Happy 3rd Birthday Brent!

Our last day in Texas we celebrated Brent's birthday with a family party. Lots of his cousins were able to be there so it was tons of fun. (Everyone who was there: Caden and Noah, Summer and Ben's boys/ Landon and Nathan, Jennie and Phil's boys, Jackson, Spencer, and Kate; Chad and Angie's kids, and of course Taylor.) Grandma Marilyn, Mimmie and Poppie were there with Uncle Curt and Aunt Whitney, Uncle Matt, Aunt Dottie and Garrett. We had it at my moms house and it was a Spider man theme, of course. Brent was in heaven. Since Taylor's party this past summer he has been asking for HIS Spider man party. I would explain that he was the next person in our family to have a birthday, and it would be coming up. But then Grandma Mimi had a birthday and he cried while we sang to her on the phone because he said, "no, my birthday!" It was pretty cute. So he was ready to say the least for HIS Celebration.
We started the party with a few games: pin spider man on the skyscraper; the next game the kids all had spider man masks on and were teamed up with their sibling and had to "web" (with silly string) the villains (Eric and Uncle Ben). Then we did the pinata. We feasted on cupcakes and some little appetizers and treats and then opened presents. It was short and sweet, just long enough for Brent and the kids.
My little guys is getting so big now, it makes me sad. He loves to look at Eric with a thumb up and wink at him and say, "Dad, all boys." He always reminds Taylor and I that we are "gulls" and he and dad are "boys." He is my little mamas boys and loves to give kisses and hugs and always welcomes cuddling. I hope that our new baby in January doesn't rock his world too much, but I think he'll do ok.
In the last few days he's been wearing underwear and is doing really well so far. We will see, he hasn't been ready in the past but Taylor really encourages him when she's home from school and runs with him to the bathroom and coaches him. He loves the attention from her. It would be the best Christmas present for me to have him potty trained before the baby is born.
After he went to the bathroom for the first time the other day, he jumped off and pulled his arm back and said, "YES, I'M A ROCK STAR." It was so hilarious. I have no idea where he got it, but it made us all laugh so hard.



(Brent, just two years ago... my little butter ball)

Thanksgiving In TEXAS!

We flew home to Texas for Thanksgiving this year. With me due in January we knew it would be our last time to fly home to see our parents before the baby is born. My sisters both flew home with their familes and Eric's siblings and cousins were able to be there also. It was so much fun. It was supposed to be a "Harline" Christmas this year but with my baby and Sarah's baby due after the new year, we tried to turn Thanksgiving into a little Christmas of fun activities and many moments to make memories. My sisters are my best friends and we haven't all been home at my mom's house all together in years. It was lots of fun and the kids had so much fun. My kids are lucky enough to have both sets of Grandparents 10 minutes away from eachother everytime we go home to Houston. So they were kept busy every moment. If we had some down time at one house, we'd run over to the other house and join in on the festivities.

My mom took the entire week off of work so we did a little activity with the kids each day: We went to the Aquarium Downtown and enjoyed the amusement park, we saw all the amazing fish, and white Bangle Tiger; Brent and Audrey got the stomach flu that day at the park, but were both troopers and survived with smiles on; We enjoyed the BYU/ UTAH game and Eric was on cloud 9 all week long to say the least. (If the baby wasn't due so soon, he'd be at the Sugar Bowl cheering his Utes on in Jan.) -sorry babe. Hopefully they'll break into the BCS another year. We took the kids to the local fire station and they got to climb all over a real fire truck! We had a really fun shopping day with just my mom and sisters; and even got to go swimming in Eric's back yard. Mimmie and Poppie heated their pool, and the kids were in heaven. The boys enjoyed some golfing, tennis, and even came out of the Thanksgiving Turkey bowl with out any major injuries. And enjoyed some late night card games around my mom's dining room table, oh and hit the movies a few times. (Twilight, and the James Bond Movie) We celebrated Angie's birthday and Brent's birthday (another post)
It was a wonderful but exhausting trip. We love having both our families being so close, but it can be tiring to run back and forth and try to squeeze in everything with both familes.
Eric was a sweetheart and he upgraded his ticket to first class and gave it to me so I could relax and sleep with extra room and luxury on the flights home (Yes, we had a layover) . To add even more stars in his belt, Taylor got the flu bug that morning and not only was he in coach with both the kids by himself, he was having to hold the throw up bag for Taylor and endure the looks from everyone around him. He is my PRINCE CHARMING! love you honey!

