Cluff Family Reunion/Temple Sealing

Swim Team

This year Maddie was on the Orem Swim Team at the Scera Pool. Each morning for the month of June and July she was in the pool by 9:00 am getting an amazing work out! I don't know if she'll do it next year or not. If you were to ask her now if she wanted to do it next summer, the answer would be "no". But I'm hoping she'll forget about the bad stuff and want to give it a try again if only for the exercise and schedule. Plus, she is so darling in a swim suit and cap! :)

Menu for the Week

photo from Martha Stewart's Dinner Tonight

Pasta with Tomatoes and Pinenuts, crusty bread, steamed brocolli
super duper easy!

Grilled Steak Quesadillas, black bean and avocado salsa, watermelon
We love these! I do the entire quesadilla on the grill.

Grilled pork chops, mashed potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes
These were on the menu last week, but I never got to them

Asian Noodles with Chicken and Pineapple

Chicken Burritos, watermelon
We've made these many times and the chicken mixture can be used numerous ways

Southwest Chicken Pockets, blackbean salsa, watermelon
I got this recipe from a local cook book called Favorites. It has delicious recipes in it.

July Staycation! (Part 2)

Ben planned a great night out in the Uintas for the whole family. He wanted to take the little ones fishing. And he stayed up late the night before cooking for all of us. We had yummy food to eat and made s'mores around the fire! It was great to get out of the heat and let the kids run around and play in the stream. Maddie loved the fishing with Ben more than anything! The drive was really long but beautiful. I am constantly amazed at the majesty of these mountains. Sometimes I take for granted the beauty of this area...I know there are millions who have never seen anything like this and here we are living right in the valley of these awesome mountains! (although, I must say, the bugs up there were anything but awesome!...I have never seen so many mosquitos!)

July! (Part 1)

My sister Jana came to Utah for a couple of weeks in July and we all had a great time together with the kids! Jana is not one to sit around, so we were constantly on the go...something to do nearly every day! And since we haven't taken any kind of vacation this year, it was great to have some things planned to do for Maddie and Will! I call it our staycation!

One of our first outings was to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. I think I'm done going there for a while...

I love this picture of Will...it completely captures how he is...always goofing off!

Maddie loves animals and the Earth. She expresses her gratitude daily for our beautiful Earth and for the animals.

The next outing was to the Tracy Aviary and Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. The kids really loved going there, especially to Liberty Park afterwards. That park is amazing and there is so much to do. Maddie, Jana and I rode the carnival swings (nearly made us vomit!) and the boys and Grandpa rode the ferris wheel. There are paddle boats and a fun water feature to play in.

Sibling Love at its best!

All of us (except Joce...she was taking the picture) at the bird show!

Boys Love Snakes...and all creepy crawlies!

Not long ago (end of May or so), Bob found a snake in the yard (one of many) and gave it to Will. Will made a little home for it in a pot. He put rocks and grass in it and gave it some marshmallows for food! Too Cute! He let the snake go later that day. Boys will be boys!

Menu For the Week

It's been forever since I posted last...I guess I've been kind of in a slump...or just really busy! But posting my menu is easy so I'll start there!

Garlic Shrimp Linguine, salad, bread, raspberries and cream for dessert
This was rapidly consumed by everyone! Seriously so easy and one of the yummiest things I've ever made (a huge statement!)

Breaded Chicken Fingers & Honey Mustard Dressing, corn on the cob, watermelon
Serve this to the children with the dressing for dipping. For Bob and I, served over romaine, sliced hard boiled eggs, bacon, shredded cheese and croutons-yummo!

Sweet Pork Roast Burritos
black beans and rice inside burritos

Grilled Pork Chops, mashed potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes
We love our cukes and tomatoes in oil and red wine vinegar

Grilled burgers, corn on the cob, watermelon
We love watermelon and corn on the cob this time of year

Penne Pasta with Boursin Cheese and tomatoes, salad, bread
I got this yummy recipe from my friend and it so easy and so delicious! If anyone wants the recipe, let me know