tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45209284384166495662024-03-13T09:08:08.156-07:00The Taits and our TotsThe Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-57126623462705579602011-05-17T21:21:00.000-07:002011-05-23T22:17:13.230-07:00Eight Years and Counting...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3Y60A7Od7w/TdnuMVsrAJI/AAAAAAAABC4/9yS9z2IJj94/s1600/photo%2528109%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3Y60A7Od7w/TdnuMVsrAJI/AAAAAAAABC4/9yS9z2IJj94/s320/photo%2528109%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609776706617016466" border="0" /></a>Last Tuesday, David and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary. It was a really great day. We went to a really nice steakhouse for dinner. He treated me to a dinner of melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, grilled portobello mushrooms, and for dessert, a coffee cheesecake with drizzled chocolate and toasted almonds. Wow. Just thinking about it makes me happy all over again. To celebrate our special day, I made him a video with pictures of our family over the past eight years set to music. Eight years! That means our ten year anniversary is right around the corner. Which means... Paris is right around the corner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HcRhXKTqNQ/TdnuL4QuJBI/AAAAAAAABCw/updjmtYT15o/s1600/Eiffel_Tower_Paris_05-600x450.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HcRhXKTqNQ/TdnuL4QuJBI/AAAAAAAABCw/updjmtYT15o/s320/Eiffel_Tower_Paris_05-600x450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609776698715153426" border="0" /></a>You see, I've always wanted to go to Paris, ever since I was a little girl, when I had posters of the Eiffel Tower hanging in my bedroom. I could see myself eating breakfast outside a lovely little cafe, visiting the Louvre, and stealing a kiss with my sweetheart in the world's most romantic city. Throughout my youth, this dream eluded me time and again. So, when David asked me to marry him (and after I said yes and kissed him a million times), I said in jest that he had ten years to take me to Paris or else I was going to leave him. I was kidding, of course! This became a running joke between us (...for our first anniversary, we went to Vegas and went to the top of the "Eiffel Tower" at the Paris Hotel. He asked if that counted. I said NO.) But, over the years, what started as a joke has turned into a real promise, and David has spoken time and again of our running countdown, and our upcoming trip to the City of Lights.<br /><br />So, if everyone will please set your watches for May 17th, 2013. It's going to be pretty much the most amazing day of my life. It better be, if Mr. Tait enjoys having a Mrs. Tait around.<br /><br />I kid! I kid!!! :)The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-19673265418007277252011-05-16T21:43:00.001-07:002011-05-16T21:47:17.521-07:00Ava's LessonAva gave the lesson during Family Home Evening tonight. She made these little cards.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCnajslM5Ko/TdH9PE5PCgI/AAAAAAAABCo/TG_TLNeqXko/s1600/photo%252891%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCnajslM5Ko/TdH9PE5PCgI/AAAAAAAABCo/TG_TLNeqXko/s320/photo%252891%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607541446506646018" border="0" /></a>The pictures are, from left to right: John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith in the First Vision. Pretty great lesson if you ask me!The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-55037077911374191552011-05-15T22:51:00.000-07:002011-05-15T23:23:10.343-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDuqjcV-vyc/TdC982LwICI/AAAAAAAABCY/FhP8oFeuU-A/s1600/photo%252883%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lDuqjcV-vyc/TdC982LwICI/AAAAAAAABCY/FhP8oFeuU-A/s320/photo%252883%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607190389110874146" border="0" /></a><br />Ahhh...I love Mother's Day. I am so lucky to be a mom, and to have a wonderful mom, mother-in-law, and many friends and loved ones to celebrate with on this special day. I'm also lucky to be married to such a stud...the kind of guy that was making me breakfast in bed on Mother's Day before I even had kids. LOVE him. This year, however, the option of staying in bed and enjoying a relaxing breakfast was not realistic. We have church at 9:00 am and three kids to get dressed! But, David did set the table so beautifully, and made eggs, sourdough pancakes with fresh whipped cream, fruit, and lots of fresh juice. So yummy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-Z6ZD7cJy0/TdC90Lm44sI/AAAAAAAABCQ/my0-GCMPC40/s1600/photo%252890%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-Z6ZD7cJy0/TdC90Lm44sI/AAAAAAAABCQ/my0-GCMPC40/s320/photo%252890%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607190240243016386" border="0" /></a><br />To celebrate the mommies I look up to most, I made these temple bracelets for my mom, mother-in-law and sister.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-1g29oGMlI/TdC9uEMv4nI/AAAAAAAABCI/uU7GSZBVF_0/s1600/photo%252884%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-1g29oGMlI/TdC9uEMv4nI/AAAAAAAABCI/uU7GSZBVF_0/s320/photo%252884%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607190135175111282" border="0" /></a><br />So, all in all, Mother's Day was great. Sweet homemade gifts from the kids, a great day at church, dinner with the family, and the hubs even sent me shopping the night before. Very nice. Can it be Mother's Day every Sunday, please? :) I wish!<br /><br />Anyways, here's a look at the little bittys and what they've been up to over the last week or two.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rut99QY8Jk/TdC9ozwZUQI/AAAAAAAABCA/mcTdf_6siqI/s1600/photo%252892%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rut99QY8Jk/TdC9ozwZUQI/AAAAAAAABCA/mcTdf_6siqI/s320/photo%252892%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607190044861878530" border="0" /></a><br />Dallin is grabbing for toys all the time now! He really gets excited about batting things back and forth. He also grabs things and puts them in his mouth now. He's just growing up so much!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsok1a5kF-E/TdC9o7FgdkI/AAAAAAAABB4/colDsQqxm7Y/s1600/photo%252888%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsok1a5kF-E/TdC9o7FgdkI/AAAAAAAABB4/colDsQqxm7Y/s320/photo%252888%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607190046829475394" border="0" /></a><br />Ella is getting particularly good at making messes. She is not so great at cleaning them up! We always say that she is a budding little hoarder. She loves playing with her dollies and making them all have little pretend conversations. Very cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JPYuu5RmX8/TdC9opdQE5I/AAAAAAAABBw/E7_ykAMlUXA/s1600/photo%252889%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JPYuu5RmX8/TdC9opdQE5I/AAAAAAAABBw/E7_ykAMlUXA/s320/photo%252889%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607190042097226642" border="0" /></a><br />On Friday, Ava walked on the high balance beam all by herself! She was just playing around at open gym, and hopped up and walked right across...no problem! Thanks to my friend Kristina for keeping a close eye on her...just in case. :)<br /><br />We've also been doing a lot of baking lately. I always like to have fresh bread on Mondays, so the girls like to help with that, too.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5ZbmxKygoY/TdC89RVbNYI/AAAAAAAABBg/PMiDVZzBzE0/s1600/photo%252878%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5ZbmxKygoY/TdC89RVbNYI/AAAAAAAABBg/PMiDVZzBzE0/s320/photo%252878%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607189296887575938" border="0" /></a>Yes, that's Ella stabbing her dough with a candy thermometer. Silly girl. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjduJfgdQ1A/TdDBc-ij0-I/AAAAAAAABCg/4l7CuFsP8vA/s1600/photo%252887%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjduJfgdQ1A/TdDBc-ij0-I/AAAAAAAABCg/4l7CuFsP8vA/s320/photo%252887%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607194239644718050" border="0" /></a><br />Last Monday we made crescent rolls. They turned out great. Super delish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ru0F_TkfWIE/TdC9oWBFrdI/AAAAAAAABBo/R5ITasEegcc/s1600/photo%252886%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ru0F_TkfWIE/TdC9oWBFrdI/AAAAAAAABBo/R5ITasEegcc/s320/photo%252886%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607190036878831058" border="0" /></a><br />Tomorrow I think we are going to opt for some quick breads. Probably zucchini or banana. Or both.<br /><br />Probably both. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5ZbmxKygoY/TdC89RVbNYI/AAAAAAAABBg/PMiDVZzBzE0/s1600/photo%252878%2529.JPG"><br /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-44506811047146889222011-05-01T22:50:00.000-07:002011-05-15T22:51:26.233-07:00Oh yeah...the Easter Bunny came, too.Easter was eggs-traordinary!! (I know, I know..cheesy. I couldn't help it.)