If you don't make a noise, God will never know you're there.

Morgan Family Christmas

2011-12-25T20:46:00.002-06:00

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

2011-12-25T09:10:00.002-06:00

Harris Holiday Program

2011-12-15T19:09:00.002-06:00

Here is Harris singing two unique versus of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."

"Let's all do a little clapping

Let's all do a little clapping

And spread Christmas Cheer!"

"Let's all do a little jumping

Let's all do a little jumping

And spread Christmas Cheer!"

Decorating Little Trees and the Big Tree

2011-11-26T12:20:00.001-06:00

Halloween

2011-10-31T21:01:00.002-05:00

Vala's Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-31T20:59:00.002-05:00

Two weeks ago- and now we are wearing winter coats.

2011-10-20T21:26:00.000-05:00

Ditmar's Orchard

2011-09-24T20:49:00.003-05:00

The piercing of Joss' ears

2011-09-24T19:38:00.004-05:00

Friday night, Joss turned to me and said, "Mommy, I'd like to get my ears pierced." Mick and I had discussed this a few months ago and decided that whenever she asked, we'd let her do it. I told her that if she really wanted to, we could go Saturday afternoon during Harris naptime. This morning she woke up, and the first thing she asked was, "Mommy, are we going to go get my ears pierced today?" I told her that we were going to swimming lessons and then the apple orchard, but we could go after that if she still wanted to. After the apple orchard, she asked again, so we hopped in the car and pierced those ears! She didn't cry and said that it hurt less than getting a shot.

Marking the spots

One the count of three!

It's done and I think she's in shock.

Look at those cute ears!

Soaker Hose

2011-09-10T21:28:00.001-05:00

Millard Days Parade

2011-09-10T21:21:00.000-05:00

Two Rivers and Smores!

2011-09-10T21:09:00.001-05:00

First Day of Kindergarten

2011-08-10T09:01:00.003-05:00

Dance Birthday Party at Fluidity Dance Studio

2011-06-21T21:40:00.007-05:00

Popcorn bags for the attendees

Food

Musical Chairs

And this is where you tell me how great the tutus look and how it was totally worth all of the blood, sweat, and tears to make them and the girls will always remember the birthday party they attended where they got that super cool tutu as a gift. And....go!

Birthday Celebration with Vest Grandparents

2011-06-21T21:33:00.005-05:00

Princess Barbies

The Barbie car that used to belong to my sister and me.

Barbies and Barbie clothes that used to belong to my sister and me.

Swimming!

2011-06-07T20:43:00.004-05:00

Please disregard the weeds. I refuse to use the weed whacker.

Preschool Graduation!

2011-05-27T11:39:00.004-05:00

Dance Recital

2011-05-15T15:01:00.004-05:00

Joss was a cat and danced to the song "Memories" from the musical "Cats."

Kindergarten Round Up!

2011-05-15T14:35:00.003-05:00

Water Play

2011-05-15T14:19:00.004-05:00

This was less then a week ago- and now I am wearing long sleeves and pants while drinking hot chocolate with my heater running. That's Nebraska for you!

Bubbles

2011-05-15T13:55:00.004-05:00

There may need to be a bubble intervention soon. Harris is addicted to bubbles. This is one of the last times bubbles were allowed in the house because my husband outlawed them due to spillage. Oh well.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

2011-05-01T15:23:00.004-05:00

I have only flown a kite once in my life- when I was like 7.

I think I did a pretty good job coaching Joss and she enjoyed it!

May Day!

2011-05-01T15:20:00.001-05:00

We went to 7 houses, but was only nearly caught once!

Easter with the Morgans

2011-04-24T14:00:00.006-05:00

Easter Morning

2011-04-24T08:49:00.005-05:00

Checking out Joss' stuff
Bubbles for Harris

Harris thought it was fun to pull about the hinged eggs

Dyeing Eggs

2011-04-24T08:44:00.004-05:00

Dancing with Joss

2011-04-19T17:08:00.001-05:00

Easter

2011-04-17T13:30:00.003-05:00

Photo Shoot Favorites

2011-04-13T22:43:00.004-05:00

2nd Birthday cont'd

2011-04-08T21:55:00.007-05:00

Harris and his twin cousins have birthdays 2 days apart, so we celebrate together!

