The Taft Family

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

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.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Happy Birthday to our Boy!

Just a quick post this morning (while I still have my wits about me...and five seconds to myself) to wish our little Landon a happy 3rd birthday!!!

He gets to share the day with his sisters dancing, but we'll try to squeeze some fun in there too.

My favorite things about you at this age are:
1- Your independence. I know it seems like a bad thing some of the time, but I love that you want to do things all on your own.
2- You are so loving! I couldn't go through the day without your hugs and kisses. You are very loving to your sisters as well and I love when you see them first thing in the morning.
3- Telling secrets in my ear just so you can whisper. I love the way you grab my face and turn my head so you're talking directly into my ear.
4- Your little singing voice. You starting singing before you could talk and still do! I think my favorite song to hear you sing is, "I hope they call me on a 'whit-chun'. (Mission) I know when that day comes, I will be a wreck.
5- The way you volunteer to pray.
6- Your little lisp when you say your "s" sound.

Okay, this list could go on. Just know that we love you so so much.

We'll post the traditional pictures later. I just can't believe our boy is three!! Happy birthday, buggie!

Monday, December 15, 2008

10 4 T- My To-Do List

All I keep thinking, every second of the day is: "I have so much to do this week."
Here it is-in no particular order.....
1- Pick up Christmas cards/envelopes. Get all 100 of them addressed. Type and print witty yet heartfelt letter to go with card. Buy ridiculously expensive stamps, put in mail.
2- Take Parker to dance and work at the studio. Get program ready for Friday's Winter recital. Run off 250 copies. Proof-read before printing and get all 250 copies folded.
3- Take Parker to piano lessons. Oh, practice like crazy with her the next 2 days because we have totally slacked off the last week! (Sorry, Meggan if you read that!)
4- Get preschool ready for parent sing-a-long on Wednesday and Thursday. Make sure they know songs and actions, buy good treats for them and parents, find gifts for all 20 children.
5- Go visiting teaching. Think of something fun to take ladies.
6- Think about starting neighbor gifts...then again, maybe we'll skip those this year.
7- Go on field trip with Parker on Thursday. Make sure preschool ends right on time and parents leave right after so I won't be late. (Fat chance)
8- Dress rehearsal for both girls Thursday night. OH, and it's my little boy's birthday that day too! Find time to make a "motorcycle cake" because that's what he really wants and keeps asking for.
9- Two class parties on Friday as well as a winter recital Friday night. (Two days in a row of full hair and make-up) Pictures to follow.
10- Leave for Utah Saturday morning for 4 days.

Oh, I didn't even mention finishing up the shopping, getting my house ready for our English friends who are coming to stay (HOORAY!)..... folding the mountain of laundry on my bed..I could go on, but won't.

Wish me luck. (And yes, I am typing this at nearly 1:00 am. Should I make sleep a priority?)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

10 4 T- Christmas Decor

I was thinking last night, how much I love Christmas decorations. It's been so much fun to decorate our new house. I don't have a ton of things-but the things I do have, I love. So, I thought for my 10 4 Tues this week, I would display a few of my favorite Christmas "things."

1. My Nativity's. We collect them, and ironically enough most of them have come as gifts from my parents. Our Willow Tree and one my mom made years ago and gave to me are my two favorites. (It's really hard to choose) We also have one from Honduras (where my brother Mitch served his mission) and New Mexico (where my brother Matt served.) Still wondering why I don't have one from England-(where we both served.) Anyway-love my Nativity's and the hanging I always put over it, "Oh come let us adore Him." A wedding gift that I treasure.

2. My Mary Englebreit throw. I love it because it keeps the spirit of belief alive and well.

3. Our advent calendar. Yet another gift from my mom and dad. Our kids love it and can't wait until it's their turn to hang the item on the little door each day.

4. Our tree! I love having a real tree. It always smells so good. And we got a good one this year! It's super tall and pretty full. I think we'll have an artificial one for upstairs next year and put the real one downstairs....(I'll never not have a real tree...)

5. Our stockings/mantle I've always wanted a mantle to put our stocking on, and now I have one. Our stockings are from Pottery Barn (people always ask if I made them...I wish!) But each of the kids have their own with their name on it. (As a side note, Landon fit in his his first Christmas!)

6. The lighted garland on our railing. Again, always wanted a railing to decorate. I think because my mom always had hers so cute. I loved it. In fact, I may leave it up all of the time.

7. White lights. I think they look so clean and classic. I like the colored lights too, but if given the choice will always choose white.

8. The smell of Spruceberry Scentsy candle. It's my new favorite holiday smell. Though today it is Cranberry Spice and it is yummy too....

9. I love bells. I think they are the sound of Christmas. And ever since watching "The Polar Express" they have a new meaning. I found Pacie the other day looking at a bell and saying, "I believe, I believe". I'm sure glad she does.

10.Christmas music, of course! I love having it on, all of the time. And I'm always obsessed with "The Forgotten Carols."

Just a few random pis of decorating the tree. The kids had a blast doing it-and even though there are no decorations on the bottom fourth or so (thanks to Presley) we are loving having it. I just love Christmas time and the spirit it brings with it. Only a couple weeks left! :)

Monday, December 8, 2008

All she wants for Christmas is....

HER TWO FRONT TEETH!

Parker would get all embarassed every time someone would sing that song to her or ask her if she wanted her two front teeth for Christmas.

I finally got Parker to want to sing that song by teaching her that you get to say the ending part with a lisp.

"Then I can wish you Merry Chrith-mith"

Now she thinks it's hilarious and won't stop singing it, which is fine by me.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Just because

I love this picture.....

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."