<br /><br />On the Monday prior to Easter, we had a special Family Home Evening about the Atonement and the Resurrection. We talked about why Jesus Christ died for us, and how we can repent and be made clean because of this perfect and eternal sacrifice. We made this simple craft, too.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UaYkTyfajoo/TdC6UWhH6_I/AAAAAAAABBY/29R49Bkz_3g/s1600/photo%252885%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UaYkTyfajoo/TdC6UWhH6_I/AAAAAAAABBY/29R49Bkz_3g/s320/photo%252885%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607186394880928754" border="0" /></a>The girls loved making these...they were so easy to cut, color, and paste together that the girls did them all by themselves. They also crumpled up brown paper bags and used them as stones to roll in front of (and away from) the tomb. I wanted to talk more about Christ and less about candy this Easter. And so we did.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dqAkpl-mSE/Tb5SRrRY9kI/AAAAAAAABBQ/TLe1Kbv6g9E/s1600/gateway.dll"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dqAkpl-mSE/Tb5SRrRY9kI/AAAAAAAABBQ/TLe1Kbv6g9E/s320/gateway.dll" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602005450122393154" border="0" /></a><br />Then, on Good Friday, I took the kids to see the Easter Pageant. David had to host a swim meet that night, so we braved the crowd on our own. The kids were so well-behaved! I know, Ella doesn't look so happy in this particular picture. She bonked her head right before the shot. But this particular picture is the <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> particular picture from the evening. Blurriness, red-eye, and all. (Dear iPhone, could you please try to take better pictures at night? Geez!)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J--yIqRapXo/Tb5RLa19cOI/AAAAAAAABBI/5mvquWQZPT4/s1600/photo%252882%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J--yIqRapXo/Tb5RLa19cOI/AAAAAAAABBI/5mvquWQZPT4/s320/photo%252882%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602004243121533154" border="0" /></a>But, in the end, they were really great. They sat still, and were as reverent as a little 5-year old, 3-year old, and 5-month old could be. I really think they could feel the special spirit that is always present there. We love the Easter Pageant.<br /><br />Over the course of the weekend, the kids also went to Grandma Ruth's house to dye Easter eggs and have an Easter egg hunt. They loved playing with their cousins and going to the park together.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-diHk02ldHmY/Tb5PETZrMzI/AAAAAAAABA4/2A8LouuDEH8/s1600/photo%252876%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-diHk02ldHmY/Tb5PETZrMzI/AAAAAAAABA4/2A8LouuDEH8/s320/photo%252876%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001921841509170" border="0" /></a>On Sunday morning, the girls found their Easter baskets in the living room.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZTSXIDucSs/Tb5OfMgbM4I/AAAAAAAABAY/JhrQ1B3qMFU/s1600/photo%252872%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZTSXIDucSs/Tb5OfMgbM4I/AAAAAAAABAY/JhrQ1B3qMFU/s320/photo%252872%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001284335612802" border="0" /></a>They were very disappointed to have to eat breakfast before having any chocolate.<br /><br />Then, we went to church. David spoke in Sacrament meeting. He always does such a fantastic job when he speaks, but this was really special. He spoke about the Atonement in such a poignant and personal way. I know I've said this before, but I really hit the husband jackpot with this guy. He's such a great dad, and has such a deep commitment to the gospel. He's so fun to be around, and not bad to look at, either. What a lucky lady I am! It's always fun to hear him speak in church, so this made our day extra special.<br /><br />So, here's the after-church picture. I know I keep giving a disclaimer about these pictures, but really... it needs to be said. Three hours of church, sun in the eyes, and some gusty breezes do not a pretty picture make. Oh well. It is what it is.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fYxpYD9DJLg/Tb5OeTPNsxI/AAAAAAAABAA/cf2UjBPFhfY/s1600/photo%252868%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fYxpYD9DJLg/Tb5OeTPNsxI/AAAAAAAABAA/cf2UjBPFhfY/s320/photo%252868%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001268962603794" border="0" /></a>But I do love how cute the girls are posed. Way to redeem the picture, ladies! :)<br /><br />More pics at home. I was trying so hard to get the money shot. The kids had had just about enough at this point.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZPP7pSF2_8/Tb5OegUsyjI/AAAAAAAABAI/juX0jH3jNz0/s1600/photo%252869%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZPP7pSF2_8/Tb5OegUsyjI/AAAAAAAABAI/juX0jH3jNz0/s320/photo%252869%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001272475273778" border="0" /></a>At least Dallin was a trooper. Look at that smile!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPfuAToL2GE/Tb5Oe436F5I/AAAAAAAABAQ/E7k7n-2kQdw/s1600/photo%252870%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPfuAToL2GE/Tb5Oe436F5I/AAAAAAAABAQ/E7k7n-2kQdw/s320/photo%252870%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001279065397138" border="0" /></a><br />This was a shot I snapped of him in the Mother's Lounge at church. I LOVE HIM!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fYxpYD9DJLg/Tb5OeTPNsxI/AAAAAAAABAA/cf2UjBPFhfY/s1600/photo%252868%2529.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYMT3CORaRU/Tb5OeHDCk4I/AAAAAAAAA_4/FGCQhU3OK8Q/s1600/photo%252867%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uYMT3CORaRU/Tb5OeHDCk4I/AAAAAAAAA_4/FGCQhU3OK8Q/s320/photo%252867%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001265690317698" border="0" /></a><br />After church, we started preparing our Easter dinner. We had my parents, and my sister and her family over to dinner at our home. We had ham, cheesy potatoes, Jell-O salad, green beans with almonds, and rolls. It was pretty delish.<br /><br />Here's the table before everyone arrived. The weather that afternoon was perfect, too. Sunny with a light breeze.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lXfdNyAuuU/Tb5PDYK1pmI/AAAAAAAABAg/Ss1dR0nPYHQ/s1600/photo%252873%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lXfdNyAuuU/Tb5PDYK1pmI/AAAAAAAABAg/Ss1dR0nPYHQ/s320/photo%252873%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001905941587554" border="0" /></a>And Easter Sunday was my dad's birthday, so I made him a special cake. I forgot to get a picture before we started serving it, but...well, you get the idea. YUM.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VCK9KGOvLU/Tb5PDrW1OhI/AAAAAAAABAo/s6vmjk1J7AE/s1600/photo%252874%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VCK9KGOvLU/Tb5PDrW1OhI/AAAAAAAABAo/s6vmjk1J7AE/s320/photo%252874%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001911092165138" border="0" /></a><br />The cake was a hit with Ava.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipWaWChUx0I/Tb5PEIAQe0I/AAAAAAAABAw/iM4aXUAqOKg/s1600/photo%252875%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipWaWChUx0I/Tb5PEIAQe0I/AAAAAAAABAw/iM4aXUAqOKg/s320/photo%252875%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001918782110530" border="0" /></a><br />So, that was our Easter! Phew. Now I'm ready to kick my feet up and celebrate May. Mother's Day, our 8-year wedding anniversary (including the "surprise" weekend getaway that I totally already know about), and Memorial Day Weekend at the cabin are sure to make for a very fun month.<br /><br />Now, what to do with all this candy that is still lying around?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TT_hTSV1z-4/Tb5PEo_KtkI/AAAAAAAABBA/NHYzeQodLkk/s1600/photo%252877%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TT_hTSV1z-4/Tb5PEo_KtkI/AAAAAAAABBA/NHYzeQodLkk/s320/photo%252877%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602001927635908162" border="0" /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-28157405621375209012011-04-29T23:46:00.000-07:002011-04-29T23:59:59.331-07:00You've Got a FriendI heard the song "You've Got a Friend" in the car the other day. It is one of my all-time favorite songs by one of my all-time favorite songwriters, Carole King.<br /><br />As I was listening to the lyrics, I thought about how perfectly that message fit with visiting teaching...and I got the idea to make these little magnets for the ladies I visit teach.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IBn8I7AhkTw/TbuxPEs9dMI/AAAAAAAAA_o/9YH8J5ZrFXA/s1600/photo%252866%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IBn8I7AhkTw/TbuxPEs9dMI/AAAAAAAAA_o/9YH8J5ZrFXA/s320/photo%252866%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601265434083816642" border="0" /></a><br />The circular text says, "Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall...all you have to do is call."<br /><br />I'm not sure why I blocked out my number. My mom is the only one who reads this blog, so I'm sure I'm pretty safe.