At the Days Inn...our room had one big bed! hahaha! We also had a couch bed and the room was huge, so that was good. I slept in the king bed with Ethan, Daria, and Alia. Jenika and Karina were in the hide-a-bed, and Tirsa was on the couch cushions on the floor....what a site! RaeAnna and her kids stayed in their own room just upstairs.
On Sunday morning, we woke up and had the continental breakfast offered by the hotel...your standard carb packed breakfast! ugh! Everything was bread or cereals...muffins, doughnuts, toast, cold cereal....I guess there was some fruits. Anyway, the kids enjoyed it and it was complimentary so I suppose I shouldn't complain!
After breakfast we all showered and got ready for church. Thank goodness the ward didn't meet till 1pm! We were there in the first 2 pews by 12:30pm waiting for the other family members to arrive. They did and we fast filled up those 2 front rows. It was Fast and Testimony meeting, and Chris blessed his newborn son, Abrams, in company of Great Grandpa Clark, Grandpa Clark (my dad), my brother Craig, and my brother Scot. It was neat to witness 4 generations of Clark boys!!! My brother Chris bore a great testimony, my grandpa too. Then Clarky and Jenika got up as well....it was nice to hear from the younger generation as well.
After church we all met in the Relief Society room for pictures...it was difficult to get us all together! geesh! But we did it!! Annie and I went back to the hotel to change into more casual attire and then we headed up to Noblesville to my parent's house. It was perfect weather: no humidity, no clouds, warm with a slight breeze. We had all the food outside on the newly finished deck. We had a great dinner of Lasagna, meatloaf, salad, and garlic bread. Later after that settled in our bellies, we had an assortment of pies and ice cream.
Uncles and cousins played in the yard with the frisbee, croquet, and rugby balls.
It was fun to everyone together. Unfortunately, Craig and Scot had to leave....I guess they only had the Saturday and sunday off and had to get back to work and school....Scot had flown into Chicago and driven down with Craig, so they had to get back before it was too late!
We had fun talking and reminiscing and listening to my Grandpa's stories. In the evening we had a little presentation by all the grandchildren. Clark was in charge of announcing each act. They sang a few songs: I'll Seek the Lord Early, The Lord needs Valiant Servants, Little Purple Pansies, and a few Pioneer songs. They did well. We talked of some old family vacations as well and had fun reminiscing. We ended the night with cookies and milk...of course!...Clark Family tradition!!!
Saying goodbye is always hard for me, but we had to do it and went back to the hotel. Such good memories!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Day 3 (Sat. Aug. 1, 2009) Road Trip
We slept in!! Yikes! Well, we took all morning long to get packed up to go on the road to Indiana. I don't know when we finally left...2 or 3pm? Anyway, it was later than we hoped. I drove the girls...well Karina really wanted to be with the boys, so minus her. But Lizzy was delighted to be riding in our van with ALL girls...no brothers!! That meant Annie had ALL the boys plus Karina.
We took route 77 north and then I-70 west to Indianapolis. I suppose this was a longer way when I think back at it, but it was all highway and we took turns passing each other on the road!!! We stopped a few times for bathroom breaks and running around, but really we pretty much drove straight thru. We were lucky to have some yummy cookies made for us by a co-worker of Jon's....yummo!!! We also saw a Frische's Big Boy along the way....my mom always talked about these when we were young and how she loved them, but ya couldn't find them anymore!!...hahaha...well there it was right outside of Dayton, Ohio!!!
We finally arrived at the Days Inn in Castleton, Indiana around 8:30pm....late! Wimmers went up to my parent's house anyway, while Roylances stayed at the Hotel and prepped for Sunday. We were able to see my grandparents, Alma Card and Elizabether Clark...Chris, Jessica, Alma, and Abrams, Rebecca, Craig and Amber, and Scot. We had some fun playing and eating and catching up! We got back down to the hotel at about midnight! It was going to be fun being around so much family!!
We took route 77 north and then I-70 west to Indianapolis. I suppose this was a longer way when I think back at it, but it was all highway and we took turns passing each other on the road!!! We stopped a few times for bathroom breaks and running around, but really we pretty much drove straight thru. We were lucky to have some yummy cookies made for us by a co-worker of Jon's....yummo!!! We also saw a Frische's Big Boy along the way....my mom always talked about these when we were young and how she loved them, but ya couldn't find them anymore!!...hahaha...well there it was right outside of Dayton, Ohio!!!
