It's Holiday Time and We're Feeling Fine

Well, I feel like the blog post may be misleading-Harrison is currently dealing with some croupy business, but we are feeling fine about the festive seasons!!  Actually...again, that is not accurate for number 4.  He has claimed that he does not care for Christmas or Santa.  He only likes Halloween.  What a scrooge.  I'm hoping the spirit of the season hits him at some point!  While Christmas isn't winning any award for him, Thanksgiving was a hit for everyone...

We decided to do Turkey Day a little differently this year.  We went to the Grand America with just our little fam and basked in the fanciful glory.  

The kids entered the ballroom and Katelee exclaimed, "This is my dream!!"  Who wouldn't love the ice sculptures, the traditional Thanksgiving fare, seafood buffet, all the ice cream you can eat, pumpkin delights (soup, fritatta, ravioli, etc).  SO much to try! 

She ran around like a crazy lady going to the chocolate fountain, dripping with chocolate down her chin. Yea, we are elegant like that.  Unfortunately, she did get sick from the contaminated items dipped in the chocolatey goodness, but at least there were gluten free pancakes!

There were 8 actually.  She didn't dish those up, our waiter brought her the whole stack when we requested a gluten free one.  We stuffed ourselves silly for a couple of hours, then went to visit Aunt Amy and Uncle Mark.  Amy's son Austin was in town, so it was fun to visit with all of her kids for a little bit. Then, we were off to see the movie, Moana. A good time was had by all-some of us watched and some of us napped, but no one came out of the theatre disappointed!  Ha!  It was a unique holiday that we will definitely remember!

So grateful for my little turkeys.  They are wild and gobble up all of my time and I wouldn't have it any other way!  Katelee has been working on a project and she came up to me questioning what my dream is, and I truthfully told her I am living my dream...well, maybe a little more international travel, performing, humanitarian service and changing the world would add to that! Ha!

Dave and I did get a new stamp in our passports in November-we went to Playa del Carmen for a quick trip with his work.  We stayed at an all inclusive resort and did this...

and that about wraps it up! Ok, a little of this too...

Really, we usually run around on vacations, we decided to just chill.  That consisted of spa treatments, food, beach time and relaxing in a cabana by the pool.  It was glorious.  

We were in Mexico on a Sunday, so we got to visit a ward there.  I genuinely love going to wards in other places.  They didn't have anyone who played the piano, so I got to help out with that.  Music is such a gift, one we often take for granted.  

The church was really pretty and I was moved by the love of the members there.  It was testimony meeting and they had to put up a sign to tell people to stop coming up.  While I couldn't understand most of what was said, I could feel the joy and truth and I wanted to hug or high five them all!  

We have so much to be grateful for and one of my favorite annual traditions was a good reminder of a lot of those blessings...

This year our board was full of some of the same incredible gifts, but we also were inspired to put things like 'Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man,' etc Ok, we weren't all constrained to include those figures, that would be Harrison.  Harry is obsessed super heroes.  We even have jingles I am asked to sing nearly every day.  I have a song for Iron Man, Spider Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor.  I feel like I need to submit them to Marvel and be paid for the catchy tunes! 

I love the super hero phase, I do not however, enjoy the "poopy butt' phrase that is on repeat from our little guy.  Potty humor is in full force and if he follows in his brother's footsteps, it may never pass!  I can take the other names he calls us like when he asked me who ate his piece of toast and I told him that I couldn't help myself.  He said, " you knuckle head."  Harrison has no problem challenging those older or larger.  I asked him the other day why he had two shirts on and he said, "Because Dad did it.  I'm going to kick his hiney."  Sounds reasonable.

Of course he is sometimes very complimentary and helpful.  Every time I leave the house he tells me goodbye and  encourages me to 'come back to our house sometime.'  He gives good advice and tells this wacko 

and Katelee to 'be nice to the bus guy and boys and girls' every morning as they leave for school. He is very holy and if a prayer hasn't been said on a morsel of food that he began chewing, he spits it right out.  He asks constantly if it is Sunday and wistfully follows up with "I love Sunday."  So, he apparently is a good  mix of violent hiney kicking and sweet worshipping.  Good balance.

