We are going to VEGAS. We are leaving either Thursday night or Friday morning. Our niece Alexis is getting baptized on Saturday, and I can hardly wait. This will be the first baptism Derrick attends, were he understands what is happening. We have been talking about it for months, and now the time has come to pack our bags and leave. PLUS, we get to have Daniel for four days in a row, he has been working the last couple of Saturday's, and we have really missed him.

My sister Shannon is getting married on Friday. I thought about hopping on a plane with Riley, and then sending Derrick and Daniel on to Vegas without me. My wonderful husband even said that it would be fine with him, but I am not going to do it. #1 I am seven months pregnant and should not be flying, #2 I want to spend the weekend with my little family #3, NO ones feelings will be hurt if I don't go to my sister wedding, even though I know she would love it if I was there.

I guess actually number one is I want to spend the weekend with my little family. The job Daniel is working on here in Vernal will be done, probably within the month. Which means, that we are just waiting to hear we they are sending him next. So I want to spend as much time with him as possible before he leaves and I become a pregnant single mom with two toddlers! I am staying here until the baby comes, and then we will move to wherever he is in June.

100 Things that make me HAPPY!

1. Daniel .
2. Derrick .
3. Riley.
4. Baby movements.
5. Christ.
6. When the kids fall asleep early, and I have the night alone with my husband.
7. Homemade French Fries.
8. Chubby Cheeks .
9. The Gospel.
10. A Clean Kitchen.
11. When someone else scrubs the toilet!
12. Strawberries.
13. Skype.
14. Quiet Time.
15. Playing the Wii with the husband and laughing until, well you know when!
16. Derrick writing his own name without help.
17. "Castle"
18. "American Idol"
19. Christmas.
20. Valentines Day .
21. Umpqua Ice Cream.
22. Bandon Oregon.
23. The Ocean.
24. Bubble Baths.
25. Sugar Cookies.
26. Cooking .
27. Steak.
28. Dates .
29. My Kids Birthdays
30. My Anniversary.
31. Pajamas.
32. Cookie Cutters.
33. Pens.
34. Derrick wearing Daniels shirts.
35. Riley smiling Pretty.
36. Mornings.
37. Dirty Faces.
39. Baby Lotion .
40. Scriptures.
41. Visiting North Idaho.
42. Tulips.
43. Home Grown Tomatoes.
44. Eagles.
45. Walks.
46. The Quilt Daniels Mom made us for a wedding present.
47. My temprapedic pillow.
48. Thinking about what GREAT parents I have.
49. Derrick saying there is a brother in his tummy.
50. Riley saying Derrick.
51. Riley acting like a dog and licking our faces!
52. Sunny Days.
53. Nights when it is snowing and the entire world seems to light up.
54. Thanksgiving.
55. Chinese Food.
56. Riley walking around in every ones shoes.
57. Derrick reciting his ABC's.
58. Little Einsteins.
59. Riley playing the harmonica.
60. Derrick making Riley laugh.
61. Crayola Crayons.
62. Coloring books.
63. A love note on Christmas.
64. Daniel's Smile.
65. Daniel walking through the door at the end of the day.
66. The laughs of ALL my brothers. Especially when they can not stop!
67. My Dad's laugh, and his smile.
68. My Mom.
69. Getting told that Ka-rynn and I look alike.
70. Being told that me and Shannon look alike. WE DON'T!
71. Thinking about the lady asking Shannon what kind of hair die she used.
72. Having a girls night out with my Mom, and sisters.
73. Winston.
74. Disney Movies.
75. Snuggling on the coach with Daniel, when the kids are in bed.
76. Derrick asking me to snuggle with him.
77. Driving around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve.
78. My Family.
79. Babies.
80. Apple cider.
81. Halloween.
82. Craving pumpkins
83. The first time it snows.
84. Clean Cloths.
85. Vernal.
86. Daniels Job.
87. Being a Stay at Home Mom.
88. My Van.
89. Daniel's Truck.
90. Baby feet.
91. My kids laughing in their sleep.
92. Movie Night.
93. Pizza.
94. Computers.
95. Libraries.
96. A good Book.
97. Children's Books.
98. Nora Jones
99. Christmas Music.
100. Being Silly.

