Fall Fun

It was so fun to work in the kids class and see Ashton at his Halloween Party.
Ashton and his buddy Cooper

Kaden's Pumpkin

Tyler asked me if I was letting Ashton bedazzle his pumpkin to make up for the fact that we have 3 boys...

carving pumpkins

Pumpkin Patch

Ward trunk or treat

We had a soccer player and Two Harry Potters until Kaden decided he wanted to be Ron

U2 Concert

Tyler and I went to the U2 Concert for his Birthday!!

This was seriously the coolest stage ever!!
Awesome Concert

We had such a great time. When we were walking back to our car Tyler leaned over and said, "All spiritual and important things aside...like our marriage and the birth of our children- that was the BEST day of my life!! I was so glad he had such a great time. I know he has wanted to see them in concert since before we were married. Love you babe!!

Fall Break '09

Fall Break wouldn't be the same if we were not at Disneyland!!

What cute little cousins

Grandma and Addie

Kaden and Kenzie having fun in "their world"

Mommy and the boys

Trick or Treat

Oh Man...

The other day Kaden and my mom were talking about his birthday, the conversation went a little something like this:

Grandma: "Kaden, would you rather have a toy for your birthday or money?"
Kaden: immediately replies..."Money!!"
Grandma: "Ok"
Kaden: "Grandma, maybe I would rather have a toy for my birthday. If you give me money then I have to pay tithing on it."
Grandma: "Kaden, what if I give you a little extra to cover what you would pay in tithing."

Kaden's eyes widened. Then Spencer who just happened to be in the room with them pipes up..."Grandma then he will just have to pay more tithing!" (gotta love big brothers...always looking out for you)

Catching up!

Kaden's 2nd grade play "Go Fish" He was one of the sharks. He didn't end up singing, but he did have a good speaking part. He did a great job and loved it!

Spencer borrowed a hat to join in the fun. Ashton was afraid of the sharks

What a cute little Mako shark he made

This is the coveted "Super Star" that all the kids get when they can write their name All By Themselves. He was so excited, and came running out to show me his Super Star!

Ashton was very proud of his animals in their "lyon" He won't say the word "Line" He thinks it is "lyon" funny kid.

Ashton's preschool took a field trip to the Dentist. The kids loved all the little goodies...toothbrush, toothpaste, hooray!!

Happy Birthday Tyler!!
he turned 32

So excited...I got Tyler tickets to see U2 in concert. He has wanted to go ever since we got married. U2 and banana cream pie, he was a happy man. I love you tons!!

Holes?

Okay, I know this is probably not the most appropriate thing to blog about, but it is just cracking me up.

Tonight the boys were getting out of the shower when all the sudden Ashton (3yrs) gets this very worried tone in his voice and says, "Kaden what happened? You have a hole in your bummy." Kaden laughs and says, "Ashy, you have a hole in your bummy too, everyone does." Ashton breaks out into tears and starts crying. "Mommy, I don't want to have a hole in me, MAKE IT GO AWAY!" The boys and I have lost it and are laughing while this poor boy continued to be so disturbed. He kept looking over his shoulder behind him, puzzled at why he couldn't see it. It was like a dog doing circles round and round before it goes to sleep. We had a little talk and I think he is okay with it now, but the rest of the night he kept saying peoples names and asking if they had holes too.

Like I said, not the most appropriate topic, but Oh, the things that come out of this child's mouth just need to be remembered.

Proud Wife and Mom

This last week has been very rewarding for me as a wife and mother, although sadly it has nothing to do with me, just an amazing husband and children.

