Elise's Thank You

Elise just came and asked for an envelope. When I asked her why she needed one, she told me that she had written a thank you note for Bishop Garner, our bishop who was released two weeks ago. The note was all her idea and this is what it said (with some corrected spelling):

On the front:

A sad face with the words "I love Christmas."


On the inside:

Dear Bishup Garnr.
I am sad that you aer done being Bishup.
I Hope my Dad is Not going to be Bishup
next year. Do you.
Love Elise Clark.
S. Melissa
Spoecan Bowdish Ward

On the back:
A giant sad face


Brett is taking her to deliver her note to Bishop Garner in a few minutes. I'm guessing it will make his day. It sure did ours!

Brett's New-ish Calling

Brett has a new calling. Just over two weeks ago on a Sunday morning, he got a phone call. The voice on the other end said "This is Greg. But, I'm calling as President Mott. Can you and your wife meet with me this afternoon at 3:30?" Of course Brett said yes. We've been around long enough and done this often enough that we knew it was probably more than just the release from the bishopric we knew would be coming in the next months. At least in this stake, if you are called into the stake president's office, something big is lurking.

So, we had all day to stew about what was coming. As it turns out, when we went to President Mott's office, he said something to Brett that made us both feel much better. "The Bowdish Ward is getting a new bishop and it isn't you." Brett was much less solemn after that.

So, just over a week ago, Brett was sustained and set apart as the new first counselor in our Bishopric. The previous first counselor, Gary Percival, was sustained, set apart and ordained as the new bishop. Peter Hawkins, who was a counselor in a previous ward where Brett was the executive secretary, was called as the second counselor. They will do well together.

We hosted an open house for Bishop Garner and his wife yesterday evening. We invited those that had worked closely with the bishop over the last five years. It was a good turnout. We had more than forty-five people in our house at one time. We actually all fit in our house just fine. People had a good time. I think the shortest stay was about half an hour. Some stayed for nearly three hours. Everyone ate, relaxed and had a good time. The most important thing was the look on Bishop Garner's face. He was smiling, relaxed and having a good time reminiscing with good friends. I think it gave him a happy sense of closure.

It has been a busy few weeks. Getting ready for Christmas, an activity days party at my house, shopping, decorating and other preparations for two birthdays and Christmas, all within a two week window. In addition we have replaced our old computer and are trying to get everything transferred to the new one and get our wireless up and running. And we've been perpetually ill this year for some reason. So, as of today, other than the illnesses, the computer, a couple of school parties, baking, visiting teaching and one more birthday, we're on the downhill slope now to Christmas. The advantage of the party is that my house is spotless and beautiful. The prospect of having so many people in my home who haven't been there before forced me to put a bit more work into the decorating, which isn't my strong suit on the best day. It looked really nice for the open house and helped contribute to the nice atmosphere that was here.

Birthday Wishes

A couple of days ago, I had Elise go through a big Christmas toy catalog and mark anything she wanted for her birthday with a big star. Predictably, there were lots of stars on the 'pink' girly pages. There were also stars on the Nintendo DSi and every one of the games displayed next to it. But my favorite one--the one that made me laugh out loud--was one that appeared next to something on the last page. Something that was displayed next to the little boy in the ad but which was most definitely not for sale.

Elise starred a puppy.

Nice try, kiddo.

Christmas Magic

The lights and glitter,

the peaceful contentment,

the wonder in a child's gaze,

but most of all, remembering the point of it all.

All They Want for Christmas . . .

Max's Happy Place

I swore I'd never pull my kids out of school for something like this, but the look on Max's face pretty much says it all. He was SO excited and didn't even mind getting up at 3am. He didn't get to touch a gun . . . he just watched from inside one of the blinds. Our friend and goose hunting host, Bill Conant, was so patient and kind with Max. He was very understanding when Max's excitement made it hard for him to stay still or quiet in the blinds.

Aloha, Little Snow Bunnies!

A Delightful Sight

My sister Kari Sue and her family are in the process of moving from their home in sunny, beautiful Hawaii to a much colder and at least differently-scenic Wyoming. Their visit with us this weekend while in the midst of their move was extra special because other than a couple brief visits when Camille was a baby, these cousins have never met. What a joy to be able to change that!

It was fun to watch Sage and Sophie and try to see our every day landscape through their eyes. They were fascinated by trees bare of leaves and that leaves can be orange, red or yellow, too. The vast spaces must have felt strange to them (not to mention driving at 80 mph!). But, the best part of all is when we got our first snow on Sunday morning. They had never seen snow before. It was like magic!