We finally arrived at the Days Inn in Castleton, Indiana around 8:30pm....late! Wimmers went up to my parent's house anyway, while Roylances stayed at the Hotel and prepped for Sunday. We were able to see my grandparents, Alma Card and Elizabether Clark...Chris, Jessica, Alma, and Abrams, Rebecca, Craig and Amber, and Scot. We had some fun playing and eating and catching up! We got back down to the hotel at about midnight! It was going to be fun being around so much family!!
Day 2 (Fri. July 31, 2009) Roadtrip
We rested well at the Roylance home in Vincent, Ohio!!! RaeAnna and I of course talked, looked at catalogs and clothing styles, cooked and cleaned together! And the kids played of course. It was kind of a rainy, glum day so they played inside mostly. They played with legos and gameboys and downstairs. They also lined the upstairs steps with pillows from around the house and then broke out the sleds!!! It was hilarious to see them come flying down and land in the pile of pillows at the bottom. hahahah!
We did some laundry too and just hung around and had fun. By the afternoon it was beginning to clear up, so they took us to the Marrietta Water Park. We were very excited until we got to the entrance and noticed they were holding everyone there. They were considering closing early since no one had come all day! NOOOOOOOOO! (silent prayers being said by 11 childern and 2 moms) They finally gave us the go ahead...YES, they would stay open another 2 hours! YAY!!! What a fun place!! It was like a mini water park complete with a few small waterslides, a pirate ship that spewed water here and there and had kiddie slides too, a "lazy river", a lap pool, and pools connecting all these fun things. They even had a sprinkler area or a play fountain I guess you would call it....basically sprays of water coming out of a concrete sidewalk area at different angles and heights. We had so much fun! They has some little contests too....hula hooping, cannonballing, etc.
As they were closing, Jon met us there because it was right next to the hospital where he works. He had some sad news of one of their friends passing away, but even still he ordered Papa Johns Pizza for us and we enjoyed it on the grassy hills next to the parking lot!! What FUN!!!
Later that night, we played and talked some more and talked about our plans for the next day....heading up to Indianapolis to go to G&G Clark's house!!! :) Good Times!
We did some laundry too and just hung around and had fun. By the afternoon it was beginning to clear up, so they took us to the Marrietta Water Park. We were very excited until we got to the entrance and noticed they were holding everyone there. They were considering closing early since no one had come all day! NOOOOOOOOO! (silent prayers being said by 11 childern and 2 moms) They finally gave us the go ahead...YES, they would stay open another 2 hours! YAY!!! What a fun place!! It was like a mini water park complete with a few small waterslides, a pirate ship that spewed water here and there and had kiddie slides too, a "lazy river", a lap pool, and pools connecting all these fun things. They even had a sprinkler area or a play fountain I guess you would call it....basically sprays of water coming out of a concrete sidewalk area at different angles and heights. We had so much fun! They has some little contests too....hula hooping, cannonballing, etc.
As they were closing, Jon met us there because it was right next to the hospital where he works. He had some sad news of one of their friends passing away, but even still he ordered Papa Johns Pizza for us and we enjoyed it on the grassy hills next to the parking lot!! What FUN!!!
Later that night, we played and talked some more and talked about our plans for the next day....heading up to Indianapolis to go to G&G Clark's house!!! :) Good Times!
Monday, August 31, 2009
DAY 1 (Thurs. July 30, 2009) Road Trip
I spent most of the week prior to this day packing...trying to only bring bare escentials and telling the kids they could only bring 1 stuffed animal, a few books and something to draw with!
Thursday morning was chaotic of course, not only because I was trying to pack the van up, but because we still had summer activities we were finishing up! Alia and Daria had to finish their swim lessons with a double lesson since we were missing the last one....and Ethan finished up his summer enrichment class at school. My nails were in bad shape and so I HAD to get those taken care of...heehee!..I know a petty thing, but still....and Karina was coming home from a great sleepover with a friend.
I think we finally left by 2pm! I decided to take the scenic route to Ohio towards Marrietta where my sister, RaeAnna, lives. We headed west into Pennsylvania and then near Carlisle, we headed southwest. This route took us down thru Pennsylvania to the northern border of Maryland and then into West Virginia. Marrietta, Ohio is just cross the river from West Virginia. It sure was scenic! ha! Very beautiful, rolling hills, some great rock cliffs and small mountains, lots of green.