Thursday, Spencer came home and said, "Mom, I want to try out for student council. I have to write a paragraph on why I think the students should pick me. I have to turn it in on Monday." I said okay we will work on it this weekend. (by the way, there was no note sent home telling me about this ) Well, Friday I pick him up from school and he jumps in the car and says, "Mom, I'm on student council!!" (still no note). I of course am quite shocked and start asking a number of questions, one being "what about the paper you had to write?" He replied by saying, " Oh, my teacher told me the wrong day and it was really due today, so I stayed in at recess and wrote it." Still a little in shock I said, "what did you say?" Spencer said back, " I don't remember, all good stuff though. The kids liked mine the best and they voted me to be the representative for 4th grade. I have my first meeting on Tuesday. I have to be at school at 8am." (still waiting for a note, something...) A little unsure of how this was going to play out. I still hadn't heard anything from the school about him winning. Did he just think he had won? No note, news...who knows? He went to school Tuesday morning and sure enough he had won, and was supposed to be there. WOW!! I was so proud of him to have the courage to run for office. He just started a brand new school this year and I thought he would be a little nervous, not knowing anyone, but NO! I am so grateful he has the confidence to step out of his comfort zone and do something new. What this little guy lacks in height, he sure makes up for in courage!! I love you Spencer and I hope you never lose that spark and drive for life.

Friday, Ashton went to preschool and his teacher pulled me aside and said, "look what Ashton did?" She said, "I started to write the letter "A" and then I walked away to help some one and I came back to this." He wrote his name all by himself. It was a little crazy, but you could totally make out his name. He is 3 and has only been in preschool since August. I was pretty impressed. He was so proud of himself. He keeps telling me, "mom, I'm the only one in my class that has a big "A". Ashton, I love your sweet spirit. I tell Tyler all the time I wish I could strap a video camera to him to capture all his hilarious moments. I will have to post some of those later.

Monday, Kaden came home and said, "mom, I tried out for a solo in our 2nd grade musical." Again in shock, I said "YOU DID, what did you sing?" He said, " just a song from the play." Spencer chimes in with, "You know a solo means you have to sing in front of the WHOLE school?" Kaden says, "Yea, I know." (For those of you who don't know...WE DON'T SING). With great admiration I said, "Kaden, that is awesome. I am so proud of you." Although he appears to be the life of the party on the outside, he actually has a very tender heart and is a little more shy when it come to doing things in public by himself. I was excited to see him stepping, or leaping rather, out of his comfort zone. You rock little man! Kaden, You make me laugh everyday and I love you!

Tuesday, Tyler was up all night writing an ebook for his OVER EXPOSURE site and then released it the next morning. He did such a wonderful job and I am so proud of him. I am constantly amazed at all he can juggle in that brain of his and still function. He is a great writer and knows how to capture his audience. He works so hard for our family, spending countless hours with little or no sleep. I want him to know he is the most A*Mazing husband and father ever!! I love you!

As a mother I have days, weeks... when I question how I'm raising my children. "Am I doing this right, or that right? Am I spending enough time with each one? Am I teaching them all they need to survive in this crazy world? Then I wonder, " is any of what I'm teaching sinking in?"
This last week was a little testament to me that maybe...it is. It is my privilege and honor to have these 3 boys call me "Mom."

School Time

All ready for school!
Spencer is starting 4th grade this year and Kaden is in 2nd
They are both so handsome and I am proud of all they have accomplished.
I love you two!!

We went to the kids school a few days before to meet their teachers and see their classrooms.

Ashton's 1st day of school

Ashton started his first day of Preschool today. He was so excited to be big like the boys. He filled his backpack with a book, a drink and bagel, (for snack time) and of course he had to have a cold pack. He told me, "mommy, I want my backpack heavy like the boys."

He was all smiles until we got inside the front door of school, and then he wanted to bolt for the door. His teacher Mrs. Stewart was so great with him and they played with dinosaurs as I quickly made an exit for the door. A little apprehensive about how he would do on his first day alone, I waited for a phone call...and nothing!
When I went to pick him up he was beaming from ear to ear and came running out telling me how much fun school was.
The next day of school we drove up to her house and he said to me, " Mommy, I do it all by myself!!" He wanted to get out of the car all by himself and go running into school alone.

How quickly they grow up and become independent. It is so sweet and yet a little sad to watch him grow up. I know it is my last time doing all these mile stones and I am trying to engrave them all in my brain. I have to say it is priceless to watch him head off into school. His little legs are running, backpack bouncing, and he is waving and smiling all the way to the door.
I love it and I love you Ashy!!

Disneyland...Beach...San Diego...SUMMER!!

We went to California for about 6 weeks because I had to have a surgeon fix what the Doctor here did wrong, so we made a little vacation out of it.

Hanging out in San Diego

The boys loved these swings made out of tires

Huntington Beach with Tyler's family

Love these Boys!!!

