PaRAde!!

Veteran's Day could not have been more perfect than it was this year! Check my blog about last year's parade.

I wrote then about my strong feelings for our wonderful country and the men and women that

protect it and secure our safety.

What better way to teach my children about the American Flag than going to a parade that is FuLL of the American Flag. Monte Birk was vigilant in telling us to put our hand over our hearts each time he saw one coming in the distance.
The Teullers came with us again this year and we got FanTaStiC seats right next to the grand stand!! great location...they were giving out red, white and blue balloons AND FLAGS...I got a ballot to vote for the best participants in the parade...I may just be sentimental but I admit that the Mountain View band brought a tear to my eye when they began the parade with "...On Toro's On..." That band is still the largest high school band in Mesa!

...and YES, I cried thanking the veterans of our country and their wives for their sacrifice and service...just like I do

EVERY YEAR!

StaTe FaIr

We did go...we do have pictures and stories...hmmmmm...

"The Choice"

To all the many amazing women I know that have made

"The Choice"

You know the one...the daily one that we make every morning when we wake to those big, sweet eyes needing thier diapers changed, and their breakfast made, and their home work done, and someone to sit with them while they practice, before we help them get dressed and off to school, lessons, classes, naps...all the while hoping that we make it though the morning without vomiting because the unborn one in our belly is needing something that we have yet to figure out...

VALIDATE ME!!!

I couldn't be happier to be a stay at home mom singing lullabies...right?!

and yet...missing my old life of music VERY badly! Sometimes when I sing in church etc...and they say, "Wow! You're good, have you ever had lessons?" Or, heaven forbid, the Dr. that actually told me yesterday that I have "two vocal chords in my throat" (REALLY? Wow! enlighten me some more!) I want to SCREAM!! Masters Degree!!! Professional Singer...and while we're at it I'd like my $75. rate for singing at your wedding...please...

Just tell me that I'm not alone

and I'll go away quietly without a fight!

And Finally!!

HapPy HaLlOwEeN!

(ok, so the pregnant, Mormon, nun could use a different pair of shoes...)

Halloween night we were happily surprised to see a HUGE turn out of trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood!

Jack-et

Clyde
Seth and Clyde are happy to do a few houses and then they want to pass out candy with me. Seth actually came back and dumped his loot into our bowl to give away! "Mom, I don't want this junk!
Monte Birk actually had it "going on" this year! He was a man with a mission and he was on fire! I wish I had a picture of him with his scooter zig-zagging through the streets passing people by the dozens! He covered a good 3 blocks! By the end his scooter was veering to the left because of the weight of his candy bag! Needless to say, there is too much candy in our house right now! (And Seth has changed his mind about wanting it!) I find if I leave it out they loose interest soon enough. That is, all except Jack-et! That kid could live on sugar!

Does anyone else get going and forget about dinner on Halloween night? Or is it just me scrambling to nuke some taquitos for them to eat as we walk from house to house?

School

For the school parties we dug into our costume bag and had some fun...Monte Birk put on 4 that morning before he finally "settled" on one!

Monte Birk-Seth and Clyde

Trunk or Treat

This year there were too many Halloween parties to be just one thing at each...so here goes...

Seth-Bumblebee

Clyde-Optimus Prime

Monte Birk-Harry Potter

No Jack...he went on a "quick trip" to Utah with his Daddy for the weekend while the rest of suffered without them!

more shots

After we dropped off Monte Birk we had time for another photo shoot...I couldn't resist these shots! You can really see their individual personalities.

Walking to the playground with our carpooler friend Allie. And yes, they pretty much tower this much over every other kindergartener as well.

CrAzy HaiR dAy!

Holy cow this was a FuN morning!! After breakfast, scriptures, homework and practicing were done (yes we try and do it all every morning) we got to try something new…

Clyde and Seth had crazy hair day at school today. (Smart school to do it on a half day…)
We went all out with the color and spike gel. They each got to design their own color scheme.

Clyde-ster (blue hawk/red sides)

Seth-erino (red hawk/striped sides)
He looks to sweet too pull off this crazy man doo.
Monte Birk didn't have crazy hair day at his school, but he didn't feel like missing out on all of the fUn either. He went brunette…it totally changed the way he acted within seconds! He turned into this "cool dude". Kind-of fun to see what a brunette Gardiner would look like…but I DO so love his red har!

"Loosed tooth"

"Oh, Mom!! And did you know? I loosed my tooth on the school bus!!"

SeTh's first "loosed" tooth

Birthdays! Birthdays! Birthdays!

We haven't had the friend party yet (the ward camp-out, post to come, got in the way)…but the DaY was a special one! He got an erector set with an engine…already we've constructed a helicopter and are planning to make the motorcycle when he is finished showing off the first!

The smarter oldest brother got up behing the lip of the counter for shelter to re-load. He also had better shots at his opponets that way. Uncle Billy will be so proud!

Let's PaRtY!!

Their party was OveR the ToP!! We definitely have gotten the hang of decorating this PlaYroOm!!

Clyde-L, Seth-R

Check out my new found talent up on the walls behind the couch, and that's just the beginning! They are covering the 3 WaLLs of the playroom! Just look at the joy on Clyde's face...we've always called his smiles "full bodied!" Seth wanted a picture with every one of his posters...these are just a few. After the party they all got hung in their bedroom for further enjoyment! 12, count 'em, 12 little buggars!! (minus a few that came in late but including Monte and his guest...) It was a FuLL HouSe!!

ben, malloy, clyde, colby swallow, cameron parke, tristan vinal, monte birk, braden tueller, curtis hallstead, seth, ryan povar, sienna schulte

GarBAge BaLls!!
So AweSOmE!!!!!!!!!! We made GarBAgeE balls (thanks Aunt Cynthia for the idea) and had basket shooting contests. We did relays with our SWoRdS and BallOonS and played a rousing game of hot potato with a BatMaN action figure (Clyde's hero.)

Seth above Clyde below

BaTMaN and SpEed RaCer cupcakes and then presents finished off the event. It couldn't have been more perfect for my perfect little twosome!

We'Re FiVE!!!

Seth and Clyde's Birthday was a huge hit! On their actual DaY they opened presents, bright and EARLY, of course, and had their Cole Cousins and Grandpa over for swimming and pizza!

Clyde

Seth

SCHOOL!

Why is it that the first day of school I start out so happy...big breakfast...happy smiles...excited children...new clothes...but end up weeping? I miss my kiddos so much already!

First Grade!!

He didn't even want me to walk him to his line on the playground. "Just drop me off mom, it's easier that way." I remember he used to make me wait with him until the bell sounded and then he would run from my side...but NOT until then!~

Kindergarten!!

My babies! Call me a wimp it's just 1/2 day, but my BIG boys weren't supposed to get so big so fast! They did awesome getting in the line and playing on the playground. I can't wait to pick them up and hear how it all went!Mrs. Mellow, they may split her class up...I am praying hard that we get to keep her! Seth was excited and couldn't wait to get in the classroom.Clyde...a little apprehensive about leaving mom...aren't we all?I look so happy...I am so happy...off to put Jack down for a nap and wonder what to do with myself before picking up my babies in 3 hours!