Crazy Cluff Crew

Baby #5....

2012-01-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

I bet that title got your attention!

For the record NO I am NOT PREGNANT and NO I am NOT "trying" to get pregnant.

Just a funny story about Mr. Grant.......

I found a small box of Hunter's old clothes from when he was around 18 months to 2 years. In the box was this shirt as well as probably 20 other shirts. Out of all the shirts Mr. Grant INSISTED on wearing this one. Infact, I took the shirt off on him twice this day and put it in the dirty clothes basket............both times Mr. Grant was upset, threw a fit and would go back, get the shirt out and find me to put in on him.

Silly boy, why oh why would he pick this shirt.

Another crazy thing that happened this day...........

For at least a year now I have done this little thing with Mr. Grant.

I will ask him something like, "Show me your Happy?" or "Where is your Happy?"

I taught him to reply by giving me a huge smile. I do it with him on a daily basis.

So after I did his hair this day, we were both looking at each other in the mirror and I asked him, "Where is your Happy?"

He immediately looked down and pointed to his shirt.

WHAT?

I tried it again and again and again.............every single time I asked him to "Show me his happy?" he pointed to this shirt. No smile like usual he just points to this shirt. He did this the whole day, even at 7:30 that night when Justin got home from work I told Justin to ask Mr. Grant, "Where his Happy is?"

And BOOM he pointed to the shirt.

Crazy Mr. Grant!

"It's Like Having a Toy On Your Foot!"

2012-01-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

Logan's kindergarten homework for over Christmas break was to learn to tie his shoes. To be honest, when I read that I thought to myself.............I have so much planned for our break and that's not on my list. So note to self, only send Logan to school with non tying shoes after the break!

It was Tuesday the day before the kids were to return to school and I decided I should at least attempt to show Logan how to tie his shoes. That way when he returned to school he would at least tell his teacher that yes his mommy had tried to teach him to tie his shoes.

So I spent maybe a minute, showed him twice how you tie your shoe and BOOM he could tie his shoe all on his own!

I could not believe it!

It was so easy and he actually tied them quite well...........making sure to make the "bunny ears" the same size and everything. He was thrilled with his new found talent..........and so will Mrs. Willis, his teacher and Miss Erica, his aide. What a smart kid! Later on that day, after Logan had tied, untied and retied his shoes many, many times he said, "Mom this is like having a toy on your foot!" I love his perspective. He insisted on walking into his class the following day with his shoes untied. He showed Miss Willis immediately his new talent. Hey when you are in Kindergarten tying your shoes should be considered a talent!

The long awaited day FINALLY came!

2012-01-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

We spent 13 1/2 hours at the Greatest Place on Earth!

Our kids were so excited to be going to Disneyland.

I was so excited to be with my fun family!

Kaely, Cambry, Doyle and Tif

The kids were excited to see all the characters. I wasn't surprised that Mr. Grant wasn't sacred of them after all he did sit on Santa's lap without any hesitation. Most 2 year olds aren't as easy going when it comes to things like this.

Look at those Muscle Men!

Ahhhhh me and the camera shop! One of my many loves!

Hunter and I in Toon Town. One of my bigger loves!!

I just adore this kid! He brings such a fun, clever spirit to our family.

Kids with Donald Duck

Hunter wanted a picture all by himself with Donald Duck.

It was a long line of people but when I told him to go ahead his face just lit up. It was so worth making the line of people irritated.........ha, ha!

It was great to see Disneyland at Christmas time!

It is just gorgeous! It was crazy crowded but something worth going to at least once. I don't think I'll want to go back at such a busy season but I was happy to experience it once. And to be together with such great company was the best!

Justin was amazing............he would run and get us all Fast Passes while we were doing other things or waiting in line for a ride. It made the day go much smoother! Thanks Sweetheart for being so thoughtful, caring and a fabulous Dad!

Logan was the most excited little boy about Autopia!

He just had a great time driving the car.

Kiersten did a great job even with her broken arm!

I just enjoyed seeing my kids so happy.

They really were very well behaved this whole day. On the drive home Justin and I commented to each other what great kids we have. It's always nice when your kids behave..........no every day or trip is like that so we expressed our gratitude to them and I surprised them each with a Disneyland pin. They were so happy!

Kaely Sue crusin' alone!

I just love this girl. She rocks!

Look at the handsome guys that were in front of us!

Loving Disneyland with my favorite people!

The weather was just gorgeous. I am so glad Tif suggested we go on this trip!

The Fairy Godmother

I loved seeing the castle covered in snow. The amount of decorations they put up here is amazing.

Thanks Babe for taking us on this vacation.

I had a great time!

All the kids were so excited to get their faces painted. Kiersten kept reminding me to look for the face painting place. So while Justin and Tif waited in line for Alice in Wonderland ride I took the kids to get their faces painted.

Isn't she GORGEOUS!

Not surprising that Logan goes for the dragon face.

Now that is one happy kid!

Hunter went with the skull and flames

He was happy with his design.

I love these little faces..........even when they are all painted up!

Cam looked so cute painted up like a puppy.

Doesn't Justin look so cute waving in the picture.

I just love him!

He was happy to be together and to be spending time with his family.

This picture just makes me smile...........the excitement on his face makes me happy!

Kiersten got her Churro and her day was complete!

Actually we all needed a little sugar boost!

Having a blast!

Mr. Grant was so happy to get a sucker!

Isn't he too cute!

Logan had been behaving extremely good the whole trip so I told him I would find him a slushy. Well we never could find one..........so he chose Mickey face ice cream instead!

Taking a short break....

Kiersten was so funny, she was talking about how crazy all the lines are. She said, "These lines are crazy here. You probably have to wait in line to take a rest and sit down! They have a line for just about everything!"

So true, so true!

Hunter on the Popsicle bench in A Bug's Life area.

We sure loved feeling like bugs...........the detail is amazing. It is easy to feel like a kid here!

I just love it!

Loved the trip!

Thanks Tif for a great time! I will go any where with you!

Kiersten felt really good by Wednesday. I was so glad we waited to go to Disneyland. It wouldn't have been as much fun for Kiersten is she was still in pain.

Logie makes it looks like he is riding the caterpillar...........and it's not even a ride!

Look at that happy face! Our kids really were so happy all day at Disneyland. It made the day so nice and enjoyable!

The kids loved, loved the Bugs Life 3D movie.

They totally didn't expect it to be as cool as it was.

Mr. Grant got a little freaked out but was able to make it through. I held Brynlee some of the time and she was getting totally scared. I felt bad but at the same time it was sort of funny...........not in a mean way. Tif and I just got a kick out of watching her flinch.

Now there is a BIG Story behind this picture.

Justin had gotten Fast Passes for the Grizzly River Run. It was about 7:00 p.m. and it had cooled off by the time we could return to the ride. The kids were just sure all us adults would not let them ride this ride and get all wet. But they don't know their parents.........not only did we let them go Justin joined in the fun.

Tif's back was hurting by this time, Doyle was fussy and done with everything, so they took Doyle and Brynlee back to the resort while we kept Kaely and Cambry. We still had hours of fun ahead of us!

I waited for the crazies with Mr. Grant. He had fallen asleep and was too small for this ride any way. I wasn't wanting to be wet so Justin excitedly took the kids. Kaely decided she didn't want to be wet either.

When they came off the ride I was fully expecting them to be shivering but they ran off of the ride with such excitement. With the amount of adrenaline in them they weren't cold at all. It was great to see everyone so happy and full of life! They wanted to ride it again and since the line was now a 5 minute wait, yeah apparently not many people want to get wet when it's cold out, so when Justin told the kids, "Let's go again!!" They all ran with enthusiasm!

The kids thanked Justin many times for letting them go on the ride again. I had brought thermals for our kids to change in to and with all the jackets and blankets I had I knew I could make them warm.

This was one of the kids favorite rides.

Mr. Grant could only take so much fun. He was out for the rest of the night!

We made our way back over to Disneyland from California Adventure.......we had Fast Passes for Indiana Jones. We got to be on Main Street when they make it "snow." It was awesome!

We were so happy we got to see the castle all lit up and watch the light show. It is something to experience for sure! Such a magical place!

Waiting for Indiana Jones.......

Logan was very sad he wasn't tall enough to ride......just by a half inch too.

The kids had a great time on the ride, but they all told Logan it wasn't that cool so he wouldn't feel bad. It was fun!

We also liked Splash Mountian!

Hunter was happy with his Disneyland pins he picked to spend his money on.

We all loved watching World of Color.

It is amazing the technology thats used........it is worth seeing for sure!

It was just a great day! I hope the next time I come it isn't peak season and I hope we get to stay more then one day. But Disneyland was a BLAST just the same. Our kids want to go back so that's means it was a good day for sure. I was surprised that they really didn't complain about all the walking. By the end of the night we were all being crazy about how bad our feet hurt, but they were all still happy to be there! We didn't leave the park until almost mid night. For our kids that is pretty amazing........they are usually crashed out by 8:00.

Logan had been holding out all day to get to spend his money. After World of Color he reminded us that he hadn't got to buy anything. Since he did not whine about it, he just asked, we took all the kids to Down Town Disney so Logan could spend his money. He finally picked this mickey hat! Doesn't he look great!

Mr. Grant must have sensed we were going to leave Disneyland and he didn't get anything either. Thank goodness he was totally happy with a $2 sucker!

It was a wonderful day and the over all trip was great! We sure enjoyed our time together away from typical life!

A Day of Sand, Sun and lots of FUN!

2012-01-02T18:36:00.002-08:00

We spend Tuesday at the beach. It was so nice to be staying right on the beach so when the babies needed naps it wasn't a big deal. It was great weather and just fun to relax and hang out!

Mr. Grant's first time on the beach..........he loved playing in the sand!

Hunter just loved collecting sea shells.

Mr. Grant, Cambry, Kaely and Kiersten

It was so fun to be out on the beach with my cute kids!

I just love beach pictures!

Hunter and Doyle really enjoyed being together. They loved running up and down the beach seeing how much mud they could flick up from their feet.

The girls made a cute sand castle.........they even let Mr. Grant "help" a little!

I love my Logie Bear!

This kid is just a wonderful person and I am so luck to be his mom.

He makes us laugh all day long!

Lovin' this sand!

Mr. Grant and Brynlee were so cute. They played so well together. They loved the sand and surprisingly Mr. Grant never threw it!

These kids are crazy to be in this water. It was FREEZING!! Kiersten was so happy that I let her get in the water. I would rather her enjoy this vacation instead or remembering she wasn't allowed in the ocean because of her cast. I was fully prepared for her to fall in the water and get her cast soaked. Surprisingly she didn't............but she did thank me many times for letting her get wet.

These two were seriously hilarious!

Do they not have feeling or what?

Crazy kids!

I took a picture of Justin and then noticed the message below.

Well he is pretty darn HOT so it's totally fitting!

I love you Babe!

Hunter making a sand angel!

After we spent most of the day on the beach we headed to the hot tub. I really enjoyed this part!

Kaely was so sweet and helped Mr. Grant play in the pool. He sure loved it!

Kiersten was a trooper! I did feel bad she couldn't swim, but she made the best it!

What a great girl she is!

It was a great, laid back and relaxing day. Just what we all needed. Kiersten especially needed a slow day so she'd be ready for the long day at Disneyland!

Sea World Baby!

2012-01-02T18:36:00.001-08:00

Since Disneyland ended up being a 2 hour drive from our resort and with Kiersten's arm hurting still we decided to stay close on Monday and have a day at Sea World. It was a great idea and I think the kids were all just as happy.

Waiting for the Shamu show to start. Kiersten was a trooper at Sea World! You could tell her arm hurt quite a bit but she didn't want to leave or even ride in the stroller. I did talk her in to riding in the stroller a couple of times but she wouldn't ride for long.

Kiersten was absolutely in heaven being with Kaely Sue.

We need to do a trip with them again for sure!

Our kids have never been to Sea World and they didn't know how cool it would be. But once the whales started doing their tricks my kids eyes just about popped out of their heads!

Mr. Grant just loved the show!

Loving life with my family!

I love to get out of town with my family.

It's so good for Justin to get away from the company. It's almost like he can finally take a deep breathe when we leave town. He has mentioned to me many times that even on the weekends when he doesn't go in to the office, it's on his mind. It seems the only relief he gets is truly when we actually leave the Gila Valley.

It is just amazing to see what they can train these huge whales to do!

My kids couldn't believe the whales could do back flips!

Notice the "SOAK ZONE" sign in this picture.

The kids were so happy that I would let them sit in the soak zone at the Dolphin show.

I didn't care as long as I didn't have to sit there.

Even Kiersten got to sit down there..........she was so happy and surprised. Really a little water isn't going to hurt her cast at all so why wouldn't I let her.

Logan and Doyle decided that getting wet wasn't for them. So they sat with us........up high out of the way of the splash!

This show was just awesome.........it has changed so much since the last time Justin and I were there.

It was so cute Mr. Grant got so excited watching the dolphins do their tricks.

He kept yelling, "They do hand-tand! They do hand-tand!" He means a "handstand"..............he watches Logan and Kiersten constantly doing handstands at home. I thought it was a pretty smart analogy for a 2 year old!

The people behind us got a kick out of Mr. Grant's comment as well.

"Hand-tand...........hand-tand..........mommy!" says Mr. Grant.

Kiersten and Kaely loved watching the turtles.

I can't wait for my kids to be old enough to scuba dive with Justin and I. If they think looking at the turtles through glass is amazing just wait til you get to swim in the ocean right next to them!

Such a good looking group of kids!

I just love them all!

Hunter just being silly!

He thought this turtle was pretty cool!

Kiersten loved these yellow beach umbrellas.

Cambry, Hunter, Kiersten and Kaely

Tif and the baby's

It was so fun being with Tif.........she always makes me laugh and I just love it!

These two loved every minute of their cousin time!

We all loved Sea World!

The last thing we did was go on the tower ride that takes you way up and spins you slowly around so you can see the whole San Diego area.

What a beautiful place San Diego is..............I would love to have a vacation home there!

Brian, Tif and kids

The Christmas tree lit up was fun to see!

Mr. Grant was asleep in the stroller so we borrowed Brynlee.

Nice CKC jacket.......

can I ask, "Do you work here?"

I think as we exited Sea World many people thought Brian worked the parking lot or something. It was kinda funny.

It was a wonderful day at Sea World...........beautiful weather, wonderful company, I just loved it!

The Surprise Trip!

2012-01-02T18:35:00.003-08:00

Tif had made our hotel arrangements and she picked the beautiful Paradise Point Resort in Mission Bay. It was wonderful! We stayed in little bungalow's and we could walk right out to the beach in 2 minutes. Nice job Tif!! It was a beautiful spot to stay at!

We were so excited to finally make it to San Diego!

Me and my sweetheart

He drove the entire trip every mile of it. I kept asking him if he wanted me to drive but he always said he was fine.

We were happy to be spending time the Brian and Tif and their family.

It is always fun to go somewhere with another family and see how they operate. We all do things so differently and I find relationships so interesting. One day I plan to further my education in Psychology......maybe one day I will be a counselor or Child Psychologist!

It's always fun to be around Tif........she is just a ball of constant fun and I love her for that!!!

The kids were ecstatic collecting sea shells and running on the beach. Everyone was just happy to be out of the car.

All the kids had a fun time switching cars on the drive over. Kiersten wanted to always be in our car so we were lucky and got the girls most the trip.

Mr. Grant traveled really good for the most part but he was thrilled to be out of the car for sure!

Because of the events with Kiersten's arm the night we got to San Diego we changed our plans a little. No one cared we were all just happy to be away from the Company and have some down time!!!

By 1:20..........

2012-01-02T18:35:00.001-08:00

So as we were getting things in order to leave for our California trip at 2:00 I went to get Justin and I a Pepsi from Minit Market. This was actually Christmas Eve for most people, we just celebrated early. As I am driving home I get a phone call from Justin saying, "Kiersten broke her wrist!" I actually did not believe him at first, but after a little convincing I did. We met on the side of the road and I took Kiersten on to the hospital. Justin went home until I could call around and see who could help with the boys so Justin could join us at the hospital.

There was no question if Kiersten broke her arm. It wasn't her wrist like originally thought, once we got her long sleeve shirt off it was obvious. I think because it hurt to not be holding her wrist Kiersten thought it was her wrist that was broke plus the pain was so bad it just hurt every where.

