Gram & Gramp

August 6, 2011
Way back in the summer we decided to take a detour to St. George on our way back to OKC...
The reason for the detour was to see my cute grandparents.
It was a quick trip, but I made sure to squeeze in some pictures before we left.

Vivien didn't appreciate being thrown on the lap of a stranger.

Just 2 of my favorite people...

Someone has corrupted Gram... by teaching her to throw signs...

Just the girls... taken by Milo

Isn't Gram the sweetest lady ever? No? Well she totally rocks!!

Love you Grams!

Martin Nature Park

Back in October we went for a little adventure at Martin Nature Park
2

I had to convince this kid that he wanted to go by looking up the park online & showing him pictures. 

He agreed, but wasn't excited... he changed his mind once we got there.

Viv was adamant on carrying the backpack that was filled with water bottles.

I think it was a bit heavy.

There were trails to hike, a river of sorts to play in, and a big bird watching fort up in a tree.

Fall Flowers...

Did you know we moved? Did I not mention it in all of my blog posts? HA!
Well we did... back in June!
This is our cute home that is located in a cul-de-sac, and we LOVE it!

This post isn't full of new house pictures... it is full of yard pictures.

Jeff's parents, The Taylor's, were here in early October and I failed to get many pictures.

But Jeff's mom loves yard work, and took pity on our sad yard. She did some weeding & planting.

I jumped in to help at the very end as we put down mulch & added some pumpkins.

I can't say thanks enough...

I love it, it makes me so happy!

What you can NOT see in this picture below is all the tulip bulbs she planted under the tree.

Walk-A-Thon

Hannah's school had a walk-a-thon in early October.
We surprised her and showed up to give support.

Vivien was much more excited than Milo... it was during nap time.

Here is Hannah coming around after her 1st lap. She made a goal of 6 laps, because she is 6.

We went to catch up and join her, but between her speed walking skills,
and my little ones not being so thrilled, we didn't last but one lap.

She did it... plus 1 extra lap.

Grandpa Great

While we were in Utah... did you know we were in Utah? 

What, I didn't mention in on this blog? That's strange! 

Anyway... we went to Utah back in July, and while we were there we took a little trip 

down to Delta to see Jeff's grandpa.  He is such a jolly fellow, I love it, he is always smiling!

Can I just tell you that I think he is the cutest old man ever! I've thought that since I met him 10 plust years ago. Perhaps it is because Jeff is so very fond of him and has always told me wonderful things about him.

This is Grandpa Taylor with the my girls... both of which were named after his wife, Vivian Venese. I remember loving her name from the first time I heard it.

We opted for the less common spelling and went with Vivien (why would anyone go with the less commong spelling? Dumb! Don't ask, there is a story there, and I will save it for another time.) And Hannah's middle name is Venese. Jeff's grandma didn't like her first name and went by Venese. 

This man has nothing to say but sweet things about his dear wife. You can tell he loves and misses her.

Isn't my Milo just the sweetest little boy? He is just so angelic... HA!

Now this picture makes me so happy!

National Entitlement Awareness Day

Did you know today was National Entitlement Awareness Day? I didn't even know there was such a thing, but there is and that day is today!

I don't know about you, but I am scared to raise my kids now where there seems to be a real issue with entitlement syndrome among the youth. I for one don't want my kids to feel they are entitled to anything and everything. Richard and Linda Eyre are the authors of some great books. (See a list here) and they also started the Joy School Method, and they have a new book coming out called, The Entitlement Trap. Sounds good right?

I don't think I ever blogged about my little getaway I had in the spring. It was a quick trip to Utah with only Vivien (she flies free and my family hadn't seen her in a long time.) The reason the trip was even planned was to attend a Power of Moms retreat in Park City. It was wonderful! One of the wonderful woman who started POM's is the daughter of Richard and Linda Eyre, and the retreat was at they Eyre's home. The retreat was just what I needed, and I can't wait to pull my notes out again and implement some of their great ideas. (Yeah, it is taking me that long, it was information overload and then I came home and we went on a crazy house hunt and then a move, and then we had to enjoy the rest of summer.) The Eyres were amazing to listen to, and I would love to have them for my question answering pleasure for a week! With the release of this new book I am ready to really get some good family systems going in my home.

They also happen to be doing a giveaway and a chance to pre-order their book. You can read all about it here!

