A new year and one less DIAPER

Here it is! This yummie yummie french bread, that I'm loving making.

Its a shame Jeff doesn't like white bread, but all the more for the

kiddos and me. Get ready BC girls, its almost perfected.

So, to the title, Jeffs B-Day is also Veterans Day. Not that he had

the day off, but we did take the morning, and go to the ZOO!!! SO fun!

We rode on the carousel, which Lucy is still talking about.

We could not pass up Hires for lunch ! Jeff has not actually been (GASP!!)

and I had been dying for a Hires Big "H", and if YOU'VE never been,

well, call us, we'll be glad to go again!

And here it is! Lucy has been ROCKING the potty world.

I tried about a month ago, with extreme disappointment.

She did pretty good, but I was getting discouraged, so we gave it up.

About a month later, she was bound and determined on her own,

so we rolled with it!

She's been goin' with the best of them!

And despite the fact that she's never seen a lick of TV or the likes, she has

truly fallen in LOVE with her Elmo panties. Yay!

So now, if I can just get Charlie potty trained before the baby comes,

we'll be diaper free for 15 weeks!!

The week at a glance

I truly had no intentions of making such an event

of our last weeks activities,

but it just so happened that it turned into a BIG,

FUN WEEK, all but one day that I have pictures of,

so lets begin!

Monday, well, this is my exception, no picture,

AND no recollection of what we did...BUT

Tuesday, had a BLAST at Wheeler Farm.

Lucy LOVED feeding the cows, and yes, we did

see the signs please don't feed the animals,

but I took exception because it was food

the heffer would have eaten anyway.

Wednesday, Chars and Lucy discovered leaves

as I raked them up. (or at least made piles and piles

for them to destroy).

Wednesday, as I raked the leaves, and raked in the aroma

of the crisp, sun burned leaves, a punch of smell came

to my nose, and I realized, the GRAPES!!

I had forgotten about the GRAPES!!!!

Nothing smells as good as a crispy fall day of leaves

and concord grapes.

It was then that I realized I had decided earlier in

the year to make use of the little grapes...

so,

Thursday, Lucy and I (and she really did help) picked the

grapes.

We had a TON of grapes, and I didn't even clip them all.

We had a GREAT time picking. LOVED the weather all week!

I didn't ask for Lucys help, she just started to help me,

and thought it was the greatest thing.

I thought it was darling how she gently tugged each grape free,

and then dropped it into our pot.

She had been working so diligently I decided she needed

a better seat...so

we brought out her re-finished rocking chair,

and made it official.

She looked like she had taken permanent residence

preparing the grapes!

I could just gobble this little girl up!!!

Ah yes, Chars! He has been a gem! Really!

I only got one offer on my "baby for sale", and we've

decided to turn the offer down and keep this stinker !

We've discovered the binki (YAY! It only took 11 MONTHS) and

that he has been sprouting teeth like wild mushrooms!!

But alas, he is my darling boy, and I LOVE him!

So, the grapes, ah yes. I bottled the grape juice,

to which in the cold winter months will add vanilla ice cream,

to create our family tradition, purple cows!

(Root Beer Floats, but with HOME MADE grape juice)

It made HEEPS, so I may even turn some into Jam....

Friday was lunch with GREAT aunt Jenna!

Really, she is, as we say, my twin separated in the hospital

at our birth! (poor thing!) our birthdays are just a few hours apart,

so to wrap up our b-day week, we took to the town.

We enjoyed a crazy (sorry J) lunch at CPK, and strolled around

the gate way! Once again loved the weather.

And to conclude the long novel, Saturday,

after a tasty Cafe Rio supper

Jeff and I explored the world of Jiffy Pop!

Truly, it was more fun to make then eat, but as you can

see, I need no help on the eating thing!!

Which brings me to one concluding point!

Our sweet baby Jane, which has been harvesting inside me

for the past 6 months, as it turns out, is a chunky little BOY!!

I had an appointment which revealed the news.

We were told it was a girl, thought it was a girl,

asked Lucy (who always said it was a BOY) and

come to find out, it IS a boy! So, there you have it!

Lucy will be welcoming home another baby boy!

We are still making the adjustment, but at least didn't

take the first doctors word for it!

Until next time!!!!

One rockin' weekend!

Being that my BIRTHDAY falls the day before Halloween

ALWAYS makes fun memories.

First things first.

On Friday, for my birthday, we headed to Carden, my alma mater,

where we celebrated with the traditional fall carnival

(NOT to be mistaken for a Halloween parade!!! Heaven forbid...)

The kids in there duds.

Lucy, a cat, made mostly by me, thus the reason it is already

in the trash, and Chars, a puppy, again, altered and sewn to fit him,

and again, in the trash.

I think they both realized the paint/costume on the other,

at this moment!

SO CUTE!

And thanks to Auds and Abe for joining in the festivities!

(Chars doing a true puppy dog pose, for his chief, Grant)

I LOVED attending Carden, and it was a BLAST to go back!

