Lizard

My good pal Liz came all the way up from Lehi to stay with me for four days while Tay was on a business trip. She has a 2 year old boy and an 8 month old girl, so are kids are around the same age. It was crazy with all the energy our kids have, but also a lot of fun.

We managed to haul the kiddos to McDonalds for hours of play time in the Play Place.
We dragged them all to the gym nursery so we could work it at my Zumba and PiYo (Pilates/Yoga) classes.
We braved outings to Walmart and Costo for shopping and dinner, where I managed to lock us all out of my car. Luckily, Liz is the ultimate super mom, and had her huge bag of tricks at the ready to keep the kids happy while we worked it all out.
On the last night we threw the boys a little unbirthday party just for fun. They each got a cupcake, a balloon, and a dollar store present. After the presents Liz turned on a Latin Dance CD and the kids went to town, even the baby girls.
Mostly, we just hung out at home, enjoying each others company and reminiscing. My favorite part was getting all the kids to bed so we could stay up (practically all night) talking and laughing. I felt sixteen again. It was as if no time had passed, and then we'd wake up to all these kids that belonged to us! Weird! It made me realize how much I've changed since becoming a wife and a mom. My family is my life now, and I love it. But there's a whole other side of me that gets forgotten sometimes because I'm so busy with every day life. Liz brought it all back, and although we were both wasted when the visit was over, it was totally worth it. I can't wait for next time!

Liz, you are such an amazing friend! You have a way of helping me put things into perspective, and reminding me of my potential. We have made so many great memories together, and I know there is more to come! I love that our kids can be friends now too. Kellen still prays for Benjamin every night-- "Bless that Benjamin can stay again, and again, and again... and one more time..." :) Thanks so much for braving the long journey to get here. I know it was hard. I love you so much, and I'm so glad that you have all the blessings of love in your life that you deserve. Your family is beautiful!

I'll love you forever!!!

Unbirthday Cowboys
Hee-Hah!


McDonalds

Bathing Beauties

Such happy girls, until...

"Ooooh, let me poke your head!"

"Who, meeeee?"

Hey, Jude!

Here he is, the long awaited cousin on the Huish side. Up until now, Kellen and Jane were the only grand kids on my side of the family. My sister Jenn and her hubby Jordan are in medical school far away, but I got to fly out with Jane and meet the newest member of our family, Baby Jude. He was born at the end of August. (sorry, I'm still backtracking!) I love him so much already! I can't wait to see him again at Christmas time. He is a sweet little baby, and Jenny and Jordan are so cute with him.

I think there is something really special in seeing your sister become a mother. Jenn and I are so close and have so much in common, so watching her with her sweet baby, was like watching myself through different eyes. It brought back all the feelings I had with my firstborn baby. It's also sort of like watching our Mom, which makes sence -- we learned how to be Moms by watching her.

Jane thought he was pretty neat. Someone smaller than her!

Jane is quite the Mamma's girl, and generally takes a while to warm up to new people, but with Jenny and Jordan it was like she knew they were family. Maybe it's because Jenny and Jordan are so much like me and Tay.

She especially loved Uncle Jordan. I think it had something to do with the lack of Daddy that week. She would light up whenever he was around. He was so cute with her.

Here she is helping him with his studying.

LOOOOOVE IT!!!

Thanks, Jenn and Jordan, for letting us come visit you and share in such a special time. It was so nice to just chill like old times, and Jude is so sweet. I miss you all everyday.
Thanks, also to Grandma's and Grandpa's who gave Kellen such a fun time, he didn't want to come home! You are the greatest!
And, last but not least, thanks to my sweet hubby, for letting us leave for 9 whole days. I know you were lonely, and we missed you too. Next time you'd had better just come with! Who needs a job anyway, right?

Another Summer Evening

Jane loves being outside. Every time she hears a door swing open her eyes open wide and she quickly makes her way there, hoping for an escape. Her efforts are often thwarted, and then follows the whining and a few tears. She also cries when I don't let her eat dirt, or in this case MUD! I know, I'm such a mean Mom! As you can see, she put up a good fight. I'm sure there are some nutrients in there... maybe a few worms... yummy!

Kellen saw that I was taking pictures of Jane, and of coarse wanted to steal the show.
"Take my picture, Mom! Cheeeeese!"

