Season 4 LOST

So it is 11:30 and we just finished a three night marathon of watching the season 4 of LOST. I am going to go crazy. Hello- Locke in the casket-and the Island? where did it go-and Jin-I cried every time they mentioned him. And the dead Dad? What's up with him?
I am now obsessed but can't bring myself to watch season 5 until it comes out on video. It is too much stress for me from week to week. I highly recommend watching TV shows on video. It is definitely the way to go.
Now my brain won't shut down and all I can think about is what happened to the zodiac and the people there?and really who is Richard with his eyeliner on? and the creepy fat old guy turning out to be gay?????????

Christmas Traditions

One of the best Christmas Traditions that the Gunter family has is that every year we swap scrapbook pages. We have been doing this for about the last 5 years and it is my favorite thing. I have along with my children been able to see all the fun things that the cousins have done throughout the year. It makes us feel closer to them and I love it. It also makes you reflect on the past year and the things that you and your children have done. These are mine for this year. This is also the first year that I have done digital scrapbooking and I think they turned out great. Robbie and Carrie

Malia

Breckin
Britton

Girls Night out

My brothers family has become actors and the whole family was part of a play that was put on in Lehi at the first of December. Melanie, Maren, and I went down and it was fabulous. I enjoyed myself so much. Melanie, Cortland, Chandler and Maren I was totally amazed at what great actors my nephews are. They were awesome.

Melanie, Maren and Me cheesing before the show began

Maren, JulieAnn, Me and Melanie- JulieAnn was the lead female and she was incredible. It was surprising to know that she hadn't done this before. She is a natural. I look for ward to the next one.

The Best Santa Letter Ever

So Malia brings home her list for Santa and I think awesome-now Santa will know what to do. Then I started to read it. Item 1,2,3 probably not going to get-need to have a talk with Malia. I keep reading."My Mom needs some new clothes. She wears the same thing everyday." I start with the panicky kind of giggle that means are you kidding me-let me read that again just in case I read it wrong. So I read it again and get the hysterical laughing because I realize that this has been dictated to someone and that person( teacher, Parent volunteer) has also seen this and they think I never change my clothes. Now let me say this in the past 3 months Malia has seen me in my painting sweats and sweatshirt with my big Yellow apron on because I have been "working" to get my stuff ready for the boutiques. So honestly I can say I have worn the same outfit A LOT!! At this point I realize that I have noticed these sweet letters to Santa posted outside Malia's first grade class for all the world to see. I am laughing so hard at this point I nearly peed my pants and Malia thought she had done something wrong. I had to call my friend
Sharidi and let her in on this fabulous letter.
Honestly that was the best belly laugh I have had in the longest time and also a perk, maybe Santa will pick me up a few clothes and make Malia's brothers not so naughty.

Working

I had to post this photo because I thought it was great. I don't have a chair tall enough make cutting on the scroll saw easy so I have to sit on Malia's stool on one of my kitchen chairs. I spent a lot of time in that pose this fall. No wonder my back hurts but it was worth every ache.

Thanksgiving 2008

OK So I am totally behind and didn't even post about Thanksgiving. I was so busy working(yah Robbie painting wood and trying to sell it really is work-OK so I keep telling myself it is) and getting thing ready for the 3 boutiques I was in that I got behind in everything. I'm always behind in the laundry but it was just getting out of control. So off my tangent-I did not know people got up early on Thanksgiving and dressed in their football attire to play Turkey Bowl Flag Football but then again I didn't grow up in a family that was obsessively or otherwise crazy about football. Robbie has taken it down a notch in the past few years because as we all know he is packing on the age-a ripe old 38.
They meet early down at the elementary school and play for hours-not just one but like 3 hours. The three old guys and the three young ones
So after a long morning of this we headed over to my sisters house and had a great Thanksgiving. Maren and Steve did a great job hosting and doing the Turkey, Ham and Potatoes. It was really good. Thankfully my sister in laws and my brothers are good cooks because we had a ton of great food. After stuffing ourselves we sent the kids downstairs to watch a movie and they were all so full and tired they just zoned. The visiting part is my favorite. I love hanging out with my family and all of their families. It is so much fun to me and even though we all live in the valley we don't see each other very often. I missed my parents and the twins but hopefully they had a great Thanksgiving as well.

Finally getting the cast off

Britton had been counting the days until he was able to get the cast off. He was totally excited here you just can't tell. This is Britton Doctor-Stephanie Holmes-she is awesome.

He is now in a boot and I am thrilled because we no longer have the crutches. He has another appt. after Christmas and we are hoping to be rid of the boot.

