Jeff's Political Opinion

I personally think it is a sad selection that we have to choose from. Obama looks good in some ways and so does McCain. But I personally have to go with McCain because of what he says about Marriage and how that goes along with our beliefs. Palin is all about Pro-life, is family-oriented as is our church. Obama is fine with recognizing marriage between a man and a man or women and women. That is not what our church teaches us and that is not how I want my kids brought up. Obama to me is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, sorry if that offends anyone. I feel that McCain and Palin would do the best for our country at this time. Palin definitely knows how to take a stand against the mainstream and supports drilling oil in ANWAR, as am I. I think McCain's appointment of Palin heats up this political race for sure, but my vote is that Obama is making too many promises he won't be able to keep-- which will just be more of the SAME in Washington. I'll definitely be watching this race a little closer and studying the issues on both sides, as the Church has requested all of us to do.

Presidential Campaign 2008

I don't normally get that involved in politics, but I find as a wife and mother it is starting to mean more to me. This year's election is getting so interesting! It is history in the making. This is the most excited I have EVER been about a presidential election! Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin? There are only 67 days left until votes are tallied on Election Day (November 4, 2008). Either ticket will make history...and bring change to Washington. As members of the church we are encouraged to vote by selecting those who most closely represent our values as explained here. I can't wait! Who are you voting for?

Olympiad in Training

Here is our little Olympian. He is cross-training right now and still hasn't decided if he'll compete in swimming, diving, or...

...gymnastics. Which sport do you think he should pursue? (Do you think we've been watching too many Olympic events at our house?)

Just for Fun

You Belong in 1988

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

This is interesting because in 1988 I (Holly) was only 6 years old! :)

We're pretty sure this was the major highlight of Corbin's 2nd birthday... spraying the fire hose at the fire station. No wonder he and so many other little boys want to be a fireman, it looks to them like playing in water and driving around a big noisy truck all day.

Firestation Party

For Corbin's family birthday party Jeff scheduled a free fire station tour at the Mesa Fire Department. Unfortunately Corbin started running a fever that morning and wasn't feeling to "cool" (no pun intended) during his party, but he still enjoyed seeing the station, the firemen, and the fire truck. It was pretty neat to see how the station and the schedule is run. We got a tour of the entire station, including their bedrooms, the kitchen, the alarms, the tones, the bay, the lounge, the work-out area and of course the truck. The kids all got to get inside the truck, hear the sirens, see the lights, and even take turns spraying the fire hose! It was a blast! (another pun) After the tour they gave all the kids a coloring book, pencil, ruler, rub-on tattoo, and a fire hat. It was a pretty hot day so we went back to grandma's to swim, eat pizza, open presents, and have cake...all at Corbin's request. His expression is a little bland in most of these pictures because he wasn't feeling good and was surviving on Motrin and Tylenol. Good thing we got so many pictures so he can enjoy the day all over again.
[ps- To see the captions, run your mouse over each pictures on the slideshow.]

Measuring Up

Both boys had well checks this week with the pediatrician and were weighed and measured. Here are their stats:
Corbin @ 2 years- 26 lbs 11 oz, 33.25 inches tall, 19.75 inch head circumference
Quinton @ 2 months- 13 lbs 5 oz, 23.75 inches long, 15.75 inch head circumference

We think Quinton is going to be tall, or at least taller than Corbin because he's in the 75th percentile for height and Corbin has always been in the 50th percentile. These things always change, but time can only tell how they'll measure up.

How to Avoid the "Dog House"

Just thought I'd share a little advice for all you husbands out there (and if you're not a husband, be sure to share this with one). Pause the music at the bottom of the page so you can hear the words to the song better.

08.08.08: Beijing and the Olympics

Tonight is the Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympic games:

"The ceremony began at 8 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET) on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 -- that, in a country where eight is the luckiest number. The opening was an artistic mix of performance and light depicting China's 5,000 years of history"(CNN).