A sweet nurse, Crystal Lehmann, held Kiersten's arm as I comforted her. I called Wendy and had one of her girls go to the house to watch the boys so Justin could come to the hospital. Justin took over holding her arm once he got there.....about an hour later. Then Grammie Cluff knew we were at the hospital she offered to go watch the boys. Poor little Kiersten had to get an IV twice even though she laid completely still while they tried to put it in the first time. She was in so much pain, but did amazing. On the drive to the hospital she kept telling herself, "It's Okay, it's okay!"

I was so relieved once they had pain meds in her......she was much more comfortable once that morphine kicked in!

Dr. Bryce came looked at the X-rays .........Kiersten had broken both bones in her arm. But one bone was displaced severely. Dr. Bryce discussed with us how bad of a break it was. He said that he would try his best to get it back in place but he wasn't sure it would stay. He did tell us to be prepared for surgery if he was unable to set it. He would not let us stay in the room while he set it, like he let us when he did Logan's arm. He said, "This is a much worse break and that we wouldn't want to watch."

So we waited right outside the room for a good 25 minutes. I was getting very nervous and was totally prepared for them to come out and say they were taking her in to surgery.

Finally they opened the door and she had this purple cast on.

As Kiersten was waking up from the anesthesia, she would try to roll over to her side. Dr. Bryce says all side sleepers do this. As she continued to wake up, he told us that he had a real hard time setting Kiersten's arm and that it took three times to get it to stay, which he said isn't typical. He told us she would need to have X-rays every week to make sure the bone heals correctly.

Kiersten then tried to roll over to her right side, the one with the broken arm. I tried to stop her and she said so sweetly, "But I want to give Dr. Bryce a HUG!"

So he reached over and they hugged and she thanked him for fixing her arm. He said he has never had anyone immediately give him a hug and that she just made his Christmas. Even in pain, Kiersten is thoughtful and sweet. The whole time at the hospital she thanked the nurses for holding her arm, for the warm blanket, and for being so nice. She was such an example to me! And she was so brave!

Kiersten was so sad and thought she had ruined our trip. I told her nothing was ruined and that none of this was her fault. We would just be leaving a few hours later but that it was no big deal. We were just so happy she didn't need surgery!

Because we were leaving for California in a few hours and not returning for 6 days, Dr. Bryce needed to cast her arm. He said the bone was still very unstable and he wasn't 100% sure that it was going to stay in place with a cast on but that splinting it was not an option.

He warned us that he was worried about the swelling and that he was okay with us traveling but that we needed to be prepared to stop at a hospital if her fingers started to turn colors or if they swelled too much and were hurting her. We figured we had just gotten our vacation ER trip out of the way early and that this trip would now be a breeze.............no ER visit in California we were just sure of it!

We stayed the night in Phoenix and then woke up Christmas morning and traveled on to San Diego. We got there about 4:00 or so. The kids enjoyed collecting sea shells on the beach by our hotel bungalows. We then decided to go eat dinner and finally found a Denny's that was open, it was Christmas day after all and not a lot of selection for restaurants. While waiting for our food Kiersten's fingers were hurting her and they were turning a scary purple color. We knew we needed to get her to an ER. She became very scared and nervous of what to expect and the unknown plus it was hurting her.

It was almost as if she was having an anxiety attach or something. As we drove in the car I continued to tell her, "It would be Okay!"

She was very, very upset! She kept telling me, "No It Is NOT Going to be OKAY! Quit telling me that!!"

Finally I stopped her and said, listen to me. It is my job as the mother to comfort you and help you feel okay. It's my job to tell you it's going to be okay! It is my job as the mom to stay calm and to make the mood as calm as it can be! I told her.... you can cry and scream, but that's not my job. And it's not my job to overreact and be upset. I asked her if she wanted me to start crying and acting scared with her? She said, "No." I told her then quit telling me that "it's not going to be okay." The truth of the matter was that yes it was going to be okay. Was it not going to be scary, no I couldn't guarantee that, but that taking her to an ER was the best thing we could do for her and that they could make it okay. She was worried that the doctors would be mean. I comforted her and told her that the doctors worked for us and that if any doctor was mean I would ask for a new doctor. After this conversation, she was much, much calmer and at easy. I was a little sad I had to be so firm with her while she was in such drama but I didn't know what else to do to make her change her perspective. I kept telling her that it was okay for her to cry and to be scared but that as her mom it wasn't okay for me to act that way. And she could see that if I was acting that way it would make it worst for her.

We finally made it to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego and they got us right back to a room. Uncle Brian was so nice and called ahead to the hospital to let them know what was going on. Brian and Tif were just great and took the three boys back to the resort. Hunter was a huge help Tif said as he helped find everyones p.j.s. Tif even commented on how good and easy the boys went to sleep..........bedtime is pretty easy at our house I will say.

Everyone was so sweet and nice to Kiersten. I think with it being Christmas and all everyone felt so sorry for her. And after hearing our story that we were here for a vacation and that she just broke her arm the day before. She even said, "I guess I didn't need to worry because everyone is really nice here!"

You can see if you enlarge his picture how much her fingers had swelled and that they are a different color then her other hand.

They took some X-rays just to make sure the bone was still in place. It looked good so they then planned to cut her cast off.

It was extremely hard both the day before at our hospital and here at the San Diego hospital to keep my composure. I was so sad to see my sweet girl in pain and scared.

As we waited for the doctor to return we watched the movie, "Elf." We were all impressed with the nice rooms and technology at this hospital. Kiersten though this TV on long swivel arm was cool.

After the doctor finally got the cast machine turned on, it took like 5 minutes for him to figure it out, which wasn't a comforting sign. It was a brand new machine and he had yet to use it. Before he began he showed Kiersten and us that it wouldn't cut through skin. He did it on his own hand and then on Kiersten's hand.

Kiersten was a little nervous but was handling things great once he showed her it couldn't cut her. The doctor was cutting Kiersten's cast, as he kept moving the blade back and forth in the crease of her elbow she just came unglued. She was kicking and crying hard. He stopped the machine and asked what the problem was. I thought to myself what are you retarded, she broke her arm yesterday and you are putting a ton of pressure just above that break.........what wouldn't hurt about that right? Sometimes doctors ask the dumbest questions, it's almost like they forget the person they are working on is ALIVE!!!

Kiersten told him it was really hurting and that it felt like he was cutting her. He told her that he was sorry but that there was no way he was cutting her. He had to cut the cast completely on both the inner side and the outer side so that if we needed to pry it apart we could. It was horrible just horrible. Kiersten was hurting quite a bit and I was tearing up! I wanted to scream at the doctor!!!

As he was finishing up and cut the small part of the cast between her thumb and her pointer finger guess what HE CUT HER SKIN!!!

Kiersten said, "Ouch!" And we all could see he did in fact cut her. He was so surprised and felt horrible. Then as he was making sure the cast was completely cut, he was pulling on the part up by her elbow. When he opened it up a little we could see a cut about 2 inches long. I brought it to his attention and showed him that indeed he had cut her right in the place she had said he did. I told him no wonder Kiersten was so upset. He was extremely apologetic and was truly sorry. He did seem very surprised that it would even cut her.

Kiersten was exhausted by the time we left the hospital. She had some major bad luck with this arm so far. We are just praying it heals up right!

Guess we shouldn't assume we wouldn't visit an ER on our vacation just because we had to visit it a few hours before we left.

So our Study on ER's Across the U.S. continues!!!

3:25 A.M.

2012-01-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

So our children came running in our rooms full of excitement. I thought it must be kind of early, as I felt I hadn't gotten enough sleep. As I roll out of bed and look at the clock I realize it is 3:25 A.M. Then I realize I have two options....

#1 Send the kids back to bed until like 6:00 or something so Justin and I can get more sleep.

#2 Join in with their excitement and get up to open presents.

I opted for #2 and the Christmas fun begins at 3:25 at our house. I didn't regret getting up this early! There will be a day soon enough that I don't have little excited feet at my house on Christmas morning.....I am not looking forward to that day, so I just enjoyed it even at 3:25 A.M.!

The kids had asked Santa for money to help with the finishing of the play house. So they were excited to open this box......Sure enough Santa gave us some money and some new play food sets for the play house as well!

Hunter & Justin's "To Amuse" gift was the red remote control truck.

Logan & my "To Amuse" gift was the blue remote control truck.

When we told the boys that these could go 55 mph they were ecstatic..........so was Justin I believe!

Kiersten has wanted a rip stick for over a year now..........so when she opened up her "To Amuse" gift she was in heaven. This is the beginning of her Christmas story............but that's another post! I did say when she opened it that it probably comes with a broken arm...........I was just kidding!

Logan's "To Use" gift was a set of kid friendly wood projects and tools.

He was excited to build!

Santa brought Mr. Grant a tube of gum balls as tall as he is! I think that might have been all Mr. Grant needed...........he LOVES gum!

Mr. Grant's "To Cherish" gift was this awesome tool table set. I can't believe with all my boys I have never bought one of these things. Wendy Shupe said Mr. Grant plays with Ryker's all the time at her house so I thought it would be good.

He has loved it!

He kept saying, "I got a toy, I got a toy!"

One of Kiersten's favorite gift's was this tiny, tiny knitted owl that was in her stocking. We all agree it is so small and the workmanship so detailed that it must have been made by an Elf...........we're thinking Peppp made it himself!

This will be a favorite among her Little Things Collection!

Santa did give the older three kids each a pogo stick........they were so excited. Kiersten only took like 3 minutes and she could pogo away!

Justin was hard this year.........he wouldn't give me permission to get him anything. I asked about getting something for his quad, for his truck, a gun...........his answer was always, "Honestly Becky, all I want is You!" As flattering and sweet as that was I still felt like he deserved something more then that. I would tell him, "You already have me and you get me for like forever, so think of something else I can get you that you'll like." He just insisted that I was all he wanted!

Well Ever since Hunter's Lego Birthday party when I made the invitations out of large Lego's I knew I needed at some point to do something using these large Lego's for Justin. When I was making Hunter's invites Justin asked me what I was doing. When I showed him and I asked him what he thought, he excitedly said, "These are awesome, I want one!" I said, "You mean when you were a kid you would have liked one?" He said, "No I would like something like this NOW! I think it's pretty cool to be honest!"

So I knew at some point I would be using that same idea for Justin, just didn't realize it would be as a Christmas gift!

The paper says, "Some Assembly Required"

I build a large tower out of large Lego's, wrote my message on it and then disassembled it and put it in a box and wrapped it up.

Hunter, the Lego King around here, helped Justin with his Lego project. Hunter excitedly said I know what moms surprise is! And he held up two Lego's that read, "I have baby- BABE!" Hunter said, "You are having a baby!"

I immediately said, okay I yelled, "NO!"

We all laughed..........those two Lego's DO NOT go together!

I joined the Apple World, with my new Macbook Pro. I am so excited about it!

I also got some camera accessories to go along with the new camera Justin SHOCKED me with on our anniversary, December 19th! He got me a Canon 5D Mark II.........I have been wanting this camera for over 5 years now. I was so excited when he gave it to me on our anniversary. Actually he gave it to me a day early, on a Sunday. He came to me that evening and said this coming week was going to be super hectic at the office and that he wouldn't be home a whole lot. So he said he thought he better give me my anniversary gift early, because we wouldn't see each other very much or maybe not at all, the following day.

I was not expecting to open this camera........I got kind of emotional. I think when you have been dreaming of something like this for so long it's crazy when it actually comes true. This new full frame camera will take my photography to the next level. Along with the Photo Shop Action Software I got for Christmas. Exciting stuff I tell you!!!

Thanks Babe!

This is Christmas mayhem..........the kids were all trying to help Justin with his Lego project.

After a few tips, Justin's tower was complete. He was very excited about the message and gift that it contained! This was his "To Cherish" gift! And I know it will be a gift we will both cherish! It basically says Let's go BUILD some memories in the Big Apple! We might decide to go somewhere else but sometime in the month of April Justin and I will get a little alone time and I can't wait!!!

Justin's Gift's:

"To Amuse"- Remote control truck

"To Use"- 3 pairs of pants

"To Cherish"- Trip to NY or somewhere else

Becky's Gift's:

"To Amuse"- Remote control truck

"To Use"- Macbook Pro

"To Cherish"- Camera accessories

Kiersten's Gift's:

"To Amuse"- Rip Stick

"To Use"- Bedspread with a note that I will paint and redo her room

"To Cherish"- tiny tiny shadow frames with lit up Disney scenes

Hunter's Gift's:

"To Amuse"- remote control truck

"To Use"- 3D deer target for archery

"To Cherish"- Lego set The Robot Set

Logan's Gift's:

"To Amuse"- remote control truck

"To Use"- Kid wood set with tools

"To Cherish"- MP3 player with ear phones

Mr. Grant's Gift's:

"To Amuse"-remote control dump truck

"To Use"- jacket

"To Cherish"- Tool bench set

This is the second year we have done the 3 gift idea. I knew in November when I asked my kids about last years Christmas and they could remember all 3 gifts they were given that this would be a tradition that would last at the Cluff home. The kids have never complained about only getting 3 gifts and it make me put a lot more thought into the gift giving. The kids don't need 15 little gifts to open Christmas morning and I think it brings less of the commercialism into our home at Christmas time. Of course they are still excited about what they want each year, but when they know they only get 3 things they are selective on their wish list as well.

All in all this tradition has been a blessing to us!

By about 4:30 everyone was tired so we all cuddled in mom's bed and room and went back to sleep for a couple of hours, until Mr. Grant woke up to have his Christmas!

It was a great morning! We also told the kids where we would be taking them.........

We are going to DISNEYLAND!!!

As if that wasn't enough we told them we would be going with Brian and Tif's family!

They were CRAZY EXCITED!

The fun trip was to begin at 2:00 p.m.

"Huwy Huwy Tooties For Anta!"

2012-01-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve Mr. Grant was just as cute as he could be! He was thrilled that there was a plate of cookies for Santa. We had planned to make cookies for Santa. But between my two photo shoots this day and watching Tif's three oldest kids it just didn't happen. So it was Oreos for Santa........I am sure he didn't mind. Kiersten didn't want the milk to be cold for Santa so she wrote him a note saying his special mug was in the fridge. Kiersten surprised us with a great gift that we got to open Christmas Eve. She had bought us a special plate and mug that is just for Santa. I have always wanted one of these so I was so excited! Mrs. Skinner took it home and wrapped it for Kiersten so it was a true surprise! I just love it!! Thanks Kiersten

Mr. Grant did not care one bit that the cookies weren't home made! He kept taking my hand and bringing me over to the play of cookies any saying in his little 2 year old voice, "Huwy, Huwy Tooties for Anta!"

Then as I was taking other pictures, he wanted me to take a picture of the "tooties."

It just made my night!

Santa Cakes

2012-01-02T18:32:00.001-08:00

As always we had Santa pancakes over the holiday season.

The kids just love these and look forward to them every year.

Logan however, does not like cool whip.........not on anything! So I made him an alien pancake and he was happy.

I sure love these kids!

Peppp Zarck Cluff

2012-01-02T18:25:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough this year to get to adopt an Elf.

The kids named him Peppp (Short for Peppermint) Zarck (Hunter made this name up) Cluff.

Even as I am writing this Mr. Grant sees the picture and is cheering ........."Peppp, Peppp, Peppp."

Peppp was here to watch the kids and adult behavior. Every night Peppp would fly back to the North Pole, give his report to Santa and then fly back to our house. He would find a new resting spot when he returned and when the kids woke up the next morning they had to find where Peppp was. This was our Christmas Eve and Kiersten wanted to give Peppp an Oreo so he would know how much she loved him............so sweet! They just LOVED, LOVED looking for Peppp each day. Some days we couldn't find Peppp until evening, but the kids just had a ball. If one of them was getting out of line, another one would remind them that Peppp was going to tell Santa and boy did it work! Our Christmas Eve was actually Christmas Eve Eve.................we asked Santa to come a day early because we were taking the kids on a surprise location trip starting on Christmas Eve afternoon. We weren't sure if Santa would be able to make it that day or not, but we were at least planning on opening up our other gifts either way. So on our Christmas Eve as we waited for Justin to get home from work the kids remembered that if Santa came this would be the last night we'd have Peppp............at least that's what the book says. I have to say I was surprised to see how truly sad my kids were that Peppp would no longer be at our house. Logan actually cried, not the fussy kind of cry but the sincere type of cry. Even Kiersten kept saying how sad she was............I think she was on the verge of crying most of the evening. They just have truly enjoyed looking for Peppp! He brought that magic of Christmas into our home and that just made Christmas for me. I loved seeing the kids excitement. They were especially excited to find that Peppp had moved the night we spent at the hotel with the Player's. I believe it was Hunter who said, "Mom I think Peppp is a real elf because you couldn't have moved him everyone was gone last night. He had to move on his own!" It was sad to see him leave but I did remind the kids that he would return next year. Once we adopted and named him he now belonged in our family. It will be great to see him again next year. The kids, especially Kiersten has mentioned to me that she can't wait for Peppp to come back because it was always so fun to see where he was every morning. One day the kids decided Peppp might like some chocolate. So using some tongs they placed a mini Hersey bar on his lap. We were all surprised to find him a few hours later with part of the chocolate bar gone and chocolate all over his face. Mr. Grant kept telling us for days that, "Peppp eat cholate!" He said it with such excitement it was adorable!! Peppp did write us a note and left it by Santa's plate of eaten cookies. Apparently he really like the chocolate and the Oreo the kids placed in his arms Christmas Eve. Can you spy Peppp in this picture?

