Oh, It's the Hardy Party

Just got back from the 33rd annual Hardy Party.  This family-reunion of sorts, started out as just a family Christmas party with my Grandma Hardy and my Hardy cousins held in our basement in 1979.  At that time, the Hardy count was at 30 - total.  I did a quick estimate this year, and I think we are close to 140 now! 

Every December, the descendants of  Grandma Vera and Grandpa Dudley Hardy gather the Saturday before Christmas and party! This year Uncle Glen's family was in charge.  We had breakfast and then had a wonderful program honoring Grandpa Dudley Hardy who died before most of us were born.  (My dad was 4 when he died.)  We learned a lot of interesting things about Grandpa Dudley.  My sister Jill commented to me that it was sure interesting the things that our dad (Mike) inherited from his dad (Dudley); things, which to some extent must have just been inherent, because afterall, Dudley died when my dad was just four, presumably before he had much time to teach or influence my dad. We noted Grandpa Dudley's stubbornness, his thriftiness (NEVER borrow money for ANYTHING), and the fact that he built and rented out home after home-all things that my dad would do/does.  We also thought it was interesting that Grandpa Dudley's two "professions" were farmer and builder and that Uncle Glen became a farmer, and my dad became a builder. We sang this song honoring Grandpa Dudley written by Cindy (Uncle Glen's daughter-in-law):

Dudley Leavitt Hardy
Tune: Davey Crockett

1.) Heber and Betsy lived in Bunkerville.
They had 2 sons and more rooms to fill.
Dudley Leavitt Hardy arrived from heaven,
January 14, 1897.
Dudley, Dudley Hardy born in Bunkerville.

2.) Dudley walked through his Uncle's melon field.
He found a nice melon for his evening meal.
When he told his dad, Dad took him right back,
Dudley apologized and paid for his snack.
Dudley, Dudley Hardy learned that you never steal.

3.) Heber bought a suit from the Moapa store.
Dudley didn't like it, wouldn't wear it he swore.
His parents begged, scolded, threatened a whipping he would get.
Dudley stood his ground, his jaw was set.
Dudley, Dudley Hardy was a determined child.

4.)His dad bought a house from Joseph Earl.
It was right across the street from the Wittwer girls.
He picked out one who seemed a lot of fun.
For Dudley and Vera, courting had begun.
Vera, Vera Wittwer, Dudley has his eyes on you.

5.) Dudley worked hard all of his life,
Farming and State Highway to take care of his wife.
Soon children started coming, Elaine, Glen and Mike.
And then came Bertha, a pretty little tyke.
Hardy, Hardy children the cutest and smartest in the world.

6.) Dudley Leavitt Hardy didn't stay here long. 
We are here to remember him through stories and song.
He was a hard worker, faithful, loving father too.
Grandpa Dudley Hardy we're here to honor you.
Grandpa, Grandpa Hardy we all really love you too.

The party culminated with each of Grandpa Dudley's children and grandchildren receiving a beautiful bound book (made by Lana-another of Uncle Glen's daughter-in-laws) of Grandpa's  history all the way back to the 1600's when the Hardys came to Massachusetts from England.

Grandpa Dudley Hardy.  This is just about the ONLY picture we have of him, but Lana "unearthed" a few more "seldom-before-seen" photos and included them in the awesome book we received.

I went back and tried to find a pic of the first Hardy party, but I couldn't.  However, for the sake of "vintage" photos.  I am including this one and the one below of the "fab-5"  Grandma Hardy's 5 great granddaughters all born in 1992.  (These photos were taken at the 1992 Hardy Party.)  Left to right:  Alyssa, Analise, Betsy, Heather, and Megan.  (Analise is the youngest of the 5, born on June 19th-Uncle Glen AND Aunt Bertha's birthday! Obviously, she was not too happy about getting her picture taken.)

The "Fab 5" 2012.  Heather, Megan, Alyssa, Betsy, Analise.  In Analise's words, "We're pretty much famous." :)

Santa delivers a gift to Grandma Vera Hardy.  Hardy Party 1994 in Cedar City. (That's Alyssa watching.)  The gift was probably a doll.  Grandma Hardy LOVED dolls, and usually got a pretty collector's doll at each Hardy Party. 

Dallin 4, Analise 2, and Kaylee 11 months with Great Grandma Hardy- Hardy Party 1994.  (I LOVE that Grandma is wearing a fruit loop necklace and bracelet-presumably made by one of her great grandchildren at the children's craft table.)



Grandma and Grandpa's 4 children with Dudley Hardy books:  Elaine, Glen, Mike, and Bertha. (Note: Mike (Dad) had eye surgery - thus the dark glasses.)  Hardy Party 2012

Ok I put SEVERAL of these in, just so you can see what I have to deal with when trying to get a family photo.  Kent is often the biggest problem.  Here he is "flexing" while Kaylee tries to keep Luke from escaping.

Another try....and another fail.  The girls are fairly cooperative, but the boys....well....apparently Dallin is giving Luke what he had coming since the photo on the cover of this blog.

The best we could do.  (I won't torture you with the MANY other "fails")  If they would just cooperate, it could be done so quickly...sigh.

cooperative girls



UNcooperative boys
What I got when I asked for a "boys" pic to "match" the girls.

The Mike and Ann Hardy posterity in attendance at the 2012 party.

Wow, what an amazing family I have.  I love being a Hardy, and I love the Hardy Party!

*I obviously didn't make good on my promise to deliver a "shorter" post, but I DID post soon and I did include lots of pics.  And...it might not have been too long had I not included the song.

Run, run, run

Yesterday was the 2nd annual Bowler Elementary "Reindeer Run."  And for the second year in the row, Luke took first place in his grade!  He is one speedy guy, handily beating the next closest competitor.  This year, being the fastest boy in the 5th grade made him presumably the fastest kid in the school. Congrats to Luke. (Unfortunately, he did not get a t-shirt.  They ran out of shirts for the winners before they got to him.  The top five male and female runners from each grade got t-shirts.  The only group that did NOT get shirts were the 5th grade boys, ironically the fastest runners in the school.  He wore his last year's "Reindeer Run" shirt to school today in honor of his victory.)

Luke after winning the 2011 Reindeer Run.  (I don't have any pics of him this year-and wow, I can't believe how much he has grown since 2011-I don't think I realized it until I posted this 2011 pic.)

*I'm realizing that I have not posted in almost a month-gasp, and also that my last few posts are quite long, philosophical, and picture-less.  I will try to do less philosophizing and more photographing for near-future posts-but don't hold your breath; this is a busy time of year.