Destruction of a grouse

I put this on here for one reason only. My stinky husband. If you are a normal person, you will not watch this video. You will pass it by and pretend that it does not exist. If, however, you are my brother-in-law, Morgan, you will be thrilled to see that I have, indeed, caved in and posted this on the blog. Please note that to me, this act is the equivalent of placing a deer head on my wall. It will not last. It will be removed. And my husband owes me for life. Yes, I'll be getting whatever I want for Christmas. Any suggestions?

Gobble, Gobble

How does one describe a day overflowing with great food, family and friends? A day filled with laughter, love and games? Thanksgiving of course!

We had a great time this year. Although we missed all of our extended family, it was nice to be at home with a couple of really good friends. We had a gigantic turkey (25 pounds!) which we'll probably still be eating next year and tons of other food. Leftovers are my favorite meal! And for you Hunsakers out there, I've been eating Zingers like crazy! Even had to bake another batch of rolls.

To keep with the traditions of my family, we went around the table and all said what we're grateful for. Chase said that he's grateful for his dad because he's a lot of fun. Denver spoke of his mission and all that it taught him. And I, well I've become as long-winded as my mother-something I swore that I would never do. I decided that what I'm most thankful for this year is my Divine Role. I love being a wife and mother and all that it entails. I was made to be a mother! But I also know that my divine role encompasses more that just my little family. I am a daughter of God and He loves me! He, in His infinite wisdom, has trusted me to raise these two amazing children and has blessed me with a man strong enough to capture and retain my love and respect. He's even trusted me with a calling working with a new generation of stripling warriors. I am humbled by His trust and so truly grateful that I have the knowledge I need to fulfill my callings in this life. I am blessed. Beyond measure.



So, moving on, I wanted to add a couple of fun pics so here's one of our table! Chase and I had a blast decorating it for our meal. Sorry we forgot to take any pictures of the table after there was food on it-we were so hungry we forgot!


We found giant leaves out in the backyard and decided to use them as coasters. I think that's the most fun we've ever had setting the table.


Denver and Corbin had a photo shoot a while ago and when I came across these pictures I just had to share! I can't believe how cute they are!

The Wiles of Walmart

Low prices. Screamin' good deal. We've all been enticed by them at one point or another. Oftentimes, they are worth it as long as you avoid the pitfalls surrounding them. I almost escaped from the latest venture unscathed but, alas, I was taken in by the beauty of my children.

We went to Walmart to get a family portrait done a couple of weeks ago. I thought it would be nice to have one and when Denver noticed the $4.99 deal at Walmart I just couldn't resist. No sitting fees, the whole family, I could probably get a couple of extra shots with the boys...I figured I could stomach the atmosphere for long enough to get a decent shot.

I certainly got what I paid for. Luckily, my boys are cute enough that it's virtually impossible to not get a good picture of them and by some stroke of good fortune, I look okay too. I'll admit that after sitting through the session with our photographer I was highly skeptical about any of the shots turning out. If you can imagine a 16-year-old boy with no social skills and an inflated sense of self-importance, he'd seem suave and charming in comparison with our photographer. And that's putting it mildly.

Fortunately, you can't see what's really going on in my mind and my smile almost looks genuine. Chase's actually is. He's the only one that liked the photographer-thought he was funny. Like only a nine-year-old could. So after much deliberation, some pushy sales pitches, and my becoming adamant that I didn't want a portrait package for $300 or even the $150 package and no I don't care that there is a payment plan I just don't want all those pictures and no matter what else you say I just want these two shots, we were able to pay for our pictures and leave.

You'd think that would have been the end of it. Not entirely. You see, when we went to pick up the pictures they showed us the prints we'd chosen and then they pulled out a bunch of extra prints that they'd made that they thought maybe we'd want-all for another $20! I was furious! INCENSED! Who the heck are they to be printing off extra shots of my family wasting all that time and money just so they can guilt me into spending a couple of extra dollars. I refused. I looked at the girl and she must have sensed my anger cuz she didn't push it at all. Denver about went back and asked if he could just have them if all they were gonna do is throw them away but I wouldn't let him.

Well, since I'm cheap, I only ended up getting the portrait package and two other sheets of just Chase and Corbin. That's where they got me-the extra sheets are almost $10 a pop! I refused to buy anything more so I had to take pictures of the portraits so that I could get them on the computer for all of you to see. You get the basic idea. And don't worry, next time, I'll just have a friend take pictures cuz there is no way you're ever going to get me into another portrait studio. EVER.

