Shhhh....don't tell him.

Sorry...but I think this kid is handsome...too bad it's me thinking it..I have learned Mom's opinions don't count. But I had to post it any way..after all..I am the Mom. :0)

Let's go fly a kite!

What do you do on a windy day in San Diego? You go fly kites that's what. It was unusually windy and chilly on Tax Day. But we decided to venture out, get some kites and have some fun. At first you can see not everyone was thrilled about it, however as the time went by we all got into the fun of it and had a great time!
What is it about flying kites that's so fun?! Woohoo!

Easter at Grandma and Grandpa's

We had a great day with Grandma and Grandpa. They prepared a most delicious dinner (as usual). BBQ boneless pork ribs , mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and yummy salad then Easter candy and strawberry shortcake for dessert. We love to video chat with Caitlin and Kamden on Sundays. Gotta love technology!Grandma and Grandpa hid goodie eggs in the back yard, we had to hold the big kids back to save some for the younger ones. We all posed for a family picture, minus Kam and Tyler, minus Caitlin - all in Utah, minus, Jaren who was snoozen in the back room on grandmas bed. We missed John, Jen and Porter but send our love to them!

Good Job Rilyn!

It was a fun play week for Rilyn, thanks to everyone that came to see the play!

Peter Pan Jr. Theater presents "Oliver"

Hey just a reminder if any of you would like to come see the play.
It will run April 1-4. There is a matinee as well on Saturday. Here is the website if you'd like more information and it also has on line ticket purchasing if you are interested.http://www.ppjt.org/ Rilyn would love to see you there!

Child labor love....

Jaren has always loved working out in the yard with Daddy. Actually, working with Daddy anywhere is his favorite thing to do!Here are some pics of a hard working three year old, I especially like the "UnderRoos" shot.

What would you make out of a paper cup, 8" piece of ribbon, paper plate,three toothpicks, a fork and a paper napkin?

This is what Teagan came up with. Way to go Tea!

My Dad by Brittan Gardner

Brittan put this together in her Tec Discoveries class. Doug got down the boxes from the garage with all the high school stuff to let her select what she needed for the project. Brittan asked if he would pick out some music she could use. For him that was the best part! Going through his albums!!! He really liked the video but he loves the music! Thanks Brittan, Enjoy!

my thoughts from my brain...

Ive been thinking lately, I really think it's fun to be me. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not always easy, exciting or flashy, but for me, it's fun.

It struck me the other day as I was finishing up my cycling class. We were on our last "hill", I was tired, sucking for air and soaked. Suddenly I felt a rush of gratitude. Gratitude that I could feel that way. Gratitude that I had the ability to feel that way. I thought, someday I will not be able to do this, I will only be able to remember and talk about doing this...(probably to people that won't really care that I did this.) So, I felt happy in my misery and it was fun.

I love to be a mom of 7. It is so funny to me to think that 7 people call me mom. I would have never guessed I would have had a large family. Never. But I am so happy about it. It doesn't seem like that many really. They are all people I love to be with. I love them all. They are fun.

My kids play sports. They always have. To organize schedules attend soccer and softball games is something I've done for 20 years now. I sit and enjoy the games. I roll my eyes at the parents that can't just sit and enjoy.
It's fun to just sit and enjoy.

I have a husband that makes my life easy. He has always let me be me. Never has tried to change me. He is kind, easy going, fair and always gives you the benefit of the doubt. He laughs at my goofiness. He works hard. He is helpful and just plain a good man. His love is consistent. Through poor and a little less poor, marathon body to pregnant mega mom body, he has been my number one fan. Because I have him, and love him, it's fun to be me.

It's fun to be me because I know who I am. I know why I'm here. When you know that,it gives you perspective on everything else. It's fun to have a sure measuring stick for life. It's not fun to have to guess. It's fun to know.

In a strange way it's good to be me because I know I can be better. I am familiar with my weaknesses. They are not hard to figure out for me. They are obvious, and I claim them as my own. It's good to be me because I know they don't have to be permanent. It is fun to be me because I have faith and hope in my life.

As Andrea would say, "That's all."

A Trip to Birch Aquarium

Friday, Jaren, Grandma and I took a trip the the Birch Aquarium. I don't think I've been there since my older group of kids went as elementary school age kids. It was a beautiful San Diego Day to spend in the hills above the beach learning about fishes and all their varieties. Afterward, we took our time eating lunch outside and soaked up the warm sunshine. I would have to say it was one one the most perfect outings we've ever had. Thanks for sharing it with us Grandma, we love you!

Hot Wheel Jump For Jaren

Weston made this simple jump with the Hot Wheels track for Jaren. Little brother loved it!

