ChRistOpher + jANe + McKinlAy MaE + peArL maE

happy new year

2012-01-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

we had a very crazy 2011 and ringing in the new year was a very welcome sound. We played the night away with friends and lots of noise.

we rang in the new year twice, this is the last one.

this little miss only took a twenty nap during the
night. she was so fun.

sis had on three different hats, but this one lasted the longest.

Christmas with NO snow

2011-12-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

We got to see the lights a little different.
You better believe I wore them the whole way there.

It was so hard for me to get in the holiday spirit with the sun warming me right up. I love being able to bundle up and feel the nip in the air. But that being said I love that I have a little girl who brings the magic back in the house. We had fun going to the lights on Temple Hill and down to the harbor to see all the boats decorated up for the season. Christmas was wonderful and Christopher got Monday off, so we played for three days straight. It was so fun. Hope the Christmas was just as wonderful for everyone.

Squirrel got a baby doll

Temple Hill

No words for this girl

Friday night pizza

Temple Hill

Christmas Morning

Snowed in

2011-12-07T09:53:00.001-08:00

Here in sunny California we like to pretend that it is a snowy Christmas season. So we made a wonderful fort in the front room. John you would have been so proud, it didn't fall down with the touch of a hand.

this is my favorite view of the fort, looking up at the beautiful quilts with the sun shining through. love it.

No words for this one

2011-12-07T09:43:00.001-08:00

Little miss has not touched the tree at all! It has been up for days and not one finger! And then I walked in to this.......

She took, I mean ripped the lights off the bottom and snapped one of my snowflakes in two. Little miss learned what happens when you touch the tree, today. Poor girl.

Well more like poor mama, she gets her fingers flipped and then she just giggles. I am having a hard time with this little one. Sis would just hear the words and burst into tears. Little miss has red hands and thinks its funny. AHHAHAHAH.

But that all being said she is a really good girl.

We are HOME

2011-12-03T17:22:00.000-08:00

I know it has been months since our last post, but we are finally settled down and learning to love our new home. Things to love.... being close to the ocean again, sunshine, perfect weather everyday, a beautiful beach just minutes away, being all together again (sis keeps telling chris how much she missed him while he was at school), and I am sure that there will be more and I can't wait to find them. Things that will take some getting use to..... perfect weather in December (I am missing snow like crazy), all of the cousins, sis need good friends, coming to terms with the fact that we are not coming back to Utah anytime soon. This will be home for 5+ years. All in All I love being together as a family no matter where we are.

Things I'm going to miss

2011-04-30T03:49:00.000-07:00

Plus things I never thought I would say

I'm Going to miss.....

the rain

the flowers at Pikes

Pikes

ferry rides

driving all over western Washington with the gang

H & M (but only for 4 months)

My fabulous Mall that was 5 minutes away

All the Friends we made

McKinlays reading time with Miss B

our library over the river

how close we were to the Puget Sound and it beauty

the Blue Truck

looking out my front door (living on a dang hill)

our little Apartment

Casey and the Girls

Being totally comfortable (I was just starting to like this place)

What I can't wait for.....

The SUNSHINE

living somewhat close to "John-John"

Christopher doing exactly what he wants to be doing for work

Getting comfortable in our new town

finding that H & M

Making new friends

Finding out what this new chapter of our lives will bring

Bring on the adventure

Sisters

2011-04-23T10:55:00.001-07:00

Miss Pearl Mae Cluff

2011-04-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

She came on March 31

She weighed 8lb, 3oz

She was 20" long

She has her dads nose,

her mamas lips,

her sisters dimples,

and

PERFECTION.

Th Beautiful Pictures were taken by: Lori Burkman. She did a wonderful job.

And I wonder why people stare!?!

2011-03-27T16:33:00.001-07:00

We were down playing at Pikes and Uncle Benson snapped this picture for me. I had someone tell me it looked like I had a basket ball tummy, but I would like to compare it to the medicine ball that we would play with in elementary, you know the one that you would have to push with your WHOLE body. Right before Benson took this picture I had a woman staring at me that tripped over her daughter. Oh the joys of being pregnant. I love that I just got a tummy that pokes right out in front. Loven' every bit of it.

FoUR YeARs

2011-03-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

I can't believe we have been married four whole years. There are still times I feel like we are just playing house and sis really isn't ours and that the fact that baby girl #2 is almost here makes it feel like one big play time, but then I remember that this really is my life and I get to have Christopher by my side Forever. What a beautiful thought. We have had wonderful adventures and I can't wait for what this year together will bring. Thanks for four wonderful years, Christopher.

Love janer

Catch up.....Like always!

2011-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of our New Years Party, Sis's Birthday party, Hanging out with Henry, and a sunset I just had to have pictures of.

Sis still does not love pops or sparklers

Sis Loves "the girls" and can't wait for the next time she get to play.

Bet you can't guess how old my Baby girl is!?! She would only get close AFTER the sparkler went out.
Sis only wanted a Ballerina Party.

We went out to dinner on her actual Birthday

Sis woke up and put her party hat on. And had to have it on all day. Kitty even got one.

We just love Henry. Thanks for the fun day.

oh my laws

2011-01-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

I have been crying for days...... I was going to upload ALL my pictures before we went to our New Years Party, but something went wrong and ALL my pictures since before Thanksgiving got deleted! That would be my birthday, Thanksgiving with my family and then Thanksgiving with the Cluffs, all of our Christmas from cookie frosting to sitting on Santa's lap, and the wonderful Snowflake Lane, and the lights, and Christmas day. So instead of this being a wonderful post with all of our pictures from the last couple of Holidays...... just know that we had the most wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is something so magical about Christmas when you have a little one that has a twinkle in their eye every time they see anything Christmas"y". I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season and We are wishing all a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.

