Remember, Cherish, Love and Share

Remembering Christmases past is part of what makes Christmas Special. I love to see the love and joy on Carter and Lacey's faces!
Cherishing the special moments that are often too rare.
Loving your Dad so much you can't be next to him, you have to be on him!
Sharing you happiness and love with others. Remember the past, cherish and love now and share your love with others!

Fa La La

Tis the season to be jolly and joyful. I am so thankful for the Christmas season because it means I get to spend time with my family and friends. We get to see family that comes from far away (like Washington and Utah) and we also get to welcome a new member into our family (From Arizona) The air is filled with candles and Christmas trees. Ornaments and Christmas lights galore. Enjoy the moments...that's my mantra this season.

Give Thanks

Giving thanks has never been a gift of mine. I don't say it often enough and I am sure that the people in my life wish I would say thanks more often. So thanks to my Family and Friends, for being wonderful supportive people that make my life sweeter and enriched for having you in it. Since I have so few pics from Thanksgiving, I will attempt to take many more for Christmas. But let me point out a few shining stars in my life and I am taking this opportunity to give thanks. Thanks to Licorice for chewing up everything he can get his mouth on.
Thanks to Zanna and Aubrey for giving me the opportunity to see Twilight again.
Thanks to Carter and Tyler for reminding me that exploring is fun especially with Grandpa's handy mole-vision flashlights!

Twilight Moves

Zanna and I ventured to see Twilight at the midnight showing this week. Well, not actually together, but in the same theater. She went with her friends and I went with mine, but we both came home together. Something I discovered since this venture, I am getting old. Seriously, seeing a movie at midnight and then being required to take care of children the next day is just cruel. Of course no one got up when I asked them too, I still had to make breakfast and lunches and do a homework check. But looking at the pictures of Zanna, so happy and young, I think I can understand why I wanted a little piece of that. Just for one night.

Fall into hope

Scott and I on my Birthday
My birthday party was a huge success. My family is always so generous with the gifts. Carter especially liked bestowing the tissue paper to my head.

It is with deepest regret that I allow Halloween to pass, but now it's on to the rest of the Holiday Season. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to mash together at the end of the year. I posted the pic of Scott and I to remind me how it all started. With hope for the future and our lives together. We passed our 17 year anniversay in August and four children later, I still have hope for the future, because my children are the future. My children continue to surprize and amaze me with their gifts and talents. I laugh and cry sometimes in the same day from the events that occur in our home. But I believe that they are already better people than I am and I have hope that they will continue to grow.

Zombies and Ghouls

Scott was a Ghostbuster-Venkman to be exact.
Zanna posing with me. My Halloween costume was a Twilight t-shirt. It said "Bite me". (I thought it was funny)
Carter and Lace with their Halloween take.
Here are the ghouls and zombies that invaded our house on Halloween.
The cutest little Ladybug around, Livvy Lou!

Miss Zanna as Alice in Wonderland.

FYI, as you can see the costume choices were random and not without a little irony. I gave in a little on my sweet Lacey because it was either this, or a ninja.
So Halloween this year is as follows:
Alice in Wonderland-Zanna
Victorian Gentleman-Taylor
Gothic School Girl-Lacey
Knight in Shining Armor-Carter
Halloween is past...sniff, sniff. I had a blast at our annual trunk or treat with the family on Tuesday and double the fun because Halloween fell on a Friday! Our good friends Ang and Livvy (Olivia) went trick or treating with us and then Kari and Jamie stopped by later to play "zombies on the lawn" for the trick or treating stragglers that came after nine. It was a great night and I had an absolute blast and I ate way too much candy. Sadly, my older kids totally ditched us in favor of their friends, after mandatory pictures :) I know I shouldn't be bummed that they prefer friends over us, but I am in denial that they are growing up. Next year I am hosting the party so they want to stay home. Hmm...now if I could just move into a bigger house by then!