But, oh boy was it a drive!! I don't think the road was ever straight or flat....so much up and down, over and around, twisting and turning!!! It definitely kept me awake!
As far as the kids....they kept me awake too! Remember, I was on my own...Ladd was still at home in New Jersey...he would join up with us later. And, the rule was that unless it was pouring rain or dark outside, they were NOT allowed to watch movies or play computer games! They actually didn't really complain about that and enjoyed the scenery, read their books, played cards....and of course picked and poked at each other! The last hour was the worst! I had to stop for gas and they were really ready to be there!! Tirsa was screaming and I was bookin' out down the highway wanting to get there soon too! Good thing there wasn't a car in sight...we basically had the road to ourselves.
We finally arrived at about 9 pm, had a light supper, played with our cousins and went to bed. I don't think I stayed up talking very late with RaeAnna like I usually do because I was just wiped out!!! :P So went the first day of our trip...mainly just travel with a smiling bunch of faces of family waiting for us on the other end!
Thursday morning was chaotic of course, not only because I was trying to pack the van up, but because we still had summer activities we were finishing up! Alia and Daria had to finish their swim lessons with a double lesson since we were missing the last one....and Ethan finished up his summer enrichment class at school. My nails were in bad shape and so I HAD to get those taken care of...heehee!..I know a petty thing, but still....and Karina was coming home from a great sleepover with a friend.
I think we finally left by 2pm! I decided to take the scenic route to Ohio towards Marrietta where my sister, RaeAnna, lives. We headed west into Pennsylvania and then near Carlisle, we headed southwest. This route took us down thru Pennsylvania to the northern border of Maryland and then into West Virginia. Marrietta, Ohio is just cross the river from West Virginia. It sure was scenic! ha! Very beautiful, rolling hills, some great rock cliffs and small mountains, lots of green.
But, oh boy was it a drive!! I don't think the road was ever straight or flat....so much up and down, over and around, twisting and turning!!! It definitely kept me awake!
As far as the kids....they kept me awake too! Remember, I was on my own...Ladd was still at home in New Jersey...he would join up with us later. And, the rule was that unless it was pouring rain or dark outside, they were NOT allowed to watch movies or play computer games! They actually didn't really complain about that and enjoyed the scenery, read their books, played cards....and of course picked and poked at each other! The last hour was the worst! I had to stop for gas and they were really ready to be there!! Tirsa was screaming and I was bookin' out down the highway wanting to get there soon too! Good thing there wasn't a car in sight...we basically had the road to ourselves.
We finally arrived at about 9 pm, had a light supper, played with our cousins and went to bed. I don't think I stayed up talking very late with RaeAnna like I usually do because I was just wiped out!!! :P So went the first day of our trip...mainly just travel with a smiling bunch of faces of family waiting for us on the other end!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Our 2009 Trek West
Well, I will attempt to write out details about our Family Trip we took out west during the month of August 2009...and yes, it took just about a month!! I think I will post each day or segment of the trip on separate postings, just so it's not too long and boring to read through all at once! hahah! I'll have to dig around and find all the pictures we took as well. I know Ladd has many of them on his laptop as mine is just so full of pictures I'm running out of space.
So, why did we "trek" west? It all started with Ladd's finding out about his 20 year class reunion, Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah. I think he started getting info on that a year ago, however when I asked about it this past spring (was I going to go, how would we go, would the whole family go...ya know those sorts of questions) he surprised me by saying we should all drive out. We had just purchased a giant van as a family car in February and what better way could one get to make the long haul. Keep in mind, Ladd never went on road trips as a kid and has often dreaded the thought of being in a car with all the kids for majorly extended periods of time. Just keep that in mind....HIS idea!!! :)
I, on the other hand, was elated at the idea!!! I jumped at the chance for a huge family road trip because that is the story of my life! :) We did them ALL the time as a kid...we'd go west or east to see family, friends, church sites, historical sites, and strange/random sites!!! We'd camp, cookout, swim, play on playgrounds, visit waterparks, zoos, museums, lakes & waterfalls, hike mountains, etc. It was great fun and I have the BEST memories of doing such things. So, with the prospect of going west, I got on the internet and searched...talked with my dad and gleaned ideas...so much fun!
