Fall 2011

I have been thinking about the blog for MONTHS.  Wow it's been over a year since I added anything.  I guess having 3 kids tipped me over the edge as far as being able to keep up with the blog.  So, I am going to try to add some photos for our family history so we can remember all the great things that have  happened!

 Zach continues to grow.  He has the cutest smile! We love the U of U onesie from Grandma Jackie and Grandpa Reed!

  My 3 boys: they are best friends (except when they fight...which is never of course!) 

 Zach LOVES his Daddy!  Daddy always gets the best smiles and laughs from our little baby!

Lake Tahoe (aka Lake Taco)

We took our first road trip with the new baby to Lake Tahoe in fall, 2011. It was about a 5 hr. drive but the kids did great.  Josh called it "Lake Taco" which we quickly adopted and continue to say today!  The weather was gorgeous and because it was off season, we had the entire beach/lake/town to ourselves!  We stayed in a fun condo on the beach.

 The sunset was gorgeous over the lake

 We couldn't keep the boys out of the water.  At first it was just shoes and socks off, then their pants were wet, so they came off, then their shifts were also soaking wet and had to be removed.

 By the time we were ready to go back to the condo, all the boys were wearing were diapers and undies.  I have a great picture of both of them walking back like this but Tommy, (now a big 6 year old) is watching me as I put this on the internet and he says he is too old now to have a photo of him only in his spiderman undies on the internet, which I will respect.  (Though he still doesn't care who sees him in his undies on the beach, since he is always quick to strip down to play in the water- go figure...) So Josh is pictured alone, walking back from the beach in his soggy lake filled diaper after getting totally soaked. (And he doesn't care who sees it!)

 The ride home from Tahoe: Josh got a new ball at Tahoe and a halloween bucket at Wendy's.  He refused to part with them in the car but must also hold his beloved blankie and Oso, so he had his hands full!

Roaring 20's Med Staff Dinner Dance, Oct 2011

 Dave and I had a great time dressing up 20's style for the Med Staff Dinner Dance at the Carmel River Ranch

Halloween 2011

 We decorated our car like a shark and played the Jaws music for our church Trunk-or-Treat.  The candy was in the trunk and kids had to reach in between the jaws for it!  Zach and I were Santa and his elf, Tommy was Optimus Prime, a transformer, Josh was Spiderman, Dave was a hippie.  Everyone loves Dave in the wig.

Moving Nov 2011

 We received news that the elderly owner of our house in Pacific Grove passed away and that our house was going to be sold.  So we went on a mad hunt to find a new rental house.  This great backyard sold us on our new/current house.  So we got ready to move!  Again!!  Our 3rd move in 3.5 years.  Our 6th move since leaving SLC for Virginia.

 Saying goodbye to our old house.  It wasn't the most beautiful house, but we liked it and had some good times there.  The kids loved to sit right here on the counter whenever we making food, especially to help make cookies!    (And yes, they always prefer to dress alike if possible.)

 Moving Day!  Jesus and his companeros helped us haul our stuff...again... They are making bets on how long until they move us again.  They were so nice and let our boys ride up and down on the truck elevator to load up the truck.  Moving day is probably the single greatest day for little boys.  It involves trucks, boxes, dollies, moving elevators, new house... so exciting.

 All  moved in to our new home!  

Cousins, Nov 2011

 We had a great visit from Katie, Brandon and their 3 kids as they passed through on their way to southern California for Thanksgiving.  We played so hard that the kids were out in a flash at night, sleeping all over each other!

 One of the more memorable parts to the trip: some sea kayaking.  Both Katie/Elle and Tommy/me were capsized in the breakers.  The kids did not appreciate it.  Brandon/Sebastian managed better with their fine water skills!

 Pre-Capsize:  Elle can't wait to get dunked in the 57 degree water!  Fun!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Gardners!