2010-11-14T16:45:00.000-08:00

I have had a few pictures just floating around, some not really needing their very own post, but fun for the family to see. I have Halloweens pictures in here too. Sis was a peacock and a darn cute one if you ask me. I designed it all and just love how it turned out, but sis on the other hand kept asking if she could be Tinker Bell, Ouups!!It was Christopher's Birthday on the 7th and I took him to the Cheesecake factory, mostly because I didn't want to make cheesecake. But It was so fun and I thought the Cake came out too cute.Sis and Baby Doll "matchy matchy". All ready to make pancakes.
Sis's headed to her first birthday party.

Rain, Rain go AWAY

2010-10-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

As the clouds are starting to get really thick and the rain is coming, I can't help, but miss the sunshine and wish we were here again.
Oh how I miss Utah.

Things come to a stop

2010-09-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

After a crazy couple of months of ..... sewing, sewing, sewing, "some" cleaning, sewing, sewing, maybe cooking something for my clan, sewing, sewing, and last but not least, went to a wonderful wedding to see all the hard work pay off.

Christopher's brother Benson just got married and I was asked to sew the skirts for 56 of the closest girls in the family. Benson was the last of 14 to get married and oh how fun it was to be there with all 75 of us to cheer on the newly weds. The sad part of this story is... I didn't get one picture of the skirts..... being sewn, all done, or even on the girls, but I'm sure one of the moms got a picture. just pass that along will you.

Since we have been home Christopher started school for the LAST quarter, sis and I are nannying in the morning and have the rest of the day to our little 'ol selves. Which has so many benefits, like........ Nap time is three full hours, sis has learned how to play with her self and her imagination is amazing, my kitchen has stayed some what clean all the time, I have some killer ideas for the up coming Halloween Party, (which all my Utah Friends are always invited to, only a 12 hour drive and a whole lot of fun) We have time to hit up our Library and story time again, Christopher is always a welcome face when he comes home, sis and I really need him to give us a little mix up between us two.

My Life is Bliss.

Catch up.......again

2010-08-31T11:30:00.001-07:00

I feel like I am always doing catch up. I wish I were better about getting home and posting our little bit of fun, but alas I get home and hit the ground running or sewing in my case.

We went on a wonderful boating trip to Lake Roosevelt. I being the wonderful mom that I am packed everyone up and loaded the car before Christopher got home from work so we could just go. And while we were pulling out of Sammaish I remembered that sis's swimsuit was home on the shower bar drying from the last nights swim time. So the fact that sis's shoulders had not seen the sun all summer meant that I had to be constantly soaking her in sunscreen. Christopher let me go to the outlets to find her something, that in why you my see a little more of her buns than usual. The water was glass the whole time. great for skiing. I even got up on the wake board. Sis was a really big girl and did the knee board with dad (don't look too close you may see the fear on her face). It was a wonderful trip to help Christopher relax after a rough summer quarter. That he did so good in. Pass all of his classes with flying colors. Christopher played on the lake too, but some how every time he got up he was trying to do all sorts of trick that I just caught the tail end of, sorry babe. Sis loved being on the boat, she would put her jacket on and be so content to just sit in the front and watch. The only time she would cry was when her mean mama would make her get in the water, but when she would get back in the boat the tears would shut off. Thank you Bells for a wonderful trip.

We've been busy

2010-07-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have now typed this post up three times and for some reason I keep losing it. so Because I really don't want to type it all up again......

we went to see Benson, but I got sick and got one picture.

Went to Utah and had the most wonderful time playing with my family. Fire works, Ice cream, Cabin, Splash Park....with Brody, and two weeks of non-stop laughing and sunshine. thank you Family. We really did enjoy ourselves.

Home to Christopher and That is wonderful all in its self, but to top "him" off we have been out boating several times since we have been home, found the outlets just up the street, date night for all three of us, and isn't there just something about HOME.

The Sun came out to play

2010-06-02T10:14:00.001-07:00

We woke up to rain and thought we had a day inside, BUT then at lunch time the sun peeked out from the clouds. And we loaded up and had a picnic at the park. And we had Christopher all to our every own. I love these days.

The middle, parenting 101 and the end.

2010-06-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time in Utah and are sad to see it end. The whole reason we went to Utah was to babysit a wonderful family and then be lucky enough to stay and extra week. And during my babysitting I got a wonderful lesson in parenting!!!!!!! 'Cause you see I am just starting this whole parenting thing I had NO IDEA of all the fun things that come with having a 12 and 9 year old..... like Braces and Broken bones!?! The Children I got to babysit really just do everything themselves, they wake up do breakfast, practice their piano/ cello, do their homework and help out with all the house work, including laundry. They are amazing kids, but someone forgot to tell them to not brake any bones or be in pain because of braces till their dad the DOC got home to feed them all the meds that they needed. And because there is always something about getting hurt that you just really need YOUR mama, and although I was the plastic mom for the week, I wasn't their mama. I really enjoyed spending time with them and hope that they all don't remember the pain they were in while I spent time at their house. Thank you again for the fun time we did have while I was at your home. The last part of our "Holiday" was spent the entire time with the family, but not the Cluff side Sorry I don't drive stick and had no way of getting to you all, but thanks Kimball, Michelle, and Brody for coming to us, it was wonderful to see you. Here are a few pictures from our week. thank you for letting us crash at your house Dad and mum....aka Papa and Grand/ Paula. this is what sis wanted to wear to find dad
Twins Squared

Last day of school Ice cream party

Got-a-love playdough ice cream

Phoebe became our puppy for a night and then we couldn't get her to go home. now sis just keeps asking for her very own puppy.