Immediately, the kids pulled on their coats and boots over their pajamas and ran outside to play in the white stuff. My kids shared tips on snowball packing and snowman building. Kari's girls were surprised that their hair could get wet from snow and even more surprised to find out that it would all be melted by afternoon. They even discovered that it is much more comfortable to make snowballs if you have gloves on!

Sage & Sophie began their 'Snowman 101' course.

Sophie and the finished product.

Apparently this Hawaiian snowman has lived
a life of vice.Do they make Nicorrette for snowmen?

Great photos

Kari Sue, having grown up in Wyoming, was unimpressed by the white stuff. Her California-born husband, however, enjoyed the novelty nearly as much as the girls did.

Cameron and Natalie enjoyed the spectacle from inside the house.

Even Rudolph honored the first snowfall of the season.

One lesson we learned during our very enjoyable visit:

A bird in the hand . . .

is worth getting rid of your sucker altogether!

Columbia River Classic

This weekend Brett and Melissa ran the Columbia River Classic, a 10 mile race along the Columbia River in Richland, WA. It was a beautiful day to run.

At least Melissa looks like she knows it is 38 degrees!

And they're off!

Looking good at mile three.

Mile 6-ish

Doesn't my husband look good?

Getting frisked at the finish

DONE!

Apparently a little light-headed after their long run!

Don't Mess!

Brett and Melissa at the 'Fingernail'

Melissa and Doug in front of the 'Eagle Tree.'

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

It was Brett's turn to wear the birthday hat.

Yummy dinner, happy day.

Ever since, Cameron has been begging for it to be his birthday and singing "Happy Birthday to Cameron." He'll have to wait a couple of months.

BOO!

This was not my most original year for costumes. But, the kids were happy and that is what really counts. I took the kids to the Trunk-or-Treat on Friday night.

To complete the costume,
we taught Natalie to say "Go Cougars!"

Cameron was beyond thrilled to be Spiderman
(Thanks, Xander and Aunt Ronica).

Elise as Dorothy: PERFECT

Though initially disappointed to not be
a blacksmith (?!!) or a civil war soldier,
Max was very excited about his scientist costume.

Camille thought the cape was cool
but didn't really care as long as
there was candy involved.


All the little goblins dressed up
for the Trunk-or-Treat.


Sorting through the haul.

The kids decided that they should each set aside some candy for Dad since he didn't get to be with the family for the festivities.

When he got home from the airport, Brett found
a Ziploc baggie full of candy and the following note on his pillow:

"I love you Dad
it was not fun with aoot (out) you Dad
We savd sume candy for you Dad
Love Elise"

Halfway to a sticky mess.

I am so NOT sharing with Toto!

Candy!

The time honored tradition of candy
swapping . . . the haggling begins!

Oh, boy! I'm going to like THIS holiday!

Saturday night Camille went out with a group of her cute little girl friends. Brett took Cameron and Elise around the neighborhood. Max finished some undone homework and helped hand out candy.

The best part of Halloween this year was watching how excited our kids were about the trick-or-treaters coming to OUR house. Cameron giggled and laughed and begged me to lift him up so he could look out the peep hole. Then he would great the trick-or-treaters with a grin, a hug and say "Hi guys!" Natalie and Elise fought for space to look out the window by the front door to provide early warning alerts for approaching guests. Natalie wanted to look out the peep hole, too. She spent the rest of her time playing on top of our giant pumpkins, which we sadly never got around to carving this year. Max was Mr. Efficiency with the candy bucket and did a great job.

My kids were happy and we made good memories. Chalk this one up as a success. (Now if we could just get rid of the darned candy!)

Happy Pre-Halloween

The Great Pumpkin and his little brother came for a visit.

I can't believe I'm sick AGAIN.

Apparently yogurt containers make great stools.
Who knew?!

Pumpkin cookies and fall leaves on a rainy day.
Check out the eyelashes!

Spiderman spends
some quality time with Daddy
before his business trip
(Dad's trip, not Spiderman's).


Daddy will miss Friday night's Trunk-O-Treat
and seeing the kids in their costumes. So, we will dress up again and
venture into the neighborhoods for Trick-O-Treating Saturday night.
Not for more candy or to extend the holiday, but
because we don't want Dad to be sad and feel left out.

We miss you, Daddy.
Come home soon!

40 lb. Elise with our 40 lb. pumpkin


60 lb. Max with his pumpkin twin

Growing giant pumpkins sounds like a good idea
until it is time to start scooping them out!

We'll be having good, dirty, slimy fun this weekend.

Happy Halloween from the Clarks!