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.

6 Random Things About Me

Bekki Tolman has tagged me again so here it goes....

1. I bought my 14 year old a razor to shave off his "stach". Is that too young???

2. I have OCD and only know it too well. Unfortunately that is not geared towards weight loss
(at this time) or housework.

3. I've been loving sleeping in till 8:30 because Cole has been taking the kids to school.Gotta
love that man. That means I stay up late reading.

4. I have fake teeth. The first 6 top ones are procelain veneers. My loving father-in-law gave them to me 12 years ago.

5. I hate mopping my floors. You just have to look at my crawling 10 month old niece who has dirty knees
and filthy socks after I watch her.

6. I dream about someday when the kids are grown and gone about traveling all over the globe
with my dear husband. New Zealand, Switzerland, Tahiti, just to name a few.

Okay, I guess now I have to tag people.
1. Leslie- update you blog already girl!
2. Chrissy- the same!!
3. Alene
4. Cassie
5. Donelle
6. Anyone else that I dearly love. I don't have room to name you all!

Nick- innocence gone?

Nick is our second boy and therefore tries as he might to gain our attention. He has developed a wicked sense of humor and I love him dearly for that, most of the time.
Last night for family night I made all the family watch "Becoming Jane". Since I have no girls I subject my boys to my love of all things Jane. Well I had been doing laundry that day and had washed some "Victoria's Secret" purchase I had bought for Valentine's Day. Not thinking about it while I folded clothes on the couch as we watched the movie. Nick then picked up my "underwear" and said, "Whoa Mom, what are these". I tried to grab them but he swiped them away and looking startled said, "No really Mom, what ARE these". By that time I was laughing so hard and as was Cole that I think it set in to Nick. "Oh, these must be your "FUN undies". That boy is going to be the death of us.
Here he is in simpler times.

Bag Tag

My long lost friend Bekki Tolman has Bag Tagged me. That means I am to reveal the contents of my bag or purse. Well I don't have time to take a picture of it so I'll bore you with telling you the contents of it. My purse contains a wallet, a calendar of Trevor's scouting activities, 2 pencils, 1 pen, a pop tab (long story), a travel first aid kit( who wouldn't with 5 boys), lip gloss, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, a camera memory card(that's where it is!), ibuprofen, and LOTS of gum.
Thanks for the tag Bekki and now I tag...... really whomever wants to.

Good Times

I was looking through pictures today and thought you would find these amusing.



This is how we announced the coming of Gardner Boy # 5. The shirts say Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro, and Cinco. I'm wearing Cinco with the arrow pointing at my tummy. It was Cinco de Mayo and we were going to a family party. Boy, I look like a chubby pregnant mother with terrible dye job, which I was! (2002)
























Erik channeling his inner Zorro and Catherine Zeta Jones at the same time!(2003)

I love these types of photos. The way they truly are most of the time. Trevor still likes his nose picking time.(2003)

Boys Quilting???

Yes, you are seeing correctly. I got my boys to help tie a quilt! ( 2 actually! ) My mother-in-law is making new quilts for the boys bedrooms for the new cabin and wanted the boys to participate. Jason was relucant and only tied a few squares but Nick took to it and liked it, so much so he now wants me to help him make one. Ryan loved it as well and Trevor got in on the action but we don't have a picture of him. :( Erik was the only one who wouldn't be bothered with it. I need to mention that this was on Super Bowl Sunday. The boys would be embarassed if their friends found out that they did less than "manly" activities on that day, though Jason only worked 10 min so he could go watch the game.

Jason in Cross Country

Jason's cross country team winning the 1st place trophy!

Jason winning 4th place out of 26 boys. I was so proud I cried, much to Jason's embarassment.

That boy can run. This was the fifth meet and the last of the season.

A Serene Sunday

Yesterday I decided that my kids play way to much on their video games. We have a Wii, Playstation 1 and 2, Gamecube, Gameboys, and a PSP. During the week they are not allowed to play beacause of homework, so when Friday night comes... WATCH OUT!! Most of the day on Saturdays and Sundays I been letting them play as well. Well I decided, way too late I know, that Sundays should be game free. Now for most of you that is probably the norm as it should be, but least we forget that we are Gardner's. Cole was not thrilled about my decision but when I explained my reasons he gave in so we would be a unified front.
I told my kids about our decision and wrote up a list of all the other things they could do. I think I had close to 30 or so suggestions. Well you would have thought I physically slapped them across the face. Jason 14, and Nick 12 were the hardest to convice and the both left the room with tears in their eyes and mopped the rest of the day. Well I'm standing tall on this and hope it makes our Sundays more serene and my kids more well rounded!

27 dresses and a few more

To wish Jenn and Chrissy a happy birthday we decided to go for the gusto and return to our "themed" parties. Since Donelle is 2 states away, some of us have step into her large shoes and try our best to fill them.
We had a 27 dresses party. We all wore old bridemaids dresses or outfits that were represented in the movie, hence Jenn and Leslie. Since the last time I was a bridesmaid was when I was 16, I opted for the lovely frock Donelle graced us with for the "Miss America" party.
We started the with a bridal shower/birthday party with desserts. Mini cheesecakes, creampuffs, fruit and dip, and of course a lovely bridal cake. Then on to the presents. I can't believe our racy panties and naughty books did ot even make Jenn and Chrissy blush. Chrissy even started to read the book aloud!
We then were off to the movie, dresses and all. We did get a few looks but it wasn't till we were at the concession stand that any one asked what we were up to. I think my favorite comment was when a lady asked and the girls were explaining it to her when she looked at me and said, "Did someone make her wear THAT dress as a bridesmaid?". The movie was great and I thank Liz for putting this together with me.


Donelle was our Maid Of Honor for the night.
Chrissy and Jenn Cutting the cake together. I know what it looks like, not that's there is anything wrong with that!
Liz, Alene, Me, Shelley, Jessica, Chrissy
Melody(flower girl), Jenn, Picture of Donelle, Leslie

We missed some friends and hope to see you at the next party!

Our new Food Critics blog.

Cole and I decided to start a new blog to share our dining out experiences. It was actually Cole's idea. Of course he has yet to really help out on it but I'll give him some time. I have been called out by a certain friend to remember that for New Year's my resolution was to lose weight. That is still in effect and part of this blog will be recipes for homecooked meals and lighter meals to choose from when eating out. This is a idea in progress and I hope it will be informational- is that a word?- and entertaining.

http://2fussyfoodies.blogspot.com/