Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas All! We hope our little note finds you all in the swing of a joyous and fun holiday season. I'ts been a crazy year, and so much has happened, and yet I've only managed to blog 3 times this year. I'm really sad about that, so I'll have to do flash backs to last year in my blog next year.  My goal is to keep up on my blog next year, oh....and give up candy.  :)  Wish me luck.


I really need to update my Christmas Address List, so if you wouldn't mind sending me your current address if you don't receive a Christmas Card from me, that would be awesome!  I had a computer problem and lost everything.  :(


We know next year has many changes in store for us.  We have a lot of balls in the air right now, so stay tuned to our blog to keep up. We hope your New Year will be your best ever.  Wishes of Love, Prosperity, Happiness, and most of all HEALTH go out to each and every one of our friends and family.  We love you ALL! (hug)

Good Bye My Sweet Sister

Make every second count, for it may be your last. That's all I seem to have gotten out of my sisters passing so far.  It's been a few weeks now, and it still doesn't seem real. I'm still stunned every time I think of her. How could she possibly be gone?  How? If you've not heard, my sweet sister Kristi passed away from a massive stroke September 22, 2011. The Stroke was caused by birth control pills, which is unusual, but not unknown to happen.

Kristi G. Bringhurst Clark 

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Kristi G. Bringhurst Clark
1970 ~ 2011
Our sweet wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend Kristi G. Bringhurst Clark, age 40, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, September 22, 2011 following complications of a massive stroke.
Kristi was born November 20, 1970 in Murray, Utah to Vickie Dawn Dorman and Gary P. Bringhurst. She graduated from Davis High School, 1989 and was a barber by trade. She married Anson Bowen Clark, November 28, 1989 in Farmington, Utah. Their son Anson Bowen was the light of her life. She enjoyed rollerblading, tennis, hiking and being outdoors. Kristi loved a joke, piano, music, and was artistic. Kristi was a kind, gentle, loving, and generous woman who brought happiness and joy to those in her presence. She was a devoted wife, mother, and daughter. She is loved dearly and will be missed profoundly. She gave to all who knew her and was an organ and tissue donor in death.
She is survived by her husband, Anson Bowen Clark, their son, Anson Bowen, Farmington, her mother Vickie Dawn Dorman (Steve), father Gary P. Bringhurst (Sandy), siblings, Tiffany E. Gatten (Rick), Jason Bringhurst (Jen), Star Jaques (Jeff), Steven (Emilee), step siblings Jeni Newson, Mandi Young (Brent), Ashley Holcomb (Nate), and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her sister Amber and brother Ryan.
A celebration of Kristi's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 30 at the LDS Farmington Fairway Chapel, 1533 North 1075 West, Farmington, Utah.

Kristi has been with me almost all of my life. She's only 18 months younger than I am. My whole life I've known what she's been up to, what her plans were, where she physically was, and now.... It's like I'm missing the right arm that I've always had...


I had the importunity to speak at my sisters funeral, and talk to everyone there about what I thought of her and how much I loved her. She was a wonderful sister, and person. I know she struggled through life, but it never changed the basic person she was - Funny, Compassionate, Giving, Loving, Strong, Smart, Graceful, Brave. She was all that and so much more. I'm so thankful she was my sister.  We had such good times together.


I guess the next few months will be the hardest for my family to get through. I know her son, Bowen, and her husband Anson Clark miss her very much as well.  The holidays that my sister loved so much will be the times I miss her most of all.  She brightened even the most brilliant lights of Christmas. But, we have no choice, we must move on without her, however her memory will shine on in all of those who knew her. We'll always cherish those sweet memories.


Kristi was an organ donor. She passed on her heart, both her kidney's and her spleen to others in desperate need. I'm glad part of her lives on.  I know she would be happy to have given to others this one last time, her final gift to others.




Here is her life in review if you've not seen it on youtube. Just click on her name below.
Kristi Bringhurst Clark 1970 -2011

The following are some of my favorite picture memories of my dear sweet sister.

