Happy 5th Birthday Luke & Noah!

My Hardy boys discovered a new love this year. Our home has been obsessed with galaxies far, far away  for quite a while now. Noah and Luke had a Star Wars birthday party with their Smith cousins a few days early to celebrate turning 5. Luke woke up and asked if it was his fake birthday that day.

 

Anna, Sophie, Lukie Vader , Issac, Eli Vader, Olivia, Grace, Noah and Keenyn.

After constructing a Jedi training course with Jason, Chris became General Grievious with a few of Heather's arms. Serious skills were demonstrated.

A new Smith favorite was discovered this trip. Emilee taught us reverse charades and the kids loved it. Here is Luke and Joel as Storm Troopers battling Leah and Queen Amidala. The girls look like they are doing a good job convincing Keenyn that they mean business.

We also had a birthday party to celebrate with the Hardys. Jayden turned 14 on Jan. 1st so he and Luke and Noah shared a cake, pizza and a bowling lane.

 Noah was determined to bowl all by himself. He did pretty well too. After we were done he asked me if he could be on a bowling team "Because I know how to do it and I am good."

 

I think eating the pizza was as much fun to Luke as bowling.

Aunt Heather and Jason

 Gram and the Birthday boys with their cake.

How grateful I am for my boys. They make me laugh, and cry and teach me so much. Our lives are better because they are a part of our family.

My Noah. This boy has an incredible imagination. He still dresses up and plays imaginary games daily. He cracks us up with his jokes that are completely nonsensical and just from being silly. His laugh is contagious and he can get everyone going pretty easily. Noah is so loving, he give loves, hugs and kisses freely to Jason and I. He loves to play with his friends and pester/play with our dog Molly. How things work fascinates Noah and he can figure out mechanics beyond his years. He is a blessing in our home.

My Luke. What a boy. I can't believe the grown up things that come out of his mouth. He loves to read books and play video games. Luke's bed is decorated with Yoda, Mr. Fishy, Fluffy and other special friends. Every trip Luke crams his backpack full of stuffed animals because he needs them all. This year Luke has discovered a love for sports. He is aggressive and tenacious on the soccer field and basketball court and a really good sport to boot. He also has some pretty serious dancing skills. He is a blessing to our family.

Happy Holidays...

We had such a good and exhausting time traveling this Christmas and New Years. First off- so sorry to any friends we didn't get a chance to connect with. Trying to get to all the holiday gatherings for 2 families plus 3 birthday parties and a baptism filled our calendar completely and we just didn't have as much time as we thought we would. This always happens when we travel, not sure why I thought this trip would be any different.

The kids were amazing. Seriously. 34+ hours or so in the car each way and they did really well. Having the DVD player helps immensely. Mom - and any others concerned - we didn't watch movies the WHOLE time. Having games on an Ipad was wonderful along with audio books. I now have some serious Mahjong skills going on.

Is there anything more fun then playing with cousins?

 

 We made the best of the little bit of snow in Utah. Even a sprinkling is fun for us southerners. On the drive out in Kansas or somewhere, the kids and I had an impromptu "snowball" fight with some slushy snow we found in the shade of a sign. Grace, Luke and Taryn made a "Snow Bunny". Noah was outside as much as possible.  We had been hoping to snow shoe and sled while in Utah, but settled for hiking. We went  up the south fork of Provo canyon with Heather and her boys.The beauty of western mountains never loose their magic for me.

 

For Jason's 40th birthday we went to see the lights on Temple Square. It was super cold. I guess to be expected. Lindsey and her family was able to come and join us. The kids made the cake and crown and decorated with black at the Hardys.

We were able to attend the 2nd annual Smith Family white elephant party. Super fun. Crazy. Loud.

Christmas Day 2011with the Hardys

  

 Polly, Lindsey, Heather, Me, Emilee, Kate - 6 of my 7 sisters.

All in all a wonderful trip. Thank you to all who let 6 extra (4 of whom are very loud) people stay with you. I would love to reciprocate. Come to North Carolina. Anyone. Please.... 

Riding Lessons

This fall Grace and Sophie took a few riding lessons. They LOVED them! I loved looking at these pictures today too. They are from October and it was so warm and sunny.

Dessa was visiting, picture of us courtesy of Luke.  Both girls really loved the horses and their teacher. Her name is Katie Smith.

Grace really was a natural. She was not nervous or scared at all. This is her first time on her horse. Can you see how relaxed she is? My little animal lover. I have to admit that there is a part of me that is scared of any animal bigger then me, and some that are much smaller. Not my Grace. 

 Noah and Luke had a ball playing around the farm while lessons took place. They ran and swung on the tire swing, chased the barn cats and dogs, played many versions of Star Wars on a small playground, fed rabbits and goats and visited a rather loud donkey each time. Even mom got to enjoy and have fun because all kids were happy and busy.

First Love

So far this is my all time favorite picture drawn by Noah. It is him, his Dad and Molly.

Noah adores Molly. Perhaps too much. She can't even get a moments rest in her crate. When she has had enough she goes under my bed, right in the middle. Away from little fingers trying to play, annoy and love her. I am amazed at how much a part of our family she is now. My sister told me once that pets are magical for children. I completely agree.

Happy Hardy Thanksgiving 2011

There is a first time for everything

This weekend I went on my first ever girls trip. My dear friends Susie, Leesa and I drove to Savannah, GA and met up with several of Leesa's friends to run the Rock n Roll Marathon, or in my case, 1/2 marathon.
Here we are after the race. We all ran together for the first 3 miles. With almost 30,000 runners we literally ran shoulder to shoulder. That was a bit crazy for my taste. It was fun to do such a huge race, and the bands all along the course were fun, but I don't think I will do it again. Susie and I only ran the 1/2, the rest of the crew did the full marathon.  The amazing Joseph actually ran 42 miles. He ran from our water front rental house to the start line and then did the marathon. He is the first ultra marathoner I have met and it was so fun to get to know him.We finished in Forsyth Park full of beautiful moss draped trees and this incredible fountain.
I was surprised how much fun our trip was. I hear all the time about women traveling together and I completely get it now. We had a great adventure which was also amazingly relaxing. Savannah is beautiful.  I could not get enough of the garden squares all through the historic downtown and the incredible architecture. Every where you looked there was wrought iron, worn brick and stucco, ivy smothered walls and fences. So, so beautiful.


On Saturday night Leesa, Susie and I ate at a Moroccan restaurant. The food was super yummy and they had belly dancers. This sweet one convinced us to get up and try a few moves. You can see how empty the restaurant was at this point or I don't think I would have been brave enough!

As I reflected on how rejuvenated I felt on the drive home I was reminded of this quote by Majorie Pay Hinckley about how women need each other.
“We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young, and hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old...We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance.” I realize how much I am sustained by my friends emotionally and spiritually and I am grateful. I am also grateful to an amazing husband who was so happy to take over all things family and house for 3 days so I could go play.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Hardys!