The Taft Family: 2010

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Trimming the Tree

For the first time this year, we had a fake, prelit tree upstairs. We got it last year just before Christmas and this was the first year we were able to use it. The best part? Not hanging the lights!!! We still had our real tree that we cut down in Island Park downstairs and I have to say, I LOVE having two trees. It's what we did growing up as well.
The kids had a great time helping us hang the ornaments. Each year I make a picture ornament of my kids. This year at preschool, we made "Naughty or Nice" ornaments for each child. On one side is the nice, sweet picture and on the other is the naughty, mean face. If the child is being good, the photo stays on the "nice" side. If not-well, you flip it to the naughty!! I think I should keep one of these around all of the time. It worked like a charm for Landon and Presley both-though they were a bit too keen on wanting to turn each other's ornaments to the naughty side! Piper had a blast too just hanging out watching the fun.

You can see Landon's "Nice" face above on the CD with the sequins on it. Below is his Naughty face... Too funny.
I love having my house decorated for the Holidays. I just hate taking it all down-my house feels so bare! So-we'll leave it all up as long as we can-until Scott goes crazy-usually New Year's Day...

Monday, December 27, 2010

Budding Basketball Star

Landon played YMCA basketball this year with a few of his friends. Although there was no dribbling, no real defense and rarely a shot made, he was in heaven learning the very basics of the game.
At his last game, my dad came to watch him play. Landon couldn't have been prouder to finish up! Scott played all through High School-so if he's anything like his dad, (Other than looking JUST like him) then I'm sure he'll continue his basketball playing well into his future. Here's to you, Landon! Well done on finishing your first season!

Not a hot drink....just a little water provided by the kind YMCA folks!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Where did the time go?

My sweet chubby little Piper is 6 months old today.
How did that go by so quickly? She is an angel baby. And we couldn't love her more.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Thank heavens....

for our little boy.
Wow, I love him.
He is turning 5 on Saturday. Five years ago I brought home a tiny tiny little baby. When he was born he was 5 lbs. 5 oz. When he came home he was around 4 lbs 8 oz. Smaller than a 2 liter bottle of pop and fit inside his stocking.
He is all boy. And so sweet. And I thank my lucky stars every day that he came and blessed our home.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Thankful...

For a sweet handsome son...

For 3 beautiful daughters and a sweet niece Niamh....

For two amazing sisters...Sarah and Rachel

For a brand new "official" sister..Ashley

For my parent's new kitchen where we cooked our Thanksgiving dinner

For a sweet grandma who joined us for dinner. She's a good neighbor too.

For two handsome brothers...

For a kids table that is bursting with children!...

For a sweet and healthy nephew, Liam and his faithful mom, Rach...

For Pip and Skip.....and spinach salads.....

For a mom and dad who are simply amazing....

For my sweet husband...(I am also thankful he doesn't always grow a handlebar mustache...just gross...)

For cousins so excited to see Tangled Thanksgiving night...Parker, Piper, Niamh and Pacie

For cousins who are also best friends....Presley and Bergin...

Landon and Ryan...(He wants to marry her in the Idaho temple....)

Skip and Pip..for being cute....

For my Sis.....

For a healthy baby who is growing like a weed....

For a brother who knows how to ruin a picture....

and for a brother who has a beautiful new wife who we miss as our neighbor already.....

For my brother and sister and nephew Jack who we miss all of the time...
(But we were thrilled to have them here for a week)

To my mom and dad for making memories like these for my kids.....

Again, my hot husband who I love more than words can say....

My sweeter than anything niece Ari! (Excuse me but.....)

A dad who will play with the kids....

for hours in the snow!!.....

A sister who will borrow my rockin' 90's snowpants...

And frostbitten faces in the twilight.
We had such a great Thanksgiving with all of my family here. I love having the cousins here for my kids to play. They all get along so well together and the grown ups had a good time too.
Thanks to my mom and dad for making it so nice for all of us. I am thankful indeed!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Wedding Extravaganza!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Matt and Ashley Landon
I know this is complete picture overload-but I wanted to share my as much of Matt and Ashley's beautiful wedding day as possible. It was a beautiful day and so fun to be able to be with the entire family for a few days. We are thrilled to have Ashley in our family are also thrilled that Matt found his best friend to be married to. Thanks for setting such a great example to so many little nieces and nephews who look up to you both so much. We love you guys!!

Girls night out before the big day! Cafe Zupa's and some girl talk.

Daddy with a cutsie Pipes

Piper and Daddy outside the temple

Waiting patiently....or not...

Ari, Presley, Landon and Parker all waiting.

One dashing little man.

One mischievous little girl.

Outside the Salt Lake temple. Where it all started for us
10 years ago last month!

Tyler and Ashlee a.k.a. Skip and Pip

My world, right here! My cute little family.

Danny and Rachel Reilly family.

Getting rushed by their fan club as the came out of the temple.

