The Big Apple

Doug and I just back from a week long trip in NYC!  It was fantastic to get away with him - just the two of us!  Our main focus was to go to the the Boston Red Sox game against the Yankees.  It's their final season and we wanted to make sure we were apart of that great baseball history.  We were at game 2 on Wed. . . . they lost  11-2, such a bummer!  But there were several fights, brawls, and fan ejections, popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs etc. . . to keep up the momentum of the whole emotion of Yankee Stadium. It made the whole event worth every minute!

We had great food - one night we dined at the cutest little Italian restaurant - it was sooo cozy! We  took in a few plays - The Little Mermaid (fantastic!!!) and Mary Poppins.  The choreography in both plays had amazing tap numbers.  Mary Poppins was good, but a little long, I'm not sure if my kids could sit through it - but it was good.   Little Mermaid was so outstanding, the music, the costumes, the dance and technology.  A must see if you want to take your family to a great show!

I completely missed my kids - I can handle 1 - 2 days of travel away from them but not six. However, I couldn't have ask for a better experience with my best friend! We needed to be JUST US soooo bad! Thanks to all of those that took care of my children, carpools, callings, driving to school, lunches, dinner etc. . .to make all of this happen!

YES, that is us on the field!!!  We took a tour of the stadium, this was the best ever!  We had a lot of fun with the other fellow fans that were on the tour too -it gave a lot of hype to the whole day!

Doug catching a home run ball over the left field wall!!  

That is us sitting in the dug-out

Staten Island Ferry - our view of the Statue of Liberty

This was interesting - we happen to be there during the Democratic convention, even though it took place in Colorado - there were plenty of people in NY taking part of it all.  This was an anti-war demonstration, this took place pretty regular.  Oboma shirts everywhere!  There was a CNN stage in Time-square to capture the highlights and people's opinion of everything.  I don't think I have ever seen so many left/liberals in my face, pushing their opinion, then this trip - it was pretty thought provoking - it contributed to many late night conversations for Doug and I.  

On one of the tour buses we were on they guide found out that we were Mormon (I always wonder how they find out - oh well)  on the tour he proceeded to tell the group about our religion, some of it was not true and some of it was.  One guy even stood up and gave us a dirty look - Doug and I giggled a bit, but overall - I did feel the heat from the event.  I'm not good about being put on the spot.  When we got off the bus, we tipped the guy and thanked him for a entertaining tour.  He asked us "if we liked what he said" - we were able to let him know a few things that were incorrect, he appreciated the information and we joked a while.  I learned how better it will be for me to be more prepared for these types of conversations so I can better share the truth.  I look back on that conversation and wish there a few more things we could have shared - I appreciate these learning experiences.

Amateur Photos

Here are a few of my amateur photos - I know that only I am interested in this - this is really for me - just humor me.

This is a picture of upper-Manhattan across from Central Park vs. Harlem Housing - quite a contrast - but not quite a mile away from each other.  Notice the gutted building - kinda sad!

Malcom X street - this area of Harlem seemed like the most poverty area.  The other picture is of aprox. 20 cop cars passed us with their sirens - it was kinda scary at first, we didn't know what was going on.  Someone told us that every day they practice drill like this since 911.

I loved this view from Central Park,.  I also took this other picture when we were in Mid-town tunnel - It was cool to see cars so close to you (and scary).

Famous sites in Times Square - Everyday they had a different event - this day they were highlighting this washer and dryer, giving away free ones and filming commercials.

I love Brownstones - if I could choose a place to live in NY - it would be in one of these!

Another picture of the subway or train - it had graffiti the entire track - it was pretty cool.

We were pretty excited to go and do a session in the Manhattan Temple, we were all dressed and go up to the door. . . and they were closed for construction!! :(  We were bummed, but it made Central Park a lovely day, we went to the Met and over to the Natural Historical Museum (note - we thought we would be seeing all the fun things from the movie "a night at the museum - NOT, nothing was similar, save your self time if you ever go and this is the reason your going)

I took a ton of picture of subway signs - I know I can be cheesy!

??? Christmas Already?????

