8/16/15

Jason starts school on Wednesday. I went to the grocery store yesterday, and I spent a boat-load of money buying a bunch of individually packaged snacks for his lunches. I won't always buy those pre-packaged snacks, but I need something easy to jump-start us into the school year. It made me sad thinking about Jason being gone all day. I'm sure we'll adjust quickly, but it will be weird at first. As part of all the snacks, I also bought a can of Pringles. While I was upstairs with Levi, Noah came into the kitchen and spied the Pringles still in the grocery bag. I heard, "Pringles! Yay! Pringles! I love Pringles!" and on and on he went. It was sure worth the $1.50 on the can to hear such joy.

We went to Lagoon on Friday with Kyle's family. It was really hot (96 degrees), but we still managed to have a good time, especially since Lagoon has so many large trees. Kyle and I had not been to Lagoon since senior year of high-school, so they had many new rides, but I didn't get to ride any of them since I ended up holding Levi most of the time. I did ride 5 rides, but none were the newer roller coasters. Jason had a blast. Noah had a cold, and so he was not so fun through parts of the day. I brought along my camping chair and set it up in the handicap bathroom stall each time I needed to feed Levi. Although it sounds weird, it was the best solution I had because the bathrooms were air-conditioned, and I did not want to have sweat dripping down my back while I tried to nurse with a cover on a public bench

Goodbye to Megan and Matt

We were sad to say goodbye to Megan and Matt as they both moved their families out of Utah right after the reunion. Megan will be teaching cello in Cusco, Peru for the next 18 months. Matt got a new job in Kansas.

We'll especially miss our Tracy Aviary outings with Megan, as well as her random visits (she was our most frequent visitor).

With Matt's family, we'll especially miss having Brynn, Heidi, and Paul close by. They were fun cousins to play with.

Noah's First Cousin Sleepover

Noah had his first cousin sleepover at Grandma's house while Holly's family was still in town. Carter and Jason were going to sleepover, and Noah heard about it and wanted to join in. Kyle explained to Noah that he could do it as long as he wouldn't be sad and miss mommy and daddy, which Noah assured us he wouldn't. About 2:00 am Holly woke up to the sound of Noah wandering around, calling out for "Daddy." Holly picked him up and brought him in bed with her and Brian, but found she couldn't fall asleep with how wiggly and noisy he was (sucking on his fingers). By 3:00 am she finally moved out to the couch by Jason and Carter, and Noah spent the rest of the night with Brian! Kyle and I felt bad that Holly had to deal with all that, but we got a kick thinking about how Noah's sleepover with cousins turned into a sleepover with Uncle Brian. What a nice Uncle!

Hunsaker Family Reunion 2015

The 2015 Jesse and Diane Hunsaker family reunion was based in Alpine. The theme was "We are all on the same team" and "Make it to the Finish Line." 

Day 1

• Games for everyone in the backyard
• Family Pictures
• Outdoor movie and sleepover in grandpa's backyard

Squirt Guns and bubbles were a big hit.

One of the activities I organized was having each grandchild take a square on the driveway to write a  sidewalk chalk note to Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandma and Grandpa were blindfolded while we brought them outside, and then we had them take off the blindfolds to see the finished driveway.

Day 2 (Pioneer Day)

• Hike in Alpine
• Visit to Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum to see the Abraham Hunsaker piano
• BBQ and Smores
• Fireworks

Grandma made shirts for everyone. Each person wore the number in which they joined the Hunsaker "team."

Day 3

• Races (Half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids race)
• Movie Theater to watch Inside Out
• Hanging out time

Kyle ran the half marathon with G and G, Matt, Heather, and Holly. Jason ran the kids race.

Levi loved all the attention he received at the reunion. He was perfectly happy being passed around from person to person. He also slept like a champ in the pack-n-play. I loved seeing all the growing grandkids and talking with my sisters.

