Catching up FINALLY!!!

We are so happy to have the wedding photos to share with you. Most of them were taken the day before but the group one was that day. It was such beautiful weather and just a really happy day all together. What a wonderful memory!!

 We had so much fun at the luncheon. We had wonderful food and thanks to Elizabeth and Stephanie who did the cut table decorations, I think it went well.

We have a song for our family to teach our children how to spell our name. So we shared that with the Williams side so that they would know how to say it and spell it right. We really don't care about stuff like that we just thought it was a fun idea.

We also had the newlywedds play Minute to Win-it games and they got presents to help with the supply of TP/Toothbrushes/Kleenex/Candy/etc. for their new apartment!!!

It sure was fun to watch them!!! They were good sports!

Here we are at the reception. It was just a lovely night. Long, but way fun. I love how all of the pictures tuned out and I am so grateful for a good family picture for our family

BECAUSE........

Our oldest Son Christopher and his wife Rachel and their kiddos Anna and Calin moved to Orlando Florida. She got an amazing job with the University of Phoenix there and so they are now Floridians!!! Christopher drove the car and trail with a few of their things all by himself. I was so nervous for him, but he conquered the length of the country all alone and did really well.

Good job Christopher. They sold most of their things but they did have a small trailer full they took with them. Rachel and the Children flew on Monday and they met up that evening where they spent the night at her brother's home (yeah at least they have them there huh!!!) and then moved into their apartment the next day. They seem to be having a really good time on this adventure.

We are so happy for them. But we doooooo miss them bigtime. I know this is a good thing for their family and I love getting pictures and seeing the adventures they are experiencing.

Here are some of them......

Anna got a new bed, she left the twin here and missed her white bed so she was a happy camper that her good parents chose to get her a bed first. She is thrilled and so is Calin, cuz he was in a pack and play and anna was using his crib mattress. So now they both have their own beds and are so happy.

These are my cuties on their first Sunday (Anna is wearing her Sunbeam dress) It helps to make her feel safe as a new Sunbeam this year. Calin is loving the nursery as well. Anna was a big girl and told us last night that she said the prayer in primary and she did a really good job.

I love that. They live really close to DisneyWorld (I can't wait to visit)

They go and visit Downtown Disney which is free and huge and they love seeing all of the characters and things there. They even found a fun water fountain that you can run and play in.

They also live really close to a park and there is a beautiful lake right behind their apartment. It really is so pretty and green there. Christopher is being a stay at home dad and is doing a great job. He takes the kids on lots of walks and enjoys their beautiful big back yard where they can run and play. He is working on his cooking skills and has become quite the chef. Good job.

Rachel seems to love her job. She finished her training recently and seems to be doing really well. The people there really appreciate her talents and abilities. She is very talented for sure. We are so proud of this little family.

As I said before Rachel's brother Dave and his family live about 20 - 30 minutes from them. Close enough to enjoy each other for sure. They have a pool in their back yard and so Christopher went and helped Anna with her swimming and Calin loved playing with his cousins. Rachel joined them for a BBQ at the end of her day and I think they are loving Florida. We get to skype, usually on Sunday nights when some of the kids are here to say hello. It wasHer really fun last night to see how they are all doing. Anna said my favorite thing (just as a side note her big papa (herbs dad) just passed away recently, so keep that in mind.) for Mothers day I had my family (Mom Dad, Bro's and Sis) over for dinner with our kids who are here and so we skyped them. My dad was sitting by me on the couch and Anna saw him and I said hey Anna say hi to grandpa great and so she did, but just after the hi, she said "hey I thought he was in heaven alreadY!!!!!!!" I thought we would laugh our heads off. Then my dad said, "well maybe tonight!!!" Which would not have been good but it was funny. I love the things that sweet little girl says. We miss them a ton but are so happy that they are happy.

 On Wednesday night Herb and I headed up to Logan Utah to watch our Jacque graduate from Utah State University. She has been there 5 years and got her degree in PE with a minor in Heath. She has loved every second of College (she's crazy that way) but she enjoys learning so much. She is sad to see it end, but so happy to be applying to different schools and hoping that one of them will let her be their PE teacher. She did so well at student teaching and the people there really loved her. She enjoyed it so much. I can't wait to see her in action. I know she is amazing at it.

