The Taft Family

Friday, January 9, 2009

Catching up!

Warning: Marathon post ahead!
We had such a fun, crazy, busy holiday that I did not keep up with posting. So, here is our last two weeks of December.... somewhat abridged version.

December 19th-23rd.
For the first time ever, we went to Salt Lake before Christmas to spend time with Scott's family. The first night we got there, Scott and I went out with his brother Rob and wife Christy. We went and ate at PF Changs and then went to see "Four Christmases". We loved dinner-and liked the movie. (Not loved) No pictures were taken, for some reason! We had so much fun with them though!
A quick trip to Highland on Sunday to see some of my family at my grandma's house. It was so fun to see everyone that was there. I don't get to see them enough! There were four new babies there that I hadn't met before and it was so fun to see all of them! The kids also had so much fun seeing their cousins.
Later that night, we met up with Rob and Christy and their kids, along with Bill and Linda to go to temple square and see the lights. It was amazing! We hadn't been in a couple of years. The weather cooperated and we had such a fun night.

The next night was our Taft family Christmas party. Scott's sister Debbie was gracious enough to have the party at her house. Most everyone was able to make it, and we were so glad to see everyone. We even had a special guest arrive! The kids (young and old!) were so excited to see Santa. Well, everyone except for Presley, I guess!!

Later that night, we opened our gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Taft. I just love the looks on the kids faces! They gave Parker and Pacie new outfits for their Build a Bears and they were in heaven!

We headed home the next morning to begin our crazy final preparations for Christmas! A little shopping, baking, gingerbread house making, cleaning, wrapping.....you know, the usual! Looks like Parker and Pacie were already worn out! (I love this picture...they really are best friends. It warms my heart!)

Decorating the gingerbread house...

We had such a fun Christmas! The kids got most of what was on their lists-and we were able to really focus on and talk about the Savior and His birth. It's nice to hear their testimonies and know that they realize that there is more to the holiday than presents.

Our little Monkeys on Christmas Eve fresh out of the tub and in their new jammies. While they were in the tub, the doorbell rang and when Scott went to get it, there was a gift bag just full of pajamas! They think it was Santa's elves that dropped them off.
The day after Christmas, we went sledding with Danny and Rachel and their girls. It was the first time our kids had really been sledding and needless to say, they LOVED it!

Later that night, we waited in anticipation for our English friends to arrive. The Dann's are a family that I met while serving my mission in England. I was in their city for 7 months, and Nigel, (then Brother Dann) was my ward mission leader. We all became fast friends and have kept in touch over the past 11 years. (Yes, I am that old.)
Anyway, they came to the States for Christmas this year and they were with us from the night of the 26th through New Year's Eve day. We went to Island Park to our cabin, (I don't ever remember seeing THAT much snow!!!) to West Yellowstone to the Bear and Wolf discovery center, played lots of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and just hung out staying up way too late playing Phase 10 and reminiscing. They took most of the pictures-but here are just a few! They are like my second family-we were sad to see them go. But just thankful that they made the trek to Idaho-in our feet and feet of snow! I didn't mean for that to sound like a poem....We showed them around Idaho Falls and just had fun being together. Come back soon! We miss you guys!!
Landon face to face with a white wolf. And if you look in the background, there is a bear in there! We took them to Gusher's in West for pizza...the closest Jan got to seeing her dream moose.

We have a Phase 10 tradition of the "Skip Hat". The night we played, we used an England hat that they brought. Landon is now the proud owner of it!

After the fun of having them here, New Year's Eve was pretty quiet. We stayed home with just our little family, watched a movie and toasted in 2009 with Root Beer in wine glasses. :) The girls loved it.

So, now a week into the new year, life is getting back to it's original craziness. Preschool is back in full swing, dance and piano, and just life in general. It is nice to get back on a schedule, but we sure had a fun long Christmas Break!

Happy New Year to all of you! I hope your 2009 is wonderful.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!

To all of our friends and loved ones-
We wish you the very best this Holiday Season.

Love,
Scott, Jill and the kids

Landon's Happy Birthday

Our little boy is three! His actual birthday was a bit of a flop-so we made up for it the next day by having a party after the girls dance recital. He asked for a motorcycle cake-so that's what I made. Really my least creative and intricate cake ever-but it got the job done. We were thankful to have family there to celebrate with us and make his day so special. He loves being with his cousins, even if he is the only boy!!! (There are 3 candles on the cake and they add up to three...in case you were wondering why it looks so random. It's called 'improvising.')

He was so gracious with his gifts and was really excited about each present-even the clothes! He tried everything on so that at one point he had on two shirts, a hoodie and snowboots. He was funny. We love our little guy!

As a side note, the girls did really well at their recital. Here are a few pictures of them in costume. Parker is lucky to have some wonderful friends that she dances with.

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."