2009 in Review

Looking back at the 2009 year the following stands out:

• Tate survived his first year alive and we survived having a little boy in the family.
• Tate crawling and taking his 1st steps
• McKenna graduated from Preschool and started Kindergarten
• McKenna and Tyler learned the ABC song
• Tyler singing and reading out loud to herself to fall asleep
• Camping at the beach over the 4th of July (Tyler becoming one with the sand)
• Visits from Family including Both Grandparents a few aunts and an uncle and some friends
• Remodel, Remodel, Remodel-Painting our house green, building a new deck and a playhouse with a swingset and slide
• Christmas lights on our house
• Sporadic big surprise trip to Utah for Christmas-Snow (Sledding, snow mountains and snow angels)
• Mastering the car trip with young kids (Travel to Utah, ID, WY)
• 2 Sisters/Aunts getting married-2 trips to Utah (one by plane one by car)!

So much more happened but my memory continues to get smaller and smaller-that's what blogging/journaling is for right? To keep a Record.

Will You Play with Me?

Before leaving Utah the Girls, I mean kids and I took a trip down to our cousin's house-The Stephany's: Uncle Gregg, Aunt Shelly and cousins Maddie and Keira. It was all too brief, but we were able to go sledding, had lunch and played toys. It was such a fun trip, but the thing that sticks out the most was after lunch Tyler wanted someone to play with and her beloved and dear cousin Keira who is only a few weeks older than her walked up to her and said, "i'll play with you." Tyler squatted down with her hands on her face and excited said, "You will? Yeah!" Then the two girls ran off to the playroom. 5 minutes later I looked into the all to quiet playroom and found 5 children happily playing including Tyler and Keirra who were playing a toy together so content and happy. My heart melted with joy-There are not too many little girls up here her age and so it was a joyful moment for us both.

PS-the whole drive to Utah all Tyler could talk about was giving "her Keira" (and Grandparents) a BIG HUG! She really does love this girl!

Utah by Storm

The entire drive to Utah the girls asked over and over again if there was snow at Grandma & Papa's house. We assured them there was and there WAS-in fact it was a white Christmas where the girls couldn't get out of the house soon enough. All dressed in their snow gear they made their way out to the backyard with their cousins and their Grandpa and went sledding, built a snow mountain and swung, all in the snow.

There were a couple of storms while we were there and the snow just kept falling. We couldn't have been more thrilled. After a bout with the Stomach Flu that ran through everyone...except me-knock on wood we made our way out into the snow with our Aunt Brooke to go see the local farm animals: about 8 sheep, some ducks and a donkey with a weird butt. We did Snow angels on the way home and even did a couple of snow runs.

It wasn't until the day before we left that the girls were able to make their snowman. The snow was finally perfect, and who better to make it with than your Dad and your Papa.

Merry Christmas 2009

Looking back at December it went by in a whirl. I couldn't believe how quickly Christmas was upon us. It was the year for the gathering of the Harris' and circumstances being what they were we had decided to stay in Washington for Christmas. As with everything things change and with only a week before Christmas John and I decided to pack up the van and surprise my family. (I told McKenna 2 days earlier, and she almost blew our cover while talking to Grandma Harris. We then explained to her that it was a big surprise and she was good to not mention it to them again.)

John was off work by 11 am Christmas Eve and as hoped we were on the road by noon. My house was still a little, ok rather messy but we were on the road on time.

The girls were thrilled to be going to Utah. As we crossed each border John would ask, "who wants to go to Utah?" and they would throw their arms in the air and yell, "ME!" Tate did incredibly well with only a breakdown once about Hermiston when he'd messed his pants and had been sitting in it too long.

Traveling on Christmas Eve is a great time as there isn't any traffic, and the roads were clear. We pulled into Kaysville a quarter after one in the morning. We stopped only for gas in Boise and Le Grande where we played in McDonaldland for about 45 minutes. Tyler's legs ached around 11 pm-but after sitting in the car for that long it's understandable. Norm, Amber's Husband was the only one who knew we were coming as he so graciously allowed us to stay at their home for a couple of days since my parents home was filled. He shamefully admitted to telling Amber a day or 2 earlier, but how would you keep that from your wife, getting rooms ready for a family of 3 kids.

