10 Year Anniversary GET-AWAY!

Last year, as we were celebrating our 9 year anniversary, I turned to Jared and mentioned that NOW would be the time to start planning something awesome for our 10th anniversary. I mean, TEN is a big deal, right?! I knew it would take us a while to figure it out. So, we threw around ideas of Hawaii (too $$$), Mexico (too iffy) and finally decided a close, but pimp location would be the winner. Jared's buddy mentioned a place down in Del Mar called L'Auberge (never heard of it) and said it was the perfect spot. Boy, was he right! It was heaven. Only a quick 45 minute drive and we were a world away from our reality. The hotel was quaint, but really nice and very modern with a beach vibe. We both loved it.

I am still kinda depressed that it's over (and has been for over a month now) because there is nothing I love more than hanging out with Jared. I cannot get enough of that guy, honestly. And, there is something to be said about a man who's mind is not on his stressful job. Real life is so busy with the kids, work, church, etc. I am always missing Jared to some degree. Why can't we be independently wealthy so we can just be together all the time?? WHY? Anyway, I could just see the relaxation in Jared's eyes and it made me so happy. Most of all, I love that I got his undivided attention every second. No one interrupting us, no one to talk to but each other, no one needing anything from us... ahhhhh. It was lovely. We spent the days just relaxing on the beach, surfing (Jared that is), napping, eating great food, walking around the cute town, massages, eating some more... it all added up to a perfect celebration. Jared would even window shop with me and go into stores and look around. I mean, that is special, trust me!

I took a good amount of pictures, but they are really all very similar since it was just the two of us and we got kinda shy about asking people to take pix. So, lots of self-portraits (I love those, though, who are we kidding?). Most of all, great memories together and I can't wait to go back to Del Mar. I LOVE it there!

just arrived... quick change into beach attire and we're off!
Del Mar, CA... I love you!!!
self portrait #1.
on our walk to dinner. I love this town.
here's a funny fact: I LOVE watching Jared while he puts his surfboard away. It just requires a lot of flexing and what not and it's a good show! wink, wink
relaxing on the sand. Just don't get sick of that.
our hotel. It was fantastic.
at dinner we saw the most amazing sunset. It was so bright and gorgeous. Too bad I couldn't seem to get a clear picture of it. Valiant effort, though.

is it me, or is Jared smokin hot?
muah!
last picture before we left for home.:(
Yay! Aunt Melissa is still alive and so are the kids! What an awesome sister I have, eh? She is always willing to come and watch our kids for us and they get SOOOO excited when she comes. She could not be a better sister and friend and I am forever in debted to her for coming. You rule, Yis!

Introducing...

Mr. and Mrs. Derek Bunker!


Last month Jared's youngest brother, Derek, married the very beautiful Vanessa Rothfels in the Newport Beach, CA Temple. It was a gorgeous day. Perfect weather, lots of family and friends and one HAPPY couple. We love Vanessa and Derek so much and we were all thrilled to witness their sealing and celebrate this day with them. I think one of my very favorite things to do is to go to a sealing in the temple. The Spirit is so strong and I am reminded of my own wedding and how truly lucky I am to be sealed forever to Jared. Derek and Vanessa were so sweet and emotional and it was awesome!
Here are just a few pix from that day...
Daddy and Row Boat
cousin Iris and Payton



Bunker sisters: Lauren, Whitney, Vanessa, Andrea, Me and Melanie

Me with the Stunning Bride
me and J. His eyesballs (seriously) are sunburnt from the surftrip he had just gotten home from the night before. Rough life!
this was in the morning while we were getting ready. Row is a cheeseball and I love it.
Dad helping Kai with his tie. I just love this picture.

some randoms I didn't post since I was on a blogging break ;)

So, I've been trying to catch up a bit on my blogging and came across some cute pix from a couple months ago. Just some randoms, but didn't want to miss these...

cute girl
love this one of her playing
chubilicious
my girl, Laura!
I heart Row Boat.


and last but not least, Dallin and Payton. These two have been together since birth and are made for each other, really. They are the best of friends and I think someday they will be in love. Needless to say, me and Laura are sure to capture pictures for their wedding video... wink, wink.

can't you just see these framed at their reception?

10 years of wedded bliss!

Last month we celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. I can't tell you how much I love saying that! It is so wonderful to me to think how Jared and I have been together for over 10 years. I don't know how I scored such an amazing man to spend my life and eternity with, but I am oh so grateful. People say marriage is work, but not for me. Being Jared's wife is really the easiest thing in the world to me. He makes it easy by being pretty much the cat's meow ;). We are so lucky with our 3 awesome kids and life is just sweet as can be. I would rather hang out with him then any other human in the world and I never get enough of him. He is my best friend and I love that I can tell him anything and he sees what I am really trying to say. He knows what I'm going to say before I say it and it's hilarious. I love when he says it before me. He is the sexist man alive, really. I don't even think I'm biased on this one. He just is so handsome, it's silly! His looks are just the cherry on top, though. He is the greatest person, who is kind and generous, faithful and real. I can't wait for decades more with him and forever, too!

Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon...

(I am soooo behind on blogging, so I think I'll just start here...)

SO, the ol' Laguna Hills 1/2 marathon arrived again and me and and a bunch of friends were game to do it. I am so late in posting this that my commentary might not be up to par, but that's ok. :)
I enlisted Jared and his bro, Ryan, to run it with me, too. That was a great idea cause it pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of. I felt great the whole race except for that last dreaded mile. I seriously could not take a deep breathe and it was CRAZY! All my muscles were contracting in on my lungs and it was hard to keep up the pace, but I managed to dig deep and find some energy. I kept telling myself, "who cares if you barf all over yourself. Just keep going!" I was aiming for shedding just a minute off last years time (1:53) and I ended up coming in 14 mins faster at 1:39. I could not believe it! It was awesome. After we crossed the finish line I couldn't stop saying, "I am going to pass out. I am going to pass out!". I was only 1/2 there, I think.

me and Jared before the race. Just doing a little huggin and stretchin.
My girls: Babs, Brenna, Brooke, Sara, Me and Laura
It was Laura's first 1/2 and she rocked it. I was so proud of her I almost cried!
Brenna(who JUST had a baby 4 months earlier...amazing), Sara (who was in denial about running this and just came out and did it... no problem), Me (I ended up NOT passing out, just fyi) and Laura (the newbie who knocked it out of the park)

Me and J... nice and sweaty and ready for some Memorial Day grub!

Good times, good times.

gotta make one for yourself...

I just saw this on a bestie's blog. Love it!


My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Pretty P is FIVE!

My girl is 5 years old and I could not love her any more then I do. Payton is truly one of the sweetest, funniest, girly, kind-hearted little gals in the world. She is independent and knows what she wants. She is full of love to share and has a million friends. She trusts everyone (kinda scary) and sees the good in everything and everyone. She yells "Mommy!!" in the morning when she sees me and runs to give me a big hug and a kiss. She can't handle if we are upset with her and it makes it hard for her to listen. I understand that cause I am like that, too (hard if you are the mom, though :)). She is an adoring little sister to Kai and a super fun big sister to Rowan. I love my Payton Noelle more than I can express and even writing this right now is making me well up. She is such a super girl. I am such a lucky lady to be her mom and I am so proud of her. Even better, I am certain that she will make me proud a million times over as she grows up and becomes an amazing woman. As much as I hate the idea of her growing up, I can't wait to witness all of the fantastic things she does with her life. She is just awesome!!!

Here is a bunch of pix that I just love from the past 5 years. Kinda random order, but it's hard to choose when you got a looker on your hands like Payton :). Enjoy...

Merry Christmas 2010!!!

Well, I've not been the best at blogging lately and am a tad overwhelmed with the idea of "catching up". So, instead of trying I thought I'd just post our Christmas card for now. This past month has been super busy with...well, life in general. Hopefully, I will buckle down and record some soon! More than anything, we are healthy, happy and so grateful for EVERYTHING. I look at these pictures we took and I am incredibly taken back by how lucky I am to be the mother of these 3 and a wife to one amazing man. I feel so blessed! So grateful for this time of year and the chance to celebrate our Savior and remember what life is really all about. Merry Christmas!!! xo

Look who's . . .

ONE TODAY!!!



It only seems like maybe a week since Rowan was born and looked like this...



This year has literally flown by and I cannot believe that our baby girl is ONE today! She is the sweetest little thing and I could not imagine our family without her. Here are some things about Rowan on her first birthday:

* she is very cuddly and loves to hug
* she started walking a few days ago, but still reverts to crawling a lot
* she is starting to get over baby food and just wants "big kid" food now
* LOVES her whole milk
* loves to wrestle with her siblings (not as scary since she's the third and I'm more relaxed, thank goodness)
* has 8 teeth
* gives us kisses when she wakes up and says "MUAH" like we do.
* is much taller and chubbier than an average one year old, I'm pretty sure
* can just chill in her stroller and be happy to go along for the ride
* still tries to sing by going "ahhhhh" if I am singing to her
* sleeps great- 6:30 pm-7 am ( or there abouts)
* thinks Kai and Payton are celebrities and only pays attention to them if they are in the room
* is very curious and gets into every single thing she can
* loves to unroll the t.p. in the bathroom. (we now lock the b/r door at all time) ;)
* slobbers A LOT
* is shy at first
* wants to be a kid sooo bad, it's silly
* says "cheese" when I try and take her picture (that just started this morning. Think she knows it's her b-day?)




Happy Birthday, Row Boat! We love you SO much and think you are the best baby girl EVER!!!