SMILE!

Just wanted you all to have a fun pic to refer to while we work on updating!

Have a fabulous day, cuz you deserve it!

Elisha's High School Reunion

This past weekend we returned to Bountiful, the site of Elisha's high school education. The time had come for Viewmont High School's Class of '99 reunion. The event was done in two pieces: Dinner for the adults at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Friday night, and a picnic in the park for the whole family Saturday afternoon.

Upon entering the banquet room where the dinner was held, it didn't take long for Elisha to feel like we were back in high school again, and Elisha made up her mind that this was the last reunion she'd ever attend. Searching for a table with at least one person she knew, we found a group with some familiar faces, or at least ones that didn't look too mean.

As the evening progressed it actually became fun. In fact, Elisha even decided that after five or ten years she would come back. Once we got settled in it stopped feeling like the good old days, you know the ones where you feel like you're constantly being judged, and it started to be entertaining to see the way people had changed. Even though Jason wasn't a student at Viewmont, one of his favorite parts of the evening was the then and now photo collage. It was also nice to hear a few students compete to see who had the worst job. (A data entry clerk for a credit repair firm won.)

Throughout the evening they had a raffle. When the Free Taco Time combo meal coupons came up, Elisha closed her eyes and said, "Not us! Not us!" Of course Jason's name was called out.


Awhile later when the $25 Costco gift card was being awarded, Elisha again closed her eyes and said, "Not us! Not us!" Upon seeing Jason's confused expression, she explained that it worked last time, and sure enough Elisha's name was called.


We used the gift card to buy formula for Harrison, so it looks like we all won a free dinner.

The best part of the next day was when Harrison got to meet someone else with his name for the first time. Actually he slept through it, but his parents were pretty excited that Elisha has a classmate that named their firstborn with the same name, and for similar reasons.

The highlight of the entire trip had to of been when two people confessed to being stalkers of our blog. (The reunion commitee has a blog and put links to the blogs of classmates.) We were really excited to learn that some people had been keeping up with the Jones'. We hope that just because the reunion is over that they don't stop. In fact, we have started to return the favor. Who knows, maybe by the next reunion, we might not have to try so hard to find a table because we can just sit next to our "blog friends."

Harrison's Name

A lot of people have asked where Harrison's name comes from. The answer is simple, but if I answer it simply this won't be much of a post. So let's start with nicknames.

Albus Dumbledore:
This isn't really a nickname, it's just a fun thing that came from my other blog. You'll have to follow the links to understand; really I just picked a well known but uncommon name. However, after I wrote that post I did get in the habit of calling him Albus. This became a small thing when he was born. We were so used to referring to him as Albus that we had to adjust to Harrison.
That's his only nickname. For now.

His real name, starting with August:
I think people are more interested in this name than they are Harrison. Some ask if we chose it because it is the month I was born. Others ask if it was chosen because it is nine months before May. While those are good enough, the real reason it was on the list is because I have loved the name ever since I was a teenager. I first read it in a book by Robert Cormier called Fade. It isn't a character name. It is the name of one of the character's uncles, but when I read it and realized that it could be a name I decided that I wanted to name my son August. Luckily, Elisha let me do it. Plus it sounds awesome with Harrison.

Harrison:
Elisha and I decided that we wanted to use family names for our children. However, we like the idea of using last names as first names, even if it is really trendy right now. So that gave us a pretty good list of names to use. Harrison was the remarried last name of Elisha's great-grandma. So while it may not be a name of any actual family line, it is the name that Elisha remembers her grandma by. We both liked the name, and it didn't seem like it was too extreme.

A couple of cool things about his name:

The name August means "great, revered, exalted."

Harrison is the name of the actor who played Indiana Jones. I would have loved to have named him Indy.


Harrison means Harry's son, which relates really well to his fake nickname. If you've read the books you know what I mean, if you haven't then stop thinking about it or it may ruin the next couple of movies for you. Oh, and read the dang books!

Making Friends!

Recently Jason had a long weekend, and we took full advantage by going to SLC to visit friends and family. It was a perfect opportunity for Harrison to meet new people and make some friends (or at least be photographed with other babies).

We were so lucky on this trip. Usually we have some event that we are attending, which eats up the bulk of our time. Not on this trip. We were able to spend as much time doing whatever we wanted to do.

The beginning of our trip was spent meeting babies. A couple of Elisha's mission companions recently had children that we haven't met yet, and, of course, they haven't met Harrison. So we spent our first day comparing parenting stories and babies.

