I love and miss you, my dear brother

Aaron Sverre Harkness

"This is a great man"

Aaron Sverre Harkness, 30, our dearly loved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, passed away Nov. 29, 2007 at his parent's home in Bountiful, Utah while in his sleep. Aaron was born March 29, 1977 in Bountiful, Utah to Stephen Harold Harkness and Elida Susen Jensen. He married his love, Leslie Kay Higginson, on August 21, 2002 in the Salt Lake Temple. Aaron is the love of Leslie's life and thankfully, he is the love of her eternity. Aaron was one-of-a-kind, a great man. His greatest redeeming characteristic in life was his generous, loving heart the size of Texas. This vast love for others was infectious, and people were naturally drawn to him. He spent his entire life serving others, often unnoticed and at his own expense. Aaron served an honorable mission for the LDS Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He loved the Brazilian people and was able to serve in many capacities as a missionary. There's no doubt that his great love for the people touched countless lives. Aaron was an exceptional husband and father. He was amazingly strong, but gentle. A giant both in stature and heart. He was also a passionate outdoorsman. He delighted in spending time outdoors with his family, friends, his dog Ode, and his horse Sheila. Somehow, Aaron always shot the biggest buck and caught the biggest fish. Aaron was a cowboy at heart and he was guiding his son in those same footsteps. They loved spending time together. Aaron spent the majority of his working life self-employed as a carpenter, making unique and beautiful furniture. He had so many talents, so much knowledge to offer. He always tried to take advantage of every teaching moment. He was also employed as a counselor at Discovery Ranch in Springville, Utah. He was instrumental in giving comfort and guidance to troubled youth. There are many aspects of Aaron's life that parallel that of his Savior's life. Christ was his ideal. Although he spent only 30 short years here on this earth, he lived his life to the fullest. Aaron touched the lives of everyone who came into contact with his generous spirit. We are all better people for knowing him. We love you Aaron! Survived by his loving wife Leslie; son, Aaron Sverre Harkness Jr; parents, Steve and Sue Harkness; sisters, Sadie Joy Muhlestein (Nick), and April Starr Whiting (Dave); and brother, Steve Harold Harkness II (Christa). Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Bountiful 34th ward located at 540 N. 1200 E. Viewings will be held in his honor Monday, December 3, 2007 from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary located at 295 N. Main St in Bountiful, Utah, and from 9:45 a.m. -10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment-Salt Lake City Cemetery. A college fund is being set up for Aaron Jr.

Online guest book at: http://www.russonmortuary.com/

Published in the Deseret News on 12/2/2007.

Forever in my Heart

This Thanksgiving, being away from home, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have Dave and Susie in my life. Dave is such a kind, gentle, and patient husband. He teaches me daily by the way he is... I am amazed at how much he sacrifices for my sake. He is a loving father who can't resist to play with Susie, even though he has 378 pages of studing to do by the next day. And, my sweet little Susie-Boo... how many smiles she has brought to my face I will never know. They are my heart and home.

Susie wanted to say "Hi"... and "Ho, Ho, Ho" and "Burp"

This is especially for those of you who aren't able to see Susie very often; a small clip of Susie being herself. Her favorite things to say are "Hi" and "Ho, Ho, Ho."

Kangaroo Cuteness

We chose this costume for Susie, other than it was adorable, because Dave's dad went to Australia on his mission. His dad and mom went back to Australia (last year?) and brought back a stuffed-animal kangaroo for Susie; she just loves it. Every morning when I go into her room to get her out of her crib she cries and reaches for the kangaroo on her shelf. So I walk her over to it and let her grab it... once she does, she'll hug it and sometimes even kiss it. Maybe it reminds her of Bocky and Grandma.

Halloween Party at the Whiting's Cave

Tricky Treats... a hand coming out of veggie dip (just carrots with almond slices for fingernails) and skeleton cupcakes (pretty easy to make, but must have patience and a steady hand... lots of them looked like they had deformed bones or scoliosis). Carameled apples and other yummy treats were had!

