Born to be a COWBOY

Chase and Malorie both love western and cowboy things.  Cowboy is just their style you could say.  So, for the baby shower we did a cowboy theme.  I think it turned out really cute and we had a fun time.

This is the invitation

 We played a few games and the winners got to take home the cowboy cookie jar mix centerpieces as the prize.

centerpieces

Diaper cake that Baylee made for her

We had a buffet of food to choose from.  We served "cowboy caviar" and "cowboy sushi" (a bean salsa, and pickles wrapped up in cream cheese and ham).  We also served the cake that Malorie made.  We also served some s'mores on sticks.

She got a lot of fun gifts.  We are so excited for Chase and Malorie to have a new little cowboy in the family.

Thankful Thursday

Ok, so I have been so behind on my Thankful Thursdays...
This morning I got up to go running and it was so cold!!!  I ran this morning in 37 degree weather!  FALL IS HERE BABY!!!
I am THANKFUL for FALL.  I LOVE the fall.  I LOVE the changing leaves.  I LOVE the cooler temperature.  I LOVE the decorations for fall.  AND... I LOVE the food for fall.  Today has been a perfect beginning to fall.  I went running (I am also very thankful for my health) and came home and drank some yummy hot cocoa.  Now, I have pumpkin chocolate chip cake in the oven.  It is time to decorate and enjoy the season! 
HAPPY FALL YA'LL!!

Unforgettable moments

There are moments in life that seem to shape us- make us who we are... moments that make us better and even moments we regret or want to forget.  No matter who we are, we all have UNFORGETTABLE moments. 
Every year on 9/11 I remember some of these moments. 
I remember sitting in seminary listening to the radio and talking about the tragedy.  The lives that had been lost.  I remember my seminary teacher saying how important prayer is in a time like that.  I remember how united the US became and how so many people turned to prayer.  Throughout my life I have realized the importance of prayer, and not just in big tragic moments.  I hope that from the unforgettable moment of 9-11 people grew into stronger better and more prayerful people.  I know that I did.  Another thing I remember every year on 9/11 is my dad!  I remember him in a lot of moments, but every year it is easy to think about him on his birthday.  I don't even remember celebrating any of his birthdays when he was alive because I was so young when he died.  Every year I calculate and... "this year he would have been 64."  Then every year I think about how different my life would be if he was still here.  Because of moments I do have from my past and with my dad I can become grateful and more spiritual.  Because remembering my dad reminds me of the ultimate goal.  To get life after death and to aim for the celestial kingdom.  It is so hard to find good things from tragic moments, but if we try to learn from these moments it will shape us into better people.

Camping

We had such a fun Labor day weekend.  We went camping out in Hamlin Valley.  The weather was great- not too hot, but not freezing.  The location was great, the food was great, the company was great, we had a BLAST!

 

 

 

Caleb loved rocking in this rocking chair...
doesn't everyone bring their rocking chair camping?!?!?!

 

Grandpa and Kelson had a busy day, and they were tired!!

The boys love riding the horse!!

 

The shirt Jamie wore to announce the new baby!

Kelson, Kyson, and Kinsey playing in the dirt!

 

I think grandpa got enough sunscreen!!

 

 

 

Catching up Part 2

Picture overload!!

Boys will be boys

The boys have been having so much fun being able to go outside all summer.  They get along most the time, but they both have little tempers that show up every once in a while through-out the day.

Kelson is becoming a demanding, sassy, 3-year-old and likes to be the "mom" to Caleb.  He is fun, but he is sure at a hard age.  His most used phrase is "I'll do it!!"   He is starting to lie or blame things on other people.  He likes to tell Caleb what to do all the time.  He gets mad if Caleb doesn't do what he wants.  He is kind of dramatic- he cries if he gets in trouble, and if he barely bumps his head he wails until he gets the attention he thinks he needs.  He hates to feel left out. 

wearing dad's shoes

He LOVES to spend time with his dad and his grandpa.  He also LOVES playing with his trucks and tractors.  He is so funny playing he will be driving a truck and all the sudden say "Where is the dodge?"  or if he is playing with tractors he has to find the "loader" or the "backhoe" or the "grater" he is definitely a Gardner boy!

Caleb is a little monster boy.  We have been calling him the little monster for quite some time.  He doesn't talk much so he screams and yells until he gets what he wants. He has even started stomping his right foot if he doesn't get what he wants soon enough. He has a little bit of a temper.  If you try to help him unwrap a candy he gets so mad that he usually throws it and wont take it back.  He is a climber- loves to climb on the bar stools and up onto the bar.  He climbs on to all the furniture and if he can't quite get up he goes and finds something to push up next to it so that he can climb up all by himself.  He is getting really independent- he hates when I help him eat (the temper comes out and he usually tries to throw the spoon or fork).

