Decisions, Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.........

I remember when Aub was in preschool in CA and they took field trips to the pumpkin patch and I thought, "why on earth would you spend a field trip at a pumpkin patch?" Over the years as I've become wiser and more observant: It's like searching for the Holy Grail. Which one is the perfect one? And there has to be hundreds of them to inspect and to make such an important decision takes TIME!!! To add to the fun, this year the owner (who must be about 100) sat grumpily telling the kids "don't pick them up, if you drop it, you pay for it", "don't pull those wagons too fast or down that little incline", "don't step on them" and other encouraging phrases. In past years, there's been teenagers sitting bored and not even acknowledging our existence until it's time to pay. I prefer the teenagers myself. We are now officially decorated for Halloween. And we look forward to the marathon carving and decision making for the perfect Jack O'lantern face.

Mountain Shack Fun

Last Saturday after B and I thawed from our exposure to the elements in separate sides of Northern Utah - we thought we'd spend a snowy weekend up at the shack. It was very bizarre weather. It snowed all the way up to Parley's summit and then as we drove down into Park City it stopped. As you can see, Lelu and Mr. T were able to scrape up enough snow to make mini snowmen, the twins enjoyed a movie in the "electronic free zone" or at least that was the original idea (sorry Big B), and we had a little visit from our friendly neighborhood Bullwinkle. He walked right past our front door and mosied down into our meadow. It was very exciting. The leaves were beautiful - okay Utah has one plus - I really do LOVE 3 out of the 4 seasons. And for snippets of time I enjoy the fourth season. We actually did listen to conference on the radio too. I liked the "Good, Better and Best" talk, I think by Dallin Oaks?? D was there texting (his new obsession), torturing the twins and listening to his ipod (those are all habits I'm not too thrilled to preserve on film). Aub was MIA working hard at Babies R us, studying, volunteering at the homeless shelter, having gospel discussions with return missionaries, finding the cure for cancer, running a marathon and writing the talks for the General Authorities. (or maybe one or two of those activities???)

Sorry Mom & Dad, next time give me the heads up in advance when you need a ride and I'll be happy to shuttle you.

I was sad to miss Brecklyn's wedding and I've heard NOTHING about it - please Peg, Becca, Sherisse share - and a big fat Congratulations to the happy couple! I still need their address ;)

The Soccer Uniform for UTAH! And still cold :(

Well, the soccer season is over. At least outdoor soccer (thank heavens). For those of you who don't live in this great state - it has rained or snowed the last 4 Saturdays in a row! The weather is nice and fall-like all week and then the weekend it says "I don't think I like all of you people enjoying the outdoors" - punishing all of us who have kids in football and/or soccer. Lelu's last game was kind of a bummer because they've won every game until this one. The other team only scored one goal - but the last time we played that team we beat them 8 to 0. Looking at it from a positive perspective, I was secretly a little happy for the other team because it really meant a lot to them. Lelu has informed me she wants to play indoor soccer now (just when I thought I could convince her to go back to gymnastics with Arielle, so that I could drive two birds with one destination).

I missed D's football game again, which I understand was a good one. D got in some time on the offensive position that he loves, so he was happy. D also brought to my attention that I needed to make a retraction - his team has lost 2 games (ones I missed and somehow assumed was won).

One spiritual blip.

Last night I went to the General Women's broadcast with Cherie and family at the conference center. I had a few observations to share - Pres Hinckley can still move pretty quickly for 96 yrs. old - I really love the spirit of a bunch of women with the same values filling a huge auditorium and really feeling the power of unity - Pres. Monson had 3 goals for us: 1. study diligently 2. pray earnestly 3. Serve willingly Which I heard as SAVE willingly and wrote it down that way until Cherie brought it to my attention that it was "serve" (you can analyze that one with a good laugh) . I had one of those "I am in the right place, doing the right things, and heading the right direction" moments. A Gratitude Moment ( not to be cliches') (sp??)

A small illness and football update. Sorry no photo:(

Lelu's sore throat was upgraded to strep throat - which D followed 3 days later putting him out of commission to play in his game. Although he was required to wear his jersey and stand on the sidelines in the rain - and Big B still filmed. And the cold I thought I missed caught up to me on my flight home. Everyone is now on the mend. D is done being punished for his parents sins questioning Evil King Coach E. He played an awesome game yesterday in the SNOW Brrrrrrrrrr and can I just emphasize Brrrr? We all came home soaked to the bone with mild frostbite, but happy to enjoy the game again. They are now 5-0.

Big B is a Genius

What is this you are probably saying? It's my dream come true!

