Gunnell Family Reunion

My mom's side of the family had a reunion in Howell, Utah (north of Salt Lake) which is where my Grandpa grew up. It was fun to see everybody that we don't always get to see because we have such a big extended family. It also happened to be Candice's birthday that day so she got to wear that special crown.

It's rare to have everyone together since Kelli, Mason and Amanda live in Utah and J.D.'s in Indiana on his mission, but we almost had everybody! (with the exception of Derek, Chris, and kids- they were so nice to let Candice and I enjoy 3 days kidless!)

One of my fond memories as a kid was going to Grandpa's house and digging through a pile of sawdust for money and candy. We were ecstatic when they said the adults could participate this time! I came out with a quarter and some smarties, but it was still worth it!

This is the house that my Grandpa grew up in. It's seen better days, but I'm sure it was cute in the early 1900's!

After the reunion, we went to Mimi's Cafe to celebrate Candice's birthday- delicious!

My favorite hobby

For those that know me, I love love love decorating! It's so bad that I'd rather spend my money on cute things for my house instead of making myself look cute. So although I look like I just crawled out from under a rock, my house is looking fairly decent! We've been here 3 years and there's still alot I'd like to do, but most of the rooms are almost done. I'm definitely open to suggestions because I don't have a creative mind- I always have to look at pictures of other people's homes to get ideas for my own!

The 2 things that would make this kitchen perfect are window treatments and stainless steel appliances. I've refused to do blinds in here because we have them in the rest of our house- I'm thinking roman shades?

Our monstrosity of an entertainment center. I do love white, but that's alot of white all in one place.

Here's the living room (when you first walk in the front door). It's 99% finished, I'd just like a few more accessories.

View from the living room

Poor Clay- his room needs the most help. I have big plans for it, I just need the money to follow through. :)

The girls' room

And the master bedroom- this is a work in progress. I'll post pictures of the finished room, but it could be a while. :)

This one's for the girls! (well, Heather & Candice anyway)

I'm finally giving in to Heather's tag so I hope it's worth it!

4 Jobs I've held-
1. Sales associate at Famous Footwear
2. Teller at Wells Fargo Bank
3. Member Service Rep at Desert Schools Federal Credit Union
4. Receptionist for my dad's law office- I know he was sad to see me go, but it's okay now because he has Linda.

Places to go for a weekend getaway with my girlfriends-
1. Kierland Commons Resort and Spa
2. New York to be on the Martha show!
3. A beach house
4. The Rose Bowl Flea Market

Movies I Can Watch Over & Over-
1. Just Like Heaven
2. Elf (or pretty much any movie with Will Ferrell)
3. Hitch
4. The Wedding Planner

My Guilty Pleasures-
1. Arlecchino's gelato- I could eat it all day every day
2. Antique store shopping- the thrill of the hunt
3. Looking at decorating magazines
4. blogging

Places I Have Lived-
1. Mesa
2. Provo
3. Mesa
4. Mesa

Shows I Enjoy-
1. The Office
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Friends- I never get sick of all the re-runs
4. Almost anything on Bravo- Top Chef, Top Design, Project Runway- all good.

What were most likely the first things you thought of when you saw your significant other for the first time?
1. Hmmm- he's pretty cute.
2. I bet he works out.
3. He could use a haircut.
4. I wonder if he could be my first kiss? (And he was!)

Places I have Been on Vacation-
1. Paris
2. Mexico
3. Hawaii
4. New York

Favorite Foods-
1. Avocado pizza
2. Sweetcake's turkey delight
3. Chicken spaghetti
4. Macaroni Grill's chocolate cake(but pretty much any form of chocolate will do)

If in a "jam" with your spouse, what tactics do you use to get out of the doghouse?
1. What? Derek and I never fight. We always talk sweetly to each other.

Websites I visit
1. Chase bank
2. Gap
3. Forever 21
4. YOUR blog!

Best 1st kisses landmarks- (best or only?!)
1. In the parking lot at Applebee's
2. on the couch at my apartment in Provo
3. Sorry to dissapoint, but that's it! I was a very good girl:)

Places I'd Rather Be right now-
1. Scottsdale Fashion Square
2. Hawaii
3. California
4. In my bed

Summer Days!

This is what Clara looks like when she gets herself dressed. First of all, it's the middle of summer in Arizona and she puts on a sweater and jeans (just a tad bit tight and she looks like she's waiting for a flood) and if you look closely you can tell that she put them on backwards! Looks like I've taught her real well about fashion sense.

This is what summer is all about- we hooked up our hose to a mist system and connected it to the trampoline. Clever, huh? I got a kick out of watching the kids. It always makes me happy to see them playing nicely together- these days it's a rare occasion.:)