A Big Week

This week was a big one for Dexter; he is changing so much. First he grabbed his foot, than he learned how to play. He reached for his toys and shoved them right in his mouth. He also figured out how to sit up without toppling over and now you can't get his knees to unlock because all he wants to do is stand. If you get him at the right time he will talk to you for an hour. There is so much to be said.
He also learned how to fly, thanks to Darren. Darren threw him up in the air and than we had instant crying. This was right after Darren claimed he is so good with all the babies on campus. I am hoping he meant infants not "babies".

Como se dice MTC?

We sent David off to the foreign land known as the MTC, based right in his hometown. David will be in the MTC for 9 weeks and head out to Oaxca, Mexico February 26th. He has been waiting a long 4 months-so saying goodbye was easy. I had a tear-but it didn't even fall. So we our out of brothers to send on missions. I guess next up is Dexter and waiting for Brady 's return. It is going to be quiet around our parts.

A Christmas Mess

So here is our Christmas morning, it was a mess, I guess that is what happens when you have 8 people. Our tradition of opening presents comes from when my dad cut off his finger, that Christmas morning he was all drugged up and had a cast up to his shoulder, so we gave him a orange and he would roll the orange into the stack of presents and whatever present it landed on that was who got to open it. So it makes opening presents last longer. Its organized chaos! We started opening gifts at 11:30, its nice not having any little ones, I am sure that experience will be going away.

A Christmas Baby!

So has anyone noticed that we had our first baby, so since it is our first the pictures have to be times 10. So here are shots of Dexter's first Christmas.

Finger Food!!

It was quite a fun interesting holiday. First of all lets establish that Pat does have sex appeal. (that was her gift) Now I will explain the Lybbert tradition that is slowly becomig a Clark one. We eat finger food every Christmas Eve, because about 15 years ago my dad cut his finger almost off and had to go to the emergency room and get it put back on. It really isn't that gruesome, he was the only one there; we just couldn't find dad after coming home from shopping. That story is what got me accepted into the Clark-Oram family so this is important and we take it very serious, or basically we just stuff our faces. So here are shots from our Christmas Eve night,we had a left right game as well which I got the pleasure of writing this year. (I also learned that Carl gags when he cleans his ears out)

Snotty or Naughty!

The best story of Christmas has to come from Parker Sweet, (at least he didn't puke on my floor) On Christmas eve Parker was crying and showing his finger to everyone, everyone thought he had hurt his finger so they kissed it better. But jokes on them because Parker had put his finger down his diaper and I guess he didn't like what he got on it. So Carl, Sam and Carrie should not be doing any misteltoe action.

Surprise and Tile

Here is our tile with actual grout in them-Curtis and Carl spend the day doing this, even Craig was quite impressed with their work. Curtis said it must be good to get a compliment from Craig. Its not all done yet-about 80%.

What's that sitting on the table, oh its my Christmas present. I guess Curtis isn't really good at hiding things. I came home from work and there were bags on the table, so I gandered but didn't peek. Curtis got mad-took it out on me, it turned into a discussion, but he was just mad he left them out in plain site. Then he also told me not to look under the blanket in the car and the top shelf in the closet. I think he gave away his hiding places on that one too. If I was Carl I would definately be knowing what I was getting for Christmas by now.

Radio Flyer

A couple years ago we got Carl a radio flyer antique sled for Christmas-someone gave us this crazy, funny cute radio flyer outfit. Don't you love the hat-with matching socks. It's kind of festive.

Farewell Davey

David had his mission farewell today, he did quite well, he had some tender moments. So these are pictures from this afternoon, Dexter stole a little of David's thunder as well. They both are cute little guys. (Curtis commented it had been a whole week since I updated, so I guess I have been slacking) David leaves us December 27th, he is ready and wants out of here, he is sick of waiting and we need some sleep. Every night David comes over with pudding, rice krispies, or hot chocolate and than we go to bed before he leaves. He is just hanging out and waiting, so now he is finally getting closer. (my brothers joked that Darren came down for Brady's but not David's, it must have to do with all the milk comments.)