Papa helping sis blow bubbles

My favorite flowers ever, to bad you can't see them very well

Girlies party at Annie's

2010-05-20T16:16:00.001-07:00

DSC02472, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

2010-05-20T15:56:00.001-07:00

DSC02438, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

2010-05-20T15:55:00.003-07:00

DSC02471, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

2010-05-20T15:55:00.001-07:00

DSC02433, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Sheepy Sheepy

2010-05-20T15:54:00.001-07:00

DSC02450, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

We came to Utah for a little while and we have already had so much fun. Sunday Kate picked me up with the bb girls and oh they are so sweet. I thick that they are tiny, but Kate kept saying how big they are. Then to Mum and Dad's house for a crazy night. We had so much fun and sis could hardly stand it all, she got to play with miss lily all day and didn't want her to leave. But Sunday night we got to go feed the baby lambs. There were eight and so fun. Sis just kept giggling. more pictures to come. I think the picture of sis on the plane is too funny, I asked her to smile and that is what I got.

Another weekend away

2010-05-11T14:52:00.001-07:00

Angie had a concert in Leavenworth this last weekend, so of course we had to go along for the ride. It was such a fun day filled with may poles, Dogs, and singing. It was such wonderful weather while out wondering through the shops/streets, but as soon as we went in for lunch the clouds closed in and let out a nasty storm, but then when lunch was done the clouds opened up and it got so hot we were searching for shade. Oh how I love Washington weather. There was also a best looking man contest and the goober with his number stuck in his hat won.... Who would I have picked? Christopher even bought baby girl a PINK ice cream cone, she loved it and Christopher had a lick and almost died, he said it was so nasty. BUT it was PINK.

Our Little Holiday

2010-05-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

We got to go to B.C Vancouver last weekend to see the LDS Temple open house. It was so much fun. we stayed in Victoria for one night and then went to a beautiful garden there and wandered the streets, beautiful town. Then headed over to Vancouver to see the Temple, also beautiful. Although if you blink while walking through the Temple you might miss it, it is one of the smallest Temples I've been in. It was a much needed "Holiday" and oh so fun to be with family and friends. My camera died right before we got to the Temple so I had to take pictures on my other camera, but lost the software for it. I will get pictures from Barb. I'll post when I get them.

sunset on the ferry

I was waiting

2010-04-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

I know that I posted about Henry coming to the world right after he came, but with the twins I couldn't stand to post about them till I got to kiss their warm little cheeks, toes, tummy, and oh everything. But I think I can't wait any longer to post about these beautiful little girls (that I have yet to see). They are little miracles, they came six weeks early and have been growing and staying healthy. They are now at home being loved on by the whole family (minus the Washington clan) I wish that I remember they exact weight and all that, but I try to get close. Lucy was the bigger of the two and Annabell was the smaller and they weighted close to three pounds each, but if I'm wrong don't be a hater. Kate let me hear them squawking on the phone the other morning, but that ended with me in tears and when I talked to Dan on the phone the morning of I was also in tears. I can't take not being able to put my nose down into their neck and breath in all the heaven smell. I love them and they don't even know me and I hate it. But as soon as I set foot in Utah by George they will wish that I would just put them down and back away because I will not stop kissing them and lovn' on them till someone (Christopher) make me come back up here and just listen to them crying on the phone and watching them grow through pictures. Oh how I wish we all just lived on one big compound. Kate you could have the far corner. Oh what a wonderful life.

P.S The mom is doing wonderful. In all the pictures I see of her you can't even tell she just had twins, but then again when she was pregnant with twins you couldn't even tell it was twins.

The sun came out to play

2010-03-28T16:47:00.001-07:00

We have had the most beautiful weather. The sun was out all week long. And of course today we woke up to dark clouds so heavy with rain. When we were outside sis wanted her tummy to feel the sunshine. And sis also got my camera and snapped a few pictures.

I love the smell of spring.

I love it when the sun kisses my cheeks.

I love running outside with bare piggies

I love the smell of blooming trees filling the air.

I love how sis smells after playing outside.

I love tulips in full bloom everywhere we go.

I love that little nip in the air to let you know it is spring and not summer.

I love that the days are getting longer.

I love spring.

sis took these two pictures.

Missed Uncle John John Today

2010-03-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Christopher thought it a wonderful idea to go flying on his day off and luckily he got to take sis and I with him. Which I thought the best idea ever because we don't get to see each other during the day at all. The sun was shinning and the was not a cloud in the sky. It is so much fun to be in a smaller plane because you actually feel like you are flying. Sis love it way more than I thought she would, she kept her hands up in that air and would yell "wahhoo" over and over. Till we did a 0G move and a 2G move then she told Christopher "No more STOP"
I wish John could have been the one to take us up, but alas he is not even close to my State! When we landed Sis wanted to call Uncle John John and tell him she was like a bird. Miss you Brother

Just love this picture

2010-03-08T13:57:00.001-08:00

DSC_4133, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

this picture was taken during our family photo shoot. The pictures were taken by Britten Dunford, and he did a wonderful job. Thanks Britten.

