Coloring - A Lost Art

I have forgotten how fun and relaxing coloring is.  The other day, I decided to color with my kids.  Kodi was nice enough to let me have a picture from her coloring pad, and Kyson shared all of his coloring supplies and the three of us sat at the coffee table and colored for hours.  It was funny how I enjoyed choosing which color I'd make the princesses' dresses or the carriage that was pulling them.  It made me feel like a designer having complete control over what the product would look like.  It was weird.

I continued to color for a short time, even without the kids, to feed this new exhilaration addiction.  Fortunately, I was able to beat the habit after only 3 pictures.  Kyson on the other hand takes such pride in his pictures that he has to hang them up for all to see.  We've told him that he will have to take down his collection each week unless it's in his toy room or bedroom.  He didn't like it, but he's getting better.  So, we have new wallpaper put up each week.  If only he could beat the habit as quickly as I did.

Decorating Eggs

 For Family Home Evening, we had decided to talk about prayer.  I realize that prayer and eggs probably have nothing in common, but most people do know about prayer rocks.  You put a rock by your bed or under your pillow so you'll hit it when you go to bed and it will remind you to say your prayers.  Kris had a fabulous idea to go to the craft store and buy some wooden eggs, since nice, big rocks are hard to find and I didn't feel like pulling out paints with our little ones.

The evening was a success.  We talked about why we pray and how we do it and then our culminating activity was to color our prayer eggs.  Kodi kept hogging all the markers and taking the lids off all of them.  Then she'd get really mad when you tried to take them away.  She also got some markers on her hands and because they're washable, they come off on anything you touch.  She kept touching her face.  It was a lot of fun, and that night Kyson was so excited to say his prayers.  We'll see how long it works.

 

Ringing in the New Year Right

For quite a few years now, we've celebrated New Years with the Holts.  A year later, the Bartletts joined the festivities and this year, two more joined the group: the Kous and Parents.  When the Parents showed up I got a little nervous and thought I'd need to be on my best behavior because he is in the bishopric, but it turns out he's a really nice, down-to-earth kinda guy and I didn't have to pretend to be an outstanding citizen.

This year's puzzle was one that we received as a Christmas gift from Kris's half-brother, Ben.  It was a map of the area.  At first I thought the puzzle would be impossible, but once we got started it wasn't so bad.  It was outdated though.  Most of Herriman wasn't even on the map, but it was still fun to look at the area.

As usual, we had many munchies and I made myself sick eating chips and salsa, fondue, and meatballs.  I didn't really partake of the chocolate fountain this year, but it's always a hit with the kids. The Holts also have a large basement where the kids were able to play together, so the adults could have a little peace and quiet.  I absolutely love going there for New Years.  Since I've been married, I don't think there has been a placed that we lived where we feel so comfortable.  The friends in the area are unique and I'm so glad I get to spend another year with them.

Happy New Year - 

I can't believe it's 2012!

Goodbye 2011

When a year begins, you never anticipate what you'll go through.  I think 2011 has been a great year, but I'm excited to have a fresh start.  I feel like 2012 will be a good year.  I've learned many things throughout this past year:

• My children are the most frustrating, but most rewarding thing in my life
• Death is bittersweet - wonderful for those who've moved on, but sad for those left behind
• Refinancing your home doesn't mean you're bad with money - it means you want to have more of it
• Mr Clean Magic Erasers are one of the best things ever invented
• 10 years of marriage doesn't seem long when you're in love
• Nothing is more important than family
• Teaching - there truly is no greater call
• A clean house is impossible with two small children and 12-hour work days

I look forward to the experiences that 2012 will bring and I hope that I'll escape yet another year with my sanity.

Temple Square (A Little Late)

I wanted to go see the lights up at Temple Square so badly, but December is a very difficult month.  It's hard enough with Christmas, but when you add a death and 3 birthday parties, it's nearly impossible.  Fortunately, Mother Nature was kind to us this winter and the highs have stayed in the 40s even this late in the year.  It made for an enjoyable visit to see the lights.  We didn't spend a lot of time there, but Kyson and Kodi just loved looking around and seeing so many colors all around them.  On Main Street, they had a beautiful nativity set up with Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in the middle of the water floating.  The entire display was right in front of the temple and simply gorgeous.  Not only was it beautiful, and inspiring, but it gave us a chance to be together.  I'm so grateful for the time that those workers must put in to make the Temple Grounds so wonderful at Christmas time.

We Love you Grandpa

Joseph William Gunn

December 17, 1918 - December 17, 2011

A few years ago, my grand- father's health started fading when he tripped and broke his back.  Since that time he has been in a few different care facilities and taken care of day and night.  Even during the past few years when he hasn't been feeling well, he'd kept that sense of humor that no one understands, and adored his great-grandchildren.  A short time ago, he started having problems with his gallbladder and needed it removed, but because of his age and weak health, the surgery would kill him.  He was told he'd get a secondary infection and that infection would kill him, and was placed on Hospice.  On Thursday, the 15, my sister called me to tell me that it wasn't looking good.  I spent all my available time with him from that day until he passed away 2 days later. On Saturday, December 17, there was a birthday party planned for him.  He passed away about a half hour before his birthday party.

