Chef Sweetie

The other day we were making chocolate chip cookies and Taylor decided that we needed to take cookies to my visiting teacher. He told me, "Barbara loves chocolate chip cookies. We need to take her some cookies."

I have a very sweet visiting teacher who often brings delicious baked goodies. Taylor loves it when she comes to visit. He loves her chocolate chip cookies, so I guess that he decided that we needed to return the favor.

We took a plate to Barbara and Taylor was suddenly shy and wouldn't talk. It was pretty funny. As soon as we got back in the car he started talking all about how great it was to share. I guess we're doing something right.

Preschool Pictures

My little boy is getting to be such a big kid! He got to have his pictures taken at school. I'm amazed how well he did.

Lylee's One Year Pictures

I took Lylee to get her one year old pictures last month. She was a total ham for the camera. She is a cutie and also very silly!!

Our Other Anniversary

April 19, 2006 is our other anniversary. It is the day that our family was sealed in the Oakland Temple for time and eternity.

Service in Action

Several weeks ago I read on my friend Becca's blog that her nephew was having a pencil drive, so that his dad could hand out pencils and sharpeners to the children while he is serving in Iraq. We decided that this would be a great service project to do as a family for Family Home Evening. They had a great response!

Last night for Family Home Evening we got to visit Becca's sister's blog and see pictures of the soldiers passing the pencils out to the children. It was wonderful to get a chance to show Taylor who we had sent the pencils too. It was also incredible to see how happy children were to receive one or two pencils.

It was also very nice to have an opportunity to support our troops, especially with such a simple gesture.

If you would like you can visit Becca's sister, Helen's blog and see the service of many children in action.

http://rhmarschand.blogspot.com/2008/04/pencil-handout.html

First Dip of 2008

Last weekend, we got to go for our first swim of the year this last weekend. Taylor, the fish, was very happy to get back in the water. Lylee was also in heaven. Hyrum also enjoyed the pool. He didn't even get mad when Taylor splashed him! It was 90 degrees on Sunday!

Unfortunately it was back in the 60's on Monday.

I can't wait until we get to swim every day! Yay for swimming, sun and tired children!!!!!

It's Been 10 Years...

Yes, it's actually been 10 years. I wish I could've gotten the big group and family pictures to work in the scanner. We had a wonderful wedding day and we have been blessed to have such a great marriage and two beautiful children. I can't wait to see what life has planned for us next!

Preschool Projects and Other Big Kid Stuff

Taylor made this cute lion and lamb in school, you know March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. It's been fun to watch all of the things that he's learned during his first year of preschool. I actually miss having the family projects that we did each month at his other school. That helped us really feel connected to Taylor and his school experience.

He loves to spell every word that he sees throughout the day. He also introduces himself as T-A-Y-L-O-R.

I forgot to post about Taylor's first big kid Primary moment. Taylor got to give the scripture on March 30 (the day that Hyrum was blessed). We practiced at home a few times. When it was his turn, Taylor walked right up to the podium, climbed up the steps, opened my old scriptures, took a deep breath and said, "John 15:12, This is commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you." (I helped, but just a little. He had it mostly memorized.) He closed the bible and climbed back down the steps and sat in his seat. The only bad part... the microphone was off. The really good part... he's finally looking forward to sharing time!

Little Mommy

Lylee loves her baby dolls, actually one is Taylor's, but she has adopted it. It's so funny to watch her haul both babies around the house. She makes sure that they both get their bottles and then she follows with her favorite mommy duty. She burps the babies by patting their backs and singing to them. (She is holding both babies in both pictures.) Taylor tried to play babies with her today and she got so mad at him that she was practically hyperventilating. Taylor then got mad at Lylee for not sharing.

We do better when they play phone, since we have at least 10 different play phones. That makes it pretty impossible not to share.

General Conference

Taylor and I set up a special "conference desk" with projects for him to do while we watch. The General Authority cards are from sugardoodle.net. I'm going to print a second set to play memory.