It FINALLY happened...........so worth the wait!

2012-01-02T18:23:00.002-08:00

Last year Justin's parents decided to draw family names and each family was to give the other a gift of time. We got the Player family and decided that we wanted to take them to a hotel here in Safford and enjoy some time in the winter swimming.

Well between Logan getting his tonsils removed and breaking his arm there were no longer any winter days left. I really didn't want to do it in the summer because it wouldn't be as fun. I mean my kids swam every day of the summer right in our own pool.

So FINALLY, in the month of December we found a weekend that worked for everyone and we took everyone to The Quality Inn.

When my kids opened up that days door on our advent calendar and read what we were going to do I believe it was better then Christmas morning. Check-in time could not come soon enough I tell you! My little point and shoot camera was having a hard time capturing the motion...........guess there just wasn't enough light. But the kids loved jumping on the beds at the hotel. I don't always let them do this sort of thing but I guess I was feeling fun this day! They were so excited! Hunter, Mr. Grant, Kiersten and Hanna.

Kiersten had Hanna over to play this day and I let her come for a few hours to swim with us. They were both so excited! It's a pretty fun thing to be swimming when it is freezing outside. And boy had it been cold lately, which made this even more fun! Logie Bear striking me a pose! Matt, Maddie, Maliya and Hunter We all met at the hotel around 3:00.........check in time............Justin came about 6:00 and joined us. I just adore and love these little people! They are my life and I am loving it! We swam that night for a few hours, then ate pizza and then took all the kids to watch the movie, "Puss In Boots." It was a funny movie and we all had fun. The next morning we ate breakfast there at the hotel and then swam, swam and swam some more. Check out time was at noon and we swam as much as we could. The pool water was heated but still a tad bit cool....................it did not seem to even phase the kids. I swam quite a bit on Saturday and it wasn't that cold once you were in it. Mr. Grant enjoyed the royal treatment being pushed around in his floaty. My kids were just thrilled beyond words to be getting to swim! I think we should do this every winter!!! I just love these two silly boys! And of course this little monster!

Oh how I LOVED the hot tub!

And the kids were pretty happy about it as well. It was really big which made it nice.

Maddie was so fun.......she kept making me pretend birthday cakes and we would sing Happy Birthday and then pretend to blow out the candles before we "ate" the cake.

So fun spending time with the Player's!

Maliya was just too cute and happy the whole time.

I love just doing something out the ordinary and doing fun things with my husband and kiddos.

If we aren't doing something fun together, I am planning something to do............it's kinda the way I roll!

Not the best picture but Mr. Grant really like getting thrown back and forth.

Gosh I adore Miss Maliya!

She was quite the little fish and she fit right in with all my little fishes!

Mr. Grant just loves the water. It's hard to believe that around this age Logan would put his face in the water and kick. Logan could actually "swim" about 4 feet or so by the age of 2 1/2. He has always been a fish! Mr. Grant is close behind by now quite as happy to put his face in the water.

Hunter was in heaven playing with Uncle Matt. Uncle Matt was so nice and played catch with him a lot. I appreciate the love and kindness Matt showed to Hunter. It's always great when extended family members show so much love to your kids I think. It's like my mom always says, "It takes a village to raise a child!"

What a sweet smile!

Playing catch with Uncle Matt and loving every minute of it!

We sure had a wonderful time swimming, visiting and being with our cousins!

Thanks for joining us for a fun night at the hotel!

We love the Player's!

25 Days to Bring Christ into Our Christmas

2012-01-02T18:23:00.001-08:00

These two pictures should be at the bottom of this post.........sorry!

The Saturday when we left the hotel after swimming with the Player's, our advent calendar idea was to do a family service project. As we talked with our kids about what things we could do we all decided to do something for Uncle Quincy. He will be leaving in July for Afghanistan with his National Guard Squad to serve our country. We couldn't think of anything better to do then show him a small amount of our appreciation for his sacrifice, by cleaning up his backyard.

The kids worked hard picking up dog poop, raking leaves, sweeping the porch, trimming trees and bushes and making the backyard look nice. I was proud of how hard the kids worked.........and not one of them complained. I think it speaks volumes for the love that they have for Uncle Quincy and his sweet family!

We decided to do our advent calendar just like we did last year to help bring the true spirit of Christmas in to our home......just like it did last year.

Our Advent Calendar List 2011

1. Read "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and have a treat.

2. Family Dance Night........enjoying frozen gourmet popcorn while showing off our hottest dance moves!

3. Help decorate the Strings float for the Light Parade..........go watch Kiersten dance before the Light Parade and then ride in the parade.

4. Open up a special gift (pajamas) and cuddle up in Mom's bed to watch The First Presidency's Christmas Devotional and a Christmas movie!

5. Learn of the Shepherds and make staff cookies.

6. Family Game Night............there is a gift to open for this as well! (Lego Creationary Game)

7. Learn of Mary and make heart chains

8. Watch a Christmas movie while eating "Ooey Gooey Goodness"

9. Pack you bags and swim suits...........we are staying at a hotel (with an inside pool) with the Player family tonight!

10. Do a family service project.

11. Decorate gingerbread houses.

12. Caroling with violins and then learn of the angels while enjoying hot chocolate.

13. Go to Hunter's choir concert and carol with the group, then end with donuts and hot cocoa.

14. Jingle Bell Day & begin our gifts for Jesus.

15. Learn of Joseph & begin the "Large Jingle Bell Tradition"

16. Go bowling tonight and eat dinner there.

17. Go to the dance recital and eat dinner or get ice cream after wards depending on the time.

18. Cluff Christmas Party at Grammy's tonight........waffles, gift exchange and Doyle's sock.

19. Caroling with violins again and learn of the Lamb and the Angel.

20. Read short Christmas stories while cuddled in Mom's bed.

21. Have a Wise Man Night with Jerusalem Dinner..............come in the costumes provided.

22. Drive around and look at Christmas lights in the back of dads truck.

23. Do a secret elf.............put some money in a card and leave it on someones doorstep.

24. Learn of the Wise Men and begin our own journey.

25. Learn of Jesus and pick a "gift of Jesus" to work on through out the coming year.

Often it would just be the kids and I doing these things, as Justin worked crazy hours trying hard to get things in order with the company for the close of the year. There is so much to do when you run your own company when it comes to the finances at the end of the year.

We were always so excited when Justin was able to join us!!

We were happy Justin met us for our night of bowling.....it was 7:00 on a Friday night and he had been at work since 5:30 that morning. But he was just happy to be spending time with his family he said. And we were so happy he made it! What a good looking group of kids! Mr. Grant was so happy to have his daddy help him bowl! Thank goodness for bowling lanes with bumpers! Logan was smoking............I believe he ended with the top kid score! Kiersten enjoyed the night! Love this picture! Logan wanted so badly to get to keep these shoes. And boy was Mr. Grant upset that he didn't get a pair of cool shoes to wear. We eventually took his shoes off just to see if he would be less upset............it sort of worked. Love his big toe sticking out of his sock. He has the Cluff Toe!!! It was such a fun night out with my family! I just love this guy! So happy I get to spend my holidays (and every day for that matter) with him! We had a great night of bowling and fun! Justin was working late this night but the kids and I learned of the Shepard's. The kids enjoyed making the staff cookies, even though I forgot to add the flour to the store bought cookie dough so the whole pan ended up being one big cookie. They tasted yummy and that's all that matters! Oh this is what we call "Ooey Gooey Goodness" It is highly addictive and is probably why I am 10 lbs over my ideal weight :) You need to try it!!! It is worth every calorie for sure! The kids were so excited to decorate their own gingerbread houses. This year I got smart and gave each kid their own bag of icing. They loved it and just decorated away! Justin and I were both surprised how much Mr. Grant got in to decorating his house. This was a Sunday so Justin was home and boy was I glad. I was glad to have his extra pair of hands there to help me with the kids.

Way to go Mr. Grant!

The kids were all so quite while they worked away on their houses.

Having their own bags of icing was a huge hit with the kids. They no longer had to wait for mom to make it to them with the frosting. It's nice to have the kids old enough to do stuff on their own.

Looking good!

This is Mr. Grant's...........

Most of his candy was tasted before or after it was placed on his gingerbread house. I love all the half eaten candies! Just like a two year old!

Mr. Grant did become bored of the decorating but then he wanted to watch his brothers and sister. And I think he wanted to be closer to the big bowls of candies............ha, ha!

Great job Kiersten!

Kiersten was especially excited about her idea to make a hop scotch as part of her yard decorations............clever!

Nice job Bud!

So fun to watch the kids use their creativity and imagination!

Logan was so excited about the Christmas tree he made on his house!

So cute!

This was from our Wise Man Night with our Jerusalem Dinner.

The kids loved getting dressed up in their costumes!

I sent Mr. Grant over to the Shupe's as I didn't think him and candles would mix well. Especially considering Justin had to work late this night and was unable to join us.

The kids were beyond excited about this dinner.

I made the menu more simple than last year and I think everyone enjoyed it just as much or even more.

We had different kinds of meats and cheeses, olives, nuts, flat bread and grape juices.

The kids were so happy to eat by candle light and to get fancy glasses.

The kids, with help from Kiersten, looked through out the house for the baby Jesus. They finally found Mary, me and baby Jesus, a doll in the piano room. We fixed our plates and as the kids ate I read the account of the Savior's birth found in Luke chapter 2. I spoke in almost a whisper. The kids were amazing and so attentive while I read. They added what they knew about the story, they asked questions through out the night about that special night and they made the evening a beautiful memory for me. We talked about what it would have been like to have been there that special night. No one changed the subject. The spirit was so sweet and strong as we spoke about our Savior Jesus Christ. The kids did ask where Joseph was. They were understanding when I explained that Joseph was really sad to miss this but that he had to work late in his shop.

Kiersten told me afterwards that this is her favorite tradition at Christmas time. She said, "Mom can we please always do this. Even when I am 21 I want to come home to have this Jerusalem dinner and hear the story of Jesus birth."

It was so sweet.

The boys each told me through out the night how thankful they were to get to do such a fun thing. They thanked me over and over again.

It was just a beautiful night! This is what Christmas is really about learning and speaking about the Savior with our families.

We enjoyed all the things we did to try to create the true meaning of Christmas in our home this year. It wasn't always picture perfect by any means but it was always worth it. The kids have been and shown much gratitude for everything I planned.

I hope it will be these things that they remember about their Christmas's as a child.

Bringing the Christmas Cheer to our house!

2012-01-02T18:22:00.002-08:00

In between building the playhouse the kids and I decorated the house all up for Christmas. The kids all love that they each have their own tree to decorate. I blast Christmas music throughout the house speakers and we just sing and decorate.

I Love It!

The kids were each excited to see the new ornament I had gotten for each of them. Hunter got a saddle and a spur ornament. Kiersten was happy about her owl ornament and her little cowgirl ornaments that can actually got in her Little Things Collection as well. Kiersten and Hunter were so sweet and helped Mr. Grant decorate his tree. This is Mr. Grant's first year to have his own tree and he has loved it. Every morning he gets out of his crib and asks to turn his Christmas tree lights on.

What a cute little guy!

Logan went on his birthday sleep over date with Grammy Cluff the day we decorated the little trees so he got to decorate his the following day.

He was so happy about his hot dog and dancing mouse ornaments.

The kids were just as excited about putting up our Doyle tree as they were last year (the first year we began this tradition).

As we put up each ornament that has a story behind it about their Uncle Doyle the kids eyes lit up. It was fun to hear what parts of the stories they remembered. I think it helps Justin to talk about Doyle and the wonderful brother that he was.

We also add Justin's ornaments from when he was a kid to his tree. The kids love seeing those as well and hearing any story that goes with those ornaments. I think the fact that Justin's mother kept all those cute little ornaments for each of her kids over all the years is a real testament of the amazing, loving mother that she is! I just adore her and her shining example of motherhood!

This picture might not mean a whole lot to you and it might not seem that fantastic. But to my kids it's wonderful. It is the first year we have ever had more then just lights on the house. They were so happy to have the yard more decorated this year. I hope we can add more lights next year and make it even better.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here!

Chicken Chase

2012-01-02T18:22:00.001-08:00

These post are way out of order but I wanted to add them none the less so bare with me :)

Okay so it's not called the "Chicken Chase" it's the Turkey Trot. But all morning long on Thanksgiving day, Logan was upset because Kiersten was getting to come run with me and he wasn't. He kept calling it the "chicken chase."

It was so funny.............actually kinda catchy. I think around Easter we should do a 5K Chicken Chase! What do you think? I was so excited that Kiersten wanted to join me for the 5K Turkey Trot. She was thrilled that I would let her............crazy girl of course I would let her!

I did however keep telling her that if she couldn't run the whole time and keep up with me that it was okay to stop. I told her that there would be plenty of nice people walking so there was nothing to be worried about. I really thought she would have to walk at some point.

A boy was I WRONG..........she not only ran the whole 3.2 miles but she BEAT ME!!!

She was amazing!

At the last stretch, Kiersten said she could see the finish line and decided to sprint as fast as she could. After she crossed the finish line a lady, that was right behind her in the race, came up to her and told her that............she, the lady, was a cyclist and had been in many different athletic competitions. Through all those competitions the lady said she had never seen such dedication. She was so impressed with Kiersten............she went on to tell her what an amazing person she was and that she would be an amazing athlete one day!

Kiersten was just beaming with joy when I made it to her...........almost 2 minutes later.

I am so impressed with Kiersten's drive and determination.............she is amazing!

She took 5th place in her age group 9-13 year olds with a time of 25:41. Keep in mind the four people that beat her were all 13 years old......she is 10.

Even though Kiersten beat me I was happy with my time of 27:36..............it was 2 minutes faster then my last years time. Plus I hadn't been able to sleep very good the night before and had woken up at 1:30 a.m. and never gone back to sleep. I was crazy tired before I ever got to the Chicken Chase....he, he. So to run the whole thing and beat my time made me extremely happy!

Our wonderful friends, Mac and JP Pryor, joined us as well. It is our tradition and I love it!

Way to go guys!

What a great way to start Thanksgiving day!

Our Thanksgiving this year was at our house. All my family came with the exception of the Chicago gang. We had a wonderful time, eating delicious food and enjoying every ones company. I didn't take any pictures but it was a gorgeous day and we had a fabulous time.

Because we started building our play house the annual tradition of going shooting guns was postponed. Hunter was the most bummed about this but very understanding as everyone is ecstatic about this play house.

We have so much to be thankful for!

Cute Treats

2012-01-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to record a few cute treats I have made in the past few months.

I made these turkeys for FHE to go along with our annual November lesson on Tom the Turkey and the lesson on patience!

I wasn't very careful when making them but they still turned out so cute! The kids just loved them!

Logan wanted something, "awesome" to take to his class for his birthday treat. So I made these cookie hamburgers with fries.

They were a HUGE hit with the kids as well as all the teachers.

My mom has made these cute little things for years. And with her working at the LNS cafeteria she gets the little trays for cheap.

Christmas Wishes!

2011-12-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our little helpers to yours!