Now we are on to the next holiday!  I, of course, like 5 out of 6 people (Harrison being the odd man out at our place) love Christmas.  Our church is doing a service initiative to LIGHT THE WORLD this holiday season.  We are participating in that as well as drawing names in our home of someone who lives here to particularly serve as individuals.  I was pretty lucky on who drew my name last week.  I had some great breakfasts...

Tonight we meet Santa and go walk around to see lights.  Last weekend, we visited the North Pole, well, the Seven Peak's Waterslide version.  We all loved it.  They turned their racer slides in to a sledding adventure and hauled sleds and raced.  It was great! The lazy river became a holiday cruise,

there was a magical train ride, 

and a Nutcracker surrey type bicycle ride that we were slightly inept at.  But, we had a great visit at the North Pole and will definitely visit next year.  

As we continue through the month and feel the special spirit in the air, we are trying to recognize what makes this time special-the gifts, the life, the example of our Savior.  Katelee helped us out with that at her family home evening lesson, where she staged us in this very moving Nativity Scene.  It is the best time of year...now how to convince my 3 year old of that!?

Tricks or Treats

October has come and gone and was full of tricks, treats, delights and spooks!  We love this time of year and used every minute we could to enjoy the glorious weather and fun. We went to Cornbelly's 

one night and also Trafalga.  Both locations had activities and haunted alleys or haunted houses.  I dragged Harrison into the inflatable creature at Cornbelly's and we discovered that he was not a fan!  Katelee, however, could not get enough of the frights.  We went to Trafalga with our friends and the boys tested the spook alley first.  Dave and the other dad came back with Grant saying it was legit, but definitely too scary for the littles.  Katelee insisted on accompanying my friend and I.  I may have hid behind her or my friend the whole time.  Katelee came out talking about the decorations being freaky and I honestly didn't see them because I ran through with my head down.  I may or may not have had her shield me from the scary actors as they came towards me, but I held on tight, so she must have felt safe! Ha!

Our annual traditions of the Witches

and our local pumpkin patch

were a real treat!!  We picked out pumpkins and got lost in the corn maze at the pumpkin patch.  It turned out to be a real trick.  We usually just have a little path to walk on, but they turned it in to a genuine maze this year. The kids went in with Dave and the never came out and never came out.  So, I figured someone was curled in a ball lost amongst the stalks.  I knew I could save them...then, I got lost.  They all made their way out and I got a phone call from Dave wondering where I was and Brenna was sniffing in the background worried about my safety.  Don't worry, we were reunited after 15 min or so!  Note to self: you are not cut out for corn mazes.

We had our Halloween dinner followed by a party for the girls and their friends.  

The girls blew eyeballs across the table, transported marshmallows with vampire teeth and played fear factor where they had to eat delicious items such as spew, ghost powder, blood clots, bat poop and the diaper of death.  It was a treat for them, a complete trick for Dave who tried to retreat to our bedroom and put on the soundproof headphones.  Party Pooper.  

We found a new activity-the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  We voted for our favorite  scarecrows and basked in crisp fall air.  We happened up on the Light of the World Garden and were blown away.  We can't wait to go back and see that again.  

Our month was also filled with "regular" day to day activities.  One week was Red Ribbon week for the ladies.  They dressed up and one day had crazy hair day...

No lie, this is about the only day of the year I get compliments on my hair styling abilities.  I can't do braids or buns, but boy can I rat!  Yay me.

Grant had a very busy couple of months-he played soccer and flag football.  It was so fun to watch him.  He has become a good little athlete.  He quarterbacked a few games, was a great runner and receiver, scored touchdowns and loved flag football the most.

There were a few weeks he had a touchdown and then a goal!  Grant is a great goalie, even though he refused to play it most of the time.  The leprechauns are a fun team to cheer for!

