The Cluff Family

My brother in law, Michael Andersen was kind enough to take pictures of Chloe's birthday party. I am so happy he did because he captured every moment. I decided to have a party in Utah with my family since we will be in Arizona on Chloe's actual birthday... oh but don't worry she'll be having one down there as well.

I made it a winter wonderland theme and had white powdered donuts, white chocolate snowflake pretzels (both walmart), Russian tea cakes (my mom), and cupcakes (me). My sister made her smash cake which turned out so adorable! The coconut on top was supposed to be "snow". Chloe was unsure about the cake since I don't usually feed her sugar like that but she had a few bites.

Tanner bought some pink, silver, and white balloons and snowflake confetti for me which added the perfect touch. He likes to add his input ;)

I made a banner that showcased Chloe every month so we could all see how much she grew in a year.

It was pretty convenient that she started to take 7-8 steps at a time at her party... and she did it over and over again to show off to her audience. I consider this to be her first day walking. I can't believe it. My baby is almost a toddler.

Since my family wasn't going to be with Chloe on Christmas it was a combined Christmas and Birthday celebration (hence the Christmas wrapping paper). Chloe loved all of her gifts! She especially loved the poof my mom made for her. She just loves anything soft and cuddly like soft animals, blankets, and pillows. Paul and Gina gave her the cutest red polka dot coat/dress and Michelle and Mike gave her one of those popper/walker things. She also got books, and a little people doll house. She is one spoiled girl. That's not it either... just wait for Arizona. Chloe is going to share her party with Emma (her cousin who is three days younger) and it is going to be "pretty in pink" and pretty fabulous.

Happy One Year Chloe!!! :)

I just LOVE Christmas... but who doesn't? I am obsessed with traditions and keeping old ones and making new ones. A new one I may have made... is to go see the Festival of Trees. I went with my sister and mom and we made a whole day out of it. The Festival of Trees is an event where people will donate decorated Christmas trees of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and themes. Then they are auctioned off and the proceeds go to the Children's hospital. They also had gingerbread houses, goodies, homemade decor items, and a stage with local entertainers. We loaded up on our fudge and sweet rolls and were truly exhausted by the end of it.

I love Thanksgiving. What is better than getting together with family that you don't see often and eating tons of yummy food? nothing. I am grateful for my in laws because they are amazing and they host an amazing Thanksgiving weekend. This year we spent turkey day down in AZ with the Cluffs. We left early Wednesday morning and arrived around 7pm. That day was not my favorite but we survived it. I wasn't sure how Chloe would survive the 10 hour drive but she did amazing. It wasn't until about an hour left of the drive that she really started hating us. At least she slept a straight thirteen hours that night... Thankful here!! :)

Thursday is when it all began. The thanksgiving parade was on in the background while Christy, Aunt Deb, and sisters cooked and prepared for the big meal. The night before everyone had gathered to help put the turkeys in the pit. Have you ever had a turkey that has been cooked in a pit? delish. The meal was a classic thanksgiving feast with turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing, rolls and don't forget pie. Christy's lemon meringue pie is the best and everyone agrees. Then there were games of diminishing bridge (which we played at least every hour on this trip), visiting, and looking at black Friday ads.  Shanna and I decided we were going to check out Target at 9pm and when we arrived there was already a line wrapped around the entire store. After much contemplation of whether to wait for all the people in line to enter the store and then us enter or to wait in line...we decided to walk to the back of the line but didn't quite make it.  Okay oops we might have cut a few people and by few I mean a lot but it's okay because we got chewed out for it (well Shanna did while I purposely tried to act like I couldn't hear them). After feeling totally guilty, we made it into the store with the rest of the crazy people who like to shop black Friday sales. We separated and searched for the items and we ended up filling up two carts full. They were overflowing. Stephanie and Chad joined us later and after going through the super long check out line twice (don't ask), we made it out of the store with money saved and happy purchases.

