"HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN TOP"
(ok I admit it's only high on a metal beam... smile)

Every once in a while we get pictures from our Gavin who is serving as a missionary in Upstate New York! I love these because they not only show him as a missionary but as a Gunther boy! Climbing up on a beam for a picture and then jumping off is such a thing our boys and I admit also our daughter would do. They all have such a zest for and a genuine love for life! Gavin has been transferred to and place called Potsdam, New York. If you go to google, click maps, and type it in you'll be able to see how close it is to the Canadian border. He just arrived there not too long ago from Watertown where he served for several months as a District Leader.

In Potsdam he is serving as a Zone leader. Not sure how many districts are in a zone, but he gets to serve with 16 other missionaries in that area and absolutely loves it! I'm happy that he's up near the Canadian border where it's really really cold ... coming into Spring ... instead of in the dead of Winter!




If you can't tell by the picture, Gavin loves being a missionary and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as he can! He also loves to sing and had the good fortune this past several weeks to serve with a companion who sings as well. They got the idea to deliver singing 'hymnograms', and have had some great experiences doing that! I asked him one week in an email if he stills sings in the shower every morning! His answer? A resounding, "Yes!"

Does this make the mom happy? Way! (smile) I absolutely love a boy who sings and climbs and jumps! And one who loves the Lord with all his heart, might, mind, and strength!

Mandi and Bailey give Sara a Shower

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

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Prom 2008 Jordan takes Paige Gunn

Jordan takes Paige Gunn to Prom!

I love High School dances! Kurt typically goes with the boys to pick out the coolest tux and tie! It's all about the tie really! There's a dash to clean the car ... make sure there's enough gas in the tank ... and enough cash in the pocket. If it's girl's choice ... Dad makes sure the boys take extra just in case the girl didn't get how much it was really going to be. Bailey goes with her brothers to pick out and pick up the corsage, and I get to take video and pictures! In the past this has notoriously included shamelessly following them to pick up their date ... hanging out the sunroof window! In my defense ... they begged me to! I promise. This time though I was such a good girl! I only took a few pictures ... in a few different spots ... with a few different poses. Austin had his trusty camera out too! Ok. I'll admit it. He takes better pictures than I do ... but still I can't resist. Oh ... And my favorite part is the twirls! After all ... what's the point of a fabulous dress and a great hair do (is it due or do?) if you can't do a few twirls for someone who truly appreciates twirls. Bailey ... learned to twirl the first time she tried a dress on. I just think it's an important foundationally feminine skill that can NOT be acquired too soon in life! (I'm not sure ... but I think I just made up a new word ... spell check wants me to fix foundationally ... but it looks exactly right to me.)Anyway, you get the point. I love the twirls! And I loved the color of Paige's dress!
I'm also crazy about Jordan's vest and tie! Is this a 'sick' (I think I used that term right) pic... er what?!


One more picture just so you can see Austin up on my bistro table taking an above board shot ... if that's what you call it! Personally I think the disease is spreading to the next generation, and I'm happy 'bout it!

Anyway, they were a very cute couple and had a great time! Four of them went out to "Tuacano's" to eat and then met up with several more couples! The dance was at Thanksgiving Point! Very good spot!


This is another fun shot! It's all about the shades!

"Mom Says I Can"

click on "Mama Said" in my playlist

"Mom Says I Can"

This picture seems to say it all doesn't it? Yep. The look on Jordan's face is worth a thousand words and Bailey obviously adds much to what's being said. I'll let you come up with the exact verbiage. I wonder though. How many times has the 'mom says I can thing' been used without the mom actually knowing anything about it? It's a good question.

This little book is the cutest thing ever! I'm trying to find one for Max Topham, our cute little nephew! Because the book starts out something like, "I'm Max" and goes on to say that Max is going hunting for treasure ... he's dressed and ready to go search pulling his bright red 'Radio Flyer' wagon behind him. I think there's a little companion sitting inside like a teddy bear. Anyway, Max is going searching for treasure because "Mom Says I Can". I got one of them for Danniel for Kyle and one for Sara for Konrad ... 'course we'll have to cross out the Max and add their names. Anyway, Max becomes a pilot (perfect for Austin's little boy) to search for treasure, and a cowboy (perfect for Danniel's), and a ton other things ... I'll have to look at it again before I decide which one is perfect for Max ... but not to worry ... I'll figure it out soon enough!


Here's little Kyle with his Grandma Marchione (aka Aunt Laverne)! Is this the cutest picture er what?!

Konrad, of course, isn't due to arrive until June 28th. We all have decided he'll come much earlier ... anybody have a good guess! There could be a candy bar in it for you!

Maggie will have to send me a picture of Max so you can all see how cute he is ... then 'course we'll have to get one of the rest of the Topham boys!

Anyway, back to the "Mom Says I Can" thing. It's a problem now that I fear will be perpetuated into the next generation ... for I'm sure I will hear many a little voice out the open window declaring, "Grandma Says I Can"! And of course no permission will be needed to use such a phrase ... it will be a given! (smile)

from: Aunt Celene ... soon to be Grandma Gunther
(oh my! What have I done?!)

Konrad in 3D

Click on 'New Soul" to listen while you watch

"Daddy Daughter Dates are GREAT!"

Spring Vacation - Moab, Utah

Girls Just Wanna Have ... NEW CLOTHES!

Bailey has a new Easter dress! 'Kay ... so we got it a little after the event ... but whatayagonnado? It's been one twirl after another around here! But no matter how you look at it ... in the end it's a fabulous pose ... and she's a beautiful girl!

"Jumpin' On it" with the Hoover Family

So it's been forever since I've tried to add something to this page 'cause I'm clueless to this blogging thing, but I'm determined to figure it out! We had the Hoover's from Michigan visit this past week! So fun! Wednesday, we all went up to West Jordan to see a 3D image of Austin and Sara's baby! Incredible! You can totally see what their little Konrad looks like! So cute ... and I'm just gonna say ... yep ... has the Gunther lips! Unless the Hoover's wanna take credit:)! We took Kyle and Lisa to "Jump On It" to jump on the trampolines! It was great! And nobody broke their neck ... a plus! Phew! So I'll add a picture just to see if I can! Oh Yes! General Conference was fabulous ... was it not! I SO love Conference! It ranks right up there with Christmas! We had a yummy dinner with the Hoover's Sunday after the afternoon session ... Chicken Cordon Bleu ... baked potatoes with sour cream and chives and butter ... brocolli ... yummy salad ... and our traditional bread pudding (especially for Kyle) for dessert! Then we played "Pictionary" and had such a great time! We sure love the Hoovers! Here's Lisa and Bailey being so so cute ... trying to point out the dangers of not using your head!

Bailey gets a kick out of something

All the Christmas decorations are down ... well ... almost ... Kurt's colored spheres are still in the tree out front ... but we've had water issues in the basement so we're letting it slide.