Watch out Bengals...here comes Parker!

Parker had the opportunity to perform at an ISU basketball game halftime at the Holt Arena in Pocatello. It was a big deal for them...being a college game and all. And somewhat of a big deal for me, being that I graduated from ISU. (Go Bengals!!)

We were able to leave the other three kids with Mamie and Gramps and Ashley so that we could have some one on one time with Parker. (Thanks so much you guys for helping out! We so appreciate it!)

We left to go and it was super foggy! We had fun chatting on the way down. Once we got there, Parker grouped up with her little friends and we went and started watching the game.

When it came time for them to go onto the gym floor, I got a little nervous! But she looked amazing and they all did great! Especially considering they'd never performed on a gym floor before..it's always been on a stage. Just look at her concentration on her leg extension! Love it.

We stayed for a while-and then left to go eat. We gave Parker the choice of where she wanted to go and she picked.....Sizzler. (Of all places! I was pulling for Wingers) I think she wanted to go there because of the ice cream at Sizzler, which she was disappointed to find out that it's not made from milk at all, but "water and powder". She and Scott were debating the nature of the ice cream. (The waitress that told us probably has no idea how she's affected her for the rest of her life.) We had a great time with her.

We are so proud of you, Parker for all of your hard work and dedication to dance. You are very talented and we can't wait to see where you go from here! Love you, sis!

10 for Tuesday- It's been a while

With the holiday's I feel like my life was put on hold for two weeks. But it was also good to have such a fun crazy couple of weeks before normalcy and routine set in again.

It's been a while.....

1. since I had a pedicure. Time to go in again, even though it's winter and no one sees my toes but me.

2. since Scott and I went to a movie alone. We did go to dinner this weekend, which was great fun. But there's something about the movie with just your man. Any suggestions on a not to miss movie?

3. since I did anything in Sacrament meeting. (Spoke, sang, bore my testimony.) Shame on me. I need to work on the testimony part.

4. since I went to lunch with my mom. I wish she didn't have to work so much.

5. since I met up with my High School girlfriends.

6. since I had a girls night out with my post high school girlfriends! Time to get together, ladies!

7. since I went running! I loved doing it this summer and when school started, I lost my babysitter and my motivation! My elliptical is just not the same. I know I just need to use it until it's warm enough outside not to freeze my lungs!!

8. since I had a DIET COKE! July 20ish and counting.

9. since I have had a really good cry. Just don't do it that often.

10. since I wrote in my kid's journals. Does blogging count?!

In love.

I love my husband.

Just wanted to say that. He seriously is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. And our kids too, of course.
The other night, I walked in to find this:

Totally unprompted-him just reading to all 4 of the kids on the couch. Due to my obsession with books and reading, it warmed my heart to see him sharing one of my loves with our kids. Worlds greatest dad nomination forthcoming.


And this. The girls on their first day back to school after the long break. Just random....

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.