Monday, December 7, 2009

happy birthday joel



December 5th was joel's birthday (busy month is an understatement). Joel, you are the best husband, a wonderful father, brother & friend!

A cute story: a couple of weeks ago I followed the twins as they crawled up the stairs.
As we sat at the top playing I heard the door open and Joel walk in. He crept up the stairs to see his little ones. I had my hand under Scarlett's chest holding on to her so she woulnd't tumble and as she realized her dad was standing there her heart began to beat faster and faster. SO ADORABLE! That baby girl loves her daddy!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

happy anniversary!!!!


two years ago joel and i were married in our chapel by our favorite bishop in a small ceremony in the relief society room surrounded by a few close friends and family members. it was a very happy evening! (it can't beat this summer's sealing ceremony but it's definitely #2!)
i love you joel! you are my best friend, a wonderful father, and more than i could ever ask for. happy anniversary :D

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

i'm yours




we just got new family pictures taken for our christmas cards & to update the pictures in our home. just when we finished i saw this leaf on the ground; red & heart-shaped! i loved it and it's how i feel about my family. beautiful & looks like love!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A new perspective

miles with grumpy

I did this last year and the answers had a lot to do with pirates. It's fun to see how Miles thinks now.


1. What is something that mama always says to you? Be nice

2. What makes mama happy? When we listen to our moms

3. What makes mama sad? To hit

4. How does mama make you laugh? Tickle

5. What was mama like when she was little? a baby in my grandma's tummy

6. How old is mama? 4???

7. How tall is mama? like, this big (and he stood on the couch and put his arm up over his head)

8. What is mama's favorite thing to do? To smile (it's my favorite :D)

9. What does mama do when you're not here? cry

10. If mama becomes famous, what will it be for? Putting someone on time out...what does famous mean?

11. What is mama really good at? Good in cooking

12. What does mama not do? Not lean on stuff (he just opened his movie drawer which he is notorious for leaning on)

13. What is mama's job? To be nice

14. What is mama's favorite food? Steak (there was no hesitation with this answer but i don't think he's every really known me to eat steak although I do love it)

15. What makes mama so proud? When you're "kindful"

16. If your mama were a cartoon character, who would she be? i don't know...Sleeping Beauty?

17. What do you and mama do together? We watch a movie

18. How are you and mama the same? Laughing

19. How are you and mama different? You're a girl and I'm a boy

20. How do you know mama loves you? Cause you hug me and kiss me

Thursday, October 8, 2009

the ABC's of things I love

A Arrested development
B Belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
C California Adventure & DISNEYLAND
D Dr Pepper
E Emily, she's pretty bomb
F Frank's Red Hot. i love it, but not as much as Emily & my mom love it.
G Green- it's a great color
H the Hot Tub-i am definitely japanese
I Ice-cream of the Haagen Daas variety
J Joel, of course!
K my King size bed
L being a LaClaire. i love this family!
M MILES (my first born)
N Nursing my babies
O Opening presents and/or watching people Open the present I picked out for them
P Photography, Pictures, Portraits
Q Quiet time
R Ramen Noodles. during any given week i've eaten them at least once. maruchan NOT top ramen.
S Singing
T having Twins. seriously, it's fun
U cute Umbrellas. true story: when i was little i had this purple umbrella with my name on it and i was in love with it. cut to 25 years later, miles loves his umbrella maybe even more!
V Victory, sweet victory...i just love it when i win
W Wednesdays. I was born and baptized on a Wednesday. I tried 3 times to get married/sealed on a Wednesday. All 3 times it was a no go.
X eXams that include getting my teeth cleaned. i am the 1% who love going to the dentist
Y a Young looking mother. Seriously, it means a lot to me :D
Z Zooey Deschanel. she's one of my faves.

