ABCs

Harry's 12 Month PIctures

Harry had his 12 month pictures taken at JCPenney's the day before his birthday party.  We had a mommy and Harry day. Ellaree was at school and Lorelai was at Grama's. Then at 11 Grama went and got Ellaree from school.  So Harry and I had pretty much the whole day to hang out together.  Which was so much as this is a rarity for us.  He kept looking around and I think he was wondering where his sisters were at.  It was pretty cute.  I liked this idea so much that I will do this with each kid the day before their party.  Go get their picture taken, go out to eat and buy the supplies and food for the party.  This will make them feel very special all around. 

As Mr. Harry is usually a ham in front of the camera and is becoming quite the clown all around I did not think that getting his picture taken would be an big deal.  Boy was I wrong.  It took us 45 minutes to get some half smiles.  I tell you he made us work to get these pictures.

I love this one...he is so proud that he is holding these up. 

At 12 months I get a picture of the kids with their Lovey...in this case it is Mr. Lovey!

Yup that would be my leg.  So glad that was all she got of me but this is pretty much the best smile we got.  And if you look really close you can see that great runny nose!

And yes I had to buy this picture...this is what he does at home when his sisters are being too loud.  I thought it was just hilarious!

Oh my little man is growing up.

Utility/Storage Room

Yesterday even though we were very exhausted from Harry's birthday party we got a lot accomplished.  Harry built the shelves in the new utility/storage room, moved all the totes & junk from the old storage room - soon to be Lil Harry's bedroom and got it all organized.  It looks wonderful and I am happy to have organized shelves once again.  Here are some pictures of our progress.

We is how our basement was before we put up the wall.  Where the kids area and the utility room was all one big room.

Here is after we got the wall built.  The shelves are on the other side of this wall.

Here are the kids in the utility room-storage side.

We are ready for work to begin.  Do you see they all have their bibs on to help Dad.

Harry didn't wait for me to take a picture of the shelves before he started putting my totes in place.

Finshed product!  Looks pretty good for taking all day to build and move all the stuff over.

Picture of our storage room after the shelves came down.  This will eventually be Harry's room.

Harry's room after all the totes are removed and all the materials have been brought in.  Let the building begin. 

Harry's 1st Birthday Party

That is right, our Little Man has turned 1 and has had his first party! It was quite the bash as it was all decked out in John Deere tractors for decorations, green, yellow and brown colors for plates, beverages and food, and lots of family and friends (50 to be exact) to help celebrate!

Here is a great video of Harry demolishing the cake. 

 (If you get this by email you might have to visit the website to get it to play.)

Here are some other fun pictures from Mr. Harry's day...

Here is Harry's big cake that he shared with his guests

Harry's cake he demolished

I made bite size chocolates

Jell-O jigglers in the shapes of farm animals and barn...the kids loved these!

Daddy & Harry blowing the candle out

Do you see Bubba's shirt?  The tractor has his name on it.  I found it on Etsy.com and loved it!

Look at that smile...he was loving his day. 

Bead + Nose = Trouble

Last night we were going about our nightly routine.  Supper preparation, pick up toys and all that when Ellaree came in the kitchen complaining that her nose hurt.  All I saw was boogers.  After removing some very carefully as I suspected something I found the problem.  A bead from one of her projects from school was stuck far back in her nose.  What she was thinking we don't know.  Anyway, I was ready to take her into the ER but Harry wanted to see if he could get it out. After many tears, screaming and laying very still Harry still could not get it out.  We decided we needed to take her in.  Then the big screaming, throwing herself on the floor and tears started as she was scared of them poking her.  She begged Daddy to try one more time.  Harry tried again almost getting it when there was a big SNEEZE!  Out popped the bead right onto Daddy's hand.  Thank the Lord it all turned out ok and the other two played well together through the whole ordeal.  This one will definitely be going in the baby book record.

John Deere

Today is Harry's first day at John Deere Frontier Ag & Turf.  He has spent the last couple of days getting his many tools ready to take to the shop along with loading his tool box onto the trailer last night to take in.  Good thing Jerod was able to come and help move that big heavy thing. 

They already have a planter in the shop ready for him this morning.  They pulled it in last week so that all the snow and rain could melt off of it.  Sounds like they are not going to waste anytime getting him going on projects.  They have been waiting patiently for him for over two months now.

We are so very proud of him and are looking forward to him being closer and doing a job that he loves. 

Christmas Continues-Part 3

December 30th - Harry had his 1 year checkup bright and early in the morning.  The roads were quite wet, icy and very interesting to drive in.  But we made it and got him all taken care.  3 shots and a good bill of health.  Here are his statistics...

Weight ~ 20 lbs 8 oz ~ 17%
Height ~ 2 ft. 6 in. ~ 56%
Head ~ 18 1/4 in. ~ 46%

So he did a great job with his shots and really didn't do a whole lot of crying. 

We were planning on having a Christmas visit from Aunt Allison as she was in the Barrington area and was going to drive up for the day.  But again, due to weather she canceled.  I don't blame her one bit.

Ellaree arrived home from her extended Galena visit around 3 in the afternoon wiped out and ready for a nap.  Poor girl will need to sleep in for the rest of her Christmas vacation to catch up on her sleep.

That evening we had a wonderful Christmas Cheer with the Korn's.  Our good friends Bill & Jane and their crew all came over to eat, play and have lots of fun.

December 31st - We finally had a day to stay at home and relax.  The kids needed it after so much hussle and bussle these past two weeks.  They slept in until after 8 which is so not normal for them.  We were invited to many different places to bring in the New Year but due to Harry's last couple of days of full-time work at Kwik Trip we have decided to stay at home and get some much needed rest.  We will miss it but will survive without it. 

I was thinking today about how last year on this day we were bringing a blue bundle of joy home from the hospital.  My oh my how much has changed in a year.  Harry and I are very blessed to have such a beautiful family.  Here is to 2011 and looking forward to 2012!  May God Bless You All!