Last weekend my friend and I went to downtown LA and shopped for children's girl's clothes for 3 days. My friend last spring and fall has had a boutique in her home selling jewelry, purses, clothes and belts that she travels to NY and LA to purchase with a wholesale license in the fashion districts. She does this with another one of her friends. So I was talking to her and asked if she ever thought about doing kids clothes. She thought it was a great idea, since she has two little darling girls herself. Big B thought it a great idea too and I wondered why he was so agreeable. So we took off last Thursday, stayed in downtown LA right across the street from the law firm I used to work at. And I remembered flawlessly how to get around (maybe my alzheimers is at bay after all). My friend is also fluent in spanish (but blond like me) so she listened to these mostly spanish speaking sellers down there discussing prices and negotiated like a pro. After we shopped we went up to Beverly Hills to see a movie ( I sat right next to Larry King and his wife), then we went into to Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Ave. to check out the kids clothes. We were so excited because everything we bought, something extremely similar were in these stores for 6 or 7 times the price we paid. Thus why Big B is a genius - I have a whole new (miserly) perspective on shopping for my kids clothes (my biggest guilty pleasure). And my girls each got a fall/winter wardrobe for hardly anything. The rest of the stuff we'll sell at Kelly's boutique in November and make back the cost of our trip plus some X-mas money. Win-win! Big B in the meantime, kept down the fort getting kids to games, practices etc.

Lelu the Soccer Forward (on the right)

This is the first year Lelu has played soccer since she was 6. That's when we realized that she was a really fast runner because she could reach the ball before anyone else - but she was afraid of

the ball.

She is no longer afraid of the ball and has become the super soccer player. She tells me they play at school at recess every day. Her team is boy/girl and they play at school with the boys, so there's some good competition. This may be where we'll see the true meaning of her name "Fiery". Yesterday her game was cancelled because it was SNOWING - yes you AZ and CA residents - I said SNOWING. There hasn't been a year we've been here that it hasn't jumped to winter at least once in September.

She has a really great team, so far they are undefeated.

THE TAYLOR FAMILY THEATRE ROOM FOR THE INFIRMED

Our bed has become the official "sick bed". Lelu and B are suffering, the twins are just magnetized to the TV. Poor Lelu missed her first day of soccer yesterday - and D's game because of a sore throat, achy bones and a really runny nose. I missed this cold, thank heavens - I loaded up on Cold Ease at the first sign of a sniffle. I swear that stuff works. The twins started it last Monday, but didn't seem to suffer as much as Ay and B.

D. Taylor as "Sludge Slyskull" in "The paper bag bandit". Playing October 23rd.

Okay, so the photo has nothing to do with the title. Isn't he just the cutest player? I like this photo that we are supposed to wear around our neck at the game, so I took a picture of it. D also this week got the biggest part in the school melodrama - the evil guy - and he's got the evil laugh down to almost chilling!

Every one of D's plays he got his man! So there!

I promised a football update.....so here goes in a politically correct narrative: D has been selected and frozen by the same coach for the past 5 years. His coaching methods include intimidation and negative reinforcement, relegating a player to his 10 play minimum if he gets wind that the player's parents tried to get the player off of his team and raising his voice to an extreme volume when passing on the negative reinforcement to his players. So this was one of D"s 12 plays of the game. Which they did win, but I am a selfish parent who doesn't care who wins or loses, just how much my son likes and plays in the game - so B and myself didn't care. D was disappointed further because Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Michelle and a cute girl named Demi came to watch him play. ( I don't think Demi had any idea how much D played, she just had a big smile on her face.) They say bless those who hurt you......so I bless and praise Coach E that what goes around, will not come back around - I'd just like to see it if it does;)

Just a small clarification: We are the parents that tried to get D switched off of his team - so the coach hardly played D, there is a 10 play minimum and D did get 12, so I guess he was generous. Usually D plays 1st string Defense & 2nd string offense - which is a whole lot more than 12 plays.

THE BIRTHDAY THAT NEVER ENDS - ENDED. Phew

While Big B and Mr. T were watching D, Lelu completed her birthday with the glamorous friend party. They all got updo's, makeup and nail polish at the beauty school and then came back to our house to take photos, play games, eat cake and ice cream, play more games .........the party was supposed to end at 5:00 - but the last girl left around 9:00. I got a good glimpse into the future of Lelu's teenage peers, with the obnoxious, the I'm all that, the gluttons, the nice ones, the brainiac and the performer (like a little Bette Midler -she was my favorite). Also a little glimpse into how much Arielle is going to want to hang out with Lelu and her friends - I hope Lelu doesn't get too annoyed.

