December! 12th Anniversary, Christmas, Birthdays, & A Night In SF

Merry Christmas from the Clarks!

We celebrated Christmas this year in our Hanukkah jammies ;)

We were lucky enough to "adopt" three kiddos for Christmas this year. Each of our kiddos picked the name of another kiddo in need, and we were able to spoil them as best we could. Jack, Beckham, and Quinn LOVED this! They asked to do it every year. They really enjoyed picking out gifts the kids were hoping to receive as well as favorite snacks and treats. Once we finished filling our gift bags we headed to the fire station to drop them off. 

At the drop off one of the firemen asked if we would like a tour. The kids immediately said, "YES!" We learned so much about fire fighters that day. What they eat. What they do while waiting on calls. Where they sleep. We even got to see their tv room and bedrooms! Then we learned a TON about fire trucks and the importance of safety. It was such a great trip to the fire station and a highlight for the week. Everyone went home with a fire hat and stickers. Sitting in the truck was a favorite part for sure ;)

This is what happens when I ask Pres to take a pic of me and Q at dinner, haha.

There we go!

We had the girls side and the boys side at the Cheesecake Factory.

Pres and I celebrated our 12th anniversary this year by giving back and spending time as a family.

Everyone got to pick an item to donate at the Giving Machine. We were so excited to do this again. We loved it so much last year we had to jump at the chance of doing it again. We donated vaccinations, chickens, food, clothing, and water pumps for those in need. I love this time of year!

Football with my peops! Beckham LOVES football! He asks to play catch and run routes everyday. He will also keep you updated on football scores, stats, and which players are injured or doing really well. He and Preston have some great conversations :)

Christmas Eve fun! 

Cookies for Santa and cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning.

We had a wonderful low key Christmas this year. Everyone loved spending quality time together while giving and receiving gifts from one another. I think the boys favorite gift was an Xbox while Quinn's was a stuffed fox and doll house. 

Fun for Jack's birthday!

We took Jack to the Chabot Space and Science Museum for his 9th birthday. He LOVED it!

All smiles before watching one of two movies in the theater. We first learned about asteroids and then about different planets and galaxies that have been discovered. Very cool stuff! Then we headed to the third floor for some hands on activities and play. 

Jack didn't want a cake this year for his birthday. Instead, he asked for my chocolate chip cookies :)

The following day we headed back to the city to stay the night at the Nikko Hotel. This was a family gift we did for Christmas. We knew the kids would love the pool and spending a day in San Francisco. 

Such a beautiful hotel.

When we got there we walked to dinner around the corner. 

They had lots of trolleys going and lights all around for Christmas.

A beautiful tree downtown.

Bedtime snuggles and a show before the lights went out.

The next day was Quinn's birthday!

We took everyone to the California Academy of Sciences Museum. We saw lots of ocean creatures like these gorgeous jellyfish. They had three floors filled with so many things. We explored different types of biomes. Quinn wanted to read every plaque we came to, so she could learn everything about what we were looking at. We all really enjoyed our time at this museum. So much to see, learn, and look at. 

Waiting for the magic show to begin!

The magician even made it snow!

Jack trying to catch the snow as it falls. He looks so big now! Ugh!

Partners in crime.

We loved the magic show. After that we headed to the theater for one more space movie, haha. Apparently our family loves space. It was such a cool experience. You felt like you were on a ride as we learned more about the new discoveries. 

A view from the roof of the museum.

They have what they call a live roof. Tons of flowers, grass and solar panels. It was cool to see.

Quinnie picked Cheesecake Factory for dinner, haha. Sounds good to me ;)

They brought a beautiful cheesecake all decorated with a candle lit and ready to go. She was so happy. Such a special day for our darling 6 year old girl.

Beckham wanted to make sure he was in a pic with the birthday girl. 

Thank you Cheesecake Factory for making this day even more special for Quinn Marie!

And just like that 2022 ended. We had a very relaxed and chill New Year's Eve. We welcomed in the New Year on Jan 1st when we all woke up saying, "Happy New Year!" Haha. We had such an incredible 2022 that we can't wait to see what is in store for us in 2023. I have a feeling it's going to be the best one yet ;)

November - Visit to Utah

I love November! It is such an incredible month. It's one I look forward to every year! I am so grateful that this year we were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with family in Utah. We were so blessed to be there when Aubrey returned from her mission. We also got to spend time with my Gram, Aunt Nathalie, and Aunt Steph. But, before we get into our Thanksgiving festivities let's take a look into the days leading up to it. 

I voted! Yay!

I reorganized our gym and was so proud I had to snap a pic. Angie has taught me a lot ;)

Loved capturing this moment with these two. Beckham was reading to Quinn while she followed along.

