The Gunter's

Winni the toothless Wonder!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:26:00 +0000

My little girl last week...aka pre awkward stage

Tonight...aka beginning of awkward stage

She left a note for the tooth fairy. She drew the picture herself. It's a portrait of the tooth fairy. Isn't she....BUSTY!?!

I'm not sure why she would want to keep her old tooth, but someone told her to ask. So she did!

I always thought losing teeth was a 1st grade thing. Kids are growing up so much earlier these days!!

Holy Randoms!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:26:00 +0000

Tonight's post is a little bit of this and a little bit of that. First off, last week Maeli sported 2 piggies!! woo hoo!

Maybe I'm biased, but isn't she just the cutest little troll you've ever seen??

This morning Walter got Grady dressed. He felt like he was doing me a favor. Grady came to me to get mom approval, probably because he's so cool he was pretty sure this was not OK!

I instantly grabbed the camera! Walter wasn't sure why? I said, "Really? This is ok? Let's see what everyone at church has to say!" Most people thought maybe Grady had dressed himself!

And lastly, but so very importantly, it was today 4 years ago that I was pretty sure I'd be pregnant forever! Then, contractions started and I made pizza! All while breathing!! :) I will always remember July 18th as the day I enjoyed my most favorite labor experience EVER!!

Anyway, while I was getting Trae's presents out to wrap, I noticed a common thread...

Apparently I like this kid in red! GO UTES!!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:57:00 +0000

I recently gave Grady a haircut!

I think he looks pretty cute! We also enjoyed some popsicles with our friend Madison and her parents.

Yes, Winni still dresses herself! I think I'm going to have to start an ongoing part of my blog. It will be titled "What Winni Wore Wednesday!" I'm pretty sure she is going to be setting trends like crazy!!

And, how could I resist...

"I pity the fool!"

I love my Grady and his 'don't take my picture' attitude!

Bird's Eye View

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:52:00 +0000

In case you were wondering, this is the front of my house from a bird's perspective.

Can you see Walter's car in the driveway?

And here is the back...

It's the white one, kind of smack dab in the middle. Can you see it? The one with green grass!

Oh, and this is the bird!

Our neighborhood and surrounding farmland

The Chester River Bridge! Which, btw, was a huge reason why I wanted to move here. I think it's so cute! And, we get to cross it at least every Sunday on the way to church.

Here is the bird before he fell asleep while flying.

Just ask him, he'll tell you, he was the co-pilot.

Every co-pilot has a pretty girl on his shoulder! :)
The bird when he was awake...

The Bird's bird...

OK, now for the story. I 'accidentally' found myself at the Smyrna Ward one Stake Conference Sunday and met some great people! One of them is my friend Amy Biang. Amy is helping me become the Julie Peterson Smith of MD. And, as you can see, so far so good! I only blog once in a while now! :) Anyway, her husband is a pilot. He was taking the cub scouts flying and invited Walter and Trae to come with him. They had so much fun! We have now moved our 'need' for our own plane up a few slots on the list.

Here are my sweet children!

Now, is it just me? Or does this seem like a game of "One of these kids is not like the others!" I'm just glad at least 1 of my children looks like me!

Sweet Midgets!!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:54:00 +0000

Do you ever wonder what lurks around in your basement when the lights are out?

As a child (and still today! shhhh!!) when I would turn the lights out downstairs and head upstairs...I'D RUN! Because what if something gets me? Something that leaves this kind of a mess!?!?

Ah, thankfully, in this case, it was just the result of the monsters I created and the messes they can make!

They actually did me a favor. Sweet Midgets not only look disgusting all over the floor, I think they taste awful too!

Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:41:00 +0000

The Plan:

Surprise Walter at our family BBQ with an apron, BBQ tongs/spatula/poker, and a grill!! He will be so happy he will scream like a girl.

The Reality:

Meet Walter after buying the grill. Tell him he can't look in the back of the van. He asks 'charcoal or proprane?' I play dumb and say 'Neither! You seriously thought I would get you a grill? You're not that cool!' The next day he leaves in his car with Trae and Grady to go on the Father's and Son's camping trip. He returns 5 minutes later complaining that his car is a piece of crap and when he pushes on the gas it doesn't always go. So, I tell the kids to tell him Happy Father's Day and he gets the grill out of the back of the van. He decides we should grill out the next night. So, as we are getting ready to get cooking he says 'I thought we had tongs and stuff.' To which I reply 'Happy Father's Day!' and hand him the tong/spatula/poker set. He comes in the house and sees the apron on the ironing board. I was ironing 'HOT!' decal on it. He says...smiling 'what's this?' I reply, 'Must you ruin every surprise?!? Happy Father's Day, it's a dang apron!' So, to show him, I didn't finish the apron until today.

