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