the gardner family

Kitchen

Thursday, January 13, 2011

In between our trip to CA for Thanksgiving and our trip to UT for Christmas (only two weeks) we were busy updating our kitchen!! We worked like crazy to get it all done before we left and we pretty much pulled it off. Here are a few pictures to document the transformation.

Projects included; lowering the unusually high island, taking off blue and white tile backsplash, ripping out drywall behind backsplash, hanging new drywall for backsplash, removing white countertops in preparation for new granite, removing bar behind sink to level the counter surface, rebuilding wall behind sink, lowering pipes behind new wall, installing bead board onto new wall and sides of island, laying tile backsplash, painting island and new wall, installing new faucet, and finishing trim....whew! I think that just about covers it.

We are so happy with the way it turned out. It was A LOT of work (Jordan did everything but lay the granite, he's quite the handyman!). It was a very crazy two weeks with lots of late nights, and we have a few finishing touches to make, but we did it! I'm so proud of Jordan and so happy to have a new kitchen!

Part 2

This year we spent three weeks in Utah for the holidays. We had a great time seeing our family and friends. Jackson was in love with the snow and wanted to be out in any chance he got. He loved sledding and shoveling, Cannon not so much.

On Christmas Eve, we got together with my side of the family and took another fun ride on the "Christmas Express"! For the last few years my parents have borrowed this short bus from a friend and we've all piled in to go for a ride. We look at lights and sing Christmas carols. It's turned into a really fun tradition for all ages! Always a good time on the Christmas Express!

The boys in their matching PJ's on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Morning!

It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Long Overdue...part 1

It's been WAY too long since we've updated our blog. Here is a quick recap of the last few months of 2010 for our family.

We signed Jackson up for his first soccer season this fall. He wasn't so sure he liked it at the beginning, but we stuck with it and towards the end he was loving it. He had so much fun being on the same team as his friends Ava and Norah. It was pretty fun to watch the games as most of the kids had no idea what was going on, but we certainly enjoyed it and look forward to more seasons to come.

At the beginning of October we took a wonderful trip to DISNEY WORLD with Jordan's parents. We had a fabulous time spending a whole week in the most magical place on earth! Jackson was in heaven and the highlight of the trip was meeting Buzz Lightyear and Woody. He still talks about it and is always asking if we can go back.

Halloween this year was really fun. Jackson was dying to get dressed up as Buzz and Cannon was his sidekick Woody. Unfortunately we didn't get a good shot of the two of them in their Toy Story costumes, but Cannon made a cute skeleton too!

Cannon turns 1! We can't believe that our baby is one! Where did the last year go? We were lucky enough to have Megi come out for his birthday. She helped with his cute Cowboy party.

Before heading out to Clayton for Thanksgiving to be the the Gardner's and Moffat's we went to Jackson's Thanksgiving Feast at his preschool. It was so fun to get to have lunch with him in his cute "Little Buffalo" indian hat.

Jackson's first day of Preschool!

Thursday, September 02, 2010

It's been a while since we've posted on the blog, but one can't miss documenting the first day of school. Jackson started pre-school on Tuesday and was so excited. We were a little nervous for him since the closest thing to school has been nursery at church which is 2 hours max. Preschool is from 9-2! As any parent probably does, we had some anxiety with the thought of him going to school. Will he like school? Will he miss mommy after 2 hours? Will he make friends? Will other kids be nice/mean? Then all those feelings turned into one huge "oh my gosh, he's growing up too fast!" feeling once we put on his (what looks like a giant) backpack and walked him from the parking lot to class. Jackson has made these last 3 1/2 years fly with so many wonderful memories - from the day we started this blog with him in the NICU to now - where has the time gone!

Well, Jackson absolutely loved his first day of school and couldn't stop telling us about the cool sand box (made of rice), Ms. Jana his teacher, and show off the craft that he made. Let's hope the 2nd day of school goes as well.