3 generations of Sampsons visit the temple


Monday, October 5, 2009

i like this picture cause it looks like scarlett is telling isaac something and it looks like he is listening. :D

Saturday, October 3, 2009

temples and a side note to mommies

campinas brazil above, fukuoka japan below
This morning President Monson announced the building of 5 new temples: Brigham City Utah, Asuncion Chile, Fortaleza Brazil, Fort Lauderdale Florida and Sapporo Japan. I felt especially touched because both Joel and Eddie served their missions in one of these locations. Joel in Fortaleza and Eddie in Sapporo. Miles and I have been talking a lot about missions and immediately I wanted to tell him that because of the missionary work that his daddy and Landyn's daddy participated in, there are now enough members and a need for temples in those two areas. I am so proud to be a member of this wonderful Church and feel such gratitude for the examples that these men have set for our children. Joel was so excited to hear of the new temple and I know it is because he truly loves the people of Fortaleza Brazil. And Eddie expressed that his family has a goal to travel to Sapporo for the temple dedication. Depending on how long it takes to erect the temple in Japan, Miles might be old enough to attend the dedication as well. That would be such an amazing experience for him. :D





i just bought target's brand of diapers. at about .14 cents a piece, they are the cheapest diapers i've been able to find AND the good news is they are the FIRST brand of diapers the twins have not blown out of. pampers, huggies, kirkland, the sam's brand and even luvs (which are my second favorite right now) have all failed me in one way or another. and since we go thru twice as many diapers as most of you (twins basil) i've been trying to find a cheaper method without switching to cloth (which i'm NOT willing to do). so just thought i'd share. they're a great find and great price. :D



Tuesday, September 29, 2009

a chain of events

  • miles had his first primary program on sunday. he was supposed to come up with something Jesus had taught him as his part in the program. he chose, "Jesus taught me how to listen to the Spirit."
  • joel called on his way home from work to say one of our friends needed help moving. i decided to pack up the kids and go with
  • we got there and they offered to let me leave and drive joel home when they were done. i decided i was just going to see the new place but then go home
  • i decided to take Geneva Road instead of the fwy home
  • 800 North was closed and i had to take 400 North
  • i decided to take a back road home and saw a girl sitting on the sidewalk. at this time it was 9pm and i was just down the street from my house. i felt like i should ask her if she needed anything but it's so against my nature as i am EXTREMELY weary of strangers, with or without my kids in the car, but especially with my kids in the car and me by myself.
  • i continue toward my house and feel the urge to turn around. i pull up next to her, roll down my window, turn on my light, ask if she's okay. she says yes. i ask if she needs anything. she says no. i ask if she's sure. she says yes. i'm getting choked up. (i'm emotional so no big deal) but even though it's dark i feel like she's getting emotional too. but she said no, so i leave
  • i drive on, going another way home. turn at the light, get half way up the road and get the urge to go back. i turn around again and park the car. walk up to her and say, "i hope you don't think i'm bothering you but i just felt like i needed to come back and see if there's anything i can do for you." she's no, i'm okay. "are you sure? i started driving home and just felt like i HAD to come back." she says she got into a fight with her mom. then asks if i could give her a ride home. i say of course. i really felt like i needed to do WHATEVER she asked for and that was a simple request. she asked for a hug. i embraced this girl (somewhere in her teens. she looked young, but had a few piercings and was smoking the first time we passed by.) she asked if i was sure i could drive her home. i said yes. she told me she "knew someone would stop and help her." then she asked if she could trust me. i told her i had my twin babies and my son in the car with me. she felt more comfortable.
  • she didn't live far away but she walked with a noticeable limp and i'm not sure how difficult that walk would have been for her.
  • after i dropped her off i spoke to miles about listening to the Spirit and reminded him of his primary program.
  • this post is more for me than anybody. i don't know her name or what her situation is. what i do know is that she has a Father in Heaven who knows HER. He knew what she needed and i'm grateful for the way my evening played out that i could be an instrument in His hands.

about time for an update

the twins are 8 months oldhandsome little devil!

Isaac is more than crawling; he wants to walk! Today I caught him going up the stairs!!! He is right on target with Miles. Crawling at 6 months, stairs at 8 months, walking at 10? We'll see. YIKES.

He is still nursing and doesn't care for too much baby food. He chokes down formula IF he is starving and has finished a total of 3 jars of baby food, maybe.

