Christmas 2012

I realize its already the new year and I am barely getting up my Christmas post, my resolution of not procrastinating is coming along wonderful :)

We had a wonderful time in Provo for Christmas, it is so fun to be around all of the Gardner siblings and all the grand kids.

Our time included LOTS of movies for Brad and his nephews Talon and Kyson Maughan they bonded over just about every action hero and lots of popcorn.

 

Playing marbles is always a fun time with Gardners, Kaleigh is learning how to beat Grandpa.

 

 

These two precious faces have moved to Baton Rouge, and we miss them, it was fun to spend time with them. Kaleigh and Emma Hatch.

 

 

Brads grandfather Arden Hutchings every year would read the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve as all the little ones dressed up what an amazing memory I have and grateful that my daughters remember so many years of this tradition, this year Uncle Steve Covey carried out the tradition as Grandpa Big Ard is not well.

 

 

It is a little sad to me that my girls are older now but was so fun to see the next little generation act out the story.

 

Arden and Joseph

 

The cutest litte Wise Man ever Trason Gardner

On Christmas Eve Kyndall said "I wonder if Grandpa will make Deer Pee?"

Hahaha Brad convinced the girls when they were little that the hot Wassel that his mom makes was really Deer Pee! They believed him (for a while) and still call it that to this day.

Uncle Del wins the prize for creating this Blinging walker for Grandma Doris , she was stylin...

 

 

Torrie and her cute cousins

 

 

Brad and Uncle Steve playing stack the cups. And yes Steve you were right Brad cheated, just look at his eyes on your cups in this picture.

  

 

 

It was a great trip a wonderful Holiday!! It is nice to get back home and focus on the upcoming year (yes I know its already the new year)

I have never been a Goal or Resolution kinda girl but I have some great plans for 2013, stay tuned.

RA Christmas RUN

When I started running 7 years ago I never dreamed of all the adventures and friendships this one little sport would bring me. Runners are just wonderful friendly people. I use to think it was a secret club one that I could never be in because I wasn't fast enough or didn't run far enough, often enough, I was mistaken. I have made life long friends and surpassed my goals each year with their encouragement and their examples to me.

So as I woke up to the alarm at 6 a.m the Saturday before Christmas in Provo to head out to a run with people I had NEVER met (other than Melanie who I talked into coming, in case they were scary people lol) I was not questioning my actions on bit!

Melanie and I had started to read blogs a few months back and stumbled on Susette's, I quickly called up Mel and said you have to read this! This women is amazing, the trials she has been through and the way in which she faces them is amazing and is she out running, ALOT. We knew we wanted to meet her, we saw that she would be running the TOU Half Marathon in August and we hoped to see her there. Through meeting her at TOU and becoming facebook friends she invited me to join a group called RA (Runners Anonymous.) They organize runs together in Utah and Oregon. This run was organized by Susette at Orem High Junior High, so when I asked if anything was going on the Saturday before Christmas knowing I would be in Provo, I was excited to learn about it. All I had to tell Melanie to get her to join me all the way from Layton was "There will be medals!"

 

                       It was Very cold!

 

 

 

We arrived to see them setting up a table with water, Gatorade, gu, muffins, the BEST caramels. The idea of the run was to just do whatever we wanted, we ran around the track and would stop each time someone else arrived and get introduced, take some pictures and then repeat. We would stop and walk if we wanted, run each lap with someone new getting to know them. It was perfect!

 

This awesome runner brought a camp stove and made us hot chocolate!

 

There was just not a better way to start off the day. I am sad I do not live closer to join in on more runs but will for sure follow them and if I am ever up North join in on the events.

 

 

 

Thank you RA :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Car Accidents and Life Decisions

Friday night I could not sleep, I have a hard time when the girls are out going to bed until they get home so I was on the couch watching TV about 10:30 Brad comes out of the room and says ...                       
                                   "Kyndall crashed"
                                
First your heart sinks.... and the slow motion starts, then questions start to fly "is she hurt?" "is anyone hurt?" "was there another car involved?"
We hurry and throw on some shoes and head out. Driving up to the scene is horrible, multiple cop cars and ambulance lights flashing and there she is sitting in the car terrified, and alone. She was leaving a friends house and lost control after swerving for a dog on a long dark gravel road, she tried to avoid a brick wall and instead went over a 3 foot berm which shot her into the air and about 50 feet into a field. Thankfully she was not hurt and besides the car nothing else was damaged.

This was the day she got her license only 5 months ago. PS they totalled the car :(


Torrie has wanted to move to Provo and live in the upstairs corner room at Grandma Shereen's since she was probably 8 years old. She would spend time there every summer and would cry when we came to take her home. The constant commotion and activity at the Gardner house was exciting and she loved being around Aunts, Uncles (some only a few years older than her) and cousins. As everyone grew up and things calmed down she didn't talk about it as much, until about a month ago.