What a Week!?!

2010-03-01T22:41:00.000-08:00

I swore I would never post about Potty Training, but that being said...it was such a week that I have to say one little thing on the subject, We did it. And by we I mean Sis, sis is such a smart little girl that she just got it down. Knock on wood. And to make my week even better sis the girly girl she is asked for hairspray. She asked for hairspray. If y'all know me at all I love hairspray and the fact that sis knew she needed some, you better believe I emptied the whole bottle on that lil' bob of hers. And topped it off with a pink polka dot bow, her request. All in all I think we had a pretty good week.

Baby Motorcycle

2010-02-23T14:32:00.001-08:00

DSC01908, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Sis asked for a Baby Motorcycle and when we were trying to figure out what it was... she saw this and had to have it. I know that she is a bit to short, but she just loves it. When I got her out of the tub a couple a days later she went running out of the bathroom and when I found her she had her naked little buns sitting on that cold metal seat. And I had to pull her off, I do have pictures, but not for everyone to see. For now all you get is the bike.

Sis's Birthday Cake

2010-02-23T14:28:00.001-08:00

DSC01913, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

I know that y'all are thinking What kind of a birthday cake is that, but sis just loves Flan. And I'm going to TOOT my own horn to say "toot, toot, I make a pretty good flan."
I know that her birthday was weeks ago, but I thought you would want to see her birthday cake and killer baby motorcycle.

"Oh pickles"

2010-02-23T14:23:00.001-08:00

DSC01879, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

After the tears all she would say is "oh pickles" and then point to the "spot" where she fell. Sis was watching her shadow on the wall and dancing to make it that much better, but her little foot slipped and I found her spread eagle on the floor. Lots of kiss were in order.

I think she just about got it

2010-02-23T14:19:00.001-08:00

DSC01983, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Sis was watching the girls eat with their chopsticks and wanted in on the fun. Her chopsticks made great q-tips. Into the meal she just started to stab at her food with one chopstick and she did pretty good.

Light Rail

2010-02-23T14:16:00.001-08:00

DSC01978, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

We got to ride the Light Rail into Chinatown. Oh the fun we had. We went with some wonderful Friends up here and made a day of it. Each stop has fun Art, so it made the ride fun. Then we strolled the streets of Chinatown and found a place to eat and fun places to shop. It is always fun to find out whats around the corner from your home. Thanks for the fun day Renita.

3

2010-02-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

Today Christopher and I have been married for three years. And it has been pure bliss. I have loved every minute and can't wait for what will come. (I have been trying to upload a picture from our wedding day, but something is wrong with the CD. So all you get is the words.)

My Baby grew a whole inch

2010-02-17T22:06:00.000-08:00

On sis's birthday I thought it would be fun to start tracking her growth. And since we are never staying in one place too long, I couldn't think of where to do it.... so I am using the side of her shelf that goes with us everywhere (much to uncle Kimball's dismay, he hates packing that stupid shelf!!!). So I have sis stand tall next to the shelf and mark it with the date and all..... but just lately I have felt like she grew four more inches. I just thought it was because she had turned two and my baby is getting so much older, but tonight I said "sis your jammies are pulling on your toeies, lets see if you have gotten any taller." Sis loves to be measured so she stood so tall and still..... I took the book laid it on her head and marked!?! look how tall in that short in that amount of time

Love is for the birds

2010-02-04T22:36:00.000-08:00

I saw a blog that had the most beautiful Royal Icing sugar cookies, So tonight I thought it a good idea to make my first ever batch of sugar cookies and attempt to frost them with Royal Icing, with out Erin here to supervise. What was I thinking!?! Well they aren't so BEAUTIFUL, but I think that they turned out pretty great. And Mum I wish you were here to taste them because they are so good. I got this recipe two years ago and the woman I got it from claimed that they taste like the pink grandma cookies. And I thought yeah right, but tonight I was wonderfully surprised. They are so good. My frosting can only get better.

tWo CanDleS

2010-01-29T10:26:00.001-08:00

DSC01903, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

My baby girl has become a little lady today. Happy Birthday sis. It has been a wonderful two years with you in our family. Love mama.

My first ferry ride

2010-01-26T18:16:00.001-08:00

DSC01846, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

We were invited out to a friends cabin on the Puget Sound and lucky for me We had to take the Ferry. Coming back in we came in to the Seattle dock, I love that I got to see Seattle from the water front view.

Our Big Move

2010-01-26T18:06:00.001-08:00

DSC01739, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Now I have packed up a lot of times, but never had to get a moving truck. There are just enough Cluff's with trucks and trailers that we just got to load it all up and drive down the street, really. But this move we had to load it up for real and drive forever. We packed up, made the drive, and we are here. And now I have the Internet to let you all know we are alive and loving it up here. On our drive we went through Slick roads, rain, snow, more snow, a lot of snow, and fog. And Seattle did not disappoint it was raining when we pulled in and it has not stopped raining since. Sis loves her umbrella and rain boots, they are on everywhere we go.

oh the joys

2009-11-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

we have had a crazy crazy month and it isn't going to end with the new month coming in.... We have found out we get to start a new adventure. We get to move to Washington and Christopher will be going to school up there, all the while sis and I will be playing and finding out what that wonderful state has to offer. See why I say "oh the joys". we are so excited.

And now the bad news, our computer really bit the big one...... the poor thing wont even start up, so the postings will come to a stop for a little while.

