Clemence Family

Grandbabies

2011-10-20T00:16:00.002-06:00

Kable and Kiera (2 months old)

Two peas in a pod

The Football Player and the Ballerina...

Kable and Kiera (born August 17, 2011)

Elias' Baptism

2011-04-09T12:00:00.182-06:00

I remember on my baptism day
I was dressed all in white
I held my Father’s hand tight as I
pondered on the covenants I’d make

I would live all the commandments
I would keep myself so clean
I would live the way the Lord would have me live

And knowing I was making the right choice
I came up from the water and rejoiced

It was like I’d been born again
Born of water and the Spirit
I was clean again, free of all my worldly sin
And a very special gift was then bestowed
The very sacred gift of the Holy Ghost

Every Sunday, I take the Sacrament
And I think of that day
Of the covenants I’ve made
And I ponder how I’ve done

Am I living the commandments?
Am I keeping myself clean?
Do I live the way the Lord would have me live?

And when I should have made a better choice
I know if I repent I could rejoice

As if I’d been born again
Born of water and the spirit
I’d be clean again, free of all my worldly sin
And I’d get to keep the gift that was bestowed.
The very sacred gift of the Holy Ghost.

(by Lindy Kerby)

Mexican Riviera Cruise 10/10/10

2010-10-21T16:06:00.010-06:00

Our trip started out October 10 on the Carnival Splendor cruise line headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and beautiful Cabo San Lucas. We spent time at sea Sunday, Monday and Tuesday enjoying unlimited amounts of delicious food, night entertainment, miniture golfing, walks on the deck, and visiting with friends.

We enjoyed coming back to our stateroom with our bed turned down and a towel shaped animal sitting at the foot of the bed.

We planned our excursion for Wednesday in Puerto Vallarta to do the extreme canopy/zip line adventure and so looked forward to going. But sadly, Wednesday morning at 1:00 a.m., we were awakened by the cruise director announcing over the intercom system that a man had jumped overboard and we were to stay in the area until the Mexican coast gaurd showed up and released us. We reached Puerto Vallarta approximately 2:00 p.m., cancelling our canopy excursion, so we did a city/jungle cruise instead. It was quite a sad and disappointing day.

Thursday we went ATV riding in Mazatlan. It was fun and also my first ever experience on an ATV. The guide assured us that in his 14 years of working he has seen people ride into the brush but never a rollover. Well, of course, there has to be a first time for everything, and leave it to me to be the one to break that incident free pattern. Coming through a mud puddle, instead of taking it slow, or going around it as an intelligent individual would or should do, I gunned the ATV and fishtailed, throwing me off into the mud. Fearing the ATV might land on me, I continued to roll through the mud and ended up with only a few minor abrasions and bruises. However, I was a mess. Dave, riding behind me, wasn't sure if he should freak out or laugh at the situation. After finding out I was okay, he and I decided to laugh. The guide offered to get me medical attention or call an ambulance, but I declined. No way was I spending time in a Mexican hospital! I got back on the ATV and finished our adventure, returning to the ship that evening a literal walking mud pie.

Friday was one of the best days ever, not just on the cruise but in life. Dave and I were able to swim with the dolphins in Cabo. Cross that of our bucket lists now. It was amazing. Our dolphin's name was Nacho and he must have been the alpha male sizing up to over 9 feet long. We kissed, danced and swam with Nacho as we held on to his fins and swam around the pool. It was definitely a memory I'll never forget.

Cabo was our short day on port so after the dolphin adventure we went souvenier shopping and headed back to the ship. Cabo was absolutely beautiful, I hope to return again someday and spend more time visiting.

We spent all of Saturday at sea. All in all it was a blast. I tried sushi and escargo for the first time. Not too bad, really. Enjoyed being waited on and pampered. But mostly enjoyed spending time with my best friend and love of my life, Dave.

2010-03-09T15:43:00.005-07:00

* * *

today i'm gonna let some stuff go

i'm going to give up on having it all together

i'm going to admit i'm not perfect

i mean, is it really that big of a deal if i

get the kids to school late-don't return every email today-or eat too much

chocolate?

will the world end if i don't

bathe the kids-cook dinner-or get all the laundry folded?

and instead of feeling guilty

i will feel victorious

because letting go of perfection means

i'm spending more time with my kids

keeping my sanity and not losing my temper

and finding freedom to breathe easier

* * *

join me...

can you let go of having it all together today?

First Day of School

2009-08-27T16:23:00.004-06:00

Let It Snow...Let It Snow...Let It Snow!

2009-01-03T12:48:00.005-07:00

"Jeffery"... a snowman made at the school by Ethan and his friends

Killer Icicles (pics taken by Ethan)

Elias the ham of the fam

Sledding at the park

Elijah and his snowboard...

Wipe Out!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T12:06:00.005-07:00

We've had a Christmas Tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree each year. In Washington, trees and tree farms are abundant. However, Utah lacks in these areas. Last year, we spent $50 at a tree farm and ended up with an untrimmed, unattractive tree. This year, Dave and the boys spent hours upon hours one Saturday searching for the perfect tree without luck. We ended up breaking tradition and got this one at home depot for $40. We were quite satisfied. We believe it's the prettiest tree we've had in years.