<br /><br />Then, and the top, it says, "You've Got a Friend", with my name and number, and the name and number of my companion in the middle. These were super easy to make, and I spent a total of $1.50 at Copy Solutions having them laminated. Not too bad.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5_RNrmv4aI/TbuxPrzczFI/AAAAAAAAA_w/v-vef7s6Pwg/s1600/photo%252865%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5_RNrmv4aI/TbuxPrzczFI/AAAAAAAAA_w/v-vef7s6Pwg/s320/photo%252865%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601265444580019282" border="0" /></a> I put self-adhesive magnets on the back, and Voila! Cute gifts for my visiting teachees.<br /><br />Hopefully whenever they see these on their fridge, they'll remember the <a href="http://www.loglar.com/song.php?id=7">words to this beautiful song</a>.<br /><br />And then, hopefully, if they need me...they'll call.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><br /><br /></span>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-34535766853438913192011-04-17T22:39:00.000-07:002011-04-17T23:24:43.715-07:00Random HappeningsHere's a look at what my family has been up to over the last week...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Playtime</span>. Ella having fun with cars while sister is at preschool and brother is napping.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7HAbOX0lGI/TavPYmNa7xI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/EHNIIvA4CSY/s1600/photo%252847%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7HAbOX0lGI/TavPYmNa7xI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/EHNIIvA4CSY/s320/photo%252847%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596794983418621714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dress-up</span>. While Ava and her friends chose fancy dresses and tiaras....Ella chose <span style="font-weight: bold;">this</span>. This girl blazes her own trail. I love it.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmI_4_BjHsA/TavQSvtzY3I/AAAAAAAAA-4/wwdlLzwxnAs/s1600/photo%252849%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmI_4_BjHsA/TavQSvtzY3I/AAAAAAAAA-4/wwdlLzwxnAs/s320/photo%252849%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596795982402773874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Braids!</span> After 5 years of raising daughters, I finally learned how to french braid. I have been practicing a lot on my little hair models.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoRjSWFt2SE/TavPY-PxSaI/AAAAAAAAA-g/KlXL36vG-fM/s1600/photo%252859%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoRjSWFt2SE/TavPY-PxSaI/AAAAAAAAA-g/KlXL36vG-fM/s320/photo%252859%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596794989870926242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">And buns!</span> Ava's hair has been in a bun every day for nearly a week straight! Her ballet school had rehearsals every night last week for their performance of Coppelia at the Herberger Theatre.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0goe9YIJM8/TavPZEyIT_I/AAAAAAAAA-o/Ijt20B5RpP0/s1600/photo%252858%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0goe9YIJM8/TavPZEyIT_I/AAAAAAAAA-o/Ijt20B5RpP0/s320/photo%252858%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596794991625654258" border="0" /></a>The performance was on Saturday night, and it was phenomenal. The girls did a great job. And Ava's bun was perfect-o. :) Here's a picture of one proud mommy and her tiny dancer right after the show.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_Ap0abuTLo/TavUzXmu1TI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/DmoYZnDBjZw/s1600/photo%252863%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3_Ap0abuTLo/TavUzXmu1TI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/DmoYZnDBjZw/s320/photo%252863%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596800940912858418" border="0" /></a><br />....and what blog post would be complete without a picture of this handsome guy?<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKks6FMgSoI/TavU69MtfmI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/IXqg1nrr4U4/s1600/photo%252864%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKks6FMgSoI/TavU69MtfmI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/IXqg1nrr4U4/s320/photo%252864%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596801071263350370" border="0" /></a>Dallin is such a little charmer. He is constantly smiling, and has everyone wrapped around his little finger. I took him in for his 4 month well check last week, and by all accounts he is perfect. He weighs 13 pounds, and is right in the middle of the pack as far as height and weight percentiles go. My D is a very healthy and happy angel baby.<br /><br />In other news, Ava and Ella both got a Betta fish for their birthdays this year from their friend Ella Katzenbach. Ella K. is super cool...what a great gift!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7HAbOX0lGI/TavPYmNa7xI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/EHNIIvA4CSY/s1600/photo%252847%2529.JPG"> </a>And, in all honesty, I'm kind of obsessed with these little fishies. They are so pretty to look at.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SMLJsPxOLug/TavQS5cGVkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Vcd3jh6UHXQ/s1600/photo%252862%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SMLJsPxOLug/TavQS5cGVkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Vcd3jh6UHXQ/s320/photo%252862%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596795985012872770" border="0" /></a>Ava named her fish Marvelous (a not-so-original name, actually. The name was borrowed from her friend Ivy's fish). It is a lot of fun for Ava to say, and I must say, Marvelous is really marvelous. Isn't she pretty? Actually, I'm positive Marvelous is a male, but don't tell Ava that.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPBpqWD0shQ/TavPZV-G7MI/AAAAAAAAA-w/-6eY453GPc0/s1600/photo%252860%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPBpqWD0shQ/TavPZV-G7MI/AAAAAAAAA-w/-6eY453GPc0/s320/photo%252860%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596794996239297730" border="0" /></a>Ella named her fish Ariel. See her in the top right corner? Ariel is a really pretty iridescent pink color. A very cool fish, indeed.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1ingIxKOaw/TavQShQqigI/AAAAAAAAA_A/Q9hq3D4OlVg/s1600/photo%252861%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1ingIxKOaw/TavQShQqigI/AAAAAAAAA_A/Q9hq3D4OlVg/s320/photo%252861%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596795978522462722" border="0" /></a><br />So, that's what we've been up to. Actually, we've been up to a lot more than that, but that's just what I have pictures of. Between cooking, cleaning, laundry, preschool, playdates, and performances, it's been a typical busy week. This coming week will be lots of fun with preparations for Easter, the Easter Pageant, and family birthday parties. Ready, Set, GO!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SMLJsPxOLug/TavQS5cGVkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Vcd3jh6UHXQ/s1600/photo%252862%2529.JPG"><br /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-42518136896246935922011-04-10T23:39:00.000-07:002011-04-11T00:18:23.300-07:00A Very Fabulous 5 Year-OldLast Thursday my dear, sweet, precious baby girl turned FIVE! Ava Nicole Tait, where have the last five years gone?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePt-rAFKLnc/TaKjZNegAAI/AAAAAAAAA8g/y6HlwGy3ZEs/s1600/Picture%2B133.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePt-rAFKLnc/TaKjZNegAAI/AAAAAAAAA8g/y6HlwGy3ZEs/s320/Picture%2B133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594213340657221634" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgOVBdUOsCM/TaKjZu6p9uI/AAAAAAAAA8w/2b_CF3zSaIA/s1600/Ava%2527s%2BFirst%2BBirthday.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgOVBdUOsCM/TaKjZu6p9uI/AAAAAAAAA8w/2b_CF3zSaIA/s320/Ava%2527s%2BFirst%2BBirthday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594213349633685218" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohGWXbtLZ10/TaKkPvGXZ-I/AAAAAAAAA9I/KDTTNqUecR4/s1600/AvaDressup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohGWXbtLZ10/TaKkPvGXZ-I/AAAAAAAAA9I/KDTTNqUecR4/s320/AvaDressup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594214277395736546" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehtN8wX_W3s/TaKkP6eIZoI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/rHnNL1m_Kg4/s1600/January20095%2B040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehtN8wX_W3s/TaKkP6eIZoI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/rHnNL1m_Kg4/s320/January20095%2B040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594214280448206466" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujlmi6Fui-U/TaKkQNth9TI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ANxidT3pKcE/s1600/_MG_9465.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujlmi6Fui-U/TaKkQNth9TI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ANxidT3pKcE/s320/_MG_9465.