Walla Walla

This past week Ben was sent to training meetings in Walla Walla for the entire week. So, the girls and I were left at home to have fun just ourselves. It was hard because we missed Daddy the very same day he left, but we tried to have some fun keeping the same routine so we could feel better. Taylor and McKay were very good. They went easy on me. I guess they knew it was two against one and wanted to give me a break. However, I have to say: "I do not know how single parents do it!"
By Thursday, we missed daddy very much that he invited us to come to Walla Walla that evening and spend the night with him in his hotel room. It is only a 50-minute drive to Walla Walla and it was only for one night that it was a piece of cake to pack the girls, put them in the car, and drive there.
I think this was the first time we spent the night in a hotel room with the girls. Luckily, Banner Bank had booked Ben in a suite, so we had more than enough room for everyone.
The girls were very happy to see Daddy and I think they enjoyed their one-night-stay in the hotel.

At night, the girls went to sleep with no problem. Unfortunately, McKay is teething and she woke up in the middle of the night. Silly me forgot to bring her drops, so she slept with us which wasn't very much fun because she could not stay still for more than five minutes (she moves around way too much when she sleeps and she would cry when we put her back in the portable crib). We took turns holding her, so we were lucky if we got four hours of sleep together that night. It was a bad night, but we enjoyed spending time with Ben. I felt bad that he had to go to work the next day being soooo tired, but he made it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCKAY!

Day Three of the Harris Girls' Birthday Celebration

Finally, today is McKay's first birthday! She is still our baby, but she is doing what she is supposed to be doing--growing up, and she is doing a good job. Since she had cake and opened her presents last night, we decided to have her do things and taste, for the first time, foods she was not supposed to eat until she turned, at least, a year old. So, she had whole eggs (whites and yolks) and bacon for breakfast, which she ate with no problem. We gave her a taste of peanut butter and a taste of honey and she liked them (big surprise). We also took her on a car ride using her facing forward car seat for the first time. It was about time because she had already outgrown her infant seat. At first, she acted like it was not big deal, but I think she enjoyed the ride. Even though we didn't do as much today, Taylor, McKay and I had lots of fun because we got to play with their new toys all day long. After three days of celebration, we needed this day to rest and it was still fun. We can't wait for next year!

Day Two of the Harris Girls' Birthday Celebration

And the fun continues the day after Taylor's birthday and the day before McKay's birthday by celebrating their birthdays with cake and presents. We had some friends over for dinner (Ben's co-workers) and after dinner, they helped us sing "Happy Birthday" while Taylor and McKay attempted to blow out the candles and make a birthday wish with the help of their daddy.
This is the first time that McKay has had cake and we believe she enjoyed it very much.

I got to admit that I am pretty proud of myself for the cake that I made for them. They are both in love with Mickey Mouse, so I decided to use him as my inspiration. It turned out pretty cute, I think.

After allowing our kids to swim in sugar, we bathed so they could open their presents. They got cool stuff such as a face-forward car seat for McKay, utensils and accesories for their kitchen, really cute outfits and toys. It was lots of fun for all of us present.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!

Day One of the Harris Girls' Birthday Celebrations

So, Taylor turned two today! Our little girl is growing up so fast. Today, we decided to do her favorite things. We started out her day with her favorite breakfast, pancakes (or what she calls them "panqueques"). After breakfast, Taylor, McKay and mommy got ready to go Storytime (we do this every Tuesday) at Barnes and Noble, where they read books, played with other kids, and got Taylor's favorite snack--cookies.

(Taylor going for the cookie)

(Taylor getting the cookie)

(Taylor eating the cookie)

We then headed to Toys "R" Us and Taylor was given a birthday crown, a birthday balloon, and a birthday gift card which we used to buy her a bubble maker machine (she looooves bubbles). Afterwards, we visited Daddy at work for lunch and did some shopping (mainly plant pots for the house since we already bought her birthday presents). When we got home, we all took a nap (and by "all" I mean Taylor and McKay) while mommy prepared Taylor's favorite dinner dish, pasta with red sauce. Then, daddy and uncle Tim took care of the girls the rest of the evening while mommy attended a Relief Society activity, but she got back on time to put her girls to bed. It was a long day of celebration, but it's not over yet. . . the celebration continues tomorrow.

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Conference Weekend

Ben and I agree that this past General Conference was really, really, really good. I am sure everybody missed seeing President Gordon B. Hinckley and listening to his witty comments. However, it was also a pleasure to be part of the sustaining of the new prophet and apostle of the church--President Thomas S. Monson and Elder D. Todd Christofferson. It was an uplifting experience and a confirmation of Heavenly Father's love and Priesthood to see and to know that we still have a prophet here on earth to guide us in these latter days.

We also enjoyed having Mom and Dad Harris in town for conference. We appreciate the time and effort they took to come spend the weekend with us, especially our girls. Thanks Mom and Dad! Tim spent most of the weekend with us, too. He came for a polygraph test--another step in the process of getting a job with the police department. We wish you good luck!

Nothing says better that it was a great conference than napping on each other!

It's a pigtail!

The wait is over. It finally happened! After almost two years of waiting, Taylor grew enough hair to have pigtails that actually look like cute pigtails! For someone who has had lots of hair since she was born (ME), I thought my girls would be the same, but they both proved me wrong. They take after their daddy. I do have to say that the one nice thing about them being bold is that I haven't worried much about their hair maintainance (you know, detangling hair, asking them to be still when combing hair, etc.). Anyway, we think she looks adorable!