Family Birthday Celebrations

Owen turned 4 on September 3 and got to have his first friend birthday party.  He wanted it to be Dusty themed (from Disney's "Planes") and was so excited to eat a "chocolate Dusty birthday cake".  

We had planned for a larger plane to go on top of the cake but Owen insisted on the smaller one.  I figured why mess with the birthday boy, so the smaller plane it was.

(My talented friend Annie made the cake!)

So happy to be 4!

We had the kids color some Planes coloring pages and also decorated the candy bags for the pinata.

His party was in the morning, so we just a few snacks for the kids.  Easy!

Owen and his friends getting ready for our "Wings around the Globe" competition.  

We bounced balls on racquets for Dusty, from America

We did a tea cup water relay for Bulldog, from England 

We spun hula hoops for Ishani, from India

We did a parachute shake for Rochelle, from Canada

Last, we took a swing at the pinata for El Chupacabra, from Mexico 

(My talented friend Adriana made the pinata-- it is a cloud!) 

Owen was in his element opening presents and having us sing Happy Birthday to him.  He was so happy!

This year was Brad's 30th birthday!  My in-laws were awesome and kept the boys overnight for us to have a quick getaway.  We watched the BYU opening football game at a sports bar in Park City.  (We had the place to ourselves, so we got to watch it on the projector & have it piped through the restaurant!)  We stayed at the Zermatt Resort and enjoyed a visit to the hot tub, sleeping in, using the onsite gym, and exploring Swiss Days in Midway.  It was so great to have the one on one time together!

  

We also had a family birthday party at Blackridge Reservoir in Herriman to celebrate all of the Hardcastle birthdays in August/September: me, Brad, Owen, Ron, Spencer, and Porter.

Owen having fun building a sand castle.  It was a beautiful day!

Part of the gang enjoying the sunshine.  

We went back to our house for cake and presents.  My sister in law Angie made this yummy ice cream cake.  

The boys were pretty excited about their new "Fire and Rescue" helicopters

 Last, but not least, Porter turned 2 on September 21.  We were actually in San Diego at the time, but he had celebrated with Owen & the rest of us earlier in the month, so we kept it pretty low key.  We had some cupcakes and he was so excited to have us sing "Happy Birthday" to him.     

Happy Birthdays to us!

Summer Camping Trips

It's no secret that Brad loves the mountains, and I think the boys are developing that same love too!  We were able to go camping three times this summer and wish we could have had time for more.

#1:  In June Brad and Owen went away for an overnight camping trip.  Here are some of the pictures Brad sent me while they were gone-- needless to say, I think they had a great time!

What's a camping trip up Big Cottonwood Canyon without a little fishing?

Hotdogs for dinner!

In the morning they hiked to Donut Falls.  Yes, that is the outfit Owen wore for the hike.  I couldn't believe it when I saw the pictures... Dad is a little more relaxed than Mom!

Eating donuts at Donut Falls 

#2:  In August my brother Grant came to stay with us for a week. It was so nice to spend the one on one time with him, and the boys loved having a buddy for the week.  We hadn't done a family camping trip so we packed up and headed to our favorite campground up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Some of the Hardcastle's joined us for campfire Friday night and we had a great time!  

Porter checking out the scenery 

Getting ready for some s'mores with Grammy!

Porter was loving his s'more.  Yum!

Grant, Chris, and Angie

Brad and Porter ready for s'more #2... or 3

Brad and me

The next morning we went on a quick hike to "The Rock"- a hike Brad and his brothers did frequently when they were younger.  We went a little further up to Snowbird ski resort, then called it good.  We packed up, ate lunch, and headed home. 

#3.  Last weekend we decided to do one last camping trip before the season ended.  It was definitely colder than in August-- it got down to the low 30's overnight!  We layered up and managed to stay warm thanks to our Little Buddy heater.  We even had a visitor come through camp-- a big Bull Moose!  Owen wasn't too sure what to think of him, but Porter thought it was awesome!  We kept our distance but enjoyed watching him make his away around.  Owen loved riding his bike around the campground, which was mostly empty so we didn't have to worry about all the car traffic.  It was a nice, quiet getaway. 

Riding around the campground

Porter made quite the fashion statement Saturday morning.  It was pretty cold!

Our friend "Bullwinkle"

Staying warm by the campfire

As we headed home Owen announced that he wants just him and Mommy to go on a camping trip together!  We will see about that! :)  

Owen starts Preschool

Owen started his 2nd year of preschool on September 6th.  He was so excited!  Quite a different scene than last year, where he cried most of the time we were there.  This time he couldn't wait for me to leave!  We are doing another co-op this year with the same kids and moms.  It has been wonderful for all of us!  

 Owen, ready to go!

I am excited for some additional one on one time with Porter.  But his favorite time is when we host preschool.  He is my 6th student those weeks.  He loves participating!

What cute kiddos!

Instagram July-Aug

A few snapshots from our fantastic San Diego trip in July.

The things we do for free food!  We love Chick Fil A!

Post-naps on a Sunday afternoon and everyone is happy!

Brad and I got to take Owen to a  Real Salt Lake game.  He loved it, just as long as we kept the snacks coming!

We had a rare free Saturday morning and jumped at the chance to visit the zoo with Brad!  The boys loved showing him around.

Silver Lake & Cecret Lake

In July we took advantage of Brad's break from school and the cooler temperatures up in the mountains and made a few trips up the canyons.  We walked around Silver Lake one evening.  We usually make it up there once a summer.  I like this trail because it's a flat, paved walking trail around a gorgeous lake.  The boys had a good time, but we had mistakenly prepped Owen for a hike, and when we were done he said, "But I wanted to go on a hike!"

We saw a few moose at the beginning... didn't stick around there very long!  

This is our annual picture spot.  It's kind of fun to look back and see how our family has changed each year!

2014

 2013

2012

A couple weeks later we ventured up to Cecret Lake, in Alta.  The hike wasn't too bad, but it was definitely a hike!  I stopped counting how many times Owen had to stop because his "legs hurt"... guess we need to find a happy medium for hikes for him!  The surprise of the day was how absolutely beautiful all of the wildflowers were!    

(Because smiling is just too boring!)

 

Owen was such a stinker the whole time!  He wouldn't cooperate for any family pictures.  The sweet lady who stopped to take this tried her best, but this is all we got.  I sort of love it anyways!

Owen has been very interested in taking pictures lately.  This was one he took!  Not bad!

We were headed back to our car at dusk...the lighting was gorgeous, so (of course) we had to stop and take some more pictures! 

(Photo credit to Owen...I think he has an eye!)