Middle Age Peer Pressure

So, this is pretty much how I felt this whole week. My friend, Sara, asked me if I wanted to sign up for a one month boot camp with her. She said it would be great if we did it together because she really needed support. I was thinking in my mind that I could probably go as far as buying her a new bra and maybe even a new pair of tennis shoes but that is really all of the support I wanted to provide. Well, let me just tell you that peer pressure isn't just for teenagers. I signed up for the one month experience and now I think about every move I make during the day. Somehow when I am downstairs everything I need is upstairs and when I am upstairs everything I need is downstairs. You know what is weird? I kind of like it. Who would have thought? Now my mornings begin with a walk to the local high school so that I can be there by 5:30 a.m. to start exercising. It only lasts one hour but some days it feels like a whole lot more. Today was the first day I was able to get out of bed without immediately thinking about ibuprofen. I call that success! You know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Thanks, Sara, for talking me into doing something hard.

Catch Up

O.k., I finally took the time to look at the pictures on my camera and update our blog. This is turning into the blog of the quarter instead of the blog of the week but sometimes that is just how life is. December found us sipping hot chocolate and attending the fiesta bowl parade.

In January and February we watched Kaylee play a lot of basketball. She had lots of fun playing on the neighborhood team and learning new skills.

In January, Matt and Sarah both got dates and attended winter formal at their school.

In February, Matt and I got on our bikes and rode to skyline park to help our neighbor, Josh, celebrate his 19th birthday.

In March, Paige and Kaylee spent a fun day with friends learning how to sew.

In March, Kaylee and I went on a fun field trip with the Patterson 4th grade to the Superstition Mountain Museum. We got to see wild animals and gun fights, it doesn't get better than that!

In March, Paige's school volleyball team played in a city tournament and got 3rd place. Way to go Paige.

We got to see Kaylee perform in the 4th grade play in March.

We also had lots of fun decorating the house for St. Patrick's day. Keep looking at older posts to catch up on even more fun with the Cluff family. I posted 4 other posts today. Thanks for checking in on us.

Spring Break In Utah

For spring break this year we went to Utah to visit Meagan and Hyrum. This is where they live.

While we were there we went to a fun baby shower for their soon to be born son, Brigham. (He is there BYU baby.)

While we were in Utah we went to the Church History Museum. In 2010 the Friend magazine asked children to submit artwork that they would display in the museum. The above picture is the one Kaylee drew and submitted and it was so fun to go and see her artwork in the museum. Sorry you aren't in the picture Hyrum, this picture was drawn before any of us knew you.

We had so much fun in the museum. We spent a lot of time trying to master traditional dances from Mexico. There wasn't any snow while we were in Utah and the weather was much cooler than Arizona. What a fun trip we had!

Conference Weekend

General Conference was wonderful, as always. We watched all of the sessions on both days at the Stake Center and it was fun to be together and hear the words of the Lord through his servants. Between sessions on Saturday we had our traditional pizza and basketball. Kaylee won the game of "pig" this year. (shorter version of horse)

We also took the time to color and decorate easter eggs. Now we will have 3 weeks of fun hiding and hunting eggs in the backyard.

On Sunday after the last session, Richard told me to lay down for awhile and he said he would play with Paige and Kaylee. This was the end result, plus a whole lot of happiness and squeeling that I couldn't capture on film. Richard and the girls built this "fort of bonding" and had so much fun doing it. It kept them entertained for several hours and yes, all 3 of them are sleeping in it tonight. Richard will probably have a sore back tomorrow but the girls were delighted to have fun with their dad.

Just To Let You Know

Recently, Paige decided to take Lady Speed Stick's challenge. You know, how it says "Dare To Wear Black?" Yesterday, Paige put on a black shirt, then took the deodorant and rubbed it on the front of the shirt she was wearing. Well, the results are in. It doesn't work. You could see a big stripe of white on the t-shirt. We know you will all sleep better tonight knowing the results of Paige's experiment. Oh well, disappointment won't be getting Paige down. Inquiring minds want to know and Paige definitely has an inquiring mind.

She's 17!

Sarah turned 17 today. This is her making a wish and blowing out the candle on her birthday

fudge. Yup, that's right, she wanted birthday fudge.

We had lasagna for dinner, one of her favorites.

Then we went to see Tangleld as a family. You've got to love a girl who knows how to handle a frying pan. Happy birthday, Sarah, we love you!

A Star Is Born

This past month, Kaylee has been practicing for the 4th grade school play. This week it was finally showtime! Kaylee was one of Cinderella's stepsisters in the play, which was called The "Granny" Awards. She sang a song and fought over the glass slipper with the other stepsister in the play. She did a fantastic job! Here is Kaylee on the morning of the play, dressed in her costume, wearing stage make-up and excited for her 3 performances that day. Way to go, Kaylee!