Christmas morning Elijah and Elias opening their stockings.

Opening presents...what did Santa bring?
Elijah wanted a snowboard, Elias wanted a sled.

Two happy boys! Santa delivered...the snowboard and sled were hits! What about Enoch and Ethan?
Neither wanted pics taken...Bah Humbug! However, they were pleased with their gifts.

Gingerbread House

2008-12-17T22:16:00.003-07:00

We had a lot of fun making our gingerbread house. I guess you could say it's become a family tradition. About a week later, half the roof (mainly consisting of gum balls) somehow disappears with everyone in complete denial. And each year I threaten to not make another gingerbread house, but I always get swindled into it. It's worth it, the kids really enjoy it.

Elias' Gingerbread man

My Favorite Foods

2008-12-02T21:52:00.004-07:00

For a school assignment, Elijah listed a few of his favorite foods. I'll translate if you need:

Bread (atleast he spelled one correctly)
Chereyos=Cheerios
rols=rolls
brockley=broccoli
apples (make that two spelled correct)
strabarys=strawberries
Milk (Yea! that's three!)
oring juce=orange Juice
stake=teak
rost beef=roast beef

Now that he's learned how to make healthy food choices, we'll work on spelling!

Bobcat...Finally!

2008-11-15T16:29:00.002-07:00

Elijah's been in scouts since March and finally got his Bobcat! I don't know what took so long, perhaps his parents' lack of motivation. You see, Dave and I worked so hard with Enoch and Ethan when they were in boy scouts. Enoch even completed his Eagle Project but just didn't feel like finishing the last few requirements to get his eagle. Two things I've learned, 1) if my sons are going to get their eagle to do it by age 14 - the very latest! and 2) the boy has gotta want it more than anyone else, including mom. Good Job Elijah!!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T18:47:00.010-06:00

This Halloween was quite interesting. The Thursday night before Halloween, Elias was sick all night. Friday morning he woke up and said, "I'm better now." (Not surprising due to the fact it was Halloween and his Kindergarten Halloween party was that day.) He seemed to be feeling better, no temp or puking, so I sent him to school. He came home after school and I asked him how he felt. He said, "Fine. I only puked once and my teacher didn't find out." "GREAT," I thought, "now my son has infected the whole school."

Halloween night rolled around and he seemed to be feeling much better. So I let him trick or treat. It was a great night, warmer than usual even if it drizzled occasionally. Elias dressed up as "Venom" (you know, the bad spider man) and Elijah was "Batman". The boys had fun. Dave had fun too passing out (and eating) candy. Better him than me.

Punkin Pie and Ice Keem

2008-10-27T21:03:00.013-06:00

Happy 17th Birthday, Ethan! As a tradition, we always get Ethan a pumpkin pie for his birthday instead of or in addition to a cake. Ethan has always loved pumpkin pie, when he was a toddler he would refer to his special birthday dessert as "punkin pie and ice keem". Now for some reason I think he's getting tired of pie. He said next year he'd rather have cake... Alrighty then.

Curious George

2008-10-09T16:09:00.003-06:00

Elias, aka "Curious George", age 5, loves to play video games. I used to have some games on my cell phone but I deleted them last August. Elias approached me last month with "Mom, do you have any games on your phone?" I responded, "No, I deleted them." He said, "You have a game on your phone." I said, "Elias, no I don't, honey, remember...I deleted them." He said, "No, mom, you do too have a game." I looked and sure enough a game was on my phone. "Elias, did you put that game on my phone?" He responded, "Yes..tee hee hee."
I learned two important lessons that day. First, a five year old doesn't need to know how to read to download games and rack up megabyte usage on your phone. And second, NEVER leave your cell phone within reach of my son.

The Family

2008-09-22T15:29:00.006-06:00

Kokopelli Triathalon 2008

2008-09-20T20:08:00.009-06:00

Swimming 750 meters...
Biking 12.5 miles...
Running 3.1 miles...

Dave's first ever triathalon, in St. George, Utah. Happy to have survived! Immediately afterwards he swore to never to do it again, but maybe 30 minutes later he responded, "Yeah, I'd do it again...it wasn't that bad!" Brings back memories for me, especially after giving birth. However, I did wait at least 30 minutes before wanting to go through all of that again!

Elias' First Day of School

2008-08-25T14:49:00.026-06:00

My baby's first day in Kindergarden.
I thought would be sad, but I handled it quite well.
We both were ready for this day to come.

Elijah's First Day of School - 3rd grade

2008-08-18T15:19:00.001-06:00

The Bike

2008-07-20T15:25:00.003-06:00

My sexy husband and his motorcycle.

I was not at all happy about this purchase but couldn't argue due to the constant rise in gas prices. To make me feel more at ease, he's nick-named the bike the "death star".

Elijah's Baptism Day

2008-05-31T00:31:00.000-06:00

Enoch's Graduation

2008-05-29T00:27:00.009-06:00