Christmas morning we woke up and made our way to the Grandparent's around 8 am. Norm and Amber went in first and then we made our way our way in sending the girls in first. As we walked in their was confusion on everyone's faces and my father just stared in disbelief, jaw dropped. It was a wonderful surprise for all of us-wonderful to be with my whole family. Sadly my mother was sick and in bed, but we were happy for a small recovery later that morning. The kids were thrilled by the gifts they were given, spoiled by all of their favorite things including books, pajamas, movies, jewelry, and art supplies-and Santa came through with McKenna's Strawberry Shortcake doll set and Dora (snow princess and twins) Dolly for Tyler (although she had changed her mind a week earlier and was hoping for Princesses...but Santa just can't know and change an order that quickly).

Good job on the puzzle girls

Cousins-almost 3 yrs old

Tate's 1st Sledding Experience

SnowAngel

our own personal Rudolf

That afternoon we went to Grandma Odessa Harris' house for family gathering, food and games where we scored a copy of the Italian Job.

It was a WONDERFUL day full of family, presents, food and more family. Who could ask for anything more...other than a nap for one and all.

The trip home-great time to open the stockings

Gingerbread Houses

It's a Payne Tradition to make Gingerbread Houses at Christmas time, stemming back to when John was a little boy. He was telling me that every year his mom would buy Graham crackers, make frosting and then there were bowls and bowls of candy for decorating. We just used the the kit but we still had a great time. Dad was a great orchestrator!

Cupcakes

Cupcakes I know have become a big thing right now, and I've kind of latched onto the hype. It has become a desired hobby for me. A desire because I'd like to learn to make really yummy and exotic or different flavored cupcakes that make people happy. I'm not a great baker or cook...yet, but I'm practicing and it's fun for me. Our primary president, a friend of mine knowing this asked me to make cupcakes for our teachers for Christmas.

Saturday morning I had some friends over to help. We made Vanilla Christmas Ornament cupcakes from the book, "Hello Cupcake". BH&G Chocolate Cupcake with a Kick (Chipotle Pepper) and Gingerbread cupcakes with a cream cheese cinnamon frosting.

I am actually very happy with the results of our labors. Thanks girls for the help!

Santa Comes to Town

Santa is a HOT topic around our house this year. It's been a lot of fun as the girls remember last year and they kind of know what is coming up. The girls have been very aware of Good and Bad decisions, particularly Tyler who has been making a conscious effort to make good decisions. She can often be talked out of bad behavior by asking her if she's making a good or bad decision.

We went to a Christmas Party at the Colin's on Saturday night where Santa dropped in to say HI and give a gift to the kids. On our way there a song came on the radio with bells playing in the background and the girls brought it to our attention that they could hear Santa's bells. When Santa did arrive although McKenna was excited she was still quite apprehensive and quickly hid. Tyler on the hand was so excited she stood as close to Santa as we'd let her hopping from one foot to the other dancing while she waited for her name to be called out

Tate was sabotaged-he was in the kitchen with his father when his name was called. Without even thinking about it we wisked him over and when he got a good view of Santa he death gripped his Dad and started bawling.

McKenna did finally come out of hiding to watch the festivities and when she saw Tyler's gift from Santa her fear vanished and she was more than willing to go sit on Santa's lap.

It was a really fun night for all. Thank you Colin Family for inviting us all into your home!

Conversations with McKenna

While eating lunch McKenna proceeded to tell me what she wanted to do when she grew up:
*Hold Tater Tot
*Do My Own Hair (I dream of that too)
*Make food
*Have a Big Kid Bed-a Flower One
*Wrap presents by myself
*Help Tyler with the Computer

It's Not IF but WHEN

Last week Tate began "walking". He took his first steps on Thursday trying to get to his sister McKenna who was oblivious to the momentous moment that it was to me. He cruises along furniture and people quite easily and has gotten up the courage to take things to the next step. Never consistently enough to capture on film, but pretty big deal to me none-the-less.

Yesterday the inevitable happened...not a proud moment at our home, but all's well that ends well right. With that said Tate took a spill yesterday after church. He LOVES climbing the stairs and we do have the baby gate up at the bottom consistently but will let him climb them as long as someone is walking behind him in case of an accident. You can see where this is going can't you. Well a few months ago he fell down the top 2 stairs before I caught him, he's been really cautious around them since until last week. Apparently there's been a lap in memory as he's been brave enough to stand at the top. Yesterday he found himself unsupervised and fell down the whole flight of stairs. After checking him over we decided he's made of rubber because after 3 minutes of crying and a lil time with his binki his smile found his face again and he wanted to climb the stairs again. Go figure! When it comes to my kids, it's not IF, but WHEN they are going to fall down the stairs, or off the bed. With that said, all's well that ends well, although I'm still trying to be extra cautious and not throw caution to the wind.