 He loves to do whatever Kelson is doing and Kelson hates it!  If Kelson is sitting on a bar stool he needs to sit on the bar stool.  If Kelson goes is playing with a balloon Caleb needs a balloon.  Caleb also really hates to share mom time.  If Kelson is getting more attention from me than Caleb- he cries and cries.  He is also very mischievous... if it is quiet for more than 2 minutes I worry... and this is why....

They are so hard, but they are sure fun!

CORNFEST
This year the cornfest had carnival type booths for the kids to play and get tickets to turn in for prizes. Kelson thought it was pretty fun. He really liked throwing the balls at the milk cans and kicking the soccer ball into the goal. He also used one of his tickets to ride a pony. He was kind of nervous at first, but he warmed up pretty quick.

While we were eating our lunch (delicious homemade corn dogs) Caleb cried and cried until I finally gave in and bought him a balloon for $1!! yes it was a very expensive balloon, but it was pretty worth it cause it kept him happy for a while.


CAMP FAMILY REUNION
The weekend following the 24th we went up north to go to the Camp reunion!  It is always fun to go up north and see all my family up there.  We got to enjoy a picnic and swimming in my cousin Toby's backyard on Friday eve.  Caleb is a little to brave around water... and Kelson is such a chicken it is funny!  They had a fun time playing while we all had fun visiting.  The next morning we all got together at Murray City Park and enjoyed the heat of the summer.  Playing games outside and picnicking for breakfast and lunch.  As usual we had the annual Camp family auction to raise money for the next year.  It is always fun to see what everyone brings.  The boys were loving playing outside and playing with their cousins!

Catching up Part 1

July 20-24

Brett had a birthday on the 19th, we went swimming (already posted), but on the weekend when all the family was up we decided to do a birthday party.  Malorie made a swather cake and we had a pinata that Brett made.  The boys all had such a fun time swinging at it and picking up the candy.

The night of July 21st we went to the Enterprise Rodeo.  I can't believe I didn't take any pictures.  Kelson and Tate had a fun time together watching the horses and cows.  Kelson kept saying things like "I need a ride that bull" or "I need a ride that donkey"  Caleb liked watching he would point and smile, but he didn't like sitting still the entire evening.  It was fun and I'm glad we went.

On July 23rd, Brandon and Norine were still here, so we took the kids and went up to go swimming at the Reservoir.  Kelson is pretty scared of the water, and Caleb isn't scared enough- he makes me nervous.  It was fun to spend some time with them.


McCoy was so funny with this floaty. He kept getting in shallow water and getting stuck.

Caleb loved throwing rocks in the water to watch the splash

Kelson with a life-jacket and floaty and he still wouldn't let go of Brandon cause he was so scared!

The pretty view while swimming!

 We had a full Pioneer day this year.  It was way fun.  We started out going to the parade in Enterprise.  Kelson and Caleb loved getting candy.  Caleb kept trying to eat it with the wrapper still on.

 

  After the parade here we headed over to New Castle for the parade and lunch there.  We watched the parade- front and back haha (the parade is so short that after they go by they turn around and come back)  Then we just hung out and waited for the lunch.  Just before the lunch Kelson, with Clint's help, caught a gold fish.  He was pretty excited he had to show everyone. (It did die the very next day... luckily he wasn't to heart broken.)

Caleb kept picking up candy from this yucky puddle.

He finally got the wrapper off the sucker, but kept trying to eat the wrapper and dirt covered starburst!

 After the lunch we went back to Enterprise and took the kids to the races.  Caleb slept through them, but Kelson ran.  He thought it was fun and he really liked getting candy at the end.

He wasn't the fastest, but I would guess he was one of the happiest!!

 After the races we went to Andrea's house and said goodbye to Brandon and his family.  Then we cooked out.  Dutch oven chicken and potatoes it was yummy!  The kids loved playing in the sprinklers and on the swings.  It was a really fun day.

Baby shower for Easton

We (mostly Andrea, but I helped) threw Mandi and Easton a baby shower on July 21. He is the cutest little guy. I am so happy for Mandi and Jared.

We did a baseball theme shower and it turned out GREAT! We had baseballs at the door for the guests to sign, so Mandi and Easton can remember who came to the party. And we served Hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, cup cakes, sugar cookies, popcorn, and peanuts. It was fun and we had a great turnout.