Natalie's Gymnastics Party

Poor Natalie. Our life was quite crazy around her birthday so we had to push back her party all the way into April. She was so sweet though. With a new baby to love and cuddle, she did not mind the change. Everyone had a blast. There was lots of running, climbing, laughing, & playing.

Happy Easter!!!

Today was a wonderful day! Easter Sunday, and my husband let me sleep in 4 hours longer than normal. I cannot say I didn't freak out when I woke up and realized that he had not brought me Alexander to eat after 2 hrs., but Sam assured me Alex was very happy and just fine while I got some extra well needed sleep. Sam is so sweet like that!

Our family enjoyed a very relaxed Easter, hunting Easter eggs, watching General Conference, making Easter goodies to bring to Grandma & Grandpa's, and enjoying time with our family. It was very nice to not feel rushed. It was not until mom decided to tell everyone to dress in "Sunday clothes" that the calm tone of the day changed. I really wanted to get a picture of all of us together since we do not have one yet. What a nice thought. That is easier said than done. Trying to get 7 people not only dressed but also to cooperate for a picture is quite a feat. I think Grandpa did pretty good though.

Here is our first family of 7 picture.

Alex wanted nothing to do with being happy this time, but oh well. We know he is still cute and happy most of the times! :)

It was a fantastic day! I am so grateful for our Savior's sacrifice for us and that he was resurrected from the dead. What an amazing gift we have been given from our Father in Heaven. I feel so lucky to be part of His plan!

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.

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