Wow, I thought July was a busy and fast month. Where the heck did August go?  We are already into September UGH, It went so fast that it is almost a blur. I sit and think what the heck am I going to write about, I don't remember what we did all month....CRAZY!

I guess I will start with the biggest event. Doug's dad side of the family had been planning a family reunion for the month of August in Montana. I was looking forward to a new adventure but at the same time a little weirded out. I know maybe two people on that side not including his dad. So this was all new for both Doug and I but we did a lot of site seeing and it was cool to see and learn more of Doug's family history. We left Pocatello on Thursday and it took us about 4 hours to get to Butte. The kids did fairly well for the most part but did get a little stir crazy towards the end. Friday we went and did some touring of the town with Doug's brother Dustin and his family. We went and saw a mine that was still active, took a tour of an old mining town that was super cool, we took an underground tour of some really cool places that were in the prohibition time. The barber shop that had a secret door to the "men's club or bar" whatever you wanted to call it, the underground jail, brothels and just some neat old history. We also drove a lot. There are way too many pictures to post so if you would like to see them all you can check more of them out on my face book page.

Keyton started the 1st grade on Thursday the 2nd of September. I think I was more terrified than he was. He was so excited. He did have a little nervous fit right before he had to get on the bus to come home. He said he was nervous for his first day on the bus. After that he was fine. It is crazy to see him growing up so fast. He is such a good kid and I hope he does well in school. I am sure he will.

July is gone and we are already less than a month until the start of a new school year. We have had an eventful July and I don't think August will be much different. We have had alot of fun in July and shed alot of tears but in the overall we are still so blessed.


I lost a great and important man in my life. My grandpa passed away the end of July. Death as horrible as it is I think it helps us put the real perspective on things. My Grandpa was a wonderful man. He did alot of amazing things in his life and no matter what he did he did it with dignity and honor. The world would be a better place if there were more people like him in it.


Some of you may know what my Brother and his family have been going thought this past year but for those of you that don't here is the spill and an update. Katie, who is 8 was having episodes where she was passing out. They took her to the Dr. and after test they diagnosed her with Long GT Syndrome. This is a genetic disorder. I am not the expert on it but from what I understand it is when the heart goes off beat and can cause cardiac arrest. They then tested Liz(Katie's mother) and she was the carrier. After more genetic testing they found that Katie had type1 and 3. Type 1 is exercised induced and type three is when they have no symptoms at all, they just go into cardiac arrest. They then started the testing on the other 3 children and while they were waiting for the results to come back(the test results take months to come back) Katie had to have a defibrillator put in to monitor her heart and to correct the beats where needed. When the test came back both the boys had type 3. The Dr. are saying that they are the rarest case of LQT that they have ever seen. Since Liz is only the carrier of the type 1 they are now going to start testing Jason(my brother) to see if it is coming from my side as well. If so than myself, my kids, my sister and her kids, and my other brother and his kids are all at risk and will have to be tested as well. In my heart I really feel that we will be fine but it is scary to think about. As a mother the most important things to me is that my kids are happy and healthy and learn to be good people and I defiantly want them to live longer than me.


On a much lighter note we have also had alot of fun this month. Keyton turned 6 and had is 1st friend party. They had so much fun and I love seeing Keyton laugh and have fun with his friends. We went camping in boating in Bear lake again this year. This is the best place to go with kids. They just play for hours on end. We had to drag the from the beach everyday to eat and sleep. Next year though we will be better planners and reserve a spot so we are not in the overflow. It is tough to put little ones to sleep at night when everyone around you is partying till the wee hours. I am not as young as I used to be for sure! 


I don't want to see summer go but I am looking forward to September. My sister is coming to visit for a week. I love it when she comes. I wish the whole family could come but airfare is so expensive. It is just nice to hang out with her. I am so glad we have the relationship we do even though we are miles away!  


With all the sad and fun things that happen from day to day it does seems that as I get older and the busier I get, it is easy to forget to take the time for the things that matter. I just have to remember the real reason I am here for. To be a good mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, or whatever else crosses my path but of above all else....to be a good person! Life is what we make of it and so far life is good. I have a great husband, kids, family and career. I am so blessed!

Just some miscellaneous pics for your enjoyment........

Summer Fun

July is here and boy have we been busy. Lots of run, run, run! I do not seem to have enough time to do it all. Keyton's football practices and games, fourth of July events, family reunions, camping trips etc. leave little time for house cleaning and laundry. But I do hope that these will be the memories that my kids will always have and I am pretty sure they won't care whether the house was clean or dirty. Family is defiantly what counts and I want the time we have to be the best.


Keyton has also lost his first tooth and learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. Hadley is still growing like a weed. I had to by her a size 12 in shoes and she is only 3. Amelia is also growing like a weed, she is 9months old now and has 6 teeth. Boy time flies. Here are some recent miscellaneous pictures of things that have been happening....

