Modern Day Christmas Letter

Dear Friends,
If you are new to my blog, welcome!  Here is my attempt at a modern day Christmas letter.  It may also give you a chance to follow our daily (or weekly) (or monthly) adventures as a family.  I started this blog when Trey was born...actually, that's not true.  I started this blog when we went to Beijing, China in 2008 to watch Randy's best friend play in the Paralympics, but then it went on a hiatus until Trey was born.  Since then I have tried to keep it up to date with stories of Trey and the things we do as a family.  I now have three volumes of books of this blog that I have created using blurb.com which are some of my most prized possessions.  I hope some day Trey loves them as much as I do.

Looking at the year in review, I'm going to mention some highlights and link you to prior blog posts that you can read if you're interested.

In January, we settled into our new house in Beaverton.  Randy turned 40 and we had a Clark brewfest with some friends to celebrate.

In February, my sister Julie had her second son, Case Laine Johan McGuire.  He joined big brother Grady, and now all three boys are 16 months apart (Trey, Grady, and Case).  It has been such fun seeing them grow together.

President's Day weekend at my dad and Sandy's in Leaburg 

I wish I could have captured the pure joy on Trey's face when he saw the Yo Gabba Gang come on stage.

Randy's training him early 

My rock star 

In April, Trey continued his transition to a big boy bed, had fun in music and sports classes, and got a thrill out of Sesame Street Live.

Mother's Day in the Gorge 

Memorial Day wine tasting in southern California 

In May, we went to visit Randy's parents in Riverside, CA and our friends in San Diego. 

Practicing... 

Turning 3! 

In July, we went to the coast with Julie and her family for the fourth of July.   

Summer was filled with swimming lessons, art class, trampoline class, and lots and lots of Mommy time.  It was a really really fabulous summer.

At the end of July, Trey had to have his tonsils and adenoids out.  This helped our incredibly-shrinking-boy to start eating more and gain weight again.  Phew!

In August, we went to Anacortes for a Clark family campout.  I am always amazed how many Clarks come together for this fun family tradition.

 We spent a lot of time with Camille this summer...

 And got to babysit Grady every other Friday...

In September, we went to my dad's for the weekend and spent a day out at Triangle Lake.  

Best way to end a summer ever.  

September 25th marked eight years since losing my mom.  It is hard to believe it's been that long.  My dad, Julie, and I went out to dinner to "celebrate" my mom's life and spend some time together.  Despite our loss, we are so lucky to have such a close family.

In October, I got to accompany Trey on his first field trip to the pumpkin patch.  It has been really awesome watching him grow and learn in preschool.  This kid can identify two digit numbers and rhyme words.   He kills me!

If this isn't the cutest Mickey Mouse you've ever seen...

Trey's first time trick or treating!

In November, we went down to Eugene for Thanksgiving.  Having all three boys together is such a hoot.  I can't wait until they are older and play together even more.

In December, I am counting my blessings.  We have so many amazing friends, such a supportive family, jobs that we enjoy and learn from, our health, and a house to keep us warm.  Randy continues to fish on a nearly weekly basis, I continue to love books and reading, and Trey is currently obsessed with Mickey Mouse (thank goodness we are past the Sesame Street stage...).  Every year when I address my Christmas cards I am amazed at how many people I have in my life who I can truly call friends.  Old and new, near and far, frequent and not often enough...I am grateful for you all.

Merry Christmas from the Clarks!

So Very Thankful

I know I say this every year, but I have so many things for which to be thankful.

My boys, who become more similar every day 

New babies

This is my friend and colleague Sarah's new baby boy.

He is a true blessing, and I love that he's wearing Trey's hat ! 

Old friends

Adam and I have known each other since he started teaching at Nellie Muir in Woodburn in 2001.  Little did we know that we attended Willamette together but did not know each other.  We have been friends through our years together in Woodburn, his move to Walla Walla, his move to Tennessee, and his return to Portland in 2011.  He and his family recently moved to Colorado for Jenny's job, and I am still pretty much in denial.  Just a few weeks ago he surprised me by saying he was coming into town for just a few hours.  I picked him up at the airport and we got some beers at Horse Brass.  It was so good to see him, but it just reminded me of how much I miss him.

Beautiful sunrises like this

They almost make the commute in the morning okay.  

Almost, but not quite.

My darling nephew, Case 

It's hard to believe he's 10 months old. 

I'm so thankful that I live so close to Julie.

I love that we only live a mile from each other, 

and that I can swing by and babysit at the last minute.

I know it would make our mom happy too.   

For Thanksgiving we roadtripped to Eugene to be with my dad and Sandy.  Grady came in our car, and we met Julie, Tim, and Case at my dad's.  It was such fun to be together as a family for Thanksgiving.

Road trips and iPads/tablets

How did people parent before? 

Getting settled in with his "village" 

Grandpa Gerts and his three boys 

An all-American Thanksgiving 

Trey's "quiet time" (since he wouldn't nap) 

The boys relaxing before dinner 

Trey had his own place at the table. 

Erika, Julie, and Sandy in the kitchen 

Grady and Grandpa 

The trampoline was one of the few things to tear Trey away from the screen. 

The boys jumping around 

Trying to get my boy to cooperate for a selfie 

He wasn't really in the mood...

too bad because his shirt was super cute. 

Daddy and Trey relaxing after dinner

Randy, Trey, and I drove home on Friday, and it was really nice to have the rest of the weekend at home.  Friday night we went to watch the Civil War game at Julie and Tim's, and Saturday Randy went fishing.  Trey and I went to swimming lessons and then to Mindy and Camille's for a little birthday playdate.  

Camille in her tent 

These two play so well together, 

and Mindy and I love to hear them make up stories.  

This is on Saturday when my house was clean for about...

five minutes.   

I convinced Julie and Tim to go out for a beer on Saturday afternoon, 

so I got to spend some time with all three boys.

I forget how close of an eye you have to keep on a 10 month old.  I honestly do not know how mamas stay home with three kids.  It might kill me. 

I have had my fair exposure to children's television over the past few years.  There are a few shows and videos that I actually enjoy.  This Will.i.am video on Sesame Street is one of them.  And I also like this one by Train.  

Sunday we went to Plumper Tree Farm to see our realtor at her Christmas party.  We also got our Christmas tree.  It was the first year we haven't gone to the corner tree stand, so it felt a little grown up.  Also a lot more work.

Trey searching for the perfect tree 

Being silly 

Some day I'll have to make a collage of our self portraits. 

A picture at the tree farm seems as obligatory as a picture at the pumpkin patch.

Tonight we decorated the tree.  My main concern is that Bailey is going to piss on it.  Trey had such fun helping me hang the ornaments, and we had a special moment on the couch with the lights off looking at the tree.  I'm so excited to spend this Christmas with him when he definitely "gets it" more than before.  We are going to have a great time this month.  Stay tuned!