Oooooh!

We spent the weekend at Pat and Carl''s, we finally got out of town to West Jordan. It was great because Dexter hasn't really bonded with his Clark grandparents. This weekend they got bonded, smiles and coos. We got to hang out with the Sweet's as well. Going to Pat and Carl's is always good this time of year because anything that is flat or has a ledge has a dish of candy on it. (We don't take pictures of ourselves anymore, sorry) Dexter has rattle socks on his feet, it is quite cute.

Elise who?

Elise moved out, lets just say this girl is not all that responsible. So she bought a big TV, if you can call it big with the help of us, so the TV isn't paid off which means it doesn't leave the house. Which means Curtis lugged it upstairs and now he watches TV with a big smile on his face. (I called home about 10 times yesterday and got no answer, so of course I am worried because there is a child involved, oh but how can you answer the phone when you can't hear it) I have to remind Curtis that we have a baby and renters downstairs. I'll admit it does look quite nice in our Living room. So we will see what actually happens here, we got stuck with Lola so you never know.

A big boy

There isn't much to share except Dexter. (You all needed your Dexter fix) He just reached his 3 month mark. We are proud to say that he does still fit in his 3 month old clothes quite nicely. His adidas du is thanks to Indiana Clarks, cute outfit. He can coo and smile like a champ, no laughing yet, he can kind of sit up with assistance of course, plus it doesn't help he is slighty top heavy and oh the cheeks, that is the best part. (David makes fun of him and says its OK because chubby people can make fun of chubby people, I tell him he doesn't know he is chubby so it can't count.)

Just push snooze!

They say the holy ghost goes to bed at midnight, well so does Curtis' common sense. Curtis has been known to do some dumb stuff after he has slept. Like the many other stories that have been told; this one might be the best. Last night Curtis said he is getting the first Dexter wake up call. Here is the replay: I nudged Curtis to tell him Dexter is crying, Curtis just lays there, I say again he is crying, Curtis says he is trying to turn it off while he reaches to the side as if he is turning off the alarm. (his reach was an exaggerated swipe in the midair a couple times) I tell him he is a baby not a snooze button. So of course I get up, I ask Curtis 4 times where is the binky, he even sits up and looks around (it is pitch black) and goes back to bed. I ask him if I am suppose to get this one, and all I get it snoring. Finally he wakes up and of course he does not remember one thing that just happened. So after Curtis goes to sleep he is done for the day, but it does make for some good stories. He only brings it on himself. (I hope Darren didn't teach him this doozy)

Well, my grandpa will be right out!

We got our Christmas tree up and ready. Last year and this year we have gotten our tree from a grandpa in Lehi. He sells them in his front yard, they are pinion trees off the reservation. So its got a little bit of culture and they sure are pretty. Last year we asked his grandson how much the trees were, he said, "well my grandpa will be right out", sure enough grandpa came in his pinstriped overalls and turkey sandwich in hand. We knew this year we had to go to the same place, and there was grandpa just the same as last year. The best part of him is he grows his white beard on his neck and shaves everywhere else. He tells us every tree is a nice one. So we got the best tree that he was selling. So hopefully grandpa sticks around so we can keep buying our trees from him.

Into the kitchen we go

The wood floors are done, now it is time to focus on the tile. Curtis is bringing the tile into the kitchen. We are getting slowly there, but it will someday be done and worth it.

Butterball of Blue

Dexter is going to get some blue eyes. I never thought that would happen. So thanks to Pat and Craig because they are the provider of these blue eyes. Dexter is looking a little blue right before his bath, (and upside down) He also has his church duds on. Have we mentioned he is a little on the chunky side? In primary we had a kid comment that he thinks Dexters cheeks are getting a little bit chubby. At least he gave him the benefit of the doubt and we prefer them chubby.