The Last Month

I originally had something else in mind for our Christmas card, but as Christmas kept getting closer and closer, I knew I better just get it done. Getting a picture of all of us together was impossible this year, so I whipped this up last minute. Mark and I's picture is actually from the year before. We still look the same, though, Right??

Right around the time of my last post, we found out that Mark landed a job with the INL. December through the new year was pretty crazy for us. Mark was in Pocatello a lot in those last days making sure everything was in order before he quit. I sewed 31 kids superhero capes to sell. I spent hours (maybe even days, if I add up the hours) behind my sewing machine. They seemed to be a hot item, as I only have a few left. Mark's two sisters and their families came from Texas and my brother Rob and his wife came from Boise for Christmas. We enjoyed getting together for lots of yummy meals and card games throughout the week.
Mark and I enjoyed time together between him quitting Sizzler and starting his new job. We were long overdue for date night. We hadn't had one since October! We went to Lava Hot Springs, Red Lobster and then saw Sherlock Holmes. My sweet sister-in-law, Britton tended the kids for us. I owe her big time. Cole insisted that he wear underwear that day. He was too busy playing with cousins and had a few accidents. (Which is interesting, because he has been perfectly potty trained since. He even gets up in the night and comes down stairs if he has to potty.)
Mark just started his second week on the new job. He will be in training for quite a while. I love how happy he comes home. His schedule is awesome and so are his pay and benefits. We are soo blessed. The trainer told them on the first day to go home and tell their wives that they were the "cream of the crop" because there were 475 applicants and they hired 11. I have always known how great Mark is and love when other people see it too.

Wiseman and Mary on Christmas Eve

Cole's costume still cracks me up. He is too cute!

Leaving G & G Smith's Christmas Eve. Getting excited to go home and "play Santa".

The kids and their loot. Santa brought Cole a Leap Frog Train and Alyssa an Easy Bake Oven. They were both thrilled. As usual, all three sets of Grandparents and Aunts spoiled them rotten. Not that I am ungrateful, but I do wish that everyone would scale back the presents a little. These kids get soo many presents!! It seems like too much when Mark and I compare it with what we used to get. I actually swiped one of Alyssa's presents and hid it under my bed and she still hasn't noticed. (It was a perfume making kit from her grandpa. I am going to trade it for a different one. Something tells me it is poisonous.)
We were given this beautiful dress, that a friend's kid wore in a wedding. I paid 5 bucks to have it dry cleaned then I added sleeves with some left over fabric from when I sewed my nephews blessing outfit. I couldn't believe what a perfect match the fabric was. I switched the blue satin flowers with red ones ( $2) and made a head band ($1). Her red sparkly shoes from Halloween match perfect. Beautiful Christmas dress for $8. Awesome! Isn't she a beauty??

Amber, Karen, Melanie, Candace, Shanley, and Jeana

Right around Christmas time, I received a text from my friend Shanley, saying that she was getting married Feb 5. I was shocked as I didn't know she was dating anyone serious and I had just seen her dad and he didn't say anything about it. Turns out, that I wasn't the only one in shock as she had only known the guy a couple of weeks. Jeana and the rest of us old roommates had to act fast to hurry and put together a bachelorette party before Feb. We had it at Shanley's house last Friday. It was a blast. I really needed a girls weekend and am always so excited when I can get together with my old college roomies. We sure missed Julie though (wipe a tear). Shanley and Scott really seem like a good match. I am so happy for her.
I have intentions of blogging a little more frequent, but won't make any promises or apologies. Just when I think I will be having a little break, some new commitment happens. Like getting put in the primary presidency or doing never ending community stuff. Yep, Time flies when you are having fun.

Three Years Ago Today...

Three years ago today, we were blessed with a son. Remembering back to that day....Mark was in Boise for work. I told him over the phone, he'd better come home because the midwife thought I would have the baby that night. Mark rushed home and we went to the hospital in the morning. It was a Saturday. I was in labor all day. Since we were using a midwife to deliver him, we didn't use any drugs to speed things along. Finally by 10:00 pm he came. I really liked having the midwife. She did so many cool things that helped me with the contractions and she walked the halls with me, which I loved. After he was born though, it took a team to put me back together again. The midwife had done lots of stitches before, but I was a mess, so she called the doctor--Glad I was in the hospital for that. While we were in the hospital, all my family was at home celebrating Christmas. (My brother was leaving for basic training on Monday, so we celebrated Christmas early) I was happy that he wasn't born on Christmas day, but it still felt like we missed it that year. When I remember back, I can't help, but remember how some weren't so happy with our choice of name. I hate that. I kept thinking "Why are people so upset? We just had a beautiful, healthy, baby, can't people just be happy for us???" I remember I had a night terror that someone was yelling at me saying "Makai??!!!, Well why didn't you just name him Malachi??"" Lots of tears were shed. It was pretty crazy, to say the least. Well, Mark and I stuck with the name we agreed on and I am glad we did (even though some thought that we should change it). I wasn't wild about it at first. I liked the name, Colton James. (Mark did not like the name Colton and James wouldn't work since our last name is Taylor) But I also wanted Mark to be the one to have the final say, since the baby was a boy. Since it was Christmas time, "Cole" was fitting and it was a shortened version of Colton. I still don't know where Mark came up with Makai. It seemed to have a nice ring to it...."Cole Makai". I can't imagine calling him anything different.