This is a classic Kellen face. Isn't it hilarious?! Notice the eyebrows. What a nut!

A, B, C's and 1, 2, 3's

Kellen has been going to preschool now for a few weeks, and he absolutely loves it. He is the youngest in his class, but the teacher says he is doing great. He is always so excited, I barely have to help him get ready. Then when he comes home, he pulls out his homework right away like a good little student. The best part is, it's only two houses down the street, so Kellen can walk to and from school while I stand watch at the door. He puts on his backpack, gives me a kiss, and waves goodbye. I tried to walk with him once, but he held up his hand and said, "No, Mom! You stay der! I hav-a go to school! Buh doh wurry, Mom! I'll be back soon!" Then as he walked the short distance, he kept turning around to wave, and shout, "Bye, Mom! I'll see ya waiter!" I guess he is loving his new found independence. That's a good thing, right? Time is flying way to fast! I don't think I'll be able to send him off to real school without shedding a few tears. I love this kid!

This is is new favorite picture pose.
I think it's his ninja (minja) superhero look?

Check out the pencil legs! Love' em!

NOTICE

After a computer safety class @ R.S. Enrichment night, and a Blog Safety article in this months Ensign, I've decided I better make the old blog private. SO... if you want to continue to enjoy my extremely poetic, and insightful writing, along with my excellent grammar and spelling skills, you've got to let me know! ;) Did ya catch the sarcasm there? I know my skills are seriously lacking, but I do post pictures of my oh-so-adorable kiddlets from time to time. So if you want in, let me know (SOON) and I'll send you an invite! Mmm-kay? :)

The Big THREE-O

Yup! Taylor's an old man now! :) Ha! Ha! I get to tease him for two more years, until I'm thirty myself! The funny part is, that I think him turning thirty is more weird for me than it is for him. It must be because I met him when he was seventeen, and honestly, he doesn't look much different to me. They say love is blind, and maybe it's true, but seriously my hubby is cuter to me than he ever was!

Now, as is tradition, here are 10 things I love about Tay:

Warning: If you can't handle mushiness, I suggest you stop reading.

1. His contagious happiness. He never passes up the opportunity to make me smile and/or laugh. His physical humor is the best. (If you haven't seen his crazy dance moves, your really missing out!) He has such a friendly, easygoing, and jolly personality, that you can't help but feel happy around him.

2. His determination to keep the commandments with strict obedience. He is an amazing example to me.

3. He is a phenomenal Dad. Practically perfect, and yet always seeking to improve.

4. Same as #3, only change the word "Dad" to "husband".

5. He has unwavering patience. I've never known someone to keep their cool the way Taylor does. I don't think he's ever really "lost it" in his entire life! (it's almost aggravating, actually... ;)j/k) He is slow to anger, quick to forgive, and I am so grateful for that!

6. He appreciates the value of hard work and a job well done. At the same time, he's not one of those people that lives for the job. Tay works hard so he can play hard, which makes for a lot of fun!

7. Taylor supports me in everything. He never misses a concert or performance, and is always the loudest one cheering. He lets me take on all kinds of new endeavors, and doesn't hassle me when half of them don't work out. Whether it's a realistic idea or not, he never tries to "clip my wings."

8. Taylor is totally in love with his family, and expresses that love so freely. As a result we all adore him.

9. Taylor is an amazing athlete. Whether it's mountain/road biking, basketball, tennis, soccer, or pretty much any other kind of sport, Tay excels. Even if the joints are getting a little rusty ( ha ha ha) he can still give those cocky teenagers a run for their money.

10. He's totally... sexy... and I would expand on that, but this is a public blog, after all. :)

I love you, babe! Happy Birthday! You are still, and always will be, the man of my dreams!!!

