January into February

Things are just going along here at the Clark house.  I for one am thrilled our winter has not been to extreme.  We have only had one e-learning day but as I type this it is raining ice and snow is on the way.  They are predicting no school (which means e-learning ) the next 2 days.  Ugh!

Cate plays a lot of volleyball and loves it.  She plays with 7 other ladies on a team called Summit Wave coached by Scott Haddix.  The girls all enjoy each other and it has been a good "friends" experience.  We are happy to have a  Christian coach that nurtures Cate as well as improves her physical and mental capabilities so she can be successful on and off the court.

 Matt and Anna Troup came to Fort Wayne to introduce their new son, Lincoln, to his Great Grandma Joan.  We were able to pop in for a few minutes and get a peek at the newest Clark great-grandchild.  Matt is the son of Aunt Dawn and Uncle Tim.  Lincoln was the perfect gentleman and Cate loved seeing Anna.  We were thankful they made the trip down from Chicago and we got to get together.

 This grandma was lucky to get to go north to spend a night with Nick's family.  They had an outing to Chik-filet where some reptiles were on display.  Lots of fun being with this family.

We are all happy in this house when the older kids bring the grandsons and come home.  We love that time together.  Luke and Susi came up for the day recently.  Konrad is a keeper for sure.  Love that kid!

Of course we had to go to our favorite restaurant to eat Chinese, Yen Chings.  Josh always says "My friend works here!"  He loves the chefs!

Josh has been very sick the last couple weeks.  He even ran a 105 temp so you know he had a mighty strong germ attacking his body.  He missed a whole week of school.  This kid has not missed 1 day due to illness since he came to the USA.  He would rather go to school than stay home but he just couldn't overcome this bug.  Here are a few shots of his patheticness!  Poor guy!  He is better now but still dragging.

Last weekend we visited some of our favorite people, John and Kim Porter.  They treated us to a firepit evening with roasted hotdogs and s'mores.  The weather was perfect and so was the company.  Thanks John and Kim for loving on us.  

  Kim was a trooper and joined me on the bleachers ALL DAY to watch Cate's volleyball team.  Now that is true friendship plus she even bought me a coke!  Thanks Kim!

We could not survive on this life journey without support from our friends. We are thankful and blessed by the friends and family that love us.  Thank you.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.....A person standing along can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. 

Thanks for reading the blog and praying for us.  We appreciate you!  

Choosing joy,

Chris & crew

Christmas and Vacation but not necessarily "Christmas Vacation!"

We have had a blast this holiday season.  So much fun we can hardly handle it!  

Here are some of our favorite photos.

Holiday Cheer at Jefferson Point!  

                             Grandma Joan gets some snuggles from the greats and grands!

Wyatt says "Let me go!"

Josh (15) and Cate (14) at The Chapel with their new bibles from G & G.

Some of the wild ones! Wyatt thinks Nolan is having all the fun!

Jeff and Chris Clark family says Merry Christmas to you!

All the kids get new jean jackets!  Stylin'!

Brother Love!

The three amigos!

Konrad is helping Grandpa fix the train.

Grandma and Wyatt Lee!  Doll Baby!

Nick and Autumn.  Love them!

Saying goodbye is never fun!

Grandma and her oldest grand.  Love this kid!

The kiddos!  Nolan, Josh, Wyatt, Cate, Konrad

Luke, Susi, and Konrad!  Love them!

                                                 Making teacher gifts and goodies!

Michael has arrived from Florida!

                      We don't have any snow to show Michael so thought we'd go ice skating inside!

Cate made a new purse with her crafts from Nick and Autumn. Nice job Cate!

Michael has to fly back home. :(

                                               Christmas Eve church at The Chapel!

                                                    Christmas Eve dinner at Biaggi's!

Aldersgate Church service, photo bomber in back row!

                                                              Happy Birthday Jesus!

                            Christmas Day was just us 4 so we headed out to the 3D Star Wars movie.

                              Visiting Grandma Joan on Christmas Day!





                                 Now we are at the airport headed to Cozumel for a family vacation.

