Clint and Tewie Lord

Top Ten Events for the Clint & Tewie Lord Family for 2007

clintlord — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:00:00 GMT

1. Clint & Tewie had a whirlwind vacation (3 days) in Paris, France with Tewie's family. Ahh, Paris!

2. The whole family thoroughly enjoyed their vacation at Yellowstone National Park. We tasted huckleberry ice cream, took in the local museums and saw enough geysers to cause Joy to say, "Now I know what torture is like!"

3. In April Tewie received the very challenging and humbling calling of Relief Society President.

4. In May Clint received the even more challenging and humbling calling as a Counselor in the Young Men's Presidency

5. During the Summer, Faith, Joy and Jacob (along with a few of Faith's friend) put on an amateur Theatre performance complete with a zany play (a spoof on Cinderella), skits, concessions and lip syncing.

6. Faith, Joy and Jacob all excelled in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts over the summer and they are looking forward to selling Girl Scout cookies in January 2008. (They will take preorders - hint, hint)

7. Luke started potty training in September and has become quite a precocious three year old.

8. Within a month, Clint and Tewie were able to visit with both of Clint's mission presidents he served with in the Canada, Halifax mission over 15 years ago.

9. Faith is becoming an excellent babysitter and can handle all the issues that two 7 year olds and a very active, cute 3 year old throw at her.

10. We have been so blessed by our Heavenly Father with continual guidance, by our family and friends for their love and inspiration and from Our Savior who makes it possible to achieve true happiness.

Springtime in Paris

tewielord — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:57:00 GMT

What started out as an innocent trip to McDonald's with my parents ended a couple of weeks later in a whirlwind of art, arcitecture and history in Paris, France. At McDonald's my father subtly asked if Clint could find a babysitter and he and I could go with them to meet my younger brother, Shane, and his family (who were taking their annual family vacation to Euro Disneyland -- since they live in Albania that's the closest Western Hemisphere kid entertainment to be found.) The long and short is that Clint told me later, I called my father and asked, "Were you serious or joking?", and he said, "Go on the internet and look for tickets. If they match my price I will pay for them." -- So I did and they matched and Clint is thinking, "Terry is never going to invite me to come with him again." Then it became a family affair and Brock and Ali were invited too and in less than a week and 1/2 we got our homes cleaned, babysitting squared away and found ourselves in planes and airports for a 16 hour minimum (one way).

Once we were on the gound, rested from jet lag (Shane and Jen kindly let us crash at their place) we took off to explore Paris. We were prepared. We had an itnerary and we stuck to it pretty well even through 32 degree weather with a wind and light rain. On Thursday we saw the Eiffel Tower, Hotel de Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb), Notre Dame and Musee de Dorsey (all the impressionists -- Renior, Degas, Monet, etc.) with Brock and Ali. On Friday we went with the whole family for a 2 hour train ride to the Chateau de Versailles and then came back to Paris and split up with CW and I going to the Louvre (Mona Lisa) and everyone else going mall shopping and back to rest. On Saturday we all split up and went our seperate ways. CW and I climbed the 283 steps of the Arch de Triomphe, walked the Champs de Elysee, saw the Royal Palais and the Petit Palais, the Egyptian Obolisk, Madeline Cathedral, enjoying very thick bitter hot chocolate at Angelina's by the Louvre and making the, it felt like, 500 steps striaght up from the metro to the hill where Sacre Coure was located and then calling it a day and meeting our family at the mall for dinner and toy shopping. That was our stair day our legs were just shaking. Sunday we got on the plane and left and got home all in the same day -- seeing our kids at about 7:30pm. Our kids were so loved and cared for by our awesome neighbor and friend Amanda, that they didn't want us to come home. They warmed up to us when we brought out the souvenirs.

All in all -- CW loved learning the metro/RER (train) system and the immense history of the cathedral architecture, I loved the bagettes, chocolate and crepes, the bird man and the history and feeling so young as a country. Paris is all that they say it is. It is filled with romance, pastries and people playing their guitars in the public square under the Eiffel tower. The people were very kind and helpful and very well-dressed -- especially the cute kids. They have a lot of pride in their country, as they should there is so much to be proud of.