Day 4

• Church
• Dinner
• Family Fireside

Grandma and Grandpa shared some stories from our pioneer ancestry. They also shared recent miracles in their own lives. I love how they remember to teach their grandchildren about Heavenly Father when we are all together. Grandma and Grandpa did a great job planning this reunion. I am grateful for how they help keep our family ties strong.

July Activities

Kyle took Jason and Noah to Elko, Nevada, so the boys could have a little vacation while I stayed home with the baby. They visited our cousins, Kelli and Thomas. The boys had a great time. They especially liked the portable DVD player we purchased for the long car ride. These pictures were taken at the California Trail Visitor's Center. 

Levi experienced his first Fourth of July. We drove to Logan for a Karren family picnic. Kyle kept the kids entertained by making balloon animals and swords. The only problem was the kids kept popping the balloons on the grass. And it was so hot outside!

 We went to Chick-fil-a's dress like a cow for free food event for the first time. We'll try to make it again next year. Who doesn't love free meals for the whole family from Chick-fil-a?

The boys had fun shelling peas.

Levi 3 Months Old

 Here is Levi at 3 months old. This boy literally gets covered with love. Kyle and I are often saying, "Noah, get off of your brother!" Noah loves to get right on top of Levi and look him right in the face while saying, "'Wevi,' 'Wevi,' hi hi hi." Or in the car when baby is crying, "'Wevi,' it's ok. You're not going to die."

Jason Turns 6 Years Old

Jason turned 6 years old! For his birthday he wanted Pokemon cards. We celebrated his birthday with friends and cousins at Jungle Jim's Playland. The kids had a lot of fun riding on rides, particularly the roller coaster. 

This is Jason opening his presents from mom and dad first thing after waking up. 

We made pokeball cupcakes for the party at Jungle Jim's.

 

  

Everybody knew that Jason wanted Pokemon cards for his birthday, and so his wish came true! He got 300+ new Pokemon cards. Insane!!

Dear Jason,

How exciting it is to be six-years-old. You are so excited to start first grade soon, and you are more than ready for it. Over the summer you have kept up on your reading, and I am always amazed at all the big words you can read now. Noah, Levi, and I will sure miss you when you are gone all day at school.

You continue being an awesome big brother to Levi. You help me out by putting the pacifier back in Levi's mouth at home, and especially in the car. Although that started out as a fun activity, it eventually lost its fun and is now a paid job. We pay you $2 each Sunday if you help me out all week long with Levi. You still like to hold Levi when we are home.

Noah is your friend sometimes, and your foe other times. He mirrors his interests after yours and this gives you an automatic friend to play with, but also causes fights over which toys he is allowed to play with. Overall you two seem to enjoy each others' company. 

Although you still like to play with Angry Birds, they are no longer your obsession. Pokemon Trading Cards are your new obsession. You like to trade cards at school, at the library, and with your friends. You were thrilled with the 300+ new Pokemon cards you got from your birthday. And then after opening all your cards, you talked about buying more. What?! I think you have plenty, but you think you need more.

We finally started reading from the children's Book of Mormon each night as a family. You have been so happy for us to do this. Sometimes when we're getting to bed late and we are tempted to skip reading from the Book of Mormon, you remind us that it is the most important book and should not be skipped. I can tell that your spiritual attentiveness is increasing in Primary as well. You are well-behaved, and you're even starting to sing the songs.

Bike riding has become a new favorite hobby. You love to ride it everywhere, even if it is just across the street to your friend Ashton's house. Dad will sometimes ride bikes with you on longer rides around the neighborhood. 

We signed you up for coach pitch this spring after you enjoyed playing t-ball. You did a great job! You were able to get at least one hit in each of the games you played. This was no small feat, considering your coach would throw overhand to everyone and you only got to hit twice per game. You are also still willing to practice with Dad and your getting better at throwing the ball. 

You love to swim. So far this summer we have been boating twice and both times you had much more fun jumping in the water and swimming than you did riding the tubes. You have been taking swim lessons this summer at the Draper pool and you just graduated to stroke school and you were very excited.