7 Stake Young Single Adult New Year's Bash at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. There were around 1,000 young adults there and we played twister, did karaoke, ate, and danced with about 25 of those from our branch. I believe it is the first time in many years that I was actually awake for the count down.

2008 has brought us many new things already! We purchased a new Dodge Caravan that Collette says is the color of the ocean when it storms...go figure! Actually, I think the technical term is steel or gray green. We have already transported some young single adults to the Boise Temple in it on January 5th. They were all excited to watch a movie on the DVD player, but every time we went over a bump, it shut off. (That was repaired the following Monday!) I have missed my Montana and it will be nice to transport all the HabbyToo stuff, too. 2008 has already brought us some snow, too! We measured 6 inches that fell on Tuesday. We watched it fall and shoveled every few hours to keep up with the accumulation. That is the most snow we have had here for about 10 years. My piano lessons didn't come and they even canceled the ball game at the high school....yea, we haven't dealt with snow for quite some time!

2008 has brought the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon again for Sunday school. We did study the first half of the B of M with our YSA kids on Wednesday night Institute class this past year and we are looking forward to beginning the 2nd half next week. We always meet them in Twin at Taco Bell, or Artic Circle, or some other eatery on a single's budget. Collette is teaching our YSA Gospel Doctrine class and she did a fantastic job with her first lesson this past Sunday. So we are going to really enjoy the blessings the Lord promises us when we read and study the Book of Mormon each day.

2008 will bring us our new temple in TwinFalls. When we went to our scheduled baptism/other ordinance work trip to Boise Temple this month, we were told that the next trip we schedule will be in our new temple. We have not had an official announcement yet on dates for open house and dedication, but we are anxiously awaiting them. I have been working with the director of the dedication choir that our stake will participate in on names for the choir so we can be ready to go with rehearsals. It has been quite the process, as our stake is only allowed 4 or 5 names to fill the 16 to18 member choir made up of members from three stakes.

2008 will bring three new grand babies. They are such a joy in my life and I hope to be able to spend more time with each one this year. I am making resolutions that 2008 will bring more phone calls...emails...blog entries...visits...and just keeping in touch with all my family near and far.

2008-01-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

Audrey

To thoughtful you...from thankful me!
You are an angel...
The header is "heavenly".

Thanksgiving Weekend

2007-12-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

I am late with my post on the holiday weekend. I battled a terrible cold the week after, but finally won! We enjoyed family here and all the wonderful things that come when we get together to play, eat, and count blessings! The leaves in my front yard had been bothering me for a long time, just didn't get a chance to get out and rake them up. So, I enlisted some great helpers that really worked hard. Thanks (L to R) Logan, Cole, Mason and Uncle Chad (below) for a great job! One question, Chad and Logan....raking leaves or practicing for Guitar Hero??? The boys really enjoyed working with Uncle Chad and everyone was sad when Chad had to leave Friday morning to get back to Pocatello for work.
Alisa and family were able to make it down from Montana, leaving a foot of snow behind.

They planned and helped carry out the Orr family dinner on Thanksgiving, but we loved visiting with them the rest of the week. We celebrated Avery's birthday on Wednesday. My little shadow, Zadyn, loved helping Grandma with everything, especially unloading the dishwasher.

Chad appreciated the traditional turkey and stuffing dinner that he had missed out on the last two years being in the mission field. Jef, Sarah, and the boys were here for dinner, too, and we had a great feast. While they were here, they did what they do best...give service to their family! Sarah's sister is expecting and so they helped her paint and get the nursery ready for the new baby. We missed Cameron, Mary, and family, they were enjoying Thanksgiving in Ogden with Mary's family and Jeremy, Sarah, and Isaak were in Shelly, Idaho with her family. I am always so appreciative for my chef husband...Dale always cooks a yummy turkey and a unique dressing each year. I cheated and let CostCo furnish the rolls, pumpkin, cheesecake, and pecan pies. Dale and I went up to Kuna Friday night to stay over night with Jef so that we could attend a young single adult wedding in the Boise Temple early Saturday morning. Logan and Mason rode up with us Friday after supper and we snapped this cute photo of the boys before we took off. The cousins had a fun time playing together.

L to R: Mason, Logan, Avery and Kyler.

Saturday afternoon, Jeremy, Sarah, and Isaak came to visit and we had fun watching Isaak walk and smile all the time! They went with us to the wedding reception that evening. It was fun to see and spend time with them, even for just one day.

