Happy Birthday Jamie-G!

My brother made this cookie cake for Jamie! It was yummy! I can't believe you decorated it too Jamie-B! Watch out Martha Stuart!
My brother Jamie, his wife Jamie (no really) and baby Emmy (and baby Taggart)
My brother Jeff and his girlfriend Carolyn
The other end of the table!

Our end of the table. The Gardanier's are hiding in the middle.

Olivia, Zach and Daddy having some good eats!

We had a great time at Jamie-G's birthday party tonight! We went to Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert. It was great! Joe, whoever you are, we would really like a Joe's Farm Grill in Litchfield Park! There is picnic tables outside and a nice grassy area, so the kids can run and play...a great place for families! Jamie, we hope you have a great birthday and a great year! We love you!

Jamie G's Baby Shower

My sister-in-law Jamie is due May 20th with little cowboy Taggart!
There is a race to the delivery room with these two. Who will win? I have my money on JG! Sorry Brittany!

Hailey, Gay (my Grandma) and Jordan
Brittany, Lara, and some great gifts in the back!
Someone I don't know, JG, Ashleigh, Shelly and Jordan

Jordan, Hailey, Wendy, and Robin
Jamie and our waiter. He made the night so much fun! He even gave us all hugs as we left! Was it the HUGE tip we left or that we are a bunch of hotties? We will never know!
My favorite bloggin' buddies, Alex and Brittany.


Shelly, my Mom and I threw a baby shower for Jamie at Oregano's Pizza. It turned out great and had a great turn out! The gifts were darling (note the baby cowboy boots!), the food was de-lish, and the company was top notch (although a few of my favorite peeps were absent!). I had an especially fa-bu evening, as it was one of my few get aways without the kiddos while Zane was out of town! We can't wait to meet my nephew, little Taggart James!

My Silly Zachary!

I bought Zach some big boy underwear in hopes it will kick start a little potty training. I had to laugh when he said, "Mom, it's a hat!" Not what I had in mind Zachary!Maddie and Olivia wanted some new hats too!

Should I be worried? He is carrying scriptures, do you think he is on his way to church?!
Taking a little nappy nap in Jakey's carseat.
Driving his "car" as he calls it. He insists on the handlebars being upside down, and wearing this pair of sunglasses upside down!

My Life As a *SINGLE* Mom

As many of you know, my husband has been out of town for three weeks. These past three weeks have put the "T" in trying. We have all heard the phrase "when it rains it pours". I never truly felt it pour until this experience. Here are just a few of the "highlights"!

It all started the day after Zane left. While we were out running errands I started having car problems. Well long story short, my car got towed to the Ford dealership, and has been there for two weeks. I got a new engine out of this.

So, we had to make do with Zane's little car. Only to find the tire was flat. With the help of Kelly, my neighbor we fixed my tire up enough to get me to Costco to buy a new one.

I planned on working two days while Zane was gone, and my parents graciously offered to babysit. Well the first night I worked my baby Jacob (who has never been sick before) got the flu. I sent both of my parents home with the flu. In my head I can hear my Dad saying "no good deed goes unpunished".

Well shortly after that I got the flu. So, I had a really sick baby and a really sick Mommy. During that time frame both of my boys got pink eye.

My lack of blogging lately has been due to the fact that my computer crashed. I took it to Zane's friend to repair it. He was so nice to help! Unfortunatly, it still doesn't work right. I am also having trouble with my brand new camera. Sorry no pictures of us with the flu! You will just have to use your imagination!

I haven't broken this news to Zane yet, but there was something sharp in the cup holder of his car. Well it punctured my paper cup and flooded the cup holder next to it. My cell phone was in that cup holder, and it has not worked right since.

The Silver Lining

Positive things/things I have learned from this *SINGLE* mom experience:

1. When you are sick, and someone needs a bath, wet wipes do a just fine job.
2. I have a new appreciation for my car! I love my Expedition. I never thought much about it until I had to be without it for two weeks. I love the space. I love the DVD player to entertain the kids. We felt like clowns getting out of a VW bug in Zane's car. It was very difficult fitting two car seats in there, not to mention groceries, and strollers.
3. We saved a ton of money on gas during these two weeks. Wow, Zane's car gets great gas mileage! We saved enough money to get a lot of take out!!!
4. Olivia is very responsible and is a huge help to me. I love and appreciate her so much!
5. I realize how many people care about us, and have appreciated all of the help, and offers for help I got from friends and family.
6. People are always telling me WOW, you have your hands full. It used to annoy me, and make me feel inadequate. I have gotten over that feeling. If my kids are bothering you, I DONT CARE!!! Yes, I have my hands full and I am loving every minute of it!
7. Even though we had hard times we managed to have lots of fun while Zane was away. If I ever get my camera working again, I will post pictures.
8. I have a new appreciation for my single mom friends. You guys are amazing to me how you can juggle kids and work!
9. Ford payed for ALL of the repairs on my car! The bill was for over $4000 and we don't have to pay a cent! A HUGE blessing!
10. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. We have really missed Zane, and are so excited for his return.

P.S. I couldn't find the song "You Had a Bad Three Weeks", so "You Had a Bad Day" will have to do for the background music!

Happy 14th Birthday Jordan!!!

We had a fun party for Jordan at Freestone Park. There was lots of fun ice blocking, playing at the park, and there was ALMOST a train ride (we got to the train 5 minutes too late!) We had a great time at your party JoJo, and you got lots of great stuff. I can't believe you are 14! You are a great cousin and neice Jordan, and we love you!

Happy 91st Birthday Gay!!!

We hope you have a great birthday Gay!!! Gay is my Grandma, my Mom's mom. My Aunt Cheryl wanted us to list the things we love about Gay on our blogs. Well there is way too many to list but here are a few things that I love about Gay:
1. Your love for The Abot's, Fenmore's, Chancelor's and Newman's. I am speaking in code so no one judges us! Obviously I have a love for all of these people too. You know where we are at 11:00 a.m. Mon-Fri!!!
2. Your cute hair. Your hair is always cut so cute, and styled real darling. You put the rest of us pony tail wearers to shame!
3. Your fashion sense. I have never seen my Grandma in an outfit that wasn't in style. I think Lauren Fenmore is your fashion consultent.
4. That there is always sweets at your house. I love anything chocolate, which reminds me I love your chocolate cake! Do you get it at Crimson Lights?
5. You can trust Gay with a confidence.
6. She has great storys to tell, I wish you would write them in a tell all book, "I CAN Deny It!" If Kay Chancellor can write a life history so can you! I will be your Amber Moore!

Hope you had a great birthday! You have always been a great example to Zane and me. We love you!!!

Sorry this is so late, my computer has been broken. Better late than never. Thanks Dana for letting me "borrow" the picture off of your blog. I love the picture!

Say Cheese!

Jacob got his pictures taken last week. I had a coupon, so I thought I could get out of there pretty cheap. NOT! All of his pictures were so cute I wanted them all. These are just a few of my favorites! I can't believe how fast he is growing!