Madeline

This is our cute cousin Madeline.

Madeline does really cool tricks during vaulting lessons.

Emma learns lots during lessons and wants to show off for Madeline.  It is wonderful that Emma isn't discouraged by all that Madeline can do but is excited by what she, herself, can do.  Wouldn't it be a blessing if we all had that innocence and didn't let keeping up with others drag us down!

Slaxin

Summer time, visits with Madeline, sandals, and that means time for a pedicure.  The Jones girls got together for some beautification. 

I have posted before about how much Emma loves a pedicure but today she reached a new state of relaxation.  She informed me with with her head back and eyes closed, that she was "slaxin".

 

It's always fun to be girly with our girls.

 

Swimming

We have some family friends that so kindly invite us over for some summer time relief.  We are so thankful for their generosity.  Our first trip to the Davis pool this summer.

 

 The shallow entry is perfect for Emma's antics.  Sister loves to be silly with the pool toys.

Ridge finally mastered the reclining chair and determined we need to purchase some for our home.

Ch ch ch changes

We have been looking for some new furniture for the family room and it has been no easy feat.  If your family is the average size, you probably have no trouble finding a nice fit.  When you are bigger than the average bear, it is not so easy finding the right depth and height.  Thanks to Costco and a willing seat try-er on-er, we found a new set up for the family room. 

Now, around the Gardner house, we don't just send out the old and bring in the new, we do a little shuffle.  The bonus room needed to be relieved of its couch to accommodate the previous tenants of the family room (upstairs/downstairs move=bonus).  We were of course too excited to keep the new furniture in the garage so, after two trips to Costco to pick it all up, we moved the furniture to the foyer and were glad to have the missionaries for dinner/service the next day.

Here is the story in pictures:

Before

Four large pieces of furniture lined up

Old couch to the man cave

New set-up without the Amy touches

Already?!

Saw the first of many fireworks stands today.  Is time going that fast or are stands going up earlier and earlier?

Gardenia

We grew it!  It smells wonderful too.

20 years and what a circus

Here is what I have from my 20 year class reunion.

Rob and I went to the picnic social before heading to Costco to buy a computer and then taking our family to the circus.  I was glad to visit with some friends and especially glad that I wasn't responsible for planning it at all!!

The circus was just great.  I was on the edge of my seat several times as the lions were sassy and the motorcycle stunts were suspended on wires and the elephants were amazing.

Day 2

We put on our finest, rolled up the rug and played games all sorts.



Around the house

This is the summer to dedicate time to getting Emma out of Pull-ups.  Yikes!  Today we had Grandma come over to help spend the time. 

We did a science experiment Big Bang Theory style.

Cornstarch and water.  Liquid and solid.

Then it was cooking with peaches.

 

 

Fresh pie style.

All the while drinking

drinking

and drinking

CTR

When you read your scriptures, Sister Gardner will make you one of these.

Summer!!

First order of business is to buy tickets for the circus.

Then it was time to chase down the ice cream lady.

We sent Archer over to buy the best treat on a truck.

 

Fudge Bomb!!

End of the year

Emma has finished the fourth grade!  We have had such a great teacher and assistant these last four years.  Harris and Carol are a team that loves what they do and who they do it for.  We were so sad to find out that Ms. Carol won't be back next year; we were happy to know she would be moving near her family but sad she was leaving us.

These women have been such an amazing influence in our lives over the last several years.  This is a perfect snapshot of what most days are like.

We look forward to the fifth grade year with excitement and sadness for the loss of Ms. Carol and the knowledge that middle school is looming all too near.

 

Race #5

We had a new airport terminal open at McCarran Airport and part of the grand opening was a race.  It was a challenge with lots of hills and the weather was warm.  Luckily we weren't sure where to park and the race started a few minutes early.  I was lucky enough to be walking up to the start line just as the siren started the race.  There were so many people to fit through the bottle neck of the start that it all worked out.

5 down 7 to go!