It was so wonderful to be there with my family. I love them so much and what a great way to take a family vacation -- completely spur of the moment and in a place where history and architecture and art abound. I loved holding my sweetheart's hand in the middle of the romance capital of the world and taking it all in with him, I loved hob nobbing around Paris with Brock and Ali, reading Junie B. Jones to Ainsley on the train to Versaille, holding Ollie in the rain, seeing Adlyn's sun-shattering smiles and just getting caught up and exchanging deep thoughts and ideas with Jen and Shane. I love hearing my mom's indignant French people stories and watching my dad spoil his grandkids he doesn't get to see all that often. And when I told Ollie I had to go back in a plane to take care of Faith, Joy, Jacob and Luke he brought me to tears when he said, "I come with you?" I wanted to kidnap him right away. These are some of my most treasured memories of Paris. I know that I could be anywhere with the people I love and it would be a treasure to me. Thank you Dad and Mom -- your the best.

Click here to see the fabulous photos of Paris.

Christmas Letter 2006

clintlord — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 03:28:00 GMT

2006 is all but gone and with the warm of the season surrounding us we remember all the people who have made this year such a year of wonder, growth and joy. Our little family has had our share of challenges and blessings (sometimes they go hand in hand). Right now our family is touched deeply by the passing of our Dad, Father-in-law & grandfather – Clint’s dad, Ralph Knowles Lord. He fought a valiant fight with cancer and was able to celebrate his and his loving wife’s 50^th wedding anniversary in August before our prayers were answered and the pain of this life ended and he went to join his friends and family in the next life. He was an inspiration to us all and will be always held as a constant example of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and loving his friends and family.

Clint changed jobs in January to work as the Director of Software Development, Senior Software Architect and all around general programmer for nCoat, Inc. The company has grown this past year opening a new facility up on the East Coast. He has received many blessings this past year as Elder’s Quorum President and is grateful the Lord has seen fit to give him this challenge. He is the most devoted husband and father and would rather spend time with his family than anything else. His father gave him his coin collection when he passed away and Clint has renewed his love of finding and archiving old and rare coins.

Tewie finds joy in teaching her children new things. She spends most of her time planning or teaching music, Spanish, composers and piano. Aside from serving as ward organist and RS pianist, she received a new calling as Ward Activities Director. She has been very busy planning a game night (in March), a talent show (in May), a carnival (in June), Trunk-or-Treat (in October) and just finishing the Ward Christmas Party (in December). Her biggest news is that she was spoiled by her parents with a trip to London this year, which was her first time ever to Europe. She loved every moment. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Other than that she finds rest with her family and she has picked up a new hobby of playing the guitar.

Faith is 9 and continues to love reading and letting her imagination run wild. She really loves her class and teacher. In her words, “They are just kind and friendly.” She made a school change to the local school and now can walk with her brother and sister everyday. She is totally immersed in collecting Littlest Pet Shops and it seems as if most of her social activities revolve around them. Her most recent accomplishment is that her room is clean. With all the years of collecting toys and a small room to gather them in, they were starting to take over, so, she reclaimed her room and has found that she enjoys it much more.

Joy is 6 and in 1^st grade with Mrs. Ward. Her best friends Rachel, Kelsea & Carrie are in her class and she got the honor of Principal Pride for patience last month. Joy is a joy. She shines bright and even when things were sad (when she lost her grandpa) she went to comfort her grandma by giving her a hug and crying with her. When her grandma tried to comfort her by telling her,”Grandpa is happy. He has both his legs and is running around.” Joy asked, “I thought grandpa was dead?” She always makes us laugh.

Jacob is 6 and in 1^st grade with Mrs. Carlos. He is such a busy, happy, friendly boy. He is full of life and everything else. This year he is trying to make new friends at school, but after he bit a kid on the ear we knew we needed to discuss some social rules of gaining friends. He has found a love in soccer and says, “I am not a quitter!” as he huffs and puffs down the gym floor. His big highlight and accomplishment (along with the girls) was loosing his training wheels and riding a “two-wheeler”. Now we take bike ride with the whole family.

Luke is 2 and cute, cute, cute. He loves kisses and to see the temple. He is enthralled with puzzles, books, numbers and letters. He is the best shopping buddy and goes for a walk with his mom every morning at the mall. He’s even made some friends of all the Spanish workers there and constantly is shouting, “Hola!” to them as we pass. His vocab is taking off and he calls himself, “Duke”. What a cutie!

Well, we love you all and can’t wait to hear from you. If you’re ever in the area please drop by and see us, or at least call.

