What's wrong Grace?

You can't move because your legs are in the same pant leg and your panties are on your head? Life is hard when you are learning to dress yourself!

(Her panties really were on her head, but the picture wasn't quite apporpriate with her little bum hanging out.)

Twins

So Ben's been on this diet for the past few weeks. (he's finally finished with the strictest part, hooray!) Anyway, I was making him an Egg White Omelet one night and look what a found....

Two yolks in one egg! I've never seen that before and wanted to share.
I wonder what would have happend if the egg would have matured into a baby chick....

Garett is Smiling!

So he officially smiled at me on Nov. 6th and 4:00 in the morning while I was changing his diaper. That sure made waking up in the middle of the night worth it! He has the cutest little smile and almost always gives me one as a big thank you when he's done eating. I love to see his little face light up. He's also started cooing. It's so fun to leave him laying somewhere to play and then all of a sudden he says something just to remind you he's there. He is so fun I just love him!

Thanksgiving

Our great Home Teachers came by Tuesday night and gave us a great reminder of Thanksgiving. They shared Elder Bednar's talk on prayer and how his wife was challenged to give a Gratitude Prayer in a time of difficulty. It really was just a great reminder of how we need to thank our Heavenly Father for all the good things we have in life and for all the blessings the Gospel brings. I know I don't show my appreciation for all the blessing in my life, and some days I don't know how I got so lucky, or why through all my imperfections the Lord still sees fit to bless me immensely. But I truly am grateful for all that I do have and am taking the challenge and I challenge all of you to have a Gratitude Prayer and tell Heavenly Father, "Thank You!"

Things I am Grateful for-

My Husband who loves me and helps me so much!

My Grace who talks endlessly and is so much fun!

My baby Garett who loves to snuggle and smile at me!

The wonderful Job Ben has, and the amazing path his career has taken in the short 3 years since he has graduated!

The amazing experience we had living in Singapore!

A strong Healthy body and the ability to create and carry a child!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, Prayer, and a Living Prophet!

A beautiful house to live in!

My Car- I love it!

My friends in my neighborhood. I finally feel like this is "home" thanks to them!

My extended family- they provide so much love and support! (especially my mom and sisters!)

And the computer/Internet, how else would I keep up with so many great people? And all the other wonderful conveniences we have that generations past lived without... (can we say, toilets, grocery stores, epidurals, cell phones, etc.....!)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone, isn't Life Great?!!

Garett's Blessing

We blessed Garett on Sunday November 2, 2008. It was a wonderful day and all of our family that lives nearby was able to come. Ben gave Garett a beautiful Blessing. Some of the highlights that we remember- He was blessed to; have a sober mind and body, an unshakable testimony, be a rock and an example to all those around him, take care of his older sister and the rest of his family, grow up with a keen mind and intellect.

We love our little guy so much and I am so thankful for the spirit he has brought into our home. He is a sweet baby, with a very calm countenance and happy personality. He rarely cries and endures the love of his sister so well.

We love you Garett!

And here is the handsome thing all dressed in white.

With Daddy
And Mommy

And both of us.

Grace and Garett

The happy family

Grandma Hardy

4 Generations- Great Grandpa Hardy, Mommy, Garett, and Grandpa Hardy

Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Hardy

Grandpa and Grandma Harper

Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween! The festivities started out Tuesday night at the Ward Trunk or Treat. I didn't get any good pictures there, but Grace had so much fun and was SO excited to dress up as Sleeping Beauty! She's been talking about it all month and she couldn't wait. She got a load of candy there and had fun at the fishing pond and got her face painted like a kitty cat. She got so mad at me when I washed it off.

The Monday before Halloween we told Grace that Halloween was on Friday and we would go Trick or Treating. So everyday she would say it's Friday, it's Halloween! And then we would teach her what day it was and how many more days there were until Friday. So Halloween morning Ben must have told her it was Friday and Halloween, because the first thing I heard out of her mouth that morning was, "Happy Halloween" at the top of her lungs. Did I mention she was excited? Later that morning as we were getting dressed she decided to try on Garett's costume. I laughed and laughed. What a great way to start the day.

Ben brought these teeth home from work and Grace wanted to try them out. Honestly for a minute she reminded me of the baby from Twilight that is born with a full set of teeth and beautiful curly hair. (except Grace's hair is a little out of control here.)
So Halloween night finally came. This was a little stressful to me, Ben ended up working really late, so I had to get us all ready by myself. Grace wanted her hair done like a princess and held really still for me so I could do it. Here is our Silly Sleeping Beauty. (Sometimes it sounded like Grace was saying Sleeping Booty)
Here is a side shot of her Princess hair. She did look really cute with it all done up.

And here is the aftermath..... it looks kind of like a horse's mane, and boy was it a pain to wash and comb out!

Here is our little Bat. This is a 0-3 month costume, it barely velcroed at the top.

And our two kids together. Garett slept through most of the festivites. What a good baby!

We went over to our friends the Andrew's house for dinner and Trick or Treating. It was a lot of fun and it was great to have friends to walk around with. This is Melanie Zimmerman and her son Zack, Me and Grace, and Amy Andrew with Tyler.

The day after Halloween we went to a fun party at our neighbor's the Parkinson's. It was so fun to go all out and dress up. My mom came over and watched the kids and it was great to get out and hang out with our friends for a while. The party was so fun and we learned some great new games. We decided to be The Devil and an Angel for Halloween. (Thanks to Jenny Capell for our costumes!) Here is Ben The Devil. He did his makeup himself!

And here we are together.

When Grace found out we were going to a party without her she got so mad! She tore off all her clothes and tried to put on her Sleeping Beauty dress. She really thinks she should be invited to any party she ever hears of. Poor Girl, once Grandma showed up she was pacified a bit. Our Halloween week was so much fun....now to get rid of the candy!

I VOTED!

I just got home from voting! I honestly tried to vote early last week, but when I pulled up to the polling location and saw the line out the door and down the sidewalk I chickened out not wanting to chase Grace around forever. So today realizing I might be waiting a long time I went prepared with my mega double stroller, books galore, and lots of food. When I got there the line was pretty long so I went to the end and started my wait. About 25 minutes into my wait I was told that I was in a smaller precinct and there wasn't a line and could walk right in and vote. ARGGHH! That was frustrating. So I walked in, but ended up having to wait another 20 minutes or so for a machine because 3 of them were down and it was slow moving on the other ones. I finally made it and voted, and boy am I glad this election is going to be over today! I'm am so sick of election ads and am excited to move forward and see what will become of our country. Oh, and the books and food worked, Grace was perfect and sat in the stroller the whole time!

And, if you live in West Jordan don't forget to vote for Ben's Dad, Wayne Harper. He's the best State Representative Ever!!!!!!! (at least I think so!)