Lucy was loving this plum! She munched on it while I made dinner. It was so cute!

Kelly's Quilt

I love you, Kelly! It took me about 2 months, but I finished it! Now you'll have it to snuggle up in after your next treatment. Happy cuddling!

I loved these pictures

I'm a little late in posting about Sunday, but we had a good time with Shea's 14,086 cousins at his grandpa's birthday party. We really enjoyed watching General Conference and spending Sunday together!

Last night we did the egg activity for FHE. We had the boys find the 12 eggs that had symbols of Easter in them. We talked about the symbols and the real story of the Atonement and Crucifixion. It was very touching to hear the boys tell me this morning what Easter really is about. I love it when a mother's hard work and teaching pays off--although sometimes it takes a while to make a difference!

Today I have lunch for a friend's birthday, the boys have school, Shea is at the temple, and I need to get to the grocery store. I'm also happy to announce that Kelly's blanket--that has taken me forever--is almost done! I'm just finishing hand-stitching the binding. I was afraid to start since I hadn't done it before, but it's turning out just fine! Sorry, Kel! You'll get it today, I hope!

Brothers' Trip to Zions

Shea just tried to blog some photos and memories of his brothers' trip, and lost all his work! He gave up on the blogging thing after one attempt. I can't say I blame him though. It's pretty frustrating.

Who says bribes don't work?

Shea and I bought the boys a new game for their GameCube, and I thought we were going to save it for their birthday. I was so proud of myself for beginning the shopping early since I have 4 birthdays in 6 days in May! Shea couldn't wait until then to give it to them though. Apparently, he is sick of only playing Super Smash Bros. He's a funny kid.
Well, he left with his brothers, and I was ready to make a deal with the boys. I showed them the game and they responded with hugs for each other, excited yells, and huge smiles! Then I told them the conditions they had to meet to get the game. 10 nights--all night--their own beds. I would do anything at this point, and now I think I have the right "motivation."
Last night was a complete success! They did it! Lucy was wide awake from 5 to 7 a.m., so I went in to check on the boys. Cooper had climbed into Camden's bed and they were snuggled together. It was very tender and cute. I didn't feel so bad about making them be alone because they are never really alone. They can sleep that way every night for the rest of forever as long as I have my own bed! (Let's be honest. Lucy sleeps with me and Shea, so I'm never really alone either. That day may never come.) Only 9 more sleeps until Lego Star Wars!
Yesterday was a good one. I took the kids to Syracuse to visit a friend and her new baby. We spent the day there, came home for dinner, snuggled, and went to bed.
Today has been good too! I was visit taught this morning, the kids went to school, and Lucy and I went to the store. Home teachers are coming at 2:30 then we'll probably go visit Grandma and Grandpa until I have to make dinner for a family in our ward tonight. So far we've been busy and happy, but we miss our dad! Love you, hon! (Since there's no phone access and a one in a million chance you'll think to read the blog!)

Check out my Slide Show!

Where did my week go?

Probably no one cares where I've been or why I haven't blogged for a whole week! Sorry. I don't know what I've been doing--I've just been preoccupied I guess.
Shannon, you'll be happy to know I did a 2 day cleanse last week. You would have been so proud of me! Only this juice, protein, and green veggies for two days. For any of you who really know me and my eating habits, that was tough! I was amazed that I actually had any will power. Shea came to bed with ice cream one night, and my mom ate chocolate covered cinnamon bears in front of me too. I was so good! I did have a killer headache for two days from the lack of sugar. I decided I lived on sugar and carbs--not a good combo if you want to look good in a swimming suit. But, I'm working on changing my ways...we'll see how it goes.
Some friends invited us over on Friday for pizza and a movie. We had fun laughing and talking, and they had fun eating while I had to eat chicken and a green salad before I went. Do you know how good pizza crust looks when you're trying not to eat carbs for two days? I know--two days--I'm pretty pathetic. But I was strong--and I lost 6 pounds in the process! Yahoo!
On Saturday we ran errands and then had Ben and Olivia over for games. My Jerusalem friend, Heidi, called me because her hubby is out of town and she needed to get out. So she and her sweet 2 1/2 month old baby Landon came over to hang out and have dinner. It was fun to see her and talk for a while!
Today the boys have been playing GameCube and have been outside. Our new neighbor girls got a new cockapoo puppy today, so the boys played with them and it for a while outside. Lucy loved the puppy! She tried not to let the grass touch her bare legs while chasing it around the yard. The boys also took Lucy on Hummer rides for like 30 minutes. I love those things! Lucy's face is so cute when she is riding. It's so funny.
I think I'm making Shea take me to dinner tonight since he is going to be gone on his brothers' trip from Wednesday to Saturday. He's very excited, and it sounds like they have a lot of fun things planned!
These font colors are the colors of the flowers blooming in my garden right now. I love spring!

