New Bed

The baby's due in just a few months, and we're going to need the crib, so Namaw got Harrison a toddler bed for Christmas. Yeah! It's been 2 days, and though he cries at first, Harrison's doing pretty well. It has Buzz and Woody, who he loves, so that makes it fun.

Here's Harrison helping Daddy put the bed together - too cute! Harrison was very good at sharing.

Harrison showing off his new bed!

Snow? What's That?

We love living in Southern Utah, since we don't have to experience daily snow and ice. While up North for Christmas, it snowed! We were excited, since Harrison has never experienced snow, and really wanted him to have fun with it. Let's face it. Calling the snowman out front a ghost was worrisome.

When Harrison first saw the snow, he was excited. He bent down to touch it, then made like he was washing his hands. He did this a few times, which was pretty cute.




We kind of forgot how cold snow is. Brrrr! We attempted a snowman, but it ended up as a mound, which Harrison demolished. Harrison was pretty much content just walking around the yard, in the snow, holding Mommy's and Daddy's hands.

Merry Christmas!

We were really excited about Christmas this year, since Harrison is more aware of what's going on. He LOVES the lights! In fact, they're the first thing to go on in the morning. If we don't turn them on, he refuses to let us forget, saying "Light! Light! Light!" over and over. Even at other houses, Harrison made sure they had their lights on, especially on the Christmas tree.

Last year, the Santa thing didn't go so well, so that was the first thing we had to try this year. Jason took Harrison to Harmon's for a picture, and ended needing to be in the picture. It turned out pretty cute. We had a second chance to warm Harrison up to Santa at Namaw's work party. Harrison wasn't too sure about Santa at first, but for the rest of the party, Harrison kept going up and talking to the big guy. Now he signs and yells 'Santa.'


Harrison got a fun phone from Santa!


Harrison showing off his dancing moves!



We, like every other couple, wanted to share the holiday with both families. Jason's family was super nice in making December 21 our Christmas Eve, complete with a big family party. Unfortunately, we forgot our camera, so those pictures will have to wait. But, Harrison loved getting his jammies, a Buzz Lightyear car, and playing with uncles Jeremy and Brandon.

Christmas Eve was spent with Elisha's family. (Jason went back home for work, so he grabbed the camera). We had lots of fun practicing climbing stairs and eating suckers. Well, okay, Harrison did.


Jason with Tucker and Harrison in their Christmas jammies.

Harrison's big box of blocks and a size- appropriate backpack.


Tucker got yummy treats from Santa, and Harrison felt he was obligated to get some, too.


Harrison loved giving as well as receiving presents.

To Naumann & Alisha

Brasil has a variety of animals. A lot of people Elisha met owned chickens. Two good friends of Elisha's (sister missionaries) would sound like (ba-gak!) the chickens to make kids laugh. This is for you, Naumann & Alisha!

Family Pictures

While the whole McCullough family was together, we did pictures together. They turned out so great! Mom really chose a great location. These are the ones from only our camera. I'm sure there're other pictures, too.




Jason had fun following Harrison playing in the leaves.

Our Crazy Kid, Harrison

Harrison cracks us up. He's 18 months, now, and such a ball of energy. He definitely keeps us going!

He loves stickers. He found one of Mommy's and put it on his chest. It was there most of the day, and was almost hard to take off. Hopefully no tattoos in our near future.


Harrison also likes to call for Mommy when he's ready to get out of bed. So, this video is of his door, but him calling to be rescued.




We put up our Christmas tree, and Harrison had to help Daddy! He held the wires while Jason connected everything. Harrison is so excited, especially about the lights (which he signs). Looks like another electrician in the family?



It's tricky to get a picture or video of Harrison. He loves to see the 'baby' on the screen, so he automatically runs at you to look at the camera. He doesn't get that he has to stay so we can put the 'baby' (him) in the camera.

Thanksgiving & 21 Weeks

The holiday was fantastic! We usually do Thanksgiving with Jason's family, but we were lucky to have both our families come down this year! EVERYone was there, which made Jason's favorite past time, gaming, even better. We even had a new baby stay at our house, which was wonderful. No, not ours, but Elisha's brother's. He's so adorable (the baby).

