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Colorado on my mind.

Well, the anticipated trip to Colorado has come and has not quite turned out the way we expected... Grace and I had stay home while the boys headed for the Rockies (yet another beer commercial in the making) without us:( Grace got a cold that turned into an asthma issue so two doctors both suggested that we sit it out and not go. So, while the guys are riding the rails on the Combres and Toltec and hiking in the mountains, Grace and I are hanging at the house in the rain. Seems as if we now live in a tropical rain forest that rains constantly.... If you have read Twilight it is as if the town of Forks is now in the south? So you will not get a lot of pictures for a bit until the boys return until then, stay dry and we will talk soon:))

K3 Graduations

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Bad Blogger Bad!

So it has come to my attention that it has been forever and a day since my last post. Well, it has been quite some time and I know that everyone is on pins and needles awaiting to hear what the Gardner family has been up. I forewarn you it may be long so you have been warned ~ let's go:

1. Snickers the dog has become quite use to our family as have we with her. We all know now not to leave ANYTHING out that isn't bolted to the floor or she will eat it ~ from grill covers, grilling tools (thick plastic case included), outdoor CD players, Abita beer hats (Ed is still pretty ticked about that one). You name it and it is fair game in the world of Snickers:) Now, on the flip side she is truly and awesome dog! She absolutely loves us unconditionally as do we her. She tolerates pure torture from the kids and doesn't even bark at them, I can't say the same thing! So, we are all very thankful for our little destructive dog, we all call Snickers or El Dogo when she is on Ed's nerves which is less and less:)

2. The school days are slowly coming to an end. We have end of the year performances, parties and graduations. Stay tuned for updated pictures of the events to come this week. Yes I promise to actually post twice in one week, don't fall out of your chairs;) So with that said that school is coming to a close, PRAY FOR ME!!!! Oh my goodness it is going to be a long summer of the terrible twos coupled with potty training and sibling rivalry.... Seriously people get your prayer circles to add the Gardner clan to their list, we are gonna need it;) I am truly excited about a lot of pool time, zoo, park and anything else I can come up with but a bit nervous too so any suggestions are always welcome!! Also, any play dates that people may have ~ CALL ME:))))

3. We are preparing to go to Colorado for a week. Yes folks you heard me correctly ~ COLORADO, what else would the Gardner family be doing there but RIDING TRAINS!!! We are going to be riding the Combres and Toltec and the Durango-Silverton Train. This trip has been in the making for about a year now and William is so excited that he could just spit (well, he is). It is going to be interesting because after Ed and I went to NOLA for a weekend he decided (with a lot of persuasion from me) that driving with two kids would be a nightmare so we are flying! Can you imagine driving 27 hours with a two and four year old??? That is a panic attack waiting for me to have right there, I don't see how Ed's parents took four kids out west in a CADILLAC??? WOW, they are stronger people than I could ever imagine to be!!!! We are very excited about this trip, we are riding rails and doing a lot of hiking!! We just love being outside and there isn't a better place to do it than Colorado ~ I feel like I am a beer commercial now?

4. So, we bought a camper. Yep ~ we are officially the Griswald's!! Actually not even the Griswald's but Clark's cousins from Texas ~ even BETTER! My dear sweet Ed has ALWAYS wanted to camp with a camper and he swears this is gonna make for some great family time. I am actually kind of excited about it now that I have met our camper. Ed, Big Ed and William went to GA to pick it up and bring it back a week ago. Well, this thing is so big that ya gotta have a place to park it and we don't' have the room (and the conveyance of the subdivision doesn't look to kindly on RV"s in your driveway, not sure why??) so it is housed at Big Ed's house. I went on Friday to introduce myself to the butte and well, she is BIG ~ 32 feet of big I must say! It has every bell and whistle you can imagine and evidently it tows like a dream, I feel so country saying that!!! Anyway, it is going to fun and there will be tons of pictures of the COOL new places that we will all be going (Snickers included). So stay tuned....