It was a pirate theme- the main cake was pirate and Mickey Mouse pirate. Ben and Charlie had Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Harris had pirate Mickey Mouse.

Notice Harris trying to touch the fire...

Harris screaming because we would not let him touch the fire.

Joss and the twins playing choo choo train

A necktie!

A tricycle!

Books!

He received more wonderful gifts, but I didn't get great pictures of them.

Harris' Birthday

2011-04-04T12:55:00.007-05:00

Playdough from Mommy

Bubbles and Pinwheel Joss picked out

Truck from Daddy

Straight bubble shot to the head!

Mickey Mouse shirt from Gma and Gpa Vest

Train from Gma and Gpa Vest

Giant Cupcake!

He blew them out without help

Two Rivers State Park

2011-04-03T20:29:00.005-05:00

A Rapunzel Brithday Party for Madeline

2011-03-26T17:05:00.002-05:00

Zoo

2011-03-20T20:26:00.010-05:00

Nocturnal Animals

Bats

Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

Sanitizing his face- not sure why.

Stop for a snack

Even though she looks dazed, I like this photo

Silly kids

He was very gentle

Joss had no interest in petting the animals

Bear

An ice cream treat

Harris' was called Frog Spit

Joss' was orange

Gorilla House

Baby Gorilla

Silverback

Stepping only on the turtles

Penguins

Harris at My Gym

2011-03-13T10:21:00.006-05:00

Circus

2011-03-13T10:13:00.003-05:00

Joss' First Snowman

2011-02-04T21:00:00.003-06:00

2011-01-29T12:36:00.002-06:00

Kiera's Birthday

2011-01-16T20:26:00.007-06:00

Snow Day!

2011-01-10T16:38:00.006-06:00

Self Timer Fail

He likes it!

What may be the best snow angel ever!

Help me!!

She hit me with quite a few snow chunks

Harris did NOT want to come inside.

Dress Up/Tea Party Birthday for a friend.

2011-01-09T17:39:00.005-06:00

Omaha Children's Museum

2010-12-29T16:59:00.007-06:00

CoCo Key

2010-12-28T16:57:00.001-06:00

Jules and Kiera on the slides

Joss' turn

Going again

Kiera in the background- Joss in the foreground

Always with the tongue out

Teamwork!

Silly girls

Almost a great picture

Kiera being Kiera

Powers Family Christmas

2010-12-26T22:48:00.007-06:00

Sorting gifts

Joss declared it her job to collect the bows

Gift opening was smack dab in the middle of nap time- I thought we had lost Harris at this point, but he jumped back up again moments later.

Just Us Christmas

2010-12-25T21:12:00.004-06:00

Just Dance 2- which we played for an hour this evening

A shape-o-ball

Doll

Helping Mick

Mini Pillow Pet Knock Off

Caledar of the kids

DoodlePro

Trio Blocks

Girlie Stuff

Her favorite book ever!

Santa/Morgan Family Christmas

2010-12-25T15:30:00.008-06:00

The Princesses Santa pictured in his e-mail to Joss.
Elmo bath books

Silly Bandz

Even Mommy was good this year

Somebody must have snuck Daddy's name onto the Good List

At the Morgans!

A yard of licorice

Books for Harris that Joss promptly stole

A fun truck

Elmo Hat

3 peas in a pod

Remote control helicopters
Reading 5 little monkeys
Gifts from Arizona
Papa's tractor chair
Snowmen handprints
Proof that Mommy was at the celebration
2 troubles stealing the amunition for the marshmellow blow guns
A true warrior

Church/Vest Christmas

2010-12-24T22:04:00.005-06:00

Ready for Church
Canned Food Donation Tree at Church
Snacks at Vests before opening gifts
Teddy bears from Santa
Loving those bears!
Gift that Joss picked out for me
Gift that Joss picked out for Mick
I think this could possibly be a recalled gift in the neat future
Elmo!
New jammies for bed
Cookies and carrots for Santa and reindeer!

