Tea Time at the Grand America

It was girls day out and we decided to try something new. So we went to the Gateway and did a little shopping(of course that wasn't anything new), and then went to the Grand America for Tea Time. We started with hot chocolate, then we were brought a variety of seven different kinds of finger sandwiches. We had cucumber, ham, turkey, chicken salad, egg salad, a salmon and shrimp, and one other kind I can't remember the name. All the sandwiched were good. I don't usually like seafood but the shrimp and salmon was my favorite. It was fun to try new things. Then we had scones. They were a cranberry-orange and there were three different kinds of spreads to try. They had a lemon, strawberry and a sour cream-cream cheese. These also were very good. The last thing we had was dessert. We could choose one slice of cake or three pastries and strawberries and cream came with both choices. The desserts were all very good and a lot of fun to try. We had such a fun time talking and just being together. We will definitely do this again.
After our girls day we had a family birthday party to celebrate the birthdays for Ethan, Amy, Ben, Dan, Julie and Abby. It was a fun night to sit around and watch the kids play in the swimming pools and be silly. We have so much fun together as a family.

Pineview

Today we went to Pineview and had such a fun time. We played and played and then played some more. We brought lunch and snacks, buckets and shovels, balls and tubes, sun block and more sunblock. It was a perfect day, there was a breeze and it wasn't to hot. The kids built sand castles and dug holes. They played in the water and got to spend time with their cousins. My sister Julie is her with her kids and we always have so much fun when she visits. I forgot my camera so no pictures, I was pretty bummed about that. It was Abby's first time to play in the water and sand, she absolutely loved it. Sometimes I feel bad for Dan because I feel like he misses out on a lot of stuff. I'm grateful to be a stay at home mom so I can drop whatever and just go for the day.

Day Farm

I love many things about Utah. I love that there are so many parks. All different kinds and different things to do at each of them. I love that we can go to the Lake and enjoy the sand and play in the water. I love that there are so many temples so close. The love to be near the Head quarters of the Church. I love that my family lives so close(most of them). I love the changing of seasons. I love the beautiful blue skies. I love the mountains and all the fun camp sites we can get to in such a short distance. But today I must say I love summertime when the Day Farm is open. I love that we can go and get fresh fruits and vegs that are so yummy. I enjoy doing the u-pick. You go to the farm and go out in the fields and pick all you want and its fresh and a lot cheaper than the stores and stays fresh so much longer. Its strawberry season and my strawberries at home keep getting eaten by the bugs so I went and picked strawberries yesterday and let me tell you they are so good. Dan came home for lunch and said go get your strawberries, so I went to the farm and just enjoyed myself out in the fields picking the berries. I love Utah!

The Real Celebration for our Anniversary!!!

Our Anniversary was on a weeknight and Dan was in training so we had a nice date at home, but Dan said that we still were going out on the weekend. So he planned the date. We went to the Roof for dinner. I've never been before and I thought it was so nice. The food was good and the view was amazing and the company was perfect. Then we went to the temple and just walked the grounds. It was so peaceful and quiet. It was fun just being with Dan. I asked him to try and plan a romantic date and I think that he did a good job. We were suppose to go for a carriage ride but it was a 100 degrees so we passed on that. He also made a cd with all romantic songs. All songs I love. I listen to it all the time. He put a lot of thought into our date. Also thanks Amy and Matt for watching the kids.

Happy 10th Anniversary!!

I have been blessed to find the man of my dreams. We have had the best tens years. We have four beautiful children, a nice home, a good job and love to be together. I love the song Just Another Day in Paradise. I feel like that is my life a lot of the time. We are happy about the little things.

Dan came home work and surprised me with a dozen long stemed roses(of which I haven't ever had he usually gets me different colored rosed or a mixed bunch). We said that we weren't buying gifts for one another because we are going to buy a window for our kitchen, we are in the process of re-decorating. But, it was nice to get the flowers. He also stopped at the grocery store and bought all the fixings for dinner and dessert. He was in training all week so we weren't able to go out so he made the date special at home. It was such a nice evening. We look forward to the next ten years and more.

Britton's Birthday!!!

Britton turned 7 years old today. Wow, I can't believe how fast time goes bye. I just wish I could freeze him right now. He wanted a pool party so his theme was deep sea. I found a shark for him to color online and we made the invitations from that. The invites said to splash on over for a pool party. We set up three different sized pools and filled them with water early that morning so the water would be warm by party time.

We played water basketball. Catch the balloon (in the pool they had to grab the water balloon by using their knees only). We filled 200 water balloons to have a water balloon toss and a water balloon war. We played squirt the beach ball(all the kids were given a squirt gun and they had to shoot the ball. This game didn't work real well we needed more pressure in the guns). We also filled ice cube trays with tiny animals and let them freeze and the kids took them in the pool and let them melt and got a surprise.


Britton received many fun gifts and had so many friends and family come to wish him and happy birthday. We found his cake idea on marsbrightideas.com it is a great site with tons of fun ideas. The cake was so easy to make and Britton loved it. He had a wonderful birthday. We love him so much and are so grateful that he is in our home.

Fun in the sun, finally.

Finally the sun is shining long enough to go out and play. The kids were so excited to ride bikes, scooters and skateboards. Britton was trying a few tricks on his skateboard. He is getting so big. And he always wants his picture taken.

Abby was just happy to be outside. I love the sunglasses. It is so much fun dressing up a little girl.

Bryson loves to ride his bike. Play with cousins and his family. And just be outside.