Katelee also kept our days full with her rehearsals and performance of Aladdin Jr.  She was in the ensemble and said it was her favorite play she has been in thus far.  She really lights up the stage and even had the grandparents of the boy playing Aladdin tell her she stole the show! 

A good group of gals from the hood were in it too, so we got to see lots of familiar faces. 

All month long Brenna would ask how many days until Halloween, Harrison would walk around saying, "Yo-Ho HO, Happy Halloween" in a perfect Santa Claus voice.  Finally the day arrived!!  First thing in the morning I said, "Happy Halloween!" and Harrison, very moved with my greeting replied with a heartfelt "Thank You!"  Little did he know the terror the day would bring him!  We started out with the parade at the elementary school.  There were some great costumes.  Harry was laughing at a lot of them, but some freaked the kid out.  He turned to me at one point and said, "Mom, tell me about Jesus!" The kid needed some comfort!  

I helped out in my cute Skeleton's class

then had the party for an adorable little Ghost girl.

Our pizza was baked

and we were almost ready to head to our neighbor's for the eat before you treat dinner they always host.  Every year the kids beg Dave to dress up and not just wear a 'stupid t-shirt.'  This year, he had plans.  He borrowed an extra spooky Werewolf costume 

to surprise the kids with.  I knew someone was going to lose it (Harrison) and was kinda excited/nervous to see his reaction.  Well, after man had successfully morphed to wolf, I caught on camera the reaction.  Dave walked up the stairs from the basement and Harrison immediately held his hand out and said, "NO!" He screamed like he was facing his own death, was shaking in his Captain America boots and booked it to the bathroom where he insisted I lock the door.  

After some serious coaxing and comforting, we convinced our superhero that it was in fact Dad under the mask. Harrison would not sit by him at the street party, so Dave had to find some other nightmares to chill out with.  

The slice of pizza found the rest of the pie, 

and we all headed out trick or treating.  Katelee had her first year without an adult and Grant hit the streets with his buddies too.  I got to go around with Brenna and Harrison and our friends.  My jellyfish costume had been a hit at the ward trunk or treat and really was helpful on Halloween night because I knew the kids would be able to see me all the way down the road!!

While we don't feel as safe with Captain America being our protector anymore, we feel safe knowing that Dad did eventually turn back into David, just as Harrison had insisted needed to happen.  He kept saying that-"Dad needs to turn back into David!"

It was a tricky treat filled month!!

Back to Reality

Right after we returned from Hawaii, it was time to wrap up summer.  The night before Grant started school we went to the shaved ice cart nearby.  All the kids ordered-they chose their flavor, told the workers their names, and spelled them out so it could be written on the cup.  Brenna passed on her request to the shaved ice professional and Harrison confidently ordered a "green with apple" snow cone, told them his name was Harrison and proceeded to spell his name "D-E-E-I-O-U"  The employee responded politely with, "makes sense." And, as we all laughed, we realized Harrison was not ready for school as opposed to these cute people:

Grant started 6th grade and is AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.  Yes, I cried, because this is my reality-I have a tweener.  He is becoming a mini man and loves junior high.  I hope the terrible teen world better treat this boy well!

After much serious consideration and heavenly consultation, we decided to switch schools for the girls.  Grant will be moving to the regular district junior high next school year, but for various reasons, the charter school wasn't feeling like the right place for the little ladies.  So, they bravely began a new school this year as well.  

Katelee started 4th grade at Rose Creek Elementary and Brenna is in 1st.  

I watched them board the big yellow cheese wagon (yay-they ride the bus!) and my heart dropped a little, but I was and am confident they are in the right place.  So, bring on new adventures and no dress code!  Whether that is a good thing or bad is debatable!!!

Every year I think about how I hope the teachers, kids, pretty much the world realizes what special people my littles are!  Harrison began a prayer the other night with, "Dear Heavenly Father, it's me, Harrison..."  while so stinking cute, it made me think how great it is that He knows us and He knows my kiddos.  No matter what happens at school or work or wherever, I hope my children feel their parents love-here and heaven!

