THE TRAVELING GARDNERS

Memorial Day 2011 This Memorial Day was a little different this year. Our ward(church congregation) had a special family day set up at the temple. We went for a few hours during the afternoon. We brought our own lunch and then drinks and dessert were provided. They had set up a special scavenger hunt for the kids around temple grounds. Also, there was a woman in our ward taking family photos in front of the temple. So we all got dressed up and drove to the Oakland Temple. It was so peaceful and nice to focus on family. And also remember on this special day the soldiers that have sacrificed their life for our country. One of the many things that I remember about this temple is the smell of fresh flowers everywhere.                                       We had to take a picture of the Bird of Paradis...

I really don't like pictures of myself right now. I feel huge! I have that third trimester water retaining going on. And it is not very flattering to my face. But, I still wanted to post a recent pregnancy picture before baby girl arrives! Dan took these pictures this past Sunday after church. Isabella has really dropped this past week. I have been having consistent contractions. She is also moving around a lot less. And on my last OB appointment, the doctor said she has consistently been measuring farther along. I am not sure if she is waiting till her scheduled c section date of July 1st to arrive. I am thinking more like June? What do you think?

BENJAMIN AKA: Thor Ben is growing up so fast. We just signed him up for kindergarten last week. He had a kindergarten assessment test. He did great on his placement tests. The only thing that the teacher asked that he work on is writing his name better. He went home with full speed determination and practiced writing his name everywhere. I gave him the sidewalk chalk and he wrote Ben all over our sidewalk. He also wrote Ben over and over again on many sheets of paper. He is now able to write out Ben perfect. We are so proud of him. Next on the list is to find a Superman backpack. That is the backpack and lunch pail Ben has requested for kindergarten. He starts kindergarten August 22nd! His new recent athletic achievement is that he has learned to throw a wicked curve ball with a baseball. Dan has been practicing this weekend with him in the backyard. He has an amazing throw. He is still counting down the days to when he turns 6. That is the age when he can play...

The day that we registered at Babies R Us, we could not resist getting Isabella a few splurges. We first found this adorable pacifier. Then we of course could not resist this outfit. I can just see our little firecracker enjoying a summer BBQ in this jumper. This is my favorite. Simple and sweet. It reminds me that Isabella will be the little sister protected by her big brothers. A co-worker of Dan gave him a few bags of little girl clothes! I separated all the sizes into piles. Her floor was covered with all these cute girly clothes. It is starting to become very real that we will soon have a baby girl in our home! When Dan was in Washington for a few weeks, he stopped by a store and could not help himself. He found these adorable outfits for our little princess. Dan said his favorite is this cute yellow sundress. I found this at Target and had to grab it.                   ...

This is the park where Dan will be doing his half Tri next month. He has been practicing and training in open water at this lake. Today the boys and I decided to join him and bring a picnic and sand toys. Ben and I posing with the 34 week belly. Look closely and you can see the beautiful fountain in the bottom left of the picture next to Ben. It's a Victorian fountain that Liz gave us. It used to belong to Dan's Nana!  Dan swimming laps. Today he swam 1260 meters. So proud of him!

The boys have designated the new Lightening McQueen table as the game table. This Sunday afternoon while I was helping prepare dinner, Dan and the boys were having fun playing Rock Em Sock Robots, Operation, and Hungry Hungry Hippos. I love that Dan was sitting at the kids table with the boys. Dan wore his Cubs tie in memory of Wrigley.

Our neighbors across the street were having a garage sale. Turns out they are moving and wanted to get rid of everything dirt cheap. And then by 3:00 in the afternoon they were giving away everything left for free so they would not have to move it! We got Rock Em Sock Robots for $2.00! Then everything else was free! I HEART GARAGE SALES! Lightening McQueen wooden table and chair set. And the new favorite game of the house, Rock Em Sock Robots!!! Bamboo blind set for the Living Room! Matches great with the coloring and around the world theme!                                        A girl crib bedding set. Quilt, bed skirt, and fitted sheet. Not our exact colors for the nursery, but it's always nice to have a spare bedding set!!!       ...