Christmas 2011

Christmas was fun this year. We did a lot of activities together, some with family and some with just the two of us. On Christmas day, my sister came down from Phoenix to spend the night. We had our Christmas dinner (famous Tunell "Goldenrod Eggs") then opened presents and played games. We watched "Miracle on 34th Street", and just had a pleasant time! Sean received the boardgame "Ticket to Ride", the 7th season of Home Improvement, and the Truman Show on Blu-Ray. Sean gave me "Soul Surfer" on Blu-Ray (I love that movie!), and lots of chocolate so I stop eating the chocolate chips. ;) Emilie gave us some new card games, and she received a CD and some DVDs. The best Christmas present was when my mom sent me several of my favorite children's books, like Ferdinand the Bull, Sammy the Seal, and Danny and the Dinosaur. She also gave me two of the best Max Lucado books: You Are Special and Because I Love You. And all the time spent with Sean was some of the best we've had.

The day after we went to Safford to visit Mom, Steve, and Ian. Derek and Loren came too. :) We played lots of games, ate out, and went on a little hike on Mt. Graham. Leo and Lily were with us in Safford (for the last time- Lily has unfortunately digressed in her housetraining...sigh...) but they sure enjoyed that hike! Leo even swam in the icy river water!

Overall, it was a great vacation, and a great start to the new year. We have already learned so much in the few weeks of 2012, and look forward to many more opportunities to go where He wants us to go. :)

2011 Family Pictures

After at least 3 years, we finally updated our family photo! (About time, especially since Sean has facial hair and I am now a short-haired brunette.) We only have a few available (one of which is now at the top of our blog) due to copyrights, but enjoy what we have. More posts to come!

First Date Anniversary - 5 Years

The weekend of November 11, Ian came to stay with us when Mom and Steve went to Sedona for their 5 year anniversary. Our first big activity was hiking Picacho Peak followed by ice cream at Dairy Queen. It was a fun, intense hike! And it was the same activity Sean and I did for our first date on November 13, 2006. Both trips were worth the view ;)

That night we had pizza and watched a movie, and Saturday Sean and Ian did projects followed by Carl's Jr for dinner. I managed to hurt my back so I just chillaxed for the rest of the day. It was a lot of fun! It was great having Ian with us. :D

:) Schmile!

November 13, 2006

November 11, 2011

November 13, 2006

November 11, 2011

Happiness = Lots of Snuggles :)

Catch Up Four part 2

Our campground was just past the official Havasupai Falls, shown in the picture at the top of the blog. On our way we passed "New Falls" which will be featured later, and on Friday we traveled to "Mooney Falls", also amazing. We swam and jumped and climbed and took it all in. The young men were awesome- made friends with several of them. It was neat to get to know the other half of the youth. I usually only get to know the young women. The hike out was the hardest. We left at 3:30 am so we wouldn't get caught hiking in the hottest part of the day. We made it out by 10:30- a lot faster than going in. I surprised myself with how well I did, especially since I came away with two blisters on each foot and a swollen right knee. Sean kept up right behind me and constantly told me how well I was doing. He helped me out a lot. It was so awesome to experience this trip along with him- wouldn't have been the same without him. :) Go Havasupai!

(And Go Team Tunell!!!)

The river next to where we set up our tent

New Falls

My 2nd waterfall jump at New Falls. The first "jump" I

had to have one of the young men push me,

but this time I managed to jump on my own.

(Sean jumped too...or rather, insisted on being

pushed. Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture

or video :( )

Sean clearly intimidated by the warning sign

In we go!!!

Hehehe...totally worth the risk.

What we had to climb down and up

to get to the waterfall. Kinda scary

but pretty cool!

Beautiful Mooney Falls

Nate Price, Dave Omer, and Sean

The Leaders...and Us

The Crew at Mooney

Playing in the waterfall! So amazing!

(I had a walking stick to help me out due to

blisters on both feet)

We got to snuggle behind the waterfall, too!

(Not pictured....obviously)

A good shot of how high up we were, and that's

about halfway up!

VICTORY!!! WE MADE IT!!!!

With my boys McKay and Sayre Stewart

(their sis Taylor was one of my amazing YCLs)

We all survived!

We rock socks and awesome sauce!!!!

Catch Up Four part 1

#6: Hike To (And From) Havasupai Falls (July 13-16)

Sean and I had the extraordinary privilege of going with several young men and their leaders from our stake on their High Adventure trip to Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon. It was a backpacking trip- something I had never done and really wanted to. I was a little nervous but I am so glad I went. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and I pushed myself farther than ever before, and it was worth it! Part 1 shows pictures of us getting ready to head out, the first part of the hike including the native American village just before the campground. Part 2 will show all the cool stuff we saw and did once at the falls. It's definitely something we will do again!

The whole crew before the drive up on Wednesday

Thursday morning at our camping site. We camped

by the side of the road Wednesday night. It was

so cold but so beautiful out there!

The crew before descending into the canyon

"We goin' in there?" "Yup."

All geared up and ready to go!!!

Taking a rest- such beautiful views!

On the road again!

The Village

The LDS Church in the village- how amazing

is that? You really can find the church anywhere-

even in the bottom of the Grand Canyon!!!

Catch Up Three

#5: 4th of July

This year, we had a very unusual but wonderful 4th of July. Almost a week beforehand, we volunteered to have a couple and their baby, who were moving in to the ward, stay with us until their rental house was ready. Their names are Squire and Jamie Hepworth, with baby Lincoln. We had a great time! They are so fun! Anyway, Emilie invited us to her place in Phoenix for a BBQ, a pool party, and fireworks. (Who could resist that?) So we went and the Hepworths came along. It was such a great day! :) And the fireworks were awesome.

Happy Birthday, America! God Bless!

Catch Up Two

#3: Hangin' at the Tucson Rodeo

Neither Sean or I had been to the rodeo, and the rodeo grounds were literally just down the street from our project house (this was in February). So we went! Why the heck not, right? We had a really good time...I think I had too much fun :P It was pretty darn neat! Sean took more movies than pictures but this one I had to get. This little boy is too cute!!!!

#4: East Valley Mormon Choral Organization (EVMCO) and Collin Raye

My sister, Emilie, is part of a volunteer all-LDS full choir and orchestra in Phoenix, and this year, their Memorial Day concert had an amazing guest star: Collin Raye. If you know country music, you know who Collin Raye is. If you don't....I cry for you because he is amazing, not just as a musician. I was blessed to be able to meet him after the show and he is the most generous man ever. He acted like he would have spent all day with each fan if possible. His emotional outpouring during the show made it clear he loves God and this country. I loved every minute of the show. :) Oh, and Collin Raye singing "Amazing Grace" accompanied by bagpipes = awesome.

Myself, Collin Raye, and Emilie