2009 - highlights of the past six months!

Wow- March 2009 (almost April) Already!!! A busier job, busier kiddos, a husband who travels more for work, a cat, a blackberry, facebook and life in general - I am waaaaay behind in updating my little harbi blog! So here are some highlights from the life of the Harbison's and updates on Brock since last October!

November - Thanksgiving was spent with the Davis' & The Douglas' in Harcourt. November brought winter to Iowa - sooner than we wanted/and isn't over yet as snow was yet predicted for this weekend! Brock and Quinn enjoyed fall music class with our Up With Down Little Stars group - Brock can really play a mean set of pans. Maybe he and Quinn will start a kitchen band.

Turkey Day Dancing Turkey

December was all about Ho Ho - Quinn and Brock were on the Ho Ho kick, but didn't want to get close to Santa when Grandpa Tom took the kids to the annual Lyons Club Christmas Party. They weren't the only ones afraid of Santa, Cousin Hannah wasn't giving him any love either. Brock seemed to enjoy opening his xmas gifts more this year. He is really into trucks and remote control cars. He got a great set of matchbook cars for Uncle Roger and Aunt Jeanne. New Year's was spent with the Freiermuth's and the Buckley's. Brock had a great time playing with the Freiermuth boys Brad and Joel and the Buckley kiddos Liam & Lucy. Quinn also had a blast at the slumber pary new year's.

Daddy and Brock

January brought extended stays at the grandparents for both harbi kiddos. Jay and I went on a caribbean cruise for my work (thank you Iowa Academy!). Brock got to stay with Grandma Jeanne & Grandpa Tom, then with the Freiermuths, and then w/Grandma and Grandpa Davis. Quinn stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Davis. It was an eleven day adventure for everyone!

- Wow our new chair!
February brought more music class and a friendship party at preschool for V-day. Brock still does not like chocolate, but Quinn does and is happy to eat enough for the both of them.

March madness - for Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, and oh yeah, basketball too - Brock's favorite shows (other than Back Yardigans), great for mom as they are my favorite too!

Brock has had so many milestones these past 6 months and Jay and I are so proud of him! He is working on potty training (both 1 & 2, now if we can just convince him that he doesn't need to take a bath after every potty time!) He is working on dressing himself, and has no problem undressing. He can now open the garage door and any cupboard in the house - usually to get himself a snack. He even carries his dishes to the counter when he's done eating. When he's not being annoyed by his sister, he sometimes is even willing to entertain her by pushing her around the house in the "car" grandma and grandpa Davis bought for the kids. We continue to be blessed with health, jobs, loving family and great friends!

Pumpkins and More

Fall is here and Brock & Quinn have been enjoying the season, with a visit to the pumpkin patch and play time in the yard. Jay and I have both been busy with work, so Brock and Quinn have had alone time with each of us, as well as time with Grandma Linda, Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Tom and Grandpa Damon. We have also had a chance to see cousin Hannah, Aunt Laura and Uncle Ross, and are planning a trip to Omaha to see Aunt Heather. We hope to make it to Fort Dodge before the holidays!

Here are a few recent pictures.

Moving On Up

Well, it is official Brock is now in pre-school. He started after Labor Day Weekend and is doing great, attending special education classes 4 1/2 days a week and pre-school classes the 1/2 days and one whole day. Brock has a wonderful team of teachers and aides that are helping him with the transition process. Brock's pre-school is still at the same center that Quinn goes to which makes it nice. However, Brock now has to be at school by 8:15 a.m.! So Daddy has been taking him in, so that Quinn and I can get a bit of a later start. Fall is definitely in the air, this weekend is the Iowa vs Iowa State football game, go state, I mean go hawks! We are a house divided regardless of what the license plate says:) Finally - here is a little video from Quinn's first birthday party for you to enjoy!

Brock's New Style

I'm a big boy....my new hair style



No longer a toddler....

Brock and Qunn

Cousin Hannah Turns 1!

Quinn and Hannah



Love My Cake



Aunt Heather and Hannah



Aunt Heather and Quinn



Cousin Hannah Harbison turns 1!

Hawaii 08

Christmas 07

Where has the time gone?

Sorry for the looooooooooooong absence in posting! Two kids (now 11 months and a week and half shy of 3); Christmas; New Years (By the way - your Christmas card is still in the box from Walgreen); Jay's company was sold; We went to Hawaii - (all of us, plus Grandma Linda, Gradpa Damon, Aunt Karen, Uncle Kenny ) January 10 - 21, 2008); Jen got a new job - same company Iowa Academy of Family Physicians - the Executive Vice President (the title hasn't gone to me head - I'm my own secretary and still lobbying :); Jay got a new Job Merit Resources - yea for two incomes!; Brock is talking more and more - Jay is a favorite word along with no sissy; trip to Phoenix for Jay with the boys; lot's of time with friends and family; a new job for Jay - www.tworiversins.com - reunited with old boss from Gardner and White - "The Boys are Back in Town"; Quinn is standing independently and almost walking; Birthday season has arrived - needless to say a lot has been happening in the world of the Des Moines Harbis.

Other happenings in the Harbi family - Cousin Hannah turned one; Katy and Aaron Deupree got married (March 08), Grandma Jeanne got a new knee, Uncle Ross and Laura got engaged, cousin Ben Jackson graduated from Chatfield High School, Littleton Colorado; and Aunt Heather Harbison is now a Principal in Omaha.

On the Davis side - Cousin Aydin turned 3; Papa Damon had his hip replaced; cousin Indy played basketball and got a music award and will start middle school in the fall.

Well I guess that sums things up!

Catching Up

Well - the lack of new posts is a sign of how busy life has been in the Harbison Household. Since we haven't updated since October here are some highlights from the last five months -
November: Quinn's first Thanksgiving; spending the holiday with Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Heather, Uncle Ross, Laura and cousin Hannah; Brock talking more
December: Quinn's first Christmas; Brock enjoying presents; Christmas day with the Davis'; Christmas week with the Harbison's (Ia, Ne, & Ok), Jackson's (CO), Duprees (Switzerland)
January: Hawaii - the Harbison's, Davis' and Potts for Jen's work conference - Brock loved the hula girls:)
February: Quinn's first Valentines - both kids in full time daycare, new job for Jen (EVP of Iowa Academy of Family Physicians) and new job for Jay - Account Executive Merit Resources Inc. (if your company needs benefits ins., retirement, or payroll call Jay!)
March: Trying to catch up on life; Uncle Ross proposed to Laura - so a wedding sometime in '07, cousin Hannah turns 1 (March 14); and a new hip for Grandpa Damon and Brock's 3rd set of eartubes.