Taylor Family Reunion 2015

Our family pic from the reunion.

The famous Taylor reunion was this weekend.  Normally we go on Friday evening, making it a longer weekend away, but Ryan was traveling and didn't get back til later Friday night and we just didn't want to make the trip down.  So our Friday night we got some supper, kids went to bed early... and Ryan and I, with Jess and Lex, sat outside and had a few drinks and just talked.  It was a super nice evening... just what we needed to relax and start the weekend. 

Saturday morning the kids slept in, along with us (minus a worker coming to work on basement at 6:45!!!).  Anyway, we got around, slowly, got packed up and headed straight down to Grandma Janis'.  We wanted to spend the day there at the farm... and it was a perfect day to do that.  Mike, JeanAnn and Tate joined us for lunch and lots of playing in the afternoon. (Blair was golfing, Martina and Landry went to a family reunion on Martina's side).  Baseball, kickball, four wheeler rides, fishing, snacking.  We had a really good time... and I know Grandma really enjoyed having us there for the full day!

Around supper time, we headed to the Taylor reunion.  We gathered and just started visiting and enjoying the company right away.  It was a very nice time... and the kids had a blast.   After several hours, we did finally head back to Ryan's parents...  it was super late, and the kids were showing their crabbyness. :)  Our kids were asleep by 10:45...  eeek, late.  But they slept well and til about 8 this morning.  Not too bad. 

Tate and Blair had to take off first thing this morning...  but we stuck around and let Cora and Kayson play.  Again, it was awesome weather, so we played outside, had lunch and then got on the road.   Back to the house, Ryan mowed, I got groceries...  and the kids were obviously tired.  Crabby, talking back, whining, and crying at the drop of the hat.  

It was a great little weekend... and glad we got to spend some time with Grandma Janis, and the rest of the Taylor's.  

Cora wanted to play baseball.

Getting a push... it needed gas!

A yearly picture!

Tater and K!

The boys going fishing!

All cleaned up... Papa and his grand babies (minus Lanny)

Frog jumping contest... and Kayson did it!!!  I was shocked, but so proud!!!

A little dancing... and limbo!

Oh man...  she's ornery...

Him too!

Wrapping up the night with sparklers!

And today...  a little 'landscaping' for Papa

Basement Week 4 (cont'd)

Our walls in the basement are now mudded and taped.  They actually finished that step Saturday morning (with a wake up call to us at 6:45).  Grr.  ha.  But it seems to be all done, and ready for the texture step.  

Things

In a nut shell - this has been our life the past week:

• Cora is a challenge.  PERIOD.  She's the most independent little girl I've met!!!  She wants to be in control, she insists on doing everything herself, and she also insists on being naughty to just me.  This is not any fun!  Examples:
• She throws a fit when getting into the car.  Period.  She arches her back and won't sit up to get buckled - like she's 9 months old again and figuring out that being in the car isn't all that fun. 
• She spits at me and hits me.  (If others are reading this and you think 'well, what are YOU doing wrong Janelle?' --- I don't know!!!)  She only does this to me.  She never would ever do this to Ryan.  I've tried the calm approach, I've tried the harsh approach, I've tried ignoring her.  Nothing works. 
• Bedtime is still a struggle, when I do it.  She's an angel for Ryan... but when I leave the room, she screams that bloody-murder type of scream.  UGH.   This also happens when I drop her off at school...  I've told Ryan I need to leave for about a week!!!
• She also thinks that permanent markers are ok to use...  I've even tried hiding them.  She finds them!!!!
• Kayson is good. 
• He does hate the fact that Cora is naughty and doesn't listen.  From time to time, he himself gets upset and cries because he is tired of her mis-behaving.
• He's enjoying the summer program - they keep so busy!  He had a rough day this past Tuesday, as they stayed on-site.  The supervisor told us that he had trouble listening and was then sad in the afternoon.  We talked with him... and he ended up telling me that he missed me.  Nice try.  :)  But he also said that his friend didn't want to be Kayson's friend anymore.  My guess is that was a trigger to have a bad day.  Poor kid.  Only 6 1/2 and we are having friend issues.  UGH!
• With his busy days, he finds himself being on the iPad a lot.  I've decided we can't do that.  We tried to do some 'homework' last night, and he was struggling to remember certain things.  No way - every night we are now going to take the time to do some real 'thinking'!  :)
• He's TAN!!!  Good grief that little boy is handsome and tan!  :)
• The basement is coming along really well!  There are now things that we need to pick out/order/confirm - so we will probably be holding up the process soon.  With Ryan traveling and just not having many free weekends, we are finding it hard to step away and get things picked out.  Regardless, it's exciting - and we'll have a full new area down there soon!
• Quincy is still not doing well.  The vet and an internalist vet have determined they believe Quincy has some intestinal problems.  So we are moving forward with an ultrasound of his tummy, which will be done on Monday morning.  I now hope that we can make it through the weekend without too much trouble...  especially since we'll be gone.   Lots of praying for him, and lots of coddling when he lets us. 
•  My head is spinning lately with all the stuff going on - all of the above things.  And my heart is heavy with the same things above.  So much going on... and so much that I want to remember and soak in. 