These Santa shirts were just too cute not to make Christmas cards with. I LOVE this one of Mr. Grant! Love my little sleigh my mom talked me in to buying last year. What a sweet girl Kiersten is. She is busy with school and many after school activities. She is a straight A student and always has been! She loves being in company dance. She takes four dance classes...........jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop. She loves all the extra practices and performances that being in company requires. She just loves to dance and we always have people tell us that she is an "eye catcher" on the stage! And we agree! This year she started taking gymnastics on top of her dance classes. She wants to become one of the dancers that get to do all the flips and stuff in the dance routines. She amazes me with me with her dedication and drive for everything she is involved in. She loves playing the piano and violin. She exceeds at both and recently got 1st place at the fair talent competition for playing her violin! She is a wonderful help to me and has recently started babysitting for short periods and has been so responsible with that job. She loves being on the swim team each summer and does really well at it! She loves her friends and cousins a lot! She has a fun personality and is just a wonderful person! I love you Kiersten! I feel so blessed to have Kiersten as my only daughter. She is more then I ever dreamed a daughter would be! Hunter is just a sweet heart! He has a funny personality and always makes us laugh! He can sometimes be too funny but is always quick to apologize if he gets out of line and I just admire that about him. He is always sincere when he apologizes and I think that's a quality we all could improve on. He loves playing the violin and tolerates the piano! He does love his piano teacher, Tracy Brown, so that helps a lot! He loves school and is a straight A student and always has been. He just loves Math and his teacher Mrs. Moore tells me all the time that he is constantly asking her for harder math problems. She tells me often what a great helper he is and that while she was on maternity leave Hunter and one other girl were the two kids she told the substitute to ask to help her if she had a question. Hunter recently became interested in horses, roping and rodeo stuff. A couple of months ago he was in his first rodeo and got to ride a sheep. He just loved it and had a great time! He loves riding quads and the dirt bikes. Of course his continued love is LEGOS and he just loves his lego bedroom!

Hunter is going to be a wonderful man one day and I am blessed to be his mother!

I love it when he gets in his "chatty moods"......it really is like talking to another adult. He is way beyond his age! I have a really good friend who has told me several times that, "Hunter is an old spirit in a young body!" And I agree he isn't the average 8 year old when you really get to know him.

I love you Hunter!

Logan is just a performer at heart. He loves to make people laugh and loves to be the center of attention. His true love is dancing..........hip hop that is! He just loves dancing in front of a crowd and especially loves getting to perform on the big stage! He is loving Kindergarten and is doing wonderful at school! It is wonderful to see him reading little books all on his own.....he is so excited to be able to read like Kiersten and Hunter!

He loves going to gymnastics and is pretty impressive with his head stand! He loves riding quads and being outside. His newest comment, and one of my favorites, is when I ask anything of him 90 % of the time he says happily, "YES MAM, NO PROBLEM!" Thank you Mrs. Willis for the "yes mam" part.

Logan is just a character! He loves people and every one that knows Logan loves him as well!

It is such fun to be his mom. He constantly gives me hugs and kisses and is a very loving boy!

What a great kid!

I love you Logan!

Looks who's gettin' nothin' for Christmas!

Mr. Grant has definitely hit the terrible twos! I have to say I am impressed with the fits he can throw :)

I do adore this little guy and that keeps him from getting beat....ha, ha!

He can be sweet as candy! He gives great loves. His little guy is a talker! He talks really well for his age and I constantly have people tell me what a good talker he is. He is so much fun. He loves, loves his sister and brothers! He isn't quite as happy when they are all at school. His favorite game lately is getting the toy guns and having mom help him go through the house shooting "monsters." He just gets so excited to play this game and we have a fun time together playing it! I have to say Mr. Grant is the messiest toddler I have ever had. He throws food, dumps cups of water, colors on things and just generally makes a mess. It often drives me crazy.........but it does often make for some good stories!

He was really in to the hiding pose during this shoot!

But he is still cute when he did it so I had to post them!

He is still way better then most two year olds, or even three year olds for that matter, when it comes to taking pictures!

I love this picture and I LOVE my Mr. Grant!

I love the message on the back of Mr. Grant's shirt..............."When I grow up I will be....jolly"

My hope is that we all can "grow up and be jolly!"

I hope this Christmas post finds you and yours healthy and happy. We are especially thankful this time of year, for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are grateful for this holiday season that reminds us of Him, His life and the Atonement. We feel so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are grateful to know of our Heavenly Father's Plan for us. To know where we came from and to know the purpose of this life. We are blessed to have wonderful families and friends that make our lives so rich each and every day!

Justin and I are grateful for our marriage and for the love and kindness we show each other. It really is a dream come true to be married to my high school sweet heart! I am thankful for his example of serving a mission, honoring his priesthood and respecting his family and wife. Even with all the trials we have had and the challenges life has thrown us this year..........we are blessed beyond what we deserve.

We hope you all know how much you mean to us and the difference you have made in our lives!

We love you!

Have a Blessed Merry CHRISTmas!

One last picture of our baby that's not a baby any more!

Hail Storm

2011-12-05T19:25:00.001-08:00

So today I took a personal day.....ha, ha kind of funny. But no seriously, I took a personal day from my job as mom. Well for about 8 hours anyway!

I decided Sunday night that I have been feeling overwhelmed for several weeks now and I needed a few hours off. Even if it just meant more work and less time to do it in when I got home. I was at the point that I didn't care much about the repercussions of me taking a personal day. Between photo shoots, Thanksgiving which was my family at our house this year, Decorating for Christmas, getting ready for the staff Christmas party that the PTO is in charge of, gifts for all the teachers and staff that once again the PTO is in charge of, building the play house (yeah that is a whole other blog entry to come), running kids to their activities, the DPA orchestra's light parade float, editing pictures, PTO breakfast with Santa coming up, the PTO Santa's workshop coming up this week, my kids being super energetic because of the holidays and all the extra activities taking place and they are driving me crazy, my church calling, extra dance practices for Kiersten which means extra running, Crossfit workouts daily, me yelling too much at my kids lately, Mr. Grant being a messy two year old, Kiersten dancing at the light parade, on top of keeping the house clean and picked up, laundry, meals, editing more pictures, grocery shopping, doing fun things to make this time of year memorable and centered around Christ for my family,...............the list really could go on and on but we all get the point. I was feeling overwhelmed......

I just keep wishing I didn't need sleep because think of what I could accomplish if I had the whole 24 hours to work on things! Actually I've been loosing sleep............editing pictures until late. Sometimes waking up at 4 a.m. or earlier because my mind is thinking of all the responsibilities I have and the deadlines coming quickly.

So I needed a few things for the PTO staff dinner and instead of making due with what Walmart had to offer I decided to make a day trip. So I asked my wonderful sister-in-law Gloria to watch Mr. Grant for me and I made a short trip to Tucson. I left as soon as I took the kids to school..............and was back by 4:00 to start running Kiersten to gymnastics and dance.

I drove for two hours with no one yelling, "mom." No one asking me to turn the radio to Radio Disney. No one drinking my water from my Sonic cup. No one arguing with each other in the car. I jammed out to Hilary Weeks all the way.........her and I have been through a lot together. It was just what I needed. I got the things I needed for the PTO stuff and I got a few little things I needed to finish off my Christmas shopping. I got to eat at Sweet Tomato............Justin doesn't feel that is a "real" restaurant because they don't serve steak. So I only eat there when he's not with me......and I really enjoyed every minute of it!

It was a short trip but just nice to have some quiet time to myself. And I really tried to not think of all the things that weren't getting done because I left town.

On my drive home, as I hit Texas Canyon it began to snow. Not just a few little flakes either............it was a blizzard. Everyone was driving super slow, visibility was low and it was beautiful. That's a rare occurrence for me to drive through a snow storm. I just soaked up the beauty of it and I thought of my kids. I thought of how ecstatic they would be to see the snow! In that moment I realized, I am a good mom. When I saw those snow flakes falling, my first thoughts were about my kids. Even if I have been yelling too much at them lately, I am still a good mom. I just need to try harder, in fact we all do!

Then as I was exiting Texas Canyon there was a hail storm. As I drove through the hail storm I gained some insight. Have you drove through a hail storm? And if you have, did you see just millions of ice pellets coming your way? Or did you take the time to focus and to see the individual ice pellets?

Well I think I have seen both over the course of my life while driving through a hail storm but for the first time it was more then hail, it was more then just a storm, it was more then just a reason to turn on my windshield wipers..........it meant something more.

I had the thought that this hail storm is exactly like life, my life and especially my super busy life this time of year. I am living in a hail storm, we all are in fact. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. It's easy to feel like there it so much to do and never enough time to do it. It's easy to feel like you aren't enough or you aren't "doing" enough. We are constantly being hit with ice pellets just like a hail storm. And it is overwhelming, but I don't think it is intended to be that way. I don't think our Heavenly Father wants us to feel overwhelmed.

And as I kept driving and periodically focused on the individual ice pellets it became very clear to me. I need to stop looking at the hail storm in it's entirety because that is overwhelming! Seeing all the many things being thrown at me, and you, at such a consistant rate, just like the ice pellets in the hail storm.............it's almost impossible to feel a sense of peace. All that hail coming at us is often more then we can handle. But we aren't meant to handle it on our own and I needed to be reminded of that. I know that the Savior, Jesus Christ will magnify us. Often we don't have enough talent or enough energy or enough patience for the tasks we've been given. But with Jesus Christ, He makes it enough............He makes us enough!

When driving in the hail storm as I focused on the individual ice pellets I could still see the millions more coming straight for me and I could see the road ahead. But they weren't as important or they weren't as overwhelming. They weren't what I was focused on and therefore I gained a different perspective of the hail storm all together. It was much more manageable, just like my life can become........ more manageable.

I know that I can do a better job of focusing on the individual ice pellets. Focusing on individual jobs that must be done and not looking at my whole To Do List. And I know that if I focus on the essential things that should be done, that the peace will come. If I focus on the things that matter most this Christmas Season and throughout all the year, my family and I will be blessed. So the teacher's gifts from the PTO might not have the cutest bow on the top, or their Christmas dinner might be more simple, the students might not get their pictures with Santa from breakfast with Santa back until after the break and we might not get treats made and taken around to everyone on our list.

But what we do accomplish will be enough!

So let the hail continue to come, let those ice pellets continue to hit.......................with the Savior by my side I will get through the storm and who knows I might actually be grateful for the hail!

I am very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that taught me a sweet lesson .......through a hail storm!!

Brothers

2011-11-21T09:37:00.001-08:00

Kiersten's 5th Grade class along with the 4th grade class had a Poetry Reading on Thursday.

They were suppose to be dressed up so Kiersten wore an adorable dress. Kiersten was so excited for the Poetry Reading! Mrs. Percell was bringing refreshments and everything.

Kiersten wrote her poem about her Brothers.......it's just a sweet, wonderful poem!

I love all her little drawings to the side that represent what her poem talks about.

Both Mrs. Skinner and Mrs. Purcell mentioned to me that Kiersten's was their favorite poem..............all the kids did a wonderful job I was told!

Brothers

Kiersten Cluff

My brothers are very cool,

Even if they look like a fool.

When we play house we always make scrumptious homemade soup,

And sometimes we play in our fort,

Or on the basketball court.

We fight for fun and love to make mud pies,

That sometimes attract flies.

We add berries and put our initials on it.

We often do ninja moves on the trampoline.

We also scare our Logan Bear,

And he really thinks its not all that fair.

So we say we're sorry and go outside.

For a messy rainbow Popsicle,

After that we play as a cat or dog,

But often we play as wild Indians.

We get bored and make a craft,

We glue and paste,

My mom says, "what a waste!"

But we love to do it!

As you can see, even if they are a pest,

They certainly are the BEST!

Kiersten's Recognition Night

2011-11-20T14:33:00.001-08:00

We received an invitation in the mail for a recognition night at the school.

It was for Kiersten's scores on the AIMS tests from last year 4th grade. The AIMS are taken at the end of each year starting in the 3rd grade.

Kiersten received her award for EXCEEDING THE STANDARDS IN ALL.....yes ALL AREAS OF THE AIMS! There was only one other person in the whole school that exceeded in ALL areas like Kiersten. We could not be prouder of her! These are all the kids that exceeded in at least one area of the AIMS. Kiersten is super smart and even more then that she applies herself 110% at everything! She is a wonderful example to us all! Great job Kiersten!!

Talk about a CRAPPY day

2011-11-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

So let me tell you about my CRAPPY day on Friday! Just remember the sweet smile on the face of my fierce dragon!

Just as a little back ground so you'll understand where I was at emotionally I'll tell you about my day before the CRAPPY day............ the day before had been really bad. I won't go into full detail but let's just say there were tears, swats, apologizes and more tears. Oh and did I mention I somehow made the most harsh, sharp, drill Sargent of a teacher cry. I mean I had no idea the woman even had tear ducts..........she is just that stern..........no softness to her. And every other conversation I have had with her, she has cut me off every time I opened my mouth.....and I have never even had a real serious conversation with her. This time I just stood my ground and talked to her in the same tone she was talking to me.

I was totally prepared to get my butt chewed out, as usual with her, but I was so not prepared for the tears and I just felt horrible about that.........I even started crying because I was so shocked with the whole conversation.

I did send her flowers and an apology card later that day because I wasn't trying to upset her at all. I just wanted her to listen to me for once and then own her own behaviors. While reassuring her that I am here to support her and help Hunter behave for her because he behaves for every other teacher. It's an extra curricular subject teacher, not his core teacher, who Hunter had been being silly and disruptive in her class. None of which had I been informed of until she kicked him out of class for it on Wednesday. I told her I can't fix something I don't know about.

I tried to tell her how Hunter feels about her....that she doesn't like him and other stuff. Well she cut me off and harshly said, "That is not true....." I held my ground and continued to tell her I was not saying that it's "true or correct" by any means, but it is how he "feels" and you can't argue that. I told her I am helping Hunter to understand that she probably really does like him even if she yells but that I though it was important for her to know how he feels. I could tell me standing my ground and not letting her walk all over me wasn't something she was expecting nor enjoyed. She did finally say I was right about that and I felt like she actually heard me for once.

Hunter has never so much as "pulled his light" in school so this is all new to me. Hunter was in big trouble when I found out he has been disrupting her class and I am hoping he learned his lesson! He is a super smart boy so I am thinking he'll be a quick learner with this experience.

I won't go into full detail of everything that was discussed....that's just a fraction of it.

This teacher is known by everyone, staff and parents alike, for being mean and yelling at the kids. I brought that up and I just wanted her to own that behavior because she kept telling me Hunter was making that all up. Which I know isn't true because I hear it from so many people and it totally fits her demeanor..............her normal voice is half way a yell as it is!! I even told her that I was sure there was often good reason to yell. And that I have deep respect for teachers, especially her. I told her I could never be a teacher because I would probably yell. And I said I would probably even pull ears and flick kids in the forehead when they got out of line. I went on to say it's hard for me to believe that she doesn't yell when I have two kids telling me otherwise. But once I told her what Kiersten has told me about how she treats her class she started to cry. That was not my intention at all........at all!! I just wanted her to own her behavior because I knew it was true. I have never knowingly made or tried to make someone cry and would never mean to. I felt like such a mean person but strangely at the same time I was somewhat proud of myself for not getting walked all over for once.

So finally after two conversations with Mrs. Williams, the director of DPA, I felt much better and knew that other things must be going on with her for her to break down like that and it wasn't just me. I won't go into any more detail but I did feel like some good will come from this experience. I still feel bad that I upset her regardless and that day was so exhausting! Just as a side note I was also babysitting Carsyn Shupe all day on Thursday as well. Maybe they'll fire me from PTO President for this?

So now you know that I really needed the following day to be nice and easy.............. my Thursday was upsetting enough as it was.

The following day I knew would be busy with piano lessons for Kiersten and Hunter, violin lessons for Kiersten, Hunter and Logan, then riding lessons for just Kiersten, as Hunter had that opportunity taken away from him for his behavior in music class at school. Then Kiersten had a star party at the Discovery Park with her whole class and all 5th graders from the Valley. And I was going to see Twilight with Stacy, Tif and Amanda that night. So as you can see it was going to be a busy day!

Well I was still trying to recover from the day before....it was about 9:30 in the morning and we needed to leave in about 30 minutes for piano. My dad came by to look at our tractor. I was outside talking to him about the tractor that won't run. When all of the sudden Mr. Grant comes up to me and starts wiping something he has all over his hands and is getting it all over my shirt. I look down just in time to get a woof of it............oh it's CRAP! Yea he put his hands down his diaper got out some poop, smushed it in his hands and yea wiped it ALL OVER MY SHIRT!

