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!

Happiness=Sandbox

From the moment we moved into our big new beautiful home Seth has been asking ONE question..."Daddy, when are you going to build me my sandbox?" We've been patiently explaining that there were other priorities that had to come first. But you see, the boy's favorite feature in the old house was the sandbox we made when MonteBirk was a baby. Daddy got a little anxious about it himself this summer...they all LOVE the sand box, but Seth's pleas were so heart wrenching...the day before I took the boys to Utah for an extended "get out of Dodge" this is what we had...

BEFORE

And what we came home to after a mere 9 days in Utah...much to all of our surprise!

AFTER

Built to Seth's specifications

*2 umbrella's for shade*deep enough that you can never find the bottom *big enough for all 4 boys to play at the same time...
We all agreed that WE'VE GOT THE BEST DAD!!

Great minds think alike so they say. Karen and I both brought glow sticks for the kids to play with that evening. There was no shortage of pretend light sabers!

Seth has a special friendship with cousin Kalena. They really seemed to hit it off on this trip! The joy of it all is that it takes maybe a nano second for these sweet faces to turn into

this when they are together!

Fireworks

Isn't my sisters family GORGEOUS!!?? They brought a picnic dinner for us all to share while we waited for the fireworks. I was worried that sitting out and waiting for 4 hours would be a bit much for the kids. But Karen was right, once again, and it was an awesome time playing and enjoying the weather while we waited for the sun to go down.