Father's Day 2009 and Marlene's 13th Birthday

June 19th was Marlene's 13th Birthday...She is official...teenager. However we did not get to see her until Saturday. She has grown up so much since we last saw her which was only January! So on Sunday we celebrated Father's Day and Marlene's birthday. Uncle Chad, Aunt Karen, and Cousin Constance came and we were so happy! She got to open a gift from Hayley and Chad. Our gift was clothes and anyone who knows a teenager knows you cannot just buy them. She had to go pick them out. Chad got her the coolest rocket.



This is Chad wishing that he had bought two. One for her and one for himself.



We got a picture of everyone on their way out. Note that the bike in the picture is not Marlene's. She is a little too big for that. It is actually Constance's Utah bike that Dennis put together for her.



All and all it was a great day with the family!

May 24, 2009 "6 Years Together"

I could not post on my actual anniversary since we were in Florida and I did not have internet access or access to any of my photos. But on May 24th we celebrated our 6th anniversary. Dennis is the most amazing person. I don't know what I would do without him. I am so lucky to have found that little diamond in the rough. We have come a long way, but each year we get better and stronger.

SIX REASONS I LOVE DENNIS

1- He is an amazing Father and now Grandfather
2- He has an amazing amount of patience
3- He is passionate about the things he loves
4- He is a very hard worker
5- He gives the best hugs
6- He loves me like no one ever has before

I look forward to many more years with you!

Florida 2009

This year for our anniversary we decided to take a trip back to Florida. We haven't been back since we moved and we really wanted to go to the Orlando temple. Not to mention we miss our friends. So we bought tickets at a great price and off we go! We left very early on a Thursday. When we arrived we spent most of the day just visiting with friends and relaxing. Our friend Marianna was so kind and let us stay with her. She lives in Claremont which is outside Orlando, but still close enough. This is Marianna and she can still make me laugh.



Our first stop was Disney World. Florida had been under water for the week and a half before we got there. So I was a little concerned that our trip was going to be a rainy mess. First we went to Epcot to try to do the rides we really love.



I had to go on my favorite ride..Living with the Land. It isn't exciting but it is all about the plants.



It was great while we were at Epcot, but as we were leaving it started to sprinkle.



Next we went to Magic Kingdom. And the rain started. It was very crowded when we first got there but as the rain continued, the people started to leave. During one downpour we decided to get something to eat. Dennis had his favorite Disney food...Turkey Leg.



But the rain didn't get us down.



After approximately 4 hours of totally wet feet. Thank goodness we had our Tevas. We had enough and decided to go home. But not before we rode on the carousel and Buzz Lightyear.




The next day we did Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. While waiting to get in the studios we encountered the Storm Troopers. They stand on the top of the entrance and mock the tourists.



We had to go on Tower of Terror. Dennis has a love/hate relationship with that ride.



They have an awesome Toy Story ride. It is especially fun if you enjoy competing with your spouse.




Our last stop was Animal Kingdom.



We did Dennis' favorite rides...Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.




Last we did the Safari. Everyone always says you have to do it first thing in the morning or you will not see a single animal. We went at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. We literally walked on the ride and we saw nearly every animal on the safari. These are a few of my favorites.







Our 6th anniversary was on Sunday May 24th. I am so happy that I married Dennis and could not see my life without him. I will post about why I love Dennis on another post. Sunday we had a BBQ with friends. It was really good to see them.






There was an issue with the cheesecake, but that didn't stop Dennis.



On our last full day we went to Tarpon Springs and the beach. Tarpon Springs is a Greek Village on Florida's west coast. It is the sponge capitol of the world. It was HOT, but we had a blast.






Dennis had to get a picture of this family. The parents obviously were very concerned for the safety of their child. Notice the posted sign.



The morning before our flight left, we made a quick trip to the temple. It was beautiful and all we had hoped for.



After a whirlwhind of a trip we headed home. But we had a great time. And last a few of our favorite photos.

A New Grandbaby!

Yesterday we hiked to Timpanogos Cave. I will post pics about that hike soon. On our way down the mountain we got word from Dennis' ex-wife, Amber, that Tasha was in labor. Wow! We were anxious with anticipation. A few short hours later at 2:23 pm on July 11, 2009 Rylen Laith was born. Then it hit us...we are grandparents. Dennis is a bit older than me, but still young to be a grandpa. But it is what it is and we are embracing it. We decided to wait to head down there until Sunday. So Sunday we got up early and drove to Cedar. And the wait was well worth it...he is a gorgeous baby. And Tasha looks fantastic for just having had a baby!

Here is the handsome guy



Tasha is a natural mother. She is already smitten by this little boy.



Dennis is a very proud Grandpa. Everyone has decided that his nose has carried on to the next generation.



I had to get a picture with the baby and Tasha. I adore this girl.



And here are three generations of the Cluff family.





We are so happy to have Rylen as a new member of the family. And I can tell you there will definitely be more pictures to come.

My 30th Birthday

Okay, so I know that my birthday was over a month ago. As my beautiful sister Lisa pointed out...I suck at blogging. This is true. I am so busy all of the time it is really hard to make the time to blog. And I, unlike some others do not have help from my husband. He is an admin but NEVER blogs. So it is left up to me. So back to my birthday. It was a beautiful, wonderful day. Unfortunately it was a Sunday. I hate having my birthday on a Sunday. I am not sure why, it is just a bummer. But I bet that is how some people feel when their birthday is on a holiday. I am not sure, that is just a guess. Anyway, so I was awoken early to open gifts. I think because one gift in particular was something I could wear to church. So I opened my gifts and I got some wonderful things from the 'Rents and Hayley. Lots of cute clothes and such. But the highlight of the morning was my gift from Dennis. Let me back up and say that I had been eyeing a dress from Macy's for months. It was beautiful, but I couldn't just buy it for no reason. So I just admired it when we went there. I even tried it on once. This dress is so "me". I nicknamed her Michelle after Michelle Phillips from the Mama's and the Papa's.



It reminded me of that era. And anyone who knows me knows that I was born about 20 years too late. I would like to consider myself a modern day hippie who has a job.

Okay, so back to the gift from Dennis. I opened the box and there is was....Michelle. I nearly cried and told Dennis how much I loved her. He also got me jewelry to go with it. And he picked it all out on his own. What a guy! Here is a pic we took a few weeks later.



Later on we had dinner with the family. The good thing about having a birthday on a Sunday is that the whole family comes for dinner. My mom and I had been debating for days on which cake to have for my birthday. She offered to make one of my favorites that is a rarity around here. It is a chocolate praline cake. It is not the most beautiful, but it is seriously SO delicious. So overall, it was a great 30th. I look forward to a whole new decade.



**The necklace Dennis got to go with my dress is in the above picture. I love it!