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594214285613069618" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdPUbW0FKeI/TaKkQWuUZxI/AAAAAAAAA9g/lAZOYeTih2A/s1600/Valentines%2BDay%2B2010%2B010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdPUbW0FKeI/TaKkQWuUZxI/AAAAAAAAA9g/lAZOYeTih2A/s320/Valentines%2BDay%2B2010%2B010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594214288032294674" border="0" /></a>Ava's birthday party was a success, despite the fact that I came down with a knock-down, drag-em-out case of strep throat the night before. Super-Dad Dave and my amazing parents pulled it all off as I watched from my bedroom window, propped up in bed.<br /><br />Ava has been asking for a mermaid-themed party for months. She also wanted a bouncer. So what's a Mom to do who doesn't really want a big-busty image of Ariel being shoved in her children's faces?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-domKp4RR_9E/TaKmCVcDZiI/AAAAAAAAA9o/ql9GR7tmQAI/s1600/photo%252853%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-domKp4RR_9E/TaKmCVcDZiI/AAAAAAAAA9o/ql9GR7tmQAI/s320/photo%252853%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594216246192334370" border="0" /></a>Get a Nemo bouncer, instead! Ava loved it! And the ocean-themed images seemed much more kid-friendly to me. Well, maybe except the horrifyingly scary shark on top. I didn't know he'd be that big. And sharks probably eat mermaids, right? But I'll take sharks over Ariel's boobs any day. But that's just me.<br /><br />The kids also played "mermaid games", which included a fish-catching game Dave had at the swim school, and potato sack races! Get it...mermaid's don't have legs? Hee hee. Everyone wore their bathing suits for all of the water-related games that ensued. And a good time was had by all....including one very happy birthday girl....who was asking to open her presents about 10 minutes after the party started.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYjrk7PZB4U/TaKmCrJaU2I/AAAAAAAAA9w/7IJJuREu2k8/s1600/photo%252854%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DYjrk7PZB4U/TaKmCrJaU2I/AAAAAAAAA9w/7IJJuREu2k8/s320/photo%252854%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594216252019725154" border="0" /></a>Happy Birthday, dear Ava.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJDR5EJ-s2M/TaKmC5aTN4I/AAAAAAAAA94/2kKSHpGx_Fw/s1600/photo%252855%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJDR5EJ-s2M/TaKmC5aTN4I/AAAAAAAAA94/2kKSHpGx_Fw/s320/photo%252855%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594216255848658818" border="0" /></a>Make a Wish!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9x-Wq73FzM/TaKmDErjT5I/AAAAAAAAA-A/FTZK5rblA-w/s1600/photo%252856%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9x-Wq73FzM/TaKmDErjT5I/AAAAAAAAA-A/FTZK5rblA-w/s320/photo%252856%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594216258873806738" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvvgQQITbuk/TaKmDS5NdJI/AAAAAAAAA-I/JFUNPbUF5n4/s1600/photo%252857%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvvgQQITbuk/TaKmDS5NdJI/AAAAAAAAA-I/JFUNPbUF5n4/s320/photo%252857%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594216262689191058" border="0" /></a>I hope and pray that all your wishes come true. Love, Mom.<br /></div>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-60982859990603438432011-03-28T21:50:00.001-07:002011-03-28T22:02:07.155-07:00Family Home EveningWant a fun and easy Family Home Evening? Play games! Since General Conference is approaching, tonight we talked about latter-day prophets and how important it is to follow the counsel we receive from our current prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. For our activity, we played "Simon Says", but instead we said "The Prophet Says....". The girls loved it! There were lots of giggles had by all. As a closing song, we sang "Follow the Prophet". I love family nights that are simple and engaging...and tonight was just that. Pure fun with a sweet purpose.<br /><br />Oh, and we also sang "Latter-Day Prophets", a song that Ava has been learning in Primary. Guess what she thought his name was?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8MABOJq150/TZFm3cwtpPI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/pr5KVC1RAcA/s1600/gordon_b_hinckley.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 208px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C8MABOJq150/TZFm3cwtpPI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/pr5KVC1RAcA/s320/gordon_b_hinckley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589361715342845170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: courier new; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">.....Gordon BaHinckley.</span><br /></span></div>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-78370074263627922642011-03-27T21:58:00.000-07:002011-03-27T23:15:25.724-07:00The Week in ReviewA few weeks ago I started teaching very basic piano lessons to Ava. She has been asking me to teach her for a long time, and I just wasn't sure she was ready until recently. So, every Sunday after church, we have been sitting down together for a lesson. At first, I thought Ava was more interested in the uninterrupted one-on-one time with Mom (I really try to make sure I am giving her the same attention I would give to any of my other students...David takes Ella and Dallin in the other room, and we set a timer to make sure they all know it is Ava's time). But about two weeks ago, I started noticing something. She was really learning! In about one month's time, Ava has learned the musical alphabet, can point to any given key on the piano (A,B,C,D,E,F,G), can find middle C, is counting rhythms quite well (i.e. knows the difference between quarter, half, whole notes, eighth notes, and can count them accordingly), and can play a few simple songs while reading the music in front of her. The only reason I dare to be impressed by this is because I've been teaching piano for about 10 years now, to dozens of different students young and old...and my little Ava is among the fastest learners I have taught. That's my girl! Granted, she's no little Beethoven just yet, but I think she is displaying some musical talent, just the same. I'm just happy that she seems to be enjoying it, and sits down to practice her songs several times throughout the week without me having to ask.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uH1hEtJtOSY/TZAjUqdP0BI/AAAAAAAAA7A/_mP5RZ-41iY/s1600/photo%252840%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uH1hEtJtOSY/TZAjUqdP0BI/AAAAAAAAA7A/_mP5RZ-41iY/s320/photo%252840%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589005975468101650" border="0" /></a>For today's lesson, she decided to wear a fancy dress-up.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Ella played quietly on the computer in the other room. The combination of headphones and Nick Jr. is God's gift to mothers.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y34EoGqxJOY/TZAj1B7aDuI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/5rQoHGT5rhU/s1600/photo%252844%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y34EoGqxJOY/TZAj1B7aDuI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/5rQoHGT5rhU/s320/photo%252844%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589006531524431586" border="0" /></a>This past week it was also my turn to teach Ella's preschool. We learned all about nursery rhymes. We talked about rhyming words, read stories, and then played games that correlated with the nursery rhymes we read. For example, we had a race to "fetch a pail of water", we jumped over candlesticks, we ate "curds and whey" while pretend spiders sat down beside us, and they each got a turn to let Humpty Dumpty (each kid got a hard boiled egg) have a GREAT fall. Oh, and we played with watercolors. What day at preschool is complete without watercolors?<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKwyDVjJmbA/TZAjVFfVjqI/AAAAAAAAA7I/bo8Ue_Jg8-U/s1600/photo%252841%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKwyDVjJmbA/TZAjVFfVjqI/AAAAAAAAA7I/bo8Ue_Jg8-U/s320/photo%252841%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589005982724624034" border="0" /></a>Let's see, what else did we do last week? Hmmmmm... oh yeah. We did a whole lot of snuggling with this handsome little guy.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRdeOeF26BU/TZAka4OXilI/AAAAAAAAA7w/vtjypmPvEn8/s1600/photo%252834%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRdeOeF26BU/TZAka4OXilI/AAAAAAAAA7w/vtjypmPvEn8/s320/photo%252834%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589007181754632786" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXbKleY_ByU/TZAkbJ4zHpI/AAAAAAAAA74/RALcfQFYBOw/s1600/photo%252835%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXbKleY_ByU/TZAkbJ4zHpI/AAAAAAAAA74/RALcfQFYBOw/s320/photo%252835%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589007186496003730" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1iLKBh_XvD8/TZAjVe3qykI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/CgRbnjNj_m0/s1600/photo%252837%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1iLKBh_XvD8/TZAjVe3qykI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/CgRbnjNj_m0/s320/photo%252837%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589005989537565250" border="0" /></a>OOoohh....he was trying so hard to crawl here. He was eying that toy. For sure.