New Year's Eve

We actually went out on a date! Dinner and movie with Heath and Liz while Dave watched the kiddos at the house. It was so fun to be out - and I had high hopes of making it to midnight. But we didn't. In bed and asleep by 11:00pm.

Check out Ava's THREE chompers!

A Howe Christmas

Harrison had his Preschool Christmas Program just a couple of days before Christmas. We were so excited to hear him sing the songs he had been practicing for so long and to be a part of his first 'school program.' We had the camera ready, the video camera rolling - proud parents to be sure. He did smile for about the first two minutes, sang 'I'm a V.I.P. in my family,' and then it went downhill. He frowned, sat in silence, took off his Santa Hat, took off his V.I.P. necklace, picked his nose, and finally left the stage all together to come and stand with us. He said he didn't know any of the words to the songs when I asked him why he didn't sing. And then he sang them all the way home in the car.

We spent Christmas Eve with the Garner Family - which ended with two out of three boys in tears. Harrison gave Jackson something he already had, and Jackson gave Harrison something he already had - all in all an unsuccessful gift exchange between the boys. It was hard not to laugh at how excited they were to give each other gifts and then witness TOTAL disappointment when they were actually opened. But the night was full of great food and even better company - and I am sure the boys have forgotten the botched gift exchange completely.

Christmas really is magical with children. Harrison couldn't have been any cuter during the build up to the big day and on Christmas itself. He couldn't speak when he saw his Thomas Trains and was overjoyed at FINALLY having a "kid kitchen." We spent the morning opening gifts and playing with everything new and exciting. Ava napped, Jordan assembled his new bike and gave Harrison the inaugural ride while I prepared Christmas Dinner. Colleen and Ernie joined us for the afternoon - and the feast was enjoyed by all. A beautiful Christmas.

An Attempt at Christmas Spirit

We talked about the true meaning of Christmas. We talked about the Nativity and who was present. We attempted to create a little Nativity that he could color. Which he did - in Spiderman red, blue, and black - and only after putting on Spiderman paraphernalia and saving 'MJ' from the likes of "robbers" on the kitchen floor.

A Christmas Night with H

Building a gingerbread house with a three-year-old for the first time = magical. Harrison was in heaven putting everything on "right right right." He only ate five (or so) pieces of candy, and even asked me before putting each one in his mouth. It was fun. Just plain fun. We followed it up with games on the kitchen counter, which he of course won - every time. :) We missed our little Ava-lovey, but I'm sure she was much happier getting her beauty sleep.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Lights on Temple Square

Driving up to see the lights, Harrison would shout from the backseat EVERY time we saw ANY lights on houses...."MOMMY! LOOK AT THAT CHRISTMAS!" So, needless to say, his mind was sufficiently blown at the millions of lights on temple square. It was a little chilly, but we had a great time. Harrison ran around like a maniac at first climbing into any and every bush he could find. He was on an "adventure" that eventually became too "muddy and smelly", so he resorted to running as fast as he could and yelling at the top of his lungs. Isn't it great to be three and not care what anyone else thinks?

And my little Ava got her first two teeth yesterday....at the same time. Two bottom chompers right in the middle. She spent most of the day flicking them with her tongue trying to figure out what is happening in her mouth. And it couldn't be any cuter.

Harrisonisms

Just ran across these little doozies from Harrison that I wrote down just before Halloween....

H: Nanna and I got married last night when I was older.
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H: Where is our video camera?
Me: It's gone honey. We need to buy a new one.
H: Did the robbers take it?
Me: Yes.
H: I guess I need to hit the robbers down. Mommy? Is it OK if I hit them down? I'll find them and hit them down. With swords. And daddy.
______________________________________

H: A-N-N-I-E. Do you know what that spells?
Me: Yes - Annie.
H: No. It spells Football Stadium Months. Where you were born. I was born there too last night. Football Stadium Months.
Me: Oh.
______________________________________

H: (giving me a giant hug...) Annie? I sure love you. And I am sorry that the robbers made you sad.
______________________________________


SO...here is the question. My child is obviously quite shaken up by the whole break-in thing. He talks about it almost daily even though Jordan and I never do. What should I do? We try to explain that we are all safe and that the things taken don't matter, but he always brings it up.

SUGGESTIONS??

11 Months

This little one had a big month.......a lot of firsts. Clapping on cue, giving kisses, waving on cue, and signing 'milk' and 'all done!' But she is most proud of her new found standing abilities. Any time she can, she tries to show you this little trick of hers. We of course clap and cheer - causing her to clap and then fall down. Love her.

Thankful

Thankful for my Harrison - who corrected me each time I said Thanksgiving DINNER - "It's a FEAST mom." Being the world's pickiest eater.....his FEAST consisted of goldfish and ice cream.

Thankful for my Ava - who ate both her share and her brothers share of the FEAST.

Thankful for my Jordan - who loves Thanksgiving FEAST day above all other days of the year....

Thankful. Thankful. Thankful.

Happenings

So.....I put up the Christmas Decor.....on November 16th. I know - ridiculous. But my kiddos sure love it.

Cute Cousin Claire came over and entertained us all with Harrison.......

Dan and Cat came for a visit - we LOVE it when that happens!

Saturday we did this......

24 hours later we did this in 10 inches of snow.......