Lylee loves books, so she really enjoyed the pile of kids church books that Taylor and I set out.

I love it when my kids are together. They crack me up when they both (very enthusiastically) lead the music for every song. Moments like this make being a mom the very best job in the world.

I decided to start some conference traditions.

The packets and various activities for the kids have been great. They not only allow me to hear some of conference, but the raise questions that have allowed us to share gospel information with the kids. These are priceless opportunities.

I made a sweet and salty Chex mix for snacking. (Dangerous but yummy!)

Last night during the priesthood session, Grandma, Jacci, the kids and I went to Jac's house. We made homemade pizza (the big boys got one after the priesthood session). I made fudge sauce and everyone contributed to ice cream sundaes which we ate after the big boys ate their pizza.

On Sunday, everyone can stay in their pjs as long as they want!

I think we're off to a good start. I can't wait to repeat and expand our traditions in October!

Mini Who?

Chris calls this Lylee's "Grandma Cathy Outfit". She's such a cute and sassy little shortie, and whenever I put her in this particular outfit, she totally reminds Chris of his mom. The curly hair comes from Grandpa Keith though, and it seems to get more curly each day. Grandpa Bob swears that Lylee looks just like his sister Marcy. It's so fun to see glints of everyone who makes my kids who they are.

14th Annual Roseville Kite Festival

Yep, that's it. Pretty exciting, huh? I had to take a picture or no one would believe me. Poor Taylor was excited to see the kite demonstrations that were promised. I thought it would be pretty fun too. Come on 14th annual kite festival??? Pretty sad.

We came home and played Lincoln Logs while we waited for the afternoon session of conference to start. Much more fun.

Saturdays With Grandpa

On Saturdays when my dad is in town, he comes and gets Taylor in the morning. They always have breakfast and then they do various other things together. When I went to pick Taylor up to take him to the kite festival this is what I found. They had just finished planting some new spring flowers. They both have yellow flowers in the back of their hats. Sometimes I have no clue what they have been doing, but I do know that it is a highlight for both Taylor and Grandpa. This makes me happy. One of the most special and important relationships that I have ever had was with my Grandpa Cottam (that's who Lylee is named after).

First Dentist Visit

I have been dreading our first dentist's visit with Taylor for a long time. He is very apprehinsive about letting people look in his mouth, let alone put their hands in their. I asked around and got some great referrals to pediatric dentists in the area. Then I found out that there is not a single pediatric dentist in our area that is "in network" for our insurance. I had to have some work done on my teeth and so I was asking my doctor what he thought and he told me to bring Taylor and see how he did.

We spent a week mentally preparing Taylor for his appointment. We went yesterday afternoon. He even took his big Grave Digger monster truck to help him be brave. The kids had fun in the waiting room. They both love the huge salt water aquarium and Taylor built Lego buildings while Lylee kept herself busy picking the extra Legos up off the floor and putting them back in the box.

We went back into the room and everything started out surprisingly well. I parked Lylee's stroller so she had a good seat for all the action. Taylor climbed right up in the chair, then the assistant put the bib-thing on him. He jumped from the chair right into my lap. One of the other girls came in and put Sponge Bob on the TV. He slowly calmed down. He hated the moving chair, so they layed the chair back and then tried to put him in. Nope, not a chance that he was going in there. One of the girls, we had an audience the whole time, suggested that I get in the chair and put Taylor on my lap. They left the chair laying all the way back to that Taylor wasn't more scared. I, not very gracefully climbed in the upside-down-backwards chair and Taylor climbed on my lap. The TV was situated so that Taylor could still watch TV and the dentist, very patiently did a visual inspection of Taylor's teeth. He said that Taylor's teeth look fantastic, which if you had any idea how not fantastic my teeth are is a huge relief.

We survived!!!!

Taylor got to pick a toy from the prize chest. He picked a jump rope. I think I should have gotten a prize too. Oh well. Anyway, we go back in six months and they'll try X-rays. I'm really thankful for a patient dentist and office staff.