Quick Update

I know it has been a long while since I have given updates on the boys so I thought I would fill you in quickly...

Samuel just finished his first year of preschool at Sonshine Kids. He loved school and did so well. We are so proud of how grown up Samuel is getting. This fall he will be starting soccer and is very excited that daddy will be coaching! Currently Samuel loves singing, counting and anything to do with Star Wars.

Liam is quickly approaching 2 and all that comes with it. He is becoming a very independent and stubborn little boy. He definatly has some of his daddy's acting talent, he can even turn on the "you broke my heart" response. Liam is starting to talk a lot more now which has made life a whole lot easier on everyone.

I know they were quick but at least you got something. In the next couple of days I will post a few pictures of Samuel's last day of preschool and tell you all about it. For now the tears still come when I think of it...soit will have to wait!

Preschool Progam

Last week Samuel had his final spring performance for preschool. If you remember the Christmas concert did not go so well. He sat on Miss Lisa's lap in the aisle and would not go up front. As you can see that was not a problem this time. He marched up front and sang his little heart out.

Afterwards, we went with some friends (also fellow preschoolers) to get ice cream. What is a spring concert if it is not followed by ice cream!

Little Quiet Branch County

Oh where have we moved!?!

Yesterday was an exciting day around here. Mike got up and while making the morning pot of coffee noticed a car parked in the middle of the field. He figured it was a bit wierd but went about getting around for the day. When he let the dog in and was heading out the door he noticed it was still there and it appeared as if there was someone in the car. He called the police to report it and headed off to work.

At 7:15 I woke up to flashing lights outside the window and quickly realized that there were 3 cop cars blocking the entrance to the neighboring parking lot/field and that there was an additional three parked near the car. The police were taking a lot of pictures and writing down quite a few notes. About noon the crime scene investigators showed up and began digging a bit deeper. Around 2:30 they removed a body from the car and the car was hauled away around 4. Mike was questioned by a detective last night about exactly what he saw and the timeline that everything happened in. They also asked if we had heard or saw anything suspicious!

So far it is reported that they are treating this case as a homicide and more information will be released after an autopsy is done. I will admit that I am a bit unsettled and a bit more cautious around the house. I don't feel like we are in danger or anything but am a bit creeped out by the fact that a body was found less than 500 feet from my house. Here we thought we were moving to a quiet, little boring town in southern Michigan. Who knew!?

For more info...
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/coldwater-1362416-body-tuesday.html
or
http://www.thedailyreporter.com/homepage/x1194169550

Sunshine...Family...Ducks

Well the weather has seemed to finally turn around here in Michigan. This past weekend was beautiful with blue skies and lots of sun. On Saturday we went up to Lansing to see some of the Clark family. We also collected two car loads of "stuff" that was in storage at Mike's parents. I don't know how we possibly lived the last four years without it.

On Sunday, we had a family cookout at my parents to celebrate Grandpa John's birthday and Nana's birthday. Liam is obsessed with the ducks and geese that are often in the pond behind their house. After lunch, Papa took the boys out to feed the fish and the ducks. They had a blast. Nate and Matt (cousins) were also there and entertained the boys for most of the afternoon. We completed the afternoon of fun with rides in the golf cart. I can't wait until summer!

A new adventure

Sorry posts have been so few and far between lately. I have been a bit busy working on starting my own photography business. I have finally decided that it is about time that I start living out my passion. Over the past year of so I have found that not only do I like phototgraphy, but it is where I come alive. I have discovered that there is something within me that is only accessible from behind a camera. A feeling that it is all worth it, everything. I have realized that through photography I am able to capture those precious moments in life that I long to hold onto but that seem to pass so quickly. Recently I have grown restless, it is not enough for me to only capture moments of my boys. I want to share these moments with others. I want to give others these memories to hold onto forever, so jenn clark photography was born.

I still feel like I am very much in the beginning stages and to be frankly honest a bit terrified of where it all may take me. I just know that in this moment if I don't run after what makes me feel alive I will never be content with what is left. So I am putting it out there, holding on and enjoying the ride. I would love for all of you to ride along with me. So, check it out. Let me know what you think. I would love any input you could offer, good, bad and even ugly. If you see it worthy, please pass it along to others and spread the word, jenn clark is a photographer!

Here it is www.jennclarkphotography.com

Deacon Robert

Last night I had the pleasure of welcoming my new nephew into the world. Angie was a rock star and delivered him naturally and drug free after less than 12 hours of labor. He is a healthy and alert baby boy. We are so excited to have him here!

Deacon Robert
April 17, 2009
7:32pm
9lbs 4oz

20.5 inches

Spring?

Well the weather here is getting tolerable. There have been several days when the sun is shining and it is warm enough to be outside. The boys love heading out to play. They run and run and run. Samuel loves riding his bike around the drive and in the field. Liam loves chasing the dogs, looking for the cats and playing with his truck. Here are a couple of pictures of the boys outside playing...finally!

running away from mommy

sometimes they love each other...sometimes

cheesy as ever!

playing soccer or picking clovers?

riding bikes together

looking and waiting for the catsThese days of nice weather have reminded Mike and I how nice summers in Michigan are. We are looking forward to spending lots of time outside this year. I am sure that will translate in to lots of pictures too!

Lately

Sorry we have been so sporadic recently. I have been really busy the last couple of weeks working on some of my photography. I have found that I really, really, really love photography and am currently deciding what that means in life. Since the beginning of the year I have had four shoots all with either friends or family and have both loved doing it and am getting good results. So what does it all mean...???? I will keep you informed. In the meantime, I thought I would share a bit of what has been consuming me over the past month.

Enjoy~

Rock On

This video is pretty old. If my guess is correct it would have been sometime in November. Anyway, I found it the other day when I was loading videos from the other camera and thought I would share.

Rock On from Mike Clark on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Jen

Hope you have a great birthday today! We miss you tons and wish we could be there to celebrate with a little Indian food and a game of Settlers. I might even let you win since it's your birthday and all! Have a good one!


Happy Birthday Jen from Mike Clark on Vimeo.

The Clark Clan

This past weekend we celebrated Ruby's first birthday. It may have been the first time that we had all six of the kids together. Here are the kids I kept referring to as the Clark Clan (even through two have the last name Puck).

Samuel and Liam (Mike's boys), Tristin and Evan (Sean's boys), Addison and Ruby (Kate's girls)

Happy Birthday Ruby

Today is our niece's first birthday!
Happy Birthday Ruby!

Hope you have a great day!

So Helpful

I noticed the last few posts have featured Samuel. Don't take that to mean that Liam isn't in full force around this house. The other day I needed to shower and Mike was busy so I took Liam in the bathroom with me. I was hoping he would entertain himself with the shampoo bottles and I would be able to get a quick shower in. He entertained himself alright. This is what I opened the shower curtain to see.

I still don't know who caused most of the problem, Liam or Wrigley, but know that together they had some fun. Liam was so proud of their mess and thought that I should be pretty proud of him. To say the least, he hasn't been a guest in the bathroom since.

(No, I don't shower with my camera. I did go and grab it right away though)