She came to me and said "I have a feeling I need to go to Provo." Again my heart sinks.....
                         I know she needs to go.

 She has a great job here as a surgical assistant to an Oral Surgeon, she has put off the idea of leaving knowing she has an amazing job and needs the experience and longevity of it. But feeling like if she doesn't go now at 20 years old she might never get out and experience life, spread her wings and get out on her own, and someday will regret not following the promptings she is having.

It is so hard to watch her go through this time in her life, she says "What should I do?" my heart says "STAY HERE! don't ever leave, don't ever grow up" but my gut says "Its time"

My Sweet Tor Tor :)


Oh the joys of parenthood I am sure my heart will Sing and Sink for them many more times and I wouldn't change it for the world!

A little Motivation

I will be completely honest the holidays STRESS ME OUT! I looked out my window tonight and I think the Griswolds have moved in across the street. Then I go on facebook and see a status update saying "Christmas shopping done, presents wrapped, now to decorate the tree" (Jennifer Stickler you are my hero!)  OH my Hallelujah I just finished the freaking Thanksgiving leftovers! I was intrigued by a post on Susette's wonderful blog,
                                                                                                                                                                                             The   2012 Holiday Running Streak
 Stay fit and motivated during the busy (and calorie-filled) holiday season by pledging to run at least one mile every day, Thanksgiving through New Year's. ~~ an article in Runners World Magazine.

While this isn't going to get the shopping done or the tree decorated it just might help me stay sane. It was decided for those that wanted to join in we would not be running on Sunday's, and we can start tomorrow.

 

So this may be a little dramatic it doesn't snow here in Southern Utah but if it does I have a back up plan.

 

 

 

Happy Running!!

 

A day of Thanks

Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday. Its full of family, food, fun with no expectations of anything other than enjoying those around you. We decided to go hiking before the big meal this year, the weather was amazing and it was nice to be out in such beautiful scenery while soaking in the un-interrupted time with my family.

Zions National Park

 

 

The view as you climb up to Angels Landing

 

 

Heading up Walters Wiggles

 

 

The view from the top

 

 

My cute family!!!!

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful day.

 

May God Bless your family and loved ones this Holiday Season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pounding the Pavement and Back in the Saddle

The fall sports seasons are over, and its time to get back at it.

I started back running with a new friend. I have missed having someone to go with, to push each other, when you know they are out in the 25 degree cold morning air its great motivation to get the behind out of bed to meet them. We started  our training off with a series of hills to tackle hoping to build up some endurance for our "normal" runs. Brad calls this section of road "The Double D's" yes he nicknames everything! They really do earn the name being I believe a 8-10% grade one right after the other. I hope to keep this up throughout the winter, in years past this is when I take a break but for the mental sanity of myself and in return for my family I NEED this! As the saying goes.........

Torrie and I attended a Zumba class together last week, I am not sure she liked it but said she would go again, she was behind me the whole time probably thinking to herself,

"Wow my mom still knows how to Pop Lock AND Drop it!!"
Or this is why she was noncommittal to going back with me lol.

The thing with Zumba is the dang mirror stretched across the front of the class that gives you a great view of your coordination or lack of, and just how successful you are at shaking your thang. I am always reminded of this picture when dancing, but you know what as long as I "feel" like that hot zumba girl and don't look in the mirror to be shocked into reality, its GREAT!!!

Brad and Kydall have gotten out the bikes and done some great rides. Kyndall is one tough cookie on the bike. She did a 26 mile ride the other day with Brad and another friend around Sand Hallow even got a flat, thank goodness Dad was there to fix. I think for her she is alot like me and the bike is her time to be quite, be with herself and her thoughts, I am glad she has an outlet to use and takes advantage of it.

We are planning on hiking Angels Landing in Zion's National Park on Thanksgiving morning, its such a great way to get up and be active before the big meal. If you are ever in the park its a must check it out here >>>>>Angels Landing

Utah Names

We moved to Utah a very young couple a year and a half after we were married with a 6 month old baby, yes that's right I got pregnant 3 months after getting married. I was already your typical young Mormon and didnt even know it. While pregnant with Torrie I was sure we would name her Taylor, I thought it was original enough. Well then Garth Brooks had a baby girl (well his wife did) and sure enough Taylor was the hot new name. I knew I wanted something a little more unique so we started to play around with different names and spellings, I will never forget my mom's disappointment while saying..

 "She will never find her name spelled correctly on a key chain at Disneyland!"

I guess that is probably a problem for alot of people in Utah, I found this video on a blog I stalk. I find it pretty funny and amazing how many of the names I have heard of.

Enjoy~~~