Christmas!

Well we are finally back from Denver Colorado!

We had a great time there, but it's always nice to be back.

(WARNING: Long post)

The beautiful flowers Dustin came home with.

Before I go on about Christmas I want to write down about our anniversary. Our anniversary was AWESOME! And Dustin really spoiled me this year, what can I say I'm a lucky lady.

Before we started our date, we dropped off Dustin's mom at the airport with Thomas, man, that was hard for me. Since Denver was a long drive we decided to have Thomas fly with Dustin's mom while we drove the next day. It was the first night away from Thomas EVER!!! And it was a little hard on me at first, not going to lie. But Dustin and I have never had an anniversary without Thomas before like that. Our first anniversary he was a month old so I couldn't leave longer than 2 hours, and the other one we just went to a movie and took him to dinner with us. So it was nice to be just us.

That night Dustin took me to the Cheesecake Factory which was good as always. Than he took me to Build-a-Bear to make a bear, I know I'm just like a kid, but we were there the other day and he could tell I wanted to make one, so he gave me a gift card to go there. 

Than we went to Pottery Barn Kids , which is one of my favorite stores but $$$, so if you haven't heard of it or seen any of their stuff, DON'T, you will never be satisfied by anything else, their stuff is that cute! And he let me get some of their Christmas ornaments, since I've been wanting to get more Christmas stuff and they were 75% off so the price was reasonable like what you would pay at 

Walmart. Also Dustin's been giving me some spending money every month and there was a quilt there that I wanted REALLY bad for Thomas, and again, there was a great deal that day and Dustin told me to go ahead and get it, which is a good thing, because if he didn't say to do it, I probably wouldn't ever get it and I have been eyeing at this quilt for months! 

I was very spoiled, I did give him a gift certificate so he could buy some art books for the I pad, but my present was nothing compared to his. 

DENVER

Than the following day we headed to Denver. It was a 12 hour drive, 800 something miles and I was 35 weeks pregnant... surprisingly it wasn't that bad and it was nice to get to talk to Dustin one on one that we had a few good laughs and some funny stories involving public bathrooms. 

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve was a more relaxed day and we had all the kids decorate sugar cookies for Santa. Thomas didn't quite grasp the concept and he just started eating the cookies.

Later that night we had a Christmas program, but in the middle of it Thomas threw up, and we had to get him all cleaned off. Poor little guy, I felt so bad for him, he was miserable and kept throwing up and crying. After we gave him a bath I put him in bed with me and tried to get him to fall asleep, but than he heard Santa (Dustin's dad) downstairs and he got excited and wanted to see him. So we went down there, than in a few minutes later he threw up again. I felt so bad, this poor kid, wanting to see Santa but was too sick. So we cleaned him up again and put him in bed and he finally feel asleep around 10:30. I could tell he was miserable and I was so heart broken. That night we had to do some laundry because Dustin had gone through three outfits, Thomas went through two, and I went through one. Than we went to bed.

CHRISTMAS DAY:

The next day, Thomas woke up at 4:30 and wouldn't go back to bed, so we took him downstairs and wondered if he was hungry since he hadn't eaten all day the day before and that he threw up a ton. We got him to eat a little when he looked over at the Christmas tree and saw the train track that "santa" left for him. Usually Dustin's family makes the kids wait till every one is awake before they can come out, but we figured since Thomas missed out on the party the night before he could see the presents early. And he LOVED the train set. He played with it for 2 hours straight before the other kids got up.

Than when everyone was awake we opened presents! It was so fun to see Thomas get excited about unwrapping presents and getting excited about every toy/book he got. He got a lot of Thomas &Friends trains sets, books, and a movie that right away he went straight to the TV because he wanted to watch it. He also got a plane, clothes, the Polar Express book, home-made crayons, the kid was in heaven. 

Dustin got more art books, I can't buy enough art books for this kid. That's almost the only thing I get him for every birthday/Christmas. So he got about 4 art books, I also got him clothes, some movies. He also got an apple TV and a monitor from his parents so he can start doing digital caricatures for parties.