Tewie's Trip to London

tewielord — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 03:28:00 GMT

(Excerpt from travel journal)

July 23rd 2006 -- My trip with my wonderful mother to London, England. My 1st time ever to Europe and I can't quite fit all the emotions that I've felt today and last night. It's such a romantic idea to "get-away", but when it comes down to it there are many things -- people's emotions, feelings, thoughts -- to consider. Kind of like any major event in your life -- a marriage, birth, funeral -- partings should be in that list. Leaving people you love -- even when it's a happy occasion. So far I used my new passport, didn't check in any luggage, ate almond crusted chicken salad, talked with CW who is suffering with panic attacks, called his mom to call him, talked to Kevin Anderson who's going to win the olympic triathalon soon, and enjoyed an air filled plane cabin after we didn't have any for a few stuffy minutes. So far so good. I'm a very blessed girl and this is cool.

July 24th 2006 -- It is 3:30 AM UT time and I am looking at one of the most beautiful sites. While my family is all fast asleep I am watching the sun rise over the clouds at 30,000 feet. It is so beautiful and one of my very favorite sites to see so I will gladly give up sleep to do it. I've determined that I cannot sleep on planes or cars. So by the time we get to the hotel -- I'll have been awake with 5 hours of sleep the night before for approximately 20 hours. I did rest my eyes for a bit, but when I reach the hotel my bed will be a very welcome site. -- 2e

July 24th 2006 -- What an experience! My bed was a very wonderful site, but even before that the sites that I saw left me pinching myself that I was truely in London -- I'm in a foreign country -- I am 5,500 miles away from my family on soil that my ancestors were on. As I was walking back to the Marriott after a superb English dinner at Greig's, two double decker buses ruffled my hair & came down the narrow English streets with temperatures around 70 F and all sorts of foreign people -- from all different walks of life crowding the sidewalk I felt a wave of surrealism, or maybe it was realism, wash over me that I am in a foreign (but not so foreign) country. I love the travel, the sites, the sounds, the smells (sometimes) the food -- everything. My dad and mom really are spoiling me too much -- especially when my dad says, as I'm walking back to the Marriott holding his hand that he loves me and he's so happy I'm here and next time both CW & I will have to go! -- 2e

July 25th 2006 -- I feel as if I have seen and tasted and felt over 1000 years of British history. From the Normans at the Tower of London (1080 - 1300 AD) to Picadilly Square/Theatre district with it's flashing neon signs. We have had a veritable schmorgasporg of British History taking our 24 hour tour on "The Original Tour" bus all over London. We saw Buckingham Palace -- which will be open on the inside tomorrow to see, the place where the queens gardeners and grounds keepers stay & the story of why the barbed wire remains -- due to a German tourist who jumped the fence, found his way to the Queen's room -- sat on her bed and asked for a cigarette -- you can imagine she tightened security. We also saw the famed Trafalgar square, where demonstrations & the New Years Even Party happen, but not at the same time. There is some disagreement whether pigeons should be allowed to visit Trafalgar Square -- so a hawk was hired and the pigeons were moved to approximately 10 feet up the stairs. And the famed Fleet Street where the demon barber lived -- named Sweeney Todd. Then the Tower of London where we spent hours seeing the Crown Jewels & discovering the architecture of mideval London. Then It was a quest for somewhere to eat (because it was 2:00pm). So with my very heavy purchases in hand (I bought CW the coolest chess set) we hopped on & hopped off several buses -- some going out of service for a while & others just no live tour guides. We finally found Sherlock Holmes Pub where we ate fish & chips with smashed peas. Rested & chatted in an air-conditioned place & then commenced to the hotel with an either drunk or very tired tour guide. Back to Marble Arch stop next to Hyde Park & Speakers Corner where an obvious Middle Eastern rally/domonstration/gathering was taking place! We walked quickly home! Love it! Tewie

July 26, 2006 -- Last night after I went to sleep at 2200 Shane called at 2230 and said that Oliver had some strange infection that the Albanian doctors could not figure out so they were sending Oliver & Jen to London where she was to get an official diagnosis & see what needed to be done. He asked if I & mom would pick her up from the ariport & stay with her & help her. We, of course, were thrilled to be able to see them & help. It was an exciting day we went to Liverpool Station by "Tube" & then took the Stanstead Express to Stanstead airport where we finally found Jen after a misread arrival time. Back to London with Oliver on my lap pointing out excitedly whenever we went under a tunnel at the darkness & amplified sound. He liked it so much toward the end he said, "more tunnel, more tunnel!" I got to really meet my nephew & what a sweety -- throughout the day we went to his appointment with Dr. Mausood & to the Portland Hospital to be admitted for a 3 day drip. He was such a delight to chase around & laugh & giggle with. He warmed up to me enough to run & hug me & play puppys with me while he was waiting for his ultrsound. Jen was set up nicely there & so mom & I ran out to get Ollie some toys -- so as to fend off boredom in his room at #503. We walked down to Hamley's, a 5 floor toy store, picked out gifts for my kids & a huge Fischer Price play car set for Ollie & decided instead of walking we would take a pedal cart (this is where the driver pedals a bicycle situated with two seats to wherever for 4 pounds/pp.) So as we were going we saw a drug store asked him to stop (to get Jen shampoo, etc.) & I talked to him -- Polish, here for summer to earn extra money, going back to the university in Poland in the Fall. He got us to The Portland Hospital where we gave him 10 pounds for his trouble and walked up to see Ollie got his IV on & was excited about the toys we had brought. Dad called we asked him if he could bring Jen's bag over to the hospital & then we could go eat. We did -- at a Lebonese restaurant called Maroush where the chicken was tender and the baklava melts in your mouth. Home at 2100 and now after I finished a wonderful conversation with CW I am going to sleep at 0033. Night!