We will be moving right after Christmas, so if we don't see you before then..... we love you all and will see you when we see you.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season.

Plain Jane

2009-11-17T15:37:00.001-08:00

DSC01395, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

This is my new dress pattern Plain Jane. I love this dress, how it fits, looks, and wears. One of my favorites and it makes up really fast.

So cute

2009-11-17T15:34:00.001-08:00

DSC01388, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Last time I had to take pictures for my patterns line, Sis was a royal pill.... but today she could not stop posing. This is my new pattern All Ruffled Up.

the birthday boy

2009-11-10T16:16:00.001-08:00

the birthday boy, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Christopher's birthday was on saturday. And this is the only picture I got of our wonderful night. Sad I know. I got him a beatiful wool pea coat and took him to dinner. Happy birthday babe, we love you

It was a bit Chilly

2009-11-10T16:04:00.001-08:00

DSC01372, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Christopher and I really wanted to do Sunday dinner all by our lonesome. So we did a picnic. it was so fun, we had salads, tunafish sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and cookies. We packed our basket and headed to the mouth of Provo canyon, bundled up and spread out our blanket and enjoyed.

tWeEt TwEet

2009-11-10T15:50:00.001-08:00

halloween birds, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Sis and I were Blue Birds for Halloween. And if you asked her what she was she would sign it and say "tweet tweet".

red boots

2009-10-08T12:14:00.001-07:00

red boots, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

These rain boots were mine when I was that size. And now sis has to put them on first thing in the morning and then as soon as I take off her shoes, the boots go on.

2009-10-08T11:57:00.001-07:00

DSC01260, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

sis showing us her leaves or flowers, she called them

2009-10-08T07:54:00.001-07:00

sis showing us her leaves 2009, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Carmel Apples

2009-10-08T07:52:00.001-07:00

DSC01243, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Don'T yOu JUsT LoVe FaLL!?!

2009-10-08T07:49:00.001-07:00

fall 2009 logan, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

I love this time of year, bundling up, fires getting lit, Carmel apples, steamed milk, the colorful mountains, the cabin, pumpkin patches, picking apples, canning every kind of apple... sauce, juice, and pie filling, more reasons to get together with friends and family. Bliss

pram-a-lam

2009-09-17T13:05:00.001-07:00

pram-a-lam, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

what girl doesn't need a pram. I found this beaut and could not walk away. I love it. Sis's tippy tippy toes is pretty great too.

Already missing Summer

2009-09-14T11:32:00.001-07:00

pool diva, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Erin's pool closed last week and we already miss it so much. But we are welcoming Fall with open arms.

I love her face

2009-09-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

We were doing a day long photo shot and it happened to be Henry's turn, but sis knocked her bow loose and Erin caught this picture. I love her "matter as fact " Lips.

boating

2009-08-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

DSC00822, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

We went boating with friends on Utah Lake. And this was the sunset on the way in. I'm always taking pictures of sunsets and seam to forget to take pictures of what we were really doing.

Emily's Wedding

2009-08-24T10:35:00.001-07:00

DSC01087, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

Sis and lil were flower girls for the wedding and they were just too cute.

July 24th

2009-08-23T21:46:00.001-07:00

sis, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

We went to the aquarium and had So much FUN. Christopher and I had so much more fun than sis. Sis liked it alright, but as you can see I think sis is wishing she had a friend to play with. I just love this picture.

vegas baby

2009-08-23T21:29:00.001-07:00

DSC00857, originally uploaded by janemckcluff.

The girls (and Dad) went to Vegas for our little getaway befor school started and oh the pure joy.

Steel Days

2009-08-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

Sis had to ride the ride all by her lonesome and I think that she looks so sad. every time she would go around her little eyes got more nervous. maybe next year it will all be so fun.Sis's first cotton candy of the season. She loved it all till she saw what it was doing to her fingers.I had never had a candy apple... so Christopher bought me one. And I must say I do love them, so did sis.
Sis didn't love ridding the rides, but she could have stood there all night watching the kids.

Family Night Swim

2009-07-15T20:43:00.000-07:00

We went to Er and Rob's for Family Night to swim, swim, swim. It was such a nice pool! Erin is going to be sooo sick of us by the end of the summer. I wish that I would have taken a picture of sis when she was done swimming her lips were blue.

cAmpiNg wiTh tHe cLuFfs

2009-07-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

We got to go to Onida Narrows up in Idaho (i hope i'm spelling that right) for the Cluff Reunion and we had so much fun. We ran the river a couple of times. We played at the like. We ate s'mores. We ate some really good food...too much! And last but not least Christopher and I became real parents. Sis got sick the last night and woke up around 2 in the morning and would not lay still..... finally fell asleep and right then.... threw up on my sleeping bag. Then from there to Christopher's lap. We got out of the tent around 3 and held this poor little thing over the bushes. and poor little sis wouldn't even eat anything. And somewhere in the middle of it all I realized I'm not just playing house!!!! Yeah I get to cut her hair, dress her up, make her little outfits, make her bows and tote her around like my little mini me, but I'm a mom!!! A buck up and do it, mend and make do, mom! All in all the trip was so much fun, we were so relaxed and all easy going that it just made the trip.

Sis just being one of the girls

Christopher cooking breakfast for any army (of Cluffs)

How many Cluffs does it take to blow up a raft? Christopher and a couple pumps from the Kiddies

Is she so Christopher or what?

Christopher wouldn't let us make him a tie die, most likely for the best!

