No title--just more fun!

You may have to click on the above picture to be able to see it. This is our scorecard from a very depressing game of spades!!! It was a very intense game of boys against girls with Matt's parents, and the girls lost. The best part is we will get to have a few rematches this weekend and into next week!

We have had a ton of fun visiting with a lot of Matt's family lately. We have travelled a lot this month, but it has been so worth it!! Two weekend's ago we went to Kemmerer for my good friend Krista's baby blessing. Matt's parents are now in the ward there where Krista's husband grew up so it worked out perfect to see everyone. It was really fun to visit with Krista and all of her family!!

Then last weekend Grandma and Grandpa Gardner were able to come here!! They just bought a new camper trailer that they actually hadn't seen other than in pictures. Matt and I went and picked it up for them and so of course the girls (and Matt) had to try it out for a night!

Kierra LOVES being Grandpa's little buddy!

Sunday was a very busy day. First we went to Heber for the blessing of the girls' newest little cousin Elise. Isn't she so beautiful in the dress that Grandma made her?! You may have to click on that picture too to see how incredible that dress actually is. When Elise was first born RSV season was in full force so none of the kids were allowed to hold her. Kaylee has been begging me for weeks--wanting to make sure she would finally get some time to hold the baby. I am so excited that our baby will be born in the summer so that Kaylee will be home all day to get plenty of brother time! She loves the babies!

After Heber we took off and went to Ogden. Every 5th Sunday Matt's extended family gets together for dinner and this time everyone was going to be there so we had to go--rain, sleet or snow!! It was so much fun as always!! The girls were so excited to find out that this house we went to was the house where the song, "I Am a Child of God" was written. It was kinda cool to see the girls playing in the room that used to be Naomi Randall's sewing room where she wrote those words.

Good luck trying to get these siblings together for a picture. ;)

(sorry for adding the middle picture--I was trying to get a picture of Matt's parents and some how I got these looks instead. :))

Our other excitement last week was haircuts which I am vowing here and now to never do short again for a very long time!! I just love their long hair too much. (yes, Dad, I can hear you now. I'm so sorry) ;) Emily is the one that always asks for braids in her hair. I keep telling her I can't do it anymore until her hair grows out, so hopefully I've talked her into keep it long from now on too.

And this picture of Kierra sums the rest of it up. There was some much needed rest after all that travelling. It will be fun to stay home and have Matt's parents and his sister's family here for a few days!!

(now that Kierra is "in" a toddler bed, this is where she ends up taking her naps. At night she sleeps in the bed just fine!)

Shhh...I'm supposed to be grounded

Yesterday was a CLEAN THE HOUSE day!! It has been so beautiful outside so we needed to get rid of winter clothes, pull out summer clothes and clean the toy room that we probably won't have to clean again until next winter because all the girls want to do is be outside. Of course, being the wonderful mom that I am I said, "No one is playing computer or going outside until their rooms are clean." So, of course my girls, being the wonderful girls that they are say, "What about your room Mom? Does that mean no computer or going outside until your room is clean?" DOH!

So, what I am supposed to be doing right now is cleaning my room and this office. Today was/is going to be the day, but I haven't posted in nearly three weeks--so I HAVE to do that. And, yesterday I got 15 out 16 basketball games right on my bracket (grrr UCLA), so I HAVE to have the tv on all day! Really, how am I supposed to ever be grounded? It can't happen!

So onto today's quick, letting you know we are still alive, blog. A friend of mine just blogged about her blogging slump. That is totally where I am! Someday (I think I've said this before) I am going to get myself a theme. Pictures of my kids should be reason enough to blog, but lately our days have all been the same with not much going on. The pictures today are of just that. Our happy Sundays, lazy mornings, finally being outside, and the entertainment in our life--Kierra! Enjoy! Oh--and if our lazy days aren't enough for you, click here for a very fun video! It brought tears to my eyes. You really have to watch the whole thing--clear to the written words at the end. It is so very sweet. (I got it from the Centennial Singer Alum emails.)

Pink or Blue?

I'M A BOY!

Are you in shock too?!

I believe my text to friends and family said something like bows and pink dresses? Dress ups and barbies? What will we do with a boy?

I have gone through many emotions over this! 5 girls not only sounded fun, but it was just what we were planning on because what else would a family with 4 girls expect? We picked Kaylee up from school, had Grandpa H with us (he had come to visit for a couple of days) went to the Dr.'s office and then we were going to leave for Wyoming right after. The day was planned out perfect with no thought of a surprise like this.

I have been in complete shock. We are all so excited!! It has just taken me a while to get used to the idea of having a little boy around and having to put away the pink. So far this boy has not even a hint of a name, some white onesies, some Wyoming Cowboy gear that looks good on boys and girls!, and this one sports jacket that we got yesterday from an awesome friend that knew I needed something to get me started! Now I'm ready to shop! (Thanks again Julie!!)

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So, what else have we been up to?

I'm so sorry I haven't been very good at blogging this last month.

Here is February at the Gardner home:

Valentine's Day!

We had all been sick this week and so wondered if we'd even make it out of the house. The girls were able to get their Valentine's out and make it to their class parties. Friday I finally started feeling better and when a friend told me she and her Valentine were going to Olive Garden for lunch my pregnant self went back into craving mode, called a babysitter and told my Valentine that we were going to Olive Garden for dinner. I'd ask Camille if she was jealous, but I'm sure she did the same!

Then for Valentine's Day we took the girls out--their choice!

WINGERS of course!

(They must take after Grandma and Grandpa G. because the next Monday when they came to visit that was their choice for lunch! 3 meals out in 3 days! What more could a pregnant lady--who finally had an appetite again--ask for?!)

DRAPER TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

February 19, 2009

What a special day! The girls were so great! We had so much fun. The first 2 pictures are of us sitting in the mock bus that was set up in a church close to the temple. We watched a short video and waited there until they shuttled us to the temple where they dropped us off at heated tents that led into the temple. As we walked into the temple with our 4 beautiful girls I couldn't believe the overwhelming love I had for them and the importance of the temple. The girls loved the baptismal font, as I think I've heard every kid say, but their other favorite part was the mirrors in the sealing rooms. They knew the importance of being able to see forever. What a peaceful feeling to know that we are an eternal family. We will be together forever!

(We had to go back and forth in the shuttles so we weren't able to stop and get a good picture of the temple. We'll have to go back another time and get pictures with the girls in front of it.)

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

CUTENESS

NEW BABIES!!

Like I said, right after the ultrasound on Friday we left for Wyoming. It seems like last year we didn't get to go to Wyoming much at all, but wow! We have made the 12 hour round trip once a month since November (or maybe October--when was homecoming?) This time was just as fun as all the others. Of course we took in a great Cowgirl game!! It was so fun to count down the points as the Wyoming Native reached the 1000 point mark! (Sorry DeeDee for screaming into the phone :) ).

After the game we had a great dinner with all of my family and some of my brother-in-law's family. According to Taylor (well, according to all of us), "Grandma makes the best lasagna in the world!".

Sunday we got to see my little sister's baby boy get blessed. Isn't he too cute in his suit and Boutonniere. I already have one ordered for my boy! We also had a birthday party for my Dad and sister, which Matt slept right through!

It was a good thing Matt had such a "sweet" nap because it was a long, late drive home. On our way home we found out that my sister-in-law had her baby. So after holding my new niece and nephew and seeing Matt and the girls with those sweet babies, I am SO very excited to bring our little boy home!