Happy Birthday Nelson!!!!!

Today was Nelson's birthday. I had high hopes it would be a great day. I was going to take him Jimmy John's, his favorite, for lunch, then after work we had to go to Jayda's school presentation....then dinner with Ben and Pam. (Who came for both Jayda and Nelson). We gave him his gifts last night because today would be so busy and not a lot of time to do anything....so today he woke up, took the kids to school and had to run to the DMV for a new Texas License. (He has been there 3x this week). Finally, today, when it expired.....it all worked out. So an hour and a half later he pulls out and was just about to put on his belt when, BAM, ticketed for no seatbelt!!! YIKES...Uh Happy Bday Honey. So the day didn't start off too good....what kind of cop tickets someone on their birthday? Ridiculous! So I planned to take him a sandwich for lunch....nevermind you after over an hour in the car and finally finding a Jimmy Johns (yes that is with a GPS)....I finally got to his office in time to eat quickly and head back home to pick up the girls from school! Not exactly what I had planned......I was stressed because I didn't get to finish running all the errands I needed to before picking up the girls and there was no way to go back to "town" if you will...Which is a good 20 minutes to HEB or Walgreens. So that didn't go well. As soon as Nelson came home, we had to head to Jayda's 2nd grade school program. At least that was fun. The 2nd Graders sang a couple of songs and then had a "living museum." Each student had researched a historical figure and had to dress up like them. They were lined up so when you step on the "play" button on the floor(paper) they come to life and tell you about themselves. It was cute. Jayda was Marie Curie...one of the first women to receive a Nobel Prize and her and her husband were very famous Chemists. After the program, we headed to Chile's with Ben and Pam. We were so glad they got to come up and see Jayda and celebrate Nelson's bday with us. It was fun to visit with them and of course the food at Chile's was yummy....but the service was not so good and my ice cream cake that I worked on for a couple of days, melted in their not so frozen freezer apparently. It was all mush and very dissappointing.

In the end.....I felt like I was swimming upstream to make everything great for his birthday....and although it wasn't probably the best day ever... I am thankful that the day just exists. I am so thankful for Nelson and the perfect husband he is for me. He is a such a great dad and caretaker. We have never had a fight in our 10 years of marriage, and I know it is because we both want what is best for each other and our family. We always try to do what Heavenly Father would have us to, and because of that, we almost always agree on everything. I am blessed beyond words to have Him as my eternal companion. I can't imagine my eternity without him. Happy Birthday Nelson. I love you.

Our New House

Here are a few pics of our new casa. We've been here almost a week now and we are all adjusting well. What a blessing.
Enjoy.

The Front Room / Walking in from Front Door


The Living Room


Living room looking into Kitchen


Kitchen


Laundry/ Pantry (nevermind I have tons of laundry to do!)


Our Bedroom (overlook Ryder's toys on the floor)The room is so big, I couldn't get it all in the picture...that is pretty nice!


Jayda & Sienna's room


Halle & Mia's room


Ryder & Soon to be Kason's room / Toy room


This house is pretty nice...all the rooms are a good size, there are closets everywhere, and they are huge! In the boy's room, the closet is the toy room.....it is humongous....yesterday I found another closet I didn't know I had...yep. So far so good.....even if we have to trek it up and down the stairs and my cell phone service here bites! :)

Now that the girls have separate rooms, I can actually decorate them....which is in the works....

We live right close to the Austin Aiport, so if anyone wants to come visit...we have PLENTY of room! :)

Another Golden Gator

Ever since the beginning of school, Mia has wanted to be the "Golden Gator" of the six weeks! She had some talking and socializing issues...she is a social butterfly! But after a few six weeks...she was perfect. :) Mrs. Brinkerhoff wanted to pick her in January, but she (the teacher) was out of town and wanted to be here when Mia got it. (We both knew she wanted it so bad.) :) So as Mia depressingly realized we wouldn't be here for the next Golden Gator...her hopes were shattered! Lo and behold, we knew otherwise. Since the ceremony was actually scheduled the week after we move, Mrs. B had one in her room for Mia on the last day! She was so surprised and had no idea! She is such a doll and deserves to be the Golden Gator! Congratulations Mia Pia!