Tiffany (me), Vickie (our mother), and Kristi.  Kristi's first Christmas. Not that I remember much about this picture, it's more the tree in the back ground I remember.  Kristi and I spent many an hour looking at our grandmother's Christmas tree.  Our grandmother had the best ornaments. Ones with little scenes inside of them.  They were magical.  Kristi loved Christmas trees, and she owned the last of our grandmother's ornaments.

Kristi and I dressed alike.  We often dressed alike because our mother had control over our fashion for many a year.  I remember these blue coats, so soft. We both loved them.

Dressed alike again.

And again,

And again.  The last two pictures are of us in our Christmas pajamas, alike most years.  We looked forward to opening them every Christmas Eve. Kristi loved pajamas.

Kristi, Teri (her friend), Tiffany (me), Brenda (my friend).  Kristi and I played a lot together as children, as most sisters do.  We shared friends often such as Teri and Brenda who were sisters also. We played house, dolls, barbies, and skated, but one of our favorite ways to pass time was a game we called Charlie. Charlie was a monkey (our brother Ryan.) We'd send him up a tree and make him have a monkey time out. He couldn't come down, and Kristi and I would engage in some other play with him safely out of the way and under our control.

 

Tiffany (me), Ryan (our brother), and Kristi.  I remember this day like it was yesterday.  It was our first day at a new school.  We'd moved to Kaysville from Granger Ut, and we were a little scared, but boy we loved our new outfits. Kristi hated new school clothes, but these cut off pants and short sleeve shirts weren't the long pants and sweaters she hated wearing on the long, hot first days of school.

Kristi, and Tiffany (me). I shared a bedroom with Kristi for many years, even after I had a room of my own and no longer need to share with her. She hated sharing a room with me.  She wanted to be an only child.  She hated how messy I was.  We had more fights over our messy room than over anything else. 

 

Kristi, Tiffany (me), Ryan (our brother). I remember our first time out skiing. She sat down on her butt and slid to the bottom of the hill with my brother while I coward at the top.  I wished that I could be so brave. She was a little dare devil.

  Kristi, Tiffany (me), and Star (our sister). I remember our summer vacations to Disneyland.  This picture is on Disney's Main St. We loved riding the rides, eating frozen chocolate covered bananas, and all that is magical about Disneyland.  Kristi had quite an imagination.

Kristi, and Bowen (her son).  Kristi wanted to be a mother so badly.  She loved babies. She was so proud of her son.  She thought he was the most brilliant, beautiful child ever born. She talked non stop about him all the time. I'm so happy she had that opportunity. It meant everything to her.

Kristi, and Anson (her husband).  It seems like just yesterday they were this young. I remember how much fun they had together. I remember their first little place they lived in by Anson's dad's house. She was proud to be on her own. I loved to visit her, and see how happy she was.

Tiffany (me), Kristi, Vickie (our mom). This picture is the hardest for me to post. I have to look through tears to write about it because it's when I'll miss her most. She was so much fun to be with. She always made jokes, and tried to make the best, most artistic cookie. She helped the little kids and licked her fingers when she wasn't supposed to. Man, I'll miss her singing Christmas carols.

Kristi, and Tiffany (me). Happy Halloween Kristi, and Happy Birthday Ryan.  I miss you both.

Oh How The Time Flys. Corbin's Graduating, Wow!

Just watch Corbin grow.

Corbin Newborn

 Corbin 2 Years Old

 Corbin 4 years old

 Corbin in Kindergarten

 Corbin 1st Grade

 Corbin 2nd Grade

 Corbin 3rd Grade

 Corbin 4th Grade

 Corbin 5th

Corbin 6th

Corbin 7th

 Corbin 8th

 Corbin 9th

 Corbin 10th

 12th Grade

 12th

 Just a little Quiz I like to give my kids at graduation.

