The Taft Family

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Our Dancing Queens!

I just found another reason to LOVE my Mac. I've been trying to figure out how to share video for a while. For some reason our camera has a funny extension and to make a long story short it would take literally HOURS to upload even a short clip. Tonight I discovered a real function of I-Movie and watched a 2 minute tutorial. And now, I know how to share video! I may be a little excited.

Here are 2 dances from Parker's 2008-2009 Competition season. Both of these were performed at the Spring Recital for Infinity Dance Studio. I don't need to say again how much I LOVE the studio. But I will. And I do.

Kung-Fu: Parker starts out on the end with a white umbrella. She is wearing a pink dress.

Jump-Up: Parker cartwheels onto the stage. Scott is a pretty biased taper-he keeps the girls pretty easy to find!! :) What a good daddy!
I didn't want to leave out Pacie. Here she is in her dance, "Everybody Dance Now". She is just off the center white line. And boy can she shake it!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Fields of Gold

I love living where I do. I live out in the country with acres of farmed field in my backyard. I have always wanted to do family pictures out in the ripened wheat. It didn't happen this year-but on the spur of the moment, I took the kids out into the field and snapped a few pictures. Just in time as well-they will cut it all down tomorrow. So-until I get a professional photographer out here to capture us just right-these will have to do.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A Day of Firsts...

We went to Lagoon today with friends. More on this to follow.

However-I just wanted to say that today Scott and I did this::::

And both Parker and Pacie did this::::

It was a good day. :)

Monday, August 10, 2009

Birthday Extravaganzas!

The first week of August is always fun. We have three birthdays in as many days. Presley's is the 2nd, mine the 4th and Scott's the 5th. When Scott and I first met, that was one of the fun things we discovered we have in common.

On my birthday-I took Landon and Parker to a playdate and then went and met my sweet aunt Nancy and my cousin Jess (who I NEVER get to see) at Sonic for a birthday drink. It was so fun! And what's better than a pop run in the morning??

Scott came home and surprised me with gifts-all of which I loved. I still think the over the door shoe organizer is more for him than me-but I know I will love it and take full advantage of it. My favorite gift was a new Willow Tree figure. It's a mother with two children. Truly, there is nothing I love more than being a mom. We got ready and then as a family went to dinner at the Olive Garden where I was also treated to a birthday cake and song. (Thanks, Lish!!) It was a great day.

For Scott's birthday-the kids and I went to get him his gifts which included a new Wii game, (MX vs. ATV Untamed) a couple of new pairs of dress pants, some socks...nothing very exciting, but needed. He played the game most of the afternoon while I made his cake and then he and I met Matt and Ashlee at our favorite little place: The Snake Bite! We had fun-as always when we're with those two!

Came home and lit all 38 candles for Scottie to blow out. (The dancing pic is my fave of the bunch.)

It was a great couple of days! Thanks for all of the well wishes. We appreciate our family and friends and feel very blessed.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

While Landon sleeps.....

this is what Parker does to him.

Gives him a mohawk, laughs, and takes a picture or two.

You gotta love big sisters.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Presley is TWO!!

It's hard to believe our baby is two. The time has flown by.

Presley had her birthday on a Sunday-so it was pretty low key. Just our little family.

After church and dinner at a friend's baby blessing, she took a late nap. While she slept, I made and decorated her cake. She got to choose between a flower and a butterfly. She emphatically chose the butterfly, which I thought was really cute.

Landon couldn't wait any longer for her to wake up so he went and woke her. She was so mad right at first she wanted nothing to do with her presents. Scott thinks it was because we had wrapped everything in camo wrapping paper. (It's all we had on hand) she finally warmed up and loved her new tinkerbell panties, her baby with snap on clothes, her ABC book and a new outfit.

We then lit the candles and sang to her. She seemed a little more nervous than excited, which surprised me. She was aprehensive to blow out the candles-but did give it a good try. She got one on her own and then Scott/Pacie/Landon helped her with the second.

My favorite things about Presley at this age are:

The way that you always walk with a purpose-almost like you are marching.

Your obsession with clothes-especially dresses.

Your dislike to wearing shoes. You like to pick them out, but then will not keep them on your feet. You go barefoot everywhere-even outside on the rocks and through the weeds etc. You've got some tough little feet.

Your words. You talk quite a bit and say things really cute.

You love babies and blankets. Probably your two favorite things.

You love to eat hot things-salsa and onions just to name a couple.

You love your brother and sisters. You are always wanting to play with them.

You are trying to potty train yourself. This should be a good thing, but I don't know that I'm quite ready for it!

You love to dance!!

You are a good cuddler and always give hugs and kisses.

You are just a sweet girl and we are so thankful that you are in our family.

We love you Presley!! Hope your birthday was wonderful.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Happy 2nd Birthday, Presley!

To Presley, Darlin', or Bop, (She goes by these three names pretty interchangeably)

Wishing you a very happy 2nd Birthday. We love you so much and are so thankful that you were sent into our family.

Love you Sweet Girl!!

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."