Thankful

This time of year we are all so very thankful for so many things.  The thing that hits the top of the Cluff's list is FAMILY!!  I had the oppertunity last week to go visit my parents for their 40th wedding anniversary.  This is the first time I have ever left my kids with Jeff.  I was grateful for the oppertunity to be with my parents, sister, and brother.  We had fun looking through old pictures and remembering fun times from the past.  I appreciated my husband while I was gone being so willing to take care of everything at home.  The kids had a wonderful time with their Dad for the weekend, he didn't make them do any chores on Saturday.  Family really is one of the most important things we have here on earth, and one of the few things we can take with us for eternity.  Because I want to be with my family forever, I am always trying to be a little better.  Family gives us the push we need sometimes.

Emily did a Family Home evening on being thankful, and here are a few of the other things that made the top five of each of our lists, in no specific order
1. Job
2. Walmart
3. Nice weather
4. Flannel sheets
5.  A dinner no one complained about
6.  Halloween
7.  Soccer
8.  Parks
9.  Christmas
10.  A big washer

Happy 40th Mom and Dad

I hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving. 

A Victory and Autographs

Yesterday we went to the BYU vs. UNM game in Albuquerque.  The game was a lot closer than we wanted it to be, but in the end we won, and as Tyson says, "That is all that matters."  The weather was a little chilly, but not too bad.  The kids had a lot of fun watching the game.

They also enjoy playing around.  I love these pictures of Ryan and Addison.  They are trying to see who can tear off the biggest piece of paper with their mouth.

 

Although they all loved watching the game, they also love getting autographs at the end.  The boys got all of the autographs they wanted.  It is amazing at how much they have learned about getting autographs.  The first time we waited after for autographs they were asking every person they saw for one, I think they got a few trainers.  Now they wait and find the specific people that they know are good.

Dennis Pitta (the autograph they wanted most)

Max Hall and the kids

Tyson's favorite player McKay Jacobson

We decided to come home last night after the game so we could be here for church.  It was a great day, but it was long and tiring.  Here is my favorite picture of Ryan.

Soccer Ends

Yesterday was the last day of soccer games.  We will miss going to the games and watching the boys play.  They both had a great year.  Tyson's team got 2nd place.  Justin's age group doesn't keep official score, but they did well.  It was their first time on the bigger fields, so it was a transitional year, by the end a lot of them had figured out the game.  We had three games yesterday and they won all of them.  Tyson and Justin both had great games.  We look forward to the spring to watch some more, but until then we will enjoy the memories.  Here are a few pictures at Justin's game.  I didn't take any at Tyson's game because they have a professional photographer taking pictures since his son is on the team.  I will have to post some of his pictures when I get them.

Some of the sideline action.  Notice Emily is doing her homework.  Watching soccer isn't her favorite thing to do, but she is happy to take a book and read outside all day, today she had a lot of English homework, what better place to write six poems than out in nature watching soccer!

Game action

Thunder 2009

The great thing about soccer at this age, everybody gets a trophy!

Corn Maze Field Trip

Ryan went on his first field trip to the Corn Maze on Thursday.  They didn't actually do the maze, but they had a hay ride, picked out a pumpkin, rode the "cow train", and saw all of the animals.  It was a great day and I was glad that Abigail and I could go with him.  Here are a few pictures from the day.

Happy Halloween!!

This Halloween season seemed to be dragged out a little too long! We started three weeks ago with our fall fest at the school, last week we had our ward trunk or treat, and then last night we did the real trick or treating. Yes, I am sure I sound like a party pooper, but I really don't see the need to spread a holiday like Halloween out so long! But, all that being said, the kids had a blast and never complained about receiving candy three weekends in a row.

We still managed to have our annual family fun. We had a "Mummy Party" where we ate mummy pizza, soda, and cupcakes, and played "Kick the Mummy".

On Halloween day we had our annual dinner at "Cluff's Creepy Hallow".  This is when I make up a menu of food with different names and they circle what they want to eat.  I always pick food that I know they like so they get a healthy dinner before we go trick or treating.  For example, Justin's menu this year was Ghost Blood (milk), Intestines drenched in cockroach spit (beef lo mein), and Monster Jaws (apples).  The kids always enjoy doing this.

  

After a healthy meal, we were off to trick or treat.  Here are a few pictures of the kids.  Some better pictures were taken, but I haven't gotten them from my friend, so these will have to do!

Ryan (devil)  and Abigail (angel)

Justin as a "haunted skeleton"

Tyson as a "sumo wrestler"  Rich wore the costume Jeff was suppose to wear.

Emily as "Dorothy"  she really did look cute, but I didn't get a good picture of her with my camera.   I hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!!

Ryan's Dream

I love to talk to my kids on the way home from church; we always have very interesting conversations.  Today on the way home from church this is how my conversation with Ryan went.
Ryan:  Mom, can I please get a couch for my bed?
Mom:  Why?
Ryan:  So I can watch T.V. while sitting on it.
Mom:  But you don't have a T.V. in your room.
Ryan:  I know, I need a T.V. too, and then if I could get a really big microphone and connect it to your ear so I could tell you when to bring me my breakfast.
Mom:  So I can just be your slave?
Ryan:  (laughing) yes.
I feel bad for Ryan's wife some day!!

Here is a picture he wanted me to take of him when I was taking pictures of Abigail this morning.

My Little Princess

Abigail is really into being a "Princess".  She changes her clothes at least ten times a day and I am not exaggerating.  If I can't find her and she is being quiet I can guarantee she is in her room going through her closet finding the perfect outfit.  She can be in a swimsuit one moment and a winter sweater the next.  Emily was the same way when she was her age, but I had forgotten about this since my boys didn't really do this.

Today when Abigail got out of the bath she was very excited to take me to her closet and show me what she needed to wear.  She picked out her favorite dress because she knew it was Sunday.  This is the one dress I have had to put limits on.  This is the one day she will not change her clothes until I make her, because if she had her way she would wear this dress everyday.  She loves it, and I have had to limit it's wearing to Sunday only, but she does look cute in it!