Taylor Reunion Weekend

Every year, the Taylor's have a GInormous family reunion!  This year we headed down to Creston Friday night...  We enjoyed the awesome weather by letting the kids play in the blow-up pool and the adults enjoyed the fire later on.  Great night. 

Saturday, Ryan and Blair headed off for the annual golf tourny for the Taylor's...  I think they always have a great time.  Martina, JeanAnn and I (and the three kiddos), kept busy by prepping the food for the reunion.  Cousin Jenna came and kept Tate & Kayson occupied, so that was awesome.  Cora did well, by taking a rest!  :)  More prepping and just getting ourselves ready for the gathering...  we headed out later in the afternoon.  

The reunion was at a campground/lake in Diagonal (home town of the Taylor's).  We had nice weather - actually kind of chilly!  But overall, really nice...  we enjoyed the fresh air, and the food that we made!  The kids had an absolute blast, which was great.  The best part of the night was Kayson (with the help of Daddy) catching his FIRST FISH!!!! (they actually caught 2 total!)  Kayson was so excited... and so was Ryan!  Totally worth the fishing pole!  :)  

Today was a lazy morning... letting the kids play some more... then we headed back to DSM this afternoon.  We had a great weekend.  It was fun to be outside a lot and with the family.  

Here's a bunch of pictures.  I have more, but I had to start limiting!  :)

Cora was the youngest Taylor at the reunion!

With Grandma Janis

My sister in law and friend, Martina!

Getting excited to fish!

There it is!!  Kayson's FIRST FISH!!!!

Happy girl!

Playing a little B-ball

He was listening to Aunt Tina sing... love his eyes.

Random

• My scatic nerve is flaring up.  Do you know what that is?!?!  It's basically one of five spinal nerves that is out of whack (what I like to call it!)  My scatic is a flare up on my left side only - from my butt and the pain aches and tingles down my left leg.  It's so annoying!  It's the worse when I sit for long periods of time... well, that's what I do for a living!!  The first time I experienced this was about 8 years ago...  I have scolioisis, so I am familiar with crocked stuff and pain, but this was new... I was 'treated' as well as I could be, and it subsided.  Then I got pregnant with Kayson... and I've never been the same!  I'm seeing a great chiropractor and she's been awesome help, but there's still no huge relief.  I'm hopeful that we'll be able to handle this time through accupuncture.  Updates coming!
• My little Cora is growing up.  She's so fun...  still whiny when she wants to be held, but fun!  Since Ryan's been traveling, we get on the computer and Skype in the mornings.  She seriously thinks it's the best thing to see him!  She slaps at the computer... laughs, giggles... oh it's awesome!
• Cora is back to having blow outs once a day.  Ooooh I'm tired of cleaning her blow out clothes!!!  YUK!
• Kayson is good.  As you know, we got him a fishing pole... and each night (and morning), he gets it out and plays/tries to figure it out.  I hope it's a success this weekend at the reunion!
• Can I say this out loud?  I'm tired of the humidity already.  Ugh.  I can't do my hair - it's instantly flat the second I walk outside.  I guess it's helpful that it's shorter... but still!!! 
• It's been a long week thus far...  only Wednesday.  Have you seen the Hump Day commercial?  Here's a link - totally makes me giggle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWBhP0EQ1lA
• That's all I've got!

Weekend Wrap-Up

We've had a nice weekend...  nothing too thrilling, just a little bit of this and that.  Ryan got home from traveling Thursday night...  Friday we just stayed in.  It was a nice night... played, and bed was early for all of us.

Saturday Kayson had a hair cut appointment...  buzzed it again.  :)  It's pretty darn cute.  We came home and just hung out the rest of the day. It finally got warm before naps, so we got the slip-n-slide out for K...  he had fun with that.  Then both kiddos took great naps too.  I did some returns and a Target run.  Saturday evening Ryan and I met up with our friends Justin & Christina for dinner.  We had one of Cora's teachers from daycare come stay with the kids.  Lexie is a very nice 18 year old... and she did great with the kids.  Kayson was worried cuz "he didn't know her"...  but afterwards, he said she was fine and nice.  We were only gone a couple hours... and it was just perfect.  A very nice night out.

Today we woke up to unexpected rain...  we all slept in a little, which was nice...  and then had a super lazy morning til about 10ish.  Since the rain wasn't letting up, we headed to the mall.  We did some shopping, ate lunch and let Kayson play a bit.  We even purchased a little fishing reel for him... (we have the Taylor family reunion next weekend and we thought that would be fun to have a reel for him).  Anyway, we spent some time there... and by the time we got home, the kids were wiped out.  Cora does so well...  doesn't want to miss anything, but she was out within minutes once we were in the car.  She slept awesome - about 3 hours again.  Kayson's naps are getting shorter, but that's ok.  He's getting older.