Shrinking Ray

Taylor, Carter and I participated in a Mother-Son BBQ at Carter's school recently. Carter and I had a blast playing the games together. Taylor, being in middle school now was too cool for the games and instead "hung out" with a few of his friends(that just happened to be there with their moms and younger siblings). While I was playing with Carter I happened to notice Taylor talking to some girls with his friends. To my surprise he handed his cell phone to one of them and smiled as she typed something into his phone. I was too far away to really get the scoop without causing a scene so instead I bided my time and casually asked him about it later. The funny thing is, since Taylor has started middle school I have noticed that he talks about girls much more than he did in elementary school, but he still didn't really seem interested in them, in that way. So my interrogation, er, I mean questions had to be subtle.
Me: So what were you talking to the girls about?
Him: Stuff
Me: What kind of stuff?
Him: School
Me: Do they go to your school?
Him: No
Me: Why did she take your cell phone and type something?!
Him: Were you watching me?!
Me: Uh, no...I uh just was wondering.
Him: She just gave me a ring tone mom, no big deal
Me:(relieved) oh good.
Him: Mom, you know I talk to girls all the time, right?

Needless to say, I know he talks to girls, I think it was that he seemed to enjoy it a little too much...it was like, gulp, flirting or something! Why can't kids stay 6 years old forever? When they love you and no one else is important? I remember my mom saying that about my youngest brother Joe and now I know what she meant! I think I will borrow something that Scott always says, I am going to invent a shrinking ray and shrink them back down to the age and size where they fit into my arms and I can keep them safe and sound in my own little world forever!

We are Family

We visited The Gathering Place and it was all decorated for Halloween! So of course we had to snap a few pics!
Joe and I checking our navigation system.
Amy and I are pretending to be horses and Joe is feeding me. What? You didn't get that from the picture?
Whirlwind weekend! I spent the weekend with Amy (and Tyler!) and the rest of the fam that went up to take Joe.(For those of you who don't know, Joe is my youngest brother and I think the most like me!) We got to see Amy in a play called "Into the Woods" and she was fabulous! Her voice is ethereal and pure. I wish I could sing like her. She is so talented, I wish it ran in the family!! We crammed so much into the weekend I don't know where to start. We went to the Salt Lake Temple, Amy's play, Conference, cousin's dinner, and squished the mall and Red Lobster in for good measure! Back to Joe-I can't believe it is already time for him to leave. It's smacking me right in the face as I write this...I know that Joe is ready, but I feel so torn. Part of me is so happy and proud of him and part of me is (selfishly) screaming, "Don't Go!" Everytime one of my siblings leaves on a mission I get this feeling that part of me is missing. I am sure that my parents feel it more keenly than I, but it is like an essential part of me is just out of reach and no matter how hard I try, I can't get to it. Joe has made an amazing transformation from boy to man this year and I know that he will be a great missionary. I treasure the family I have been given in this life. Nothing on this earth makes me happier than family. I have been blessed.

Be all that you can be, just leave the choices up to me

I am breathing a sigh of relief. Our primary program was yesterday. Lace had her part memorized and I was so touched by all the kids singing and participation. However, I was once again reminded how the children who are sent to us have their own ideas about what they will or won't do. During our practices, Carter sang and did his part just fine. Unfortunately just before the program started he was drawing a picture and messed up and he got mad. He went up onto the stand with me, but during the entire program he sat with a scowl on his face with his fists balled up and needless to say did not sing or do his part. I realized how important it is for me to know that Heavenly Father loves us even when we don't do the things we should. Because I love my children, even when I am frustrated with their choices. I know that it is going to happen more and more as they choose to do things that I have no control over. I have to be okay in the fact that I have taught them and tried to set a good example for them. I think that is why I have been trying so hard to do everything we are told to do. But I know one thing, my children have their free agency to choose not to follow what I teach them. I pray that I will be strong enough to handle that. Because even for something like the primary program, my heart was broken just a little, even if it was probably funny to those watching him. And as of right now, it's not okay with me that they make wrong choices, I don't know how my mom did it! Now that I am a mom, I think free agency stinks! Who's idea was this anyway? Can't we grow without it? No? I guess it all boils down to having faith and hope that they will all turn out to be joyful good people and in the meantime I guess I better find a different mantra, maybe "Be all that you can be, just be careful with free agency? Hmm...

Haunting the Hunsaker Home

It's the first day of fall! I know I am starting Halloween madness too early, but I love Halloween so I thought I'd get a jump start and showcase some of my favorite photos of past years. I love dressing up and being someone else for a day. And I have obviously passed that gene down to my kids!