Little buddies--Dawson, Spencer, Lake

Oceanside Beach

Disneyland

Ashton and I went on a boat ride around the pirate island and the whole time he was telling me about when he was a Pirate. 'Mommy, when I was a pirate this was my Island and my ship. I would fight the bad guys with my sword." "Mommy, when I was big like you I was a pirate and I fight."

waiting for the fireworks to start

We had such a great time this summer in California, even though I had to have surgery again. At least we were out of the HEAT here for a little while, but we sure missed Daddy.

4th of July and summer fun

Bring on the Water...it's summer time!!

Cousins playing and having fun

4th of July in Old Town

We took the kids to the parade in Temecula and they had a blast waving their flags, seeing the horses, old cars, and fire trucks.

This was my favorite moment. Everyone had their hands over their heart listening to the Star Spangled Banner and Ashton was saluting, just like the men in uniform. It was very sweet!

We are so grateful to live in a land where we are free!!
In God We Trust

10 Year Anniversary!!!

We went to Cancun on our Honeymoon and loved every minute! Tyler surprised me with a trip back to paradise for our 10 year Anniversary!!

Our boat ride and the view from our hotel window

Royal Solaris Cancun, Mexico
This was our home for a few days...Not too shabby

We went to a wild animal park/nature aquarium called Xcaret.
We were walking along a path and this was just sitting on the side of the road
there weren't any gates and wall keeping the animals fenced in. They just roamed around...pretty cool!

riding a turtle

These things are huge!! An actual turtle shell and turtle. He reminded me of Crush from Nemo.

The water is crystal clear, the sand is white and feels like powder, and could it get any more tropical and humid? A far cry from our dry desert in Arizona!

There are old ancient ruins all over Cancun

This picture actually was taken straight, the house is just that slanted. For once we felt Tall!

This part of the Island is so amazing. There is an underground tunnel that is filled with water and it runs for over a mile through the park. We swam and snorkeled through the tunnel and saw all kinds of fish.

This is a church in the park

We watched a show that night in a huge theater reenacting ancient customs, traditions, and games. Everyone was given a little candle and then they came and lit the wicks so the whole theater had these little lights.

This was the last day of our vacation, our actual Anniversary date. It was pretty crazy to think back and realize we were here 10 years ago, and how far we have come. One incredible journey with my best friend, with an eternity of fun times to come. Ty, I love you tons!! You are the BEST!

Motocross

Sunday after church we sat the kids down to tell them we wanted to set some goals and values for our family. We wanted to have a family Mission statement and Motto to live by. This became somewhat of a serious discussion that the two older boys were totally involved. Ashton left the room for a few minutes when all the sudden we heard the back door shut and he came running into the family room, took this stance and said, "Motocross".
We of course all busted up laughing and our serious moment was GONE!
He then wanted us to play "Motocross" Duck, Duck, Goose. He had new rules for the game too. We had to sit in a circle and one person would walk around the circle and tap everyone on the head-not saying anything. Then when you came to the person you wanted to tap you say "Motocross" Jump up and run not only in a circle, but all the way around the kitchen Island, back to the family room and sit down, before you were tagged. He was the hit of the night and so proud of himself.

We did actually get something accomplished

The Garns Family Mission Statement

We promise to be Grateful, Smart, Clean, True, Humble, and Prayerful.
We strive to be worthy to serve a Mission, receive Priesthood and Temple blessings, and treat others with Respect. We talk of Christ, We rejoice in Christ, and We preach of Christ, that we may live together as an Eternal Family.

Our Motto: Serve with Strength, Honor, and Love

Stanger Family Reunion 2009

We gathered in St. George, Utah for a family reunion on my mom's side over Memorial Day weekend. It was so fun to see family we've not seen in a long time or had never met. We had a great weekend and wonderful Grandparents to thank for making it happen. We love you!

This is the group, or at least a good majority who were able to come.

The People responsible for creating the bunch.

