What A Crazy February!

I apologize for not having an update for sometime now, but of course I have a good excuse :).  Our family had been living in a hotel for almost the entire month of February due to a plumbing issue in our townhome.  We checked into a hotel on February 9th and were told that it would be a 3 day fix.  However, they had to excavate quite a bit of our house causing us to actually be in a hotel for about 10 days. After those 10 days we were thrilled to be back in our home.  Unfortunately, the crew that did all the work forgot to turn the furnace off while excavating which caused huge amounts of concrete dust to go up into all the vents and air ducts.  Because of this mistake, dust ended up in all of our bedrooms and all over our belongings.  Jack and I had a pretty bad allergic reaction to all of the dust, so we had to be put up in a hotel for a couple more days until our landlord could figure out how to clean everything.
A few days went by and our landlord thought that it would actually be best for us to move to the town home right next to ours - so we agreed.  However, when I went to look at the town home,  it was completely demolished by the last tenants. The carpet needed to be completely replaced and there were large holes in the walls.  The landlord informed me that we would not be able to live there for at least another month so he could fix and change everything.  Another month in a hotel...ummm no thank you.  We were already very tired of sharing a bedroom with a one year old, not to mention the constant eating out and no laundry service.  Sadly after being in the town home for those 2 days while we tried to figure out the next step, the plumbing problem came back.  I couldn't believe it.  The issue was that our shower in the master bath would flood if we used our laundry on the second floor.  At that point, we knew we had to move.  So, plan B, our landlord put us up in one of his apartments about a mile away.  These apartments are brand new and luckily the square footage worked out and we could fit everything.
Our landlord was awesome during this whole process.  He paid for the hotel stays, the move, a month's rent, and even gave us a deal on our monthly rent for the inconvenience as well as a reimbursement for some meals and gas.  However, I do not wish upon anyone to have to live in a hotel that long and deal with all the crazy that came with it.
We are so happy to be in a home and are in the stages of unpacking and organizing.  Since I am 7 months pregnant, I am a little slower because I can only do so much - but I am so grateful to have a husband that is willing to help after a long day of work.

Here's a few photos from our construction adventure.

When I drove up to the house to get some more clothes and food I thought, this isn't too bad. Then I went inside.

This is our living and dining room.

You can see that the hole goes all the way through to the outside. 

This was right by our stairs to go upstairs and by the front door.

Not a great job in sectioning off where our furniture was.  All of our couches are behind the draping back drop back there.  Our landlord paid for an upholstery cleaning because it was that bad.

Another shot.

                               

This is the dust from when we moved back in.  Our cupboards were shut and it still was all over everything.  We had to wash everything including dishes, pots, pans, any blankets, sheets, clothes, etc. that were all dusted.

Hotel Life

 

Jack actually did pretty well.  He got used to sleeping in his pack n play and living in small quarters after a few days.  But some of those nights "Oh my".  Pres and I felt like we hadn't slept in weeks. 

For fun we would walk all around the hotel and climb every stair he found.  He loved being outside and so did I. 

Making the best of it.

Our Valentine's Day lunch at Olive Garden.  It was nice to be out and about.

Pregnancy hormones made me want to chop all of my hair off so I did :) 

Taking a break from hotel life at a friends house.  They have an awesome backyard and Jack loved every second of it.  

We also had these two down for a visit during this crazy time.  I felt bad they had to deal with our dusty place for those two days, but we loved every second they were able to be with us.  We played games, ate great food, and just enjoyed a break from all the crazy that was surrounding us. Thank you Uncle Scott and Aunt Sandra for a great visit! Come again soon!!

                                    

Had so much fun! 

Morning smiles!

While Uncle Scott and Aunt Sandra were there, we opted to sleep in our beds so we had Jack in the master bedroom with us because there was dust all over his stuff. He didn't seem to mind hanging out with Mom and Dad. 

Here we go again...packed up and ready to go.  We moved out on March 2nd and are happy to be in a home where we can breathe and just relax.  Well...as much as we can until we are organized yet again.

Jack watching Baby Einsteins while the movers put all of the boxes in our new place. 

 In short, February was quite the trying month but we made it through and are grateful to be done.  Now we can focus on our little guy coming in May!!

The growing bump.

At our last appointment we found out that our little man is growing healthy and strong at a whopping 3 lbs. so far!  Can't wait to meet him!

Let's hope for a more relaxing March! :)

Best News EVER!!

Preston and I are excited to announce that we are ....