PE101

2010-12-17T15:49:00.004-06:00

Joss' Line- "I will get more hay."

2010-12-12T15:15:00.005-06:00

Joss played an angel

The characters were set up in little skits around the church. To activate a skit, you dropped a coin into the jar and they would perform the skit. The jars were later distributed to kids to take to Salvation Army kettles to donate.

Joss wainting to perform.

Grumpy angel- not sure what made her grumpy though.

Joss blowing kiss to Harris instead of performing.

Joss' big moment.

Santa

2010-12-05T15:18:00.001-06:00

Decorating the Tree

2010-11-25T18:59:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T18:36:00.003-06:00

Children's Museum

2010-11-23T16:34:00.006-06:00

Elmo!

2010-11-21T18:56:00.002-06:00

Boo!

2010-11-21T18:49:00.001-06:00

Funny Faces at Dinner

2010-11-18T17:49:00.002-06:00

New Hair Do!

2010-11-16T20:07:00.001-06:00

Just Dance with Madeline!

2010-11-16T15:55:00.004-06:00

Go Grandpa!

2010-11-16T14:51:00.004-06:00

Here is my dad doing Just Dance with Joss- I made sure to pick one of the more manly songs for him to rock out to!

Grandma does Just Dance!

2010-11-15T20:43:00.005-06:00

My mom gives dancing a shot with Joss.

Trick or Treat at West

2010-11-01T11:14:00.000-05:00

Trick or Treat!

2010-10-31T21:27:00.003-05:00

Vala's Take 2

2010-10-30T23:16:00.007-05:00

Pumpkin Carving!

2010-10-17T21:36:00.004-05:00

A story by Mick from the past.

2010-10-16T22:16:00.002-05:00

Mick used to update a blog- it's been over a year since his last post, but here is a funny moment which he wrote about back on July 1, 2009.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009
It's Not Just Dogs

Another funny kid story. Joss has been doing a really good job helping get herself up in the mornings and then down at night. She really is a fantastic helper. That's not to say that there haven't been some minor setbacks. Take tonight for example.

Joss really wanted this small bag of generic brand fruit snacks. Not being above bribing a three year old I told her she could have them only if she got herself ready for "night night". She changed her panties, read her books, counted, and sang her ABCs all with no fits and with minimum parental help. She even got her own drink of water from the bathroom. When we got through singing our songs and she was all tucked in and ready for sleeps I gave her the cup she prepared. A second before she got the cup to her lips I noticed a odd shadow through the brim of the cup. It was toilet paper. I asked her where she got the water and she said the potty!

It must have had a small amount of paper floating in the bowl. That small scrap must have been scooped up when she dunked in her little cup. If not for that I would never have questioned where she got her night night drink of water. I guess we need more work on the night time routine

2010-10-16T22:08:00.003-05:00

Just Dance!

2010-10-14T20:55:00.001-05:00

A real conversation with Joss

2010-10-11T21:53:00.003-05:00

What should we have for dinner tonight?

J: Grapes and yogurt

We can't just have graps and yogurt. We need some meat or something.

J: I know grapes and yogurt with something.

I was thinking about eggs and bacon and toast.

J: I don't want eggs, just bacon and toast...and a sandwhich.

We can't have toast and a sandwhich and I think Harris would like some eggs.

J: I can have toast and bacon and Harris can have toast and eggs.

I think Harris would like some bacon too.

J: No, I don't think Harris would enjoy the bacon.

Her last statement just seemed like a very grown up thing to say. And she was right- Harris did not enjoy the bacon.

Leaves!

2010-10-10T18:56:00.002-05:00

Tractor Ride

2010-10-06T18:02:00.002-05:00

Vala's Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-04T17:10:00.004-05:00

Ditmar's Orchard

2010-09-24T18:55:00.002-05:00

Latest God Moment

2010-09-06T22:22:00.002-05:00

God Moments were previously explained here .

Here is a God Moment from today.

