new site

This blog is finished...go to www.natalieclayton.com

Last Post

Hello all.

In an attempt to simplify and prioritize my life I’ve decided that this is my last blog post. As of now I’m open to the possibility that I might start another blog sometime in the future and I’ll let you know if that happens.

If you’re even slightly disappointed that I’ve discontinued posting on this blog click here to create a Facebook account and add me as a friend. I’ve been able to find and catch up with lots of old and new friends on Facebook.

I will leave this blog online until I find time to create and print a tangible blog book. It will be deleted after that. If you like any of the links I have in the sidebar…I suggest you make note of them within the next few weeks.

Thanks for following along.

Natalie

Afterthought: email is good too...nkclayton at gmail.com

Round Rock is pretty!

After working late today I went to pick up a frame from Aaron Brothers and ran another quick errand. I'm so glad I had my camera with me because the sky was so pretty on my way out. These clouds were forming to the North of us...my favorite is that rainbow thingy.

Returning home from my errands and to my left on I-35 was this sunset. There was a cop next to me so I just took the picture hoping it would include something orange.

And to my right were the bats from McNeil bridge. That trail in the sky is such a sight.

Lee J. Oldham Sr. 1914-2008

I think this was around my first birthday.

I'm the bald one in red.

Now they get to be together again.

Five simple things I love and/or remember about my Grandpa:
1.) He still called me his "missionary girl" long after I returned from serving a mission.
2.) Grandpa had a pretty good memory. He always seemed to have a detailed story about "good old so 'n' so. "
3.) When Grandma was in the hospital Grandpa told me that it was hard to be without his "sweetheart."
4.) His blessing on the Thanksgiving dinner would almost always begin without warning. He didn't eat turkey.
5.) He loved a good laugh and didn't seem to let anything bother him too much.

Tacos with Leezza

Mom, Dad, Justin and I went out to Corona to look at some houses. Then we went to Brad and Hai Minh's and made tacos for dinner. Leezza sure had her eyes open for a long time.

Sushi

Last summer we had sushi with Brian and Kris...couldn't break our pattern this summer...they're married now though. And thank you again, Justin, for always making photos so interesting.

Mom's dolls

The week after the Vincent's left...Mom and I got to work on making dolls together. Justin was off on the coast painting and hanging out with friends. The dolls represent each of Carol's grandchildren...Luke, Isabel, Sylvia and Leezza. I love the buttons on all of them. And the cute little striped pants on Luke!

Pinkberry

If you haven't heard of Pinkberry...check out www.pinkberry.com

Here we are enjoying a treat at Pinkberry. Since Justin was working I brought one back to him and they loaded it with extra fruit because they knew we live in Texas and wouldn't have one for quite a while...

Sabrina, Sylvia, Isabel, Luke, Joey

Mom & me

Isabel and Sylvia wearing the skirts I made for them.

haha

Nothing like finishing the day off just chatting at the table...Joey and Sabrina always seem to make pictures more interesting...Justin too.

sad strawberry pie

So, for weeks I'd been planning on making a "no-bake strawberry pie" for the fourth of July. I made it the day before and kept it in the fridge. The morning of the 4th my sister made scotch-a-roos and my Aunt brought over a blueberry pecan crumble thing. By the time I brought out my pie everyone was too stuffed to try it. So, I'm the only one who ate it. Later I forced Joey and Sabrina to try it. It really is delicious and I got the recipe from Domino Magazine.

July 4th

What says the "fourth of July" more than...

family...hamburgers and hot dogs...

outside recreation...

and swimming...?

Maybe fireworks, parades, sparklers, flags, The Star Spangled Banner sung by someone with an almost-awesome voice, sweaty people in tank tops, cake with blueberries and strawberries designed to represent the American flag, potato chips, red wagons with babies dressed in red, white and blue, etc.?

Pancake Breakfast

My parents' ward always has a pancake breakfast on the morning of the 4th of July. We went...

it was a little too early for all that sunshine...

this little person was under our table...

Lookin' so patriotic!

girls in tutus

Donna and her girls came over. It was fun seeing them all in their tutus. I'm always so mad that Donna and I don't get our picture together...maybe next time.

Isabel, Sylvia, Ally, Autumn

Autumn even cuddled with me a little.

Beach Day

I'm glad Justin and I went to the beach with the Vincents. We didn't stay very long and it was much more fun that I thought it was going to be.

The kids were excited...

Sabrina and I tried several times to get a picture of the two of us together...this is the best we got.

Sylvia...being cute.

The guys played Frisbee.

Vern & Clare

Just us couples got to hang out while my parents babysat. Vern and Clare are great hosts...we ordered dinner in and played Wise and Otherwise. Mostly we talked and it was really fun.

tutus

Sabrina, Isabel and I made tutus together. Sabrina and I secretly wanted to make tutus for ourselves but my Mom talked us out of it. Really...what would be the point?

number 4

My sister, Sabrina, and her family arrived from Las Vegas. These are pictures of my parents discovering that she is 5 months pregnant with her 4th. She is good at keeping secrets...



Sylvia, Isabel, Luke (numbers 3, 2 & 1)

After the Vincent's arrived ...

the boys played video games...

the girls "slept" in their Grandpa's hammock after swimming...

Leezza Rose

My brother, Brad, is a daddy. I never got a good picture of baby Leezza so I'll have to post one later...one I didn't take. On Sunday we went to the hospital to see baby and parents. It was really tender to see Brad holding her. I was sick so I'll have to hold her later.

Hai Minh & Leezza

Brad

Vern

my Dad

Wedding

Justin's best friend, Brian, got married this weekend in Ojai, CA.

This is the view I had from where I was sitting at the ceremony. Kris is a beautiful bride. Both she and Brian were really good about honoring their families and spending time with each guest at the wedding.

After the ceremony all the guests took a trolley ride out to this cool barn for the reception.

We had so much fun the whole day but especially at the reception. I even danced...which for anyone who knows me well realizes that this is a big deal.


Here is Justin with is friend, Scott...you can kind of see what the outside dining area looked like at the reception in this photo.