Ten For Tuesday- Landon Edition

I thought this week I would focus on our boy. The lone (little) man in the Taft household. Ten reasons why we love Landon, and why we're glad he's ours!

1. He is a fighter. First display-he made it here! Some of you may not know that Landon is a twin. We lost our other baby at 20 weeks-but I carried them both full term and delivered them together. We were so glad to find out we were having a boy, and then so thankful to find out that he was a fighter and that he made it here with no further complications. He was tiny! (For our standards anyway) weighing only 5 lbs. 5 oz. When we brought him home he was 4-11. SO TINY! Here he is inside of his Christmas stocking. (He was born December 18th, 2005)

2. His smile! Right from the start, he had this wide smile that covers his whole face. He can light up a room with his little grin! This was one of his very first smiles that we caught on camera. And here's another one that just shows that big wide smile!

3. His blue eyes, which he gets from his dad! I've heard that he looks "just like his daddy" maybe 500 THOUSAND times in the last almost 3 years. I think it's a good thing for little boys to look like their daddies...better that than their moms!

4. His personality! He has always been full of life. And the older he gets the more he likes to be silly and make his sisters and others laugh. Even if it means showing off a bit. He learns a lot from his older sisters, including their dance moves and tumbling tricks. He has always loved to sing and entertain.

5. He is a monkey. Literally fearless. When he was 8 months old and not even walking, I went into the girls bedroom to find him on the top bunk of their bed. Just standing against the railing smiling at me. I FREAKED! He climbed the ladder and was just hanging out. Hence, the nickname Curious George. He is so adventurous. I just think I will have to harness it...before he starts riding dirtbikes...






6. He is ALL BOY. He loves balls, trucks and cars, and mostly dirtbikes. He loves to be outside getting dirty with his dad. Even though he can sing Hannah Montana songs by heart, we know that deep down, he's all all boy. Love it.








7. He is very loving with his sisters. Yes they drive him crazy. Yes he probably wishes they weren't around sometimes, but overall, he is super loving-especially with Presley. He always gives them hugs and loves, even when they're not wanted or reciprocated. (Pacie~) But he is just a little gentleman. I hope we can continue to teach him how important that quality is...to respect womanhood and appreciate them!


8. He never, ever makes messes for me to clean up. And he is always a great example to Presley. And I'm totally lying right now-but hey..at least I can laugh about it! Remember the red fingernail polish incident? How about the great paper shredder extravaganza of '08? Yep. He's all mine! The latest involves him, Presley, and half a bag of Krusteaz pancake mix. That's what you get when you get on the computer in the morning and don't listen to the repeated pleas for pancakes... At least he tried to clean up for me!


9. He is sweet and asks me for "my hugs" and says, "give me my kiss mom.". He really is a sweet and loving little boy and I am thankful that he has such a positive influence in his life. Scott teaches him by example and I know he will continue to do so throughout his lifetime. So thanks, Scott for teaching our son to love his mommy!

10. He is super strong willed. I think he's been in here about 15 times while I've been putting this post together because he wanted to play on the computer. Once he even turned it off for me! I know that determination will take him far! We love you, Little Buggy!

10 for Tuesday- Fall Edition

I am coming to the realization that sadly, summer is over. I'm not ready for winter yet-so I thought I'd take a second to tell a few reasons why I do love fall.

1. The colors. I know-it's probably a common one. But I do love to watch the trees change colors and one of these years, I want to do family pictures in a great pile of leaves.

2. Sweater season. I like wearing sweaters-strangely enough. I guess because they're cozy.

3. Football. HELLO? I am a football fanatic. Scott's one hope and dream for Landon is that he'll become a great moto-crosser. Mine is that he will love football and want to play.

4. Soup! I love making different kids of soup. And soup goes right along with chilly fall weather. So, if you have any really good recipes you'd like to share, feel free!

5. Halloween. It's so fun-especially now that I am a parent! Our kids are dressing up this year as:
Parker-Cheerleader (She is going to wear my old stuff-we'll see how that goes over!)
Pacie- Ariel (There was no other option this year, I"m afraid!)
Landon- Pirate (He's not really sure about any of it yet so we'll see if he really likes it as much as I think he will!)
Presley- Butterfly (Of course it's a hand-me-down from the girls. Poor thing having 2 older sisters!)

6. The chill in the air. Okay, I love love summer and the heat! But I really hate the winter cold too. I think that the fall weather is a good compromise between the two.

7. Decorations. I love all of the reds, golds, rusts, dark greens, yellows....(Did anyone watch SNL on Saturday? I'm reminding myself of a skit that was on...buttercream yellows, rusts....)

8. Reading. I love to read. (I know, I've mentioned that before) With the weather changing, I find more time (or excuse) to stay inside and curl up with a good read.

9. Scott. I know this sounds crazy, but I don't have to share him with his bike so much in the fall and winter. Call me selfish....

10. Christmas is approaching! I love Christmas. And I guess Fall is the segway there. So I'll quit mourning summer and welcome Fall and try to enjoy each day as much as I can before that wretched snow falls....

Have a great Tuesday!

The Rest of our Family Pics

Okay, here is the link to the rest of our family pictures.

I love the way they turned out! Love the colors.

Your input would be appreciated! Which family picture do you like the best? Sitting or standing?
Thanks again, Shelly

Finally- some pictures from Disneyland

Here are just a few of our pictures from our trip to Disneyland. My sister has the majority of them and I'm waiting on the disc. But-here's a small sample of how much fun we had!