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dMgWvQqkqyk/TZAj1r_uBqI/AAAAAAAAA7g/cvxeFaarR-g/s1600/photo%252843%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dMgWvQqkqyk/TZAj1r_uBqI/AAAAAAAAA7g/cvxeFaarR-g/s320/photo%252843%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589006542816806562" border="0" /></a>And I finally decided to lay him in his crib at night! Hooray! He has been doing great. He is sleeping from 8 to 6 or so, just like normal. What a champ.<br /><br />So, here I sit on a Sunday night, with everyone else asleep, and planning for the week ahead. It's strange, because I think I may be the only person in the entire universe that absolutely loves Monday mornings. For me, the dawn of a new week is like New Year's Day all over again. I feel fresh, renewed, and revitalized, with lists of goals to accomplish, and hope for a wonderful week ahead. Call me crazy, but it's true. In my mind, a "case of the Mondays" consists of a clean house, (Monday is always deep-cleaning day) fresh vacuum lines in the carpet, clean sheets, fresh bread, folded laundry, a yummy dinner and a fun family night. What could be wrong with a day like that? Ahhh Monday...I love you so. Okay, okay....enough day-dreaming about tomorrow (I have a serious case of OCD if I'm day-dreaming about cleaning, I admit it).<br /><br />For now, here's a little look at my 4-year old Beethoven in the making... (sorry it's upside down, I was holding my phone the wrong way when I took the video).<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxRWKqQElqkIpFl6dAwENm-oheZyK9ZiW3G3TML-WQXqlZ91qjAa-ESF3D-8eqSZDw5HG1dF7jXJP7PQWSQIw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-44187158795345025342011-03-20T22:19:00.000-07:002011-03-21T00:40:18.186-07:00January, February, March...Oh MY!What an exciting time these last few weeks have been. Ella turned three in February, Dallin hit the three-month mark in March, and Ava will turn five in April. Between all of the party-planning and Spring Break festivities, I'm just about ready to break my "no daytime napping" rule! I've even had a few creative outbursts, including a diaper cake or two, cupcakes galore, learning to sew, and hosting a St. Patrick's Day party for the kids and their friends. It's been busy, but definitely worth it.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmspw6dKJ0U/TYb6fOVT2GI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/c0CVDddpdiI/s1600/photo%252828%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmspw6dKJ0U/TYb6fOVT2GI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/c0CVDddpdiI/s320/photo%252828%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586427802130045026" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zErKxG2CGQE/TYb6fUDS8eI/AAAAAAAAA6g/uzVP0YhAfj4/s1600/photo%252831%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zErKxG2CGQE/TYb6fUDS8eI/AAAAAAAAA6g/uzVP0YhAfj4/s320/photo%252831%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586427803665101282" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKq_daz3pSg/TYb6fZndHeI/AAAAAAAAA6o/Od8-pXGFsFA/s1600/photo%252832%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKq_daz3pSg/TYb6fZndHeI/AAAAAAAAA6o/Od8-pXGFsFA/s320/photo%252832%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586427805158940130" border="0" /></a>But, most importantly, let me briefly recap Ella's fun birthday! On her big day, we rented an enormous bounce house, and had a Dora the Explorer party. It was great, because we had the party on her actual birthday, which happened to fall on a Friday this year. She was so excited to invite all of her little buddies, including a few of her cousins, neighbors, preschool friends, and friends from church.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vTmA7Kpkv8/TYb1rr8siqI/AAAAAAAAA5o/UuxZtVgsxXo/s1600/photo%252815%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vTmA7Kpkv8/TYb1rr8siqI/AAAAAAAAA5o/UuxZtVgsxXo/s320/photo%252815%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586422518680160930" border="0" /></a>During the party, we played games, went on a Dora-style adventure to find Ella's birthday cake, and did a whole lot of bouncing! We even opened Ella's presents in the bounce house with all of the kids inside. I also made Ella a special cake (a <span style="font-style: italic;">yellow</span> cake with lots of <span style="font-style: italic;">yellow</span> icing...per Ella's request. Her favorite color is yellow!). It was a very fun and memorable day.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1x45fVg4No/TYbrPnLNMbI/AAAAAAAAA4A/1_EENSOPicY/s1600/photo%252814%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1x45fVg4No/TYbrPnLNMbI/AAAAAAAAA4A/1_EENSOPicY/s320/photo%252814%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586411041246228914" border="0" /></a>And, on the very same day that Ella turned three...Dallin hit the twelve week mark. Twelve weeks? Has it really been twelve whole weeks since this handsome little man entered my life?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVNJghMHnmw/TYb6e8uvBRI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/cebDe8DP-WE/s1600/photo%252829%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVNJghMHnmw/TYb6e8uvBRI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/cebDe8DP-WE/s320/photo%252829%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586427797404845330" border="0" /></a>In some ways it seems like he was born yesterday, and in some ways I can not even remember life without him. He is such a sweet addition to our family. The girls ADORE him. He can do no wrong in their eyes (or ours, for that matter). So, in honor of his three-month birthday, here's a recap of D's life thus far:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week one</span>: Rough. My milk took SIX days to come in. Which is an eternity. Baby Dallin was totally starving, and I was a nervous wreck. One night he woke up every half hour to forty-five minutes. He was just plain hungry. We even realized that his poor little legs looked like chicken bones. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_TqPmULvco/TYbtx0FPrgI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/wnS1RMh_VWE/s1600/photo%252816%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_TqPmULvco/TYbtx0FPrgI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/wnS1RMh_VWE/s320/photo%252816%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586413827849694722" border="0" /></a>He was losing weight rapidly. Per Dr. Swan's recommendation, we supplemented with goat's milk on day five. I saw a lactation consultant on the morning of day six. That night, thankfully, my milk came in. And when I say it came in, it came IN. Baby Dallin was <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> happy. He probably ate every hour or two for a while after that, and who could blame him? He had lost over a <span style="font-style: italic;">pound</span> since birth. On the plus side, the love, support, and MEALS we received were beyond fantastic. Love and visitors were in abundance.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week two</span>: Dallin regained all of the weight he had lost, plus some. I took him in to see Dr. Swan to have him weighed, and was nearly 8 pounds. What a champ.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sHaKkmz0oU/TYbtyGe4SlI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ruvPTTEFoKQ/s1600/photo%252817%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sHaKkmz0oU/TYbtyGe4SlI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ruvPTTEFoKQ/s320/photo%252817%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586413832789051986" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdHc8IMzr3w/TYbrPlX1yBI/AAAAAAAAA34/UfuGljDQJFY/s1600/photo%252812%2529.JPG"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week three</span>: Christmas time! Precious baby Dallin was such a sweet reminder to our family of the true reason for the season, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Having a new baby boy in our home during Christmas was nothing short of magical.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1g0b4oo46o8/TYb0hYlYbrI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/RybLeEtJW_A/s1600/DSC_1415.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1g0b4oo46o8/TYb0hYlYbrI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/RybLeEtJW_A/s320/DSC_1415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586421242171780786" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iusvWTsD_M/TYb1SwWPVWI/AAAAAAAAA5g/AHhKC1GqfrI/s1600/DSC_1400.