Welcome Emma Liv

I'm sure Olivia will be adding more pictures later, but wanted to get a few up so they can be seen by those who are too far away to visit. Liv was 20.5 inches and now holds the McNeil weight record of 8lbs 14ozs, edging out Jack by 1 oz. Both Mom and baby are doing great. Here are some of the pictures from today.

Easter "Eggs"travaganza

So many fun things to share about Easter this year. We started with the Egg Dive at the swimming pool where the kids were able to swim, collect eggs, and win prizes. They loved the morning, and the only hiccup was that the camera batteries died right after Luke's age group went, so I didn't get any pictures of Noah or Elijah!

Later that night we sat down to dye our eggs. Each boy got his own dozen, but with the FIVE dozen that Grandma cooked, Noah flew through his own and then some. They had a great time and did everything by themselves, except Elijah who got my help. And even with that help we spilled some of the dye. I was a nervous wreck everytime any of the boys would put an egg in to color. I wanted them to go slowly and make sure they were careful. They wanted to be little boys. It was hard for me to watch.

Easter morning came bright and early (all mornings do around our house!), which was a good thing since we needed to get out of the house to choir practice BEFORE 9:00am church! They boys quickly found all but one of the eggs. Once we were home from church they got back on the search and found the last egg (with a little help from mom!). They also found their baskets with TONS of candy. And a new toothbrush. Thanks Easter Bunny.

I didn't get any pictures, but we were also so lucky to enjoy two delicious Easter Dinners; one with the Gunnerson's and one with the McNeil's. We are so lucky to be able to enjoy spending holidays with our families. We love it!

Luke's 9th Birthday

After months of living a hum-drum life, we finally have something exciting. Something blog worthy. Last week Luke turned 9! It is hard for me to believe that he is getting that old, and my first thought was, "Oh my, next year he is going to be double digits!" We started the celebrating early with a weekend in St. George for General Conference. Luke's picks for fun were pretty predictable...bowling and IHOP. Bowling was especially fun since for the first time ever Luke was able to beat Noah! On his actual birthday we had his favorite dinner, cake, and presents.

For the love of the game

To say that Luke loves basketball would be an understatement. It would be like saying the Sahara Dessert is sandy, or Antarctica is cold. Luke LOVES basketball. He plays everyday, watches every game on T.V. (no matter who is playing), and even chooses to read books about it. He keeps his own stats based on how many shots he hits from various points around the basket, and has even started to "coach" Noah. Surprisingly, the coaching has happened without too many fights. LUKE LOVES BASKETBALL! The last two years he has done the rec. center basketball team, but this year he was finally old enough for Jr. Jazz. Rick was equally excited and volunteered to coach the team.

After the first practice it was obvious that Luke/Rick's team was not the most talented group of 8 and 9 year olds, but they both came home from practice excited for the first game. They lost the first game by 15, and the second, and the third. They only lost the 4th game by 2 points, and probably could have won if Luke wasn't out with Strep Throat. The lost last week by double digits AGAIN. While our team struggles with dribbling and passing to OUR OWN TEAM, other teams can shoot 15 foot jump shots, and have ACTUAL plays! I'm not sure how the parents of the other boys feel when I am constantly yelling "Arms up, Johnny*." "Timmy*, find your man!" "Wrong basket, Billy*." I do it out of love. Really I do. I'm trying to help.

*Names have been changed

While all of these substantial losses has diminished Luke's love of Saturday morning games, it hasn't dampened his love for the game of basketball as a whole. He can't wait until spring when the snow is gone and he can practice on our outdoor hoop. (It's NBA issue. If you know Rick you know why we couldn't go with the after Thanksgiving $99 special that I wanted to get. No, ours is full size backboard, breakaway rim, cemented into the ground, adjustable height, and has outdoor lights!)

I know that when the organizers of the Jr. Jazz teams were forming each team they had no way of knowing that they were putting together possibly the worst team in the history of Jr. Jazz, but it happened. Thankfully the season is more than halfway over, and next year brings a new team. I decided that I am going to personally deliver our team roster to the organizers and suggest that this group of boys NEVER be put together again!

Noah and Elijah aren't too keen on sitting and watching the game. They love to run around, "get lost" finding the drinking fountain, and make funny faces for me to take pictures of.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

(Mom with Elijah and Evan. You know that she does most of the picture taking when you have to go back almost 3 years to find a picture of HER!)

The first time I rememer knowing my mom's age, she was 35. I was only eight then, and I thought that she was old. I mean, she was my mom. Mom's are old. Now I have an eight year old, and I am a VERY young 33. It's hard for me to believe that my kids could think of me as old, but they probably do. As the years have gone by and I have grown up, gotten married, and had kids, it seems that my mom and I get closer in age. Today she turns 60, and I no longer think she is old. Wise, yes. But, not old. I hope that when I am 60 I continue to live life with as much experience, wisdom, and GUSTO as my mom! Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you and all of your 60 years.

Much Ado About Nothing

No, I have not recently gone to see a Shakesphere play, that just pretty much sums up the Gunnerson's life right now. I feel so busy, and everyday ends before I feel like I have accomplished anything, but really nothing is going on. Rick got a promotion at work (kind of my default when his supervising attorney was let go) and has been COMPLETELY swamped for the last month. Last week when EVERYONE in the house was sick and he stayed home from work, he actually had over 100 texts from work asking about things. I laughed and told him that if I stayed home from work no one would even notice! I'm really proud of Rick and how things are going at his firm. He took the job there a year and a half ago when we were trying to secure loans on our house. We didn't really even think it would be the kind of job he likes that much, but he has really done well. He is in court almost everyday, and is now the supervising attorney over litigation. Most importatnly he never brings work or stress home, and is ready to help the minute he steps in the door.

The rest of us are also pretty busy. It seems we are always on the go. Between work, daycare, school, piano lessons, scouts, ballroom, and Jr. Jazz the boys and I are always running somewhere. I SERIOUSLY don't know how I am going to throw a newborn baby into the mix! We leave the house by 8:00 am every morning and dont' walk back through the door until almost 5:00 pm, or later depending on the evenings activities. I was just thinking the other day, what did I do with my time when I was a stay at home mom to just ONE child? Oh yeah, I watched more T.V., took naps with Luke, went for walks, went to the gym, spent WAY more time with my child, and never felt overwhelmed. What a difference 9 years, two more kids, and a job make.

Alright, now I'm sure I should be working on something.....

Belated Christmas

Better late then never...right? Well, that is what I have decided about doing a post about Christmas. Better late then never. Christmas was great, but seemed to fly by. I loved staying home with the boys for a week, and Rick was even able to take quite a few days off over the holidays. I sure could get use to that kind of life! Luke crafting his gingerbread house.
Noah adding more (and more!) candy to his house.

Elijah was more interested in eating his house than building it!

Christmas eve dinner program. Luke played a couple of pieces on the piano.

(It sure is nice that the kids do our number for us so Rick and I are off the hook.)

For his part, Elijah lead us in a couple of songs. He LOVES to lead music and does it every FHE and even in church.

Christmas morning. Bright and Early! The boys originally woke up at 2:30 AM! Rick and I heard them taking and walking around, but they never came in to get us. By 4:30 am they were back asking if it was time to open the presents.

Even at 4:30, Elijah was happy to be opening presents.

The number one present on Luke's list...a Jazz Jersey.

More toys and games, just what we needed!