Sorry for the long delay in a post but we have had a lot going on over here. Lots to do this week so I will update you all as the events happen. Thanks for hanging in there with us, we hope that we haven't bored ya too much with our happenings. Till next time, kisses from us to you and HAPPY TRAILS Y'ALL!!!!!

We have a new addition

So before you get too excited, no I am not preggers ~ that would be a TOTALLY different post titled, WOMAN GONE MAD;) We have adopted a dog by the name of Snickers. It is a situation that we really didn't expect to have but it has happened and this is how it came to be:
This past Saturday we took a family trip to Sam's, those of you that know us well know that we LOVE LOVE LOVE Sam's it is not just a trip but a shopping experience full of fun, food and the seasons best toys for us all! We picked up a bunch of things we needed and lots of stuff that we didn't and decided with a car full of food we really needed to eat out at Moe's?!!! We went and had what else but cheese dip and burritos ~ the entire family was in culinary delight, seriously! As we finished I suggested that we go to PetSmart to look at animals ~ we never do this and well, I thought it would be fun. I didn't think that we would walk in to meet our future dog but hey, it worked out that way:) We were looking at birds, cats and some sort of rat things and then we saw her... It was meant to be ~ Snickers the dog and William met face to face (rather cage to face). William sat next to her for seemingly ever and pet her in the calmest manner I have ever seen!!! It was truly a sight, our little boy found him a friend and honestly so did I. When we left (yes, we left without her) William asked what would happen to her and we told him that she would go to a good home... His direct quote was, "but we have a really good home and would love her".... How can you resist?? He made a valid point and that we did, give her a good home and we do love her. She is a survivor of heartworms and living alone so the least we could do is give a nice place to live and try to tolerate her jumping and chewing of stuffed animals:) She is getting better, we are working with her and the kids seem to really love her. William likes to get her to lick Grace because Grace hates it, it is a win win for boy and dog! So, if you see that I am a bit dark circled under the eye it is not due to barking or children waking ~ that would be due to my husband and the dog both SNORING in my ear every night;) So, sweet dreams to all of you from our family to yours!!!

Shew Wee, Spring Break Isn't for Sissies!!!

Good grief I am tired. I am not sure why Spring Break is suppose to be relaxing, there is nothing relaxing about it ~ pure nonstop action! The kids want to have a typed out agenda each morning with hour by hour explanation of what is next. We have had a busy week thus far and it is only Wednesday but we have had a lot of fun along the way. Our week started with the "dreaded" first dental visit. I had put it off long enough, William is four and should have seen a dentist two years ago but I have delayed for one reason or the other so no Mother of the Year Awards in my near future;) I decided to take both at the same time for moral support and to try and be as efficient as possible, crazy probably but it all worked out great! The kids LOVE Dr. Massy as do Edwin and myself (he is in our Sunday School Class and his wife is a great friend of mine). It was a fun experience and NO ONE CRIED, including me!! We were in and out in an hour with bouncy balls in hand and white smiles, nothing could be better right?? It gets better, we called our neighbor on the way home and Elliot, Elijah and Baby Ellison came over for lunch and playtime ~ WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY... Pictures are below for your viewing pleasure ;)

Well, to try to top off a perfect Monday we went for a terrific Tuesday and managed it!! Our dear friend Liv and her super mom Heidi came over for some playtime, lunch and sewing (the mommas). We had a sewing bee set up in my kitchen, the kids ran around and played with all the windows open to the house so we could hear and see them and we just had our Brother machines humming along. I was able to learn how to make pants and a halter top for Grace and the kids managed to get muddy from head to toe:) It is not a party until somebody does and mud dive in the back yard! Let's just say that no one napped, and I was washing dirt and mud from places I never thought would reach! The kids had a blast and so did I ~ Thank you Heidi for a sewing lesson that will prove to be so much fun for years to come!! We just don't know what the rest of the week will hold but I will make sure to fill ya in our adventures so stayed tuned!! Pictures are below of the mud fun and lovely creation that I was able to make for Miss Gracie. I do hope that your week be it Spring Break or not holds to be sunny, fun and full of love ~ from our family to yours ~ Kisses!!!