This is my favorite Halloween decoration. My mom gave it to me... and it just makes my whole body smile... I especially love how the witch is gazing into her bony-dance-partner's eyes... so romantic!

Wicked Company... Dave was a podiatrist, oops, I mean a butcher; I was a what-I-could- find-around-the-house.

"Father" Garrett and Mindy (Mindy won best costume for "the pregnant nun"... she's really pregnant by the way, due in about two weeks). Doctors Dustin and Jess.

Beer-belly Truck-driver Krista (pregnant, due in about a week) and Ping-pong champion Adam. Doctor Russell and little-girl-in-onesie Kristen (where in the world do you find a onesie pj for an adult?!).

Fairy Princess Natalie and Cowboy Dan. Mother Mary Danny holding Baby Jesus (J. J.) and Joseph Jared (glasses were not part of his costume... they were for a game).

Ghoulish Games... what great sports our company was! We made them play some silly games, but it was great fun.
The 1st game was called the mitten/glasses/unwrap game. There were two packages, wrapped feverishly with packing tape; when you have a package you have to, first put on mittens and crazy glasses that are hard to see out of (and that make you look quite goofy), then try to unwrap the package before the next person rolls a 7 or 11 with dice, once they do you have to pass the package over. Who ever gets it open gets the prize inside. It was really hard to get the package open wearing mittens... sometimes the person next to you would roll a 7 or 11 before you even got the mittens on. It was a hoot!
We also played playdough-ary (like pictionary, but instead of drawing you would mold with playdough). It was boys against girls and the boys won (by cheating).

Good thing ping-pong Adam has his sweat-band on for this game!

We would have never gotten the packages open if it weren't for Cowboy Dan... he was a wild man when trying to rip open the packages (somehow he didn't end up with a prize though). Notice that his wife, Natalie, is leaning away with fright... those arms were flailing and teeth were gnashing!

I love the intensity and seriousness in everyone's faces while molding their playdough.

If your Husband is in Medical School and You're Home Alone, while he Studies... Carve a Pumpkin!

Ta-da!!! Yes, I'll brag... I carved this pumpkin!

Our friends Russell and Kristen gave me this nifty carving-guide book that came with special mini saws, a hole poker thingy, and a great pumpkin-gut scooper. They also gave me this gorgeous pumpkin to carve upon.

The moral of this story is... if you are sick of your husband studying all hours of the day, and he's sick of you being sick about it... carve a pumpkin!

It's great fun (even solo).

Me showing off my mad pumpkin-carving ability.

Halloween Sights

Gorgeous to Ghoulish.... just like that. We received a fun package from home filled with Halloween fun. Susie loved the wacky glasses... but, hated the witches nose; she wanted to put a spell on me (notice the angry look in her eyes). Thanks dad and mom for sending us a piece of home (Halloween style).... sooooo much fun!!!!
This Diva-Witch happens to be me.... when I visited home last month my mom had her Halloween open-house for her cute store, Secret Haven (free advertisement for you mom...hee, hee). She has all of her employees dress up as witches and the costumers vote for their favorite ("Which Witch will Win?"). The winner receives a bonus.... who won? Not me, I didn't get even one vote. What went wrong???

Always Spit-Spot

I had left the room when seconds later a loud crash.... I ran back to find Susie unloading all our pots and pans onto our very clean floor (yeah, right). She was very proud of herself and thought that I was too (and for some reason I kind of was).
We have taught Susie to be prim and proper. Always on her best behavior. Always clean and groomed.

Our Windy Home

Hi everyone. This is a picture of Chicago at night. The river runs throughout the city.... it's beautiful. We live about an hour away from the city so we haven't seen much of it.



Dave and Susie in front of the Sears tower. Dave says that it is the tallest building in the USA, but I don't believe it... I've seen the Empire State Building and it's got the wimpy Sears tower beat (for sure!!!).


On the Metra train into the city. Doesn't she look ecstatic?

Susie loves to hug her dad.












Just before bedtime. Susie wont go to sleep without her Monster-Man and Kitty-Cat.