Brittons Video

Britton had to do this video project for one of his classes. He has been working on it forever. I laughed when I saw it because it is so typical 9th grade boy. He really wanted me to post it. Good job Brit

30 Thankfuls

30 Blessings in my life.

1-Robbie-I am thankful to have a man that I love and that is willing to love me in all my craziness. He is truly amazing and I know the Lord was looking out for me when we got together. Not many men could deal with all that I am. I am one lucky gal. And is not bad to look at either-Hottie, Hottie!!
2-Hair-Every time someone asks me what I am thankful for this is what I want to say. I love getting my hair colored and washed and combed and cut and played with. I love looking a peoples hair. I have an unfortunate flaw that when I talk to someone I like to look at their hair so people are always asking if they have something in it.
3-My Children-I am not maternal. Those are not ordinary feelings for me. I struggle with all things motherly but fortunately the Lord blessed me with the 3 beautiful children that he has allowed me to help raise. I am not the best mom but I could not love three people more. They bring out such joy and anger and love and humor and kindness and frustration in me. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for allowing me to be a part of their lives.
4-Mrs. Rash- My first grade teacher who taught me how to read.By the by in this grade I was in love with George Flores-He was Gene Simmons from Kiss one year for Halloween and I fell head over heals.
5-Books-I love reading. It is one of my favorite things to do. I have discovered recorded audio books that I can download from our library website and listen to while I am crafting. Thankful for it.
6-My parents-I am thankful for the two great people who raised me. I am thankful they taught me the gospel by living it and being good examples. They are two of the most unselfish people I know and are always trying to help their children. I love my parents so much.
7-Holly-Holly was inspired to do a boutique this year for Christmas. Her sister was inspired to ask me to participate in it. I have had a "job" for 11 weeks now making Christmas crafts. I can not begin to explain my gratitude for this. Painting is so therapeutic for me. Really I break even with the money part but money isn't what it is about. Don't tell Rob, he thinks I'm getting rich.
8-Sun-I am a seasonal crazy person. I was meant to live on the equator and not in a place that the sun goes down at 5 and comes up at 8. I am thankful for any appearance it puts in from October until May.
9-Maren-I am so thankful for my sister. We are close in age and so growing up was either great or awful. I am thankful for my relationship with her now. She is an amazing woman who can do anything. She was blessed with all the things I wanted. She is an amazing mother to Skyler. I wish I was half the mother she is. I am so glad we live close. Every time Robbie suggests moving I ask him if we can get Steve a job there so that Maren and Skyler can come too. I love having such a great sister and friend.
10-Digital Camera-I love our digital camera. I love how much fun it is to take photos and immediately be able to see how cute they are. Malia also loves it very much.
11-DI-So Thankful for the Deseret Industries-I would be clothe less and have nothing in my house if not for this thrift store. I am a repurposer. Second hand clothes are always way better than new clothes because they normally are all ready worn in and you only pay a fraction fraction of the original price. Thankfully my children feel the same way and I am also thankful that we live in an affluent area and the donations are exceptional.Thankful that I choose to shop there but I don't have to.
12-Robbie's Job-I confess that being the wife of a school teacher is not that glamorous. But he is also the driver ed teacher and the football coach and the wrestling coach. This it all the more glamorous. I am so Thankful for the school Robbie teaches and coaches at. His jobs have been good to us. It has allowed me to stay at home with our children. We do some creative budgeting but we are never without. Robbie loves his job and would probably do it for free. OK not the Drivers Ed part-they need to pay him triple for that.
13-My family-I am the oldest daughter and the second child in a family of 5 boys and 2 girls. My brother Scot is 3 years my senior. My sister Maren is 20 months younger than me. Then comes Layne, Tanner, Braiden and McKay. I am 11 years older than the twins Braiden and McKay. Big families never have enough money and their is always some fight going on but I loved being a part of a big family. I love getting together with them now. We have so much fun. I am blessed to come from a great family.
