San Diego Adventures II: Old Town San Diego & Mormon Battalion

Next, it was off to Old Town San Diego &

The Mormon Battallion Historical Site

This historic site has been newly renovated and
their new high-tech multi-media tour is really cool.

We journeyed West with the Battalion

and discovered their hardships, perils and joys.

We also saw cool old cannons and Army muskets.

The family activities were really fun!

Like...

panning for gold!

  

"Look...a nugget! I've struck it rich!!!"

You can view all of Old Town from the Site Tower...

or pray...not sure why my children are doing this :)

Emily discovered she could wink intensely :)

You can drive a replica
U.S. Army covered baggage wagon...

or "jus' set a spell" on the veranda.

Either way, if you hang around long enough,

they enlist you and you become... 

Honorary Members of the Mormon Battalion!



San Diego Adventures I: Mission Beach

We had the most awesome time in San Diego!

We stayed in a lovely summer home with

Doug's parents & siblings.

It was fun for the kids to spend time

with Grandma & Grandpa Hardy,

Aunts & Uncles and Cousins!

Grandma & Grandpa Hardy,

Alexis, Jonny, Emily & Hannah

at Mission Beach

It was unusually chilly for San Diego this year!
But that didn't stop us from...

Doin' a little boogie boardin'...

A little body surfin'...

Cousins Tommy & Austin

Chillin' on the beach... (emphasis on chill!)

 Aunt Jenny and cute cousin Sarah

Buryin' some cousins...
like Austin & Sammy

Flying a kite...

We decided if you were naughty,

you had to fly the "time out" kite haha.

Uncle Scott...

Bestest (yes, it is a word, I created it)
thing to do on the beach...

Sandcastles!

 

Bingo Bango Bongo!

Alexis just asked me why I haven't

updated the blog lately.

I told her maybe it's because we've been busy with...

SUMMER FUN!

Our family plays golf using an interesting
scoring system called

BINGO BANGO BONGO

This is how the scoring works:

1 point for First on the Green

1 point for Closest to the Pin

1 point for Longest Put

1 point for Fewest Strokes

Bonus Points when Hannah Outdrives Somebody

Arbitrary Bonus Points as determined by Dad

Whoever ends the day with the most points wins!

Checkout these shots:

Hannah Monster Shot!

Alexis Pro Golfer

One More Time...

Nice Shot!

Doug's Drive...

On the green!

Emily...

Very nice!

Uncle Rob with Doug Commentary

Don't try this at home kids :)

Jonny Clip from 2009

With his eyes closed even!

What a Team!!!

Life in the Fast...um...Slow...um...Wrong Lane

Heaven have mercy.

My Emily has her Learner's Permit.

When did she grow up???

I think her nose barely clears the steering wheel :)

Yikes! Was that a complete stop?

Oh good.

No indigenous law personnel in sight.

Watch out!!!

We almost hit this guy...

Good thing he was a bit aged.

He didn't even notice!

"Chill out mom!!!"

This is self portrait of me being

"Chill."

Yeah right!

Check out the exploded

blood vessel in my right eye.

Emily: See, we arrived safe and sound!!!
Me: I think I need a nap now...

To Be A Hardy

We recently had a discussion
at the dinner table

on what it means to be a
Hardy

Many things were discussed.

We told our children

"You are a Hardy.

And that means something."

So what does it mean?

they asked. 

We told them their behavior

reflects on our name.
We expect them to honor their name,
to never embarass themselves
or their family.

We told them the name
does not define the character.

The character defines the name.

I hope my children will always 

be proud to be a Hardy.

We are so proud of them.

HAR·DY

–adjective

Capable of enduring fatigue, hardship, exposure, 

sturdy; strong; requiring great physical courage,

vigor, or endurance; bold or daring; courageous;

Origin:

1175–1225; ME hardi < OF, ptp. of

*hardir to harden, make brave

—Synonyms

vigorous, robust, hale, stout, sound,

intrepid, resolute, brave.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!
I am so blessed to
have a wonderful mother. She and my
father raised 7 children. Anyone who can pull
that off deserves a tribute!! My mother
has taught me so many things. She taught me
the importance of hard work. She taught me
perseverance in spite of obstacles and difficulties.
She taught me to be kind and how to love. She
taught me to be honest.
She taught me how to have faith even when the world seems to be crashing down and all seems to be lost. She taught me to have a sense of humor. She taught me how to laugh and how to have fun. She taught me how to be a good wife and mother. I think the greatest tribute to her is hearing her own words of wisdom coming out of my mouth to my children and then repeated by her grandchildren. She is my inspiration. She is why I know that families are forever. I love you mom!

Cinco de Mayo

Fiesta!!!

The Hardys know how to party.
(With non-alcoholic margaritas of course)

With all the Spanish going on around here,

we found it only fitting to have our

Cinco de Mayo party in style.

Las Hermanas

Dos Hombres

¿How do you say "brain freeze" en español?

Mexican Hat Dance

Some amigos stopped by

Mamacita

Olé!