Firsts

This month has seen a lot of FIRSTS for our little family...

The First First,

I started work at a new job. I actually had to come home from our Bear Lake vacation for a couple of days to start teaching yoga and dance at a school in Oakley. The Oakley School is a private high school for kids who for whatever reason were no longer able to stay at their last school. I work three morning a week teaching two periods. For the most part I have enjoyed it, but lets just say that teaching high school aged boys ballet is a little intimidating. Thankfully the last day of our ballet unit is tomorrow!

The Second First,

Rick started work at a new job. Rick left the law firm in Park City in May and has been working on his own all summer. Things were really starting to fall into place with the Law Offices of Richard Gunnerson, but when he got offered a job in Salt Lake we felt like we had to accept. Literally we HAD to accept. Just try getting a mortgage while being self-employed. So his own office is on hold for a while until we finish the house and finialize our financing. He actually likes his new job quite a bit, but just today he was lamenting how terrible it is to have a real job working for someone else. It really has put a cramp on his house building time.

The Third First,

With me working in the mornings, Noah and Elijah have started going to the babysitters house a few hours a week. I feel lucky because I was hoping to find a mom who stays at home with her kids and was looking to make a little money, and that is just what I found! Her house is on the way to Oakley and the boys have had fun there so far.

The Fourth (and most exciting) First,

Luke started 2nd grade last week! He has a teacher who was teaching 2nd grade when I was in 2nd grade, and he totally loves her. I was a little worried about her being "old" but obviously teaching kids has kept her young in spirit. He already has some friends in his class, in fact we have already had our first sleepover of the year. Apparently Luke and his firend were planning it all week because on Friday afternoon the friend's mom called me and said that her son's bags were all packed to come! Luke reports that he has played basketball every recess, that school lunch makes "the best meat" for tacos, and his teacher REALLY likes to read to the class. So far no mentions of girls or kissing.

So handsome, and big! When did that happen?

Walking to the bus stop.

When the door to the bus opened I saw the meanest bus driver E.V.E.R. Apparenty he was just filling in for the real route driver. Whew.


The Fifth First,

Elijah got his first haircut yesterday. For some reason it always takes someone commenting about how long my baby's hair is to make me think that it is finally time for a trim. I keep wishing that one of my children is going to inherit Rick's family's curls so I let it grow and grow, but instead of curling it just starts looking shaggy. Rick is usually the barber in our family, but he was working on the house when I wanted the cut done. So I got out the scissors and had a go at it! Elijah was NOT the best client I have ever worked with, and what should've taken 2 minutes to trim turned into 20. It seemd that just when I would get his fine little hair inbetween my fingers to trim he would turn his head and I would loose it. I tried to divert his attention with lots of toys, but she thought it was fun to see how many times he could stand up and sit down. ARGH! I finally finished, and well it could be worse. It could be a lot better too, but it could be worse. No matter what his hair looks like I think he is such a cutie!

Before

After

What an exciting August. Bring on September, we're ready.

Mr. Clean

Noah is his grandpa's little helper. He spends as much time with him as he possibly can and is always talking about being a grandpa. For quite a while now Noah has been asking is he could have a haircut like grandpa. Of course I keep putting him off by saying things like, "wouldn't that be fun!" or "maybe when you are a grandpa". Just the other day when I was commenting to Noah about how long his hair was getting he asked again if he could get a haircut like grandpa. This time grandpa was around to hear it and said an emphatic "YES". I said no. Noah begged. I said no. Grandpa encouraged Noah. I said no. Grandpa rationalized that it would grow back in just a couple of weeks. I gave in.

As Noah and grandpa marched up the stairs I was going to mention to my dad not to really cut it quite as short as his. He could give him a buzz, but not totally shave it off. I WAS going to mention it, but I figured that my dad would think of it by himself. I thought he would use prudence in his judgement. Then I remembered that this is the grandpa who swings grandchildren around in blankets. This is the grandpa who gives grandchildren Pepsi before they can even walk or talk. This is the grandpa who lets Noah "surf" on the tire wheel of the tractor. This is the grandpa who takes the boys to the feed store for Pepsi and honeybuns for breakfast. This is the grandpa who lets Elijah ride the dogs. This is not PRUDENT grandpa! This is FUN grandpa! So I was not suprised when Noah came down the stairs and this is what I saw. Now Noah has a haircut like grandpa's...and loves it.