Utah State was Jacque's dream, and when she fell in love with our darling Curtis we were a pinch concerned that her dream would end there. I remember she said that would be okay, cuz she got her dream man and she would go wherever he wanted and needed them to go. She was grateful for at least a year at her dream school. Little did she know that Curt would follow her up there and let her dream continue to come true. Since then they have worked really hard together getting their educations. He has one and a half years left there and she will stand by his side just like he stood by hers. You could see the pride in his eyes. He is so good to our girl. For that we are so grateful.

Curts' Dad, Mom and little brother, Herb and I were there to enjoy this moment with her.

We are all so proud of you sweet girl and we are so glad that we got to share this time with you. It sure does not seem like 5 years ago for me, but of course I was not the one surviving school.....

You did a really good job.

While Curt and Jacque have lived in Logan, they have had amazing people there to be their families. Both of them have been their Bishop's and can I just say how wonderful it is to have people love and take care of your kids when you don't live by them. We love love love these people, and I know that they have been an extra special blessing in the kids lives. Both families keep saying please come back after the summer is over. And even though they know that Curt still have a year and a half there they are worried they won't come back. The kids came home with us this year and spending the summer here in mesa. Curt is doing his shaddowing hours for PA school here and they will both be working fulltime during the summer here. We are so excited to have them home it's been a while and so we are grateful for this opportunity. But we promised the Grunigs and the Visicks that we would return them at the end of the summer. We had a BBQ party in the Visicks back yard, and the Grunigs joined us. We had a great visit and good food. Thank you families who love our kids.

CJ the Visicks son made Jacque a fish pinata and it was filled with all of our favorite goodies. So cute. I hope that the pictures blow up when you tap on them. The Grunigs are their Bishop now and they are on the bottom left side. The Visicks were their Bishop first and then he was put into the Stake Presidency. Curt Served with both of them in the Bishoprics and Jacque served with both of them as RS Pres. They love these families as if they were their own.

Since the kids will both be working full time they needed both of their cars. So they drove their Acura home and we hauled Ruby home cuz she overheats and needs to be fixed. Thankfully Curts dad can help him get that fixed this summer and they can save some money, and learn more about fixing cars. Tons of fun huh!!!

Well thanks for enduring the pictures, but I am doing long picture blogs so that our family can enjoy each others lives even if we live a zillion miles away. Curt and Jacque left on Friday Night for a cruise for graduation, and Jordan and Jessica left this morning for their honeymoon cruise as well.

We are hoping that they are having such a great time. We will be anxious to hear all about the fun they must be having in the Bahama's..........

I'm not jealous at all!!!!!!!

I LOVE MY FAMILY 

Gotta love this crazy kid

 The Day could not have gone better. It was a beautiful day, the weather was amazing, and well what can we say about the groom!!! He's a little on the crazy side!~!! But isn't that why we love this kid?

I think my favorite part of this picture is that Jessica looks so serene like a Disney Princess for sure with not a care in the world. It's one of my favorite pictures of all. Good job to Jessica's uncle who was their photographer.

 They went the day before just at dusk to take pictures and they turned out so beautiful. Well at least these did, I haven't seen the rest (I can't wait). But they are just a beautiful couple and so happy to finally have all of the hubbub done and able to start just being in the real world. I personally think they need to be in a magazine, but I have not connections so we will just post here and all of you can enjoy seeing such adorable redheads!!!

We had a ton of fun the whole day of the wedding. It was suppose to be really really windy, and possible rain (the reception was outside of course!), but we were blessed beyond measure and none of that happened. A little breeze (which felt so nice) but otherwise it was perfect weather. Good food and Amazing people showed such support, we are a blessed family for sure. So happy for these sweet kids. And wish them all the best in the real world:/ Gotta love it!!!

Papa

Yesterday afternoon just before 5, papa left this world. We were just on our way to be with him when the hospice called and said that he had passed away. I really think he wanted it that way, cuz he sure wouldn't let go when any of us were there. He seemed very peaceful when we got there, I love that Heavenly Father lets that peace happen in passing. It was a good, and hard journey with him, but so worth every second that we had him in our lives. Lots of memories for sure. Thanks for your prayers.

Our Little Papa

 Today was a pretty tough day for our family. On Sunday afternoon Papa (Herb's dad) fell at the home where he is living now and broke his hip. He has a high pain tolerance at first and it took a day or so for anyone to really detect that something was wrong. He fell about 4 times within the past year when he lived at our house. The last fall was in December, and that is when it became apparent that he would need more care then we could give him ourselves, so we found a wonderful home right by our house to stay at. They are great people, and have taken such good care of our Papa.

