Taylor Christmas 2013

Christmas has officially started!  Saturday afternoon was our annual Taylor Christmas - the extended Taylor's (Mike's brothers and families).  We do this at a hotel in West DSM, and it's fantastic.  Usually we just stay late and head home, but this year we decided to spend the night.  It worked out, and gave the kids a chance to sleep (maybe a little more).  K was up late (nearly 10:45), but he did great - slept hard.  Cora, again - didn't sleep the best (not like being in her own bed, that's for sure).  This girl moans and groans... it's so weird!  She's so loud... so Ryan and I didn't sleep well, but oh well!

Anyway, we all met up in the afternoon... started snacking and just hanging out right away.  Kids played well and the adults had a great time.  Pizza was ordered in this year...  and then we dug into gifts.  Everyone got some nice things, as always...  Grandma Janis and her boys all received a beautiful painted picture of the farm with a picture of Grandma and Papa in the clouds... it was awesome and all made us stop for a minute and think of Papa Dick.  He would be so proud of all of us... and I'm sure he was watching us that evening.  Then some of the kids played in the pool too.  The older cousins are SO good with Kayson and Cora, so that's very helpful!!  We did end up putting Cora to bed around her normal time...  she was ready.  Kayson got to stay up, but played well.  Meanwhile, the adults started the annual card game of Pitch.  I've never played before... I think previous years, I've just watched, or just hung out...  last year, I think I was nervous about Cora... anyway, I learned how to play...  well - I kinda learned.  ha.  I played, and participated and Grandma Janis said "that's all that matters!"  :)  I made some dumb plays, but good ones too...  ha.  So it was fun!!!

Martina wasn't able to be with us this year.  Her Dad, Tim, had a massive stroke Friday morning and was in critical condition through Saturday.  Martina made the wise decision to stay with her Mom and Dad (and other family members) while Tim went through a lot in 48 hours.  It was very scary there for several hours for her family, but with the power of prayer and amazing doctors, Tim is doing amazingly well given having a massive stroke.  Prayers continue and we can only hope that things go up from here... and Tim will be home soon and get healthy fast.  We are thinking of him.

I took a ton of pictures...  but here are some of the fun, main ones!

Such a cute outfit...

K & Duke

Great Grandbabies...  plus one to come (Martina & Blair are expecting!)

Grandma and all her Grandkids.  So awesome. (and K's finger in his nose!)

K doing some swimming.