Summer 2009

A slideshow?! I agree. I usually don't really like slideshows because I don't want to sit and look at tons of pictures without any story behind them. But, because of my lack of posting this summer I feel a slideshow will be the only way I can get it all in at once and feel like I am caught up enough to start anew. So here are some highlights of our summer. I HOPE you enjoy!

• house building projects
• family reunions
• parades
• playing in the creek
• Learning to walk (Elijah)
• Lagoon
• Discovery museam and fountians
• Bear Lake Vacation

Blah, blah, blah...blogging

I realize that is has been weeks since I last posted, but that is because I am feeling really BLAH about blogging lately. I think that feeling is getting round because I have noticed that most of you have dropped off in your updates too! Don't get me wrong, I still love to see what everyone else has been up to, I'm just not that in to doing it myself. So here is an attempt to get caught up (a little) and get myself excited about blogging again!

We had a really fun weekend on the 4th. We were able to have a little Gunnerson family reunion up at the cabin. We spent one afternoon at the rec. center, went to the Oakley parade, and just enjoyed being together (something we haven't done in over 2 years!). It was really fun to have everyone together again. Thanks for making the effort to be there. Even though 25 people in the cabin was a little cramped (and SOMEONE'S baby kept us awake all night ((yeah, that was Elijah)) it was a lot of fun!

Spending the 4th at the Cabin.

The whole Gunnerson gang and the Oakley parade.

Work has slowed down a little at the house while we try to finish roofing. What a project!!!! With 4 doormers, one gable, a garage, and the main house it has been quite complex. I told Rick the other night that we sure didn't pick a house that is easy to build. He assured me it would be worth it. We have been very lucky to have a lot of help from my brother, brother-in-law, and dad, as well as Rick's brothers. Thanks SOOOOO much to everyone! This week we will hopefully pass the 4-way inspection so we can get on to insulation and drywall.

Our summer has been really fun so far, but is going way too fast. There is still have a lot of fun to be had and hopefully I will feel a little more excited about blogging about it!

The boys trying out the tub in their bathroom.

Even Evan gets to have his turn out on the roof with his dad.

Rick, my dad, and Allen working on the roof.

Aside from a couple of rain-outs Luke had a really great baseball season. This year was coach pitch instead of t-ball, and Luke did great! He got some good hits every time up to bat.

I see a future in MLB, don't you?

My Big One-Year-Old

If I said this year has gone by quickly, I would be making an understatement. I can't believe that it was an entire year ago that I had my little baby, Elijah. What a year it has been. I love this little boy so much. He is such a social butterfly! He loves to go to everyone. He even had to have a cabinet contractor hold him the other day. He loves, loves, loves people. He loves all of the attention his big brothers give him. He is good natured and always lets Luke and Tess carry him around. Lately he is showing quite a bit of independence, and I feel it is just a taste of what is to come! He is almost totally eating big boy food, and drinking lots of milk. He is a total PIG! He eats and eats and eats. Last week I bought him his own half gallon of milk and only a couple of days later it was already gone. Although he is a big eater, he is still very small for his age. He hasn't gone to his one year Dr.'s check-up, but the last time I weighed him at home he was about 18 lbs. I will get his offical one-year stats in a couple of weeks.

We had a little cake and ice cream party for him a couple of days after his official birthday. He wasn't too interested in opening his presents, but thankfully cousin Evan was here to help him out. He thinks that he MUST hold the spoon whenever I feed him, and eating his cake was no different. He wanted a spork, but later decided to dig right in with his hands.

Happy Birthday, Elijah. I love your happy, smiling, little face.

My Healthy Little Eater

Despite my best efforts, it appears that Elijah is NOT turning out to be a very healthy eater!

The boys set up a "store" and got out a bunch of food to sell. Apparently they didn't get the Oreo's put away before Elijah found them.

If you have ever met a Gunnerson you have probably had some of their homemade root beer. Apparently Elijah is a true Gunnerson because he LOVES it. (Apparently I am not a true Gunnerson because I like it quite a bit less than Eli.)

More pics

Looking from the kitchen out the back.

From the great room to dining and kitchen.

With Trusses now on.

Almost finished framing.

Staining the front door.