All set for school!

Livin' large with the cool backpack and thermos! (He can only make it about 10 yards when there is a lunch in the backpack and the thermos is full)

Daddy and his boys

(and a UT fan / gardener in the back - nice...)

Mommy with Jackson on his first day of preschool

Cousin Lovin'

Monday, May 10, 2010

While we were in Utah we had a couple of cousin photo shoots. We don't get together very often so it was really fun getting the kiddos all dressed up in matching outfits and attempt to take their picture. It wasn't an easy task to get so many little ones to look at the camera at the same time, but it sure was fun trying.

Gwen, Jackson, Cannon, Ava and Ella.

Zachary, Emily, Tyler, Kate, Jackson and Cannon

Trip to Utah

Thursday, May 06, 2010

A few weeks ago we returned from a much needed trip to Utah. It had been close to a year since we had been back so it was great to be home again. It was my first time flying with both boys by myself so I was a little nervous about that but they were great and once we got there it was all worth it. My brother and his fiance, Sammi were in town when we arrived. They were there so we could have a bridal shower for her. It turned out great and we are so excited for the two of them. Sammi is such a cute and fun girl and we can't wait until she's officially a part of our family!

The cute couple!

We got to do a lot of fun things while we were in Utah despite the crazy weather (it snowed twice while we were there!). We spent a weekend at the Moffats house where we visited Macie, went to a BYU baseball game, went to the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival and enjoyed some cousin time.

Cannon's first trip to Babyland with us.

Go COUGARS! (They actually got killed by TCU which made it even more painful for us!)

Jackson with Cosmo, his favorite part of the baseball game. He kept calling him "Carlos" (not sure where he came up with that one) but he wanted to hang around him the whole time.

The whole Moffat/Gardner clan at Thanksgiving Point.

We had a wonderful two week visit and as always it went by way too fast. Thanks to all of our family who came to hang out with us. We love you and miss you already!

Spring Time in Texas

Can't pass up an opportunity to take a picture in the Blue Bonnets when they are in bloom. It's so pretty! I love this time of year in Texas!

Jackson turns 3!

We celebrated Jackson's third birthday on April 1st! He was so excited to be turning three and I think I was even more excited that he was potty trained before his birthday! We started the morning off right with PRESENTS!

We had a CARS themed party for him this year and he wanted a Lightning McQueen cake. This is what a came up with. Not exactly what I had pictured in my head, but it turned out pretty cute and he loved it.

(a little shy in the picture of us, but really he did like his cake.)

The Party! We celebrated in style...CHUCK-E-CHEESE style that is! All Jackson had been talking about months before his birthday was Chuck-E-Cheese so we thought why not. On the way to his party we were talking about going there and I asked him if he was excited. He said yes and then I asked him what do you do at Chuck E Cheese? He replied, "I don't know!" It was so funny. All this time he hadn't a clue to what there was to do at this place yet he was dying to go there! Funny boy!

We had a joint party with his friend Norah who's birthday was just a week apart from Jackson's. Her dad made the AMAZING Mr. King car from the movie. The kids had a blast and we literally had to drag them out of there when it was time to go. As we were driving away Jackson said in the cutest, yet sad voice "Bye Chuck E Cheese!"

What a great day! Happy Birthday Jackson!
WE LOVE YOU!

Cannon 4 months

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Can't get enough of this chunky, drool-y, smiley, lovable little guy!

Weekend with Meggi and Papa

Last weekend Meggi and Papa came to visit for a few days before heading down to Cancun for a vacation. We didn't have a whole lot of time with them this visit so we took advantage and packed in as much as we could.

Jackson had been waiting so patiently for them to get here. (I made the mistake of telling him they were coming 4 days before the actually got here and he was constantly asking me when they were coming). He was so excited to go bowling with them for the first time. He loved it and he's not bad for a two year old. He beat me and Meggi!

