Yes, it's almost the weekend!

This week was a little more hectic than usual, with a video to put together for our ward Relief Society birthday, kids, etc, etc. In other words, STRESS! Today, however, was a good day and a fun one for us. Collin and I did school in the morning -- a focus on phonograms and categorizing objects. He pointed out how "weird" it was to have three different kinds of phonograms that sounded like "n" (that would be n, kn, gn), or how funny it was that "p" and "h" together sounded like "f". He asked me "how could that be?"

Allie got out of school early today, so after running a short errand to the post office, we played a game of Cadoo after she and Collin ate their snacks. Maddie decided she was going to take a long nap, so I got to play with the kids. Allie's favorite was acting out words for us to guess, while Collin liked doodling. He drew a pencil and a unicorn for us to guess. They were pretty good drawings, especially the unicorn! He also did some acting -- pretending like he was a truck: first a garbage truck, then a series of delivery trucks (you had to be specific with this one). He gave us "color" cues so we could get it right, like: this one is a brown one (UPS); this one is yellow (DHL); this one is white (Fedex and then US Mail). His actions were so creative.

After the game, the kids watched Curious George while I took a nap (yes, can you believe it?) I should take more naps, since I feel so much better and not so stressed out at the end of the day. So with more energy, I even made cookies, and made all the phone calls I needed to make. What a nice, productive day! And add to that, Kevin will be home tomorrow. I love days like this when I am reminded by how much life is so much fun and abundant because of my kids and family! I love being a mom.

Tina Turner for Fun

Allie found a very cute wig at her Grandma's house last week. She came running in with this funny wig on her head. She reminded us of Tina Turner. I also tried on the wig, but my photo is not blog-worthy (if you know what I mean :)). So here's Allie ala Tina Turner...pretty cute, huh?

Our Arizona Trip

We were in Arizona for an entire week (February 17-23). It was a nice break from all the cold and snow up here in Utah. It was perfect weather while we were there, so it made it quite enjoyable to look for a house -- especially with three kids (imagine doing that in 100-degree weather!) My very nice mother-in-law Lorraine drove us around town. Thank you! We spent every single day driving up and down Gilbert and Chandler, taking nursing breaks every 2-3 hours, except during the days Maddie decided she was going to take a 4-hour nap. Even in nice weather, it was still quite a workout. Here are some of our favorites:

This first one is a dream - 3900 sq ft in Highland Ridge (Signal Butte and Elliott), will take 6-8 months to build.

This spec home in located in Reid's Ranch (Gilbert and Chandler Heights), 3300 sq ft., ready in 30-45 days, but is the priciest per sq. ft., as it is in a semi-custom neighborhood, but it is closer to Kevin's work.

This one is also located in Highland Ridge - 3300 sq ft., will take 6-8 months to build.

We dined on yummy Mexican food, Someburros on most of the days and Gecko Grill once. We also had good Paradise Bakery soup and sandwiches. It's only been a day since I last had good Someburros beef tacos and I am already missing it and can't wait until I can have some more. Too bad Utah doesn't have good Mexican food. Ha!

Anna and Tony and their cute kids Jazz and Dylan drove from Surprise to come see us and bring over some things Anna and I ordered online last month (school stuff). Dylan was sporting a buzz haircut, just like his Dad. My camera, of course, was near-dead when I thought of taking a photo. Jazz was very excited to finally get her Fairy costume from Grandma Beth and Pappi, stored up here in Utah for almost three months. We all went to dinner at Someburros (you could have guessed that), and spent some time chatting. They even got to see one of the spec homes we liked, this one pictured here:

4200 sq ft. 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath house, very well-appointed and located in front of a park in Vincenz on Higley and Williamsfield Rds. At $106/sq. ft. it is a steal. This one is in Kevin's parents' ward.

No decision has been made as far as when or what house we're going to buy (leaning towards the Highland Ridge 3300 sq ft house).

Maddie's First Flight

On Saturday, February 17, Maddie flew on Southwest Airlines Flt 407 to Phoenix. She nursed as we took off and landed, and when she was not nursing, she sat happily taking note of her surroundings. What a nice baby! Here is a photo of her while we were waiting for our baggage.

