January 2015 recap

It's been a busy month. Here's a recap of January.

Jan. 3, 2015 

Family Trip to the Wild Animal Park 

Jan. 13, 2015

Park Day 

Jan. 15, 2015

The Hair Cut 

Jan. 17-19, 2015

Painting Weekend

(more pictures to come)

Our Walls Before 

Our Walls after 

Jan. 25th 

Liz's Bridal Shower

DIY pillow case

I was feeling up to a quick nap time project this afternoon. About eight years ago, my Mom designed handkerchiefs for our church's horse summer camp program. She wanted to give the kids something to take home to remind them of camp. Between the mountain trails, cleaning out stalls and arena riding, horse camp can be a dusty place. 

I've held on to these handkerchiefs for a long time and finally decided that they would make the perfect gift for a horse crazy camp friend. I used materials that I had on hand, and I'm pleased with the results. The handkerchiefs make perfect throw pillows (and serve a better purpose than just sitting around in my fabric box). 

Liz is getting married

About five months ago one of my oldest, dearest and best of friends called to share the news of her engagement. I couldn't have been happier for her. Liz and I first met in college. As education majors, we shared many of the same classes. Unfortunately, although we did share many of the same classes we actually didn't start to get to know each other until the beginning of junior year. I don't remember what or who got us talking, but I'm happy that it happened. 

With the wedding in less than a month, I can't wait to watch her marry the love of her life. I've been so blessed by Liz's friendship and I am honored that she chose me to stand up with her on her special day. 

This weekend kicked off the wedding festivities with a lovely bridal shower luncheon. The love and detail that went into planning this shower was beautiful. I loved the cake pops and bra/panties cookies. The food was delicious and the games were fun. A fantastic shower for a fantastic bride. 

Merry Christmas

Harrison Family Christmas 2014

disneyland with Lucas

Once upon a time there lived two college students who spent their hard earned money on Disneyland passes for three years in a row. Throughout the school year, Richard and I would go to Disneyland about once or twice a month (sometimes more). It was the perfect date night for us...to broke to actually go out for dinner and or a movie...but with our passes it gave us the freedom of enjoying Disneyland and California Adventure.  

This Christmas season, with the help of two cast members, our family was able to go to Disneyland and California Adventure. With the price of tickets I'm eternally grateful for Dada's Disneyland cast member connection. The cost for entering the gates of the happiest place on earth is a steep one. I can't image purchasing annual passes now.

Going to Disneyland with a toddler was a new experience for me. The days leading up to our trip I had nightmares about loosing him in the park. I purposely dressed Lucas in orange. Dadi wanted him to wear a Mickey Mouse shirt, but I vetoed that idea. I could just imagine trying to describe my lost child to an employee....two year old, about 30 something inches... wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt.

Yeah, I just describes everyone's kid.

In addition to loosing my child, I was curious about how he would react to the rides. He doesn't like loud noses or fast movements.

Winnie the Pooh, Small World, Mickey's Fun Wheel and Buzz Light Year were a big hit.

We stayed until World of Color. Lucas slept through the entire show. After the show everyone else went on big kid rides while sleeping Lucas and I went shopped. Great day, makes me miss having an annual pass. 

handmade holidays

Homemade ornaments add a personal touch to any Christmas tree. This year my Mom and I teamed up together along with the boys to paint these cute wooden cars, trucks and trains. The boys each painted about one ornament before deciding to go outside and play construction site. After the boys finished Mom and I worked on the rest of the ornaments. It was fun painting the details on little cars, trucks and trains. 

Lucas wanted to paint Lightening McQueen. I think he nailed it. 

These silly boys had a blast painting their ornaments and my table. To prevent the table from being damaged I used butcher paper and secured it with painter's tape. This kept the paint from leaking through and my table stayed clean. 

I love how everything turned out. My tree has five new adorable ornaments and I have new memories to enjoy.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.

I hope everyone is stuffed to the max. I know I am.

With one Sunday wedding dinner, two thanksgiving dinners, and one dinner and lunch to celebrate my husband passing the bar exam I'm ready to hibernate and not see another plate of food until Spring.

I have so much to be thankful this year. It is easy for me to get caught up in my own world that I forget to be thankful for the blessing that I do have. My husband is a newly minted attorney, my family is growing, and we have a safe and happy home.

Psalm 100

Enter his gates with thankgiving

and his courts with praise;

giving thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.