Mother of all updates

Cala turned 8 in March and it was an event. For her b-day Cala got her ears pierced... note the bling. Darren had to wait out in the hall so he wouldn't pass out. I got through it okay and Cala - she just look stunned and was quiet. why didn't someone tell me ear piercing was soooo $$. Didn't see that one coming.



G&G Byram came for Cala's baptism. Here we all are. We love it when they come and visit. It's nothing but a party. This round, they also brought cousins Curtis and Spencer to surprize Cala... she was shocked.






ps: Spencer (the one on the right is also 8 and on some growth hormone - His parents will probably be arrested soon)






This is Cala's awesome 8th b-day party. We took her friends to a casino (I know, sounds bad but it was a good b-day package) They swam for an hour in the pool and played on the water slide... then lunch, gift opening and cake for an hour in the restaurant. It was easy - easy. Darren and I just sat and talked the entire time - the party basically ran itself. We did manage to take pictures. It was worth every ridiculous penny we had to pay. Highly recommended.



Whenever it gets somewhat warm we like to get these babies out... and put all ours on top of them. Here are all 3 on Leo. Connor loves the horses and being outside.




Easter was crazy funny thanks to this kid. We hid Easter eggs and Darren showed Connor how to find them and then look inside to find the candy. When he realized that's all he had to do for his favorite thing in the whole world it was a frenzy to find all the eggs possible. He kept jumping up and down, laughing and shoving it in his mouth as fast as possible. For the next few days he would randomly open cupboards and look behind things for more eggs. Priceless. Oh, and the girl were great too. And didn't even notice they didn't get Easter dresses... I couldn't be bothered this year. er scratch that - one of them got a new one. I'm not saying which one - but she's blonde.




Darren went to Costa Rica in Feb to visit our dear friends Ben and Janell. These are some of the pictures Ben and Darren managed to take. Note to Ben: If you take a dumb picture I'm gonna post it.





And that's the mother of all updates. Thanks for reading.

This one's for you mom

No, this wasn't a costume party... it was a "Black Tie and Beyond" dinner/speaker/drinks for a client of Darren's. The amount of prep. work was simply crazy. (and I'm talking about the princess I'm standing next to - not myself.) In true form, he took all the shopping time tux searching - he couldn't look like he was in a "rented" tux. I made fun of him all week. The highlight for me - the spray tan I got. I feel so much better with a little color - even though no Vitamin D was involved. Did you know that "Black Tie" for a woman is defined as a formal dress that hits anywhere from the knee to the floor. The search for a long one proved hard. Don't worry, 90% of the crowd did the same thing. Looks like we all did our research. Darren will now be hiring himself out as an escort since he has a tux. He's free any Saturday night.

Wanted: Nanny

What can you do in 30 seconds. Here's what Connor can. 1. unwrap a pound of butter that was on the counter.2. get powdered sugar out of the cupboard (the high chair was already at the counter... that's how he can reach EVERYTHING.
3. dump powdered sugar on a waffle that had been on the table for at least an hour. And lick it up with the help of a pastry brush.
He does have redeeming qualities. He loves wearing his towel like this.
And wearing the garbage can like this.
Just keep'n it real people.

CC says

CC NEVER stops talking. I'm not kidding. I told myself I would never tell one of my kids to "shut up." But, I've been rethinking that policy. She is very funny and has her own way of talking. Here a a few samples we thought were blog worthy.

"Connor you in-ee-ut." That's idiot.

"Shopping is a responsibility. If you run out of money you can just go to the bank and get more or just pray to Heavenly Father that you need more money and you'll definatly get it."


"Hey, no fair... yours are way bigger than mine." To her older cousin in a dressing room while trying on shirts.

Conversation with our weekend nanny. Ruth says, "Chelsea, I'm leaving for 45 days to go back to the Philippines, will you miss me?" Chelsea, "Did you say 45 - because that's how old my mom is."

