The Harpers!

cyber va-ca

2012-01-09T20:20:00.000-08:00

I love this blog.
It has helped me through some hard times.
Thanks so much for all your positivity! It means so much.

I'm going to take a little break from blogging. And Facebook.

I feel like I need to refocus my life, things have been a little out of balance.

I will keep taking picture and update you on our life when I get back from my little "soul vacation".

Hope you are doing well! Call or text me if you need me!

Rocky Point

2012-01-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

We have been going to Rocky Point as a family since I was little. It's the perfect vacation because everyone can do whatever they want. I'm so glad Amron loves Rocky Point as much as me. And tacos. We really are ment for each other.

I few days before we headed south of the border we talked to the missionaries and they let us know of investigators they had that needed help. They gave us their sizes and we bought clothes and food for them. Then we took it to those families. The people there are so humble and greatful, they are so easy to serve. It was an awesome experience.

One night we took a grill and cooked hot dogs in the street of a really poor area. It was really fun interacting with these people. And they were crazy about Max and Sadie.

Yes, Sadie is attacking.

Graham dropped both of his hot dogs in the sand. I told him to give it to the dogs, there are always tons of dogs around, then he started feeding everything to the dogs.

We ate at lots of little taco stands. This one is called Jose's. These are the best tacos I've ever had and I've had lots of tacos. Jose cooks the meat right when you order it. Lots of places just keep it warm. Not Jose! haha

Amron really enjoyed translating for everyone.

pretty girls!

Graham called Aunt Julie his "other Grandma".

We buy shrimp at the fish markets fresh off the boats. Usually we wait until the last night (best for last) but this time we had it the first night then 2 other times too! Party! It was all dad. He made shrimp tacos, mexican shrimp cocktail, and american shrimp cocktail! And the last night we were there we had the missionaries over and everyone who came so about 40 people and dad cooked over 18 lbs of shrimp!

Sadie needed a bracelet and this little guy asked us 10 times if we wanted one so we got it.

And Max and Sadie HAD to have these hats. Graham got one too.

They opened a Mexican Sam's Club/Wal-mart in Rocky Point so we went to check it out.

We bought fresh tortillas almost every morning. Dad said we are over 10 dozen.

These pictures don't do this trip justice. Graham played in the pool and on the beach all day long and when he wasn't doing that he was on the quad with Chandler. Not to get all red-neck but I love quads!

haha I kind of forgot how much I liked them until we were going down a hill and I got that feeling in my stomach. It brought back tons of memories of when I was a teenager riding quads with my cousin and feeling like we were free and could do anything.

Graham was always worn out so he slept like a baby. That left lots of time for game nights. We played Ticket to Ride, Portland, and The Game of Things. We read books, ate ChocoFlan (chocolate cake with flan on top, yes I'm serious!), drank coca-cola light, told funny stories, watched movies, read more books, and just relaxed. It was the best.

home again, home again

2011-12-31T21:21:00.000-08:00

We got back from Rocky Point today. It was an amazing trip. I took a ton of pictures of course but I'm just going to put on my favorite one for now.
We had a bbq in the street and "invited" (Amron drove around telling anyone walking outside) people who lived around there to come eat some hotdogs. Paige handed out candy and we had oranges, chips and drinks. The people were pretty smitten by Max and Sadie and wanted to hold them.

This is a picture of Sadie attacking the locals.

We have some exciting news: We are moving to Guadalajara, Mexico in July. Amron is going to a medical school there. We are so, so excited. We got Rosetta Stone so I need to get working on my Spanish. If you know of anyone who lives, is going to live, or has family in Guadalajara, let me know!

MEXICO! MEXICO!

2011-12-26T22:58:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are over!!! Is it alright to celebrate that? I feel like I can take a deep breath now and stop feeling guilty for not making homemade gifts and decorations.
And I can start planning for the next year! I love planning. I love notebooks.
We have lots of changes ahead of us this year.
We have big goals to accomplish. And I know we can do it!

We are heading to Mexico in the morning. I'm so, so excited. I get this tickling feeling in my stomach when I start seeing the sand around the roads. It grows and grows as we get closer and then all the sudden we are there and I'm giggling and giddy and telling who's ever driving we need to stop at that taco shop and I'm trying to remember some spanish and the smells...I don't know how to describe it other then bliss. And we are going in the morning!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm planning on making some big plans while I'm there with my new notebook and pens, so look forward to some exciting resolutions that will last for.... at least 6 months ;) <--- that is a wink!

hey girl.

2011-12-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

These crack me up.

Christmas

2011-12-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas was so nice.

My in-laws spent the night.

We played games really late, set up the stuff then woke up early and opened presents.

P.S. I got spoiled.

And I'm not sure why, I was really naughty this year.

Pre-Christmas

2011-12-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

One of our family Christmas traditions is to get Chinese food. We usually go to Shangri-la. It's on Alma School and Elliot. Try the Hot and Sour Soup!

After dinner we went to mom and dad's to do our secret santa, without the secret, gift exchange.

