Trim Up The Tree With Christmas Stuff...

Well, Christmas has been crazy this year and we have just gotten the stuff up in the past week.We have begun a tradition in our family that each child has the opportunity to finish the christmas tree decorating with the placing of the angel tree topper. Kendal has bestowed the angel for three years. And now it is passed down to the youngest child able to do it. Avery is next in line. She will be able to do it until Drew is able and so on and so on. I suppose when we finish having children, which may have already happened, we will have to form some sort of system of taking turns. Anyway, Avery was completely thrilled to do the honors this year. Then, we tried several times to set the timer on the camera for a family shot. This was the best of 15 shots. Anyway, we will have the memory forever, and that is what is most important(can you sense the sarcasm? I hope so.). Anyway, I love Christmas!!

This year will not be the one noted for all the expensive things under the tree. It will be one we remember as truly focusing on others' needs and learning more about Christ. I have decided that a Christmas without all the crazy loads and loads of gifts is truly the best kind of Christmas. I really believe it is a blessing that the recession is happening during Christmas. It gives us all a great excuse to turn our hearts to each other and the needs of someone beyond our family circles. It is a blessing. I truly believe it. Merry Christmas!!

Curly Girly...

Okay, I have had lots of interest in the crazy new way I have found to curl Avery's hair. I found these curlers at Sally's Beauty Supply. The hook goes through the curler, then the hook pulls the section of hair through and the curler curls back into its' original curly shape. Everyone wants to see just how curly that happens to be. I tried to take pictures of the ringlets just after taking them out. Hope you can see them. I have been impressed overall with the curlers. It did take a few tries to get the right size of hair section, but they do great at making the curls. Enjoy!

Kendal...Author to my Heart

My son , Kendal, is in kindergarten. He is learning to read and write. He is also learning to spell and create sentences for himself. Since he is my first child, and I have never seen the miracle of one incredible kid learn to do all these wonderful things, I had to get a picture of the first love letter he ever wrote!! Let the record show, it was to his mom...that's me. And let the record also show:

Kendal, I LUF U 2!!!

Thanks For Thanksgiving!!

L to R: Half of my nephew, Luke, Jan (youngest sister), Tim (older brother), and Me (between the two in age). Missing in the picture is my oldest brother Matt who had not gotten out of bed yet or maybe hadn't combed his hair, and older sister Amy who did not come.

Our family took a little (okay, very LONG) road trip to my sister Jan's house for the Thanksgiving weekend. It was an absolute delight!! All the siblings, save one, and their families all gathered together for some riotous good times. There were 22 people in all and would you believe we all fit in the tiny mansion of the Taylor household??

Thanksgiving was filled with lots of great food (even the turkey) and chaos!! It was truly one of those Thanksgivings that is memorable. We could have easily beaten out the Lampoons. It was loud and messy and crazy awesome!!

Not only did we celebrate Thanksgiving, but we also threw TWO birthday parties!! My nephew KALEB turned FIVE (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KALEB!!!) and wanted to go to Chucky Cheese's. There is one in Boise!! That is one hoppin' place!! The kids had wild times spending about a million tokens and eating pizza and more pizza!!



And another nephew turned ONE TODAY(Happy Birthday, LUKERS!!!)and we celebrated with a great homemade cake and huckleberry ice cream. Yep. I did the decor on the cake. We wanted it to be red frosting, but we ran out of red food coloring. Hence, it is a bit pink...ish) But Luke is one year old, he is not going to remember it, right? Well, maybe not until I BRING IT UP!! Sweet Blackmail!!



Anyway, it was quite a weekend!!

Thanks Jan and Brian for braving the party!! You put on quite a spread!! Love ya!!

Up In Curls...

My poor daughter was given such a non-girly mom. I have NO idea how to do all the cutesy things I am supposed to teach her to do. My real weakness is her hair.

This week Avery performed with her dance group at the Festival of Trees. She had two numbers even. We were supposed to make sure she had tight ringlets all over her head and that she had blue eye shadow, pink cheeks, pink lipgloss and even mascara. Can you imagine putting mascara on a two year old?

