7.10.2013

Hardy Reunion - Heber Camp

Bingo with Grandma is always a highlight, in unison - b-26, g-42, O-51
 I always get a bit of anxiety when it comes to camping with babies - hence we rarely go, and hence we have a fire pit in our backyard.  But I decided to be brave and figured we could handle one night.  Blake had a hard ride up, either his ears were bothering him or he was sore from teeth,  so his napping didn't quite work out great but he did sleep at night pretty well.  The boys were so excited to go camping in cabins and sleep on bunk beds.  They both chose the top at first but once they were on it, decided they'd rather sleep on the bottom.  Bronson was so scared when he first tried coming down the ladder that he totally froze and wouldn't let anyone help him down.  Jared had to climb up there to get him.  I think we have a problem with heights and I think it's from their daddy.  I was very impressed with the camp, I'd never been there before.  A 5 star experience as far as camping is concerned, certainly not like the girls camps I'd been to.  A pretty spot for a family reunion.
 Bronson and Levi weren't about to go on the big swing so we found a few willing volunteers to take their place.  I think they all had lots of fun, and it was fun to watch.
 cute girls
 the sand box was much more appealing I guess
 Jared at least went, the boys liked watching him, but still refused to go themselves.

 even Grandpa 
 Levi asked me today if we could go camping again so he could play bingo.  He really loves to play bingo with Grandma.  The kids also went on a fun nature hike and each got a whistle.  Bronson and Levi couldn't keep it out of their mouths the rest of the trip.  We had a little family trivia game, some puzzles and guessing games, yummy food, and the best part of course visiting with long lost cousins.

 Blake and cousin Steven
 Jared took the boys  out on a canoe, they did really good I think.  I stayed with Blake to watch.  We saw 3 deer while we were up there all running right through camp, pretty cool.

 Tyler was sitting so cute I couldn't resist a couple snaps.

Cami took some silly pictures of everybody.  Levi preferred using the "We're #1" finger as a gun, eeks.


We had a fun time, I think I could have even handled one more day :) We love our family.  I can't believe I didn't get any pics of Grandma . . . it was nice to see her too.  She was very confused which is sad because she has always been so sharp.  At one point she thought she was at a ward camp out and didn't realize she was there with her family.  When we were playing the trivia game and we asked Grandma what year she was married she answered 1990 . . . . 6.  I wish there was something to do for memory loss.

6.20.2013

Walking in Circles

I have recently been feeling very lost but not sure why.  After too many days and weeks and even months I am growing very tired of it.  Yesterday I set out to make a goal to do something small that will hopefully have a big impact on my day. So here it is -

5:30 Wake-up
5:30-5:45 - Pray and Study
5:45-6:30 - Exercise or do something for myself, pull weeds, yoga, maybe take a bath, something to help my relax and get myself in order.
6:30-7:00 Shower and Dress


I only dared go this far as outlining the whole day could prove a disaster, but I hope that by making the time to start it out right the details of the rest of the day will fall into place.

So this morning I opened the Ensign to the first article and saw President Uchtdorf's message titled "Walking in Circles" - I feel something, I start reading and begin to feel a little more and soon it's brought to my remembrance the wonderful spirit of "tender mercies."  It was a very good article that answered a prayer.  The message was that unless we have a landmark to follow we will ALWAYS end up walking in circles.  So I am feeling a little glimmer of hope this morning that I can find myself again, I just have to keep my eyes on the landmarks.  So this is my quest - to give myself the time each morning to be able to pray and study and rejuvenate to wake up my soul.  I pray that I will always stick with it and not lose sight of the landmarks that keep me on course.

6.03.2013

preschool ~ yard ~ t-ball

 About a month or so ago we  all went in for eye exams.  Bronson had a little trouble at his 5 year well check so we thought we'd try again.  Turns out his right eye is 20/40, so he is now a super cute owner of specs.  He has done pretty well with them we just need to practice wearing them when he's out playing.  He is so big and can be such a good helper and so sweet.  He is 5 and he is a boy, but still, he's pretty cute I think.

 As soon as the snow melted and the dirt had dried out Jared got right to work on the yard.  Day after stinking day, he didn't stop until he got it just right.  Thankfully we survived a few weeks with a busy daddy but we have a very nice yard to show for it.  You wouldn't believe all the hours it takes to make dirt pretty.  On the bright side the boys had some fun memories on some tractors.

 This is probably the main reason why we picked the lot we did, we really liked the view we'd have out our back window.  Our backyard neighbor has the best looking yard ever, huge rocks, pretty pines, and super green grass.  I bet he doesn't even fill one bag on his lawn mower each time he mows.  It's nice to  be in a neighborhood where everyone takes care of their yards.  This was on a rainy may day and everything was so pretty and green.
 Levi made it through his first year of preschool.  He didn't always want to go but once he was there he loved it.  He learned a ton and was always so excited to show me what he did that day.  It's sure fun to have cousins in your class. Ms. Amber is the best!  This was after their water day.





 Bronson has now graduated from preschool - gulp.  He is so big and so smart, and soooo excited for kindergarten.  I'm a little nervous, not for him but for me.  My baby chicks are leaving the coop and it's a little scary to send them to a big school with big kids.  I just want him to stay little and innocent.  Anyway they had a fun graduation with lots of cute songs and parts.  Bronson did great, he loves his teacher. :)
Memorial weekend turned into planting weekend.  Bronson and Levi really love tri-city nursery - they have big wagons.  They each had one with plants on it and Levi's ended up with a heavy pine tree but he still wanted to pull it.  I said, "Good job Levi, you are so strong, where did you get those strong muscles?"  He replied, "From Santa."

Bronson has been playing t-ball this past month with a couple of his best pals.  Diamondbacks #2 is my MVP.  5 year old t-ball isn't the most exciting game but I think they are starting to catch on, sort of.  Bronson does great.  And now that we have a yard we can start playing more at home.  His coach gave him the game ball last time after he threw the ball to left field instead of home . . . . he was pretty stoked showing everyone his game ball.  It might be a keeper for the bookshelf.  I just need to get his autograph on it.



 Blake likes to help me cheer most days.  He just went in for his 9 month check up and weighs 20lbs 13 oz. and 27 1/4 inches.  His weight is in the 55%, height 22% and head 95%.  He is about to get some teeth I hope.  His gums have been so swollen and he's been pretty miserable some days.  He has this new trick, actually old trick but now he's big enough that it's hurting him.  He'll be sitting up and throw himself backwards either against me or the floor and of course bonk his head.  Changing his diaper is no easy task either as he is constantly trying to escape.  He is now taking baths without his baby tub which  he loves.  He has lots of fun splashing around and playing with toys.  I haven't tried a bath seat because frankly I think his belly is too big but so far he has done okay without it.  He is the cutest little talker when he gets going.  Mostly he likes to say Dadda when he is happy.  Usually Mamma comes out when he is sad . . . . :(  Anyway hopefully these teeth will come in soon and the temper tantrums will lighten up.  Good thing he's so cute.



 So nice to see green. 



 I'm kind of a Charlie Brown gardner, I like simple and bright, and lilies, I love lilies.