Playing at the lake

our little get a way

2009-06-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

Sis just loved the pool and she didn't hate going under. The last day I think she had had enough and just laid on my shoulder. That was until dad got there and them she was ready to play again.

just for you kate

2009-06-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

I know that some of them need a little work, but the more I do the better they will be. I have some I'm working on some with rickrack and such, but you get the idea. but yeah I think that a 1/2 yd. will do it. in fact we will have a little left over, but that will for sure be plenty. I'll get to wire and bring all the ribbon I have and you can bring anything you think you will really want.

Sis trying to be just like my sweetheart

2009-06-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sis just loves copying everything that dad does, everything. I just love the socks to the knees and the shoes to the knees. I just love this little goose.

my hair

2009-06-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

So my hair has been on and off... I like it, I hate it, I love it, and then there are times I just can't stand myself...because of my hair. But I just love love love this hair cut. I was really trying to figure out what to do with my hair, grow it out or chop it all off. And as you can see Chopping it won. I know I said I was going to grow it, but really for all of those who know me know that I have this bad addiction with sitting in that chair and having scissors snip, snip, snip. Really sick I know, but now that I got it cut I'm ready for a color, but I can't decide on what color. I have just decided that sis will just have to get use to that fact that she will go to bed with a long brown haired mama and then wake up to a short haired blondie getting her out of her bed. Oh the drama of a crazy lady.

p.s. I hate that I have a crazy one eye and sis was checking out my earrings

Baby Robert Henry Axson

2009-06-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

Baby Henry is finally here!!! He got here on the 17th came in weighing 6lb 11oz and was 19 inches long. Erin and baby boy are both doing wonderful.

Check out my new blog

2009-06-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Check out my new sewing blog .... the simple things I make. I hope to have fun new things for y'all to check out

moRe cHatCh uP

2009-06-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

Christopher and I rode the bike up to Logan for Jackie's wedding. So much fun.

We have done a little of this.And a lot of this.I've been designing some little things for sis.

This is "Simply Sunny"

"So High"

Sis was so mad I was making her play dress ups with me!!!

"Little Red" We've been Hanging out with Annie every Wednesday. Sis was telling Annie something great.My mom has this wonderful library that sis and I have been checking books out of lately. But to make checking books out so much more fun my mom has been making quilts to go along with books. This is the Fancy Nancy quilt. I know we have access to the best Library.Christopher was out of town for work, so I joined in on my family's weekend. We went to the temple open house and it was so wonderful. I love that Erin is nine months pregnant and you can't even tell.To finish the weekend we went to the air show and we had the best seats. The planes were flying right over our heads. I love being up close and personal. Sis was a trooper. She finally fell asleep the last half hour

just trying to catch up

2009-05-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

I just love this little outfit. You may just see plenty more of this, this summer.

We helped Erin and Rob move and sis was lots of help. And yes she is brushing her teeth with the new whisp tooth brush.

We went up the canyon with some friends for hot dogs and s'mores.

We had a fun family night at...Sis and Uncle "non-non" just had to have matching hair. This Gelato is just to die for. The perfect thing to finish the night.

oh how I wish I were computer savvy

2009-05-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

I have new pictures that are too cute, but my computer is saying that it can't find my camera. I hate that I don't know what I'm doing, it really gets in the way. I wish Benson were here to fix it, he was always so good at it. Well I'm going to keep taking pictures in hopes of fixing this soon. I hope to update soon.

Spring! Spring! Spring!

2009-04-24T12:47:00.000-07:00

Claire had SPRING break last week and invited sis and I to join in on the fun. On Friday we went on Trax and Front Runner, so fun.

Tulip Festival, I could spend hours and hours at this place. Soaking in the smells of SPRING.

Nothing says SPRING like running around on a Sunday afternoon in nothing, but a onesie and ruffle buns.

I love SPRING, everything starting to bloom, waking up after a long winter sleep.

Easter Fun

2009-04-11T20:41:00.000-07:00

I love how sis was carrying her basketSis had a little help carrying her basket, Thanks Dad

We went up to Papa and Grand's for a Easter party and everyone was able to come. It was so fun to watch sis, I was so excited to see how she would react to the eggs, and just went like crazy gathering anything in her path. Her basket so heavy sis just started to drag it on the ground. Too Heavy.....

Don't ya just hate it when you trip!?!

Who doesn't love a powdered doughnut?

2009-04-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

My mom thought it a great idea to buy powdered doughnuts and then I thought it an even better idea to feed them to sis in her car seat. Christopher really hates crumbs in the seat, but she just loved them so much.

Red shoes

2009-03-22T14:40:00.001-07:00

These shoes were Claire's when she was sis's size (I know hard to believe little miss long legs was ever sis's size). When mom pulled these out when sis was born I fell in love with them and have been trying them on sis every other week, and they finally fit. Every girl needs a pair for red shoes to wear at some point in their life.

A day at the park

2009-03-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

just warm enough to play outsidejust big enough to go down the slidejust big enough to climb up the tunneljust small enough to trip in the wood chips and get her hands all dirtyjust small enough to get stuck right in the middlejust warm enough to spread out our blanketjust enough snacks to keep us there for two hoursjust enough strawberries to make it a perfect daycan't wait for more sunny days to play out side till the sun goes down

St. Patrick's day parade

2009-03-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's day parade.......

I love any reason to put sis in a tutu.all I need is a hoilday.

Parade, family, candy, great weather, and tutus what could be more fun!?!