I've been back, but not for the carnival in a while.

It was a great beginning to my birthday.

From there, Abe, my mama, the kiddos and I went to lunch.

It was a GREAT treat, and SO fun to spend the morning with

4 of my best friends!

That afternoon, Jeff surprised me with a spa treatment!!!

No kids, no responsibilities, LOVED IT!

Jeff and I went to dinner and a concert that night.

It was a PERFECT day!

Why can't Ground Hogs day happen on a day like this?

The best part was Lucys constant "Happy beedie, mamma"

(she is still saying her version of happy birthday to me,

and still LOVES to sing the birthday song! Thanks Luce!

I so LOVE this girl!)

Here is a picture of the goblins on Halloween morning.

We did some trick-or-treating on Bountiful Main Street,

and headed to my sisters, with the Fam, to gorge ourselves

on all delicious food under the sun, candy and great weather!

We took the kids with the cousins out to fill their buckets with loot!

It was SO fun to see Lucy. She wasn't totally into getting more candy, rather

was just fine with 2 pieces, but we trotted through the neighborhood,

and can't WAIT for next year!

That was not the end of the birthday fun.

Saturday, the in-laws (as per tradition) took Jeff and I

out for our birthday lunch. (Jeffs b-day is in 9 days)

and if you don't want to sit on a big saddle, with the entire

restaurant yelling " YEE-HAWWW" while shouting happy birthday,

I suggest you DON' T go to Texas Roadhouse!

Quite the b-day welcome.

It was a great weekend, and holiday!

Thanks everyone for making it so great!

Lucy would NEVER

There have been MANY MANY differences

between Luce and Chars, and

maybe some of that is just girl/boy!

He is just over 10 months old, and already

giving me a run for my money.

He is into everything, which I don't mind ( for now)

I love how adventurous, courageous and determined

he is. They have still been getting along great,

and I'm thrilled to have had a girl first,

as hopefully she'll keep things a bit calm

when the new baby comes!

Yeah, thats what I thought!

I really love it!

He's in so many ways still a baby,

but showing signs of a big boy!!!

We have the most amazing garden in the

front of our house. Wild strawberries grow,

which we enjoy in the spring/summer, but in the

fall, they turn this burnt red.

I just had to play photographer again

(It was a bit easier with my assistant, Jeff)

I do need to develop these,

before they go to college!!!!!

I did not prompt this! But it almost looks like

an engagement photo.

Such stinkers!

Love LOVE these potato heads.

Its OFFICIAL!

October 19, 2007 brought one change

in our life, and that change was the

birth of little Lucy Taylor.

Lucy celebrated her 2nd birthday,

and I can't imagine a happy life

without her.

She daily makes me laugh, is so sweet

to all her babies, tries everything

by herself, is a FANTASTIC eater,

loves to be held, loves to run outside...

I could go on,! We LOVE this girl!

Happy Birthday Lucy!!

She's been learning about fire,

and is not so sure that these things

on her cupcake are safe.

She still didn't devour her cupcake as

I had always thought a child would, she's

just to concerned about getting dirty,

and being so careful!! But it was enjoyed!

Yes, these are spiders. No thanks to

Dicks Market (still don't like that store)

our spiders (or as I was told, they need 8 leges)

had red legs, not black.

Oh well.

Thanks ALL who came to celebrate with Lucy and us!

We loved having ya'll over,

and were thankful for your joining the

celebration!

So, its official, we have a toddler.

We've entered a new phase in our life!

We did make our annual trip to the pumpkin

patch. Our favorite pick of this year,

shown here in our wagon.

All in a work week

Our week began Tuesday night. Jeff was headed out of town,

and we were meeting him

in beautiful, sunny Vegas, BUT before we did that,

we had 2 days to kill, soooooo....

we headed to Wheeler Farm.

I would LOVE to be a photographer, or to know

ANYTHING about capturing a great shot,

but until then, I'll just use my Sony point and shoot.

Lucys great! I always thought I'd want a child to smile at the camera,

but now its hard

to get any type of shot, but her smiling. These are the best I did.

Look at these potato heads! So cute.

Love this look on Lucys face. She loves playing with her fingers,

and this captures

her curious but VERY cautious personality.

HA! This character. Wow! Chars, you have given us a run

for our money.

This picture is to exhibit his clinging cheerio on his nose.

We met up with Jeff, for his Ragnar race in the beautiful

and warm sunny Nevada.

Despite being SICK (what is up with this non pregnancy

related illness, that keeps circulating my entire family?!!!?)

it was really nice to get away!

I LOVED the 78 degree weather, and the beautiful walks in the evenings,

the warm breeze...

but as I was saying, Charlie has not been the easiest kid. I'll spare the details,

but to give you a hint, he's been FOR REAL for sale for the last two weeks,

and even at a price such as 47 cents, there have been NO takers. Really!

The finish line for the Ragnar Race, the BEAUTIFUL

Redrock Hotel and Casino.

LOVED this place.