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Snow, Friends, Hair and Muscles

It has been a busy several days in our household. This past weekend was quite exciting with the SNOW DAY!!! We woke to an amazing blanket of white powdery snow EVERYWHERE, I should have known that we would be getting it because Edwin was tracking it like a hound dog.. He was watching every twist the front was making until the time we went to bed and he was READY! We had a big breakfast (fueled up with bacon and pancakes) and then hit the hills. We busted out the super duper fantastic sled that we all stare at in our garage like an alien in a foreign land. It is one of those things that you really hate having because it tends to take up space but when needed, it sure is fun! I have to say we were the best outfitted family on the hills Sunday, we had super speed with our Super Rubbermaid Green and Purple Sled. The kids had a fantastic time and quite honestly, so did Edwin and myself. WE were all somewhat fighting for the next ride. Everyone was all smiles until the cold started to set in and we all had to go in for hot chocolate and fireside rest ~ can we say PERFECT day!:)

William had a wonderful surprise, LIV got to come over and play while her mom did my hair:) It is always nice to have super friends that don't mind dealing with your stubborn hair and tends to enjoy doing so:) The kids had a blast and I have to say I did too getting a new color ~ what a new hair style or color will do for a person is just amazing... I feel like a new person. Liv, while playing with Grace and William declared her love for William as did he for her and said that she wanted to move in. We had to explain that it is a bit early in their relationship for marriage and cohabitation so that has been put on hold but many more play dates are to come;)

So, the Trussville Fire Department visited Paine Primary School today and William's class was able to explore the fire engine!! They learned all about fire safety and what firemen do. All the kids had a turn to ask questions of the firemen about their jobs and the truck. When it came to William's turn his teacher asked William if he would like to ask them anything and he said, "yes, I would like to ask the firemen a question" Long Pause..... "I would like to know, would you like to see my muscles?"... This is a direct quote according to his teacher. As she tells the story the firemen all laughed, one almost started crying because he was laughing so hard and a parent said that she almost wet herself laughing so hard. It was complete silence and he was completely serious about showing off his muscles.... Guess he thought that was pertinent to the conversations??? The thoughts of a four year old, I am just thankful it wasn't worse than that.... So, until next time ~ enjoy the weather be it sunny snowy or somewhere in between and remember to flex your muscles whenever the chance arises:) Family hugs to you and yours!

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Happy Valentines Day!

I hope that everyone has had a fantastic Valentines Day thus far. Our day started with a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs and opening cards and chocolates to each other. After we ate and fueled up on some chocolate we all decided it was time to lace up the hiking boots and head out to Hoover. We have found that both of the kids LOVE to explore outdoors and hike so do we, it is a win win situation of complete happiness for all:) We were really not knowing what to expect of Moss Rock but the pictures that a friend of mine took while there looked like a neat place to explore so off we went. It was AMAZING!! There were rocks everywhere, boulders to play on, caves and crevices for the kids to weave through and laugh at Edwin and myself trying to get through. I put together a slide show of our adventure, I will forewarn you it is about 68 photos, not for the faint of heart or someone that needs to take a quick peak ~ I will not be offended if you don't look at them all:) With that said, the day ended at the family favorite ~ Habeneros for Cheese Dip and Quesadillas ~ can we say a PERFECT VALENTINES DAY:) Hoping yours was just a perfect. Hugs and kisses from our family to yours!!!!!

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Valentine Fun

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Croup, Coughs and Black Eyes?....