1.  Q.  Can you name all of your teachers in order from kindergarten to 6^th grade?

                  A. K. Mrs. Nyman

1.      Mrs. Gillmore

2.      Mrs. Bingham

3.      Mrs. Cook (Now Bowen)

4.      Mrs. Provost

5.      Mrs. Cox

6.      Mrs. Sorte

2.  Q. Who was your favorite teacher of all time and why?

                  A. Mr. Carter. He reminds me the most about myself, and he taught me not just academics, but life lessons as well.

Coach Ty is also tied as my favorite.  He made me want to be a chemical engineer. He made school fun with the labs we would do.

3.         Q.  Who was your best friend in Kindergarten?

                  A. Kaydee Jensen

4.         Q.  Who is your best friend now?

                  A. Darren Stapleton, Jessica Watson, Lyndsie Adams

5.         Q.  What was your favorite subject in school?

                  A. Home Release (:

6.         Q.  What was your favorite school lunch?

                  A. What’s that?

7.         Q.  Who was the first girl you liked?

                  A. Kaydee Jensen

8.         Q. Who was the first girl you kissed?

                  A. Kenzie Fisher

9.         Q. Who is your girlfriend now?

                  A. Bethany Williams (: (:

10.       Q.  What do you want to be when you grow up?

                  A. Chemical Engineer or Businessman (:

11.       Q.  What did you want to be when you were in kindergarten?

                  A. Professional Soccer Player

12.              Q.  What was the most outrageous thing you did in school?

                  A. the Floor is Lava!!!!

13.      Q.  If you could do school all over again, what would you do different?

                  A. absolutely nothing (: I had a splendid time (:

14.      Q.  Where do you want to live someday?

                  A. Coeur d’Alene right on the lake (:

15.      Q.  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

                  A. Kenzie made me jealous of Italy sooo…..Italy!!

16.      Q.  What is your favorite song?

                  A. Dirty Bit – Black Eyed Peas

17.      Q.  What is your favorite color?

                  A. Green

18.      Q.  What is your favorite restaurant?

                  A. Tona!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

19.            Q.  If you had $1,000. What would buy?

                  A. I’d put it towards someone to copy off of in college

20.      Q. Who inspires you and why?

                  A. My older brother.  He shows me what not to do so that I can do it anyways (:

We Can't wait to see Corbin graduate tomorrow.  Good luck Corbin! You have a bright future ahead.  We LOVE YOU!

That Festive Time of Year

As I wrap up our year I've looked back and have seen all the time we've spent with our Family and Friends, but the Holiday's are always my favorite part.  I love all of the parties.  I appreciate the effort everyone makes to get together and spend time. I wish we did it more often.

Thanksgiving-
This year we had a quiet Thanksgiving at home with our little family and Challis' housemate John. The kids like to spend Thanksgiving at home, so they can lounge in PJ's, watch football and eat their favorite foods prepared in our traditional way. I on the other hand would love to go anywhere where anyone else is willing to to all the work and cook. Although, I have to admit it's nice to have our family recipes at the table. If you got a Christmas Card from us, you'll recognize the picture below of our family. I believe I said it represented the "true" us, and it does. Challis out on his own alone at one end. Corbin bridging from adolescence to adulthood. Me clinging close to Channy my last little bird in the nest, and Rick up higher than us all; head of the house. He'd tell you, "They just never leave any room for me."

 Brothers will be brothers, and whenever they get together....there is always this...

 There were some peaceful moments too.

We all enjoyed our time together, but it didn't last long and Rick was off to stand in line for Black Friday at Best Buy, and it was freezing! Corbin joined him out in the cold dark night, so we could all have Christmas gifts for...less. Corbin did set his snowboarding pants on fire though, so the overall cost wasn't so much less in the end, but I'm sure it's a night neither one of them will soon forget. *smile*

Cookie Party-
I always say I make cookies ONCE a year, but the truth is, I always have help. Our annual Cookie Party was so much fun. My niece Kylie is the most dedicated cookie maker there is. When you give that girl a task....she sees it to the bitter end.  She loves to make cookies too. She put out more cookies than any other person at the party. She is not only creative, she is responsible, helpful and patient. 