We are a Happy Family

We've gotten the hang of school, I think. Three schools, three different times, four kids...can you say crazy? My day begins and ends with driving. Now, while Zanna is looking forward with extreme glee to the day when she can drive a car (and it is coming faster than an express train) I am tired of being in the car. it starts with early morning cemetary (oops! I mean seminary) and then moves on to the different schools. Luckily I have a testimony of seminary (thanks DAD!!) so that part is fairly painless. I don't know how Zanna does it, suffice it to say that by the end of the week she is exhausted! Taylor seems to be enjoying junior high school. He isn't very forthcoming with details, but from what I can gather, it is not a horrific nightmare. Carter is adjusting well to being in school all day, and I look forward to the days that I help in his class. I love to be with kids, whether it be my own or at primary on Sunday. I love my calling even though I am tired after church. Of course, that could be because I always stay out too late on Saturday nights. Yes it is date night, but no that's not the reason I am up late. Zanna's social calendar includes dances and sometimes late night toilet papering...but you didn't hear that from me, and you guessed it, often I am the designated driver. She is also running cross country again this year, that girl is sooo busy. Lacey and Carter are both playing soccer and they are so cute! Carter rocks on the soccer field, and Lacey has played forward this year with great success. I love to watch their games. So final wrap up, we are busy, but busy in a good happy family way. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Fun at the beach and Fair ya'll!!

We all went to the beach one last time before school started. We spent most of the day with my friends Jen and Summer and then headed over to visit our friends having a bonfire. I will miss going to the beach! It is my favorite place to be especially with my family!



We also went to the Norco Fair on Monday. It was so fun to hang out the whole family! Even Scott came! We had so much fun, even though it was extremely hot and Zanna ended up losing her lunch after the rides. You can see them in the pic hanging upside down, so you can only imagine that after riding this ride twice in a row she was a bit nauseous. I felt like hurling after Carter made me ride the Rock and Roll ride two times in a row. But hey, he was happy. We had a great time together and now school has started for everyone. Zanna is a sophmore and...she got her braces off!! She is absolutely gorgeous and smart and I can say that even if I am her Mom. Tay started junior high and he is off to a great start. Though being a boy, he is not very forthcoming with details. I am relegated to conversations via texting. Ah yes, we succombed and got him his first cell phone. They grow up so fast. Scott finally came to the dark side and switched his phone to the Envy2 so he can text too. If you can't beat em, join em.

Paul's Wedding Slideshow!

all by myself...don't want to be

Taylor just sucessfully completed his first week at Scout Camp and despite all my worrying, and seriously I felt like I was going to have an anxiety attack on a daily basis, he had a great time! He got to hike, swim, sleep outside with three other boys (alone!!) in a makeshift shelter and practice first aid. He said they were so busy he didn't have time to shower...for a week! His excuse was that he was swimming every day. I am happy to have him back home again and hopefully next year I won't be a basket case. Prayer works, that is all I have to say. Now Suzanne is off to girls camp where she gets to be a cabin leader and lead devotionals for the girls in her cabin. She was so excited, she amazes me with her spunk and determination to do a good job in everything she does! Scott is leaving tomorrow (and packing as this goes to print) to go on the super activity with the Priests. (They are going to Zion National Park!) I already miss them! What in the world am I going to do when my kids all grow up and move out? I hate it when they are away from home. Luckily I have Joe to take my mind off of it...since it's a minimum day tomorrow we're heading to the beach. Bliss-my favorite place to be!

Horsetown, USA

My little future vet got a chance to go horse back riding with some new friends! She was so excited to ride a horse. Pretty much every day she reminds me that she is going to take care of animals when she grows up and she is so passionate about it, I don't doubt her. Our news friends have four horses and Lace got to ride two of them. One with an adult on back, all around Norco, and the other while in their backyard. Which needless to say is much bigger than ours. Lacey had so much fun, she really is destined to own horses someday. I am so happy that we met someone who has horses she can ride. Of course I get bonus points because our new friends are really cool and awesome (as Carter would say) so that makes it even better!

Then and Now...

My twenty year high school reunion is this week. I know that I can't possibly be that old, until Zanna pipes up. Yes, I am that old. Judging by my pics I was an eighties child and am now a goofy goober. But Zach Efron is just so cute, even if he is only 12...or whatever. Well, he is Lacey's dream boy...after her Dad of course. I thought that at this point in life I would have aquired a certain degree of maturity and I am happy to say that uh...no it hasn't happened yet. I still care what I look like when I leave the house, unless I am in a heck of hurry. Sometimes I even imagine that What Not To Wear could be around any corner so I venture out carefully. Silly, I know, but what's a girl to do? Anyway, I had to fill out a survey about what I have accomplished since high school. Well lets see, I didn't graduate from college...yet (I am still working on that), I don't jet set around the world (unless you count all those books I read) What's that you ask? Oh what is my contribution to going green? Well I do my part, in fact I painted Lacey's entire face green last Halloween. That's not what you meant? My career, well I excel in that area, I am a doctor, nurse, pyschiatrist, counselor, chauffeur, mediator, stay at home mom...I almost missed the most important one! I get to raise my children to be wonderful, thankful adults with great personalities and absolutely no hang-ups. Well I can dream can't I? The only thing I have yet to accomplish that remains on my list is to write a book. Hopefully before my thirtieth. Now if I could just locate that old prom dress...