He's wearing 3-6 month onesies, 0-3 month pants/shorts (LaClaire legs & booty) and 12 month pajamas cause his legs are so long he can't fit into the footed pj's. He only weighs about 15 lbs.

He loves his mama and will pretty much only nap really well in his own bed, with the lights on and the music up. (It's a science now.) He's waking up probably once a night but stays in his bed. His bedtime is around 9:30p and we don't see him again till 7:30-8:30am.

Still a crowd favorite, he gets lots of attention and everyone comments on his good looks and happy personality.

He loves the bath, pool, his pacifier, mom's bed, crawling over everything, being outside & going on walks in the sling...

He hates his carseat, being alone, and not being fed by 9:30p so he can go to bed.

pretty girl!

Scarlett will smile for anyone who says "pretty girl". She is ALL girl and loves jewelry, shoes, phones...pretty much anything that sparkles or lights up.

She mostly rolls around but today I witnessed her on her knees doing a full on crawl!! She took two steps, got what she wanted and went back to laying on the floor playing with her new found toy.

Scarlett loves mama when it's time to nurse but other than that she is a daddy's girl. You can often hear her saying, "dad...da...da...dad". She loves the sound of her own voice.

She also weighs 15 lbs but is a little shorter than her brother. She is wearing almost all 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers. She still fits in the 0-3 pants but they're more like capris on her.

Scarlett quite enjoys baby food. Fruits and veggies, she's not too picky. She even eyeballs our food and is constantly reaching for whatever we've got. :D
My baby girl will sleep wherever, whenever and I love it. She goes down very easily and will sleep about 11 hrs and then naps regularly throughout the day. It's great.

Scarlett gets a lot of attention for her big eyes and is pretty sweet with everyone she meets. She is especially fascinated with beards.

She also enjoys a hot bath and the pool and being outside and her THUMB and doesn't have too many dislikes.

the boys are 4
he used to be mama's baby boy!

Even though these boys are big as can be, they are not old enough for school and so we get to enjoy their company for one more year.

Miles is in pre-school when he's at his dad's. When he's with me he's playing, helping with the babies, at our neighbors, learning to write his name, and can spell it all by himself. He loves to sing and has learned the byu fight song. He loves everything cougars.

He is currently playing soccer and LOVES it. Miles takes after his dad and is very athletic. He has ridden his bike sans training wheels but he's not 100% yet. He climb just about anything and has got a great vertical jump. This summer he also lost the waterwings and will gladly do flips into the pool for you if you ask or don't ask. He can do back flips on the trampoline and has got NO FEAR.

He is wearing size 4t & 5 clothes. He's about 44 lbs and 45 inches. We're really excited about DISNEY this year because we'll be able to go on a lot more rides than usual. (He's also a little more braver than previous years.)

He still talks about Grandma's Big House on a daily basis and is still a movie connoisseur and would watch movies all day, everyday if we let him.

He loves veggies and regularly asks for artichokes and tomatoes and broccoli.

Miles talks about going on a mission a lot, which is totally adorable for a mother to hear.

"L-A-N-D-Y-N fat guy on a motorcycle"

This is what you'll get if you ask him to spell his name. I have NO IDEA what it means, or where he got it from.
Still one of the sweetest, nicest boys you'll meet. He makes friends very easily and is kind to everyone. He is so friendly I think we might need to have the "stranger/danger" talk.

Landyn is solid. Out weighing Miles by about 8 lbs and wearing sizes 6-7!! He is well versed in submission moves thanks to his dad and can hold down a 12 yr old. (Joel's got the film to prove it.)

He is a very picky eater and doesn't like the words "healthy" or "vegetables". He would eat a "peanut bunner & jelly" sandwich 3x a day if he could.

Thanks to daddy he is getting really good at adding using his fingers. He can also write his name pretty well.

He started pre-school this month and so far seems to be enjoying it. This summer he played t-ball and soccer and loved both.

He is NOT as adventurous as Miles but I don't think he wants to be. He is not interested in doing flips or going in the deep end of the pool.

technically, we're still in our 20's daddy joel

Just about 30 lbs lighter than last year and super sexy!

