Life is rather full...who has time to blog?

Sometimes I think about posting something on our blog, but then...

I hear the boys fighting and I need to pull them apart and facilitate apologies, or

I remember Dan asked me to do a load of darks so that he has socks for work tomorrow.

Sometimes I think about creating a new post with recent pictures, then I remember I haven't ever uploaded photos from my phone to the computer and I need to do that before I can possibly post a few pics on the blog.

I have a mental list of thank you cards that need writing, which is something to bless others, so I definitely shouldn't write on my personal blog before doing those.

Hmm...then there's the stack of paperwork and mail that needs attention, and what about those beans that I put in a pot to soak until this afternoon, or the clothes that are too small for Grayson and need to be moved into Gavin's closet? I know I won't have time for all of that if I sit down to write a blog entry.

Besides, who still reads our blog anyway? Considering that everyone who used to read it has noticed we don't post on here anymore, what I don't write won't be missed.

I could go on and on with all of the things that keep me busy. And as for Dan, well, our family blog isn't even close to the top of his priority list.

So, for now, the blog will remain rather lifeless, while our real lives remain brimming!

He's getting so big!

Gavin turned 1 in May. Here are a couple of pictures from his party:

I think he's signing water in this one with Dan!

We sure love our Mr. Gavin!

Happy Birthday little man!

Look who's 3!

We celebrated Grayson's third birthday in April. He is getting so big, and turning into such a neat little boy. Dan and I find ourselves looking at each other with surprise when he comes up with a new way to do things, a new phrase or way to express himself to us. We are enjoying the ride to be sure!

 Wall-e paraphernalia and robot parts decked the house for the party.

 And one of Gavin, well, just being Gav! Few diversions are quite as fun as sticking one's tongue out!

Watch for more pics soon of Gavin's first birthday party from this last weekend!

Ahhh...fall is here. Crisp mornings, leaves on the ground, the holidays just around the corner.

The perfect time to capture our family on film.

Here's the latest work Suzannah Kruse has blessed us with:

Is this really my family? Seeing it through a lens reminds me how profoundly blessed I am.

On a lighter note: Notice that Dan isn't sitting in the grass!

He has a thing about touching grass and/or getting dirty.

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Lastly, one of us with my (Tia's) parents. I love it!

Home-made Holloween Costumes

Follow these simple steps to make a great home-made Holloween costume:

Summer Activities!

Gavin, Grayson, Dan and I have been enjoying the warm weather through a variety of activities so far. Walks, the pool in the backyard, trips to Grandma and Grandpa's house, BBQing, watching movies, eating cherries and watermelon, going to the park, playing with friends, and running through the sprinklers. The list goes on! So much summer fun we're having!

Here is Gavin, just laying around! One of his favorite activites. He's quite good at it!

Grayson got a hold of the camera. There are a bunch more just like this one as well!

Dan enjoying sweet little Gav resting on his chest!

Oooo, fireworks! Grayson loved buying them, playing with them in and out of the package, and of course, finally, watching Dan set them off on the 4th.

More Pictures

What an awkward little kid!


Mom and Dad doing what they do best: Dad bouncing Grayson on his lap and singing that funny German song, and Mom holding "Baby Dabbin" (as Grayson likes to say)


Sleepin' and smilin'.

And last but not lease...the amazing work of Suzanna Kruse at

http://www.suzannahkrusephotography.com/

More pictures of "G and G"

Gray with his toy chainsaw...sitting in a baby seat...smiling like a madman!


Baby Gavin in grayscale!

Introducing Gavin Elijah Harms

Without further adieu, here he is!




Tia is doing well.




Dan is doing well.



Grayson is scheming.

Chocolate Ice Cream

Growing Belly

For those of you that didn't know...we are expecting baby boy number two! It's getting to where I can't hide this little bundle anymore!

It's been too long...

Well, life has been busy and again we've dropped off the blog scene. Time to at least put up a few fun pictures and offer a brief catch up on what we've been up too since the beginning of summer.

Here's a great pic of the three of us in August.

A blast at the pumpkin patch with Mom and Dad Tourville.

Halloween...Grayson was a dinosaur!

And I'm sure we'll have Christmas photos soon as well!

It felt a little bit like a trip on the S.S. Minnow...

I went on a float trip Tuesday! The journey was supposed to take two hours or so, and four hours later all members of the crew were shouting for dry land!

The route was 7.8 miles long along the Santiam and Willamette Rivers.

Five girls drifted on two tubes, a two-person kayak, and an inflatable surfboard/kayak.

They took along pretzels, Nutella, goldfish crackers, cookies, Capri-suns, and water.

They forgot sunscreen, a map, more paddles.

In the end, realizing that the tubes were just too slow, three people piled into the kayak and two onto the surfboard. One paddle to each craft, we waded through the water rather slowly due to the minimal current. After such a long trek we went to Best Little Roadhouse for some much needed nourishment! Mmmm...cheeseburger!

It was such a blast!

It was a farewell trip and dinner for the girls I have been leading in a small group the past several years. Great memories were made for sure!

Perspective

Grayson, 10 Months old
February 18th, 2009









Grayson, 15.5 Months old
August 5th, 2009

A lot can happen in 5 and a half months!

Grayson's Dirty Mouth

Some types of African parrots eat clay. The clay acts as an antacid, neutralizing the acid and poison found in some of the foods they eat.

Anthropologists also believe that cave-babies ate dirt, exposing themselves to germs and bacteria in an effort to build up their immune system.

Grayson just does it 'cause it's fun.

Watermelon on the 4th of July!

The picture says it all, he likes his watermelon!

Does Grayson have a sister? Who's that cute little girl with the ponytail?

Dan makes these awesome hat-goggle things for Grayson out of business envelopes! How fun!

Guess who's almost one year old?

Yes, those are teeth. And yes, he was just sleeping on his face. No, we didn't hit him.

Grayson doing his famous "growling fireman" impression.

It looks could kill!

Richard Grieco's got nothing on Grayson! Check him out in his getup that his auntie Julia and Uncle Ralf got him for Christmas!

Photo Shoot

The following picture is of Grayson "enjoying" a recent photo shoot. The photo was taken by the amazing Suzannah Kruse. She was there when Grayson was born, and got some incredible shots of his first moments! Check out the following link to her website:

http://www.suzannahkrusephotography.com/index2.html

Winter Wonderland

It has been snowy and stormy lately, but we have been finding ways to keep entertained. We get out of the house everynow and then due to cabin fever, and here are some photos of our latest excursion.