VA Christmas Highlights

During the holidays at my folks' house, there was much flying of remote-controlled helicopters. See it? (Cool new sunroom, too, eh? My parents added it on this past year.)

Kt-pants got this wicked awesome shot.

Those of us who were not flying had fun watching.

I loved spending time with J-rock and kt. They are so stinkin' awesome ...

... and so stinkin' cute together.

Jared was excited to spend time with his new little niece, Charlotte. 

So cute!

And on Sunday, kt and I whipped out the boots. Yeah, baby!

Who can forget Trent's catalog-worthy gorgeous and yummy apple pie, which has now become a Harrison tradition when we're out there. Doesn't it totally look like a pic out of a cookbook? My hunny is the man! 

Plenty of time for the Granmy and the Boo to spend time together, too, of course.

They are such good buddies. Great pic, eh? 

Christmas Morning in Virginia

We spent Christmas with my fam this year. And although everyone didn't make it and I missed those who weren't present, it was fun to be home for Christmas.

I love me some cozy pants. And all my boys ... 

... especially this one.

Ohhh, Uncle Party!

For some reason, it has become a Harrison tradition to decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. I think it's mostly because we are all so lazy when we get together for the holidays. :)

(They funniest thing about this shirt is that he does know karate ... and is extremely talented at it.)

I love Uncle J-Rock.

Phoenix Zoo

While in AZ, we also had the chance to visit the Phoenix Zoo, which I remember from my childhood along with the surrounding valley. It was so crazy taking my very own kiddo there.

Awww, baby monkey. (Okay, okay, I know it's an orangutan. Work with me here, people.)

Another baby monkey ... wearing -- yes -- a baby monkey shirt. (Aha, now you see the need for artistic license on the first pic, do you not?)

Soooo cool. And way old. These guys live into the hundreds, you know. And later, we got to see them making baby turtles. Choice. They were very noisy, in case you wanted to know. I never knew Galapagos tortoises could be noisy.

I just love him.

Pop quiz: What do you do when you see water running under a little bridge in the middle of the zoo? Answer: Well, if you're a little boy, apparently you hit the deck and play in it, of course.

My cuz, Danielle, and me, striking a "Little Mermaid"-esque pose. "Uh-we are the daugh-ters of Triton ... ah-ah-ah"

Children's farm.

I swear that big goat was there when I was there 25 years ago. Aunt Karen said he had pretty bad dandruff. Ewww.

My little guy brushing the goats. I remember coming to this very spot with my elementary school class. No joke.

Cam chillin' with my Aunt Karen and cousin, Danielle, on the safari bus/train thingy. We were all bushed at the end of the day, so we opted to see the African animals in style rather than on foot. Totally worth the few bucks.

Camel-back, a familiar view from many places in the valley, and also right off the edge of the zoo. Now, there's an image from my childhood.

Doesn't this look like an oasis? So beautiful. I wanted to get the shot with the giraffes in view, but I missed it. It was even more striking with their spotted forms crossing the vista.

What a fun day! Thanks to the Valles for taking us!

Memory Lane

While I was in AZ, my tio took me to visit my old stomping grounds in Scottsdale. So much and so little has changed in 22 years.

Our street. It's not very long. Maybe 6 houses? This is the sign on the corner across from the park where we used to play.

My house. That white fence (left side) used to extend all the way around the yard. And the yard used to be grass. Whoah. I remember that yard being a lot bigger. And our huge palm is gone now, too. Mom & Dad, remember the baby birds?

It's so funny that the ranch style with a carport design is what I live in now, too, with my own little family. (Only we weren't such a little family. Even back then, there were six of us Harrisons.)

And at the other end of the street was our chapel. We used to walk to church. I'm pretty sure I totally freaked out some musicians that were in there practicing. But I just couldn't resist getting a peak at the chapel.

Not too far away ... my first elementary school, Yavapi. I was in Mrs. Haltigan's kindergarten class there in 1985. I get the feeling from the sign that they might not have too many English speakers there anymore.

Here's a view of Yavapai. We went looking for my next school, Tonto, where I went to 1st grade, but are pretty sure they tore it down. (Poppa always thought it was funny that they named a school, "tonto," which means "stupid" in Spanish.) And I think Meyer, where I went to 2nd grade, was in Tempe.

What a trip to visit these places. I may or may not have gotten tears in my eyes. I know, I know. What a hopeless sap I am! It really was pretty surreal to go back after all this time.

Trunk or Treat, AZ style

While we were in Mesa, we joined the Valles for their ward Trunk or Treat, a week before Halloween. It was a lot of fun.

Taylor and her friend, Amber, were Angel and Devil. Here they are in their "model pose." They both cracked up laughing after we took the picture.

Cam and Uncle Tony hanging out at the shin-dig. Cam was so excited when he discovered what the cake walk was all about. Here he is scarfing his second cupcake, I think.

Gone fishin'.

Cam and my cuz, Alexis. She is such a cutie!

Alexis' stinkin' cute ribbon shoelaces (coordinated with the ribbon on her costume) and my fun pedi. I love being on vacation.

Didn't take him long to figure out the Trunk or Treat deal.

The three amigas.

Raiding my Aunt Karen's bowl. I'm pretty sure those three cleaned out almost her entire bowl.

Camden must have been hot in his costume, because the first thing he did when we walked in the door was strip down to his undies.

My cousin, Taylor, with her stash! And it's not even Halloween yet!

AZ or Bust!

Cam and I escaped the snow and went to Arizona for a week! Yipee! It was fun visiting my uncle and his family, and a little bit surreal to be in the valley, where I lived when I was a little girl. I hadn't been back in 22 years.

One of the days, Cam went to the park with all the girls. When I got back to pick him up, this is what I found. He said he had been thirsty and went to get a drink of water from the sprinkler. Little stinker! Good thing it was a hot day!

Cam loved hanging out with the Valles' bunny, Chocolate Chip ...

... and with his great-uncle, Tony, too. :) They are so funny together.

On Monday night, we carved pumpkins and made s'mores for FHE. Cam said he wanted a sad pumpkin, so I made one that was frowning and throwing up. He thought my creation was pretty funny. My sweetheart would've been proud. =D

Here's the crew, minus Alexis and Danielle, the very popular older cousins who were out with friends, I think. Also, their brother, Ryan, is on his mission in the Philippines at the moment. (L-R: Taylor, Uncle Tony, Aunt Karen, and crazy little Camden)

White-water Canoeing!

During our last day in VA, Trent and Joseph decided to go on a canoe trip down the James River, not far from my parents' place. The river was extremely high due to lots of rain, and they had a great trip.

The rest of us opted for a nice, calm walk in the park. Look at the cute Granmy and the babe, ready to go!

Trent asked me to wait on the bank down the river a bit to take a picture of them going over one of the big rapids. I wasn't so excited about that, but I did it because I love him. :)

Here they come.

Whooooooaaaah!

Whew! They made it.