Tid- Bits

Well since I get tired of other people not updating their blogs, I suppose I should update mine.
We are home from Christmas and back to real life here in the depths of our first Omaha Winter. Jayson is already busy studying for his second semester of sophomore year, and already thinking about the boards he has to take this summer. He is finally getting more "hands-on" experience in the lab, rather than listening to lectures. I am back to work with the kidlets and have already had a cold (go figure) from them. We keep busy these long, cold days with work, school, friends, and of course a few great television shows. It is a good thing we have DVR because there are just so many good shows on right now. We start the week off with Bachelor on Monday, then American Idol, mid-week Lost, and (it's almost Friday) The Office. It is amazing that I get anything done with all of these shows to watch :) Since I have been busy being a bum, I finished the scarf I was going to give my mom for Christmas! I will give it to her (maybe) when I see her next. When we are not being bums watching TV we try to fulfill our church callings. Jayson is gone at least one evening of the week plus an 8 hour Sunday and I just taught Relief Society on Sunday (I am the Teachings of Our Times teacher- the best calling ever!) I taught Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Lift Where You Stand" . It was such a good talk, it was really fun to read and prepare a lesson for.
The most exciting thing about these cold, bleak months is that I just got 4 days off of work so I can play with my mom and my sister when they come to visit in 10 DAYS!!! I can hardly stand how excited I am! At first when they planned the trip I thought "it's only going to be a month since I saw them last.." but guess what? It couldn't come any sooner- I miss them so much!
That's it for now- next time I will have pictures of me, mom and sis. Yeah!

Happy Birthday Jayson!

Jayson was lucky enough to spend his birthday in Utah with family! We had a really fun day with his family. It started bright and early going to the temple with his mom while she played the organ. She had a few family names that Jayson and I did baptisms for and then went directly upstairs to do initiatories for. It was really neat to go from one ordinance to the other for the same person. After the temple, Jayson opted for a homemade breakfast rather than going out, so we made french toast and the famous Magelby's syrup and then took a nap! It has been so long since we were able to take a nap in the middle of the day- it was so fun. Later in the afternoon we went and saw the movie Australia with Jayson's parents, which was really good. We went to dinner at the Roof that night with his parents and his brother and his wife. Temple Square is so beautiful in the winter and it was really fun to be close to the Salt Lake Temple. I made everyone walk around Temple Square for a little while to see the lights (I know we have done it before, but you appreciate it more when you have been away I think). After dinner we came home and opened presents. I think he had a great day and it was really fun to spend it with his family! I love you honey!











ALSO...

While in Utah I was able to sneak in a lunch with high school friends

and a dinner with my college roommates (+Alisha).


It was sooo fun to catch up and see everyone. I of course, would have loved to stay hours longer- but it was great to see them. I know Jayson and I missed people that we really wanted to see, but we were crazy busy running from one family to the next. We love you all and thank you for making our trip to Utah the absolute best!

Hawks Christmas Party!

We were lucky enough to be able to do an early Christmas with my family before we all headed off to the the in-laws. It was a huge success, and when possible, I think we should do it every year! The girls got together one afternoon and helped my mom finish cooking and working on my brother's Christmas gifts (quilts), Jayson went skiing with my brother and then we all met up for dinner. We also had two surprise guests...my grandparents! They drove all the way from Richfield and stayed the night. It was so fun to see them! I have really missed seeing my own immediate family, but also my grandparents! The next morning we had the traditional breakfast and exchanged our gifts to one another. My parents gave all of the married kids sleeping bags, which was really fun. We just hung out, watched movies, napped, and then took Lili sledding at the neighborhood hill.


Grandma and Grandpa Hawks on Christmas morning




Sleeping bags!


Sledding (what this picture doesn't show is the crash.... compliments of Jayson) :)


Visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Cline

Clark Family Christmas

Jayson and I just got back from an AMAZING trip home for Christmas! I will start with the Clark side of the party...

Jayson and I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas with his parents. Nate and Paige came for Christmas Eve dinner and Coleen, of course, prepared an outstanding spread of delicious food (unfortunately I was a little under-the-weather) but I did my best to try one bite (literally, only one bite) of everything. Christmas morning was really relaxed, we slept in and opened presents about 10 am and then went out to breakfast at IHOP. Coleen said she had made Christmas morning breakfast since 1971 and was ready for a break! It was really fun! We also got to talk to my little brother on his mission in Canada. My older brother put together a big conference call and my whole family was on the same call even though we were far away from each other. After the phone call Jayson and I went with his parents and saw the movie "Yes Man" (I don't recommend it) and then just hung out and played games.


Clark Family Christmas Tree


Jayson and his new pants!



Jayson helping Jay Dee figure out a new gift.



The beautiful Clark home


Jay Dee and Coleen's Christmas gift to the family this year was to take all 34 of us to Eden and spend time together in cabins, skiing and just hanging out. The highlights were: Marley and Me, bowling, family nights, Jayson's french toast with Magelby's syrup 2x, skiing at Snow Basin, watching movies, playing games, the Clark family talent show (especially all the piano pieces), watching the grandkids spend time with one another, and of course watching Jayson and his brothers bond!


The gathering room we rented out every night for dinner and activities. It was perfect!


A woman after my own heart. Reading by the fire while everyone else is socializing. I loved it!


Natalie comforting her two girls :)


A few of the grandkids


Jayson playing his piano piece "Pinwheels"



The Clark boys whistling... (enough said)


All the girls showing off the darling aprons Coleen got us. Since Carie wasn't there, Greg decided to step in for her :) He makes a beautiful housewife!



Skiing at Snowbasin!

Thanks for everything Jay Dee and Coleen! The best Christmas gift is being able to spend time with family! We miss them already and are looking forward to the August trip!