Anyway finally the doctor who comes to the home sent over an x-ray tech and we found that he had broken his hip. NOT GOOD!!! to say the least. So we got him to the hospital and by now the pain was pretty bad. Because of his dimentia (I am sure I spelled that wrong), we really are never sure if he is in pain or not, kindof like the boy who cried wolf.....but this time there was no doubt.

This is a picture of him in the hospital last year, and he looks great here. But let me tell you this is not the case now. He has gone downhill these past few months rapidly. I did not take a picture today because it made me so sad, but anyway the options were surgery (full hip replacement), or hospice where they will keep him comfortable until the end. As we spoke with the Doctors about the options and what dad had told us when he could tell us what he wanted, and we oppted to put him on hospice and pray for a Merciful Heavenly Father to releave the pain and take him home.

Life is interesting sometimes. I would never have thought that I would have enjoyed any part of taking care of this big ol grumpisaurus, but now that it is close to over, I will miss that part of him. Not the grumpy part, but the part where we laughed a ton, (didn't really happen very often, but sometimes), doing puzzles, watching him chit chat with the babies, he acted like he didn't like them around, but he sure lit up when they came in the room. Calin especially lately made him smile. He was so intriged with Papas walker and that just seemed to tickle something in Papa and he would tease that baby back and forth and laugh and laugh with him.

He was difficult, but really aren't we all in our own ways,

He was grumpy, but aren't we all sometimes,

He was really really mean, hopefully we are not mean and can learn from that

But he was also Herb's dad and my father in law and I am grateful for these past few years of caring for him and serving him, and helping him to feel just a pinch of the spirit so maybe he could find some happiness in this life.

I will not miss the grumpy, or the mean, but I will miss the little windows of joy that really were there, not often, but they were there and I think that he was grateful for all the we did, and that makes me happy. So please everyone take just a moment, breath, and remember all of the people in your life, even the grumpy ones, and try to remember the good times and nothing else.

I will miss you papa, thanks for the memories grumpysaurus!!!!

We love you

I love how this turned out......

My husband teaches primary and loves it. This year he gets to teach the CTR 7 class which are the children who are going to be baptized this year. I wanted to be able for him to give them something to remember this wonderful day by and this is what I came up with. I am sure that there are a billion of these floating around pinterest, but I haven't seen them. I need to go on that site more I guess.  But anyway I was really excited how they turned out. I hope that they all turn out this cute.

It was pretty simple, but it is time consuming so if you are wanting to make some for your kiddo's just know that it is about a 2 hour project from start to finish. Maybe the more I do the faster it will be . I decided just sewing a straight stitch around the CTR Shield would be softer on the children when they are sleeping then the satin stitch.

I had a little strip of fabric left of the checks and so I decided  there can never be tooooooooo much cuteness so I made this little rose. It is safety pinned on so that you can take it off when you wash the pillow case.

I hope the kids love them and that it will help to remind them to choose the right every day.

Jordan's life in a nutshell

 On December 20th our baby boy came home from his mission to the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo East Mission. We were so excited!!

 I think I hugged him for a good hour!!! Not really but I really was so happy to see him home and safe. It was a wonderful experience.

Finally our family was all together again.............So great...........

 On January 5th (Christopher's Birthday) Jordan had surgery on his shoulder. He had a hooked bone and some arthritis, and a torn bycep tendon. Lots of fun, but it is all repaired now and he is doing really well.  He signed up for school, tested into MCC and got a scholarship there. We were so happy. Life was cruising along in a speedy manor.........................

 Jacque and Curtis got to come for Christmas this year and stay much longer then the past couple of years. We were so happy about that. We will blog about Christmas later, but this is how we decided to do our family picture this year. All cozy on our bed. Aren't they the most wonderful kids. We love them all so much..............

And can I just mention that we have the best grandbabies in the world. They are the light of our lives and they too are very happy to have their uncle jojo back home.

It was so good to have Jordan back in our pictures...........but wait.......is someone missing????

It appears that there was someone missing, we just didn't know that when we took this picture.              Meet Jordan's True Love
                                                            Jessica Williams.......

 They are a little bit giddy, not to mention speedy. As of Wednesday February 8, 2012 they are engaged to be married in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  Wahoooooooooooo    We are so exited for them.

