Our Baby is Three!!!!!

Today is Courtney's third birthday. She has grown up so much. Her day started out with presents at breakfast- she got "Hally" the Our generation doll from target. She was so excited. As I leave for school this morning, she was hugging Hally in the box and said, "Thank you for my birthday, mommy". It was adorable. I thought I would include some fun pictures of Courtney this past year.

All about the tree!

On Friday, after the shopping maddness, we went to Tabots tree farm to cut down the perfect tree. Matt has watched a little too much "Christmas Vacation" and was in search of the perfect tree. We went to the outskirts of the farm and walked around a long time. Finally, Matt had a good feeling about a tree and we picked it out. Britt even took a picture of Matt and I by the tree. Thankfully we didn't get frostbite like the Griswolds, but we were pretty cold! They had hot cider waiting for us as we paid for the tree. We had a great time decorating the tree too.

Happy Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with the Gardner's today. We had 29 people around one table! We also had a photo shoot, played "Ticket to Ride", X-box, and gorged ourselves.

Happy Fall!

Hi everyone. The Gardner's are alive and doing well. I have not blogged in such a long time because I have been struggling with lower back pain for three months! Finally, after rest, a new doctor, and a muscle relaxer, I am feeling normal! Here are some fun fall pictures. Alot has happened since I have posted, so here are a couple of pictures from Britt's birthday, Halloween, and Matt having fun in the leaves.

Britt's First day of School!

Britt started preschool this week. She is going to Bethel's Pre-k. Daddy got to take her and stay with her on the first day, but Thursday was her first whole day. Her favorite part was playing in gym. I had a little bit of mommy guilt because I couldn't take her, but Matt said the he was not the only dad. Courtney enjoyed spending time with just daddy while Britt went to school. I can't believe next year she will be in grade school!

Summer's Last Ride

Goodbye Summer!

One of the highlights of the museum the opportunity to paint on windows. Britt loved it. When they got home, they both tried to do it on my front windows. Thankfully it was only with water!
The Discovery Museum in Bloomington has a really interesting climbing apparatus. Britt started off by saying she was not scared because Taryn and Abe weren't scared. About five minutes into it, she looked down and started screaming. Taryn saved her. What a great cousin.
Courtney is such a loner. She loved driving the tractor and playing by herself.


Courtney loved the slide. She was so sneaky that she hid at the top for several minutes waiting for someone to rescue her. You gotta love grandmas!
Britt's highlight of our church's Summer's Last Ride was dunking our youth pastor, Greg. She talked about it all day. She didn't throw the ball hard enough, but she pushed the button and dunked him anyway.


I guess summer is officially over. I start school on the 18 of August. We have had a blast going to the pool, having fun at church, and going to the children's museum in Bloomington with our cousins. We did all of these things in July, but I am a little behind in posting.

Courtney's Big Girl Bed!

Courtney is getting so big! We packed up all the baby stuff, the changing table and the crib for another Gardner (someday). She is so proud of her big girl bed. She slept so good in her bed her first night!

Cruise-In

On Saturday Morton had their cruise-in which brought more than 100 different vehicles to town. They shut down Main street, served porkchops and pumpkin funnel cakes and of course DQ was packed. Matt is standing by his favorite car the Dodge Viper. It was another beautigul night in Central Illinois.

Camp Gardner

On Friday night we decided to have a camping excursion to the backyard. The girls helped Daddy set up the tent (or as Courtney called it the ChooChoo Train) We played Croquet, had smores by the fire then the girls spent most of the night fascinated with their flashlights. Its the simple little things that they like so much. I think Britt played all weekend with a flashlight and a umbrella. Daddy passed out after 10 minutes of laying down in the tent. Mommy lasted until about 12:00 until she went inside for the A/C and a comfy bed. The rain and thunder came about 4:00 so the rest of us headed inside. We bought doughnuts for breakfast so Britt thought it was time to eat at 4:30, fortunately she went back to bed. All in all it was a great night and will occur more often.

Summer Fun!

Britt has been having so much fun this summer with the Morton park district. She has been in tee-ball, soccer, and swimming lessons. The first day of swimming lessons she told her teacher that she did not need any help going on the diving board. She has been working on her "superman" swimming technique and keeping her legs straight. As far as soccer and tee-ball, her and Elijah are on the same team, the Green Lizards. They have been playing for six weeks. I think her favorite part is bringing a water bottle and smiling at her cheering section. All of her grandparents have been to the games and that makes her smile from ear to ear. Courtney keeps her self entertained while she watches Britt. Her favorite thing to do during swimming lessons is to "surf" on the kickboards and play hide and seek with Britt's towel. She is a great cheerleader for Britt.

Gull Lake 2008!

We are back from our vacation. Last week we went to a family church camp called Gull Lake Ministries. Matt's family has been going to this camp for twenty years, and this was my 12th year! Our speakers for the week were Josh McDowell and his son Sean. They encouraged a lot of deep bible study into why we believe what we believe. The best speaker of the week came from the camp director, Daniel Wallace. He spoke on the prodical son, but his focus was on the father. Our heavenly father is there with open arms waiting for us. We can't do anything to earn his love. Jesus would have died on the cross even if I was the only one. What an amazing love!

We enjoyed our time as a family too. We played at the beach, sqaure danced, played games, went on a paddle boat, and had lots of fun. On the fourth of july we drove up to Boyne, Michigan. Then we drove to Mackinaw Island on saturday.

Curious George!

June 25, 2008

Today we went to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis with Grandma. It was so fun! The kids loved the Curious George exhibit. Courtney loved dressing up like George and getting into the rocket ship. Britt enjoyed the slide and working at the grocery store.