Jason & his brother, Jeremy



Harrison had a blast with all the family there. Never a dull moment! In fact, he was too busy to want a nap, though they were muchly needed. Here he is, playing with Daddy, who he was attached to the entire weekend.



After the BIG feast (thanks, everyone & Jeremy!) Jason and I revealed that we are having another boy! Brandon had pink and blue rattles for everyone to vote, which made it fun. I think Harrison is the only one who got it right, though. Of course, we can't just say "We're having a boy!" Last year we wore shirts to confuse the family, but this year we put the ultrasound pictures in an envelope, and showed them one by one until the obvious one.

The envelope:

THE picture


The family trying to decipher what gender what we're having.


We haven't really said how we found out we were pregnant. Elisha took Harrison to his routine check-up, and asked the nurse if they could do a pregnancy test. (The home test showed negative, just like it did with Harrison, but we don't trust those. Hello! There is a time when you notice you're feeling way more emotional than ever, and that was now). So, the test came back positive, and now we're 21 weeks in.

So, since we're half way, we figured a picture was due (no pun intended).


Happy holidays to ALL!

Halloween 2010

Hope you all had happy hauntings for Halloween! Even though last year was Harrison's first Halloween, this year was the first to be able to have fun!

Costumes were fun! Harrison dressed up as Pony Boy from "The Outsiders" (aka: 50's greaser). Apparently, Pony Boy read "Gone With the Wind" to another character in the book.

Jason had at least 5 costumes between the English club and 2 dress-up days at work. Saturday, he was an eyeball, and Sunday wore everything backwards. Naturally his wonderfully talented wife did the artwork.

The Eyeball

Backwards Guy

We started practicing with Harrison the whole getting candy in your bucket thing. First, we tried to get him to say "Candy, please!" He can say those words, just not together. Before we headed out, we would say, "Candy, please!" then put an M&M in the bucket. I kind of worked. As we progressed to each house, he knew good stuff was coming his way! Thanks to all the sweet old ladies demanding he stop by their place!

Knocking...

...getting the loot!

After trick-or-treating, we invited friends Danny & Tycee over for pizza, wings, and pumpkin carving. Good times! Harrison even got in on the fun by drawing on the pumpkin, and letting Daddy carve the lines.

Oh, you may wonder what Elisha dressed up as. Friday, at school, she was Luna Lovegood (the blond in Harry Potter). Too bad her school doesn't really dress up. Saturday was a simple baseball player / fan. Sorry, no pictures!

Harrison Loves

Now that Harrison is almost 17 months old, we'd like to tell you some of the things he loves. Trust us, you'll love them, too!

Harrison Loves...

to climb - especially on chairs, tables, and toilets
to say yes when told no
to kiss and hug Teddy Bear
to say hi tho PUPpies!
to text random people blank messages
to chat on the phone to who ever will listen
to destroy the awesome Lincoln Log houses mommy builds
to demolish any stacked toys, especially if they are blocks
to read stories
to sit with Daddy
to draw - on paper or Daddy's chair
to push buttons - anywhere, anytime
to walk on grass, not sidewalks
to call kitties puppies
tease - he'll offer an object, even kisses, the pull away, laughing
to run around naked - especially before bath time
turn lights on and off, then on and off, then again
to laugh
to get into drawers, especially Mommy's make-up
to play with cooking spoons and knives
to say "hi"
to eat - especially when and what others are eating
bananas, kiwis, peanut butter, chocolate - not cinnamon
family
Babies - which is wonderful since #2 is coming in April!

Daddy's Boy

Harrison just keeps getting cuter and sweeter everyday. He's a very big boy, now 16 1/2 months. He likes to help Mommy and Daddy do everything. He even likes to clean up! Example: he'll take our dishes or wrappers to the garbage can or counter - without being asked. He even gets us blankets when we're lying on the floor.

