Enjoying Averi and Elle Before They Move Thousands of Miles Away

Since Matt and Katie needed to be out of their house a few days before they moved to Utah, we got to have them come and stay with us for a couple of days. It was not nearly long enough. We did have some great fun, though.

Papa pulled out some sparklers and Averi even decided to like them!

We went swimming one gorgeous day at the Club. Averi was like a fish. She did not want to even bother with her floaties. Elle was just a perfect little dolly sleeping in the shade.

We set up the princess tent in the living room, but I also put a little bed in my room and Averi mostly slept with me. It gave us a chance for lots of cuddling and singing at bedtime each night.

I'm not sure that it has still sunk in that they are really gone. I can't make myself really even think about it. The next time I drive to Columbus and don't get off on their exit for a quick little visit and hugs, there will, no doubt, be tears!

Happy Birthday Brooklyn & Camryn

These little girls turn "5" today. We hope they have a wonderful birthday!

Love you,

Papa, The Nana, and Sean

The Exciting News Just Continues to Pour In!! Baby is Born!

Such a beautiful family! Averi LOVED holding her baby sister!
But first, she loved the present her baby sister brought her - a Tiana princess! And she liked the little pony.
Katie's mom, Grandma Johnson, with this precious little bundle!
Great hair! We had to take a peek under that little hat! Wonder if she will have adorable curls like Averi?
Papa and The Nana

Uncle Sean gets a turn holding!

Today Elle was born at 3:04 p.m. She weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces! She is darling. I don't think that she looks like Averi did as a baby, but I'm sure that is yet to be seen.

It was so fun to get to hold her. Katie seemed so good after just having surgery. She looked fabulous, acted great, and said she felt great! We tried not to stay very long so that she wouldn't have to be entertaining guests! Hopefully we will get some good holding time in the next few days!

Averi was absolutely adorable when she got to hold her new baby sister! She just giggled and giggled. I can't believe I didn't turn on my video recording!! I couldn't catch a picture at the right moment. Just take my word -- nothing could have been cuter!

The day Dr. and Mrs. David Matthew Clark have awaited and worked so hard for!

Dental School Graduation - June 5, 2011 !!!
Averi watching for daddy!
Averi with The Nana.
Averi with her perfectly painted toenails and fingernails happy on Grandma Johnson's lap.
Matt amongst his classmates.
Waiting to receive his doctorate hood!
The 'Hooding'.

Yea!! Congratulations!

Just a wee bit happy?
We won't hear 'daddy's at school' anymore.
Proud parents and wife of the doctor!
Janet, Averi, Katie, Dr., and Greg.
Grandma Schenk, Katie, Dr. Clark, and Grandpa Schenk.
Dr. Clark and Sean.
13 of the 22 LDS Dentists that graduated together. Good friends!
Patient and supportive new doctors' wives.
Home for the party!


Check out the teeth-shaped ice cubes! Katie is nearly out of control with her amazing creativity! And pictured below... buckeye cheesecake, what else?!

Touring the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio

"Ashley, there are no keys around to get you out of there!"

Grandpa taking a look in the showers which they referred to as the 'car wash' . The prisoners lined up and walked the length of the water pipe, and when they got to the end their shower was over! They were allowed one shower a week!

Lyle, Glenn, Jill, Sean, Ashley, Hudson, and I decided to tour this Famous Historical Prison. Shawshank Redemption (which I have never seen, and knew nothing about) was filmed here as well as a part of Air Force One. I kept asking why they would build such an ornate prison back in 1886. The answer that I was given was that it was done to "encourage inmates back to a 'rebirth' of their spiritual lives. The architecture itself inspired them to turn away from their sinful lifestyle, and toward repentence." The prison doors opened in 1896. They closed on December 31, 1990. It is the world's largest free-standing steel cell block and housed 1900 inmates at a time -- 155,000 men in its lifetime.

Currently it is advertised as a place to 'Track the Supernatural'.

Overnight, self-guided Ghost Hunts are available.

The last weekend of September through the month of October the gates open for a Haunted Prison Experience!

A "Glamour in the Slammer" Bridal Expo with a wide array of vendors is the happening thing in November. Weddings, Receptions, Conferences, Banquets, and Reunions can be scheduled in the Central Guard Room seating 200 comfortably ' with a dance floor'! And the Warden's Dining room is available for your next small gathering of 20-40 people.... a great Conference Room! The grounds are available for reunions, car or bike shows, and company picnics.

This is listed on the Travel Channel's 101 Things to do Before You Die!

Sound like fun???

Next time you come to visit, we will be happy to take you there!

(Lyle's pictures are better than mine, so when I get them I will try to post some of them!)