The Lord has blessed me so much and I have a wonderful family. I love them all and can't wait for Christmas when almost everyone will be here for Christmas day or after...except Alisa and family...too far and too stormy for another trip.

Gift of Love

2007-11-30T11:35:00.000-08:00

A big "thank you" to Audrey for my new blog header. Isn't it fabulous? She is the best! I was thinking the other day how fun it was going to be to see new holiday blog headers and how I should ask Audrey if she had some time to create one for me. When I finally got around to my email today....about 12:30....she had sent me this beautiful header with a Merry Christmas greeting. This is a special gift from a special person. Thanks again, Audrey.

2007-11-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

Dale is doing great after his surgery. You can read of his progress on The Clark Family Blog.

Another Great Weekend

2007-11-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

I think sometimes that I can't post great happenings when I forget my camera and don't take any pictures. But, I had such a terrific weekend, I wanted to write about it anyway and I will "borrow" a picture from my inspirational blogger who is more on the ball than I am! Dale and I headed to Pocatello Friday to see our two boys and help broadcast the Jerome High School Tigers football 2nd playoff game on the local radio. We haven't had to worry about a Jerome football 2nd playoff game since Cameron's team played for the championship

10 years ago! We had planned on going to my sister Julie's birthday party that evening, but had to honor the commitment we have with the radio station. I was able to sit with Jeremy and his little guy, Isaak, instead of being in the announcer's booth. That was a highlight for me. Isaak loved the band playing and cheered and clapped right along with all the fans. Even though Jerome lost, they put forth a great effort. One of Jerome's finest running back was put in the hospital that week, diagnosed with a muscle disease that critically affected his kidneys. It seemed to damper the spirit of his twin brother, another great player and the team in the long run. Adversity sometimes takes it toll.

Chad and his roommate, Matt and Jeremy's wife, Sarah, joined us at Winger's after the game for a late, crazy dinner. They were all working earlier, so we cherished the short visit over popcorn and sticky fingers!

We left early Saturday morning and headed to Utah to see my sister Julie. Thanks to my sister, Polly, for this darling picture of her. I don't get to visit with her or family in Utah as often as I like, so we were glad we could have such a nice time with Julie. She is always so glad to see us and loves to fill me in on all the things that the family is doing(yes, she talks about everyone!) and all the happenings of good ole' AF! She is an avid Jazz fan and could give me their win/loss record so far in their early season play. Julie is getting a new hearing aid so we recommitted to call each other and talk more often.

My sister, Polly, and my sister-in-law, Sonya, came by the convalescent home to say hi. It is always such fun to catch up and visit. Those two are angels in their love and care for Julie and I appreciate everything they do for her. We met up with my brother Dennis and his wife, Katie, and Dave, Polly's husband, to eat a bite before we headed home. Good times eating AGAIN and sharing news about our lives and our families. I just wanted to thank my family with all my heart for such a wonderul visit. All of your generousity and all that you have done and continue to do for the family and for others touch me deeply. Talking about the trials we face and how the Lord has blessed us and given each one of us tender mercies will continue to inspire me to be forever grateful for such blessing and for the greatest family ever this Thanksgiving time.

A Big Thanks!

2007-10-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

I asked my niece, Audrey, who designed the original header for my blog when I started it, that I maybe would like to do a little fallish makeover. And WOW! She designed this one and it took my breath away. Thanks you, Audrey, for the very creative, awesome, and beautiful header...it is perfect!
You are amazing!

Preparing for the changing weather...

2007-10-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I love the fall season and its beauty that changes our world. But it does bring with it much colder weather and waking up most mornings to heavy frost. Silly as it may seem, I enjoy the Saturday we get around to "winterizing" the yard. We pick what's left from the garden to finish canning or put in storage. Dale always grows lots of beans and he's put up some bottles of our favorite...dill beans.

Our pumpkins and squash didn't do that well, but we've already enjoyed some. A favorite recipe Dale cooks is his zuchinni lasagna, with the marinara sauce he cans from the tomatoes. What a guy!! These last smaller ones I like to decorate with. (Check out Collette's blog, she has posted some great decorating projects she did with pumkins.)

