BAM - Irresistible Photos!

The Gardener was so excited about the Baby Landon photos; and there were even BONUS photos included in the email....THANKS Lady Rainbow!

Niece McKenna trying out rollerskating!

Niece Emily sharing love with great-nephew Keagan!

BAM - Baby Landon!

Our family has a new member....great-nephew Landon!

Landon is the son of our nephew Kevin. He's Heather and Kevin's first baby and we are so excited for them!

Kevin is our youngest nephew; the one that was in a horrific car accident two years ago and his prognosis was iffy at best. All of the many prayers for Kevin worked and look at all the good that has happened.

This little blessing joins great-nephews Corbin and Keagan, and great-niece Kaylee.








Proud Papa, our nephew Kevin

BAM - Ate for Tait

Today The Gardener is having a professional ORDINARY ADVENTURE and finds herself in California. Although The Gardener is not much one for a burger, when in southern Cali one must consider the infamous In-N-Out Burger! In honor of my friend Taiter Tot, TG did indeed indulge in half of a burger and some fries. Only for you Tait, only for you....thus the title Ate for Tait.

It's been a rough week with the passing of Aunt Anna and the whole missing wedding rings debacle (rings have been located). This Gardener is anxious for the weekend and to sleep late in my own bed.

While The Gardener is bringing home the bacon from Cali, The Golfer is prepping for the 20th Annual Guy's Weekend to Vegas. Yes, that was 20. The Golfer will miss the attendance of co-founder Raider Paul this year, but is hoping Mr. Paul can make it next year. Look out people, The Preacher is joining The Golfer and although Millie's Mom and The Gardener have heard the "Haagen Dazs on the Strip" story, we're not sure we're buying it.

BAM - The Gardener goes Pro!

The Three Piggies (The Gardener, Eb and Gab) stepped out for a little Pro Basketall - yes, the NBA came to town!

This was the first NBA game for The Gardener who is famous for her love of college basketball as well as her college b-ball stalker tendencies. The game was between the Portland Trailblazers including Mr. Shavlick Randolph from Duke and the Atlanta Hawks including Mr. Acie Law from Texas A&M (who kept Eb entertained all evening). Also in the mix.....former Mizzou player Mr. Thomas Gardner! This gave The Gardner a thrill and the old stalker battle cry almost came out.

We were definitely in the minority and learned a few new things. One thing we learned is that if eight cops are looking for a black guy in a black shirt and black pants at an NBA game, they aren't going to find him without more of a description.

The Golfer showed no interest in this event when approached about it several weeks ago; too bad because it was fun! Although The Gardener prefers college ball, she left saying "I could do this every Friday night!"

BAM - Long Overdue Photos of the Precious Cristina

Here's a photo of The Golfer and Cristina from the McDermott's visit last month. Christina is just so cute!





It was a very busy weekend. In addition to The Teacher and The Gardener making a breast cancer survivor blanket (way to go Teacher - you are winning the battle!), we went to the Children's Farmstead, the WP Art Fair and even went to the Husker fans' local hangout to watch the Huskers play some football.

Uncle Golfer taught Cristina a couple of doozies:
1. Chew and show (nice)
2. Laugh at your Mom when she tells you no

Fortunately by the time they left, Cristina had forgotten both (I think).

Cristina LOVES shoes and will wear anyone's shoes around the house. Slip off a flip flop? She's like a dog going after a bone. She loves all shoes and is pretty good at walking in heels already. Her folks better start saving now because they are going to have a real shoe problem on their hands.

While The Teacher and The Connoisseur went out for "date night" TG&TG finally were able to get Cristina all to ourselves and spoil, spoil, spoil her. What fun! She did not however show much interest in going to bed...we tried!

She's going to be an angel for Halloween...can't wait to see those photos!



Cristina having some lunch and showing great interest in Uncle Golfer's Garmin. Her Daddy really liked it, too. :-)




Prepping for "chew and show".

One day I will post the beuatiful story of Cristina. Yes, this beautiful little girl comes with a beautiful story....her Mom and Dad are LIVING THE DREAM.