Well, we have just had a houseful of sick coughing folks in the Gardner household. It all started suddenly with William coughing and sounding as if we had a barking seal residing in his room until we realized it was coming from him. He has started to recover but has managed to share the love with his sister Grace and his dad, mom thus far has been able to escape the clutches of the "Barking".. Let's just hope that remains the case because let's face it, what happens when momma gets sick ~ who takes care of her? (I have to give credit because Edwin is pretty darn good at taking care of me, props to him!!). So, all this illness in the house didn't stop us from enjoying the weather, what better way to beat a cough than sunshine and fresh air?? We spent most all weekend outside basking in the sun as did most of the neighborhood, people emerged from their homes as if they hadn't seen the sun in years ~ it was a perfect weekend!! We stayed home from church because we figured we didn't want our Sunday School class to absolutely hate us for giving one of their children "The Bark" so we played outside. We just hiked around the lakes here at the house, started clearing an area for a flower garden behind our fence, ate at Sonic (OUTSIDE) and trimmed some of the bushes ~ all in all a VERY productive and lovely Sunday afternoon until we reached the evening..... That is when the DRAMA hit! Blame it on no nap, blame it on too much fresh air but the kids were in RARE form. I was downstairs cleaning up from dinner while Edwin and the kids were upstairs, all of a sudden I heard it ~ THUD and then the screams.......I had no idea what had happened, I dropped whatever was in my hands, darted upstairs to find Grace crying with her hand on her eye and William's mouth gaping open in disbelief. He had been swinging a drum around by the drumstick (it was attached to the the drum with a rope), it had slipped out of his hand and made complete contact with Gracie's corner of her eye. Let's just say that she looks somewhat like she should sing in a Punk band due to the dark purplish eyeliner she has going on around her eyelid. William has NEVER had a black eye and this is Gracie's second (please refer to our Christmas card two years ago to refresh your memory, ha). Yes, she is going to be the one in the household that will constantly have a bruise of some sort (granted this wasn't her fault but she is ALWAYS into something). So, when you see her next time ask her about her eye and you will hear her go off on a long story about William and a drum.. You probably won't understand all that she is saying but since you now know the story behind it you can nod your head with confidence that you do understand and that will please her beyond words. So, pictures of the shiner to come but in the mean time I hope you all have a wonderful week and enjoy this beautiful weather, watch out for flying drums!!!

Fun filled Week

So, I am a bit ashamed to admit this but today was Grace's first REAL playdate with a group of children other than school. A group of women in our neighborhood have decided to get together while the big kids are in school with our little ones and let them play. Well, I don't think I have ever seen such a great group of kids playing together in my life. There was not one melt down, everyone had tea parties (boys and girls), no one cried it was pure enjoyment by all!! I had thought that my camera was in my bag but I had transferred it to another bag and it didn't make the trip. This will become a weekly occurrence so pictures will come shortly:)

On another note, this week has been a bit of an odd one with Ed in town but out of the house due to long work hours. We have not seen him so we have made time go by faster by staying EXTREMELY busy. We went to McDonalds for lunch yesterday and no other than RONALD McDONALD showed up in the flesh. Why on earth would they have a big scary clown as their mascot for kids, seriously??? We were having a FANTASTIC time on the indoor playground, both kids ate fairly well and no one had a meltdown until HE showed up. I am serious when I say that Grace climbed me like a tree and William wouldn't look at him. I was informed by William that he doesn't ever want to go back there because of that scary guy with the weird shoes. I mean how many times have you EVER seen Ronald McDonald at the restaurant when you have gone??? I don't blame my kids at all for freaking out, it made me feel a bit uneasy as well!

So, since William had a good day at school he gets to have a super duper reward tonight. His friend Liv is coming over for pizza in your pajamas dinner. He is so excited and so is Gracie because they both love their Livie and I get to have some adult conversation with Liv's mom Heidi which is always nice:) So, our week has been eventful and shows no sign of slowing down. One of these days I will remember to pack my camera in the correct bag and visually document some of these happenings... Till next time, we love you all and hope you are having a great week despite the cold!! Brrrrr.... We need Spring to hurry up and stay for good!!