My dad was so out of there once he saw what it was. I was making all kinds of gross sounds so Mr. Grant would understand how nasty that was. He started saying, "I sorry Mommy!" over and over again. It was sweet of him to say he was sorry............but kind of difficult to keep the perspective that he won't be a child for long because I am hoping that NEVER happens to me again. I mean I have gone 10 years as a mother and never experienced that and I could have gone a lifetime without it and been just fine!

So it was literally a CRAPPY DAY!

Can you believe my sweet little dragon did that?

The Sounds You Wake Up to...

2011-11-07T21:23:00.000-08:00

Over the course of my years of being a Mother I have woken up to many different sounds.

Babies crying, kids whispering in my ear, Justin's alarm clock going off in the early morning hours, the sound of tiny feet running across the tile to get to my room..........to name a few.

Our kids are early risers so it's been a while since I regularly set an alarm clock. I guess last year for about 9 months I woke up at 4:40 a.m. to go walking/running with my friend Mac. But since about March of this year we haven't been doing that so no alarm clock for me.

For awhile I was woken up by the sound of Mr. Grant on the monitor either crying or saying, "I need Daddy!" Yes he is quite the Daddy's Boy!

But for about a month now he has been sleeping in past when Kiersten gets up. So I have had the rare occasion of being woke up by the sound of Kiersten either playing the piano or her playing her violin. It isn't super loud because she is always in the front office with the door closed.

So it's just a gentle whisper of music that awakens me and I have to say it is a fabulous way to wake up...........way, way better then any alarm clock.

Last week I started to think about what an amazing person Kiersten is. I have always known that, but sometimes her behavior stands out so much that you can not deny that she is amazing.

Every morning, well weekday morning, without any reminder or asking, Kiersten gets up and heads straight for the front office. She either plays the piano or violin first then follows up by playing the other one. She is only 10 years old...........in fact she just turned 10 in August. How many 10 year olds are that dedicated or responsible? She knows I will reminder her to practice every morning but I never have to, she does it all on her own and when no one else is even awake.

She never ceases to amaze me!

Thank you Kiersten for being YOU! Because YOU are simply AMAZING!!!

I genuinely love the light that Kiersten shares with our family!

I love waking up to Kiersten's music..........it really brightens my day and helps me get through the 2 hours of kids fighting, kids arguing about what morning chores the other kid didn't do, kids being mad because they don't like the breakfast, Mr. Grant being a grouch and everything else that goes on before the kids leave for school.

Yea, I didn't want you thinking it was all music and roses around here.

But I have to say, the sounds I have been waking up to the past month tops my list that is for sure!

Where is Mija?

2011-11-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

This evening I had a photo shoot scheduled with this family. During that shoot Hunter came in my studio and asked if he could run down to the Pryor's and get Mija, their dog. I said sure.

Anyway, Mija came down, the kids all played with her in the backyard during my shoot. Then she ate the crumbs off my kitchen floor.......oh how I love a visit from Mija!

So after my photo shoot I noticed all the kids were inside but Mija wasn't. I asked Hunter where she was, he said in the house. We looked all over for her and couldn't find her. Justin had just left for a church meeting and I thought she might have got out when he left. So I told Hunter to run down to the Pryor's to see if Mija was there. Mija is like their child I might add!

Hunter started to cry as he left to run to their house. He said, "I really don't want to loose Mija!"

I told him just run down and see if she is there, everything will be just fine.

In a few minutes Hunter comes running, actually skipping in the front door.

He says, "I Am So Blessed!"

Heavenly Father answered his prayer he told me. As he was running to Mac's he asked Heavenly Father to help Mija to have made it home. And his prayer, and mine, was answered.

It is always a sweet reward to know and hear from my kids that they thought to pray when they needed help.

Thank you Hunter for your example!

Time Out...

2011-11-06T08:36:00.002-08:00

Isn't always a bad thing! I went to Time Out For Women this weekend and had a fabulous time!

I think I need to send myself to "time out" way more often.....lol.

Me and my dear friend Tressie Smith traveled together..........we met up with Tifani, Amanda Woods, Kaely and her friend to do some shopping before the event Friday evening. It had been months since I have spent any time with Tressie so it was just a treat to get to visit with her over the weekend!

We also met up with my sweet mother-in-law, Kristen and Amy that night. They traveled up together. The next day we were lucky enough to have Aunt Carol with us. I always love any chance I get to see Aunt Carol!

Every speaker touched me or inspired me in some way. I have a huge iPhone notebook full of thoughts, quotes and inspirational messages from all the speakers. I loved them all, but if I have to name my favorite presenter it is an easy Hilary Weeks! I guess she wasn't really a presenter but she touched me just the same. She is my favorite LDS musician for sure and her music has gotten me through some very dark hours in my life. She was funny, up lifting and of course extremely talented in her art of music. I would love to go to a concert or presentation where it is just Hilary Weeks.

One major thing that really stood out to me was a comment that Hilary made about knowing your children. It will change my life forever.........for the better!

She said something to the affect that...

"You will know your children as adults for the majority of your life and theirs. Both on this earth and for eternity....BUT you only get to know them as children for a small moment of time!"

What a treat to get to know our children as children!

I had never looked at it that way before but it is so true. I wish someone would have pointed this fact out to me ten years ago when I first had Kiersten. Because it has changed my perspective tremendously!

I am determined to enjoy these childhood moments even more then I ever had before! I am not saying I am going to be perfect at enjoying the messes, the diapers, the fits, the arguments, teenage years. But I am determined to keep the perspective that this will be my ONLY chance to know my children as children. I will know them as adults for a lifetime, but this is my ONLY opportunity to know them as children.

Another presenter I can't remember which one it was, I am thinking it was Mary Ellen Edmonds, but I could be totally wrong. Any way they said....

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become!"

Such an uplifting weekend! I am grateful I was able to have a "time out."

This was us gals at the Cheesecake Factory before the event on Friday. Yummy food, great conversation and wonderful company. Doesn't get much better!

So many great memories for sure!

Waiting during our lunch break Saturday at T.G.I. Fridays for an hour for our food and not getting it..........slightly annoying!

Having an hour of conversation with Aunt Carol, Tressie, Kristen, Amy and the rest of the girls..........PRICELESS!

So thanks to everyone for the fun filled weekend full of great memories!

This morning went I woke up and all the kids were awake I came home to some fun surprises.

Kiersten and Hunter had written a puppet show. They performed it for us this morning. It was fabulous. It has humorous and actually very well written. Kiersten is a great writer and I just love to see her creativity. When we built our house I loved this open arch way. I saw architecture, added detail and beauty...........my children saw the perfect puppet show stage. I like thier perspective a lot better then my own. I never saw a puppet show stage before they pointed it out to me. Many many puppet shows have been put on at our built in stage. Hunter and Kiersten did a great job on their puppet show! It was a real treat to come home to that! Thank you for being so wonderful! I also came home to a beautiful note from Kiersten.... You might have to double click on the pic to see it big enough to read it. It is the sweetest note ever. I for sure missed her as much as she missed me........maybe even a little more! And yes I came home to a two year old who had colored on himself. I am so glad this doesn't just happen when I am "incharge." I love that it happened yesterday and Justin took no thought to give him a bath to wash it off. My days of kids coloring on themselves is limited so it just made me smile. It truly would not have been as fun if Justin just told me about it...........seeing Mr. Grant colored up was much, much better!

Rodeo Fun Day

2011-11-06T08:36:00.001-08:00

On the Saturday that I was in Phoenix for Time Out For Women, Kiersten and Hunter had their first rodeo. I was really sad to be missing such a fun day with them!

Justin is such a great dad and took all the kids to the rodeo. It was kind of a rodeo fun day...........there was goat dressing, a chicken chase, greased pig chase, rescue race, grocery race, and then some of the usual events sheep riding, roping, steer riding, barrels......Just all kinds of fun events.

Look at my little cowboy!

Hunter was beyond excited about getting to ride sheep for the first time. He really really wanted to win a belt buckle. He rode extremely well for his first time but didn't win the buckle. He got to ride three times because the first two times he stayed on the sheep and they just laid down. So he had to ride a third time. On the third time the sheep kind of tripped coming right out of the shoot and it threw Hunter's momentum off. He ended up scoring a 42, really good for his first time ever!

He had a great time and that's what really matters. Thank you Kelly for letting him borrow all your gear so he could ride!

Hunter and his friend Justice did the goat dressing and love it as well.

It was fun to get to see Hunter's rides on video. I was impressed........he has one hand in the air the whole time just like the real bull riders. I was so glad Justin video taped it for me to see. Thanks Sweetheart!

This is Kiersten before she ran the barrels. It was freezing cold! I believe it was like 40 degrees most of the morning and the wind was outrageous. In fact Justin ended up calling my mom and having her come get Mr. Grant because it was just too cold for him. Thanks mom for always being so willing to help us out! You're the best!

Kiersten has been taking lessons for only 3 Fridays before this rodeo but Kelly talked her in to competing in the barrels. Kiersten was really just trying it out to see if she even liked riding in a competitive setting. I am defiantly not pushing Kiersten to like it, but will support her (and Hunter) if they do. Kelly is really good at telling the kids that they don't have to do rodeos, they can always just take riding lessons and enjoy horses. This was a smaller rodeo and kind of a "play day" so it was the perfect time to try it out.

Kelly was up in the announcer booth. So she told the guy that this was only Kiersten 4th time doing the barrels. NOT her 4th rodeo no her 4th time ever running a barrel pattern. So the announcer did a great job and annouced all that......he really got the crowd cheering for Kiersten. Kiersten even made Snickers lope, which is the next speed after trotting. You go from walking to trotting to loping a horse. Kiersten was able to trot Snickers through her barrel pattern and on her run home Kiersten made Snickers lope.

Justin said Kiersten was smiles from ear to ear when she got done. Kelly was so proud of her and so are we!

Great job Hunter and Kiersten!

Just To Warn You

2011-11-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

As I was tucking Hunter into bed he sure said a cute thing I thought.

Mom, "I love you Hunter........Sleep good little cowboy!"

Hunter said, "Hey mom before you go I have to warn you of something. If when you are doing the laundry you might just find a Five dollar bill, don't be scared............it could be mine!"

The funniest part was hearing the sincerity in his voice. He really did think it might scare me and I indeed needed to be warned!

So glad he warned me of that cause money in the washing machine or dryer can be quite scary!

It just made me smile..........thank you for the smile tonight Hunter. I went to bed happy because of YOU!

Trick-or-Treat.........Monster Feet

2011-11-03T09:43:00.001-07:00

We loaded up in the Yukon and headed for Quail Ridge...our favorite place to trick-or-treat.

This was before the sugar high! Kiersten was so smart and thought to bring the wagon for Mr. Grant. It worked out nicely. But he really was a trooper and did a lot of walking. I just love traditional trick-or-treating. I love walking down the road with my kids, seeing their excitement as they approach each door and seeing all the other people in costumes. We met up with the Nelson family........Hunter was so excited about that! This is Justice as a rodeo clown, Hunter as Robin Hood, Jarrette as a bull rider and Logan as a knight. Once Mr. Grant figured out that each house gave him candy and all he had to do was say, "Tic-or-teat....a.k.a. Trick-or-treat" he was loving life to say the least!!! It was adorable to hear him say that phrase! Kiersten was such a great big sister and always helped Mr. Grant get to the door. Logan was very sweet to Mr. Grant as well. I have to say Logan was the only one to complain about his feet hurting.

Mr. Grant even took a turn pulling the wagon.

I love spending the night with my family!

Justice, Logan, Hunter, Mr. Grant and Kiersten loading up on the candy!

What a silly knight!

Mr. Grant just LOVED being with the big boys!

Jarrette and Logan

Logan can pretty much talk anyone in to anything. He just flashes his sweet smile and in his little Logan lisp ask for something............it is hard to resist.

Kelly easily gave in to his request for a ride on her shoulders.

Thanks Kelly........you are just too nice!

Hunter and his buddy Justice

These two are like two peas in a pod!

Good thing Kiersten is so wonderful!

Mr. Grant better only say nice things about his sister because he is spoiled by her for sure!

Every time Mr. Grant was in the wagon and we came to a new house I thought he might just stay in the wagon. Oh no, he would start to stand up and say, "Me Out!!" He really got this candy thing down!

We all enjoyed the houses that were decked out in the Halloween spirit.

Justin and his Fierce dragon

One of the reasons we always go all out for Halloween......dressing up as a family is to celebrate Uncle Doyle's birthday. He was a Halloween baby! We try to do things that we know Doyle would have loved.......seeing everyone in costumes, seeing us together as a family, his big brother Justin so happy and seeing his cute niece and nephews so excited. Doyle was such a fun guy and he would have been a terrific uncle that's for sure! We sure do miss him!

Dressing up together in a theme is a tradition I just love. It will be a sad day for me when the kids no longer want to do this.

It was fun because they already have started talking about what they think we should dress up as next year. I just love to hear their ideas and creativity!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

from Robin Hood and his Royal Crew

Hunter is Robin Hood, Logan a strong Knight, Becky is Maid Marian, Kiersten is a Renaissance Queen, Justin is a Knight and Mr. Grant is a Fierce Dragon! Don't they look like wonderful Trick-or-Treaters? Hunter and Logan needed costumes like these for their all school play so that's where our costume inspiration came from this year. I had other ideas but didn't want to be buying more then one costume of the boys so this is it!

We talked to the kids about what we would be for Halloween and they all got to pick the costumes they wanted online.....we'll the cheaper of the costumes they got to choose from.

Hunter was so cute from day one he started teasing Justin like this........"Hey Dad, you know Robin Hood gets to kiss Maid Marian right? And you know I am Robin Hood not you right?"

It was so cute! So we got all dressed for my mother-in-laws Halloween Party and asked Mac to come down to take our pictures. We ended up being 40 minutes late to her party, which I feel bad about but we did get some great pictures............once Mac showed up :)! She runs on Pryor time...........kinda like Mormon Standard Time.

Any way while we were waiting for Mac to come Hunter said, "Now Mom we have to get our kissing pictures okay?"

It was adorable! I just love this boy! So he told me how to pose and he just went to town.....................watch out ladies!!

I Love My Robin Hood!

He wanted to dip me and kiss...........it was hilarious!

Look at his happy smile...........yeah he made Justin jealous for sure!

Thank you Robin Hood for being so sweet..........you have my heart that's for sure!

When we took this picture Hunter looked up and said, "Hey are you cheating on me with a silly Knight?"

What can I say, what would you do with this hot of a knight at your house.

Can you say ADORABLE?

Kiersten wanted a picture with Mr. Grant. This little guy just loves, loves his sister! And Kiersten is such a wonderful big sister. She is always so willing to help with him, swing him, bath him, get him food............you name it she'll do it for this little dragon.

But beware he can be FIERCE!

I Love this Royal Crew........Fierce dragon and ALL!

Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

Snickers

2011-10-30T09:00:00.005-07:00

Don't ask me how I got roped in to horse riding lessons. I guess the part that they are free is really hard to argue with.

So for the past three Friday's either after or before piano lessons I load up the kiddos and head out to the Graham County Rodeo Arena. Kelly and her boys are there with Snicker's ready to give Kiersten and Hunter riding lessons. Kelly has been riding horses and competing in rodeos since she was 5.......so she is a wonderful teacher.

