Long Time...No Post

We are still alive and kicking - just very busy lately! I think of updating and then not quite sure what happens - I'm going to try to be better here!

I've started a tax class through H&R Block and have been going on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I am hoping to get a part-time job with them come the Spring and tax time. I love doing taxes, so should be good and hopefully help us to get some extra money. I have sure been learning some interesting things and it's been quite exciting.

The kids are doing well in school and everyone is staying healthy - so that is good. I attended a meeting at school today to renew Peyton's IEP for his speech therapy and they reported remarkable improvements in his speech from when he began last year - which we already knew and we are so proud of him. The meeting was with his speech teacher, his Kindergarten teacher and the principal. Mrs. Butler, the principal, said that she gets such a kick out of Peyton when she sees him. She said there are a couple little guys that sit with him at lunch and Peyton has them laughing all the time. He will say something totally silly and these boys will just laugh and laugh. Mrs. Butler said it's the craziest thing - but that Peyton knows how to make others laugh and as I always say - will enjoy life to the fullest!

I stopped by Hunter's class to say hello to his teacher after the meeting and we visited for a short bit. She said she was just getting ready to send me an e-mail about Hunter and something he recently did in class. There is a little boy, Peyton, who was also in his kindergarten class, who has a lot of difficulty in class. I think his permanent seat is by himself at the front of the room and Ms. Ash said that he barely has any friends because he acts up so much and the other kids. Hunter came to Ms. Ash the other day and asked her if it would be okay if he talked to Peyton and worked on a plan to improve his behavior - she told him to go for it! My little Hunter, he is quite the mature little one. Well, he talked to Peyton and I guess he completed his first assignment in two weeks and turned it in after Hunter helped him. I couldn't be more proud of Hunter. I asked him about it when I got home and he said, I just want to help him mom. Go Hunter!

Speaking of Hunter, he received Student of the Month for Integrity. They are having an awards ceremony on Friday. He told me that another little boy in his class was upset because Hunter received this award and that Hunter received one last year too - last year was responsibility. I guess Kyle felt like it wasn't fair to have received another award - I couldn't be more proud of Hunter!

Aubrey and Tanner are both doing good - keeping their dad company during the day while the rest of us are at school or work. Aubrey has been going to dance on Monday evenings and truly loves it. I asked her the other day if she wanted to take a little break from it and she said - no way! We may have a little ballerina on our hands.

I think that's about all for now...I will try to keep up a little more often!

Dawn

Baptism, School and More

Tonight the kids had their back to school night at school, so David, Hunter, Peyton and I went over to it. We met with Peyton's teacher first and they pretty much just went over the curriculum and various rules of the classroom. We asked how he was doing and he seems to be doing pretty good - she said he occasionally needs to be re-directed in his behavior, but handles it quite good and is able to redirect pretty good. I think he will have a good year. After we were done in Peyton's room, we went down to visit with Hunter's teacher. She had nothing to say but good things about Hunter. She said that she often apologizes to Hunter that they have to wait for all the other kids to settle down before doing something and that he will sit patiently and wait. I guess he is used as an example quite often in class on behaviors. We have one extreme...to the other...but, we are lucky that Peyton usually only shows his extreme at home - I am happy about that.

Sunday, we attended the Baptism for Brinley. It was a beautiful day and a very nice day spent with family.

The proud parents - Matthew and Megan with Brinley, Godparents - Myra (Megan's sister) and Brian (my brother) along with the priest.

The Harris siblings (minus Carrie)

The Harris family - again, with the exception of Carrie and her family. Aubrey wouldn't cooperate for pictures, so her head is down in all of them - there always has to be one who doesn't want to cooperate.

That's about all for now...

Dawn

Hunter and Peyton posed for a quick picture on Tuesday morning before heading to school.



Peyton excited about his first day of Kindergarten.

He settled in quickly by finding his chair and getting ready to color a picture.

I got them on the bus and then headed up to school to greet him - here he is after his first bus ride.

Turns out that Peyton received a warning on the first day of school on the bus. In trying to figure out the story, I guess he and Rick (a friend from preschool) were talking. They are allowed to talk on the bus, but quietly and from the sounds of it, they were talking too loudly. Nothing too serious, but he will need to learn to keep his voice down when talking.

I took a vacation day on Tuesday and was home to see the boys get off the bus. Peyton came running off the bus and after the bus started to take off, I asked him where his backpack was. He about lost it - he had left it on the bus and he was crying like crazy - so Zach, Hunter and I loaded up in the car and followed the bus until it stopped where we could go get his backpack off it. I bet he doesn't forget it again!

I e-mailed both teachers to see how they were doing and both came back with good reports.

Here is the report I received back from Hunter's teacher:

"Hunter has been A-OK since day two. What a good choice not to cry!!! How awesome!

