The Cluff Family: April 2012

Happy Anniversary to us! It is so hard to believe that I have been married to my sweetheart for two years! It feels like he has always been a part of my life and I can't imagine what it would be like without him. We celebrated it on Saturday even though our real anniversary is on Monday.

First we spent the afternoon at the Tulip Festival. Mike, Michelle, and Bradley joined us. It was a beautiful day to go and I loved being outside and enjoying the warm spring air. My brother, Andrew, was actually pursuing his entrepreneur dreams and was selling Italian ice... so we had to buy some Italian ice (not that it was hard not too). The tulip festival has turned into a little tradition for Tanner and I on our anniversary. Last year we found out that I was pregnant with Chloe so it was fun to bring her and remember the past year.

After being exhausted from the sun, we met my parents at Cafe Rio for lunch. After lunch, we handed Chloe over to my parents to babysit while we went off and celebrated the rest of the day... just the two of us. :)

We shopped at the new City Creek in downtown Salt Lake. First we put our names down for the Cheesecake Factory (a favorite of ours) and then shopped around while we waited the "50 minute wait." I loved being able to just hold Tanner's hand and walk the shops. We came back to the Restaurant to wait the remaining minutes (at least that's what we thought). Tanner checked our beeper at an hour and ten minutes and they said we were the next ones on the list... 30 min later I go up and check it and they said they beeped us 30 min ago... what?! So after being frustrated about waiting for longer than we had to, we finally got to sit down and enjoy a meal together.

After stuffing our faces we move on to our next activity. I thought the plan was to go to my parent's house and rent a movie and watch it in my parent's theater room and then spending the night in the basement with no disruptions from Chloe. That was the one thing that I wanted... a good night's rest. To my surprise... Tanner pulls into the Little America Hotel and says that we are staying here instead! I was ecstatic! Tanner had planned this for a couple weeks and was able to keep it from me... that is very hard to do since I usually figure out his surprises.

After checking in and getting settled, we searched the movies on the hotel TV. We ended up watching, "Man On A Ledge." It was a dream just laying there with my honey and watching a movie.. it has been a while since we have been able to do that. I was able to sleep the WHOLE night and it was JUST what I needed. If there was a machine that let you replay a day over and over again.. this would be one of them. It was a perfect day and I can't wait to see what our third year of marriage will bring. Every year I love Tanner more and more. He is the BEST decision I have ever made. Happy Two years babe. xoxo

Michelle and Chloe enjoying the sunshine

Chloe is one happy girl

Tulip Festival

The outing wiped her out!

Easter Weekend

10:41 AM

Easter this year was a blast! We ventured down to Arizona and ended up staying 10 days (well the babe and I did while Tanner went back to work). So much happened that I should have been blogging as I was down there so I wouldn't forget it all but I didn't so here goes:

On our way down to Arizona, Tanner received a call from his mother saying that we better go visit his grandma before anything else because she didn't think Grandma had too much time left. So as soon as we drove into Mesa, we rushed over to see Grandma Cluff to say our goodbyes before she passed. We were lucky to have made it just in time because she passed away later that afternoon. The funeral was scheduled for the following Saturday... hence the reason for staying the extra week. The funeral was beautiful and I am grateful to have known her for the short time that I did. I was always impressed with how she could remember who I was each time we visited her. I teared up at the end of the funeral when the congregation sang, "Families can be Together Forever." I love that song and can't help but be happy to know that families really can be together forever. I am so lucky to be a part of the Cluff family. Grandma Cluff, We love you.

The first night we arrived, we kicked off the Easter festivites by going to the Mesa Easter Pageant. I was truly impressed with the production and definitely felt the spirit throughout the entire thing. I grew up watching and participating in the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, NY. It was fun to compare the two and I definitely can't say which one is better because they are both put together very well. Tanner and Chloe slept on the blankets the whole time while I soaked up every minute.

On Friday, the Cluff Family (all 27 of them) gathered together for family pictures. The Color Scheme was black, white, grey, and accents of red. I think they will turn out really well... except Chloe was tired and looking down the whole time. I give the photographer credit for even attempting to photograph such a huge family! and it's only going to get bigger... :) Afterwards, we all went out to El Charro (where else?) and celebrated everyone's birthdays.

On Saturday and Sunday, the family gathered together at Nana and Papa's house and visited. On Easter Sunday, Chad gave his homecoming talk. His talk only extended the proof that he was a great missionary and that he has turned into a matured young man. Now we just need to find the perfect girl for him. At the house, I stuffed my face with the yummy food and homemade ice cream that they always make. There were kid and adult easter egg hunts. The adult easter egg hunt was a little scary for there was money involved but I hurried and found my two eggs and sat down before anyone could trample me over. Tanner found $25 and I found $7 with a total of $32!

On Monday, Tanner left me and drove home so he could go to work. Luckily nana and papa's house is never quiet so there were always people there to keep me entertained. I went out to lunch with Shanna, Stephanie, Whitney, and Mom on Tuesday. We shopped afterwards and went crazy at a baby boutique called "Pout in Pink." I bought a ton of headbands and bows and a cute lavendar lace romper for Chloe to wear. I can go crazy when it comes to shopping for my little girl.

Tuesday night was when the fun really began... Chloe was being particularly fussy before putting her down for the night. In fact it was really difficult to put her to sleep that I ended up on my knees praying to my Heavenly Father for help. I asked that he would help me know what I should do as her mother to help her. Eventually she went down but not for long. I ended up staying up all night bouncing and walking with her because she would not go to sleep without screaming. Morning rolled around and of course I was beyond exhausted, confused, and worried for my little girl. There was something wrong. Charlie listened to her lungs and they were clear but he still recomended going to the Doc. Chloe's eyes did not lie... she was not feeling well. Luckily I have the most amazing in-laws for they took over and let me take a few naps during the day leading up to the doctor appointment. We went and saw Dr. Aaron (The Cluff family pediatrician since forever). Chloe would not stop crying so it was hard to really listen to what the Doctor was saying but he took one good look in her ears and knew that she had double ear infections! No wonder my baby wouldn't let me ly her down. On top of the infections she had a cough and runny nose. After putting her on antibiotics and tylenol for 48 hours she started to feel better. Just when she started to get better... I started to get sick. I HATE colds and of course that is what I caught. I am sitting here right now, writing this blog with a nasty cold... which I absolutely loath! I would so much rather have any other sickness than a cold.

Anyways... Chloe and I are on the path to becoming well again and are safe and sound at home. I loved getting to know my in-laws better over those ten days... I just wished Chloe and I could have felt our best. Chloe had her first airplane ride home to Utah and she did amazing. I was worried about her double ear infections but I nursed her while the plane took off to help. She slept the whole time too which made mommy and daddy very happy! Now we are both home and adjusting back to normal life. Tanner is super busy this week with finals so I am just laying low with my baby. Lots of water and rest (when I can) for me! :)