100 Things

So, I got this from JF's blog, and I have put the things I have accomplished in bold print! I hope you will play along on your blog! Leave me a comment if you do! I want to see.......

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo- in the car ALL the time:)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondol a in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible- working on it now
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Let's Recap the week

Let's see... We have had a pretty good week all in all. Monday was the first day back to school and the kids were so very excited to see all their friends and teachers. I was able to visit with a friend I had not seen in a very long time and catch up with some girl talk which is ALWAYS a good thing:) William was able to see his friend Liv and all was right in the world for him. He even got an added bonus of a playdate with her on Thursday at the house! You heard right, he got to play with her at his own home and hang out, let's just say that the anticipation of his buddy coming over was way too much to take a nap. He was in wild, rare form for his visitor but had a great time. Even Little Miss Gracie got to play in the mix, she was able to run with the "big kids" and had a ball ~ both went to bed really well that night;) We have had an enjoyable long weekend with daddy and have had more organizational fun in the garage ,so much so that I will be able to park in there without hitting some sort of saw or power tool here soon ~ woohoo!!! We had the honor of being able to attend Connor Smith's baptism this morning with the entire family. It was a proud, sweet moment for the Smith family and were so happy to be able to be a part of it. William did really well sitting through it and wanting to know what was next. His main concern was that Connor was leaving for heaven right then and there, we assured him that he wasn't and he was pretty happy with that answer. Grace on the other hand wanted nothing to do with the service, we took turns playing in the atrium with her until it was over (hey, she is two what should we expect??). We get to all go to another Pump It Up birthday party in the morning, truth be told I think Ed and I are more excited than the kids. It is wonderful way for parents to be able to "play" on all the inflatibles and not look totally crazy when you are with your own kids. I have to admit, we have a blast when we get to go:) Hoping to have pictures to post tomorrow so until then... Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday afternoon and for those that have a break tomorrow too, enjoy it:)

A Precious Moment with a Friend.

It has been about a month since William has been in school. He has gone absolutely stir crazy being home with me and not having something to do every minute of the day. The other day I was cooking breakfast for he and Gracie and he stood in the doorway with hands on his hips (that is a growing trend in our family, ie. our Christmas card) and said "Mom, you are not my teacher and you are not my Livie (his friend from school), when are you gonna let me go back to school?" Clear sign to me that he is officially tired of my beautiful face (do you hear the sarcasm in my voice?). Well, he has had a couple days here and there of fits of crying because he misses his Livie (she is the most precious little girl ever), we have told him that he will see her soon but that has not really comforted him much. All I have to say about this is God truly stepped in, we went to church yesterday and he thought she would be there (school is at our church) but she was not, we went to Target and Lowes after church, who did William run into????? LIVIE, in the flesh was at Lowes with her parents and they ran up to each other with the biggest smiles as if they were star crossed loves!!! Edwin said it was precious and they were both so excited to see each other that all they could do was laugh and smile, how precious is that??? My little boy is growing up, not that we are ready to marry him off or anything but we do approve of this young girl;)

So, today is the day ~ first day back to school after a LONG LONG LONG vacation! Hope to have a good report of good behavior and complete happiness after a fun day of learning,we will see!! I am off to get the kids and myself ready for the day! Oh, I have attached a sweet photo of his little friend while they build their gingerbread house....Have a wonderful Monday!

I am a horrible blogger!!!

OK, so I am a horrible blogger!! I realize that it has been AGES since my last post and I am sorry about that. I promise that as this New Year gets going I will do better with keeping up with things!!! To my defense, school has been out and well ~ total kid chaos has been my household. It is really hard to keep the kids entertained and happy for A MONTH straight, they are so tired of my face and are so looking forward to school next week ~ AS AM I!! Anyway, please enjoy the scrapbook of our Christmas Day with the kids. As I said earlier, I will do better (as she hangs her head in shame). Here is to hoping your Christmas was Fantastic and your New Year has been Blessed!!!!

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