It really can happen...

So Chris and I finally got away for a few days just by ourselves to Laguna Beach!!  A couple pics as proof below...

Laguna Beach tidepools...

It wasn't quite swimsuit weather yet, but I did manage to lounge by the beach and read anyways.

We got together with our good friends the Everys.  Sarah and I have been BFFs since kindergarden!

We decided to go to California Adventure one of the evenings!  Like quick-fast running through the park evening.  This is Chris in front of the Ferris Wheel that was our one regret, I get motion sickness and we went on the basket that rocks back and forth A LOT.  Ya, I'm a total wimp, ever since...well, long story.

This is us on the Hotel of Terror ride, can you see me gripping on to Chris for dear life.  I screamed like a "girl" the whole time.

It was awesome, special thanks to Amy and Dane for taking the boys while we were gone.  You guys rock!

Dad's Office

Harrison is obsessed with two things lately:  Legos and Dad's office.  So, it's only natural that he would combine the two.  Today, he was busy building Dad's office and this is what he came up with, very proud of it too.

Carter of course wanted to put "Dad's office" in his mouth.  The scene was not pretty, I had to intervene for the safety and sanity of both parties involved.  

Swine Flu or something like that...

This is me after a night and a day or fever, chills, vomiting and finally rest.  There's a reason you're only seeing my eyes, it just gets worse from there.  Pretty sure the swine flu (okay, I'm being dramatic) hit the Thomas house this weekend.  If by chance I passed it on to you, I AM SO SORRY!

PS - Harrison and Carter are doing fine, we've had better days, but we're hanging in there...

Easter

Easter was sooo fun!  I have a few pictures, but of course their not ready.  But, Harrison loved it and had a great time, 2 Easter egg hunts, basket in the morning, cute church outfit (his first tie, he was totally excited about) chocolate supply for awhile, and nice family dinner at the end.

We also had a great little FHE tonight to review the true meaning of Easter.  Here's how it went:

We had a paper cutout of Jesus' Tomb, with a rock cutout and a Jesus cutout and I was trying to show him what happened on Easter.  We went through the story and I felt like, whew, I think he kinda getting it.  He would move the rock away from the tomb and bring Jesus up through the tomb door and say, "Yay!"  I told him that's what Easter was all about.  You know, not bad for a 3 year-old.  He was a little confused and asked at one point, "Where's the Easter Bunny?"  Well, maybe we're not quite clear, but we're working on it.

For me, I have moved on from the Easter Bunny, and truly feel blessed to understand more fully what it's all about.  I loved the General Conference talk by Elder Holland, here is part of his Easter message.  His words about Christ were beautiful and inspired...

Happy Birthday!

Harrison's birthday - He's 3 and so big now.  He loved having his own birthday and all the attention that went with it.  The highlights were bowling with the family, Harrison wanting to give his presents to everyone else, the German Chocolate loveliness of a cake, having Oma come out especially for Harrison and just a celebration of Harrison and the special boy that he is.  I could just tell he loved every minute of the day and all the little surprises that came with it.  I am blessed to have a family that loves my child and supports Chris and I in all our efforts...thank you!

"I'm supposed to blow out the candles and I practiced and practiced, but when it came time I got scared and had to have Mom help."  

Love the cake!

Yes, that's a Ute soccer ball, given to him by his Oma.  I can't really say anything about that, I was just excited that she travelled all the way out for the birthday. ;)

Look how pleased he looks!

What to blog about?

So many things to blog about, Harrison's birthday, trip to So. Utah, General Conference weekend, or the my husband's reaction to the end of March Madness. I'll go with the last one, I'm sitting on the couch with him, and the "One Shining Moment" song comes on at the end the game with a video montage. Here's how it goes:

Me: What's this song? It's totally cheesy.
Chris: "One Shining Moment"
Me: Is this like a traditional song? It sounds really old and very "adult contemporary."
Chris: Shhh. Yes. (Turns up the volume.)
Me: Interesting, it's pretty "corny" if you ask me.
Chris: Sniffle. Sniffle.

Maybe I can blog about the more important things soon.

Clearing the air

Since I can't get onto the "Moon Lighting" blog, because my husband is the ONLY one that wrote on it, I thought I would try and clear the air on my own blog.   

1) Anything written on that blog was pretty much false, if in doubt, don't believe it.  Chris was just having a grand old time making things up and Amy did not get botox, or gamble, or ditch church or any of the other silly little things Chris dreamed up.

2) If you do gamble, get botox, watch rated-R movied, ditch church occasionally.  PLEASE do not be offended, by my husband's humor.  

3) Amy, thanks for being a good sport.  I'm sure you're wondering how on earth you got mixed up with the Thomas family.

4) Brian Wright is in no way associated with the doings of the "Moon Lighting" blog.  Poor guy just lives in close proximity and has been involved in other pranks.  My guess is Chris was trying to throw a curve ball and stir the pot a little more and add to the confusion.  

5) My involvement was minimal, as it usually is, I was:

a. Sworn to secrecy

b. Guilty of a few giggles

c.  Guilty of occasionally letting him make comments under my name

I think that covers it...for now.

Go Utes! and cougars?