FHE

Tonight we had Nana, Papa, Kelly and Jake up for a bbq and to see the new deck. We had to have dinner anyway, and since we bought the meat at Costco, there was more than enough. We had steak, salad, chips, steamed artichokes with garlic lemon butter, and gooey butter cake for dessert. It was very yummy and fun!

Just a note, Lucy loved the artichokes even dipped in butter! She is such a funny baby. She doesn't want any food that the big people won't eat. She spits out all baby food, won't bother with the Gerber puffs, and hates plain Cheerios. She loves bean and cheese tortillas, chicken salad sandwiches, plums and apples she can bite herself, and cereal with milk. She thinks she is a grown up--it's pretty funny.

She and Aunt Kelly have the same hairdo! You don't need hair when you have such a beautiful face and a perfectly round head! Actually, Kelly is probably the only person who has less hair than Lucy. Boy, will those curls be worth it when they grow in--for Lucy and maybe Kelly too!

(For those of you who don't know, Kelly is having her second chemo treatment tomorrow for breast cancer. Kelly is Shea's oldest sister--and one of the best aunts ever!) My kids absolutely adore her. Good luck tomorrow, Kel.

Enjoying the weather this weekend

Lucy loves the boys' Hummers. She especially loves riding next to them while they drive her around the neighborhood. She's a lucky little girl to have two, big, protective brothers looking out for her. They have been seen riding with their left hands on the wheel and their right arms stretched out on the seat behind their baby sister. It's so darling.

I taught the boys to play hopscotch this weekend. They are good, and they think it is so much fun. It's good for their balancing skills too! We also enjoyed spending time with our new neighbors who have lots of babysitting-aged girls. We're trying to be their favorites so they will want to come tend for us. Any suggesstions?

Box o' Fun

"I call this game 'fun in a box,' said the cat."

I think this must be what Dr. Seuss was talking about when he wrote that! The boys had so much fun in the patio furniture boxes--we still haven't thrown them away.

Hippity hoppity Easter's on it's way

Pink silk. Practical for a baby? Probably not. But it was too darling to pass up. So, Lucy will just have to be extra clean on Easter.
I also found some cool Vans for Cam and Coop. It seems they are going through shoes in no time right now. The toes of all their shoes get worn out by riding bikes, wiggles, and scooters. Boys!
Jane, today's Costco trip will include the following:
bread
milk
eggs
mayo
cheese
Lever soap
toothpaste
and hopefully something fun!

Sun & Fun

We have been loving this weather! My boys have sunburned arms, necks and faces. They have been so happy just hanging out with their friends. We have also eaten almost every meal out on the deck, so I have been enjoying my clean kitchen for longer than usual!
I have taken Jane's advice and have spent the days playing with my kids and enjoying them. I need to do it more often--they are darn cute and very funny. To make myself feel productive and my house not feel like it's been abandoned, I put everyone to bed at 10 last night and cleaned my main floor. It was so quick and enjoyable! No one needing my attention, no one wanting to "help", no one making more messes, no one even caring where I was! I'll definitely do that more often--if Lucy cooperates.
Now, the house is mostly clean. I'll run the vacuum tomorrow when everyone's awake. I've washed and folded several loads of laundry this week, and made dinner twice. I also did some online shopping and found some cute shoes for myself on Zappos.com--free overnight shipping and no tax! Does it get better than that?
Any suggestions on how to sub as the primary chorister this Sunday? I've decided I'd much rather teach Relief Society than singing time. Luckily, the regular chorister had everything typed out and already planned. I just have to do what the paper says. It should be fun, and the boys are excited for me to be in the "big Primary" with them.
Lucy and I are off the Park City for some Easter dress shopping tomorrow. The boys are hanging out at home. It should be a fun day!

CPK

Today our neighborhood playgroup went up to California Pizza Kitchen in the Gateway for a field trip. We had 20+ kids there (not counting babies in strollers) to have a tour and make their own kid-size pizza. The restaurant did it all for free! Most of the group got there too late for the tour, so the kids just made pizzas and colored. It was so much fun! Thanks, CPK! To show my appreciation, I ordered a mango chicken tandoori pizza to take home to Shea. Yummy!

I tried to get the kids to shop with me, but after 4 stores they were ready to go home and play outside. I don't blame them, but I couldn't drive all the way up to Gateway and not look! So, we're home. Let the playing begin.

