Lew and Madison had to work today so we had dinner kind of late. Lew got off a little early so he finished Christmas shopping and started dinner. Jensen and I went to the mall. Madison was gonna cut Jensen's hair but she was slammin busy. So Jensen and I just shopped some more. Her friend Alana spent the day with us, too.
We had dinner of turkey, green beans, mashed taters, gravy and cranberry sauce. It was delicioso. As is tradition, we open one gift on Christmas Eve. Since Madison is a consumer now, she bought us gifts so we opened the ones from her. We also opened gifts from Jensen. Madison got me a gift set that included hair spray, mousse, shampoo and conditioner. It is just the right kind for my hair. It's funny because I was going to buy some Paul Mitchell this morning and she said, "No you're not getting that, it's too heavy for your hair. Just wait." And then surprise! She also bought me a wooden wind chime. Our neighbor has one and I like the way it sounds so I asked for one for Christmas. Jensen made me a cute little picture of a pig. She colored it purple with a green background. Purple is my favorite color. She is such a good little artist.
After the gift exchange, we watched A Christmas Story, which is also a tradition. It was a marathon so we started watching it towards the end and then watched the beginning. Even though we have the movie, we don't mind watching it on TV because we can get potty breaks.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Kimmy
Tonight we had Madison's friend Kimmy over for dinner. Madison met her in her Sociology class. When I first met her I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone because she is so much like Madison. They don't look exactly alike but I could tell that their personalities are very similar. Madison had invited Kimmy to institute and she has a lot of questions so we had the missionaries over to answer her questions. We also had my BFF Jean over. The missionaries taught a really good lesson.
We enjoyed spending time getting to know Kimmy. She seems very nice and she seems like a good BFF for Madison.
We enjoyed spending time getting to know Kimmy. She seems very nice and she seems like a good BFF for Madison.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Church Bookstore
Today Madison and I went to the church bookstore. Of course, we couldn't just go straight to the bookstore we had to stop at the flea market. We finally made it. I bought Sheri Dew's latest book, "No Doubt About It". I always enjoy her talks so I thought I would enjoy her book. I also bought Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson. He was at Time Out for Women and he gave a talk that changed my whole perspective on the gospel, for the better, I might add. I already had the second book, Following Christ, so I thought I should get the first. Madison got a CD which was also a sequel by InsideOut. They are an a capella group that sings Primary Songs, amazing. Of course, we couldn't just come straight home, we had to stop at Target. I was looking for a gift for my mother whose birthday is today.
Happy Birthday MOM!
Happy Birthday MOM!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Happy Birthday MOM!
66 years young. We went to Ruby Tuesday's to celebrate mom's birthday. She was celebrating with a bunch of people that she works with so we went along. She has made a lot of very good friends and kept in touch with them since retiring. They seem right nice and friendly.
Happy Birthday MOM!
Happy Birthday MOM!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Christmas at G-ma Pat's and G-pa Don's
We had Christmas at mom's today. It was nice relaxing time. We stuffed our faces full of delicious food and then we openend presents. Then we took turns taking catnaps in between conversations. I think mom puts something in her food because we always fall asleep. Present at the party were the Clayton5, G-ma and G-pa, of course, Missy and her kids, Jerry, Tiffany and her fiance, Francois and Nick and his girlfriend's daughter, Skye. We scored good on presents. Mom always makes us a stocking gift bag plus we got gift cards to AMC theaters and Smokewood Grill, delicious.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
DTR Friends
We had our Christmas party with our DTR friends. What a great time. We laughed so hard that our faces and stomaches ached. We have to pinky swear to get together more and pinky swear to no more secrets. Love you, Shannon, Steve, Carmen and Kirk. And the kids were too stinking cute Connor, Cameron, Eskekiel and Andrew. Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Ornament Toss
For Family Home Evening, we decorated this Christmas tree. Parker came up with the brilliant idea to toss the ornaments on the tree and wherever they landed was good. Madison and Jensen seconded the idea. I didn't think it would work but let them do it anyway. It was actually a success. Lew hung the lights and finished the project.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Golden Compass
Monday night we got to see the Sneak Preview for the Golden Compass. Lew got free tickets from work. Yea! for free. We went with G-ma, G-Pa, Jean and Nick plus all of the Clayton Five.
I was excited because we had read the book for Book Club. We were supposed to go for a girl's night out but I couldn't pass up free or family. Sorry girls, but I still want to go again.
I would give the movie three stars out of five. I'm glad that I had read the book because the plot was kind of choppy and hard to follow. The cinematography was wonderful. The daemons were especially cute and fascinating. The images were right on with what I had imagined while reading the book. The ending was stink-a-rooney.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Madi's 20th Birthday
Today was Madison's 20th birthday! I can't believe it. It was 2o years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play... Sorry, there's a song for everything.