And on Mothers Day - after preparing a special breakfast, letting me open presents, rushing out the door to church, and then walking up to sing with all the primary kids in sacrament meeting... Chelsea says, "Is it Mother's Day?" Did we mention she's blonde? We adore this blonde and hope she keeps making us smile.

Latest

Isn't winter in Canada awesome. This day hit close to 50 degrees F. We took advantage and decide to ride the horses. It was one the best days of the year! So warm and beautiful. I might like winter if it could look like this all the time. Right now we have the best horses we've ever had. They are all calm and smart. And it was even my idea we ride... scoring some serious points with the man in the house.



Happy B-day Darren. If you want to know how old we are it's easy. For Darren, add 30 years to Cala's age. And for Erika, add 30 years to CC's age. The big 38 for Darren this year and the girls were caught up in all the action. The fought over everything. But finally ended with me deciding who would give dad what. Cala gave him a shirt, CC a Wii game and me a camera and a solo trip to Costa Rica to see Ben G.



This is one secure (or confused) little man. Today I said, "Time to take CC to school." Connor emerges from her room wearing sunglasses, a necklace and carrying a purse. (but man bags are all the rage right?) What really worries me about this picture is that he was posing. hummm. Your thoughts? He's adorable and I love him but he's is complete trouble. Don't give me the "he's just a boy" thing either because he is not loud, doesn't go around banging things into the wall, hitting everything or running everywhere... instead he is into EVERYTHING. I wish this kid would learn to play with toys. He spends his day reorganizing cupboards, shopping in the pantry, getting into make up, and most recently moving his high chair to whatever kitchen drawer he wants to access.. then plays in the spice drawer, knife drawer and today was trying to turn on the stove. help. He's strong too because I've locked he wheels of his high chair and it doesn't seem to matter. (thank goodness for a distressed hardwood floor I suppose) Trouble - big time.



Hi Andrea. (sorry about the big pic... can't figure out how to shrink it) It was soooo nice to see you the end of Feb. and spend some really good sister bonding time together! My trip to Boise was made even better when our very nice neighbors volunteered to help out with all 3 kids... including Connor so I could go visit the Randalls in Boise. It was memorable for many reasons. 1. I woke up by myself every morning - no one woke me up. 2. We spent most of the time shopping and laughing. (My thank you card from the Boise Chamber of Commerce arrived yesterday.) 3. Micah, Andrea's crazy competitive husband seriously lost in cards a few times. 4. Her kids are adorable. Annie let me do her hair everyday. Cade killed me in every Wii game we played. And Molly is the happiest baby ever... I really can't believe how good she is. 4. I had a 4 hour lay over in Seattle where I had the best time BY MYSELF. I had a massage, ate the best clam chowder and fish tacos in the world and went on a 90 minute walk. People - does it get any better? Of course I missed the kids and was happy to smother them with hugs and kisses when I saw them. Chelsea was so excited to stay with the neighbors that she kept asking, "Why aren't you gone yet?" or said "I'll miss you but I'm way more excited for you to go." and "Dad's more fun, he likes to play the Wii more." Cala also told me that "Dad doesn't demand, you demand." (Which is true but I'm ignored and he's not... why is that? Cala had a good cry the night before I left but when I got back she said she was way too busy to miss me. Darren took the girls and went to Montana for the weekend. Connor got left by both parents - ouch. I got home late Sunday night so I didn't see Connor until the morning. He didn't flinch when I went into his room all excited to see him... just demanded breakfast as usual.



I had to put this picture for you Lindsay. Rich you keep us all laughing. I just had my stitches removed from Christmas. Also, my kids can't tell which one I am in this picture... can you? (If you say the older one, you are booted from this blog)

December did happen... right?

I have no idea why Christmas feels like it happened 6 months ago - can someone explain that one. Here's what we were up to... starting with the last event first.