The only surprise he got on Father's Day was a little magnetic foam man that Winni made. It was her interpretation of her dad. It was wearing only pants and had no hair! I think that's fair. I definitely need to post a picture of it....it looks just like him!

Oh, and there was no screaming like a girl. He has tried to curb that enthusiasm since Winni called him on it one day. He screamed and she said 'Dad, you scream like a girl!' She knows him a little too well!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY BABE!

Wow!!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:13:00 +0000

I should really blog...er something! Do I have some fun things to blog about. And I will! I fully intend on contributing to the blog society again. I can't wait...FOR TOMORROW! :)

calling all my ladies!!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:54:00 +0000

So, OBVIOUSLY I'm in need of assistance. I don't know how you all do what you do and get everything done. Every night I find myself wishing I would have done more or gotten more accomplished. I think what I need is a schedule. Either comment or blog your schedule, PLEASE! Tell me how you start your day, your morning routine, when do you schedule you time, and how. If your schedule says 'clean toilets' what are you kids doing? Are they helping you or are they busy with their own task/imagination? Do you schedule creative time with your kids. This might seem a little OCD, but I'd like to plan out my whole day. I won't follow it completely because my kids don't poop at 7 AM and 2 PM, so I will have to be laid back and go with the flow. But I feel that if I have a set schedule, then when I remember I have that schedule I can refer to it and be like, 'OK kids, the schedule says it's time for you to rub my feet, so let's get going!!' Also, as I am planning for the fall and I plan to, gasp, homeschool Winni, I need to know how you homeschooling moms schedule your day. Seriously, I need help! So, email, comment, or blog your schedule please!! :) I'll love you forever, and I'll make you cinnamon rolls, and then I'll eat them. Because my mom taught me you can't take care of anybody else, if you aren't taking care of yourself. I think she meant that about my children and sleep and so forth, but it applies to all areas of my life!

Who is your Daddy?

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:28:00 +0000

And what does he do??

This is what our daddy does...on occasion! And you know what? This was the first time we were early enough to watch him land. It was soooo cool! I kind of had mixed emotions about it all, though. It was like, 'Oh he's home! I can't wait to see him. Look how cool, they're landing!' Mixed with a little, 'If something goes wrong right now I don't want to watch! Do I dare let my kids watch? Brakes work, please!!' It was a very happy scared moment in my life. But, after they landed and taxid in and we saw daddy waving at us out the cockpit window it was AWESOME!! The only thing that would have made it any cooler would be if we could have run to him! But, we stayed on the grass like good little kids and waited. I get goose bumps just thinking about it!

Betterton Beach

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:23:00 +0000

I'm just going to pretend it hasn't been 1 1/2 months since I blogged last! I'm a slacker. There!! Moving right along! :)

A couple days before Walter got home we had some friends come to visit. Renee brought her mom, brother, and 3 boys with her. We went to DC one day and then to the beach! Not THE beach, but OUR beach. Our beach is a beach on the bay, as opposed to the ocean. So, technically, it doesn't count. But we just don't tell the kids that, and I remain the coolest mom EVER!!

Anyway, we apparently picked a windy, overcast day to go to the beach. They hadn't done the beach clean up for the year yet, so there were a lot of logs from the winter storms.

We also got a chance to practice our on land surfing skills!

The bandanas are a new fashion for Gunter Summer 2010, since Gunter Winter 09-10 brought many opportunities to visit the ER with head injuries! So, to keep the scars out of the sun Winni and Grady have to be covered. Might as well cover everyone, and start talking like pirates!

ARRrrrr!

Am I cRazY??

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:06:00 +0000

This is my cute little peanut.

with dreadlocks

with a pony tail

aftermath of pony tail...sans dreadlocks

getting ready for her first (and hopefully ONLY) buzz!

post buzz!

and she's been giving me this stink eye ever since!

I hope she forgives me someday! Maybe she'll smile again tomorrow!

Tooele, anyone??

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:00:00 +0000

What do you get when you cross...

some awesome cowgirl boots

with some nice wall bangs?

I'm so sad that her hair blends in with the background. But, I'm serious, this was quite the bang wall!

One SWEET lookin 5 year old, 20 years too late!