Anyway, I went to our local Sally's Beauty Supply and pleaded with the sales person to help me out. These curl creaters were what we decided on. What happens is that you put the hook through the curler, take the section of hair through the hook and pull it straight through the curler. Then the curler springs back to the ringlet shape and Viola!... instant curl. Just let it dry and you are in perfect ringlet heaven.

Well, it didn't really go quite that well until the third go. There is patience, planning, a little coordination and lots of gel involved, but all-in-all, I think she looked great!!

Philisophical Ramblings on Gratitude

I have had a tough week, and I can't even say why. I felt sorry for myself for really no reason. I have placed blame for my discontent on everyone but myself. I have really been difficult to endure. I have not been grateful for anything, and I have taken it out on anyone who would hear me. If I have offended you this week, I publicly apologize. I realize now how impossible I have been.

It is amazing the transformation to my soul when I decided to focus on things in my life I am certain makes it better. My mom quotes my grandfather a lot. He said, "Things are just how you think they are." My heart knows that is true, but this week, I guess I just wanted to be below all that.


You know, there is a hymn that says:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

It all comes down to how I see things. My life has always been and continues to be filled with extraordinary gifts. I am surrounded by joys I take for granted. I am completely content when I truly count my blessings. I don't think I have to will myself into being happy for what I have, I just need to keep perspective. Even if I was granted every thing I ever thought to wish for, I know I could find reasons to be unhappy.

The things that really matter aren't THINGS.

I have so much. I don't THINK I do... I KNOW I do. I know it is a blessing to have so much to be thankful for...it only took me a week or so to remember that.

Happy Thanksgiving Season to you all!!!

Grandma Denning Turns 90!!

Kendal loves Grandma Denning. He never runs low in hugs for her.


These are Grandmas eight living children. Cameron's mother is Lynne (third from the right in the back row, curly hair)


Grandma has quite a posterity, too. These are her great grandchildren, and these are only a few. There are more. Lots more and even more on the way!! (No, I am NOT pregnant.)


Grandma Denning has always been someone I could easily love. I don't remember the first thing she said to me when I started dating Cameron, but I have no problem remembering I felt loved and accepted from her and Grandpa Ed. They always had time to talk and help. It seems whenever something happens in our family, Grandma is there. All her sons and daughters have taken care of her since Grandpa passed away, and it seems wherever she goes, there are so many who know and love her.

Grandma can tell you every street she ever lived on and who her neighbors were at each address. She can sing all the cute little songs she used to sing to her children. At her birthday party, she sang them for us!! She has always been a fun and happy part of any family occasion. I am grateful for the generation she came from and all the things we can learn from her.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!! Lucky, Lucky, White Horse...1,2,3!!!

Boo, Boo, Ditty, Ditty, Wadum, Choo...

Happy Halloween!! These are my little goblins this year!!

As you read the captions under the pictures, I find it really entertaining to use a cheesy announcer MC voice. (Think the mirror in Shrek). And HEEERRE THEY ARE...



We first have Kendal sporting a horror classic...Dracula. A red and black silk caped number with all the trimmings. Spooky accents from head to toe, he is sure to be the bite of the Halloween Ball!! Just watch your necks...he looks thirsty.



Next we have our dreamy Sleeping Beauty! Every prince will fall in line for our Avery in this princess pink gown. Adorned with glitter and fiber optic lighting throughout the tuel skirting, she will be the Brier Rose of the Forest this Halloween. Here's to hoping all her dreams come true.



And who could resist this little Trick or Treat? Drew is all ears in this elephant ensemble. This soft lined costume comes complete with wrinkles and extra trunk space. This costume is an absolute tusk this Halloween season.

We had so much fun Trick or Treating and going to the street party!! We have so much candy we will never get through it. Does anyone have a good policy for how much kids should eat per day or whatever to get through it? My kids would eat it all day every day until it was gone. If anyone has advice for this anti-candy parent, let my know!!