Jordan didn't know Jessica before he left on his mission. Our ward boundaries changed while he was gone and she was one of the blessings we gained from that change!!! They love to laugh and play really great pranks on each other. Young love is the best. We sure love our new addition to the family.

 For some reason my camera makes this ring look yellow, it is actually white gold, not yellow, but it is really pretty and unique. And can I mention that she has the tiniest fingers I have ever known a 4 1/2 !!

 I love this picture. We keep teasing them and saying remember on the hard days how great it felt and how you knew this was the one for you. We all need to remember that here and there!!!

 It has been a fast and furious adventure for Jordan since that plane ride home in December. Now we will plan for the next phase of his life. They are getting married on April the 13th. Yes it is a friday, and their first date was on a friday the 13th and her parents were married on a friday the 13th. So there you go. Life has been very quick at our house. But I wanted to get a little blog in before too long. We had a wonderful Christmas together and I will hopefully get to that one soon. Life at the Sunderhaus house is really good, and we are all happy in this house. Welcome to this crazy family little girl!!!!

We may be crazy but we are always up for the adventure!!!!

Happy Birthday Herb, and what the heck is that!!!!

 Every Christmas for the past I think 6ish years we have chosen names and made a homemade gift for that person. Last Christmas I had Cody. This was his request. I knew I would not get it done before Christmas but since it was a costume for Halloween I had the whole year to finish it. NEVER DO THAT!!! It took me the whole year, I should have pushed and got it to him for Christmas Sorry Cody.

But I do have to say that it was a journey of CRAZINESS!!! But I sure enjoyed being one on one with my Cody Boy. We had a blast figuring out how to make this happen. I love that my kids think I can do anything, well this one definately pushed the envelope, but I (well we) DID IT!!!

Keep Scrolling the pictures did not go in the order that I wanted and you will find out the finished project!!!! It is awesome......

 Here is our cute little Lion Boy. Calin is the sweetest little guy. He loved this costume and just had to have it, so his mama was a sweet mama and got it for him. I think he kept it on night and day for quite a while until the real Halloween night came. He can ROAR like nobody's business. So darling.

 Here is miss Lexee, she is pebbles and she was hillarious. This child seems to not be afraid of anything. She is a climber and a runner, and beyond funny. She says the darndest things. We just get a good laugh with Lexee poo around. Stephanie conquered this costume, so cute.

 Here are all three of our wonderful grandbabies. Anna is Violet from the Incredibles. She was totally determined to be this and once again, her sweet mama was so good and made her darling costume. Anna was so happy especially when she got to the party and they got to paint a mask on her.

 It is Herb's birthday on Halloween, I always feel so sad that he never gets to celebrate, he is always so good to trick or treat, and I think he finds it even better with grandkids, although he was the best dad to go trick or treating with his own kids every year instead of worrying about his birthday. He is the best dad and the bestest Papa for sure. We love you Herb. NOW KEEP SCROLLING......

















Here he is

The Lagitimate Sock Monkey!!!

 He cracked us up. I was so happy the costume turned out, and I think that he was thrilled as well. Merry Christmas late Cody, glad you had fun. And by the way he was the life of the party.

 Hear No Evil

See No Evil

Speak No Evil

 Here is our spider woman/vampire lady/crazy red hair lady, she is so great with her makeup, we always look forward to what our Stephanie will come up with for her costume. She did great!!!

A sock monkey and an orangatang!!!! (I know that is not how you spell it!!!) Poor Christopher was so sick, but he was a trooper and came to be supportive and let his kids have a great time, and say happy birthday to his dad. Hope you are feeling better son. He was an awesome pirate for another party, pictures of that on their post under SUNDERHAUS

Cody was so funny, he would wipe his tail on peoples faces, cuz they had no clue who he was, until they figured it out. I love his bum, it turned out really fun. Crazy Kid

Here is our miss anna after she got her mask painted on, thanks young women, it made her day. She was an adorable Violet.

Every year at our ward party we usually have this hurse (again with the spelling). Cody hopped right inside and thanks to Rachel for being our photographer that night, she caught him in the act!!!

My favorite position to see Christopher and Calin. He loves hanging out on his daddy's shoulder.

I had so much fun making the kiddo's trick or treat bags, this one is Calins, the girls had orange ribbon. They worked great and hopefully they can use them each year.

It was a really fun night. The ward threw a great party for Herb's birthday and the whole neighborhood came!!! The kids had a blast, and thank you again Rachel for catching so many memories.
Hope you all had a wonderful night as well.