1 week old6 months old
1 year old18 months
18 months2 years
3 years old
In is favorite train outfit and train whistle in hand. He wears these overalls all the time!

We sure love this little boy. He has such a fun personality. He is at such a fun age right now. He is talking lots and always making us laugh. He is such a tease. He loves trains and gets excited every time we have one go past our house, which is usually a couple of times a day. He loves his "sissa" and gets worried when she is not around. I always have to remind him "It's okay buddy, Alyssa is at school". He loves to ride on your shoulders and is always trying to climb up there. We celebrated his birthday a month ago, and I am glad we did because this week is too crazy with Christmas just around the corner. Cole is still taking about his choo choo party and keeps telling me that people ate his train cake and we need to make another one.
Happy 3rd Birthday to Cole Makai!

Pee on the sofa,
puke on the stairs,
poop on the carpet...

Awesome



I am so happy to have this stuff.

Cole Makai's potty training was going so well, even completed, I thought. If we are in a store, he will tell me he needs to potty and I take him=easy. If we are at home, he won't take a break from playing to go potty. Now the weird part. When I make him go sit on the potty if it has been awhile, he holds it in. He won't pee unless he has some "pieacy" (privacy). If I leave the room, things don't get pointed in the right direction and he pees all over the floor.

BOYS...

All Aboard the Birthday Express!

Some might be thinking "Wasn't Cole born in December?" Yep, we received a huge "lump of Cole" for Christmas (almost 9 pounds!). Last year, no one could come to his party due to lots of Christmas party commitments. I never intended to have a Christmas baby--My friend has a refrigerator magnet that says "We plan, God laughs." That is exactly what happened. I feel bad for Cole to have his birthday so close to Christmas, so we decided to celebrate a month early. (I'll post some baby pics on the actual day, Dec 16, like I did with Alyssa's birthday.)

Cole's party invitation I created.
A couple of people asked what he is holding. It is a wooden train whistle. We had one when I was a kid. I think they are so fun, so we got them to give out as party favors.

He was pouting a little when I was taking his pictures. He wanted to "drive" the train, but was a little intimidated of how big the train was when I stuck him up there.

I love this one.

The cake.
I almost didn't make it. I kept thinking cupcakes would be easier. I am glad I did make it though and it turned out not to be too hard or time consuming. Cole absolutely loved it and it was a great way to use up some Halloween candy.
This morning, Cole came and woke me up and said "Mom, here I am. People ate my train cake."

With lots of help from the other kids, he tore through all the presents so fast. I had a hard time keeping track of who gave what. Its hard to manage that when you are behind the camera. It was a great party though. We had lots of family and lots of yummy food. Big Thanks to all who came. He is having so much fun today, playing with all his gifts and talking about his choo choo train birthday. We sure love our "lump of Cole", even though he came different than when we planned. He has the funnest personality and is a great addition to our little family. I can't believe he is 3, well, almost 3.

Halloween Fun

Trick or Treat

Scarecrow-Cole Makai
I made his costume without a pattern. I was happy with how it turned out, and even more happy that he wore it. I was kinda worried, because as I was sewing it and needed him to try it on, he would kick and scream. Once he had his pumpkin bucket in hand and knew he was going to get candy, he was okay with wearing it. (I made sure to have soft fabric under the straw so it wouldn't itch)

Dorothy-Alyssa Joelle
We got this dress in a bag of hand-me-downs. I found her ruby slippers at Target and Alyssa had to have her hair colored brown. I found a wig, but I think they are itchy and don't usually look that good. I got some color at Sally's that they promised would wash out. (She was a blonde again at church, so it did wash out-Phew!) We already had the dog and found the basket for $1. I was happy to have such cute costumes for such little money spent-yeah!

I just thought Cole was so cute and so did everyone we ran into. My kids totally won the Costume contest BTW-Yeah! Truth said, there wasn't a costume contest anywhere we went, but had there been, My kiddos would have taken home the prize. We rented the movie Wizzard of Oz for the kids to see, so they would understand who they were for Halloween. They have watched it several times and love it.

The fire truck came to our Trunk or Treat. Cole was thrilled.

Mark worked Halloween night, so I wore my witch outfit. Can't you imagine Mark in this pic as the tin man???

The Hitz Grandkids. Cole, Alyssa holding baby Creed and Bridger.

Alyssa thought Grandma Rhodehouse's landscaping looked like the yellow brick road.

The Taylor Grandkids get to Trick or Treat with Grandma Sherrey every year at Melaleuca.

Cole Makai, Paige, Cole Richard, Bailee holding Crew, Alyssa, Jordan, and Elly.

Sitting in the mail room, where Grandma works, checking out their loot.

Friday night, we had Alyssa's school carnival. I really wanted Mark to be the tin man, but he wasn't feeling it. I had it all planned out. I was going to put dryer vent hoses on his arms and legs and tie a funnel to his head, paint his face silver.....we ended up borrowing jailbird costumes from my parents. Mark was happy there was a costume plan B.

