Queen of the Bed

   At Clara's last check up a few weeks ago, the pediatrician said she was in the 90th percentile for LENGTH!  You would never know she has a five foot mama!  At less than three months old she is almost too long for her bassinet!  Oh, how she's growin'.  At this rate, we'll soon be in need of another queen.   

Best buds!

 Pioneer Day: Clara attended her first parade in celebration of the Mormon Pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley 165 years ago!  We mainly went to see some of the young men that James works with at church, march with the 2,000 Stripling Warriors.  We've read that story in the Book of Mormon many times, but it was amazing to see what 2,000 young men looked like.  

After the parade, we cruised up to the Mountaire Cabin for a sleepover with Mom, Dan, and Dan's friend, Brian!  Even though it wasn't quite like the pioneers, we thought we would show our appreciation by staying at a place with little rodents running around and and out house up the trail!  Little Miss Clara wore a night gown that is still a bit large for her, over her onesie so she'd stay nice and cozy up in the mountains!  We all felt more prepared for a good night's rest after manly James took care of the five filled mouse traps and set them again:)  Uncle Dan had a sweet taste of what it is like to have a little one as he woke up in the wee hours of the morning to Clara grunting and cooing. 

As tradition calls, a "Big Mama Breakfast" out on the screened in porch in the midst of the crisp, refreshing mountain air!  

We took a short hike up the road to the fish pond and enjoyed reading, relaxing and napping!

Enjoy this video.  Clara couldn't stop talking about how much she loves the cabin! 

Tummy time with Dad is the BASTE!!!!  Take note of her facial expression at the very end of the video:) 

Pants or shants: the big debate.  These adorable pants were given to us and James and I couldn't decide how they should be worn.  If the top of the pants came to her waste, the crotch of the pants would be at her knees, which would be quite uncomfortable!  SO I decided to pull them all the way up to make them shants (short pants)! Clara wasn't too happy about it either way.  I guess I shouldn't venture beyond the simple onsie except on Sundays.  Getting dressed up once a week is tricky enough!  

Look how far she's come....

How the past few months have flown by!  Our little gal is already almost too long for her bassinet and changing table in just two months!  Maybe she won't be a shorty like her Mom:)  We shall see!  We have been especially impressed with her strong neck!

Clara about one day old

Clara on her two month Birthday!

Finally discovering that bath time isn't so bad after all.  

Sunday afternoon picnic with Grandpa Pete and the Johnson bros.

"Mom!  Why are you making me wear this hat?!  It's way to big and I look like a flower!"

America the Beautiful

Independence Day


James, Clara, and I (along with parts of both of our families) celebrated the freedoms of our country by basking in the natural beauty of the "purple mountains majesty!"  The mountains didn't look purple to us, however, because we were in the High Uintah mountains.  To me, peaks look purple only from a distance.  The drive was gorgeous (Clara slept the entire way up!!!); Mirror Lake, our destination.  We enjoyed relaxing, talking, walking around the lake, observing the beauty of the sky, trees, rocks, and water, and eating a picnic lunch on the shores of the majestic Mirror Lake.  Clara has been drawn to the outdoors from the very beginning, so let's just say, she was a TROOPER outside all day in nature!   The day was topped off with stopping by the Mountaire cabin for a steak BBQ with Mom and Richard.  Aunt Julie and Uncle Armond showed up, which was a special treat since they just arrived home from their three year mission in Norway!  It was so great to chat with them!

 "Don't mess with the U.S."

   "I'm Proud to be an American!"

 Mountaire Cabin!

                           Everyone taking their afternoon ciesta.  On the far left, it's not just a pile of towels, shoes, and a hat, it's Mama Johnson:)  

Loads of good news!

UNDERSTANDING.

Now I understand. I've often observed how parents love their children. In my life, I personally have known what it feels like to love God, my husband, parents, siblings, cousins, friends, and my students at school. Never until now, however, have I known what it is like to love my own child. Previously to having a child of my own, I have been shocked at times at the sacrifices parents will make for their children. I've also noticed how easy it is for parents to triumphantly brag about the accomplishments of their posterity. Now I know why. Even though "loads of sleep" and "Cammie and James" can't exactly be put into the same sentence, I just have to say my heart is exploding with love for little Miss Clara! When we are out and about, people will say, "What a cute baby you have," in a sweet voice. I'm sure they do mean it, but I just want to proclaim to them, "No, you don't even know. I don't think you realize HOW cute she is and HOW amazingly adorable and how much light and joy and love she radiates into the world!!!!" So I'm guilty. Go ahead and put me on the list. The list of parents who gush over their kids. I won't try to hide any evidence. Now I also have a bit of a glimpse of how much my Father in Heaven loves me. I am His daughter. No wonder He asks us to love one another. No wonder that He is disappointed when we are not kind to one another and is pleased when we build each other up and help one another. We are all His children.

Daddy-Daughter crash on the couch. Not posed!

BREATH.

Speaking of loving my daughter, there is one thing I love about her that has been completely unexpected. Her breath. Not sure why, but the smell of Clara's breath makes me happy. I truly enjoy being so close to her face. Strange, I know, but it really smells good! Maybe all babys' breath smells sweet and that is why someone decided to name a beautiful tiny white flower baby's breath. What a special flower. Well at least it is to me--possibly because I remember my Mom putting them in my hair after I was baptized. Also James had them surrounding the single rose that sat on the table during our first Valentine's Day dinner (a fancy, delicious Italian meal he prepared himself, by the way) as a newly dating couple.

BLESSING AND BLESSINGS.

Clara Bright Clark was given a name and a blessing on Sunday, June 17, 2012. We brought Clara home from the hospital on Mother's Day and James was able to give her a blessing on Father's Day. No better gifts could we have had as new parents. Uncle Ben received the Melchizedek priesthood that morning, just in time to join the circle of men blessing her. Clara did not make a peep and listened intently to the blessings in store for her as she follows God. We were blessed to have Chuck and Mike Clark, and Pete, Michael, Richard, Dan, and Ben Johnson assisting in the blessing along with Bishop Roberts. Clara was given wonderful blessings from God through James.

SMILES.

I say this is a legit smile. Clara is overjoyed to have had wonderful visitors fly in just to see her! First, Uncle Peter from Portland, then Uncle Michael & Aunt Sarah from San Francisco. Clara is such a lucky niece!

Introducing... Cammie, James, and Clara's blog! We hope you will enjoy viewing pictures and reading updates about the Clark fam. The title of our blog, "Brighter than a Lucky Penny" comes from one of our favorite songs, "Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows"! Plus, it reminds us of our favorite NEW addition to our family, Clara BRIGHT Clark! Clara's middle name comes from James' Grandma Elayne Clark's maiden name!