Our Darling Girls

Family Picture Day

Yesterday was picture day. We went to Power Ranch to take these photos around 5 to around 6:30 p.m. It was raining on and off before pictures, which made good clouds for pictures, but it got dark too soon. The photo of the whole Harris clan took only a few minutes, as it was getting cold (yes, even in Arizona). These are some of our favorite shots.

Snow Ice Cream

Because there's fresh snow outside, we thought we'd try this recipe:

SNOW ICE CREAM
1 gallon snow (or just a big bowl full)

1 cup white sugar

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 cup cream or milk

DIRECTIONS: Get a large bowl of fresh clean snow (feel free to put a few bowls out on the lawn to catch it while it’s coming down). Stir in sugar and vanilla to taste. While stirring, add just enough cream until it reaches the desired consistency. Serve immediately.

Collin made vanilla snow ice cream and Allie made strawberry. It was surprisingly good! We just made it with milk, it would probably be better made with cream.

School while Maddie Naps

Washing the dirty polish cloths we used in school this last week

Hanging up the cloths to dry

Making heart sandwiches

These materials were gifts from Grandma Beth and Pappi. Thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's a snowy Valentine's Day here in Utah. There is about 4 inches of snow outside. Too bad Kevin is missing it. I'm sure he's hoping it'll be that way when he comes back this weekend!
So this is how Valentine's Day unfolds at our house...I greet the kids a happy Valentine, and then Collin runs to get Valentine's cards and a stuffed frog for Allie and me. He obviously got instructions from Kevin, I'm surprised he even remembered where all the stuff was. So cute! The kids opened their Valentine cards from Kevin at breakfast and were so excited.

(Kiss! Kiss!, nacho libre style)

Some of the reasons we're lucky to have Kevin:

1. Because I love his truck... (Collin)

2. He is happy to help with the dishes, laundry, and grocery shopping. He knows I don't like folding clothes (unless it's fresh out of the dryer), and I don't enjoy grocery shopping as much, so he just goes and does them for me, even when I don't ask. His favorite places to go: Walmart, Day's Market, and the BYU Creamery (for the freshest dairy products!)

3. He hops on the plane twice a week, deals with airport woes, and works very hard, without any complains. I don't think he's ever complained about anything the last 10 years!

4. He takes the kids on Sunday walks.

5. He taught the kids proper dental hygiene, including mouthwash. Even though the kids know how to brush and floss, they always call for Kevin to help them do this night routine when he's here. Just so you know how special that time is...they don't ever really call for me during the week.

6. He introduced the kids to Smooth Jazz, Craig Chaquico, and words such as "copacetic" and "chillaxin". When asked how they're doing, they say "I'm copacetic." But they only answer that way when Kevin asks them.

There are lots of other reasons, but I'm going to stop here -- he doesn't like being complimented publicly, so I've probably embarrassed him already, and will probably ask me to delete this post when he gets home. Happy Valentine's Day Kev! We love you!

You know he has a sister when...

Collin and Allie play really well together. It is so funny sometimes when I hear or see things they do together. It makes my day and I just have to grin from ear to ear. You know Collin has a sister when:
1. He sings songs from the High School Musical movies. Imagine him singing "I can't take my eyes off of you..." or "What I've been looking for" while he's building Lego trucks. Hilarious!
2. Allie can get him to do school with her, and he goes along with whatever she says, even packing up clothes so they can go "travel". He has picked up quite a few key phrases from her, including but not limited to: "I'm copacetic".
3. He knows who Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron are.
4. He makes popcorn out of styrofoam and straws out of cardstock, then asks her if she wants to go to the movies with him. (A movie night then goes on in the basement, with all the lights off).
5. Instead of just asking someone to come play Legos with him, he calls it a Lego Party. Last night he asked Aunt Andrea if she was ready for their Lego Party -- she is a good Lego builder and he loves building cars and trucks with her.

Photos from top: Collin with his styrofoam popcorn and supersized drink and paper straw on a tray; Collin and Allie ready to go to the movies (looks like they're going to a 3D show with those glasses); and Allie's High School Musical stuff.

