Chickasaw lodge and the family reunion...

Mason the tuff reporting for duty.
Shawn and Aunt Sara showing off the blanket up for auction.

The lodge we stayed in all weekend. It's so humid there that when I would go outside the cold from the inside on my camera lense would fog up in the heat from outside. Made some of my pictures foggy looking.

Aunt Sara, My mother in law Gail and father in law Woody. Don't they look comfy?

Mattix and Matt's neice Elsie enjoying their toasted marshmellows.

Rub a dub dub two babies in the tub. They won't like this picture when they're older.

Will they.

We did plenty of swimming. The boys loved playing with thier daddy.

Mattix is my fearless child.

Poor kid. But so dang cute.

Matt rough housing with his cousin Marissa. Something about throwing her in the lake?

Yes I still have more to post about our trip. It's fun to look at all the pictures and pretend we're still there. Our last destination on our trip was Chickasaw state park in Tennessee. There we stayed Friday to Monday. On Sunday we had our family reunion where all those not brave enough to stay at the lodge with us exciting people gathered, ate TONS of food, had an auction and of course visited catching up on how things have been since last time. (2 years ago)

Look who's turning 3!

My most favorite Mattix in the world turns 3 today July 23. I can't believe how fast time flies. He's growing up so fast. I've loved this kid since before I even laid eyes on him. Sure there's a reason he's been nicknamed "little Mattitude" but he wouldn't be Mattix without his don't mess with me dork! Attitude.

A few of his favorite things he just couldn't live with out are, strawberry milk, sport's (baseball/t-ball) right now is his favorite, he's a major water kid. Loves to play in the sink any chance he can get. He loves his brother's, he's a great big brother to his baby brother, and he almost always wants to be just like his big brother. He's always been a mama's boy but lately he's starting to lean the other way. He really loves his daddy.

So Happy Birthday Mattix! You are turning into my Big Boy!

July 23, 2007

5:32 p.m.

6 lbs 0 oz.

18 1/2 in.

First day jitters....

This picture was taken in Nauvoo's Women's garden. It's full of statues dedicated to women and their devine roles.

Yesterday didn't go quite at I had imagined in my head. I hate when that happens. I don't know how you mom's do it. I envy you for you strength. I hope it gets easier. I cried alot yesterday.
I am the head teacher over the 2 year olds. I taught that class for just over 2 years. I loved it. I had a little boy that started yesterday too. And he cried all day too but for his mom. I didn't know what the heck was going on. I didn't get anything done that I was supposed to. I hope I can learn quickly. My brain was so overwelmed thinking about how the boys were doing and trying to keep up with 5 toddlers. I know one thing though I am going to get in shape.
I came home finally very late last night. It was a long day. My boys were happy to see me and had stories they were excited to to tell me. Julie their new second mom took them to the store and bought me flowers. It was perfect. It made my day. It's very comforting to know that they are taken care of and things went good for them. I know it should only get smoother from here. One can hope.

News from the Harris front...

Easter egg hunters.
I love taking the kids on field trips.
Halloween carnival 2008.

Everyone loves Missa's house!!

So I am making an announcement. Some of you may already know.

I have been the a stay at home mom for just over 4 1/2 years.

My house has been full of kids ever since. I taught preschool for a few years and I've offered daycare to neighbors, friends, family and strangers that were referred to me. Now we are entering a new chapter in our life. As I said in a previous post Matt is returning to school next month, due to the class load and work load that comes with that he is going to have to quit his full time job... That's where I come in. I will be returning to work full timeMonday. I got offered a job at a new Daycare center that openned a few weeks ago.

I am excited, nervous, scared and hopeful. Matt and I didn't make this decision alone. We have prayed real hard over this and things just seem to be falling into place.

I am very thankful for those of you that have offered to help out and have expressed their love and words of strength to us. This has not been an easy thing to just say this is what I need to do.

But I know I am doing the right thing. I will eventually be able to bring the boys to the center with me. I need to wait for benefits to kick in.

I know this is going to be a major sacrafice we will be strapped and the next few years will NOT be easy and it will be a test on my faith and my strength. But I want to be all that I can for my family and do what I need to do.

I know I can do this. Heavenly Father will not give me more than I can handle. I just need to remember that when times get tough I know where to turn. That's one of the wonderful privledges that comes from being a child of God.

