Taylor's Snow Fort

Taylor got creative while playing in the snow. She was so proud of her snow fort. Thanks to all the friends and neighbors who carefully drove/walked around it--she built it right on the sidewalk at the beginning of our driveway!

Christmas Morning Pictures

Just a couple pictures of the girls, their excitement and their loot on Christmas morning. Of course, our camera broke right before the girls came out to see everything...so sorry the pictures aren't the best! It was still a fun morning!

Before the girls came in....Santa Came!!!

The Barbie and the Diamond Castle...#1 on both girls lists. (There was a big note explaining it was for BOTH of them to SHARE!!)

Brooklyn on her thrown!

Taylor was excited to receive the Barbie & the Diamond Castle Dress-up!

Taylor and her loot!

Brooklyn showing off her carriage!

A little more cleaned up later on...Brooklyn loving her fancy phone!

Cute Taylor!

Christmas Eve

We had such a fun Christmas Break! We were able to do lots of activities like bowling, movies, games and ice skating with different family members.

On Christmas Eve, we went down to the Peaks Arena to take the girls ice skating. We were lucky to have Nana and Grandpa Rohatinsky join us...Grandpa Rohatinsky grew up in Canada ice skating since he was about 1 1/2 years old...so he can't pass up the chance to lace up! We all had a great time and the girls are really starting to get more confidant.

In the evening, we were able to go to Grandma & Grandpa Harris' house (my parents) for a great Christmas meal. It was fun to have all my siblings who were in town there. We ate dinner, hung-out and read the Christmas story from the scriptures. Then, the girls enjoyed opening presents from their Grandparents. They LOVED it all and were so excited to play with their new toys. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa Harris!

When we got home the girls were in their new Christmas jammies (pj's) and were so excited to get the cookies and milk ready for Santa and his reindeer. We tried to get a picture of the girls in front of the tree before going to bed. This was the first attempt:

(This picture might give you some insight into why Taylor was still unsure if she would get presents or coal the next morning!)

And the second...a little better...but still the tears!

Gingerbread House Fun

We love decorating gingerbread houses every Christmas season. This year we found a way to make it even more fun and less of a hassle...buy two gingerbread houses...one for each of the girls! While some might think this is foolish, it definitely made our FHE much more enjoyable as Justin and I paired up with one of the girls and then they each could decorate how every they wanted!!!

Taylor & Justin's masterpiece...Taylor is SO creative and artistic...she thought and designed this cute flower garden in the front of her house all by herself!

Just being silly...and giving ya'll a baby belly shot!

Brooklyn & Kim's Masterpiece

Brooklyn enjoying the process!

Harris Santa Party

The Harris Santa Party is one of my favorite parties/traditions from my family at Christmas time. Since I can remember, we always had such a fun time gathering with all our cousins and extended family a week or so before Christmas. We have a light dinner, snacks, and hot chocolate. (As a child I always looked forward to the donut holes and hot chocolate!)

Then, every family gets a turn for anyone to do a "talent" if they want to. Ever since our novice piano playing wasn't so "cute" anymore and since my oldest brother, Chad, a constant entertainer, moved to Georgia...Our family has pretty much been MIA when it comes to the talent portion. Until this year!!! Taylor saved us all! She decided that she wanted to sing two of her favorite songs, Called to Serve and I am a Child of God. Not only did she take the pressure off of the rest of us...she did an excellent job. I was SO proud of her! There were probably close to 75 people all around her and she just smiled and sang. (Brooklyn on the other hand...decided she just wanted to watch!)

