Winter Wonderland

It's about time we got on board. I enjoy reading everyones blog and the blogging format seems like a good way to KIT with everyone.

We are just coming out of the most beautiful winter since we've lived in Idaho. There was so much snow this was the heaviest snowfall SW Idaho has had in 12 years. I heard from people who've grown up here that this past winter was just like the winters they expereinced growing up. I really enjoyed the mountains covered in white surrounding our little valley, so much nicer than brown. This picture was taken on our way home from McCall on January 13, 08 on Highway 55. We were driving about 40 mph and I unrolled the window and took several shots of the sunlight peeking through the snow covered trees.

This is the official Cluff Family Christmas Portrait taken on Christmas Eve. The girls and Bailey (my grandpuppy) all decided to wear a ribbon from the packages we had just opened.
We all over ate, spent more than we should have however; I believe we all created lasting memories. Best of all was spending time together. Dan & Elke flew in from Southern California. Ben, Shaunie, Evelyn & Jillian drove from Provo, Utah and Michelle and Nate live 40 minutes away in Boise Idaho. Chuck and I cherished every minute of having all our family together it was the best part of Christmas.


All of the shopping and planning was fun and exciting but then, just when I thought I had everything done, a month before Christmas...Chuck decided he wanted pajamas for everyone to open Christmas Eve; like we did every year until the kids began to move out.
He and I always sewed the three kids new pj's a couple of nights before Christmas. Sooooo...he got me on board saying he would help and I went shopping for matching flannel, 24 yards! I ended up finding penguin flannel in three colors. I didn't have it in me to make tops for the pj's and ended up purchasing color coordinated shirts to match everyones bottoms.

Pre-shrinking the material took an entire afternoon. Then I cut and sewed and sewed and sewed and ending up breaking my serger. (It is 29 years old and currently getting an overhaul) I finished sewing the pj's at Patricia's house on her serger. What a process! Yes, if you are wondering... Chuck did not help with his gramd scheme. When I had time to work on them he was out of town working, just the way the cookie crumbled. Now if you are wondering what they looked like?????? Yes, we did have a picture or two taken, check them out.


Though he may be getting older each year he still has the kid in him. Chuck was telling the kids how he kicked down the old kitchen cabinets when we demolished our kitchen and our photographer was quick on the shutter and got this one.





I actually didn't sew the Evelyn & Jillian's pj's but found these pretty close to what we had. They have little penguins on them and are the color of thier parent's pj's. Evelyn wasn't happy she had to have her picture taken as you can see in the one we all have black on. Michelle had just the right bribe, we were all so happy when Evelyn decided life was good as long as she held Bailey. (pronounced Bi' lay in Evelynese)


Here we are all in our coordianting pj's. Dan & Elke are in red. Michelle is sitting in yellow with Evelyn & Bailey on her lap. Her husband Nate is behind her. Ben & Shaunie are in blue with Jillian and there's Chuck and I right in the middle.
I have to thank Chuck for his inspiration, Patricia for her serger, the hlepful clerk at the fabric store, and all six of the kids for being such good sports!

Now that I sort of have this blogging figured out I'll work on more posts and please feel free to comment.