Cinco de Mayo... Cafeteria Style

On Cinco de Mayo we had the chance to go eat lunch with Hannah at school... She was so excited!

It was fun to see how excited Hannah was to have ALL of us there.

We managed to destroy our little corner of the cafeteria in true Taylor Tot fashion!

I really wanted to do a fun Cinco de Mayo themed dinner, but Jeff was working again that night.
(He worked last year as well.)
So we settled for the cafeteria lunch and called it good.

Dancing in the Street...

Well, not IN the street, but it sounded good.

I am loving this weather, and trying to take advantage before the sticky summer heat shows up.

Hannah acquired a couple of dance leotards and a little dance skirt. 

She put them on and danced around..

.and then tried to teach Milo and Vivien  some dance moves.

Imagination...

These two have entered the world of imaginary play... and I LOVE it! 

I am not sure Vivien really gets it, but she is good to go along with Milo and his crazy adventures.

It's hard to know what he is playing... it is never the obvious answer. Here he is a police officer.

I didn't get pictures of all of his rescue dogs.

New Easter Tradition....

I am wanting to establish all of our holiday traditions, and sometimes I like trying new ideas I run across. Sometimes the new ideas stick and other times they aren't for us.

Milo thought he would give haircuts on Easter....
I don't think that we will keep it as an annual Easter tradition.

I think if I changed up her wardrobe and did a quick Kool-Aid dye job on the mohawk, 

it might look intentional...

What do you think?

I agree mom, she does have a cute enough face to pull it off!

Milo did a little snip job on himself, but it's hardly noticeable. He also gave our friends little girl some choppy layers... on one side, and this beauty of creativity on Viv. 

Something to Consider...

I've run across a few blog posts lately that have got me thinking....

Read this and got me thinking....I am over it also.
I recently read this post over at Clover Lane.... I remember reading all about it last year and thinking it was a good idea. I am thinking I am joining in this year. (The 40 bag thing... not the lent thing.)

Snow Days

Since Tuesday, we have been confined, by force and choice, to remain at our house.

We had 12 inches of snow, with blowing snow creating 2-3 foot snow drifts. We also had wind chill temperatures in the negative digits. Too cold to even enjoy.

The picture shows Megan shoveling, but I was out helping the single ladies in the neighborhood, & I shoveled most of the drive.

Gingerbread House

I had considered doing the graham cracker house thing, but wasn't sure if I was up to it with the kids, and I put it off long enough....  I saw this gingerbread house kit on sale at the store and went with it...

We put it together on Christmas Eve, I have already made a not to myself to do it earlier next year....

I really think I am going to do graham cracker ones next year, I think they could handle it. I saw some fun ideas around blog land during the holidays where people get together with friends or cousins and turn it into an all evening/day event.
That would be a fun tradition!

Start Student

December 2, 2010
Every month Hannah's school has a character trait that they learn about and try to work on....
and each teacher picks 2 students who showed the trait, to be recognized during the monthly assembly.

Hannah's teacher chose her for Start Student.

The school tells you not to tell your child that they have been picked,

so it's fun to see the surprise on their faces when they get called.

Hannah saw us before, so you can just see her try to figure out whey we were there.

Christmas Card Failure...

November
In my attempt to catch up on this here blog I will leave nothing out...
So, unless you are my mother, or mother-in-law you will get way more of my kids than you want...

My friend told me about a cute Christmas card idea that I fell in love with, it read:
Angels We Have Heard All Night.

This really summed up our life back in November... lots of little "angels" up numerous times a night, lots of early mornings, and lots of tears (most of those might have been mine.)

I heard the saying and I imagined a cute card with a picture of each of my kids in angel wings.

I started with Vivien...

A sucker was needed to even get this busy bee, I mean angel, to sit still.

Reality set in, there was no way I was going to get Milo in my cute wings AND smiling.

So I changed my goal and hoped for the true sounds we hear in the night... YELLING!

Well the whole thing was exhausting, and in true Megan fashion I took the easy road.... I scrapped the idea.

Oooohh... but she does make a cute cupid... Valentine's anyone?  HAHAHA!
Yeah right, I'll think about it for a couple of weeks, and then it will be too late.

P.S. And in case you are wondering what I ended up using as a Christmas card... I didn't!
I save the planet and my money, better luck next year!