Snicker's is a great kid horse and a wonderful horse to start lessons on. When the kids are ready for more speed Kelly has other horses she'll put them on. But for now the kids are loving Snickers! It's hard to believe Kiersten will even get back on a horse after having Grammie Cluff's horse get spooked and took off running with Kiersten on the back.........not once but twice! The more times Kiersten is on Snicker's and nothing scary happens the more confident and comfortable she becomes. Who'd have thought Hunter would like cowboy stuff? I want my kids to grow up to be well rounded individuals........so if he wants to try out cowboy stuff it's fine with me. He still is in Hip Hop, takes archery, plays the violin and the piano and is loving every minute in all those activities. So I believe doing and trying many different activities will help Hunter (and all my kids) to be well rounded. Plus I want them to know they can do anything they want to do, as long as they are willing to put forth the effort to do it! Silly Cowboys! Hunter loved flipping down off the fencing in this position. I was just happy we didn't end up with stitches or anything. Looking pretty happy! During this lesson Kiersten learned to run the poles for the first time. Plus this was the first day Kiersten loped with Snicker's. Kelly always makes the kids decide a goal for their lesson and loping was Kiersten's goal for today. Great job Kiersten accomplishing your goal and pushing past your fears! Hunter's goal was to learn a barrel pattern today. Hunter did have a little scare today because he was wearing spurs and he kicked and smooched at Snicker's and she started loping. He was NOT ready for loping nor was he expecting it. He handled it well and learned a good lesson about the difference between kicking with spurs and without them. Wonderful job Hunter not giving up after being scared! This was actually a Saturday because Friday was too busy for us to meet. So Kelly's husband Trenton was there as well. This picture was after the non-intentional loping incident. Trenton was really sweet to Hunter and made him keep riding so he could see that Snicker's won't just take off. What she did was exactly what Hunter unintentionally asked her to do.........to lope. He also had Hunter ride to learn how to get Snicker's to stop..........she is such a great horse and will stop on a dime when you ask it of her. Trenton and Kiersten are riding on Gunner. This is the next horse the kids will be riding when they are ready for more speed. And I guess he has a much smoother ride, but he is more horse and they aren't in need of that yet. I can't thank Kelly enough for the lessons. I did have my dad make her a roping dummy just like the one he made for Hunter. She saw Hunter's and said it was better then any she had seen or that they had. The kids and I surprised her with it. We took it one evening after dark to her house, put it in their front yard, left the thank you cards that the kids and I had written, rang the doorbell and drove away. They opened the door just as we were driving away so the kids yelled out the windows...."We love you Kelly!" Needless to say she was so grateful and that can count for payment til I think of something else to give her since she refuses to take any money. Plus I probably couldn't afford riding lessons for both kids right now any ways.........so we are all thankful for her generosity and kindness.

2nd Annual Haunted House

2011-10-30T09:00:00.003-07:00

The kids would not let me forget about our new tradition, which began last year, Our Annual Haunted House. The kids each got to invite a friend over for the party and to help be a part of the haunted house.

Mac came over and helped me with the pumpkin painting before Justin got home. Thanks Mac.......I just love her!!! I was so glad she came and helped Mr. Grant! Logan invited Ryker.....I don't know if these two understood it was a pumpkin painting craft, I think they might have thought it was a shirt painting contest! Thank goodness I put old painting shirts on them!!! Kiersten had Hannah Wood come and Hunter had Carsen Davis. I was very excited that the friends were all from the neighborhood so I didn't have to drive to pick up or take kids home. Mac was so sweet and let Mr. Grant use the puff painting markers and everything! This year Kiersten and Hunter were really helpful and did a wonderful job helping me with the food. Mummy dogs and witches fingers! We had Frankenstein eyeballs.......spookily yummy! Spider's web dip Cups of dirt for dessert We also had yummy pumpkin rolls Mr. Grant really loved the cup of dirt. In fact all the kids did! The kids all ate a lot. They really liked the punch I made with orange juice, bananas, and orange sherbet. Hannah, Kiersten, Mr. Grant, Logan, Ryker, Carsen and Hunter

Instead of bobbing for apples we had bobbing for donuts.

The kids loved it!

It's trickier then it looks!

I love Mr. Grant's smile in the background..........he thought this was hilarious!

It seriously is funny to watch a group of kids doing this!

The things they do with their hands while trying to get the donuts is crazy!

Avry just kept licking his donut...........it was so cute!

Mr. Grant did pretty good with some help from his daddy.

The kids watched a short movie, 'Monsters vs Aliens Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space."

Then it was time for our 2nd annual Haunted House.

My kids had a blast decorating for it. Last year they did it outside but it was a little hard because they had to put stuff up while everyone waited. So they were so excited this year when I said they could have it on their side of the house.

Logan, Ryker, Hannah and Kiersten were Zombies while Carsen and Hunter were mummies.

I wish I had taken pictures of each room.........the kids retreat was a Spiders Web which continued into Kiersten bathroom where Kiersten and Hannah sprayed everyone with silly string as they walked through. Then Kiersten's room was a grave yard.........then on to Hunter's room which was a butcher shop with body parts laying around and everything. Then Mr. Grant's room was the trophy room with rats and monster heads laying around. This is where Justin would pop the balloon and then Logan and Ryker would chase people with butcher knifes from the closet. Then the people ran back into the kids retreat/Spider's web and Hunter and Carsen would come out of the playroom and moan after them. Hunter and Carsen had their hands straight out and would keep running into people as they moaned. For once all our circles in our house really came in handy.

We had a fog machine that blows out bubbles which the kids just loved. As well as strobe lights and black lights in every room.

Don't they look scary!

They really played the part during the Haunted House.

These two spooks got to spray people with silly string.......they were hiding it the shower. They just loved it!

These two had bloody butcher knifes and chased after people. I had planned on being a mummy as well, but we ran out of time to get me in costume plus Logan and Ryker needed help to know when to come out of the closet.

Don't the knifes really complete them?

Justin was the Haunted House guide and did a wonderful job as always!

He is in the Scream costume.

The kids all loved the bloody cut tattoos I had bought.........they did look pretty gross!

What a scary sight!

We had about 30 people come to go through the Haunted House this year. Next year we think we'll just do the Haunted House and no big party before, but we'll send out invitations for people to come through it and maybe have treats and hot chocolate for them to have while they wait their turn.

Everyone was so patient as we could only take about 4 people at a time. The kids just had a BLAST! Thank you to everyone for their screams.........we even had two little kids that came through cry. The kids thought that was awesome, but I felt bad! Debbie Luna and her family came and Debbie ran out of her shoes and ran all the way out of the house. She truly got scared. Justin talks about some heads of creatures he's killed and there are balloons in the masks while he is talking about them he has a straight pin in his hand and he pops one of the balloons. Debbie scream like a school girl.........that's when she ran out without her shoes.

We had to talk her into coming back inside because she totally missed seeing Hunter's part.

She reluctantly came back in to see Hunter but you could tell she really had been scared.

So we'll definitely invite her next year! It was so much fun I wish I could remember everyone that came..........if I forget someone I apologize....

Grammie & Grampie Cluff

Melissa & Tyler Brogan

Debbie, Jose,Amy, Christy Luna and their friend

Brad and Cheryl Boswell

Quincy, Gloria and Avry Boswell

Nikki & Jaxon Davis as well as four other people they brought with them

Wendy, Hallie, Carsyn, & Stewart Shupe

Mac & JP Pryor

Dawn Espinosa

The kids were all so excited from the Haunted House that they were wired..........so we had them help us clean it up that night!

It's been a fun tradition so far and I think we'll continue to do it!

Pumpkin Carving

2011-10-30T09:00:00.001-07:00

The kids were so excited about carving their pumpkins this year.

They all wanted to use stencils this year to make more complex carvings.

The results are outstanding!

Logan did the ghost....with about 90% help from dad.

Hunter did the headless horseman..........all on his own!

Kiersten did the spider.........all by herself!

I think the kids did a great job and they really exhibited a great deal of patience while carving their pumpkins with that much detail. And Logan showed patience by watching Justin carve his. Logan was just as excited about his pumpkin and that is all that matters. Way to go Kiersten!

What a team!

Hunter was just thrilled that there was a horse to carve in his pumpkin. He is becoming quite the little cowboy!

Look at the carving detail.........and the man holding his head up.........pretty spooky!

We got these pumpkins while on the Apple Annie's Field Trip. Before we rode the hayride to go select the best pumpkin Logan was running around playing and slipped. He took a pretty good fall to the ground and got a large goose egg on his forehead. So he picked a pumpkin with a bump on it just like he had on his forehead.

It was so cute!

Kiersten's was the hardest to carve I think. But man that girl has more determination then any other 10 year old I know!

Fantastic job!

Mr. Grant had fallen asleep so he missed out on pumpkin carving..........thank goodness!

Primary Program

2011-10-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't be prouder of my kids! They all did a wonderful job in the primary program. I have to mention that our primary easily has 100 plus active kids in it. And our Sunday congregation is probably an easy 250 people in it. I actually was quite off...........Brother Nelson, The First Counselor in our Bishopric, told me yesterday that there was 450 people at sacrament meeting on Sunday. There are people in the overflow area and several families in the gym each and every Sunday. So the kids were performing their parts in front of a HUGE crowd of people.

Kiersten played a violin solo, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me"

It was phenomenal..........so many people came up to either Justin, Kiersten or myself and told us how impressed they were. Mr. DeRusha was there and he came to give Kiersten a hug and tell her how wonderful she did. People are always so impressed with Kiersten's talent on the violin. She amazes me and always works on her pieces without ever being told....wither it be on the piano or the violin she is very self motivated!

Hunter had a speaking part and he said it from memory. "The scriptures also teach us that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. Moses chapter 1 verse 39 says, "For behold, this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

He did a fabulous job!

Logan, along with his class, recited the 6th Article of Faith. He did great and Logan just loved all the singing!

Thanks kids for being so wonderful and always doing your very best!

Mom and Dad are so pleased with you!!

I so wish I would have taken a picture of them before church because they looked gorgeous. Kiersten had on a beautiful black, white and fuchsia dress, Hunter had on his black suit from his baptism and Logan had on a dark grey suit. They looked so sharp!

Sweet Logie Bear

2011-10-23T09:28:00.003-07:00

On Saturday I was doing a Crossfit workout to make up for missing Thursday.

This was the WOD...

"Tiger's Blood Baby!"

Three rounds for time of:

400 meter run

41 kettle bell swings 30lbs

30 burpees

22 pull ups

It was a tough WOD! It took me 49 minutes to do.........so I was down in the basement for quite a while. I have been doing Crossfit for 6 months now and love it! Well I love feeling healthy and seeing how much stronger I have become.

"Strong is the New Skinny!"

On my birthday I did my first real pull up, chin above the bar, but hadn't gotten more then one pull up here and there since. Well two weeks ago I was at the kids school visiting with Kiersten and her friends on the playground. There was a bar just the right for pull ups. I was so shocked when I did three REAL pull ups! I have just been doing jumping pull ups in the WODs since I did my original first real pull up back in July.

So after that day at the school, I have been doing REAL pull ups ever since. One day I did

83 REAL pull ups during a WOD.

For this WOD I did all 66 pull ups........REAL Full Pull Ups!

It's great to see yourself improve and get stronger!

I can't say I enjoy the daily butt kicking that Crossfit is.............but man am I loving the results!!!

Any way enough about Crossfit.......First Logan came down and gave me a cup full of cold water. He just sat it on my box jump and said, "I love you mom!" and walked back upstairs.

Then a little later he comes down with a card he had drawn and had help from Justin writing me a message which said....."I really really love you mom!" He even brought me some little jewels because I am a princess he said! He wouldn't really interrupt me, he would just walk in and put down his gifts and walk out. I would tell him "thank you, you are such a good boy..........I love you Logie Bear!" Then I showed him how to make a heart with your hands and every time he came down I would give him the heart sign. He was just beaming and to be honest so was I! He asked me if I needed more water and of course I did. The second time he came down with water the cup had tape with hearts drawn on it! Such a creative little 5 year old! He did a great job drawing all sizes of hearts! Logan just loves to draw, he isn't that into coloring but drawing he loves! I love his little heart people! Logan just loves giving me the heart sign now! Thank you Logie for being such a sweet boy! He just made my day...........I wanted to stay down working out longer just to see all the sweet things he was going to do for me! I Love You Logie Bear!

Lazer Tag Baby

2011-10-23T09:28:00.001-07:00

So it's no secret that we have quite a few Lazer tag guns. I just love loading up my kids and their friends and heading out to the paintball arena for some Lazer Tag!

Kiersten asked a couple of friends but they were already busy and we were running out of time to call anyone else for her. She is such a good sport and said it was just fine. I promised her we'd plan a time that a couple of her friends could play some rounds of Lazer Tag. This is Kiersten, Jarrett and Logan Hunter, Jacob and Justice

The Nelson boys have become some of our great friends. We just love these three boys and their parents are equally as great!

We grabbed some drinks, pizza and cupcakes (leftover from the Strings Halloween Party) and headed out to play!

After having a great time out at the paintball arena, it had gotten too dark but we weren't ready to quit playing so I took the kids to the Safford park where we played some more Lazer Tag.

The kids were being so good and earned a treat, so we walked to the DQ for some ice cream. I told them we had to eat cheap and everyone was okay with that. They either got dilly bars, star kisses or shared a blizzard. Everyone was so happy! I can't count the number of times the Nelson boys and my kids thanked me for taking them to play Lazer Tag. It was a fun filled night. Justin wasn't feeling that great so I dropped Mr. Grant off to him at work and he decided not to join us for the fun. Justin was in bed asleep by the time we got home, poor guy!

1st Annual Musical Hayride & Halloween Party

2011-10-23T09:27:00.002-07:00

This year Mrs. Kim Skinner and her strings students decided to do something different instead of a traditional fall concert. So they had a musical hayride.

There are about 30 kids grades 2nd-6th that are a part of strings.

The kids were way excited..........this was the same day as the Apple Annie's Orchard field trip so it was a busy, busy day to say the least. Jacob, Hunter and Justice We invited all the strings students as well as their families to participate.

Out of all 30 students only one couldn't make it.

Kiersten and her group of friends

McKyla, Jaralyn, Kiersten, Sarah, Samantha, and Hanna

Some of the kids even wore their Halloween costumes. They were either suppose to wear Halloween colors or costumes.

I made a route for the hayride. It began at our house, we went to 5 places, 3 widows homes, the Mulberry House, and a party that was at the Hancock Park, then ended up back at our house for the Halloween Party and dinner.

This is the students playing for Horrace Carter a widower.

The kids did a fabulous job at each spot!

Mr. DeRusha came as well and even brought his son Nick.

Mr. DeRusha played his guitar and Nick played the symbols. Gail Bryce even came and accompanied the kids on the keyboard.

Kiersten and the three other girls in pink had a special violin number "The Pink Panther." They even made up a dance routine to it. It was super cute and they did a great job on it.

That's Kim playing with her students.

This was at Aunt Tillie's house.

My parents came down to help Aunt Tillie get out to her porch. Aunt Tillie even had cookies for all the kids!

These are some of the ladies at the Mulberry House.

They were so appreciative of us coming.

It was a great way to start off the Holiday season!

Doesn't Hunter look adorable all decked out in his cowboy duds!

Once we got back to our house we had all kinds of yummy soups, desserts and rolls.

All the parents were so kind to help out and bring something.

Mrs. Williams, the director of DPA, even came and played games with the kids.

This is her roping with Hunter.

Hunter was just in heaven having Mrs. Williams roping with him! It looked like she really enjoyed it as well.

There were probably about 85 people at our house.

I just loved it!

It was so fun and the kids were all well behaved.

Everyone enjoyed the food and the beautiful weather.

I am thinking this might become an annual thing.

But even Justin said he could handle doing this every year.

There were kids everywhere outside.

I had a few games.........bobbing for apples was one of them.

This is Andrew Taylor and Colton Smart.

Kendall Moore is the one attempting to get an apple in this picture.

That's Hunter.........he did a great job getting his apple! He was so happy he got it on the first try! We also had bubbles (left over from Mr. Grant's party) that the kids enjoyed. And the kids loved the gunny sack races.

These are the Pink Panther Girls

They were phenomenal!

Mrs. Williams gave a short speech about what a wonderful teacher Kim Skinner is. The kids were all good and came over and sat down quietly during it.

We all couldn't believe how good the kids behaved during Mrs. Williams speech and the whole night really.

It was such a fun evening..........the kids played their violins so well and the party was a huge success.

Chalkboard wall is a success!

2011-10-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to paint a wall in my house with that chalkboard paint.

My dear friend Steph has a cute wall in her house with it and I just loved it.

I put it on the wall right when you come in from the garage........right where I can see it from my office niche.

I often leave notes for my kids on it.........

but I remember what a good idea it was every time I find notes like this!!!

I highly recommend having a chalkboard wall to anyone with little kids!

Not Everyone Appreciates Our Cluff Humor

2011-10-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

So today Hunter knew I had made arraignments with Kelley, Justice's mom to have him come over to play. He didn't know the exact time, just that it would be after lunch. So he had asked me at least a dozen times in a thirty minute time span, if I had heard from Justice's mom yet.

I kept telling him, "no son not yet!"

Finally he came over to me and said mom can you text Kelley and ask when we can go get Justice.

I told him, "I just did and we are meeting her in 20 minutes."

Hunter responded with, "Well that was a waste of me talking huh?"

I quickly and harshly said, "yes it was..... so shut your mouth!"

He looked at me and we both started laughing!

Hunter said, "That was so funny mom!"