Me with my newest sister. I love Ashley and am so thankful she's part of our family!!

Self-portrait of Pacie and Niamh

Ari, Landon, and Bergin

Real proud with our flowers.

Daddy with Piper again.

My little stink...

Presley with Bergin

Such a good daddy!

Love it.

Enjoying their ice cream from Cold Stone.

Taking a break as present placer to enjoy her own Cold Stone

Ryan and Landon

Tyler and Ash

Scott and I-Grandma Landon looking on...:)

Liam is all tuckered out.

Mitch-photo courtesy of Landon. If you see this you better comment, boy.

Now it's Piper's turn to be worn out...

Lots of helpers holding up that beautiful dress!

Cutting the groom's cake-Redskins all the way!!

Overheard

This past Sunday I was called to give the opening prayer. Right as the opening song was ending, Presley gave me an elbow to the ribs and said, "Mom! Make your move!"

The same Sunday, Pacie was solving a word puzzle. She first thought the missing word was "gift", but it didn't quite fit. She then changed it to "toye". I said, "What is that?" She quickly changed it to "toys" followed by, "Wow. I need to go back to school!" (8/5/12)

This morning Presley came and snuggled with me in bed. Here is our converstaion.

Me: "Presley, did you sleep well?"

Pres: "Yes mom, and I had a GREAT dream!"

Me: "What was your dream?"

Pres: "That Jesus loves me."

Talk about melt my heart! Sweet little girl. How I love the innocence of children. (2/1/12)

Parker, Pacie and I went on a fairly long bike ride. It was 7 miles...and when we were deciding the route, I told the girls it was the same one I ran a few weekends ago. Pacie's reply was, "If you can run it...I can ride it!". I told her I liked her attitude.

A few miles later-on mile 6, we were facing a pretty steep uphill. Pacie was having a hard time and was getting tired. I said, "pacie, do you remember the story of the Little Engine that Could?" Her reply was PRICELESS. "Mom, I'm not a little engine, I'm a little GIRL!". (7/13)

Parker pulled a Pacie this weekend. We were driving by the "Castle of Chaos" in Salt Lake City. The girls asked what it was and we said probably some type of Haunted House or something. Scott mentioned that he had even gone there before we were married. Parker said, "Well, that door says it's the tickling door. I'm NOT going in there for sure." Uh, upon closer inspection we realized it was actually the "ticketing" door.... (5/1)

This morning we were in my bathroom getting ready for school. Piper had found a little paper fish and started chewing on it. Pacie looked over and said, "oh look, Piper is having sushi!". Parker and I thought that was pretty funny! (4/20)

Last night Pacie was really tired-falling asleep during scriptures. Scott told the kids we were going to tidy up before they went to bed. Pacie started to complain a bit about how tired she was when Landon said, "I will do Pacie's work, so she can go to bed." It's not funny-but I thought I had to document it....so we can remember that he stepped up to be the "big" brother for his sis. Sweet. (4/18)

Tonight Pacie told me she learned a new word. Sublimation. Uh-apparently it's when something goes from a solid to a gas. Then Parker chimed in and said she learned hypothesis. I'm glad they are listening! (2/25)

Today the doorbell rang and Presley ran to get it. She opened it and I heard Scott say, "Boo!". She said, exasperated, "Daddy, I thought you were a customer!" (2/25)

While updating the blog today I was writing about Scotland. Landon was reading over my shoulder and said, "mom you were in Scotland?" I said I was and his reply was, "Well did Daddy go to Jill-land?" I laughed out loud for more than a minute. So cute. (2/17)

We were at a hotel in Utah last weekend for the girls dance competition. We were having breakfast there in the morning and they had tiny poppyseed muffins. When Presley saw them, she said, "Yes, mommy. I want one of those polka-dot muffins". (2/12)

Yesterday I was curling Presley's hair. I took the curling iron out leaving a ringlet. Presley got very excited saying, "Yes, yes, I want my hair like that. Like bouncy do's." (2/8)

We have a series of DVD's called Signing Time that teaches little children early signing. There is a song on it called, "Proud to be Me", and it talks about being proud to be a boy or a girl. Well, I heard Presley's version the other day while driving. "I'm a girl, I'm a girl, I'm proud to be naughty." Oh dear. When correcting her and telling her it's "proud to be me", she now sings, "I'm proud to be mean, yeah". (2/2)

Today while we were driving Landon said, "Mom, I know who I am going to marry.". I said, "You do?" He said yes and then proceeded to give the following details...

1-She has long blonde hair.

2-She lives in Blackfoot.

3-I see her all of the time.

4- We are getting married in the Idaho temple.

I was very confused because we don't know anyone in Blackfoot. I was wondering if he'd had some type of revelation...or something! Anyway, I said, "Who is it Landon?" His answer: Ryan. (Rachel's daughter).

