Fall 2008 Happenings

A few tidbits from last fall...

Major Air, Dude.

Zach's favorite outdoor activity- Playtime on the "jumpy jumpy" as they used to say.

"Hands-free Harmonica" by Mari!

Uncle Darryl was playing for us one night and Mari disappeared. When she returned she had Daddy's harmonica and just started playing. As the piano music changed, she adjusted her playing as well- faster, slower, louder, softer... it was sooo cute. Then she started twirling around and adding hand motions to the rhythm of each song. Priceless!!

Moving Day!

The kids decided they did not like their playhouse where it was, so they united in an effort to move it... I just watched them for a long time, but ultimately I had to help them- They were just too cute!

Cast your votes!

This is the second election Mari & Zach have attended in their short lives (not counting primaries). The first time they were still in diapers and we pushed them in a stroller; this time, they walked in with us and they pushed the big, red, flashing "VOTE" button once our e-ballots were complete!

October Marshmellow Roast

I didn't realize until going through old photos, but it seems we've done this almost every October without realizing it... So I guess it's a tradition now! The weather is so fair in SA, the "skeeters" are finally gone and we all start itchin' for a little backyard campfire. This year introduced a couple of new things:

1) The word "Fire" in verb form: "I wanna 'FIRE' a hot dog!" &

2) "Cheese" in roasted form: "Look Mama, I 'FIRED' my 'CHEESE'!

Ahhh, the memories..... : )

September 26, 2008- Mari & Zach's 5th Birthday

OK, So it's been a while since I updated this thing...

I keep forgetting some of the cute things the kids do and say,

so I'm making an effort to RIGHT THINGS DOWN as they happen from now on!

These pics were from the kid's 5th birthday party.

Jared & I had been working Ike at Galveston for a couple of weeks and came home for their b-day then had to go right back. I hardly had time to get their presents, let alone have the special party I had been planning. As you can see, they even had a store-bought cake (*gasp*). Hopefully it will be the first & last! Not that it didn't taste good- it just wasn't as special...

They couldn't quite figure out the trick candles, so Daddy had to help! : )

Cars "Banshee" for Zach

Polly Pocket "Cruise Ship" for Mari

July '07- San Antonio Zoo

We started the day with a trip to Luby's- a decision based solely on their Macaroni & Cheese!

My little engineers... aren't you cute in your train hats! This is always the first and favorite part of every zoo trip- the train ride!

You both love the turtles and want one for a pet- but not until you're older, I say...

Happy 4th of July!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!

These photos were actually taken in March when the bluebonnets were in bloom. They were beautiful this year!

Our little ANGELS!

I got a great photo of our two along with my sister's four little ones.

From left to right: Zachariah (3), Jerry (2), Laura (5), Darryl (1), Rickie (7), Mari (3)

Noteworthy Events of the Taylor Household...

A few highlights of the months past- in my quest to catch up... :)

January 22, 2007

Zach learns to take a picture (somewhat...)!

I was hesitant (to say the least!) to hand my Konica over to wild child #2, but he kept begging... and I was curious to see if he could figure it out... so I gave him the camera. He must have taken 30 pictures- mostly of nothing- but he finally figured out that he had to look at the camera (not the real world) then his pictures started getting pretty good! I know what he's getting this b-day!

January 22, 2007

Mari learns to entertain!!

She's been working at this for some time now, and quite good at it (in my humble opinion!); however, today everything was right on! She was singing "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There's just something about that name..." and she struck the piano (NOT the correct keys, of course!) each time she sang a word. She went through the whole song and it was beautiful! I caught some of it on video, but... have no idea how to upload it. :( My next obstacle to figure out.

January 26, 2007

Mari (finally) learns to ride her bike!! YAY!

She and Zach received bikes for their birthday (9/26/06) from Maw Maw & Paw Paw. It took Zach all of 2 minutes to figure that thing out, but Mari... She's easily frustrated. Everytime she'd get it going, she would inadvertently pedal backwards and put the brakes on! After a couple times, she would get off and knock it down. On this day, however, she figured it out!!