"Fireworks, athletes and pageantry on a scale never before seen in the Olympics opened the Summer Games in Beijing on Friday, as the Asian nation kicked off the biggest and most scrutinized Games in history"(CNN).
I love to watch the Olympics... especially the summer games.... and especially in a country seeped in so much controversy. I think a successful Olympic games in Beijing (meaning no huge rioting or human rights catastrophe) will be a large indication of China's progress and of the purpose of the Olympic Games... which is to bring athletes from nations around the globe to compete fairly for medals and records and titles. I think this Olympic host nation (China) has a lot to prove and a lot to gain from hosting athletes and spectators from around the globe on its world stage. So, which sport is your favorite or least favorite to watch? Personally I'm a swimming, synchro, diving, gymnastics and track and field fan. As a BYU Alumnist I also try to keep my eyes on those from my Alma Mater. Go here to view the BYU athletes who are Olympic hopefuls. In any case: Go Team USA!

Corbin turns 2!

Our little boy is officially 2! Here's how we celebrated the big day:

Corbin, the fire chief helped make his birthday cake...

and got to lick the beaters for breakfast! YUM!

Daddy took the day off work to spend with us... and made Corbin his favorite chicken sandwich for lunch. Of course we had to put his candle IN the sandwich and sing to him-- his request.

The birthday boy with mommy and the cool fire engine cake. (Mom's first attempt with Wilton cake decorating tools. I used the wrong die and it came out pinkish instead of red. Nobody cared but me, gotta love 2 year olds.)

As today was his real "birth"day, we chose to have a friends party and invited a few of Corbin's friends from the neighborhood and from Church. As the adults collected in the living room to chat, one kid decided to venture upstairs and was then followed by all the rest.

When I got up the stairs to Corbin's room I found 2 little monkeys jumping on the bed. (aka: Lexi and Corbin)

Next we rounded up all the kids and took them outside for some water fun. Here is Porter and Yoda (the dog) attacking Elmo's firehose sprinkler. Porter was fearless!

The others enjoyed sliding down into the tiny swimming pool and completely crashing into each other. Nobody got real hurt, so I guess it fun! All the water really helped to cool the temps for all of the parent-onlookers/lifeguards.

Our little fireman. He enjoyed spraying all his friends off with the Elmo firehose rather than water-sliding.

I love the look on Corbin's face here. He completely relished being sung Happy Birthday to and then...

... he dug right in and helped himself to some cake.

Thanks everyone for coming and for all the fun gifts! (We need to teach him how to give better hugs, I know... but at 2, its so cute to see them hug. Next birthday he'll probably completely refuse.)

After all the food, fun, water, games, cake, presents, and friends... he crashed. And as you can see from his debut in pull-ups, Corbin is a "big boy now!"
Happy Birthday Corbin, we love you!
(Stay tuned... round 2 of a family birthday party is coming this weekend.)

What a Weekend, Part 2: Quinton's Blessing Day

This little boy is already 8 weeks old! (by the way, when do you start counting months instead of weeks?) Anyway, here is a cute video of him telling us his life story-- or just talking to his Baby Einstein toys. He knew it was a special weekend for him and felt very happy about it.

Quinton's happy blessing day. The blanket was a gift from Mandy (my sister) all the way from Jerusalem! This is the same outfit Corbin was blessed in (minus the bow-tie because he's too big!)

Our little man

The whole family group who came to support us at the blessing. Thank you!

Our little family

Proud mommy!

What a weekend (Part 1)

Friday night I got to spend with the Young Women for our ward's version of Girl's Camp. We enjoyed games, food, swimming, art lessons, snacks, laughs, tie-dying, a devotional and more. I love serving in Young Womens--these girls keep me "young".

Saturday was a fun-filled birthday-day. Our first party was at the Bryant's for Chloe's 2nd birthday- care bear style. Tiffanie and I were suitemates (roommates) our freshmen year at Ricks/BYU-Idaho. Funny Story: We had our 1st kids 5 days apart and our 2nd kid 2 days apart... and ironically 2 of our other suitemates (4 of us total) had our 1st kids within 6 months of each other and our 2nd kids within 1 month of each other. Guess the cycle perpetuated beyond the 7 years since we've lived together. :)

Tiffanie made this amazing cake... serious hidden talent there, Tiff!