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iusvWTsD_M/TYb1SwWPVWI/AAAAAAAAA5g/AHhKC1GqfrI/s320/DSC_1400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586422090364310882" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hgBX3A9pNI/TYb1SYAgdpI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/Sh5TWY1Msb8/s1600/DSC_1321.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hgBX3A9pNI/TYb1SYAgdpI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/Sh5TWY1Msb8/s320/DSC_1321.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586422083830707858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week four</span>: At around the beginning of the new year, once the chaos of the holiday season had passed, we began to regain a sense of normalcy and routine in our home. I am a very systems-oriented person, so finding a new routine that would fit our family's needs was (and is) important to me. For example, we found our way back to our normal bedtime routine, including storytime with Daddy when he got home from work.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oh3OyCjhZY/TYbuy-nnKII/AAAAAAAAA5I/gth2ObJFKfs/s1600/photo%252819%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oh3OyCjhZY/TYbuy-nnKII/AAAAAAAAA5I/gth2ObJFKfs/s320/photo%252819%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586414947369691266" border="0" /></a>Baby Dallin adapted so well to increased times between feedings and naptimes. He started sleeping for longer intervals at night around this point.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lyyK6EPSfuI/TYbuyuHTo-I/AAAAAAAAA5A/kiQZvZhwqF0/s1600/photo%252818%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lyyK6EPSfuI/TYbuyuHTo-I/AAAAAAAAA5A/kiQZvZhwqF0/s320/photo%252818%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586414942939227106" border="0" /></a>Because of his flexibility and easygoing nature, I was able to get out and do a lot of fun things with our family and friends without worrying about him fussing too much. We even enjoyed a nice hike at Usury Pass with the Jones', Britts, and Anselmos around this time.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSchmuOeLGo/TYb6fl1PidI/AAAAAAAAA6w/Auy5g2jb8T4/s1600/photo%252827%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSchmuOeLGo/TYb6fl1PidI/AAAAAAAAA6w/Auy5g2jb8T4/s320/photo%252827%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586427808437995986" border="0" /></a><br />Plus, around week four, he really started noticing his surroundings a lot more. He started to follow objects with his eyes, and mimic facial expressions.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3qa3z676lk/TYbtyNPvAMI/AAAAAAAAA4o/A8i-t6hV1GU/s1600/photo%252820%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3qa3z676lk/TYbtyNPvAMI/AAAAAAAAA4o/A8i-t6hV1GU/s320/photo%252820%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586413834604576962" border="0" /></a><br />It's always so much fun when you can really start interacting with a new, sweet little human!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Week five</span>: Blessing Day! Dallin was so sweet on his special day. He did not cry one bit during his blessing...and he didn't even spit up (a small miracle)! On his blessing day, Dallin wore the same sweater that David was blessed in so many years ago.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGxiaVGEBiY/TYbtyl_-zcI/AAAAAAAAA44/j65953M85FY/s1600/photo%252823%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGxiaVGEBiY/TYbtyl_-zcI/AAAAAAAAA44/j65953M85FY/s320/photo%252823%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586413841249390018" border="0" /></a>After sacrament meeting, we had a light brunch at our home with family and close friends. It was a wonderful day.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mrPDP34fqbQ/TYbtyU-66MI/AAAAAAAAA4w/B9PYKM5-wmM/s1600/photo%252822%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mrPDP34fqbQ/TYbtyU-66MI/AAAAAAAAA4w/B9PYKM5-wmM/s320/photo%252822%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586413836681537730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weeks six through twelve</span>: This sweet little guy gets more handsome by the day. I am loving having a boy more than I ever thought I would! And who ever said dressing a boy isn't fun?<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWCc35R9DQQ/TYbrPf4F5VI/AAAAAAAAA3w/RM9X8zad5m0/s1600/Sunday%2Bbest%2B1.23.11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWCc35R9DQQ/TYbrPf4F5VI/AAAAAAAAA3w/RM9X8zad5m0/s320/Sunday%2Bbest%2B1.23.11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586411039287010642" border="0" /></a><br />But even without clothes on, he is still pretty cute...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QNqs2ney3PM/TYb3SVFxNeI/AAAAAAAAA6A/wvwDWmM1t3g/s1600/photo%252826%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QNqs2ney3PM/TYb3SVFxNeI/AAAAAAAAA6A/wvwDWmM1t3g/s320/photo%252826%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586424282070726114" border="0" /></a>Oh, and did I mention that he has already been roped into a few tea parties? Poor little man never stood a chance...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtUWd2WedpU/TYb6DNEu7yI/AAAAAAAAA6I/qJ3VPuD5hig/s1600/photo%252825%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtUWd2WedpU/TYb6DNEu7yI/AAAAAAAAA6I/qJ3VPuD5hig/s320/photo%252825%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586427320755744546" border="0" /></a>To add to all that cuteness, Dallin is already a champion flirt. Over the past few weeks, he has perfected the art of a sweet grin with a mischievious raised eyebrow. He can melt hearts with that smile. Well, he melts mine at least! He is also kicking a lot when he gets excited, easily raising his head, and gaining more control over his arms.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Taii-QkjxyE/TYb1roy51wI/AAAAAAAAA5w/4PKkUVJujlo/s1600/photo%252824%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Taii-QkjxyE/TYb1roy51wI/AAAAAAAAA5w/4PKkUVJujlo/s320/photo%252824%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586422517833783042" border="0" /></a>Another thing I've noticed recently is that when I have him sitting somewhat reclined, with his back against my belly, he is always trying to lean forward and sit up on his own! He is pretty strong. He is not rolling over yet, though. Good thing, because I still have him sleeping in the bassinet next to my bed at night. I just can't bring myself to put him in his crib....in his bedroom...all the way across the house! It seems like a million miles away and he is still so little. I had a hard time moving both girls to their bedrooms, too, when they were babies. He is sleeping a solid 8-10 hours every night, though...so the transition will be easy whenever I decide to make it. We usually put him down at around 8:00, when the girls to do bed, and he is usually up and ready for his first feeding at around 6:00.<br /><br />Needless, to say.... I love this little angel.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt4AeXV03RA/TYcAvcBoWRI/AAAAAAAAA64/TtNBwTxkrrk/s1600/photo%252833%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt4AeXV03RA/TYcAvcBoWRI/AAAAAAAAA64/TtNBwTxkrrk/s320/photo%252833%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586434677753272594" border="0" /></a>So, how do I keep getting so lucky with all of these wonderful children? Each one is a ray of sunshine in my life. I thank my Heavenly Father every single day for allowing me the opportunity to be their mother.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CxKFNsCEebk/TYbrQLIHQPI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/i3C4WmdhMYw/s1600/photo%252813%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CxKFNsCEebk/TYbrQLIHQPI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/i3C4WmdhMYw/s320/photo%252813%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586411050896933106" border="0" /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-41486833260504890152010-12-19T12:54:00.000-08:002010-12-19T16:45:23.552-08:00The Birth of our Baby BoyOn Friday, December 3rd, at 8:57 p.m., we welcomed a brand new little bundle of BOY into our family! Dallin Matthew Tait was born...weighing in at 7 lbs. 12 oz, and measuring at 20 3/4 inches long. We were so ecstatic to finally meet him!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TQ6iMcva8-I/AAAAAAAAA3M/6EzLKo-dPEc/s1600/photo%252810%2529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TQ6iMcva8-I/AAAAAAAAA3M/6EzLKo-dPEc/s320/photo%252810%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552553725351621602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Since that time, many friends and family have asked me to share my birth experience, as it is somewhat atypical for women to give birth naturally nowadays. Primarily, I think the biggest question on people's minds is "Why?". Well, sometimes it is easier to understand something by knowing what it is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span>.<br /><br />So let me start by listing the #1 top reason that is NOT why we chose to have this baby at home.