Polar Express

We prepped the girls with the Polar Express movie Thursday evening.  Then, Friday, we headed over to Texas to ride the train.

 

So, who thought it was a good idea to put a bunch of kids who are excited to see Santa and ride a train in a small boxcar, load them full of hot chocolate and sugar cookies, let them see Santa, and then give them all a jingly bell?  (hint:  someone who has it out for parents)

 

Our kids had a blast though.  They loved riding on a train.  They loved the hot chocolate and cookies.  They weren't too involved in listening to the reading of the book.  They liked the little elves who came through the cabin.  The "North Pole" (aka: a bunch of plywood building cut-outs with elves standing beside them) was a bit of a disappointment.  But, of course, they loved seeing Santa.  All in all, they had a good time!  

 

 

 

Franklin Getting a Drink

052, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Mmmmmmm.

December has arrived, and with it comes the preparation for Christmas.  We pulled out the tree and decorations this weekend.  The girls managed to hang the ornaments around the tree with the aid of some chairs.  It was fun to see the "old friends" and hang them on the tree. 

 

 

We have even managed to kick off the month with a couple parties already.  Thanks to Pinterest, we found a fun "Santa Hat Brownie" recipe.  They seemed to go over well (since we brought none back home).

 

 

Happy Birthday Katelee

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATELEE

Katelee celebrated her 5th birthday with a fun surprise.  We took the girls to a horse riding place.  They were able to ride around a stable until tired.  The horse had a few years on Katelee though (she was 32!) 

Tough Taylor Day

Unfortunately, the Taylor family woke up with one less member this morning.  Kaya, our long-beloved dog, died during the night.  She was about 10 years old and was having some health problems, but it was a bit of a shock.  The girls had a good cry this morning, but they don't seem to be too traumatized since they are already asking for a new pet.  She was a great dog, and she will definitely be missed.

Tired

The poor girl fell asleep studying!

 



 

Piper Ainsley Joy Taylor

011, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Water Bug

July 023, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Baby Bump

July 034, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Snow in June?

Wild Weather in June!  "Snow?"  Well, not quite.  Hail!  And, we got off easy.  Just south of us landed baseball to softball sized hail.  Vehicles and houses were smashed!  Just west of us a tornado was spotted.  It made for an interesting night . . . and cool pics.

More loveliness . . .

Ladies

Isn't she lovely . . .

Triple Trouble

Valentines Day Prep

Twas the day before Valentine's

And all through our house

The girls coated cookies

With quite a good douse

Reds, pinks, and whites

Covered the sweets

And the very next day

Diets -- Obsolete!

Delivered to neighbors

In their special way

The girls all shouted

Happy Valentine's Day



Second Place Pics

February Pic of the Week . . . or Year

Time Out

If you have to be in time out, do it in style.

Weekend Project

One of the great things about Pinterest is the variety of projects that your wife will find for you to do!  While I was not able to complete the "put a live tree complete with exotic birds in the middle of the living room with a rope swing hanging from it" project, I did manage to make the Display Bookshelf.  It turned out pretty well, although some touch up paint is still needed.