14-Baths-I am thankful for a tub that I can fill to the brim with hot steamy water and soak and read in. In the winter I bathe every night for several hours. Unfortunately we only have one bathroom.
15-Cell phones-I am thankful that I can call Senor any time I want and for the most part he picks up or texts me back. I always can get a hold of my children. They do not have cells but all of their friends do.
16-Sunbeams-I am thankful to be the Sunbeam teacher at church. These are the 3-4 year olds. I love having them come up to me and saying, "Darf vadoor used to be good. He was Anikan". It was very important that L. let me know this bit of information. J. tells me every Sunday that he is a different age and that we are to call him Peter Parker. I am blessed by their joy.
17-Running-I am thankful for the ability I have to run. I love it and crave it. I have been on hiatus since June and have started again. It is agony right now but it will get better.
18-Katelyn's Chocolate Cream Pies-I am thankful that she is so talented and can make the pies that I crave and that I can pay her to make them for me. What a blessing!!
19-A big fat FBI Suburban-I am thankful for this car and its hauling ability. I am now hauling more kids around and can cram more junk in the back. It also has seat warmer. I LOVE this little feature. Warm buns couldn't be better.
20-The Gospel-I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am thankful its teachings. I know this church is true. It is not something I do because my parents did it. I was 19 when I decided this church was going to have my full commitment. Being a member of this church is not easy. It is time consuming and hard but it is so true and I am blessed daily by being a part of it.
21-Blogging-I am thankful for this way to journal my life with photos and words.
22-Fake fingernails-I love long fake nails. There is something feminine about nails and how they make even my sausage fingers look pretty. I also love taking my fake nails off. After you do, you can resume putting your contacts in without poking your eye out. You pick your nose. Stick your finger in your ear without cutting it. You can do up buttons without having to ask for help. The downside of having them off though is no more click click click noise as you tap your finger on everything.
23-Tape-Thankful for this because honestly how would Malia entertain herself if she wasn't taping something to the wall or to herself. As I write she is taping up her finger because she is sure she broke it from catching a football at the Turkey bowl. She seriously just said, "Thank you emergency kit for your tape".
24-Teachers-I am thankful for the great teachers my children have had at school and at church as well as coaches. These people have such a huge impact on them. Now as I have teenage boys, their leaders and coaches are way smarter than mom or dad. We are blessed to live in a great place. We have amazing teachers and coaches. I am truly blessed by this.
25-Vickie Gunter Blankets-I am so thankful for the blanket Vickie made me for my birthday a couple of years ago. I am like Malia now and take my blankie everywhere. It is the warmest and best thing ever.
26-In-Laws-I have the best sister-in-laws ever. I am lucky that I love and get along with them all. I have great brother-in-laws who are funny and full of life. I have an amazing mother-in-law whom I adore. She is crazy and wonderful and nutty and has the biggest heart. She loves me like a daughter and treats me like one. I have a great father-in-law who has to deal with all of us crazies. He taught his son to be the great man I fell in love with.
27-Girlfriends-I am thankful to have a great assortment of friends. Sharidi is one of my best girlfriends. She is pregnant and due in the spring. I love how loud and friendly and crazy and easy going she is. I have the great friends in the coaches wives. I love being able to sit with them and have so much fun. I miss seeing them when the season is over. Michelle, Tashina, Barb, Lida, Sheri, Kristin, Jan are some of the best women I know. I love them. I am thankful for their great husbands as well and how good they are to him. I have the greatest friends from the woman I worked with in the Young Women's program and now in the Primary. I couldn't ask for better woman in my life.
28-No bake cookies-Thankful that they are NO BAKE and can be eaten as a breakfast food. They have oatmeal in them so there.
29-Mary Kay cosmetics-I love them. They are so stinking expensive but I love them. Great cover up. I wear makeup maybe twice a week but I still love them and am kind of obsessive about them.
30-My bed-I have the most comfortable bed ever. I am thankful that I don't have to sleep on the floor or somewhere hard

