My Jane Austen inspired birthday party.

I just wanted to thank all who put together the birthday party of my dreams! It was a truly elegant time and the food was divine. I got to dress up, play pretend, eat great food, and talk to friends. Who could ask for more!

The best pick of pictures from Texas!

 
Everything is bigger in Texas!



 
I bought long horns for our bedroom at the cabin. Ye Haw!


 
The rock my children lovingly named the "nipple rock". That one is for you Leslie!

Carlsbad Caverns

 
 
 
 

We left Texas on Friday and drove to New Mexico to stay the night. Next morning, we woke up bright and early to beat the crowds to the caverns. It was a long hike it but well worth it. Cole was the annoying tourist and kept stopping to take pictures every 20 feet. It would not have been that annoying if he had just the camera , but he had a huge camera case AND the camera on a tripod. After a half a hour and many looks from people, I did not claim him and walked on ahead. He did get some amazing pictures and now I'm grateful but then I was just plain annoyed at him.

more pictures from Texas

 
The adults having quite time at dinner at the Salt Grass Steakhouse. Excellent Food!


 
The handsome Gardner boys at the water gardens in Ft. Worth


 
All the younger kids got capes from Six Flags and had to show them off.

Six Flags

We decided to brave the crowds and venture to Six Flags over Texas on Thursday. Holy Cow was it crowded! Donelle was done after we just got there and Cole soon joined her. I was determined to get my moneys worth and make sure we got to ride at least a few rides. The lines for all the good rides were at least an hour to two hours long and it was almost as long for the food and bathrooms! Donelle's niece Kelly came with us and she, Nick and I wanted to ride the Titan and some of the big exciting rides. The crowds got way better after five and Donelle and Cole weren't as annoyed so we stayed till closing. The boys all enjoyed it and we found out that Ryan is our little dare devil. We all decided we like Disney better and they are much better at almost everything.
Today we left the Quinn's and took our sweet time going thru Texas. We ate great B.B.Q. in Abilene and we bought huge longhorn horns to mount over our bed in the cabin. Tonight we are at a Holiday Inn in Carlsbad N.M. and tomorrow we are visiting Carlsbad Caverns and then drive home. Pictures coming on Sunday when we get home.

The Big 'D'

It was another full day. Today we returned to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The start was tough as we wandered lost through the country side. Finally, we found our way and did the tour. The facility was not as large as I expected, but it was secure and orderly. There were lots of big machines and lots of people, printing, reviewing and packing millions of dollars of cash.
With a new map and directions, we hit the highway and drove onto Dallas...first stop, Dealey Plaza where JFK was assassinated. We spent a 1/2 hour looking at the Book Repository building, the grassy knoll and the rest of the plaza.
We skipped the museum because of the outrageous cost for a family our size and the lack of interest with children as young as our group. Tanisha was disappointed, but I promised to return some time without the children.
Our next stop was our own creative walking tour of Dallas. We visited the original Dallas courthouse and passed through the West End District for food and shopping. We stopped at a Western Store where we got Jason a cowboy hat. He asked for a belt and buckle, but I felt I must draw the line there. We then walked about 8 blocks to the Dallas Museum of Art. It was not so much for the Art as it was the start of the McKinney Trolley line. After brief bathroom breaks at the Museum, we hopped the trolley for a relaxing tour of Uptown Dallas.
The area was great with lots of up-scale lofts, restaurants and shopping. The 45 minute ride was a nice break for all the walking. We then walked back the 8 blocks, but following the path along the Trains that run trough town. The kids were certainly tired by the time they returned to the car.
Tanisha and I opted for the scenic drive home. We headed east through Dallas again, past the Convention Center, Farmers Market, some lakes and rivers that were overflowing from all the rains until we ended up in a Country Club neighborhood with fancy mansions on hills. I wonder what those cost? Finally it was time to head west to Fort Worth. It was rush hour, so we traveled the streets through Irving until we could go no further and had to be on the highway. I know what you're thinking, "How do you keep your kids so happy while driving aimlessly for hours in the car?" My answer, Harry Potter Book on CD and handheld video games. The older boys get engrossed in the story. The younger kids fall asleep.
That evening, the adults went out to eat at a restaurant called the Salt Grass Steakhouse. Texas certainly knows steaks. They were seasoned and grilled perfectly. Ask for medium rare, and that is what you'll get. The service was excellent and the company was, as always, made the evening complete. Now you'd think the evening was over, but the ladies headed out to see a movie as well. Yep, we never let a minute go to waste. I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation. --ctg

Texas : Day 3

 
Today we went on a safari with the Quinn's and Mabb's. Today was not the ideal day as it was POURING buckets of water. We had made reservations and could not cancel so off we went. As soon as we stepped on the safari bus, the rain came down. It wasn't too bad at first but then came the wind with the rain and nobody was safe anywhere on the bus.
  I have tons of pictures but I only put 2 on. To make it up to our poor tourtured and emotionally damaged children, we had to visit the gift shop to make it all well again.
  The Quinn's and Mabb's had enough and headed home. We went on to Dublin Texas to go to the Dr. Pepper plant. It was not the big hoopla we had expected but fun nevertheless. We bought shirts, hats, Dr. Pepper syurp, jelly beans, and even Dr. Pepper beef jerky.
 We did not go on to the tour as we were late again and missed it.
Tonight Chrissy, Donelle, and I locked ourselves in Donelle's room and watched 2 hours of the Biggest Loser. The kids survived as did Jon and Cole as they watched a basketball game. Tomorrow we are going back to the "money making place" and get on the tour as we missed it yesterday. We are then on to Dallas to see where JFK got shot. I want to see this the most as I've seen all those history docementries on it. We miss you Jenn and family and wish you were with us.

