Harris Family Reunion!

In June we headed up to Utah to spend an afternoon with Aaron's immediate family, Grandma and Grandpa Harper, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We haven't seen many of them in awhile so it was fun getting re-aquainted! We had lots of good food, played Frisbee football, and celebrated Grandpa Harper's birthday with presents and family games. I volunteered to take all the grandkids on a little hike in the mountains. They were all so excited until Josh, the oldest of the bunch announces, "I don't really like the mountains. There are cougars in the mountains and they jump out and eat little kids." So much for adventure! In place of the hike, they all returned to the lodge and gathered around Grandpa Harris as he shared his own cougar stories. It was good to see family again!

The Perks of Being a Teacher: Mesquite!

One of the perks of being a teacher for the Clark County School District is a free 2-night stay at the Oasis in Mesquite!!!! How lucky are we? We called ahead of time to see if there were any strings attached and the operator said, "No, it's free for teachers. Just make sure you visit our casino while you are here." We went with Steve and Rochelle Hendricks, a fellow teacher in the ward. We left the kids at the grandparents house and drove to Mesquite where we enjoyed two days of sparkling pools (until they announced a 'biohazard' and everyone had to clear the pool immediately), luxurious spa treatment (my first massage ever and I am now addicted), golf (Aaron and Steve enjoyed some male bonding time), go-carts (thanks Aaron for running me over), and the movie "Iron Man." Not to mention the all-you-can eat buffet (Aaron cleared me out of the hotel room for a good hour to dispose of the effects of our feast) and the king size bed where we didn't have to touch each other all night! It was nice to have a little getaway and we really had a good time!

Our Little Boo Boo!

I have never seen a baby like to play peek-a-boo more than Preslyn. Ever since she was 4 months old, she just loves to put her blanket over her head and pull it off. She does it so much that Aaron came up with the appropriate nick-name 'Boo Boo'. At first I hated it, but it fits her so well that it's kind of grown on me (as long as it's not over-used!). I will check on Preslyn during naps or at night and she will have her blanket piled on top of her face, with part of it in her mouth, sound asleep. She gets so excited when it is bedtime and we lay her in her crib--even when it is late and she should be tired and cranky. She is such a good baby and keeps us smiling and laughing!

Cute pics of my two sweethearts!

Preslyn mouthing one of her favorite toys. She always goes for the handle with the beads on it.

Demarie was up in her room having quiet time. A half hour later, this is how I found her--passed out in the middle of reading a book. She stayed in this position for a good hour and a half. Reminded me of when I find Aaron passed out on the couch with the remote in hand pointed toward the television, ready to change the channel, but not quite making it.

Just hanging out with each other in their princess chairs outside by their cottage. Demarie loves to make Preslyn laugh.

Demarie is learning how to listen so well in Primary. Her teachers, Brother and Sister Berkibel, tell me she is so reverent and always knows the right answers.

My big helper: Demarie loves to help me feed Preslyn. Luckily, Preslyn doesn't seem to mind the messy rice goatee. I think more cereal lands on her bib and chin than actually is swallowed. What would I do without my extra pair of hands?

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

In May we celebrated Grandpa Moon's birthday. We went to their house in Henderson and had a nice birthday dinner. We love Grandpa! Demarie especially loves that Grandpa is always so willing to sit and read books with her for hours on end. He probably has the Disney princess books memorized by now! Grandpa was the first one to get Preslyn to laugh. He is a very special person and always a good example to all of us.

ATTENTION: NEVER GO TO THE PICTURE PEOPLE!!!

I am the biggest sucker for the ads that come in the mail for free 8X10 prints. For Mother's Day, I finally talked Aaron into going to the Picture People to get a professional family photo taken--our first in the six years that we have been married. Afterall, I did have a coupon for a free 8X10 and 20% off additional prints. However, my first biggest mistake was scheduling the day before Mother's Day, when the only open appointment was at 8:00 pm on Saturday. The kids are usually passed out by that time, but I planned all day for the pictures and made sure they were rested and happy so we could get lots of good smiles. On the way to the mall (clear across town), a cop stopped traffic on the freeway, making us 5 minutes late. Only 5 minutes late!!!! Well, we check in and get the kids ready for their pictures. For an hour and a half, Preslyn was all smiles as we waited for our name to be called to get our pictures taken. Finally after they took a prom couple back to get their pictures taken that arrived 30 minutes after we did, I blew up. The worker informed us that since we were 'late' we had to wait for the next available opening!! Whatever! I was furious. When we FINALLY did get called back to the photo room, our photographer had absolutely NO idea what he was doing. He just stood there with the camera, staring at us. Somehow we got one HALF WAY decent picture of us. By this time, all the smiles and giggles from the kids were gone and I was so furious that I could hardly force out a smile myself. If you look closely you can see a tear in the corner of my eye. Someday I will learn my lesson with those stupid ads! With my luck, it will be another 6 years before Aaron will agree to get a family picture again!

Congratulations Master Daddy!

Aaron graduated in May with his Masters Degree in Mathematics from UNLV. He was one of only three graduates to obtain this hard-earned degree! We are so proud of him. Sometimes I feel really dumb when I talk to Aaron because he is such a brainiac. He was honored at a graduation dinner for receiving a financial award. Aaron and I attended the dinner together and it was nice to have that time alone to reflect on how blessed we have been since we came to Las Vegas three years ago. At that point, graduation seemed so far off. Demarie and Preslyn cheered loudly as Daddy walked across the stage. He didn't hear us very well since we were at the very top of the stadium. We had plently of room, however, since Preslyn cleared out the seats in front of us with her crying as she tried to take a nap in the noisy stadium. Congrats Daddy! We love you! Now I guess I can't force him to refer to me as 'Master Marlaina.'