Oh, to be so hip again...

Beach!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:21:00 +0000

I know it's a little early to be laying around at the beach, but that didn't stop us from visiting it!

After preschool last week we stayed at our friends house for the day. We actually ALMOST bought a house one street over from them! Today we decided to take a short 5 minutes walk down to the beach at the end of their street. It was way fun and way cold!

We didn't last long because of the wind, but the kids had fun throwing rocks and sticks. It was nice to get out for a bit.

super agent: SUPER SPY!!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:03:00 +0000

Getting ready for church today was super fun, apparently! As I was putting on my finishing touches, my kids were enjoying a creative play moment. They got these sun glasses at a birthday party yesterday, and surprisingly ALL had their own at the same time. This rarely happens on the 2nd day! Anyway, let me introduce you to the cast of characters for super agent: SUPER SPY!

We have...

LADY IN PINK

She is evil, deceitful, and mean. Can you tell? I told you, she's deceitful!

HER HENCHMAN

Apparently, he is too wicked, or sly, or too much of a servant to have an actual name. In the movie, the henchman is Tyrone. So, we'll call him Traerone! But, I kid you not, they kept telling me he is the henchman. He must be good! Heck, I'd follow him into a dark alley anyday!

super agent: AGENT SECRET

Can you tell? He is such a womanizer. Total 007 material here! And, he always saves the day. His secret agent tool?? DANCING! I couldn't be prouder.

By the end of the movie they are all friends and make chocolate milk together. The Lady in Pink decides to be a super spy and they all live happily ever after. But, on the rare occasion they run out of chocolate milk, be warned...

They still pull a mean angry face!

On Oprah!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:55:00 +0000

So, I'm expecting a phone call from Oprah anyday now. I'm pretty sure she wants me on her show. Not in the 'daughter of Wanda Barzee' sort of way. (I realize this woman is on the opposite side of crazy from my parents, but I think it's funny that the 'final straw' of eating your pet bunny happened at my house too!) Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that Oprah isn't going to call because I am crazy, she is going to call because I am BRILLIANT! She is going to call because not many people would call a 3 hour trip to Costco with 4 children a 'success'. She will most likely call because of all of the phone pics that were sent to her yesterday after we were spotted looking like this...

It might not look genius to the naked eye. But, look closer...

You can hear the train whistle, can't you!?! The only thing that would make these pictures any better would be the boxes of size 4 and size 2 diapers we usually have to get. Along with a big 'ol case of wipes. This was a 'small' trip to Costco. If there had been much more, we wouldn't have been able to get it home in the car! Oh, and one other success happened at Costco...3 out of 4 children peed in the potty! Yep, that means Grady, too! woo hoo!!

I think I'm going to open an etsy shop now. All I'm going to make are cute little velcro bands that hook the carts together, for those people who don't have a willing 5 year old. It's hard work holding those carts together. I know...cause she kept telling me!! I paid her in ice cream.

Maeli

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:00:00 +0000

it's what's for dinner!! :)

We, Maeli and I, are enjoying her bumbo seat so much! She loves to help me cook and she is great at adding a little toe jam to any meal! She feels like such a big girl and is soooo stinkin cute!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:34:00 +0000

So, remember my food storage post yesterday?

Well, this is what happened to the other food items that I store...

FLOUR FIGHT ANYONE??

After the initial shock and mass discipline, I let them play in it. Because, seriously, childhood is about having fun, making a mess, getting in trouble, and then cleaning it up! They rode their bikes through it, threw it into my boxes of decorations, and will soon be down there licking up the mess.

Oh, and in case you were worried, my 'real food storage' (aka tim tams) is stored safely in my bedroom! :)

Call me old fashion...

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:15:00 +0000

call me silly...

you could even call me my mother...

But, I believe in food storage!

Food Storage in every flavor, too!

And, as always, make sure you like/eat what you store!

As for these strawberry ones,

they are alright, not my favorite, but I still slammed 2 of them without feeling guilty!

btw, tim tams are on sale RIGHT NOW at your local Target! And, they are even MORE on sale at your Pepperidge Farms Outlet location! whoot whoot!!

Snow much fun!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:53:00 +0000

Well, it only took us almost a week, but FINALLY my kids got me to let them play in the snow. I say finally, because I decided we didn't have to be completely unpacked with the house back in order. We left the vacuum in the middle of the floor, put Maeli in her swing in front of the window, and went out for some fun!

