So this is Christmas

Just what we wanted. Nellie -cowgirl boots, princess jammies, Sam - drum set, Keaton - army guys and air craft carrier (it does fit in the tub but nothing else fits with it maybe a cup of water but that's it), Hattie - the cookie jar of her dreams, Justin - a shirt (he got a new camera also but by the time he opened it he was a little distracted to get a good picture of with our little camera)

The funny (ironic) thing about Christmas at our house is Santa. The man could bring everyone just one present, not even that just the stockings, but he gets credit for the whole morning. The gift could have been wrapped and under the tree since July with big letters saying from Mom and Dad and the Big Guy still gets the credit. Oh well, I guess Justin and I don't have to fret in the future, we can leave it all up to Santa.

It is the Sweetest Thing! Justin finished his last class for his Masters Degree. In a little while he will receive his diploma for a Masters in Special Education from NAU. Just knowing he doesn’t have to sign up for more classes is even better than the real thing. He gets to stay home in the evenings and help with the kids. (This is better than coming home to a lady with a spinning head.) During the 12 year endeavor we thought some days are better than others, it was like tryin’ to throw your arms around the world. In the beginning we were hoping for elevation, to become one with the mind. But soon it became a feeling that we were stuck in a moment you can’t get out of. Justin received his Bachelors in English Lit 3 years ago. He learned about Miss Sarajevo and Shakespeare where the streets have no name on ASU’s campus. He said, “I still haven’t found what I’m lookin’ for.” Through mysterious ways he found a direction (GLORIA)! Then it was a race against time, however it felt like running to stand still. Oh to be the fly on the wall. Night and day he did walk on and realized in this Zoo Station of a house, that sometimes you can’t make it on your own. Toward the end we were all Numb to school and OH Beautiful Day he is done. Congratulations my Wild Honey!

Gingerbread House

In Sam's class this year they did alot with Gingerbread Houses. They read many books and did many projects. Sam was very excited to build one at home. Last year Keaton's teacker (Mrs. Lasher) gave me a gingerbread house cookie cutter set. I was excited to use it. I knew it would be a big project. (That is what I kept telling myself)
Sixty Million pieces of candy (every item with the main ingredient 'high fructose corn syrup' in our house) later. Here it is. Sam took 47 pictures of the house. It was a fun project. We'll have to do it again sometime.

It's the Holiday Season

This year was great fun to decorate for Christmas. The boys have been excited since April when we moved in to hang their stockings from a real fireplace. We even had a few fires in it this year. Justin loves to decorate. It is the artist in him I guess, an easy way to express himself. I love it. (Sometimes I would have done it different but then I would have to do it) On unofficial count from Keaton we have 63 snowmen that we display. This number changes every year because I shop the after Christmas sales for the ones that I can't live without. One of my favorites is a porcelain doll that I got after Christmas at Walmart 7 years ago. He has a top hat and everything. Maybe next year I will get a picture of him. Merry Christmas!

He's a Star

Keaton was adamant at the beginning of the school year that he wanted to play the cello. We had a violin in the closet but he kept on insisting. Finally his teacher was able to acquire one from the school for him to borrow. He is a very willing musician. He is always glad when he is taught a new note. This adds new dimension to him figuring out the Darth Vader theme song. He has he Dad's ear and can figure out just about any song. I am excited to listen to him as he progresses and gets really good.

His concert lasted about 12 minutes. 3 songs worth. There are about 60 4th graders in the program. Kaisa did such a great job on her pink violin.
Sam was very happy to take pictures of the event. This one was great, no nostril shots. Thanks Pappy, Granny and Grandpa for taking time out to listen to our boy.

Thanksgiving 2

What are you thankful for?

Justin: Family, Nature, Music, Movies, Scriptures
Hattie: Family, Time, Shoes, Laughter
Keaton: Trees, Sun, Fire
Sam: Books, the number 7, Eyes, Colors, People, Holidays
Nellie: Pink, and SquigglesFor FHE we laid out a poster board and drew many of the things that we are thankful for. It was fun to do this as a family so close together instead of spread out on our own sheets of paper. We got to talk and look at all of each others pictures. It really helped us appreciate the things that others are thankful for also.

Thanksgiving

I went in the bathroom to do my hair and look pretty for the holiday. I plugged in my hair straightener. The first part of my hair I went to make pretty was my bangs. I slowly placed the appliance on the counter, unplugged it and stepped away. I decided that somethings are not worth a repeat showing. Too bad my blog wasn't around then or I would link you to the original disaster.

Happy Holidays

Nellie says, "Boys don't shake, Girls shake! I like to shake it!"

A cough in one hand is worth pneumonia in the lungs

Took Nellie back to the doctor last week. She was coughing all night and kept us up. He ordered a chest x-ray. They called yesterday, it still looks a little off he said. Now we are on a different antibiotic for 10 days then another x-ray to see if all the pneumonia is gone. Say little prayers for our little one.

She is not acting sick at all. Very into dancing around, especially with all the new Christmas music.

Turtle

My friend Sarah Starks had a baby boy this weekend. A couple of weeks ago she had her shower and is decorating his room in turtles. I guess turtles are hard to find because she ended up with alot of frogs. I found this turtle pattern and decided to make it for her. Nellie sure thought it was great, and very happy to give it to Julia's new baby brother.