Big B is videotaping every moment of D's football season - so I am very lacking in the football photos. I will repent and bring my camera to the next game, so tune in to a football post coming soon.

Lelu does not have a future in Rodeo bull riding!

We joined Big B at Snowbird for a quick night's stay on Friday after he finished his TazWorks User group conference. We had some fun on their summer activities - Bull riding for Lelu - Alpine slide all of us, with Mr. T being tall enough to ride by himself. In his excitement, he flew down the hill at the top speed and promptly flipped himself over in a sharp turn(he's a true Taylor, I seem to recall Jeff having the same problem).

But he just tipped his sled back up and flew down the rest of the mountain. He said it didn't even hurt, with a few scrapes to his cheek, ear and elbow. I wish I had a picture of his wipeout.

Saturday we had to rush back down for D to get to his football game. His team won. They are 2-0 now.

No bond greater than those who shared the womb!

Lelu took this picture and I just thought it was so memorable! Look how tightly they are hugging. I hope they stay this close to each other throughout teens. If they can last through the teens together - they'll be close like this forever!

A week full of Landmark moments.

Lelu turned a decade old
this week. We celebrated again with a trip to Joe's crab shack & the cake below

I really like the twins teacher & Ayden's teacher! They are both young and enthusiastic women who have great attitudes about kids and teaching! Reminds me of Michele and how could we get any better than that?

First Day of Kindergarten SOOO CUTE!! There's always a theme with these photos: B in his workout clothes on the front porch.

It's presentation leaves something to be desired, but it is yummy and chocolatey!

THE LAST WEEK OF SUMMER!

Oh, where to begin? I hope my pictures speak 1000 words. It was an awesome week. We love having Dave & Shel & baby Tay come visit. I got to spend some great quality time with Tay because Dave & Shel entertained my kids (I'm a big bah humbug for Boondocks Fun Center too). I reminisced about how little I can get done with a mobile baby! Unless you are Mary Olsen or Melinda Christensen- Super Moms of the Century. This week included a night at Mom & Dad's, Movies, Boondocks, Krispy Kreme donuts, Bridal Veil Falls, 2 nights at the "Mountain Shack", 2 days at East Canyon Reservoir with a speed boat, Playing games - with me beating Aub at scrabble (the word "groit" not actually being a word!) and a funny Musical Theatre production. Oh and virtually no sleep for Dave & Shel (Tay missed his own crib)

Back to reality - school for half of us. The twins to start Friday, Aub on Tues. I love a schedule. Bedtime, getting up, homework, practice instruments, exercise, sports etc. Then staying up late and sleeping in becomes a luxury again. I like to keep simple luxuries. Until next time.....

Life just keeps flying by!

I am sorry I have not updated for two weeks. I was in a war with the new charter school that we start this week! I've given the gory details so many times that I'll sum it up the best I can.
Charter school accepted my kids
I made ALL arrangements to enroll my kids (including turning down another school, purchasing their uniforms and withdrawing them from their local school etc etc etc)
Charter school called and said they made an enrollment mistake and "YOU ARE SCREWED" Lelu is not accepted anymore.
We called anyone and everyone who may or may not know if that was legal.
Mom had the right contact and THAT WAS NOT LEGAL! (Many parents just went away quietly too) The right Contact called the school.
Charter school apologized, State apologized. Lelu IS accepted. We won the war. phewww

Hoping above all that Charter school curriculum and teachers are as good as I'm told and not RUDE AND SCREWED UP LIKE ADMINISTRATION!

So a few sleepless nights and a few new zits later - It's all good.

Aub moved home for two weeks. She had to be out of her summer apt. yesterday but can't get into her fall apt until Sept 4th. School starts Sept. 4th What do out of state kids do in this situation? We are on the hunt for the perfect car for her and not having very good luck. Every car we look at has something that's just not quite right. So she's driving B's truck to work every day until we can settle on something.

I start school tomorrow. Just one class this semester - Writing 200. I like writing classes, so it'll be a good opener for me.

D got the same football coach as he's had for the last 4 years. This guy loves D, he freezes him every year. We can't stand this guy and B talked to the football board, who told him they weren't allowed to freeze this year. But we heard, the coaches like to freeze, so amongst themselves they all froze 10 kids from last years roster. So we will suffer with Mr. Lack of Social Skills, Warmth or Personality, for the last season of little league football. The good news is D plays both ways the whole game with this guy.

We pick up Dave, Michele and little Tay from the airport today and we are all way excited!

