Christmas!!!

We had an amazing Christmas. This was one of the funnest years with Taylor. She was so excited for Santa to come and couldn't wait to see what he brought. She woke up around 6:30, but she was told she couldn't wake Jeremy and I up until 7 (as if we could really sleep on Christmas morning). At precisely 7:00 she came into our room to inform us it was Christmas.

The first thing Taylor saw when we came down the stairs was the new bike Santa had brought. She was so excited she ran and hugged it.

The present Taylor wanted most for Christmas was a real guitar so she was pretty happy when she got one.

Jeremy with his new sleeping pad for backpacking.

Me with the book Taylor gave me.

After opening presents, we got ready for the day and headed out to Orem to be with family. First, we went to my mom's house so we could watch my mom and dad open the gifts Jeremy made for them (pictures will be coming). Then we headed to Jeremy's parents for their traditional Christmas lunch and gift exchange. It was a great day visiting with family and eating yummy food. The only downfall to the day was that Jeremy had to work at 5pm. So in the evening Taylor and I went to my mom's to visit some more and we ate dinner with my family. I love Christmas and this year was no exception.

Gingerbread fun

For FHE this week we decided to make a gingerbread house as this is one of Taylor's favorite things to do at Christmas. This year I think something was wrong with the frosting that came in the kit. It wouldn't harden up enough for the pieces to stay together. The roof kept sliding off no matter how much frosting we used. We had fun attempting though and that's what counts, right?

Jeremy assembling the house.

Taylor holding the roof on as she tries to decorate.

This is our sad little house. It was impossible to decorate since the frosting wouldn't hold things in place. See the wreath sliding down the front of the house. At least we didn't feel bad about eating some of it after we were done!

Taylor is 7!!

I know, I'm slow to post these pictures. What can I say, life has been busy. Taylor had a wonderful birthday. She had a Hannah Montana party with her friends from school. They made candy necklaces, had mini makeovers, popped balloons, and danced to Hannah Montana. I never realized how crazy 11 little girls can be. It was fun to watch them be so silly.


All Taylor wanted for her birthday was the Sophie Liv Girl. She was so excited when she unwrapped the doll.

Taylor's favorite movie is Spiderwick Chronicles so hopeful she will enjoy the books as well.


This is classic Taylor

It's hard to believe my baby girl is 7. I wish time would slow down a bit so I could enjoy her being young longer. She is such a cute little girl and we love her so much.

Halloween

Photo Shoot

It's fall and that means time for my yearly photo shoot of Taylor. Here are my favorites.

Soccer

Taylor played soccer again this year. She had a great team and really enjoyed playing.

1st Grade!

Taylor is a 1st grader! She was so excited to start school this morning. I wish I were as excited. I'm sad that she will be in school all day. What am I going to do? Actually, I start school next week so that should help keep me busy. Anyways, here are a few pictures of my big first grader (she hates it when I call her that...oh well).

10 years!!

August 12, 1999 Jeremy and I were married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. What an amazing 10 years it has been. Jeremy is my best friend and he is the most wonderful husband and dad. I cannot imagine life without him.

New Puppy

Jeremy and Taylor got a new puppy on Saturday. They have both been wanting a dog for a long time, but circumstances haven't permitted it until now. The puppy is a husky and her name is Sierra. Luckily she is a beautiful dog because anyone that knows me knows that I do not like dogs. And since I have to help take care of her, it is a good thing she is cute.

Taylor is so in love with her new puppy even though she is allergic to dogs. Sierra will be an outside dog though so hopefully Taylors allergies won't be too bad.

Camping

We went camping this week with the Killpack family at Mirror Lake. Jeremy went up with his parents on Tuesday and Taylor and I went up Wednesday. I'm not much of a camper. I love the mountains, but at the end of the day I want to come home to a shower and my own bed. So I came home on Friday. Two nights of terrible sleep is plenty for me. Taylor had a blast camping and exploring so she begged to stay an extra night with her dad. I had fun taking pictures while we were camping. I tried to narrow it down to my favorites, but it was hard.

I love this picture because it is just a classic Taylor face. She was upset at me for taking so many pictures and she was not about to smile for me to take another one.

Taylor and Sofi

Enjoying a smore

Stewart Falls

Yesterday Taylor and I went hiking with my mom. We went to Stewart Falls up Provo Canyon. It was a fairly easy 2 miles to the beautiful waterfall. Here are some pics from our hike.

Lake Blanch

This is a late post, but I've been at girls camp this week, which was a blast. So anyways, July 2nd we went hiking with my sis in-law and my father in-law to Lake Blanch up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It was a bit strenuous and I worried about Taylor making the 6 mile hike, but we let her set the pace and she did really well. I'm glad she is a good little hiker. The hike was beautiful and one I would definitely recommend to others. We had the misfortune of being rained on the entire 3 miles down, but hey, at least there wasn't any lightning this time.

Jessica, Mike, Jeremy, and Taylor



Jeremy and his Dad