Thanksgiving 2008

The day began with the annual Turkey Trot.  

Clark and Bennett were the only brave souls from our family. 

 Clark ran the 10K and Bennett the mile.  

Then it was home to make the pies...

banana cream and coconut cream

At last, time to eat!

And then the turkey coma!
It doesn't get any better than good food and good company!

Happy Anniversary!

On November 27, 1963, my parents were married in the Salt Lake Temple.  

For those that don't want to do the math, that equals 45 years of marital bliss!




How cute is that? 

How grateful we are for their love for each other, for their children and grandchildren and their examples of untiring service and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We love you Mom and Dad!   

Thanks for sharing your special day with us!

Family Pictures

In celebration of Grandpa and Grandma's anniversary we had family pictures taken.

It's not very often that we all have the opportunity to be together.

It was a beautiful setting and a fairly painless process considering there were 33 of us.

Kudos to David for arranging for the location and making sure this photo shoot happened.

The mom and her girls...

Grandpa, Grandma and all their girls...

Grandpa and his boys...

All the kids and spouses...
We have high hopes that the photographer's pictures a better than these!

(eyes open and pictures in focus!)

I am Grateful For...

I love 7th grade English teachers that require your children to dig deep and express their feelings. 

I am grateful for:

American Soldiers and the freedoms they fight for me to enjoy,

delicious tasting food, that gratifies my stomach,

infants that bring happiness to my life,

my family that encourages me to do what is right,

the beautiful sights of nature, and the peace it brings,

my education because it keeps me "on the ball",

sports, their intensity, and the discipline I learn,

books that launch me in a whole different world,

friends that light up my life,

teachers that fill me with knowledge,

cinnamon rolls that bring a shock to my taste buds,

a house that comforts me,

pictures that bring back memories of my family and me,

ice cream that sends a cold flavorful rush down my throat,

and holidays that help my family and I grow closer together.

Thirty Something

We have been trying to remember how long this tradition has been in place.

Thirty something years was as close as we could come...37 maybe?

At any rate, every year around Thanksgiving, the Clark and the Riggs clans converge to sign books that we send to the missionaries serving from our wards and families.

The memories began with just the original 7 Clarks and 11 Riggs and after all these years has grown and grown and grown.  

Last night we began with a quick little thought and a resolve to make sure the grandchildren knew WHAT we were doing  and WHY we were all together.

We then took turns signing the books to send to the dedicated missionaries that we know and love.

(Curt received one of these "little treasures" from us in December of 1983 while serving in Guatemala.  Little did we know, that in the not too distant future, he would become a part of this tradition!)

The kids entertained themselves by playing "Little Sally Walker", an all time family favorite!

(The boys would have nothing to do with this type of game playing!)

The two women and matriarchs who started it all....
and continue with such determination to make it happen year after year after year!

We can hardly wait until next time...!

Midnight Madness

After months of eager anticipation, the girls went here...at this time...
to watch "TWILIGHT"!  

Cassidy and her friends arrived at the theatre at 4:00pm to stake out their spots in line.
Arriving at that time, you would think they were #1 in line? Right?

 Wrong!  #10...

(Could he be better than Edward?   Tia swears that he is! By actually going to this major CHICK FLICK and then selling our last few t-shirts at the theatre, I am beginning to believe it myself!)
(Haley went to the 12:10am showing and because she takes her camera with her to school everyday, I couldn't get any of her pictures.) 

All the girls had a blast and loved the movie.

Curt and I have yet to see it!

THANKS to all those who bought T-shirts.  It was a huge success and we appreciate your support of the 2010 National Scout Jamboree!

The Primary Depot

We had our first Stake Primary Leadership Meeting tonight as a new Presidency.

I think it is safe to say that we are all very relieved to have it behind us.

A HUGE THANK YOU to an incredible hubby and his firm, VELOCITY DESIGN for the awesome inviations and programs!

