Sisters.

(Thanks for picture Midge)
Lucky for me, I was able to see my family this weekend. Since then, I have been thinking of how grateful I am to have sisters. Naturally, I have the best sisters ever. Abby is the oldest (the one on the far left). She has always been the beautiful, fashionable one, with plenty of friends and admirers. This is still very true, difference being that now she has a great husband and 2 cute kids that fill up her time. The last few years I have watched in awe as she interacts with her kids and mine. She always plays with the kids and treats them like gold. I love how she fusses over them when they get hurt, where I usually give them a kiss and tell them they are fine. I love that she is a great listener, and is always there to chat day or night if needed. I'm trying to be more like her, including working out everyday, and eating right. I couldn't forget my younger sister Erin, (or Midge) as I call her. (She is the one in the middle). Those of you who have read her blog can attest to her spunky personality and charm. She is such a smart little thing and her writing puts me to shame. Growing up, she was my favorite playmate and I love to reminisce with her. She got married a few years ago and is about to graduate from the U (go cougars!!) here in a few days. Erin is simply fun to be around, and her laughter is contagious. I also think that she will be an excellent mother, and I look forward someday to see her in action. As Emmi will be turning 1 in a few days, Chad and I are at the time where we are discussing having another one. I have realized that the main reason I cannot quit now is because of my sisters. As much as I am grateful for them, I would feel bad if I couldn't give one to Emmi. I think every girl needs a sister to fight, cry and laugh with. Granted, my next could be a boy anyway, but I have to at least try and leave it in the Lord's hands. My childhood would've been very different and BORING, were it not for these wonderful women. As we've gotten older and matured, our differences got more apparent, but I think we've grown even closer and I can't wait to see what the next 20 years will bring! I love you Ab and Midge!

Dance.. Dance.. Dance!

Last night we got to watch Chad's youngest sister, Kristin dance. She is a senior in high school, so this was her last recital with the dance company. Since I married into the family almost seven years ago, I have been able to see her recitals each year. These last few years, as she has been dancing with the drill team and dance company in high school, she has gotten to be such an amazing dancer. Most of you know that I danced when I was younger and I still enjoy watching others perform immensely. It has been so fun to have this in common with Kristin, and I will miss her performances very much. I have to mention, that not only does Kristin share in my passion, but Kim, my mother-in-law does too! I knew I was destined to marry Chad when I found out his mom has her own dance studio. Kim has been teaching little girls to dance for about 15 years now, and is so talented. Not only does she teach, but she takes classes herself because she loves it so much! Kristin and the kids after the recital. They LOVE their "Aunt Kris!"

I was able to record a little bit of Kristin's solo that she choreographed herself. However, it was done on my little digital camera, so you can't see her beautiful smile and it doesn't do her justice, but I wanted to share it anyway.

The Work Moves On

What lucky little boys to have a Dad who is able to bring things like this home from work! All I can say is that my boys think we own this "skidster" and very soon they will get a turn to drive it. We have been blessed to have this machine at our house this past week, to haul out extra dirt and rock. Chad was very generous and let me go outside every day during Emmi's naps and pick up all the big rocks. Nice huh!!?? I really wanted to laugh in his face, but seeing as I wanted my backyard finished even more, I obliged and spent hours out there. And even though the last few days have been colder and quite windy, we have made a lot of progress. We are hoping for curbing and sod next week (weather permitting of course). Here's a few pictures I took tonight while we were raking up more rocks: Even though Emmi can walk, as you saw in the last post, she wasn't sure about walking on the dirt. She sat here in the dirt pile, and managed to suck on a few rocks when Chad and I weren't looking. (The dirt on her face and shirt was a big give away!)
This is the half of the yard that we have got ready for topsoil. Looking better, eh?

Peanut's on the Move!

Emmi has been walking now for about a month, so I've been meaning to put a video on here for quite some time. As you will see we are having trouble keeping bows on her head, and away from the stairs. She just turned 11 months last week and is quite fast for such a little thing. Yea for Emmi!

Rocks For Sale!

