Turkey Day, Harriss Style

Pre-Thanksgiving Feast

Tonight we had our pre-Thanksgiving dinner. We started doing this as a way to celebrate with Krista and Brian - they usually drive to Chicago on Thanksgiving day. Unfortunately, Brian was home sick tonight, but the rest of us attempted to pose for a photo.

I have started wondering if I should enroll him in acting lessons or something to channel all this singing/dancing energy!?!

No bribe was great enough to make Julia smile.

I snag the opportunity to hold my newest little nephew, Cole!

It wouldn't be a family event without some wrestling, right? =)

I am thankful for (by Julia)

Image of Grandma

My, Grandma -- What BIG teeth you have!!

By: Ryan

November 2009

Happy Birthday, Uncle Patrick!

Polar Express at Borders

Krista heard about a Polar Express jammie party at Borders last Saturday and we decided to bring the kids. Here Julia, Krista, Tyler and Claire hang out in the crowd.

And across the way, Jeff, Ryan, Brian, Lucas, Vanessa and Delaney.

Julia was "emotional" that morning. I can't remember what happened before she started working on her letter to Santa to illicit these tears!

Tyler gets to work on his list.

Today I am thankful for...

...the fact my driving ability in the car is far superior to that of a grocery cart.

I'm sure our insurance agent would agree. Eek!

Need a dog?

Anyone need a dog? We need to find a new home for our dog, Kate.

This has been a tough decision. Kate is really good with most kids. Except Ryan. They have a very big love hate relationship. They play and are the best of friends, and then our boy gets rough. Very rough. I'm not sure if it's some of his sensory issues or what. Kate has now snapped at him 3 times now, each increasingly worse in outcome, and I'm not really comfortable with taking our chances on when this might happen again. To Kate's credit--he's "deserved" ever one of these.

In full disclosure, I need to say that she has separation anxiety disorder...meaning when we leave, she must be caged or she eat about anything she can get her mouth on...books, CDs, baseball card collections, toys, etc. She also is on Propalin for urinary incontinence. Kate is 6 years old.

Despite Ry's relationship with her, I would feel totally comfortable in saying she's a good dog with kids. She puts up with a lot of child "abuse". She loves walks and playing ball. She loves other dogs.

Anyone want to "foster parent" her for a week or so and see if she'd be a good fit for your home?

She comes with food, leashes, a cage, Propalin, food bowls...

Any takers?

Dear Toy Magazine Marketing Department

Dear Fisher Price, Constructive Playthings, Land of Nod, etc.

My children are LOVING finding your catalogs in our mailbox each afternoon. And while I love the fact that them looking through them has provided literally hours of activity for them, I would appreciate if you wouldn't mind sending two of each. You see, I have two children, and when we only get one magazine, and each wants to cut out photos to show Santa, well...let's just say I've become quite an experienced referee this past week...

Baby Jesus loves Halloween

Ryan: Mommy, was Jesus cold?

Me: You mean when he was born?

Ryan: Yeah.

Me: Well, I am sure his Momma wrapped him up in blankets. And remember, she put him in the hay?

Julia: Yeah. And Jesus he loves Halloween. It is his birthday!

Darbies

Dinner time convo:

Ry: Julia, when I was at shopping, I saw a darbie store.

Jeff: What is a darbie store?

Ry: Yeah, it was this store where girls go to buy darbies.

Julia: Ohhh! Pink darbies?

Ry: No, they just had, um, purple ones I think.

Julia: Ohhhhh!

Cookies and Congrats!

I LOVE when our friends have babies....what a fun blessing, plus a great reason for us to make some yummy goodies to deliver!

Congrats to Nate, Kellie and Emma!

We can't wait to meet Brady!

When you are a mom...

...it's totally normal to find these things in your purse, right?

Zoo

We decided to once again take advantage of this unseasonably beautiful weather and headed to Forest Park to relax and visit the zoo. Our little dancers had a blast showing us their new moves.

The tired dancers give Daddy some lovin'.

Ry took this pic of us...you can see him in our glasses reflection.

Anteaters.

Transportation Museum

Today was one of those days where we did something uber fun...but it didn't necessarily seem so fun. Do you ever have those days? Where it is fun, but still..um, lots of work??! Krista and I decided to bring the kids to the Transportation Museum.
Try bringing 4 kids 4 years and under out. Getting them ready. Loading them in the car. Thinking you know where you are going. And then you realize your GPS doesn't realize highway 40 is closed. And you put in a DVD just to get the kids to be quiet. Because you have already lost your temper and screamed at them. Twice. And then we finally made it. It was fun. And probably worth all the stress involved with just getting there. But for sure not the "vacation" this stay-at-home-mom gig seems to be!!!

Ryan climbs aboard!

The havoc wreckers themselves...

My little diva demanded on wearing these Mr. T/Mardi Gras style beads today. And, you know, I was picking my battles this morning!!!

Sigh, she is so cute and carefree!

I love how small Ry looks compared to this big engine!

Thanks God, for blessing us with these babies..even on the days when things seem very tough!