I still DO

I just have to say that 11 years later...

It just keeps getting better!

Maybe we've learned to listen to one another without trying. Or maybe it's that we appreciate the little things more, and don't worry about the little troubles as much. We've definately weathered the storms of illness, disease, death and fatigue. But then again we've been witness' to many miracles; children, love, home, gospel. Quite possibly it is that he is far less selfish than I. Or that we compliment one anothers strengths and distract from each others weaknesses. All I know for sure is that each day I give thanks that my husband cherishes his wife, his children and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am proud to have four little boys that will learn and grow watching Monte's example of how to treat others and how to be a repected, strong, good man. I am only left to wonder how much better it will get in the years to come?

is it edible?

There are some perks to starting on solid foods... like handing the baby the tough part of your steak...medium rare...must be an Arnett because he took to it right away.

And the ever popular, cleaning off the beater with your tongue, I believe this is where all of my children have fallen in love with the pre-cooked baked items, such as, cake, cookies and short breads...

Random Sampling

Ever wonder what a Gardiner girl would look like?

Seth is such a good sport! Playing with puzzles while Mommy plays withe her new camera! Yes, we've finally done it. We've paid and arm and a leg and sacrificed quite a few date nights out but our new arrival is here. the Cannon rebel xsi...welcome little one...

Clyde's clothing fiasco!

SOOOO...Clyde got ready for school one morning and I thought to myself, "boy those shorts have NOT held up well. I can't believe how much they've shrunk." He looked like he was wearing little girl capri's. I wasn't too surprised though because they looked like the ones I got from Big Lots for $2. I made a quick mental note NOT to EVER purchase clothing from Big Lots again and decided that when he took them off I would give them to our cousin Janet. Well, it wasn't worth the fight to get him to change out of them before school, so I let him wear them. It wasn't till the next morning while picking their clothes up off of their bedroom floor from the night before that I noticed, they weren't his shorts after all, they were Jackson's 6-9 month old Pants!

Student of the Quarter!

My Monte Birk was academic student of the quarter from his Kindergarten class this month! He really is going to grow up and know TONS more than his mom! Mathematically his teachers have all been blown away by his skill and understanding and his vocabulary could stump a 12 year old!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Monte Birk (aka Ninja)

Seth (aka Bumblebee)

Clyde (aka Optimus Prime)

Jackson (moooo)

Ward Party with friends

Jillian Ellsworth, Donovan Parke, Piper Whiting, Spencer Ellsworth, Monte Birk, Trystan Vinal, McCabe, Braden Tueller

Tyler Jones, Monte Birk, Nathan Ghisolfo

Braden Tueller, Clyde, Seth

Grandma's here for Halloween

Annual Neighborhood Pumpkin Carving Contest

Seth always wants a "happy, happy, happy," jack-o-lantern for Halloween. So this year when he drew his "happy" face I was careful to cut only where his lines were. His pumpkin is far right in the picture...the one that looks like Oscar the Grouch. Well, when he saw that it didn't turn out happy he burst into tears and was only pacified when I let him help me on my "happy" one (center). Funny thing was, Seth didn't mind his scary pumpkin at all once the voting was finished and he had won the prize for scariest pumpkin!

In attendance were the Chad Jacks family, the Jon Ellsworth family, the Kevin Tueller family, the Monte Gardiner family, Savanna and her grandma Carol Cundif, the Russell family, Grandpa Arnett and Grandma Gardiner.


Monte Birk carved his entire Jack-o-Lantern by himself this year. I was so proud of him. It turned out very nicely. Seth and Clyde still refused to touch the ICKY insides but drew their faces for Monte and I to carve for them.

Pumpkin Patch

Jackson

Monte

Clyde

Seth

Halloween T's

Not to be out done my my sister I DID end up having friends over to make the incredible Halloween T's. (Thanks Ana Tueller, Jorgianna Langkilde and Ashley Whiting for playing with me!) ...it served me well because I made Monte and I each a shirt and sent two to Utah to my nieces, and I made them for our annual pumpkin carving contest for the over-all winners of the different age divisions (post to come) Now that's a lot of shirts!

It's been an exciting week for the Gardiner boys!

2 field trips in 2 days!

At the Firestation with pre-school we learned about fire safety...stop drop and roll...and to wear our seat belts "no matter what!" We saw where the firmen sleep, eat, watch tv, excercise...it was so COOL!

The fire trucks wheels were taller than us!

The Kindergarten-ers got to go to the COW FARM and learn what cows eat (a magnet, cotton seed...you name it!), how much they weigh (1500 pds), how much milk they make (8 gal per day), how big their shots are (gigantic!), how often they bathe them (2ce a day)...we even saw a 2 hour old calf stand up for the first time! We love our teacher Ms Dillon (on the right) It was so special!

We fed the sheep, donkey and horse...we held a rooster and rabbit in our arms and we got to taste one of 8 different flavors of milk!

aren't you jeaous of Arizona's

80 degree weather and big blue sky?