Back to Madison. We started the day by going to the Christmas tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree. It is a tradition we have been doing for many years. (I lost track). We went with G-ma and G-Pa, Nick, Larkin and Skye. We went to the petting zoo and G-ma fell in love with a brown goat and wants it for Christmas. Jensen rode the horse and Skye rode in the horse drawn cart. We went on the hayride and picked out a tree. It is smaller than we usually get, but perfect. We roasted hot dogs and s'mores then stopped on the way home for boiled p-nuts, also a tradition. It was an unseasonably hot day at the farm.
For dinner, we went to Universal CityWalk to the Hard Rock Cafe. Of course we told the waiter that it was Madison's birthday. He made her stand up on the counter while everyone shouted happy birthday at her. HaHa! It was too funny.
We bought her a digital camera for a gift so now she can help me put pictures on my blog.
Happy Birthday, Madi! We love you!
Back to Madison. We started the day by going to the Christmas tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree. It is a tradition we have been doing for many years. (I lost track). We went with G-ma and G-Pa, Nick, Larkin and Skye. We went to the petting zoo and G-ma fell in love with a brown goat and wants it for Christmas. Jensen rode the horse and Skye rode in the horse drawn cart. We went on the hayride and picked out a tree. It is smaller than we usually get, but perfect. We roasted hot dogs and s'mores then stopped on the way home for boiled p-nuts, also a tradition. It was an unseasonably hot day at the farm.
For dinner, we went to Universal CityWalk to the Hard Rock Cafe. Of course we told the waiter that it was Madison's birthday. He made her stand up on the counter while everyone shouted happy birthday at her. HaHa! It was too funny.
We bought her a digital camera for a gift so now she can help me put pictures on my blog.
Happy Birthday, Madi! We love you!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Southern Virginia University
On Saturday, Mom, Madison and I got up and went to the Open House at SVU. They gave basically the same presentation that they gave at the Open House in Orlando. We got to meet the art teacher, Brother Himes. He said he would meet up with us after lunch and show us the art studio. We went on a tour of the campus. It is very small but very cute and quaint. Madison kept remarking that some spots were kind of frumpy. I reminded her that the building was over two hundred years old.
The weather was so hot that we had sweat rolling down our backs. Very few of the buildings were air conditioned, including the dorms. I told Madison that I did not know id she would be able to attend school there since it was so hot. She gets sick if she gets over heated. She said she would be ok and she even wanted to stay in the Main Hall which has no air. One of the students said that the first week of school was almost unbearable but after that, you get used to it. I talked to one gentleman and he said that they were actually looking into putting in AC and the AC guy had said that it was doable. Yeah!
Madison got her checklist and everything was checked except for her high school transcript. She had called the high school the week before we left and they had assured her that they had sent it. We set up an appointment to talk to the admissions office later in the day to see if it had passed us in the mail.
After a delicious lunch, we met the art teacher at the art studios. Actually, he wasn't there yet so we let ourselves in and snooped around. It was so cool. It reminded me of Lew's studio days at BYU. Madison is going to love working there. The teacher showed up and I told him that Madison had her portfolio in the car. When we showed it to him he seemed impressed and told Madison to apply for an art scholarship. He said that even though the deadline had passed, there was still money to be had.
We went to admissions and the lady said that she did not receive Madison's transcripts. I wanted to scream. It was hot and I was tired and the high school said they had sent it. She could have been admitted today.
Later, when I had my wits about me, I realized that just because we were on vacation did not mean that everyone else was. Duh! We could have Lew go to the high school and watch them fax the transcripts and then we could get her admitted on Monday.
We stopped at the Campus Store and bought t-shirts. We were assuming that she would be admitted. We were throwing positive energy out there.
Mom made us a delicious dinner then we drove over to Lexington to check out the motels. Madison and I were going to stay the night Sunday and then fly home late Monday night.
Lexington was not a bad drive; like driving from Eustis to Tavares. They had plenty of decent motels there. Lexington is a cute town, too. There are about three Universities within blocks of each other. Virginia Military Institute and something else, I can't remember.
The second night of camping out was mucho better.
The weather was so hot that we had sweat rolling down our backs. Very few of the buildings were air conditioned, including the dorms. I told Madison that I did not know id she would be able to attend school there since it was so hot. She gets sick if she gets over heated. She said she would be ok and she even wanted to stay in the Main Hall which has no air. One of the students said that the first week of school was almost unbearable but after that, you get used to it. I talked to one gentleman and he said that they were actually looking into putting in AC and the AC guy had said that it was doable. Yeah!