Maddie's First Shots

Maddie is now almost two and a half months old. I took her to her two-month check-up last week -- she weighed 10 lbs and 6 oz., and 22 3/4 inches long. She got five shots, one of which was an oral vaccine. She cried and cried (which made me feel like crying myself). When Kevin picked her up to play with her later that night, she cooed and pouted, when he mentioned her shots and how bad it must have hurt. I had to document it (too bad I didn't think of the video cam) because it was so cute - okay, her little pout is way cute, the picture does not do it justice.

She loves her mobile and bouncer - mostly because when she kicks the toys, they make noise. I was showing her one of the baby rattles with a squeaker the other day and when it stopped squeaking, she started kicking her legs! I can only guess that maybe she was thinking her kicking would make the toy squeak again.

How Wonderful this Church is!

This last week has been quite an experience for all of us. It started the other Sunday when we heard Pres. Hinckley had passed away. My first reaction was that of peace and gratitude. I was happy that he was now with his wife, first and foremost, and I was so grateful for the organization of the Church -- how I didn't even have to think twice or wonder what was going to happen next. We broke the news to the kids who simply said, "that's because he's an old person". (!)
Pres. Hinckley was the only prophet I ever really knew; my family was baptized in 1994, when Pres. Howard W. Hunter was president. Only a few months later, Pres. Hunter passed away -- and I didn't really understand why members of the Church in the Bahamas were so saddened by his death. This last week, as the news of Pres. Hinckley's death settled more deeply, I understand.
On Friday Kevin and I planned to go to his viewing with our three kids. When we got there, the line was so long - they had a few lines going and weaving all around the outside of the Conference Center. Volunteers/media workers came around and told us it was a 4-hour wait (2 hours outside, 2 hours once you got inside the building). We were in line for well over an hour before Maddie needed to nurse and the kids needed to go to the bathroom. It then was 8 p.m. and we would have to wait another estimated 2 to 2 1/2 hours before we could even get a glimpse of Pres. Hinckley. An hour later, we decided to go home, as the lines were still so long, and the kids needed dinner. We finally got home around 10:30 p.m. Even though we didn't get to see him, it was a good experience to witness the great love and respect everyone had for the prophet, and to feel the spirit of the occassion, even at a distance. We should have gone on Thursday!!!
Although the news reports say there were still thousands waiting to see him at 10 p.m., I wish we would have stayed and braved the cold and the 2.5 more hours of standing in line to see him. Maybe that's just because I miss Pres. Hinckley, and that was my last chance to see him. We watched the funeral proceedings on Saturday, and like many, we felt we had just lost a father. We will truly miss Pres. Hinckley!
On Monday, I watched as Pres. Monson was formally announced as the new prophet. What a great experience for a convert like me to see how the Church works! I am looking forward to the many years Kevin and I will get to teach the kids about their new Prophet, Pres. Monson.

He's Reading!

I got my pink boxes redone (minus the lamination) and today I decided to use the object boxes with Collin. He surprised me! He is now officially READING (yes!!!) his first 3-letter phonetic words. It is quite a step to get to sounding out letters to blending them to form a word!

Snow! And lots of it!

Today we woke up to lots of snow. We had church at 9 a.m. and when we got out at noon, our cars had about 4 inches on top of it! Brother Cox was so nice once again to clear our driveway of snow before we came home from Church. Kevin helped him out as soon as we got home. Then it kept snowing, and snowing, and snowing...so Kevin and Collin went out tonight to shovel some more -- he says there was about a foot of snow. Of course he was in heaven even though it was freezing cold out there. Shoveling is his favorite winter chore to do with Collin!

Dress-up Day

Allie got new glasses on Saturday. She had wanted to get a pair for a couple of weeks now, since she and her friend Alyssa like to play dress-up (as long as it's not princess stuff :)) and Alyssa had a pair. We went to Claire's to get them, with Dad in tow. She told me maybe Kevin should wait in the car while we go in and get them, just because he might think the glasses were too girly. Kevin went in with us anyway - I guess he better get used to going in "girls' stores" since he's got three of us girls!

Collin played police today -- he gave everyone "tickets" -- Allie was his secretary. She wrote the tickets for him. At first Allie wanted to play the bad guy so that Collin could chase her around, but that wasn't Collin's plan. He wanted both of them to be police officers. He gave Allie his police cap to wear. Fun dress-up day!