Harris Happenings: Re-cap of December and January

Well, I haven't felt like blogging so sorry its been a couple months. We had a lovely December and January. We really enjoyed Christmas, especially with a new baby in our house again. The boys were, as always, so excited for Christmas. We enjoyed having Christmas on Sunday this time, I think I would prefer it like that every year in fact. Our sacrament meeting is at 9 am, so a few weeks ahead of time we told the boys that we would not open up any presents before church, but would do it after church was over and daddy got home from collecting and counting tithing, so around 11:00 or so. I know, we are such mean, cruel parents. We thought it was going to be hard on them to wait that long, but those sweet boys surprised us and waited so patiently after church for their dad to get home. I suppose talking about it weeks ahead of time prepared them. We started opening gifts around 10:45. KC and Xander each got a Nintendo DS and some games to share. Along with a bunch more presents that I'm forgetting now. William got some baby toys and clothes and shoes. Tom and I got some new coats and iphones. I made a yummy hashbrown quiche, which I think will now be a Christmas morning tradition. It was super easy to make, easy to clean up, and everyone in the family ate it and loved it. Christmas afternoon, Thomas' family came over and we exchanged gifts with them. And then later in the evening we went to my parents for dinner. I love being around family at Christmas, I think that's why its my favorite holiday. And in recent years, I've found that just being at home with our three boys is just as fun as going to visit extended family. I love that feeling of having my kids and husband home and creating traditions on our own. My most favorite part of Christmas this year was that Thomas was home and didn't have to work for 10 straight days!! Just a nice benefit of his job, lots of paid time off. We really enjoyed sleeping in, being lazy, watching movies, playing video games, eating yummy food, visiting family, and all the rest that entails of having no school or work for that long. It was awesome.
In January, we took a quick weekend trip down to St. George to visit my sister's family, but not before having to replace our water heater the day we were suppose to leave. Seems like those type of expenses always come when we are going on a trip or something like that. So, we ended up leaving a day later than planned, but still had a lovely time down south with my parents and Kalyn's family. My sister and her husband are such great hosts when we visit and make it all seem flawless while doing so. It was great to see my nephew, Ethan receive the priesthood and become a Deacon. I can't believe he is twelve already!!! Seriously.
The following weekend we were hit with food poisoning, every one of us, except for William. We were seriously down and out for 2 days. Thank goodness little Will didn't get it, because it was awful. Just plain awful. I'll spare you the details, just believe me when I say I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Thomas ended up missing a scout camp that weekend.
The last weekend in January, which was my mother in laws birthday also, we went to Ogden with Thomas' family for a weekend getaway. We stayed at the Marriott, went Snowboarding at Snowbasin, and swam a lot at the hotel pool... it was fun. Tom's parents were kind enough and watched the boys for us all day while we, and Tom's siblings went to Snowbasin. Me and Emily and Tate snowboarded for the first time. It's not something I would suggest trying to take up for the first time at 30 years old, but I did have fun doing it. Definitely no good at it, but I laughed a lot! And two and half weeks later, still have the bruises on my behind to show for it! It was great to get out and do something like that with Tom's sibs, because we really never do anything together. Tate, for a beginner, did great and was able to keep up with Adam and Tom. I personally loved seeing Tom and his brothers have something to do together that they all enjoyed. It was great middle ground for them. Thanks again, to my in laws for watching our kids!
It's now February, and tomorrow is Valentine's day. Where does the time go?? The older I get, the more I say that. Last night we went to my parents for dinner and made and decorated sugar cookies with the kids, it was fun. My boys always love seeing their cousins, especially Abby. She is a cutie.
Xander and William's birthdays are right around the corner. I better get the ball rolling and plan some parties for them..I can't believe Xanman will be 6, and my baby is going to be a year old?!?!?! I seriously feel like just yesterday I was counting down the days till I was going to deliver him! Crazy stuff. I also, need to get my bum in gear and get my house painted... I took down all pictures and art off my walls two weeks ago and have yet to start my painting project. Tom is already teasing me about this and taking bets as to when I will start. He claims that he doesn't have to help me, because he painted the downstairs last year when I was 8 months pregnant. Whatever. Hopefully I'll get the motivation I need and have some before and after pictures to post soon.
I regret that I didn't take enough Christmas pictures, but here are some that have been taken over the last couple of months. They are not in order, but I'm too lazy to fix it.