<br /><br />1) <span style="font-weight: bold;">To Save Money</span>. A lot of people have the mistaken notion that I had this baby at home to save money. This is most definitely not the case. First off, <span style="font-style: italic;">I don't even clip coupons! </span>So, the idea that I would take such extreme measures to save money is just silly. Granted, an assisted home birth is way less expensive than a hospital birth - but in my eyes (and my husband's), that is just an extra special bonus that goes along with a decision we had already made.<br /><br />So, now that <span style="font-style: italic;">that's</span> out of the way....here's how it all went down.<br /><br />On Sunday, November 28th, my "due date" came and went. This was a little bit of a let-down for me (to say the least) since Ella was born 10 days early. So, I waited. And waited. And waited some more. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday....these may have been the longest days of my life! Every night I would have very strong contractions, but they never evened out, and always went away in the morning as soon as I would get out of bed.<br /><br />On Thursday night, the contractions were very, very strong. So strong in fact, that I would have to hold David's hand and breathe through them. They were so intense, but still very sporadic. I was sure that these, too, would probably go away by morning. I was so frustrated, convinced that my body was doing all this work for nothing. The contractions lasted throughout the night, and into Friday morning, but still never evened out! They were 10 minutes apart, then 12, then 7, then 15! It was all very, very frustrating.<br /><br />Throughout the day on Friday, I would try to walk around and get things going, but it was no use. My contractions were all over the place, and I was really tired anyway from not getting any sleep the night before. At about 11 am, I showered and got myself dressed. David decided to stay home from work and help me with the girls. Mostly, he played with them outside while I rested inside. When I would have a contraction, I would close my eyes and really shut out the rest of the world. David would have the girls be still and quiet during my contractions so I could focus on staying relaxed. I could hear him whispering things to them like, "Your mommy is working really hard right now. We need to be quiet so she can relax." The girls seemed very aware of how important this was.<br /><br />At around 4:00, I was getting very impatient and frustrated that "nothing was happening". My contractions were still very unpredictable at this point. So, we called Dr. Swan...mostly to ask her what we should do to turn this bout of "false labor" into real labor! She agreed that she should come over just to check things out, and she would let us know what to do from there. I said not to rush, because apparently I was going to be in labor until Christmas.<br /><br />It seems that the minute we got off the phone with Farra, my contractions started evening out (finally!). They got down to about 6 minutes apart, more or less. Dr. Swan made it to our house at around 5:00, and did a quick exam. "Well, my dear...you are at a 6! Looks like we're having a baby tonight!" Sweeter words have never spoken. I was so shocked! This was actually it!<br /><br />David quickly helped Farra get her supplies set up. He also took Ava and Ella down to our friends house down the street, where they would stay until Grandma and Grandpa came to pick them up for the night. Meanwhile, I actually started walking from room to room, trying to tidy things up. I quickly realized this was not the best use of my energy, so I retired to the bedroom and planted myself on my warm, cozy bed.<br /><br />For the next few hours, David stayed on the bed next to me, helping me breathe through the contractions, and helping me focus on staying calm and relaxed. Just being around him - touching him, hearing his voice - has a calming effect on me. Unfortunately for him, this also means he had to do things like holding a bowl and tying my hair back while I threw up three times. But he didn't seem to mind at all. He just quickly and quietly did exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. He really is the best labor coach in the world.<br /><br />Then, some time later, Farra told me to let her know when I was ready to push. I figured that walking around a little bit, or at least sitting upright, might help. I walked into our bathroom and sat on the edge of the bathtub for a while. A while later, I felt the urge to push! I sat on the birth stool for a bit, and tried to stay focused on the task at hand. At this point, I still could not believe that this was really happening! Our baby was actually coming!<br /><br />Pushing took longer than I expected (again, comparisons to Ella's birth were not productive...Ella was born with literally one push). I pushed for about 30 minutes, which felt like forever. On top of that, I was beginning to feel the effects of not getting any sleep the night before. I was getting really tired. David kept feeding me spoonfuls of honey so I could gather some energy. Keeping my eyes open seemed just too difficult, and even keeping my head upright was a challenge. Sitting on the birth stool got uncomfortable after a while, and I decided to try and stand up so my legs wouldn't fall asleep. As soon as I stood in a half squatting position, I could feel so much more progress being made! With a few more very intense minutes of standing up and bearing down, and with lots of encouragement from Farra, her assistants, and David...I gathered all of the strength I could muster, and baby Dallin was finally born! YAY!! I was so happy....and just so relieved to have it all done.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TQ6iMnT0TAI/AAAAAAAAA3U/SpwFN0b3c0Q/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TQ6iMnT0TAI/AAAAAAAAA3U/SpwFN0b3c0Q/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552553728188632066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Immediately after Dallin was born, I felt a surge of adrenaline. It was as if I had just ingested 32 ounces of Jolt cola. Tired?! Who was tired? Not me! But I was COLD. I was shaking and shivering like crazy for about 20 minutes after he was born. I couldn't have enough sweatshirts and blankets on. Kai (Farra's assistant) reassured us that this was a normal response due to the rush of hormones my body was experiencing. But I already knew that. This was the one and only thing that was the same as my experience with Ella's birth.<br /><br />So there I was. In my bed, with my husband, in our dimly lit bedroom, holding our brand new, totally healthy, sweet baby boy. There are no words for that kind of joy.<br /><br />So, now, let's end where we began. Let's answer that question that everyone wants to know but no one really wants to ask.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Reasons I Chose a Home Birth</span><br /><br />Having the baby at home just made sense to me, considering I was blessed with a very normal, very healthy pregnancy, and had already had Ella with no medical intervention. Natural childbirth is not something new, and definitely not something unique to the Tait family. It's been done many, many times before, by countless numbers of women across the world.<br /><br />I didn't see the need to rush off to a hospital, as <span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">was not sick</span>, or in need of surgery. I think there is a time and place for hospitals and medicine, but for me, that time was not during the birth of my child. That being said, I have never been crazy about hospitals anyway. The awful smell, the harsh florescent lighting, the sense of taking a number, getting in line, and having your baby on an assembly line - and let's not even TALK about the gowns (lol)....a hospital was just not the ideal place for me to meet my new little man.<br /><br />I believe that the female body was brilliantly designed for childbirth by a loving Father in Heaven. I believe that all too often in this day and age, we tend to underestimate the capacities of the ever-so-amazing gift of the human body. Natural childbirth is an especially fascinating process to me, and one that I am honored to be a part of. There are so many ways that the human body rises to the task at hand, if one will simply let "nature take it's course". There is also something so wonderfully comforting and special about having a baby in your own home. Having experienced a hospital birth and a home birth, I've got to say, I'm never going back.The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-86194728677742254582010-10-17T19:49:00.000-07:002010-10-17T21:31:36.266-07:00Fall BreakFall Break. What IS "Fall Break", anyway?! It seems like school just started, and the kids already need a break? Geez, Louise.<br /><br />Well, despite it's obvious uselessness, Fall Break was a lot of fun for our family. Most notably, the girls had a great time playing with their cousins Vanessa and Christian who had come in for a surprise visit from Chicago.