But, the thing Harrison loves to do most is spend time with his Daddy. They're inseparable when Jason's home!

Harrison LOVES to hang out with Daddy. If Jason's home, that's where Harrison is. It's very disheartening when Daddy has to leave to go potty.


Harrison wants to be like Daddy. Jason has a backpack for school, so Harrison figured he needed to lug one around the house, too. We tried his diaper bag, then one of Jason's old bags. Perhaps Santa will help here.

Harrison eats like Daddy. Both beg Elisha to be the one to eat the beaters. Here's Harrison's first attempt at brownie mix, which he cleaned up pretty well!


Harrison is CUTE like Daddy. He'll do the sweetest things like give free kisses and hugs. He loves puppies, and always wants to say hi to them.

Harrison wears shoes like Daddy. Well, too bad we caught him wearing Mommy's shoes, but he does wear Jason's, too. He's just trying to be so big!



Harrison is stylish like Daddy. Here he is on the first cold day of October, jacket, pants, shoes and all. Strut that look!

Harrison is daring and loves to talk like Daddy. Harrison enjoys freaking us out by climbing on chairs unsupervised and getting into trouble. Yes, a few chairs have fallen. He also loves to chat, as many will attest to. A blank text received or a long, confusing conversation is always offered from Harrison.



Harrison looks like Daddy. Whatever Jason is wearing or holding, Harrison has to as well. This includes pens, phones, books, clothes. Harrison even loves to carry around Jason's soft pajama pants. Here's Harrison in Jason's work apron, complete with tie!



That's our, I mean, that's Jason's boy! More to come, for sure.

Homecoming 2010

When we were first dating, Elisha told Jason she had never been to any formal dance, let alone Homecoming. So, Jason created one for Elisha, which is also coincidentally when he proposed 5 years ago. Now it's a tradition that we do every year. He always asks in a cute, creative way, and has luckily always been told yes! It's really just a fun time we get to celebrate "us."

This year's Homecoming was on Saturday, September 11 in Salt Lake. The other half of our group was Jason's brother, Jeremy, and his date, Brandon. They were a blast!

One thing you have to know about Homecoming is that Elisha never knows any of the activities or places. It's all a surprise, so very suspenseful, in an exciting way.

Our day event was super fun: ice blocking! Have you ever been? If not, GO! You just need a block of ice, conveniently purchased at the local grocery store, and a towel. You find a hill, climb it, put the towel on the block of ice no bigger than your bum, sit and slide!

Here's Brandon being the first brave soul to ice block.




Here's Jason...trying to ice block.



Gotta love Jeremy's laugh in this one!



Elisha, a little more uncertain.



Okay, now for the pros to show off!









The brothers, Jason & Jeremy, racing.




After trying spending our time on the smaller, yet challenging mound, the guys wanted to attempt "The Hill." It looked too monstrous for Elisha, so she took the chance to film the whole episode.

Deciding...


















Yeah, Jason was tricked into going down alone. In the end, they all took turns. How gentlemanly.

Here goes Jeremy!



Now Brandon.



After ice blocking, Jason and Jeremy took Elisha and Brandon to the Ellerbeck Mansion in downtown SLC to get pretty for the evening. The mansion is a bread and breakfast; very quaint and comfortable. We stayed in the Spring Breeze room, which felt warm, and even had a balcony! At night, they leave a chocolate on your pillow and you can even go to the fridge and take a soda, which Jason loved.















Jeremy chose a delicious restaurant for dinner at Sapa Sushi & Grill. If you want real ambiance, sit outside and enjoy the view!




















After dinner, we went to see Desert Star Playhouse's production of "My Big, Fat, Utah Wedding." We have never laughed so hard in our lives! It used Utah-Mormon culture, making simple situations turn ridiculous. If you ever have the opportunity to see it, GO!

Here's the cast after the show, and their oleo, a separate part of the show.















After the show, the couples went their separate ways, Jason and Elisha back to the mansion.
The weekend was fantastic! Homecoming is always a treat, and truly enjoyable. Can you believe Jason is already scheming for 2011?