Happy 6th Birthday Natalie!

It is hard to believe that our little Natalie is now 6 years old! Time really flies! Natalie had a wonderful birthday. We did our traditional pancake breakfast, complete with original Hardy Family singing, then took Natalie bowling. We had tons of fun! Natalie wins the prize for the most original throw of a bowling ball. (No roll about it!)

After bowling, we had dinner with Grandma at Mooya's. I've got to say it was pretty good! The kids loved that they could choose exactly what went on their burgers, and the burgers came the way they ordered them, no mistakes like Mickey D's. We are now looking forward to Natalie's birthday party at her gymnastics gym. We had to postpone it a little because of the baby, but Natalie handled that very well. She was very understanding! :)

Natalie's Fun Facts:

Favorite Color: Pink (But if you ask her around Brianna, it's blue.)

Favorite Movie: Princess and the Frog

Friends: Tyson, Mandie, Megan, Carolyn, & Lillian

Favorite Sports: Soccer & Gymnastics

Natalie is a great helper. She loves to do things to please others. She always tries to learn new things, no matter how hard they might be. She can be very loud at times, but she can also be very tender. She is a great snuggler. Happy 6th Birthday to our Irish Princess!

Nana took Natalie out for her birthday to Sweet and Sassy to get all "dolled-up." I have to admit she looked pretty darn cute!

Baby Alexander's Blog

Before and throughout our pregnancy with Alexander, we kept a journal of our experiences. Now we have chosen to switch to a blog baby book of his first year. All our pictures of his milestones will be kept there so our family blog is not overrun with baby info.
You can link to it at anytime at http://www.thenewhardybaby.blogspot.com/
or find the quick link on the right side of our family blog entitled "Baby Alexander's Blog."

Our Baby has arrived! It's a Boy!!!!

Welcome Alexander King Hardy!!!!
Born March 2, 2010 (3-2-1-Blastoff! :) )
9 pounds 9 ounces 19 1/2" long
Perfect in every way!!!

Thanks to my wonderful doula Elizabeth for helping bring this beautiful baby into the world! You are amazing and we loved having you be there with us! Thanks for the magical experience!

To My Beautiful Wife - from Sam

I've been thinking about my wonderful wife a lot today since tomorrow is her birthday! I just wanted to return the kind words my wife had for me about our Anniversary and our marriage. Raechal is the most beautiful woman in the world, and the most amazing woman, mother, and wife anyone could ever ask for. She works so hard at everything she does, and amazes me every day when I see her in action. I could not be more blessed than I am now to have found and married her. We are all looking forward to giving Mom a special day tomorrow since it is her birthday - she deserves it so much!! Happy Birthday, Honey!!

Also, I wanted to comment on this year's Anniversary as well. I thought it was a wonderful time. As Raechal said, I surprised her by going on a little weekend trip to somewhere new. We went to a small town in East Texas called Jefferson. There is a lot of historic and romantic places to go and see there, so I heard it would be a nice time. I picked a Bed & Breakfast that was great for the most part, and even had a little bit of history to it since Pres. George W. Bush had stayed there once. We had a great time seeing some of the antique shops and riding the Christmas Train which toured some lights, and we just enjoyed walking around and not having to rush anywhere or worry about anything.

It has been a wonderful 13 years and I am looking forward to all the years to come!

Christmas Eve with the Hardy's

One of our family's most treasured days of the year is Christmas Eve. We love gathering with Sam's parents and sisters to have a big steak & lobster dinner together, sing Christmas carols while Grandpa plays his guitar, read Luke 2 from the Bible, get our new Christmas pj's, and to open one present from under the tree. This year was exceptionally special because it snowed most of the day, adding a kind of magic to the feeling of the season.

We also added making a cake for baby Jesus, to celebrate his birthday with the next day. It was a wonderful experience. Our kids actually worked together, without bickering, to accomplish their goal. They were so pleased with their results.

The kids in their new jammies.

Check out those socks! (They're actually Brie's)

Natalie with Gracie in the sonw.

Gingerbread Houses

What is the holiday season without gingerbread houses? Well, probably a lot neater and less kiddos speeding around on sugar rushes. I think after this year I have decided to buy pre-made royal icing. The kids were so excited to put their house together but each one quickly crumbled under the weight of our home-made frosting. Can't say we don't deserve an "E" for effort though! :) What do the kids enjoy most about their houses anyways?...EATING THEM!

Brianna Visits the Temple

Brianna, now that she has turned 12, had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Dallas Temple to do baptisms for the dead. It was a wonderful experience! Sam and I both were able to attend, which was so special for us. Sam was even able to participate as the priesthood holder with her. It was such a spiritual experience for all of us. I am so grateful for such an amazing daughter who values her baptimal covenants and know the importance of being righteous. We have been truly blessed.

How Our Kids View the World

William: "My tag has an American flag on it!" Raechal: "That's because it was made in America." William: Wow!" Raechal: "Yeah, that's cool, you live in America!" William: "Wow! I live in America!!"
William: "Hey Mom! Did you know Brownie is 3!?" Raechal: "Yes. He doen't turn 4 until December." William: "No! He turns 4 on his birthday!"
William: "When I take your legos I say that's an accident. When I kick or hit someone, that's on purpose."
Natalie: "God made me crazy."
Raechal: "How many clementines DiD you eat?" Natalie: "Four!" Raechal: "Four?!! Natalie, next time you need to be more frugal and only eat 1." Natalie: "I am frugal because I love fruit!"
William: "Can I have a toothpick please?" Raechal: "No." William: "Then I am asking for one for Christmas."
Raechal: "Natalie, you'd better quit talking about what gifts you bought everyone or you will ruin your surprise." Natalie: "Mom. Can I have some Gorilla Tape for my mouth please."
Raechal: "The meal worm's dead William." William:"I know. I am just covering him up." Raechal:"Are you burying him?" William:"No. He doesn't like to be cold at night."
Sam to Natalie(In Time Out):"You're not suppose to be talking in time out." William: "Yeah, I'm gonna tell Coda on you."
Brianna: "Can I look up baby names that mean 'peaceful'?"
William to Natalie in the van: "Stop saying those things! You're making me nervous!"
Natalie:"I want to name the baby Lilly."
Sam:"What do you think our baby will be?" Brianna:"A girl!" Raechal:"Another Natalie?" Brianna:"No! I am trainning this one before she turns 1!"
Brianna: "They executed Nate's blood." Raechal: "It's not executed! It's extracted!"
William: "I want to go to the moon." Raechal: "Why do you want to go to the moon?" William: "Because I want to jump off."
Raechal to Brie: "Do you know what plastic surgery is?" Brianna: "Yes! It is when you have part of your body removed and that part is replaced with plastic."
William : "I don't want my dinner! It's BORING!"
Nate : "Tomorrow I am going to be 9!" Natalie: "Hey Nate! When we got you, you were zero!"
William : "What does 'actually' mean?"
William : "Mommy, you have an owie on your eye. You need some cream. You can go downstairs and get it."
Nate to Natalie :"You need Grammar lessons. Do you know what that is? It teaches you how to talk." Natalie(Her quick minded self): "Can you teach me a lesson today!"

The Hardy Family