This was just funny...

Tyler, JD and Brandon

I guess if you love basketball you will do what you can to play. This was on Christmas Day at my parent's house.

BEFORE...

Brandon


Tyler

AFTER...

Tyler and Brandon

Christmas Day!

Christmas morning isn't nearly as exciting as an adult as it was when I was a kid. I suppose it would be more exciting if we had kids to watch them open their presents. We did get to sleep in and that's a bonus that many parents don't get :) We rolled out of bed around 9:30 and opened presents. Kudos to Matt for doing a great job on Christmas. He got me a new Dooney and Bourke purse! I love it. I think the best gift from me to Matt was the $25 gift I gave him to McDonalds. It was supposed to be a joke...hmmm I will remember that. His birthday is in January.

We did have to quickly get ready and get up to my parents house. Elder Kenny Gardner was calling soon! I wish I had some pictures of us all talking to him. He sounded really great. He has been out 5 months now. We miss him but he is doing a great job in Ireland.

We opened presents from one another. The theme this year was fun and games. Laura and Sam had us and gave us Ticket to Ride the Swiss version and if we get sick of playing that we can go to a movie with the gift card they also gave us. Thanks, Sam and Laura!

Mom and Dad opening their gifts from the kids...the adult kids :)

Gma and Don opening the gifts from my parents. A photo album of our family and a year subscription to USA Today.

We spent the afternoon playing games, eating food...and drinking lots of soda (as you can see in the picture)

Later in the afternoon we went up to Pleasant Grove to visit Matt's brother. We had a fun time at Jeff and Lisa's. We played Ticket to Ride the German version. That is what Matt and I gave them for Christmas. I guess Ticket to Ride was the gift to give this year :) I meant to take some pictures but I left my camera in the car and it was too cold to get it...next time!

After we got home...

Growing up my family had the tradition that everyone would open a present on Christmas Eve. Of course, it was pajamas (doesn't everyone have that tradition?) So, I have so many pajamas because I can't throw any of them away. They are still in great shape but I don't want to keep buying pajamas to uphold the tradition. Solution, get new slippers every year and throw out the old ones.

Matt was very happy I made him take this picture :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was great. We spent the time at my parents this year. Not everyone was here this year but we still had a good group of 12! We had an awesome dinner. Matt was very pleased because my mom cooked a ham this year. Not many in my family are big fans of ham so we never had it growing up...not on Christmas Eve and not on Easter, but this year Matt got his ham. My Mom always makes things perfect. Thanks Mom!

After dinner we enjoyed some Olympic events on the Wii and Joey showed us what a great boxer he was and made sure we knew that he was the best at home run derby...he was sweating and out of breath by the time he was done. It was so funny to watch get his whole body into it!

Joey playing home run derby

Nate teaching Gma how to play the Wii


Joey challenging Nate to a game of baseball

After all the fun and games we had a really nice Christmas program. Sadly, no pictures. We had a great night.

Merry Christmas to Me!

Novell had a little Christmas party last week that Matt and I went to. It was during work time...of course we would be there. They had a lot of great prizes they were giving out and all you had to do is spin the wheel.

This is how it worked

1. Choose 5 out of 12 numbers on the wheel.
2. Spin the wheel.
3. If the pointer lands on one of your 5 chosen numbers you win. If the pointer doesn't land on one of your 5 chosen numbers you get a consolation prize.
4. If you win, you get a chance to "upgrade" your prize by choosing 2 new numbers out of the 12.

Matt went first. He chose his 5 numbers and lost. His consolation prize was a robe...yes, a bath robe. Matt had to get back to work so he left. Then it was my turn. I chose 5 numbers and I WON!! My prize was a juice leatherman. It retails for about $100. I was way excited. Then I was asked if I wanted to upgrade. I said "sure" and chose 2 more numbers. I spun the wheel and first BROKE the wheel by knocking it over. Oops! Once they got it working again they let me spin again for my upgraded prize. So I spun the wheel and this time it was successful and I WON AGAIN! What did I win? I won a 500GB hard drive. This hard drive is great because it will back up what you have on your computer. It is equivalent to storing 142,000 pictures! It is a lot of space and retails for about $200. I was pretty excited.