Classy rooms, Classy colors, CLASSY weather, ahahhhhhh.

Oh, pool side service, LOVE IT!

(Have I said lately I ADORE this girl? Its a great thing

this next baby is a girl,

because Lucy would hands down

(at least at this point, sorry Chars) play the favorite child roll)

(Can I say that? She's just such a buddy. I eat her alive! )

Loving the warm weather, and palm trees.

We'll miss you Nevada.

Look how funny. I took this on the way down,

and thought it looked so classic like one of my

dads pictures from when he was a boy.

LOVE Lucys face.

(oh, and yes, her pants are that dirty.

She had been crawling in the parking lot)

72 POT STICKERS!!!

No, we did not make 72 pot stickers...we make over 500!!! And thats the regular.

This has been a tradition in my family for, well, I can't really remember how long.

I know over 15 years.

I LOVE traditions, and am always trying to get Jeff do start some wtih me.

What is a pot sticker?

Basically ground turkey, shataki mushrooms, green onions...and other secret ingredients.

Shown here, the pot sticker "filling", shells and clamps.

You fill the shells, clamp them shut, saute them in chicken broth and oil, and VOILA!

It is not just dinner, its an event!

We have over 5 grills going, 4 clampers, 5 fillers, and well, the rest, who knows what they do.

Its an amazing production line!

Food is of great value in my family (is that wrong to say?)

and this is one way we validate that!

Oh my heck, just looking at these beauties makes my mouth water!

We enjoy ours with everything from soy sauce to hot sauce with vinegar.

This is whats for dinner, thats all!!!

For the most part, we've always kept record of whos eaten how many (at least for the guys)

and the record, actually not even held by a family member was 70.

Well, I'm thrilled to announce that my amazing (not just because how many he ate ) brother in-law has broken the record!

Cam, how we adore this DDS!

Cam is, well, Cam is Cam, and our family is SO lucky to have him!

Bless your sweet, clogged arteries Cam, and way to go!

(oh, casually eating pot stickers, the girls eat about 15-20, the other men(or should I call them boys) eat about 35-40. So 72 is quite the stretch!)

(yes, it says 71, but he popped one in after, as he said "for good measure")

Lucy giving Cam a victory cheer! Yes, Cam and Auds are by far Lucy's favs.,

but this really topped the cake!

And this, well, this is the after math.

Typically the adults sit around and chat, but today, I think no one could really move,

so, these are the results!

Pot Stickers, well, you should be so luck to try some! We can't wait till next year! Bring it on!

Silver Lake

One evening last week, before the cold set in, we headed up to Silver Lake

to check out the fall leaves before they all froze.

Speaking of froze, it was COLD up there, and we were obviously not prepared,

but had a great time running on the decks, eating our picnic dinner,

and laughing with some fam.

We're just thrilled she didn't fall in!!

It was a beautiful setting, and so fun to sneak away for an evening.

you better BET we DID!

Whoever reads this these days? Well, if you're out there, I can't help but post

a trillion pictures each time, and NO this is not all I take.

First, sweet Lucy just coming down a slide at Liberty Park. FUN park!

My poor abused baby, attempting to crawl, as to not get another smack to the head.

Not crawling yet, but my mom keeps saying literally any minute.

I think we're still a good week away.

Bless his sweet soul. Truly a sleeping beauty.

His head got better the next day, but his eye has gotten blacker and blacker, and is finally

(over a week later) starting to improve.

Why do I love this little girl so?

Our FAVORITE activity, which we do at least once a week, paint our nails.

She LOVES it, and being that she's not that much of a cudler, I love just sitting with her!

She gets so silly when I tell her we can paint our nails. She loves it. Oh, I adore my little girl!

OH YES WE DID! White TRASH!!!!!

Yup, we got our old selfs fair tickets! This cow was CRAZY big.

You can see the fear in my eyes. I mean this thing was HUGE!

Chars trying to ditch the food in the garden.

Loved the fair! We seemed to fit so well with those folk!

Really, it was a fun night on the town. (Sorry Cam).

And for the record, Heid, I was VERY disappointed in the $8!!!! funnel cake!

I wanted something with some meat to it, and that truly was not my cup of tea.

I should have saved my $8 for a sweet nail file.

Sorry Shawn, had to do it.

These kids love the bath. Lucys favorite past time, dumping Chars with water,

nearly the entire time. He is so tolerant!

Lucys perch while I get ready. She has found her front row seat,

and thinks she's the king of the world.

Free! the Circus came to town, and had themselves a parade!!!

Perfect day, thanks Auds and Ali!

Crazy, right? Look at those beasts! I do really feel bad for the sweet things,

but it was fun to have them right in front of us.

And this cracks me up.

When Lucy gets a book to read, she'll first adjust herself for the first few minutes, just to get right by Chars. It doesn't always work, as he'll usually want her book, but she has been really sweet with him, (for the most part), and we can't wait (6 more DAYS) to find out what our

3rd musketeer will be!!!!