July 27th 2006 -- Hallelujah I have air conditioning! What a difference it makes! I have not been this temperature happy the whole trip! Now onto the day. After 5, maybe, hours of sleep last night I just picked myself up & we took off running -- 1st to Buckingham Palace. We walked across Green Park to the elaborate fountain and massive palace -- so tall and long that the 2 soldiers gaurding it's face looked like toy soldiers as they marched back & forth! We saw the Royal Marching Band & stood in the ticket line to get a ticket with a time slot & then stood in the time slot line. You see the Royal Family has headed up to Winsor Castle for their Holiday (which lasts from the end of July to the beginning of September) in their absense the general public is allowed to tour a portion of their fabulous palace -- the largest & longest working palace to the most enduring and most powerful monarchy in the world. With our headsets mom & I synchronized ourselves to view the Roayl Art Gallery, Sculpture Collections, Music Room, The Grand Ballroom, Queen Elizabeth II's 80 gowns (to celebrate her 80th birthday) & we also got to view the Royal Gardens which included the helicopter pad, the lake & many lovely birds & flowers along a path in the center of London. I now understand the British's pride in their royalty --I always thought they were just for decoration & not really necessary in the real law making & running the country, BUT the hospitality & dignity of London & England is so well displayed that you can't help but be made to feel that you are important & served if you were a foreign dignitary. Then we went in search of an eating establishment & we ate at The Shakespeare which consequently we stopped at the Globe Theatre as well to use the bathroom & get an ice cream from a street vendor. So it was a slightly Shakespeare Day! We took a small river cruise on the Thames (pronounced "tems"), crossed the Millenium bridge (which was known as the wobbly bridge) & tried to get inside St. Paul's Cathedral, but the moment we walked up the steps of the great cathedral the gaurds came out & said "We're Closed" -- so we found a health food store bought some stuff for us & Jen, took the metro/tube/London underground, & went to Portland Hospital to see our very cute little nephen & grandson & cute sister-in-law & daughter-in-law, but the problem was she was gone so we left her a note & her goodies & said we would call tomorrow around 9:00am. Then we had just enough energy to get back to the hotel -- I got dinner on the way so that dad & mom could eat in peace together for a minute & I could chat with CW during his lunch time (& my dinner), then I took a bath, tried on my "*** cat" shirt & got a call to move to my air-conditioned room! YEAH! 2 highlights -- Mom & I got to proselyte today to a cabbie. When he found out we were from Utah he said, "You aren't bloody Mormons are you?" When we replied, "Yes" he asked, "Why aren't Mormons Christians then?" "We are ..." and we explained about premarital sex & chastity, W of W & BOM. He said, "That's what I don't like about religion it's always so many rules to follow." Mom explained how following them makes you happy & fills your spirit, to which he replied, "I am sure glad this trip is short." Acctually we teased him that he'd become a Mormon -- he said he was going to check it out on the internet. We told him, we were pretty normal! England trivia -- traffic lights -- a yellow light is typically displayed with the red light after the red light has been on -- it means "get ready to go" & then the green light comes on! Love it! Tewie