As for me, again, I got spoiled. Dustin did SO good this year. I got a BUZZ LIGHT YEAR! Yes, I'm a nerd, and a kid at heart, he also got me the Maurander's map replica from Harry Potter-that one was a big surprise! I guessed all my presents but that one I had no idea, I've been wanting that ever sense I saw one at Harry Potter World, it is very cool, it unfolds super crazy like the movie, yes I'm a super NERD. He also got me the 5th Harry Potter book (I've been slowing collecting them), boots, and a fake wood floor for photography! I'm SOOOOOO excited for that one! I haven't used it yet, but I'm so excited to use with it Thomas and Baby #2! I told you, he did do good! I also got, I don't know what you call them, but my mother-in-law got me those crochet Sesame Street characters that you put around your camera lens to help get kids attention. And she gave me money to spend on Christmas sales because like I mentioned I've been trying to get more Christmas decorations. 

So we all got very spoiled this year, so much for trying to keep it a small Christmas this year. 

Than here are some pictures through out the week. It was so fun to hang out with family. And I had a white Christmas!!! Last year was little sad, when it was still 90 degrees in Florida. 

We did a lot of hanging around, some went ice skating-we sat that one out, not a good idea for a pregnant girl, a bunch of us saw Les Meserables- I'm still digesting that movie, I liked it, I don't know if I want to see it again, it was really heavy for me and I cried 3 times. Anne Hathaway blew me away and I don't even like her! The camera work bothered me, I'm sure there is a reason for the style they did it in, but it was too distracting for me, and sometimes the people were out of focus. Mariaus( or whatever his name is) was AWESOME, and Eponine (again not sure how to spell it) was amazing. Not sold on Russell Crowe, but I'm never sold on him. I did think it should have been rated R but that is my opinion, I knew their was going to be stuff in it because of the subject matter, but being PG-13 I thought I would see a little less. I do think it deserves to win rewards but it's not the best show that I keep hearing on Facebook.  So there is my 2 cents about the movie.

Also we got some awesome sales at stores after Christmas, Old Navy was practically giving away their clothes, ok, that's exaggerating, but their deals were awesome. Also Dustin's dad got more tracks for Thomas' trains so now he has I don't know how many sets but now we can build a lot. I think everyone played with the trains at least once this week. 

Gotta love the pink snow pants! I didn't want to buy snow clothes to just use for one day so we used hand-me downs from cousins. 

Than yesterday we headed back, while Thomas flew with Dustin's mom. But this time we had Dustin's brother Hayden and Lara, his wife, come back with us and they are here for 2 and half weeks!

So now that we are back to reality, I've started getting stuff out for baby #2! I'm down to 3 1/2 weeks! I'm hoping less, but I might not be so lucky. My guess is January 17th, I just wanted to pick a date, so that's the date. I just want to see how close I was.

Anyway, this was a long post, probably boring for most. 

But I hoped everyone had a good Christmas too!

Three years ago I married the Man of my Dreams!

Three years ago I married the man of my dreams!

Things might not always be perfect, but he really is perfect for me, and I know that more now that I did the day I married him. Many times this year I would sit back and look at Dustin and would be at an awe and think how lucky I am. He truly is a blessing in my life and the Lord knew I needed him.

For some reason this year seemed the be the easiest in our marriage, at least for me. I don't know why that is, maybe because we have become more like a one vs a two, if that makes sense?

I just know that marriage was just been getting better and better!

I love you Dustin! 

Thanks for being such a good husband and father!

Gingerbread Train...Well Sorta...

For FHE we decided to make a gingerbread train, or a graham cracker train...

In the past Dustin and I have failed miserably at the whole gingerbread thing, we even got a kit one year and it still didn't stay up. So this year was a HUGE step...

So we've decided we aren't 3D artists, because we can't carve pumpkins or build a good gingerbread house or train, at least we have fun though, right?

Thomas loved it! He loved eating the frosting, hence the white beard around his mouth, and he did actually a lot of the decorating, more than I thought a 2 year-old would do. 

Also grandma Lisa joined us with the festivities and made some chocolate covered pretzels. 

Than afterwards we met up with Dustin's grandparents and drove around the neighborhood to look at all the pretty lights. 

It was nice to do something fun, since it's been a while since we've all been sick the last two weeks. 