Relaxing in Mississippi @ Aunt Sara's....

Lot's of cousins to play with. The boys loved playing with Ashley and Marissa.

Uncle Randy took Matt for a ride in his T Bucket. What a hot rod.

The boys always love to play on the tree swing.

We took in alot of fishing with daddy.

Found another dead snake.

Mason was upset that he hadn't caught anything. He couldn't sit long enough.

Dad when are we going to catch a fish?

Baiting the hook with a wiggly worm.

Mattix and daddy finally caught one. Mason wasn't around but got so upset.

Eventually Matt caught another one and waited for Mason and the reeled it in together.

Unfortunatly I wasn't there with the camera.

Bluebell icecream the BEST icecream EVER!! I wish the sold it here.

Every time we go to Tennessee we stop at Aunt Sara's house in Mississippi and stay there to play and hang out. It's always so hot and humid but worth every minute. We counted, this time, we stuffed 30 people into her house for 2 nights. They cook some mighty yummy food in the south. Uncle Randy cooked us some shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob and potatoes in huge pot. I thought he was joking when he said he was going to dump it out on the table and let everyone go at it. Well the next thing i knew he dumped it on the table and we all dug through the pile and made up our plates. I finally got to try deep fried corn on the cob this time.

Thanks Aunt Sara and Uncle Randy! You guys are awesome.

Louisville next.... Daddy's in heaven.

It's sort of on the way. So what the heck let's stop at the Louisville and check out the

"Home of the Louisville Slugger. "
Mattix is his daddy's boy. He could of stayed in the batting cages all day if we let him.

Mason taking a whack at it.

Matt bought a one of a kind personalized Harris boy's bat.

It even says "the Harris boys" on the bat. It's pretty cool. He was so excited to

bring the boys here.

I don't remember the name of the player but this is an actual game bat

used in a game. Matt got to hold it and try swinging it. It was so special he had to wear gloves to

hold it.

Babe Ruth and Matt. Mattix and Carter were so funny. They came over and asked

Matt and Mason what they were looking at.

He was like a kid in a candy shop.

We got to go on a tour and see all the machines this was an old machine they don't use

these anymore. This was the only picture I got from the tour. Camera's weren't allowed.

The world's biggest bat.

A cool picture on a building near by.

The awesome view of Louisville, Kentucky on the way in.

Mattix was sick of riding in the carseat and thought that this was a good spot for him.

Unfortunatly we had 6 more hours to drive to Aunt Sara's house after Louisville.

Look out Indiana here we come....

It wouldn't be a trip to Indiana without a trip to the Colt's stadium.

I loved watching Matt here. I felt bad though if we would of gotten there 15 min sooner it would of been open. He we very bummed out about that.

We also got to spend the afternoon at the Indianapolis Children's museum.

The biggest in the country. The kids loved every minute of it. It was so huge and

AWESOME!!
The had an exhibit dedicated to rock stars and guitars. The kids got to go on a pretend stage

and dance, pretend to sing and play guitar on blow up guitars and microphones.

Here's our bunch, Carter, Olivia and Mason spinning on their bums on stage. Check out their cool moves!

There was a water exhibit I swear in every corner. Of course my kids

love to play in water.

In the Egypt exhibit we got to ride a donkey.


This was a real semi working buldozer. Matt put it to good use.

Mattix gave his little brother a ride.

They had a whole section for babies. Manning went crazy and had so much fun.

For Mattix his favorite part was the air dryer for your hands. He had a crowd gathered

as he was playing with this thing. People were taking pictures and laughing at

him. When we left this part he wanted to go back just to play with this thing.

He blew his tummy and giggled so hard. He even pulled his pants open and let it blow inside.

Oblivious to the fact that he had people watching him.

What so funny mom?

Again in the baby area. Daddy hung out with Manning and played for a while.

This is so fun!

Fishing in another water area.

The worlds biggest working Etch a Sketch.

Indiana was fun. We stayed with Matt's sister in law sister's house Sunday night through Wednesday morning. It was so nice after being on the road and staying in hotels, to actually stay in a house. The kids got to run and play with toys and roll around on the floor and Manning even got to sleep in a crib. Thanks Julie!