CHRISTMAS 2009!

We had such a full Christmas this year! Jeff went on a business trip to Brazil from the 15th of December through the 22nd, so I tried to fill the days with fun activities, while Daddy was gone to help the time go by a little faster. We started things off with a craft day at Highland City, and the girls loved all the fun little crafts they were able to put together. Paisley also got a kick out of the Grinch, who was walking around while we were waiting to sit on Santa's lap.

We have been good Santa!

Our Christmas Dresses!

Ellie and her cute friends at school!

On the last day of school before Christmas break I went over to the girls school, and watched their Christmas Program, and Teddy bear hug. I am also Addison's 1st grade class Room Mom, so it was party time!

Addison playing a little Christmas Bingo!

I decorated the Schools Christmas trees this year, for some of my service hours. Before we called it a day, we had to clean up, and take the trees down. The girls were a great help!

THE GARDNER CHRISTMAS PARTY!

This year for the Gardner party we went sledding, had a big dinner, played games, and had a big sleepover in the Rec room, at Grandma, and Grandpa Gardner's. like always it was so much fun!

It's funny when you ask all our little nieces, and nephews how they can tell the difference between uncle Ryan, and Jeff. They say Ryan is the mean one, and Jeff is the one always sleeping.

This time Jeff had a reason for crashing in the middle of the party. He and Ryan, had just got home from Brazil that day, after a long 13 hour flight. What a trooper!

Ellie and her cousin Courtney!

Paisley and her new cute dress-ups!

My Mother-In-Law Nancy made the cutest mittens for the guys, and girls.

All of our girly girl mittens!

Like always when we all get together, there is always some type of competition. This time we decided to see who could hang the longest from the rafters in the Rec. room. After the the kids had a turn, the mammas came out to play!

The guys decided to play a little trick on me. I couldn't see behind me, so they told me that Jodi was still in, holding on. So I suffered holding on, until finally I looked around to see I was hanging alone. I'm just too dang competitive!

CHRISTMAS EVE!

For Christmas Eve, we all partied at our house. My whole family came for lots of food, and games.

My Sister-in-law Brittney made jumbo sugar cookies for all the kids to decorate. They turned out so cute, and the kids were not the only ones who enjoyed showing creativity

We took a family picture in our new Brazil shirts, Jeff brought home!

Our cookie for santa!

The kids loved that Santa took a couple of bites of their jumbo cookie, and left them a little note!

The girls modeling their new P.J.'s

One of our family Christmas tradition's, is we let our girls open a present on Christmas Eve. We always give the girls a new pair of pajamas.

Santa Clause came to our house!

THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My In-Law's had a Pre-Thanksgiving dinner this year. Like always it was supper good food, way nice set up, and fun fun fun for all! Nancy always puts the best parties together.

The set up!

Only at the Gardner's could you have a table set for 36 of us.

Grandma, and Grandpa Gardner at the head of the table.

It was so nice to get everyone together. We missed Tim, Jodi, and their family in St. George.

Dessert! Yummy!

Everyone brought their favorite pie.

We always have plenty of rough housing. Grandpa bought pillows for the kids to have a pillow fight, and they loved every minute of it!

All the cousins!

For Thanksgiving day we went to a church in Copperton, with my moms sisters, and cousins. My aunt Sherrie set up the church for our Thanksgiving dinner, and she did a fabulous job. We played a little basket ball, games, and had crafts for all the kids to make. We then went back to my house for more food, pie, games and an early start with our holiday shopping.

My cute niece Mikell!

Paisley eating a little turkey, with her uncle Tom!

My Momma!

My Sisters!

We had 3 computers set up for early Black Friday shopping. We got all our shopping done by midnight, in the comfort of our home. What could be better!

HALLOWEEN!

For Halloween this year we went to Olive Garden to eat dinner with all of my family, and then headed up to my house for games, and trick or treating!

The girls picked out their costumes this year. Ellie was a flower child, Addie was Frankinstine's wife, and Paisley was a Care Bear.

Addie with her cute cousin, Kennedi!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JEFF

At the end of October for Jeff, and our good friend Maddison's birthday. We took a vacation to Destin Florida. We had 3 couples go. The Neff's, Gallands, and Jeff and I. This was the perfect birthday gift for Jeff, considering that we both love to travel. We had 7 days of beach, spa, working out, shopping, and eating.

Good times!!

How cute! Hanging out together!

Destin was beautiful, with it's white sandy beaches, and green water!

This was the view from the balcony in our Pint House. The condo was sick!

We took a boat out in the bay for the afternoon. Chilly but fun! I only got scared a few time when the waves were GIGANTIC. It made the waves in a wind storm on Ut. Lake, look like ripples. Thank goodness we had an experienced boat driver, who was used to driving on the ocean.

We tried paddle boarding. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

For Maddison's Birthday we went to a supper good place to eat. (I cant remember the name of it.) We ate the best desserts ever. They were huge, and Yummy!

We were able to show our skills with a little bowling.

We had a full spa day at the Hilton, and it still wasn't enough. We ended up talking the guys into getting a pedicure, after a long day of shopping. They loved it!

The boys rented surf boards, and hit the waves.

The girls!

Me, Courtney, and Kesley

We had such a good time thanks to the fun couples we were able to go and play with.

ZOO TIME!

Addison's class went on their first field trip to Hogal Zoo. What a cute group of kids. It was fun to watch how excited they were to go through the Zoo. When we arrived at the Zoo, Addie's teacher gave each group a paper with questions to fill out, as we made our way through out the Zoo. We had a lot of fun learning about all the different animals.

Addie's 1st grade Class

The day was a little chilly and rainy, but it didn't make any difference to Paisley. She was all bundled up, and ready to roll. It was a perfect field trip for me to help out with, since Paisley was able to come and participate.

It seems like every time we go to the Zoo one of the animals is doing something funny. Well this trip was no exception. We went to see the new baby elephant, and it was eating it's mommas poop. The kids were all freaking out, and laughing. Thankfully one of the workers at the Elephants saw what was going on, and came up to the children to explain why the baby was eating it's moms poop. FYI The baby eats it's moms poop every day once a day so that the baby can get bacteria in its tummy for digestion purposes. Ha ha Who knew!

Addison was in charge of taking all the pictures with my camera. She did a great job! 60 pics later. She was loving life!

What a fun day!

At The Dunes!

What can I say my family loves the Sand Dunes. Every chance we get, we head out to get a little crazy, and dirty. It's so nice that we are so close for a little get away, and family fun!

Our little rider! This girl loves the dirt!

We rented this sweet R.V. for one of our trips out to the Dunes. It was sooo nice! All I can say is I'm sold, and I want one! Maybe next year. Ha Ha

Addison loves to go with her dad for rides on the Razers. That little girl is one brave chick! Ellie was so excited that she learned how to drive the Razer this trip. WATCH OUT!!

Grandpa Schmidt doing his best work. He is one great cook!

Nothing better than sitting around, and chilling with the family.