July 28th 2006 -- I didn't write last night because I wanted to get to sleep by 10:30 pm so that I would get a full 8 hours by the time CW woke me up at 6:30 am (1130 pm) to talk. He's so awesome -- he took the day off to fix the car & get some errands run. He says that handling the house & the kids is not hard, it's just that he is lonely & wants me near. Soon -- I'm acctually writing the morning of the 29th so to me in 24 hours I'll be leaving this place for airports -- which are a double edged sward -- on one hand they get you where you want to go faster than any other mode of transportation (except jet or shuttle) on the other -- they smell, they are uncomfortable, they are generally unhelpful. So it is with lots of love in my heart that I use them to see the family I love & miss. Ok, so today -- dad was going to come with us to see the London Eye, but at the last minute had a meeting set up -- so mom & I ran over & met Jen & Oliver to go on the London Eye & while we were standing waiting for tickets Jen broke down & started crying! She just has been through so much & when she had someone who knows & loves her & gives her an ounce of sympathy she just let go of being brave. She's pregnant, taking care of a sick 2 year old that needs, if not constant entertaining -- constant motion. She had 4 months of doctors not believing her, telling her it would just "go away", & an Albanian MD told her to wrap a red scarf around him with garlic in it. She's tired & hungry & is a very capable woman, who has so many different emotions coursing through her that she doesn't know where to begin to describe them so she cried & I hugged her. Soon we were on the London Eye with Ollie pointing at every boat that kept getting smaller & us using our map to point out famous structures -- they say when the idea was concieved that people laughed at a ferris wheel in the middle of London, BUT is makes near $40,000 an hour -- so close to 1/2 million a day. No one's laughing now. People can rent pods for any occasion -- a romantic dinner (eat fast 1/2 hour trip) & even a wedding (ceremony performed at top.) After, we went to Westminster Abby and saw the crypts of many famous Brits. Kings & Queens, of course, but also the likes of Geoffrey chaucer. It was astounding architecture & as I was unable to take pictures, You won't see much of it. Jen went back to the hospital via taxi & the plan was to be there at 4:00pm so we ran to Picadilly/Soho by tube & went to the Hard Rock Cafe & store & I got CW his shirt & got very embarrased trying one on myself & decided against that idea -- shopping is discouraging when you are a plus size woman in Europe -- they are all petite little things over here! So we headed down to Picadilly Circus (a very busy shopping intersection). We stopped at a bookstore & got some books for my kids, an open air market & got Joy nesting dolls (monkeys, of course), cats for, originally Faith, but gave to Ainsley for a present & a turtle for Faith made of a precious stone for her Little Pet Shop collection. Then I saw a deal for a bag only 15 pounds with wheels and for my purposes -- perfect to carry home all my purchases! All the while we were shopping we would stop to phone dad & let him know where we were -- we left messages & finally caught up wiht him at Jen's -- The Portland Hospital. (Side note: there was porn plastered in these red boxes -- so everytime my mom would go in she cleaned up London by taking them down.) We told my dad to meet us on the NW corner at Oxford Circus (Oxford & Regent's Street) in front of the H&M (a store Jen likes to shop at). While we were waiting we got a belt for my mom at H&M & took some "Where's Waldo" pitures to entertain ourselves. Ollie slept & by the time G'pa arrived he was rudely awakened by a deafening sound of the police and was obviously wanting/needing more sleep. So he began to max out & needed to be held & only Jen was chosen. When I tried he would scream. So we walked to find a place to eat & Jen couldn't carry him anymore so, even though he was screaming, I picked him up & distracted him the best way I knew how with buses, motorcycles, jets, cars, etc. & he fell victim to my charms & let me carry him. So we found Indian restaurant row & indulged -- it was lovely & I ate a new fruit I never have had. After putting Jen & Ollie on a taxi with lots of kisses we took the London Underground & went to home -- dad was having fun. I love my family. I am so blessed to have such a unique oppurtunity to be with them -- especially my parents & Jen & Ollie. I realize so many things, but 1st is how much I love them & am loved! Tewie

