The Taft Family

Monday, July 7, 2008

We had an amazing 4th...as usual. I always get so excited for the 4th to come, and then a little sad when it's over. And this year was no exception. We were fortunate enough to have a mini Andrus reunion during our picnic this year and it was really fun to see everyone that we haven't seen in a while. (We did miss a few family members that weren't there, but hope we can catch up with them all soon!) All of the kids played and had fun and come to think of it, so did the adults! The fireworks were amazing, of course! I really am gateful to live in a country where we enjoy our freedom. I am grateful for family and friends who love and support us in all that we do.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

I LOVE my son...part 2.

So last night we were just relaxing, having fun, playing a little guitar hero and out walks Landon with "Bid on it Berry" nail polish all over his feet. He had done a self pedicure! And not only were his feet now berry colored, so is my carpet! In my bedroom, down the hall way. We scrubbed and scrubbed to no avail. Windex, Mill's cleaner, Resolve, WD-40, nail polish remover.....does anyone have any cures for getting bright berry colored nail polish out of brand new carpet????????? (Obviously there are no pictures due to the severity of the offense.) Oh my boy. I love him to pieces.....

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Getting that 4th of July Excitement!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE July 4th. It rivals Christmas as my favorite holiday. Really, it does. I think part of why I love it so much, (aside from truly being thankful to live in such an amazing country and having a day to remember why I AM proud to be an American..thanks Lee Greenwood!) is because of the years and years of tradition on that day! Nothing too elaborate or extreme...parade, picnic at my parents house, (good food, catching up with my cousins, swimming in the canal, frisbee golf. horseshoes) and then of course our AMAZING fireworks! Ahh, I'm getting chills just thinking about it.

Here are a couple pictures of the Ghosts of 4th of July's past to go along with my new blog background. I hope it gets you all in the spirit of the 4th! And there will be a proper post of that days activities....I just had to get a head start!

And just so you know....Jenn and family.. You WILL be greatly missed. But I am thankful you are getting something really great for sacrificing this day! That goes for Doug & Rebekah too, and any of the other Peterson clan that's unable to come this year. We do welcome with excitement Amy & Noah, and the Turnbulls! And I HOPE Grandma and Grandpa Andrus make it too! Hint!

Shots from 2006...My how we've changed since then! Landon was only 7 months old...

2007. I was 8 months pregnant with Presley! She was born August 2nd, so this will be her first official 4th. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Summertime!

Here's a look at what we've been doing the last couple of weeks. It seems that summer may here to stay! Let's hope...it's taken long enough to get here!

Item #1: Haircuts! Matt cut Landon's hair and I LOVE IT! It makes it so nice not to really have to do it! The girls are a different story! Parker got 6 inches cut off and Pacie- well I didn't measure it, but let's just say that Scott ACTUALLY cried when the first few cuts were made. Her hair has NEVER been this short, but I like it and it's growing on Scott too! It's just a nice change for summer and hey, it's hair! It will grow back....

Item #2: Matt's football game! I LOVE summer football. Matt was just voted to the All-Star team for the area. His championship game is next Saturday night, but we had a blast watching them win this semi-final game. I have a picture of Parker and Matt just like this right before he left on his mission. Parker is about 7 months old...I should find it and scan it in, but I took this one just for Matt and her to remember how far they've come! Grandma and Grandpa Landon came to watch Matt too. It was a beautiful night and they won 34-6! Go Lionz!

Item #3: RACING! Scott hasn't been able to race very much this year-due in part to the girls dance schedule, but now he'll start a little more. His first race was in Rupert, ID and he did great! He took first in the +30 Pro class and 2nd in the +25 Pro Class. He's still super fast and looks great! His kids (and his wife) love to watch him in his element. He really is amazing on a bike!

Congrats from Parker..... And from Pacie...............

The next generation of Taft racers.....Landon! He is already obsessed with bikes, loves to be on them and just wants to be sitting on the bikes, helping daddy work on the bikes, anything to do with it, he LOVES it! It will be fun (really scary) when he's old enough

to start racing

Little Presley was filthy as could be-and proud as could be too!

Item #4: Swimming! Even in our own backyard they love to swim! Here's just a few pics...they were freezing, but had fun despite the water.

Lots more summer fun to come. I LOVE it!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Wonder how I'd fare today?....

So in the 1930's I'd be superior! Surprised what with all of the ironing and mending questions! Saw this on a friend's blog and thought it would be fun to take!

What kind of 1930's wife are you?

As a 1930s wife, I am
Superior

Take the test!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Fathers Day Early

So I've been wanting to post these pictures of the kids, but didn't want Scott to see them before Father's day. I'm doing a handprint/picture collage for him. He's out of town racing today and tomorrow so I know he won't see them! Anyway, I took these the other day and thought they turned out pretty well. I love my babies! So thankful to be a mom and thankful that my kids have such an amazing dad! We love you, Scott. We hope that your Father's Day Weekend starts out amazing...(Well, you're riding and racing, so I'm sure you'll love it.) Sunday will be great!

Presley- 10 Months

I LOVE her little beaver teeth!

Parker- 6

She is looking more and more grown up to me every day.

Pacie- a couple weeks away from 5

I can't believe she's starting Kindergarten in the fall!

Landon 2 1/2

Our lone little man in this house of girls!

Alternate options that didn't make the cut but that I wanted to share!

Here is the finished product. For the quote in the middle, I used one of my favorite Mary Englebreit quotes...or one she uses anyway. It says:

Nothing is so strong as gentleness;

Nothing so gentle as real Strength.

Happy Father's Day, Scott.

Thank you for being such an amazing daddy to your kids. They all adore you! You are and always will be an example, a role model, their friend, and their biggest fan. We Love You!

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."