Duck Hunting

Every year Josh and I love to go Duck hunting on opening day. This year we had to wait a few days, but the kids had a couple of days off school so we decided to take them all. We set up a blind that they all kinda hid in while Josh and I sat out in the willows. It was a lot warmer than normal so we didn't see many ducks, but we had so much fun. Josh loves taking Rocky hunting- he has turned out to be a great dog! It was so beautiful where we were set up that its hard to not enjoy yourself when you are out there. Thanks for taking us babe!

Pumpkin Patch Adventures

My little pre-schooler, isn't he just adorable? Each year the ABC Express Pre-school (which my kids have gone to for 4 years now) goes to the pumpkin patch. There they have an awesome corn maze that has all kinds of fun questions. If they answer the questions correctly it helps them get out of the maze, and they get to learn fun things. There is also a petting zoo, and a kids zone. They have HUGE pumpkins that the kids can pick out and take home. We had so much fun taking all the kids. I love doing fun stuff like this as a family.

This is Timothy's buddy Rendon who goes to pre-school with him. They had so much fun together.

Family Photos

I got the chance to take OUR family pictures over conference weekend. I tell you it was hard work trying to actually be in the pictures my own self, but it was definitely worth it. Here is just a taste of a couple pictures- if you wanna see more you have to visit my photography blog...

www.highdesignphotography.blogspot.com

Its Soccer Season

Its fall time and soccer season has begun again. This season we signed Tommy up for Gate City Soccer League- the teams are a lot better, a lot more competitive and just a lot more fun for Tommy. He says its more challenging and he likes it a lot! The team name is the VIPERS (I think-yeah I know a good mom should know that right!) There have been 3 games so far and we have won 2 of them- and the other one we kept up pretty well, they only beat us by 1 goal. I get a little excited because he is so good at this game and he just gets better and better. I love the practices, the trainings and the games are so much better to watch! Instead of everyone clumping together to get the ball they are actually playing positions, working together, passing and all that stuff! It's truly amazing to watch!

Here's Tommy throwing it in- somehow I think his mind was on basketball at the moment!

GO VIPERS!

CANNONBALL!!!!!

This Labor Day Weekend while we were in Utah for my grandpa's funeral, we needed to stay in a hotel, and one major requirement is an indoor pool. As you can see, the kids LOVE to swim! They were practicing their cannonballs- and I was fortunate enough to catch it on camera.

A Great Man

On Thursday night, September 2, 2010 about 9:30pm my grandpa- Thurman William Gardner- died at his home, surrounded by his wife and children. He is the best grandpa a girl could ever ask for. He was such a good example of how to live a Christ-like life. He was always willing to serve others, to teach others and to love others. He loved his wife, my sweet grandma, more than life itself. His last words were "I love you" to her. He was a great father. He taught his children well. He was an only child but created quite a posterity- He had 4 children, 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. The greatest blessing was that almost everyone was able to be there for the funeral. Everything was so lovely, and I was blessed enough to be with my parents and grandma for the weekend while preparing everything. It was so great to see my grandmother and her strength. She is an amazing woman! I loved my grandpa and I will miss him, but I am grateful that he no longer has to suffer, and I am grateful to know that he is with our Heavenly Father.

Thurman William Gardner

8/4/1928-9/2/2010

A New School Year

This was such a great summer, but very long. We have been waiting for school to start for a few weeks and we were all very excited when it finally did. Can you tell how excited these kids are? Even Timothy got to get in on the "first day of school pictures" since he is starting Pre-School this year. Yes, that's right- ALL FOUR KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL THIS YEAR! (And you wondered why I was so anxious for school to start.) Tommy is in 3rd grade this year, Savana is in 2nd grade, Siera is in Kindergarten (all day every other day) and Timothy is in Pre-school two days a week! I am really excited for them to make new friends, learn new things and improve on the things they already know. I just love school!