Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Swiss Experience











In June 2010 Chris and I spent a month in Switzerland with a student group from Utah State University. We had a fantastic experience and spent a lot of time looking at each other with dropped jaws and wide eyes uttering the only word that came to mind - WOW! Switzerland is loaded with magnificent vistas at every turn. The pictures show a view of the Eiger, the Monk and the Jungfrau, the Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva, the Castle at Oberhoffen and the view from the balcony of the bed and breakfast where we stayed.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

MORE HAWAII PICS



Some random pictures from the trip to Kauai include (in the order shown) a sea turtle, which were numerous around Poipu Beach where we stayed, a parrot fish, Becca swimming in the pool at Kipu Falls just after she made the jump from the cliff above, the Napalli coast where a group of us took a great hike, Ben Johnson, the hiking group (Dave, Rich, Reina, Em, Joe and Ben), Rich, Reina and Ben on the hike, Fred (Dave's dad) relaxing in the condo and Emily and Joe at Wailea Falls.







Saturday, December 26, 2009

Some 2009 Family Highlights


This has been an eventful year for the Dave and Chris Clark family. Following the Valentine's Day trip to New York City (see previous post) with the Butlers Chris decided to end her membership in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in order to enroll as a full-time MBA student at Utah State University. She completed an intensive business core experience to prepare non-business majors for the MBA degree and then she started regular classwork in September. She is on-track to graduate in May 2010.

Rich and Reina are living in Salt Lake City. The addition of Reina to our family has been a great joy.

In May Dave left for a five week tour of Asia with 32 USU students. The trip included a week in South Korea, three weeks in China and one week in Vietnam. It was a great experience with wonderful Asian food, amazing sights to see, new friends and a whole new appreciation for home.

In June our newest grandchild was born to Steve and Laura - Jackson. It was a nice to celebrate with Steve and Laura and our daughters, Emily, Becca and Kristin.

The summer was incredible in Logan. The Cache Valley is absolutely beautiful and offers great golf and hiking among a host of other outdoor activities. One of the hikes we enjoyed with the Butler family was on a trail called Temple Fork in Logan Canyon.

Dave was able to do two things in the fall that were great fun. The first was a fishing trip in Idaho with Karl Kern. The second was a cattle drive in Idaho with his cousin, Roger Clark.

For Christmas we took a fantastic trip to Kauai with all of the adult children and their spouses (except, sadly, for Steve and Laura who were not able to come). The weather was spectacular, the island is beautiful and everyone had a great time.

After returning from Hawaii we spent Christmas day at home, which included a visit from Jen and Ben and their children, Daxton and Jacy.

We look back on 2009 with gratitude and we look forward to 2010 as the best year ever for our family.









Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day from the Big Apple


On Valentine's Day weekend we took a bite out of the Big Apple with Emily and Joseph. It started with some real New York deli food at the Carnegie Deli on Thursday night (February 12, 2009), followed by the lights on Times Square and a performance of "Wicked" for Em and Joe. The next day we got to see the sites around Manhattan and we celebrated the Butler's 11th wedding anniversary! Joseph was in such a good mood that day that he purchased a Rolex watch. We thought it was a little extravagant, but I guess that $25 for a genuine Rolex from the guy on Canal Street with watches in his coat pocket wasn't too bad. On Saturday we went to the Top of the Rock (top of Rockefeller Center and to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sunday we attended church at the Manhattan 1st Ward and then we had to come home. It was a great weekend!

Monday, December 22, 2008

JANICE HALES CLARK

Jan Clark, our mother and grandmother passed away on December 18, 2008.

Jan was an amazing person, well defined by our family motto of Truth, Love and Courage. She loved and taught her sons to be men of honor. She loved and was proud of her daughters-in-law, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.

She was a great presence in her family and in social settings. She radiated beauty, intelligence, grace and genuine interest in people. In the tradition of the powerful women she descended from she was also strong and a little feisty - you always knew where Jan stood.

She was courageous in the face of incredible, prolonged physical difficulties. In no circumstance did she focus on herself. She was a great partner to Fred and he was devoted to her.

There can be no greater blessing than to have been raised by parents of strength and honor. Thank you Jan and Fred for who you are and all you mean to us. Your family loves you dearly.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A MOVING EXPERIENCE



Well, we knew the time would come but when it actually happens the process of moving is tough. It's emotionally difficult. Seeing the moving van in front of our home on Silverstone Circle with boxes piled on the driveway as 15 years of living is packed and prepared for transport was not easy.

And, it's physically difficult. Coping with unpacking 15 years of living into a new home is overwhelming. However, it's an important chance to reset, renew and reorganize. We're making great progress. By Thanksgiving we should be close to being settled.

In the meantime, Kristi is adjusting very well as a freshman at Utah State. It's fun to see her occasionally at the new house. Rich and Reina and Becca are taking care of the house on Silverstone and helping to show it to potential buyers (which are, unfortunately, few and far between). And Jenny and her kids are preparing to move in to the Silverstone house while Ben gets settled in with Mesaba Airlines in Minneapolis. Still lot's of changes to come as we prepare to conclude 2008 and move on to 2009.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

New Directions


Big changes are coming for the Clark family. Starting on October 1 Dave will be the director of entrepreneurial programs at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Chris will be the managing director of a newly formed community choir in Logan. And we'll be moving to - take a wild guess - Logan! We've already started the process of purchasing a home there and our wonderful home in Sandy is for sale. Transitions are hard but new challenges and opportunities are exciting. We'll have more details and photos of the new surroundings after we're settled.