Papa had fun playing with Cannon and thought it was pretty fun to dress him up in his hat and to put him on Jackson's 4 wheeler. I don't think Jackson ever let Meggi leave his side the whole weekend. We just loved having them here!

Thanks for such a wonderful visit. Come back soon!

Snow? in Texas?

Yup, it snowed here in Texas! We couldn't believe how much snow we got a couple of weeks ago. (I know all of you who don't live here and who might live in Utah are laughing that we think this is a lot, but it is!) We had enough to make a snowman and Jackson was sooo excited about it. He loved watching it fall and was so sad to wake up the next morning to see that it had all melted. I wasn't too sad that it was gone, but it was sure fun while it lasted!

Valentines, twins and a little Chub!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

last week we got together with some friends to make valentine cookies. jackson was so excited because we had been talking about it all day, but he only frosted a few before he lost interest. he was more interested in eating the ones he just frosted than decorating more. a true boy, i guess.

twins? haha...jackson and his cute little friend ava. we were watching her that night and ended up putting them in matching pajamas. they thought it was so much fun to be "twins" we just had to take some pictures of them being so silly!

my cute little chubby guy. i can't believe he is three months and already so big!

Aunt Lynsie

Monday, January 11, 2010

One of my favorite presents I got this year for Christmas was having my little sister Lynsie stay with me for a week and a half after all of our family left. It was the best surprise! After all the presents were open my mom told me I had one left to open but it was hidden in the big suitcase. I figured it must be something that was too big to wrap or too difficult so I opened it up and out popped Lynsie! We had such a great time with her here and miss her so much already. She was such a wonderful helper with the boys and a perfect companion for me during the day. She made me some cute new burp cloths for Cannon and played with Jackson endlessly!

While she was here we celebrated Macie's 5th birthday.

Thanks for such a great visit Lynsie! Come back soon!

(The only picture we took together...right before the big championship game. Hook'em horns!)

Cannon's Blessing

Cannon Jon Gardner was blessed on December 27th in our home ward. Jordan did a great job and we are so thankful to our family and friends who came to support us.

The little guy all dressed up.

The Leinbach side

The Gardner side

December Events

The most wonderful time of the year?...most definitely! We started the month of December off right with our 3rd annual Christmas party. We've done this for the past three years now and this year had to be the best by far. We are so lucky to have such great friends who make it so much fun. Some highlights of the party...yummy tri tip dinner, the MOUSE (yes, a real live mouse) Jordan opened as a white elephant present, the jumping pictures (who knew it would be so much fun to do something so silly) and the game of hide and go seek in the dark (I know pretty juvenile, but oh so fun!)

Jordan's parents came out again the week before Christmas. Jordan and his dad spent the majority of the week working on converting the playroom into a movie room. To make a very long story short, the guys did a great job installing the speaker system but because the TV Jordan ordered got "lost" in the shipping process we never got to fully use the new room while our company was here. These are just a few pictures of the work in progress. More to come of the finished product!

My whole family arrived Christmas Eve to spend the holidays with us too. It was one full house (10 adults and 2 kiddos) but so much fun! We had a relaxing Christmas Eve reading the Night before Texas Christmas and putting out cookies for Santa. Jackson was really into Santa this year which made it so much fun. Christmas morning was priceless as we all watched Jackson open his presents. I think he got spoiled this year having both sets of grandparents here as there were still presents he hadn't opened the next day! He was too into playing with his new toys from Santa to care about opening more.

We enjoyed having so much family here especially my siblings. This was the first time in the almost 5 years that we've lived in Texas that my whole family was here at the same time. Thanks Bry, Derek and Lynsie for putting up with us and for sleeping on the floor. It was great having y'all here!

As always when we all get together (which doesn't happen too often) we have to take a family picture. Pretty good looking group!

Derek, Lynsie, Jackson, Jordan, Cassie, Cannon, Bryant, Meggie and Papa Jon