two weddings and a mission call

This was an eventful week for the Aston and Hunsaker families. We were so blessed to be able to share the joy of both families! Scott and the boys took a road trip up to the bountiful valley of Salt Lake to attend Brent and Laura's wedding. Along the way they stopped at the Timpanogas (I know that is spelled wrong!) Caves to experience the adventure together then they settled into Aunt Amy's house (Or should I say the Gwilliam Family Suites?) and enjoyed swimming on a daily basis while staying there. They got the opportunity to visit where Grandpa and Grandma Hunsaker spend their time and then for the grande finale of the weekend, attended Brent's wedding. We really missed them, but Scott was kind enough to assuage my paranoia by texting me their whereabouts frequently. I don't know why I was so freaked out with half of my family gone, but I appreciated the fact that my dearly beloved was sensitive enough to keep me up to date until their safe return home.

The girls and I also had a fun weekend and a houseful of family while the boys were gone! We got to have Aunt Laura, Holly, Emily and Jace stay at our house! It was great to finally have someone stay with me, I think we are a little too far off the beaten path (i.e. my mom's house!) but I really was happy that they stayed with us. We had a blast going to the Balboa Candy Store before the rehearsal and dinner and sharing that with Dan and Jess and kids...oh and of course Tyler and Joe. Then Saturday we headed to the wedding in Newport Beach. Lacey was so excited to be a flower girl. She practically jumped out of her skin with anticipation. She did a great job with her new little friend Lauren. I will never forget the look on Paul's face as he watched Scarlett walk towards him. I think weddings always make me sentimental because you can see first hand true love captured in a look, a smile, a sweet kiss or just a touch of a hand. I felt joy for my little brother and I wish him all the best, and Scarlett looked absolutely gorgeous!
On Monday Amy and I went out to lunch with Joe and no sooner had we ordered our food then we got a call that Joe 's mission call had come. I won't reveal where he is going, you will have to talk to him about that, but I want him to know he rocks and I love him and I admire the choices he has made to lead him to this point in his life. Amazing weekend, two weddings and a mission call...

oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave?

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. It is a chance to reconnect with family and enjoy a day of picnicing, swimming, jello jigglers (that one's for T) and fireworks. I love being together and having a good time.

The best thing about the Fourth of July though, is remembering why we celebrate this day. In this time of political milestones with patriotism debated on all sides I hear the songs at the fireworks show and I think, am I proud to be an American? Do I stand up for what I believe in and declare it? I have been reading articles about the upcoming election and I am sure about one thing. The best way I can be an American is to vote and talk to my children about what makes our country so great. I have to remind them about all the sacrifices made so that we can remain a free country with the gift of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So when I hear the song written so long ago, oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave? Over the land of the free and the home of the brave...I will know that I did my part to keep it that way. I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

just for fun

Just for fun I thought I'd post a few blasts from the past. Scott looks so GQ with his squinty profile...Duran Duran where did you go?
I could not resist this pic. Paul, Amy and Dan were not dressing up for Halloween! They were dressed as the rock stars of the day, think Billy Idol and Madonna, though I think Paul and Dan were both vying for the title of Billy Idol. Ames was sporting a little leg too, she was wearing one of my shirts. Vintage 80's! Funny thing is, I saw some boots like that on a girl a few days ago...
Grandpa's cabin. Oh I have such good memories of being there! It was so fascinating in it's hodge podge ramshackle way! I feel like this was Grandpa's dream house. He continued building and building a dream. Every piece was a part of him. As kids it was a dream come true, though looking at it as a mom I probably would've been a little nervous to let my kids climb up there! Memories...I think I am getting sentimental with Paul's wedding fast approaching. I am so happy for him and Scarlett. I hope their life together is full of love and good times and family. Building memories that they can share with their children someday! Love you Paul!