Happy Halloween and a little ranting and raving

Taylor had school off on Friday (Oct 31st) so I thought we'd have some fun and make a special Halloween breakfast. I had committed to make brownies for a RS funeral and also make this Butternut Squash Apple Bisque that is our tradition to eat on Halloween night, but I had saved it all for that day. You know in your mind when you think you can be an over achiever, super mom, and have the house clean. Oh, we also had to pack for the night because we were meeting the Jones' in Hemet (and needed to leave early to miss traffic) to celebrate Halloween and I needed to finish putting together these little gifts that I had for them... I know I totally set myself up for failure and frustration and the want to be 'super mom' might have turned evil on Halloween all for the sake of trying to make it fun and memorable.

As I was cooking, baking and trying to let my little helpers assist, something told me to check my load of laundry. As I walked into the hall to the laundry room, I stepped in water! Yikes, yes the washer was leaking somehow and it had flooded the laundry room, bathroom, and it was coming down the hall! I just started to cry, I did not have time for this... !!! As Taylor is running up the stairs for me to gather more towels and I'm frantically trying soak up the flood, Brent shows up in the door way with a big grin on his face and says "look mom I got my flippers" I look down and sure enough, he is in his swim flippers... totally ready for the flooded occasion. I was still crying at this point but now laughing simultaneously. I love how kids always know how to put things in perspective for me.

Here are a few pictures of our morning...



Tay and Brent enjoying their "Purple People Eater" Smoothies



Taylor's Pumpkin Pancake... she did the orange food coloring in the batter herself and loved it (it doesn't show as orange as it really was) ... if you look closely, you can see Brent reaching for the bag of chocolate chips while we were busy snapping pictures... so this leads into the next picture



The bag of chocolate chips spilled all over the floor and while my cute little mother Taylor was trying to clean it up, Brent was scooping hand fulls off the floor and shoving them into his mouth... at this point I just thought, what the heck I'll just capture the moment.






(beginning stages of Bisque)


After our Halloween breakfast, and the brownies were made and the Butternut Squash Bisque was made, the flood cleaned up, the car packed, a Target trip under our belts, and then the air conditioning going out in the van, we were off to Hemet a few hours late but we got there just in time to trick or treat and have so much fun with our dear friends, the Jones'. I love Halloween... whew... I'm so good at making life harder than it needs to be...

Halloween After School Snack

We thought it would be fun to do a little Halloween afterschool snack. They are little bugs made from little sausages and refrigerated dough. Taylor and Brent had alot of fun putting them together! And they were really yummy!

Brent's "School"

Brent and I go on Tuesday's out to Newport Beach for a little mom and me class. Brent calls it his "school." He loves it and looks forward to it every week. My cute neighbor runs it and does a great job. She has a slew of developmental toys for the kids and they do stories, crafts, painting, music time. It's a bit of a drive for us, but she gives us a good deal and it's a fun little spot to drive to weekly. It's technically on Balboa Island, so there are lots of cute little shops and little beach houses to walk around and look at.
This week the kids dressed in their cute Halloween costumes. So cute...

Yes on Prop 8!

I do not claim to know everything when it comes to politics, but I enjoy politics and enjoy learning, listening and reading about current issues and policies that effect everyone of us. This election comes at a time in history when we are facing an economic crisis, our national security being threatened, and if we continue this economic downturn and become a "second tier" nation economically we will really have a hard time defending our freedoms.

Our country was really built on religious core values and all of my ancestors came to this country in search of religious freedoms. I know that many try to separate these things- gov't and religion... but I really feel that our founding fathers were truly inspired by God when they built the basis of our country with the constitution. In this election I really feel that our, or my core values are being challenged and 'redefined' by our lawmakers.

In California, we are fighting to protect the definition of marriage. In 2000, an initiative was passed by 61% of Californians that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman. Last May, 4 of our Supreme Court judges overturned that initiative. Same gender marriage is now legal in California. So now on the ballot we are all voting on Prop 8: a yes vote will restore the traditional definition of marriage-that marriage is only between a man and woman, and a no vote will legalize same sex couples to be married.

