Jeans and a Haircut

Yesterday I went to the mall to return some shoes. I didn't find any that I liked but I did wander into a store having a sale on jeans and found some that I really liked. I have been waiting for jeans to go on sale at Maurices for a long time because that is one of the only places in my little town that has jeans with length of 35. I tried on a pair of Silvers and they were the best fitting, best looking jeans I have ever put on...but they are $72!!! The girl helping me was trying to convince me that it was a great day to buy them because the second pair was only $36, so my total for two pair of jeans would be just over $100. I wanted to tell her that I was a teacher's wife with five kids and that was half of my food budget for the week (what would we eat, food storage?) but I settled for the old standby, "My husband would kill me!" I can't bring myself to tell these cute store clerks how I really feel, that that is a vain waste of money, because maybe she was wearing a pair. My sisters are always telling me about clothes that cost a lot but this was my first encounter with a pair of jeans on my body with a price tag sticking out that was over $50. I came away with two pair of great fitting store brand jeans on sale for just over $20 each. That is more my style.

I also got a haircut that, including the tip, was less than $20. So today I got dressed, did my hair and felt like a million bucks but didn't spend it!!

Tackle Hugs

This is what happens when you marry a football player. The kids call this play time "tackle hugs."

Awards

Our two oldest were given awards this month. Lady K won a district art contest for the Celebration of Literacy week. She was excited to get a gift card to a bookstore as a gift for winning.

Mr. M has been busy in his Webelos den. He was awarded the Webelos patch along with four activity pins and a belt loop. He is having a lot of fun. His next goal is the arrow of light award. Who knew scouting could be so much fun not just for him but for me too. I love it.

Congrats to my oldest kids. I am so proud of you guys!

Lovely Lavender

This time it was only a three hour paint job. I did it in the morning while the kids were at school and the little kids were downstairs watching a movie. If you can't tell the top pict is the before picture and we chose a light lavender color. I flipped the girl's comforters over from the fuchsia color to the salmon color. The girls were thrilled with the result. I love lavender.

Reid's Vancouver Reception

The weekend following Ried and Heather's wedding they had a reception in Vancouver, Washington. My kids were delighted to have a chance to be part of the wedding festivities. The older girls spent a lot of the evening standing with Aunt Heather and Grandma in the line and helping Heather hold her bouquet. The boys and Baby R, of course, made sure that their dad was exhausted at the end of the evening and that they had sampled every item on the refreshment table...numerous times.

Reid's Wedding

My brother Reid got married this month. I was able to fly out to Utah for the occasion. It was a beautiful ceremony. I was so happy for Reid. He married a girl who is beautiful on the inside and out. The whole wedding was so classy. Heather looked like Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady.





I had a ton of fun with my siblings and extended family there. I also got a day with my husband's family (who's pictures, sadly, did not turn out due to my camera being on the wrong setting.) It was a great weekend.

Sistas!

What a very pretty hat.

Doug dressed to kill (kill his chances of dating that is.)

Gunnell Girls (Me, Sister Susie, Aunt Julie, Cousin Melissa and Mom Karen)

February Birthdays

Dad and Lady K celebrated their birthdays this month. They were back to back celebrations so I am pretty sick of cake right now. Dad's cake was one that only a math teacher could love. Our eldest put every candle in the house on it including the number 6, 7 and 3 candles. It made no sense.

Dad got some fun gift cards with money to spend on books or movies or whatever else and the kids and I surprised him with some Yo Yo Ma (cellist) music on his itunes account. His favorite was Gabriel's Oboe from the movie The Mission.

Lady K had a great birthday too.

She is NINE!! Can you believe it? She got an itunes gift card, some neat cards,

earrings, paint and a promise to have her room painted next week, and a lot of money which she already spent on a messenger bag and lunch bag for school. She is pretty hyped. Thanks to everyone who helped make her birthday so special.