The List

We keep a running list of items we need to buy at the store on our fridge (aka grocery list).  Every once in a while we find unique items added to our list.  Here are a few of the recent ones:

• 8 packages of Chimichangas
• Battlefield 4 (Xbox game)
• An ax
• Dry ice
• Mastiff

Wrestling

Brenna said, "I cannot imagine facing 160 lbs of Harrison coming at you in spandex on the wrestling mat."  That is what his opponents faced this year as Harrison wrestled for the first time.  Harrison was a force to be reckoned with.  What he lacked in experience he made up for in brute force.  He won most of his matches and then came in 2nd at districts. 

Watch below to see him in action, he pinned his opponent in less than 15 seconds. (Harrison is in blue)

Pie

David: "I can't believe you ate that whole pie already."
Harrison: "I didn't."
David: "Well, who else would have?"
Harrison: "Surely someone else had some."
David: "Really, who?"
{awkward silence}

Our Entreprenuer

Brandon came home the other night and informed us he had made the quickest $15 in his life.  He made $15 for only 30 seconds of work.  Want to know how?  By eating a worm. 

Someone had offered to pay him $5 to eat a worm.  Knowing he could earn more, he refused the offer and said he wouldn't settle for anything less than $15.  Two other students ponied up $5 quickly and a large group of students gathered round to watch.  The only stipulation was that he had to chew it and have it in his mouth for at least 10 seconds.  Brandon rose to the challenge and earned his $15.  It was captured on multiple cameras and the video is floating around Twitter somewhere.

Harry

Harrison turned 14 this year.  It has been a great year for him, and a busy one for us.  There are many favorite memories, here are a few highlights of the year.

• One weekend when David was travelling, I asked Harrison what he wanted to do.  The answer was clear: dry ice.  Naively, I agreed.  5 lbs of dry ice later, I was introduced to the many experiments possible.  We did dry ice bubbles, dry ice drinks, explosions, and many more things.  At one point he innocently asked what would happen if he swallowed some dry ice.  Alarmed, I threatened his life if he ever swallowed it, that it would expand in his belly like a bomb.  He then admitted, he had "accidentally" swallowed some.  He then explained that he had some really powerful and painful farts for awhile.  I laughed, and we had a great time.
• We did not use all of the dry-ice on Saturday, and stored the rest in the freezer.  Before leaving for church, I very clearly told Harrison he was not allowed to use the dry ice while I was gone.  I came home to find him smiling like a mad scientist, the sink full of dry ice smoke.  Lesson learned.

• We got a fire pit for our wedding.  Good thing, because Harrison is the #1 user of the fire pit.  A friend had given us a bunch of tree rounds.  When Harrison found these, he chopped the rounds into logs with a hatchet.  That is all we had at the time.  The weekend of the dry ice, Harrison slyly mentioned that we needed an axe and I had promised I would get one.  We headed off to Lowe's.  He was thrilled and couldn't wait to use it.  I was amazed to see Harrison be able to chop the wood with just one swing, wow.

• One evening I heard Harrison running around the house and frantically calling for his dad.  Not finding him, he burst in to tell me that he thought he was in trouble and that there was a man outside threatening to call the police.  A man had brought Harrison home because he and 2 friends had lit a fire in the park and were jumping over it with bikes.  The man was concerned about their house that was near the park.  They had taken lighter fluid from his friend's house to light the fire.  Want to know whose idea it was?  Harrison's, he talked the two friends into it.  He has been suffering as he lost fire for six months because of it.
• Harrison has been working in the office at school as an aid.   He brings them hot beverages and they bring him snacks.  The ladies love him, and he knows it.  We have heard many times how great he is. 
• Brandon found T-Rex in the toy box and Harrison latched on, bringing it with him to run errands.  Do not be fooled by this sweet picture of Harrison hugging T-Rex.  T-Rex makes a squeaking sound when squeezed.  He used this to irritate his parents by squeezing it about 50 times during a 5 minute period.  He got paid $1 to release T-Rex, it is now hidden.

Ericson

We have a new addition to our family.

His name is Ericson, "Leaf" Ericson.

The original Leif Ericson was the Norse explorer who was the first European to land in North America.

Our "Leaf" Ericson is a leaf bug that was found on the porch.

Harrison decided to capture him and he is now living in a jar in our kitchen.  Brandon named him.  He eats leafs, but is picky.  He will only eat tree leafs.  We gave him some water, and he doesn't seem to like it.  I woke up this morning and couldn't find him.  I thought he had escaped.  Nope ... he just blended in with his food.  Can you see him?

Ode to Canned Peached

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

We canned peaches last night,

what did you do?

Roses are red,

Daffodils are yellow.

David helped the whole time,

He is quite a great fellow.

Roses are red,

Dead roses are black.

When it came to peeling peaches,

David had quite the knack.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

It took us 6 hours,

We did not have a clue.

Roses are red,
Brown is the color of wood.
I only called mom 4 times,
I think that is pretty good.

Roses are red,

Chickens don't fly.

If the peaches don't taste good,

the boys better lie.

Roses are red,

All kids love Mickey.

After all of those peaches,

My floor is quite sticky.

Roses are red,

My pants are maroon.

At $4 a bottle,

This may not happen again soon.

Roses are red,

Daisy's are white.

Because they love canned peaches,

I knew the boys would delight.

Roses are red,

Dirt is brown.

When finishing after midnight,

My face wore a frown.

Roses are red,

I know how to skate.

With all of these peaches,

I bet they'll taste great.