He is really excited about learning and absolutely he best at giving me good listening attention. He is a great role model for other students. It looks like he is having fun at recess too.

My favorite "Hunter moment" of the day was when we were brainstorming words that start with "D" and he came up with dawn. I was amazed...I was thinking 'daybreak' and what first grader knows that word?!? Then he explained that it was his mom's name...of which he was very proud. It provided me with a great
teaching moment to talk about proper nouns and capitalization...so...be proud!
He rocks!"

Way to go Hunter! We are so proud of you!

Until next time!

Dawn

First Day of School!!!

I remember so vividly when Zachary started Kindergarten. He seemed so little and while it seems like just yesterday, it also seems like so long ago...if that makes sense. Today marks the first day of high school for Zach. It is so hard to believe that he is a Freshman! I am sure the next four years are going to fly by - so I will be sure to enjoy them as much as I can - as well as - make sure he enjoys his high school days.

Zach was so excited to pose for a quick picture before heading to his bus stop this morning...well, excited might be stretching it - but he complied. I wish I had a digital picture of him from Kindergarten - but I'm not exactly sure which box that is in...so, here is a picture of Zach on his first day of high school.

Today was also the first day of First Grade for Hunter...here are a couple pictures from the past couple years - I thought it would be fun to see how he'd changed the past couple years. Hunter's first day of preschool...
First day of Kindergarten...2008

The big day!!! Hunter's first day of First Grade!!!

Posing for a quick picture with Mrs. Pelzl. Mrs. Pelzl is the school counselor and is Hunter's buddy. They got to know each other quite well last year with his difficult start and they have a nice little relationship. Hunter looks up to Mrs. Pelzl and she is absolutely wonderful.

Hunter in the classroom getting ready to start his day...

Everything seemed to be going so good this morning. Hunter was so excited to get to school and settled into his classroom pretty quickly. I hung out for a few minutes with the other parents who were in there, and suddenly I noticed this look on Hunter's face...a look I've seen before...a look of anxiety, uncertainty and I no more had the words out of my mouth..."Hunter, what's wrong?" and the tears began to fall. Luckily, Mrs. Pelzl had just came in the classroom to show another student where he needed to go and she noticed as well. She quickly asked him if he would like to come help her get the other students to their classroom and off he went - tears and all. She asked me if I was bothered by her taking him out to help and I said - no, whatever it takes for him to feel comfortable.

Hunter informed me this afternoon that it didn't take too long to get back in the classroom and that he was just a little scared. I hope that the week goes well and that this is the only bout of tears he has.

Aubrey had dance class tonight and she did so good with one of her tap numbers that she has been invited to perform at Santi-Cal-Gon days! Only the students who performed the numbers well are invited to perform - there are two dance numbers and Aubrey did really well on the first one. If she can get the other one down in the next week, then she might be invited for that one too. How exciting! \

Tomorrow...First day of Kindergarten for Peyton!

~~~Dawn

Bedazzled Photos...by Dawn

Check out my new blog...photography website still in the making....photo galleries are coming.

http://bedazzledphoto.blogspot.com/

Happy 4th Birthday Aubrey Dawn!

What a wonderful day, August 11, 2005 was for our family - blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby girl - Aubrey Dawn.

Aubrey is known in our house by a variety of names...Auba; Auba Daba; Baby Girl, Sister and her daddy's favorites - MonkeyDuck and Munchkin...she's not too fond of these two, but answers to them all. Aubrey brings so much joy to our family - I wasn't sure being the only girl what her likes would be - if she would be a tomboy or girly and she is a good mix of both. Aubrey likes to watch Spiderman and play Transformers with the boys, jump on the trampoline with them or fishing with Grandma - but she loves her dollies, she especially loves clothes and shoes and wants to be a ballerina.

Happy Birthday Aubrey Dawn!

Aubrey's famous "look" - everyone who meets Aubrey gets this look at least once!

~~~Dawn

Race for the Cure

What a sense of accomplishment to cross the finish line at the Race for the Cure 5K held today in downtown KC. The race started right at 7:30 near Crown Center and we walked 3.1 miles through Downtown and the P&L district. I never realized just how many hills there were in the downtown area - quite noticeable when walking!

I walked right along side my best buddy Lori - we have been wanting to do a 5K for a while now and hope to do another this fall...although, this fall we hope to be running it and not walking.

I ran into a previous co-worker who I found out had breast cancer over a year ago and is a survivor and just seeing all the survivors out there - it felt good to know I was walking for a good cause.