We just booked our family photo session in November to get ready for our "Christmas Picture". Can you even believe it's that time?  We are attempting the entire Gooch family photo, we'll see how it goes.  But what I really wanted to share is . .  I have had 2 exciting things for Christmas that came in the mail this week!!!  I received 2 books from family members that they authored themselves.

Check out her web-site Here

First is "The Santa Letters" by Stacy Gooch Anderson.  This is Doug's cousin.  She is such a remarkable author of many things.  Doug and I had the privilege to read the manuscript before it was published (now available) . It is soooooo remarkable!!! If any of you have read the Christmas Jars or Wednesday Letters, you will love this this story of forgiveness, the atonement, and Christmas tradition.  I don't want to be a spoiler of the story, so I won't tell any more, but I plan on doing this (the "Santa Letter's) for my family this year.  I really want my kids to enjoy the real reason of the season.  This book has helped me collect my emotions of of Christmas tradition, the magic of the event . . . but still employ the power and meaning of Christ.  I am hoping to have Stacy to my house sometime in November for a book signing event and Christmas ideas that follow this book - stay tuned for more info later.  If you haven't already picked a book for your book club in Set, Oct or Nov. already - this is a great, easy read that I really think you will enjoy!!!

The next book "The Carol of Christmas" was written by my step-mother "Marcia Kauffman Clark".  My step-mother was a convert to the LDS church when she was first married to her first husband.  She used to be mennonite (an affiliation with Amish).  Her mother was born on Christmas day so they named her "Christmas Carol"  She later became a famous author in the mennonite and amish community.  My step-mother wrote her biography many years ago and tried to have it published through a mennonite publisher - but due to her no longer being apart of that faith, and the fact that she was on her second marriage they did not feel it appropriate.

Currently my parents are serving a LDS mission in Palmyra, New York.  She is right in the heart of mennonite country.  She happened to befriend a member there in NY that owns his own publishing company.  He knew and heard of Christmas Carol Kauffman and felt it would really please him to publish her biography.  Many mennonite members have been eager to get to know "Christmas Carol's" daughter that is now serving and LDS mission and wonder why the change in faith.  I absolutely believe 100% that this is no coincidence that my parents were sent to serve this community.  It is my testimony that the Lord knows us and uses us where we are needed.  I hope and pray this book will have a powerful effect on this community that will open doors for the work to go on.  Her book is now being shelved with the newly re-printed versions of all of Christmas Carol Kauffman's books.

My Parents are in the LDS Palmyra, NY Temple Mission - "Elder & Sister Clark."

They help visitors know more about the life and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith and the history of our church there in New York.  For more info on their mission and the things they teach - click HERE

The knockout tooth

Will and some friends have been playing football after school this week.  They seem to having a lot of fun - I love seeing boys be boys.  Will played really hard that he knocked out his tooth!!  It's kinda cute - thank goodness that it is a baby tooth!

Finally a New POST!!

It’s been a very long, long, long time since I have posted. We left for Utah on July 23rd and were there for about 2 weeks. It was soooo nice to get away. We stayed with my Aunt Dorothy in Utah – she's like my mom. I was so happy to be staying there. They have a basement that is like an apartment that our family could stay in – however there was no WI-FI. I was a little uptight over this at first. I constantly wanted to go to a coffee house or somewhere that offered it. We went to a hotel a couple of the days and I could not log onto their system for some reason. I even went to BYU a couple of days and couldn’t log on there as well. I decided to not bother with anymore, enjoy the vacation. I shut down my computer and had a GREAT time

Some of the fun things we did do – was first celebrate Tucker’s Birthday. His birthday is pioneer day, so we of course had to go to Pioneer Village (Deseret Park “This is the place” Monument).  He was gifted his first $100 dollar bill!  He was smiling for a very long time!  This park is a must do sometime if you haven't ever been. If you miss the parade in the morning you still get to see some of it later on at pioneer village. They had so many fun events that really made you appreciate your pioneer heritage. The Mormon battalion came up from San Francisco and had a booth there – it was sooooo cool to hear some of the neat stories of some of those brave, righteous men. We found out that they have been reenacting the trek and doing little events like this along the way. They will be in AZ - Tucson area this December. We think that would be a fun overnight and go and see them marching. For more info here is their web site. www.battaliontrek.com