Okay... we went to Idaho after Christmas and it was a blast. We stayed a week and most importantly met baby Molly Randall. She's 3 months old and seriously, probably cuter than my own kids were. She's a charmer and we're sooo glad she got here safely and soooo glad her poor mother has finished her stay on the couch. Andrea has been through a lot with this one and I totally admire her for just simply getting through it. Alison, Kristen and I are now completely nervous of getting cancer. Thanks Dad and Andrea for always hogging the attention with illnesses no one can explain. But we glad you're all right... physically.



Next, can you say Jingle Bells. This performance was one for close relatives only. But we're happy CC agreed to share the stage for a group number. She performed a few songs by herself with her signature vibrato and thanks to Uncle Wade for the flower presentation at the end. She really asked for roses but... what do you do?



This is Richard and Lindsay's Reagan... once again as cute as my own kids. She's adorable and she knows it. She poses and works the room. I'd be nervous Rich. Connor is no longer scared of her - he must have been intimidated by her beauty. Thanks for letting us crash at your house for a few days Byrams. When can we return the favor?



I call this picture - "A window to the future." This is Alison and Wade's 8 year-old Spencer... that's right, he's 8 and a chart topper. I won't publish his dimensions because that's rude but, he's the sweetest, most helpful, fun personality little boy ever and if Connor grows up to be as big as him - and like him, it's a victory for us.


Backing up now... before Idaho we stayed in Lethbridge with D's family for a little reunion. The hotel had this amazing water park and the kids tore it up. I love this pic. of CC... if we all could live in her world there would be much happiness. She even had a good time despite the fact that her mom didn't pack her swim-soup cover up.


Connor acted like a complete baby and sat very still and quiet on the sidelines cuddling with grandma. Next year, he's getting thrown in. You'll be happy to know this photo has inspired my New Year's resolution.... drum roll please... I promise to get a tan.... or at least a little color. The crazy thing... every day for a week before the swimming party I put on self-tanning cream. I think I might need my money back. And now that I look at it... maybe D and I should have the same resolution.




And this is Connor Christmas morning - in his old pj's because he couldn't stay awake long enough on Christmas Eve to open his new ones. But, the finger puppets and fire truck were a huge hit. He played with them for at least 30 seconds before returning to his past time of taking apart the house and annoying his sisters.


Here are the girls Christmas morning. You can't see the dark circles but... they are there. Cala woke up at 2:30 am and didn't go back to sleep! Now that's dedication. She even stayed in her room... waiting. CC told me that she slept because "kids who can't sleep on Christmas get special magical help from Santa to sleep becuase that's just important. And do you think I could have special magical powers. And other times when I can't sleep, Santa can't help me because it's not Christmas so it's okay for me to just get up." All that in one breath.



And whew... that's what we were busy doing instead of blogging.

NAUGHTY AND NICE.... can you guess?




Dear Santa,

I was a good boy for most of the year and have only really been bad the last month. So, for Christmas I would like a ladder - that way I can get into whatever I want. My mom took away the step stool I was using. I would also like some more make-up. My moms didn't last all that long and plus, I don't like sharing. I especially like lipstick, but don't worry, I only wear it on my cheeks and put it on the limestone fireplace. Bronzer is also good - it really makes the tile floor shine. Sharpe also makes a good marker - they really stay on anything and don't fade very well. I also like to use them on my cheeks. Mom and I could really use some more hot pads, these are way more interesting than my farm animal hand puppets. Also, I recently discovered scissors and wow - they have changed my life. I know there is a lot more to discover on that front. If it's not too much to ask, I would like my own fridge. Ours seems to be closed all the time - I run as fast as I can whenever it's opened but I never get to spend enough time in there. It's not just for food, those shelves are like a rock wall for me. I know I'm asking for a lot but, in return I will gladly give up all my toys (I never play with them anyway) My highchair (I hate being confined when I have food) and my carseat. (I hardly ever use it anyway, since I can get out of it)

Thanks big guy,

Connor Darren Taylor