He is has a new job (again). He is working for Dish One as a Manager and as far as I know is loving it. He works with his brother Paul (that's how he found out about the job) and was promoted to manager earlier this month.

Joel is the YM president in our ward and LOVES it. Seriously it's a match made in heaven. He is excited for all the campouts and we're really excited cause TREK is next year for our stake. Joel has never been and is definitely looking forward to it.

He is still the best cook around and an excellent fisherman. We've had many delicious meals thanks to him.

He is a great daddy and often (I'm embarrassed to say) pulls the night shift when one of the twins (aka ISAAC) won't sleep.
He can fix anything; do anything; he is such an asset.

mama sara

Can't wait for our disney trip this year. END OF OCTOBER!!!
Back down to my pre-pregnancy weight (YAY) It was 7 1/2 months in and 7 1/2 months out (the twins were born at 35 weeks). I attribute the weightloss to my girdle, nursing twins for 8 months and still going strong, not eating fast food (we've pretty much completely cut it out of our diet) and positive thinking. I am a student of the secret. :D I won't tell you my weight but my bmi is 18.4!!!
I have enjoyed spending lots of time with my sisters in law: Dionne & Jane. They have been such a huge help with the twins and i love them.
I miss living with my sister EMILY aka "Enemy" as the boys affectionately call her. She moved out last month and it was sad but also good. I miss all the girl talk. It's funny how it can feel lonely in a house with 4 people when one person is missing.
I am loving our ward and getting to hang with our neighbors. Miles is good friends with Addi next door and Diana & Rowan, two doors down, invite Miles over to pick tomatoes from their garden and they are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
The 8 passenger minivan is growing on me. Joel said we can't call it "big red" so help me think of another name.
I can't keep up with all of our laundry; it'll be the death of me.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

now that i know how it works...

this is a little video of the twins, almost 4 months old, when they still fit in the same swing. here they are loving a little fun and games with grandma. i love how into they are.

gooooooooo COUGARS!

miles is a HUGE byu football fan as many of you might have imagined he would be. he loves everything cougars and last week i sang him a song that i thought he might enjoy. turns out he LOVED it! so much so that he has now learned it. (well, most of it anyway. :D) enjoy!

i have never uploaded a video before so i hope it works.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

it tastes like chicken

last night at dinner my son informed the table that he doesn't EAT his boogers, he just LICKS them.
my response: "WHAT?! eeeew! gross! why do you LICK your boogers?"
you guessed it: "cause it tastes like chicken."

4th generation pics

my grandmother and my children
the kids were a little too young to get a really good shot but it turned out pretty cute.
i love this one on the bottom of lily, miles and landyn



Wednesday, September 16, 2009

scarlett gets a mani & a pedi

thanks auntie jane!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

big red

so yes, i have broken down and we purchased a used 2008 toyota sienna tonight. it was a sad farewell to my beautiful MDX (which i will always love and never forget) but as my mom said, "there is a season for everything, and this isn't my season." a mother of 3 +1 should have a vehicle that can handle 6 passengers and a stroller and groceries and not be an inconvenience in any way.
everything went so smoothly and it really felt like it was meant to be. i'm not gonna say "i love it" but i do look forward to the many memories we will have in BIG RED and one day i'm sure i'll grow to LOVE it. with all of the features that really do cater to the family, i don't anticipate being too sad for too long. :D
the family who purchased our MDX told me to think of it as a luxury FUV (family utility vehicle) and not feel so sad that i am not a luxury SUV driver anymore. (in my head i always will be.)

and just to go on the record, I LOVE COUGAR AUTO SALES. if you are in the market for a used vehicle, go see Brock; tell him we sent you and then LOVE your purchase. they really bent over backward for us and i have such great confidence in this dealership. Brock sold us the MDX and he was the absolute first person we went to see when i sold it. they are honest and no pressure and just provide an all around great experience. i couldn't be happier about that.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Clothes Sale

http://picasaweb.google.com/saralaclaire/Ksl?authkey=Gv1sRgCI_O4cKxkqyFkwE&feat=directlink

need some back to school clothes? my sis is getting rid of a ton of stuff. it's all sized small or extra small. for older teen-early twenties. all kinds of stuff. :D

