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.

Our Beautiful Swan

Check out Our Beautiful Swan

Alexis as The Black Swan, Odile

These photos are from

Roger Sengthavychith's Photoshoot

Project Glassglow

Mornings

Alexis AKA The Blur,

recently commented on how I have
so few pictures of her lately.

Could this be why?

This is what our mornings look like.

Everyone grabs a quick smoothie or sausage biscuit

and literally runs out the door.

What happened to breakfast with the family?

After the morning rush I feel like
we've been through a cyclone.

The house looks like we've been through a cyclone.

I remember our elderly neighbors

Earl and Hazel Kevitch. I miss them so.

Earl was a concert violinist for the Utah Symphony.

He would practice with his window open.

If I took the time and stopped,

I could enjoy his beautiful music.

Even at age 90, he still had it.

One morning was particularly hectic for the Hardy household.

I had driven in and out of my driveway

about a half dozen times in a 20 minute period,

running kids here and there.

Earl noticed.

I had pulled in the driveway,

ran inside the house to grab something I had forgotten,

slammed the back door and ran back to my car.

I started pulling out of the driveway

when I saw Earl in the rear view mirror.

He was standing in the middle of my driveway.

I slammed on my brakes and got out of my car

to see what was the matter.

Earl said, emphatically,

"Rush, Rush, Rush. You are always rushing!"

He was right.

That is what I do best.

Earl told me to slow down and enjoy life.

I have tried. Then life starts catching up on me.

But every once in a while, I stop to catch my breath.

And try to listen to the music.

The Fort

Do you remember building forts as a kid?

I do.

My brother Rob and I would build fantastic forts.

They were our secret hideouts.
A place to dream and imagine.

I would read books for hours.

We would sleep in it at night.

I thought we were THE master fort builders.

Until now...

Hannah

(with a little help from mechanical engineering major Jonny)

built this fort while we were out to dinner tonight.

I didn't even know we had this many blankets.

Theirs kicks on any design I ever had as a kid.

This fort includes a big screen tv and refrigerator.

They even used the treadmill
as a working drawbridge at the entrance
to fend off encroachers.

Maybe we will have Family Home Evening

in the fort Monday night.

We can begin with...

"And my father dwelt in a tent." 

What were your favorite childhood projects?

Iron Chef Hardy Home

2 Chefs. 2 Dishes. 1 Victor.

Ok. Maybe we watch too much Food Network.

You'd think my family was obsessed.

Hannah claimed she made the best
Peanut Butter Sandwich
& Banana Dessert

Jonny said he could do better.

It was a Hardy Throw Down.

Hannah won big on presentation with her clever

PB & Banana heart shaped sandwich.

Jonny won big on taste with his

PB & Fresh Strawberry Sandwich

grilled to perfection.

But Hannah came back huge with her signature dessert:

Hannah Banana Surprise!

(the surprise is buried marachino cherries...YUM!)

Jonny hand dipped his banana in melted chocolate

and barely made the clock...3...2...1...!

In the end, Chef Hannah prevailed!

NIGHT LIFE OF HANNAH: Part 3

Hannah was supposed to be asleep.

She decided to make this Music Video instead.

I think she is hoping to beat out Beyoncé

for next year's Grammy

for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance :)

"HAPPY"

NIGHT LIFE OF HANNAH: Part 2

Hannah was supposed to

have cleaned her room this day.

Daddy was supposed to

be working on his computer in his office.

(He likes to play games on his new

fancy smancy Droid phone)

Hmmm....

I should label this video "Busted!"

NIGHT LIFE OF HANNAH: Part 1

Ever wonder what 8 year olds do at night

when they're supposed to be in bed?

Well, mine makes unauthorized videos.

I didn't even know Hannah had a video feature

on the camera we gave her for Christmas.

I guess she knew.

And like her mama, she is into Videography.

There's more to come...