Now Eric and I have been doing alot with the yes on Prop 8 campaign and I have had the opportunity to speak with a lot of people about this issue. Many people agree that they feel that marriage should just be between a man and woman but they don't want to take the rights away from others who might have another 'version' of marriage. Prop 8 does not take any rights or privileges away from same sex couples they have under a legal civil union. It's just called a 'partnership' not a marriage.

I truly feel that marriage is ordained of God and is to be defined between a man and woman. There is a God given purpose why it takes a man and woman to procreate naturally. I truly believe there are huge consequences that will affect all if we allow this core belief to be diluted through 'tolerance.' There are some things that should not be tolerated because of their sacredness. I really feel it important that I take a stand on this even if it's not politically correct or popular. We cannot sit back and be so politically correct and silent while others take away our religious freedoms.

I understand that our world has changed and we need to be tolerant of other people. This has been a very heated topic throughout California because it is such a sensitive subject for many. I know that everyone is a child of God, no matter their religion, choices, or lifestyle. But, I feel we opening Pandora's box by redefining marriage. We are facing losing our religious rights, freedom of speech and even more definitions of marriage, really where will it stop?

Same sex couples already have those same benefits and rights under the definition of a partnership without changing the definition of marriage. This choice is about protecting our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage, and prevents other consequences to Californians who will be forced to not just be tolerant of gay lifestyles, but face mandatory compliance regardless of their personal beliefs.

For example: anyone who performs a marriage ceremony in the CA receives that authority from the state. If same sex marriage becomes permanently legal and a priest, minister, or bishop refuses to conduct such a marriage, would the state revoke the authority of that person to conduct traditional marriages? The state of Massachusetts has gone through this with the school systems, with religious organizations that have had to close their doors because their tax exempt status was revoked because they chose to deny services because of religious beliefs. We can look at MA and know our certain future if Prop 8 does not pass.

There is something to be said about "We the people." WE really can do so much if we are proactive and try in our little way to make a difference. Now as a homemaker I do not have a large audience to speak out to, nor can I possibly make a huge difference, but by posting my little political spew I hope that you can know where I stand and I hope you in turn can share with your friends how important it is to not only vote in this election but truly study the issues and know what and who you are really voting for.

I have never been a bumper sticker girl, someone who posted signs in their yards, stood on street corners with signs or called down calling sheets for a campaign. But I truly feel passionate about this issue about protecting my children, protecting our religious freedoms and preserving the divine institution of marriage.

Our Spiderman and Miss Vampire

We are continuing to enjoy the Fall here in Orange County. I love to be able to open my windows and have the breeze come through and then to have the house naturaly cooled off at night by the outside air without having to turn on the air conditioner. Here's to the cheaper electric bills the fall brings... yeah!
We have carved pumpkins in the previous weeks, toasted pumpkin seeds, and made homemade cinnnamon rolls. I originally bought two smaller pumpkins for decoration and let the kids 'claim' one each so they felt like they had their own. Well of course Brent's pumpkin quickly made it's way off my decor table and accross the floor very quickly. He simply said, 'mommie... it's bowling..." How silly of me to think otherwise. So my poor pumpkins were quite bruised and abused, but well loved from the kids. So we carved them a little early to extend their life a tad bit longer.
The kids have gotten to wear their Halloween costumes twice already; once to a birthday party where they went trick or treating and again on Friday night to our ward's Trunk or Treat. Brent is spiderman and Taylor is a vampire. (the very cute and not scary kind:)
Eric asked Brent the other Saturday as he was watching one of his college football games, " Brent are you going to be a football player when you grow up" ...starting the brainwashing a little early... And Brent responded, "NO Daddy, ... I Spiderman..." Well after some more brainwashing from Eric I think he changed his mind about Halloween. Because someone asked him this week what are you going to be for Halloween, and he said... 'Football player.' I quickly said... "Uh... Brent, no you're spiderman..." He quickly opposed and said,... no football player. I started having flash backs to the last two Halloweens with Taylor, where we had her costume purchased and planned and the morning of Halloween comes and she insists on being something else. This is when I would lose it and become really angry. Thank goodness Brent still went along with his spiderman costume. But the Football brainwashing has stopped for now at least, until Halloween is over and I feel like he's gotten his wear out of his Spiderman Costume.

