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...

EASTER SUNDAY It seems the more and more I plan. The less and less the plans ever actually happen. Our matching green church outfits were laid out the night before. The house was cleaned. The Easter breakfast was prepared. The bunny left baskets and surprises throughout the house. The plan was to have Easter surprises, eat a quick breakfast, then get dressed and head off to church. It started with Ben and Zach both having runny green booger noses. Because the kids teachers request that runny nosed kids stay out of Sunday school, I thought we could at least go for the Easter Sacrament program and then go home. Then I started having contractions. The boys then took every jelly bean and chocolate egg and smashed them through out the house carpet. (Next year the bunny will leave coin eggs not candy eggs.)Then Benjamin threw up his Easter breakfast. After walking out of the bathroom with Ben, I told Dan, "I am calling the game on a count of rain." He was on his knee...

This happy hearts day did not go as planned. Dan and I had bought the boys each a Valentine's book. We had planned for them to wake up to their V-day presents. Dan would go off to work. We would then have craft time and bake cookies and make Valentines surprises for Daddy. Then when Daddy returned from work early, the boys would be fed an early dinner. We would drive to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and we would each pick a treat. Then the boys would be put to bed, while Dan and I had a romantic dinner together. That is not at all how the day went................ Dan left for an early Dr's appointment. He was getting fitted for a new ankle brace. When he left the house, Zachary was sleeping in bed with me. And Benjamin was in his bed sound asleep. Dan returned home from his Dr's appt. He woke me from my morning sleep asking where Zach was. Pure panic went straight through my body. We have a duck pond right outside our house. I was searching the house hoping and prayin...

WELCOME 2010! New Years Eve at the Gardner home Appetizers and munchies for the night Daddy was not digging his hat........ Mommy and the boys Ben was loving the party favors! CHEERS to putting the boys to sleep! Party on Wayne! Dan busting open the bubbly Cheers to you Ryan Seacrest, J Lo, and Dick Clark! HAPPYYYYYYY New Year!

THANKSGIVING We had a low key and peaceful Thanksgiving. We usually go to a different state to visit family for Thanksgiving. But, this year we decided to stay home. We had Dan's nephew Gavin visiting with us for a few days while Jason(Dan's brother) had to work. We had some fun times. We even went and saw A Christmas Carol movie all together! Ben loved having cousin Gavin visit us! And for Thanksgiving day Uncle Jim and Aunt Stacy came to enjoy some football and food! We love visitors! Cousins Ben and Gavin eating some nutella(Ben calls it chocolate peanut butter) toast Thanksgiving morning watching the Macy's Day Parade ~ Cousin Gavin sporting his best GQ pose Happy Daddy and Zachy Apple pie anyone? Uncle Jim and Gavin Aunt Stacy and Zach Yum Yum! Ben and Gavin enjoyed some fun time in our back yard. Lucky for them, our snow had melted for a few days! Cousins picture time! I couldn't not help myself. These handsome boys looked so darn cute. Leah aka: The Blac...