After talents, we all sing Christmas songs. My late aunt Karen loved this part and always got us all enthusiastically involved. I always think of her especially when we are singing...we still try our best...but I think we have a little more practicing before she looks down on us and thinks we are singing up to our potential! We sing until Grandpa Harris, who has usually been pacing upstairs, comes to the stairs and excitedly starts us singing, "Here Comes Santa Clause"! The funny part about the song is that we realized if Santa hasn't made it downstairs by the end of the first verse...none of us really know the rest! So we just hum the tune until the chorus that we all know well! :)

The girls were REALLY excited to see Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas...Barbie and the Diamond Castle. Taylor even made Santa an adorable card where she drew a picture of Santa and wrote Merry Christmas on the front. She also lived up to her word and actually happily and willing sat on Santa's lap! I know it sounds silly...but I really was SO proud of her this night. She usually has a hard time around so many relatives and kind-of ignores most of them. But she was so open, friendly and loving to everyone! I loved it and it made me realize that I don't always give her the credit she deserves!

Sitting on Santa's lap:

Random Snapshots:

(Aunt Joan...keeping us all on track! She puts a lot of work into this party.)

Jordan slicking his hair back like Steve's...they've bonded over being Utah State fans.

My brother Chris and his present...a tie!

(OK...I think belonged to someone else)

Grandma Harris & Taylor (Taylor's Great-Grandma)

I LOVE this picture!!

Some of the great-grandkids sneaking our the back door trying to see Santa's reindeer and sleigh

Taylor Gets Close to Santa

Our ward has such a fun tradition of having a Christmas breakfast with a visit from Santa. It is casual setting (you can come in your pj's and be just fine...love that) and fun to just eat, relax, & chat with friends. This year they added some songs and a story for the kids.

The highlight for us was that now as we approach Taylor's 4th Christmas she has yet to actually willingly sit on Santa's lap. She usually won't even go within 5 feet of him. (In fact...we were at Smith's Marketplace the other day and they had Santa there for the kids, Taylor saw him and went all the way around the checkout stands to avoid him!) For some reason, she is afraid of his beard and says he just looks "rude", not that she really knows what that means.

So, back to the party...

Santa arrives to the delight of most kids. As we wait in line Brooklyn is not afraid and says she will sit on his lap and Taylor bravely said, "OK...I will just stand right by him." It worked! She bravely stood there long enough for me to move away enough to snap a picture to document the occasion. Afterwards...she was so excited and exclaimed that he was So nice and not "weird" at all. (Thanks...Santa!) Plus, she announced that she was actually going to SIT on his lap the next day at the upcoming Harris Santa Party!!

Christmas Dance Recital

Both girls had such a fun time at their Christmas dance recital. It was Brooklyn's first recital and so Taylor was so excited to "show her the ropes". They had both been anxiously awaiting the recital and were ecstatic to finally be allowed to wear their costumes and of course the "required" makeup. It wasn't really required...just suggested...however, Taylor was insistent on making sure I knew she should have rosy cheeks & lipstick! (It makes me a little nervous how much they loved putting makeup on!)

We are so lucky to live close to many of our family members! Both sets of Grandparents were there cheering and taking countless pictures, as well as, Aunt Tiffiny, and Uncle Chris even made an appearance. The girls LOVED all the attention!

(Sorry the pictures aren't the best...we didn't quite figure out the best way to take them in the dark!)

(Taylor and her class prior to the performance...Thanks Julie...I stole this picture from your blog! Taylor has two of her favorite neighborhood friends, Jaynie & Andie in her class.)

Shakin' it!

Taylor gives a little love to her fan club!

Brooklyn's dance was absolutely hilarious! Brooklyn is the youngest one in her class and it is the youngest class at the studio. The girls are ages 2 1/2-3 and it is the first time Miss Paula has ever taught a class this young. But her cute little twin daughter is that age and thought it would be fun. Poor Miss Paula lost sleep weeks before the recital because at dance class she would typically be the only one doing the dance while the girls "stood on their spots with their hands on their hips" and watched Miss Paula. It turned out so cute and funny! They needed a little help and some prompting at times, not to mention to a few escape attempts off the stage by Brooklyn, but it was great! We laughed SO hard!

A little nervous as the curtain opens

Brooklyn needed a little help from Miss Paula

Yet again!

They got it and were excited to do their favorite part of the dance...Chassés [sha-SAY]!