Bubbles Anyone?

Boating..........

God Bless America

Somerset Tournament

We headed off recently to the town of Somerset for our first Hockey competition where Chuck decided that he was going to play GOALIE!!!!! Now he must have been okay with this, but his mother just about had a nervous BREAKDOWN in the championship game. We were playing for 1st or 2nd and the opposing team was making a lot of shots on goal, each time my heart just about jumping out of my throat. Chuck's nerves are much better than his mothers because he made outstanding saves and because of him they won the championship!! Literally post game, my hands were just shaking, as a mom you just want your children to do the very best they can and hope that is enough to help their teammates. Chuck is like me VERY hard on himself so I was happy for him and his success- he was beaming from ear to ear post game!!! Now the coaches want to work with him for full time goalie, I just said "Let's give all the kids a chance and come back to Chuck"... they all just laughed at me. Anyway here are MANY pictures of the game....enjoy!!!
Warming up..

Game Time


oh, he did play one game as right wing too :)


You can't see it very well because of the plexy glass but that is Chuck with the trophy to the right, the coaches gave it to him and told him to skate around with the team as a VICTORY lap.. LOL funny!!!


And the Champions!!!!

Hockey Has Started........

Well the season got off to a slower start than normal this year due to some unforeseen association changes(organizer quit)so we are all thankful the Coaches stepped up in getting things rolling for the young kids. Once again for whatever reason I was nominated to be the Team Mom/Manager for Chucks team. Not a bad thing as it helps with the cost (and knowing what is going on) and it is all for the sake of the kids which is the reason we do all of it, right!!!

Below are some pictures of the Chuck man early season:

Blue Jean on Blue Jean New Years Eve!!!

This year we did something a little different and instead of renting the Limo for the night, we decided to stay in and play cards at a friends house. One of the Friends has this "thing" about people wearing blue jeans with denim or blue jean tops/ jackets etc. So this year, all of they guys showed up with that attire, while some of us had to really dig in the back of our downstairs closets for this, others it was more readily available. It took awhile for Jenny to catch on to what the heck was going on, and as you will see below once she did, all of the guys "mobbed" her with hugs in their wonderful attire. It was a a fun night for all!!



The hubbie and me......

Happy New Year!!!!!

I can't believe that we are in the 2009 year already- it seems that time just keeps flying by!!! I don't have any pictures ready to post yet for NYE however wanted to say- I hope this year brings you and your loved ones all of the blessing and joys of the new year.

Love
The Gardow Family!!!

The Gardow Grandchildren

One of the long standing jokes in the Gardow family, (one well established before Jon & my marriage), is that there is ALWAYS a child crying about having to take the traditional Christmas picture. Some how year after year there is always ONE child that just "Doesn't want to do it!!". Happily this year after many years, we were able to break the standing joke with pictures at Grandma Gardow's house! We were able to get all kids together and no one got upset!!! Can't say they are paying attention but it is better than the alternative.

Here is a picture of the Beautiful kids........

The Stockings were Hung with Care.........

The stockings where hung with care, the cookies were out for Santa, & carrots for the reindeer - all in anticipation of Santa's visit to our house. One of my favorite things about Christmas is the anticipation of the kids reaction to the presents under the tree. Not because of the giving of the gifts, it is the excitement on their faces that makes all the hustle and bustle well worth it.

This year Madie really made Jon & I laugh, she had taken the time to put cookies & carrots out for Santa & the Reindeer. She fell asleep on the couch though before everyone left, and half asleep she raised her head just to say "Don't let Papa eat Santa's treats Dad!" and was fast alseep again in a flash! Jon tried talking to her, but she was fast alseep. If any of you know Jon's Dad, you know how funny this is with his sweet tooth. Moments like these are treasured times to remember.

Christmas Eve Celebrations

Holidays are a time for sharing and spending time with family and loved ones. For sometime now Jon & I have hosted Christmas Eve at our house after Christmas Eve Mass with Jon's parents, siblings, & their families. It is a nice way for the family to get together and relax a little before bedtime and the Santa events.

Below is a picture of our family after Church:


Below are pictures of the kids having fun playing games, dancing, and the adults playing cards. It was a fun and relaxing time that makes the holiday worth while. {Although you can tell Ms Ari does not enjoy Aunt Shell's picture taking :) }

Decorating the Tree

Excitement always surrounds the X-mas tree decorating. Below are some cute pictures of the tree and the kids after the job was completed.

The Tree.....


The Kids.....