I'm so proud of you, Mari, for not giving up!

January 31, 2007

Zach learns to mop the floor!

Of course, this little helper only works with the swiffer and only because he likes to push the button and use up a whole bottle of cleaner in one day... but, other than that he's a big help! He was so amazed to see a dirty spot on the floor, swipe it a time or two, and voila! NO SPOT! He went around the whole house looking for spots he could clean (until the batteries ran down!).

February 12, 2007
Well... You just can't put words on a picture like this! :)
Zach's riding his bike through the kitchen (butt naked... obviously!) and decides he needs to make a phone call. So he pulls at the cord until the receiver drops, punches a few buttons and the conversation went something like this: "Uh, uh, Hi Maw Maw. This is Zachy. I'm riding my bike. Can you bring me some Maw Maw Macaronis. Uh, OK. Love you, Bye!" Then he proceeds zooming through the house. PRICELESS!

Merry Christmas- 2006

Picking out their new ornaments.

Mari chose Barbie (of course...) & Zach chose Thomas the Train (of course as well...)

Christmas Eve: Jared reading the Christmas Story to the kids.

You can tell their FULL attention is on the story and nothing else... Yeah, right!

I won't document every gift, but this one was TOO FUNNY!
Jared took the kids shopping at "Dollar Tree" for Mama's presents... This is what Zach came up with!

His logic: "Mama needs some new clothes."

*Thank you, son.* It was the perfect gift! :D

Mari Anna- Christmas Morning...
All she wanted was "BEAUTIFULS" (Mari talk for "fancy dresses")

Zachariah- Christmas Morning
All he wanted was "Thomas" & "Diego"

Christmas 2006- Impromtu Photo Session

The kids have really started to like having their pictures taken (really good for a photo-lovin' Mama!). We had just purchased their Christmas outfits and they had to put them on as soon as we got home, so I grabbed my camera and started snapping! They were running around chasing each other in a circle, dancing and just having a blast. These are some of my favorite shots:

More December Events

Our 1st trip apart ; (

Dec. 11- Daddy & Zach setting out for Albuquerque. Mari & I sure missed our guys!

Dec. 13- While the guys were gone, Mari & I tried to catch a meteor shower. It didn't start until about 10:30pm so Mari didn't last long- she was so sleepy! I put her to bed and tried to stay up late enough to see some showers... By 11:30 I was give out. I only caught 3 falling stars (none on camera, of course!) I must be getting old...

Mari decorating her Christmas tree... She put all of the ornaments on the same branch!!

I'll Never Catch Up...

Well, I'm resigned to the fact that I will never be "caught up" on anything in my life... including this blog... so I'm just gonna start fresh today and try to keep it up from now on. Here are some of the highlights from Nov & Dec:

DADDY'S IDEA OF A BUBBLE BATH!!

MY LITTLE PRINCESS & PRINCE CHARMING DANCING

(Zach calls this outfit his "Prince Charming" clothes- it was actually one of Jared's suits when he was little!)

THE KID'S IDEA OF FUN WHILE STUCK IN THE TRUCK! 11/15/06

(While we unloaded a truck in ABQ, NM, the kids decided to do a little research on "Big Rigs")

THANKSGIVING '06 AT OUR HOUSE

EN ROUTE TO JACKSON, MS 11/28/06

(Yes, Mari is on the potty... behind the wheel. No, the truck is not on!)

WE STAYED WITH OUR GOOD FRIENDS "UNCLE JR. & AUNT CINDY" WHILE IN MS. THE KIDS HAD A BLAST!

FINALLY HEADING HOME FOR A MUCH NEEDED REST

(If you can call Christmastime restful!).

MARI JUST HAD TO BE BEAUTIFUL FOR THE TRIP!

Well, that's enough for now. I'll post Christmas pictures next month... Just Kidding! I'm gonna try to do it tomorrow...