Two best friends. Ethan and Parker are only six weeks apart and they are so cute to watch together. It is so fun to live on the same street as my sister. The kids get to play together all the time. We look forward to a lot of fun this summer.

My Dad!!!

This is my Dad. I love him so much. He has taught me so many things in my life. He is the best father and grandfather. We are so blessed to live so close to him. He takes such an interest in all our lives. The kids get so excited to see Papa and spend time with him. The boys love to ride in Papa's truck and go and get a bug juice. Thanks for all you do for us and the example you have set for us to live and learn from. Happy Father's Day Dad.

Happy Father's Day to Dan!!!

The Grill Master at work.

I have been blessed with many things in my life. I have so many things to be grateful for. I am glad we have a day life Father's Day to honor the men in our lives who have done so much for us. I have the best husband in the world. He a wonderful father to our kids. He works so hard to provide a great life for us and makes it possible for me to stay home and raise our four children. Most people in his profession need the wife work but its not an option in our home and I love that. He sets the example for our kids to learn from and always makes us laugh. I love Dan and all that he is in my life.

The Ward Camp-out

Sitting down to dinner at the Bonneville Camp site.

Bryson loves to climb trees.



Abby was entertained by a hat for at least 20 minutes. Babies enjoy the smallest and simplest things.

Dan helping Parker make his marshmallows. He loved the smores and was really good about not getting to close to the fire.

The boys at the Lake. They had to get in the water even if it was freezing. They didn't mind the cold. They found rocks and watched the boats and looked for creatures in the water.


The Bonneville Camp site. It had two volleyball courts and two horseshoes and a pavillon and a large grass area. Great site for a large group. We have such a fun ward.

We went to Anderson Cove for our ward camp-out. We had a lot of fun playing in the sand, exploring at the Lake and roasting marshmallows over the fire. It was nice weather and great company. The sleeping arrangements were a little scary, four kids and two adults in one little tent, we even had to fit a port-a-crib. Everyone stayed nice and warm because we were so tight, which made it nice and cozy. We look forward to a lot more camping and vacations this summer.

I've decided to walk!!!

Monday afternoon Abby stood up in the kitchen and just started walking. She has only taken two steps at the same time a couple times before. So it was quite a surprise watching her walk out of the kitchen. The boys and I were watching in amazement. We were clapping and cheering her on as she took step after step. I ran to the phone to call Dan and tell him the news, he is out of town and was so disappointed to miss out. But thanks to technology we were able to video her walking around the house. Life changes so fast. One minute she was my little baby and now she's my little girl. I wish you could just freeze time and my kids would just stay small forever. I thank my Father in Heaven for blessing her in my life. She has filled our home with a sweet spirit. The boys never get tried of her and fight over who gets to play with her in the car and who gets to sing to her and who gets to help her eat. They are all good big brothers. It's so cute to hear Parker say "Where's my Abby Girl?" Isn't life great.

The Frontrunner

We finally rode the train. We started in Layton and rode to the Central Station in Salt Lake. It was a lot of fun. The kids were so excited. We counted horses and cows and 127 diesel trucks. That was the highlight of Parker's ride. He was so excited every time another diesel would pass. I think Abby was pretty excited because no car seats and she could sit on my lap and stand and look out the window. Once we arrived in Salt Lake we walked to The Gateway and ate lunch at the fountains and walked around. Kids are so easy to please.

My Bad

I don't know what I did, but I made a mess of my last blog. So I tried to re-create everything. I truly suffer with computer skills.

Popcorn and a Movie

My boys would watch movies all day long if I would let them. They love all kinds of movies. Dan was gone with the scouts on an over night camp-out. So the kids and I were home with-out a car. So the first things the boys asked was, can we watch a movie. So of course I said yes, then they all cuddled up together with their pillows and blankets and enjoyed a night of movies, popcorn and some games. We love to play card games, even Parker plays. We had a great night. As Britton was climbing into bed he said thanks mom this was the best night ever. Simple things like that make life so wonderful. I couldn't ask for a better life!

The Tree House

There is nothing better than a family fun day. The boys are so much fun. We went to the Tree House Museum and had a blast. There are so many fun things to do. The biggest thrill the boys had was the music room and the tree house with the slide. Abby had fun also. They had things for her to play with and a few things to climb on and in. The boys made crafts, explored, built things and just got to be kids.

A Battle I Can't Seem To Win

The battle of weight. Why is it that everyone around me(it seems) is smaller and smaller while I seem to get bigger and can't shake my baby weight. I'm not trying to have a pity party, I'm just frustrated today. I want so much to be in shape and lose the weight I struggle with. I've been running for almost two months and I haven't see any results. Running for me isn't just to lose weight, I enjoy it but it would be nice to lose weight in the process. I'm almost done nursing Abby and then maybe the weight will start coming off.

5k - I Did It!

I finally ran my first 5k. It was on Memorial Day in the terrible rain. I ran it in 35 minutes. I wanted to run it in 30 minutes but at least I completed it without walking. My goal was just to finish and not walk. I would like to run another on the 4th of July. Then I would like to ran a 10k. I am really enjoying running.

The Gardner Family

Each day is a new experience with a fresh start at the world of opportunties. I hope to make each day a success and value the time I have here on earth. I have been blessed to find a wonderful man, who takes good care of me and has given me four of the greatest gifts I could ask for. We have three boys and one girl. I couldn't have asked for better kids. I love being a mom.