Carve Me Somethin' Good!

"Oh, a carving we will go, a carving we will go"...I always love the stringy mess of pumpkin innerds when jack o' lantern season comes around. My kids gag when they have to take out the seeds (always a good time).

This year Grandma and Grandpa Bryan picked up the kids to go pick their own pumpkins. Kendal and Avery were so excited and they came back so proud of the choice of pumpkin they had made. Avery chose one that was big and round and perfectly orange all the way around. The stem was a perfectly curled pumpkin stem; a fine choice indeed. Kendal put a little thought into his. He looked for one with one flat side large enough to put the stencil on. He found quite the pumpkin for that. I just love how his mind thinks. Always a method to his madness, just like his dad.

As you can see, we had wonderfully lit carved pumpkins this year. I really like that the kids are a little older and can enjoy actually participating. Halloween will be so fun. I have great costumes for all. Stay tuned....

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Autumn...

I love old barns!!



Off the bridge!!



Worth it, huh?



Yep. Off the bridge was awesome!!



Rivers...


Beautiful trees just off the road...Okay we went for a little backroad adventure!!



Even the road signs match the terrain!!



Ahhh... Nature!!

Just look at these great pictures we got on our drive Saturday as we TRIED to listen to conference. Cameron and I thought we would try to get the kids to nap some of the drive so we could hear conference and enjoy the scenery, and then we could all get a square ice cream cone at the Swan Valley Commesary. Well, the road to good intentions...something about Hell...yeah, we were there. The kids didn't cooperate as well as we had hoped. I ended up feeding Drew as I turned around to the back seat and fed him upside down as he faced the back of the truck. Avery slept a little, screamed a little, threw a fit a little and then settled for gummy frogs at the commisary. Kendal, bless him, did his best not to be bored, but he was itching to get out in the mud...oh, yeah, did I mention it rained the whole day? Mud was all over the place. But he settled for some gummy tarantulas at the commisary and pretty much played his Leapster the whole ride.

Okay, maybe I exaggerate a little. It was fun watching for cows and horses. The potato farms had just dug the potatoes and little red potatoes that had been missed dotted the muddy fields. The colors of the trees were awesome!! I even made Cameron turn around so I could take this shot off the bridge. People thought I was crazy running acrossed the bridge with a camera on a rainy day. I got a good honk of disapproval, too. Either that or the guy thought I looked really attractive in my black velor track suit that is completely out of style but happens to be the most comfy thing I own. Maybe he was just trying to get my number, who knows? OR maybe it was our Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Doug!! (Thanks for the visit, and for sharing your beautiful view of Palisades Reservoir with us.)

But the scenery was beautiful and Cameron and the kids were great company. I would like to think we could start a family tradition. I would love to make that drive every fall. It was just beautiful!! I hope I absorbed enough General Conference to get me at least until the November Ensign comes out. What I heard of it was very uplifting. Nature and scripture seem to really go well together.

All-in-all, a "picture perfect" day.

Drew Is Clapping!!

Whenever a child learns a new trick and you are fortunate enough to get it on video, it calls for a blog entry. Last post I said that Drew's age is full of new things to learn almost daily. He started the clapping thing last week, and he was just cooperative enough to give us three seconds of him clapping. I still haven't gotten any footage of his mode of transportation (rolling and scooting) but it still surprises me how far he can get in just a short amount of time. Stay tuned. You never know what will happen around here.

Kendal Counts To 80 In 26 Seconds?

I guess I am just a little video happy tonight. Here is one of Kendal. He wanted to watch himself count. He is just plain silly. It must be a boy thing to just go wild sometimes. Anyway, he made me laugh. Maybe he'll make you laugh, too.

Drew Wants a Cracker...