 Here Ky is helping her sister.

 My niece Rylie on the other hand is out and out TROUBLE. She's 2.  She's messy, loud and mischievous. Mostly she enjoyed eating cookie dough. She is our only little one, and she makes everything more hectic and more fun all at the same time. 

My nephew Bowen is an artist. He is a cookie creator, not just a decorator.  He has some of the best ideas, and while he doesn't put out quantities of cookies, he puts out quality cookies. The boy makes a cookie you can be proud of.

Challis and Melissa joined in our little party.  It's apparently the first cookie party that Mellisa has attended in the 5 1/2 years she's dated Challis.  She said, "There sure are a lot of cookies.  Do they last you the whole year or something?" No wonder she's so skinny. She's be shocked to know I ate most of them by the end of the week. :)

C

Channy doesn't put out many cookies at all. Mostly she hides.  She's to cool for cookies. It's her age. But I caught her here and there.

Corbin and Morgan were there too. Morgan should be a professional cookie artiest. They were so beautiful you could hang them. Corbin's, golf coarse,  cookie became the most copied.

My sister Kristi and her Husband Anson came to help out and make a few cookies of their own.

Grandma and Grandpa Dorman came and supervised cookie making as well.

Rick and I are always happy for everyone to come. And once again we had a wonderful time.

Christmas Dinner Party-

This was our first Christmas Dinner Party and I hope that we'll do it again. My sister Jennie and her family came along with her mom and step dad. My nephew Chance came over for the first time. My mom got to meet Jennie's mom Patty for the first time, and Jennie got to meet my sister Kristi. We had a delicious meal.

Then we played games.  I always love a good party game, and everyone is always a good sport to join in.

We played Guess What I Am For Christmas. I was surprised there were not duplicates. It was such fun, and my mom won. Above Steve, my mom and Kristi.

Patty and Jennie

Rick, Patty's husband, doing dishes. Do all men named Rick do dishes????

Me explaining all the rules.

Corbin and Morgan

Kyilee, Chantel, Corbin and Morgan

Jennie's family got us Just Dance, and we danced the night away.  Corbin and Challis take each other on. Corbin can shake it, so he won.

Our favorite head to head of the night. Troy Vs. Rick...Ummm, wrong hand Troy. I guess that's why he lost.

We even got Chance to shake it against Kyilee.

Thanks to everyone that came we really enjoyed your company.

Christmas EVE-

Christmas Eve we always open our new PJ's. We love new PJ's.

   The Kids, Challis, Chantel, and Corbin. Channy is holding her first Christmas gift from a boy.

My PJ's were soft and warm. I love Christmas Eve.  I always got new PJ's every Christmas as a little girl. There is just something special about new jammies.

This is one of my first Christmas' and I'm willing to bet my grandmother made my new nightgown. She sewed a lot of my Christmas PJ's. I looked so forward to opening them every Christmas Eve. It's the one tradition I really hope my children use in their families when they have families of their own.

Rick Showing off his new PJ's.

We play games Christmas Eve too.

And lastly Rick and I watched the Kids play Just Dance.

Then we went to bed to wait for Santa.

Christmas Day-

We always have so many things to be grateful for on Christmas Day, Friends, Family, and all the special gifts they have given us. Thank You! Each and everyone. We have enjoyed them all.

  

After we open our gifts we have family and friends over for a yummy Brunch.  It's our favorite part of the day. Some people love the Egg and Sausage Casserole, But Corbin and I love the French Toast Casserole with Vanilla Syrup. Needless to say I gained 4lbs over the Holidays. Every pound was worth it. :) But most of all we love the people that share our table on Christmas Morning.

WE hope your holidays were filled with as much love and joy as ours. Merry Christmas ALL!