Happy Birthday Party Sam!

Sam has been so excited for his birthday. He shares the day with his turning 14 cousin Britt and his turning 6 cousin Kacie. He was so concerned about what the girls would want to do for their birthday together. "Mom do you think that Britt and Kacie would want to go to Amazing Jake's or Chucky Cheese?" I told him that we could have a friend birthday party and then a family one. He loved the idea. We then needed to think of a theme for the party. The big thing that he wanted to do was bob for apples. So we had a turkey and harvest themed party. We made turkey hats, pine cone turkey's, corn husk dolls, cardboard canoes, bobbed for apples, musical chairs, corn dogs, the corn in the front of the picture was the special gift we sent home with each boy. Tyler, Turley, Tanner, Coltin, Nolin, Keaton, Nellie and Sam all had a blast. I sure hope the day was a great one Sam and that you will have a great year.

Thank you Lucy!!

Mom when your off the pupooter can I play PDSkids doc org?

Presenting Matt and Linsey Merrill

The Harris baby tied the knot today!! Matt and Linsey have been dating for 2 years and I have never seen them so happy. We are so excited for their life together. Nellie couldn't get to sleep last night for all the excitement. She woke up this morning and said, "Where is my wedding dress, I want to wear it now." Our neighbor who was willing to watch Nellie during the ceremony was gracious enough to do Nellie's hair. She is so good, curls and floral sprigs, it is beautiful. Nellie also says, "Keaton and Sam and Dad are handsome. Mom, you and me are beautiful."

Randomness with a side of "Ketchup"

October was a busy month. Camping with the Harris', General Conference, starting in with a new company, the stake pioneer trek, Primary Sacrament Program, Primary teacher improvement, Nellie had pneumonia, a week of antibiotics, Halloween parties, homemade and store bought costumes, trick or treating. Not to mention birthdays, daily happenings (school, work, instrument practice, homework, eating) and weekly responsibilities (callings, scouts, play dates, church, work). I knew it would be hectic when I turned my calendar page to October on September 28th. I looked at the month to come and there were 3 days (out of the 31) that there was nothing written on it.

November, not that busy. The exciting things so far are... Sam squirted a beautiful heart of mustard on accident. Nellie found her reflection in the window and danced with her. Keaton had a homework assignment that stumped us all. If you know the answer to the bottom (fuzzy) picture, please comment. I could just blame the fuzzy pictures on the little ones that take the pictures but I will admit fault on these. Sorry to all the professional or semi-professionals out there cringing.

It's a ......

Monkey

The two questions are:
Are you going to find out what you are having? Yes
When are you finding out what you are having? In March

Here is a little preview:

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Baby Feet

Pumpkin or is it Jack-o-lantern

Pumpkins are one of my favorite Cucurbitaceae! I enjoy the many aspects of them. From food, and decoration to stories and history. This year carving the pumpkins at our house was wonderful. I didn't break out in hives (my skin is very allergic). The mess was done when the carving was done. The kids were in their jammies when it was time to light them out on the porch. No oops cuts, no fights, all love and smiles.

Halloween 2008

The first Halloween party we were invited to was on Saturday. It snuck-up on me. I wasn't able to sew up the beautiful creations that I had brewing in my head. Justin came to the rescue and helped the boys pull together some costumes. I was going to sew Keaton a skeleton costume, here is the variation. Nellie is Ariel. I ask her how does Ariel need her hair done. She says "red". I tell her that here hair is red. She says, "let me go check" she looks in the mirror and seems to be satisfied (or distracted by her beauty). Sam was an army man last week, but I pulled it together and made his Santa costume. He got a great reaction from the crowd. I dressed up as a 29 year old. Justin will probably come up with something by Halloween, I wonder what it will be.

30 things about Me

1. I am excited to be thirty
2. I love to tickle my kids
3. I love sleep
4. A movie I can watch anytime is Clear and Present Danger
5. I love to hear bedtime stories
6. I like to go barefoot (bearfoot?)
7. I love numbers and logic
8. Halloween is my favorite holiday
9. I am getting significantly better at liking birthdays
10. I can out whine any 3 year old
11. I have drunken only 1/2 a glass of milk since I was 8
12. I like living in the snow
13. I am the queen of procrastination (hence the birthday post 4 days late)
14. I don't know who put the alphabet in alphabetical order
15. I admire my sil in Connecticut
16. I have always wanted red hair
17. My feet shrink with every pregnancy
18. Justin is my hero
19. My favorite letter is the letter "L"
20. I like doing intricate things with my hands
21. I hardly have patience to get it perfect
22. Butterfinger is my favorite
23. I learned how to dust from my Mom
24. I love being outside (when it is nice to be outside)
25. I would walk miles to vote (and have)
26. I prefer baking to cooking
27. I can't stand the game hide-n-seek
28. I like the natural flow of the earth and would like to follow this more closely
29. I am a child of God
30. I am right where I want to be doing the things that I want to do

Happy Birthday to me

My wonderful Mother-in-law came over bright and early Sunday morning to surprise the kids for my birthday. She brought gift and fun. She got the kids all excited to make me breakfast. They made pancakes that were an inch thick. It was a very nice surprise. Thank you Debbie!