Be sure to get your mammogram!

~~~Dawn

The Mis-Adventures of the Bass Family

We took the kids for a mini-vacation to Branson this past weekend. We left on Sunday afternoon and returned home today. A trip with five kids is sure to bring much fun and excitement, as well as frustrations.

We started our journey around 1:00 on Sunday. David had worked all night, so he came home and got some rest before we headed off. Being in charge of getting everything together, I was bound to forget something and forget I did! We were far enough away that I wasn't turning around when I realized I had forgotten the stroller - which would come to be needed later in the trip! We were just going to bring the umbrella stroller - but even at that - it would have been quite helpful. We were just outside of Clinton when 3 of the kids decided they had to go to the bathroom and couldn't wait the 15 mile drive into town - so, off to the side of the road we went and out came Hunter, Peyton and Aubrey. This seems to be a recurring theme with our family, as we always have to make at least one pitstop on the way to my parents.

We stopped at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield for a stretch break and to check it out, but with the exception of the store part - the other areas were closed off due to construction - so we just made our way back to the car and on to Branson.

We arrived at our hotel and got all checked in after a serious of little hiccups. The hotel tried to charge us 70.00 more than my confirmation stated and she said, well, maybe I just added wrong - so she readded and brought it down a bit, but still not what I was happy with and then suddenly she made it to what our confirmation stated - I wasn't too impressed with her - customer service didn't seem to be her high point. Once we got all settled in, we decided to take a walk across the street to the Branson Landing - there was a fountain show that was going on and the kids seemed to enjoy that - we walked around a bit, but all the kids could think about was getting back over to the hotel and down to the pool.

They really enjoyed swimming, with the exception of Tanner - he got in for a short bit, but decided that just wasn't his thing. The kids enjoyed swimming for a little over an hour and we headed back to the room to settle in for the night. David and I got the kids all settled in and watching a movie and we headed out for a short walk together, down the riverwalk and around the Historic Branson streets. We were gone maybe 45 minutes and enjoyed our time walking and talking. Everything was calm when we got back - Zach had all under complete control. The first night we were there, a couple of kids were waiting by the elevator while the rest of us were walking up there when we asked - where is Aubrey? Hunter announced - oh, she got on the elevator! David and I just looked at each other as we wondered how long it would take us to find her...luckily though, once we hit the up button to get an elevator - there she stood. Luckily for us, she didn't hit the button once she got in and the door closed!

After we finished swimming the first night and we were all on the elevator, David was counting heads when suddenly he said "Where's Aubrey"? With this look of panic on his face - thinking we had left her behind or something - the rest of us just looked at him and said - Have you checked your arms? He was holding her! It was quite funny to us.

We took a drive around Branson on Monday afternoon, but the kids just couldn't wait to get back to the hotel to go swimming. Tanner even enjoyed swimming this time around. We spent a good hour or two down at the pool and everyone was so tired by the end of the afternoon.

Our main reason for going to Branson was that I save the MyCokeReward points and had saved enough for some free Silver Dollar City tickets, so decided to take the kids down there. I was only able to get two free tickets and one of my co-workers is a season ticket holder, so she gave me some free guest passes for the kids. The guest passes were only good from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m., so after a full day of swimming - we headed out there - worn out! They enjoyed it though and everyone seemed to have a good time. We rode a few kid friendly rides and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

I thought everyone would crash as soon as we got back to the hotel - but it didn't quite happen that way. Peyton ended up in a laughing spell and over the silliest of things. I think they were so tired, they didn't quite know how to act. The first night, Zach and Peyton shared a bed, while Aubrey and Tanner slept with David and I. Hunter camped out in a chair with a foot stool (his choice, not ours). Night two: I decided that if Zach and David wanted to share a bed - then I would share one with the four little ones (funny how it doesn't bother me, near as much as the guys).

We checked out of our hotel around 11:00 to head back to KC - David, Hunter and Peyton took the suitcase and a few things down to the car, while Zach and I finished getting everything in the hotel room. We headed down with Aubrey and Tanner to meet them out front when approached by David - Peyton had ran off back in the hotel and he couldn't find him. He sent Zach in to see if he could find him and he was with the little ones while I went into find him. I was scared to death...as was Peyton when he finally saw us...he got back in the elevator by himself and a man brought him back to the front desk - where I found him. He got in so much trouble - he was crying, I was crying and hopefully he learned a valuable lesson about running off from his parents!

We arrived home around 3:00 and Zach and I headed to VanHorn to complete his registration for high school. His first day is next Thursday afternoon for a Freshmen Orientation Day. He will attend a half day of school to get familiar with the school. Then school actually begins on Monday. It's hard to believe that my little boy is starting high school.

It's nice to be home! Despite all of our adventures and mis-adventures - we had a good time!

~~Dawn

Here are few new pictures of the kids that we took a couple weeks ago.

Aubrey & Peyton - these two are quite the pair! It doesn't necessarily show in this picture - but trust me!
Peyton & Hunter - I really liked this picture of the two of them - it truly shows the fun they have together.

Zach & Hunter - I really love this picture of the two of them. Hunter absolutely adores Zach - and Zach doesn't quite feel the same - but you can't tell in this picture!

Hunter & Tanner - I love this picture of them! Tanner loves his big brother and I think Hunter is pretty fond of him too!

I couldn't be happier that I was able to get a good picture of all five of them! The last couple times we've done pictures, I have walked away happy that they all cooperated for at least one.

I went to the Royals game this past Saturday with my friends Lori and Becky. We hadn't been able to get together for awhile - the three of us - and so this was a fun time enjoyed by all of us. Aubrey's 4th birthday is coming up in a couple weeks and David and I decided to enroll her in dance classes. She has talked about this for quite sometime and I thought four would be a good age to start. Tonight was her first class and I took a couple videos of her. The class is a half hour of dance - tap and ballet and then a half hour of gymnastics. There is a video from the ballet portion and two from gymnastics - she really enjoyed the "rolling" one and she loved the balance beam. Maybe we'll have a future gymnast on our hands - I can see the gold medal already.

That's it for now...

~~Dawn

We are working on some exciting stuff in our house...something that we haven't had to worry about in a long time...drum roll....we are working on becoming a diaper free house! Yea! Tanner has really taken off with his potty training and has been telling us when he has to go potty. I am so excited to have this one less expense. I bought him some big boy pants tonight and it didn't go quite as I had imagined. He doesn't care to wear his diaper anymore, but he wasn't too fond of his underwear either - he cried for a bit, but I put them on him anyway and he seemed to get past it. We went potty twice and then a little while later here he comes and brought the smell with him! Yes, his first night wearing underwear and the first night have to clean him up. Well, he will get there and quickly I hope - he is showing such a strong interest so I guess that is just one of the things we'll have to go through - hopefully once was enough!

Until next time...

~~Dawn

Welcome Brinley Lorraine Harris!!!

Welcome to the newest member of the Harris family!

Brinley Lorraine Harris born July 9th at 5:02 p.m. - 8lbs 1 oz, 20 inches long and a head full of hair!

Proud parents: Matthew and Megan Harris

Today has been a wonderful day - the arrival of Brinley, firstborn daughter to my little brother Matt and his wife Megan. Matt and Megan are such a beautiful couple and now they have welcomed into the world a new daughter which is sure to bring much joy to the Harris and Johnson Families!

Brinley was born July 9th, 2009 on the 25th anniversary of the passing of my Grandma Bearce. She received her middle name after my Grandma, which seems fitting that this date is significant in our lives. How wonderful for Matt and Megan to honor Grandma by giving Brinley her name. I'm sure Grandma is in heaven looking down on them today smiling.

I miss my Grandma so much! I was 12 years old when she passed away and we were on a family vacation in New Jersey visiting my aunt and uncle when we received the call from my Grandpa. We rushed home, what a long drive that was! I believe we were meant to be in NJ though, as my mom and uncle were able to be together. We all made the trip back home together - my parents, siblings, aunt and uncle and cousins. Hard to believe it has been 25 years!

I have been very fortunate in my life to have three of my four grandparents. I am very blessed to be close to my grandparents! I love them all so much and they are such a very important part of my life. I don't say it often enough, but Grandma and Grandpa you mean the world to me! You have always been such an important part of my life and I can never thank God enough for blessing me with such wonderful grandparents. You have always been there and such an important part of our family times. I love you so much!

