Friday Flashback

August 2001

Our little family of 4 went to 

Michigan to visit family.
We visited Dow Gardens.

goofed around with the fam...

(believe it or not, this is a regular occurrence with my family)

and played at the park

but my favorite part of the trip was the day we spent at 
Lake Michigan...

we were visiting 
the Burtch family in Holland

we spent the day sightseeing

took pizza to the beach

played in giant holes in the sand

walked out to the lighthouse

it was a beautiful day...

the water was so tempting

but only a couple of us had 

swimsuits on

So... in a moment of pure genius 

my mom jumped in the water, 

fully clothed

before long my dad joined her...

and Mike...

and eventually the entire family ended up in the lake, 
laughing & splashing...

 We were still smiling as the sun set on this perfect day.

Oo-da-lolly, Oo-da-lolly, 
Golly what a day!

Images to Make You (me) Happy

It is Sunday night...
the 2nd to last week of tax season...
we are ALL feeling the effects...
sleepless nights
tears
fights
meltdowns
heavy sighs
Time for a Pick Me Up...

Party Numero Uno

They Say It's Your Birthday?

It's My Birthday Too - Yeah!

Two Special Boys on ONE very Special Day
November 28th
It only took Heather J & me 23 minutes to untangle
Jons' Giant B-day + 16 regular Balloons from
Tony's Elmo + 2 regular Balloons.

The family came to hang-out, play games & celebrate.

Courtney & Sylvia

Alex, Jerry, Heather, JJ & Luke

Mark, Barry & Mike

Heather, JJ, Mark, Bob, Heather J & Courtney

JJ & Jerry

Moses & Lisa

Heather J & Valerie

David

We're Gonna Have a Good Time...

Do You Believe in Miracles?

It was one for the books.
13 grandkids
7 of them under age 7
4 coordinating girls in 4 different sizes
9 coordinating boys in 6 different sizes
(with only 4 outfits going back to the store)
132 (or so) photos
2 delightful (ahem) hours
1 broken leg
(don't fret, it didn't happen DURING the photo shoot)
and of course an amazing & very patient photographer
Thank You Liz !
Here is a sampling of our favorites.

What a bunch.
and on that note...

Good Thing We Don't Have To Do This
For Another 10 Years...

Right???

A Good Old-Fashioned Family Fun Fest

Our little Pilgrim would like to welcome you to our
Thanksgiving Family Fun Fest.

We were so GRATEFUL this year to have the entire Taylor Family together in one place for Thanksgiving. We really APPRECIATE all of the family who traveled to spend time with us in Arizona.
Bob & Sylvia (from Utah)
Jerry, Heather, JJ, David & Alex (from Utah)
Mark, Heather, Luke & Olivia (from Texas)
and
Barry (from Utah)
We were also lucky enough to spend time with our extended family.
Pam & Eric ~ Brent, Molly, Jack, Sam & Davis ~ Katie ~ James & Erin ~ Ted

We are so THANKFUL to Matt, Lisa, Moses, Wyatt & Matthew for hosting our Thanksgiving festivities.

There was eating

posing

playing

hanging out / relaxing

LOTS of chatting

And the grand finale...
a COMPLETE family photo.

We feel so BLESSED.

Friday Flashback

Provo, Utah
2004
Mike took the boys on a weekend road trip to Provo to watch the BYU Cougars BEAT the Fighting Irish from Notre Dame.
I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Valerie, so Courtney & I stayed home to "nest".

(Jon, McKay, cousin JJ & cousin David)
Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra.... Gooooo COUGARS!

Spring Break Fever Part II (Good Grief & Gully)

The wonder of
** GRANDPA's Gully **

Grandpa built the grandkids this amazing
zip line that runs from the barn to the trees across the gully.
It has some serious git up n' go... the kids almost do a full flip at the end of the zip line.

I feel the need for speed!!!

In his brilliance he tied a rope to the side so that the big kids can pull the wee ones back up to the top without them having to get off... also so that nervous parents can hold the rope & "guide" the wee ones on their thrill rides (no, Not Me...)

And of course, the GIANT rope swing...

Thanks Grandpa!