July 29th 2006 -- It is acctually July 30th & I am on our flight to Atlanta waiting to take off. Mom is extremely tired as she has only recieved 5 hours of sleep the past two nights -- so I am sure she is going to sleep on this flight. I, on the other hand, have recieved 8, GLORIOUS hours of sleep for the past 2 nights -- so my goal is to stay awake the entire time. I'll let you know how it went on my synopsis. On to yesterday. We wanted to spend our last day in London all together with Jen & Oliver. So it was decided, since Dad hadn't seen the London Eye that Mom & Dad would go do that & I would go over & get Jen & we would meet between 1230-100pm at the Warwick Street bridge by Regent's Canal. Well-- I was excited & scared to be on the streets of London by myself with a carseat (Jen had left in my room when she had 1st arrived). So I found a new route by tube & thought I was so smart until I got to the station & found that it was closed -- so, I thought, I could take the bus system -- it couldn't be worse than Chile -- so I did, at only 3.50 pounds per day it was cheaper than tube at 4.90 pounds per day & if I asked enough people where to go I would get yelled at to get off when it was my stop -- which is what happened. So to the hospital, call the London transport for a bus to Warwick (but I kept saying, "Warick" so no one understood me) & by some slight miracle & dumb luck we were walking along the canal road toward a bridge where the boats were launching. Jen & I hadn't eaten so we ate at a little boat cafe on the water. I had a chicken ciabatta with stilton cheese (which is very flavorful -- Jen said cross between Gouda & Swiss) & a piece of chocolate cake. After eating we queued up & waited by this charming place & got on the boat. Oliver loved seeing all the ducks & I took pictures of the names of the boats outside. It was great. The boat chugged along through the London Zoo & we docked at Camden Lock where there was a cut open air market with tons of food from all different countries around the world. Oliver hadn't eaten yet & was getting a bit cranky so we indulged him in ice cream with strawberries & while Jen, Dad & Mom ate with Ollie I walked around just to see & I just loved the stmosphere there. It was sort of hippie but not too crowded -- full of tons of bohemian looking clothes & artist shops. After we were through there we took a taxi back to the hospital -- It was 4:00pm & Ollie had his treatment at 5:00pm. So we went back & played/rested for an hour or so with Ollie & Jen got to talk with Ainsley & Shane & her mom. At 5:15pm we got the nurse who had to do several things to thin out the blood clot that had formed in his IV & then gave him the ABX. We then left for Herrods -- a very huge shopping center & we decided to divide & conquer -- Dad & I & Ollie went upstairs to get Brock & Ali's kids something & Lily or Elana (Shane & Jen's new baby due October 2006) & Luke a little toy in the kids section. While Mom & Jen got some make up, which Jen sorely misses, among many other things, in Albania. We also got Ollie a tractor book with acctual wheels & that became a very important toy at Tapas -- a Spanish restaurant where we all entertained ourselves running it up & down the table & over arms that were speed bumps, etc. I had a very teepie looking salad with asparagus, cheese, avocado & tomato, but the tomato & avocado were sliced on the side & the asparagus spear (4) leaned up on eachother with a bed of greens under them -- with cheese wedges that looked like pizza slices. I should've taken a picture, but I've just described it, so I don't need to. Mom was working on a migrane, so we caught a taxi that, after dropping us off, would take Jen to the hospital. It was sad to say goodbye to Jen, BUT it was a blessing we even got to see her in the first place & we will be with her in a month -- when she flies to the US to have her little girl. So here I am on a plane home & I am so excited to see my family -- I miss them. I am so glad for this oppurtunity to see a part of God's wonderful world I would've otherwise not been able to see. I have learned a lot & I mostly have learned I want my family to have these experiences with me & how grateful I am to my parents for caring! Tewie

Click here for photos.

Houston Trip -- April 2006

tewielord — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 22:25:00 GMT

We take, at least, one family vacation a year. So, when we finally decided to get organized CW and I sat down and made a list of all the places in the United States that we would like our kids (and ourselves) to see. We came up with 10 places and first on the list was Houston, TX because NASA is there, OF COURSE. Based upon all the good advice we were given from those who have weathered Texas heat we decided to go during Spring Break in April. At the time of our planning we didn't take into account the fact that Spring Break 2006 fell on Joy & Jacob's Birthday and Easter. We had extra fun creating inventive ways to celebrate those occasions.

We really wanted to experience all that Texas had to offer. We'd heard that "Everythings Bigger in Texas" and not to miss out on the BBQ. So we took advantage of everything we could with our limited resources and young children. NASA was the first stop and it fell on Joy & Jacob's 6th birthday. With our ASTC pass we had procured at the Santa Ana Science Museum 2 years earlier we were able to take in the JP McGovern Medical Museum and acctually walk through a huge replica of the human body (sterile and without the blood, of course). Also, the Children's Museum of Houston (rated #1 in the nation) was so overwhelmingly hands on there was no way to touch and do everything in the 2-3 hours we had alotted. All the locals told us to take in Galveston and we wanted to dip our toes in the Gulf of Mexico, collect shells & do all things beachy. Jacob stayed far away from the water, because the moment we arrived he scraped his leg and did not go anywhere near salt water. I don't blame him. On Easter we had an Easter egg hunt in our hotel room -- a first for us and we were able to go and visit to Houston Temple and enjoy the same peaceful spirit we enjoy at every temple in the world. We rounded out our trip with the educational -- The Lone Star Flight Museum (which CW loved), San Jacinto Monument (where General Sam Houston won the west from Mexican Santa Ana and his troops) & Battleship Texas (where we could really turn those huge guns and feel what is might have been like to be on the flag ship of the American Navy during WWI).

