Flashback

 I did mean to document this experience ... We had plans to go to Dallas the weekend before we went to Hawaii for a friend of Nick's birthday party. It was very fun. We got there late and it was raining, but I was still going to take pictures of everyone. It's not often that everyone is all together. I reached into my purse as soon as we got there to take a few, and it wouldn't tun on. I looked in the battery slot, and NOTHING!!! DOn't you hate that. I had it all charged up and waiting. Bummer. Someone did take a few though, and I stole them from facebook. Not super clear but better than nada. While we were in Dallas we got to sty with my friend Britni and her Hubby Dax. They have a precious little boy Rilan. He is such a stud!!! We had a great time catching up, it has for sure been a while. She told me this week that she is pregnant and it is due near my birthday! That would be great! We will see... I can't wait to meet the new little Hardage!!!

                Doty "T-Do" Ryan "Ryno" BIRTHDAY BOY MATT "Mallet"  "Hubby" Ross the "Haus"

                                                      TARA, NIKKI, ME, AND MATT

On our way out of town we had to stop at the Dallas Temple. I hadn't ever seen it before. It was beautiful! The weather wasn't so much. I wanted pictures so bad, so I rolled my jeans up and went barefoot across the lawn. I snapped a few and ran right back to the truck. I was really wet, but well worth it. We went to the DC there to stock up, and the lady that helped us was so sweet. She was a mess, but definitely made it a light-hearted good first experience for us. It was fun!

Photo Album

I am beginning to work on the Hawaii photo album... I know it's been a couple of months but no time like the present! I figured if I did my collage- like pages I could fit them all in with few pages. I will share what I have so far...

Such a fun trip!

more photoshop!!

Nick left for Dallas tonight, he has a business meeting in the morning. I decided to take advantage of his time away and be a computer junkie.... I just realized the cd of the images from our wedding would be a great way to practice my editing skills, and mess around in photoshop! These are lots of fun...At least I am starting out with a photo that is actually shot right. None of mine are quite there yet. I will miss you Honey... Hope your meeting goes well!

LOOK the little seagull!

The view of our wedding site...

Matty is 25!!!

Wow we are getting up there!!! Matt just celebrated his 25th Birthday this week! My Nan and I made the dinner, and we were not much of the hit of the celebration. Matt's girlfriend Edite was home in Latvia for the summer, but she flew in to surprise Matt at his party! She got there in the nick of time, I thought he was almost in tears!!! It was the best! He looked so happy! GREAT job Edite... I have never been able to keep a secret and surprise Nick with anything!!! Good for you! Hope your having a great week together after a LONG summer apart!

I also look some pics of Matty looking oh- so- hot on his day! Yea it's a HAWK! He can pull of anything

new edits!

Just really getting into photoshop!!! It is so amazing what you can do! Here is a few I have been playing with! 

Lake/Fourth of July

We spent the fourth at Lake Alan Henry and Mom and Dad's place. We had hamburgers and lots of family time. It seemed like everyone enjoyed watching us all wakeboard. Wendy and Mom had lots of fun chatting... 

The kids were a little hesitant of the water at first, but ended up loving it! They were little fish by the time the weekend was over. 

On our way back into town, we stopped at my uncles for a firework show and another BBQ. Zach did and awesome fireworks display timed to music and all... Very impressive. 

We made it back into town late and church came early, but we made it!!! 

Wendy got to go visit our ward, and meet some of our neat friends. 

So all weekend we basked in the sun, and laughed a lot! The pups just love it out there. 

I am really glad my uncle came up for the holiday. It was so much fun with the kids there. 

Mr. Noah is adorable, and Brandon is getting so big I can hardly believe it!

More on the race...

We woke up about 4:40 ouch!!! We ate a big smoothie, and headed off to the lake. It was still really dark when got there and cars were backed up all the way down the road getting to the starting line. I was really amazed how many people were there. The wind was blowing and it was raining pretty hard. I was glad I brought my jacket for sure. We were a little hesitant to take out the nice camera because of the rain, but it lightened up enough to get a few pre race pics.

I trained only on a stationary bike, Nick never did the swim once, and B has been trying to finish school, work, and be the best husband and dad. I will preface with saying that.

Nick was ready that morning to drowned

The day before the race we found a road bike that a man would let me rent. We went and bought the shoes that click in and I jumped on the bike for about five minutes and road before everyone got here for the party. Not the brightest idea in the book. Not to mention it started pouring rain when I got the chip on my ankle and the roads were slick.

It was a tough up hill climb right at the beginning. I wasn't strapped in my shoe good and my foot came out. I could hardly get on and get going on flat ground much less a 35%incline, so very angry I climbed the first hill on foot!!! I was so bummed. At the top though I got back on and was in business. I ended up with 1:20 min for my time. So if you take into consideration the fact I couldn't get on to begin with, then I came off, walked the hill, and it was pouring cats and dogs, I probably got close to my exact training time which was about 1:11. So I guess I was pleased. I saw so many people crashing and getting road rash because of the rain. I was just glad I finished with no blood.

Brandon, was a rock star he finished us up with the run in 27 min. He did great!

We had lots of fun and are ready to train for another!

Thanks to all of our cheerleaders for rooting us on!!!

Mom Wendy

My Mom, Dad and Matt

Holly and Jo

and Anna!!!

My sweet FAITH

Wendy and I got to have girls slumber party and girls day today!!! My little cousin faith is in visiting from Colorado for the fourth. We got to...

 sleep in

 play with the dogs

eat french toast and drink smoothies

Sing to Mamma Mia

Have a Mani Pedi

A bubble bath in a "MONSTER" tub

A hair cut

Lunch at Chickfala (thanks Wendy)

Swim at the kids Waterpark

And lots of snacks!!!!

Sounds like a pretty good day! WE HAD LOTS OF FUN!

After our makeover we had a little photo shoot... Here's a little of what we got

I <3 FAMILY

Nick's Mom got here last Thursday and Brandon got here Friday. Saturday night I wanted to have a big party, to show them a good time here in the LBK. We had lots of my family and our friends there. We cooked out fajitas, and had lots of laughs. We didn't care that we had to wake up at 4:30am that next morning for the race. We ate a big meal, which probably wasn't the best thing, but lots of fun. Thanks to everyone that came and made it so great.

I am pretty sure the pups and Chloie were the life of the party!!! They were so cute. She loved them!!!