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!

May the force be with you...

Halloween celebrations started early for us this year with a trunk or treat this past weekend. Super fun. I adore Halloween and am enjoying what is most likely the one and only time my kids chose themed costumes.

Sophie was funny. All day she kept talking about how the time frame was wrong with she and Grace's costumes. You couldn't have Amidala and Leah at the same time. She was also determined to have a gun to complete her outfit.

The Healing Power of Art

Our Grandma has been visiting for the past 2 weeks. Yesterday afternoon we took her to the airport to go back to Utah. There were some very sad kids in the car on the way home. Sophie cried the entire 25 minute drive. I was SO tired and just wanted to do a quick cold cereal dinner, put kids to bed and rest. The girls really wanted to decorate their pumpkins for a school contest. Luckily I relented.  We had a fabulous evening creating some adorable pumpkins. I was amazed once again at the power of creating. The girls did their pumpkins (except the carving and hat attaching) all by themselves. Sophie and Grace let the boys help paint, everyone was happy. Really. It is the best night we have had in weeks. We even squeezed in time to play in the rain with Molly before it got dark. Times like this make me so grateful to me a mother of young children.

(Mom- Sophie got a hulu skirt you got the girls years ago from the dress up box for her witches hair. Totally her own idea. It worked perfectly!)