Hope this is fun for you, too. Sometimes as a mom I think stuff like this is extraordinary and everyone else thinks it's nothing special. I am always a little nervous the first time I hand my kids a cracker. I am afraid the will choke or make a mess (USUALLY in that order...I have to admit honestly, sometimes the mess comes to mind first...I know, I am a little mess obsessed). Anyway, I think it is so cute when they figure out how cool they are for doing things for themselves. I like this stage. You can see the self esteem rise for them. They truly begin to see their abilities!! Drew gets so excited for himself when he does something new, and at this stage it is almost daily!! He is so cute!! Did you see him changing hands and holding up his foot?? Anyway, his realization of himself is worth all the crumbs. Enjoy the footage...I have already vacuumed off the child...and cleaned up the mess!!

Popsicles, Ice Cream, Apple Juice, and Perspective

This is Avery with tonsils.


This is what we look like at 5AM.


This is how Daddy looks at work. He checked on us all day!! What a great Daddy!!


This is her student nurse Randi. She just kept bringing her toys and pajamas and more popsicles than I thought she could ever eat.


I was wrong. She ate every one they brought and kept asking for more. She also made a great dent in the yogurt, the chocolate ice cream, and vanilla pudding they brought, along with an apple tree worth of juice. The gauze is to keep her from pulling on her IV.


Avery underwent a tonsillectomy and adnoidectomy this morning. It is hard to describe that feeling you get when you watch your child go with the nurses toward the surgery suite. It is so difficult knowing you can't follow them. You just go to that empty room and wait. I tried to read, watch TV, sleep...but I couldn't do any of those things. I just ended up sitting and fretting. I think that is just the way I am wired. I knew she would be just fine. I knew because I had peace from the Spirit, but I still had to be human and fret for our girl. She just seems so small to have to worry and endure what the next few days has in store for her. I know. I know. LOTS of us have endured the same thing and even worse than that. But she hasn't yet, and that is what makes it so dreadful for me to watch her bear. I never like to see my kids hurt, even if it is for their welfare. I think it comes with the territory of parenthood. It is a beautiful blessing and an ugly curse.

In two weeks this will physically be over for all of us, but that feeling of watching her suffer will always be part of me. It makes me want to show her how to live her life so that she will minimize the hurt that can come from poor life choices and sin. We all have to learn, and that involves some pain and discomfort, but some heartache is definitely avoidable. It seems a little trite, but the most important thing to me is their happiness...not the kind they get with a new toy or a mountain of candy, but true happiness and real peace.

Yep. Tonsillectomies make me deep. That and sleep deprivation. Tomorrow I will probably be surprised at my deep and personal entry, but for now, I will go get my daughter a popsicle, some medicine, and do whatever else I can do to ease her pain. Tonight and always, that is the most important thing I can do for her.

Bye Bye Canning Apple Pie....Filling!...And Everything Else 'Til Next Summer!!!

Apple Pie Filling Is A Sticky Project!



...But Sooo Worth It!!




I Think 30 Jars Ought To Be Enough!!



Canning Can Really Fill Up Those Food Storage Shelves!!Each Row Is 4 Jars Deep!!

It has been a great canning season...and I am all canned out-on my can-with a can of whoopdeedoo!! We have canned every fruit in Idaho Falls, or at least it seems like it. We finished the apple pie filling last night(THANKS,MOM) and all the jars are on the shelves ready for whoever may partake.

It has been tougher this year with THREE small children who need SOMETHING almost every 10 minutes (which divides out to be something for each child every 3.33 minutes, not accounting for incidentals, fits, and stopping to eat). I have had doubts that I would do ANY canning at all this year, but I am always glad to have the re-knowledge of how to do it and the reassurance of extra in the pantry. The sticky messes this year were worth it.

I have learned how to enjoy the work...make sure you have friends (Thanks Kristen and Sheri), family(It would've never happened without you, MOM and Cameron), the proper equipment (I love the CAMP CHEF. It also helps to have numerous and abundant snacks and a tall stack of child's movies), and the WILL TO PERSEVERE!!

Oh, we'll be canning again next year, for sure...but for now, bye bye!!