We played outside this afternoon/evening...  it ended up being pretty nice out...  Ryan mowed and we cleaned up some of the landscaping that was getting a little out of hand!  Kayson had some 'batting practice', he did really well...  Cora sat on a blanket for over an hour and watched us and played with a few toys.  What a good little girl.  :)

We are now relaxin... well - kinda.  We have the live show on of that guy walking the tight wire over the Grand Canyon.  HOLY CRAP.  That seriously makes my stomach turn and I can barely watch!!!!!  I am praying for him!!!

Ryan has to travel this week as well...  3 days.  I hope it goes quick!

Here are a few pictures from the last few days.  Love my kiddos!!

Look at that face!!

Getting into everything!

Five Question Friday

1. Have you ever been robbed and how did you handle it?  NO!!!!


2. What do you do at a kids function when Parents don't behave? Meaning they are the ones being impatient and rude.  I don't know if I've ever really experienced that, but if I did, I would probably just ignore.  I'm kind of that person - I don't like confrontation, so I would do my best to steer clear of those/that parent and just try to enjoy myself and make sure my kid is having fun (and behaving!)

3. Have you heard of a potty party? Will you/have you had one for your child(ren)?  Um, never heard of it... so no, probably won't have one for my kids.

4. How young do you think kids should be when they start taking swim lessons?  Well, this is a tough one for me.  Ryan was a lifeguard, loves to swim, loves the water...  I, on the other hand, do not know how to swim and frankly, I'm terrified of water.  I will get IN it, but if it gets up to my chest, I do a little panic, and calmly get myself in shallower water.  It's not good, and not something I'm proud of.  So... with that - I do NOT want my kids to be afraid of the water.  Kayson has not had swim lessons.  I was hoping to get him in them this summer, but I really just don't know if it's going to work.  We really aren't that busy, so I guess we are just making excuses!  So... I don't know what's the 'right' age to have kids take lessons, but I'm guessing Kayson should start soon!!!

5. What makes you happy?  A lot of things.  My kids, Ryan, our families, friends, the sun, getting a free day from work (like a holiday), music, chips & salsa from El Rodeo.  :) 

Cora - 10 Months Old

10 months old!  It's so hard to believe actually... it makes me sad.  She's growing up so fast!!  2 more months and she'll be 1.  (shaking head with a pout). 

Cora's doing well...  growing and doing everything a 10 month old should.  Cries when she's pissed and hungry, sleeps when she's tired and laughs when we are silly!

• Swear she's saying 'Momma'.  :)
• Does not like to have her diaper changed or get dressed.  Period.
• Can barely make it to 7:30 some nights... she's so tired!!  
• She's not taking very good naps at daycare, so I think that's why our evenings are short (and needy!)
• Wearing mostly 12 month clothes - she just grew like crazy in 2 weeks and boom - 9 month stuff just doesn't look right!
• Size 3 diaper
• Crawling all over!  Moves fast!
• Pulling herself up to her feet... and loving it!  She thinks she's pretty cool!  
• Kind of taking a few steps while up on her feet...  but really nothing to note yet!
• Has 3 teeth (2 bottom and 1 top - snagle tooth, we call it)
• Does not like the Puffs anymore...  actually stares at them, and then tosses them around!
• Daycare is trying solids with her... she tries them, but gags!  Typical Taylor baby.  :)
• Waves HI (kinda)
• We are working on 'blowing kisses'

 

This & That

Wednesday night.  Hump day.

It's been a pretty good week so far...  Ryan's been traveling (home tomorrow night), so I've just been doing this and that with the kiddos.  

I was informed this week of a 'selling' site on Facebook - so like you can post pictures and try to sell the items.  I didn't sell a few larger items at the garage sale, so I figured I'd try it.  Last night around 9:15, I posted a picture of a little motorized bike, and it was sold by 9:20.  Holy crap I thought!  ha.  I then put the car seat and two bases out there... by this morning, the bases were sold.  (I'm having trouble selling the seat simply due to the expiration date, which is understandable.)  Either way, I made $75 in less than 16 hours!  ha.  

