The Taft Family

Monday, January 17, 2011

Backtrack- Happy 60th B-day, Dad!!

On November 29th, my handsome sweet dad celebrated his 60th b-day!! You'd never know my dad is 60. He is still the hardest working guy I know. He survives on less sleep than anyone I know. And he is the best dad a girl could ask for. We had a little party at our house and had cake and ice cream and pomegranates fresh from California. (Thanks, Nat!!) Scott and I each wrote a list of 60 things we love about my dad. Our kids each wrote a list too-a thing they love about him for each year they've been alive. Among their reasons were: He always comes to watch me dance (Parker), He lets me work with him (Landon), He makes me hot chocolate (Pacie), he is nice (Presley). All of those reasons and so much more are why I love my dad.
Years ago, we got him and my mom matching t-shirts for Christmas that simply said WGD and WGM. My dad wore his WGD shirt until it was threadbare and had to be replaced with WGD-2. He truly is the "Worlds Greatest Dad", and I am so grateful for everything he taught me growing up and for the way he treats me and my family. He truly is such an example of faith and charity and goodness. He is so hardworking and fun loving. He is also very sensitive and an amazing listener. He is stalwart and immovable in his testimony of the gospel. Thanks, Dad for all that you do for me. I love you!!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

New Year's Rockin' Eve 2011

Our New Years Eve this year was a blast. We decided that we would stay at home with the kids and let them decide what we were going to do. They wanted to watch a movie, (check), make ice cream, (check), eat their favorite foods, (check), play the Wii, (check) and stay up to watch the ball drop and toast with Root Beer at midnight, (check)! The treats they picked as their favorites were:
Parker- Chips and Dip, Pacie- Shrimp, Landon- M&M's, Presley- Shrim and M&M's. And my request was crab dip. It's a New Years Eve tradition. Grandma Landon even came over at about 10:30 and stayed until well after the ball dropped at midnight. Here are some pics from our fun family night together!!

Getting ready to make Ice Cream in Pacie's new Ice cream maker from Niamh

Piper, patiently waiting...

We made a fun game out of rolling the ball around for 30 minutes....

Scott, doing a little cleaning and lookin' fine!

Enjoying the fruits of our ice cream ball rollin' labors.....

Time to Break out the Wii!

Loving sweet little Pipesies

Mario

Cuddling with Daddy

It takes some SERIOUS concentration to play Dance Dance Revolution. Just check out Landon's face..

Parker-the natural...

Landon has some serious skillz from watching his sisters. I love his moves.

We are glad to have Grandma come over as often as she does! The kids love to spend time with her.

Show off, much? :)

It's getting late now! You can tell by ruffled hair and tired faces.....

The countdown begins.....(Why Ke$ha? YUCK!)

WELCOME 2011~!!!!!

And a toast to the new year!!

Presley is my absolute FAVORITE in this picture. It's a warning to her older sisters. She WILL want to do everything just like them. I hope they continue to be good examples to her.

Doing the Can-Can. Presley trying to join in!

Here's to a happy and Healthy 2011! Can't wait to see what the New Year brings.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Christmas Day

At 7 am, my alarm went off on my phone. Simultaneously, I heard Landon say, or rather scream, Piper got a pillow pet!!! We jumped out of bed and went to wake up grandma and grandpa. After a few minutes we went into the front living room to start opening presents. The kids were happy and spoiled. Here are a few pics of them with their "loot."
**Christmas morning tired faces are the best. There's something about the tired combined with the excited that just can't be replaced!

After opening presents, the kids played for a few hours and then we had my parents, Grandma Landon and Matt and Ashley over for dinner. Somehow we didn't get any pictures of dinner-but it sure was fun to have both sets of parents over for Christmas Dinner.

After dinner we hooked up the Wii to play a little Super Mario Bros. and Dance Dance Revolution.

Grandma and Grandpa were REALLY excited about our night. ;)

Here is Prelsey with me cuddled up at the end of Christmas night. It was a wonderful day.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Christmas Eve

We were happy to have Grandma and Grandpa Taft come and spend Christmas with us this year. On Christmas Eve-Eve we went to Red Robin for dinner. Grandma says it's the kids favorite....I think it's hers!

I saw this little onesie and couldn't resist it. Good things DO come in small packages-especially this one! We love our little Piper!! She even got her first tooth on Christmas Eve. The bottom left one. It looks like the bottom right is soon to follow.

Christmas Eve night we spent together as a family-reading the Nativity from the scriptures.

While we were reading, there was a LOUD knock on the door. It was the elves delivering the kids Jammies! They were all so excited to try them on.....

We made reindeer food so that the reindeer could spot our house and so that they would have something to eat while they were waiting for Santa. It is a secret mixture including Oats, some glitter, and sugar sprinkles...

All tucked in and ready for bed. This was the first year the kids all slept together in Parker and Pacie's room. Presley ended up in, and then out of Pacie's bed and grandpa brought her upstairs sometime during the night. The other three kids made it all night until the appointed time of 7 am.....

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."