Cluff Family Reunion

 We just rushed home from a quick but fun trip to Arizona. We got to visit with most of our Cluff family in Nutrioso, AZ. Every two years the Cluff family meets at "Sherwood Forest" named after Grandpa Sherwood's Family and we spend 4-5 days there. We arrived Thursday afternoon and checked into our cabin. The kids loved the cabin. It was big and and had an awesome basement with bunk beds for the kids. The weather was awesome and the kids spent a lot of time on the back porch. 

Tanner loved his view from the back porch. 

It was a pretty great view. 

We spent a lot of time exploring around the mountain and enjoying the amazing weather. 

I love these cute little explorers. 

Here's a view of our cabin from the back. We had so much fun exploring. 

Cute ninja cousins

We also spent some time playing "Lincoln logs" and the kids loved it. There were four huge buckets of Lincoln logs and they covered the floor. All the cousins loved it!

This slide brings back so many memories. I can remember playing on this slide as a child, now my kids play on it. 

And true to form, we had a couple of really great thunderstorms while we were at the lodge. I have so many memories of the rain hitting the tin roof and the sound of thunder in the mountains. It's one of my favorite sounds and memories.
It was fun to watch my kids experience the same. 

Benson loved reaching for the rain while Dad held him under the covering. 

Bailey snuggled up with Papa and Uncle David and enjoyed the thunderstorm from the safety of their arms. 

Meanwhile, I got to snuggle these cute boys. 

After the rain lightened up, we all went back into the lodge so the kids could play games. 

We also just spent some time chatting and hanging out. 

Bailey played all the games and loved it. 

She hula-hooped

And she played this game where you had to knock over the bottle while wearing this ball on your head. It was so funny to watch. 

Benson spent a lot of time in other's arms. Especially the older 3rd generation cousins. (My cousin's kids). It was so cute! I would randomly find him in some one's arms, being spoiled rotten and loving it. 

Tucker made friends with some of the girl cousins and loved the "merry-go-round"

All of this playground equipment was around when I was a kid, its so nostalgic to see my kids playing on it too!

Tanner spent a lot of time watching the older cousins play card games and learning how the rules worked. 

The sandbox was a favorite for everyone except Tanner. He was too big and too cool for it this year. But Benson, Tucker and Bailey all had a blast getting dirty and digging in the sand. 

Benson ate so much sand. So gross!

This girl. She's so funny. She loves all things girly, but has no problem getting down and dirty!

I had to snag a picture of my cousin Emily.
We spent our childhoods playing nonstop during our Arizona and now we watch our kids play. Family is kind of awesome like that. 

Friday night was the talent show and Bailey represented our family as she recited a poem by Shel Silverstein. She recited "Too Many Kids in the Tub". She did wonderfully and We were so proud of her. 

I love this picture of Tanner in the loft. I have so many memories of sleeping up there, talking and laughing late into the night with my girl cousins. 

After the talent show we went back to our cabin and got the kids ready for bed.
Then we had a root beer taste test. We sampled 6 different kinds of root beer and it was so fun. 

The kids loved it. 

We all had fun trying all the different sodas and we decided the favorite was bulldogs root beer. 

The next morning was Saturday and we headed back over to the lodge to hang out. The kids immediately scattered and played with their cousins and new friends they had made. 

Tanner found lots of cousins to play chess with and he loved it. 

Later, Chad took the kids and Chris on a RAZR ride. They loved it so much. 

They rode all over the mountain and had the best time. 

When they got back, it was time for ice cream. 

We are huge fans of ice cream and the kids loved how huge the cones were. 

At this point, we decided to say goodbye to everyone and head home. Aunt Sarah had called earlier and said she wasn't feeling well and was in pre-labor.
I was worried we were going to miss the birth of her sweet baby so we hit the road and started the long drive home. 

We arrived home Sunday afternoon and it was such a relief to get out of the car. The kids did great in the car but I don't think Benson will be happy on any long car rides any time soon. But we had a great time and it was so fun to watch my kids become friends with their Arizona cousins. And this was Chris' first time to ever go to Arizona with us, so it was fun to have him with us.
Such a great trip. 

Now we wait for this sweet Allred baby to come!