Tucson Richardson Update!

Our biggest excitment came on May 20th, when Jessica graduated from Mountain View High School. She ranked #11 in her class of over 500 seniors. We are so proud of her! The white collar that Mariah & Jess have on are for National Honor Society (thank goodness she takes after her dad!)

















A BIG thanks to everyone who was able to make it for her graduation. We had fun visiting with everyone and catching up. We know some of you had a long trip getting here and back...and we appreciate you being here on her day.












Scott, Jake & I had a weekend camp out on Mount Lemon. We enjoyed the cooler weather since we are now in the triple digits here. It was beautiful, green, and lush, and the fishing was AMAZING!

I helped with a wedding cake last weekend. It was a beautiful reception!















We also enjoyed as a family attending Jessica's Seminary Graduation on May 16th. It completed a really nice day for her. She, Scott, & Jake attended the Youth Baptism Day at the Mesa Temple in the early afternoon. While Scott was there in the Temple, the Temple President came up and asked him if he could help a family there doing work. After he helped...the father asked Scott if he was related to a McCluskey. He said yes, and told him that he thought he looked familiar. It only took a moment Scott said, because he looked so much like his father, Elliott. It happened to be one of the Monroe boy's. A small world isn't it...and what a beautiful place to be able to see friends, family and catch up! We hope all is well in your worlds and hope to see updates from you all! Kendra & Family

What Is Your Family Up To Lately?

Have you been geocaching ??????

Been rock climbing anywhere ??????







Seen a good movie you want to share with us ??????







Tried out somewhere new to eat ??????








Been sick in bed ??????









Or just sitting around lately pondering all that is lovely and good in your life ??????

We'd all love to hear what you and your families have been up to lately! Just a few that I know of - Bryce is starting up a business of teeth whitening products (so call and set up your time so you can be one of his first customers and support him!), Scott is off to Mexico again in a few weeks to work with Pygmy Owls (Hopefully NO federallies this time!), Sydney, Gaylene and Konrad have birthday's this month, the Arizona school age kids get a 2 day "Rodeo Break" Holiday here at the end of the month, mom was busy preparing for a RS class this past week, dad was getting over a cold...SO let us know what your up to. We'd all love to know what's going on in your world (even if your just sitting around and pondering!) Need a pick me up this week or just a good laugh...try this link and watch this cute video - it's sure to put a smile on your face! Love to you all:)

Growing Up a McCluskey - Slideshow

So I put a little slide show together for you all to enjoy. It has a little of everything from High School Photos, Past Christmas Fun, Family Photo Ops, Family Reunion Fun, Growing Up in the Fountain Valley House (Look and see how many times the house changes over the years - from bricks in the kitchen to a hideous striped couch to the totally awesome 80's outfits & hair!)So have fun reminicing and checking out the life of being a McCluskey! Love to you all:)

Tucson Richardson Update...

So Jessica has been really super busy with all the preparations for the MR. MOUNTAIN VIEW competition she is in charge of. The competition is for Senior boys who are representing a club. They have a "Strike A Pose", "Swimsuit", "Talent", and "Formal Evening Wear" competition. Not only is she basically in charge this year, she was also asked by one of the boys (a good friend of hers) to escort him during the final "Formal Evening Wear" portion, so she is wearing many hats this week. This is such a highlight each year at the school and everyone looks forward to it...so I think she has felt some pressure to live up to the expectation, if not exceed it! It's tomorrow night, but I thought I'd share a couple of pictures with you.



Last Thursday after school, the National Honor Society teacher, Ms. Cote, informed Jessica that each of the boys participating needed to have a black satin sash with "Mr. Mountain View" and the club that they were representing written on it so that each boy could wear it all during this week before the competition to bring up ticket sales.
So at first I panicked since I had a bunch of stuff on my list to do...Primary stuff, and a whole scrapbook I had to get done by Tuesday for a friends son who returned home this week from his mission, and I generally stress when it comes to sewing...not really a talent of mine!
So my wonderful friend Pam, came to my rescue and allowed me to come over and use her serger to sew 15 sashes. These pictures are of Jessica and I cutting the material and preparing it, before I serged it. They turned out pretty nice, and Jessica was happy. I think she'll be really glad after tomorrow night when it's over. I will post pictures this weekend on our family blog for anyone interested. It should be fun...Jessica's friend, Tony, that she's escorting...is dressing up in a Zute Suit, and he wanted her to dress up like a Hollywood glamour girl from the forty's. It should be cute...we'll see though!



Jake caught a hugh fish the other day when he and Scott went fishing together. See more pics and details on our family blog.

Love to you all! Kendra & family

Remembering Nana...

Remembering Peggy Simmons Nelson Szevery is easy for a lot of us. It is rare to have the type of relationship we had with a grandparent. Now days the generation gap seems to be getting further and further apart, and I'm sure we are grateful for the individual relationships and sweet memories we all have of our "Nana". Coming from a family that has been sealed together, and having knowledge of our Heavenly Fathers plan, gives us comfort in knowing that we WILL see her again one day. But it is normal to mourn, cry and feel a loss now that she is gone. I have had memories flood my heart and head these past few days and have even pulled out my wedding dress and observed the stitching there...as I know it was done with love by Nana and mom. I thought I'd share a few pictures with you, especially so Nana's great grandchildren can see her in ways they haven't before. Remember... We are all better people for knowing and loving her!
October 29th, 1911 - December 9th, 2008







Nana with one of her children.








This is Nana at the store in Oakley, Idaho with Francis & J.J.






I'm grateful for the chance I had to visit and spend time with Nana this summer in Rexburg. That my children could personally know their Great Grandma, and will have stories, memories, and pictures that they can share with their children one day. That a legacy of a great woman will go forward in the hearts and minds of her families future generations. With Love, Kendra.

We had a great Thanksgiving as I am sure you all had. Although it was nothing like the old times. I know that our own Thanksgiving's were special in its own way. As time passes it becomes harder to get together as a big family. I find comfort in knowing that there will be a time again and that the memories we have from the past are priceless. We love you all very much and hope that as the Christmas season approaches, that we remember that Christmas is about giving and not receiving and that love we have for each other is everlasting.

DECEMBER NEWSWORTHY EVENTS

December 1st - Sam's Birthday
December 2nd - Cayden's Birthday
December 5th - Logan's Birthday
December 7th - First Presidency Christmas Devotional Broadcast
December 13th - Twelve Days Before Christmas begins
December 16th - Mom & Dad McCluskey's 41st Wedding Anniversary
December 19th - Cousin Sara Nielson's Sealing - San Diego Temple
December 20th - Sara's reception - Yuma, Az.
December 24th - Christmas Eve
December 25th - Christmas Day
Decemebr 31st - New Years Eve