I hope this weekend involves a nap for me at some point. Lucy decided she wasn't comfortable, didn't feel good, or wasn't interested in sleeping last night. She kept crying and then wiggling around. We finally went to the couch so we wouldn't disturb Shea, and I suffered through the night. You know those nights that feel like they're never going to end? Needless to say, I had a Diet Coke with me in the car at 9:30 this morning.

This is cute Baby Audrey who came to visit us earlier this week while her mom and I made invitations! Love those big, blue eyes...

Spring is coming--yea!

Just another week...
I had nothing on the calendar, but my days seemed to be filled with playing boys, a sick and teething baby girl, a trip to Taipan for new bedroom lamps and a "Spring-y" feeling wreath for the front door, making invitations for Ashley's baby shower in two weeks, resuming my working out with my friends, and all the other obligations/demands/joys of motherhood.
I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.
I'm grateful for six little hands that want to hold mine.
I'm grateful for three small pairs of rosebud lips that love to give kisses (the tiniest pair gives open-mouthed ones--she's just learning, and it's just melts me).
I'm grateful for three little voices that call me mommy, ma ma (just this week!), and sometimes MOM!!!!
I'm grateful for a husband who is a righteous example, a worthy priesthood holder, a hard-working bread winner, and a loving best friend.

Kindergarten Registration

I took the boys to register for kindergarten today. It was sad and happy in the same moment. I can't believe my boys are old enough to tangle with bigger kids and start learning more about the "outside" world. I was content when they thought I was the smartest, prettiest, most wonderful adult ever! But, they're ready and eager to learn, so I can't hold them back...

We went to Outback for Matt and Marc's birthday dinner. They are so handsome and funny now that they're through the awkward early teenage stage. They are both going to be driving big, lifted gray trucks--so watch out! They do have to keep their grades up to keep driving, so at least they're smart teenage boys. Happy Birthday!!!!

This photo is of where the kids had to stay so I could get some laundry folded. I love that Camden and Cooper can put away most of their own clothes by themselves now! I haven't checked their drawers, but I'm trusting everything is in there somewhere.

Skiing at Deer Valley

Thank you Shea, Judd, Dean, and Jan for a wonderful day skiing! I loved it. I don't know why it's taken me 10 years to go again. It won't be that long until next time. I'm ready to go again this season. We had a great time.
We dropped the kids off at my parents' house at 8 and were hitting the beautiful Deer Valley slopes by about 1o. We went with Shea's brothers Todd, Zak, Jake, Cory and Shannon and Boston, our brother-in-law Judd. Judd is on the ski patrol there, but just played today since we were there celebrating his birthday tomorrow. (I feel a new tradition needing to be started.) Judd's parents, Dean and Jan, were there along with his brother, Luke, and sister, Summer.
Candace and Janer--we missed you!
Summer and Jan were so sweet to stay with me all morning. It was like my own private ski lessons with two great teachers! They took me down some beautiful runs and taught me some technique. I'd been skiing before, but I'd never learned the right way to do it. It was so fun!
We had a great lunch at the Empire Lodge, and then Dean took the "afternoon ski school with special Heather" shift. Shea and Jake were with us and benefitted from the lessons. They were so wonderful and patient. I can't thank them enough!
Now, Shea and I are feeling it. If we can walk tomorrow we'll be lucky. But, it's good hurt, right?
Happy birthday tomorrow to Judd!
Happy birthday Monday to Matt and Marc--sweet 16!!!!!!
Happy birthday Monday to Holli Dolly too!

Presidents' Day

Just some good memories...


We've had a good, relaxed kind of day. After Shea's full day yesterday it was nice to have him around. He made us pancakes for breakfast and cleaned up the whole kitchen! What a sweetheart...he knows how much I hate unloading the dishwasher. He even vacuumed out a few cupboards. He's such a hottie!





Anyway, then we got dressed and all loaded up in both cars to take the Audi to be serviced. Neither Shea nor I wanted to sit and wait for 2 hours, so we had the other car there to get lunch and do a little shopping. The boys still had Christmas money, so we went to Best Buy and got a new Gamecube game and another controller. They just started playing it tonight, and are in heaven.





After the car was done we went to my parents' house to hang out. My mom called and was watching her neice, Mia. Mia's mom had a baby on Friday, so Mia was down staying at her Grandma's and wanted to play with Aunt Nat and the boys.





Now Lucy is asleep in her carseat (her first nap of the day) and I'm avoiding folding the laundry. Really it's still in the dryer, but I could be doing other, more productive things.