We put all the garden stakes, coverings, and tools in the shed and then gather up the hoses. We stretch the hoses down the slope so that all the water will drain out and not freeze, which will split the hose.We are glad that we have had some rain so that we don't have to water anymore. Our irrigation water has been shut off now for the season. Most of my flowers protected under the tree in the front yard stay so pretty through the fall and winter. And with the cooler weather and some rain, they really flourish better now than they to in the hot summer! Dale planted a rhubarb plant this year for the first time. Our neighbor usually gives us plenty, but he wanted some of his own. The first year produces few shoots, but we picked enough for my favorite recipe... rhubarb cobbler. It is my Mother's recipe and my mouth just waters as I think about making it. I have always loved her cobbler and think of her so much when I make it. And served warm with cream, it really is a great fall treat. Happy fall to everyone and hope you all are enjoying this season with all its splendor.

Oktoberfest Weekend

2007-10-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend - Friday and Saturday - October 5th and 6th - brought the annual Oktoberfest celebration held in down town Twin Falls. The weather was blustery and rainy and cold! I braved the elements on Friday and cheerfully greeted what few people who came out in the rain during the morning hours to check things out. Even though many booths closed up until late afternoon, I stayed and actually sold a few bottles. A bright spot of the day was when Mary brought the kids to check on Grandma. They enjoyed climbing around the fountain by our booth and sharing some crackers and cheese. Thanks for coming to see me in the cold and for sharing your blanket with me.

As the day wore on, the rain stopped intermittantly and more people came out. Dale joined me in the early evening and we had fun talking to people, selling our sauce and listening to the different local bands entertain by the fountain. Cameron and Mary came back with the kids. Bailee and Braden danced with us to the music and enjoyed some of the booths further down the street that featured fun things for kids. Our booth was located right next to the beer and brautworst booth, so plenty of action came our way as the night wore on! We stuck it out until 10pm when the vendors closed.

Saturday was a horrible day, weather wise...no rain, but the wind was very strong with heavy gusts. I bundled up pretty good, not really making a fashion statement, but had a hard time keeping warm. Dale took cases of our sauce to Rudy's, a cooking specialty store down town, that features our sauce and arranged for an in-store demonstration on the last Saturday of October. While he was gone, the wind actually upended our booth. I was barely able to catch one side and to hold it back down. It surprised me because we have very heavy weights hanging down on all sides. We joked with the few people that stayed around when they asked how we were doing, saying we were "holding up our end...literally" because when the wind became so strong, Dale had to stand and hold the booth on one end so that it wouldn't collaspe.

When the wind became stronger and the gusts became more frequent, we had to pack up and leave a few hours early. It actually bent some of the poles. But all in all, I had a good time inspite of the chills and wind burn on my face. Oktoberfest had different sponsors this year and there were only half the vendors there compared to last year. And the weather discouraged lots of people from coming out. But, we were invited to go to the big Craft Show held in the expo center at the College of Southern Idaho the first weekend in November and to also participate in the big finale celebration of the Twin Falls Farmer's Market the end of the month. Even though it was a difficult show, I enjoyed talking to people and was "warmed" when those that came took the time to taste and buy our sauce!

2007-09-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Fun Family Day

This past Friday, the 21st, we attended the wedding at the Bountiful Temple of Chad's best friend and his bride, both members of our Young Single Adult Branch. That is certainly one of the highlights serving in a singles branch...attending temple weddings. I loved the gentleman who performed the sealing, he spoke from his heart with the Spirit and gave so much excellent counsel and gospel knowledge about just what a temple sealing entails and the covenants and blessings of it. It was so wonderful to see these two young people so happy because they made the right choice in their lives. We have four more temple weddings this year from the singles branch(that we know of!) and hope to be able to witness them all.
Dale and I loved being able to spend a day with Chad and Collette. We sat by Cameron and Mary and the kids at the Jerome Homecoming football game that evening. Fun, fun, fun. Dale helps announce Jerome football games on a local radio station so we sat just below the broadcaster's booth so we could keep making faces at him throughout the game.
Collette has posted this fun day on her blog, check it out with all the great pictures!

Check out Collette and my latest adventures on the Clark Family Blog!

