Family and Christmas photos

Here's a little peak at our new family photos. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Dancing Fool

Here's a cute little video of Easton and his sweet moves. Sorry it's sideways...

New Easto Photos

My best friend, Julianne, was kind enough to take these wonderful pictures of Easton. She did an amazing job. He was very happy and easy going through the whole thing. Here are few of my favorites. Thanks, Jules!

Halloween (only a month late...)

Here are the Halloween photos that I have been needing to post for a LONG time now. We had a lot of fun trick or treating and going to the pumpkin walk. Easton was SO adorable in his little skunk outfit. I was a bunny and Kade was the trapper that got us all!

Blog Happy

Okay, so by now, you have all figured out that I'm pretty terrible at remembering to blog. I suppose this is why I could never keep a journal. Actually, I'm just terrible at finding time/motivation to blog. Here's what has been happening around the Gardner home since I last posted:
- I took the ACT. I am planning to go back to school in January. I had to take the ACT because I'm a giant idiot and never took it in high school. I was really nervous, because if I didn't do well I couldn't take it again in time to get accepted for Spring semester. Anyhow...I got a 28 (out of 36). I was pretty proud of myself. I also realized yesterday that since I tested so high in the English portion (a 32) I won't have to take the lower level English courses! Yea!! I've decided to major in English and work towards teaching high school English. Go me!!
- Kade has been studying and trying really hard to pass his Real Estate exam. Cheer him on! I know he can do it!! He also celebrated his 25th birthday last week. One whole quarter century! I'm so happy he has shared nearly 4 years of his life with me! I love you, babe! He has also recently taken on snow removal and a paper route (ha!) to give us some extra funds and I think to give him something to do and talk about. I admire his dedication to our family. He sacrifices a lot for us.
- E has been busy learning, learning, learning. He can now:
*Pull himself up to whatever he wants. He has also started "cruising" which means he walks when holding onto stationary objects. We think he'll be running around the house in no time. Wish us luck with that..
*Say 4 words. He frequently says "Dada" or "Dad" and "Mama". He has also been known to say "Nana" which means "No, no." and "Bah" which means ball.
*Feed himself. He doesn't use utensils yet, but the boy simply refuses to eat baby food. I'm okay with this. There are a lot more choices for self feeders and I have enjoyed the lunch time freedom as much as he has.
*Dance. He dances and shakes and grooves his little heart out. Especially, when Britney Spears comes on. Should I worry?
Other than those exciting developments, we are just very busy preparing for the holidays. I've been quite crafty lately and we have all been busy shopping the sales and finding deals. I hope you are all well and enjoy your Thanksgivings and especially BLACK FRIDAY! Yay!
When you can't find a binky...you make do.

Big E cruising around with Dada's help.
The boys tickling each other at dinner. Ah, they are so fun!
My first attempt at a bulb wreath. Cute, eh?
My super cute new garland! I can't wait to put my tree up!

Top reasons having a 9 mo. old is a lot like having a puppy

I've realized lately how much my sweet boy reminds me of a puppy. Here's why:
1. Several times a day you will find him crawling around the house with a sock in his mouth. I don't understand it, but he loves to eat socks. He has one in his mouth right now. I have no idea where he found it.
2. When I sit down to eat, Easton will tug on my pant leg and beg until I share with him. Have we mentioned that Easton really enjoys food? Cause he REALLY enjoys food.
3. He plays hard and sleeps hard. 'Nough said.
4. He loves to play ball and will fetch if needed.
5. He is breaking in the new teeth by chewing on the coffee table. Now there are Easton marks alongside the Jack marks.
6. He's always good for a good snuggle.
7. And of course....I have to clean up his poop.

Off he goes!

Well...Our little baby is not such a little baby anymore. He is steadily cruising toward toddlerhood. Here's what's been happening in Big E's world:
1. He traded in the army crawl for the big boy crawl. And boy is he speedy! He's having a lot of fun exploring the house and finding new things to get into.




2. He has turned 9 months old! What a big boy!! He went for his check-up yesterday and he's now weighing in at 19 lbs and 13 oz (47%) and 28.5 inches(60%).




3. He FINALLY got two teeth. His first little chompers broke through at the same time and Mommy was SO relieved to see them. They had been giving Easton a hard time for months!

4. He finds EVERYTHING hilarious. Little Dude laughs at anything that happens around him. Sometimes it's a full out belly laugh and other times it's his so sweet "courtesy laugh."
5. He gives very good hugs. The best part of Mommy's whole day is when he crawls into her lap and snuggles in. *Insert melty puddle here*

Apple Picking

Yesterday Kade, Easton, and I took a little drive out to Avon to visit the Paradise Valley Orchard. We picked lots and lots of apples and quite a few pumpkins too. We had a lot of fun together. I love fall.

Vegas, baby.

Kade and I took a little trip to Las Vegas at the end of September to celebrate anniversary number 3. We went for 4 days and left Easton with our families. This was my first time to the city of sin. Boy...is it ever. Usually when we're walking busy streets, I feel that I need to hold Kade's hand for my own protectiong. But in Vegas, I felt I needed to hold his hand for HIS protection. But in all, we had a good time walking the strip, seeing the lights, chilling in our hotel...and yes...even playing the slots a little bit. But I'm proud to say we only gambled with the free slot money hotels gave us, so we came out on top. The best thing we did in Vegas (ironically) was to visit their temple and do sealings. Words can not describe how beautiful the inside of that temple is. We got to seal marriages and sons and daughters. Once, we sealed parents to their son who had been waiting since 1705 to be together again. I had a hard time leaving my little guy for 4 days! I can't imagine being away from him for 304 years! But, like any vacation, the best is always getting to come home. Here are a few pictures of our quick trip:

Sideways pic of Kade at ESPN Zone....Probably his favorite part.
The Bellagio Conservatory







I think if I post lots of pictures of Kade smiling like this he'll quit doing it.