Pictures with Santa

We went up to see Santa at our favorite place....BASS PRO SHOPS! What an exciting time...we got to visit with Mrs. Claus while waiting and then we were FINALLY able to see the BIG MAN and tell him all our Christmas wishes. He looked into each kids eyes to see if they were on the good list...ALL three Taylor kids made the list for 2011!!!!
What a wonderful day! The kids can't wait until Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

My boys started Thanksgiving morning off with their annual Duck Hunt and then we headed to Papaw Tony's for Thanksgiving Dinner. The girls looked so cute in their Turkey shirts! We spent the following Saturday at Grancy's house to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Halloween 2011

I am a little behind on blogging...sorry just can't seem to find the time.

W had a WONDERFUL Halloween this year the kids wanted "classic" Halloween costumes this year: 2 witches and a vampire! We of course Trick or Treated our family and friends, went to Aunt Diane's annual Halloween party and went to truck or treat at SJS! We got plenty of candy to say the least!!!

I got my ears pierced!

For Claire's 3rd Birthday we took her to get her ears pierced "just like Kennedy"!She showed up and told the lady who was to be piercing her ears "My name is Claire and I am 3 and I am NOT going to cry!" We all thought it was too good to be true but sure enough she never batted and eye and was SOOOOOO proud of her new earrings!




My baby is growing up! I just think she looks so much bigger with those ears pierced!

Going Bananas....Claire's 3rd Birthday Party!

This past Saturday we celebrated Claire's 3rd Birthday with a "Little Monkey" theme.


I'M THREE


JUNGLE JUICE served in Monkey cups




Keeping with the Monkey theme with had a Banana Split Bar with all the fixings!!!








Homemade Banana Pudding YUM!!!

I LOVE cupcake Towers...I think this one might have been my favorite yet!


Everyone left with a loaf of homemade Banana bread for their party favor!

THANKS A BUNCH FOR A WONDERFUL PARTY!!!

Claire's 3rd Birthday Letter

Things are very hectic around the Taylor house as we prepare for yet again another birthday party! Our little Claire Bear is going to be turning 3 in just a few days. I can't begin tell you how excited she is about her "Monkey Party"! (pictures to come for sure!)
Of course another birthday means another Birthday Letter as well so here it goes...

My Sweet Girl,
I have tried and failed no less than a dozen times this week to write down how I feel about you my precious Claire. This is what I finally have to say…..
When you were born, I was so taken by your blonde hair (what little there was of it) and those chocolate eyes; I couldn’t bear to look away. I forced myself to let other people hold you, if only to spread the joy that seeped from your pores. I now find myself having a similar experience. While you have grown from a helpless infant to an “I can do it” toddling toddler to the independent little treasure you are becoming, I have often held my breath, hoping I would know when to hold your hand and when to stand behind you with a little push. Please bear with me as I am still learning to do this!
I once read that motherhood is a constant journey of grieving and celebrating the transformations our children go through. I know you see and feel me grieving a bit when I try to hang on to you too much, to keep you my little girl forever, but I hope you also hear me celebrating too… celebrating you. ALWAYS know I am your biggest fan!
So much has happened over these last 3 years. I just don’t want you to grow up anymore. I’m looking forward to our future but I’m so sad for our present is turning into our past. I don’t want to miss any part of your life and the idea that I just want to sit and revel in every small moment with you knowing I can’t hurts. What doesn’t hurt is knowing you are in my life and that the last 3 years will surely lead to many, many more equally amazing years ahead. It is true you’ve taught me so much in the last 3 years and I hope that one day you may think I’ve taught you just as much. You were in my dreams just over 3 years ago and now you’re in my world, my life, and my heart. Words will never fully describe what you mean to me and how much you are a part of me. I can only hope that one day you’ll know this not because of what I say but because of what I am, what I do. You are this beautiful little soul. You have taught me that the amount of love that the heart can hold is endless…that just when I am certain that I couldn’t possibly love you more, you make my heart nearly explode. Everyone that stumbles across your path confirms what I believe. Your love completes us as a family of 5.
Happy Birthday Claire Bear!
Love,
Mommy

First Day of School

I can hardly believe my little princess started Kindergarten this year and my little man is in the 2nd grade! Annual first day of school pictures...

The kids have WONDERFUL teachers once again this year at SJS so we made them little gift for the first day! The kids loved picking out the lotion for their teachers!