Celebrate Good Times- Come On!

So, the first part of our holiday adventure was spent in SLC and St. George, Utah. Like I mentioned in the last post, we celebrated my mom's 60th bday and my cute cute nephew, Yale's, first bday. I don't think I even took one pic of those events because that's when Alyse was so sick. I will have to steal some from Whitney to make sure I photographically document the celebrations.
We had some nice time hanging out with my mom and Scott and will be headed back there for another several days in SLC before going to Cali to be with the Woodlands.

Then, we headed down to St. George to stay with Lish and Whitney while my dad visited them for a few days.

They are always such gracious hosts and it is just so comfortable and fun to visit with them. I can't wait to be able to host them in Chicago next Fall when Lish has a conference there. My dad was there for a little over two days, so we tried to cram in lots of baby playing time (in their playroom at home and at the park),






Alyse LOVES the swings, and cousin Yale and Uncle Lish helped her be adventurous and try out different slides too.

tours of St. George stuff (Lish's office, Dixie's campus, Snow Canyon),


and time for us to hang out as adults (visiting at night, eating ice cream, playing games). It was important for me to get down here with Alyse because visits with my dad have become fewer and farther between and this trip allowed us to stay together under one roof, which we haven't done since before I was pregnant.

The three Harris "men"



Just to be able to stay up "late" and hang out with my dad, Lish, and Whitney was priceless. I also just love seeing my little bro as a dad. He is pretty natural at it and even won over Alyse, which is a pretty good feat since she has been super anxious with all of the "new" people around the last week.


It would have been more fun with Brandon here, but he is now in Cali getting ready for his school Trek visiting lots of companies. We will get to see my dad for one day while in Cali, so he will get a chance to give Brandon a hard time :)

And, my nephew and I had a chance to bond :)

Except for missing Brandon a ton (Skype and phone calls can only do so much!), it has been wonderful to be away and with family. And, the celebrations will just keep coming...our anniversary, Christmas, New Year's, and just enjoying the good times we all have together!