Birthday Fun and a trip to Omaha for Thanksgiving

I had such an incredible birthday this year!  Preston and Jackson really spoiled me rotten and I loved every second of it :)  Preston made my favorite breakfast for me, cinnamon rolls with fruit on the side mmmmm. We went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch and of course got a delicious cheesecake to top off the great meal.  For dinner Pres whipped up an incredible chicken parmesan with angel hair pasta! It was to die for!! Can you tell that I'm a foodie :) It was great to have a day to just relax, watch football and enjoy family.  Jackson got me a new pair of slippers and Pres spoiled me with a new pair of tennis shoes and a gift card for a much needed massage.  I love birthdays!!

Lunch at Cheesecake.  Yum!!

Preston's scrumptious dinner.

We then headed off to Omaha, NE to visit Mom, Dad, and Erin for Thanksgiving.  We were so happy that we were able to go and we had so much fun. They threw me a little birthday party when I got there and it was awesome!  We had dinner at Olive Garden, came home to an amazing chocolate cake that you could bathe in, it was so delicious and a little surprise gift for me.  They got me a necklace with the letter J on it for Mr. Jack and it is beautiful! I absolutely LOVE it!! Unfortunately I didn't take too many pictures this trip so I apologize.  I was lame and kept forgetting to.  It was a perfect vacation with a lot of down time, playing games, great food, and awesome company.  I don't even think we were out of our pajamas most days haha.  It was so great to be lazy, enjoy a fire in the fireplace, and have cold weather like a real holiday season. 

Little man did such a great job on the drives.  We were so proud of him.

The feast!! We attacked this for a few days :) It was so great having leftovers.  I love turkey leftovers.

Helping daddy play some games.  Love my boys!!

Can I drive Dad?

I can't believe I didn't get any pics of Mom, Dad, and Erin so I promise to take lots and lots for our Christmas fun in a few weeks.  We had so much fun with everyone and can't wait to see our families to celebrate the Christmas season.

I forgot to mention in my last blog that Jimmy and Hailey had a beautiful baby boy!! James Donavan Spung V was born October 19 and we are so blessed to have this wonderful little spirit join our family.  I cannot wait to cuddle and hold this little one.

James D. Spung V

7 lbs 8 oz. 21 in. long

and tons of hair!

Family of 3!

Such a big smile! 

Jackson is Walking!! Halloween and Finding our New Home in El Paso

Mr. Jackson Scott is now officially walking and very busy.  He took his first steps on October 29th, the day after his 10 month mark.  We knew it was coming but couldn't believe how fast it came.  He now enjoys going all over the house and still has his occasional fall due to balancing.  We laugh when we watch him because he either has his hands up in the air and looks like a monkey or he looks like a bear trying to walk on 2 feet.  It is so entertaining.  He gets better and better as the days go by.

We started out this way.

And ended up this way.  This was right when he was learning to walk.

He loves to read!  We will catch him in his room just flipping through books. 

Jackson had his very first Halloween! He had no idea what was going on and we didn't go trick or treating but we did carve one awesome pumpkin!

Getting ready for the big carve.

Helping take out all of the seeds which didn't last long.  He kept moving the slimy parts through his fingers, he was very distracted by it.

Proud carvers!

So much excitement!!

Family photo :)

Our little skeleton.

The first weekend in November the Clark Clan headed to El Paso to find a new home and see where we will be living.  We were there for 2 very busy days and left very happy.  We were able to find exactly what we were looking for and are thrilled with our choice of location as well.  We will be about 10-15 minutes from Preston's work, church, shopping and nice parks.  We found a beautiful town home on the mountain in a really nice neighborhood.  All of our neighbors are military or FBI which made me feel pretty safe after hearing that :) We will be on the Northwest side of the city and we over look Mexico and New Mexico.  El Paso is a very large military city and definitely an up and coming place.  There's all the restaurants and shopping you would ever want as well as outlet malls.

Pres also had the chance to do dinner with 3 of the CEO's he'll be working with as well as the current resident and another future resident.  He had a lot of fun and can't wait to get started.  He felt right at home and was so comfortable with everyone.  He knew we made the right choice to come to El Paso. I am so happy and proud of him.  He's worked so hard and I just know this residency will be great!  

View of the mountains.

More mountains.

Can you tell we are excited to have mountains again?!

This is a view from our new place.  That's New Mexico in the distance.

Preston's new work place :) Providence Memorial Hospital

This is another one that he will be working at as well.  Sierra Providence East Hospital

We made a quick stop to see the University of Texas El Paso stadium.  This is where the Sun Bowl is played.  It's a very cool stadium.  It's literally in a mountain.

A shot of Juarez Mexico from the stadium.

   Our new home! So excited!

Hanging at the hotel.

Dinner celebration.

Tell me a story ...

Jack was such a trooper on both flights.  He really loved watching workers get all the bags as they were coming out.  He'd bang on the window and try talking to them.  People on the plane thought it was hilarious.

Overall, it was an excellent trip and we are all very much looking forward to our move in December. We are very grateful that Preston has a residency and it is one he looks forward to.  

A Trip To Utah

Hello! It seems like it has been a while since we have updated our blog and that is because Jack and I were on vacation in Utah.  We decided to take the trip when we found out Staci and Mikale had babies so close together.  We thought we could go and help in anyway possible and ended up having such a great time.  Unfortunately, Preston was unable to go due to school schedule but we were happy he let us go.  Hope you enjoy the many pictures below.

