It's been a while since my last update! But we have a new addition to the Cluff family!
May I present to you....
Avery Lynn Cluff
Our cutest new addition!
So last week my family and I took a little trip to the good ol' Oklahoma!
We had been wanting to visit there for sooo long, because let's be honest, who wouldn't want to take a vacation there?
Ok just kidding!
It wasn't so much a vacation, but more of a trip across country to see my brother graduate from Army basic training! After 10 1/2 weeks Kyle finally finished basic training, and us as a family wanted to celebrate this amazing accomplishment with him! But mostly we were going there so Kyle could finally meet his sweet baby girl. Yes you heard me right, until last week Kyle had not met his daughter. Chelsea has been so strong since he has been gone. She delivered Avery without Kyle, which was extremely hard for the both of them. I couldn't imagine doing that.
So last Wednesday we all packed up and headed to Oklahoma. This was Avery's first trip and first plane ride, and she did amazing (aside from having her first blowout on the airplane....oops.)
Thursday morning we got up early to go see Kyle! Thursday was family day for all the soldiers. It started off with a demonstration of all the things they had learned and accomplished while at basic training. It was cool to be able to see what they had been doing. I couldn't imagine doing that...those guys are so tough!
Chelsea had the cutest onesie made for Avery for her big debut!
"I'm here to meet my daddy for the first time"
The onesie alone brought tears to my eyes.
So we were not aloud contact with Kyle before the demonstration, although we saw him outside the auditorium.
So after that was finished we all rushed out to find our soldier!
So with camera on and ready we searched and searched for Kyle.
The anticipation was so intense...I can only imagine how Chelsea felt.
As soon as we saw him the tears started flowing...
The overwhelming joy and happiness to see my brother after 2 1/2 months.
To see his face light up when he saw Chelsea and Avery is a moment I will never forget.
I am so glad I was able to capture this moment.
A moment I don't think Kyle, Chelsea, and our family will ever forget.
A moment I don't think Kyle, Chelsea, and our family will ever forget.
I get emotional even now just looking back at that and recalling how I felt.
Priceless.
I don't think Kyle took his hands or eyes off this girl the entire time we were there.
We tried to take some family pictures while we were all together, seeing that honestly it unsure when we as a family will all be together again. So excuse the wind blow hair...and the sun in the eyes.
It's the best we could do at the time.
After spending all of Thursday together we had to say goodnight to Kyle and send him back to the barracks to spend the night. He wasn't graduated yet...so he still belonged to the Army, and had to spend the night in the barracks and not with Chelsea.
So Friday we woke up early again to head to his graduation.
This is such a huge accomplishment for Kyle and I couldn't be happier for him.
He has worked so hard to get where he is today.
I truly felt so proud of him for everything he has accomplished.
Being a great husband.
Now a father.
A soldier.
My brother.
I love him.
So on top of celebrating Kyle's graduation we also celebrated my 24TH BIRTHDAY!
Holy cow I am getting old!
Although I had to share my birthday, I wouldn't have changed it!
The only thing that could have made it better would have been to have Tony there with us.
(He's been traveling a lot for work and couldn't miss anymore school.)
I couldn't be more proud of the military background in my family. It has instilled a greater appreciation for this country and for those who fight for our freedoms.
I am so extremely proud to say that my dad and now my brother are military men!
I feel so lucky!
It was such a fun weekend to spend with my entire family celebrating something so exciting!
I love my family so much.
Couldn't have asked for a better group of people to spend eternity with!
