We had a great time visiting some old family friends of the Clarks, the Zvirsdins and the Bucks. We had the privilege of staying with the Z's and enjoying their nice new home way out in the country. We had to drive about 15 minutes out of Ilion and through some crazy back country roads but after getting lost several times, we found it. They just moved in in December and are still getting things in order, although they seemed in order to us. The best thing about the Z's was that they made us feel 100% comfortable and loved. I had never met them before and yet immediately felt accepted and a part of their family. Sister Z is hilarious and it was really fun to see her interact with her children and with Nate. She made me laugh and is definitely someone I would like to emulate.
We stayed there for 2 nights and they were so kind that they even let us sleep in their bed and use their master bedroom to fit our whole family. It was fun to see someone cook somewhat like me and use wheat in her taco salad and chili. She and Sister Buck gave me some great recipes and tips on using the Make a Mix book and food storage. I am always eager to get tips from those that have been doing this for years and love to learn new tricks of the trade with motherhood and cooking.
Our last day/night there was a Sunday and we were able to attend the Herkimer Branch with the Z's and had a great time seeing old friends of the Clark family and seeing Nathan interact with the people that had helped raise him and make him who he is today. He really admires Brother Z and it was nice to see him have a role model that had made a difference in his youth. They talked about old fishing trips and camps they'd enjoyed together and reminisced about the different youth that used to be in Nathan's branch. The branch is very tiny now (one of the smallest I have ever attended) and yet it was strong in spirit. I was impressed and touched by several of the testimonies bourne and thought it neat to hear that missionaries now are being invited into doors because those behind them once knew the Clarks and were touched by their examples. Nathan bore a touching testimony about the power of small and simple acts and how many of the little things that people did in his youth had saved his soul and led him to be who he is now. The little things we do are never unnoticed and can lead to big results.That Sunday evening we had a concert by singing some hymns together on the couch while Leah played the piano. Kaylie used her sweet talent of singing to entertain and touch us as well and she sang a beautiful Primary song for us. She is developing quite the voice and doesn't seem shy or fearful to sing in front of a crowd, which is cute to see at such a young age (or maybe it is because of her young age?).
Sister Z and her kids were so good with our kids that I felt 100% comfortable there. They even had a little Easter egg hunt and let the kids find the eggs and eat candy, then hide the eggs again and again. The boys, Michael and Joshua, had enough little legos to keep Kaylie and Carter entertained the entire time we were there. Lily and Abigail had fun with the train and blocks and especially the dog. Leah was really good with them as well.
Enjoying a nice Sabbath meal with the Bucks and the Z's
The whole crowd
Leah had the girls so captivated they even sat on her lap and let her read books to them for a long time. It was really cute to see them attached to her.
Leah is getting ready to graduate from high school and move on to BYUI. She reminds me of myself in many ways at that nice age of 17. She loves performing in musicals and plays the organ and piano quite well. She also loves to ice skate and looks forward to the pond in their back yard being frozen over so she can skate on it. They swim in it during the summer, although Nathan couldn't resist being the first one in, and actually had the nerve to say he was "rising Up" by jumping in the freezing pond in front of our children, the morning we were leaving. What a silly man! I keep trying to remind him that "monkey see monkey do, but luckily the kids were too cold just standing outside that they didn't seem too tempted to follow him in the pond.
After church on Sunday we drove to Russell Park and everyone went on a walk and played outside (except for me and Abigail, who opted to nap in the car).
Overall we had a delightful time with the Z's and loved getting to know them better. I was impressed by the feelings of love and acceptance that permiated their home and hope to have a home that feels like that myself. They were great hosts and we hope to be able to stay with them again sometime. They definitely made us feel loved and comfortable, which is hard to do with our little ones.
Sister Z and her kids were so good with our kids that I felt 100% comfortable there. They even had a little Easter egg hunt and let the kids find the eggs and eat candy, then hide the eggs again and again. The boys, Michael and Joshua, had enough little legos to keep Kaylie and Carter entertained the entire time we were there. Lily and Abigail had fun with the train and blocks and especially the dog. Leah was really good with them as well.
Enjoying a nice Sabbath meal with the Bucks and the Z's
The whole crowd
Leah had the girls so captivated they even sat on her lap and let her read books to them for a long time. It was really cute to see them attached to her.
Leah is getting ready to graduate from high school and move on to BYUI. She reminds me of myself in many ways at that nice age of 17. She loves performing in musicals and plays the organ and piano quite well. She also loves to ice skate and looks forward to the pond in their back yard being frozen over so she can skate on it. They swim in it during the summer, although Nathan couldn't resist being the first one in, and actually had the nerve to say he was "rising Up" by jumping in the freezing pond in front of our children, the morning we were leaving. What a silly man! I keep trying to remind him that "monkey see monkey do, but luckily the kids were too cold just standing outside that they didn't seem too tempted to follow him in the pond.
After church on Sunday we drove to Russell Park and everyone went on a walk and played outside (except for me and Abigail, who opted to nap in the car).
Overall we had a delightful time with the Z's and loved getting to know them better. I was impressed by the feelings of love and acceptance that permiated their home and hope to have a home that feels like that myself. They were great hosts and we hope to be able to stay with them again sometime. They definitely made us feel loved and comfortable, which is hard to do with our little ones. 
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