Blackberries for Days

Our blackberries are starting to get out of control.  Out-of-control AWESOME!!

We picked SOOOOO many berries.  They are HUGE, beautiful, and delicious!!

The only problem is that if I leave the back door open, Andrew escapes and eats them and makes a MESS!!  Half way through the summer I just started taking his clothes off every time we went into the backyard.  No stained clothes, but MESSY Andrew!

One day I picked all these berries.

A few days later, I picked the same amount again!

We have been eating all things blackberry!

Blackberry Smoothies

Blackberry Clafoutis  (Recipe HERE).

Blackberry Salad

Blackberry Jam

Blackberry Ice-Cream (Recipe HERE)

And my favorite, 

Pecan Chicken with Blackberry Sauce (Recipe HERE).

Lagoon or Bust!

I grew up in a family that doesn't like Lagoon.

One of our neighbors felt the same way and we had a continuous joke going between our families.  One of our family vacations was during “Stake Lagoon Day,” so they sent a bunch of things to remind us of Lagoon while we were away, (an old hot dog, popcorn, gum to chew up and then walk in it, etc).

One year we took this family photo when we didn’t get our tickets:

Well, Darin knew about this, and ALMOST didn’t get the free tickets to go for a work party.  Luckily, he did, and we had a great time!  The last time I went was in 1999 for 9^th grade Lagoon Day!

I MIGHT even consider taking my kids there, one day.

Trip to the Cabin

Like father like son!

Lindsay struck this pose and said, "mom, take my picture."

Making s'mores.

I love the colors starting to change!

Francis Frontier Days

We went to Francis for Frontier Days on Labor Day.  We had so much fun!  

They do a bunch of races for the kids and divide them into age groups.

First was Lindsay’s group.  They did a practice round and the winner got a quarter…..and

LINDSAY WON!

Then, the second race was for a gift certificate to a local pizza shop….

LINDSAY WON AGAIN!!

The third race was for a pet bunny….

LINDSAY WON AGAIN!!

Unfortunately for my kids, they have a mean mom that wouldn't let them keep the bunny.  (I actually did consider it, but I really think I am allergic).  We gave the bunny to one of our neighbors, and they have graciously given us visiting privileges!

Here is a 12 second video of my little speedy-pants Lindsay!!

Matt and Eli got to race together.

The both won a drink.

Here is the little bunny Lindsay won.

A Day at the Cabin

We actually got to spend 4 days at the cabin.  We had a great time, and more to come on the blog soon, but for now, here is a little video of one day at the cabin!

1st Day of Kindergarten

Oh Matthew.  My sweet boy started Kindergarten.  

There were no tears, but my heart aches.  

I can’t believe how much I miss him even if it is just for a few hours.

So many thoughts.  All carefully recorded in my journal.

I love this boy!  And I love his dad.  And I love that Darin took the day off to see Matt go to school.  

(He actually took it off because I felt really sick that morning...not sure if I was really sick or just 1st day of school jitters).

Back to School Dinner

Sunday we had our first Back to School Dinner.

Our Gunnerson Family Theme for 2014 is:

 “Kindness begins with me.”

After dinner we sang, THIS song, and talked about ways to be kind.

We showed the kids our new “warm fuzzy” jar and told them every time they do something kind we will add a “fuzzy” to the jar.  When it is full we will do a fun family activity. (Yet to be determined).  After our little lesson, Darin gave each of us a Father’s Blessing.

(Side note: I spent probably 30 minutes writing and re-writing this phrase on the chalk board.  I did a really fun caligraphy writing and finally got really happy with how it looked.  Then, right before dinner, Andrew colored ALL over it, and I had to just write it in a hurry.  I now realize that the message is what is important, not the font.)

Ogden Temple Open House

Our family made it up to the open house for the Ogden LDS temple.

It is BEAUTIFUL!!

I loved watching Darin talk to the kids in whispers as they walked from room to room.

I loved holding Andrew as he waved to EVERY volunteer.

But the best was seeing his reaction as we went to the celestial room.

"Ooooooo!!!  Ooooooo!!!" is all he kept saying as he pointed to different things.

I love this family of mine!

If you'd like to learn more about LDS temples, click HERE.

Bishopric Dinner

A week and a half ago Sister Ita, the 1^st counselor’s wife, sent me a text to ask what she could bring to the bishopric dinner.  I told her I hadn’t heard anything about a dinner but I’d check with Darin and let her know.  Darin didn’t answer so I called the bishop’s wife and she said they were going to do one but it got canceled.

 

A few days later I got a call from the clerk’s wife asking the same thing.  Again, I told her I hadn’t heard of anything.  On Thursday, Sister Ita was driving by and again asked what she could bring to dinner.  I told her I didn’t know anything about a dinner, but Darin was just pulling up from work.  I asked him if he knew about a bishopric dinner and he said, “Oh ya, sorry, I forgot to tell you, everyone is coming to our house for dinner.”  Darin is always great at keeping me in the loop, so it was funny to me that he forgot this kind of important detail—that we were having15 people over for dinner!

So, I sheepishly returned calls and told the wives that they were right, and we threw together a quick dinner.  It was a really fun night, and great to be together. 

Landsaw's gave Andrew his very own Drumstick.

He LOVED it!