I told Matt what had happened and he didn't believe me so I had to walk up to his desk to show him my winnings. Once he saw that I was serious he said "I am surprised you upgraded. If it was me I would have just stopped at the leatherman."

That is when I found out that if I would have lost on the second spin I would have only gotten the consolation prize...the bath robe. I didn't realize how much I was gambling! I thought I just wouldn't have won the hard drive. So, I am glad I won. I would have been sad if I wouldn't have won on the second spin and my leatherman would have been taken away.

I am so excited about this that I will be taking pictures of my winnings and posting them :)

So Close...

BYU played #9 ranked Michigan State on Saturday. They played at the Energy Solutions Arena. BYU couldn't hang on to a win after being up by 10 at half time. Michigan State won 68-61. It was a disappointing loss but it was fun still fun to see them play at the ESA.

Laura and Jen

Tara and Nate

A Christmas Carol

We had the Chance to go to A Christmas Carol at the Hale Center Theater in Orem on Friday Night. We went with a few of my siblings. When we got there we noticed 6 or 7 plastic cups tacked up against the ceiling. We were wondering what they were for and then realized it was to catch drips from the leaking ceiling. It was a super wet night. It had been raining all day long. Anyway, We found it quite funny...it was just kind of ghetto looking. We were even laughing harder when we realized there was a plastic cup catching water about 6 inches above Nate's head. We all had a good laugh but Nate didn't find it so funny when it started dripping on him half way through the play! He was a good sport about it. Good thing Hale Center Theater is moving to a brand new location. Hopefully the ceilings are in a little better shape.

Overall we had a good time and it was a great reminder of how we should be during the Christmas season.

Nate and "The Cup"

Sam and Laura

Nate and Tara










Matt and Sharon

I Love It!

Matt and I have wanted a piano for a LONG time but I never thought it would be an option until we got into a house. I knew I couldn't convince Matt or anyone else to move it up the stairs...or worse down the stairs when we eventually move. So we looked into a digital piano. After doing some research we decided to buy one. We just got it yesterday but I already have many reasons to love it.

1. It is much, much lighter than a regular piano.

2. It has a volume and headphones...no one has to listen to what you are playing.

3. I love being able to play whenever I want instead of just playing when we are at my parents house.

4. It never has to be tuned.

5. It feels and sounds like a real piano.

Not so good things that I have discovered

1. My head is faster than my fingers...I can read the music what I should be playing but my fingers just don't want to move that fast.

2. I get a huge knot in my back just like the good 'ole days when I used to practice everyday.

3. This is kind of embarrassing...I am losing sleep over it. It took me forever to fall asleep because I just kept thinking about playing the piano. I think this will go away over time. At least I hope so!

4. It takes up room.

5. It's not a grand piano...but it will have to do for now.

Soon it will be Christmas Day...

For the first year Matt and I have a Christmas tree! I am so proud of it that I had to post what it looks like. We don't have many ornaments so we had to use ribbon and Christmas balls this year. We don't have a star either. We have been looking EVERYWHERE for a star tree topper...Target, Wal-Mart, Roberts. We can't find one that we like. I am sure we will find one eventually.

This is our living room with all of our Christmas decorations...I'm so proud :)

4th and 18!

Wow! What a game. BYU pulled off another nail biter. Really I hate those intense games. It makes my heart race and my stomach gets in knots. I can only imagine how the players feel. Unfortunately, I was not invited to the game. This game was just for the boys so Matt went to the game and I stayed home. It was a good thing Matt wasn't home and he didn't have a video camera spying on me. I was going nuts screaming and jumping off the furniture...yes I realize I am 27 and not 6. I just couldn't contain myself. After Matt got home we re-watched all the great plays (thanks to TiVo) and we are still enjoying the 17-10 victory over the Utes. It great to see that BYU is ranked 19th. Go cougs!

