Clark Family Christmas Letter

(Nathan told me not to worry about this, noting "we have never done this before, why start now?" I was adamant about letting people know what is going on in the Clark corner of the world. With all of the changes that have happened in the last 12 months, I thought it completely necessary. Most people getting out Christmas card would wonder what is going on, just by the postmark, some people don't know that we have moved or that we had twins, so here goes, it may be a little longer than the usual “Christmas Letter” but I haven’t written one in ten years...)

The Clark Family Timeline

December 2007
Nathan, Melissa, and proud big sister Hannah welcome identical twins Sara & Emma into the world 5 weeks early on December 17, 2007! Weighing in at 6 lbs. and 6 lbs. 10 oz. respectively, the babies each spent about a week in the NICU before coming home. Grandma & Grandpa Clark came to stay for a few weeks to help us around the house and to get to know the babies.
January 2008
The proud parents were bleary eyed and sleep deprived. Nathan returned to work, Hannah to school, and Melissa handled taking care of the new babies the best she could, with a few delicious meals from friends and family to help keep everyone fed!
February 2008
Nathan and Melissa left the house for the first time, together, without the babies and Grandma & Grandpa Hedburg were dubbed "Chief Baby Watchers". Nathan began the production of Anne of Green Gables for Youth Theatre Workshop, the local children's theatre that Melissa co-founded.
March 2008
Melissa turned 30! It was no big deal, she hardly even noticed that it happened. Grandma & Grandpa Clark, Nathan's brother Colin, his wife Heather, and their twin boys, Carter & Tyler come out to freezing and snowy Minnesota for the baby blessing of the girls.
April 2008
Hannah appeared in YTW’s production of Anne of Green Gables as Minnie May Barry. Melissa found time to start a family blog to detail the events of the family.
May 2008
Hannah turns 9! Melissa was very smart to have her birthday at the local community center water park to avoid any set-up or clean-up. Hannah appears in YTW’s production Disney’s Aladdin Jr. The babies both learned to roll-over!
June 2008
Melissa, Hannah, Sara, & Emma began to enjoy the summer together. Since Melissa started teaching, this was the first summer she had off. The babies started some solid foods. Sara and Emma met Great-Grandma Hanson.
July 2008
We had a 4th of July garage sale! Nathan became a Cub Scout leader for our church. Hannah decided to cut her hair almost all the way to the scalp at her bangs. (Check out our blog, we have a great video of her explaining why!) Nathan and Melissa celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss!
August 2008
We took a much needed and deserved family vacation to Nauvoo, Illinois (a historic Mormon Church settlement and the place where we went on our honeymoon.) We also stopped at the SPAM Museum in Austin, MN.
September 2008
Hannah began the school year at a wonderful new school, Kaleidoscope Charter School. There she got to be in many classes with her cousin Isaac. Nathan was abruptly laid off from Carlson Marketing Worldwide due to cut-backs after over 6 years of faithful service.
October 2008
We decided to move to Las Vegas, NV to live with Nathan’s parents and re-group a little, but after further consideration made a switch to Eagle Mountain, Utah-a fast-growing city near Salt Lake City and Provo. Nathan’s dad, Rod, drives with us all the way from Minnesota; the trip took 3 days. It was unexpected and crazy, and we miss all of our friends and family in Minnesota, but it was the right move for us.
November 2008
Hannah started school at a new school—Lakeview Academy, another charter school, with her UT cousins! Nathan decided to start a new career—teaching, with a little economic supplementation from a 2nd job at the local Wal-Mart. Melissa loves the discount!
December 2008
Sara & Emma turn 1 year old! Both sets of grandparents made the trek out for the big event. Things are kind of quiet, with no children’s theatre to run, and no boards to sit on, yet. But we love it! We are grateful for our full year, our three beautiful daughters, and our roof over our heads. We are grateful for our 10 amazing years together. We are grateful for the peace that the Christmas season brings and for the trials and triumphs we have been blessed with. Most of all we are grateful for the neighbors, friends, and family that have shared this truly memorable year with us.

May the humble peace that Jesus Christ brought so many years ago be with you this year and always!
The Clark Family
Nathan·Melissa·Hannah·Sara·Emma
Check out family photos and current events at http://theclarkcorner.blogspot.com/ or email us at Nathan_melissaclark@hotmail.com