Kayson's been good for me this week...  tonight he wanted to run through the sprinkler...  so we did that, we played a little golf, and I even let him do some games on the iPad.  (We are limiting the iPad, and it's been going well - so it was somewhat of a reward tonight).  The star/sticker chart is going well.  We talked tonight and he wants his next reward to be going to the zoo.  I thought that was perfect.  That'll be a great thing for the four of us to do this summer.  

Cora is doing well too...  she's a busy little girl!  She definitely likes her Momma, which I love.  :)  She's learning to tease us a little...  by holding up a toy to show us (or hand to us), we take it, and she gets mad.  ha.  She's really babbling a lot lately... I hear "Momma" out of her a lot.  :) 

Monday I took a few things back to the mall, and decided to try on some pants.  (This is something that is a pain the butt for me in the winter and summer!)  There are such cute colored capris/ankle pants out there...  so I tried some.  Grrr...  I just look weird!  Plus the ankle pants must be for people that have chicken legs!!!  ha.  My calves are a little bigger, so they just look skin tight on me...  I don't know... it's frustrating!!  So...  nothing was bought, just a few tees.  Ryan needs some summer clothes too... we still haven't done that.  Maybe a shopping trip should be done soon!

Ummm...  not much else.  Oh, Cora had an ear check appointment Monday - her ears/tubes look great.  I was pleased!!!  Back in 6 months.  (Hopefully!)

Outside watching Kayson play golf.

What a GREAT weekend!

It's been a great weekend!!
Friday evening we did a quick dinner out at Jethro's...  well, pretty quick, but good... nice change for us (not El Rodeo!)
Saturday morning Ryan went into work...  the kids and I went to the book store at the mall.  Kayson's been doing pretty well at his star chart, so that was his 'reward'.  Of course, he had a meltdown before we went, but off we went anyway.  ha.  We, of course, spent plenty at the book store... then Kayson played a little too.

We were home for a quick lunch and naps for the kids...  3 hours for both of them.  I should have napped, but I didn't...  I did the grocery store run during the time, then prepped food for Saturday night and today.

Saturday evening we went to Steve & Jessica's for grill out... (Steve is from Creston, and I've become darn good friends with Jessica)...  we had such a great time!!  Another set of friends (from Creston) were there too with their two girls...  (Kayson - the only boy), but he did great.  The food was awesome, and the conversation/company was great too.  Tons of fun, and I'm already looking forward to the next time!

While we were there, Cora decided that pushing a little doll stroller around (walking behind it) was cool...  aaaah!!!  She's growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!  However, she didn't do anything like that today at our house... ha.  That's ok!!

Today - Father's Day!  I feel we spoiled Ryan a little!!  Kayson and I got Dunkin Donuts for Daddy (and us!)...  then we gave him his gifts.  I made a Shutterfly photo book for him... (Probably not exactly what he was 'dying' for, but I thought it was neat!)  AND I surprised him with a Lawn Edger. It's been a thought in my mind for weeks now... and I bit the bullet and got him a really nice one!  I think he was surprised... and he likes it too!  He tried it out tonight... he says it's cool!

My sister, Trish, and her family and my parents came down for lunch today...  We grilled out (well, Ryan did - and it was great)...  and we just played for hours.  Kayson did so great... ate well, and played well too.  We skipped nap today, and it actually was a success.  (Not a habit to make, but today it was fine!)  We played volleyball, played with chalk (hopscotch), he ran through the sprinkler... he just did great.  I was pleased... and of course he was a little upset when everyone left.

We just had a great time...  it was a good day.

We spent some more time outside late this afternoon...  and bath/bedtime was fairly early.  Cora asleep by 7:30 and Kayson by 8:10.  :)

Enjoy some photos!!!

Happy Father's Day Ryan!!

a little hopscotch!

our big girl!!!

Five Question Friday

1. What do you appreciate most about your children's Dad?  My initial thought is just the way he loves the kiddos.  Ryan's strong in different ways... and such a softy in ways too.  I'm just thankful that he's who I chose to have beautiful children with.  :)

2. Do you always wear your seat belt?  YES.

3. Do you dream and do you remember them?  I do think I dream...  but I don't typically remember them.  Or only tiny pieces of them. 

4.  What is the one thing you swore you'd never let your kids do before having them, that you have now changed your ways about?  That's a hard question...  my first thought is candy.  "I'll never let my kids eat candy/junk food."  Well, Kayson does... 

5.  If you could be granted one wish, what would it be?  For my Mom to not have Alzheimer's.

Today & Hair Comparison

Our Saturday is gone... nearly 10 pm.  
It was a good day though...  we headed down to St. Joe, MO to visit Aunt Maagie and the family...  the drive down was pretty good...  about a 3 hour total trip.  I always worry about those longer trips, but the kiddos did well.  K watched "Brave" and Cora rested for most of the trip.