Hunter is funny to me and apparently he REALLY thought it was funny because he not only told a couple of our neighbors that story. He also felt the need to tell it to a lady who was behind us in the check out line at Walmart. She, on the other hand, did not find it so funny......she looked at me like I was a bad mom for telling my kid to "shut his mouth!" She just shook her head and didn't seem amused.

I don't get it......wasn't that funny?

Salsa Fest

2011-09-30T16:57:00.001-07:00

Kiersten is in her second year of Company and LOVIN' it!

During the summer she attended Intense Dance Camp for a week. Which was Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00 and she was so happy to go each day!

So the Salsa Fest was last weekend and her first chance to perform.

Hunter and Logan are in an all boys Hip Hop and Tap class this year.

They were thrilled when they found out they'd be able to perform at the Salsa Fest as well.

Nice picture huh? Yeah the boys faces look so funny! It was so hot and sunny and hard to keep your eyes open for a picture :) Kiersten is in Hot Shots this year! She is the one in the front center..........this was her group doing their "Wanna Be" routine. They totally rock at this routine. They also did "Party Rock Anthem" which included all company dancers..........they learned it at intense dance camp. I got several comments on how impressive of a dancer Kiersten is. She really does steal the show when she is dancing!

Just push play to see a few seconds of their dance!

This is the boys hip hop group. Logan is the second from the left and Hunter is the last on the right. Now I wished I had video taped the whole dance. It was super cute and they only had practiced it for one class time.............so awesome job boys!

So it's our tradition to go to the Salsa Fest with the Pryor's and this year was no exception. We decided to watch the kids perform and then taste all the salsas. Yeah Bad Idea!!! The salsas were ALL GONE! I guess less people entered then last year and tons more came to taste. So next year we won't make this mistake.....it will be salsa tasting first and then watching the kids perform. It was so sad to miss out on tasting all those wonderful salsas. I had even skipped lunch just to be ready to take in all those chips and salsa............yeah I should have eaten!

Our Little Monster Turns Two!

2011-09-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

So sad to have our baby turn two!

It has been such a fun two years with Mr. Grant!

Man does he love his brothers and sister!

All day long, not kidding, he asks, "Where Titen (Kiersten)?", "Where Hunten (Hunter)?", "Where Logie (Logan)?", "Where daddy?" now he has started asking, "Where Dammy (Grammy)?"

He now asks those same questions, then wants me to ask him what he asked me, and he gives me the answer!

For example he says, "Where Titan?"

I respond, " Where is Kiersten?"

He says, "sool! (school)"

He asks, "Where Dammy?"

I respond, "Where is Grammy?"

he replys, "Dammy at work?"

It is so cute and boy does he talk good. So many people comment on how well he talks. Guess we might not get free preschool out of Mr. Grant, but I can still hope :)

On Mr. Grant's actual birthday we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. He was so happy to get to blow out the candles!!! He was good at blowing them out and wanted them re lit several times! And man did he devour his cinnamon roll! Can you say Sugar High? The other kids were just as excited about the cinnamon rolls and blowing out candles. Our tradition is to let all the kids blow out candles on each others birthdays.............you're never too old to enjoy blowing out candles I don't think! Mr. Grant got a new putt-putt from mom and dad! We decided to have a Monster Themed Birthday Party for Mr. Grant. It seemed all too fitting..........we have been calling him "our little monster" for months now! So it started with making fun invitations! I think they turned out great! Kiersten, Hunter and Justin all helped me glue together these gift bags. They turned out so cute! I just love Oriental Trading Company! I traded out pictures with Debbie Green for Mr. Grant's cake.

It turned out cute..........thanks Debbie!

In going with our Monster theme I decided to serve "Monster Kid Food", just like the invitations said, for dinner.

That basically translates into Lots of Sugary Cold Cereals!

The kids thought that was awesome.........and it made several of the parents happy as well!

We decided with 25 kids in attendance we'd do a regular pinata and risk the chance of someone getting pelted with a bat.

Our Little Monster!

I didn't realize my camera settings had accidentally been switched so the quality of these pictures isn't that great............which makes me sad!

I got all of us Monster shirts for the party!

I think they turned out great! I wasn't going to get shirts for Justin and myself, but Justin asked me if I did and I said "No". He said, "Well why not!"

So I ended up ordering us shirts as well.............I just LOVE itsy.com.

Hunter and Logan were oh so excited about their monster knitted hats that I got them.

Pretty cute looking Monster Family if you ask me!

I love that Justin thinks my LOVE of birthday parties is awesome! He is so supportive and helps me with anything I ask to get ready for our parties. Although, he was quite grouchy when I asked him if he could go get our LARGE cafeteria table back from the school for Mr. Grant's party. The school badly needed more seating for lunch time and I offered to let them borrow our school cafeteria table (That my dad got us for $50 at an auction) until they are able to get another table themselves. I did make sure they knew I want my table back...........that thing has came in handy often!

So seeing Justin pretty grouchy about getting that table I recruited JP to help him go get it. That made all the difference in the world. Thanks babe for all your help!

All the kids got to make a monster pin if they wanted.

Josh Biggs was so happy to show me his monster pin!

I made homemade bubbles.............10 gallons of it to be exact. Thanks to my creative cousin, Alison Parker. Thanks Al...........the bubbles were the hit of the party! And everyone enjoyed blowing bubbles just using their hands, just like you said! But I should have listened to the part where you said that it would kill your grass..............cause boy howdy does it!!! With the 6 gallons I have left over I will make sure the kids blow bubbles on the basketbal court or in the front drive!

Wow, now that is some bubble Kiersten!

It was a little windy which cause a challenge to the bubbles, but the kids had fun just the same.

Logan, Josh, Jared and Uncle Dustin

These two boys were so funny to watch they were singing a little jingle while making their bubbles.

Kaely and Kiersten had fun making bubbles together!

The kids enjoying their nutritious dinner of cold cereal.

Easiest party food I have EVER done!!! And a HUGE hit with the kids!

Logan and Ryker on the left and Jared, Katelynn and Mayila on the right

Uncle Brad playing with Mr. Grant

We had about 40 people come help us celebrate!

Mr. Grant wasn't quite sure what to do with the wrapped gifts?

Luckily there were lots of older kids there to help him. He didn't mind them unwrapping his gifts, which was nice! And he didn't care if the truck still was in the packaging..........it was still fun!

Mr. Grant just loves airplanes!

He goes nuts when he sees, or even just hears, them in the sky!

So he was very happy to get toy airplanes from Kiersten!

I had been singing Happy Birthday to Mr. Grant for days now. I would often find him singing it to himself. Of course he would not do it when I wanted to video tape him or on cue to show someone. So it has just been something I have been able to enjoy. It's just so cute............infact as I am sitting to type up this post he saw the pictures and is now singing........."Haddy bortday..........cha, cha.........Haddy Bortday.........cha, cha...............Haddy Bortday to you!"

He got the cha, cha part from his older siblings always singing cha, cha, cha after every line in the birthday song.

Mr. Grant got to go first and he loved hitting that monster with the bat!

All the kids waiting for their turn. I am happy to report that no one got hit with the baseball bat.........thank goodness!!! It was such a fun party to plan and to throw!

Happy Birthday Monster!

There are so many things I love about my Mr. Grant.........but to name two since he is two....

#1 He often comes up to me and gives me a big hug out of the blue........and he is constantly saying, "I Lob You!" or "I Lob You Too!"

#2 He gets so excited to see his older siblings...........it's just too cute. When I have to run to the school for PTO stuff or help with something there and I have him with me, he will just cry when he has to say goodbye to the kids! When I pick the kids up from school Mr. Grant is practically screaming their names and won't stop until they acknowledge him!

Thanks for being such a fun, adorable boy!

We All LOB You Mr. Grant.............Our Little Monster!!!

No Vacations, No Chicago Trips..... have Paid Off

2011-09-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

Not taking a family vacation, you know the 5 to 7 day vacation kind, for two years hasn't been a highlight for me. We also haven't made the trip to visit my sister in Chicago for two years now. Before this the kids and I (sometimes Justin) visited Chicago every summer for 7 years! Due to everything from financial limitations at times.......... to Justin not feeling like he could take any time off work have resulted in our travel drought.

Now don't feel sorry for us.....that's not what I am trying to say at all. We have gone on some fun trips just Justin and I and we have taken many simple camping trips or weekend trips with the kids over the past two years. So we have been having fun just no Chicago and no full fledged family vacation!

It just seems like every family vacation we have planned hasn't worked out. San Diego trip for last Labor day weekend didn't work out. Then Lego Land didn't work out for Spring Break like planned because Justin couldn't get away from the company. That trip was postponed to the summer..........well that never happened. Justin just didn't feel like he could take a full week off this summer. Heck he barely made it to one baseball game for Hunter and Logan during the whole season.

Justin and I decided that due to our missing out on our traditional Chicago trips and no big family vacations we'd invest that money saved in something that would benefit our family greatly. We also decided to skip giving each other birthday gift this past year and put that money towards our goal as well.

So after months and months and months of research (Justin is a Research King) ...............we invested in Our Family Year Supply!

It is very exciting to finally have a full years worth of food for our family and know that it doesn't need to be rotated!!! We still need to work on adding more water to our year supply and other items as well.........always something to work on right!

One of the best advantages of this type of year supply is that the food doesn't go bad for 25 year AND Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay......it doesn't need to be rotated. Actually in 25 years the food won't be "bad" it just starts to loose it's nutritional value. But less nutritious food verses no food at all........that's a no brainer!

We liked this company first because it was the most affordable one, second it comes in nice plastic buckets so no mice or bugs can get in. They are all in individual meal bags as well, inside the buckets. All you have to do is add warm water to the packets and wait a few minutes and it's ready. The few samples Justin and I tried were actually quite good! Third you can order it in any amount you wish. A lot of the companies we looked at you had to buy at least a 3 month supply, but these guys let you buy in a month supply, if you wish.

I am grateful to have invested our "fun money" in something that for years and years the prophets and apostles have commanded us to work on getting.

I believe we are blessed, regardless of the quantity of our year supply, but on our endeavours to follow the counsel given!!

So I guess no vacations paid off this time. Now we just need to pay the remainder off our credit card and life will be good!

We Have Ourselves a Cub Scout!!!

2011-09-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

What a handsome young man we have here!

Hunter was thrilled beyond words to finally be in cub scouts. Unfortunately he can't make it to his weekly scout meeting because he has hip hop at the same time. But he was way excited about the Bike Rodeo Pack Meeting!!

Grampy Boswell got his older (smaller, easier to ride) bike all ready for him. Justin just couldn't find the time to get it fixed with all the craziness going on at work. Drivers dumping asphalt in the middle of the road, Workman's comp court hearings, the crazy job in Clifton, etc., etc...the list went on and on the past few weeks. Kind of seems like it's always some drama there at CKC! But thanks to Grampy, as is well in the bike rodeo department. And Justin did promise Hunter that no matter what happened at the office; he would make it to his first Pack Meeting, and Justin did!! My dad is always so good to help us out! Thanks dad for being so great!!! And thanks Justin for putting Hunter first.............I know it wasn't easy with every thing going on at work lately!

Hunter was so excited about his scout shirt!

Isn't he gorgeous!!

This was a little before Pack Meeting. I tried to get Hunter to eat dinner but he said he was, "just too excited to eat!!" So we compromised and he ate an apple!

The bike rodeo was a big hit! Hunter had a wonderful time. Eric Blair is the scout master and boy is he creative. The boys are so lucky to have him in there!! Now I just have to figure out how to fit this scout stuff in...........especially considering we'll be doing it all at home for now. Hunter was bummed to know it wouldn't work out for him to go to the weekly meetings, but what can you do?

The War Rages On

2011-09-30T10:20:00.001-07:00

After 8 months at peace............ the popcorn war rages on!

So Logan's new bike we got him in July, got stolen from our front yard, along with my mountain bike from my ASU days. Can I just tell you how violated you feel having something stolen from your house or at least I did!!! Logan was sure upset when he found out about his bike. He just loves to ride bikes! Any way on with the story....

So Wendy calls me one day and says she put a new tire on Ryker's old bike if I want to let Logan use it until I can get him a new bike. I say sure............she says she'll just leave it outside the front door sometime that day. I didn't think anything of that conversation.

That is until the UPS man is at the door with a package and says, "nice bike!"

Hilarious! Seeing Wendy's popcorn (because it truly is hers), as a tire on that bike just made my day and I am pretty sure it made the UPS mans day too! I am sure he already knew Pima people are crazy.....ha, ha.... So the creativity juices need to start flowing people!

Grammy's Birthday Sleepovers

2011-09-30T10:11:00.001-07:00

That Mother-in-law of mine is AMAZING!!!

Several years ago she started a new tradition, once her grand kids turn 3 she takes them for a birthday sleep over. She takes them to the dollar store where they get to pick out as many toys as they are old. Once they get a little older she lets them pick a toy out at Walmart in the amount that they are old. She lets them pick where they want to have dinner. She even buys them a movie to watch that night.

Everyone of my kids LOVES this individual time they get to spend with their Grammy!

I am so grateful my kids have such a wonderful Grammy!

I asked Hunter if he wanted to wear this cute outfit and he said,

"Yeah baby I can be Grammy's Hero for the night!!

The back of his shirt says, "When I grown up I want to be a hero".....so I think that is where he got that from, but you never know with Hunter. Thanks mom for being so amazing............my kids are truly blessed because of you!

Hunter had a wonderful time of course. He was so excited to pick out Fruity Pebbles for breakfast. I never buy those because man do they make a mess, once those things harden up they are a pain to get off the table. So kudos to Grammy for letting him buy those!! Maybe when I am a Grandma I will buy them..........LOL!

The Construction Following the Party!

2011-09-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

You'd think with all the Lego sets Hunter got for his birthday he'd be busy for awhile. Yeah not so much.............within two days he had them all put together.

He even finished he technic dump truck! He was so excited with this one..........it is electric. I am always impressed when Hunter can put together these electric Lego sets! Great job Hunter!!! But man oh man Hunter now wants all the expensive Lego sets..............and boy can they get pricey. I don't even want to think how much we have invested in Lego's. But they do add great decoration to Hunter's Lego bedroom, so that's awesome!

Monster Trucks

2011-09-17T11:13:00.002-07:00

Logan was way excited when we told him we were going to see Monster Trucks. Hunter ended up going with his friend Justice to a rodeo in Duncan, so with his ticket I invited Ryker to come with us. They were both so excited!

Logan, Ryker and Kiersten They were excited to meet some of the drivers

They had a track hoe made into a dragon. Man did Logan and Ryker like that!

They each got to pick a monster truck toy. These two little boys are like brothers............they just crack me up! I told Kiersten she could get something else but she decided to get a monster truck for Hunter. That girl is always thinking of someone other then herself!

The boys loved watching the dragon eating the trucks.

We all enjoyed watching this fire truck that blew out fire. It was way cool and my favorite part of the show. After you've been to a Monster Truck Jam, this really didn't compare but it was fun for Safford!

Hey fire is just cool! So it might not have been as cool as the big guys but it was fun to get out with the kids. So all in all the Monster trucks were a big hit with Logan and Ryker.........well Safford style Monster Trucks!

Seriously Someone is Going to Turn Me in to CPS soon

2011-09-17T11:13:00.001-07:00

So a couple of weeks after the stitches incident we had two other accidents.

On a Thursday in the morning I was cooking eggs for breakfast and Logan was helping me stir the eggs in the pan. When they were done I started to dish them out and as Logan was getting down from the stool he put his hand right on the stove top.

It burnt his hand pretty good! So he went to school with a bandaged hand.

Well that same day at school during recess Hunter was playing football and got his finger bent back. He came home complaining about it hurting but I kept hoping it was just jammed. I figured they wouldn't even x-ray it any ways. The following day he just kept complaining that it hurt and he is pretty tough for his age..........he did walk on a broken foot for a week before I took him to the doctor.

Any way after talking with my friend Wendy I decided to take him to the doctor. We saw Dr. Sue, she sent us to get an x-ray and told me to buddy tape it and get a splint for it. She said she'd call with the results but that she thought it was most likely broken. She later called to say that it had a small fracture but that it wasn't out of alignment so that was great news. She did say that they have found that fingers that get broken in youth and don't heal properly end up causing worse arthritis later in life, then normal. So she said you do want to get it checked out just to be sure its going to heal up right. Good thing I listen to Wendy because I wasn't going to take him in until she talked me into it!