 EXPECTING BABY BOY NUMBER 2!!!

We will be meeting this little man at the end of May and are thrilled that Jack will have a buddy.  We are so happy to be adding to our family and can't wait for May! I have been meaning to announce this for some time but have been caught up and so busy with the move, holiday's, and Preston's new job.  Jack has no idea what's going on but I know that these 2 will just be the best of friends :)

I also wanted to post a few family pictures that our sister-in-law Shelby took for us over Christmas! Thanks again Shelb! 

We had so much fun even though it was quite cold in Salt Lake :) Jackson loved running all around and stopping to pose on occasion. Hope we didn't bore you with all the pics :) We just loved so many of them! 

Move to El Paso and Christmas, Jacks 1st Birthday, and New Years in Utah

What a month!! I cannot even begin to explain how crazy busy the Clark family has been but I will sure try.  Preston is officially done with school classes and starts his Administrative Residency with Sierra Providence Memorial Hospital on January 12th.  He is very excited about this step in his career and looks forward to learning and growing in his field.

We are now in El Paso, TX and enjoying it.  I have to admit we were pleasantly surprised with what El Paso has to offer and the location we are living.  The move itself went so smoothly and we were so blessed to have help on both ends.  Jackson was very helpful in the unpacking area, he loved to pull stuff out of boxes which wasn't so cute when we were trying to pack them haha.  The drive was great even with nothing in between San Antonio and El Paso.  Preston drove the truck while towing a car and Jack and I were in the other car packed to the brim.  The land between was very deserted, it kind of reminded me of parts of Wyoming only slightly prettier :) We really feel like this is the place for us.

What happens when you are packing in the other room and you realize it's been quiet for too long? Your child opens the puffs container you had hidden in the diaper bag with his teeth and decides it's snack time.  PS thank you Aunt Patty for the cute outfit he's wearing :)

Daddy's lil helper

We had to make a few last stops at some of our favorite restaurants. This is one of our favorite BBQ places.

Easiest way for Mom and Dad to pack :) Baby Einstein and a pack n play!

Goodbye Cheesecake Factory :( You will be missed!  Look at those baby blues! Such a cutie pie.

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes! Packing up the old apartment.

Preston finding himself in an interesting predicament.  Hmmm how do I get out of here now?

Ready to go.

Mr. Jack taking a break for lunch once we got to the new place.  He loves noodles.

Our lil Harry Potter :)

Hey Dad, can I help?

A look at the new place.  We like to call it organized chaos.

We were in El Paso for about a week and then packed up the car one more time and headed north to Utah to have Christmas with our families.  We were so excited to spend this wonderful time of year with loved ones.  The drive seemed long on the way there but I think it's because we were so excited to see everyone.  Our 2 week vacation before Preston starts his job ended up being 2 weeks of non stop movement.  We enjoyed every minute of it but looked forward to taking a breather once we got home :) 

Snapshot before the 13 hour drive.

Hello New Mexico!

Hey there Colorado!

Are we there yet?  Jack was such a trooper.  He did great on the drive especially since we pushed the first day to 9 hours of driving.  Poor kid was ready to be free!

Of course our first stop was Cafe Rio!  Welcome back to Utah!!

  Enjoying our meal.

My baby boy and I during lunch.

We got into Lehi in the late afternoon after making a few pit stops we needed to before Christmas. That night we had the privilege of attending the famous Curtis Christmas Party.  This was the first year I have been able to attend since Pres and I have usually been on vacation or having a baby :)  It was quite a treat I must admit.  It was so nice seeing everyone and introducing Jack to those that haven't had the pleasure yet of meeting him.

Family Fun

The gang

The other half of the gang.

Shelby and Teagan with Bri in the back ground with his new gift...salad tongs haha. 

Pres feeling very festive :) What a handsome guy!

One of my favorite parts of the night was when Grandma pulled out the chimes for us to play Christmas music and do a sing along.  It was so fun and highly entertaining.  

Not sure how Grandpa fell asleep through all of that but he sure did :)

Clark crew at the Curtis home.

The following morning Pres and I were spending sometime with Erin's roommate Becca, just talking about anything and everything when Pres asked me for some chapstick.  It was so dry in Utah and we were not used to it.  We were constantly applying chapstick and lotion.  Anyway, I remembered that Grandma Curtis gave us some in our bag of goodies so I tossed him that one.  All of a sudden through mid sentence Becca looked at Preston puzzled and asked, "Why are you wearing red lipstick?"  I turned to see and about died in laughter.  Pres looked at me confused and I said, "You really are! haha".  The chapstick Grandma had given us was a tinted one and I had no idea.  I was literally in tears as we all laughed.  Pres got up to go and see and sure enough he was wearing lipstick.  It was a great day! I had to get a pic HAHA.