2007-09-18T10:15:00.003-07:00

34 Years...Then and Now

2007-09-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

August 24th marked our 34th Wedding Anniversary. We were in Boise making our bbq sauce (see previous post) on that day and I didn't really think we would celebrate it. In fact, I offered to tend for Jef and Sarah that evening so they could have a chance to go out and we could spend more time with the boys.
I was informed that Jef and Sarah were taking us out for the evening and that Collette had offered to babysit (thanks again, Collette). I even got to pick the restaurant! I chose a favorite, a Tai place, we were all pretty hungry after a grueling day of making sauce
I was feeling pretty bold and ordered Pad Tai (I think that is what it is called) with about a 2 1/2 spice level. Man, was it good! I think the chef for the night was a little generous with the heat. Needless to say, we really "spiced" it up for our anniversary. We cooled down with some fancy ice cream and a fun shopping trip to Burlington Coat Factory. Thanks again, Jef and Sarah for a great evening.

I have been reflecting on the past 34 years of marriage with my sweetheart, Dale. As you can see, "John Denver" may have changed in appearance, but he has been the same solid, loving, supportive husband all these years. And he just gets better and better at making me feel important and special. We have had our ups and downs and he has stuck with me through it all. I could not have asked for a better husband and friend. He is a great father, much more patient than me and a wonderful, fun grandpa. His testimony of the church has never wavored and his commitment to service has been an inspiring example to me and our family. His whole life has been built around his family and they have been more important to him than any fame or fortune. The youth he has worked with over the years, his "other kids"... have also felt so much love and support from Dale in all they try to do. Words to a song that we liked by Captain and Teneille (which we also sang for Dennis and Katie's wedding breakfast) says "love...love will keep us together..." I know that love has kept us together these 34 years. Looking forward to many, many more!

2007-09-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

"Sauced" in Caldwell, Idaho

A lot of people have asked about where we make our bbq sauce and how we make it. So here is the perfect place to post our last "sauce run" we did on August 24th. I took pictures of the process and will try to explain it best I can! We make our sauce in a Small Business Incubation Kitchen run by the Universary of Idaho located in Caldwell, Idaho, a town near Boise.

We rent the kitchen and depending on the kinds and quantity of sauce, we usually are there from 8am to 5pm. Sarah does most of the shopping for all the ingredients, Dale orders the pepper powder. At the beginning preparation stage, the girls do the honors of cutting up pounds and pounds of onions. Yes, it brings tears to our eyes, but not for long, compared the great aroma of the habenero peppers. As you can see from the picture, Collette and Sarah are such "cut ups" when we work! We used to sort and prepare the peppers, but have refined our recipe to using pepper powder. We have found that using real onions combined with powder keeps the substance of the sauce in tact.

Dale begins pouring the "secret" recipe ingredients in a big vat.

As you see from the pictures, we wear aprons, hairnets, and rubber gloves throughout the different stages of the process to keep the health department happy. I think Dale looks cute in a hairnet!

Next is a picture of Jefrey carefully measuring out the different powders we use. He listens to favorite tunes on his ipod, but I know he really misses the stimulating conversation that his Mother provides.

You can see one of the big vats that we use to cook our sauce in. Dale is making sure the sides and bottom get scraped well in the stirring process. There is alot more to making our sauce, like blending all the onions in a machine, cleaning out all the ingredient containers after use that can be recycled, and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning to keep a sanitary environment. The time the sauce is cooking to perfection, another batch of a different kind has most likely started and we can usually eat the yummy lunch Sarah always provides for us in the break room.

The bottling stage is the busy stage. There are lots of things that need to get prepared. Bottles need to be sanitized in the big dishwasher. Lids are all laid out and sanitized, as the picture of Collette shows. Jefrey and Sarah get the label machine set up with our labels on (you can see their arms). Most important, Dale and Jef makes sure the sauce is exactly right in consistancy and then pours it into the funnel looking machine that is set to dispense just the right amount of sauce into a bottle.

When Dale gets each bottle filled, he hands them to Collette to put on the lids. We have to make sure that the machine pours out just the right amount for a single bottle. We don't want too little in the bottles and too much spills over. We adjust this level it seems a couple of times during this filling process. Collette is sporting a nice glove to prevent blisters that can appear from turning 750 caps! This comes from the voice of experience, as I have done that job myself!

The bottles are placed on a turn table that goes around to position the bottles for the labeler to pick up and place on the label machine.

Jefrey is our labeler, he runs that machine pretty slick and knows just when a tiny glitch needs to be adjusted so that the labels wrap around the bottles correctly.

