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.