I decided (yes, it was purely ME that did the planning! heehee) that on our way out, we'd stop in Ohio first to see my sister for a few days, then head up and over to Indiana to stay with my parents for a week. Ladd would fly out from NJ to Indianapolis, where we would pick him up from the airport on our way to Nauvoo, IL. We would spend a few days in Nauvoo then follow the Mormon trail as we headed west, stopping at several sites along the way...including: Winterquarters (nebraska), Mormon Island/Grand Island, Nebraska, Chimney rock near Scott's Bluff, nebraska, Guernsey, WY oregon trail ruts, Independence rock, Devil's Gate & Martin's cove. When we got to Utah, we would go to Provo first showing the kids BYU campus and visit family. Then up to Salt Lake City to Temple Square, then up to Ogden to stay with the Wimmer Grandparents. On the way home we would high tail it back to Indiana and then to Dayton and Columbus, Ohio to visit friends.
So that was the plan! Let's see how it all fell into place!.....
So, why did we "trek" west? It all started with Ladd's finding out about his 20 year class reunion, Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah. I think he started getting info on that a year ago, however when I asked about it this past spring (was I going to go, how would we go, would the whole family go...ya know those sorts of questions) he surprised me by saying we should all drive out. We had just purchased a giant van as a family car in February and what better way could one get to make the long haul. Keep in mind, Ladd never went on road trips as a kid and has often dreaded the thought of being in a car with all the kids for majorly extended periods of time. Just keep that in mind....HIS idea!!! :)
I, on the other hand, was elated at the idea!!! I jumped at the chance for a huge family road trip because that is the story of my life! :) We did them ALL the time as a kid...we'd go west or east to see family, friends, church sites, historical sites, and strange/random sites!!! We'd camp, cookout, swim, play on playgrounds, visit waterparks, zoos, museums, lakes & waterfalls, hike mountains, etc. It was great fun and I have the BEST memories of doing such things. So, with the prospect of going west, I got on the internet and searched...talked with my dad and gleaned ideas...so much fun!
I decided (yes, it was purely ME that did the planning! heehee) that on our way out, we'd stop in Ohio first to see my sister for a few days, then head up and over to Indiana to stay with my parents for a week. Ladd would fly out from NJ to Indianapolis, where we would pick him up from the airport on our way to Nauvoo, IL. We would spend a few days in Nauvoo then follow the Mormon trail as we headed west, stopping at several sites along the way...including: Winterquarters (nebraska), Mormon Island/Grand Island, Nebraska, Chimney rock near Scott's Bluff, nebraska, Guernsey, WY oregon trail ruts, Independence rock, Devil's Gate & Martin's cove. When we got to Utah, we would go to Provo first showing the kids BYU campus and visit family. Then up to Salt Lake City to Temple Square, then up to Ogden to stay with the Wimmer Grandparents. On the way home we would high tail it back to Indiana and then to Dayton and Columbus, Ohio to visit friends.
So that was the plan! Let's see how it all fell into place!.....
Thursday, February 26, 2009
An Upcoming Home Project
Well, this is mainly for the benefit of my brother whom I've asked to give me some suggestions on this area of my home. I'm going to try to post some videos of the space and see what he has to say about them....besides the fact that they need a good cleaning!! Other comments welcome of course, but basically I want to re-vamp the whole kitchen, bathroom, pantry area. This probably will happen next year sometime, but one must continue to plan for major stuff like this!!! :P
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Happy New Year from the Wimmers!!!
Well, we are late as usual in getting out a newsletter! But here is a little about or year 2008.
Some of our comings and goings include:
Adding another girl to the family!!! :) Tirsa Marie was born on May 6! She looks just like the rest of the bunch...blond, blue eyes, chubby cheeks, and smiley.
Ladd had surgery on 2 ruptured discs in his neck...a result of a car crash from years ago aggravated by being clobbered in the Turkey Bowl Thanksgiving Football game (Nov. 2007)...ugh!
Visits from both sets of grandparents as well as other family and friends from out-of-state.
Travels to Utah for Ladd, Indiana for Renaye, Utah for Ladd & Ethan, Cancun, Mexico for Ladd & Renaye, Ladd continuing to travel for work, mostly to Indiana, and a family trip to Ohio to see our Roylance cousins.
Sports...Jenika on Softball, Summer Swim Team for Jenika, Ethan and Karina, swim lessons for Daria, and swimming in the neighborhood pool, Soccer for Ethan & Karina, horse-back riding for Karina.
