Just Jumpin' Around

For the past few weeks I've felt like a shut-in. The weather here has been cold and we even had snow last week. So when a friend of mine asked if we were up for a play-date at our local BounceU, I couldn't resist. This place is full of those inflatable bounce toys! There were slides, trampolines, games and obstacle courses. It was a blast!

Ellie was a little cautious at first (no big surprise), but after the first slide down she was hooked. It was like she had completely switched roles with Thomas. She was running around so fast that I could hardly keep up. She was totally out of her shell, engaging in play with unknown children, going from one bounce house to another without a second thought, and she didn't even look back to see if Mom was keeping an eye on her. It was amazing...and Ellie would tell you the same thing. She is continually asking when we can go back.

Thomas had a ball! (no big surprise) He was into everything just as fast as his little legs could take him. He wanted to try everything, even things that you weren't suppose to....

...this is one of those basketball toss games. You make a basket and the ball comes down the hoop and through the net onto the other player's side. Well, I turn around and Thomas is INSIDE the net with his head sticking out of the basketball hoop, yelling "Hi, Mom!" He had a big smile on his face and I'm sure he was thinking, "Wow, this was easy!"

Daniel had a great time too. He probably enjoyed laughing at all the other kids as much as he did playing. I do love that he is becoming more capable and enjoys playing with the big kids.

We all had a great time and it was the perfect rainy day activity to get us out of the house.

Happy 1st Birthday

Daniel turned 1 last week! We celebrated at home with cupcakes, ice cream, birthday crowns and games. I just can't believe that my baby is already 1...he's so big! Daniel is so very smart and he mimics everyone and everything. He watches everything that Ellie and Thomas do, and of course will give it a try. He loves to play with his brother and sister. He has started to walk about 3-5 steps on his own. The cutest thing that he does right now, is when you ask him..."Are you a puppy dog?" he will start panting and crawling around the room. So CUTE!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!!

Snow Day!

We finally got snow! The kids were ecstatic when they woke up this morning to 3 inches of fresh snow. Now, I know that 3 inches isn't a lot, but for two kids who are use to living in the south...this was a BIG deal. We bundled everyone up and headed outside for some winter fun. We had snowball fights, snow angles and make-shift sledding (our sled was a cardboard diaper box, which worked surprisingly well).

I'm still not sure if Daniel had any fun, but at least he was a good sport.

Christmas Quilts

A few months ago my mom bought a long arm quilting machine and she dove right into the quilting scene. It seems like every time I talk to her she's downstairs quilting, at the fabric store, or laying out a new quilt top. She gave quilts for Christmas and from what I hear every single one turned out awesome! So for Christmas my children received quilts from Nana and Grandpa. They were so excited when the opened them up and are quite possessive with each of their quilts. They turned out so cute, and I was so impressed at how beautiful the stitching is - they really do look professionally done - Good job Mom!

This is Daniel's..its a fleece blanket so it's nice and cozy too.

He loves it! When Ellie unwrapped it for him I spread it out on the floor, and he immediately crawled over and laid down. It was so cute!

This is a close up of Thomas's...Bug jars! How adorable is that? Mom did a great job and I can't get over how creative it is. Thomas is constantly trying to smash the bugs on his blanket and with each hit he declares, "Got it, Mom!"

The full shot of Thomas's.

This is Ellie's and it is the perfect quilt for her. Ellie is all girl and she just loves the colors. Most of the time she actually sleep with the pink side up (I think because of her matching pillow case). The quilts were a big crowd pleaser, and we can tell that each one was "stitched with love!"

On The Road Again

After returning home for one day we did laundry and jumped back in the car to visit Heath's sister Melissa and her family for the new year. We got to cheer on Melissa as she ran her first 5K for 2011..Way to go Melissa!!! We had a great time visiting, Ellie had great anticipation that there was going to be lots and lots of snow to play in, but the day before we arrived all of their snow melted in the rain. So instead we took a little day trip to Downtown Indianapolis, and it was freezing! I think the Deputy wanted to show us more of the downtown area, but we wimped out and decided to walk around the mall instead.

Heath, Melissa and some of the kids trying to stay out of the wind.