Dad had Chandler

Mom had Amron

Amron had Ashley

Shane had Sadie

I had Lizzy

Ashley had me

Chandler had dad

Paige had Max

Graham had mom

Max had Shane

Sadie had Paige

and

Lizzy had Graham

Trying to get a family picture:

Lizzie opening her present

Sadie opening her present

Max opening his present

Graham opening his presents

Paige opening hers

Chan opening his

Ash opening hers

Shane opening his

Me opening mine

Dad with his

Mom's present

Graham's train table from grandma and papa

P.S. Graham asked me if Santa has a ding-ding.

Studio

2011-12-20T19:58:00.000-08:00

When all the babies woke up from their naps we brought them into the office while Amron looked at restaurant.com to find a new place to try for dinner. I had a huge piece of white felt I was going to use to make stockings. I still might... I threw it over our step ladder and made a little studio. The lighting was awful so I had to edit a lot. It reminded me of when I worked at the portrait studio at target. And how cheesey all the poses were.

This one is my favorite:

Here's some behind the scenes:

you may say i'm a dreamer

2011-12-19T22:44:00.000-08:00

Dream #1: Get a family picture taken by Jose Villa here is some of his work:

http://pinterest.com/search/?q=jose+villa

Dream #2: Write a book.

Dream #3: Spend a Christmas in the Holy Land.

Dream #4: Run a marathon.

Dream #5: Start an orphanage in Mexico.

Dream #6: Learn Spanish and teach to my children.

Dream #7: Rent a cruise ship and take everyone I love.

Dream #8: Build and decorate our dream home.

Dream #9: Scuba dive.

Dream #10: Love everyone.

P.S. Wanna cry, watch this.

Richardson Christmas Party

2011-12-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

The last few days have been the best days of my life! AMRON IS OUT OF SCHOOL!!
I'm so happy.

And I'm so in love!

It's crazy what spending time together can do for your relationship.

On Sunday we had a Christmas party with my dad's side of the family and it was fuuun.
They had all the little cousins do a gift exchange.

Graham got candy. That's his favorite.
Max and Sadie got held and snugged so much and that's their favorite.
I ate lots of good food! My favorite!
And Amron had bread bowls for the first time. Bread is his favorite.
Lots of favorites.

Christmas is next week people!

falafels

2011-12-19T20:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had falafels?

Me neither until last month when our crazy, cool hippie friends introduced us. Now I crave them.
They are not poop.
They are made out of...beans I think.

You will like them, you will see, you will like them in a tree!

pre-relaxing

2011-12-17T14:39:00.000-08:00

A week until CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could say all we have been doing is drinking hot chocolate by the fire and watching Elf over and over again but, no. Amron finished his classes just a few days ago so we have been playing catch up on all the things we needed to do. Hopefully by next week we can have a few good days of relaxing. The kids and I were outside for a few minutes together while Amron worked on the Christmas lights. It's such a pretty day.

I found this quote. It's a good one.

"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing." ~Thomas Jefferson

Christmas lights! That means Santa's coming. -Graham

2011-12-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

Friday; Ash and I wanted to go check out the new H&M at Mills mall and get some cute baby clothes. Also Santa is at the malls, I love malls and Graham loves Santa. Perfect.
Mom and dad went to Thatcher for the day so Paige and Chandler came with us. We got to the mall saw the alligator, went on the merry-go-round but could not find Santa. Also H&M doesn't have baby clothes yet.
Darn.
We decided Bass Pro Shop was the way to go. Amron met us there with Devin.
It worked out perfect; they got there early and got us tickets to see Santa, Chandler found one of those things that sounds like a dying animal, and they had buy a pound of fudge get one free.
After Bass Pro shop we took our kids home and left them with Devin and Paige and Amron and I went on a little date to Macaroni Grill. I like that place. A lot.
We came home and the girls and I organized the craft room.

And if I look tired that's why.

target

2011-12-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

We like to Target. It's kind of like shopping but more browsing.

morning walk

2011-12-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

Part of my plan is to take the kids on a walk everyday. I'm wanting to do it around 9, so after everyone eats and before the babies naps at 10.

Today was a success.

a plan, a dinner and a celebration

2011-12-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

A plan: Well the plan was to stay up last night and figure out my life and dreams and goals and commit to them and clean the house and make a 12 step plan for getting off coke. Diet coke.

Well... I have a plan. It involves a schedule. And a budget (I know, not fun).

I also got a few things cleaned.

So staying up very late is never a good idea but at least I got some productive things done and I wasn't just reading Twilight.

I want to talk about Twilight for a minute.
I'm so over it.
I have never felt more awkward in a movie and grossed out. I actually passed out towards the end.

Birthing really makes me sick.

Anyways...

So I have a plan. And it's a good one.

A dinner: Tonight we had Tilapia, butternut squash and really good veggies.
And it was a hit because:
1). Graham ate all the fish, 2 bites of squash and tried a bite of every single veggie, and
2). IT WAS SO EASY.