BAM - Ro Ro's Baby - Update

Ro Ro went home today shortly before noon. This morning's ultrasound revealed that Little Babe had not pulled out the stent! All is going well! Keep the prayers coming for Ro Ro, Mr. Ro Ro (aka JJ.....stop laughing Ro), the Karate Kid and Little Babe.

BAM - Oh My...TV Trauma is over!

Tonight the first 42" was packed up for return tomorrow night. The 4th TV was the FINAL TV and The Gardener is no longer laughing, she just wants it to be over.

This is one of those ORDINARY ADVENTURES that went on too long.

BAM - Travels, Travels and More Travels

Last week The Gardener was in St. Louis on Sunday and Monday, Dodge City on Wednesday through Friday and left Dodge City on Friday for Dallas - time for a visit to Sylvie and family!

Friday night was spent helping Sylvie and Coach prepare for Saturday's fall fundraiser and prep we did. Check out the "before" picture to the left. Yes, we were up past midnight. Saturday was quite successful, almost $4,000 was raised!

The Golfer arrived via airplane on Saturday morning for a quick weekend and offered up great assistance and company during the fundraiser. He also enjoyed Wii with the kids, although he definitely suffered a Wii bowling injury and we're not confident the Wii control works all that great anymore. Perhaps it has something to do with the control hitting the coffee table, then the ceiling, then the tile floor. The good news is - The Golfer's hand isn't broken!

Now, you won't believe these children. I had wanted to post their baby pictures next to their first photos on The Blog but alas, it's 10:15pm and The Gardener still needs to hit the treadmill.

Here's the KyleMAN (in the red shirt) helping load a sold trampoline on to a truck. The emphasis on MAN was intended. This kid is wearing a size 13 shoe!

After the volleyball game on Saturday night (see info next to Mistletoe's photo) KyleMAN took us through the hallway of his old school to show us the many trophies engraved with his name!KyleMAN has turned into quite the football player and has been recognized often for his great play and sportsmanship as well as his terrific academics. It does not suprise TG&TG that KyleMAN loves football; we recall him at about 12 months old standing in front of our TV on Sunday afternoon, pounding the screen and hollering "football! football!" I even have a photo of that somewhere......

TG&TG were lucky enough to get to see Mistletoe in action during a rec volleyball game on Saturday! The school volleyball season is over and it's on to rec volleyball which Mistletoe really enjoys and she's good at it. She was also kind enough to give up her bedroom for us - mucho appreciation, Toe!

Mistletoe has matured a lot since last September when Sylvie and The Gardener took her to the Mall of America. One thing about Mistletoe that won't ever change.....she's a shopper!

Sunday morning at 10am came too soon as TG&TG hit the road. As we turned off their streeet, The Golfer said "that was a great time!" and he's right, it was! It was a very short trip and sometimes those end up being the best. A mere 7.5 hours later when we were 30 minutes from home, The Gardner said "That was a quick trip home!" and The Golfer replied "Of course it was, you slept all of it but 2 hours!". Thanks to The Golfer (aka my hero) for driving me home after I'd driven/ridden many, many miles that week. And to Sylvie and family...we'll see you again soon! Miss you all!

BAM - Ro Ro's Baby

The Gardener's friend Ro Ro is having a baby (due in January) and lo and behold, this precious bundle is wanting to cause a little panic for everyone prior to its actual arrival.

Because Mr. Ro Ro travels quite a bit for his job, The Gardener has been known to go to appointments as the "pseudo spouse" and therefore knows a lot of detail. Instead of going on and on and on about this Little Babe and its troubles, The Gardener will instead provide a Reader's Digest version.

MODERN MEDICINE IS AMAZING! Today Little Babe (still in utero) had surgery! The doctor believes the surgery was successful and tomorrow morning we'll know more when an ultra sound is done. Hopefully Little Babe will not pull out the stent that was placed in today.

Ro Ro was feeling very well when The Gardener delivered the Jack's Stack baked beans tonight (one of Ro Ro's favorites). The Karate Kid (4 yrs. old) was also at the hospital and a cute picture was snapped of Mom and son having a chat. No, The Gardener doesn't normally have her camera at the hospital when visiting after surgery....it was still in her purse from the trip to Dallas! Yes...watch for a Dallas post soon.