My Little Hero

Kellen just completed swimming lessons. Unfortunately, I don't have a single picture or video. Such a shame, because he was so cute. Anyone who knows Kellen might expect that he loved the lessons, but it was quite the contrary. He was terrified. While most of the group was having a great time splashing and umping, Kellen was the kid carrying on and clinging to his teachers neck. The lessons were given by my friend Tina, who serves in the Primary with me. She gave the lessons at her parents private pool. She kept the groups nice and small with only four kids. Each group would go for forty minutes, then they were allowed to run and play in the beautiful backyard, complete with trampoline and swing set. I'm so glad we went that route (even though it cost a little more than lessons at the community pool) because without the promise of playing there afterward, I don't think I could have coaxed Kellen into participating. Not only that, but Tina was excellent with Kellen. She let him hang onto her for the whole lesson and made him feel comfortable. At the same time, she remained firm enough that he knew when she counted to three he had better hold his breath, kick his feet, etc. He was so scared, and I wanted to rescue him, but Tina assured me that if I would let her take over he would get it. So I always watched from a distance, behind some trees where he couldn't look to me for help. Each day seemed about the same, with very slight improvement. So many times he would go under and come up crying because the water had gone up his nose.Tina told him to yell, "No no, water! You stay out of my nose!" and then showed him again and again how to blow bubbles. He liked the yelling at the water part, and I think it made him feel brave enough to keep trying. She would stand about five feet away from the wall and make him swim to it. I'll never forget seeing his panicked little hands groping for that wall. I felt soooo bad for him, but trusted Tina. By day three, I was wondering if it was all in vain, and if I had just been torturing him for nothing.
Finally, on day four he swam to the wall without water going up his nose. Yea! That's all it took. Just one success and he was willing to try again and again. I'm not saying he wasn't scared, he totally was, but that's what was so cute. I could see a look of determination come across his face. He would bravely gather all the courage he could muster and try again. I was so proud of him! I don't think I would have been any prouder if he had been the best swimmer in the class. Kellen is a stubborn kid, but I can see that it will be of value to him if he will use to press on, even when he is afraid.
His new favorite game is to give Taylor, Jane, and I swimming lessons... in our living room. The carpet is the water and the couches are the walls of the pool. I think he prefers that kind of swimming, but hey, it's a good start! He definitely knows the basics! Hooray for K!

Summer Evening (Get ready for some pics!)

I love those Cheeks!

Playing with the ants.

"Cheeeeese!"

My Boyz

Jane looooves Kellen, and he is so sweet to her.

Cuteness!

Such a happy girl.

Reaching for bark pieces--- one of her favorite snacks.

She loves the flowers. Here she is smiling at the big, yellow Lilies.

Mommies Rascal

A New Love

We never thought that we would love gardening so much, but Tay and I have turned into a couple of old geezers, sitting out in the yard every night, looking at the flowers. Our parents gave us some starts and we bought a few things ourselves, and we've just become addicted. We get excited about each new bloom.

I think there is something spiritual about planting things and watching them grow through each stage. A tiny seed, a sprout, a small bud, and finally a beautiful bloom, basking in it's beauty for the sole purpose of making us happy. Just another manifestation of God's love for us.

Here are some of my favorites:

Companiala (No idea how to spell this!)
Tay's Dad gave us this. I love the color!

I don't even know what these ones are called, but aren't they cool? A co-worker gave Taylor a box full of bulbs last year and we planted them, but nothing happened. I guess we did it too late. Well, we dug them up, stored them in the garage all year, and planted earlier this time. I'm sure glad we didn't give up on them, because they have been so fun to watch. You can't really tell from the picture, but they are about 4 feet tall right now, and still shooting up. The leaves are about as big as my head. They look like they belong in the rain forest, but they don't seem to mind this Idaho dry heat.

This amazing Asiatic Lily was just one tiny little stem last year, and now it's HUGE, and so hardy. I love how bright it is. Definitely and eye catcher.

Zinnias
Aren't they cute?

Can't remember what these are called (some kind of Daisy)
They came from T's Parent's yard

Of coarse, there's my Petunias. Aren't they awesome? I lvoe the smell of Petunias, especially after they've just been watered. It takes me back to Disney Land, standing in line for Magic Mountain, smelling the water and heat and flowers. Mmmmmmm.

The Park

Kellen and his friend, Nate. Kellen calls him Mate.
G'day, Mate! :)

AGAIN, can't rotate picture. So sorry! I still had to post this one. I just love the joy on Kellen's face. He always reminds me to appreciate the small things in life.

Since it was Mom's birthday (the orange date on the photos is 6 days off), the kids treated me to food from my favorite restaurant, "Donalds"!
OK, so it's Kellen's favorite, and I payed, but it was still thoughtfull, right?

Jane loved the swings!