The Taft Family: August 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Thirteen point one

In a little less than 48 hours I will be running the Top Of Utah Half marathon. Thirteen point one miles. I have been training since June. (The last two weeks have been awful-bad back=hard running=not a lot of miles booked). My longest run is 12 miles-so I am feeling sufficiently prepared.
However, I did not anticipate the nerves. I am starting to get extremely anxious and nervous about it. Some of it is the unknown...I've never run in a "race" before. (Trust me, the only person I am racing against is myself. I'm not expecting much of a "race.") However, I do have a few goals....
1. Finish the race in under 2.5 hrs. Yes-many people finish in less than 2 hours-some even less than that! But for me-anything less than 2.5 will be great!
2. Keep my average under 12 mins/mile. I know-I just told everyone how slow I am. But the fact of the matter is-I have never been a runner. I did not start running more than 2 or so miles until June...so the fact that I am now running long distances...is great.
3. Have fun and not let my nerves overtake the experience.

I am grateful to be running "with" (I use that term loosely because they will all be ahead of me.....) Ashley, Rach, and Jenny. It's been a great summer of training. Now here's to the race!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

So-we had a couple birthdays....

My birthday is on the 4th, Scott's on the 5th. It's always been fun-having 2 birthdays in a row to celebrate. This year was a little more special. Scott had a big one-the big 40. I really wanted to do something special for him-even though he kept insisting that he just wanted a quiet night with just family. Oops.
My birthday ended with Ashley making me an amazing ice cream cake-so yummy! Scott and I went to dinner at the Whitewater Grill/Wasabi restaurant down by the river. It was fantastic! A good surprise for sure!

Scott's surprise party was held at Infinity dance studio-and he truly was surprised. I was a nervous wreck trying to pull it all off. Lots of people had to be in on it to help me out-my family-his parents and Debbie-but somehow we managed it and I think he really was surprised to walk in and see family and friends waiting to with him a happy day. It was a good surprise...and the start to a great weekend. So thanks to everyone who helped to pull it off! It was fun to see his face-and good to get it all over with!

I wish I would've taken more pics that night-but here is what I have.

The cake! The writing on the side was a last minute addition after joking with Scott about it. Everyone always says-"You don't look that old"! I joked with him and he said, "Is that what you're going to put on my cake?". A call had to be made to Sams club and a little bit added to make it right.

My favorite picture of the night.....

Happy Birthday, Scott! :) You're looking better and better every year. I love you!! Hope your birthday was amazing-just like you are.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

A Beautiful Day.

Today, Pacie was baptized. It was a beautiful, emotional, spiritual day.
Here is the day-in pictures.

We had a brunch before the baptism.

We arrived at the church and got changed into the baptism outfit....

I am so thankful for a worthy husband who can perform these priesthood ordinances. Scott-you are such a great man-and I love you with all of my heart. Plus-you're pretty darn handsome.

Parker and Niamh wanted to come into the changing room with Pacie after she came out of the water. It was so cute. They were so excited for her. She was shivering-the last of 6 to be baptized...the water apparently wasn't very warm anymore!! Despite the cold, she told me she felt happy and warm.

SO many family members came to support...and I know there were many more who wish the could've been there. Thanks so much for coming:

Krystal and Bridger

Dye Family

Sister Risenmay (Thanks for taking Piper out too-you were a LIFESAVER!)

Nat & kids

Matt & Ashley

Yeck Family

Grandma Landon

Tyler & Ashlee

Grandma & Grandpa Taft and Aunt Debbie

We have MISSED you, Debbie!!

Rachel & Girls

Proud Parents....

Loving Family

Mamie & Gramps

It really was a very beautiful day. One I will never forget-and I hope Pacie won't either.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Pacie's baptism pictures

My sweet and talented sister (in-law) Ashley took these beautiful pictures of Pacie. We are so excited for her baptism tomorrow and can't wait for her to enter this next phase of life. We are proud of your decision, Pacie, and are so thankful for the example you are setting to your three younger siblings. We love you.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Little Darlin' had a birthday!

Snapshots of a Four year old birthday:

Breakfast in bed, courtesy of Pacie.

Dinner at Applebees: Kids night!!Free face paining, yes please! (We did tip the painter-she was great)

Beautiful Butterfly

Ironman...

Peace Out...

Butterfly....

Little Pipes...

Daddy with the birthday girl

Best Buddies

The rest of us....

Free chocolate mouse shooter? yes please!

The birthday cake...

I am FOUR! (Even though she keeps saying, six....)

Looking so grown up...I hate it!!

She got so embarrassed when it was time to sing!

Blow out the candles!

With White Grandmama

Rio from Mom and Dad

New clothes from Mamie and Gramps

Pacie made her some really fun things...

Probably her favorite present-my little pony from Matt & Ashley

Butterfly shirt...

Cut the cake!

Surprise inside! :)

**Cake tutorial courtesy of www.simplysadiejane.com
It was an amazing day for our little princess. We also went to the park and had a pizza picnic and went shopping.
We love our little Presley. She is such a character and adds so much to our home. She is very motherly with Piper and is a good helper. She has a quick wit and is fiesty. Very opinionated. And very sweet and loving. A little shy-but also funny...she really is the whole package.
Love you Presley!! Hope your birthday was magical.

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."