The Cluff Family

Monday, June 28, 2010

Happiest Place On Earth

The last week of May the ENTIRE Bowen family took a long overdue trip to Disneyland. Even Nate and Heather's family came all the way from Alaska. What a treat for all the cousins to spend fun-filled days together! We were very brave and brought our three month old Gwennie along. She is not known around these parts as a "cheerful" baby so we knew it was a risk. She and I spent plenty of one on one time in the "magical" mother's lounge, but all in all she was much better than we expected. Our little family is definitely at a different stage than we have been in the past. Big kids want to ride big rides...no Toon Town for us. I am glad we have our little caboose to reintroduce us to the "little kids" Disneyland. The whole trip was a huge success and we enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks Dad and Mom for memories that will last a lifetime.

Cluff Family May 2010 Jackson (12) Bowen (8) Gwen (3mon) Cooper (5) Courtney (14)

Entire Bowen Family at Goofy's Kitchen

Gwennie all dolled up for Disneyland. I can't help it-I needed another girl.

Daddy and Gwen meeting Dale at Goofy's Kitchen

I made matching Minnie Mouse outfits and legwarmers for cousin, Gwen and Jane.

Heather, Ashley, Cole, Grandpa, Courtney and Kate in Bug Land

Grandpa running through the water with the grand kids. Always the kid at heart.

Grandpa on the rockets with Luke and Kate. That ride can make a person SICK!

A bunch of us stuffed into a beehive on the Winnie the Pooh ride.

Grandpa and Braxton. Best picture of my dad EVER. He does not enjoy the camera. at. all.

Courtney had such a great time taking Kate and the other littles on the rides. She was a good sport and did the Tea Cups many, many times.

Courtney and Cooper with Pluto

Kate, Weston, Cole, Luke, Garrett, and Cooper with Chip and Dale.

All the kids except Gwen and Jane

Kevin and Garrett getting bumped by Luke and Courtney.

The kids waiting for Indiana Jones.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Retired

After forty years of working harder than anyone I have ever met, my dad retired! You probobly can't believe it....I can't. He is way to young, but he did it anyway. Lucky dog.

I have always been very proud of my dad and his career. Growing up we toured many waste water treatment facilities on our way to our vacation destinations. I remember being amazed that my dad designed these complex and amazing places. I even got to work at my dad's office one summer, and with some of his colleagues another summer. The people my dad worked with trusted and respected him greatly.

I just have to mention my mom, who has supported my dad through all of it and filled in at home when he couldn't be there. Dad, I am proud of you and I love you dearly. Hopefully retirement means we will see you a lot more often down here in sunny St. George.

Monday, May 17, 2010

They're Burning Calories

What do we do every night? We go to baseball games, track meets, and basketball games.

Bowen is playing baseball.....

Good luck getting those pants clean!

I love a man in uniform

Bowen is always focused and intense.

Courtney is running track for Desert Hills High school.....

Isn't she cute in her little track get up?

Courtney runs the 100m, 200m, and 400m.

Jackson is playing on the 6th grade Desert Hills Gold team.......

He's short, but he's quick

He looks so grown up....stop it Jackson.

So much fun to watch!!!

3 Months

Our Gwennie is 3 months old already. Can you even believe it? I cannot. She is a dear. She is fussy. I have never had a fussy baby. It's hard. She is still the cutest stinker ever. She reminds me of her big sister. She is a petite little thing weighing in at 9 lbs 11 oz and 23 inches long. She eats good, and she sleeps really good. She also spends 85% of her life in the car with me running kids to and fro. I love to kiss her little toes and her soft cheeks. She is cooing a smiling up a storm and the kids adore her.

Side note: Bowen RULES at taking care of her. She never cries when he is by her. He has a calm and soothing effect on Little G. It amazes me.

Mothers Day 2010

This year I had such a wonderful Mother's Day! The best part of the whole weekend was spending tons of time with Carter and the kids. I wish I could freeze them right where they are right now. I am enjoying them so much. They are my friends and entertainment. They make me happy. So happy. Carter hired someone to come in and clean the blinds and baseboards for me. We have never. ever. had anyone do anything like this for us before, I loved it. I am a stresser and I was worried about getting my spring cleaning done this year in light of having a fussy baby. Carter knew this and found a very inexpensive lady to come an take care of it. It was heavenly. So while the house was being cleaned by someone other than me, we took the kids to the Cotton Days parade, went to the park and had lunch, played Frisbee and even took a nap in the sun. Blissful.

The kids watching the parade...not much to look at, but TONS of candy (that's all that matters, right?)

Carter and Gwennie enjoying the parade.

I'm getting wrinkles. Dang. I have hidden the white sunglasses more than once. They keep reappearing.

Courtney, Gwennie and I napping in the sun.

The boys playing Frisbee

The Coops in the tree at the park.

On Sunday Jackson got himself up early and mad me breakfast just the way I like it and brought it to me on a tray with a darling note. He's my boy. The kids piled in bed and made my day with kisses and giggles. Church was lovely, followed by a delicious dinner I didn't cook or clean up. Thank you my little family for a soul satisfying Mother's Day! I love you.

She's a Winner!

It's official. Courtney is the Desert Hills High School Sophomore Class Secretary next year. She is on cloud nine and we are so happy for her. I LOVED my sophomore year more than any other, and so I am excited for Courtney to be involved and have fun. Congrats Court! We are proud of you!!!

Courtney's Posters (by Kim McKone)

The backpack tags

PS When did I get old enough to have a Sophomore anyway?

PSS I HATE my camera....no matter what I do , it takes terrible pictures.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Courtney for Sophomore Class Secretary

Courtney is running for Sophomore Class Secretary. She made it through preliminaries and this Friday is the final election. I have some AMAZING friends who have helped us with the details of the election. I am waiting for Courtney to take pictures of the amazing posters and banner that my friend Kim helped us make. I will post those as soon as I get them. Another great friend Felisa stepped up to help us make this cute video. She amazes me, I didn't even know where to start. Courtney is thrilled with it! She had to shoot a 30 second commercial at school today and I will post that one too. Courtney's a crack up and her personality has just shone through this whole process. It has been a fun process, so win or lose it was all worth it!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Easter

We had a fun and busy Easter this year. After Gwen was blessed on Friday, we attended Elizabeth's blessing at Nick and Corie's house. We had an awesome Easter egg hunt and a delicious dinner, followed by lots of girl talk while the boys went to the priesthood session. what a treat for Carter to get to go once again with his dad and brothers, just like he used to. It is always so much fun to hang out with the Cluff side of the family. They are all so funny and great, we just love them! We headed back to sunny St. George Sunday morning and listened to conference on our way. I was so uplifted and inspired by conference this year. I have a "go and do" list a mile long! Ashley,Kevin and their kids and Grandma and Grandpa Bowen came to St. George too for a little vacation. Sunday afternoon we hunted for eggs. Cooper found the GRANDpa PRIZE of fifty dollars! I have never seen a little boy so tickled! Grandpa made us his famous BBQ chicken and we had a delicious dinner. The rest of the week was spent swimming, swimming and more swimming in Grandpa and Grandma's new pool. We could hardly drag the kids out! Even little Gwennie got in on the action, when aunt Ashley took her for her first swim. We Love living in St. George this time of year and we especially love it when our family will come and visit.