Girls Retreat 2011

So my annual girls retreat was last week in Queens Creek, Arizona at my amazing friend Shanda's home. Every year friends from my BYU married ward get together to catch up, talk, eat, shop, and just plain have fun-- well this year was no exception! We had a blast-- probably my favorite one so far! We did our usual things but this time we ended our trip with a good old fashioned hoe down at a local cowboy restaurant called San Tan Flats! It was so much fun. Before going there Shanda took us to her mom's house where she dressed us up head to toe in over the top western gear! Needless to say when we walked in it felt like Halloween-- but we ate it up and just let loose. After we ate we hit the dance floor and did a line dance that Shanda had taught-- and all eyes were on us-- it was like we were the paid entertainment. I have not acted that silly since college. It was so much fun! I am so glad I went-- I even got to leave Tess for the weekend while my amazing husband watched the kids. Too bad I came home more tired then rested seeing how we talk all night long rather then sleep! All so worth it! These girls are so amazing and all so eclectic. I learn so much from them every year! They inspire me to do better, be better, and feel better! Thanks ladies for another great retreat!

It's a Surprise

So yesterday we threw Caleb a surprise 11th birthday party! He had no idea-- I cannot believe that the 15 kids invited to the party did not blow it-- and even more surprised that my own son Chase kept it secret! We, however, did not tell Grif either-- everyone thought it best he not know-- he can't be trusted! Anyway, we had it at my house and we played Minute to Win It like at Christmas time and it was a hit! Then we opened presents and had Caleb's favorite chocolate Texas sheet cake and ice cream. I intend to post his reaction just as soon as I learn how to download it from my phone-- but I will just say that it was very anti climatic because he just stared at everybody then kept looking at Kelli-- I think he was a little embarrassed but he loved it! And now I have Griffin telling me I'm throwing him a surprise party now-- huh? The party was great-- if the day hadn't been marred by Brian's bulging disc/ neck surgery and Tessa's first ever fever/ sore throat it would have all been just perfect-- as it was we were dealing with surgery schedules and a run to the pediatrician. Tess is fine-- just a really bad sore throat and a fever that even infant medicine isn't bringing down much. So we are watching it close but as of today we feel we finally have a handle on it! Good times-- don't you think?

Happy Half Birthday!

So Tess has made it to the half year mark! I cannot believe how fast it has gone! I figured that since she has made it this far I should share some of her milestones/ likes/ dislikes so that I can remember them (and not get them mixed up with Chase like my mom has with my sisters and me):

• She rolls all over the place-- she will not sit still! She is ALWAYS on the go-- changing her diaper is dreaded because she won't lay still!


• If she wants to get something she will probably get it. She will let you know her displeasure if you take something she wants away!


• She loves her schedule-- and only cries when she wants to sleep or eat (for now-- I dread when this day changes!)


• She does not sit up yet on her own for longer then 15 seconds because she will not sit still long enough to try-- she prefers standing to sitting and usually straightens her legs out to make sure she gets to stand.


• She loves her johnnie jumper and her saucer but is no longer a fan of the bouncer-- she rolls out of that in seconds flat-- i is entertaining to watch her in action.


• She is a happy baby and is usually always smiling with a huge open mouth grin! She is adorable! And she loves to laugh-- usually at her brother or her dad-- and she is noticing animals now and they make her very happy too!


• She still has her loud baby babble-- she loves attention!


• She loves her food-- and becoming less and less fond of the bottle-- much like her brother! She prefers big people food I think!


• She's a grabber-- but mom's hair takes the grunt of this one the mos!


• She is a keeper! We LOVE our little precious princess! She is a good baby and we are so blessed to have her!

2 Peat!

So-- I just had to post the big news! I am the fantasy champ-- again!!! With a little help from my early free agent pick up of Michael Vick and the hard work (although very inconsistent work) of Chris Johnson. I also had some role players like Calvin Johnson, Jeremy Maclin, and Jamal Charles to help out. But the credit must go to Vick! Thanks to the Gardner's for putting another fun season together. And hopefully I will still be invited to play next year. I must say-- this fantasy thing is interesting. My players feel like a small family-- so next year when I have a whole new team it will be hard not to root for my guys from this year! I found myself rooting fr Adrian Peterson this year quite often and that is no bueno for fantasy teams!