I have a truly blessed life and am so thankful for it.

Cold and Brisk and Hot and Steamy

At the end of wrestling season last year, the parents gave us a nights stay at The Armstrong Mansion Inn in downtown SLC. Well we just barely used it. It was a hot and steamy and cold and brisk date. We started it off eating at Hires Big H. How romantic is that. OK not romantic but some seriously good grub. I love the burgers and fries there. We were going to go to McDonald's but we splurged and threw caution to the wind and went Big H. Actually we ate there because we could quickly get to the stadium.

OH but wait-this was the romantic part of our get away. Utah beating TCU. Most people when they get a free room they stay in the room and "occupy" it. Not us! We got the room and put our ski clothes on and went and watched the big game. This was the cold and brisk part of the date.

Usually the stadium is full of red but this was a special black out night and everyone wore black. It was crazy. I forgot the camera so these are from my phone.

OK really now to the romantic part- We left with 5 minutes to go. I have been married to Robbie 16 years. We never get to games late and we never, ever, ever, ever leave games early. He sacrificed and we left early and guess what? This was the only action in the game and we missed it.

For some this would be nothing but for Robbie to do that for me it is TLA-True Love Always!!

The Armstrong Inn is kind of a themed place. Every room is named after a month. We stayed in the basement in the September Woods room. These pictures really don't do it justice but it was really nice. So to the hot and steamy part. They have the biggest Jacuzzi tub ever. I love bubble baths. I soak in our tub almost every night( really this is my hide out) especially in the winter. This tub was HUGE!!!!

I had a great time. The company couldn't have been better and we did what we love-Football and baths!

How Much!!??

Got the bill for Brits leg this week. The drill bit was $706.00. Yes that is correct. Not a typo really SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIX DOLLARS for the bit. The screw was $400.00. It cost less to drug the kid up.
But at least he won't limp. That's a plus right?

Love the GUNTERS

Last weekend Robbie's Grandma Helen and Grandpa Jimmy had a dinner at a restaurant. Grandmas health hasn't been the best. She is doing radiation again on her leg. I love this lady. So many of Robbie's family showed up. I love getting to see them all. Jeff(Rob's Dad) is one of 13 children. There is only 5 years between Rob and the youngest uncle and so he was just another brother and that is how the uncles and aunts treat him. It is a huge family and I love the crazies that are in it(Robbie and I included) Robbie, Grandpa Jimmy, Grandma Helen, and Me

Derek Gunter-One thing about the Gunter's is that they have curly hair. My children have a little wave but not mounds of curls. I love it. When Rob grows his hair out it doesn't get long it gets BIG!!

Hals kids

Davey and Robbie-When we moved to Preston Dave was only 12 and as lurpy as can be but we loved him. He was so good to Britton and Breckin. It makes me sad to think that now my baby boy is that lurpy 12 year old. Robbie coached and taught Dave. One year he went to Mexico with us and it was quite the experience. We now call him Diesel Dave not little Davey.

This is Malia with Brittany, Derek's sister. Notice the curls.
Brittaney and Nick live in SLC and so we see them more often. Ashley just moved back as well

Uncle Lem in the Camo sitting down, Lonny, Hal, Britton, and PaulTyson Jehoshaphat.

I married into a great family. I really do love them all. They are so much fun to be around. I am really lucky that I love all of Robs brothers and all of my sister in laws!!!

YOU ARE INVITED

In the Holly

For the past month or so I have been making things for the In the Holly boutique on November 13-15. It is the first boutique I have been in, and I am excited. It is on main street in Centerville at the Huff home. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is one of the creative outlets I have. I love to recycle, reuse things so all of the wood is made from scraps my dad gave me. The things I love the best are the hand painted flour sack towels. I love them. I did a couple BYU and UTAH one that turned out cute. This is just a few of the things that I have in the boutique. I have been really busy getting it all done. I really love country crafts and it really shows in my stuff. I am looking forward to the show. Hopefully it will all sell if not then you are looking at your Christmas gifts.

Safety first at our house

I was tagged by Jessica and I am supposed to go to my picture file, open the 4th folder, and pick the 4th picture and blog about it. I swear to you that this is what it was. OK this was the 5th picture but it was so stinking funny.

Our friends sent Robbie this stupid text while we were living the high life and eating at the Apollo burger. It had something to do with wearing a helmet so we went to the school and got these and then went over to there house and called them to come outside. We thought we were so funny. We had a huge belly laugh. It came at a great time and was totally needed. Robbie and I are kind of dorky. Can you imagine?

BAND ROCKS!!!

So Breck is in band this year and he plays the Baritone. The case is stinking huge. They had their first concert on Wed. The last time I went to a band concert was when Maren was in it in school. I only remember is my brilliant teenage mind that I would like to have something to stuff in my ears. No offense Maren, I am sure you were very good. Anyway, I must say that I was very much surprised. They have a Jazz band that is really good and played Iron man by Black Sabbath. The beginning band was really, really good. I honestly couldn't believe how good they were. The Intermediate and Advanced bands were also really good. I totally enjoyed myself and really hope that he keeps playing. By the way Robbie played the Baritone all through school.

Halloween Parade

I love Halloween. Unfortunately as an adult if you aren't going to a party you just look like a freak who dressed up. Tonight is Viewmont's playoff game and I would love to dress up but once again a little freaky. Malia's Halloween parade was yesterday and she was the Red Power Ranger. They don't let you wear masks so I painted her hair and face.

I know, I know. A Power Ranger. Why not a princess or a dancer or something more girly. My fault entirely. We DI purchased the helmet a long time ago and I was shopping there the other day and low and behold the costume just found me.

So she is the best looking power ranger ever.I am going to be at the football game tonight so Malia is going with M&B trick or treating tonight.

