A Taylor Halloween

 The kids were the gang from Scooby Doo this year....Conner was going to be Fred but decided on a Werewolf which I guess somehow fits into the theme there is always a monster in Scooby Doo right??

 We had a great time with the Bryant kids at Trunk or Treat at SJS.  The kids really enjoyed handing out candy to their friends.

 We started Trick or Treat night off right with homemade chicken noodle soup at Grancy's house.

 Smile Papaw!

Cousin Chase found out Conner was going to be a werewolf so he wanted to be one too...how cute it was when they showed up to Aunt Diane's Halloween party in the EXACT same costume!!!

Conner's First Deer

I had one excited little boy (and one excited Daddy) on my hands a few weeks ago  when Conner killed his first deer!  I am so glad my Conner enjoys the outdoors as much as his Daddy.  As I am typing this he is on a hunting trip with his Dad so I am sure there will be more pictures and memories to document to come....

Jackson's Orchard

 Say CHEESE!!!  We traveled to Bowling Green this past weekend and spent the day at Jackson's Orchard.  The kids (and Mom and Dad too) had such a fun day!  We look forward to our family trip to the pumpkin patch every year.  Last year we did not make it down to Jackson's and went to a local patch...We were DEFINITELY disappointed ...just not the same.  It is WELL worth the trip!!!

 Claire LOVED the petting zoo!

 The fall snacks are ALWAYS one of our favorite parts!!! Claire and Conner had sliced apples with warm caramel and peanuts. Dad and mom enjoyed warm fried apple pies and EVERYONE had a APPLE slush!!! MMMMMM good!!!

 On our way to the pumpkin patch...the hayride was a HIT!!!

I think Claire and Kennedy went down the slide like 1000 times!!!!

Claire's 4th Birthday Party

What a WONDERFUL party day we had!!! Claire was FULL of excitement so I am very glad we had an early party so fortunately for me and her we did not have to hear "how much longer till my donut party?" for too long!!!!  We had a huge turn out...close to 25 kiddos!!!!

 Coffee for all the Mammas and Daddies

 Cinnamon Rolls on a stick...because everything is better on a stick right?!

 Everything is Better with NUTELLA!!!

 LOVE fruit and Donut hole kabobs!

 Fruity Pebble and Rice Krispy Treats

 Party favors were a huge HIT!!! 

Who doesn't love to be able to drink your milk right from your cereal bowl?!

Cereal Bar

 Claire and I had so much fun making these "Bacon and Eggs"  she just thought this was too funny to trick all of her friends!

 No party is complete without a craft!

 Love the look of the old time milk bottles with cookies and paper straws to decorate it up right!!!

 Claire talked about this game for weeks!  She could not wait to play Donut Chomp!!!

 SOOOO much fun!!!

I think she is one lucky 4 year old!!!!

Claire's 4th Birthday Letter

As I mentioned in my previous post..IT IS PARTY CENTRAL at the Taylor House right now.  I have one VERY excited 3 ALMOST 4 year old on my hands.  We can't wait till our big DONUT party to celebrate with all of our friends and family!  Of course another birthday means yet another birthday letter.....My hope is to capture EXACTLY how I feel at this special time in my life and capture my feelings on paper for each of my kids to read some day when they get older. Yes, I tell my kids EVERY day how much they mean to me and how special they are but I NEVER what them to forget or doubt my feelings no matter how many parenting mistakes I make, and believe me I make a bunch....I hope my children always know that they mean the world to me and I am so happy to be their Mommy, BEYOND BLESSED!