So just weeks after having Kiersten with stitches I have to send Logan to school with burnt fingers all bandaged up and Hunter to school with a broken ring finger all bandaged up.

Seriously I am just waiting for the visit from CPS!

Lego Birthday Party

2011-09-17T11:12:00.001-07:00

Often, but not always, our parties start with the invitations. Hunter's Lego Birthday party was no exception. He was thrilled when I showed him my plans for the invites! I believe he thanked me at least 8 times for making such cool invitations.

I used large Lego blocks and build a small square. I wrote with a black marker all the party info.....It read, "Come Build Some Fun at Hunter Cluff's 8th Birthday Party!"

Then the other side had the details. I took the blocks apart and placed them in these clear bags so that the boys would have to put them together. I had my friend Krista Hancock make his cake......she did a great job as always! Hunter was so excited when he saw his cake. A Lego man and extra Lego blocks made the cake extra fun! Hunter liked the flag that said "8" cause he is eight now. We had a few square or block candies sitting out for the boys to enjoy. They all liked the Lego block candies that you can actually build with! We played a few relay games..... The first game was the Lego Spoon Race. The teams were split up on opposite sides of the basketball court with half of each team on each side. I placed a Lego block in a spoon and each team had to hold the spoon and run to the other side of the court where they handed the spoon and Lego block over to the next team member. If they dropped the Lego they had to pick it up and start over again. They were fun to watch! They cheered so good for each other.

There were 12 boys at the party! Actually 13 if we count Mr. Grant!

The next relay game each person on the teams had a Lego piece. They had to hold the Lego piece under their chins by pressing it against their chests............no hands could be used to hold the Lego piece.

They had to run to the opposite end of the court and place the Lego piece in a small plastic container, without using their hands. It was hilarious to watch them!!

After a few games we let the boys just have some play time which they really enjoyed!

Hunter opted for sub sandwiches from Subway...........great choice Bud!

What a bunch of good looking boys!

We then played a game where the boys each got a sticky hand and they tried to use it to "grab" as many Lego pieces as they could. They had a ball trying to do this. They had a hard time when their turn was over.....they just wanted to play it over and over again.

Hunter just loved every minute of this party! It was the perfect party for him because he loves Lego's so much!

After that game and dinner it was time for the building of Lego race cars.

I had gotten a nice big used lot of Lego wheels and axles off eBay which made it perfect for building cars.

I was a little worried that there would be boys not interested in building with Lego's, but boy was I wrong. I am not kidding the boys built and then rebuilt their cars and trucks for over 45 minutes. Twelve boys from age 5-10 sat quietly for 45 minutes and built with Lego's. Even Justin could not believe his eyes.............I was shocked myself!

Once they knew they got to take their Lego cars home with them as Hunter's gift to them, then things got serious. They were so excited that they got to keep them and then the building was ON!

It was great to see everyone so excited!

Justice Nelson, Hunter, Kendall Moore and Bradlee

Logan just thought he was one of the big boys. All the boys were so nice to include everyone. There were friends from school, neighbor friends and cousins; so I was a little worried that they might not all mesh well. But they did...............aren't kids amazing!

This really went on for 45 minutes! And they were surprisingly quite!

What a fun group of boys!

Jacob was very excited about keeping his Lego car. It was so cute to see his excitement!

Kendall, Doyle and Logan getting ready to race their cars down the slide.

Treven, Justice and Hunter

Carsen Davis, Hunter's neighbor friend.....isn't he adorable!

During one point of the party Carsen excitedly said,

"This is the BEST party I have ever been to and it's not even mine!!!"

It was super cute and I was glad to know he was having a great time!

Bradlee and Declen.....Hunter's school buddies!

They are such good boys!

The final masterpieces!

What a bunch of fun boys! Mr. Grant was in heaven with all these friends!

Silly Hunter

Make it a good wish!

One more game..........

we had put a Lego piece in each balloon and then blew them up. We then tied the balloon's to each boys ankle. They had to try and pop each others balloons. What a HOOT watching these boys run around trying to pop each others balloon without getting their balloon popped.

It was hilarious!

Crazy boys

Then it was on to presents. Hunter was excited to get another Lego set! Ya just can't go wrong with Lego's when it comes to Hunter!

Following the presents the boys all played a few rounds of Laser Tag. They couldn't believe we had Laser Tag Guns for everyone. It was a huge hit and they all wanted to stay longer, or come back to play Laser Tag again. It had began to rain so the Laser Tag ended up being in the house. The boys had a blast running through the upstairs and basement. I have never regretted investing in our Laser Tag guns! Such a great time for all ages!!!

Happy Birthday to My Favorite Lego Builder!!

Our Study on Urgent Cares across the US Continues..........

2011-09-17T11:10:00.002-07:00

Can you say Ouch!!

You'll never guess who's chin this is??

Most would guess Hunter or Logan, but not this time. It is actually Kiersten's chin..........our least accident prone child....LOL!

After only 30 minutes of swimming at the hotel pool, Hunter pushed Kiersten in the pool.........all in fun of course. She happened to be at the corner of the pool so when he pushed her she basically landed on the other side of the pool and caught her chin on the edge.

I saw it happen and knew right away it wasn't going to be a scratch!

Justin had stayed back in the room watching TV. So I have Kiersten crying, mostly because I said she'd need stitches, then I have Hunter who is hysterical and Logan who is scared about the whole thing!

Hunter was so so upset and just kept saying, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt her!!!"

It truly took longer to get Hunter calmed down then it did to calm Kiersten. It was nice to see he had a great deal of remorse for the accident.

Kiersten was way nervous about getting stitches. I guess I have told them about getting stitches as a kid and how bad the shot that they give you is. It seemed like they put that shot right in the wound......that was worse then getting the cut in the first place, I thought. I had stitches ones in my head and once on my lip as a kid.

But man have things improved!!! There was no shot at all.............they put some gel on her chin and bandaged it up for about 20 minutes, then they came back in and she was numb. So the doctor got to work on stitching her up. She was a good sport! I tried to get Hunter to wait in the waiting room with Justin, Logan and Mr. Grant but he wouldn't have it. He insisted on going in with Kiersten........it's all about revenge now I told Hunter! You can see a little bit of truth in that statement in Kiersten's eyes in this picture. This was while we were waiting for the doctor to come back to stitch her up. So she was still worried she would feel the doctor putting in the stitches. The doctor was great and reassured Kiersten that if she did feel pain, not pressure that she needed to tell him and he would get more of the numbing stuff. That kind of put her at ease! I bet Grammy Boswell could do amazing stitches if she had the stomach for it. I was surprised it didn't bother me to watch the doctor. Kiersten was such a trooper. The last stitch was a little hard because the doctor thinks the numbing stuff didn't get put all the way across the wound. Kiersten didn't even cry but you could tell she was feeling some of it, unlike the other 4 stitches. The doctor even apologized but told her how tough she was! So 5 stitches later things were much, much better. This ended up making going to Sun splash out of the question!! What luck we have! I bet at least 50% of our trips out of town as a family end up with a trip to an Urgent Care or an ER. Hunter and Kiersten learned a huge lesson about not pushing each other into the pool. It was tough to take because it meant they'd have to wait another year to experience Sun splash! But it was nice to see how much they truly care about each other and what tender hearts they have. The next day when the kids were spending their money and picking out a toy from mom and dad. Kiersten spend all but $10 of her own money buying a birthday present for Hunter. It was remarkable to Justin and I that she would think to do that less then 24 hours after he pushed her and she ended up with stitches. She has such a sweet personality and is extremely forgiving to say the least. Hunter has a tender heart too because once he knew Kiersten was buying him a Lego set he put back the toy he had pick to spend his chore money on and he got Kiersten a owl stuffed animal and some little things for her collection. Even though this little accident ruined our plans it ended up being a sweet lesson!

Labor Day Surprise

2011-09-17T11:10:00.001-07:00

We usually go camping for Labor Day Weekend but with Hunter's baptism and Brian and Tif using our toy hauler we decided to do something else.

Justin had Monday off..........which is rare, there are few holidays they take off for so we thought we better get out of town while we could.

The kids had no idea what we were doing. I pack everything and made the kids clean out the Maxima.....then we told them we were kidnapping them!

They were so surprised and excited!

Justin took Hunter with him to gas up the car. I guess because it was Hunter's birthday Justin was feeling nice and let Hunter get this HUGE $3.00 jawbreaker sucker. Justin would never normally get one of these for the kids so once I told Hunter that he realized how special he was and that his Dad loved him!

Well I could have rang Justin's neck because seriously this white chalky stuff got every where. All over Hunter and seriously all over the back of my car!!! GESH PEOPLE!!!

Guess you should buy your kids one of these and then take them to the public pool or something but definitely not on a 2 1/2 hour drive!!!

I had to take a picture because I know I will never let me kids have one of these again.........LOL!

So we surprised the kids by taking them down to Mesa for the rest of the weekend. Our plan was to take them to Sun splash on Monday. They have be wanting to go there for quite awhile...........they've never been there before so we thought it's be a great surprise. And it was.................you'd have thought we were taking them to Disneyland or something huge! We were able to leave Mr. Grant with my mother-in-law. She was so sweet and offered to keep him...........thank you so much! He would have been a mess at Sun splash. Well until Monday we played at the pool at the hotel. The kids just had a ball! We were at the pool the next morning all of probably 30 minutes and Cluff luck stuck! Kiersten and Hunter had been pushing each other in.......all in fun of course. I kept telling them someone was going to get hurt..................and yeah they did. Full details of that event are in a separate post, but lets just say Sun splash was now not an option and it included a trip to the Urgent Care. Yes we are still conducting our Study of Urgent Cares Across the US! Logan has been able to swim on his own since he was 2 1/2. Whenever we are at hotels people away comment, especially when he was younger, on how good of a summer he is. Yep he is a fish! And he can do a great BOMB! Since Sun splash was out we decided to let the kids pick out one toy just to keep the trip fun and exciting. Logan picked out a pocket remote control car.........which is actually well made and great fun! He was so happy with it. We watched "The Zookeeper" at the Superstition Mall theater and then let the kids play out in the court yard since it was evening and the sun had gone down. Logan had a blast showing off his remote control skills to the crowd! On Monday, the planned day for Sun splash, we let the kids swim in the hotel pool for a bit. But someone had to keep their chin above water......other post will connect all the dots! But this picture kind of gives you a clue! Her daddy spoiled her with rides on his back! After the facts of the accident at the pool, Kiersten spent most of her chore money buying a birthday present for Hunter. WOW what an example! I don't know very many kids (or grown ups for that matter) that would spent their money, not 24 hours later, buying something for the person that had caused them to get 5 stitches. Hunter was so humbled by this that he put back a toy that he was buying for himself and decided to surprise Kiersten with an owl stuffed animal and some little things for her collection. It was nice to see them treat each other so good! They really are wonderful, caring kids! Hunter just had a blast with his lego set and of course put it together in 15 minutes. We were nice fun parents and let the kids get their legs in at the water at the Superstition mall. They were so excited! I am so happy to be married to my Best Friend! Justin and I were high school sweet hearts and have been a part of each others lives for 20 years now. I can not imagine my life without him! Not that it's been complete bliss but any means......we have been through hell and back to be honest. I am just so happy to be back from hell and on to the good stuff!!!! Thanks babe for being wonderful and for treating me so good! All I do know is that being where we are now was worth the wait, years of tears and hell! Sorry that is the nicest way I can put it......some of you know what I mean so I am sure you'd agree! I just love Justin so much! He is a wonderful husband, father and friend! After the pool time on Monday the kids wanted to go paint at As You Wish. They each picked out whatever they wanted to paint and we got started. Logan picked a dinosaur (not surprising), Hunter got a dragon, and Kiersten picked an owl. It was great fun just watching my kids enjoy being creative! Justin "helping" or taking over Logan's project. Hunter was so happy with how is dragon was turning out! Dinosaur Loving Logan He has loved dinosaur since he was about 3. I told Justin at the beginning that he should pick something to paint but he said he didn't want to. Well Logan asked for a little help painting the teeth and Justin ended up painting the whole dinosaur over again to make it one solid color. It was so cute to watch Justin be so serious about his painting job. See he should have gotten his own :)

Everyone was so happy with their final projects!

We ended up having to take them home with us to have them fired here in Safford. But a week later we had them back and they now decorate the kids rooms.

While we were in Mesa we ate at lots of yummy places including The Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Ihop and Texas Roadhouse shown here. The kids love going to the Texas Roadhouse where they get to throw the peanut shells on the floor.

On our way out of town we stopped at the mall again to do a little shopping. And for the first time in history Justin spent more money at the mall then ME! Yeah not something I am proud of............LOL!

Hunter talked his dad into letting him get a remote control helicopter, even though he only had half the money for it at the time. No one was worried though because Justin will make sure Hunter pays him back in full after his birthday party. Well Justin ended up getting himself a large remote control helicopter as well. It was so cute to see Justin acting much like a little boy. I just had to have a picture of my two cute boys! I think Hunter was thrilled that his dad got a helicopter too! Hunter made sure to bring up the fact they him and his dad like the same things and how much they are alike. It amazes me how much a boy needs and admires his dad. And the same is true for a girl and her mom.

I remind Justin of this often, especially when he works so much that he starts missing the kids stuff. He did make good this summer on getting to ONE yes only ONE of the boys baseball games but I was so happy that he made the decision and got to at least one game. He says he often gets so wrapped up in the company that he forgets the kids need him too. He tries to say I do such a great job at doing stuff with the kids, getting them to all their activities and whatnot and that he knows they are well cared for that he forgets he needs to be involved as well. That is a nice compliment but the fact is that no matter what I do with the boys it doesn't seem to add up to what Justin does with them. I am totally fine with this reality but I just have to keep showing Justin and reminding him of the truth of it.

I try to be super understanding because I know he handles an extreme amount of pressure and stress in helping run the company. I have to say he does a wonderful job!!! For our family keeping things balanced to where Justin attends stuff with the kids and I is our constant battle. But he says he needs my reminders and is always willing to trying and figure out how he can do it all! He is amazing!

I have to say the one CONSISTENT piece of advice I get from people who have raised their families is,

"Do as much as you can with your kids while you can!"

I try to remember this advice always!

All in all our Mesa trip was great fun even though we didn't make it to Sun splash!

Made My Day...

2011-09-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was driving home from Maddie's birthday party with the kids (Justin had to work late so he didn't join us). Hunter was sitting next to me in the passenger seat of the Nissan Maxima, better known as "Grey Thunder." Everyone was quiet in the car because it was past their bed times slightly and they were tired from playing at the party...........

Out of the blue, Hunter reached over and placed his hand on mine, leaned over and said,

"Thanks for such a great life mom!"

I'd have to say that was a wonderful way to end the day.......priceless!

Who Knew?

2011-09-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

That a bottle of dish soap, sprinklers and a trampoline could cause this much excitement? My sweet friend, Mary Biggs, is about to have her 4th boy and we all know how those last days of pregnancy feel. So I invited her three boys over for the afternoon/evening to give her a much needed break. She is a wonderful friend and always so good to let my boys venture over to her house.

Kiersten had been wanting to turn the sprinklers on the trampoline.......so we decided to add a little more fun by getting out the dish soap.

Boy Oh Boy did these kids have FUN!

We also somehow got Taylor Allen added in to the crowd as well. He probably heard the fun and just came on down.........the neighborhood knows my doors are always open! Not sure how I will feed all these boys when they are teenagers :)

They spend hours off and on enjoying the slippery trampoline! It was so fun to watch them!

Zac, the youngest Bigg's brother, (until baby boy comes) decided it would be safer if he hung out with me. And so he got more snacks then the other kids, got the toys all to himself.........pretty smart boy if you ask me. We are so glad the Biggs family were able to stay in our neighborhood! We sure love and enjoy them!

Pretty Excited Girl....

2011-09-06T18:29:00.001-07:00

Kiersten's days of loosing teeth are getting few and far between.

So when she lost a tooth the other day she was so happy.

Well the next morning she looked under her pillow......and.....

NOTHING!!

She was so bummed........dang that tooth fairy!

But the next morning was more then worth the wait. Not only did the Tooth Fairy come, but she left $5.00 AND a note!

Yep that smile says it all! Kiersten was almost as excited about the tiny note as she was about the cash! She was very jealous a while back when Hunter received a tiny note from the Tooth Fairy and she never had. So it was a great day!

The note explains it all........so the Tooth Fairy really did come the night before ;)

I knew the Tooth Fairy wouldn't have forgotten!