Happy Birthday

3 yrs. old...we don't know what a 3 year toddler is like personally but can only think that Maddie would be full of life. As I have been anticipating this day to come I have really been thankful that her birthday is so close to Christmas. This time of year we reflect on our Savior's birth who is the reason of my hope. My hope that I get to see Maddie again one day. My hope that she is happy and is doing what she has been called back for which makes it ok. Today, I hope, is not full of tears but a celebration that Jordan and I have a beautiful daughter who may not be with us mortally but is definately within our hearts. Gosh...3 years old, it's hard to believe. Time flies. Family is everything to us and are greatful we had Maddie with us for 19 months and have Drake with us now. We are so lucky. Happy Birthday sweet girl.

Maddie on her 1 yr birthday

Maddie at 19 months, 2 weeks before the accident.

Christmas Party #2

It was a Christmas party weekend for us! We had another Christmas party Saturday night with some friends in the ward which turned out so fun! The invite said "Come to a blank canvas party!" so leading up to it we were so curious as to what kind of painting we were going to have to do. It was such a great idea! They had 5 blank canvas' set up, each with a different theme, for all of us to add a little something something to it along with a vase and some smaller canvas' to decorate. We all had a great time and we got to know members of our ward better.

Brandilyn at the finger painting station drawing a giraffe... or was it a horse with spots? :)

Jordan's attempt at the abstract station.

Here is my attempt at the finger painting as well, I took the easy route and did a flower.

Ryan at the expression station. Somebody painted a window with a flower in it with a rock wall around it and he added a little flair to the window by drawing a longhorn. Somehow I don't think that is what they were going for. Hmmm.

After the painting we all played 'celebrity' and had some good laughs! We had a great time and it was such a clever party! Thanks Matt & Christa!

Christmas Party #1

Friday was the Gardner's annual Christmas party everyone was excited for. We don't have many parties without all of our children so it was a great "adult" party. I just have to say that we have a fantastic group of friends here whom we have grown so close to. We have a great time anytime we are together and this night was no exception. What a fantastic party.

We started off with a delish dinner, tri tip and all.

For some reason every get together we have all of the guys group together and all of the girls group together and that is exactly how dinner went! All of the girls had a nice dinner at the table and the guys all stood around in the kitchen.

After dinner while we were getting ready for the white elephant gift exchange I snapped some pictures of the group.

And so it begun! Jordan looks pretty dang excited over Cassie's choice!

Matt & Melinda scored with some Malt 'o Meal and a sweet birdhouse.

Holly got the bingo tote we brought! Pretty awesome I have to admit. Thanks Grandpa Del!

Wendy got some musky smelling 'Hot Bod' body fragrances!

If you can't tell by the look on both Cassie and Jordan's faces there is something alive in that bucket.... Ryan thought he was pretty clever by wrapping up a MOUSE!!! Sick, it stunk like nothing else!

Picture Time!! This was definately a highlight of the night! We always take a group photo and this time somebody had the great idea to all jump in the picture. I think we could have possibly taken 10 pictures trying to get this down. It was hilarious! I had to include some of the classics.

Holly stole the show everytime, I am laughing even as I type this. Like I said it was so funny! There is never a dull moment with this group!

Here is the group all prim and propper. It is a great looking group I must admit. Thanks Jordan and Cassie for a great Christmas party!

The night may or may not have ended with a little game of hide and go seek in the dark, yes we are all married and yes we are all over the age of 25!

On the Go

Drake is crawling as of 2 weeks ago! And I am amazed at how well he has improved in just a short amount of time. At first he was taking baby steps and falling on his stomach but now he is a cruiser! He is loving finding new rooms to go into and pulling himself up to his knees on things. I just can't believe how fast he has taken off! Our world has definitely changed with a mobile baby but we are excited seeing his new improvements. We can tell he loves his Independence as well because he will play for long periods of time just discovering things with a smile on his face and talking all of the time. This age is one of my favorites...but I think I say that for all of them!

Crawling doesn't come without some battle wounds and we all ready have some! I had to go early to church and I got a pic. text while sitting in the chapel from Jordan of this. Apparently he pulled down our little decorative christmas tree on top of him and got this baby. If you look close you can see other little scratches on his face too. Poor baby but as Jordan put it "He took it like a champ and didn't even cry, I couldn't believe it!"

Just some randoms...

Our halls are decked and the air is crisp, the smell of apple cinnamon is in the air...'tis the season. We love this time of year except it is going by way, way to fast. Why is it that right after Thanksgiving you feel like you are running a hundred miles per hour but only accomplishing things at a walking speed?! Like I said 'tis the season.

Drake and I were festive yesterday in our reds.

About a week ago Austin got snow!!! Who would have thought! It only lasted about 15 minutes but that's enough to blog about!

After 3 years of finally compromising Jordan put up Christmas lights outside!
I wanted white icicle lights and Jordan wanted big colored bulbs... so we decided to go with white big bulbs. He did a great job with our neighbor who is by the way a the best neighbor you could ask for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It seems like I only get to post about the holidays, I am so behind! Well better late then never... we had a great Thanksgiving spent with family we don't get to see very often so it was very memorable. We had a great time with the Walburger side and enjoyed our time in California. So many memories... here are a few:

• 2 trips to El Cholo's (yum!)
• Two 7 hour car rides to and from Folsom(Drake did awesome by the way and made the trip enjoyable!)
• Pedicures with Judy
• Camera lessons with Gary
• Quality time with all the family for 3 days
• Introducing Drake and meeting Ty for the first time!
• A delicious Thanksgiving dinner at Mimi's Cafe
• Being serenaded by Anna and Natalie all day to Taylor Swift
• Going to A Christmas Carol and Blindside
• Many laughs and memories that will be cherished

I am very grateful for my Inlaws and their families. I am very blessed to have married into such a great family. Thanks everyone for such a great Thanksgiving and hope you all had a great one too!