That night we were able to hook up with some friends from Idaho that were passing through back home to AZ.  (the Morris Family)  We went out to dinner & watched the fireworks.  This night was so lovely!  The weather couldn't be more pleasant.  It was almost raining but not quite - I LOVE weather like that!!!!!  We went up to the U of U to see the show.  It was a fun spot - the kids were rolling down the hill  and being silly and stuff.  We thought their was only one show to catch - but from where we were sitting we were able to see 6 - SIX shows throughout the sky!!!  I have never seen that in my whole life so it was pretty fascinating.  I was bummed that I didn't know how to take night pictures of it to be able to capture the view.

We always make it over to see my mom’s grave in Springville Cemetery. It was great to reminisce and share family history with my kids.

This is my mom's grave

My grandparents are here as well as my great aunt who served in WWII

The next day we headed up to Ogden and spent a few days there. Of course we went to Lagoon – my kids love going there. This year was a little to busy for me . . and just as hot as AZ.  I guess in the past we never went on a holiday weekend – sooo note to self not to go on holiday weekend again.  We had hoped to catch up with our good friends the Caccicarne's, but they had softball tournaments to go to – but regardless it was fun.

Rowdy did well - all the kids helped take care of him!

We dropped off Carson and her friends at EFY @ BYU.  They were so excited!!!!  Such a teenage thing - but they also were so excited that they were all wearing the same MEK jeans & with their EFY T-shirts they thought it was pretty cool to be not just twins but Quads.

Aspen, Kassidy, Carson and Savannah

I hooked up with one of my favorite cousins growing up.  We spent every summer together.  I could consider her a sister.  She is living in Springville now & we got together for the day and had our kids hang out.  She gave me a gift that she found at DI or something.  A set of dishes.  This pattern are the dishes that my grandparents had all growing up.  Every morning my grandpa would make us oatmeal and serve it up in this dish set.  Well the dishes are long gone now - but she found some of this pattern.  There wasn't much to the set, but she gave me a few for remembrance.  I'm kinda sentimental about things like that!  Thanks Lisa!!!!

A new game for me now is to find more of this pattern

Uncle B and Aunt D - I LOVE these guys!!!!!!!!


Probably the best day there was (the most SIMPLE – go figure!) we went up Diamond Fork canyon (off of Spanish Fork Canyon). Nothing can replace – enjoying nature, spending time with family.  We brought a picnic and watched the kids wade in the creek, catch bugs, hike up the hill, find that perfect walking stick, skip rocks, have that good ol fashion fun!

We challenged the kids to go all the way in the water and earn $20 - they all really wanted that money - it was pretty funny!


Rowdy could not leave Aunt Dorothy’s cane alone! Luckily she had two – you could count on him always taking the other! 

The day we picked the girls up from EFY we all went on bike rides and took the girls shopping and to Temple Square - it was a lovely afternoon!

Our last night we had FHE under the stars. We went up Hobble Creek Canyon (my home town canyon - the most beautiful place on earth) We had Carson share some thoughts from EFY – share her testimony.  There is nothing greater then knowing that your kids believe in God! That they know Christ lived and died for them and that he is the Son of God.  At EFY they talked about the atonement – to have your 14 yr daughter share her testimony about that is really touching.  EFY a must do with your teenager – it was so organized, had some great leaders and a lot of fun – it was worth every penny for us! We were interrupted by Tucker seeing . . . a SNAKE – Yeah we got out of there – F A S T! We weren’t ready to go home yet so we drove over to see the Provo Temple.  It was so beautiful at night . . all lighted up, with fountains, and the beautiful gardens.  It started to rain while we were there – we let the kids stay in it and play – even Rowdy.  It was a fun, loving, silly way to end the night. I was so happy with my family.  I felt really close to every one of them.  With the view of the Temple in front of me . . I said a prayer to thank Heavenly Father for the blessing of the Temples and knowing that my family is forever!