Harrison and Nathan

Nathan is the son of Mandy and Junior, both of whom served in Elisha's mission, Mandy was Elisha's trainer. Nathan is about six months old in this picture. Harrison was too sleepy to care about posing for the camera.

Stacy holding her baby Libby, and Elisha holding Harrison

Stacy was another of Elisha's mission companions. She was married less than a month before us, and Libby was born only three days after Harrison, but this is their second child and only our first.

On day two we were able to meet up with some of Jason's old friends. Jason also bought a new game called Bang! so we had the opportunity to play that as well.

April and Jason

April is one of Jason's friends from his days at Marriott. They have been lucky enough to maintain their friendship even though they live in different parts of the state. April and Elisha have become good friends as well. This picture wasn't taken during this weekend's trip, it was actually during the weekend of the north baby shower. We always forget to take pictures when we are with April and her family so this is the best we could do.

We also forgot to take pictures with Jason's friend Stacy and her family. We had a great time at their home. We ate good food, played fun games, and really enjoyed spending time with them.

Even though we spent so much time with friends, we were still able to spend a ton of time with Jason's family. Jason desperately wanted to go to a drive in movie, but we decided that it would be more fun to let Harrison spend time with his Namaw, and Uncle Jeremy, as well as to meet his Great Grandma Kendall, Aunt Carol, and Cousin John. (He already met other members of the family that morning, but of course his dad forgot to take pictures.) Jeremy cooked an awesome dinner with hardly any time to prepare; we ate well, and we played more of Jason's new game.

Harrison with his Great Grandma Kendall

Harrison with his Cousin John

After the Salt Lake part of our trip, we went further north to spend time with the McCullough family. Sunday was very well spent with an amazing Father's Day bar-b-que. And even more gaming.

Aunt Zjani and Harrison

This wasn't the first time Harrison met his favorite Aunt Zjani, but we forgot to take pictures when she came down to meet him a couple of weeks ago. Harrison really seems to enjoy being held by his aunt.

By Monday, we were done showing off our amazing child, so we decided to take a little Mommy and Daddy time. We went to the open house of the Oqquirh Mountain Temple, and followed it with lunch in a bar. Well an Irish pub. What trip to Salt Lake would be complete without visiting the Bangerter Crossing Harmon's for some fresh made gelato?

Oqquirh Mountain Temple

We had a wonderful day together, but we were definitely ready to get back to our baby. That night we played even more Bang!. Poor Elisha, she's always up for a game, but three days in a row of the same game is a bit much.

We had so much fun this trip, and it was so nice to see friends that we don't get to see very often. By the time it was over, we were both exhausted, but it was well worth it.

By the way, Harrison did an awesome job on the travel. We think it put his schedule out of whack for a day or two when we returned, but he was perfect the whole way there and back!

Valedictorian

No, Jason's not graduating...yet. He still has 2 years before he has to prepare his graduation speech. But, Harrison is right up there at the head of his class! He had his 2 week check-up last week. Harrison gained a pound, was weighed at 10 lbs 11 oz and 23 1/4". The doctor said Harrison is in the top 95-97% of babies his age in weight, size, and head measurement. He's in the top 100% with cuteness and adorableness, too!

We're having fun being parents, though we really can't imagine it being any other way - crazy! Harrison is the best baby we could ask for. He only cries when he's hungry or needs something. Otherwise he just looks around, or sleeps for 3-4 hours.

There was a point Harrison was peeing everywhere. Jason got smart and grabbed a washcloth to cover him up when we change the diaper. It all started when we went for the circ appointment, which is done at doctor's offices now. We were changing his diaper before the nurse took Harrison, when he squirted, thankfully, himself in the head. We all think that was for the doctor! Then, consecutively at home, Harrison tried to get us. Don't know how he managed it, but each time was towards himself. Nonetheless, we changed the sheets and outfits quite a few times!

Babies are fun, and we're excited for all our friends who have them and are expecting! It so true when people say that your life will never be the same! But, it's such a GOOD different.

Here are some picts we wanted to share:)

Uncle Christian, Grandma & Grandpa McCullough with Harrison.

Thanks to Aunts Cathie and Zjani for the cute onesies!

Jason (Dad) and Harrison. Jason has been an awesome dad and husband.

Thanks to Mommies

We want to thank our families, especially moms for coming to stay and help us out with Harrison. It was so wonderful to know we can count on these amazing ladies and their abilities to comfort. Karen, Jason's mom (left), cleaned the house and made it a welcome place to be when we came home. Dawn, Elisha's mom (right), got up at night and froze meals for the future. We are grateful to both moms for watching Harrison and encouraging us to get out of the house. We love you immensely and will never forget your willingness and support. Thank you so much!