Libertyland in Lehi



just a few shots from the day. miles was amazing on the rock wall. he climbed it so fast!
and although i didn't get a pic with scarlett, she was there.
ps. isaac is now crawling!!! it's an army crawl but he is EVERYWHERE now.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

this is how fun it is to dress up twins


i LOVE clothes and i especially love dressing up my family. the top pic was made possible by the corrigans who gave us the most adorable hoodie & pants set for a shower gift.
the bottom pic is a happy accident. i bought that little dress at gymboree for $6 or less and weeks later when i was going thru miles old baby clothes i found this polo & sweater vest in the 3-6 month box!! looks like my taste hasn't changed a bit cause it matched perfectly.

Monday, August 17, 2009

a couple of THINGS i love

thing 2 and thing 1

Sunday, August 16, 2009

when a girl's gotta sleep...

a girl's gotta sleep

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Kim Corrigan wedding photo sneak peek

so far, i love it!
and i know you can't actually see Joel's handsome face BUT i'm pretty sure you can tell i got what i wanted...a beard! however it was gone by saturday night and good thing too cause sunday morning the bishop was glad he didn't have to ask joel to shave it when he called him to be the young men's president. :D

Thursday, August 6, 2009

i echo the words of kim and spongebob...

it really was the BEST DAY EVER!!! a few of us, including family and some very close friends met in the salt lake temple last friday afternoon. the sealer spoke (for quite a while but i didn't even care); i hung on to ever word. i was so happy and felt even giddy as the ceremony went on. i told joel i felt like a kid on christmas morning waiting to open my presents. i cried and smiled and almost just started laughing. it was a happy day and nothing will ever compare to that moment. well okay, childbirth is pretty close to the feeling i felt. not the sweaty work out part of it but that feeling that any moment now you're gonna be holding this little perfect person that you created out of love. that's what i felt. at any moment now this marriage would be mine to have forever!
thank you to everyone who came to be a part of this with us! thank you to my mom and dana and curt and sandy for making the trip out here. it would not have been the same without you!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

jamba juice bogo


Saturday, July 25, 2009

vote on my poll

Ok, so Joel and I have had a little discussion over here regarding his beard. I absolutely LOVE it!!! But Joel has a thing about being clean cut when he goes to the temple. Our dilemna is we are going to be taking pictures next week after we get sealed and I would love for him to have a beard which poses the problem because he wants to be clean cut inside the temple. So my question is to all of you out there, Is it ok for joel to wear a beard to the temple? Or is it disrespectful and should he shave for our sealing ceremony? Please vote and comment if you've got somethin' to say! I would love to hear it. Cause really if you're against it I need you to talk me out of it.

ps. sorry there are no photos. we just got a new computer and i can't find them.

Friday, July 24, 2009

less talkk more rokk

the lucky winner at chuck e cheese was miles! he won over 200 tickets all by himself.
When the twins first started rolling around I would find them in the funniest positions in their crib. Exhibit A and B.
I love this cause they look like a "coupla bad A's". lol Scarlett looks like she's ready to put the smack down.

bows gone right and bows gone wrong!

my little indian braves

miles with his brudder
all smiles for dad

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Pictures say 1000 words, I will only say a few

Align Centersome babies just LOVE tummy time! these two are seriously almost ready to crawl. ahhhhh!
this is the last picture i took of miles with his handsome hair. his daddy buzzed his head the other day :( i miss the curls.
the twins always sleep in a mirror image of each other. how is that possible?
Kiersten treated me to lunch at CPK while she was out here. She is beautiful inside and out even though (in her words definitely not mine) she "lets herself go to pot" while she's in UT cause it's just family 24/7. i miss her!
(PS Sunshine was in town and I didn't even get a picture but we had a great visit and she finally got to meet Joel!)five months later my baby girl has found her thumb. this is a typical scene at our house except her pacifier is usually sitting right under her chin as she sucks away at her thumb :D
the twins being super models. good thing scarlett has the world's most perfect eyebrows cause her brother has got all the hair! LOL

HOPE YOU ENJOYED!