Madison got her checklist and everything was checked except for her high school transcript. She had called the high school the week before we left and they had assured her that they had sent it. We set up an appointment to talk to the admissions office later in the day to see if it had passed us in the mail.
After a delicious lunch, we met the art teacher at the art studios. Actually, he wasn't there yet so we let ourselves in and snooped around. It was so cool. It reminded me of Lew's studio days at BYU. Madison is going to love working there. The teacher showed up and I told him that Madison had her portfolio in the car. When we showed it to him he seemed impressed and told Madison to apply for an art scholarship. He said that even though the deadline had passed, there was still money to be had.
We went to admissions and the lady said that she did not receive Madison's transcripts. I wanted to scream. It was hot and I was tired and the high school said they had sent it. She could have been admitted today.
Later, when I had my wits about me, I realized that just because we were on vacation did not mean that everyone else was. Duh! We could have Lew go to the high school and watch them fax the transcripts and then we could get her admitted on Monday.
We stopped at the Campus Store and bought t-shirts. We were assuming that she would be admitted. We were throwing positive energy out there.
Mom made us a delicious dinner then we drove over to Lexington to check out the motels. Madison and I were going to stay the night Sunday and then fly home late Monday night.
Lexington was not a bad drive; like driving from Eustis to Tavares. They had plenty of decent motels there. Lexington is a cute town, too. There are about three Universities within blocks of each other. Virginia Military Institute and something else, I can't remember.
The second night of camping out was mucho better.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Airport Security
Madison and I had to leave the funeral as soon as the services were over. We were not able to attend the cemetary services because they were all the way in Bushnell. Our flight was leaving at 5:45pm. My brother Jeff drove us to the airport. I had never been to the Sanford Airport. We got there a little early because I have heard all of the horror stories about the lines at the airports. We didn't check bags because Allegiant Airlines charges for every extra service. I guess that's why there base price is so reasonable.
I had read ahead of time about how we were supposed to pack our toiletries so I complied with all of the regulations. All lotions, gels and liquids were to be packed in 3 oz bottles and then placed in a ziploc bag. I was nervous because they only had 4 oz bottles at Walgreens. I kind of fudged when airport security asked if it was 3.4 oz or less. "Sure", I said, as I was whispering in my head, "Please don't read the small print, please don't read the small print." I placed my shoes and pack on the scanner belt. I walked through the metal detector and it beeped! I had forgotten my cell phone in my pocket! Ooops! I took it out and placed it on the belt. They must have sensed my fear because I had to be pulled over and searched. I was more afraid of passing through security thatn I was of the plane going down.
Them: "Put your feet on the footprints on the ground. We are going to do a large object search."
Me (in my mind, of course): "Whaaat? Large object search? Well, here's my butt. And here's my thighs? What else? How large?"
Luckily, I passed and we were on our way. We only had our backpacks and our carry-ons. I felt like a college student, off to see the world with literally the clothes on my back. It was very exciting.
I had read ahead of time about how we were supposed to pack our toiletries so I complied with all of the regulations. All lotions, gels and liquids were to be packed in 3 oz bottles and then placed in a ziploc bag. I was nervous because they only had 4 oz bottles at Walgreens. I kind of fudged when airport security asked if it was 3.4 oz or less. "Sure", I said, as I was whispering in my head, "Please don't read the small print, please don't read the small print." I placed my shoes and pack on the scanner belt. I walked through the metal detector and it beeped! I had forgotten my cell phone in my pocket! Ooops! I took it out and placed it on the belt. They must have sensed my fear because I had to be pulled over and searched. I was more afraid of passing through security thatn I was of the plane going down.
Them: "Put your feet on the footprints on the ground. We are going to do a large object search."
Me (in my mind, of course): "Whaaat? Large object search? Well, here's my butt. And here's my thighs? What else? How large?"
Luckily, I passed and we were on our way. We only had our backpacks and our carry-ons. I felt like a college student, off to see the world with literally the clothes on my back. It was very exciting.
Sister, Aunt, Friend
I wanted to mention that Lew's sister Canday passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 1:05am. She had been sick for a long time. Her health really declined over the past year. She and Lew both knew that it wouldn't be long. Lew did her eulogy and did a very good job. He really held it together. I am going to copy her eulogy here for posterity. Lew added a few of his own words at the end.
Candace Clayton was born July 29, 1955 to Charles & Joyce Clayton. Three years later her brother Lew was born. H e would become the victim of her torture, teasing and tattling throughout their childhood. In later years, they would become trusted allies and cherished friends.
