The Taft Family

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Especially for Amy-and whoever else may be interested...

Well, after much prompting from Aim, I am getting a couple of pictures of our almost completed house on here. I will have to put some more on there when it's really finished, but for now, here are a couple of my favorite parts of the house. One, is the mantle. It looks a little funny in the picture, (just the positioning of it) but we LOVE it. Also, our kitchen! (in this picture the floor is still unfinished.) The true color of the cabinets is more like the mantle too. We are sooooo excited to get into our house. I stopped by today and they are laying carpet! I am excited to show you all around. So Amy, no more procrastinating. Here they are!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Living the Simple Life

Wow, there have been lots of changes since my last entry. We had a wonderful, although all too quick Christmas with our little family. It would be the last one in our home on Genevieve. We started the move a couple of days after Christmas, (after a quick trip to Utah to spend literally 24 hours with Scott's family) and it was packing, more packing, cleaning and more packing! We made the move over about a weeks time with the help of a few friends and family. It was snowing like crazy the two main days we moved the big stuff. How thankful I am for a husband, dad and brothers who aren't wimps! They didn't complain once about moving everything. We moved into "The Little House) and started sleeping here January 1. It was a hard night. Pipes were frozen, there was no fuel in the furnace, (it got warmed up once we got some), and we are living in 3 rooms. Two bedrooms, one living room and a kitchen-the bathroom is in our bedroom...needless to say we are CROWDED! But, we are thankful to have a place to be until our house is finished. We didn't even have a land line phone until last night. I got re-connected to the internet (dial-up...it's SO SLOW!) but at least it's a connection. The laundry pipes are frozen again today...trying to thaw them out to do laundry. But, on the flip side, our house is nearing completion! The cabinets are in-tile is finishing up today and the hard wood floors are in. All that is left now is finish work...and the siding. We should be in sooner than later and we are thrilled. Can't wait actually! But, until then, here we are. All in one room, spending lots of quality time together. I don't think I can even attach any pictures at this slow a speed! I caught the kids the other day doing the greatest thing. Presley and I were in the "living room" and it got really quiet in the kids bedroom. I walked in to find the three of them, (parker, pacie and landon) sitting in a box in the dark watching a movie. They said they were at the drive-in. I loved it! So simple and so happy. I'm grateful for my blessings. I'm thankful for a wonderful family and know that as long as we have each other, we can live ANY kind of life.....

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

2 Dancing Girls and a Birthday Boy

Wow, we've had a crazy week...and it is only Thursday. Parker and Pacie had their winter recital Monday night. Parker was in three dances and Pacie was in one. They both did great and we had a great time watching them. I am so impressed with their dance studio and with their instructors. Then on Tuesday, little Landon turned two years old. It's hard for me to believe that time has gone by so quickly. We had a busy day with pre-school, kindergarten, and dance pictures for both girls. We did an Elmo cake and a small get together with mamie, gramps. Matt, Tio, G&G Landon and of course his pack here. We had a good time. He loved blowing out the candles and did it I think 4 times. It took a few tries the first time to get it done. Once he'd figured it out, he just kept saying, "Happy Birthday to me!" and we'd light the candles and start singing again. The grin was priceless. Our little man is two. We love you, Landon!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Parker's Big Moment

Well, I'll have a picture to post with this little saying tomorrow, but I had to put the comment on there so it didn't leave me. (That sometimes happens when life happens!) Parker was getting ready to dance at a basketball game half-time. She danced last year, but just performed at the Festival of Trees and at a nursing home. Her recitals are much different because the lights are off and she can't see the audience. So we were getting ready-hair curled, make-up on etc. She got her costume on and as she was putting on her coat to leave, she looked up at me and said, oh so seriously, "Well, mom. This is it. My big moment." I loved it.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Family Pictures November 07

Why are family pictures so draining?

Why are family pictures SO draining? It takes half the day to get ready for them, especially with 4 girls in the house! Okay, so Presley wasn't that hard, but the other three take a while. This year I was trying to support a girl in my ward (she shall remain nameless) in her efforts to start a new photography business. "NEW" being the key word here. The night before our session, she called me to ask what colors we were wearing etc and said that she'd have the white background ready. Little did I know, that meant she was going to paint the wall in her basement (which had previously been black ) white...along with the floor. One coat that night and one at 6:00 am she thought would be fine and dry by the time we got there. Well, they weren't! But, she had borrowed some sheets from a neighbor to lay on the floor. Of course Landon was hateful-do you remember trying to get an almost two year old to sit still for pictures for 5 minutes!? She really wanted the girls to wear Santa hats for the picture (I vetoed that idea)-and she also had some other props she was anxious to try out. Trying to be as polite as possible, I declined, and tried to keep things as simple as possible. About forty minutes and some white paint on Landon's shirt later, we were finished. I do have to say though, I was pleased when she brought them by today to preview. Not the highest quality, but she captured the moment and that's really what I was looking for. I got the proofs, did a little work on photoshop, swapping heads and tweaking color, and am overall pleased with what we ended up with. So, here are a few of our family pictures 2007. Enjoy!

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."