Washington DC

On the way home from Philadelphia we stopped at Washington DC. Because of the crazy hot weather we had to adjust plans. We ended up in museums - Air & Space, Natural History and American History. Always super fun, more to see then we have time for.

Noah was especially excited for the Air & Space. He was in heaven with all the planes. He has become really interested in WWII history. It was fun for him to see planes he had read about. Of course Sophie is being Sophie...

My favorite thing we did this visit was visit the Smithsonian Zoo. It is not on the Mall, so a bit out of the beaten path. So fun. And SOOOO hot. Luckily there was lots of shade. There were these art pieces through out the zoo, all made from trash picked up on beaches. We also saw Pandas! I didn't get pictures, there were a ton of people by the pandas. Sophie and Luke and I also explored until we found the Amazon exhibit. Super big fresh water fish, a bird that almost bit me, yes I know you are not supposed to try to touch them, flamingos and HUGE frozen yogurts when we were done.

 This is at the Air & Space annex. Again, Noah and Jason were in heaven. Luke was good for the ride. The girls and I were tired and not so interested. I made Sophie and Grace see the space shuttle and a few other highlights. This pic makes me laugh, Grace with a book and Sophie with headphones on listening to T Swift. This is a WWII Corsair, a favorite of Noah's and Jason's.

Proof that my kids really are Southern's. We stopped for gas at some random station and this Nascar crew and car were there for a promotion. Luke knew exactly who the driver was ?! Made me laugh. 

Philadelphia Temple Open House

 On our way to Philadelphia we stopped in Leesburg, VA to meet Lisa Jones (Palermino) and her family. She has 4 boys, the oldest is going to BYU this fall. Her youngest is the same age of Luke and Noah. The boys went downstairs and played Nerf war while the rest of us chatted. Lisa told us about her conversion, it was so interesting to hear from her perspective now as a 20+ year church member! I remembered some things she was super interested to know too. She looks just the same, huge smile, lots of energy. What a blessing to spend a little bit of time together and get reacquainted. Lisa is the YW president in her ward. I always felt blessed to even be a part of her conversion, she had learned from several sister missionaries before Sis. Manwaring and I. But I hadn't remembered that Lisa was not committed to baptism when I met her. I do remember Sis. M and I kneeling in prayer with her to set a baptismal date. I need to find my journal from my mission and read what I wrote then. Lisa is amazing and it was sooooo fun to see her.

 Philadelphia Temple

The Philadelphia Temple open house was amazing. The temple is right downtown. The contrast of peaceful, calm, beautiful temple compared to loud, busy, crazy city was profound. The temple itself is gorgeous, looks just like it was built 200 years ago. Colonial hardware, original paintings, so beautiful. I loved being there! The walk from the hotel was a killer. The heat index was like 107, it was HOT. But so worth it.

 

We went to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. No one was as excited as me to be there. You can tell in the pictures if you look close. Independence Hall was amazing to me. To be in the room where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted and worked on. The only original thing in the room is the big chair up on the dais. It was were George Washington lead the Congress. The decoration on the chair looks just like the Sunstones from Navoo. Our guide told us that Benjamin Franklin recorded that he wondered if the sun was setting or rising on the chair. He decided it was rising, symbolic of the rising of the new nation.

 

Directly across from our hotel was a huge indoor marketplace, Reading Market. It has been there since the 1800's. We ate the BEST donuts ever there. And delicious cheese steak sandwiches, and Thai food, and candy. Yes. Food is important to the Hardy family.

Summer 2016

 This is Milo, he was a Lionhead bunny that Luke only had for about a month. Somehow he got hurt, we don't know how. Vet said that it is common for rabbits to break their backs themselves by kicking. He was partially paralyzed in his hind legs. We brought Milo in the house and were trying to help him heal and he got an illness bunnies all carry but doesn't manifest unless their health is compromised in some way. Sweet Milo did not last long with us, but we loved him! He was so sweet and calm.

Just because. Molly as a babushka thanks to Grace...and evidence of Noah's latest obsession, nerf guns. We were super lucky, one of our neighbors moved and left a big bag of toys out with their trash. There were several nerf guns. Noah said it was the best day of his life!

I love this pic. We were at the dentist. Nicky Dodson was with us, I love seeing my kids all reading happily! Grace and Sophie were reading the latest Harry Potter book/play. They both bought themselves  a copy the 2nd day it was out so they would not have to wait to read it :)

Be Brave

Be Brave - Be righteous and virtuous every day!

Girls Camp 2016

 My cute first years! We had fun, and were really, really hot

 Skit night

I spent all of my time in the dining hall working on our service project. We sewed reusable sanitary supplies for Days for Girls. It was a lot  of work, and a huge success!

Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary!

July 15, 2016

 

 I made a quick trip to Utah to surprise Mom and Dad at their anniversary party. Heather, Lindsey and I took all of the kids on a hike to Stewart Falls. It was longer then we remembered...but fun. Gigi was so tired on the way down that she fell asleep while I was carrying her piggy back.                                                                      

 Lindsey and Millie, she is so stinking cute! It was fun to spend time with all of the kids. I miss them a lot being so far away. 

 Sadie, Gigi, Annabelle, Joel and Sav

Summer

Do you link your own sausage?

 
 We watched Talus and Bayden for Em and Ben while he interviewed for a job in Wisconsin. We will miss these stinkers if they move!

 Part of the Cobias with part of us...Leslie, Noelle, Mariah and Sophie and Grace. I'm sad I didn't get a picture of Jen and I together. Saudi Arabia is far. We miss them!

 Sunflowers! 

We planted a lot of wildflowers, these along the garden fence were so pretty! Now everything is dry, dying and it is just hot. This time of summer I just endure...my least favorite time of the year here. At least my kids are all home from school and we can play together still.

Beach!

Grace, always the first in and last out of the water. I think this is my favorite beach picture of her ever.

Virginia Beach

Mom and Dad came to visit us and Em's family. The boys and Ben and Grandpa and Grandma met us at Virginia Beach. Emilee was at a friends wedding in Utah. The beach is always fun. This one was really crowded, makes me grateful for our NC beaches.  I am not sure how I did not get a picture of everyone, makes me sad! Dad did not get in the water. Mom played with the kids all day, once getting wiped out really good by a big wave.

 


 

Luke and Talus played Army rangers all day long in this sand pit. His "dabbing" makes me laugh! We were at our traditional seafood dinner and it started pouring! We had to move inside, we were under an awning but the rain was splashing in it was raining so hard. At the end of the short storm there was a double rainbow.

This sign on the gas station door on the drive home made us laugh...