Fall in Arizona?

(I just threw in this picture I found of my silly kids and their silly smiles)


The news said it was the first full day of Fall. I'm not sure the low 100s and high 90s is considered "Fall" but I will take it!! We get all excited when someone mentions Halloween around here because we know that cooler weather is around the corner. Winter here in AZ is why we love it here so much. There is nothing better than NOT having to scrap snow from your windshield in the morning, or layering every piece of clothing on before walking out the door. Us Arizonaians (made that up) are just getting to take walks outside and getting the kids to the park. We still have about a month to go until we aren't sweating by just walking into the grocery store, but who will be laughing at who when all you all that aren't leaving your houses because of the snow and ice warnings are watching the weather and see 70s down yonder! Love to all and Happy Fall!!!

The BIG 5.....

Oh my, oh my!! My little girl turned five yesterday! It's crazy how time flies, I feel like me and Cameron just brought her home! She has turned out to be the sweetest little girl. We love her to death and don't know what we would do without her. Really, she is my brain these days. I find myself telling her what we need to get done today so that I can go back and ask her and she will totally remember and tell me. The girl is too smart sometimes!! I love that she easily makes friends anywhere we go but is still shy enough not to make TOO good of friends. I love that she is the greatest big sister and would do anything to make Jake happy. I love that she is very into pre-school and will most definitely take after her father and love school and everything that has to do with school. I love that Alex is tenderhearted and is very aware of others feelings, it does scare me that this will go away when she starts school. I love that she LOVES to travel and see new things. I love that cereal is her favorite food because it's my favorite food. I love that she loves to watch movies and eat popcorn. I love that she is really into coloring, crafty things and is very proud of her results. I love that she loves girly things but also loves cars, trucks, getting dirty, boy stuff just as much. I love that she is the greatest helper and will do just about anything you ask. I could go on and on about what I love about Alex because ever since she was little we have always said she has been a pretty easy going kid and she makes us smile ALOT!

Day after Alex was born

I just loved when she was bundled up like this when we lived in Utah.

One year


We must have slacked on the pictures when she was two because I couldn't find very many.
Two years

Three years

Four years

Five years

Here are some pics of the big day!

We started the day off with her fav, PINK waffles!!

We had a small BBQ with some friends and had a pinata!

(you can tell when Cam was taking the pictures, unfocused and forgot to put up the flash, silly daddy.)

She got some really fun things! Lots of coloring, painting, drawing stuff which is her absolute favorite! She also got a jewelry box that has gone everywhere with her today. All she wanted from mom and dad was a suitcase. YES, I know the kid is strange, but ever since she saw that they made little ones she has nonstop talked about it. It was a great day and I'm glad I have a whole year to prepare for six!

Soccer....

Alex is finally old enough to play soccer this year! She has been waiting a long time to be able to play. Her and her friend Bailey are the youngest of the team, but they don't seem to notice that they don't know the rules or what is going on anytime someone makes a goal. Her first game was last Saturday and she was pumped up!! She did really well for being her first time playing. At one point the other team scored a goal and she just looked over at us and smiled liked something good just happened because everyone was cheering. She did kick the ball a couple of times (even in the right direction :)) and that was all she talked about for days. It's pretty darn hilarious to watch a bunch of 4-6 year olds run around trying their little hardest to get the ball in the goal. She loves it and mom and dad are just glad that she has something to look forward to each week and maybe one day she will become the next Mia Hamm.

When Alex's coach put her as goalie it about gave me a heart attack as I looked over at Cam and said, "Um, I'm not sure we explained what a goalie was?" Luckily, she wasn't in their too long and didn't get stomped down.

Alex's bestest friends and teammates Nate and Bay.

Best Friends....

I have to confess that I am really in love with the place my kids are in right now. They LOVE to play with eachother and rarely fight with one another. Alex is always right there if Jake ever gets hurt to say, "Are you okay Bup? Do you need a bandaid?" Jake is rarely out of Alex's shadow. Alex told him the other day, "Jake, can't I go to the bathroom alone!?" He gets so sad and lonely when she goes to pre-school, I actually look forward to the days she is home. They are constantly laughing and giggling to eachother, like in the picture I caught them rolling all over the floor laughing until their faces were blue! I hope no matter the changes in their lives, they always stay as good of buddies as they are right now.