When Candy was eight years old, she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a youth, she attended Girls Camp and became a counselor. Later she would share her memories with her niece, Madison as she went through the program herself.
Candy spent her weekends and summers traipsing through the woods and burning up the roads of Salt Springs with her brother, cousins and friends. She made friends wherever she went. Candy loved to giggle, sometimes uncontrollably, a trait she inherited from the Clayton gene pool.
Candy attended schools throughout Florida as our father relocated with his railroad job. In 1973, she graduated from Wildwood High School. She attended Santa Fe Community College for one year in the Graphic Design program where she discovered her talent which she could use for many years in the printing business.
From 1974-1977, Candy was enlisted in the United States Army. She worked as a generator mechanic. She was proud of this because, at the time, it was an occupation rarely heard of for women.
Candy was an avid and passionate reader. Her collection of books numbered into the hundreds. She was a member of every mail order book club ever established. Most of her books she read two or three times.
When Candy wasn’t reading, she was cooking. Her cooking skills, in my opinion, rivaled those of Paula Deen and Bobby Flay. She could have had a Throwdown with Bobby Flay when it came to boiled peanuts. We would try and try, but we could never duplicate her delicious boiled peanuts. I will always cherish our last day together as she tested a new recipe and I was the lucky guinea pig.
Candy dearly loved her nieces, Madison and Jensen and her nephew Parker and enjoyed spending time with them whenever she got the chance.
This was the program. It was a very nice service. We really appreciate everyone that participated and brought food. It is so humbling when you are a recipient of the service of others.
Presiding: Bishop Derek W. Berge
Conducting: Bishop Derek W. Berge
Opening Prayer: Karen Boone
Soloist: Katie Sage
Accompanist: Lurlene Lawton
Eulogy: Lewis S. Clayton
Soloist: Megan Boone
Speaker: President James C. Watkins
Poem: Natalie Chase
Closing Remarks: Bishop Derek W. Berge
Closing Song: Hymn 300 Families Can Be Together Forever
Closing Prayer: Neal Strickland
Candace Clayton was born July 29, 1955 to Charles & Joyce Clayton. Three years later her brother Lew was born. H e would become the victim of her torture, teasing and tattling throughout their childhood. In later years, they would become trusted allies and cherished friends.
When Candy was eight years old, she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a youth, she attended Girls Camp and became a counselor. Later she would share her memories with her niece, Madison as she went through the program herself.
Candy spent her weekends and summers traipsing through the woods and burning up the roads of Salt Springs with her brother, cousins and friends. She made friends wherever she went. Candy loved to giggle, sometimes uncontrollably, a trait she inherited from the Clayton gene pool.
Candy attended schools throughout Florida as our father relocated with his railroad job. In 1973, she graduated from Wildwood High School. She attended Santa Fe Community College for one year in the Graphic Design program where she discovered her talent which she could use for many years in the printing business.
From 1974-1977, Candy was enlisted in the United States Army. She worked as a generator mechanic. She was proud of this because, at the time, it was an occupation rarely heard of for women.
Candy was an avid and passionate reader. Her collection of books numbered into the hundreds. She was a member of every mail order book club ever established. Most of her books she read two or three times.
When Candy wasn’t reading, she was cooking. Her cooking skills, in my opinion, rivaled those of Paula Deen and Bobby Flay. She could have had a Throwdown with Bobby Flay when it came to boiled peanuts. We would try and try, but we could never duplicate her delicious boiled peanuts. I will always cherish our last day together as she tested a new recipe and I was the lucky guinea pig.
Candy dearly loved her nieces, Madison and Jensen and her nephew Parker and enjoyed spending time with them whenever she got the chance.
This was the program. It was a very nice service. We really appreciate everyone that participated and brought food. It is so humbling when you are a recipient of the service of others.
Presiding: Bishop Derek W. Berge
Conducting: Bishop Derek W. Berge
Opening Prayer: Karen Boone
Soloist: Katie Sage
Accompanist: Lurlene Lawton
Eulogy: Lewis S. Clayton
Soloist: Megan Boone
Speaker: President James C. Watkins
Poem: Natalie Chase
Closing Remarks: Bishop Derek W. Berge
Closing Song: Hymn 300 Families Can Be Together Forever
Closing Prayer: Neal Strickland
Friday, March 16, 2007
Test
This is a test blog to see if I am going to like doing this. I'm going to use this as a family journal. Check in anytime to see what mischief the Claytons are up to. Feel free to leave a comment. This will be especially helpful for when the kids start leaving the nest, which will be in August for Madison. Next weekend Madison and I are going to the open house for Southern Virginia University. It's going to be exciting and adventurous. I can't wait.
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