Just in case you live under a rock, I have included a re-cap of Saturdays game http://deseretnews.com/article/email/send/1,5228,695230603,00.html

BYU Basketball did great this weekend too. They played Louisville who was ranked 6th. BYU beat them! They played UNC (ranked #1) on Saturday night and ran with them the whole game. They even had a chance to win at the end but just couldn't pull it off. The good news is that the win against Louisville got them at #21!

Thanksgiving 2007

Sharon and Matt Thanksgiving Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving started off with what has become somewhat of a tradition for Matt and I. We ran the 4 mile International Turkey Run. I think we really do it so we don't have to feel as guilty for stuffing ourselves the rest of the day:) It was a cold, cold morning...23 degrees and the wind didn't help! By the time we started I couldn't feel my toes. I finally got some feeling in them around mile 2. Matt did a great job and really toughed it out. He had sprained his ankle 2 days before playing basketball and he still ran...he did pay for it later with a swollen, purple and tender ankle. Mike and Renae also ran the 4 miles and their kids ran the kids races. The kids were so excited to cross the finish line. Laura also did the Turkey Run and did a great job.

if you care enough to see the results from the turkey run visit
http://srcevents.com/thanksgiving/results.php

Mike, JR, Renae and Brandon

Matt, Sharon, Laura and Sam

Katelyn came to watch us run

Brittney getting ready to race

Amanda getting ready to race

After the run we got cleaned up and went to my parent's house for dinner this year. We had a crowd...but not everyone. Robbie and Lisa came from Denver and Darrell flew in from L.A. Mike and Renae made the long trip from Pleasant Grove and Matt and I, and Sam and Laura drove all the way from Provo :)

Dinner really took a toll on Matt

Laura, Lisa, and Renae

Katelyn, Amanda and Brittney

After dinner we watched football, ate lots of pie and played games. Rook as always is a given but we also played Ticket to Ride. A game Matt's sister introduced us to. I am not much of a game person (unless it's Rook) but this game is actually pretty fun. Sorry Jeff and Lisa I am still not playing past 10pm (I do value sleep over game playing.)

Matt, Laura, Sam and Me playing Ticket to Ride

Darrell, Robbie, Dad and Lisa playing Rook

We had a great weekend but it always goes by too fast!

Sunny St. George

Matt and I drove down to St. George this past weekend. We stayed at Joe and Julianne's Bed and Breakfast (and lunch and dinner.) They are great hosts! On Friday, Joe went to work and Matt played in his golf tournament while Julianne, Joey and I spent the day exploring fun little stores and hanging out. We of course had to make a stop into the newly open Tai Pan Trading Company and then fill-up with 44oz. of Diet Coke...Joey didn't of course :) Joey kept informing us that he was girl trapped all day. He was really glad when the boys joined us because that made Julianne and I boy trapped. Friday night we went to Sharky's (Mexican restaurant) and since Matt had never seen the Gardner Activity Center at Dixie College we gave him a tour.

Kenneth N. Gardner Activity Center

The Ledges Golf Course

On Saturday, Matt played day 2 in his golf tournament at the Ledges Golf course. He said the view was beautiful. I have passed the golf course 2 times in my life but both times were mile 17 and 18 of the St. George Marathon so I couldn't remember what it looked like...I am sure it is beautiful. Saturday morning I ran in a 5K race...I am one step closer to completing the Runners Series for a guaranteed entree into the 2008 St. George marathon. Mike and Renae drove down late Friday night to run the race as well and drove home just hours after the race was over. Renae is also in the Runners Series...I didn't want you to think they were that desperate to run 3 miles :)

We also listened to BYU defeat Wyoming 35-10 (very few TV stations in St. George get the Mountain...grrr!)

