Gracie Loves to Write

Dear Mom,

I. Hope you can buy a trampoline. I am not havin' fun. For Gracie. Love to Mom.

Dr. Gardner, I presume

Justin took veterinary boards on December 3rd. We got word today that HE PASSED!!! Now we wait 122 days until the formality of graduation!!!!!! THEN you can call him Dr. Gardner. Or I bet he'll still answer to Justin. But none of us are excited. Not even a little.:)

Four Years old!

Breakfast in bed... he wanted oatmeal:)

 We love birthdays! Gunner just turned  on January 8th. Has it really been that long? Time flies. Gunner is such a good boy and is really growing up.

 Maisy wanted breakfast in bed too and was nice to share with all of the other beggars:)

 Gunner was so excited to open presents. He was sad to have to wait to open most of them at our evening party.

 He took donuts to his pre-school class.

 And I made a Captain America cake. He was amazed. Those are peanut butter m&m's with a chocolate cake. Yum.

 Watch out, folks! Here he comes.

Salt Lake!

 We came to Salt Lake to spend a few days with my family as well. We were greeted with open arms, presents, and parties galore.  I must have been talking too much, because these are the only two pictures I took. Hmmm.  It was so good to see my family and siblings though. Salt Lake looked magical with all of the snow and the gorgeous mountains. And... my parents announced that they are putting their papers in this month to serve a mission. They will be the most amazing missionaries. :)

More Christmas

 Justin's sister Carrie lives about 4 houses away in Pine Valley, so the kids walked down to see their cousins and check out their spoils:)

They hooked a sled up to the four wheeler and Justin took some of us on rides. It was so much fun!

Christmas Morn

The kids in Christmas Jammies ready to lay out their stockings.

Christmas Morning 2012

Larry, Kim, Camille, Carol Ann,Justin, Gracie, Gunner, Maisy.

Gracie with her new doll, Holly.

Gunner with his new RC monster truck.

Maisy Scarfing Candy.

Why did we get her anything but candy? She was so happy.

 Justin's mom made these cute quilts for all of the grandchildren. They have loved snuggling with them. I wish I had snagged a picture with her and the kids with their quilts.

Brandin' Iron Christmas Eve

 This is the restaurant that Jeff and Sara own in Pine Valley. (Jeff is Justin's brother). They were nice to have us there on Christmas Eve for a private dinner party.:) The food was excellent. The company was too. Can you tell we have some photographers in the family? I stole some pictures from Kim and Larry.

Justin with his siblings minus Kellie.

 We even had some blue bunny ice cream to finish off the experience. Did I mention how much fun this was?

Where did you spend Christmas??

The Gardner's home in Pine Valley

* Photo Credit- Larry Gardner

St. George

 Gunner was invited almost daily to take a ride with Justin or Grandad to Pine Valley or the Sand, or the Arizona Strip. I won't lie. It was really nice because he always fell asleep in the truck and got a nice little nap :)

 Kim has a huge pig collection that my kids love to ask about each time they see her. I think Gracie is sporting Kim's crown from Miss PineValley. Yes, we live among royalty when we are in the Gardner household:)

 I loved watching the horses gather for food in Pine Valley.

We visited the temple too! Well, Justin stayed in the car with sleeping Gunner (told you), and the girls and I walked around for a minute.

Christmas Kiddos

Live Nativity

 While in St. George, a handful of us went to the Live Nativity at Tuacahn. It was so beautiful. I have been before, but really enjoyed it again. The kids did too. They had camels and a donkey and I loved that they could see the nativity acted out in such a special way.

 The kids made a train so they wouldn't get lost. Their idea:)

 I can never resist these things.