With Death Comes Life

Last week we went to louisiana for the funeral of my paternal grandfather and although aspects of it were very sad, the kids still managed to take advantage of the time over there to play and get to know their cousins. Bottom line they had a great time.

Here are some pictures from the evening after the funeral:

Bella Riding on the tractor with her dad:

Juliana driving the tractor on her own, boy are we in trouble when she starts driving for real:

Here is a picture of all the Great Grandkids, Bella was NOT happy about taking ANOTHER picture:

Life As We Know It

This post is a tribute to my paternal Grandfather who passed away last week:

Harold Hardwick, Sr.
Born: April 14, 1922
Died: August 02, 2008

Services for Mr. Harold Leonard Hardwick, Sr., of Marksville will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marksville with Father Rusty Rabalais officiating. Entombment will be in the St. Joseph Mausoleum #2 in Marksville. Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Marksville. Pallbearers for the service will be Michael Hardwick, Walter Ugalde, Cary Howard, Jerry Armond, James Bernard, and David Kniffen. Honorary ballbearers are Kirt Smith and Robert Hardwick.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2008 in the chapel of Hixson Brothers of Marksville with a Christian Wake Service to be held as 6:30 in the chapel.

Mr. Hardwick, age 86, a native of Fort Scott, Kansas and resident of Marksville passed away at the V. A. Medical Center Nursing Home in Alexandria on Saturday, August 2, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, Montie and Helen Hardwick, sister, Louise Meyer, and brothers, Donald and John Hardwick.Mr. Hardwick was an accomplished musician, a retired Avoyelles Parish Educator, Master Sergeant WWII Army Air Force Veteran, member of the Eighth Air Force 452nd Bomb Group with 29 missions over European Theatre, flying member of the B-17, member of the American Legion Post 130, American Legion 40 & 8, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, St. Joseph Choir, Chamber of Commerce, and Knights of Columbus.He served his community unselfishly in many capacities such as Marksville Town Councilman for 8 years as Mayor Pro-Tem and Police Commissioner. We take leave of Mr. Hardwick, a credit to his community, but most of all, a loving family man dedicated to the principles by which he lived – loyalty, challenge, and courage.

My Baby Brother Got Married

Well today was the big day! My baby brother tied the knot this afternoon. They both seemed very happy and it was a very nice ceremony.

The ceremony was held in Judge David Patronella's courtroom in Harris County Courthouse Annex #2 in Houston Texas at 2:00 pm. After the ceremony everyone went to a little place called Frank's Pizza and had a late lunch, cake and watched them open presents. Frank's evidently is the place that Mike and Patricia had their first date and it's Patricia's favorite restaurant.

We're very happy about the new addition...another sister/daughter...to the family!

Congratulations Michael and Patricia Hardwick...Mr. and Mrs. Hardwick! WOW!

A picture of the happy couple:

My oldest Baby Goes away to camp!

Well today we dropped Juliana off at Girl Scout Camp in Conroe at Misy Meadows Camp. She will get to swim and horseback ride and all sorts of stuff as well as make new friends. Today is Sunday July 27, 2008 and we'll pick her up Friday evening 8/1/08...this will be a LONG week for mommy for sure.

It was very hot when we dropped her off...in the 100's outside...OUCH!

Here are some pictures of us dropping her off and her cabin and such:

Juliana on her camp bed in her cabin

The outside of Juliana's Cabin

The banner at the front gate of camp welcoming everyone to camp: