Summer on the Palouse

The Palouse is a large agricultural area of rolling hills south of Spokane. With all the spring rains it is particularly beautiful this year. Most of these pictures are much better when you double click to enlarge them.

The view from atop Kamiak Butte

So many wildflowers

Boys will climb. It's what they do.

There was a crooked man . . .

CFR '10

A few shots from the Lavelle Clark Family Reunion, version 2010, at Hell's Gate State Park in Lewiston, ID. I wish I had more pictures of the fun--talking, playing games--all the good stuff. But the truth is, I was enjoying myself too much to worry about the camera.

We all had chair envy over Doug's sweet ride!

Grandma, Grandpa, Brett and Melissa took the little kids to see a local war memorial that features a M-60 tank.

Max was his cousins' best amusement.
I don't know how he lay there for so long!

One of my favorite parts of the reunion was watching Grandma with her grandkids. They love to spend time with her. Probably because she is so constantly positive and loving with them.


At the end of the reunion, Grandma gathered the youngest grandkids and kept them occupied so their parents could pack their things. It was a lot of work to keep that many little ones occupied, but she gladly took on the task.

Here, Audrey lines the kids up to re-enact her story about cutting her head while playing follow the leader--an common illustration she used to teach the kids to listen to the Holy Ghost.

Displaying the scar to a fascinated Elise.

Now it is time to march.

"Please?"

All the grandchildren, except Landen.


I included this one to prove I was actually there. This is about the only photo we have of me at the reunion!

Simple Things

One of the things I love the most about my kids

is the joy they find in simple things.

The sound of a rock plunking in the water.
Over and over and over again.

In building a path from the shore.

And working together to accomplish something.

In stretching themselves
to find the perfect rock.

(Disclaimer: Cameron dressed
himself. I swear!)

Or sitting on a rock and
soaking in the day's
last rays of sunshine.

In their fascination with all the
little wonders.

Like hoping from one rock to another
in your Converse

Their ability to find a quiet joy in the simple things
is what made this a perfect hour

the kind of hour that is
treasured
and tucked away in memory forever.