I said, "Landon, you can't marry her. She's your cousin." His reply, "But Mom, she's my Best Friend!"

Oh-and Ryan lives in Logan too. Hyrum actually. Not even close to Blackfoot. :) (11/30)

Landon isn't feeling good tonight. He just came into the office and started climbing up on my lap. I said, "Do you just need to snuggle?" He said, "Yes Mommy. You are just so comfortable." Aw, melt my heart little man. (11/9)

While driving home from piano, the girls were enjoying a frozen yogurt in the back seat. I said, "Boy, it sure is quiet in here!" There was a slight pause, and then Pacie said, "Yes. It is very tranquil." Really? Tranquil, eh? (9/29)

Today at Maverik a little tumbleweed blew through the parking lot. Pacie said, "Mom, it's one of those things you see in the wild wild west!" (9/24)

Tonight Landon and Presley were both in Landon's room playing some game that had them laughing and giggling. Parker walked in and said, "Well you two are obviously up to no good.". I thought to myself....and you're just now figuring this out?? I love my kids! (9/22)

The other night we were driving by my Uncle Barry's house. He and Sue watched Landon and Presley for us one night and they had a wonderful time. As we drove by their house, Landon said, "Oh, I played there!" I said, "Where, Landon?" and he thoughfully said, "You know, Grapes's house!" Me, confused, "Grapes's house?" Then it clicked. Barry-Grapes. Read BERRY, Grapes. I laughed out loud. funny funny boy. (9/1)

Tonight Pacie picked an apple off of my uncle's apple tree. It was a tiny green sour one. She took a bite and said, "Oh, this is delicious! I can feel myself getting healthy!". (8/25)

Last night Landon was chosen first to pick a song for FHE. He went and stood in front of the fireplace-the designated spot for the song leader and we said, "What song do you want to sing?" He thought for a moment, and then answered with, "Hey Soul Sister". ;) (7/12)

Pacie has been very interested in this pregnancy asking several pointed questions to this time. We've had some good conversation. Yesterday while getting her hair cut she asked me, "Mom, is our baby going to have white skin or black skin?". I almost choked. I explained that since daddy and I both have white skin, our baby will have white skin too. And if she doesn't....well I think I may have some serious explaining to do. (3/25)

Tonight Pacie was carrying a new Scentsy warmer down to her and Parker's bedroom down the stairs. The top part was rattling a little bit and I said, "Parker, come grab the top for Pacie." Pacie turned and looked at me and said, "Mom, you just stole my mind!" Love it. (3/11)

Landon calls spaghetti, "ska-betty". No matter how many times he tries to say it-and he knows it's not right...it comes out, "skabetty". So cute.

We were at Wal-mart the other day and Landon blurted out..."MOM! That grandma had really broken teeth. Like Pacie". Too funny. And a little sad for the grandma. (1/8)

The kids sang with the primary in the Christmas program yesterday at church. Upon hearing Landon sing "Christmas Bells", I realized I must record how he says Bethlehem. It is:

Beth-of-hem". But to see his little mouth say it is the best. He always has been such a little singer. Love it. (12/21)

Yesterday, Landon wanted a yogurt for breakfast. He picked out a blackberry flavor and I opened it for him. He was so excited and said, "mommy! I got purple berry pie!!" I don't know where he came up with that flavor, but Presley's raspberry flavor became "pink berry pie." I love this little boy of mine. (12/10)

After a function tonight the kids had a visit from Santa where they were given a candy cane. Landon was so excited to have seen Santa and was anxious to dig into his little treat. We got into the car and he took the first few licks. Pretty soon, we hear, (In a very disgusted voice)

"Great, Santa gave me this. And now, it's HOT!"

Needless to say, he didn't finish his candy cane. (12/5)

Tonight at dinner Landon asked for a piece of pumpkin pie which was meant to be for my preschool class the following day. I said no and his reply was, "Excuse me? Are you telling me no?"

Yes, son. I am.

Lately, Landon has been obsessed with who is his cousin/brother/friend etc. We were in his room and he pointed to Woody from Toy Story on the floor and said, "Mom. That's Woody. He's my cousin.". I looked at him with a look that said, "Are you kidding me?" And his comeback was a very sheepish, "He's not my cousin. Ryan is my cousin. He's my friend."

Today I had taken all of Landon's bedding off to wash it. He walked into the bathroom and said in a very worried tone, "Mommy! My bed is naked!!" (10/10)

Today I was doing Landon's hair and when I finished he went out of the bathroom and said, "Princess, I am finished. Princess, where are you?" talking to Presley. Then when he found her he said, "Princess, do you want to dance?" (10/6)

Tonight Landon came in and said, "Mommy, I'm afraid. I am afraid of high heels!". He was DEAD serious. I have no idea where it came from, but it made me laugh!! (10/1)

Today I was putting Landon in the tub. I added some bubbles, and he said, (quietly) "Oh bubbles. I'm so glad you're back."