Somehow the universe balances itself out - a little bad news- a little good news....

Friday at Lagoon Day

The kids perspective - "It was sooo fun. I wish my parents would take us here every day." Tallon, at 46 inches, is tall enough for all the rides but the biggest called Wicked. He loved all the big rides. Arielle, not tall enough, wanted to stay on all the kiddie rides and ride each one at least 3 times. Dhane spent some time in the water park with one set of friends, got dressed and went and found another set of friends - hooked up with Celeste (girl from the concert pics) and her friend for a bit and is extremely mistreated having only been to Lagoon 3 times.

My perspective - 3 top reasons I dislike Lagoon; 1. They have carnival games all over to entice young children and torture their parents because they don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money to win them ridiculous items. 2. On any day the majority of park goers are missing teeth, covered in Meth sores, pierced in unusual areas and covered in tatoos. (I know that's not all of them, but there are enough of them to make me want to come armed). They also tend to walk around in bikini tops and cut off shorts. 3. They allow smoking there (which a large majority take advantage of).

Ayden returns home today and WE HAVE REALLY MISSED HER. We love to share her with her "second Mom & Dad", but have a heartache when she's not around. Thanks Dave and Shel for entertaining her.

And Aubri got a job! At Babies R us, starting tomorrow. Hurray!

Lagoon Day

Friday we spent a "lovely" day at Lagoon - Utah's favorite (only) amusement park. It was Stake Day at Lagoon and my kids are truly deprived of Lagoon, so we went. B thinks I'm a very large BAH HUMBUG when it comes to Lagoon - and for once I agree with his assessment. I'm not anti - amusement parks. Just Lagoon. For 3 reasons mostly 1. They have Carnival games that tempt children and torture parents to win them something ridiculous. 2. The majority of people that attend Lagoon are (and I know this sounds judgemental because it is) not the highest caliber of people. On any given day, you will see your fill of missing teeth, meth sores, unusual piercings & tatoos and most of them wear bikini tops so they can go from the Water Park to the rides and keep cool. Thus showing off their tatoos, piercings and meth sores. 3. It's always REALLY crowded.



From the kids perspective - it is SOOO FUN! Mr. T is now 46 inches and tall enough to ride everything, except "Wicked" (the biggest roller coaster). But Arielle is not, so she was not too happy to wait for us to trade off taking her to the kiddie rides - while Mr. T wanted to stay on the big rides. D hooked up with some friends from the ward and enjoyed himself enough to give me grief about how mistreated he is to only have been to Lagoon 3 times. My response to that was "And how many times have you been to Disneyland & Disney World?"



Lelu returns from AZ today and WE HAVE REALLY MISSED HER! We were glad to share her for a little bit with her "second Mom & Dad", but we have an ache in our hearts when she's away.

Lost Teeth & a Great Cheap Concert!

Last night D and I went to see "The Fray" and took Brie (my super babysitter that I'd love to adopt) and her cute little sister Celeste. If you don't who The Fray are they sing a couple songs that have been popular on "Grey's Anatomy", they are on the soundtrack. "How to Save a Life" and "Over My Head". It was awesome. I bought tickets on a promotional day that the radio station I listen to sold them for $10 each. Poor Lelu was supposed to go with us, but I didn't write it down on the calendar because it was going to be a surprise and then I booked her trip to AZ at the same time. Bummer. We did have quite the group of flamboyant gay men right in front of us. I just thought it entertaining - while poor D, I am sure was quite uncomfortable. The girls just kept giggling about them.

Meanwhile back on the homefront, B was taking care of the twins and Mr. T had a somewhat loose tooth and after some effort - the tooth was pulled free. The tooth fairy made it back from the gym this morning in time to put some $$ under the pillow.

Check out the photos and leave me some comments. I set the thing so you don't have to register.

Sunday Morn

D returned a little bit sunburned - with only stories of thunder and lightening in the distance and a great time with all the youth (and only a few complaints about 13 yr olds being allowed to go because both their parents went). Big B & I went to the movies last night and saw "Rescue Dawn" with Christian Bale. It's a POW movie about a real guy - and definitely a "guy film". B is also teasing me a bit about this blog because I am SOOO ANTI - myspace. But as I pointed out to him, this is not for social networking or exhibitionism. This is different!
Last week the twins had their kindergarten check-ups. Mr.T is in the 70% and Ari is in the 17%. They truly are our mini-me's. Tallon will be over 6 ft and Ari will remain our "peanut".

I have book recommendations over there on the right side bottom with the hope that I can get from my readers comments on or recommendations of books they like too. I am always seeking good book recommendations.