Do they make mouth guards for toddlers?

2009-03-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

We have had a bad two days!!! Sis has been walking for months now, but looking at these pictures you would think that she just started. The first one happened during American Idol, she tripped and fell on her water bottle and cut her lip. Bled for quiet a long time (frozen Binkies are the best). Then saturday we were rushing out the door to get up to Alpine for some haircuts, she was sitting on the bathroom counter and tried to get up and walk over to me, forgot about the sink, lets just say mouth to the fauset and a whole lot of tears and blood. So here are the pictures from the latter of the falls. If you thought she had big lips before.......Check these babies out!!!

I want a Hippopotamus for.... always.

2009-03-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

I bought this hippo the Christmas before I had sis. Because I fell in love with him and I knew that my baby would just have to fall in love with him. And it worked. It worked so well we have to blog about him. Lets just say we have to or get to take hippo with us whenever we have sleepovers. Lucky for me he is too big for us to take everywhereThis was in Wyoming. I totally spaced the toilet paper.

So yes that is what is filling her crib.

Valentines Weekend

2009-02-16T20:02:00.000-08:00

We went up to Wyoming to the Watkins Cabins and had a fun weekend just playing, cooking, laughing, snowmobiling, and Mafia. We went to Rocky Mountain Seafood for our sweetheart dinner, it was so much fun. Honestly not what I had planned for our Valentines dinner, but was way more fun than what I had planned. Christopher and I took sister with us and me being that great mom that I am made sister go out in the snow with a sore throat, runny nose, runny eyes, and oh yeah she really does not like the snow. She sat in my lap with a little scawl and would not even laugh or smile at any of us. All in all it was a wonderful weekend and I'm so glad we got to go and spend time with our friends.

My oh my, McKinlay Mae is One

2009-01-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that my little miss is already one! Did that year fly by for anyone else? Yesterday was her Birthday and she sure played along with us. Christopher got her out of bed and brought her in and I burst into song (with a little help from Christopher) and she gasped and put her hand to her mouth, then would dip her chin to her shoulder with a smile. Poor little thing had no idea that her mean mama was taking her for her shots!! After her shots she had big alligator tears lingering on her cheeks and I told her to say bye and she got a big ol' grin and waved bye to all the nurses. Lucky for me she quickly forgot what I had done to her on her birthday. Kate, Lily, and Max called to sing Happy Birthday and she once again put her little hand to her mouth and smiled, it is all so fun. Grandma Cluff called from Texas and sis could not contain herself, she kept trying grab the phone and talk to Grandma. When we got home Erin had a pink balloon bouquet and she did it all again. It is so fun to watch McKinlay Mae's eyes light up, feet that can't hold still, and a smile that is so big it might break all because someone sang to her, bought her balloons, got a toy, and gave her a smile. Thank you all so much for all you did on sis's birthday. It made sis so happy and let her know that she is a very loved little girl.

The most Wonderful time of the year!

2009-01-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

That was one crazy month! On the Cluff side we did a progressive dinner, sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house, all got matching pajamas, had a program where every family got to share a song and story. And I'm still a little bit mad at Christopher for making me sing our song all by my lonesome. The total count for 2008 is..... 68!!! Can you believe it!?! And just for now in 2009 we will be up to 71, oh the joy.

On the McKinlay side we had our cookie party, Dad's birthday, cousin party, Wilson party, and Christmas day. it was all so fun!!! And every year my mom has one word that Christmas is all based around and this year it was Comfort. Every from the book to the aprons was just wonderful. She puts so much thought and hard work into every little detail! Thank you mom I loved everything this year.
Christopher and I decided to do our own Christmas Eve this year and it was the best!! We did a candle light dinner with our ornaments and then put sister down for bed. The best part she didn't wake up till nine. oh how I love her. And then opening presents with her was such a delight. She just loved everything we got her, she would hold it close and do a little giggle. I knew that she would be fun, but I didn't think it would be that much fun!!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful year ad wish you all the best for the new year.

McKinaly Mae goes to St. Louis

2008-12-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

Sister loved watching out the window on the plane

At the top

McKinlay Mae Touching the top

We got to go to St. Louis for a baptism the day after Thanksgiving and it was oh so fun. Christopher has a brother that lives out there and they were so kind to open their home to all 40 of us.

On Saturday we got to go to Nauvoo and go to the Temple, what a beautiful temple!!! I was in awe the whole time. And to share it all with Christopher was so wonderful.

Monday we went in to the city to see all. We went to the top of the arch and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in the Union Station. It was all so fun

Thank you Cluffs for such a fun Vacation!! Oh yeah and for letting us take over your home!!!

Christmas Tree Hunting

2008-12-07T16:19:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love this time of year! And luckily I don't have to talk Christopher into getting a real tree. Last year we had to go up to Idaho and didn't get to go down to get our tree. So this year all three of us got to go and bundle up and walk allover the mountain side looking for the perfect tree. We thought we found the perfect tree till we got it home and my oh my..... this tree has got a lot of pizazz! When Christopher was putting it up he had to keep turning it trying to find the front, but the poor tree is just to ugly. Needless to say we have just decided to learn to love it just for the month. And is it not amazing what happens when you dress it all up!?! As ugly as this tree is all done up I love it!

We went down to Loa to get our tree and stopped off to see my Grandma Vee and my Uncle Mike.

Little Miss is Walking!!!

2008-11-12T18:39:00.000-08:00

McKinlay Mae's walking shoes Dang cute if you ask me!