My sweet girl,
Today, you turn 4.  Four years old!  My goodness!!  People  always say that your kids grow up too quickly, and while I feel as though I’ve been embracing our moments together from the beginning, it’s hard to believe that you first made your appearance 4 years ago.  But, at the same time, I can barely remember my days before you.  Where did I put all of this love that is now yours?  You have filled my heart so full, Claire, and you are a part of us that cannot be reversed.  I often marvel at how the Lord orchestrates things.  If your Daddy and I had not fallen in love, you wouldn’t have come into existence.  It is a great example for seeking God’s will and being faithful and following it.  Trusting Him and following.  Oh sweet girl, what a responsibility it is, to guide you through life and to pray that we do things well.  I pray that your little heart finds God at a young age.  There will be difficulties in this world, but I pray that your Daddy and I can help you to become a girl and then a woman who faces trials with the understanding that you are not alone and that this life is only the beginning…
My, how I love spending this life with you by my side.  I think I stop about 50 times a day to just marvel at you, because you never cease to amaze me.  You are smart, you are sweet, you are so gentle (except when it comes to bugs, you squash them like you’re a teenage boy), you are so cuddly.  You love to spend quality time together.  Yesterday, I overheard you outside on the porch with your Dad.  I could picture you swinging your little feet as you scooted a little closer to him.  I heard you say “so, what should we talk about”? My heart gets more and fuller whenever I hear such sweet things coming from your lips, which is a frequent occurrence. You’re so bright.  You pick up on things so quickly.  That’s your Daddy in you.  You have your Dad’s brains for sure, and I’m pretty sure that you inherited his sense of adventure.  You also love to be outdoors which is just another thing that I love about you.
You get stopped constantly when we’re in public, because of your big brown eyes and that curly hair of yours.  You have such an innocent and pure nature, that I’m not too worried about you getting a big head.  I’m just so proud that you’re mine.  You’ve got so much going for you little Claire.  You, my dear, I know will be something great throughout your life.  I’m not talking about occupation, you could be anything, and that’s not what’s important to me.  Whatever you do, I know you will be a light and a blessing to those around you.  It’s in your nature; it’s how God created you.  Oh sweet girl, I’m so proud of all that you already are.  And, I promise you that I will do all that I can to teach you and guide you and love you well.
You are my light, baby girl.  You’re growing up.  But somehow, everyday, I seem to love you more.  Here’s to your life; celebrating the past four years and looking forward to all that lies ahead for you.  I’m so glad that your Daddy and I get to call you our own.  Happy Birthday, baby girl!
I Love You Always and Forever Claire Bear!
Mommy

Claire Turns 4...The Invites

We are in FULL THROTTLE  Party Planning Mode once again at the Taylor House!!! Claire is counting down the days until her 4th Birthday Party....she is just a little excited to say the least!!!  The invites are complete!!!! I am thrilled with how they turned out and am having so much fun with this theme.  I can't wait to share all the party details with you...but you will have to wait until after the party.  I don't want to spoil all the surprises!  We can't wait to share this special day with all our family and friends!

The First Day of School 2012

It is so hard to believe that our summer has come and gone....


 

The kids were so excited to give their teachers their first day of a school treat.....we put a loaf of homemade cinnamon bread in a bag and attached the following note:  I hope this school year is like this loaf of cinnamon bread....so thoroughly delicious you hardly notice the crumbly parts!  We are always overwhelmed with how blessed we feel to have such WONDERFUL teachers at SJS to play such an important role in our kiddos lives each and every year! We can't seem to thank them enough for all that they do...we hope they enjoyed their first day treats!

I can hardly believe that Conner is in the 3rd grade this year...it sure seems like yesterday I was anxiously walking my shy little 3 year old into the preschool room at SJS....how time does fly!

Mommy's BIG 1st Grader...Kennedy is was so excited about the first day of school....how did she get this BIG?!

What an emotional day this was for me to send my BABY to school for the first time!  I was so proud of her, she walked right in to her classroom, put her backpack up and began to play.  I had to beg for a kiss goodbye...the only tears were from Mommy that day as I a am sure you could guess by her pictures! 

Kennedy and Ms. Yates...her 1st grade teacher.

Conner and Ms. Basham...his 3rd grade teacher.

The Ball Park Summer 2012

Long time...no post!!! Sorry, we have been so busy with baseball and softball and now Conner is playing All-Stars. Sorry for all the pictures!  Lately we it seems like we live at the ballpark and I am trying to enjoy every minute of it because I know there WILL come a day when I will look back and miss this!