~~~Dawn

Happy Birthday America!

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

I met my parents yesterday afternoon and they took the three oldest boys home with them. I'll be joining them later today with Aubrey and Tanner. David is working today and then will have to work tonight at the hotel. I think we'll probably do a few fireworks at my parents - should be a fun time. Tanner is quite scared of the firecrackers and the neighbors have been doing their fair share of lighting them off - so it's been a fun time here.

I made it home safely from Chicago and had a good time. I did have a hard time getting caught up on my sleep this time, but think I've finally made it past the worst of it. As I stated before, it was a very interesting experience and really was a humbling one at that. I was able to do a little on my own during the day. The last morning I was there I took a long walk down Michigan Avenue down to Grant Park where the "Married with Children" fountain is. Then I walked up Lake Shore drive next to the lake. It was such a beautiful morning and there were lots of people out running, walking and biking. I enjoyed this time before heading back to KC.

Baseball has almost wrapped up and we just have one more game this week for each of the boys. It has really been a long season with all the rainouts this year, but I have really enjoyed watching them play.

David and I took Peyton to a behavior specialist this week to get some ideas on how to make things run a little smoother at home with him. He is our challenge child, but also one of our most loving children. She was able to give us some really helpful hints and so we're will be working hard to get things running a little better at home with him. He got to listen to her tips and hopefully that will help him to know what to expect.

I hope everyone has a great 4th! Be safe!

Dawn