Derrick is FOUR!

I was telling Daniel last night that I could not believe that our little man was already four years old. The time has gone by so fast, and I can not help but think what the next four years will bring. He will be starting school, getting baptized, starting scouts, riding a bike without training wheels and if his Dad has any say he will be a GREAT rock climber! I want him to stay small, I don't want him to grow up and leave. Seeing him start Sunbeams last week was hard, I can not imagine what I am going to be felling when he starts school. About three months ago we were sitting at the table eating dinner and Derrick looked at me and said, " Mom, I am going to miss you when I grow up." I started crying right there at the table, because I of course am going to miss him too.

Derrick you are one of my favorite people (top three to be exact). Everyday you wake up with a smile, come and tell me that it is morning time, then you go and find Riley and say " Good morning Riley Pie Pie". Then when I ask you want you want for breakfast, you usually tell me macaroni and cheese! I don't think I ever go a day without you cuddling up beside me telling me you love me, or how much you like me. You LOVE your Daddy and are almost always the first one to greet him when he gets home at night. At times you are really busy, and sometimes all I want you to do is sit and be quiet. Then I think to myself if you were quiet I would get really bored, and not be as entertained. You are so kind to you little sister, and she in turn loves you following you around the house trying to copy all of the things you do. Lately however, you have been wanting time by yourself, so you go in you room and shut your bedroom door. Sometimes this bothers me, because it is just one more reminder that you are growing up and becoming more independent. You are so funny, and get us all laughing. You love Friday nights because you get to stay up a little later and watch "Star Wars, The Clone Wars" with Dad. You love board games, and win at them all the time. Daddy just taught you how to play backgammon, and it is now one your favorites. Today is one of my most favorite days, because it was the day you were born, and my life as I knew it change forever. This morning I asked you what your ten most favorite things were and this is what you told me...

10: Scooby Doo.

9: Going on dates with Mom.

8: Root Beer.

7: Macaroni and Cheese.

6: Swimming.

5: Playing Dad's guitar.

4: Going to the Park.

3: Bike riding with Dad.

2: Playing the Wii.

1: HUGGING MY FAMILY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DERRICK, I LOVE YOU!!!

The BEST Thing I Ever Ate

I love the Food Network Channel. One of my favorite shows is "The BEST Thing I Ever Ate." Tonight is the season premiere and as I am sitting here waiting to watch it, I was thinking about the BEST thing I ever ate.

On Sunday, at 6:30pm it will be exactly four years since that dinner...I had not eaten anything for almost twenty four hours, and to top it off I had just endured thirteen hours worth of labor. I remember the nurse walking in with the tray, she looked like an angel sent from God. As I lifted the lid the smell hit me. Spaghetti, broccoli, and a whole wheat roll. I probably ate that meal in under two minutes and EVERY bite tasted delicious. Daniel's sisters were in the room at the time, and I remember them staring at me like I was a barbarian, spaghetti sauce dripping down my face as a I sucked up a noodle. I am sure others in the hospital had the same meal that night, making their top ten list of the "WORST" things I ever ate. For me however I can still taste that meal today, YUM!

I am sure none of the chefs on the Food Network would even consider Kootenai County Medical Center a five star restaurant, and it certainly will not make it on to the show. For me however, the best meal I ever ate, will always be a hospital meal severed under neath a red plastic lid, the day my son was born.

Star War plus Rock and Roll

Yesterday was Derrick very FIRST day in Primary. He is growing up so fast, at times it makes me really sad. I am so proud of the person he is becoming.

Mom tucking Derrick into bed last night: "Did you have a fun in primary today?"

Derrick: "Yes! We played a new game were you knock stuff down with a ball like when you are bowling, and then you pick a song."

