The past month...

has really flown by!

We are loving our new little addition to the fam. Rowan is such a good baby (with, of course, baby tendencies to cry, poop, and need things at unruly times) and we are so so happy to have her here! The kids are adjusting really well, too, thank goodness. Payton has her moments, but, being a girl is tough sometimes and her emotions are right out in front these days. I am trying to just love her through it, but you know how it goes...

Most of these pics need no introduction. Just randoms of the past month. I'm trying not to let time get past me and forget to take pictures of the kids. I swear I had about 2,000 pictures taken of Kai in his first month of life (being my first and all) and just as many of Payton (being my first GIRL and all) and I'll just kick myself if Rowan has only 5. So, wish me luck on that one!

Smmmoochhh!
Kai wants to hold Rowan (or Rowey, as he calls her) all the time!
I could look into those eyes all day long
Rowan after her first official bath (in her tub). Love that little face!
Rowan supervising Jared's work
how sweet are they!?


Here's just a few of Thanksgiving day. We ate at the club in Marbella (where J's parents live) and it was PERFECTION!

jared and his dad
me and Andrea
me and my girl
Jared's brothers, Ryan and Derek, on Thanksgiving
Kai and his cousin, Avery

SHE'S HERE...and we could not be more thrilled!

On November 9, 2009 at 8:12 am, little Rowan Paige Bunker came into the world and into our lives! We have had a fantastic first week with her and words cannot describe the love I have for this little one! It all started at 4 pm on Sunday, the 8th, when I went into the hospital to get the "cervix pill" so that when I came in on Monday morning to be induced it would go smoothly. Well, I guess that pill was all I needed to get the ball rolling. By 10:15 pm (after 2 1/2 hours of walking around the l & d floor) I had dialated to a 2.5 and contractions were every minute to every 30 seconds. In fact, they just would not let up! They WERE going to send me home (to which I was prepared to cry and beg not to happen), but when monitoring the baby's heartbeat they were concerned about some dips and admitted me. Not only did I not even need pitocin, the nurse gave me a shot to slow my contractions down! So, without further ado, I asked for my epidural cause I was HURTIN'!!! My sister was with me ( cause she is totally awesome and flew down to see her newest niece enter the world) and Jared was still at home with the kids since we didn't really think I'd be there to stay that day. Once I was admitted, Jared was on his way and I could not have been happier to see him. Well, he did walk in at the same time as the anestiologist, so it's fair to say that it was a toss up on who I was more relieved to see walk through that door! So, by midnight I was sitting pretty and loving life. I was ready to watch some t.v. and chit chat the night away. Of course, Jared and my sister, Kristin, were dying to go to sleep. I eventually got some rest (maybe 2 hours) and by 7 am I was 6 cm and Dr. Thein arrived to break my water. He came back 45 minutes later and I was fully dialated and ready to push. With only 4 contractions, Rowan Paige was out and screaming her little guts out! Dr. Thein is the best doctor in the world and was amazing in every way. He was such a cheerleader. It was such a light-hearted, easy delivery and I will forever hold that experience close to my heart! She is perfect and beautiful and we are so in-love! We feel so so so blessed!

about to start pushing. Yes, I have a very strong epidural in place! Can you tell?
Our first picture with our new baby Rowan Paige
I'm ready for my close-up!

8 days early and still a good size.
A big kiss for the man that made it all possible! :)
They let Jared give Rowan her first bath.

my sister, Kristin, flew down just to see Rowan be born! AND, she cut the cord!!
my first of many dt. pepsi's
all wrapped up and all mine!
love the yawning face


Dr. Thein. Probably the best ob/gyn around. IF you need his number I'd be happy to give it to you. I've had 3 different doctors with all my kids and he is BY FAR the best around!
I took a self portrait like this with Payton and it's one of my favs. Now I have one with Rowan, too. Love those!
Daddy's girl already


Kai meeting his sister for the first time. He was so excited and proud!
Payton is such a little mommy to Rowan. She's never looked so grown up to me!
My 3 babes! What I've always wanted in life and now I have them!
my daughters...I love saying that :)
Big brother, Kai! He's so in love it's silly!
Big sister, Payton!
Kai wanted to show Rowan the pictures he drew for her.
Baby Rowan so cozy and warm. We love her!!!