Tomorrow I have a cannery appointment and Lucy's 9 month check up. The boys have school, and Shea has the temple in the morning.





I hope everyone had a good day with their families!

Happy Valentine's Day

I think we're through our sicknesses. Now, Lucy is just teething like crazy, so she still has a runny nose. Other than having three sick boys--one each during the last three nights--we're doing well. Jane, I feel your pain. We've had the stomach flu too. It's only lasted a few hours with each one, so hopefully Brigham is feeling better soon!

We had cereal for breakfast. I know, romantic. I didn't want to overload anyone with anything too sweet in case they are still feeling queasy. So, I'll save the special breakfast for another day. We did get to open Valentines from both Grandma and Nana. That was fun!

I presented Shea with the quilt I have been making for him. He wasn't too excited since he said it was "just a bunch of material sewn together right now." He'll be more excited when it's done and he can actually snuggle up with it. I'm replacing the blanket from his ex-girlfriend. That one will go in the car in case we ever have to use it in an emergency. You know, give it to someone who is bleeding, deliver a baby for someone with it...I have big plans for that blanket.

Shea and I are going to brave a date today. We're planning on eating at like 3 p.m., and we're hoping it's not too busy. I'll let you know how it goes. I was planning on making a special dinner, but Shea had other dinner plans in mind.

The boys had their school party yesterday, and they did a cute job addressing their valentines. Next year I'll get to help with their parties. That will be so much fun! My mom always did that for us, so I'm excited to do it for my kids. I hope they appreciate it--and like it!

Hope you have a happy and romantic day!

It must be in their genes

Somebody got into the open pantry. She beelines towards it when she hears it open.


This is Lucy's latest fettish--her new top teeth! She loves to feel them with her tongue. We think it's adorable.




All my kids love to snuggle! They sleep more soundly when they're touching somone!

We had Camden and Cooper's parent teacher conference today. They are doing so well, and it's exciting to see how far they have come since September! They love to read and write, and have started asking all kinds of addition questions. They're keeping up my quick mental addition by giving me problems to solve all the time.

I took Cam in to the doctor today. Apparently, he has asthma. It's not constant, it's triggered by when he's sick or exerting himself. The doctor thinks he'll probably grow out of it; we hope so! Until then, we have breathing treatments at home to help his airway open up. I ended up taking him in because his cough was so persistent and hard. I thought he was going to hurt something! So, his run-of-the-mill cold sounds worse than everyone else's because of a scary sounding but not contagious cough.

Boy am I looking forward to warm weather and playing outside every day!

Sick again...

but at least I'm out of bed today. Shea let me (and Lucy who was really sick too) lay in bed all day yesterday. I felt so awful! We girls went to the doctor only to learn we have some upper respiratory virus that's going around! I felt so achy, my head was pounding, and I couldn't even sit up! Today I got up early and took a super hot shower to warm up and relax a little. It was nice! I'm feeling so much better today--thanks to a loving and compassionate husband! Also--thanks Nana and Papa for taking the boys all afternoon! They had fun--and I had peace and quiet. Thanks, Mom, for the yummy soup and Dad for the hot scones.

We've been cooped up in the sick Taylor household. The boys have been doing crazy things for the camera.

Lucy's daddy couldn't pass this one up! Do you blame him?

a day in the life of a superhero

Cam and Coop had a fun superhero birthday party yesterday. They had been planning which costume to wear all week! I guess you have to decide early if you have Spidey, Superman, Power Rangers, Batman, snakes, lions, tigers, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger! (Yeah, the last ones aren't superheroes, but I still had to zip them, tie them, and pick them up all week!)

Lucy is never one to be left out of the fun. Coop had been wearing the pirate bandana, and Lucy found it to play with. Crazy days!

Just so you know...we are getting actual real cable tv next week. I just thought you'd like to know so no one feels sorry for us anymore!

In case you're all worried!

I spend a lot of time holding and playing with Lucy. She hasn't been left out of anything in the past few days! She has been teething, so I thought a nap would help her. Also, she loves to play with the boys and just cruise around exploring stuff. She really likes to crawl around with me while I mop the floors, and she thinks crawling away from the vacuum is a fun game. I think that's why it takes me so long to clean! I'm busy laughing with her and trying to get her to move to the spots I haven't done!

More interestingly--yea for Kelly! Shea came home from going to her doctor appointment with her and was very encouraged. I hope it has been nice for her to have some positive news after dealing with the last two weeks!

I'm also very happy it is February--even though it's cold and snowy still. Looking forward to Spring is so much easier if you don't have to count all the months on the calendar!