Feeding the elephant.

Alyssa had a Halloween party at school on Wednesday. They weren't' allowed to wear their costumes, so the night before I whipped up this Halloween shirt so she'd have something festive to wear. I used some left over fabric scraps to shape into a witch's hat with that sew-able iron on facing and zig-zagged around the edge. It turned out pretty cute.

The kids had fun and got tons of candy. So much, that Alyssa stayed home from school today with a sore throat. I tried to limit how much they ate, but as fast as it goes into their trick or treat bags, they sneak as many pieces into their mouth as they can. We didn't carve pumpkins this year, I was hoping the kids wouldn't realize, but Alyssa just brought our pumpkin inside and wants to carve it. Darn.

Alyssa Joelle Turns 6

This is my old college roomie, Mel and I, six years ago. Our due dates were just days apart. Can you guess which belly is mine... The big one on the right. And it even was bigger with Cole. They seem to get a pound bigger every time. Yikes! It will be scary if I ever have another baby.


Our sweet baby, Alyssa Joelle, was born September 17, 2003. She weighed 8lbs. These pictures are when she was a couple of weeks old.

First Birthday

Terrific Two-Year-Old

Three-Years-Old
I sewed those roses in her hair. I don't know what I was thinking. We were late for the photo session. She was such a stinker when we got there. She wouldn't smile, unless I gave her quarters. She made me give her one for every smile. You can't tell in the picture, but she has them in her hand.

Four-Years-Old

Five-Years-Old

Six-Years-Old
I took this picture the other day, in our back yard. She was so funny. She definitely likes to do things her way. Most of the pictures we took, she is doing funny poses. This time I had to bribe her with ice cream, if she would smile and cooperate. I try not to do bribes, but for pictures, we do what ever it takes.

Here is a little bit about Alyssa:
Alyssa is really pretty sweet most of the time. When she gets to pick a prize at school for bringing in her boxtops, she has been picking a boy toy to bring home to her brother, Cole Makai.
Her favorite color is pink.
Her favorite foods are banana waffles, and broiled shrimp.
She enjoys helping in the kitchen.
She loves her long hair and won't let me cut it.
She loves to watch Hanna Montana and the Barbie Movies.
She doesn't like to go to school, when she knows her Dad has the day off.
She loves to take trips to town with just her and her Dad in the Honda.
She loves her cat she named lovable.
She likes to play games, like candy land and butterfly bingo.
She loves to do craps (crafts)-(Actually, she says it correctly now).
She doesn't really like side pony tails, or when Mom picks out her clothes.
She really likes her new Hello Kitty alarm clock, "except the part when it rings and I have to get up."

We had a family luau for her birthday party. It was so windy, so we had to do it inside. She wanted a coconut bra and a grass skirt. I made her a flip flop cake. She liked it, but was disappointed that she didn't make it, so she made the cake on the right. We had yummy skewers and Mark made the tastiest pina coladas for everyone. After we ate, we let all the kids break a pineapple pinata. We had a lot of guests, including a swarm of flies. It was rather disgusting. I still feel embarrassed when I think back about how bad they were. We have been battling them since a manure farm started up across the street. With so many people coming in and out of the house, all the flies came in. There have been lots of complaints, so hopefully they will move the manure and not do it again next year. (knock on wood, fingers crossed) If they don't move it, we will probably be moving. Which is sad because we really like how our place is turning out. Everyone please pray that they move the manure. Okay, back to the party...

hum...not sure what happened to Cole's pants.

After the party (Cole was asleep).

She was so happy she got a pink "ipod" It was a pretty fun party. Mark wants to have another luau next summer so he can roast a whole pig in the ground.


One of the main things Alyssa wanted was a party with only girls. You can't really do that with a family party. So we let her have some friends over to play on our play set after school. Mark had the day off and even let the girls take turns riding Alyssa's four wheeler around the yard. They had a good time.

I still can't believe my baby is six-years-old! Oh, how time flies!

Kindergarten... First Grade??

Okay, so we just had Alyssa's first parent teacher conference. The first thing the teacher said to me was "Is Alyssa board?" I kinda wondered, but it really makes me worry if the teacher is noticing it too. She said that there are three kids in the class that are at a higher level and Alyssa is the highest. The teacher doesn't seem to know what to do about it. I think it makes it even harder for Alyssa that kindergarten is a full day. She always asks the teacher, "How many things left until it is time to go home?"I wonder if she should move up to first grade. Oh, how I have been weighing the pro's and con's all day about it. I just don't want her to be board at school and decide that it is stupid. I just want her to be challenged and enjoy learning. She has always been excited about "school" I will often find her in our school room, working in workbooks. When I tell her it is time to.....(insert any task here). She says "Mom, I have to do my homework" She gives herself assignments and pretend homework. Everything in kindergarten just seems too easy for her because she already knows it. I figured that would be a problem and so this summer I didn't push her at all with her "school". She just turned 6 years old. So she'll either be the oldest or the youngest in her grade. Either way it is kinda a bummer. Oh, what to do?????