It wouldn't be a trip to Texas without sampling the fine BBQ. The locals pointed us to Goode's BBQ and Papa's BBQ. We ate so much food we truely do believe that everything is BIGGER in Texas. Now, that includes us. We loved our Texas experience and to see more "larger than life" photos click here.

Summer 2006 in a Nutshell

tewielord — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 04:27:00 GMT

Summer 2006 is almost at an end. All there is left is Back to School Night and a few more memorable days of late nights and water filled days. To recap: June and July I had lofty goals of homeschooling (or as we call it "Summer School") my children throughout the entire summer so that they would retain the precious knowledge they have learned throughout the school year and, who knows, maybe even learn some new and interesting things. We used a curriculum that the virtual school Karl G. Maeser puts out. Clint had programed for them and they paid him, in part, with the curriculum. It covers History, Geography, Social Studies, Language Art, Reading, Handwriting, Math and Science. It was so fun to learn about plants again and ancient Rome. I thoughroughly enjoyed it. It is also LDS based so I felt very happy that I could teach my children about the gospel in a home setting. That was truely the most fulfilling part of teaching for me.

The big events were:

1. NO MORE TRAINING WHEELS -- For FHE Faith, Joy & Jacob all coasted down our driveway to training wheel free blissful riding. If you ask Jacob he will still say he can ride a "two-wheeler" now. It was so easy that our friends did not feel that we had earned this "right-of-passage" until we had huffed and puffed while pushing our children to the glory of two wheeled riding. Our driveway is on an incline and we simply took the training wheels off and told them to kick off and ride down the driveway into the street and when they felt ready to put their feet on the pedals and begin pedaling. It worked and within 15 minutes our children were all two-wheel savy. Jacob was even starting to become more daring and ride on grass, over curbs & do small bunny hops. j/k that came within a month though -- I'm frightened and demanding helmet wearing.

2. July 5th -- planning and pulling off a neighborhood carnival with close to 400 people all equipt with inflatable bounce obstacle course, cotton candy/snowcone machines, carnival games and prizes, live entertainment, parade & BBQ, on a budget. Tewie's 3rd calling as ward Activities Chairperson came with a caviat, that, in this ward, there is an annual carnival around July 4th. It used to be small, but has become so popular in our neighborhood that it has grown to include everyone and all their friends and family members. This year was the 9th annual and Tewie said that even though she has never had a panic attack she came close when the weather man said there was a 40% chance of rain that day. Thankfully Heavenly Father intervened and gave us a beautiful overcast night with not a drop of rain. It turned out great and people had a marvolous time and Tewie has it on good authority that this calling is only for 2 years because no one should shoulder this responsibility for more than that.

3. Numerous trips to Hogle Zoo & Thanksgiving Point Gardens & The Fountains at the Gateway -- So Fun!!! At the zoo the new Himilayan Highlands are a must see and The Gardens at Thanksgiving Point -- what can I say, except when you are staring at two 50 foot waterfalls you think, "Am I still in Lehi, UT?" It is a little piece of heaven on earth and we love the new bronze statue exhibits. Summer isn't summer without water and one of our favorite spots is the Gateway. We even love to take in a star show at Clark Planetarium now and again.

4. Around the Neighborhood -- our water balloon extravaganza is becoming an annual event. Who wouldn't love throwing water balloons at eachother? Also, playgroup at the park on Fridays -- it has been so fun to get to know everyone and let the kids wander. Luke has even ventured further than I like. I believe that it is good to have a support group of people who love and care for you and your children and whom you can love an care about and I am happy to say that I am extremely blessed in this department with the most wonderful mothers that I am inspired to know.

5. Tewie's most exciting get away was a spur of the moment invitation from her wonderful awesome mother to go to London, England. To see pictures and hear about that trip you'll have to stay tuned.

6. Diva -- Diva is Tewie's 1st cousin once removed or Tewie's cousin's daughter and Faith, Joy & Jacob's 2nd cousin. We were so priviledged to have Diva come and stay for a couple of weeks in early August. She is such a bright life-filled star. We have spent hours enjoying fine cheeses, playing Littlest Pet Shop & ballroom dancing to Bond with her here. She made a quilt, in part, out of her mothers cast off dress and has left us with a new friend and cousin to love and email. We so hope that she will come stay again.