New Moon, Christmas Rush and other things

A few friends (Leslie & Ady) and I went to see New Moon. Good flick, I give it a B+. In honor of the movie we decorated a few cupcakes for fun. The girls (McKenna & Tyler) loved eating them.

Last week Ady talked me and Rocio into running Kent's annual Christmas Rush 5K. I missed the race last year since Tate was born only a few weeks earlier but apparently the race got a lot bigger. There were a lot of people there and it was FREEZING! Although.

Happy and Ready to go...before the race.

I'm quite pleased with our race results. I ran the 5k in 30:45 minutes. Rocio was 5th in our division and I was 8th. Not too shabby with 65 people in the category. :)

Tyler

Everyday Tyler does things I want to write about, but never seem to get around doing so I thought I'd take a minute to do so. She's at a great age 2 going on what it seems like 5 sometimes. She's a bright little girls who LOVES to:

• Dance
• Sing (anything she can think of) Lately it is the chant from Dragon Tales-which she has only seen a couple of times in the last couple of months ("I wish, I wish with all my heart to fly with dragons to the land of heart") as well as myriad of Barbie songs (mostly Princess and the Pauper & Diamon Castle), and lots of Primary songs (I am a child of god, Snowman, Spring?, The Family is of God).
• Dress up (mostly as snow white)
• Paint & color
• Putting puzzles together (Growing collection to which she does by herself)
• Homework (usually a copy of McKenna's homework)
• Everything "By Myself" which is said, "I want to do it"
• Making people happy (especially her Mom, she is always asking me if I'm happy)
• Making Tate Laugh
• Give hugs and kisses and tell you she loves you
• Reading books (after we've said goodnight, until she falls asleep)
• Play computer games (color My little pony)
• Saying "that's cool", "that's you Daddy"
• Playing pretend with McKenna
• Playing with her Princess Dolls
• Playing "can't catch me" with her Dad (so he can chase her until she can't stop laughing.
• Learning her ABC's ("T is for Tyler and M is for McKenna") She tells me that T is not for Tate, just Tyler.
• she loves wearing skirts (Has worn pants once in the past month when her dad took her outside to work in the yard)
• Hates getting her hair combed & washing her hands

I sure do love this little girls who is usually my ray of sunshine!

She's a doll who hates getting her picture taken.

Tate's 1 Year Doctor appointment

Tate had his 1 year dr's appointment today. Took him and Tyler while McKenna was in school. I wasn't surprised to walk in and see the receptionist with a face mask on her face, I was surprised to find the lobby/waiting room completely empty of patients. Seems to me to be a good sign of avoiding any floating germs, although we did use plenty of hand sanitizer while we were there.

Tate was a champ through the whole appointment-He had a male nurse who played with him. Tate loved the attention and rewarded the nurse appropriately. Tate's stats: 31 .5 inches long and 18.4 lbs. Under 20 pounds, does that mean I have to return him to the faceback position in the car? I can tell you right now neither of us is going to be happy about that, me not being happy because he lets me know how much he HATES not seeing forward. While waiting for the dr to visit Tate familiarized himself with the room-he bee-lined it as fast as he could when he saw drawers. Luckily I was faster than him.

Tate was even friendly with Dr. Grubb who played with his legs to make sure all was well with his hips. Dr. Grubb also let him play with his little hammer looking light-which is pry why Tate liked him: It's all about the Tools. We chatted about immunizations and the flu shots and after an extended conversation it was decided to hold off on a few immunizations and trade them for the flu-reg & H1N1 and catch up on the rest in 6-12 months.

Tyler who was nervous about going to the Dr's for Tate's appointment, so nervous that she asked to go to a friend's house (one of my friend's house) to be watched. I reassured her that this was for Tate and she just had to watch and politely say Hi and if Tate got nervous she could help make him happy. She was a great cheerleader! Even stepping in during the hip exam to make Tate smile. But when Dr. Grubb suggested she get the shot too....Poor Tyler.

Tyler did really well, there were tears from both her and Tate for the actual poking but when it was done, so were they back to their happy little selves. I'm actually still surprised how well things went with the whole experience. I'm so used to crying kids after shots and well this afternoon has been like any other. I'm a lucky Mom today!

Oh Christmas Tree

Time for the annual "cut down our christmas tree "event. Tate's first year. Not sure he cared too much for the experience-had to wear a hat, gloves, and it was really cold. The girls LOVED it, running wild through a bunch of trees calling out to each other, and then there was cutting down the tree itself. We actually took the first tree we liked, 20 feet in, we did circle around a bit to see if there was anything else but we came back and claimed her as our own.

First you smell the trees

It was a Group Effort