Logan:
Continuing to work hard towards getting that next promotion. Last month working at the downtown Salt Lake location. Next month, Logan's department will start working from the Midvale location.
Hanna:
I finished my photography class. I looked forward to, and enjoyed having Thursday's evenings to get out of the house and improve my hobby. I enjoyed having people to talk to and share my hobby with. I liked that I got feedback on my pictures. This helped me both the opportunity improve my eye for certain shots and the ideas for photographs that I would have not done otherwise.
I did some arts and crafts, as well as baking for christmas presents. I also pulled out the sewing machine and made a quick strap cover for my camera.
His words are continuing to increase. We have a daily word practice with flashcards and it seems to be helping his speech. He still loves his sign language and refuses to try to speak certain words like eat or drink. I am just happy he can tell me what he wants/needs.
Temple Lights:
A classmate invited me out to go take some pictures of the temple lights. It was the first big snow/cold weather of the season when we went out. I did not wear enough winter clothes and froze the whole hour we were taking pictures. I do not know if I will ever get use to the cold.
Zion's Christmas Party:
Logan's work had it's annual Christmas party. This year they hosted the event at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. We ended up sitting with some of Logan's close co-worker friends and their spouses.
Later on that evening, the event transitioned into a "Talent Show". Employees that had previously prepared their talents, got up in front of the whole department to show them off; this made for an even more enjoyable evening. Logan ended up singing in the NRE Choir, and Chad Call played a couple Christmas tunes on the electrical guitar. Autumn Johnson and her husband performed a comedy routine on "How she got ready for work in the morning". Her husband, covered up by a sheet, were Autumn's hand while Autumn's hand were her "feet". You had to be there, but it was really funny! Other talents were shared and it ended with a beautiful piano piece from Don Franke's daughter. It turned out to be an enjoyable night without the kiddo and among friends/co-workers.
The venue's view of Temple Square
Christmas:
We really like the idea of centering Christmas around Christ, not Santa. Therefore, we won't be doing the whole "Santa Clause" tradition during Christmas each year. To each his own. During Logan's teen years at home, his parents adopted a three gift rule for Christmas; one spiritual, one practical, and one fun gift. He/we liked it so much, and feel like it kind of even symbolizes the three gifts the wise men brought to Christ, that we adopted this for our annual Christmas morning gift exchange.
We did, however, change Connor's "practical" gift for "educational" and combined everyone's spiritual gift this year. After Connor opened his presents, he retreated with his new toys to play. It was an awesome, quiet, enjoyable morning with just our little family! After opening presents we enjoyed a home-made breakfast of baked french toast and syrup; as well as, egg casserole. Later that evening, we visited some of our other family in the Utah area. Family time is the best gift!
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| Ice crystals hanging from our porch. |
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| Decorating Sugar Cookies |
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Connor, meticulously/carefully opening his presents
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| This year Connor was a pro at opening his gifts |
Connor's Educational gift
The Family's Spiritual Gift
Connor's Fun Gift
Home-made coupon's
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| A little too excited for "Wicked" tickets! |
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| Notice Connor in the background playing! |
Golfing pro needs his gear
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| Christmas Breakfast |
Jake and Heidi's Wedding:
Oh the joys of a sibling's marriage! We are SO Happy to have Heidi in the family!
Jake and Heidi had their beautiful reception, the day before, in Firth, Idaho and their wedding at the Logan Temple in Logan, UT. They choose to get married in the Logan temple, because both Jake and Heidi's parents were married there. Family weddings are always full of fun, laughter, gathering with loved ones, and stress.
Jake and Heidi did such a great job with their wedding decor: vintage, farm style. I had a lot of fun playing around with my camera capturing the start of their precious new life together.
Exhibit A: Evidence that Jake struck first!
And...Jake learning, the hard way, that the wife always wins!
What's a wedding reception without a decorated car? Logan and I received a similar welcoming sight after our wedding. Why not return the favor? Logan, Hanna, Heidi's brothers, Ian Day and Bro. Day all put in the time to send Jake & Heidi off in the proper wedding reception fashion (it wasn't received as well as we'd hoped, oops!).
The Finished Product
Yep! The interior was FILLED with balloons!
"In The Process"…since the reception was held before the wedding
The NEVER ENDING Reception Line
The next day, we witnessed their beautiful sealing for time and all eternity.
Other than Jake's wonderful sealing in the Logan Temple, another anticipated event unfolded that day. Let's rewind the clock a little bit.
One day while little Logan and his family were grilling out in his childhood, a hot dog fell on the ground and got dirty. An individual among the children was given, and ate this dirty hotdog. Logan's parents kept the secret of "Who ate the dirty hotdog?" from their children, with the promise to be revealed when they were all sealed in the temple. Jake was the final child to complete this requirement to unlock this secret.
After congratulating Jake in the sealing room and giving hugs to him and our new sister, Heidi, we each made our way out of the room hugging family and friends that joined us there that day. Logan's parents were the last ones to receive their hugs. Holly was the first one to approach, and received the whispered response "You are not the one." Then Jenee received the same response. Logan stepped up, and with big smiles on his parent's faces, his dad whispered in his ear, "You are the one. You ate the dirty hotdog."
Logan admits all along that he felt/knew he was the one who ate the infamous "Dirty Hotdog". The anticipation of finding out this secret will be missed, but it is good to know that we have all have been married and sealed in the temple. Families are forever!
After sending them off on their Honeymoon, the remaining Harris family enjoyed an evening fest at Olive Garden.
Happy Couples!
Harris Family After Party
New Years Eve:
We brought in the new year with some friends down in Orem at the Misurelli's home. We all let our kids play and watch movies until they passed out on their own. Of coarse, Connor was the last one to pass out. We had a great time chatting, eating yummy snacks, and playing good ol' fashion board games. Try playing Taboo late at night…you'll find out very quickly how hard it is describe things. I can't believe 2013 is over, it went by so fast!