Well first off, in my last post I mentioned some of the things that had made and that I might be selling. The ruffle skirt below and matching bow is what I made Hadley. They turned out super cute I have already started another one for her and will be making more. If any one wants some for their girls let me know. I have fabric already or you can tell me what colors you are looking for. My email is noharmemily@yahoo.com

But since the last post I haven't done a whole more to be bragging about but when your an old fart like me and have kids to raise, a home to keep and a job to go to, it's like my kids say "you get what you get and you don't through a fit!" So this is what ya get......

We have completed our first camping trip. Yes we were one of the dumb ones that ventured out on Memorial weekend. We went to Blackfoot Reservoir. I had never been there before and I am sad to say that now because it was beautiful. It was cold but nice. Amelia and I stayed in the camper a lot since she had a double ear infection, the wind and cold was not to good for her. I read a lot and Doug took the kids out most of the time. They did enjoy themselves and I do have to say that we will go back when it is warmer.

Hadley has finished her year of dance and seems to dance more now than ever before. We will see what next year brings. Keyton has graduated from kindergarten and is looking forward to being a 1st grader. He has started his first practices for flag football and his first game is next week. So far so good. He really likes it. Keyton has also officially lost his 1st tooth. It was so cool to see is face when I pulled it out. He was so excited and he thought it was the coolest thing ever. He can't wait to tell his friend at TLC tomorrow.

Amelia turned 8 months today. I can't believe how fast time flies. She is trying to beat the illnesses that always seem to hit this time of year. She is such a good baby even when she doesn't feel good. Here are a few updated pics.

Well, It's been almost a year since I have last posted. I always think about it but never do it, kind of like writing in a journal. Anyways I will try to hit on the most important things that have happened since the last post and hope that you don't get bored to tears.

As many of you know we added a member to our family in October 2009. Amelia Maycie Harmon. She has been such blessing. She is so beautiful and has such personality. It has been so much fun watching her grow and become her own self. These are definitely the times that are most sacred to my heart. It has been a challenge for Hadley to find her new place once Amelia has arrived. She has struggled when all the attention was not on her. I don't remember her being this way before Amelia was born, she was so independent. We have had to all readjust to make sure Hadley is always given the attention she deserves and needs and she has come around. She now talks to Amelia and plays with her and I can tell that there is genuine love in her heart for her sister. Keyton has been wonderful to Amelia. Afraid of her more than anything. He doesn't want to do anything that may hurt her so he is very cautious as always. We all love Amelia and the joy she has brought to our lives so far and are excited for the things to come.

Hadley has been in dance all year long and as really taking a liking to it. Tara that I work with is her teacher and she loves her so much. Hadley always talks about Miss Tara. They had a competition in IF in March. At first I felt that 3-4 year olds were a little young for a competition but they where all so cute and did really well. You would never know by looking st her that she is one of the youngest in her class. She is so tall and acts like she could be going into kindergarten. I asked the school if they would take her early but unfortunately legally she had to be five. Imagine that!!!

Keyton is in kindergarten and will be going into first grade in August. I can't believe that he is already at this stage in his life. Kindergarten was a challenge for him. Many of you know that he is like is mother in the respect that I like my bubble. A lot of change is not necessary in my life. I am comfortable with what I know. Keyton is very much the same way and going to a new school with new people and lots of them was a little scary for him but he has worked through it and m now really enjoys school and looks forward to the first grade. He will even be riding the bus.....Whoot Whoot! He has come along way, he even wants to play flag football this summer so here's to hoping.....oh yeah and Hadley is excited to be Keyton's cheerleader.

We are excited for summer to be here so we can start our camping adventures. We will be putting our new camper that we bought at the end of the season last year to good use. Both Doug's and I's family have campers as well so it is fun to get together and camp. We will be going to Mackay again this year for the traditional Orchard reunion in June. It will be a lot of fun this year(not that it hasn't in the past) there are so many little ones that will be running around. Lots of cousins. We had 7(I hope I didn't miss any)babies born in 2009 and then Halle that is 15 months. It seemed that for the longest time Doug and I were the only ones with little ones now they have come like wildflowers. It is so fun and I am glad that my children will have a lot of family around on both our sides of the family now.

Just for a future note, I am becoming a little domesticated. I know Ha Ha but it's not a joke. I have been dabbling in a few things and I would like to see if I can venture into selling some of these items. Some of you know that I have been makng hair bows for Hadley and my nieces for years and I really enjoy making them but I have now and found a new obsession with ruffle skirts. I have made one for Hadley and it turned out so adorable that I am dying to make more. Obviously Hadley does not need that many skirts so I am going to try and fulfill my addiction by selling them. I have also started making leg warmers for Amelia. They have been so nice and handy especially since the weather is not coroporating much these days. I just throw on a onsie or a dress and some leg warmers and call it good. They keep her little legs warm and they are so nice for diaper changing. I am going to be selling the skirts for $25, bows will vary based on type(some are more time consuming than others) and the leg warmers for $8. I will post the ones I have done and if you would like some or if you know someone who would like them let me know. I can take requests the best I can. If there are sepcific colors that you would like let me know and I will do my best. I will post some pictures shortly of the items I have.