O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging;

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging;

Not only green when summer's here,

But also when 'tis cold and drear.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

How often has the Christmas tree

Afforded me the greatest glee!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy candles shine so brightly!

From base to summit, gay and bright,

There's only splendor for the sight.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

How richly God has decked thee!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

How richly God has decked thee!

Thou bidst us true and faithful be,

And trust in God unchangingly.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

How richly God has decked thee!!

Knott's Berry Farm

Knott's Berry Farm honors Fire and Police Officers, which means we get to visit the park for free! It is a great opportunity to spend time at a different amusement park especially when we don't have to pay. Hailey was a little nervous about the rides since we only visit one time a year, but once we were there she had a blast with her cousins. It was a cold and slightly rainy day, but we pretty much had the park to ourselves.

First stop was Santa. We were the only ones there and Santa spent time talking to each girl.

Hailey and Santa

Hailey telling Santa she wants roller skates for Christmas

The girls: Peyton, Calista, Delaney and Hailey with Santa

One of Hailey's favorite rides... she went on it like 5 times!

What an adorable picture with cousin Delaney

Mommy's favorite ride to watch... so hilarious!

Hailey's first time on the log ride

Hailey and Delaney

Thank you Knott's Berry Farm for honoring those that protect us!

Christmas Photos 2009

Every year the Clark side of the family gets together to take Christmas pictures. It is so fun getting the cousins together and attempting to get them to all look and smile at the camera at the same time. This year we met in Downtown Orange and ended up with some pretty cute pictures! Thank you Uncle Sol for your time and patience!

Uncle Sol, Auntie Terri, and Peyton

Uncle Vince, Auntie Staci, Calista, and Delaney

Uncle Mike, Auntie Natalie, and MacKenzie

Uncle Chris and Landon

December is Here!

Well the craziness of December has begun. The calendar was full before the month ever began. I love the month of December and all the Christmas decorations, and time spent with family. The first week of December has already been busy with some fun events.

This is our first official year of Christmas at our house. This is the first time we have ever hung Christmas lights. Hailey loves lights and makes us drive around the neighborhood to see all the different houses. Daddy was a trooper and allowed Hailey to help him with the process.

We had a visit from Santa who left one of his friends, Elfe and a story. Elfe spends most of his time at our house. He does fly home to the North Pole when Hailey is sleeping to tell Santa if she has been Naughty or Nice that day. But, Elfe always returns before Hailey awakes in a new spot which allows Hailey to search all over to find him.

As Hailey is getting older she has been more interested in each of the holidays. She especially loves all of the Christmas decorations. It is fun getting to try new things with her. This was our first attempt at building a gingerbread house from a box. Lets just say it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. We spent a night decorating with Auntie Natalie and MacKenzie. Auntie Natalie's house was already assembled... we will remember that for next year if we try again. Hailey didn't seem to mind, she was most interested in licking the frosting. We came home and Daddy had to use caulk to keep the roof on! I guess we won't be eating it!

We are so blessed to have annual Disneyland passes and live so close to Disneyland. Unfortunately, those passes expire this month. We love going to Disneyland during Christmas because of the amazing decorations, the parade, the firework show, and the snow. We met up with Auntie Terri, Uncle Sol, and Peyton to enjoy Christmas time at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Auntie Staci and Uncle Vince hosted a Christmas Party in the backyard with one of their favorite bands, Dublin 4. They had tons of family and friends, and wonderful food to enjoy while watching the band. Hailey loved being able to play with the band and spend time with her cousins.

Because we are so crazy we went back to Disneyland Saturday evening to watch The Candlelight Ceremony. It was a short visit, so I didn't take my camera. Colin had once been in the ceremony when he was in High School and had talked about wanting to see it, so we did. It was my first time. We arrived about 25 min. before it began and found a pretty decent place to watch from. The music was beautiful. Hailey enjoyed it for about the first 15 min., but seemed to lose interest. It is mostly for adults, but I'm glad we went.

As the week came to an end we were all exhausted!! Colin and I talked about how blessed our lives are and how lucky we are to expose Hailey to all these different adventures. I know she is young and will probably not remember much at all, but I'm thankful to be able to document it and share the memories with her as she gets older.

Annual Thanksgiving Desert Trip

After packing the trailer, we headed for our long awaited get-away to the desert. Hailey had been anticipating the day and just couldn't handle the excitement of the drive! She has been talking for weeks about sleeping in the trailer and riding her motorcycle. With Colin's new job, we were able to leave on Wednesday late afternoon. We spent Thanksgiving morning riding and drove home to eat dinner with all of the Packers. After our meal we drove back and spent the rest of the weekend with family and friends. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate the entire trip, but we enjoyed our time away as a family.

Asleep on the ride to the desert

Fun rides on Auntie Natalie's new Rhino

Motorcycle Rides

Crafts

No naps= falling asleep while eating dinner

Bundling up for the camp fire and yummy smores

Cold night rides

Thanksgiving is traditionally the time to reflect on the things we are thankful for. Although I may not always show it, or express it, I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for my parents, especially my Mom. As a mother myself, I realize how much she sacrificed for her family. She was such a strong woman and did whatever she could for her family. I'm thankful for her love, patience, and her belief in me. I'm especially grateful that she was my Mom, and I hope that I can be as good a mother as she was. I'm thankful for siblings that have stuck together through all the hard times. I'm thankful for the close relationships we have and the constant communication. I'm thankful for Colin and our relationship. I'm thankful that we are sealed as a family for time and eternity. I'm thankful for his support, his example, his hard work, and his love. I'm extremely grateful for Hailey. I'm thankful for her love, snuggles, energy, attitude, and fun personality. I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father who has blessed me with so much. I'm thankful to have The Church in my life, and the knowledge that families can be together forever. Happy Thanksgiving!!