Too Cute Not to Post

I know I just posted pictures of Thomas by the tree, but the lighting was really bad and I wanted to redeem myself a little, and also I love this Sunday outfit on Thomas, he is sooo cute, but I could be bias.   He's such a fun age I'm so excited for Christmas this year with this little guy, and I'm excited to see him with all of his cousins in Denver, he's going to have a blast!

These are a few of our favorite things...

Thomas' favorite thing is TRAINS, we can't get enough of them in this household, that I thought I would take some pictures of him playing with our advent calendar train. The pictures are not the best quality because it was nighttime and bad lighting but I still like them.

And some of my favorite things, is Christmas decor and our stockings! The train one is actually baby #2 but Thomas' actual stocking is in a box in Idaho, but it too is a train one but it's a little different, so we decided he could use this one this year. 

I also have a wrapping paper obsession, I love wrapping paper, almost every time I go to a store I look through their wrapping paper section, especially at Christmas time. I don't know where this obsession came from but I get so excited to pick out wrapping paper and ribbon every Birthday and Christmas, I had this wrapping paper way before Thanksgiving because I loved it! I love the plaid red wrapping paper, so of course I had to take a picture. I know it's silly but o well. 

Christmas Card

For those who we don't have your email:

(one day I will actually print cards, but till now we are doing digital)

This has been one exciting year for the Clark's, between having a baby #2 on the way, moving to a different state, traveling all over the U.S., and just life in general.

So here's the year in a summary.

Dustin: Dustin has increased his art skills a lot this last year between working at caricature stands at SeaWorld, taking an amazing online class from Stephen Silver, and going to the caricature convention last month. He's been working hard on his teacher certificate since we have moved to Texas and has been working as substitute teacher and at Walgreens at night but still has time for art and spending time with his family. He is a wonderful husband and father that we are so lucky to have him.

Jessica: Jessica has just been about everywhere in the U.S. this year. She's also been working on her art and photography skills and has earned some little money on the side while raising their son, Thomas and going through morning sickness. She misses Orlando, mainly SeaWorld and their friends, but is loving Texas and thinks Texas would be perfect if it had more of a winter, but she is loving having family near by again.  She is looking forward to not being pregnant anymore and can't wait to meet the little guy next month.

Thomas: Thomas just gets cuter and cuter and is growing up so fast. He started out this year barely walking and saying maybe 3 words to running and climbing, and saying phrases and is learning the alphabet. He is a boy through and through, he loves outside, dirt, bugs, cars, planes,  and especially  trains, that everything is a train to him. He loves to color, but likes to watch Dustin and Jessica draw, he always wants them to draw trains and lets them know if they are missing anything on it. He loves going to Dustin's grandparents house and playing with his cousins. He will be a great big brother.

It's been a great year and we are excited for the next year.

We want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

*The card was illustrated by Dustin

'Tis The Season...

'Tis the season to be sick...

our poor family has been sick the last little while. 

I have been sick the last two weeks with a very nasty cold, and Thomas just got it this last week. Poor little guy has been having a hard time sleeping at night because he can't breathe. 

That we haven't had much energy to do a whole lot, we have done some Christmas things together as a family, but with my lack of energy there has been a lack of pictures as well. 

But yesterday we went to the ward Christmas party and we got to see Santa. 

Thomas was so excited when he saw him, that several times he tried to budge in line to go see him. Than when it was our turn I was sure he would cry once we got close to him, but nope, he was a little nervous at first but than he got used to him. Dustin and I were shocked because we got a WAY different reaction last year with Santa.

Thomas loved it! So I'm glad we went because we almost didn't because of us all under the weather but I figured Thomas would like to see Santa and also I needed to get out of the house for little bit since we have been house bound this last week with sickness. 

 Hopefully this week we start feeling better so we can do some more activities for the holidays!

33 Weeks- Pregnancy Update

You gotta love a good pregnancy picture.

 I'm not a fan...

 but I do this for two reasons, one, to keep a record since I've regretted not doing it more with Thomas because I like to compare my pregnancies, and two, because I don't get to see most of my family so this is a way for them to "be part of" the whole pregnancy thing.

Anyway, here is me 33 weeks, will 32 weeks and 5 days to be exact. I just went to the doctor today and so far I have gained 25 pounds, so I've been gaining about the same rate as I had with Thomas. I also had a sonogram today and this guy is already 5 pounds, YIKES! And I have 7 more weeks to go!?!?! 

