Micro-Rams and Halloween Fun

Max played flag football this year and Ephraim volunteered to coach his team, the "Micro-Rams".  You'll notice their jerseys (and every other team's jerseys) say "Jr. Husker Football" (a tribute to the pride of Nebraska, the Huskers.  Beware, if you are in public on a game day and you're not decked out in red, people will look at you funny.  Also, we are the odd ones out since we don't have a large, red "N" on the outside of our house or car).  Anyway, back to the Micro-Rams.  I have no idea how many games they won but they all seemed to have a great time and they even attempted to pass the ball a few times.  It was a great season and Ephraim was a fun coach for them. 

Ezra's preschool group went to the coolest Pumpkin Patch we've ever been to.  Ezra loved the sit and scoot things you ride on. 

Ezra and Griffin loved this little bus filled with corn (again, remember we're in Cornhusker land) where you could dig and bury yourself.

Griffin gets more and more toddler-ish everyday.

Getting these boys to commit to costumes is like pulling teeth. This year they all ended up wearing dress-ups we've had around the house for years (earlier in the Halloween season Ezra insisted on being a vampire but he said it was too tight and itchy so he abandoned that one for trick or treating).  Max is Cade Bane (a bounty hunter from the new animated Star Wars the Clone Wars) Ezra is the Thing and Griffin is a dino.

 A fruitful trunk or treat for all! 

Birthdays and More

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRIFFIN!

Griffin Ephraim Garner survived 525,600 minutes of being mauled  by his two older brothers. We celebrated with cake and presents.  He was a big fan of his dollar bills, firetruck, and rainbow chip frosting.  

Max is a first grader!! 

The boys spoiled me on my birthday with delicious food and beautiful jewelry and a scarf. They have excellent taste. 

So long August! Hello fall!

The Garners Hit the West Coast

Way back around Memorial Day we started our summer off with a bang by heading to California to visit my parents in Modesto and Ephraim's brother and sister-in-law in Prunedale. (Another drive-24-hours-straight vacation brought to you by our marathon driver, Ephraim. I think he broke a new record by only stopping to sleep for 15 minutes in Wyoming)

We loved seeing the giant sequoias at Calaveras Big Tree State Park  

We had no idea we'd be in 40 degree weather in June! Chilly but beautiful.

A Dedicated Dad

 Next stop was Aunt Paula and Uncle Phillip's.  They're caretakers at a farm so the boys were delighted to see and help with all the animals. Max loved riding the pony Licorice and hiking with the donkey (we forget his name).

Griffin playing with cousins.

After our hike.

The boys loved the Monterey Bay Aquarium especially the touch tank and jelly fish.

Our next stop was the beach to explore the tidepools and play in the sand. The boys were fascinated with the anemones, crabs and fish.

Next stop was the beautiful Oakland Temple visitor center.  Gorgeous views of the bay!

We headed to San Francisco where we feasted on sourdough with havarti and Ghiradelli chocolate.

Delighted sourdough bread eater.

Mom and Dad on the wharf

The boys at a Giants game.

We spent our last day in California at Yosemite.  I felt like I was walking around in a postcard the whole time.  Definitely a must-see national park.

We stopped in Utah on our way back and were able to see more family and friends.

Hiking in Salt Lake City with Uncle Jake.

We were lucky enough to be in town for our new cute nephew Ryan's baby blessing and for my grandparent's 65th Wedding Anniversary.  It was so nice to get to celebrate with them. 

Two wonderful people! We love you!

This Little Piggie is Going to Be Tasty

Once upon a time Ephraim had a bright idea to get some pigs we could raise all summer then butcher in the fall. 

In the beginning, they were tiny.

They ate and ate and drank and drank.  They got bigger and smellier and their pen went from lush and green to a real pig sty. 

 After digging out and jumping over their pen over and over and us fixing their pen over and over, we've now decided its hard to think of anything nice to say about them.  Ask us in a few months when we're eating bacon.

In other agricultural news, its amazing that with zero gardening experience, our seeds went from nothing...to this......

 then this........

 60 zucchini and counting! We've also loved our lettuce, cilantro, green beans, and peas.  Corn, watermelon, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions coming soon.

 Two silly, soon-to-be corn-huskers.

And one cute Griffin just for the heck of it. Can't believe this baby is walking already.