Easter Family Time

I know, I know, I am a little behind with my Easter post. I seem to have been very busy dealing with memorial posts and new addition posts.

We had a very enjoyable Easter dinner this year. We were small in numbers but thoroughly enjoyed those that could make it.

Scott and Carrie were here with Martin, Miller and Mallory. Martin with his new walking stick.

Miller with his Hungry Caterpillar. It is a pillow/sleeping bag/blanket.

My parents with Brexton and Nixin.

Brexton and Nixin with their baskets. We were happy that Brinton and Charlottte, Brexton and Nixin were here with us.

Everything is better when you are with the ones you love. Easter is a special time of year to reflect on the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful that families can be forever and that my Savior loved us enough that he suffered for all of our sins. If we live the gospel principles and repent and forsake our sins we will live with him once more. I love my family and I am thankful that so many live close and we can share special times together. Good times,noodle salad!

Dueces Pied Piper

Am I CRAZY? Probably so, probably so!

Before I get to the crazy part had to post two pics just because. Cutter has decided that he should play with the horse's jolly balls. They are huge but he is strong!

This picture was taken after Nixin's first ride. She was thanking Santannah for letting her ride him. When I put her in the saddle he literally bend his head around to see what lightweight was in the saddle. He was so sweet I think he recognized our little girl was in the saddle and proceed with caution! Thanks Santannah!

OK- Now we are to the CRAZY part........Meet Deuce's Pied Piper, "Piper" to us. She is a 4 month old Australian Shepherd. When Rowdy died I got Cutter to keep Cowgirl company. When Cowgirl died Cutter was miserable so I decided after a lot of thought and against my better judgement to get Piper for Cutter. Now that I see how joyous Cutter is I'm glad I got her even though I have my work cut out for me trying to get these two trained.

Our first walk was very successful.

She is very sweet a much calmer than Cutter boy!

He is all over her like white on rice. She takes it well and is starting to let him know when she has had enough. I see alpha female all over Piper! Watch out Cutter!

Nixin Loves Horses- Oh Yes She Does!

This is a dream come true! My beautiful two year old granddaughter Nixin rode my horse Santannah for the first time this evening and she loved it! I'm sure you noticed the "pink" cowgirl boots..........When Montana is ready Nixin can show her the way to "Get r Done".

Look at that smile, she was actually laughing from sheer joy, joy of riding!

This is Nixin ready to ride.

Cote put his new Lego set together in about 10 to 15 minutes! Amazing!

This was not Brexton's first ride. G-Mama was proud of him today cause he rode like an old pro . He also put together his Lego set.

Family Fun at the Gunnell Reunion!

Easter weekend there was a Charles B. and Myrtle Gunnell family reunion. It will be the last reunion with the combined families of the children of Charles and Myrtle. Future reunions will be individual families such as the J. Darwin. Gunnell family.

It was a wonderful reunion, I think the best yet! I didn't take a lot of pictures so I will give you a brief outline of activities. Friday morning there was a scramble golf tournament at Apache Wells golf course with about 20 participants. This was organized by Steve and it went very well. While some were playing golf those that wanted hiked to Wind Cave in Usery Park.

Steve and I had Cote, Crew,Cole and Brexton sleepover. We ate pizza, roasted marshmallows for S'mores and the boys built their tallest tinker toy tower yet! They all went to bed in a tent set up in the living room but by morning there were four boys spread all over the family room and living room.

As you can see the four boys and I hiked Wind Cave a 3 1/2 mile hike round trip. I was so proud of all of them!

After 40 Years Steve Retires!

For the past 40 years Steve has been a hard working dentist. I have been privileged to work with him since Jan 2001. I started as his chair side assistant and I am presently working front office. I am so thankful that I have been able to work for Steve because I was able to see another side to him that I would not have experienced as his wife.

Dr Steven Gunnell is loved by his patients. He is honest,fair and very,very good at what he does. What does he do? Everything! Oral surgery including implants,ortho,some perio,endo,prosthodontics and general dentistry. Most general dentists do not do what Steve has done. Patients would be referred to specialist much more often. He is bold and a pioneer. If a patient needed treatment and there was no textbook procedure Dr. Gunnell would find a way!

Steve never wanted to be the most expensive dentist or the cheapest. He wanted to be known as fair and he was. If he had charged according to his skills he would have been one of the most expensive around! He has great compassion for his patients and he never wanted to burden them financially beyond what they could afford for treatment. I can't even begin to count the number of people he has helped at no cost. These are just a few of the things I learned about my husband Steve while working for him. People used to ask me if it was hard to work for my husband. Honestly,no! He is after all the "Dental God" and he taught me everything that I know. Now at home it is a different story!

Dr. Duffy and the office gifted Steve with this sandblasted boulder! Isn't it AWESOME! Dr. Duffy also presented Steve with the old sign to the dental office and I will post pictures of that once we hang it.

Cutter likes it!

Now you will be home to play with me won't ya Doc?

Cutter is already helping Steve water..................

Cowgirl - Oct.20,1999 - May 4,2011

Today we lost our "one of a kind" Cowgirl. It is truly the end of an era now that Cowgirl and her sister Rowdy are both gone. I can honestly say that there will never be any other dogs that will compare to these two special companions.

Cowgirl had a strong will to not only live but enjoy life to the fullest. She was born with a condition called Mega Esophagus. Dr. Adkins told me today that it is remarkable for any dog with this condition to live two months let alone 11 1/2 years like Cow.

When she was three months old my horses Tazazz stepped on her and broke her leg.It was hard to keep her down even with her cast. When she was 5 Steve's horse kicked her in the face, her nose was a little crooked for awhile.. A year or two after that she chased a chipmunk that had been harassing her into a prickly pear cactus and had 12 cacti spines removed from her left eye. She was quite the hunter, just last week she caught her last of many chipmunks. You can add squirrels,rabbits and rodents to her list. She loved walks in Usery Park,her family,her sister Rowdy,chasing a ball,bacon treats we brought home after we went out to breakfast. She would cool off by jumping into the horse's water buckets. Put her and Rowdy in the back of the pickup truck after a trail ride, stop for breakfast and they wouldn't leave that truck. She loved children and always wanted to give them a big kiss. When she was a pup if she didn't want to go somewhere or do something she would lie on her back,roll over and we would have to drag her to her destination. She would bite Trey in the head when she was a pup and she wanted to be left alone. LOL,Trey was glad when she outgrew that. She loved Trey and missed him when he went into the Marine Corp.

She was a happy soul who would actually smile at you. She earned her "cattle dog" stripes for sure. Cowgirl you blessed our lives beyond measure. You will be missed,always loved,never forgotten. I know Rowdy was waiting for you on the other side today

Cow, how joyous your reunion! There will be some herding in heaven tonight!