Here's some thoughts from each of us:
JENIKA (12): "I like to draw, paint, and design fashions. I like to play basketball and softball. I turned 12 and started Middle School...I'm in the band playing the flute and trying to learn oboe. I'm in the Young Women program at church. I like to read and I'm now reading the Nancy Drew series and many other books. I love to sing and I performed at the School Talent Show and the Spring Concert...I'm in a Performing Arts class now and the Select Choir. I babysit a lot now for my parents...and I don't get paid!!! Not fair!!!"
ETHAN (10): "No comment!" I, Renaye, will fill in for his lack of words...Ethan likes all sports, but this year only played soccer and swim team. He continues to be attracted to video games...ugh! He is loving the Wii and an old game boy he got from a friend, but not loving how Mom keeps them under lock and key until homework and chores are complete! He loves to read and reads till all hours of the night. He also loves music and is a great Trumpet player and makes a good sound on the recorder...he also can be found figuring out songs and hymns on the piano. Although he constantly teases his sisters, he is good at watching out for them and is a good example of completing chores!!!
KARINA (9): "I don't know!!...I love horses, I'm taking lessons....I love riding!!! I like milk. I participated in a writing activity at school and it was chosen by an acting group to be made into a play. The play was performed in front of my whole school and will be performed throughout the country! I went to swim team and I was good at the back stroke. I play the recorder and the clarinet. I love crafts, cooking, and writing poetry...I love reading about horses! I got glasses this year..I really like them. I love Tirsa and I hold her and kiss her ALL the time!!
DARIA (7): "I like drawing pictures, especially of my Littlest Pet Shops. I like to read all kinds of books. I went to swim class and learned to dive and swim in the deep end. I like to play with my sisters, especially Legos, Playmobil, and Littlest Pet Shops. I like gymnastics...I can stand on my head for 13 seconds! I like to bounce and climb and roll all over the furniture. I love the balance beam! I still love lots of hugs and kisses from everyone. :)
ALIA (3): "I love my friends...I play with them. I like to help Mommy with baking and cooking dinner...I always pull up a chair in the kitchen so I can reach the counter top. I like to wash dishes by hand so I can play with the water!! I can go potty all by myself now. I gave myself a few haircuts this year, much to Mommy's dismay. My picture was in the newspaper for attending the local Library reading time! I love being read to, dressing up, coloring, and playing with my baby sister.
TIRSA (8 months): "I am the cutest baby girl alive!!! I have the biggest, rosiest cheeks...great for kissing and nibbling. I love drinking my bottles and eating anything I can get my hands on. So far, I've learned to crawl really fast, pull my self up to a stand even if I'm not holding on to anything, and climbing the stairs. In my adventures, I've discovered the garbage can and the houseplants...for some reason, Mommy doesn't like that?! I love smiling and letting everyone at church hold me!!!"LADD: "I continue to work for Dimension Data as an IT Solutions Architect. I was just released from my Scoutmaster calling at church, but have yet to be given a new assignment. I survived my neck surgery in the spring and I have recovered well...I rarely have pain there anymore. I like to play sports and watch sports, both of which I don't get to do much anymore. I had a great time taking Ethan to Utah for my brother's wedding...we were able to visit BYU campus and managed to go to a football game while there!! I still do a few home improvements, including finishing a corner curio cabinet I made for the dining room and a framed mirror for the living room. Reluctantly, I paid someone to install the wood floors for us...I wanted to do it myself, but with all my traveling it wasn't possible. I traveled a lot this year, mostly on a project in Indiana.
RENAYE: "I've struggled through this year in lots of ways. Pregnancy was so painful and difficult this last time, I even had to walk with a cane! I also was still teaching Seminary during all this and the delivery, so it was hard to do all that and adjust to having a new baby. In the Fall, Ladd was traveling so much that I opted to teach Seminary only once a week and give home study the rest of the week. I am now up to 3 days a week, which surprisingly feels a lot better!! I continue to knit, sew, stamp, scrapbook, and make bead jewelry. I have enjoyed creating this blog this year and also re-connecting with long lost friends on Facebook. I also have quite enjoyed cleaning out and de-cluttering my house and my life!
We hope you all have a productive and happy new year!! It is amazing when we really look around and think about all the little things we enjoy in this life, how truly blessed we are!!! May you always keep the Lord first in your lives...we know He is the only way to find true happiness! Happy 2009!!!!
Love to all, The Wimmer Family :)
13 Merion Ln.
Washington, NJ
07882
njwimmers@comcast.net
rc3w@hotmail.com
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