Well that explains the back, hips, and ribs aches, and being very uncomfortable, especially at night.

So I REALLY hope I don't go over due with this baby if he is already so big, but since I was induced last time because of complications I don't know what's my "norm" so I really don't know when this baby will come. 

Anyway a little update for the family.

O Christmas Tree!

This past Sunday we decorated the tree with Grandma Lisa. Thomas had  a lot of fun and loved being part of the decorating. This year is the first time I've had a real tree, and I'm a big fan of real trees. 

Christmas Lights at the Gaylord Resort

It's been super busy and crazy this last week, between Thanksgiving, Dustin's parents moving here to Texas, Thomas having his 2 year check up and dentist appointments, my doctor appointments and that I had to take the 3 hour gluclose test because I failed the first one, still having no phone ( I was dumb and washed it) and been taking some anti-biotics that have made me very tired, I'm behind in my blogging. So this will be quick since life still hasn't slowed down.

So last week we went to the Gaylord Resort to see the Christmas lights and it was BEAUTIFUL.

Thomas loved it especially all the train sets, he's really big into trains right now, we've been watching a lot of Polar Express. 

We went with Dustin's mom, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. We also celebrated Thanksgiving with them, which I have no pictures of because that too was a crazy day, that's when Dustin's parents moved everything in the house, so pictures were the last thing in my mind, and as I mentioned before I have been really tired from the medicine and I have a pretty nasty cold right now so it just didn't happen. 

Anyway, this week is crazy too, but hopefully things will kind of settle down and I will be better at blogging. 

San Antonio Trip!

Yesterday we just got back from our San Antonio trip! It was a lot of fun. 

The reason we went was because there was a caricature convention down there that Dustin wanted to attend and I wanted to go for the fun of it.

We left very early Tuesday morning so Dustin could make to some seminars that day. So while Dustin went to his seminars I checked out the Alamo and some tourists sites. We also went to the Alamo on Thursday so Dustin could come with us. Than every night Thomas would be out by 6ish (are days were always packed, poor kid would be so tired) and I would go back to our resort and Dustin would be at the caricature convention all night. I had fun just relaxing in our room, our hotel was very nice with valet parking, 2 bedroom,  2 bathrooms and one with a jacuzzi, I was in heaven. So thank you grandma and grandpa Hayden for letting us use your time share!

So here are some pictures there are a little out of order, but you get the idea.

So here are some pictures of the Alamo on Tuesday and Thursday.

The Alamo was right in the middle of the city, and smaller than I anticipated but very BEAUTIFUL, I was not disappointed. It was also fun to go with Dustin because he's never been, or if he has he was too little to remember so I told him now he is true Texan!

Than on Thursday we walked through the river walk and that was beautiful and amazing, it was my favorite part of San Antonio, it reminded me of Venice with the bridges and the little shops and restaurants everywhere. It wasn't always stroller friendly because it's pretty old, but I loved seeing the old architecture and mosaics all over. 

On Wednesday while Dustin was at the caricature convention I took Thomas to the San Antonio Zoo, I almost went to SeaWorld, I know I'm pathetic, but I like mentioned before I really miss Orlando's SeaWorld. But we had a late start the morning and it was further away, so I decided to just go to the zoo, and Thomas loved it, he loved seeing the animals. The zoo was good, especially for the price but I wished they kept it up a little nicer, than it would have been really awesome.

We were there most of the day, and afterwards there is some beautiful parks next door, and they had a train you could ride around, so I took Thomas to that before we left for the day and he loved it, probably his favorite thing this whole trip, that when we left he cried for good half hour, it didn't help that he was super tired and had been walking all day, that he cried till he fell asleep in the car and was out for rest of the night. 

It was a really fun trip, I would recommend San Antonio for a place to visit for sure! We are all exhausted after this trip, and we came home late last night, and I still went to the Breaking Dawn part 2 midnight showing with a friend, ha ha I go for the girl's night not really for the movies, they aren't my favorite but I always have fun going to a midnight showings,  so I'm really tired today so hopefully we can recover for Thanksgiving next week!