Sarah puts on the black shrink bands that go around the cap to seal the bottles. The bottles are then sent through the machine pictured on the left that heats the shrink bands. We place the bottles one by one on a turning belt that sends them through. A person takes them out and places them right in the boxes ready to go. When I do the shrink bands, Sarah receives the bottles and boxes them. This also includes labeling the boxes with the name of the right product and stacking them on a pallot for storage.

We are usually grateful for this stage when the bottles are done! Sarah always does a good job of keeping track of the numbers of bottles we did of each product for our inventory. Then comes the final clean up, which is another process in itself. We do keep the working stations clean as we go but there is the big job of cleaning the big vats and bottling machine. That's when it gets fun! When the cold water from the cleaning hoses hits the vats, the habenero sauce smell intensifies greatly.

I know that I have probably left out lots of details, but that is how we make our habby sauce...one bottle at a time. I actually enjoy doing this and Dale has said he loves making the sauce. I know it is because we get to spend time getting "sauced" with family!

2007-09-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

Another Fun Weekend: Destination Pocatello - Logan - Jerome

On Friday, August 31st, Collette and I once again embarked on another road trip. A friend of Collette's and a dear young single adult from our Branch was getting married in the Logan Temple Saturday morning, so that gave us a good reason to travel to Pocatello and stay with Jeremy and Sarah. We could make the sealing session at 8am Saturday morning in the Logan Temple much easier from there. And because Dale and Chad were selling our sauce at the market in Idaho Falls on Saturday, we drove the pick-up full of Habby Too sauce, supplies, and equipment. We had to stop three times to secure the tarp but finally made it to Pokey with all safe and sound. Dale came up late Friday night after helping announce the Jerome High School football game.

I had my camera, but didn't take pictures, so I borrowed some from Collette. (can you tell?) It was fun to play with Isaak, he is really growing up fast and on the verge of walking. Jeremy is enjoying his grad work and being a TA for one of his professors and Sarah is doing well with her new CNA job.
We met up with Chad and his roommate, Matt, at McDonald's (love those student recommended dollar menu places) before we headed to the ISU Cinema (also love those student discounted movie theaters). We watched Pirates of the Caribbean III, which I hadn't seen yet. It was a kick to see Keith Richards as a pirate, probably didn't need very much make-up for that role! It was tons of fun and Isaak was a good boy at the movies.
Chad is settled in at school and way busy, joining a major-related club (he wants to be an Optometrist) and serving as Elder's Quorum President in his student ward. We got up way early on Saturday morning, around 5am, not completely knowing how long it would take to get to Logan. We found out that it only took about an hour and a half. It was a beautiful ceremony and we enjoyed a luncheon afterward with Aaron and Matt's family and friends.

This is a fun picture of Collette and friends, they are so "uplifting" to each other! (Collette is 3rd from the left)

We headed back to Jerome and were anxious to see Alisa and her family, they came the night before for the weekend. For those of you that have made that trip to Idaho, you know how hot and "scenic" it is, but we had our pop and music to get us through!

We were glad to see Grant, Alisa, and the kids and Zadyn kept telling everyone that there was Grandma...finally... as they stayed at our place the night before without us. After supper, we headed in for the wedding reception where Collette sang two songs and sounded beautiful. Later on, we all enjoyed root beer floats and taking crazy pictures with Grandpa!

Alisa and family spent most of the day on Sunday with the Orrs but we had fun again before bed with chocolate chip cookies (yes, I hit the gym pretty hard on Tuesday) and stories.After the kids were in bed, we played Encore, the game where you get a word or category and then come up with as many songs as you can think of. That is tons of fun and makes you realize just how many songs your brain can store. I think Collette was the ultimate winner (Uncle Dennis would be proud!).

Alisa and family headed home for Montana Monday morning. We will miss them and look forward to seeing them when they come back for Thanksgiving, weather permitting. We packed up and left for the traditional Labor Day trip to the Bruneu Sand Dunes which will be the next upcoming blog.

Paul and Marcelene

2007-08-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

I was viewing some of my photos that I have stored in My Pictures on the computer and found this precious one in my Heritage Photos folder. This is my Dad, Paul George Gauger and my mother, Marcelene Bennett Gauger. This I believe is their engagement/wedding photo, my family can correct me if I am mistaken. We have commented over the years of how my son Jeremy Paul, and Paulene's son Paul look like Grandpa Gauger. And as I have mentioned, my sweet new grand daughter, Cameron and Mary's little girl Malia Marcelene, was named after my Mother. Paulene's oldest daughter Audrey named their first girl Amanda Marcelene after Mother, as well. I thought that you would like to see this beautiful picture of them. I hope as you look at this picture of Mom and Dad or Grandpa and Grandma Gauger or even Great Grandpa and Grandma Gauger, you can appreciate the names that are being carried on in the family and can feel of their loving spirits as I do.