The first day of school was Mr. Harrison's birthday!  The big number 3. 

Harrison is quite the fella.  He seems to be our biggest baby at his age-he is hanging on to tantrums like they are a necessity to his existence.  He spends many nights buckled into his car seat until he calms down and will go to bed.  He is a screamer and constantly crying.  But, the truth of the matter is everyone adores him...could be part of the problem.  We love him to pieces (but still look forward to the tantrums to pass!).  His catch phrase is "What the freak?"  

We waited for the kids to come back and took them to Jungle Jim's for high class rides and fun.  

Bumper cars was the ride of choice.  They rode it over and over.  Katelee was hilarious.  She hardly did anything else.  She would finish up a round, get back in her car and close her eyes for the entire duration.  She just let the bumps and crashes steer her.  

Grandma met us there for the last little bit and braved the fast spinning ride, which is no joke.  We finished up at home with pizza and cake (Harrison is OBSESSED with Captain America.  He wears the costume daily, he acts out the fight scenes, he owns multiple shields and has even forced me to make up a jingle that we sing all the time).  So, we had a Captain America shield for a cake.  

Of course, ice cream was involved, as well!

We were banking on a successful Captain America party, but he was just as happy with his Batman gifts.  He actually refused to do anything Captain America for most of the night, ah well.  He was back to being Cap the next day.  

Katelee and Brenna were so cute making homemade gifts for their favorite little brother.  Brenna constructed a base for his action figures out of a box and Katelee spent loads of time on this life size Captain America doll, out of cereal and ziploc bag boxes.  It was adorable.  

So, the kids are back being busy with school and homework and dance,activity days, scouts, merit badge clinics, flag football, soccer, play practise and friends.  Harrison found the beginning of school to be an opportune time to refuse naps.  Lovely.  So, he spends much of his time being bored and watching more tv than his siblings did at his age.  I have tried to do some fun activities with him...

We went to the farm with his friend Maya and her mom.  He rode the horse Luna and keeps talking about her.  He attempted to feed the horses, but as they got close to licking his palms, he would chuck the oats at their faces and run.  Sounds about right.  

Another friend took us to the zoo, where he got to ride the train

and carousel, see animals and climb/ inappropriately touch the statues...

Oh dear...

Of course, the kids think it is unfair, despite my assurances that we did excursions like that when they were little too, but that's not reality to them.  

So, we are back in the routine.  Luckily Labor Day was just after school began and the kids got to take a couple of days and spend it at Snowbird.

We look forward to going to the condo all year.  It was beautiful as ever and amazing how refreshing just 20 minutes up the canyon can feel.  

So many days I sit back and wonder where the day went, and then continue on to where did the year go?  or the decade?  My reality is no longer having babies or being pregnant.  This is my reality:daily frustrations at dinner because what I make is disgusting apparently.  We started discovering carrots lining the floor in the bathroom or the basket on top of the potty where the wipes are.  Now, there is an inspection of hands and mouth before someone is excused from the table to the restroom.  The other night, Katelee needed to use the facilities but we were not sure there wasn't some wad of dinner in her cheek ready to be spit out, so we had her open her mouth.  After she was cleared to leave, Brenna said, "Check her bum, that's where I hide my food."  Lovely.  OR how about the real life experience of being in a worship service at church in front of the perfect family, reading inspirational stories together, the children quietly paying attention and ours are fighting over emoji stickers I got at Walmart.  I found myself saying, "There is poo for everyone." "Give your sister back the poop."  "Share the poo."  We totally had a spiritual experience that Sunday-HA!!

We are learning to serve and share and put others first, or at least compromise, the beautiful lessons of being in a family and community!  The other day we were watching a friend's little girl who is the same age as Harrison.  Harry had first pick of what they played...

Sarah got the next round....

While it wasn't what Harrison's typical reality is, he seemed pretty content with the alternate one!  Ha!