Brooklyn, the Horse Whisperer

Ashley is horse-tending a friends' two horses in her back-yard pasture.  The girls had a lot of fun riding them a few days ago.  Brooklyn can't get enough of them.  She wanted to go out and see them and walk them around this morning.  So out we went.  I had no idea that she was going to literally walk them around and around and around the pasture.  She would tug on the halter for a second and then lead the horse for a little bit.  Even when she let go of the halter, the horse kept following her, no matter where she went.  If she stopped, the horse stopped.  When she would start taking steps the horse would follow.  It was so cute to watch.

 Black Beauty and Brooklyn

 Cutie-pie!

 The Nana, Nixon, and Tanner

But, it all had to come to an end.  We caught our flight back to Ohio this afternoon.

The Day Sean Has Been Anticipating and I Have Been Dreading Has Arrived

Today Sean begins his two-year mission!  Of course it is something I want him to do.  He has been planning on it and is extremely well-prepared.  Sean has always had such a great attitude.  He is obedient and faithful.  He is excited to learn Spanish and to serve the Lord for two years.  He is smart, and he is a hard worker.  Sean has been a great example to friends and family.  He has so many talents to share.  Sean paid attention in Seminary and he was a great participator (I know 'cause I was there!).  He has studied the Book of Mormon.  He has a very strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He will be an amazing missionary.  I'm just going to miss him.  I enjoy spending time with him, as I have all my children.  I love the conversations we have.  Things will be a little lonely.

Pictures of good-bye......

 Ashley is cutting while Tanner is giving Sean a lesson on how to do it himself!

 Too cute for words!  Averi, Kendyl, Elle, Camryn, Hudson, Elder Clark, Nixon, and Brooklyn

 We all attended Sean's Setting Apart at the MTC with President Nally!  A very special experience!

 At TeraMia's for a quick lunch!

 Adorable Averi

 Dig in, Hudson!

 Grandpa, Ryan, Tanner, Lyle, Camryn, Brooklyn, Sean, Matt, Katie, Elle, Averi, Kendyl, Nixon, Nic, Melanie, Steffani  (Grandma, Ashley and Hudson were on break outside)

 Nixon, Camryn, Kendyl, Elle, Brooklyn, Averi

 Lyle and Tanner

 Me and my mother

 Camryn and Great Grandpa Schenk

 The hugs begin..... and he went all the way around the group!

 Grandma Schenk and Sean (holding Averi's missionary card!)

Hudson has no idea that he isn't going to get to see Uncle Sean for two years!

After lunch Lyle, Ashley, Hudson, and I took Sean back to the MTC to check in and begin his service.  He smiled.  I might have cried a little.  We drove back to Ashley's house in silence.

We sat around and wondered what Sean was feeling, thinking, doing, and then finally decided after a few hours of that we needed to get busy.  So we went to the Lindon Pool where they have the surf rider and tried to take our minds off of other things.  We included:  Tanner and his friend, Chase, Ashley, Hudson, Lyle, Brooklyn, Camryn, Kendyl, Averi, and myself.  I didn't have a camera, darn.

Tuesday - SKY DIVING!!!

It is sort of Clark tradition that when you finally arrive at your 18th birthday, you get to go sky diving (and mom gives you a cookbook).  We tried with Tanner and the weather didn't cooperate.  We wish he could have made it for this jump!  Sean is a little late, but we decided it had to fit in before his mission.  Kate and Steff weren't Clarks when they turned eighteen, so this was their chance as well!
We all met at SkyDive Utah out in Tooele, for the big event.  Our appointment time was at 2 p.m.  They finally got their jump in around 5:45 p.m.  It was worth the long wait.  A fun, exciting, exhilarating experience.  They all said they loved it.  Here are some pics.....

The waiting hang out. 

 Aunt Sheri was such a great baby-sitter!

 As was Grandma Schenk and Grandpa Schenk... we all took turns!

 The nana and Hudson

 Sean, Kate, Grandpa, Ashley, Steff, Grandma

 Is this the banana?

 Any nervous anticipation?

 The walk of death

 Off they go!

 Camryn watching for the jumpers...  or papa

 Two are out.  Can you spot them?

Sean

Kate

 Steff

Ashley

A happy Ashley!

Ashley, Sean, Steff, Kate

Safely on the ground!

Sheri, Grandma, Hudson, Nixon, Brooklyn, Nic, Sean, Ashley, the Nana, Camryn, Kendyl, Steff, Kate, Grandpa Schenk

Monday - Swimming at the Pool

Today is Matt and Kate's 7th Wedding Anniversary!  They have accomplished great things in the last seven years.  Hope they are all enjoying the day!
Nic and Lyle were off on business somewhere, so the rest of us went to enjoy the American Fork Rec Center.... and enjoy we did.  The girls couldn't go down the slide often enough, and Nixon and Hudson loved playing in the water.  Sean was a great sport about hanging out with the ladies and the kiddos!

After the swimming party, Ashley held a BBQ at her house for as many people as would come!  Grandma and Grandpa Schenk were there.  Sheri, Leslie, Stacy, Kaitlyn and friend (Braden?), Nichole, Chris, Paige, Karen, Derek, Reggie, Morgan, Makenna, and Brinkley, Michael, Yvett, Jordan, Cameron, Aliya, Rachel, Ryan, Ashley, Hudson, Nic, Steff, Brooklyn, Camryn, Kendyl, Nixon, Sean and Tara Pumphrey, Lyle and I all ate delicious food and had a great visit.  We would have loved to have more family there.  Next time.  Thanks, Ashley and Ryan!  (And believe it or not, my camera battery was dead and I have no pictures!)

 Brooklyn, Ashley, and Camryn

 Hudson

 Ashley, Hudson, and Nixon playing ball.

 Kendyl, Steff, and Nixon with Sean waving hello from his lounger!

Hudson clear back in the corner with friends, Nixon, Brooklyn, Ashley, Sean, Camryn, Kendyl, and Steff.

 Hudson and The Nana - and just for the record I was in the pool nearly all day long!

 Hudson and Ashley

The greatest Uncle Sean playing with Kendyl, Brooklyn, and Averi.

Camryn, then Brooklyn coming down the slide for the 89th time!