Hot diggity dog, I've got some good-lookin' kids!

This one's for you Tiffy. I made it today after you made me feel guilty for not posting often enough. I guess sometimes the squeaky wheel really does get the oil. Love you.

Halloween Part Two

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Milestones

This past Saturday night marked a major milestone for our family. It was the first time that one of our children required a visit to the hospital to be put back together. I tried to avoid it, but alas, the cut was simply to wide and deep for superglue. Below are the pictures taken to mark this 4-hour-long occasion. I know there is a reason it's called Urgent Care and maybe someday I will understand exactly what that reason is...Note the bloody pants. FYI, hydrogen peroxide works wonders when trying to get blood out.



Isn't it beautiful? It looks just bloody enough to be real but not so much that it's gory....

And to think-a light bulb while putting baby clothes in the attic. Where's the adventure and glory in that?

At least Corbin was well-behaved. In fact, I think he had enough fun showing off for all the people in the waiting room that he wishes someone could get hurt every night.

Well, at least he smiled for the Primary Presentation the next morning. It helped lessen the convict/asylum look that he's got going on here.

We do actually have fun sometimes around the house and I thought I'd add a few pictures as evidence. Enjoy!

Denver and Chase went grouse hunting early one morning. Aren't they the cutest in their bright orange outfits! The best part is that they were successful and we feasted on grouse that evening.

Corbin just chillin' in his daddy's hat. It doesn't even look like it's that big on him. I guess the question now becomes, is Corbin's head too big or Denver's too small?

Aaahhhh...Someday.....

One of my all-time favorites. Chase and Ally at the Hunsaker Reunion during the program. No we did not set this picture up, they did it all on their own. We love you Ally!

Stinkin Tag

Four Things I love about my husband (As if I can even come up with four):
1. His Brutal Honesty-as evidenced by the fact that he can tell me he loves my "little lovehandles" and I am not offended, rather I know that he's just being completely honest and he really does love them.
2. His smile.
3. His work ethic. The man works hard. All the time. Drives me nuts cuz I can't keep up. Did I say I loved this about him...
4. He is a man of God.

Four Movies I would watch more than once:
1. Hitch
2. Ever After
3. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
4. Transformers (Had to have at least one that wasn't a total chic flick)

Four TV shows I watch:
Hah! I don't watch TV. Cable is evil. I admit that I do miss Wheel of Fortune.

Four Places I've been:
1. The Sacred Grove
2. My high school graduation. (Might sound strange, but I consider it a small miracle. I'm sure Mom does too. Maybe some of my siblings. A couple of friends, my teachers, anyone at all that knew me during my high school years...)
3. Niagra Falls
4. Nauvoo

Four Places I would like to go:
1. Rome
2. Rome
3. Rome
4. Ummm...maybe Rome

Four people who regularly email me:
1. Survey invitation sites
2. Viagra advertisers
3. Target
4. My bank
Was this tag created just to show me how completely lame my life is!?!

Four things I would like to eat:
1. Roasted asparagus
2. Rootbeer milk
3. Hunan Village chicken salad
4. Ham fried rice

Four things I look forward to in the next year:
1. Starting a daycare-only because it means that Denver will be in school.
2. Corbin's first word. (Better happen some time in the next year)
3. Seeing the fam. (Another something that better happen in the next year)
4. Having the truck paid off!!!!!!!!!!!!

Four people I tag:
1. Denise
2. Laura
3. Bonnie
4. Charisse

My son, the stylist.

For all those of you who have ever doubted my son't masculinity, I want to assure you he is all boy. Let us begin with the grounding of said nine-year-old. Chase has now been grounded for almost a month, and when I say grounded I mean from riding his bike, playing with friends, all forms of electronic entertainment and so forth. The kid is bored. Out of his mind. His mother is at her wits' end, but that is another story. So today, while listening to General Conference, Chase decided to comb my hair. How can this possibly prove anything but that I have been wrong all along and my son is a girly-man? Let me explain. Instead of trying to style my hair he proceeds to experiment and somehow manages to entagle the comb in my hair so thoroughly that it has to be cut out. I'm not sure what his reasoning was when he began to wrap a large strand of hair tightly around the comb, but I knew something was wrong when, after several sharp tugs, I looked at his face. Sheer terror. "Chase what are you doing?" "Uh, Mom, the comb is stuck", this being said as he quickly backs out of arm's reach. "What do you mean stuck? Denver, I need your help!" "Kristi, what in the world were you doing? I can't get this out. Did you say Chase was combing your hair?" "Chase, bring me the scissors!" It wasn't too bad, and luckily enough cutting a chunk out of my mass of curls really isn't too noticable. Personally, if it helps dispell any doubts about my son, I consider it a small price to pay.