Well -- that's our Summer 2006. Click here to see corresponding photos

Christmas Letter 2005

clintlord — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:55:00 GMT

CW (Clint Walter) - Dad, Father, Patriarch, Loving Husband, Bread-winner, etc.
1. Lost 50 lbs. - how? - counting calories
2. After 5 years of working at home, bought a fuel efficient Honda Civic and changed jobs to ProPay Inc. in Orem, UT - where he works as a "Senior Software Architect" and loves it. (So far he has been able to listen to "Harry Potter 4, 5 & 6, Mere Christianity & The Great Divorce" during his commute.)
3. Enjoying the many blessing of his calling during his 2nd year as Elder Quorum President of the Crescent Ridge 5th Ward.
4. Coached T-ball for Jacobs team, learned self-defense Karate with Faith & enjoyed watching Joy creatively dance & loves Luke.
5. Spoils his wife by making all her dreams come true.
6. Favorite Christmas Present: New Siding for the house.

2E - Mom, Mother, Adoring Wife, Homemaker, Nurse, Chauffer, etc.
1. Lost 30 lbs after taking an "Obesity Management" course to keep her nursing license current.
2. Organized a duet recital in the Spring, quit teaching piano for the Summer and has begun teaching piano in a group setting with digital pianos this Fall - very fun!!
3. Enjoying the blessing and challenges in her 2nd year as Ward Organist and Relief Society Pianist.
4. Teaches Classical Composers for Faith's class, volunteers as a "Mom Helper" for Joy and Jacob's Kindergarten classes & loves to have Luke as a traveling errand buddy. Dabbles in home schooling, quilts, scrapbooks, and collects friends.
5. Adores her husband and thinks, "Who is this young man I'm married to?" - after he slimmed down.
6. Favorite Christmas Present: Time with my family and friends.

Faith - 8 Years Old - 3rd Grade
1. Grew 2 inches, cut her own bangs the day before school pictures after growing them out all year - she grows more beautiful every day.
2. Enjoys ALPS (Advanced Learning Program - school for gifted and talented), reads voraciously and enjoys books well above her grade level, loves Pokemon and letting her imagination run wild with stories she creates.
3. Ran a preschool in the summer, learned to keep her room clean, lost two gerbils and two hermit crabs and gained two black kittens, which she has named "Fuzzball" and "Soot".
4. Finished reading the BOM with her family.
5. Classes: Karate, Theatre & Piano
6. Favorite Christmas Present: "Chronicles of Narnia" book received at a raffle drawing when she drew her own winning number.

Joy - 5 Years Old - Kindergarten
1. Started Kindergarten at Sunrise Elementary with Mrs. Trantor who is, "The best teacher in the world!"
2. Loves to play and conspire with Rachel Megli - her best friend.
3. Finished reading the BOM with her family.
4. Loved Ballet & Creative Dance - looking forward to ice skating classes.
5. Vibrates in place, longs for the next family gathering, loves to be "in love" with any cute boy and is a ray of sunshine in her family's life.
6. Favorite Christmas Present: A fairy wand and wings that make a bell sound every time they move.

Jacob - 5 Years Old - Kindergarten
1. Started Kindergarten at Sunrise Elementary with Mrs. Cameron who is, "Sometimes nice and sometimes not." (She really is the sweetest, most positive teacher I've seen.)
2. Loves to create new "inventions" out of rubber bands, staples, legos and pink sponge curlers and calls it a "pig".
3. Finished reading the BOM with his family and prays the we will, "Be like the Nephites and not the Lamanites."
4. Loved soccer, said T-ball with "too slow" and wants to learn fencing (maybe in a few years...)
5. The best helper - He's the "Run, Go, Carry Man" - Announced he wants to be a contractor when he grows up after watching and helping the men put up siding on the house.
6. Favorite Christmas Present: He hasn't seen it yet.

Luke - One Year old on October 29th
1. All we can say is he is a gift and reward for surviving young twins - Mellow temperament, happy disposition - We're sad when he's asleep.
2. Loves everything soft and furry, learning baby sign language (good at signing "more" at the dinner table), and gives great open mouth kisses.
3. Finished listening to the BOM while dismantling his new favorite toy - the Christmas Tree.
4. His Mommy and Daddy are his world. Loves playing chase with Jacob, pulling Joy's hair & being hugged by Faith.
5. He always laughs, smiles, &/or reaches for Jesus when he sees Him in pictures.
6. Favorite Christmas Present: Being here in this life.

Merry Christmas - Thank you all for being part of our family's treasures.