Britton's Broken Leg

So It finally happened! After 14 years of rough and hard living my son has finally broke a bone. And it wasn't me that broke it. Surprise, Surprise. He got a helmet to the ankle area. I being the fantastic mother that I am did not attend the game but got a very calm call from my husband.

"Carrie, I think we have a broken bone."

"Is he OK?, Is he in pain? Is he screaming? Is he still there? Did the ambulance take him?"

"I need you to come and get him. We taped it to see if he could still play on it. I'm still coaching so get here as soon as you can"

"What? You mean he is just sitting there waiting for me? in pain, in agony"

OK I didn't actually say the last part. I think I was swearing at Robbie in my head thinking things like Are you kidding? You called me to come clear across town to get him to the First Med (Ya we are so cheap we don't even take him to a real hospital) when you are right there with him. So in Robbie's defense he honestly can't handle that kind of stuff. He had heart surgery just after his mission and hospital, doctors, etc make him physically ill.



So Brit actually broke his leg on the bottom of the tibia in the growth plate. Not just a simple break. No we go all the way at our house and we do the kind that needs surgery and a pin.This is Britton the Saturday he broke it. They don't cast it because of the swelling. So they put him in a splint until we can get into see the doctor. We went up to Primary's and couldn't get in until Wed. Dr. Stephanie Holmes is his orthopedic surgeon. He actually went to school Mon, Tues and some of Wed. He said it didn't really hurt that much. They scheduled his surgery for Thursday morning bright and early. This is Brit going into surgery with his anesthesiologist.

The surgery took about and hour and they put a pin in his growth plate to close up the gap and so that it would heal properly and he wouldn't limp. He was out of school for a week and on Lortab and 800 Motrin. We had an appt. to get the cast on Friday.

So this is fat foot and his incision and swollen ankle. Lucky kid gets to be on crutches for 6 weeks completely non weight bearing. Then we get the boot for 6 more weeks and then the pin removal and possible another month of the boot.

The cast has helped a lot with the pain and he is loving the attention but it quickly gets old. I totally over it. I need him back. The only chores I can give him is fill the dishwasher and to clean the bathroom. HAHAHA The two chores I hate the most.

Breckin the brawler!!

So a couple of weeks ago Breckin got into a little scuffle at the Bountiful/Viewmont game. It was Breckin standing up for some kids that were getting picked on and Breck let these Bountiful kids know it was not OK. So the next week was at Clearfield and Breckin and all of his buddies were in their jersey's playing off on the side of the field. They were playing with some boys from Clearfield and one of the boys got his ankle broken. So the Viewmont boys helped him over to his side and got him medical attention. The V-boys came back onto our side and were hanging on the fence watching the football game. A boy from Clearfield(who had not been involved or was even around) kid goes up to Breckin and yells some offensive things at him and then hits him in the back in the kidneys and then the back of the head. Breck turns around and the kid hits him twice and then runs away. Breckin didn't even have time to react. He was bleeding pretty good. His friend came and got me out of the stands and from what the boy was telling me I thought Breck had been stabbed or something. His friends dad is a police officer and this really upset him. I got to Breck and he had blood all over him-he gets nose bleeds all the time and he bleeds heavy. The crazy mother bear came out in full protection mode and went looking for a kid so I could kick his butt. I found some kids and I not so nicely told them that if they didn't tell me who this kid was they were going to have to deal with me and I was pissed. I can get a little scary. I found the kids name and then we found the police officers and they went on the hunt to look for the kid. They didn't find him but knew who he was and they got him on Monday. Breckin had some friends that their adrenaline kicked in and they became chatty Kathy to the police officer because Breckin didn't really have any idea what happened. Some of the CWA(Coaches wives)came over to make sure we were good. Sheri even went looking for the boy. I guess the school suspended him and charges were filed against him. This happened in the 3rd quarter and a normal parent would have gotten all of their stuff together and gone home. OH not me. I didn't even think about it. The picture above is when we got home at about 10:30. His nose was pretty swollen but not broken and we iced it a lot.
We told Breck if he couldn't stop getting into fight he would have to sit with all the CWA. This thrilled him to no end. I don't think we will be scuffling any time soon and if he does I have a great place right next to me that he can sit.

September VT

I love the ladies I visit teach. Unfortunately we have a hard time seeing some of them so I end up making something and just dropping it off at their house. I have been seriously obsessive about sugar cookies this month and have made them like 10 times-several dozen at a time. So my ladies got sugar cookies and bottled water with the message this month. Not very creative but I got it done right??