Amazing Baby Jake

 

I just wanted to write about this amazing little baby that our family was so blessed to get to know. Baby Jake Alan Dennison was born almost 3 weeks ago with a heart condition known as HLHS-Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. His parents, Liz and Tyler, fought hard for this little guy to get here and for his treatment after he was born. They spent hours looking up the condition, dealing with LOTS of doctors and different opinions. After he was born they found out he had other problems they hadn't known about but they never lost the hope for his survival. Jake amazed us all over the coming weeks but finally lost the fight yesterday afternoon.
As hard is it to see him go, I want to tell you of the love and testimony this little guy brought to us. When in the room with him, you could feel his strong spirit. My children even felt it and commented on it. It opened up conversations of the Plan of Salvation and strengthened our testimonies of the gospel. We want to thank the Dennison family for allowing Jake into our lives and feel truly blessed to have them as friends. If you go to their blog you can read about their experience and know for yourselves what a amazing family they are! We will always remember Baby Jake!

 


As a tribute to Baby Jake, we are getting funds together to make baby minky blankets for the heart unit at St. Joe's. Jake had a few and seemed to love the softness of it and we felt that all of the patients should have one of these special blankets as well. If you're interest in donating, call me at 480-988-4499 or e-mail me at nisha323@yahoo.com. You can send the donations to
Summerfield Ward-Blanket Fund
2791 E. Los Alamos Ct.
Gilbert, Az. 85295
All the money will go straight into buying the fabric and tags and we will be doing a special sewing night in a few weeks.Thanks.

Family Vacation Dilemma

As most of you are aware the Gardner's LOVE going on vacation! Who doesn't? Cole and I have realized we only have 4 more summers till Jason leaves on his mission. Only 4! We quickly decided we need to come up with a "Quality over Quantity" vacation strategy. I'm posting this for you, my faithful blog voyeurs, to help us come up with some fun and meaningful vacation ideas for our family. As you can tell from some of these pics we have done some of the necessary family trips, Disneyland (several times), San Diego (Also several times), Walt Disney World (still my favorite!), and even Dallas Texas.
My question to you is where would you suggest? Please keep in mind we have 5 kids and the economic times. Continental US preferred, though cruises are a option.

 At the beach and yes that's a naked baby Erik.



  Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Loved, loved that vacation!(2005-hence the skinny me)



 Disneyland with the Hendrickson's in 2006



  The "Grassy Knoll" in Dallas Texas when we visited the Quinns in 2008.