Family fun-ness

My niece turned 13 yesterday. It's so weird, I was there when she was born and for the first 3 years of her life...and it does NOT feel like 13 years ago. She has grown into such a little lady (13 going on 25), and I think she is a fun, sweet girl. Most years I am not able to celebrate her birthday with her, but this year I was not only able to make it to her family party, but to also see her on her birthday too.

We love you, Jess. Happy 13th!

The day after, we had our annual Harrison family Christmas fiesta...

This is a fun bunch, really. I always enjoy being with them, laughing, eating and singing with them (which we weren't up to doing this year, boo). I love my family and am so thankful for those God has put into my life.

And these are some outtakes just for fun:

Oh, and I fixed a new, killer recipe...zucchini casserole. Stay tuned for the recipe!

Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

So, I am typing this from my phone to see how it works. I tried downloading an app to my phone which I thought was supposed to post directly to my blog, but that wasn't the case. All the app did was email the post to me so I could upload it from there. Lame! Then I had the great thought of actually going to the blogger website from my phone and trying to post from there. I don't think I can upload photos from here though, which is a bummer. It's just so hard to sit at the computer for any length of time nowadays.

I am loving this Christmas season this year. We've done a lot of fun things, spent time with friends and family and will get to do more of that coming up in a few days. And I am excited about all the things we've done as a little family of four, like looking at Christmas lights, watch movies, dance around to Christmas music, hang lights outside, and baking cookies tomorrow with Jude. This has been a great year.

Today in our world, we are watching Meet the Robinsons,doing laundry, running errands and making a new bread (cinnamon, mmm). What are you doing this Christmas Eve Eve?

Back on the wagon

It's hard getting back on the wagon after being sick. Back to working out, housework, laundry, cooking, the works. (notice I didn't say mommy duties because there is never time off from that!) It's hard playing catch up. The remnants of being sick is, my house looks like the tazmanian devil ripped through it (or more like a little preschooler), my kitchen counter still has flour on it from the last poor attempt (and fail) at making bread, the laundry is piled up in a hamper beside me waiting to be folded, and the house smells like fresh bread. That last part makes me happy, though. Hopefully order will be restored to my house, my laundry and my head before the whirlwind of the holidays take us over.

On a few other notes:
I just got this phone (in black, not white), and I have come to loooove Blackberry...and this phone. So what if it's not a touchscreen? I didn't really want one anyway.

Ross did not like that hairstyle that I posted a few posts ago, so I am thinking about bringing this back:

What do ya think?

I have been love, love, loving this song and this one too ...and listening to them quite a bit. Jude calls them the "girl's song" and loves it too. This girl's voice gets my mind set back on the One it's supposed to be on, instead of all the crazyness, stress, and all the 'stuff' that has whelmed up around me. Look her up - Lanae' Hale. She is amazing.

I have been thinking about cooking this. I know, it looks grody, but I am so in love with curry. I think that even though it looks gross, it probably tastes really yummy...simply because it has curry in it. :)

We still have not been Christmas shopping. Ross and I have a date to go shopping on Friday, and we still have no idea what we are going to get our boys. Maybe we should plan better next year?

I'm going to go listen to more Christmas music. It makes me happy too.

Family, is there anything like it?

Is there anything cuter than your kid playing pretend with his toys? Jude just started doing this and I have to say, it melts my heart. I am awed by kids and their imagination, how it seems so pure and yet untainted by cynicism and the bitterness that seems to come with age and unfulfilled dreams. Sometimes it makes me want to be a kid again. Sometimes.

Jude really enjoyed letting his Buzz play in the johnny-jump-up and feeding him puffs like I do Ezra...

We enjoyed being with our families over thanksgiving. Even through all the mess you go through when being with family, the holidays are a chance to learn, grow and love people like you never though you could. Not to mention, I got to meet the sweet Lucy Meade, 

see some old friends, have a great meal with my family, and enjoy a much needed night out away from the kiddos. I'm so thankful for those who love us no matter what!

Welcome to the family, Lucy. We feel so blessed to be a part of your life!

Christmas Cards, yippee!!!

I love this time of year. The decorations, the music, everyone’s joyful spirit, it’s contagious and magical…but one of the things I love the most is Christmas cards. There’s something about receiving one that is special. I love giving them too, of course, but there’s something sweet about a simple hey, we thought of you this year when sending out cards. Which is why I’m so excited about Shutterfly’s 2010 Christmas card collection. There are many different styles, and you can include photos…they are just so darn cute! I have looked through it and have loved so many. They really pulled out the stops this year with over 800 pages of different designs. I have to say, I did find a favorite that I’d like to use! In the past I have done a traditional folded card, but I am excited about doing a photocard this year.  Here are a few examples of the ones I’ve fallen in love with…

 

Doesn't it make you want to order some right now? And if you want 50 free (and who doesn’t!), then go HERE. I have used Shutterfly in the past, and have known many, many people who have also and I have to say, they are the best. And they don’t just have cards, people! They have photobooks, which would make great Christmas gifts for the family, birthday cards, birth announcements, and even desk calendars. They have a great selection, great products, quick delivery… So, go to the site and order from them now! You won’t regret it!