Joss went to the zoo with my parents this morning and happened to get sick in the Aquarium. God bless Grandma for doing her best to manage a terrible situation- of all the times you want a nurse around, it's when a young child is physically ill. A nurse is practical, calm, and experienced in all sorts of situations involving illness. When Joss arrived home, she was sad and whiny and needy- which is to be expected. She took a good nap and then situated herself on the couch to watch cartoons. Out of nowhere, she turns to me with a pouty little face and says, "Mamma, I want to cuddle you." Without skipping a beat, I was laying behind her on the couch soaking up some Joss love. That was a God Moment.

More pics from Sunday

2010-09-06T22:12:00.000-05:00

A Sunday Morning in September

2010-09-05T13:31:00.005-05:00

An actual conversation with Joss

2010-08-22T21:20:00.003-05:00

J: I see another sprinkler!
Me: Great!
J: It's across the street.
Me: Our neighbor must be watering.
J: Is across our street a neighbor?
Me: Yes.
J: Yes it's our neighbor?
Me: Yes- across our street is our neighbor.
J: Just next to us is our neighbor?
Me: No, any house you can see is our neighbor.
J: But I can't see the house, just the sprinkler.
Me: If you can see their yard or their house, then they are our neighbor.
J: So, just across the street is our neighbor?
Me: NO. any. house. or. yard. you. can. see. is. our. neighbor.
J: and their sprinkler?
Me: YES!
J: Our neighbor has a spinkler?
Me: YES!

This how almost every conversation goes. And now you understand why I am losing my sanity.

Joss

2010-08-14T16:03:00.000-05:00

Harris

2010-08-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

Platte River State Park

2010-07-25T13:57:00.002-05:00

Spinkler Fun!

2010-07-18T08:37:00.001-05:00

Today...

2010-07-15T21:19:00.004-05:00

I tried to write a blog post, but couldn't find anything worthwhile to say. Bummer.

4th Birthday!

2010-06-19T17:25:00.001-05:00

Swimming

2010-05-31T18:47:00.001-05:00

2010-05-24T19:42:00.002-05:00

Before

After

In Between

God Moments

2010-05-23T21:47:00.002-05:00

I stole this from another blog- a women who was quoting her pastor telling her to look for the God Moments. According to this lady's pastor, they happen everyday and multiple times a day and we should look for them. Here is one of my God Moments from today.

I snuck away from Harris while he was engaged with a toy on the floor. I took a few precious moments of alone time to do what every mother does when they may actually have 2 minutes alone- go to the bathroom. When I came out, it was apparent that Harris had noticed my leave and was looking for me. His first reaction was to head towards the kitchen. If you know me, then you know that this makes sense. He caught me coming down the hallway out of the corner of his eye and promptly changed his expression from concern and inquiring to glee and joy. He took off at a run and flung himself onto my legs. If he could have climbed me, he would have. It's amazing that he could have missed me so much in just a few minutes. That was a God Moment.

Dance Recital

2010-05-22T08:05:00.004-05:00

Adventures in a Box

2010-05-22T08:05:00.000-05:00

More Zoo

2010-04-09T16:27:00.002-05:00

Last of the zoo

2010-04-09T16:27:00.001-05:00

Zoo

2010-04-09T16:26:00.000-05:00

Cake!

2010-04-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

The destruction of a tower

2010-04-03T21:38:00.000-05:00

Harris' First Birthday

2010-04-03T19:07:00.000-05:00

House Centipedes

2010-04-03T19:05:00.000-05:00

These nasty guys invade my house every spring and summer. I'm putting up a thick Ortho Home Max border this year in hopes that they will stay out!! Research says that they are good and eat other nasty house insects, but I think I'll take the ants and flies over these creepy crawlers.

2010-04-02T21:13:00.005-05:00

Remember this?

Yeah- that was 364 days ago.

Attempting to set the automatic timer- Epic Fail

2010-03-28T15:33:00.001-05:00

Swimming Lesson

2010-03-27T14:19:00.000-05:00

Failure to capture a perfect photo of the kids...

2010-03-20T22:29:00.000-05:00