Last-Minute Visit

Suprise!

Matt and Danika squeezed in a little visit before school starts.

We were so glad they finally walked the walk and made it out here.

We went to the beach two entire days in a row.  ENTIRE.  And roasted hotdogs when the sun went down. 

We saw Annie and the Connors.

We were significantly sun burnt.

Olive got a car stuck in her hair. 

And the boys went to an Angel's game while we had a girls night!  Sleeping Beauty, nails, makeup, hair, massages, in-depth conversation ... who needs baseball and fireworks, really?

We ended the weekend with Joe's All-You-Can-Eat Sushi and shopping ...

I have now officially become a Gunn wife:

I bought a Costco membership.

It was an eventful three days.  Mac said over and over again how Abers is his favorite, and now gets all confused when he says he wants Olive and I break out a can of olives. 

We used to live underneath this lovely little family as newlyweds ... they hold a precious little place in my heart.

So glad we got you to ourselves once again, if only for a weekend.

Playmates

Belen has a new friend.  Her name is Taylor.

They enjoy eating the same things (which is everything, but shiny things in particular). 

They enjoy pulling each other's long wavy brown locks.

They crawl in interesting ways.

They both love squawking.

And they're only a couple of weeks apart.

Plus Taylor's mom is absolutely darling ... she loves books, sports, writing, and jogging ... I think this friendship just might last.

There is just nothing like a good girlfriend.

Creative Drawing Skills

Me:  "Wow, great picture Mac!  What did you draw?"
Mac: shrugs "Just some up and downs and back and forths."

I would've pointed out that he traced his own hand, but ups and downs are cool too.

Corn Festival

Our sweet little town holds a corn festival every year.

There's a parade.

Loads of heritage celebrating going on.

Belen may have slept through the parade, but she was wide awake for helping Daddoo wrangle some new patients at his booth.

Three straight days of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Poor guy.

We helped for a while, till the kids became more of a distraction than a help, and then I whisked them off to ride the rides and sleep. 

Very memorable. 

But Mark is not sure he's up for another three day event any time soon.  Exhausting.

Revisiting Glory Days

So, Mark has been playing slow-pitch softball for about two straight years now.

It's been fun to go to the games, chit-chat with the ladies, and let the kids romp through the dirt.

But softball was my sport before it was ever Mark's, and I have been itching to play.

Finally finally, my turn came!

I was volunteered to coach our ward's women softball team through a one day tournament.

And though we didn't last long, it was so fun.

I always make fun of the guys who slide into bases in Mark's days.  Guys.  It's just softball.  But don't worry, I slid.  Almost twice.  Pulled some muscles, bled a little.  I was that Uncle Rico getting way too into it.

But, I think everyone else had a good time.  Breanna suggested matching colored shirts, which turned out awesome.  She also brought oranges and capri sun.  Extremely awesome.

And even better?  These tournaments are supposed to be happening more often ... and I may even start playing on a co-ed team.

I love softball.

We Need a Dog.

It seems that we need a dog.

I took Mac and Belen to a local dog festival.

He wanted to stay all day.

Here we saw "puppies dancin' and playin' songs and jumpin and jumpin' and runnin back and forth'".

We also loved the weiner dog races.  Mac yelled, "Go puppies go puppies, fast as you can!"  Most of them went backwards or around their track, but that only added to the fun.

We also saw agility courses.  These dogs went "round and round, in the tunnels and up and down so super fast!" 

Belen loved the grass and squealed with delight at the dogs, but not as often as she squealed over Mac making eye contact with her. 

Mac still has a one-up on dogs -- and everything else -- in her world.

But someday, somehow, we will have a yard.  And when we have a yard, mark my words ... we will have a dog.  My childhood animal addiction definitely seems to have been passed on to my son, and what parent doesn't want to relive their childhood through their own kids ... but how they wanted it?

Soon, Mac. Soon.

5 Years

On July 28th, we celebrated five years of wedded bliss.  Or adventures.  And adventures.

This anniversary turned out extra special ... it's the first one we've ever really spent money on.


Mark and I went to Summit House, where we were greeted by a valet driver (who, no doubt, felt so cool driving our trusty little altima complete with pretzel-crusted car seats in back), and then stepped into a Scottish hunting lodge.  It reminded me of Sherwood Hills a bit ... where Mark took me on our first date. 

That, by the way, added a whole new dimension to the evening.  When I sat across from Mark I got a twinge of that same feeling I did back on that day; a grand mix of nervousness, excitement, and a desire to connect with him.  (Meaning I couldn't stop talking.)  I remember he was wearing his white button-up with red stripes and jeans.  It was the first time I had seen him in something besides his Olive Garden get-up, and boy did he dress down nicely.  And he smelled the same ... still hasn't used up that old bottle of cologne.

Five years down the road, we held hands this time. 

And when we got to our table, a hand-written Happy Anniversary note was waiting for us from the Summit House staff.  We were also put in the same room with other people celebrating various occasions, and so the general atmosphere was quite pleasant. 

We ate three expensive courses and drank expensive water.  We watched a wedding, family pictures, and the general smogy splendor of Southern California through our bay window. 

And we just had some alone time without children.  That we were happily paying for.

I felt so grown up.

Also, I felt very young.  The couple next to us was celebrating 67 years together. 

It seems babies and new businesses will not be our lives forever.

We are only just beginning.

A Real Babysitter

We finally had one.  A real babysitter.

You know, the kind you pay.  That cute young gal, generally from church, old enough to be responsible but young enough the have fun with your kids. 

It was exciting.  I went all out.  Naturally, pinterest helped.

And it went so smoothly!

I came home to Belen sleeping and Mac attempting to relax (wasn't working, but he was sneaky and took a surprise nap that day, so we expected a late night for him).  He went on and on and on about his babysitter.

They played baseball.  And basketball. 

He made sure she shot it right.  He made sure she smacked the bat on the plate a couple of times before swinging.  He made sure she said, "Go Mac, go Mac!" when it was his turn.  He showed her all his favorite toys.  He ate his dinner.

But most importantly, he took care of his baby sister.

This is enormous.  I was told he would shoot the basketball a few times, and tell Katie (who was sitting by Belen) it was her turn, and then he took her spot behind Stister to make sure she did not fall.  He told Belle to be careful, and was sure to bring her lots of toys and talk to her, "cause it makin' her happy." 

When she cried after Katie put her in bed, Mac said, "It's okay, Stister just tired.  She just tryin' to go to sleep."

This went above and beyond well.  Sounds like Mac was better for her than he ever is for me. 

We'll definitely be going out again.