Potty trained?!

I am not very good at updating my blog with current information so, being the stellar blogger that I am, here is a bit of exciting news that actually occurred several months ago.  Ok, it was April.  There have been set backs of course.  Some of which seem much more humorous now than they did at the time.
 

Most memorable setback... finding my daughter pooping behind the curtain in our kitchen.  It is her favorite place to hide.  Aaaah! 

Second place... driving four hours (actual drive on a good day=two hours) to get to Ogden to go camping.  We stopped at Arby's in Kaysville to change, and then the side of the road on a potty with curious onlookers at the mouth of the canyon.  And then, on the way home, at Burger King at the mouth of the canyon again to change.  We ended our trip with her in a diaper... that was dry when we arrived home.  Longest trip ever! 

Madelaine is now convinced that she is too big for her potty and needs to use the toilet (except of course to poop).  And don't try to help, or you will hear an emphatic, "I do it!"

Camping at Payson Lakes

Brandon, me, and Madelaine went on our first family trip together.  This summer's camping trips have not started out successfully, however they have ended up well.  We were planning on going up Morgan Canyon, then we saw the camp sites... concrete pads with metal roofs, swarming with mosquitoes from the lake.  We had a nice little drive and came home.  Then decided to go to Payson Lakes where we had a great time, luckily we made it there before all the Fourth of July celebrators arrived.  It was beautiful.  We walked around several lakes and found this great hike to a waterfall. 

    Madelaine loved walking on the bridges, and
    sticking her toes in the cold water. 

 

Coming January 2011...

Harrison #4. 

Some of you may have already had suspicions, well you are on to us!  We are so excited to be welcoming the newest member of our family sometime mid January.  Madelaine sings her favorite song (I Love to See the Temple) to the baby every night.

Beautiful Baby

I wanted to enter these photos into a contest, in hopes to win some scholarship money.  Unfortunately it didn't work out, but I thought I would share some of my favorites. 

February

Valentines Day is not just some romantic holiday for the old.  When darkness comes it brings a magical knocking at every door, and hurrying to see who it could possibly be.  However, when the door is opened no one is there.  Instead oversized valentines litter the doorstep.  Whoosh the north wind disappears... until next year.

Easter Traditions

I have always enjoyed coloring eggs at Easter; perhaps its the artist in me that makes this activity one I look forward to. Brandon introduced me to rolling eggs when I joined the Harrisons. This year Madelaine was old enough to participate in this fun, yet symbolic tradition. Holidays, for me, are about family: spending time, talking, cooking, traditions, and just being together. Thankfully it doesn't end with this life, because of our Savior and His resurrection we will be together throughout the eternities, what a great comfort to have this knowledge. Easter, what a fun inspiring time of year.

Madelaine is Walking

Madelaine, with the encouragement of Alli, finally took her first steps without assistance January 20. She was having a great time taking one or two steps, then falling down giggling.

I can't imagine what Madelaine was giggling about with Alli!?