She is just nine months old and she is already walking! I can hardly believe it happened so soon. I have absolutely loved watching this little girl walk. She is in the drunken sailor stage, but so dang cute!!! Is it not such a miracle to watch their little brain figure all of it out. And to watch her little blue eyes light up with such excitement as she made it further than she did before and she knows it! But my FAVORITE thing is when she walks to me and somehow when her little arms embrace me they seem to wrap around my whole body and fill my soul with to most JOY! This little girl melts my heart.

Boo at the Zoo!!!

2008-11-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

I had to get all the use out of this stinkn' costume. And Boo at the Zoo just sounded too cute to resist. Oh my laws.... not so cute, fun, or worth the candy!!!! But what made it worth it was watching McKinlay go crazy over EVERY animal, her very favorite was the baby Mir cats. Her head would bounce off the glass every time they would run near the glass. It was so fun the dress sister up and go see the animals, but will never go to Boo at the Zoo again.

Happy Birthday

2008-10-13T08:53:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Lily

2008-10-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Miss Lily Margret is Two years old. And this is really just a happy birthday to her. I can't believe time flew by oh so fast. And in that short two years she has developed quite the personality, but there are really no words to describe her little self, but LILY. Happy Birthday pretty girl. I love you.

our wonderful summer

2008-10-07T14:50:00.001-07:00

We are back!!!

2008-10-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

We finally got the Internet at our house, what a good day. I was debating updating our blog and well it got the best of me and well here I am. We had a wonderful summer and can't believe it is already Autumn (which is my favorite season)!! We did everything from rodeos to ALPINE DAYS. And loved everything in between! I am just going to toss the pictures in to give y'all a little glimpse at our fun.
Since I last posted Miss McKinlay Mae is growing so much, I hate it and love it all at the same time. She is crawling everywhere and getting in to everything! She can sign puppy, more, and just today Dad. She has seven teeth, four on top and three on the bottom, we call her Snaggle tooth. Little miss can stand for just a minute before she drops to her knees to take off crawling.
Life IS beautiful.

I do apologize

2008-07-19T03:50:00.000-07:00

My computer is not working right now...... Benson is gone and I sure don't know what I am going to do! I have so many new things to update on and all my pictures are just waiting to be seen. the best of all my FAVORITE Holiday 4Th of July. I made McKinlay Mae and Lily tutus and by jingo they are just so darn TUTE, red and white with a flower the size of their heads to match. So sorry I will figure out my little problem and update everything soon.

Race for the Cure

2008-06-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

My sisters and I do Race for the Cure every year. And it was so much fun this year I got to take my baby girl all decked out in pink. My favorite question is.... "who are you here for?" and we get to answer "Our grandpa". Our Papa had breast cancer twice!!! No one ever believes us, but it is true. And the best thing is that he lived to tell about both. We love doing the Race and I hope that I get to come and do it next year because it is almost as good as Alpine Days!!!

2008-05-18T15:21:00.001-07:00

The beach in Mexico

2008-05-18T15:10:00.001-07:00

McKinlay Mae goes to Mexico

2008-05-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

Two layovers, four planes, and not a peep out of McKinlay Mae!!! How did we luck out with the best traveler ever!?! We had so much fun every day was packed full to the brim and we didn't have two seconds to sit down to rest... I love trips like that because you know you saw everything and definitely didn't leave anything out. And little Miss McKinlay only had two break downs.... the first one happened on Friday, it was 110 degrees and 90% humidity!!! The poor little thing did not know how to handle the heat! The second break down happened Monday night after a whole day of being kissed, having pictures taken, being packed in the sling, and last, but not least being the only little white baby in Oaxaca made her somewhat of an eyesore. People would see us coming and stop whatever they were doing to watch us walk past. Other than that baby girl was just a doll to let us pack her up and take her along.

We played on the beach, walked through the markets, climbed allover Monte Alban, ate all the tacos we could, saw were Christopher spent two whole years of his life, and had the time of our lives. I am sure I have left something out, but it was so fun to have our first real family vacation! All three of us.

Via Mexico

2008-04-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

We are headed to Oaxaca, Mexico. I can't wait to see where Christopher spent two whole years of his life. And we even get to take McKinlay Mae. I will have pictures and videos for you to view when we get back. And get so excited because Miss McKinlay Mae has her swimsuits packed.

The Sisters

2008-04-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

We were all up to Kate's house for dinner last Sunday and someone had the bright idea to see how tall Claire was. Lets just say we are all so short!!! And all the sisters looked so cute, but me! I didn't do my hair this day and of course we took pictures! Kate's hair cut makes me want to chop my hair all off, but Christopher keeps telling me that I will regret it and its true... I need to get my hair long just so I can see if I even like it. And then I look at Erin's hair and I think " ...oh man it is going to take me years to get there.." What to do, what to do?

McKinlay Mae found her fingers

2008-04-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

McKinlay Mae loves gnawing on her fingers. Christopher is terrified that it will be her thumb instead. She gnaws on her fingers so long that she has spit running down her arm constantly. Right after I took the pictures she gaged herself and got so put out at us. She is to darn cute.

Claire ran for stundent council

2008-04-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

Lions and tigers and CLAIRE oh my.... Claire just ran for sophomore student counsel and won!!!!!!! I'm so happy for her, I knew that the outfit was what tipped the scales. Don't you agree? Way to go Claire you are going to have the best year ever!!! All my love sister.