Why I Am Sick Today

Yesterday was the official start of Christmas in Wrightwood. We have gone up the last few years to take part in the festivities. This year it even snowed! Andy was in HEAVEN playing in the snow. We could not get him to come inside.

Santa came to town.
Right after this Taylor's fever spiked and she spent the rest of the day on Grandma's couch...poor thing. Took a ride on the horse drawn carriage.

Cookie baking.

Grandma was very kind to let the kids just have had it. Andy and Ashlyn were covered in flour.

Parade of lights.

The Blumes joined us again this year. It has become a fun tradition with our families.

Shameless plug: Book your cabin in the mountains today at wrightwoodcabins.com

In an instant

Last Saturday our little man gave us quite a scare. He decided he didn't want Tyler to leave so he took off running out the front door crying for him. I screamed his name in panic because I knew he would be getting outside right as Tyler was backing out of the garage. Relieved, I found Andy on the side of the car. When Tyler returned home, I was informed at how close we came to a tragedy.

We have a back up camera on our van but it takes a few seconds before the image comes on the screen. Tyler was in reverse and was just about to take his foot off the break when he had a feeling he should wait for the back up camera. As he moved his foot back to the break, he saw Andy run past the car and appear on the screen. You know it was close when Tyler says "It was almost really bad." I am so grateful Tyler was in the right mindset to heed that prompting. How many times are we rushing or frustrated and miss the whisperings of the Spirit?
As we carried on with our day,
I couldn't help but think several times (I am a worrier)
how differently our day might have been.

I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life. I am grateful for the testimony I have and that I KNOW families can be together forever. I am grateful for my husband's ability to hear and listen to the promptings of the Spirit.

Taylor!

This morning started with the following tantrum:
Taylor: I don't want to get dressed so I am going to stomp my foot (STOMP) and then I am going yell (AGH! AGH!)
As I completely ignored her, I thought, her tantrums now come with narration. This should be fun!

A little bit later.......
Very rarely do I take Taylor to school still in my PJ's. Well today was the rare occasion. Keep in mind that I don't even get out of the car but this is what Taylor had to say about it:
Taylor: Mom why are you still in your pajamas?
Me: Because I am going home to clean and I haven't gotten dressed yet.
Taylor: Well the lady that opens our door is going to see you.
Me: SO?
Taylor: Well it looks weird.
Let the child embarrassment begin!

And because her sayings are so fun, here is one more.
Taylor is a fantastic negotiator/sales person AKA debater/arguer. Last week I told her about 10 times not to get the Playdoh out but of course my reasons for not allowing her to get it out yet didn't suffice. After the 11th time, I was apparently being rude so she said:
Mom, I love you and you love me, so you can't be rude to me.

I have since used that same logic on her. HA HA Ha HA!

My Girl is 5!

Yesterday was Taylor's 5th birthday. Despite the fact that she has been anticipating this birthday since last year, the following conversation took place when she woke up.
Me: Taylor, you are 5!!!! (said with much enthusiasm.)
Taylor: I'm still 4.
Me: What are you talking about? Today is your birthday. You are 5!
Taylor: But I'm not taller.
Hmmm. I think she was really thinking she would look and feel different when she woke up in the morning.
Me: You actually do look taller to me (said in all honesty as I watched her walk down the stairs holding Ashlyn's hand)

She is truly growing up so fast but life with Taylor continues to get more fun with each passing year.

We celebrated her special day at Disneyland (had to get that gift card). Some special friends and a set of grandparents joined us.

One unique thing about Taylor that has been apparent for a long time is that she LOVES her friends and LOVES playing with her friends ALL day EVERY day! She makes friends everywhere we go. At school she doesn't just spend time with 1 group or 1 person, she is a friend to all.

She is a GREAT big sister. Now that the twins are old enough to actually play with her, the 3 of them play so well together. They have amazing imaginations and are always fun to listen to. Ashlyn being the mom, Taylor the sister/honey, and Andy the puppy is one of my favorites. She likes to take care of them and be a 2nd mommy. There have been a few instances when a crying 2 year old has preferred the older sister for comfort rather than the real mommy.

This picture will soon be outdated as we add another little one to our family. I am so excited to share the experience of a new baby with Taylor. She is very excited for this addition and I know she will be a big helper.

Taylor is such a fun girl. From day 1, she has always enjoyed being outside, being busy, and on the go.

Taylor and I have always had a strong bond. I am so grateful for her in my life and the opportunity I have to be her mom. I LOVE her personality and the courage and confidence she possess. I hope she continues to be confident in who she is and be a friend to those around her.

Happy Birthday Taylor Marie! We love you!

More party pictures!

We took so many pictures last night, it was hard to pick and choose which ones to post.
So here is a post of just pictures =)

Maybe I should document....17 weeks pregnant here.

A Yee Haw Party!

Tomorrow is Taylor's 5th Birthday.

We celebrated last night with a Western Bash or a Yee Haw party as Taylor called it. Everyone was encouraged to dress for the West and come to Jorgenson Ranch.

Cute little Cowgirl.

We started the night by making paper bag vests.They rotated through 3 game stations:

Lasso a Filly,

Knock em Down.

And Gold Rush.

They received gold coins for all their gaming efforts and then came to the Trading Post to trade them for prizes.It became freakishly cold right as the party started so we moved the rest of the party inside. We had a BBQ and ate out of pie tins, had cake and ice cream,

and a little Line dancing.We even had a little cake stealer in our mist.

Before the last guests had even left, Taylor was already prepping her Easy Bake oven for some Baking.

After weeks of prepping and planning, I think it is safe to say that everyone had a good time (there were even some tears shed when it came time to leave) especially our Birthday Girl. Tyler has mentioned more than once since the party how blown away he is by how many friends Taylor has. It's true, the kid has tons of friends (more than we even invited or that were able to come) and she enjoys being with each and every one. We are grateful to all those who came and helped make our favorite big girl's day special.Me and my cowboy so totally worn out! But it was totally worth it!