Here are a few pics of Jayda and Halle with their classes and teachers on the last day! :( What a sad day for all! We hate moving!!!!!

Jayda's Class


Ms. Griffith (Jayda's Homeroom teacher)


Ms. Griffith and Mrs. Hahn (Math/ Science teacher)


Halle's Class Picture


Halle's Class on the last day!

Playdate with Friends

Since this is our last week in College Station, we wanted to have a playdate with the girls' and their friends. Today happen to be very convenient with it being a holiday, so we met at the park to play and have lunch. It was a fun day.

Mia & Marcella


My Friends :)


Halle & Kennedy


The Cluffs, Wildes, & Sharps


Mia & her best buddy Alyssa


Jayda & Caroline

Goodbye Party/ Baby Shower

Today my friends had an amazing party for me. We are moving in a week and they had a goodbye party/ baby shower for our little Baby Boy #2. It seemed silly having a baby shower for my 6th child, however, I can't tell you how much it was appreciated and needed. I was amazed at how generous everyone was and how talented...some of them made amazing gifts for us. I am truly blessed to have such amazing friends here in such a short time. They will all be missed so much. We decided to name this little bundle of joy, Kason Porter Cluff. I can't wait to see what he looks like, even though I still have a ways to go. Here are a few pics of the shower...I tried not to include many of myself...yikes...I am one big mama. I prefer to look at the family picture above and think of what I "Normally" look like. Thanks to all who came, organized, wrote wonderful notes, cooked yummy Mexican food, and gave us amazing gifts!

Crafting? Nesting? What have you....

This past week instead of packing I have been itching to sew. My mother in law says I am nesting...so much for the cleaning thing....my nesting is crafting I guess...at least this go round. I have sewed lots of burp rags...sorry, no pics, I'll post some later...but Jayda and I decided to make a diaper wipe case for her teacher, before we leave next week. She is due in a month and we wanted to give her a gift before we move. I thought it came out super cute for my first go round. It was super easy. Her baby's name is Aleigh. Cute spelling. :) She loved it!

For a tutorial on how to go here:

http://www.sewdangcutecrafts.com/2009/06/diaper-wipes-case-tutorial.html

Snow Day

Not as much snow as we are used to...way more. :) It rarely snows in Texas. Nothing like the snowmans we used to build in Utah, but we'll take it! The girls enjoyed staying home from school for this little itty bit of snow...and played outside as long as their little fingers could stand it. :)

Halle's 7th Birthday!!!!

Today my little Halle Bug turns 7 years old. I can hardly believe it! She was born 7lbs 8oz, exactly one pound bigger than Jayda. She had such dark hair and if anyone ever looked Cuban, it would have been her at birth. :) My mom said she looked just like me when I was born. I don't know about that, but of all the girls, Halle is the most like me, in looks and personality.

She is such a sweet spirit and so sensitive to others. She loves her family so much and hates for any of us to be separated. She is shy all too often, but loves friends and loves her sisters and brother. She has always loved babies since she was little and is just as excited for our next baby boy in a few months. She is such a doll! Who would have though we would have a naturally curly headed child! She has been a wonderful blessing in our family. Happy Birthday Halle!

We actually celebrated Halle's birthday on Saturday, the 29th. She invited a few friends over and we had an "olive garden" lunch, played bingo with conversation hearts, opened presents, and had cake and ice cream. I think she enjoyed it! She got some good loot for her birthday. As for the cake, we had a Valentine's theme...I tried to make a "topsy turvy/ crooked" cake....I didn't carve both cakes enough...I am horrible with cutting....so for a first go...I guess it wasn't horrible. She loved it. That is all that counts.

Here are a few pics of the festivities.....