We had a nice lunch, as always... then just sat and visited too.  Kayson was a tad 'bored', so he played the iPad for a bit, but that didn't last nearly as long as I thought it would!  (Not a bad thing!)  So Cora, K and I went outside and walked a little...  and used our imagination with bows and arrows, and stuff... you know, typical Mommy and 4 year old stuff.  :)  He did well.  I snapped some pictures of Cora while we were outside... of course, Kayson didn't want his picture taken...  bummer, but got some cute ones of C.  

Sooo... we hung out a little more, then headed home.  Short trip, but good visit.  Again, a good ride home...  and decent bed time (besides Kayson arguing with me).  I guess it wasn't terrible, but I just get irritated when he won't listen!  

Here are a few of the pictures from today.

Kayson wanted to help feed Cora this morning.

Oh my sweet girl.

She's starting to get used to the grass!

Cora's hair in the wind reminded me of Kayson's hair - 9 month comparison!

Bathtime

We have a little girl who loves baths!  She's starting to get more 'comfortable' in the tub... which means, she scoots and crawls around like a pro.  BUSY girl.  I took a few pics tonight of her.

I love me a clean baby. 

Oh what a weekend.

It was an interesting weekend...  good, bad... and a little ugly.  :)
Friday evening we had some neighbors over to grill out... play...  drink.  We think everyone had a really good time...  and the kids did really well too!  I was exhausted afterwards! 

Saturday, Ryan and Kayson were invited to the Principal Charity Classic.  They went with Ryan's Uncle Scott and Cousin Duke.  K and Duke have a great time together... but he would be skipping his LAST Soccer practice/game.  K was fine with that... so off they went.  Fresh cool air for over 6 hours.  :)  Which is wonderful, until that little boy gets home and it's too 'late' for a nap...  then we start showing the bad!  We survived... and ended up doing an errand all together and dinner out.  Overall, he did ok, and was in bed early too, so that was nice.

Yesterday was an important day for Ryan and me - our 6th wedding anniversary!!!  Unfortunately, the day got away from us... with no real concentration on just Ryan and me.  (Which I KNOW happens when you have two busy kiddos).  We were all pretty lazy in the morning... moving really slow.  Ryan and Kayson both slept in...  I believe Kayson got 12 hours of sleep!!!  (One would think that would make a huge difference in some attitude!)  One is wrong.  :)  The morning was a struggle...  and it finally got nice enough to go outside.  So I went out with him - we played soccer and really had a good time... running and giggling a lot.  Then I said that it was time for a nap - the world was coming to an end for him!  He did finally lay down, not for very long, but he rested... 

Ryan's parents stopped by to take us out for a quick supper...  Kayson was pretty owly already, but seemed to be fairly fine...  supper was had and he did ok.  He did eat, so we are always pleased with that...  Cora was antsy...  she can only do well in the high chair or someone's lap for about 30 minutes tops.  I guess we can only give her so many snacks!!  ha.  I'm sure it'll be better (or worse) when she can have more table food!

We headed home...  Ryan's Mom had purchased a bubble machine for Kayson...  we got that out - and he played for a bit - the dogs love the bubbles too, so they were all thrilled!!  ha.  Of course, it was after 8pm, and baths needed to be done.  We got Kayson inside... and Papa was going to wash K's hands... and apparently K wasn't listening and wanted me to wash his hands.  We all were letting him know that he was going to take a bath in 1 minute, so it could wait.  Apparently that wasn't good enough!  He had a huge fit...  so Ryan swooped him up (K screaming) and a bath was taken and bed was had - all while screaming and crying. 

Now... I know kids have fits, K does a lot lately...  but for some reason, this one was one that dug at my heart.  I was so mad... but so sad too.  As I fed Cora in her room, listening to K cry and Ryan trying to talk with him... I just took deep breaths and thought "What the heck are we doing wrong!?!?"  Are we really doing something wrong?  Or is this just normal...?  and that normal stinks!!!  And - looking at Cora only hoping she won't do this for us when she's 4!  ha.

We are all wiped out I think...  I'm hoping this week we can get Kayson to bed early to eliminate some of this attitude.  I honestly think that's the answer - he has to have his naps, and a good nights sleep.  He's just not ready to miss naps.  (At least that's what I think as of now!!)

Anyway... here's to another crazy year of change, attitudes, fits, laughter and love.  I love you Ryan.