Thanksgiving and the Nutcracker

Grandpa and Grandma Harper

The kids with Aunt Stephanie and Aunt Karyn backstage after the Nutcracker

Thanksgiving is a hard holiday for me. It is only a few weeks away from Christmas so for the past few years we have just stayed in Las Vegas and celebrated with our little family. We always enjoy our time together, but part of me misses the extended family get-togethers. This year, at the last minutes, we decided to load up in the van on Thanksgiving morning and made it to Logan right in time for Thanksgiving dinner with the Harris side. We ate breakfast and lunch in the car and only stopped for a quick potty break. Grandma and Grandpa Harper were there too so it was nice to visit with them. The food was delicious and, even though many of the siblings and their families were missing, we still had a great time. Aaron's sisters are really great ballet dancers and are in the Nutcracker every year. The kids really enjoyed getting to see their performance and seeing their costumes and make-up up close back stage after the show.

Thanksgiving Moon Feast!

Grandma Moon dishing up the pie
Aunt Milisa stealing some pie

Demarie with her cousin Alyssa

Aaron and Jake playing basketball

Aunt Susie doing the craft

Uncle Lance, Brody, Tean, and Uncle Rett playing games

Preslyn, cousin Brynna, and Broyden

During our trip to Utah, we had a big Thanksgiving dinner with the Moon side as well. We usually have to reserve the church building so we can have room for everyone, plus the guys like to play in-door soccer and basketball too. The food was delicious and Milin brought a really cute craft. The kids had a blast with their cousins. It was nice to have Grandma and Grandpa Moon home for the holiday.

Aaron still has his hops!

Aaron came home from basketball the other day and was pretty excited to see that he still has his hops! Not too shabby for a 32-year old white man!!!

Hiking the Tunnels

Preslyn walking with my friend Missy and her daughter Riley
Aaron lagging behind with Casey Hulet

Demarie recording what she sees with her notebook

Preslyn waiting for Mommy to go through the tunnel

Me and Aaron

For Veteran's Day, we went with the Mecham and Hulet families to hike the tunnels out by Lake Mead. It was a fun hike. The tunnels were really neat and we got some good exercise! Maybe this will become a yearly tradition. Afterwards, we drove out to see the new bridge by Hoover Dam. It is pretty amazing! Hopefully next time we can snap some pics of that masterpiece!

ASHA Conference

I have been a practicing speech language pathologist for over 10 years now and have never went to the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention. This year it was held in San Diego. My friend Heather that I used to work with at NEIS moved to Florida a few years ago and called to see if I would like to go with her. I didn't think it would happen, but in November, I found myself on a plane headed to San Diego with another SLP, Kim. The three of us got a hotel room and had a great time! It was fun to be at the Conference and learn in that environment. I missed my kids, but I think they had a great time with Daddy.

Bikes! Bikes! Bikes!

Look!!! No training wheels!!!
Preslyn riding her new birthday bike...so brave!!!

Broyden wheelin' it up on his pink and purple tricycle (thanks to the hand-me-down from his sisters!)

Love these kids and all their individual accomplishments!

November 11th was a miraculous day in the Harris family! I didn't know I would get so emotional watching Demarie riding a bike all by herself, but I found myself trying so hard to hold back tears of excitement. We have been working with Demarie for awhile to ride her bike all by herself, but to no avail. Something just kept holding her back. She has been SO CLOSE for a long time! Well, on Saturday morning, Demarie's school had a Walk-and-Run morning activity. As part of the events, kids could bring their bikes and learn how to cross the street safely with their bike and participate in a bike rodeo. Demarie did not want to bring her bike and refused to ride another bike that a lady offered to her because it had training wheels. She promised me that she would try to ride her bike at home later that day. So, I made sure to hold her to her word! Later that afternoon, we all went outside and once again Demarie attempted to ride her bike. First, Aaron held onto her seat for a few rounds up and down the street. Then he told me it was my turn. I could tell she was ready, but I just couldn't get myself to let go. After a few rounds, I told Aaron that it was his turn and that she was so close. He put his hand behind Demarie's bike and told her that he was holding on. I turned around and started walking to the sidewalk and when I turned to watch Demarie I almost died!!! She was 10 feet away from Aaron... riding ALL BY HERSELF!!! I couldn't believe it. It was so exciting! I could tell Demarie was so excited and proud of herself too. She could not stop grinning from ear to ear! During the summer when we were staying with Uncle Daren and Aunt Cathy, we had tried to teach her to ride her bike with her cousins. Aunt Cathy had told Demarie that she would buy her a shake if she rode her bike all by herself. So, to celebrate, Aaron took Demarie to Dairy Queen to get her own Blizzard... she chose M&M. She was very excited to call Aunt Cathy and tell her the exciting news!

Preslyn also got a new bike for her birthday. It is absolutely darling and she loves it, but was scared to death to ride it. The first few attempts, she would scream her head off! Slowly but surely, Preslyn overcame her fears and is able to ride her bike all by herself (with training wheels, of course). It is so fun to see her riding around like a big girl!

And then there is Broyden...daredevil, no fear, 100% boy! Happy as can be pedaling around on his hand-me-down pink and purple tricycle with his blue helmet that is three times his size! We love to go in the front yard now and ride our bikes up and down the cul de sac. On Saturdays, we load the bikes up in the van so the kids can ride around on the tennis courts while we hit the ball back and forth. Good times!

Dance and Gymnastics

Demarie has been taking gymnastics at the Rec center. When she first started, she could hardly even stand on the balance beam. It was a great accomplishment for her the other day when she walked across the tall balance beam! I'm so proud of her! She's come a long way. Go Demarie!

Preslyn has been taking gymnastics, but the teacher made her cross the tall balance beam all by herself and scared her to death! So, she requested to take dance instead:) This the dance routine they have been working on this session. She really enjoyed it, except for the circle part.