The squash; cut in half place on baking sheet add a little water to pan and bake at 350 until you can put a fork through it easily.
The fish; grease pan, place fish on, sprinkle with lemon pepper, and bake at 350 until the fish flakes.
The veggies; cut up lots of veggies (I used zucchini, leeks, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery and eggplant), put in large bowl and toss with any kind of oil. Place in pan and cook at 500! The smoke alarm might go off. (My sister-in-law told me about doing this!)

The veggies taste amazing! You will be blown away.

A celebration: Graham is potty trained!!

random things

2011-12-05T22:28:00.000-08:00

December is here! Wow. I know everyone says this but "I can't believe it's December!" Time does not stand still.
There is so much to do before Christmas.

We have lots of fun plans.
Hopefully our awesome sister and brother-in-law are coming for a few days before Christmas from San Fran then my in-laws are going to spend the night on Christmas Eve and be with us on Christmas morning then on December 27th we are going to Rocky Point for 5 days!

What a party.

Until then I have a few presents to get together. We are pretty much done with shopping for the kids, we did that 2 weeks ago. I have really, really wanted to get all the presents done early this year so I can actually enjoy Christmas and not be stressed to the max.

We will see how that does.

Something else exciting; my sister and brother-in-law are moving into our little mother-in-laws quarters behind our house. This will be great for: craft nights, when we run out of toliet paper, late night movies and treats, BABY SITTERS! (jk guys), parties, and lots of other things I'll let you know about soon.

Also today I took all the kids to run errands in the triple stroller. I now think I can do anything.

Chandler got his permit today. He is glowing.

Went to Elmer's for dinner. We saw 2 people (families) we know and that's not including the lady who works there who might have a crush on my dad.

Graham says fart after everything he says.

Oh, and by the way, twins are usually the same age people!! (Not you people).

I miss Chase. He will be in Boston in 2 weeks.

I got eyelash extensions again. They seem to make everything ok in life. Like I can go on. I'm kind of joking...

Husbands are so hard to get presents for. What are you getting for yours?

Graham is asking Santa for a blue present. That's it. And he opened some presents under the tree. What was I thinking wrapping them and putting them under the tree?? That's like me going to the mall and not buying anything.

This is my new favorite photographer:

http://www.josevillaphoto.com/

My friend with curly hair introduced me to him.

Ok I'm done rambling.

P.S. Advice to girls who are not married: make money and SAVE it. And dress modestly.

the problem with life is it's so daily

2011-12-02T10:28:00.000-08:00

you know you have a 2 year old when...

These are pictures of me as a baby. I think the first one looks so much like Max. What do you think?

And this is what I made for dinner the other day. I sauteed a bunch of veggies; onions, leeks, peppers, zuccini. Then added maranaria. Then added shrimp and let it simmer. I served it over quinoa.

I didn't really like it but Amron did. And that usually doesn't happen.

Danielle and Grant

2011-12-01T23:19:00.000-08:00

These are the bridals from the other day I was making a big deal about. Do you love them? I love them.

Everyone should get married so I can take their pictures. Hint, hint...Travis.

sign here vinyl

2011-11-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.signherevinyl.com/

This is my mom's little business.

I really want to put a cute quote on the wall in the babies room.

I need some ideas.

My mom is having a boutique tomorrow at her house. There are going to be lots of sales.

421 W. Ray Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85233

If you tell her you saw this on my blog she might even give you a discount.

bridals

2011-11-29T23:02:00.000-08:00

I took pictures today for a very cute couple and they turned out AMAZING! You know that feeling when everything goes exactly the way you planned and even a little better? Well, that was this photoshoot.

I can't show you yet! But this is a blurred out picture to give you the feel of it. See the soft pretty pastel colors and that little rainbow from the lens flare?! This is what I love. Can't wait to show you the rest!

P.S. I was a little bit dramatic in my last post. I'm actually doing fine. Just a little stir crazy.

I don't even know....

2011-11-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

I'm so unmotivated!! Help me with inspiration, please. I have been eating pretty healthy and I worked out but I'm just not feelin' it. Every thought is like,"I'm tired" and "I would like a soda". And I've had 2 today!! So yea, I'm out of control. Any and all thoughts please.....

sick day.

2011-11-28T17:01:00.000-08:00

We all woke up sick on Sunday. Coughing, runny noses, sore throats.... We did a lot of this:

Then we got hungry.

Then we watered the tree.

Then we played hide-and-seek.

We also got to skype with our friends from Mexico. The said they couldn't believe how wild Graham was. Welcome to my life. haha

We are all feeling a lot better!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T14:12:00.000-08:00

We had a different kind of Thanksgiving then I'm used to. It was a small gathering. It turned out great anyways and the food was perfect.

cutest pic of the day:

Sadie and Papa Harper

not on plan

2011-11-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

I had a plan this morning.
It involved going out in public.
With all 3 kids.

We were right on schedule.
Sadie had her bottle
Max was just finishing his
and Graham was snuggling next to Sadie girl.

We had to be in the car by 8:45. It was 8:15.
"Everything is going good" I think.
"We will be in the car by 8:40!"

Then Max spues. Vomit covers all of us.

So we forget the plan and take a shower.

smoothies.

Max is sleeping it off as we speech.