Labor Day....

With Cameron closing on a project the last couple of weeks and not seeing him but 2 hours at night, we decided to head to St. George for Labor Day to get a little R&R. The kids LOVE going and it was even better because Curt and Marissa had just moved there and they had cousins to play with! We did ALOT ALOT of swimming and alot of eating! What's better? Thanks to Curt and Merm for having us over for endless dinners and good times!

Watch out Michael Phelps!! Your competition is in the pool! Here we come LONDON!!

Because of the great weather, the kids played and played outside.

What is Labor Day without a BBQ.

Dont' mess with these two and their BBQ.

One of the many parks we played at.

Cameron could not go without a little Iceberg!!

Cam taught Jake to dip his fries in icecream. At first he looked at him really funny and then tried it and was HOOKED! We couldn't get him to leave!

We must have really wore them out!!

And last but not least!! I forgot to post about our sixth anniversary a couple of weeks ago. We went out with some really great friends and had a blast! Not to get sappy, but I have the best husband and he is the greatest father! Here's to many many years ahead!

Farm life to City life.........

I have felt I needed to release some emotional turmoil through blogging. As I said awhile ago after 30 plus years my dad and mom have sold our farm this last year and are moving. We have all been in denial this last year thinking it would never come. But these last couple of months my parents have started packing up our house we lived in pretty much our whole lives. The farm has been a place where all of us kids have learned to work, learn and play. With each year we saw and helped our dad plant and then harvest the crops. When we were younger we thought it was a curse to live on a farm, always doing random jobs like pulling weeds on the side of the road to "build character." But as time as gone by each of us realized what a blessing and opportunity it has been to be able to call such a wonderful place HOME. As I sit here crying and wondering how life will ever be the same with out the "farm" and potato harvest I think of what an awesome childhood I had and what great memories are yet to be made. SO, here's to making NEW memories in St. George!!

I thought of some things I have loved most about living on a farm....

My kids LOVED to help Grandpa feed the horses and cows.


My parents are the BEST gardeners. They always had an immaculate yard full of beautiful flowers and trees.
Even living away from home, potato harvest is always something we came home for. Homemade french fries and hot chocolate! YUM!

The many many horse rides I had while growing up and the many rides my dad took the kids on every time we came home.

The HUGE willow tree we planted when we were kids that has now taken over the yard.

The many hours we spent outside swinging on this exact swing set and the many hours poor Grandpa was out there swinging the grand kids :).

The best memories are the memories the kids will have of having a second home away from home and the many things they loved to do.

Misc.....

I can't believe this summer is almost over. School is starting and that means Alex has started her new preschool. She loves it and she loves her new teacher Mrs. Luna. She is getting so smart, she can write her abc's and numbers really well and she writes her name everywhere! She is definetly going to have her papa's smarts, she learns really fast and I know it took me forever to process anything into my brain.

Some ladies in my ward have started a Joy School this year for a bunch of 2-3 year olds and I decided to take the challenge and sign Jake up. He gets so upset to see Alex leave for preschool that I thought this might be a good time to get him into something that he can socialize and learn at the same time. I made the mistake of telling him he was getting to go to school in a couple of weeks with his good buddy Jack and now every morning he wakes up and says, " a school with Jack mom?" I guess I'll never learn.


I thought also that I would throw in this picture of me and my grandma at my cousins wedding this summer. I LOVE LOVE my grandma and she has always been one of my hereos and her and my grandpa are great examples of living Christlike lives. I hope one day I can live up to all they have taught me throughout my life. LOVE YOU gram!

Mexico...

Our cruise to Mexico was amazing! We couldn't have had a better time! Thanks to the Harman clan for making it happen. Our first day at port was in Cabo and we went on a private sailboat and went snorkeling. It was a really fun time and we even stopped in the middle of the ocean and took a dip (and yes, I did it!). The next day we went to Mazatlan and did para sailing. It was really cool, but probably a one time experience for me. I made the mistake and looked down and got to thinking there was only a strap holding me from life and death. The next day, and probably my favorite port, to Puerto Vallarta and we did some zip lining. It was WAY fun and if any of you out there go on this cruise you HAVE to go on Canopy Tours zip line! It was the best!

