Christmas: The day grown men get a chance to play with toys and it's not weird.

See what I mean. Christmas is were adults get to act like kids by playing with the toys they spent their hard earned money on for their children. Being the good father that I am, I decided my boys needed NERF guns. And by my boys, I of course mean me. If the last 72 hours have taught me anything, it's that everyone needs a NERF gun in their life. There is nothing more satisfying than shooting your kids and or spouse and releasing some frustration. Be sure to note that they will shoot you back, so be prepared.



The awesome thing about the guns we bought is that they have velcro on the darts thereby preventing your kid from cheating when you're playing dart tag. Memo to my kids and all the other little munchkins your age: We (people in our late 20's early 30's) make the toys now and we know what cheating little turds we were when we were kids. So, don't think for a second we would create games that would allow you to cheat us...we're winners...always have been, always will be. Believe that.

I believe the phrase the kids are using these days is "pwned." Take that boy.

I got Thad some cool looking toys made by LEGO called Hero Factory. Essentially, these are the LEGO version of Transformers, but for about 1/3 of the cost. You can also take them all apart and mix and match the pieces. I thought this was cool until the little guy created this...whatever "it" is.

Now I'm no child psychologist (although I did get a B in that class in community college), but I don't think you need to be to think there might be something wrong with the 5 year old that created this thing. Scratch that, this thing is awesome and I'm actually a bit ticked off I didn't build it myself. I love my kid because he builds stuff like this. It shows imagination. I mean, the kid is related to me so what chance did he really have of avoiding having some major issues?

Anyway, here's his explanation of how this thing "kills the good guys." Pray for us.

A Christmas Pageant...sort of

Tonight we had our church's Christmas Eve service. Part of the evening included a small play put on by the 3-5 year olds. They did a great job and it was neat to see Thad and Ian part of the show.

One of the things I love about my kids is that they are freaking weird just like their dad. When given the option of what animal he wanted to be in the program, Ian subsequently selected cheetah. Epic.

Hey, you don't know if there was a cheetah at the manger. Were you there? I didn't think so. Some may think the boy odd...I would call him eccentric.

Thad was a wise man. This was an easy task for him to perform given that he is from the Gardner family.

Merry Christmas all. We hope your Christmas Eve and

Christmas are as joyful and exciting as ours!

A Christmas Eve Surprise

Early presents from Nanny and Poppy.
Let the weekly photography updates begin.

(BTW, notice how festive we are by
decking out our kids in full Halloween garb)

More pictures

The Arrival home from the hospital.

Thad and Ian sang at church on Sunday. About 2/3 of the way through the performance Ian decided to just sit down. Life is tough for a 3 year old.

Daniel Lawrence Gardner

snow, snow, snow

Ian trying to crawl up the mound

Thad conquering the mound

a snow angel

December is HERE!

We've been up to quite a few things... Making funny faces is just one of them!

Kim, Joel and the kiddos came to visit us for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time as Joel cooked great food, the kiddos were kind and we got to go out one night to the Christmas markets alone :)

The four hoodlums. They are growing up so fast.

Yes, this was Halloween. BUT it was funny because Thomas told me he understood how it must feel to carry extra weight on the front only during pregnancy :) Well I'm not sure he can understand completely, but I am appropriately posting this as we're finally into our baby's birthday month. Daniel will be here soon and we are sooo ready!

Thanks for your prayers and keep looking for his arrival! We're down to 2 1/2 weeks more or less!

Here was the 5th goal of the evening.

Disallowed Goal

This was scored in the 3rd minute of play, but the guy was clearly offside.

Pre-Match with a view of the Ultras

The "Ultras" are the hardcore Rapid fans. Here they are chanting and getting things going right before the match started.

Rapid Wien Christmas

Rapid Vienna is one of Europe's most storied football clubs. They have a history dating back into the early 1900's and so it was a really cool thing that Thad and I got to go to a match as an early Christmas present to him. He thought the stadium was really cool but about 30 minutes into the game he asked when we were leaving. You can only ask so much from a 5 year old, right?

Here we are as the match was beginning. We had a great time with the other staff who went with us, and we're looking forward to checking out FK Austria (a rival club) sometime during the Spring. If I can get there, this will mean I've been to a match at each of Vienna's most famous stadiums.

Here are some videos of goals from the match that I caught. The match finished 5-0 to Rapid so it was no wonder I caught a few on camera. The videos will be in subsequent posts.

Halloween pics

We have Batman and Frodo Baggins this year!

Thomas' art work on our pumpkin. Thad picked out the word glory. It looks really cool in the dark.

Thad's singing part 1

Thad's fall program at school

Caramel Apples

I haven't vanished off the face of the earth... but rather trying to stay very much a part of it as I carry along this baby with me. I'm sooo tired. But I cannot wait to meet this little one and change our family once again! all that to say, I'm still here and cooking. It's just that I only cook once a week :)
The boys helped me make these last night for the season and I thought we'd share them with you! notice they both have their eyes closed while eating them. I guess they're just that good!

*Ian does lick off all the caramel and leave the apple :) Thad eats the whole thing just like me.

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MISSIONAL MOTHERING

Read it and be blessed.

Funny Story (UPDATED)

So, yesterday we went to the High school Boys soccer match against VIS, Vienna International School. Ian and I arrived a little late only to find Thad hanging out with a bunch of older boys and not wearing his coat, just like they weren't. It was cold! So I told him to get it on now! He says it's over on the other side of the field where Dad is coaching because that's where he left it before the game started.