My New York Trip

I visited my sister in NYC a few weeks ago, and since I am a inactive, slowing coming back into the fold blogger, it's taken me a while to post about it. My adorable sister lives in downtown Manhattan with her sweet growing family. She just had baby number three and that makes three kids, under the age of 18 months. What can I say, she's amazing. (her first two were twins:) They are great parents and make it look so easy. When Spencer her youngest was born I wanted to come out and 'help' as much as I could, without abandoning my own family too much. So I went for a long weekend and it was full of probably more fun than help on my part. My brother in law Chad was great to watch the kids so we could go to dinner Saturday night and she has an amazing babysitter that helped out so we could take a day to shop in the city. I am convinced that living in the city is a simpler life than suburbia. My sister is always telling me this and I didn't believe her. But to not have a car, and have a small place, with a minimalistic attitude about all the 'stuff' that we think we need life is really more simple. She orders her groceries online, there is a ton to do as a mom with kids, with endless parks, museums and sites. And everything is at your fingertips. I'm sure I'd be a mess living there, because I am always great at complicating things even when they are clearly simple. So here's to my big sister for making life in crazy busy NYC with three kids look simple.

Some highlights from my trip.....

**the great sushi restaurant, that I can't remember the name of at the South Street Seaport, (yes, there are many safe things you can still eat at a sushi restaurant when your pregnant
**witnessing some scary times on wall street first hand, with Lehman Brother's going out of business (also my brother in law's employer) but lucky Barkley's (sp?) bought them out and all is well.
**eating at the Carnegie Deli and checking out right next to Carlos Boozer- NBA basketball player. Those guys are so tall!



**Seeing the naked cowboy on times square. Angie has lived there for over 4 years and has never seen him. I have to say I felt very violated. Probably because I'm a prude to begin with but when another man grabs my butt and insists that I grab his and I decline his invitation even for a photo op.... He's a very friendly man, a little creepy... I have to add. I guess that 's why middle age women tourists go ga ga over him.


I loved playing with Kate and Jack and bonding with Spencer. It makes me so excited for a new baby in our house. I came home and wore a shirt that I had worn there and it still smelt like that yummy newborn baby smell from holding him. Thanks Ang for being the host est with the mos test and turning my 'helping' trip into a fun girl weekend.

Happy 97th Birthday Granny!

Last weekend we celebrated Eric's Great-Grandma's 97th Birthday! We all gathered at the Sizzler- of course- before 5pm. :) And joined the rest of the town who was 65 and older. (No disrespect to my sweet grandparents, it just makes me laugh) It was fun to be with Eric's Grandparents and his Great Grandma and her other daughter and their family. It's another perk of living in Southern California... they are our family here and it's lots of fun to be wtih them. WE LOVE YOU GRANNY!

We love the Fall

I love the Fall! It is my favorite time of year. I love everthing that goes along with the season: cooler weather, soccer games on Saturday mornings, Conference weekend, pumpkin bread, pumkin anything, apple spice candles, dressing up for Halloween and getting ready for Thanksgiving. It just makes me happy thinking about it. I decorated for fall yesterday so I'm all in the mood officially. And I woke up this morning to clouds and cozy weather... pure happiness.

We have been enjoying watching Taylor's new soccer team, "The Shooting Stars" on Saturdays. She is in the u6 division out here and so practice is right before the game on Saturday for a half hour and then the game. So it's done all in one shot. Part of me wishes she had it during the week too because she loves it so much. And I must say that she's pretty good. In her first game the other team only had two girls show up, so the other coach asked if one of our players would change jersey's for the game and play on their team so the girls could at least play a three on three game. Taylor graciously volunteered, (We'll I think Dad bribed her) and she ended up scoring 9 goals! The other parents on our team kept saying, we want her back on our team. They still don't have goalies in this division, or keep score officially. But of course the girls know and the parents are all keeping score, espcially Eric. He is the assistant coach and does a great job encouraging the girls. Taylor has done really well and even scored 7 goals last week. It was probably her best game. She just loves it and doesn't mind getting aggressive and going after the ball even if it means a few collisions. Brent is so cute and cheers her on from the side line, yelling, "Go Tay, Go Tay, Go Tay"