Lunch date with my favorite person ;)

Quinn had to make a pioneer doll for a school project. She loved using fabric, yarn, and a clothes pin to fashion her doll. She was so proud of the result, as was I.

Off we go!

I was sent this beautiful picture of the entire Calderwood family at the airport. This is when Aubrey flew in. We missed her arrival since our flight got in that evening. We were so happy to see that she was home and made it home safe from Las Vegas!

First stop on the trip... the Marx Family! 

We were anticipating this moment for a while. We could not wait to hold sweet baby Avery Renee. We each took turns holding this angel. Craig made us an incredible barbecued ribs dinner. It was heavenly! We loved catching up with Er, Craig, and Britt while we could. 

Bless Britt's beautiful soul for picking us up from the Provo airport and shuttling us from place to place. We were so grateful for her and her willingness to help us out.

We stayed at Mom and Dads with Gram, Aunt Steph, and Aunt Nad. We loved having meals together, playing games, and enjoying the little snow we had outside. Beckham came in and took off his beanie and we loved his hair, haha. 

Me and this guy playing games with the fam.

Grand-Mere surrounded by her great-grands. You can feel love :)

We went up to the Williamson house for Thanksgiving. This was technically an "in-law" year so we spent Thanksgiving with the Williamson's, Tari, and Brianne. We were elated when we found out that Brianne's water broke on our arrival. Tari and Bree still stayed for dinner but left not long after for the hospital. Baby Declan was born the next morning! So exciting!!!

These two cute girls created a beautiful masterpiece. They went to the store with Preston the following day and came back with a gingerbread house they could build. They did such a great job!

Say "cheese" Piper girl.

We stayed the night Thanksgiving night at the Williamson house so we could soak up more time with these people. We love every opportunity we get with family.

Touch the ceiling!

 

Cousin picture time.

So thankful to these two for opening up their home home to us. We loved staying and spending time with them. 

Before heading back to Covered Bridge I had to make a quick stop to see this sweet girl. Allie was one of my young women and has since graduated and moved to Utah. I was so excited to have time to see her and catch up for a few minutes. Love this girl!

Back at the homestead Aunt Nathalie busted out this really cool art project for all of the kids. Everyone was so entranced by it all. They took their time and really enjoyed making their very own sticker. 

Aunt Steph helping Jamo while Mom concentrates on grabbing the next little bubble dot. 

        

Jim was helping Ava girl while Quinn started us out with showing our masterpieces!

       

        

       

       

We opted to have Thanksgiving on Saturday this year. We all ventured out to Heber City to the Calderwood plantation for food, football, horse back rides, and games. It was such an awesome time! One we will not soon forget.

Jack brushed the horse to get him all ready for us.

Quinnie was in heaven!

I don't think you could ask for a bigger smile ;)

I even took a turn around the pasture. It was so much fun!

Aunt Steph jumped on as well!

HayKay was in her element while Jack was just thrilled to be on a horse :)

Cousin picnic

Thanksgiving napping is a must!

 

We stayed the night that night so we could have a little more time with the Calderwood crew before heading back to California. I'm so glad we did. Aunt Angie read books before bed.

We celebrated Aubrey's homecoming the following day. She delivered an exceptional talk during sacrament. One that you felt. She has grown so much and become such an incredible disciple of Jesus Christ. She is going to do some incredible things, just wait and see. We stuck around in Heber again with the family playing games, eating delicious food, and dreading our goodbye's. 

We had an early flight the following day so we left Angie's a little early. We snagged Britt from her house on our way back to Mom and Dads. We needed one more game night before leaving ;)

When Jack and Quinn came out of the room with their jammies on we laughed. They were wearing what Britt was wearing, haha. We called them the ninjas in the night. Since Beckham was feeling a little left out we took one more pic with  him ;)

Grand-Mere and her great grands :)

Jack is almost as tall as my 91 year old Gram, haha. This woman is amazing and I am forever grateful that we got to spend this holiday with her. You have to cease the moments you have with those you love, you never know how long you might have.

Not only were we so excited to see our Gram but to also have Aunt Nathalie and Aunt Steph there too was the cherry on the top. These two are one of the reasons I have such fond memories of my childhood. We had so much fun and they were always there with us. Loving us, playing with us, teasing us, and feeding all the junk food a kid could hope for ;) We have an amazing family. I am so grateful that we are as close as we all are. 

Getting ready for take off!

We landed safely in San Francisco and headed home. 

November is a month that I will cherish for a long time and not soon forget. 

Another baby to add to our growing family! Tari and Brianne welcomed a sweet baby boy...

Declan Kunashe Machanzi

Born: November 25th

At: 7:02am 

Weighing: 7 lbs 15 oz

Length: 22 in

We love him SO dang much already! Cannot wait to hold this sweet boy!