Bennett is 2

Bennett turned two on the 6th of September! It took a little while to realize that the presents were for him, the party was for him etc. But by the end of the day he was walking around singing "Birthday to me!" He enjoyed his first time camping the weekend before his birthday, and then a great little get together on Sunday night with the Albano's and Ohlson's. These people truly are his best friends. He was spoiled with a basketball hoop, a dinosaur that moves and makes noise and a "choo-choo train". He is the happiest the little boy. We love you Bennett.

3D ultrasound

It has been fun to get so many ultrasound pictures this pregnancy. This is a 3D ultrasound picture that was taken on Tuesday. I'm almost 30 weeks! Crazy. I cannot believe what they can do with technology.

Out West

We began our trek around the 7th of July. First stop was Salt Lake City to see friends and family but most importantly to say farewell to my brother and his family who were on their way to California for a job. We loved having them in Utah for the past two years. When we were in town the time spent with them was some of our favorite. After Salt Lake we were off to Flaming Gorge with the Nelson crew. I loved Flaming Gorge. Being somewhere new with the Nelson's was a great experience. The surroundings are beautiful and the cabin was a perfect set up for such a gathering. Our weekend there was quick. I could have stayed a whole week. The kids loved it. We packed it up again and started the drive to Hebgen. The 7 hours seem to go fast and be ever so worth it when we pulled into that dirt road. What is it about Hebgen? The rest of our trip was spent sitting at the lake. Darla was brave and tried both the knee board and rode on the tube. I love that our kids can run free in these open, natural environments. I feel like they actually get to be kids simply by exploring and building relationships with the many cousins around them. I was so grateful this trip for such a supportive family. The love is endless. It is something we carried back to Minnesota with us.

underbite any one?

Baby Nelson

Dear Family and Friends,

Approximately two weeks ago we went to have an ultrasound performed for our third child.  We entered the room with the utmost excitement, confidence, and happiness to see little hands, little feet, and a cute little facial profile.  After a few minutes of that, we quickly noticed the urgency in our ultrasonographer as she began to focus on our baby's heart.  She then brought in a doctor and another technician to review what she was seeing.  We were told that there could be a potential problem with our baby's heart and were referred to see a perinatal cardiologist.  

After an excruciatingly long two weeks, we went to that appointment this morning.  We have learned that our baby has a congenital heart defect, or birth defect, called transposition of the great arteries.  What this means is that the two main arteries coming out of the baby's heart are switched.  It would be like hooking up an 'in' into the 'out' and the 'out' into the 'in,' and our baby won't be able to get the oxygen and other nutrients it needs from the bloodstream.  In terms of what it means for us, we will have some more ultrasounds, we will closely monitor this pregnancy, and we will continue to help Jenny carry this baby to full-term (she is due on November 1st).  Depending on how healthy the baby is at birth, the physicians will opt to perform a corrective open-heart surgery (called an arterial switch) about 3 days after birth to switch the arteries to the way they should have developed.  

During the past few weeks we have had some very tender and personal interactions within our family, with priesthood blessings and with the Lord Himself.  We have felt a constant peace and guidance amidst such cloudy circumstances and fears of the many 'what ifs.'  We know that regardless of any outcome, that there is a Father in Heaven watching over us and that He is in charge.  We have felt so blessed as so many have united with us in prayer, fasting, temple worship, and kind words.  We have felt so supported, cared for, and loved.  We offer you the most sincere thank you for this. 

We know that the birth and ensuing surgery will be something that seems near impossible to face.  We will continue to pray that this baby can develop and grow and be born under conditions that will make the surgery a success and grant our child the opportunity for a full life.  How grateful we are for such technology and trained persons who can aid us at this time.

Again we thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  We just wanted you to know what we know.  We will keep you informed as we learn more.

All our love,

Erik, Jenny, Darla, and Bennett

If you would like to learn more about this condition, here is a link to the best (and easiest) site to understand: 

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/TGA.html

Beauties of the Earth

 Darla and Erik went camping this past weekend. A group of Dad's and children had a good time enjoying the great outdoors. Darla loved it. Yes, she was exhausted when they returned home, but that's expected. She said her favorite part was seeing three purple butterflies right when they got to the camp site. Erik told me that they saw a lot of fireflies and when she saw them light up she said, "We've found Pixie Hollow! This is a magical forest!" If you aren't familiar with Tinker Bell that is where she lives - Pixie Hollow. Erik's hoping to get all of us to go camping sometime soon. I'd be happy to, but a little part of me is saying . . . let's just wait until we get to Hebgen.

For Family Home Evening we drove to the St. Paul Temple. We were planning on spending some time there but of course 5 minutes after arriving Darla needs to go potty. So that cut it short. That's the update for now. I believe we are off to Utah next week! Can't wait.

bennett clark

There is something about Bennett. I think I might love him a little too much. 

Happy 5th Babe.

all my love.

some pictures of lately.

 Whether it is a shopping cart or stroller it is full of all of her "items" each day. What if bag lady is in her future?

 Happy Birthday Erik! Darla wanted her and Bennett to have matching shirts.

 Happy Easter. Coloring eggs. She loved every minute.

Cute kids.

To Utah and Back Again

 5 children. 5 years old and under. 5 car seats. 2 days of driving. From Minnesota - to Utah - and back.

 Brigham, Bennett and Blithe.

 Tillie, Darla, Rachel and Anna.

 There is no one like Grandma.

My friend and I hopped in her mini van and drove to UT. Best idea ever. Exhausting? Yes. Worth it? Of course. The drive out the kids did fabulous. We made it 14 hours the first day. Leaving only 7 ( yes I used the word only) for day two. Of course being in Salt Lake with family and friends was wonderful and was a great break from the Minnesota winter. The way back - everyone was a little tired . . . making the drive seem longer than it did before. But when we returned the snow drifts had melted and we've been outside in the sunshine the past two days. What is it about the sun that makes life so much happier? Those 2 1/2 weeks flew by, but they were much much needed for this tired PREGNANT mom that I am. Yes, we are expecting baby number 3 at the end of October! What a blessing.

Princesses and Ketchup

This is Darla. She and I were able to go to the Disney Princess on Ice show last weekend. When the lights went down and the music started she was literally shaking. I think she was just a little bit excited. Tinkerbell was the first one on the ice and she called out, "TINKERBELL!!! HI TINKERBELL!!!" Each time a specific princess would leave the ice she would scream, "GOOD JOB SLEEPING BEAUTY!" or "GOOD JOB BELLE!" depending on which princess it was of course. When the show was nearing the end I was letting her know that it was almost over and she said, "Mom, they have done all of the princesses but Cinderella. After Cinderella it will be over." She was completely keeping track. Amazing. It was a wonderful time together. I think I liked watching her watch the show more than the show itself. She is a little princess, that is for sure.

This is Bennett. He LOVES ketchup. Sick right? Well I don't mind ketchup on a hamburger, but this kid wants to and will dip anything and everything in ketchup. Apples? Yup. Waffles? Yup. Chicken Nuggets? OF COURSE! He goes to the fridge and pulls it out around lunch time and keep repeating "Che-Chup, Che-Chup" until I get him something to dip for lunch. What a guy. Nothing like having a little boy that smells like Ketchup all the time. Sick. I LOVE HIM.