I decide to make him run around the perimeter of the field to get it and come back quickly. So Thad turns and heads off to run around the field. I forgot he has a little brother who wants to do everything too! Well, Ian ran right after him and I was a little concerned but pleasantly surprised that he was following the perimeter just like Thad. I mean I can't chase him in my condition. So my friends and I watched him go and hoped he'd make it all the way to Dad, who is still coaching mind you. All the sudden Ian freaks out and runs across the field...... AHHHH! Straight down the line that forms the goal keepers box. The Ref is blowing the whistle and the players near him are trying to catch him but without success. He's headed straight across the field and no one is stopping him! So embarrassing, right? Well, a few minutes later he asks me about Daddy and wants to see him. But we have a long talk about how he will have to wait until the game is over and especially DO NOT run on the field AGAIN!!

Now keep in mind I'm very preggo and not about to chase him and he knows it. I keep talking to my friend and look up and he's on the field AGAIN! The ref is blowing the whistle and the players are laughing.... thank goodness. I'm sure Dad is NOT laughing and I'm completely mortified this time. Our friend who tried to stop him as he was entering the field heard him yell back at him, "You're not my Dad!" Wow, that's my boy's response to anyone who is trying to correct him. Not good.

Everyone else thought it was funny except his Mama, although I find it funny now as I'm blogging about it. Boys are too much and yet I'm adding a third one! I guess if these are the worst things my children do then I'll survive.

Ian, someday we'll tell your story when you are playing high school soccer. The one about the boy who interrupted a high school boy's match not once, but twice all because he wanted to see his Daddy :)

Train Up A Child

Train up a child in the ways of the goal and when he is older he will get a scholarship...hopefully.
- Proverbs...uh...it should be a proverb.

So maybe this won't make his college recruiting highlight video, but it sure was fun. This is what you do when it's freezing cold, rainy, and just generally miserable outside.

Man Blog Update

Arrogance and Sexual Sin

THE CULT OF CELEBRITY - A post from Thomas' Blog

Sermon

Thomas had a chance to preach a few weeks ago on Missional Principles from the Life of Daniel. Here's a link to the sermon.

http://viennachapel.org/MISSIONAL_The_life_of_Daniel/9/238

Man Blog Update

http://thelayzmen.wordpress.com/

First week of School!

I thought this was a good picture of how old Ian is looking these days. This was actually taken in a series of photos trying to capture the perfect one for his mug shot for visa paperwork. Thomas took these... and I complained about the dirty shirt Ian was wearing the whole time. :)

First Day of School picture with his Austrian tute which is filled with an assortment of sweets and treats.

Chelsea Football Club backpack. Yes, he's totally into soccer like his Dad! But I should mention this is his Daddy's rival team to the club he loves and Thad doesn't seem to care. Sometimes life isn't fair.....for Dads that is.

Mode of transportation. He uses the scooter to get to and from school while Daddy walks. I guess Thad will have his stories when he's older that will start something like...."when I was your age, we biked a 1/4 mile to school." We'll see what happens when the snow comes in! I'm sure the stories will get better!

Thad feeding deer at the wildlife refuge

Hiking

We went hiking in the Wiener Wald and it was a fun time of exploring and enjoying the outdoors

Yes, this is Ian in a hobbit outfit. Isn't he adorable!! This might be the outfit for Halloween this year!

New Staff

Picture this...well, I guess you don't have to because it's right here. I'm listening to my 80's mix CD, wearing aviator sun glasses, and driving 4 munchkins (our boys and two girls that belong to some new staff) back to our home. It's The Dad Life in full effect. Not to mention that the kids were all rocking out to Kenny Loggins' "Highway to the Danger Zone" made famous in the opening scene of Top Gun. Just call me Maverick Dad.



We've really enjoyed getting to know the new staff. It's been a busy few days as they fight jet lag, go through basic Vienna Orientation, and avoid freaking out about all the new things they'll be dealing with in their lives. Here are a few pics.

The Overbys

Amanda

The Johnstones

We had some more staff arrive yesterday, but I haven't gotten their pictures yet. Please join with us in praying for these folks that their transition would be smooth and that God would use them in powerful ways to minister to students here. Pray also that we would have servant's hearts and seek to give of ourselves and our time to help them adjust to being here.

I painted the table BLUE!

Wow, sometimes I have a thought for a design in my head that turns out so different outside of my head. BUT, I love the surprise outcome of the project you've been working on.

Yes, my breakfast table is blue and I have to say I love it. It makes me want to eat Mexican food every night. I call it my fiesta table! Everything looks good on it including my white plates.

Project completed, successful.

Yes, he's an MK

This is such a hilarious picture to Thomas and me. We told Thad to smile for the pic and he shows us the peace sign. We both about fell over laughing. Neither one of us told him to do this or showed him how. He has seen kids at school do it and he actually said he saw it on some pictures at school. Only an international kid would do something like this. Such a reminder to us that he is definitely a Third Culture Kid. That or he's been around too many lovable Koreans :)

Corn eatin' fool

I cannot believe I'm going to have another BOY! Where will he fit in a picture like this? I love taking this type of picture and can't wait to have the new one... maybe he'll fit under my chin?

Mamas of boys know that there is nothing sweeter than the love and loyalty of your boys now and the promise of strength and leadership for the future.

I'm in my 20th week today and of course that means I'm halfway to the end. We cannot wait to welcome our new boy and see what laughter he brings to this family!