Montana Trip August 6th - 11th

2007-08-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

On the road again...this time to Florence, Montana. Collette and I enjoyed the 6 1/2 hour drive chatting and singing to the oldies stations on the radio and when they faded out, we rocked on with favorites from Collette's ipod. Heading over the mountain pass just past Salmon, we saw a big horned sheep and lots of deer on the side of the road. We wondered if we were really in Montana when we hit Darby, just south of Hamilton, because the smoke from forest fires had the area completely socked in with what looked like thick fog. You couldn't see any of the beautiful Montana mountains on either side. The kids were waiting up for us and were so excited to have us come for the whole week.
Tuesday morning we headed to Hamilton for Zadyn's physical therapy. We had a fun time playing at the park near by with Avery and Kyler while Zadyn had her session.

They loved playing with Aunt Collette, especially taking imaginary trips in the jeep!

We snuck in at the end of Zadyn's therapy session and I was impressed as I observed the interaction between Zaydn and her therapist, Holly. Zady enjoyed showing off for us as she "worked" in her swing. She is really making great progress and had a successful day.
We celebrated Zadyn's 2nd birthday on Thursday, the 9th. Alisa made her a Princess Cake, aka the traditional Barbie in the bunt pan. It turned out way cute and Zady was excited. She loved the purple and pink streamers and her special balloons, but she didn't quite know what to think about the candles to blow out. She loved all her presents and was really the "Princess" on her special day.

I loved going to school with Avery and Kyler in the afternoon. Alisa home schools them and I was very impressed with their skills. Avery read to me, I watched them do Math pages, they did art projects, and we played so many fun games together. Friday morning we went to the library for story time and learned all about panda bears. We went for a hike on a nature trial in the afternoon and then had a "reward" treat they earned for completing points from their library summer reading program. They shared the new "Charlotte's Web" movie with Grandma and Aunt Letty, we really liked it.

It was hard to leave Saturday morning, knowing that it would be a long time before we could visit again, due to distance and weather conditions of fall and winter. Avery and Kyler promised to write me letters and send art projects so that we can keep in touch. I am thankful for the blog sites so that we can stay tuned "heart to heart", too. Thanks for a great week!

Thoughts from recent funeral...

2007-08-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

I have written some insights I gleaned from the funeral of President James E. Faust and posted them on the Clark Family Blog. I felt they were worth sharing.

Weekend in Pocatello - August 3-5

2007-08-16T10:39:00.001-07:00

We attended Idaho State University Summer Commencement on Friday, August 3rd. Cameron graduated with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. We are so proud of him and his family for this great accomplishment. We also attended the ISU Physician Assistant Certificate Ceremony and Reception afterwards, where Cameron and 28 other graduates in the PA Program were honored and given their awards. I especially enjoyed the video presentation showing the graduates practicing on each other in their classes drawing blood, taking blood pressure and other fun activities. We all celebrated that evening at Butterburrs, my favorite family restaurant in Pocatello, with our family and Mary's family.

We stayed at Jeremy and Sarah's apartment for the weekend and loved visiting and playing with Isaak. He is really growing and is such a happy-go-lucky guy. Collette, Sarah and I walked in the cool evenings by the old houses featured in the "historical district" near the campus. We were fascinated with the colonial styles and had a ball chatting about this and that. Chad and Jeremy (yea, that was one of my favorite 60's British Invasion rock groups) were involved in some pretty intense X-box competitions, too.

Dale and Chad sold our bbq sauce at the Idaho Falls Market on Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. As you can tell from their shirts, they have a great time selling and interacting with customers! They had another record sales day... the habenero original sauce (hot) featured on the left tied with the new mexico green sauce (mild) on the right, with the chipoltle (medium) in the middle coming in a close second.

It is "the bbq sauce your mom warned you about"!
Our sweet Malia Marcelene was blessed in Cameron and Mary's former ward Sunday afternoon. Cameron gave a beautiful blessing and Malia was so good. It is traditional in the families to take a picture on blessing day of all the guys who stood in the circle to help with the blessing. The Clark men are on the back row left to right...Jeremy, Chad, Dale, and Jefrey. Cameron is sitting holding Malea, with a friend on his left and Paul, Mary's dad, on the right. Lucky Malia to be surrounded by all those handsome gentlemen!