For Gama

I love my mother. I could proceed to list all the things she has ever done for me or enumerate her many strengths and talents. I could laud the many accomplishments she has accumulated over the years but then I would never have room for anything on my blog. So, I decided to show off some of her hard work. Below are photos of her posterity wrapped in an exquisitely hand-crafted, hooded towel. I think the pictures illustrate just how much it is loved. I love you Mom.




Okay, so maybe it's still a little big for him, but he'll grow into it.

At last, the kitchen...

It has finally happened. I have managed to not only whip Denver into finishing my kitchen, but I've also taken pictures of it, downloaded them and am now publishing them to my blog! Please keep breathing, the shock may be great but it will pass.

Here is my kitchen! Not much to say about it other than I love it!


Look at that beautiful pantry and countertop!

Oh so shiny! Come on, admit it, the little green monster has a hold of you!

I wish this picture could express the depth of my love for that sink. Having lived without one for a time I have developed a new appreciation and have learned to love washing dishes. Oh the beauty of running water!

This picture was taken to help illustrate how deep my sink is. I told Denver I wanted the deepest one that they had and so that is what we got. We figure we could easily fit a whole turkey in it, and look-we did!

Fair-ly nice pantry

Below is a picture of my husband. No, he is not on drugs. At least not of the illegal variety. He is preparing to paint the pantry. We decided to tape off the room and just spray paint it. It worked for a few minutes and then his eyes started burning and he was screaming to be let out. If you would care to continue to scroll down you will see how we invented a ventilation system. We really are red-neck genius's. I've also included a couple of pictures from the 2008 Lane County Fair. And if you'll stay tuned, we'll be getting some of the pictures of our new kitchen, complete with sink and counters. Just hang in there, it's coming.


I made him use an actual ventilator when he started spraying. The great thing was that he had to shave off his goatee after he was done painting because the hairs that were sticking out were nice and white. Sorry I didn't get a picture-I was laughing too hard.


The silver tube is just some alluminum piping we had left over from the vent for the microwave. There's a fan outside the window pulling air from the inside. Yeah, I know I'm good.

My slave, uh, I mean husband, installing the shelves.

Ta Dah!

and Ta Dah!!!!

and the final Ta Dah!

Yes, even after working on the house together we can still hold each other and smile. I love this man.

Chase milkin' it with the ladies....

...and a goat!

And poor, sweet Corbin, just checkin' out the scenery and wondering if his family will ever be normal.

Life with the Daltons

We've had a pretty busy week. I am officially back to work and Denver is officially not! Of course, this means that Denver has a lot more time to work on the house and take pictures of Corbin so that's what we do around here.



Don't I look Happy?

I had a naked photo session and I slept through the entire thing!

Here's Corbin getting ready for his two-month check-up. He weighed in at 13 lbs 14 oz and is now 25 inches long! He's growing so quickly and lookin' real good while doin' it.

Seriously.

Corbin has now learned to blow bubbles but not with the traditional dishsoap solution. He uses a combination of milk and slobber. EEEWWW!

It was not planned for Denver and Chase to wear matching shirts while working on the house but I think they are one good-lookin' team. I don't think we'd ever get much done without Chase.

These are the pictures of our pantry. The top is the before shot, the bottom the 'in progress'. We're hoping to have the after shot within the week.

Baby rolls

I didn't want anyone to think with all the chaos around here that the baby wasn't being fed enough and I think sometimes a picture is better than a thousand words...

This past week has been crazy for my little family, but we've all been working hard to get the kitchen together. As evidenced by the above picture, Denver and Chase have done their share of the work but Corbin, well... still it's coming along and we're loving it. We might even have a countertop and sink in there someday. I wish I had some clever little way of saying that I'm exhausted and have nothing further to write, but I don't. I'm exhausted and have nothing further to write at this time so until the next post...;)