On the road in Texas

It's Spring Break and what better way to spend the a vacation than by taking your five children and sticking them in the car for a 16 hour road trip across the flat nothingness of New Mexico and Texas. That is what we've done and we have had a great time along the way. Out final destination has been Fort Worth to spend time with Friends. I must add how grateful we are to them for letting the 7 of us displace their family for a week.
We spent our first day out in Fort Worth seeing the local sites. Our first stop was the Fort Worth Stockyards where we were able to follow the history of the Cattleman of Texas. We saw a cattle drive down the main street, though the kids and spouses seemed to expect some form of the running of the bulls. It was not quite as exciting, but those giant longhorns are still a site to behold. The kids ran through a cattle pen maze, while Donnelle took on the mechanical bull, YeeHaw! We then settled in for some BBQ (see Whine and Dine for the review).
Our next stop was the US Bureau of Printing and Engraving. This virtual fortress is on of the location that print the US money. The museum was interesting, though we were disappointed we did not get there in time for the our. Sorry, no photos allowed here. After a trip to the gift shop for shredded money we headed for the Downtown area to see the water gardens.
The water gardens are an architectural garden in the middle of the city with pools, misters and waterfalls among the trees. The kids had a great time climbing the walls and sticking their hands in the water.
What' on tap next? Tomorrow we venture into rural Texas to visit an Safari style animal reserve, a dinosaur park, and the Dr Pepper plant and museum. It should be a full and long day. ctg

Happy 35th Birthday Kelly!

 
 

I just wanted to wish one of my very best friends a Happy Birthday on March 17th.
Kelly and I have known each other since....forever! She is a great friend and a truly amazing woman. Here is some unique things that I admire and love about her.

-She and her mother holds a humanatrian gatherning once a month and they have donated many items to needy families and organzations. She is always at Joanne's buying fabric.
- She has been a foster parent to many lucky children and has 3 children currently with their family.
- She is also mom to 6 of her own children whom I love dearly. She is so good about having quality personal time with eachof them and even makes them enter projects into the state fair.
- She doesn't drink pop and she walks almost every night.
- She does achivement days at her house with 25 girls and she always has then doing the neatest projects. I hope they appreciate her or at least I hope their parents do.
- She always has a clean house. All 7000 sq ft! She also does all the bills and domestic affairs. She does everything with style.
- She loves the lord and the gospel and is a true insparation.

I could go on and on but I'll save some for next year. I love you Kelly and have a great birthday. We'll celebrate when I get back from Texas!

22 Reasons Why I Love Donelle & Count Her As A Friend!

1. Was my one of my rollerblading buddies and our never ending friendly battle to be the skinniest. She now wins. I've gained 12 pounds since she left.

2. Our late night visits to Sonic & Dairy Queen (even on a Sunday once) to have our own gripe sessions.

3. She introduced me to some amazing friends that I love dearly as much as she does.

4. Pulling pranks with others in the ward. One year delivering old dishwashers and putting them on porches with lights around them. Another year a old car wrapped in lights and christmas crap and putting in front of the Bishops house. We were one of the recipients and loved it.

5. She throws amazing parties and thinks it out to the last detail. Our own group activity leader if you will. Had some of the BEST ward parties I've seen!

6. Remembers every ones Birthday.

7. Is the best cruising buddy around and I can't wait to do it again someday.

8. Will not tolerate the phase " I don't have the time". In her eyes everyone has the same time, we just have to use it to the best of our ability.

9. Was the best camp director I had, even if we only spent 3 actual hours at camp before the fire drove us out. Though 3 years later I was hers and can say I've sleep next to Donelle in her "unddies". You got to be friends after that experience.

10. Can pick out the ugliest dress out of Savers and go out in public in it.

11. Loves her Family and heritage and shares that with her friends. Just ask her and she'll show you the sights of Safford and meet the parents. Maybe you'll be lucky and get some pecans from the Wheeler's trees.

12. Has a nursing degree and is a hard working ER nurse. Love her stories too!

13. Loves to go shopping with me and can talk me into buying just about anything. (Not that it is too hard!)

14. Is the reason I started to blog.

15. Made us go out and start having "Girls Nights". Gotta love her just for that one alone.

16. Is a person I look up to spiritually. She has helped me gain a stronger testimony and be a better person.

17. Taught us that even while camping you can still make ice cream the old fashion way.

18. Is making me go to a country concert. Hell might be freezing over on May 31st!

19. Let me tear down her ugly, I mean lovely wall paper and enjoy ever minute of it!

20. Has a husband that can just do about everything and fix anything. Now I love Cole dearly but I do envy Donelle on that.

21. Has 2 girls that I can make bracelets for and pretend they are mine when they stay with us.

22. Is a true friend and will always be there for you.