Malia's grandmothers and older sister, Bailee, were sure bustin' their buttons, too, as you can tell. I am so thrilled that Malia was named after my mother, Marcelene. I am sure that she was smiling down and that her heart was in this picture, too!

We traveled home Sunday evening and reflected all the way home on what a wonderful weekend it was and what a wonderful family we have. Stay tuned for the upcoming Grandma travels to Montana!

First Part of My August Journey...Kuna, Idaho

2007-08-15T08:44:00.001-07:00

It's difficult when visiting family has to come to an end. I don't know what it is, but winding down and getting back into the swing of things...I think they call it reality...takes a few days! I am anxious, though, to share with you some of the great highlights that this very lucky traveling Grandma had with my wonderful family. I am posting it in segments, so here is the first.

I headed up to Kuna, Idaho, to help tend Jef and Sarah's three boys while Sarah attended Young Women Girl's Camp, August 7-9. It was so much fun hanging out with three fun and on-the-go boys. Chauffeuring to swim lessons and karate was a "kick", I felt so important and all three boys were very good. Check out pics of the "Karate Kids", Logan and Mason, on the Clark Family blog. Cole and I became fast buddies because I loved listening to him as we played trucks and trailers. He didn't even mind posing for this cute picture!

One of our favorite things to do was head to the park near their home. As you can see, they had a super time. They played so well together, too.

I loved watching the stunts they performed on their bikes in front of their house. They are amazing and they loved entertaining Grandma.

They shared some great movies with Grandma during rest time , one new favorite being "The Bridge to Taribithia". It was a joy to listen to Logan practice his piano while Mason did some school pages just before dinner. It was way cool watching the series Survivor Man with Jef in the evenings after the boys went to bed. I loved these few days with the boys but time went by too quickly. I had to leave Thursday night so that I could get ready to head to Pocatello the next morning. Stay tuned, that will be the second segment upcoming.

Making the Rounds

2007-07-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

I am traveling the next couple of weeks and making the rounds to see my grandchildren, so I wanted to post my plans now and then add pictures and details of when I get back.

Starting this week, I am going to Kuna to tend Jef and Sarah's boys while Sarah attends Young Women Girl's Camp, Tuesday through Thursday. I will take over being chauffeur to swimming lessons, piano, and karate. I am excited to play, read, and watch motorcycling with these fun active boys.

Friday, it is off to Pocatello to attend Cameron's graduation from Idaho State University's Physicians Assistant Program. I am so proud of him for all the studying, hard work, and long hours of rotations he has put in to accomplish his goals. We will celebrate with his family and Mary's and play with Bailee, Braden, and Malia. We are excited that they have moved close to us now and have enjoyed being able to visit often.

Saturday, we will sell our bbq sauce at our favorite Idaho Falls Farmer's Market in the morning, then swim and play with Jeremy, Sarah, and Isaak back in Pocatello in the afternoon. We stay with Jeremy while we are in Pokey and have a blast spoiling Isaak.

Sunday, we will attend Cameron's former church ward in Pocatello for the name and blessing of their new little girl, Malia Marcelene. She is a beautiful little girl and it will be such a special time.

Afterwards, I will head up to Montana from there to spend the week with Alisa and family. It is Zadyn's birthday on Thursday, so we will celebrate her turning two. I am anxious to see the progress on their basement and their school room they are creating. It will be fun to swim, play, and hike in the mountains with Avery, Kyler, and Zadyn.

I will be back Saturday, the 11th, to attend an activity with my "other kids"...the young single adults we work with in church. We will be having a last summer bbq and game night before some of them will be heading back to school.

My Own Blog Spot

2007-07-27T09:49:00.000-07:00

Yippee! I now have my own blog spot...Linda's Legacy! I give a big appreciation to my wonderful niece, Audrey, who navigated me through the process to set it up and who was the creator of the beautiful header. I have so enjoyed this process of corresponding via blogging, it is so fun. It is the perfect way to keep track of everyone and their families. Please continue to visit The Clark Family Blog spot at http://www.theclarkfamily-blog.blogspot.com/ to keep up on our crazy life and antics. This is another dream come true and I hope that I can equal the task of being a new blog spot owner! Love to all of you!