Kauai 2010

To sum it all up, we had an amazing time in Kauai.  Even Charlotte enjoyed herself and was so good.

We explored the island by Jeep, by sweet mini van, by boat, by helicopter, and by body board.  Everything we saw was beautiful and breathtaking.

We will definitely be going back...soon.

Our Merry Christmas

Our Christmas was filled with family, friends, traditions, and lots of love.

Lucy had a darling preschool program.  I knew she would love singing all the songs; I just wondered if she would get shy at performance time.  She did really well and sang every word.  She didn't even cry when the north pole sign fell during one song, hit her on the head, and knocked off her elf hat.  She was stunned and fell off her chair, but she went right on singing.  I was ready to run to her rescue if she needed me, but I just watched her quickly wipe the tears from her eyes and put on a brave face.

The boys also had a Christmas program at school.  It was a little loud and disorganized, which surprised me considering how wonderful everything else at their school is.  We were more than happy to leave after they performed their two songs.  Did anyone know "Home on the Range" was a Christmas song?  I think they must have just finished the unit on the Westward expansion in history.

One highlight of the month was watching Matt open his mission call to Mendoza, Argentina.  He leaves for the MTC on March 10.  He is so excited to be a missionary, and we are so excited for his call.  Everyone we talk to that knows that area says it is a wonderful mission.  My parents have already scoped out the hotel where they will stay when they go pick him up.  I will miss that kid!  I can't believe he is old enough to be a missionary.  He was Cam and Coop's age when Shea and I were dating!

Miss Charlotte had a merry Christmas, and is our best Christmas present!  We love those cheeks and those bright blue eyes.  All my other kids are brown-eyed, so it's a fun change!

Christmas morning was so exciting.  I think I had a harder time sleeping than the kids!

Their requests from Santa were so easy this year.  #1 on both boys' lists was a Snuggie.  They have worn it every day since!

Another request...water bottles with their names on them--a little strange, but easy!

Lottie and her dad have mastered the Burr Balancing Trick.  In the process, they have almost given Nana a heart attack!  Shea does this trick on purpose to see how quickly he can get Candy to rush over and save Charlotte.

We have had a wonderful holiday season.  I can hardly believe it has come and now gone.  We have had a wonderful year and are excited to see what 2010 will bring for our family.

Thanksgiving celebration

Ally, the eldest granddaughter, and Charlotte, the youngest granddaughter (for a few more days)

Both sets of the "three amigos"

Most of the Taylor grandkids with Chrismom and Poppy (who are 90 and 91 respectively) and Nana and Papa.  This picture will be a treasure, I'm sure!

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner and vacation with the Taylor family this year.  It was filled with fun, great food, and family together time.  I am so lucky to have in-laws that I love so much (and who are amazing cooks!)

We had sleepovers, dinners together out and in, hunting outings, Black Friday shopping outings, attempted movie outings, and gingerbread house making.

Service Stockings

Each year my parents ask us to do service instead of buying gifts for them.  Although I think we would try to do service anyway, it helps to have a little extra money to put towards helping someone who really needs it.

This year we decided to fill and send stockings to the U.S. troops.  My SIL Kelly was doing it in her ward and had extras that needed to be filled.  Although the trip to Walmart with 4 kids is always an adventure, we had a good time choosing personal hygiene items, treats, games and a few toys.  We brought it all home, separated it, gave the kids each a stocking, and I watched as they excitedly filled and stuffed the stockings to overflowing.

I didn't think about it, but my boys had no idea that we, the United States, were fighting a war right now.  Since they have been learning about the Civil War, the War of 1812, the Revolutionary War and more in school, their ideas about war were very different.  They made some funny comments about cannons and hand-to-hand combat.  Thankfully, war is nothing like it was two centuries ago.  I know I and my kids are extremely grateful for the brave men and women who are fighting to defend our freedoms and the freedoms of the human race.

For your enjoyment, just a birthday photo and one of the hottest man on the planet.  I love this guy!  He's been working very hard and very long lately.  I know we all can't wait until he gets some time to slow down and enjoy the Christmas season with us!

La Di Da

So, I've been a very bad blogger lately, and I do feel a little guilty about it.  I've been having so much fun laughing at Charlotte's facial expressions and kissing her adorable cheeks!  Blogging had to take a backseat to that. 
She is almost three months old--I really can't believe how quickly time flies.  It makes me sad to see her already growing up.  Her brothers and sister can't get enough of her.  She smiles EVERY TIME she sees her dad.  It is the sweetest thing.  She can be crying and fussing and all he has to do is start talking to her.  She and the rest of my kids are lucky to have a wonderful father.
I'm sure it won't be long until she is laughing out loud and rolling over.  

Blessing Day

Baby Charlotte was blessed on Sunday, November 1, by her dad. It was a beautiful blessing, and thanks to Uncle Zak, I have a copy of what was said. Charlotte was surrounded by worthy men in the circle including daddy, Grandpa, Papa, Great Grandpa Burr, Great Grandpa DeWolf, Great Grandpa Taylor (Poppy), Ben, Cameron, Matt, Cory, Zak, Judd, and Bishop Nielsen. All those men--and we limited it to just grandpas and our brothers!

I love baby blessings. It was a special day as a mother, and a day for me to reflect and appreciate my healthy, wonderful babies--all four of them!

Halloween Fun

Camden, Kohler, and Cooper are inseparable at school. Their teacher calls them the "three musketeers."

Our little Tinkerbell. She was a ladybug for a few parties too, but she grew out of that outfit in a hurry!

Jedi robes handmade by moi. And, yes, it was a headache!

Nana had wonderful Halloween surprises for all the kids!

We had a wonderful Halloween. It was especially nice that the actual holiday was on a Saturday, so class parties and ward parties were all on separate evenings. My kids had fun at each event and came home with so much candy! It's a good thing it's already almost gone--less temptation.

We visited Nana and Papa before Shea took the oldest kids trick or treating. Then, after Lucy's legs couldn't walk anymore, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's for our traditional soup, rolls, and too many yummy treats!