10 for Tuesday-Random throughts

I can't believe it's another week already.

1- Time really does seem to pass by more quickly now than ever. I remember growing up I would say, "I can't wait until I'm 8 or 12 or 16". My mom would tell me not to wish my life away. And just this morning Parker said, "In a few months, I'll be 7! Then a few more 8! Then a few more.." I told her the same thing my mom told me. "Don't wish your life away!" It's really hard for me to watch my kids grow up! I love it-but it's hard.

2- I need a new camera. Scott and I have been talking about this for months. What I'd really love is a really nice Canon digital that would fit the two lenses I already own for our really nice outdated film version Canon that we bought. Sigh... I guess Christmas is coming up. Maybe then?

3- I love watching my girls dance! Both Parker and Pacie are both taking dance again this year and I am the secretary at their studio. I love it there. It helps that the owner is one of my best friends-but they promote such great things in my girls. Modesty, self confidence...it's just fun to watch them improve.

4- Landon is turning into a naughty boy. HELP! He is so sweet and cute and funny but he is also starting to throw these major tantrums! He's never done it before until the last couple of weeks. Will he grow out of it? (No comment, Lisha! :)

5- I really think about food storage all of the time. I know what we have would not sustain us, should we need it to! We try to do a little here a little there, but I still feel very under prepared. Any great suggestions on that one?

6- I am SO not ready for winter. The snowstorm we had last weekend was the worst. (And yes, it stuck on the ground overnight. SERIOUSLY?) It's only the second week of October. So so sad. Sometimes I think I live in the wrong state.

7- I love fall TV. Yes, I am a little of a "show" junkie. What I did before the days of the DVR I'll never know. (yes, I used to use our VCR to record as much as I could and try to set the timer on that!) Ah, thank you dish for letting me waste time watching shows that I love. (Fringe being our new favorite, Heroes, ANTM, Survivor, CSI, and sadly, the last ER season ever. I know I'm a minority with that one, but I've been a faithful viewer from the start.) There may be a couple more, but I'm not going to admit them. Okay, we watch The Hills.

8- Our daughters are going to be wonderful mommies someday. I watch them with Landon and especially Presley and am so impressed with they way they are with her. Very sweet and already so nurturing. I so appreciate their help.

9- Scott is such a jack of many trades. He always impresses me with his knowledge of how to do random things. Like on our trip to Disney he fixed my sunglasses with a paper clip, some pliers, and some type of metal snipping device. He's really MacGyver. And I mean that in a good way!

10- I am baking Amish friendship bread right now and it smells really good. If you live nearby and would like a start sometime, just let me know! I'd be happy to pass one along.
Have a good week!

Sneak Peek at our Family Pics

I'm still working on the Disneyland photos....
But I do have a sneak peek of our family pictures that were taken a few weeks ago by an amazing girl. (Thanks again, Shelly!)
I can't wait to see the rest of our pictures!

To sneak a peek...click here!

8 Years...."Has it been that long?"

Yes, that was the comment that I got from Scott the morning of our anniversary. :)

This is a couple of days late, but I feel bad not posting and saying something about my amazing husband on our day. So, here it is, a few days late. (I figure since we're celebrating today-I could post today!) Here is a little of our history-in a nutshell.

Scott and I met at the Outback Steakhouse July 7th, 2000. He came in with his dad and a friend for dinner and I was working there. I was not his server-just working on the same side of the restaurant that he was dining in. Right when I saw him, there was some connection. I kept kind of watching him as I was working on my tables. At that time my sister Rachel and a bunch of our friends were also working with us. I had a parade of girls go by to check him out and get their opinion. His server was also keeping me updated on their progress. Well, when she announced that it was time for the desserts and that they were requesting their check, I had to take action. I know it sounds silly to say that I was prompted to go and talk to him, but I seriously was overcome by something that I needed to go and talk to him....NOW. Being the chicken that I was (I've never been that girl to go up and introduce myself to a guy...) I made my sister go for me! She asked him the important info: Age. 28. Married? No. And then said that there was someone that she wanted to set him up with. He replied that "if it was the girl in the red, I am interested." Well, I was the only lady in red that night. I went and talked to him.

For those of you who may not know, Scott is into Motocross. It is his passion. He's been riding since age seven and racing since age eleven. He was in Idaho Falls for a race the next day. I took my mom with me to go watch him and we made plans to meet at Lagoon the following week.

Well, we talked about getting married July 24th, he officially asked me on August 4th and we were married in the Salt Lake temple on October 6th, 2000. Almost 3 months to the day that we met.

Even though it was super quick-no one was concerned that we were making a huge mistake. I was 25, Scott was 29 and I guess we'd both lived enough to know that when it's right, it's right and there's no use trying to delay or deny it! We both knew that we had finally met "the one".

Now, 8 years and 4 kids later- I can say that I am more in love with Scott than ever. He is such an amazing hands on father. Our kids just adore him. He is a great husband who is always looking for ways to make my life easier. He never assumes that it is my "job" to do things, such as housework. He always does as much around the house (he'll say he does more) than I do.

So, Scott. Just to let you know. Even though you don't believe in Soul Mates...you are mine. I know that we were meant to be together. Things just don't work out like they did for us unless it's right. And I'm thankful that you didn't listen to your dad that fateful July evening and that you left the other restaurant you were at to come to mine so that we could meet. Don't know where I'd be without you-and I'm glad I don't have to think about it.

Love you. Happy 8 years together. I know it's just the beginning of a life yet to be lived.

Lucky, indeed.