Saturday Night we enjoyed dinner at an old timers, one of a kind, home cookin' restaurant. Joe and Julianne had to re-assure us that the food was good. They were right. The onion rings were great and their pie was awesome.

Matt and Sharon

Joe, Julianne and Joey

We had such a fun time. Julianne and Joe need to stop being so nice so they don't have company every weekend :) For those planning on a St. George trip there is one item you must not forget. GUM!!! Joey had to have asked me for gum at least 20 times...good thing I was stocked.

Thanks Joe and Julianne!

Matt is going to be so mad at me...

Matt is not going to appreciate this at all but he was named employee of the month! I would have to agree. He is a hard worker, ALWAYS on time (really, he has never been late in the 6 months that he's worked at Novell) and a great team player. The downside is that I think he's going to keep the $100 extra to himself. Great Job Matt!

Soccer, Football, Soccer, Football...

Matt was faced with a tough decision yesterday. His last soccer game of the season fell on the same day as the BYU vs TCU game. After stewing about the decision for hours he chose soccer over football. I, however, chose football over soccer (does that make me a bad wife?) Matt played in his soccer game and came home with bloody lip due to a shoulder to the jaw. Good news is that they won. Meanwhile, I went to the football game. As some of you know there is nothing I hate more than being COLD!! So I prepared myself to brave the cold weather for the football game. I layered myself well and then put my snowboarding coat over all my layers. I had my beanie, gloves and even brought hand warmers (the ones that you put in your 72 hour kits) and then of course I also brought a blanket. Once we got to the game I was pleasantly surprised that is was 52 degrees outside...it's November and it was dark outside. Needless to say I was plenty warm and a little bit over dressed :) BYU did win (27-22) and it was fun to sit with Laura, Sam, and my parents.

Laura and Me

Mom and Dad

Laura and Sam

All that Jazz!

Matt and I were able to go to the Jazz game last night...it was a late game (it didn't start til 8:30) but it was worth it. Matt especially didn't mind the late game because it gave us enough time to go to Ruth's Chris. He loves any excuse to go there. So after we stuffed ourselves until we couldn't eat anymore we walked over to Energy Solutions Arena and enjoyed the game from a great view...12th row (thanks Dad!) We also ate yummy cookie dough ice-cream... apparently the walk from Ruth's Chris to ESA settled our food and left room for dessert :) It was fun watching LaBron James up close and of course all of the Jazz players. Deron Williams made the game winning layup with 1.3 seconds left! It was awesome. Jazz beat the Cavs 103-101.

I brought my camera to document our date night but it was out of batteries. I didn't know taking pictures had such a strong learning curve!

I found this picture from the Jazz/Houston playoff

game back in April...this will have to do.

Go Cougars!

Saturday was a fun but busy day! Laura and I spent the morning getting our Sproutz booth ready for a boutique in West Jordan. After an early morning (6am) 4 mile run we gathered all our Sproutz inventory together and drove to West Jordan. We were making good time on the way home until we were delayed due to an accident. Luckily we got home just in time to leave for the BYU football game.

Matt and I love BYU football! Thanks to Grandma Gardner we were sitting in the loge for this game. We had a great view and we ate and ate and then the 3rd quarter came and we ate some more...ice-cream sundaes and birthday cake for Sam's birthday. BYU did win, that was definitely a plus (BYU 35 Colorado State 16.)

Sharon and Matt at the BYU Game. Go Cougars!

Tyler, JR, JD and Brandon...I am still refining my photography skills :)

Happy Birthday Sam!!

After the game Laura and I went back up to West Jordan and we were pleasantly surprise that our booth did pretty well at the boutique. By the time we got home I was exhausted! I left Matt to watch ESPN by himself and I was in bed by 9:45 (really 8:45 because we changed our clocks back!)