Jack did such a great job on the flights.  We had a layover in Phoenix and I ran into a mission friend there, what are the chances right?!  I couldn't believe it!  I don't think I had seen Sister Lewis in like 10 years.  Our first stop was the Koudelka home to spend time with Staci and the kids.

Jack fell asleep from Phoenix to SLC.  It was great!! There was an empty seat open in the middle.  So grateful for that.

When we arrived at the Koudelka home these 2 cuties were waiting for us :)

                      

Of course we had to paint fingers and toes!

Jack received lots and lots of love from his cousins.

Liv loved helping give Jack a bath. She would just keep rubbing his head haha.

Oh yea! Home-made chocolate chip cookies with these 3 little helpers.

Alivia loved helping me feed Jack his baby food.  She would often ask, "Can we feed him his baby food now?" Sadly it didn't happen as often as she'd have liked it to. :)

We had a little mishap on the playground, poor guy had 2 big bonks on the head.  This was his first major owie.

Watching a movie with these crazies :)

We then headed up to the Calderwood home for Kami Mae's 5th birthday!! I cannot believe this little girl is 5 now!!

Kami in her Frozen dress and ready to party!

Me and Erin with the birthday girl :)

Proud parents. Corey and Angie with Kami.

Yep that's a pretty normal pic you would get of Jimmy and I :)

Ahhh much better.

Corey and his girls! Aubrey, Kami and Haley.

Angie reading to Jack and Kami.  Jack loves books!

Snuggle time with Aunt Erin.

So much love!

Cousins

Kam got a Kami Kangaroo from Erin and I and she loved it!  She was so happy it was so fun to watch.

I got to see NICK as well.  After serving a 2 year mission for the LDS church in Spain.  It was so great to see him and catch up.

Jack and I partying it up.  It was so much fun to see the Calderwoods (Corey's family).  We hadn't seen them since we had moved to Texas so it had been awhile :)  It was so great catching up with everyone and spending time together.

Off to the Williamson home to spend time with Mikale, Ammon, Kai, and baby Teagan.  We were very fortunate to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Curtis there as well.  It was so great to see them.

Grandma and Grandpa Curtis with some of their great-grand kids.

Lots of LOVE.

Kai and I enjoyed some basketball while Jack, Mikale and Teagan took a nap :)

The best I could get with these 2.  Someone was always on a move, haha.  And yes, Kai is a year older than Jack but you wouldn't guess by the size of that baby bear on the right ;)

A trip to the playground.  Kai was teaching Jackson all kinds of things.

Kai wanted to show us how strong he was.  So big right?!

Loved the mountains!!

We took several walks but the mountain air was a little chilly for this Texas boy.

Swinging

Kai showing Jack how to go down the slide backwards.

After a couple of fun filled days at the Williamsons we headed off to stay the night with Erin.  It was so much fun.  Rhiannon met up with us that night and Betsy came over the following morning so I was able to catch up with some of my besties.  Wish I had time to see everyone but time went so quickly.

That afternoon we headed back up to Midway for a couple days.  LOVED this shot of Timpanogas with snow on it.

Jack and I beat Ang home so we took a selfie while waiting.  Can you tell he just woke up from his nap? 

Cody Man and Jack

I not only went up to Midway to hang out with family but also to help Ang with some family pics.  I will do my best to not give anything away since the real ones will be even better but here's a couple pics I got while the photographer was snapping away :)

Such beautiful girls

What an adorable family! I cannot wait to see the rest of these.

Sibling Love

Uncle Corey getting a few squeezes and kisses in in between shots :)  Jack just loves him!

The following day we headed to Salt Lake to spend time with Jim and Hailey.

Squeezes

Jack and Hailey at City Creek

Proud parents to be :) Cannot wait to meet baby James!

Kami playing in the water and so happy.

The crew

                                   

Temple Square getting ready for Conference weekend which is when we listen to the prophet and apostles speak.  It was so great to be there. It was such a beautiful day.

Together Forever.

5 years ago these 2 were married here at the temple and now they are having a baby!  Love it :)

The flowers were so beautiful!!  Love this picture.

I think Hailey is ready for motherhood :) Cuddling with little man.

Jack loved when Uncle Jimmy would read him books.

We headed to the Curtis home for one final get together with the Clark side.  We were able to celebrate Brian and Mikale's birthdays as well.  It was great to see everyone.

Staci, baby Claire, Brian, Shelby, and one smiley Alivia.  Love these guys.

Mikale and baby Teagan so cute.

Here's to a Happy Happy Birthday you 2!

Jackson and I were also able to watch conference both with the Clarks and back up at Angie's.  We had such a great conference weekend.  The talks that were given were in incredible!!  I feel closer to my Savior and it made me want to be a better person all around.  I am so grateful for the Spirit that was felt.  I also wanted to take a quick second to thank everyone who made this trip so much fun.  It was so great to be with family again and for Jackson to play with Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  I know he had a lot of fun even with all of his teething sicknesses.  We can't wait to see you all again soon!!!

Slept both flights home.  He was one tired boy.

Daddy and son together again.  So happy to be back home!! I missed this man so much!