The Taft Family

Monday, November 15, 2010

Off to the cabin to cut down a tree.

This past weekend we went up to our cabin to cut down our Christmas tree. This is a tradition we've done for the past (at least) 10 years. It is always fun and never long enough. This year we were missing many members of the family. Ty & Ash, Mitch & Sarah and Matt & Ashlee. We definitely missed them all, but still managed to have fun, good food, and lots of memories. Rachel took the majority of the pictures, but these are what I had on my memory card.

Good times were had by all, we got 5 amazing trees and now we just can't wait to get it set up and decorated! Thanks mom and dad for such a fun trip and for our tree. We love you!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Budding Basketball STAR!

So Landon started playing basketball on a YMCA team with some of his friends. He was so excited to start and couldn't stop talking about being on the "lime green" team. When we got to our first game, we weren't lime green anymore, but orange. Thankfully, he was just happy to be able to try and shoot the ball.
It is hilarious to watch and it is most of the boys' first experience with basketball. Let's just say there are no fouls and no traveling calls made.
Landon is VERY aggressive and always wants to be wherever the ball is. He has just played 2 games so far, but it has been great for him to have something to be a part of. I'm sure it's the start of many many games to come as he grows older...and hopefully taller.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Halloween 2010

Not a Halloween costume, just a silly girl watching tv one day.
I thought it was great!

At the pumpkin patch

Preschool halloween craft/snack

Presley got to make one too.

Pre trunk or treat

Ready to start-my five kids!

Piper's first Halloween!

Presley the kitty

Landon the Tiger

Scott with his favorite flower

Getting ready to trunk or treat

Parker the cave woman

Pacie the Genie

Piper the flower

Just hanging out

A little rose from Mamie

My two cat loving daughters with Tiger.

At Arctic Circle with Mamie
Perfect Halloween treat!

glowing spiders-so proud!

We kept teasing Parker saying they wouldn't serve
a girl as dirty as she was! (It was eye shadow, but still!)

Of course-Landon is pulling some stunt. Such a boy!

I think her shirt says it best....

Thursday, October 28, 2010

from our house to yours....

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Happy Halloween!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

A few firsts for Piper.

When we went to California for our anniversary, little Piper got to tag along. Here are a few of her firsts on our trip. And for the record...she was an angel baby. She slept through both flights, rarely fussed, and even took a 4 hour nap while we were at the beach. She is truly heaven sent. We love her so much!!

First Airplane ride

Hotel Stay-Not her first-but her first in California!

First time at the beach. Just look at how much fun she is having!

First toes in the sand.

First walk along the shore.

First time feeling the ocean on her feet!

Here she is during her 4 hour nap. It was a beautiful day and she
fully took advantage...as did we!

First bath in a hotel sink.(and maybe the last-she's kinda outgrown it already!)

All in all, a great trip...for all of us!
Love this chubby babe of ours!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Touche indeed.

Pacie is funny. Without meaning to be. She just always says the funniest things at the most appropriate times. Usually I just put their sayings on the side bar. Tonight, I decided she deserved her own post. We laughed and laughed. So, here is the latest.
Tonight we broke the news to the girls that we have changed our strict "no getting your ears pierced until you are 10" rule. Upon further thought, we decided that if they get straight A's in 3rd grade, then on the last day of school, we will take them to get their ears pierced. (I figure if I had to do it and it was good enough for me, it is good enough for them.) Anyway-we told the girls and Parker especially thought it was a great idea, as she is currently in 3rd grade.
Pacie said, "Well, what if I don't have to pull any tickets in second grade and I can also go on the last day of school and get mine done?"
I said, "Pacie, how would that be fair to Parker if you got to get yours done a whole year earlier?"
She thought for a minute and then looked right at me and said, "Touche".
Scott and I just looked at each other and started laughing.
First of all, how did she even know that word?? And secondly, how did she know it to use it in the right context?? That is her. Random. And funny. And usually spot on with whatever vocabulary word she pulls out of the air and uses. Oh, Pacie. We love her. She keeps us laughing!!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Happiness is.....

being married to your best friend.
Today we are celebrating 10 years of marriage. It has been such an amazing ride and I couldn't ask for more. Scott is such an easy going and supportive husband. He is always making sure that I am able to do what I need to do and is so great to step in and take over with the kids when I leave. I love you, Scott! Thanks for ten amazing years and here's looking toward ten times ten more.
Here are a few pics:
Then:::

Now:::

Our greatest accomplishment. Just see how far we've come.....

Happy Ten Years, Scottie! I 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."