I'm disappointed, Harrison is a Ute fan, it's official.  At the ripe old age of 3, he's completely immersed in the wonderful world of sports and Chris insists he has nothing to do with his affinity for the U and tries to remain neutral.  Like a three year old can really decide all of this on his own.  Sigh, how does a BYU alum that not a big sports fan try to make up for the fact that Harrison has already been or watched on TV numerous sporting events for the U?  I make things up...

Here's the scene, Harrison and I are outside swinging and chatting a couple of weeks ago.  Our neighbors come outside in blue T-shirts.  Now, these T-shirts were not Cougar shirts, they just happened to be a nice "Cougar blue." It's so rare to see anything or anyone in a Cougar blue around here that I seize the opportunity.  

I say to Harrison, "Joni likes the Cougars..." 

Harrison looked over and pauses as he takes in the scene, finally he agrees, "Joni likes the Cougars."

I lead a little further, "Joni likes the cougars, does Harrison like the cougars too?

Looks at me, no hesitation, "No, Harrison likes Utah." 

I later relay the story to Chris as evidence that my child is being unfairly persuaded.  Chris, of course, not very sympathetic only remarks, "Does Joni know she likes the cougars?"  Okay, maybe I took unfair advantage of our good neighbor, but desperate times call for desperate measures.  

Harrison has asked for a chocolate football and soccer cake for his little family birthday party and oh ya, he wants a U on it.  Where does he come up with this stuff?  I ordered it today,  I filled all of his requests, but I did ask them to put a small Y on it somewhere.  I'm not giving in just yet, I have a little bit of Cougar Pride left in me.  Didn't have much while I actually attended the Y, but this feels personal.  Can you blame me?

Ah, cute...

We've had a pretty good day, hanging out around the house.  Grandpa came over to help me with a little project, he's my very own handy man and I don't know what I'd do without him.  Well, while he worked away I tried to keep the boys entertained or should I say it was the other way around.  Soon enough Harrison's favorite blankets came out and it was time to "tuck, tuck" everyone in for a pretend nap.  A favorite past time...

Harrison tucked in...

Carter tucked in, this is his FAVORITE blanket...I wish it was cuter.  Mental note, if you consistently just use "any old blanket" laying around, your little one may pick it as their best friend.  So much for an heirloom quality hand-me-down on this one.

And yes, the cat.  

Harrison decided that our cat, "Grey Kitty," needed to take a nap.  So, he tucked him in with his blankets and baby bear and bless that cat's heart, he put up with it.  I was amazed, I knew Grey was a pretty good cat, but now I'm convinced he was meant for our little family.  Thanks for being a good sport Grey, extra cat food for you (light cat food that is...).

 

Peek-a-boo

So today was a springlike day.  Yes, awesome, spring is on it's way.  Harrison and I put on our shoes and roamed around the outside of the house for most of the morning.  Anything to just be outside.  It went something like this:

Harrison: Peeks outside the front door and runs out...

Mom: Watching Harrison, but still inside with Carter.

Harrison:  Rings the front door bell.

Mom:  Opens door, "Yes Harrison?"

Harrison: "Trick or Treat!"

Mom:  "No Harrison, it's Springtime, not Halloween, silly..."

Harrison:  Runs off around the yard, doing whatever boys do in yards...

Repeat like 10 times.

Another scenario:

Harrison sitting on the front door stoop

Mom:  "Harrison, what are you doing?

Harrison:  "Wind blowing leaves, Mom.  Sit, Mom?"

Mom and Carter sit down on stoop with Harrison, sure enough, lots of leaves blowing down the street...pretty entertaining actually.

We did these kinds of little activities all morning long, kicking the ball around, up and down the tree house, swinging in the backyard.  We even went over to Fairmont Park and fed the ducks for a bit.  It was a fabulous intro to "Springtime with the Thomas Family."

One problem, I missed my Mom.  She would have loved a day like today.  Last spring it was still a common sight to see her running around our yard with Harrison.  She was great at swinging him "high, high," she loved to watch him in the tree house, she knew how to toss the ball just right for him to catch it.  I'm glad she had one spring with him to enjoy his boyishness, I'm glad he had her here for one spring to play with.  

Peek-a-boo Springtime.  Peek-a-boo Grief.

Sick Day

Today was lame, I was sick, Harrison is recovering and one step ahead of me.  So, Harrison and I have pretty much be convalescing around the house.  

On a happier note, Harrison has a new big boy bed.   He thinks it's the coolest thing ever.  When it was being set up he said, "Thanks Mom, it's Harrison's birthday."  No it's not his birthday, but you can see how cool he thinks it is.  While we've been sick it has actually been so nice.  I can now, climb into bed with him and read books and just hang out while we both cough and wipe our runny noses.  He's been adorable, very clingy to his Mom, in fact every sentence ends with Mom.  As if somehow, that lets me know how important I am to his get well process.  Well, it works, I melt every time.  

"Warm milk, Mom?"

"I need medicine, Mom.."

"You take a nap too, Mom?" 

and of course, the definitive statement while he snuggles up to watch Sesame Street for a little bit...

"My Mommy." 

Maybe being sick has some good parts...