Mom: "Did you get to knock something down?"

Derrick: "Yes."

Mom: "What song did you pick to sing?"

Derrick: "STAR WARS."

Mom: "Did they tell you no?"

Derrick: "Yes."

Mom: "So then what song did you pick to sing?"

Derrick: "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam."

Derrick has been a Star Wars fanatic since he was two years old. Yesterday during testimony meeting he wanted to get up bare his testimony. This is what he said, " I love my Mom, Dad, Riley and my Baby. I love Grandma Nette. I LOVE STAR WARS!" He also has been telling me that he can sing the Star Wars theme song in Spanish, and Chinese.

Spanish Version: LAA LAAA LA LA LA LA LA.

Chinese Version: YOO YOOO YO YO YO YO YO

English Version: DAA DAAA DA DA DA DA DA

Tonight however he got out Daddy's guitar, and sang us a beautiful rock and roll song! MAN I LOVE THIS KID!

u .

This Year Events

January: New Years day was the last day Derrick wore diapers! Derrick turned three on the tenth.

February: After FOUR months of being apart Heather, Derrick and Riley moved to Vernal to be with Daniel!

March: Spent a weekend with some of Daniel's family, while visiting Zions National Park.

April: Paid off OUR CAR!

May: Packed up the car, and went to Idaho for Daniel's job. Went camping with Heather's family for Memorial weekend.

June: Finally made it back to Vernal, after FIVE weeks. The car we just paid of broke down a week after coming back to Vernal, felt blessed we made it home. Riley started walking.

July: Daniel started his job with Layton Construction.

August: Riley turned ONE!

September: Found out we were expecting again.

October: We went to Salt Lake for the weekend, and bought a new VAN!

November: Found out that we are going to have another boy! Traveled to Idaho for the week of Thanksgiving.

December: Had a wonderful Christmas with just the four of us.

Christmas

We had a spectacular Christmas. Our festivities started at 5:30 Christmas Eve, when Derrick finally talked us in to letting him and Riley open their Christmas Eve presents. They were both so excited to have new pajamas, and put them on right away. After everything was cleaned up, we had a yummy dinner of waffles, with strawberries, blueberries and whip cream, plus sausage. After dinner we sat around the Christmas tree and read the story of Christ birth. We wanted Derrick to understand that Christmas is not just about Santa bringing presents, so we asked him to go get three gifts he would have given to Jesus. He came back with a blanket, toy elephant, and an apple. He explained that he would give the blanket because it keeps him warm and cuddly. The elephant is fun to play with, and the apple is yummy. I thought for a three year old he did a great job.

On Christmas morning Derrick woke up and ran straight to the tree, with Riley following close behind. He keep saying over and over in a high voice, that Santa brought him the fish game. He also got Uno Moo from Santa, which we probably played 10 times yesterday. Riley received a new baby doll, and a stroller, that she pushed around all day. I think this year Santa did a fabulous job picking out presents.

After all the presents were opened I fixed my very first Christmas dinner. We had ham, cheesy potatoes, corn, stuffing, yams with cranberries, rolls, cherry jello, and for dessert we had pineapple pie with ice cream. We had been snacking on goodies all morning long, when we finally sat down for our wonderful dinner we hardly ate anything. Daniel made the comment that we could have invited at least ten more people over and still had left overs. I ended up putting three full quart bags of ham in the freezer, not to mention the one I left in the fridge. I am glad everyone liked it, since it seems we are going to be eating it for a while! (December 30th Update: Today we finally finished the bag of ham and the cheesy potatoes. I think it is going to be a little while before we bring another bag of ham out of the freezer. I am thinking Easter!)

I loved that it was just the four of us this Christmas. It was a wonderful day, and I loved every single minute of it. I think that we are going to be staying home for Christmas from now on!

Merry Christmas

We just wanted to wish all of our friends and family a Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with happiness and joy!

Love,

Daniel, Heather, Derrick and Riley Clement