For Christmas, Heath's Boss gave him tickets to the Colts-v-Titans game in Indianapolis. The day of the game was conveniently on our Anniversary, so with the help of Melissa and the Deputy we were able to have most of the day to ourselves which was AWESOME! I honestly can't remember having that much time alone...just the two of us. We got some lunch, did some window shopping, had a fantastic time at the game. It was perfect! I was continually feeling like I had forgot something, and I was completely out of place without a child on my hip and another attached to my leg. I was almost at a loss for words without having to scold or reprimand anyone. How lucky I am to have such a great sister-in-law! Melissa, we owe you BIG TIME!

I'm especially grateful to have a loving husband to put up with me for the last 7 years. He understands how I feel, even when I can't express it. He's quick to cheer me up when I'm down and stressed and really is my better half. He loves me for who I am and I adore him for that. He is my best friend and a wonderful, fun, loving father.

It was really a good game and the Colts won by a field goal in the last 4 seconds.
We had an awesome time and it was a great anniversary!

And this is what you get after 2635 miles in the car. Poor kiddos...they really were good sports and thank goodness for our DVD player and Redbox!

2011 !?!

Is it just me or does it seem like the years just fly by? I suddenly find myself feeling like an old woman - a stay at home mom with three kids, happily married for 7 (yes SEVEN!) years, who has lived in nearly half a dozen states in that amount of time. Where has the time gone? But alas... here we are 2011. Another new beginning that seems busier than ever. My calender already has dates marked for visitors, vacations, weekend events and various doctors appointments. But with a new year comes new commitment, hope and a renewed outlook on who I want to be - which most times seems like someone very far from who I am. I just hope that I can remain steady and strong, meeting each of my new goals head on!

I am in hopes that there will be much change around the Harrison household in the upcoming months. I'm back on the potty-training regimen with Thomas...big boy undies, stickers, m&m's and lots of encouragement. I'm just praying that he will be willing to work with me. He was doing so well about a month ago, but then he got sick and there is no convincing a sick 2-year-old to do anything he doesn't want to. As soon as he was well again, we left for our trip to Texas, so needless to say he's back in diapers.


Daniel's routine (whether he knows it or not) is also about to change. Daniel is our worst sleeper. He's never really been one to sleep through the night and he is very much a mamma's-boy. (And yes, I do admit to babying him a lot of the time.) Presently, he gets rocked to sleep most nights and when he wakes in the middle of the night, he gets to snuggle up next to mom in the big comfy California King. He is nearly one-year-old, so I guess it is time for me to play tough and get him into a better sleeping schedule. I just keep telling myself it'll be better for everyone!


I've got quite a few of my own personal goals... Some of the usual; loose 15 pounds, be a more calm, loving, caring mother, strive to be understanding and unselfish toward my husband, blog regularly, stay up on my scriptures, prayers and journal...you know the basic standards. I do also have some goals that I'm not willing to publicly share, for fear of exposing all of my faults. Lets just say that I'm going to be busy in 2011. So here's to the new year!!!

Merry Christmas

For the first time that I can remember, Heath was able to take a significant time off from work for Christmas. So we decided to drive to Big Spring to stay with Heath's parents and visit the family. We (Heath) drove all through the night from Nashville to Big Spring... all 14 hours. And it was worth the sleepy eyes, tired body and aching back to have the kiddos sleep most of the way.

Heath was busy hunting for a few days, in which he shot a feral hog, but no deer...maybe next year! We visited with family, played with cousins and ate way too much yummy food.

Christmas morning Thomas woke up sick and grumpy (turns out both boys had ear infections). But he finally warmed up to Christmas presents and candy.

Ellie got a tent from Santa which was a BIG hit with all the kids!

I think that Daniel was feeling left out that he didn't get a scooter like the big kids. He kept standing on them and he would just grin from ear to ear.

Ellie was so excited to get this one! She would "Bedazzle" her whole wardrobe if I would let her.

We had a wonderful time and we were so happy to be able to make the trip. It was great to see everyone..we miss you already! Thank you to Janie and Rayford who lovingly took us in for the week despite our wild and crazy children.