We tried to make our own slide, but the snow is a little too frozen to be molded into the perfect sledding spot. But we still had fun! I, partially, taught my kids 'king of the mountain' but I left out the 'pushing everyone off' part. I figure they'll learn that on their own soon enough!

Oh, and as for this little guy...

he wanted NOTHING to do with the snow. He liked the melted puddles of water. He loves to jump in them and splash, although he doesn't enjoy the bathtub or swimming very much.

We followed our playing in the snow with a walk around the neighborhood. We finally dared go into one of the homes under construction. There wasn't much to see, but it was fun to see a different layout. Makes me start dreaming of my next home...get ready babe! My eyes just got bigger!! :)

Excuse me...

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:59:00 +0000

but where did January go??

This little girl got bigger...

was blessed by her father...

he got his first scar

and then proceeded to grow up...

We celebrated his birthday along with Winni's at Bouncin off the Walls!

He just keeps getting cuter,

and melting hearts everywhere

She turned 5

and keeps her daddy shining his gun!

She has lost her mind...or so it seems!

He recently realized just how cool she is

Oh, and he left us this morning...don't worry, he'll be back!!

She keeps me busy, or at least planning to be busy! (What? Don't know who she is?? She's Audrey! She's going to save my creative side of life!)

Hmmmm....and apparently, she has started some sort of extra-curricular activities, to include cage dancing...of sorts! :)

So, as you can see, January was good to us! Although, I've got a few new worry lines! But, they are evened out by my new smile lines! We head back to Maryland soon. We will miss Utah, but are excited to get back to life, routines, and our stinky dog!! :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:57:00 +0000

Today was our Peterson Family Christmas Party! My parents treated us all to breakfast at Golden Corral, then we had our gift exchange, and then we went sledding. I got pictures of sledding...:)

The big kids...

These 2 had soo much fun! They would go down together, and then Winni would drag the sled back up. Debbie would sit halfway up the hill and call her dad for help! hahaha

Trae really wanted me to sled with him. I love that he loves me!

Sim! The littlest of the tough guys!

woo hoo!!

More posing!

Winni and Trae think sledding is AWESOME! I'm so happy they enjoyed it. Now, I just need to get up the insanity to take Winni, Trae AND Grady sledding. We'll see!

The last of 2009

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:16:00 +0000

Somebody told me we wouldn't need snow suits and boots in Maryland, so when I bought them online for Christmas I had them sent to Utah, cause I knew we'd need them there. Well, let's just say we were not prepared for this!!

Notice Grady's gloves...they are Walter's boot socks! hahaha they worked!

Somebody knocked on our door at about 10 AM on the first day of snow (it snowed for 2 days) offering to shovel our driveway, for $30! After a good laugh, we told him we were OK. We didn't even have a shovel!

A few days later we headed to Utah!

My kids were so worn out that they fell asleep during dinner on Christmas Eve!

We had to wake them up and force them to open their jammies! I still haven't gotten the PJ's in front of the Christmas tree picture...and the tree is down now! :(

Christmas morning was great! I got this HUGE sausage! How did Santa know that that was what I wanted...??

Maeli's 1st Christmas! She handled it well!

Our little poser! Seriously, who taught her this?? Not me!

We had soo much fun!

Santa brought yo-yo's. They soon found the garbage can! Thanks Santa.

And now we are prepared for the Utah Snow!! This will be my children's first downhill sledding experience, rather than horizontal front yard sledding. They are so excited!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

To Do

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Today's to do list includes this..

fun, huh?

the life of a coke addict

you are jealous, aren't you!?!

It gets even better! I found this beautiful mess the day it happened. I took pictures at that time and then waited. I waited for a confession but got nothing! It wasn't until a few days later I opened the freezer with HIM standing there and forced the confession out of him! FOR REAL! I told him I took pictures...and he begged me not to blog them. MERRY CHRISTMAS HOT STUFF!!

Washington DC Temple

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Last night we went here...

It was cold and beautiful!

noreply@blogger.com (amberjill) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:49:00 +0000

When Maeli was born she brought along a 'little' something to occupy her siblings so she could have some one on one time with mom. She's so thoughtful! :)

My kids are loving this GeoTrax train set. It keeps them busy for hours, everyday! LOVE IT! And it keeps Dad busy too! Not sure who is having more fun, actually!

Anyway, we decided to do a little something with our new train set.

Train set + Christmas Trees = LOTS OF FUN!!

Our Train set is seriously HUGER than our Trees! FOR REAL!! :)

Oh, and it doesn't hurt that it wears them out!