NASA Flight Commander

The simulator took up the whole stage.
Josh had to study hard to figure out the problems and get everyone home safely.

What an awesome experience!

February 2009

Josh was given the opportunity to be the Flight Commander for the NASA Space Shuttle Simulator that came to his school for just the 6th grade. He loved every minute of it and had to solve the problems programmed into their mission. One of the oxygen scrubbers blew up and they had to build a new one. It was an exciting day out of class!

Smith Jr. High Spring Concert

Ben is a captive audience for any book any time! He convinced Grandma Gardner to read for a while. He sure loves to have her and Grandpa read to him and he'll bring them a book no matter what they're doing. Jarom and Grandma and Ben in a peaceful moment.

Grandpa gets a kick out of Ben's antics and will always make up a good story for Ben. Jarom loves reading time as well.

Feb. 2009

We are blessed to have Grandpa and Grandma Gardner stay with us often when they come down for different appointments. We love watching them interact with our children and seeing the love grow. Ben keeps telling me that he's going to Tatop (Pinetop) to see Grandpa. He also tries to go with them to their truck every time they are here. We have to watch close or he'll just start his little trek to Pinetop without us!

Got Milk?

Ben's Got Milk pose!

Mommy's Little Helpers

I have the cutest helpers around! Whenever I decide to make anything from scratch I have a line of help in the kitchen. These two were so adorable that I had to take a picture!

President's Day at the Superstition Shadows Park

Beautiful Superstition Mountains
Jarom on the slide
The boys on the slide

Brookly's wild ride on the spin a round

Ben wanted Daddy to push!

What a great relaxing day this was with Wes home and fun at the park to look forward to. Love this kind of time together!

Valentine's Day

Me and my sweetie!
Brookly's necklace and loot
Ben's beary good treat!

Lots of Love:)

February 14, 2009

Lots of love in our home! I made fun little Valentine's for the kids from our Enrichment night and they loved them! Wes and I grabbed Sweet Tomatoes and then the ASU Chamber Choir for a nice evening together. We feel blessed to have good boys old enough to babysit now. For so long we had 5 kids and no babysitter. Our time has arrived!

6th Grade Brinton World Fair

All of Jarom's class
Jarom and miserable Ben

The awesome project

Josh with his project!
Feb. 2009

Here is Josh's amazing Australia project. He did most of the work alone! He worked hard and it turned out great! He was lucky that his cousin Andrew recently returned from Australia on his mission and brought a real boomerang, bull roarer and Josh even played the digeridoo. Even though Ben was miserable with a nasty cold I drug him to the school to see this because it was outside and I felt Josh needed to know we were there after all his work. We were able to see Brookly, Brennen and Jarom there on their recess and it was fun to see all of Jarom's class want to be in the picture.

Hike the "A"

Ringing the ASU bell

What a cute crew!

February 2009

Our latest family outing was a hike at night to "A" mountain by ASU in Tempe, AZ. We missed Dallin who was on his first snow campout for Varsity scouts. The kids were much faster climbers than their mother. Maybe all my new treadmilling will help me beat them next time.

Monkeying Around

Brennen hanging on Uncle Garth!

Look alikes!
Grampy's got Brookly

Before the family all left there was a little down time to just monkey around. Fun times!

Josh's Priesthood Ordination

These are all the men who stood in with Josh for his ordination. Bishop Smithson also stood in.Garth, Grampy, Josh, Wes, Jeff and Kashi

Proud Parents

Josh was blessed to have so much of the family still here from the wedding to be able to attend his ordination.

Josh and Wes

Precious Moment

This is February 1, 2009. Joshua Brian Gardner's Ordination Day.

What a special day. Next week Josh will pass Sacrament for the first time as a Deacon. I can't express how proud I am (also Wes of course) and the true joy that comes from your son worthily taking upon himself the Priesthood of God. I know Josh will live up to his duties and responsibilities and take them very seriously. He is an amazing young man with so many talents and endless possibilities. I look forward to the day when he will enter the temple. I'm sure the tears will again flow as they did today.

Side note: I wasn't able to see him pass the first time on Feb. 8th because I was dizzy and sick but Wes got to be there. On Feb. 15th when I saw him pass for my first time, tears came as I treasured the moment. I love seeing him up there and his big brother, Dallin, helping him. That's what makes it all worth it.

Reception

GRRR!

Jessica and Brookly

Princess Ashley

Our whole Crew

Mom and Dad

Funny kids!

Jeff's telling Camie

Me and Ben

Brennen and Me

Josh in the garden

Brookly outside in the garden

Ben and Brookly

Jarom caught the garter.Cake Fun

Ben was exhausted.
By the end, Ben preferred the floor.
Jarom, Ryan, Jessica, Brynn, AmandaLove the car!

Josh and Molly? That's what the photographic cards laid out on the table said!Going Away

The reception was held at the Regency Garden. It was elegant and there was NO tule! Such a wonderful day! Ben had a hard time with no nap and did eventually melt down, but the rest was wonderful! What an incredible day! I miss Julie so much but she looks so happy! I wish them the eternal happiness they deserve! Congratulations Julie and Jared!