Ooodles of Halloween Fun (and the pictures to go with it)!

Well, it's been a fun Halloween week and we had a blast. It all started with our Trunk or Treat, Pumpkin Patch outing and finally Halloween night itself! All in all, it was a total success! The kids loved dressing up (each time) and they really scored on the candy! What more can you ask for. I have to admit that I'm glad it's over! I've been saying for a while now that Halloween can't come fast enough cause that means that this baby is a week away from joining our family! So, a great week and looking forward to the future!

Kai ready for the Ward trunk or treat. The make-up lasted about 5 minutes. He asked me to clean it off right when we got there. He thought everyone was "staring at him"!
Payton all ready for our Ward trunk or treat
Dallin Ek and Payton (this might be on their wedding video)
my cutie pie Kai
me and my babies!
I love this picture! These kids just melt my heart!
Payton lovin' her some goats
The kids loved these picture opps.

Daddy finally arrived after sitting in rush hour traffic!
Kai won this little thing. He was so proud!
Payton on her pony ride!
at Kai's request, Jared and I posed for this one. Kai took it, too. It was pretty funny!
Getting ready to head out on the town to get some candy!
the cutest Flapper EVER!!!
Payton getting her trick or treat on!
Kai the ghost
A full moon on Halloween! Can't ask for better!
Peyton Roney and Payton
Ella Roney, Kai, Madison Roney
Taylor Wilson with Kai
The family after we were done getting tons of candy! YUM!
38 weeks and counting. Getting induced at 39, so the home stretch has officially arrived

Baby Shower for Rowan...

Last night was my baby shower for little Rowan Paige! It was so fantastic in every way and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be surrounded by friends like these. Brooke and Elizabeth put together such a darling little ice cream parlor for the food and it was to die for. Homemade tart frozen yogurt with all the favorite toppings. I was in heaven. Laura made some scrumptious mini cupcakes with strawberry/whip cream filling (yes, please) and there was candy by the jar full! I'm still thinking of it the next day and how I should've eaten MORE! All of these beautiful girls brought me beautiful gifts galore and I was overwhelmed by all of the generosity and talent. How did I get so lucky??!! No kidding, I am humbled today by how kind everyone was to me. It makes me misty thinking of it. Rowan is going to be one lucky baby to be sporting all of her new threads and blankets. I seriously got the best stuff and couldn't be more stoked.

the hostesses with the mostess...Elizabeth and Brooke
Laura and divine cupcakes!
The cute table of treats. Notice the cute banner Brooke made. Love it! I can't wait to put that up in Rowans room.
Patience, Kristen, me and Becky!
Jill and I
Abi, baby Beckett (Melissa's baby), Megan, and Melissa
Moka, Julia, Kelsey
Pam and Babs
Marcy, Brenna, Amanda
Opening my awesome gifts! I was seriously sweating from all the excitement of the attention, gifts, etc. I was making Patience fan me!


Me with the other pregos at the party (in order of due dates, too) Becky-Jan, Me-early Nov, Marie-middle Oct., Moka-next week!( missing is Kelsey -20wks. Please refer back to prior pic of her. She's not showing yet, though :)! )
just being creative
the whole party (minus a couple who had to leave early...we missed you). Yes, these girls are gorgeous and Yes, it does look like I'm attacking Elizabeth with my huge belly. Can you say bad angle? Shhh, I tell myself that so I don't freak out!
Laura, me, Katie
Laura Lou and me

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who came. I love you girls so much and my heart is full! Truly a great night that I will forever remember! xo

Kai is a FIRST GRADER!

Well, if official...I'm a mom with a full-on KID now! Kai started 1st grade on Tuesday and it was very exciting for all of us. I seriously cannot believe that my little baby boy is in FIRST GRADE! Where has the time gone? He looks so grown-up (especially with short hair which I'm never growing out again cause I love it) and he seems way taller now, too. Anyhow, his first day was great. He said it was really long, cause it was, but that he like it and had fun. Each day he loves it more, too. He is such an observant little boy and I think now that he is getting his footing in the "big kid part of school" he is so happy! I could not be more proud of Kai. He loves to learn and he loves school (he gets that from Jared). Now I just have to get used to the whole process of dropping off, picking up, car lines, etc, etc. I think first grade might be more overwhelming for me than Kai.
I just love watching Kai grow and become an amazing little guy. It brings me to tears at times. I am just so so proud of him!!

outside his classroom
Kai and bud from Kindergarten, Connor Hayden
his teacher, Mrs. Newman. Love her!!!
me and Kai waiting in the line on the first day. It was a madhouse with every mom not wanting to leave. So sweet!