The crew: Kathy (Music), Me (Secretary), Sherie (1st), Amy (2nd), Denise (President)

We used caution tape, tool boxes, power tools, and our "caution eternal family under construction" signs as our props and decor.

We introduced the new Primary theme: "My Eternal Family".

We had some darling Primary girls sing the new song "My Eternal Family" and Sherie made a cute video with kids depicting the words of the song to the music.

Since we are each a part of "an eternal family under construction", we spoke on the building blocks necessary to build an eternal family.

I loved meeting the ward secretaries. I was surprised that after living in this stake FOREVER, that I only knew two of the eight secretaries.

Next big assignments: Stake Baptism Fireside and Ward Conferences!

PS: Not only was Curt amazing at helping me, but Tia SAVED MY LIFE!

She made Pumpkin Cookies for the dessert, helped sew the aprons, and put the finishing touches on my handout to the Secretaries. I LOVE HER!

Appliance Meltdown!

First it was the trash compactor...Then it was the ice maker...
Next was the water heater...
And now, today, in the midst of MOUNDS OF LAUNDRY, it is this...
I just hope I'm not next!

Happy Birthday Cassidy!

Today is Cassidy's 15th Birthday!

While she is having fun at "The Happiest Place on Earth" with her friend Emmy, I am reminiscing about why I am "The Happiest Mom on Earth!"

Cassidy was born 11 months after Haley (call me crazy!) and was the BEST BABY ever.



Cassidy at 3 months in her blessing dress...

Cassidy at 6 months wearing the heirloom pearl necklace that my Grandma Maude Clark gave me as a little girl...

(All my girls have pictures like this that I LOVE!)

Cassidy at 4 years old. I love the curly hair and bow!

And...Cassidy today! Beautiful, smart, kind, sensitive, funny, musical, obedient and ALL MINE!

Love and miss you, Cass! Can't wait until your return so we can celebrate right!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Not only am I the Happiest Mom, but also the luckiest...I have two 15 year old girls for the next 27 days!

Here is a letter/poem that I wrote for Cassidy to read at Girl's Camp last summer.

My perfect little baby

Rarely a whimper or a cry

Happy, happy, happy

Always making me happy

As she diligently practices the piano

Rolls out of bed onto her knees

Studies her scriptures and her school work

4.0, clever, quick, genius in my book

Leaves a trail wherever she goes

Shoes, make-up, books, clothes

Always perfectly put together as she runs out the door

Emerging into a beautiful young woman

Just days away from

Pearly straight teeth and even softer kisses

Holding out for the $200 offer

Humors me as she answers a mother's most embarrassing questions about

Boys, boys, boys

2, 4, 6, 8...a great Poston cheerleader she is going to make

As she flips, twists and bends her flexible little body

She owns the stage whenever she is front and center

As she speaks volumes, even when telling a short story

As she strokes the keyboard

As she glides over the strings

Yes, she makes me, oh so happy

My perfect little baby

My perfect middle child

My perfect teenage daughter

That I adore!

Saturday Football

Clark has been playing flag football this season on a great team. They are undefeated and hoping to repeat last year's performance with an invitation to play in Florida. (Clark was not on the team last year, but he still has bragging rights!)

Austin and Clark
Clark is so determined and very competitive...
not to mention quick!
He has been known to make more than a couple of touchdowns each game!



Clark informed Curt last night that in the past several months he has grown three inches and gained 15 pounds!

He is growing up much too fast for his mom's liking!

A New Do!

After much contemplation, Tia decided to go for a change! She chopped off her long locks and went for the short, sophisticated look. We think it really fits her style and personality! Tia, you are gorgeous!

Poston City Champs!

Cassidy cheered in her last football game against rival Stapley . Poston won handily and remained undefeated for the entire season!

Some of Cassidy and Katie's biggest fans!

High School Musical 3 Spoof

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Thanks Andy! We all got a very good laugh!