I was so glad that Saturday was a nice day. There are two little boys who desperately need a backyard to play in, however, it is nothing but dirt, weeds and lots of rocks. Chad has promised me that this year we will put down sod, so we decided it was a good day to start. Chad put the sprinklers in last year, so all that's left to do is get the dirt level so we can get top soil and sod. Easier said than done, my friends!! Unfortunately, we are sitting on a rock farm and need to get the majority of them picked up before we can do anything else. The good news is that once we do pick them up, we are throwing them under the unfinished deck, where they will hopefully keep the weeds from growing. We have a pretty good size yard and the sight of all the rocks was just about enough to make me cry. Chad thinks that our hard work will make us appreciate it more. Well, I don't know about that, but I think we both agree that if we do ever move again, it will either be to home that is already landscaped or we are rich enough to hire it out!! Yea, it is probably safe to say that we are stuck where we are at, but that's okay. We really love our home.
Every now and then we could persuade the boys to help us pick up the rocks, but it didn't last too long. Not when they have lots of digging toys and mounds of dirt to play in. I can't wait to get the rocks filled in so we can finish the deck and lay the sod down. Hopefully in the next few months, I will be posting pictures of our nice green, not brown backyard. And, if anyone needs any rocks let me know!! hee hee hee

Little Peanut and the Bathtub

As Emmi is about to turn 1, we have hit another milestone. She is no longer going to be bathed in the baby tub, but in the big tub with her brothers. Quiet moments like those pictured here will be very few and far between until she is old enough to wash by herself. Needless to say, the boys think being in the tub with her is 10 times the fun and will have no problem sharing. I hope that they will be very gentle when she's in the water. My two little boys, yeah right! Pray for my little "Peanut"!!
My favorite part of the bath is chewing on my toy fish... Splash, splash, splash... Oh, I don't like the water in my eyes!!

Tagged Again!

Thanks Midge (or Erin) for the tag.

Three names you go by:
1. Beaner (to Chad and my family)
2. Momma (to my babies)
3. Sare (to my friends)
Three of your favorite things to do:
1. Read and sleep
2. Go out-to-eat
3. Play video games
Three favorite pets you have had/have
1. Toby (the dog)
2. Burke (my little dwarf frog)
3. Muppet (the hyper puppy that we couldn't take anymore)
Three longest car/plane rides:
1. Salt Lake to Honolulu (plane)
2. Salt Lake to San Diego (car)
3. Salt Lake to Miami (plane)
Three favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving
3. Easter
Three favorite beverages:
1. chocolate malt (it's a beverage, right??)
2. chocolate milk
3. water

I tag Sidni, Becki, Sara, Holly and Lindsay- so don't disappoint me girls!

Chaddy and the Big 3-0!!

Yesterday my handsome hubby turned 30! He said that he wanted just to stay home and have a quiet night, but I think 30 is a big deal and I wanted to do something special for him. So, me and my mother-in-law planned a surprise dinner for him at The Old Spaghetti Factory, one of our favorite places to eat. Between Kirk, (Chad's Dad) and myself, we had 5 big Mylar balloons tied above his chair, at one point he had a foam crown that my niece made for him on his head and of course the servers came out and sang to him before he blew out the candle in his "Spumoni" ice cream. He wasn't able to sit quiet unnoticed in the corner, that's for sure! We weren't too big in number, but I think he was pleasantly surprised and had a good time. A big thanks to all the family who came, and all those who couldn't, we missed you!

I've known Chad now for over 7 years. And, as time goes on, I find more and more things I love about him. In order to condense my list and make it short and sweet, I have decided to share:

The 10 Top Things I Love About Chad

10. I never thought I would meet anyone who was more vocal during a sports game than my father, but surprise, I married him!
9. He is uncommonly good with numbers and can remember facts and figures almost better than anyone I know. (Becki's gift with locker combos and license plates takes the cake!)
8. The way he sings off-tune, and tries to do the "robot" dance.
7. Good with tools and can fix anything that he puts his mind to, I love having him around the house!
6. He loves children and wants a big family. Because he is a great father, the kids are always so excited when he comes home from work and want to go everywhere with "Papa."
5. He treats me like a queen and will do anything to make me happy.
4. Chad loves my family as if they were his own.
3. Like his father, Chad believes in putting in an honest days work, and is an excellent provider.
2. Gotta love the handsome smile and big dimples!
1. His strong testimony and love of the gospel. Chad is a big example to me in this area. From the start, I have loved his knowledge, integrity and his desire to to lead a righteous life. I can always count on him to do the right thing. I am truly blessed to be his wife. Love ya Babe!The Hunsaker Family L to R: Misty, Kirk, Kim, Kristin, Chad, Emmi, Me, Lydia and Dustin. Singing "If You're Happy and You Know It" to Chad, see his birthday ice cream on the right. Papa sharing his Spumoni with little Peanut. And boy, did she like it!!