Welcome 2012!!

So I apparently got lost in Blogland for most of 2011 and I made a promise to myself that I would do a much better job of updating the blog this year...RESOLUTION #1: Update blog at least one time a month!!!

2011 was very good to my sweet family. We have watched Ewan thrive in school and Gem, well, she has started to show the little bit of red in her personality! Ryan and I are still juggling a busy schedule with work and kiddos and trying to find time to do "extra" things!

A Small recap of 2011:

Ewan skied for the first time with Dad and Uncle Lance at Wolf Creek and did AWESOME! He is doing awesome at school and charms everyone in his path. He celebrated his 4th birthday with a Superhero Party with many friends and has been a Superhero pretty much ever since!

Gem turned one, walks, laughs, says a few words, drives her brother crazy, eats pretty much just chicken nuggets (which drives Ryan and I crazy..we debate how long it is going to take her to sprout feathers!) We celebrated her first birthday with an Olivia the Pig party and had a blast!!

As a family we went to Seaside Florida in August with our cousins Molly and Meaghan and Aunt Margaret and Uncle Ian. We had a great time in the waves and sand...we are looking forward to another trip this coming summer.

I can't even try to get the blog caught up at this point so I am starting over in january 2012...ENJOY!!

It has been absolutely to long sine I last posted photos or any updates as to the goings on of the family so here is a brief snip-it!!

Gemma is already nine months and Ryan and I are amazed at how quickly it has gone! All the girl wants to do is stand up and in the last week she has gotten very good at dive-bombing to the floor only to catch herself before she hits! She laughs the entire time...it is really infectious! We had her check up last week and she is 23 pounds 13.5 ounces and 29 inches long! She has 7 teeth...three top and one bottom that are all coming in at the same time! I am amazed that we haven't even had rough nights...very different from big brother! I am just excited that she isn't a snaggle tooth anymore with just one side top tooth showing!! :)

Ewan is being quite a good big brother these days. He helps me keep Gemma standing if I need to do something...usually get him juice or food! We are so excited that the spring weather is starting to consistently show its head. Ewan is having so much fun playing outside, chasing the dogs with his swords, playing super hero, and swinging super high in the swing! He is really enjoying school and talks about his friends and randomly breaks out in the songs he is learning...so cute! His teacher thinks he is "sensitive"...I think he just knows how to get special treatment!! Last night at dinner he informed us that it was better if he didn't have chocolate milk every night because it wasn't good for his teeth...apparently he listened to the dental hygienist that visited his class that day!! An ironic statement since he was the one that asked for the chocolate milk!!!

Below is a sneak peek at some photos that my friend and amazing photographer Laura took of the kids today at the Grapevine Train Depot...hoping to get somemore soon and will definately update again soon!

Gemma holding herself up!

Ewan is Mr. Model...he was so excited to take pics today...of course after everyone he wanted to see and get one with sister! I am just excited that his haircut doesn't look too bad...not his best but we managed to keep the "page boy cut" under control for the pics!

Fall 2010 has been tons of fun...we have visited pumpkin patches with cousins, made a weekend trip to Tulsa, and spent tons of time on our bike outside. Ewan is really enjoying school and is making lots of friends. Halloween is coming up this weekend and we had a Halloween sing and Parade at school today. Ewan is a train conductor this year and loves his costume! Gemma is close to 5 months and she is so big and happy. She has been rolling from back to tummy for quite a while but tonight she rolled from tummy to back for the first time. She is very determined and when she spots something she wants...it's over...she will get it!!

The tractor barrel was loads of fun...
Waiting to get started!

Feeding the goats...
Kieran is so big...and those eyes are trouble!!!

We went to Celina's Big Orange Pumpkin Patch with Aunt Mary and Uncle Scott. We had lots of fun with Tom and Kieran...
Best cousins...

Getting a shot with both boys looking and smiling...virtually impossible!
Gemma is resting in the stroller but she is with us...

Plano Balloon Festival, September 2010

Gemma, Sept 2010, three months...
Ewan, Sept 2007, two months months

Becca, Brian, Connor, and Avery...and soon to be baby Jessa!
We have this exact same shot with Ewan three years ago...so fun! They do have similarities in this photo but are really looking so different now!
I told you Ewan has a crush on her...at least I can say I witnessed Ewan's first kiss!
Daddy and Gemma
Buddies....

The balloons start to take off..
Ewan taking a break...
Cooling off with some refreshing water!
Our girl, Avery! We love the Arant's...they are so fun and I think Ewan has a little crush on this cutie!
Mom and Gemma

In September we went to the Plano Balloon Festival and had a great time with some friends, the Arant's! We first went to the Festival three years ago when Ewan was Gemma's age so it was fun to take both the kiddos. Of course once we got there we remembered why we hadn't been back...hot hot hot!!! This was basically the last warm event of the summer and man are we glad it is cooling off!!
Ewan had a blast listening to music, watching the sky divers, and chasing balloons!
Gemma chillin'
Daddy and Ewan taking a rest from the activities!
SMILE!

We celebrated Gemma's Baptism on September 5, 2010. We were blessed by Uncle Lance coming from London and staying with us for over a week. Lance is Gemma's God Father and Mary is her God Mother. My entire family came up to help us celebrate this blessed day and we had a great bar-be-que and pool party afterwards!
The ever growing Clarke clan!

Dad receiving a blessing

Mom gets a prayer.
Prayer over the Baptismal candle
Nanny gets her hands on Gemma during this special moment!
Receiving the Baptismal candle!
Molly was able to light the candle for us.

The Deacon was so wonderful involving all of Gemma's older cousins!
God Mother Mary kept Gemma so quiet and snuggled the entire ceremony!
The God Parents dry off Gemma's forehead after the blessing with water.
Gemma did so good during her blessing with the Baptismal water!

Receiving the sign of the Cross from the Deacon.
Meaghan was able to help the Deacon during the ceremony.
Receiving the sign of the cross from all our wodnerful family!
Clare was so gentle!
Ewan about to go for a swim in the Baptismal font!!! Fortunately the only one who got wet was Gemma!