THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

Valentine's Day at the Gardner home. My present to Dan was something that I always wanted to do when he and I were dating, but was unable because we lived in different states. But I did it this year! I heart attacked the car! I had to wait until midnight when Dan was asleep, but that was okay since I never sleep anymore anyways. And he was totally surprised in the morning which was worth the late night cutting of paper hearts. I cut out hundreds of hearts out of construction paper and stuck then on the inside and outside of the car. I also stuck hearts on all of our walls through out the house. Including our front door which he saw as he left the house. Also, when he opened the fridge he had a breakfast "love shake" waiting for him. The presents to me from Dan are pictured below. And when Dan got home from work, we had a fun evening cooking yummy dinner, dessert, and cookies. Dan says Ole' with my chocolate rose! Leah teaching Benjamin at a young age to always give...

Lately for some reason my attitude has defiantely been leaning towards the glass is half empty attitude. A definate "negative nelly". Blame it on the prenancy if you will but today was different. And I thought I would share it with you. At the gas station today, I locked my keys in my car. I mumbled "oh man I locked my keys in the car" and I went to ask the attendant if I could use the phone. I was planning on calling Dan who had a spare. But then a nice little old man who happen to work matienence on the military base came to my rescue. He had overheard me I guess talking to myself and looking in the car and said "no, don't call I'll help you." Then as he is trying to get the door unlocked with his gadgets and gizmos, the owner of the gas station happens to pull up right behind me. He had a slim jim among other tools. And he was the one who eventually got my door unlocked. And as the two men in about their 60's are helping me, a little old man...

We wanted to say a big YEAH for Uncle Kent being back home in San Diego! Kent and Nancy were in Boston where Kent was receiving some medical treatment. But now he is back home in sunny San Diego! And we are soooo happy for you Madsen family! You will continue to be in our prayers. I found this picture taken back when Nancy and Kent came to visit Hawaii. Thought I would share it with you all. Love and Aloha, Dan, Leah, and soon to be Benjamin

A big hooray to Matt, Amie, Jake and now baby Samuel Elliot Post!!!!! 8 1/2 pounds and red hair just like Jake! Welcome to the world little Sam! Click on Matt and Amie's website link to see pictures of cute little Sam! http://post-ed.blogspot.com/

The nursery decorating has officially started!

Daddy Dan working hard on painting free hand Benjamin's wooden nursery letters. Thank you again Rob. I can't tell you how excited Dan was to paint and work on the letters. He worked all through the weekend and finshed Sunday night.

Getting closer.... almost finshed......

The final product! With a mixture of sports and stars for "All star" theme, these letters turned out great! For those of you that can't see the detail - B - baseball, N - football, A - basketball, I - soccor. My husband is so talented!!!

Benjamin is definately feeling the love from Brenda, Shawn, and Dylan in Alaska! Absolutely love the matching book and outfit. Too cute! Did you know that "The Very Hungry Catepillar" is one of my all time favorite little kid books?!?! I love books and I hope to share that love with Benjamin. Thank you so much for the great books, blankies, and clothes! We can't tell you enough how excited we are that so many people are already showing their love to Benjamin. A big Mahalo!

So cute! Thank you so much Bill, Laura, and Emma! We loved our Benjamin package that we received today. My favorite - the cute little shoes. So soft and tiny. We can't wait until Benjamin can wear them! Thanks again for thinking of us. We really appreciate it.

Rob Graf has always been like a second Dad to Dan. He flew to our wedding in San Diego from New York. And he continues to show his love to us and now Baby Benjamin. Rob - the toys were adorable. And we loved the gift card. With it, we decided to buy nursery decor! Tonight we are going to paint the letters spelling out Benjamin's name! We also got these cool sports decals that are static clings. They can go on his nursery wall, door, and night lamp. We are super excited to decorate! Thank you so much Rob! P.S. - Judy - do you see the bib collection in the background on the highchair? The sheriff bib displayed is one of our favorites.

Pest control came Friday to set traps for rodents running around like they own the place. Here's a laugh for you! Last night as I was taking one of my many nightly "bathroom trips".....a mouse runs by the toilet seat which I happen to be sitting on, runs down the toilet and out the bathroom. I watched him run into the nursery. I screamed..of course....called Dan and woke him out of his deep sleep, and made him go hunt it down. This mouse however is super mouse on crack. And is quicker than a speeding bullet. Hence pest people coming out. He also is too smart for regular mousetraps. We set a few up with peanut butter on them. The smart little mouse ate all of the peanut butter off the trap, not once did the trap come down on him. Stuart Little is alive and well in our home. I couldn't help but laugh when looking around our house. Couches upside down, computer moved everywhere, Dan on his knees with a flashlight, while I was waiting safely outside. I had to document it ...

Our computer desk and computer being moved everywhere to hunt down the mouse!