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.

The Riparian

So yet another hike, but this one closer to home. These are some of Jason's pictures he took for his photo merit badge. We had Melody that day and she and the kids had fun. Though they liked seeing the different birds and animals, their favorite thing was to pose like "wild cannibal children" for the camera. Yes, it was Nick's idea!

 
 
 
 

Soccer Mom?

We have very brave families in our ward. The Mabb and Virgin families decided to put together a soccer league with 6 and 7 year olds. I swear we have at least 40 kids playing! They have enough for 4 teams. Erik is now a soccer fiend and loves it. A big thanks to Jon, Chrissy, Theron, and Anna!

  The kids did great.


 

  Alene and I are soccer moms now!

Perelta Trail

Nick was working on his photography merit badge and needed to take 20 pictures with a theme. Cole decided that a hike would work out great. Exercise for us and an opportunity for Nick. It was a gorgeous day even though we started out late. Nick was their but took all the pictures alas why no pics of him. Jason and Trevor thought our idea was flawed and stayed home to play video games. Their loss!
 

 

 

 

Christmas Morning

This year Cole and I tried to cut back on presents and make it a simpler Christmas. Yeah whatever! I made half of their presents. Cute BBQ aprons, blankets, & pillows. We did break down and get them all a big present, hence the big smiles in the coming pictures.
 Christmas morning.

 

 

 Erik with his new silver DS.

Christmas Morning-part 2

The boys with their big gifts
 Jason with a PSP.

 Like the box? Cole came up with that though I wish I could claim the idea. Inside was Nick's new green I-Pod.

 Ryan with his DS. Red is his favorite color as well.

 
In every picture Trevor put his gift in front of his face! That is Trevor though with a black Pokemon DS.

Annual Christmas Morning Pool Jump

The Gardner's have a tradition that they offer $$$ for any (Gardner) child who is willing to jump into freezing water Christmas morning before opening gifts. It started when Cole was in college and came home for Christmas vacation flat broke. His dad has perfected it over the years. Extra cash if you wear a speedo or jock. Diving to the bottom for bags with different amounts. And even envelopes with undisclosed amounts of money so that you weren't even sure of getting $5 or $100. I have even done it twice. Cole and I started up the tradition again when we got our own pool. This was our third year. I have decided our children are spoiled since no one but Ryan would jump this year. Ryan got 50 big ones for being the only brave one. Maybe next year we will get some more volunteers. Good job Ryan!

 
It was a toasty 57 degrees!

 
Mom waiting with a warm towel.

 
Ryan with his hard earned cash.

Sugar Cookies and Santa

Every Christmas Cole's Mom makes AWESOME sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. They love the tradition and look forward to it. Santa drives around the Grandparents neighborhood and so after cookies we wait outside for Santa. He never disappoints.

 

 

 

 
The boys with Ashley and Natalie.

The Christmas of aprons

My friend Kelly made these cute vintage aprons for boutiques this year then also taught a class on how to make them. Needless to say my OCD caught the apron bug and I felt the need to make 40 for friends and family. I had to call on best buddy Alene to help me sew them in time for Christmas. I got them done in time and hope all who got one will enjoy them. Now I need to still make one, Mine!

 
Aprons in different stages scattered in my living room.
 

 
Alene and I sewing

 
Two recipients. My s-i-l Afton and m-i-l MaryKaye.