Unexpected Blizzard Danger

It's snowing today. A blizzard, actually. It's snowing sideways. I think there's more snow on the porch than on the sidewalk.

Anyway, Parker went to bed a little bit ago and came right back out complaining that he was cold and his arm felt wet. After a little bit of investigation, we found that it was snowing in Parker's room. (That's very strange, and not just because Parker has a BEACH room!) The snow on the window sill and on the window is actually on the inside!

I'm still not entirely sure how the snow can get in a closed window, but it may be a combination of the way the window is facing, the fact that this window has no screen, the ridiculously hard wind, and the age of the windows. Or maybe it's just a Chicago thing. At any rate, the blizzard violated Parker's room. I hope he's not frozen in the morning.

Universal Islands of Adventure Orlando 2008

On our recent trip to Orlando, we also visited Universal's Islands of Adventure. The kid's were unsure about cheating on Disney, but at the end of the day, I think they were happy to have gone someplace new.

Parker rode his first real roller coaster.....The Hulk! Check that thing out! He is a brave boy. I don't think he would have been too quick to jump back on it, but he said it was his favorite ride of the day!

Suess-land was a winner for everyone! This tied for Grayson's favorite ride!

Halle enjoyed the carol-Suess-al....the carousel with Suess characters.

Look, Johnny caught a Sneech......

...and the Grinch caught the kids!

Aren't we all so cute?
My favorite ride of all-time is still the Spider-Man ride at this park. There is none that can complete with this 3-D ride and the hologram effects. I love it! Johnny second's that. Grayson loved Jurassic Park and One-Fish, Two-Fish, and Halle's favorite was Cat In the Hat. Parker, of course, is hanging on to The Hulk!

Disney World 2008

OK, so our first stroll down main street at Magic Kingdom in 2008 wasn't all that magic. Halle refused to get in the picture, I look somewhat ticked about that, and Parker and Grayson wanted to look at the ground. BUT, here is our proof of the visit, with none-other than Cinderella's Castle in the background. Our day could only improve!

Ahhh, count them 1, 2, 3 cheerful kids just off the Dumbo ride.

OK, looking mad again, but I think it's a pose.

We're so proud of our boys!

A very tired crew after our 2nd visit to Magic Kingdom in 3 days. We are with Johnny's parents, and I, of course, am the photographer.

Two cuties just before entering Phil-Harmagic! This is an excellent "ride."

Captured by Zurg!

Grayson, the cutest pirate mousekateer you've ever seen!

A little dancing with Flounder in Ariel's Grotto at the Pirate and Princess party. (Halle is playing Princess Aurora, another great dress made by Nana!)

Our Halle-girl with Donald and Daisy Duck at the pin-trading shop. Wonder who wanted to go there? (That would be Parker.)

All in all, another great visit to Disney. I think we shall go back.

The Princess Diaries

Nana and I gave Halle a real treat this year at Magic Kingdom. Not only did she have to endure many soccer games for Parker and Grayson, but she ran a fever of 102 for 5 days when we were at Disney last year. So, we wanted to give her an experience that was memorable and simply perfect for the princess that she is!

We first took her to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for an up-do. They also did her nails and "make-up." Here is the before shot. Halle is looking over the menu of hair-do's.

The fairy-godmother just applied a lovely pink lip gloss. We call this "pink-pout!"

Halle picked the classic "fairy-tale princess" up-do. I think she is enjoying the Royal Treatment!

Now cover your face, get a sprinkling of fairy-dust and all of your dreams will come true!

Ta-Dah! And now off to Cinderlla's Royal Castle for lunch.

Halle is showing off the BEAUTIFUL Belle dress that Nana made her for Christmas.

And to our table came Princess Aurora....

...Snow White...

...and Belle in her plain clothes. She asked Halle if she had borrowed her yellow gown from her closet!"

After all that excitement, a rest on the royal stairs is in order!

We had such a great time! It is so much fun experiencing stuff like this through the eyes of a child. This IS where your dreams come true!!

Universal Studios Orlando 2008

We had a great time at Universal Park! Our favorite rides? Parker-The Mummy, Halle- E.T., Grayson-Jaws, Johnny-Terminator 2 3-D, Jen-Men In Black.

3V3 Contender

Through a series of FORTUNATE events, Parker was able to play in the 3V3 tournament at Disney for Barca 97. Although the boys never practiced together, and Parker was still suffering from the remaining effects of having 8 stitches in his knee, they put forth a valiant effort.

I'm sure that the left wing will be along any second to receive this ball....

I'd like to say this went in, but look at the odds.....

Look closely at this poor kid. Unfortunately his nose got in the way of one of Parker's shots. He was effective in blocking the shot, however bloody he walked away.

3V3 World Champions!

Grayson's 3V3 soccer team from Dallas qualified for the Kick-It World Championships at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. So, we had to go, again!

Grayson and Nico

The Dynamo 2000 boys from Dallas actually had 2 teams qualify for the event. One team got 3rd place, and Grayson's team got 5th! This pic is the two teams combined.



Do you think Gray is happy??

Winning actually put a little spring in his step!

Fillet-O-Parker

Things were exciting at the Harris household today! Parker earned a trip to the ER. (Gruesome details to follow. If you're faint, you might want to turn away!)

He was playing football in the basement with Grayson and his Dad. Evidently he made a GREAT catch and went down on his knees, sliding across the floor. Unfortunately, his knee caught the metal lip that separates our tile from the carpet. It literally "filleted" his leg open. After one look I said, "off the the ER for you!" I wasn't sure what they would do as it was not a deep cut, but there was a large, thick chunk of his skin pushed down, curled under, and still attached but in the wrong place.

He was very brave. I know he was in pain, and yet he let the doctors and nurses clean his wound out, numb it up, give him shots, and sew him up with EIGHT stitches.

Yucky!

The stitches come out in 10 days. Just in time for a little 3V3 soccer at Disney in Orlando!!!

Grayson Is 8!

I can't believe it's happened already, but Grayson is 8 years old! He celebrated his birthday with a sleepover with 3 boys from his class at school. We had pizza and cookie cake (since Grayson is anti-real cake). They had nerf gun fights, played Wii, and watched a movie. They are still going strong at 11:51 and have just surfaced from the basement for a snack. I may be in for a long night!

Friends from left to right: Jordan, Caleb, Grayson, Brayden, and Parker in the back.

We Discovered Sledding!

We hit the sleddin' hill with our neighbors. Lucky for us, the fashion police were not on site!

Here is Parker, flying by on his knees.

Grayson poses with his flying disc.

Halle and Brianna way off in the distance!

Halle, Brianna and Lyn

Johnny and Gray. Look closely, they are travelling backwards!

Go Gray Go

Parker is so sweet to Halle! She was a little nervous to sled by herself so Parker went down with her several times and held her hand. Eventually Halle felt comfortable enough to go down alone.

Whoa, Gray! I'm not sure that's how it's done!

Here are Halle and Johnny. I'm not sure what Grayson is shielding himself from in the background!

Here is a picture of me, Jen, coming down the hill!

Yah right! Who am I kidding? No one else would take their hands out of their gloves!