Long Live the Hot Wheel Track!

Jaren has discovered the Hot Wheels Track. First it was his Daddy's, then cousin Jake's next big brother Weston and now it is his to discover. We had a fun time today trying out the different cars to see which did the best. In case you're curious, the bright orange Camino won hands down.Gotta love the classic toy that never gets old.Zooooommmmmm.....

Good Morning Milo will be preforming Saturday, February 21,7:00pm at Soma.
Soma 3350 Sports Arena Blvd. Suite I
San Diego, CA 92110
Great Band. Great Kids.Great Show.

Ok..these things work.

My Mom gave me a box of these green bags about two months ago. So I decided to try them, I've used them ever since, they are great and do keep the fruits and vegetables, cheese or bread, or what ever bag you are using them for, fresh way past the time you'd normally expect the food to spoil.They're reusable to boot. It is nice to finally find product that actually does what it claims to do!

Our 9 year Olds' List of Goals.

Our 9 year old made some goals for herself and put them on a list.
I love this list.
They are in no particular order.
The check mark means she's met the goal.
Great list Kiddo!

Gymming...

Hello hello,
I know don't fall over dead that I'm actually putting something up on the blog.
So remember how I used to play soccer a lot and run a lot because of it, well obviously the shape that I had then is not quite the shape I have now and frankly I haven't really my more mature curvy round shape since I've been home from my mission and married. But lately I kept hearing things coming from the prophets mouth's like, bodies are great gifts, treat them as the amazing creations that they are, exercise etc. But I knew very well how horribly out of shape I was and understood the drag of actually trying to go back. Then in started to snow and be really cold outside. But it seemed every time the sun would come out I'd feel alive again. Feeling alive I wanted to start to do fun things again, but it was still to cold to do anything. I started thinking about the fact that even though my brothers and sisters would beg to differ I am still young and have a great opportunity to do my body a favor and use it! I started watching "The Biggest Looser" and realizing that my body knew how to run hard and work and be disciplined, something that a lot of these amazing people had to learn to do to loose A LOT of weight. I knew it was time, I had been thinking of getting a gym pass when Jennifer, my mother in law, told me that she and her sisters, mom and niece were going to be going a "biggest looser" contest, everyone putting money into the pot to be awarded to the person that looses the most percentage of weight. Frankly I don't think it will be me because of my awesome rippling muscles, but man wouldn't it be great if I did. (Secretly I really do want to be the biggest looser) So I did my research and found the right gym for me at 24 hour fitness down the road, these people are a little more normal and a little less intense than Gold's. (I feel like wearing big t-shirts is acceptable here- and I like it) anyway...mom's facebooked something that reminded me that she still goes to the gym at 5:30am and it hit me how if my mom could do it so could I. I have class at 8:00am everyday and hate getting ready twice in a day, so I'd make the gym work for me in the morning. It's been a week now and I'm five pounds lighter-yikes?! My body must be in shock, I'm feeling so much more alert and happy though, and sleeping sooooo good at night. Here's one to mom inspiring me once again to be a fit woman and do it right. I'm starting off easy but I'm determined to be looking pretty good by July 1, and so on. Hold me to it, I'm accountable to you all. Love you so much.
fat slammin' kam

Mario Galaxy Magic

The video begins with Jaren in a crabby mood becoming fed up with a teasing big brother that he says he does not want! However Weston has learned it only takes two little words to change the worse mood in his little brother.
The mood change is miraculous!

love in the little things <3

Tonight I decided (out of boredom & free time) to paint my fingernails.

This simple act brought me to recall sweet memories I made with Grandma Gardner. <3
One of the few things I claimed after she passed away was her Revlon Liquid Quick Dry, which "Instantly Dries Nail Enamel." :)

Now, this is pretty silly, and I doubt anyone else even took second thought about her nail care and polish crate under her sink in the bathroom, but certain nostalgic feelings arise when I remember her love shown through little actions--one of the many was nail painting. There was a point in my childhood when I remember going to Grandma's house, and for one reason or the other, almost every time I arrived she was either filing or painting her nails. I distinctly remember how perfectly shaped her nails were and how I liked the look of the ridges on her nails through the slightly metallic rose-colored polish. The times I came over and she wasn't doing her nails, I would be sure to grab her supplies for her and drop the "subtle" hint that I'd like her to paint my nails that day. She would always willingly comply by lovingly taking my small hands in her warm, soft hands and placing them on one of the towels that draped over her chair arm rests -- oh how special I felt.



I am so grateful for love in the little things.

Sweet grandma, I love & miss you. <3
here's my heart,
Caitlin Noël