We met up with Luke, Susi and Konrad in Atlanta.  All headed to Cozumel, MX.

  In Cozumel we waited a bit on Nick and Autumn's plane to arrive.  

Cate was tired but excited to be with everyone.

Here they come!  Nolan was leading the pack with his suitcase in tow!  Love this picture!  This kid is passionate about whatever he is doing.  When he runs and hugs me around the legs my heart melts!  Love him so much!

Hey! Hey! the gang's all here!  We piled into one big taxi van for the ride to the condo!  No one is tired now, well maybe Josh is but he'll perk up.  We are excited for family vacation time!  Mexico.....we have arrived!

At the condo.  It looks great and the view is spectacular.  

We have a balcony with 3 sets of sliding glass doors.  Wow!  We are blessed for sure.

 Room 5CN ...4 bedrooms, 4 baths, very nice condo and staff.

Our pool area was gorgeous.  Three pools with a water fall between 2 of them plus a hot tub too!  

                                   We saw cruise ships docked next door every morning.

Taking a quick hike to the Mega!  (aka grocery store)

Wyatt was a little growly on the trip.  We found out later he cut 6 teeth during the week.  Yikes!

Lots of exploring areas for these boys.

Play time in the condo with the new "tops".

First snorkeling about to happen!

Cate loved loved being with the little ones. This grandma had to fight her for "holding" time.  Good thing we had 2 toddlers.  One for each of us.

 Walking to dinner! 

Cate is leading the pack but does she really know where she is going?  

 After a big day snorkeling this little man (Nolan) was too exhausted to stay awake for dinner.  He had to take a cab back to the condo.  No one can walk several miles and carry this kid!

   Pool time was always fun!  We did it several times a day.  Good way to wear out kiddos!

Time to jump in and snorkel some more.                        What are they looking at?

Jeep time.  We are going off rode!  Hang on.  No seat belts or car seats needed.  Hmm....

  

 Nick and Autumn Clark family                                          Luke and Susi Clark family

                                                            Jeff and Chris Clark family

Our boys and their youngest boys.

Jeep hair!

A weird pineapple drink.  Oh no!  Is there ice in here?  

We can't drink this now!  Oh well the Mexico water won't hurt us.  Right?

  Those curls!  I wonder where he gets them from?  Grandma, do we have curly hair in our family?

  Dinner time after Jeep #2 blew out it's radiator.  Wow!  We seriously thought maybe a bomb had gone off.  Everyone is safe and they quickly brought us a new jeep.  We suspect that has happened before and after a quick shoestring fix that jeep will be back out on the streets of Mexico.  Glad we are all safe.  This grandma's heart can't take much more of that!

                                                                     Pool time!

                                          Snorkel time!

                                                          Back to pool time!

                                                           Took a walk around the city.

                                           Great food, Great folks, Great culture.

                     The trampoline at Margaritaville was a big hit.  Lots of fun for everyone.

  Getting ready to board the Adelaide II for a sunset cruise.  Caption Dario was great.

Snorkel time!  Somebody has to stay on the boat and hold a baby.  Hmm...

.I will I will!  Grandma will force herself!

Grandma and grandson #2.  Love this sweet curly haired boy!

                  Me and my man, 35 years together.  I am a lucky woman.  I love you Jeff Clark!

                         Last breakfast in the cafe'.  Today we fly back home to cold Indiana.  Boo!!!

 Last morning in the pool.  We are all sad to go.

 Waiting on our taxi.

Airport lines and saying good byes.  It's always hard to leave but we sure have great memories!  Family is forever and we will always love ours!  Every single one of them.  We always miss our Courtney.  Adios!

This was a great trip.  Mexico is beautiful and we loved the family time.  Thirty-five years ago when I married Jeff I would of never dreamed we would be vacationing in Mexico with this gorgeous family.  I am so thankful and blessed.  Thank you for praying for us and reading the blog.

God can do way more than you could ever ask or imagine.  Ephesians 3:20

Choosing joy,

Chris & crew