Friday morning I woke up bright and early to go to JCPenny for their black Friday ads. I totally wanted to get a pin and win a trip or some money (I always fall for stupid marketing schemes). Well I got three pins and didn't win anything but did buy some really cute polka dot skinny jeans for ten dollars... can't beat that. The afternoon was spent hanging out and playing more diminishing bridge. Later we went to El Charro for dinner which is usually on the must do list. I actually ordered something I liked there... shredded beef tacos.

Saturday afternoon the girls went to a paparazzi party that Stefani Stewart was throwing. She is a family friend and she sells jewelery for five dollars (necklace and earrings together). I purchased a cute turquoise necklace and then told myself that I wasn't going to buy anything else this trip because I had already spent too much. The family went and saw the movie Lincoln which was really good except I really had to go pee half way through but I was sitting in the middle so I felt pressured to hold it... ugh stupid bladder. Afterwards we ate at Texas Road house and stuffed our faces some more.

Sunday, Tanner and I cooked dinner for the Cluffs. We made Hawaiian Chicken which is a family favorite of mine. We played more diminishing bridge and hung out. My college roommate came over with her husband and visited along with Tanner's best friend's family. We all had a lot of catching up to do. Sunday night was when everybody said their goodbyes... but really not for long. We will be back for Christmas.

Every time we come down we always feel like our nephews and nieces have grown ten times as much and it is a little sad to know that Chloe isn't growing up next to them but I guess it just makes the times we do visit really special. We are already so anxious for Christmas to come. This will be my first Christmas away from home and I'm excited for the new experiences and traditions. 

*sorry no pictures: spent too much time playing diminishing bridge.

Okay it is time to listen to Christmas music... it snowed!!! I was sleeping over at my parent's house when I woke up and saw this! Since I won't be getting a white christmas this year I am totally soaking this in! My parents live an hour north of us so they always get tons more snow but we still got tons in Springville.

Our scary jack-o-lantern. I scooped and drew the face, Tanner carved, and Chloe approved.

I lucked out. My visiting teacher is a natural photographer. She offered to take pictures of Chloe for me and so of course I accepted! It turned out to be a mother/daughter shoot but I LOVE how they turned out! Her name is Terie Young... so if anyone wants her number... ;)  This happened about a month ago and it is crazy how fast Chloe has already grown since then from just from looking at these.















Chloe.....

weighs 25.4 lbs and wears 18-24 month clothing.

waves bye bye.

picks up all sorts of food, peas, beans, avocados, bananas, chicken, wheat bread with hummus, pasta. She loves to feed herself and if I try to feed her, she'll take it out of my hand and put it in her mouth.  She sometimes will hide her food in the cracks of her high chair when she thinks I'm not looking.

learned the sign for "all done" and will wave her arms in the air to let us know she is finished eating.

loves musical toys and will dance dance dance. She also loves to sing... especially to Josh Groban.

hates getting dressed and hates it when I wipe her nose(when it's runny).

is strong, smart, funny, and has the cutest smile in the world.

plays pat-a-cake and loves to clap her hands. She also will play peek-a-boo with the shower curtain. She'll take it and poke her head out, cover her face, then poke it out again smiling all along. She loves it when I chase her and tickle her.

adores Tara, my family dog and giggles when Tara licks her (I try to prevent licking on the face).

loves reading books especially touch feel books. Even if it is not a touch feel book she will scratch at it expecting it to be a different texture.

says mama to me and dada to Tanner.

sleeps 11-12 hours straight sometimes but still gets up once... just depending on the night.

has stood all on her own! She now cruises and pulls herself up in the middle of the floor to stand. She gets so excited when she stands.

has screaming attacks with Bradley (who can scream the loudest). They both get so excited to see each other.

is our cuddle bug when she's tired and moves her lips up and down in a sucking position (this means it's time for night night).

Chloe, we love you so. Happy ten months.