Me and Cam just had the best time relaxing and taking some down time from both of our crazy schedules back home. We sailed for alot of the days, but we kept busy with some karaoke, rock wall climbing, dancing and lots and lots of eating!! A BIG thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Balls for taking the kids for us, they are still begging to come back! We can't wait for our next big adventure!

GOOD TIMES!!!!

July......

We have had a busy but oh so fun July so far!! We just got back from Idaho last weekend from being there since the fourth. We took our first ever roadtrip there and it ended up being pretty easy. Cameron flew home after a long weekend and the kids and I stayed and helped the grandparents pack up the house for the big move to St. George.

I will start at the beginning of our adventure!!

The Fourth of July is always been a big deal for the Harman clan, it is a close second next to Christmas. We start off the day at the annual Rupert parade, which is full of tractors and horses, the kids LOVED it! We then headed to Uncle Kurt's for lunch and water play, the little kids loved the huge jumpy slide and the "big" kids enjoyed the boat. After a good nap we went up to Uncle Jack's for a serious firework show, and when I say show I mean 600+ people and certified professional uncles shooting off the fireworks. I got the finale on video for a sneek peek. (here's to you Kate)

From the looks of the picture, Jake must have not gotten a good enough nap for the fireworks, they didn't start until about 10:30.

One of the many activites the kids and I enjoyed were playing outside (which is a privilege when you live in Arizona during the summer.) We played our annual badmitton tournament, which between Mom and Dad both going down on a couple occasions, we had a great time playing. Me and Cris have the same T-shirt and since we were teammates thought it would be fun to dress in uniforms complete with football makeup. The kids favorite thing by far was to ride the four wheeler to see Grandpas new baby colt, we rode there at least twice a day if not many more. After riding the four wheeler, Jake would just lay on the bike and sulk because he wanted to do it again. He would ask anyone who walked in the door "motorcycle ride?" We had to hide the key because he was getting a little too smart. Jake and Alex played in the playpool Grandpa Kent set up many a times and loved screaming "Superman!" while jumping in. They also LOVED Grandpa to push them in the baby swing and go "Berry high!"
The kids always want to make Aunt Sue's sugar cookies while we are at grandmas. Jake wore some googles he found while mixing the batter with Aunt Cris, maybe he thought they were going to taste better, who knows with that kid. Alex chose a butterfly and flower cookie cutter while Jake stuck with the dinosaurs. If you look at the pictures you can see the difference in the frosting application of the two kiddos. Jake is ALL boy when it comes to doing anything crafty and Alex is such a perfectionist.

I have many more pictures from our adventure, but for now I am pooped from blog overload! Stay tuned!

Dance Recital....

We couldn't video at the recital, but I got a quick video at one of the practice rounds. (make sure to turn off the blog music)

Last night we had a great time at Alex's Dance Recital. Grandpa Kent sent a flower and balloons to her and she still can't stop talking about how special it is. The theme of the recital was Decades of Dance, they had so many cute 50's, 60's dances with awesome costumes. Alex's ballet dance was Doggy in the window. We are so proud of her for getting up there and not being scared. I was so nervous for her, but she got right up there in front of a ton of people and did her thing! Me and Cam got a little teary eyed at watching how grown up she has become. After putting on all her makeup, Alex came out of the bathroom and her dad saw her and said, "WOW, take that off!!" He didn't like how grown up she looked. We couldn't pick Alex back up until after intermission so we watched about 15 other dances and Jake was mesmerized at the colorful costumes and dances. He was also so proud of Alex, and when he saw her afterwards he said, "Alex, you dance, good job!" We asked Alex to pick her favorite place to eat afterwards, and after trying to explain to her that her favorite place was a small town place in Idaho and that it would take 13 hours to get there, she settled for her second favorite Red Robin. It was a fun family night and Alex can't wait to dance again next year.