Oh so pretty.

On Christmas Eve we had the privilege to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma Clark.  Grandma had been ill for quite sometime and we were unsure if we were going to be able to see her again before the Lord decided to take her home.  Sure enough 5 days after our visit our Heavenly Father called home one of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.  Grandma Clark is such an incredible woman and I learned so much from her in the moments we had together over these past 4 years.  I absolutely adore her and I have to admit I love the idea of her being a guardian angel over our family.  She will forever be in our hearts and minds as we strive to lead half the life she did.  

Grandma Skyping with Scott and Sandy in the Philippines.  She couldn't get over that they were there and she was here and they could hear each other.  It was so cute.

Us with Grandpa Clark

I absolutely LOVE this picture!  Grandma just kept kissing Jacks bald head and loved holding him. 

When we went to visit the rest of the gang was there as well so I had to capture this moment.  So much love in that room.

Shelb and Bri so festive on this Christmas Eve. 

That night we headed up to the Calderwood Plantation for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and birthday fun. We were so excited to spend this year with family.  The Spung side had not been all together for Christmas for around 8 years!  Britt and Drew came home for Christmas as well, and it was a breathe of fresh air to see them again after 6 months of being in Anguilla. It was very much needed for us all to be together.  It was so much fun!! Full of laughter, games, food, and great conversation.  It's always a party when we get together.

Kami in her new jammies.

Spung clan.  Dang we are growing in numbers huh?!

We all received pj's from Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve and loved opening them!! That's been a Spung tradition my whole life, so it was great to do it this year.  Spouses received matching jammies as well.  It was so fun.

Christmas morning came early in the Calderwood home.  We all headed upstairs around 6 am and Jack woke up around 730 am so he was loving life when he came up and saw so many gifts open that he could play with.  Aunt Angie and Uncle Corey bought him this mower and he LOVES it!!

Hailey and James in matching pjs.  So cute.

Lydia keeping Pops out of the rain. 

Most of the Calderwoods on Christmas morning.

Making gingerbread houses or in this case a stadium!  Britt and Drew with Cody.

Pops, Lydi Bug, and Kam Jam making a castle for a princess :)

The Castle.

Jackson just watching patiently oh and sneaking candies from his Dad.

The Nativity made by Mom, Erin, and Haley

The Castle won 1st prize!

Jim, Aubrey, and Angie with the Sears Tower.  (I still can't bring myself to calling it Willis Tower.)

Better look

Clarks made a church.  Let's just say it was our first time and it didn't go so well so we made it into whatever it ended up looking like haha.

Uncle Jimmy reading to Jack.

While we were all together we decided to celebrate Jimmy and Jack's birthdays on Jimmy's birthday.  So we had an awesome 1st bday party on the 26th!!

Jackson got an activity table from Grandpa and Grandma Clark in the Philippines and loves it!! He also received books, clothes, and figurines from Mom and Dad and his Aunts and Uncles.  He loved his birthday.

Getting ready for cake.  Pres was so worried that Jack would be one of those babies that just didn't even care about the cake but oh how wrong he was.  Jackson LOVED it!!

Happy 1st Birthday lil man!!

A very much needed bath time!

Jimmy celebrating 30 years of life!!  Look at that bonfire, holy smokes!!

We were so excited to get everyone together one last time before the Koudelka's headed back to Boise.  We had a delicious breakfast at Kneaders and then headed to IKEA since most of us were out of staters and didn't have one close by.  It was great to get the few things we needed and spend as much time as we could together.

Brian with Claire and Teagan.  

The Clark grandkids!  How cute are they?

One more :)

IKEA fun!

We spent New Years up in Midway at the Calderwoods.  It was great to have almost everyone together again before we all had to go our separate ways.  I'm not gonna lie, we rang in the New Year at 11pm because we were all so tired haha. 

Just a fun shot from an overlook in Midway.  So beautiful!

Calderwood kids.  Cody, Haley, Aubrey, and Kami ringing in the New Year in style :)

Britt, Erin, Pops (being goofy haha), and Mom

Ang and Cor

Oh yea, and these 2 love birds! :) 

We hope you all had an amazing holiday season and New Year!  Here's to an amazing 2015 with lots of laughter, fun, and surprises!