Pumpkin Patch

Its that time again.....
Yes, its time for the annual Harward family trek to Day Farms for a hayride & pumpkin picking at its best! Since this is the 4th year running we have done this activity as a family, I'm noticing the photos are starting to look a lot alike. And my kids are really sick of me following them around the patch, camera in hand, poised to strike the moment they find the perfect one. So,I've made myself a vow. Next year, no camera. Just enjoy the moment. But, since this is the last time, hopefully you can enjoy the moment, too.









On second thought, maybe next year I'll try the video camera? That's different, right?

Kenni's Big Day

I can't believe my baby girl is already 8! I suddenly feel old....
But enough about me. Kenni's baptism day went very well. I was really stressed about the gargantuan amount of people I needed to feed, the musical number I was in charge of providing, and the countless other things there are to take care of on a day like that, but things went great. Lesli volunteered her house for the dinner (Thank you Lesli!), I twisted my dear neighbor's arm until he agreed to sing with the girls, (Which by the way was one of the most beautiful musical numbers I've heard in a long time. Seriously- they did so good!), and all in all, nothing went dreadfully wrong.
Kenni- We love you & are so happy you made the decision to be baptized! You are a joy in our lives & a fabulous big sister. I hope you had a great day!





A huge thank you to my dear friend Rachel who took these gorgeous pictures! For more of her work click on "Rachels Photography Blog" on my sidebar

1st Day of School (1 month late!)

Ok, Ok, maybe its two months late! Yes, I'm a little behind. Here are my sweetie's on their first day of school. Kenni is in 2nd grade, Sparky is in 1st grade, and little Noodle started his first day of Pre-school. This is the first time since I've had school-aged kids that one of them isn't in kindergarten. Yeah!!!! I hate kindergarten. It's such a pain. Everyone is doing well & loving their new teachers/classes. It's so wierd on the days Noodle is gone to just have me & Smurfy at home. This has NEVER happened to me. Having a 2-year old home without anyone to entertain them is craziness. By the time Kenni was 2, Sparky had come along.....and so on, and so forth. There has always been someone there! Poor little smurfy. (Or lucky.... I guess it all depends how you look at it!)

It's time for Puttin' Up!

Don't you just love how the old timers say their going to "put up" their peaches, or tomatoes, or whatever they feel like canning. Ever since I got married over 10 years ago, I've had a secret longing to be truly domestic. The problem is, although my mom was a true Martha Stewart herself, she never showed us how to do anything, or heaven-forbid- let us near her kitchen! My sister first showed me how to can stuff about 7 years ago, and ever since, I've had the bug. Until I moved up here to Heaven, though, I never had enough space for a garden. Now that I'm here (in paradise), I've learned that gardening is trickier than I thought, and the cold mountain climate makes it difficult to grow stuff. That's why, when I am able to make something grow, I'm absolutely tickled with my resourcefulness.
I heard on the news the other night that we were expecting our first frost of the fall :(, so I went & picked a bunch of stuff all at once. I was so impressed with the lovely variety, the "fruits of my labor" if you will, that I decided to take a picture. I know, its not really much, but if you knew what a black thumb I have, you'd be impressed, too.
So, I guess now its time to get "puttin up"!
Ahhhh, I love fall!

P.S.- as you can see, my poor tomatoes didn't really have a chance to turn red. I did get some nice, juicy red ones, but the majority looked like this! Never fear, though- I found a fantastic recipe for Green tomato salsa. And its really good! And it looks like I'm going to be making lots and lots and lots of it....so if I really like you, you might get a jar or two!

"Back in the Summer of 0-9"

Boo. Summer is over. The kids are in school. I have to wake up at 7:15 every morning. I have to help kids with homework every night. Soccer practice & dance classes & achievement days & piano & all the rest of the mayhem that makes my life beyond my control have taken over.......
But alas- take a moment with me and reflect on the last few fun things we did this summer. Maybe it will tide you over until next year. Until then- let the carpooling begin!

BEAR LAKE

The whole fam-damily! Our annual Harward family Bear Lake trip. A hoot as usual!

Awwww....what is it about Dad's & kids holdin hands on the beach? Priceless.

Babes on the Sea-Doo

Buying Uncle Andy

The big tramp

The ladies

The men




River Rafting on the Green

A Big Thanks to Cade & Stacey for inviting us on a once-in-a-lifetime 5 day trip (NO KIDS) down the Green River! They have several experienced river guides in their family & we could never have done it without their connections, gear, and expertise.
We had the best time!!!!! Seth was in heaven, as this is something he has wanted to do practically since birth.

My sexy river guides. Single, slummin & lovin every minute of it!

Me trying my skills in an inflatable Kyack. How do you spell Kyack? That doesn't look right!!!! P.S.- Yes, I am aware that I look ridiculous, but I had a great time- that's what matters, right?

Jay & Seth Kyacking

Somewhere on the drive down, Clint "aquired" this Vote for Clint sign & attached it to our raft. It stayed there through our whole trip. It was a crack-up.

Me & my girl Tressa. I love meeting new people. We rode on the same raft almost the entire trip & became good friends. She's awesome.

The gates of Lodore. So pretty!

Lucifer. (that's the name of the big rapid they're about to go over)

Scouting Hell's Half mile (the home of Lucifer)

Seth in his Duckie

Where's Seth?

Oh, there he is!

Bighorn Sheep. My camera blows.....

Azme, Donna, Jay, Randy, & Dewey. More new friends.

The Goode Family. You guys are awesome! Especially Miss Shirley, who was so brave to come on this trip all by herself. I love you mama.

The Ladies!

Cute couple. See- we did spend a few minutes together on this trip.