His funeral was beautiful.  I learned a lot of things about him, but the thing that stuck out t me most was his participation in World War II.  I knew he was in WWII, and I knew he was in the Air Force in England.  That was all I knew.  I learned a lot more.  After hearing his stories, I decided he followed the rule of 4.  When my grandpa returned from his mission, he married my grandmother on Dec 3, 1941, 4 days before Pearl Harbor was attacked.  He was married for 4 months when he left for England to be a bomber pilot in the War.  He was away for 4 years fighting in the War, and didn't see my grandmother at all during that time.  What a marvelous love they had for one another to endure such hardships.  His Battalion had a little over 150 people in it, but only 30-something returned home alive.  Apparently, once a pilot did 25 missions, he wouldn't do any more.  The reason was many didn't survive that many.  My grandfather did more than 25 missions and lived to tell his stories.

At the burial site, he had a bagpipe player and the full 21-gun salute for military honors.  As the bagpipe player walked in front of the casket to lead it to its burial plot, the granddaughters were all together in the corner, silently sobbing at the loss of such a wonderful man.  He then played "Amazing Grace," and walked away.  We listened and cried as the music faded.  My grandfather was a good person who truly loved and cared about everyone he knew.  His legacy will not be forgotten, and I'm grateful and honored to be a part of it.

Joseph W. Gunn 

1918 ~ 2011

Our beloved husband, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Joseph William Gunn, at age 93, passed away on December 17, 2011 after a long and prosperous life.

He was born December 17, 1918 in South Salt Lake, the first of five children of Roy and Mary Ellen Gunn. He enjoyed reading, traveling, singing, and spending time with his family. He attended Granite High School and later the University of Utah, earning his Bachelor degree in education. He taught school in a range of grade levels, from 4th through 9th in Davis School District. He started a commercial garbage company in high school called Utah Waste Paper. He was a member of the Sons of Pioneers. He served for four years during World War II in the 305th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force.

Joseph married Carrol Marinda Bringhurst, December 3, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple, after returning from his first mission. They were a couple for 70 years. He served four LDS church missions, and served in many positions within the church. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his entire life.

Joseph is survived by his four children: Dennis (Gretchen) Gunn, Carrolyn (William) Tinsch, Lynda Lee (Kent) Andersen, and Jolene (Scott) Pruyt, Italian foreign exchange son Guido Ramazio, sister Helen Layton, and brother Raymond Gunn. He is survived also by eleven grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carrol; parents; brother Hyrum Gunn and sister Barbara Cook; two still born children and grandson Jason Tinsch. 

Joseph has experienced many things and visited many countries throughout the world making many friends. He had a unique sense of humor that was felt by many. He never spoke ill of anyone and maintained a positive attitude about everything. He enriched many lives as a teacher, a friend, an acquaintance, and as a confidant. He will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at11:00 a.m. at the Ensign Peak Ward Chapel, 125 E. North Sandrun Road. Friends and family may call Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive and Tuesday 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Christmas

This is the first year that Kyson has complete- ly and totally, 100% under- stood the whole concept of Santa and presents and "you have to be good for Santa to come."    It's been a lot of fun to talk about Santa so much - Kyson's been talking about him since October.  Well this year, Santa didn't disappoint.  Christmas morning we came downstairs to see what was under the tree, but I went first so I could video tape their reaction.  The big present they got was a battery-operated Jeep.  When they came down and started admiring what they had, Kyson had to pause for a moment and pose for the camera - he's such a ham!

After initial reactions, we opened all the presents, but Kodi didn't want to open her presents.  She wouldn't get out of the Jeep.  I ended up opening a  lot of her presents for her while she sat in the car.  It's funny how a two-year-old girl doesn't like dolls.  She likes cars and wrestling.  We got a lot of fun things from Santa, and some practical things as well.  Then came cinnamon rolls.

We decided to start a tradition of eating cinnamon rolls in the morning so I don't have to make a big breakfast to hold us all over.  Apparently everyone does that too because a couple of days before Christmas, I went to buy some, and all of the quick ones were gone.  I had to make the long version of them starting the night before - but it was worth it - they were delicious!

After the presents and cinnamon rolls, we went to church.  The kids were getting restless because the 1 hour meeting that it was supposed to be turned into an hour and 45 minutes.  It was a great program, just way too long for a holiday when people had things to do and places to be.  I figures - it's Christmas and the day of the Lord's birth.  We can sacrifice an extra hour of church for Him.

Before the day was out, Kyson was very anxious to drive his new Jeep around and Kodi was the perfect date.  She sat quietly in the passenger side, and never attempted to be a backseat driver, even though he was giving her whiplash and seemed drunk.  His maiden voyage was a trip around the block.  He ran into two fences, the garage, a car, and ran off the sidewalk many times.  I understand he's only 4, but isn't some driving ability innate?  Thankfully, he didn't total his Jeep on the first day and I hope he'll want to play with it for many days to come.

Another hit present was the Aqua Doodle.  Jen, Bill and Josh came over later that evening to see what the kids got and this particular present they liked so much that Jen and Bill filled the entire thing with their drawings.  It was so funny.  I kept coming back every so often and taking a picture of their progress.  I only included the last picture, but it was so cute to see them drawing on the floor like little kids.  I guess Christmas brings out the child in all of us.

Kyson's Christmas (the Jeep was for both of them)

Kodi's Christmas