"...And A Kerr Jar In A Pear Tree"

I must be really getting into the spirit of canning this year. I am modifying old favorite carols into fruity (pun intended) renditions of canning carols!! All I have to say is that it is good to have all that canning on the shelves when winter comes. I am looking forward to breaking the seals of these beautiful jars long about December and January and be thankful my mother, my friends, my husband and I took the time and effort to create jars of fruity yumminess to see us through the year.

Some may ask, "Why don't you just BUY the canned fruit and skip the hot, sticky, all-day project?" I would simply have to reply that home canned fruit is just better...period. No factory can make fruit taste this good. Once you have had it, it is hard to go back. It is almost impossible. And I guess if you have to ask that question in the first place, you have just plain been missing out. I suggest getting some jars, some sugar, and some friends and family over to help you see the light. Good Luck with that!! I am busheled (pun intended) and I am going to bed!! I'm hopin' for some SUGAR PEARS to dance in my head!! G'Night!!

P.S. If you haven't seen Avery in her dance leotard and tiny dance shoes, scroll down-you are in for a treat!!

Avery... I Hope You Dance!!

Her first dance class. She wore her leotard all day and waited for two weeks for her dance shoes!! She was one of two girls who DIDN'T scream the whole time)My prayers are with any dance teacher crazy enough to take little dancers at 2 1/2 years old), but she sure is cute!!


She started posing right away. The teachers said she must be a natural!!


This is one of the crazy dance teachers. She was so cute and fun. Avery loved her!


Look at her beam!! She loves being a dancer...and looking like one, too! I can get her to do almost anything as long as there is an outfit involved, and I love to dress her up so it works out for both of us!!


Standing in front of Iona Elementary (Her new preschool meets there)


She was so excited to have a backpack just like Kendal. She was really hoping she could ride a big yellow school bus, too. I am sure that won't last long once she really starts riding for real.


Miss Ranie is her teacher. She uses sign language and speech in all her classes. She really gets how Avery works. They get along great!!

Avery started new things this week. It seems like she is still too small to be jumping right into dance and preschool, but she handles herself surprisingly well. She has not had any accidents, fits, or overall misbehavior, but it IS only the first week. I reserve the right to be cautiously optimistic. I can't get over how that smile of hers seems to charm everyone into thinking she is shy and innocent. Well, I hope it lasts. I think she is adorable...in pictures!! There is so much more to her than meets the eye.

When we found out a girl would be coming into our home, I had some hopes for her. I wanted her to be her own person. I wanted her to be strong and independent. I wanted her to be spunky and adventurous. I wanted her to be confident in her abilities and believe she could accomplish whatever she feels is worth pursuing... I got what I hoped for... tightly packaged in a two year old body. I thought all her grace and wisdom would grow in time...she believes she has it all NOW!! She tries me as a mother and a person. She makes me want to be better, do better, know more, and reach higher. All my kids do...but she tries my abilities the most. I guess that may be one of the reasons why she is ours for this season of time.

I am so proud of her desire to try new things!! She is completely everything I had ever hoped for and more. She's got it all!!

Good Luck This Year, Avery! We are proud of you!!

Can You Can, Can, Can?

Our peaches were as big as softballs!!


"Do Rags" are a must!!


We start them early!!


Just peachy!!


Lots to be thankful for!!

Cam and I found these awesome peaches at a roadside stand-and I just HAD to have them. Kristen Haws is a really fun neighbor down the street and she wanted to do some canning, too, so we decided to really ease into it. FIVE BOXES of PEACHES later...we had 80 jars of peachy bliss bottled and ready to put on our storage shelves!!

It was a really fun day. I guess it can seem like the kids are never happy and the peaches just go on and on and on...but when it is all over, and you've had a little time to recover, it ends up being a great experience with a yummy outcome!!

It just wouldn't have been as fun without Kristen and her awesome attitude and smart-alec comments for Cameron (Thanks for the great day!!), my fabulous mom who I lean on heavily to make sure canning turns out well each year, and even Cameron has turned out to be quite the hands-on hubby and peach slicer extraordinaire!!

Next stop...pear bliss, then apple bliss. I hope we can handle all the harvest goodness coming our way...and all the labor for our fruits!!