Uncle Chuck(Grandma's brother and his wife El),Uncle Maynard, Grandpa Dovell
Aunt Rula(Grandma's sister), Aunt Orvilla(Grandma's sister), Grandma Pamela Joyce

Our side of the family

Jeremy, Courtney, Dawson, MacKenzie, Addelynn, and Berlynn

Us

Troy, Janelle, Max, and Adam

My Grandma Afton Meldrum (My dad's mom)
She lives just down the street so we visited her while we were in town.

On Sunday we had this wonderful plan to try and keep the Sabbath Holy, SO what better way then to go take a walk around the temple and visitors center.
I went to take a picture of the kids on the St. George Temple steps and Kaden slipped and cracked his front tooth, of course it had to be a permanent one. He also split his lip open, so he's not smiling because everytime he opened his mouth to smile his lip opened back up and blood...

Dawson and Spencer

All these kids were so cute. They were playing with toy animals, gathering them food, water, and shelter. It was very sweet and fun to watch them all play together so well.

Ashton is batting balloon style

We all went to the water park and the kids had a blast. I love this picture. I just wish Ashton would have joined in, but he was being a momma's boy

Put him on a swing and he was in seventh heaven
I love this of the 3 boys

We went rock climbing there too, and it was a huge hit!!

Kaden and Spencer all strapped up ready to climb

They both climbed all the way to the top and rang the bell!

Ashton was even a part of it too. He thought he was SO COOL, and just like the "Big Kids"

Tyler wasn't going to miss out on the fun

On Memorial Day we took the kids over to the Cemetery to teach them a little bit about the significance of that day.

Spencer and Kaden stood there nicely and let me take a picture, not touching anything around them. Then Ashton gets up and wants his own picture and does he stand there nicely...NO, if you look closely he has his hand on the trigger of the gun on the statue.

I loved this monument and memorial that was displayed for all those who did not have a head stone. It's messege rings true and makes you PROUD to be an AMERICAN!!

Having 3 boys is a little scary when I think that they could possibly have to go to war one day. I hope that day never comes, but standing there reading all these names of men who died so that we might be free is very humbling.

Ashton wanted his picture taken by all the flags. He would go from one head stone to the next saying "Mommy take my picture by this one" I just kept hoping the families of them were not around.

On our way home we went through Lake Mead and over the Hoover Dam. They are building an unbelieveable structure. This huge arch will support a road that will eventually run on top. It is just massive, and pretty cool!

Maui-2009

The end of May Tyler and I went on an awards trip with Infusionsoft. It was supposed to be held in Puerto Vallarta, but due to the swine flu we ended up in Maui...not a bad trade off!

This was the first night we arrived at the welcome dinner. Coming from Arizona to this beautiful sunset...A*MAZING!!

This is where we ate breakfast every morning, the other side looked out on to the ocean. There were huge colorful fish in this pond.

One night we went to dinner at the Pineapple Grill with some friends and family from work.
We had such a great time!

We hung out by the pool, had yummy Lava flow drinks, watched unbelievable sunsets, and enjoyed wonderful company.

This was our favorite spot at the pool. Tyler was a reading machine and caused quite a stir. He would walk around the pool holding his book up out of the water, reading away. We heard from several random people at dinner about "the pool reader guy" apparently they got a kick out of it. He does look pretty hot though-love you babe

On Friday we had to be in the lobby by 5:45am to go on a snorkeling adventure to the famous Molokini Island. I was loving the fact I would be on a boat all day, I love it!! They fed us warm cinnamon rolls and fruit in the morning and BBQ chicken for lunch. We saw all kinds of colorful, amazing fish. We saw Nemo and Dori and many more. Then they took us over to Turtle land to see huge turtles swimming.

The sunrise from the boat

Molokini Island

Friday night we met at the harbor for an awards night and dinner cruise.

Me, Kym, and Amy

Tyler won the "Marketer of the year award" he didn't want his picture taken, the modest boy.

It reads: Marketer of the year
aka "El Animal"
25k miles and 25-hour days, baby!!!

Saturday came all to quickly and it was time to say goodbye to this beautiful hotel. We stayed at the Maui-Westin Resort and Spa

This is the lobby of the hotel. We were waiting for our bus to come and take us back to Beautiful Arizona...

We had such a wonderful trip and were so glad we had the opportunity to go and hang out with family and friends from work. Thanks babe for working so hard and being absolutely incredible at what you do!