Christmas 2011

Before: (about 6:00 AM)

After: (about 7:30 AM)



Ah, the whirlwind of Christmas! It's hard to believe it's already come and gone. Adell is already planning for next year.

Here's just a few highlights:
My step-sister, Adrienne, made these adorable aprons (above). Along with the aprons came an activity kit that included new paints, paper, stickers and other supplies. We seem to go through a lot of art supplies in this house. The girls have been running around wearing their aprons all week.
Here's the traditional offering we left for Santa the night before. He even left a note thanking us for the cookies!
Adell shows off her new Ariel doll.
Adell and Dad checked his stockings to make sure he did receive a lump of coal. Good news, he didn't receive coal! Instead he got some new paints and treats!
Poor Hannah was so sick through Christmas, it really ruined it for her. It took us quite a while to finally coax her into opening her presents. She spent most of Christmas curled up on the couch sipping Pedialyte. It was awful! We all felt just terrible for her. Mom got her Christmas wish: a Kindle Fire! The only problem is that I haven't gotten much of a chance to use it because Adell and Dad can't seem to stop playing Angry Birds.

We had a wonderful Christmas, despite poor, sad, sick little Hannah.
I loved that Christmas was on Sunday this year, and that we had the opportunity to attend Sacrement meeting. It really helped put everything in perspective and feel the Christmas spirit as we celebrated Christ's birth. We are so blessed to be able to enjoy Christmas as a family. I love the Christmas season. It especially fun to be able to watch my girls as they enjoy Christmas.
How grateful I am for our Savior Jesus Christ, and for his mortal ministry here on earth. I love reading the Christmas story to my children and hearing how much they love baby Jesus. I'm so blessed to be a mother.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

Rosie and Posie

Meet the newest members of the Gardiner family! Rosie and Posie!

Santa delivered them to Adell yesterday, leaving a note that explained they needed a good home and Santa knew Adell would take excellent care of them. She was absolutely thrilled. They are super sweet and will even let Adell hold them and pet them. They run all around the cage and love to snuggle up in their little pink house. Adell and Hannah can't take their eyes off them!

Above: Posie is the brave one. She's most willing to allow Adell and Hannah to handle her.
Below: Rosie is a bit shy, but she likes to peek out from the tunnel and watch the action.

Adell loves being a "new mom." She's actually been a bit emotional about it. She's just so excited! These sweet little hamsters will have the most attentive owner ever.

"Mr. Grinch" Kindergarten Program

For 20 glorious minutes the kindergarteners of Renaissance Academy put on what just might have been the best presentation of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" ever in Christmas history! (At least that's my opinion, anyway) There's just nothing cuter than a stage full of "Who-ville" kindergarteners putting on their best performance for eager parents and grandparents. And, of course, Adell was absolutely one of the cutest.

Adell was fully committed the her role as a "Who" in Who-ville. She sang all the songs with enthusiasum and gave her two-sentence speaking part everything she had. I'm thinking she just might be a natural born actress!

Wedged between her two best friends, Gabe and Weston. Yes, they are boys, and they are her best friends. Don't worry, however, she makes it very clear that she are just boys that are her friends, nothing more than that. They all like to play "superheros" at recess, and well, the other girls are just a bit too reserved when it comes to superhero combat. She has informed me, however, that Weston has admitted that he likes her...maybe I'll have to have a chat with his mom...

I wish I could have recorded the entire thing, but battery power didn't allow that. It was also pretty difficult to secure a good location for pictures and such. Space was limited, and turns out that every parent in the room was willing to battle for prime seating. Grandma actually took most of the photos, and she had to fight pretty hard to get them.

Great job, Adell! A super-star in the making!

Gardiner Family Christmas Party 2011

We had a very special guest this year at the annual Gardiner Christmas Party - that's right - Santa Claus!!!

The kids were so excited to see him walk through the door, accompanied by "Mrs. Claus" who also played the accordian. Who knew?

The girls eagerly awaited their turn to sit on Santa's lap. Hannah went willingly, incoherently whispered something that she wants for Christmas (but nobody seemed to catch it) and then jumped off and ran away. Guess the man in red still intimidates her a bit. She was so speedy, that I wasn't able to get a decent photo, but that's okay, maybe next year.

Adell jumped right up on Santa's knee and launched into her prepared speech about why she's old enough and responsible enough to have her own real live hamster for Christmas. Santa seemed impressed with her obvious preparation for such a thing, and after a quick glance at Mom for the official approval, he promised her since she's been such a good girl, she can plan on a hamster under the tree on Christmas morning.

Mia tolerated Santa. As you can see, she was a little concerned about the strange guy in a red suit holding her. But she didn't cry, she just looked slightly mystified.

The Gardiner party was great. The perfect way to boost that Christmas spirit. Filled with good family, good food, treats, games, talents, and love. Adell was brave enough to sing "You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch," which she and I have been working on for a little while. Wade recorded it on the new camera, and as soon as I figure it out, I'll post the video.

Merry Christmas Gardiner Family!

The Graduate!!!

Congratulations to Wade!!! At long last, he's now graduated with his MBA!!! It's been years of hard work, study, papers, groups projects and statistics, and he's finally finished! We went to Texas Roadhouse last night with the family to celebrate. It's so awesome to know that he's really done!

It's truly an incredible accomplishment, and the best part is we get to have Daddy home more. Wade's really looking forward to no longer having to stress about homework - losing every weekend and all his spare time to that never ending pit. What a relief!

We'll be posting the diploma on the wall as soon as it arrives!

We love you, Daddy! We are so proud of you!

Snow Day

When you wake up and there's snow outside, you better hurry and get out in it! Adell was beside herself with glee as she took in the frosty scene this morning. She demanded her snow attire, grabbed her reluctant little sister, and off they went to enjoy the snowy morning. Hannah was braver than usual as she followed Adell around the yard, but once she decided she was too cold to stay outside, she marched back into the house, despite big sister protests. Adell spent most of the morning enjoying the weather. She topped it all off when she built her snow family, complete with grass hair and leaf eyes. Of course, they deserved a picture or two with the camera. Adell's enthusiasum for life always amazes me. That's why she's always so fun to be around, because she just makes life exciting - no matter what.

Growing up...

For whatever reason I'm suddenly awe struck by how grown up my girls are becoming - especially Adell.
She announced the other day that she prefers to do her own hair, and I grudgingly turned over the hairbrush. After years of begging, she finally lets me comb her hair without a battle, and just as quickly decides to take the job off my hands. What's even more sad is the fact that she can fix her own hair better than I can...I guess hair styling has never been my forte, and you think I'd get better having three little girls...
I pulled out the camera just to snap a few pictures, because today they are just looking so much older to me and I'm so scared that my time with them is running out. Oh, how I love my sweet little ladies...

Fixing her own hair these days.

Maybe it's the backpacks that make them look so much older to me?

At least I've still got a few years with this one.