2011 Wrap Up

I made a goal to post more often as to keep those friends and family members interested in keeping up with our adventures informed since we now live in a different state than most of them. It's a much more difficult goal than you would think. I find myself having all these fantastic adventures with Michael and forgetting or procrastinating posting about them. Here is yet again another "playing catch up post."

Michael and I enjoyed an eventful last few months of 2011. We spent a few days in Texas (for the BYU vs TCU football game at Cowboys Stadium!!) with Michael's brother David and his wife Melissa and their children. Melissa and I were in heaven! (Go Cowboys!!) Michael and I have decided we like Arlington, TX as our future place of residence.

X marks the spot where JFK was shot in West End, Dallas, TX.

The museum near where JFK was assassinated.

Michael at the Dallas Temple...trying to find directions on the GPS on his phone.

The group at dinner. Michael's dad recommended the restaurant.

Michael thoroughly enjoying his steak.

My husband has a cute butt. ;)

November saw a milestone in our lives...I made my first Thanksgiving Dinner!! I can't find the pictures, but I assure you that my turkey was absolutely perfect. I'll post pictures if I find them. :) Michael and I spent Thanksgiving with my Grandma and Aunt Jackie. It was a great day full of good food and even better company.

December was rough. We made it down to Vegas for Michael's birthday and Christmas; I even threw him an awesome BYU vs UNLV Rivalry birthday party. Sadly, Michael's dad was very ill (we were afraid he might pass away) so it was less than the usual Gardner Christmas this year. I'd never seen my husband really cry until this trip. It was heartbreaking to see him so sad and scared for his dad.

January - March of 2012 has found Michael and I separated and not enjoying it one bit. I have moved back to Vegas for my final semester of school and Michael has stayed in Provo to work and go to school as well. We're not enjoying this arrangement in the least, but at the end of May I will be finished with my Communication Degree so we're sucking it up and enduring to the end.

*February 24, 2012 marked the one year anniversary of my Grandpa's death. I still miss him every day.

Grandpa's chair.

Fun With Cousins

A couple weeks ago my cousins Keli and Shawndie drove up to Provo from Ephraim to spend Saturday with me and Michael. Keli, Shawndie, and I volunteered at Friends in Need Animal Rescue in Eagle Mountain. We had a ton of fun with the pigs, emus, ducks, and brushing out the horses.

Keli and Shawndie feeding the pygmy goats

Bonnie the Emu

Shawndie and Keli brushing Ray.

After working hard on the "ranch" we went to Porter's Place in Lehi for some GOOD food! It was one of the most entertaining meals of my life. But we'll save that story for another blog. ;)

After lunch/dinner we went back to Provo to see Michael. The four of us went to Classic Skating for some bouncy house and roller skating fun. Just take a look for yourself.

Keli climbing the wall to get to the slides.

Shawndie balancing on the "mushroom" . It's  a lot harder than it looks.

Keli had mad skills to be able to stand up.

Michael and Shawndie fighting over the "mushrom".

Keli lost her leg.

Michael back-crawling through  a tunnel.

Shawndie coming down the T-Rex slide.

Shawndie and the big T-Rex tooth.

Michael relaxing

Skating!!

We all had a lot of fun!

Our Trip to San Diego

Okay, so I haven't been very good at keeping the world up to date on the adventures of the Gardner Family of Provo, UT. I guess it's time to play a little game of catch up...again. So here's what we've been up to since my last post:

September 8-11
Michael and I flew into San Diego, CA. on Thursday for Michael's brother John's wedding. We were so excited to see the family, go to Sea World, be in the San Diego Temple for John and Amy's Sealing, and dance the night away at their reception. Boy, were we in for an adventure! 30 minutes after we landed, while picking up our rental car, all of San Diego, Orange County, parts of AZ and NM experienced a massive power outage. Gas stations, fast food restaurants, and even the Wal-Marts were closed. All the traffic lights were out and the freeway was packed in both directions as people tried to get out of the city. It honestly felt like we were in the beginning of a natural disaster or zombie apocalypse movie. We weren't able to check in at our hotel because of the power outage but, luckily, Michael's parents had already checked in at their hotel but were going to be a day late. We were able to stay the night in his parents' room. We found a small whole-in-the-wall pizza place that had a wood burning stove. By a small miracle I had $20 in cash in my wallet (I NEVER carry cash) so we were able to eat dinner. People were being turned away because they only had checks and credit cards. I will always carry cash with me from now on. The hotel room was unbelievably hot because of the lack of air conditioning. We were so happy when the power and the air came on at 3:00 am.

Here are some pictures of Michael and Bella hanging out in the hotel parking lot waiting/hoping to check in. I'm not gonna lie, the picture in the middle makes me excited to have children with this man. ;)

We went to Sea World with David, Melissa, and the kids on Friday. I LOVE Sea World!! We had such a great time seeing all the "sharks", as my nephew Ryan calls the whales and dolphins. Even though it was uncomfortably hot, I was in heaven! Orcas and dolphins are 2 of my favorite animals!! 

After Sea World we went to dinner with the whole family then rehearsed the ring ceremony. The brothers rehearsed the song they were going to sing at the reception.

Saturday was the Big Day!! We woke up with the sun and made our way to the beautiful San Diego Temple for John and Amy's Sealing. The Sealing was beautiful!

My sister-in-law Melissa and my adorable niece Bella.

My  dashing nephews Dylan and Ryan.

My Mother-in-law

David and Melissa's cute little family.

Michael and Ryan

Amy and John Gardner!

David and his adorable kids Ryan and Bella

Michael playing with Ryan

On our way to the reception David and Melissa's car go a flat tire. The boys (David and Michael) attempted to change the tire in their tuxes. Unfortunately, the tools they had didn't fit in the hubcap. Luckily there was a tire store nearby. David and Melissa took their car to get fitted with new tires and we took Ryan with us to the reception.

David's first attempt at changing the tire.

Michael stepped in to attempt .

This is Michael explaining to David that there's a size difference between the  hubcap and the tool.

David and Michael gave it one more "go".

Michael putting the tools away because they couldn't change the tire.

The Gardner Brothers singing to Amy at the reception.

After the reception we went to Sea World again with David and Melissa (and kids), Michael's parents, and his little brother Daniel.

Beluga Whale!

Feeding time!

Michael and Me with the Shamumobile.

The Shamu Show!!! I LOVE Orcas!! I want to be a trainer at Sea World some day. :)

We had to get up early Sunday morning to catch our plane back to Salt Lake. Unfortunately we over estimated the amount of time we would need and wound up waiting an hour to board our plane. The San Diego Airport had an area with rocking chairs for passengers to wait in. 

Despite the rocky start, we had a ton of fun in San Diego with the family!!