Happy Birthday to Jared!!!!

Happy birthday to my oldest son, Jared! Today is his 29th birthday. I am not sure if I like this business of my kids getting older because....that means I can't lie about how old I am anymore and say I am 35.  The math just doesn't add up. 


Back to Jared.  Jared has always been such a fun child.  I am so glad he was my oldest, sometimes I think we sort of grew up together. He is loyal, strong, very smart, kind, quite handsome, very tall and has the best sense of humor.  When I am around him and we just talk, I realize how much I have missed his conversation and intelligence.  What a joy to have around.

Happy birthday to Jared!

This is what I got Jared for his birthday. He has always loved words and the English language. This mug made me laugh and I thought he would get a kick out of it. The other pictures are just a couple of my favorites.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Jared sent me this picture yesterday and I thought I would share.  This would be so fun to see in real life.  Thanks for sending me this Jared! Wish we were there.

Middle School!

Since I am such a slacker I got Jacob's first day of school picture after school!  He had a great day on his first day of sixth grade.  Everything went smoothly and he is ready for the year.  What a handsome kiddo!

In other kiddo news....
Jared is at the University of New Mexico in the Phd. program in economics.  He is doing well and we hope to see  him sometime during the holidays. (I'll be sending a plane ticket if I have to)

Lucas and Shanae are at the University of Wyoming.  Lucas changed his major to business and just got  a new job in the computer lab.  They have one little boy, Connor, and one on the way due to arrive in March.

Rachael and Eli are both finishing up their degrees this semester at the University of Wyoming.  Rachael's is in Communication and Eli is getting his in Computer Science and Accounting.  It looks like they will stay in Laramie for a while since Eli has a nice job all ready. They have one little girl, Eve. 

Mark is starting his college career also at the University of Wyoming.  He was wondering if he would be homesick.  Actually, I think I will be with most of my family in Laramie.  He is studying engineering and leaning towards something in the energy field right now.  He will go to school for at least two semesters and then leave for a mission.

Life is good. I just realized that this is the first year in 22 years that I don't have a child in elementary school.  I guess it is time to grow up.  Rats.

Flashback 27 Years Ago!

 Happy Birthday to my Jared!  I can't believe that he will be 27 on Saturday.  Time sure does fly when you are having fun, I guess.  The first picture is of Jared with his cousins Matthew and Kyle.  Love those Robertson ties guys!

 Here is Jared high jumping for the University of Wyoming.  What a talented kid!

This is a picture from his mission.

 Here is a very hairy picture of Jared just after he won an indoor high jump competition. Such a handsome young man.

 This is a reminder to us just how tiny this guy was when he was born.  He weight 4 lbs, 14 ounces and had a hard time not losing weight.  He was six weeks early, supposed to come April third but made his appearance on February 25th.  Talk about not being ready.

Here he is with his cousin Brian.  They were both little tiny guys but now Jared is 6' 6" tall and Brian is 6' 4".  They grew.

 Matthew loved taking care of Jared when we lived in Laramie.  Gwen would watch him for us while we were in class.  That was a fun time.

 Such a cutie!

I love this picture. Anyway, happy birthday to you my dear one!  Have  super week and a fantastic day!

Happy Early B-Day!

I was scanning pictures of Jared into the computer this morning and got carried away. Each one of these pictures brings back such vivid and wonderful memories. Jared has always been a little impatient. He came six weeks early and I will tell you that I was not ready! What a tiny little guy he was. He was born at 4 lb 14 ounces and got down to 4 lb 7 ounces before he started gaining some weight back. I couldn't believe that they let me bring this little guy home.

Jared and Brian in matching outfits. Such little frogs.

Matthew is trying to give Jared his bottle. Best of friends.

Oops! Busted!

Just hanging around in Rawlins. Jared has always loved to climb things. I think he still does!

First day of school.

Jared and Lucas had broken arms at the same time. Two different accidents. Jared was playing flag football and got the kids flag but got his arm stepped on at the same time. Ouch!

I think this is his sophomore year in high school. Merry Christmas!

His missionary photo. I love this picture. Such a handsome man.

Lovely Megan and Handsome Jared!

I absolutely love this picture! Jared looks so happy!

Jared does love his family. This is a picture of the Clark boys, Jared and Lucas after a grueling bike ride from Laramie to Cheyenne.

I just had to put a video on of Jared high jumping for the University of Wyoming.

Laramie Trip!

Jacob and I went to Laramie to pick up Mark from HSI. We decided to go a few days early so we could play with Jared, Megan, Rachael, Eli, Lucas, Shanae, and Gwen and family. We also got to see Brian and rub his head. He liked that. On Tuesday afternoon I had to have a walk to get all the kinks out of my legs so we went to Prexy's pasture with Jared, Eddie and Mazie. I gave Mark and Lucas a quick text to tell them where we were and everyone showed up there. It was nice to see them. I took Mark, Lucas and Shanae out to dinner at Applebees. Mark likes Applebees better than Washakie Cafeteria. The waitress looked at us and said, "It looks like everyone here is over 21 right? I told her that Mark was just sixteen and she had to do a doubletake. Shanae is only 20, so the waitress didn't do very well guessing. Jared fed Jacob a hotdog and took him to his game with him. The first evening in Laramie Jacob and I got to see Jared's softball game. He plays for Clark and Sons with Matthew, Kyle and Lane. The wind was blowing ferociously and the ball didn't always go where it was planned. I think that might be Nathan out in left field.

.This ball was ripped right up the third base line for a double! Really nice hit.

We got to go see Gwen and Randy play a game of soccer. There were only three women there so no subs for them. The men had a few more. Gwen was awesome and scored a goal by hitting the ball that was thrown in with her head. A dream come true for her.

I think Gwen will get the ball this time.

Randy was taking a breather here.

Jacob, Mary and Brad got to sleep out on the tramp on Tuesday night. I thought it might be kind of cold but they were just fine and had a good time.

Gwen and Brennan. He is just a lovely boy.

Jared and Jacob trying to be as tall as the Polar Bear. Keep growing boys!

Jared, Megan, Rachael, Eli, Brad, Jacob and Mary at the Denver Zoo.

This guy is a harbor seal. The only one amongst a crowd of sea lions. He was looking kind of lonely.

The peacock was just lovely. I think he was looking for the hen. Jared found her outside the front doors of the zoo and chased her back in. Job well done, Jared.

Jacob really, really wanted to ride the train so a few of us did. We had a great time and the train conductor was quite funny.

The orangutan was all relaxed and feeling happy.

The Hippo was fun to watch but he really didn't have any desire to get out of the water.

One bored Gorilla!

This rhino was surprisingly (at least to me) tame and docile. For some reason they kept holding onto his tail while they were cleaning the sores on his skin.

A nice but very slow elephant. It took a long time for this guy to come in the door.

Jared and Megan in the elephant house.

Rachael and Eli in front of the elephants! They didn't get elephant mooned in the second picture.

Jared and Megan in front of the Giraffes at the front entrance.

Randy turned 52 while we were in Laramie! Fifty -two candles on that cake! It took a lot of hands to light them all on fire before the candles melted. Kyle 'took one for the team' by getting scorched. Way to get the ones in the middle Kyle!