Happy 6th Birthday, Cutie Pie Kai

How did this boy get so big???


Today is Kai's 6th birthday and I cannot believe it! He has really grown up alot in the past year and is about to start 1st grade. He is very talkative, articulate, sensitive, caring, playful, smart, kind and an amazing big brother! We could not be more proud or more excited that he is ours!! I get kinda emotional just thinking about the past 6 years and all we've gone through together. I was trying to explain to Kai that before he was born I wasn't even a mommy yet. He made that dream come true. He just looked at me with his big eyes and said, "Well, what is meant to be...happens!" I kinda laughed, cause while that is true it was kinda random...which is so Kai!! Well, here is a little trip down memory lane. Sorry, there are a lot of pictures cause it's hard to choose a few out of the 4000 I've taken since he was born!

Mr. Magoo at a few days old. In the nicest way possible, he did resemble Mr. Magoo...


Curly Kai (his nickname back then) rounding his 1st birthday
One of my all time favs!!!


8.25.04 - Mr. Kai is one


8.25.05 - the big #2

Kai and Payton meet for the first time! One of my proudest moments. I knew right then what kind of big brother he'd be to her. They are great friends!
8.25.06 Kai and Connor Ek at his pool birthday bash

8.25.07 - Me and Kai at his 4th birthday. We had 10 little boys over and that was so fun. And, so tiring!

8.25.08 - Kai turned 5 and we took just a few other boys to Boomers for bowling and mini golf. Lots of fun that day.


these last two were taken last Christmas. I can't believe it's already been almost a year since then. He seems so much older even from then.


(this morning...Payton wishing Kai a happy b-day)
Kai, you are the greatest little boy a Mom could ever hope for. I just love you with all my heart. Thank you for being who you are and for being my baby boy! I could not have gotten luckier...not one bit! Happy 6th, Bubb! We love you SOOOO much!

Finally hitting the beach...

So, I LOVE the beach, but I get a little gun shy when summer rolls around...bringing crowds, more heat, and no parking. Needless to say, since summer started I think we've only been to the beach one other time. The pool has just been so much easier and less hassle for me and the kids. Well, Saturday we went to Emerald Bay and it was HEAVEN!! No crowds, great parking and the weather was super mild (being prego I get nervous about my tolerance for the heat). It was such a great day with friends and, most of all, Jared was there (aren't Saturdays the best? )!!! The kids had a blast and so did Jared and I! I couldn't have asked for a better beach outing!


Peyton & Payton
Kai showing off his clam shells. He rounded up a whole bucket, only to be dumped before we left! Good work ethic, though, buddy!
Kai and Daddy! Love this one!

Tried to get a shirtless pic with the guy, but he wasn't having it. Dang it!
Our little fam...
Couldn't get the kids to look up at me for this one. The sun was just "too bright Mommy!!!"
Jared going out for some boogie boarding. Sexy back, Babe!
Some of the kids. Madison made a mermaid fin for Payton and she sat there in it for like an hour. She is into all things girly, princess-like, what have you! It was pretty cute!


Can't believe this little man is going to be 6 in a couple weeks. He just gets better with age, I tell ya! He is my favorite little boy in the whole world!!! (and always will be since after this next baby we are out of the baby-making biz)

the baby bump has arrived!

quickly approaching 24 weeks...

one with the ibooth camera. Gotta love that thing!

So, here is a couple shots of the ever growing belly! It took a while to look like a baby and not too many treats, but I think it's fair to say that this baby is getting bigger by the day! Just in the past week there is no hesitation from strangers on whether or not I'm pregnant or not. People just come right out and ask me when and what I'm having! I have admit this is a relief cause that in between stage is no fun at all!! I think I'm entering my favorite phase of pregnancy...24- about 34 wks. I hope this next 4 months go by fast...or maybe not. I still can't decide! What do you think? Am I in for it, or what??!