Basement - Week 4

We have drywall!!!

LOVE!  and so excited!
 

Play area, desk, wet bar

Main - TV wall

Bedroom

Father's Day

Sunday was a super nice day... 
We started the day by giving our Father's Day gifts to Ryan.  The kids and I made him simple picture frames - the kids colored on them and put stickers on them.  They are super cute.  Once I get an actual picture in them, he can take them to work!  

We then attended church.  We are really enjoying it, and the kids do a pretty darn good job.  They do go to the 'play room' during the sermon and remaining time of the service, but...  they don't complain, and they are comfortable there.  It's good... and I'm anxious to see where we go in the church and how the kids grow up having that in their lives. 

We came home, had lunch out... then just played.  Cora took a rest, and during that time, Ryan's parents came for a visit.  Them and Ryan and Kayson went to Sam's Club and did a few other errands.  Once Cora was up, we enjoyed the hot weather.  We got some water balloons out and the sprinklers... the kids had fun.  JeanAnn brought some great sides for supper, and Ryan grilled chicken.  We had a great supper, and a fun dessert for the kids.  It was a great little day. 

Happy Father's Day to Ryan.  We love you so much and are so thankful for you!!!

Best Daddy ever.

We love summer!!!

 

Individual fruit cookies!

Digging in!

We've been giving extra love to Quincy lately.

Busy Saturday

My weekend started Friday afternoon.   I left work around noon and started looking for stuff for the basement --- flooring - tile & carpet, counter tops.  Not going to lie - not the most fun thing, especially by myself, but I definitely got an idea of what I like/don't like.  Now - Ryan and I will just need to go together and make some decisions...  and pick out paint too.  Lots more to do!!

Friday night we stayed in... then went for a long walk up to a little ice cream/frozen custard place.  Kayson rode his bike the entire way, Cora walked some of it as well.  

Today we got up and headed to the Blank Park Zoo.  We originally were going to take a little family get away Friday through today, (going to the Omaha Zoo), but the College World Series is going on over there, so we had trouble finding a hotel, and also just figured the zoo would be busy.  So we opted out, and do the zoo here.  And to be honest - it was perfect.  We were there about 3 hours - it was hot, the kids got tired and hot fast... and Cora wasn't really interested in the animals anyway.  ha.

We did a quick lunch out, then headed home.  Cora took a nice rest, and Kayson probably should have as well - he was pretty owly and did a lot of talking back.  He wasn't very much fun.  My parents came for a visit this afternoon.  They haven't been down here since last fall, so it was nice for them to be here.  I worry about them driving... and especially with Mom.  She's just so confused and I'm sure gets nervous being out of her element and not sure what's going on.  She did pretty well here - I mean, her normal stuff -- ready to leave right away, worried about Cocoa (their dog), fusses over Cora like crazy, tries to pick her up!!!!, repeats everything and asks same questions over and over, and didn't really eat.  All of these things are the 'norm' now.  It's just sad. 

They stayed through supper...  Ryan grilled out, and I think Dad had a really nice time.  I feel bad for him...  constantly worrying about Mom.  So I know days like this when he's here, or we are up in Clarion, he's a little more relaxed...  Mom has a distraction, so he can enjoy himself.  

Anyway, kids were tired - beyond tired...  so baths and bedtime came early.   

Here are some pictures from yesterday and today.
 

Man I love them.

She will have quiet time, and color.  Lasts only about 5 minutes.

Finished a puzzle we got from Great-Great Grandma Ann. 

Our monkey.

Hot and sweaty break.

Kid loves kickball!

With Papa Paul & Grandma Cheryl

Basement - Week 3

More has happened in the basement...  and more to come even at the end of this week!  Insulation and drywall on Thursday and Friday.
Here's an update ---

• HVAC stuff (I don't get it), but technically - the air returns and vents and making some vent larger for more air flow.  (Totally the right words I'm sure).  
• Bath -- shower is in, and plumbing
• Electricity -- spots for ceiling/canned lights

Lots of pipes... or something like that.  :)

We have a shower!

Vent and stuff

Ceiling vent stuff...  ceiling will be low in bath (not another option)

Additional vent to circulate air flow

Extended air vent thingie.  :)

Some Pics

Here are a few pictures from our weekend...  

Blair & Martina were here for a bit, so we got to spend time with them, and Tate and Landry.  We also just had some nice time with just us.  Saturday evening I went out a few girl friends, which we had a really nice time.  Sunday we did church, then we just hung out at home...  it was a rainy day, so we enjoyed it inside (we all took naps - expect Kayson!)  ha. 

Friday night - Movie night.

Struggles to smile for me lately...

tee hee.  :)

Cheeser.