The inside was even rainbow colored- in complete care bear fashion... and it tasted delicous!

Here we are with all our kiddos lined up. Funny thing- she had 2 girls: Chloe and Ella, and I had 2 boys! How fun... we decided they'll have to double date when they are all at BYU together.

After Chloe's party we had just enough time to get home and take naps before we went to Luke's 1st birthday party. (Corbin's friend from church- whom we used to walk every morning with.) Corbin loved playing with all the kids and the second round of cake and ice cream, but mostly he loved riding on this 4-wheeler. We had a shorter stay at this party because Quinton decided to have a blowout right in his dad's lap!

After the long party day we ventured out into our backyard to try and save our lawn for Corbin's birthday party this week. He decided to be brave and run through the sprinklers...

I love this kid... doesn't he look so grown up?

Tag

How To Play This Game of Tag:
Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

JOYS
1- My boys (Jeff, Corbin, & Quinton)
2- My family (ALL of them, near and far, in-laws too-- we miss you, and friends!)
3- My faith, my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helps me to completely enjoy the other 2 joys... which will be eternal!

FEARS
1- Loosing a close family member before their "time"
2- Not being fully prepared with food and financial storage when a natural disaster strikes
3- That my children will grow apart from me as they get older

GOALS
1- Loose this last 13 pounds of baby weight through exercise and nutrition
2- Finish my Master's degree in November and USE IT to teach
3- More consistent date nights with Jeff

CURRENT OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS
1- Blogging... I admit it, I'm obsessed with reading others' blogs but not always updating my own (sorry!)
2- Projects that take my time away from my kids and school (I have like 4 or 5 that I have started and not finished because of this thing called TIME)
3- Food... I think I'm always obsessed with food, I always have been and always will be, I just wish I could cook and bake better and more often

FACTS ABOUT ME
1- I have very long eyelashes (and I love that Corbin got them too)
2- I hate feeling like I am waisting time
3- I love to dance (ballroom, freestyle, hip hop, etc., etc.) I just wish Jeff loved it as much as I do and would do it with me, but he'd rather watch me.

I TAG: Bre, Tiffanie, Alicia, Natalie, Christina

Growing Up...

I know it's cliche, but it seems like just yesterday I was holding Corbin in my arms like I am with Quinton. I just came out of Corbin's room after laying him down for his nap and I'm a little torn by the request he just made. After reading him his usual 3 books and then tucking him in Jeff and I usually sit in the rocking chair until he is asleep, but today as I sat in the rocking chair waiting for Corbin to drift off... he quietly sat up and looked at me and said "Leave my room Mommmy." I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
You see ever since February when Jeff and I went to Hawaii for a week we have made it routine to stay in Corbin's room for nap and bedtimes until he asleep. This came about partly because of guilt for leaving our child for so long and wanting to reassure him (because he used to cry when we left the room) and because we had just weaned him from his pacifier and he needed some extra soothing before sleeping. Also, being 7, 8, and 9 months pregnant, I felt like these were precious moments to cherish before I had to "share" my time and attention with a newborn. But... there were times that I wished I could just read to him, lay him down, and walk out because I had so much to do! Especially because he would often fall asleep on me as I rocked him and it was very uncomfortable to hold a squirmy toddler being fully pregnant. Now that Quinton is here, naptimes are especially hard because if Q isn't asleep he has to be in the room with us... and that can get complicated. I've been meaning to change the bedtime routine for months now, but with so many other changes (i.e.- new baby, potty training, toddler bed, etc.) I didn't have the heart to change that just yet.
Well, Corbin decided he'd grow up faster than I want him to and came right out and told me today. "Leave my room Mommy." Words I was dying to hear, but now that I've heard them, my heart is breaking. He'll be 2 next week and he's decided he can do the bedtime thing all on his own now. I'm happy because this means he feels safe and comfortable enough to sooth himself to sleep in a new big boy bed, but I'm sad because this means my baby is really growing up.