The 4th of July festivities...

What a fun day we had, too. It was pretty much none stop and we wouldn't have it any other way. Well, I did get kinda pooped by 7pm, but what else is new? Anyhow, the day went like this...
We all went swimming in the morning for a bit and it was nice and toasty right off the bat. No marine layer in sight ( yes, we all got kinda red, too, because of it). Took the kids home, feed them lunch and put them "away" for naps and quiet time. Jared and I got ready for the rest of the day, woke the kids up and we were off to Ladera Ranch for a BBQ dinner and fireworks. Andrea and Brian hosted a fabulous evening at their house with yummy food and treats. The kids played super hard with their cousins, but STILL wanted to stay up for the fireworks. So, even though I tried to talk Kai out of it, we were off to the Ladera Firework show. It was great and I'm glad we stayed. The kids were totally beat and we all had a great holiday! I hope everyone else had a great day, too. Have I mentioned how much I love summer?


Payton and Reesie!!






Payton w/ her baby cousin Iris



cousin Collin Jude Woffinden...super cutie pie!!



The Fam enjoying the show. Well, Payton was scared to death, but the rest of us loved it!

These faces. . .

are my very favorite things to look at!

I love when Payton first wakes up from her nap and her hair is all in her face and crazy. She looks like such a big girl now, I can't believe it!
Taking these pictures reminded me of when I was growing up and my mom used to always want to take my picture...just standing there in the family room against the wall or something. I thought it was such a waste of time then, but now I see where she was coming from. You just love your kids faces so much and want to capture them whenever you can, right?!
Now, Kai's turn. He fought me a little more on just standing there for a picture. But, in the end, he's a good boy and does what his Mommy asks him. Love that!
Common picture face for Kai right now. He thinks it's really funny to close his eyes so when I check the view finder I say, "Kai, open your eyes!" He gets a real kick out of it.
These two are such great friends (with moments of hostility, of course). Kai loves taking care of Payton and she just thinks he is the greatest kid around! I'm so grateful!

Summer has begun...officially!!

Well, Summer has finally arrived here at the Bunker household. Kai and Payton are in the middle of their swim lessons at the Laguna Beach Community pool and they are loving it. We are so lucky to have a bunch of friends + kids also taking the same swim classes. So, it's tons of fun for the moms and kiddos alike. After swim class we have been heading to the beach or pool and it has been fantastic. With all the different schedules during the school year, it's just great to have time with friends without worrying about picking kids up from school, etc. It's only been one week of summer, so far, but it has been so great! I am so looking forward to the rest of the summer playing and having fun with my kids and our friends!
(I must give a shout out to Laura who is away in Baltimore right now for 3 more weeks. Fun isn't ever complete without you around, so don't think for a second we weren't wishing you were here! :))

Payton thinks these swim lessons are the best thing that ever happened to her!
Kai kicking his way the whole length of the pool! WOW!
"Smile, Kai" or just show me your shovel... which ever works!
Payton with her pals Reese and Peyton
Awwww! Aren't they sweet!

the BEST 8 years of my life!!

(our wedding day - 6.16.01)

Today is my 8th wedding anniversary with my hunk o' burnin' love, Jared! I can't even believe it's already been 8 years, to be honest. It has really flown by so fast. Now, 8 years later, I'm all grown up and more in love than ever with 2 kids and one on the way. I have to honestly say that as a little girl this is what I always hoped my life would be. I married the absolutely most perfect man who treats me fantastically and loves our kids with all his heart. He works hard, tries to get some play in (he deserves so much more) and does his VERY best in all he is called to do at church. I want to be just like him!

I remember our first date. IT was awesome, obviously! After I walked in the door, I called my friend, Hillary (who set us up), and told her that I was going to marry him. I totally knew it, no joke! I wasn't about to let the hottest, most amazing guy I'd ever met get away. SO, I proceeded to sprinkle him with my charm (wink, wink) and 5 months later we were engaged! I know I'm the luckiest girl ever to be married to Jared. He just gets better and better as the years go by. I can't wait to rack up a thousand more and on into forever! Happy 8th, Babe! You are my favorite thing in the world!! I love you!