<br /><br />Here's a pic of Ava and Vanessa at the park (...yes Ava has a black eye....and, NO we don't beat her. Do you remember when she broke her little leg on the slide two and a half years ago? Well, she apparently has a knack for barfights with slides. And the slide always wins.)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu4bUxibfI/AAAAAAAAA2k/BPYozR2yWRE/s1600/Park+Day.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu4bUxibfI/AAAAAAAAA2k/BPYozR2yWRE/s320/Park+Day.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529215747099880946" border="0" /></a><br />Sleepover time!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu4bh3Ss6I/AAAAAAAAA2s/Ho2s-rJPoVo/s1600/Cousins.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu4bh3Ss6I/AAAAAAAAA2s/Ho2s-rJPoVo/s320/Cousins.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529215750613676962" border="0" /></a><br />And of course, there was quite a bit of eating out. Between Costa Vida, Paradise Bakery, Rubio's and the food court at the mall, we pretty much covered the whole town. Here's Ella at Paradise Bakery. Seriously, can she get any cuter?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu58D1y2qI/AAAAAAAAA20/7BYPUh80Mso/s1600/Ella+at+Paradise+Bakery.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu58D1y2qI/AAAAAAAAA20/7BYPUh80Mso/s320/Ella+at+Paradise+Bakery.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529217409001642658" border="0" /></a> And the week ended with Dave's birthday on Friday. So where did we go to dinner? Famous Dave's of course! Usually, I have objections to eating at restaurants with neon signs of a pig in front. But hey, it was David's day, so he got to choose. And, it was actually pretty darn good. Thanks to the bottle of TUMS I brought along. At this point, I don't leave home without it.<br /><br />The girls were obsessed with Famous Dave's mascot, Wilbur. He must have been the model for the neon sign out front.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu58F73N-I/AAAAAAAAA28/CS7z9X3a27I/s1600/Famous+Dave%27s.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu58F73N-I/AAAAAAAAA28/CS7z9X3a27I/s320/Famous+Dave%27s.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529217409563965410" border="0" /></a><br />So, there is our week of play-dating, park-going, eat-outing, and birthday partying in a nutshell.<br /><br />But the best part of my week was this morning. As we were leaving for church, Ava handed me a picture she had drawn of our family.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu8DA6KwWI/AAAAAAAAA3E/MGkOFmjovMs/s1600/Family+Picture+by+Ava.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TLu8DA6KwWI/AAAAAAAAA3E/MGkOFmjovMs/s320/Family+Picture+by+Ava.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529219727497019746" border="0" /></a>Our whole family. Ella, Dad, Mom, Ava, Kona...and Dallin. Dallan? Dallen? Whatever. We haven't decided on a spelling yet, and Ava is keenly aware of this... so, she simply writes, "Dall n". With a backwards N. Can you see the blue bundle in my stick-figure arms? That's him. And that's Ava for you. Including everyone, down to every last detail - up to and including the color of their eyes. Including everyone, even they are not born quite yet....and even if we don't quite know how to spell their name.The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-60948452525320536662010-09-05T21:25:00.000-07:002010-09-05T21:52:26.426-07:00Labor Day 2010When David asked me what I wanted to do for Labor Day this year, my answer was pretty simple. All I said was, "I just want to be outside and NOT HOT...just for a little bit."<br /><br />So.... up north we went. :)<br /><br />We decided to take a quick trip up past Payson and camp out for the weekend. As we drove northward, I kept watching the temperature gauge on our dash drop lower, lower, and lower...all the way down to 75 degrees! Woo-hoo!<br /><br />Sometimes I have to remind myself that Arizona is not all heat and desert. Arizona offers a lot of this, too...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRyYvdN4cI/AAAAAAAAA18/m2nD9IX5nDQ/s1600/photo%284%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRyYvdN4cI/AAAAAAAAA18/m2nD9IX5nDQ/s320/photo%284%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513657613189767618" border="0" /></a>...and this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRyYCgzTqI/AAAAAAAAA10/6SJOWI976BE/s1600/photo%283%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRyYCgzTqI/AAAAAAAAA10/6SJOWI976BE/s320/photo%283%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513657601125207714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The weather was so beautiful! We found a gorgeous little spot to camp out at Upper Creek Canyon, and as soon as we stepped out of the car, I was greeted with soft shade and a cool breeze. The air smelled absolutely delicious...so clean and refreshing. Heaven!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRy8iq22OI/AAAAAAAAA2U/LECkHgU4YwI/s1600/photo%285%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRy8iq22OI/AAAAAAAAA2U/LECkHgU4YwI/s320/photo%285%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513658228232607970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The girls enjoyed exploring all around our campsite. I was so happy to see them get dirty and dig in the mud... and forget about princesses and dress-ups and Barbies...just for a few days.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRyZM-UWBI/AAAAAAAAA2E/7NFaSs5oKFk/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/TIRyZM-UWBI/AAAAAAAAA2E/7NFaSs5oKFk/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513657621113231378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, our Labor Day was filled with trees, campfire, hikes by meandering streams, and lots of roasting marshmallows. This made for two happy parents, two happy kids, and one VERY happy dog. All in all, a successful weekend, to be sure. Happy Labor Day!The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-78593693899413190432010-08-27T15:34:00.000-07:002010-08-27T16:02:55.586-07:00Well, it's about time...It's been ages since I've posted. There's no real rhyme or reason as to why I decided to re-enter the blogosphere today, except to begin the countdown to baby boy Tait and document a few other family-related things. I've realized that my personal journal feels a little scatterbrained sometimes, and this is the best place to keep my family journal.<br /><br />So, if you are ready to endure the ongoing accounts of all things kid-related, read on, my friends...read on.<br /><br />First off, I have to relate my favorite portion of Ava's bedtime prayer last night. It sums things up quite nicely as to our state of affairs lately. I'm quoting here. This is way to good to make up.<br /><br />"Dear Heavenly Father....we are grateful for our family. We are grateful for the swim school and that Daddy got home safe. Please bless the baby to be healthy and strong. And please, please bless Ella to be more flexible and not stubborn so much so mommy doesn't have to lose her patience." Amen to that, Ava!!<br /><br />Ella is a handful, but she is a cute handful, so that pretty much makes up for it. She is just about completely potty-trained (quick! knock on wood!), and is always saying and doing the most hilarious things. It is not uncommon to see her tromping around in one tap shoe and one Ugg boot, wearing every sparkly necklace she can find with lopsided sunglasses, and a backpack full of rocks. She is mischevious and stubborn, too (as clearly mentioned in Ava's prayer). As for Ava, she is such a sweet little helper, and **usually** willing to share with her sister and help out her momma. She is a busy girl with ballet, swim lessons, preschool, and piano. She is a wiz at folding handtowels, too. Last week she was able to bring home the "Adventure Animal" from preschool and take it around with her. Here are a few pics we took with "Rex".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDF37pFgI/AAAAAAAAA1M/9pVdL53GSPA/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDF37pFgI/AAAAAAAAA1M/9pVdL53GSPA/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510227912280315394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDGWTSpsI/AAAAAAAAA1U/7ySfsTxXMoI/s1600/photo-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDGWTSpsI/AAAAAAAAA1U/7ySfsTxXMoI/s320/photo-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510227920432572098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDGyEHMzI/AAAAAAAAA1c/bg69frKkUEM/s1600/photo-2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDGyEHMzI/AAAAAAAAA1c/bg69frKkUEM/s320/photo-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510227927885099826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Baby boy is less than 90 days away.... GULP. Last weekend was our official "Friends Weekend",, which is basically a reunion of a large group of friends from the singles ward days. There are quite a few of us pregnant this year, so I have dubbed 2010 "The Year of the Baby." Can it really be that in just a few months (weeks, really!), I'll be back at square one...nursing, burping, diapers, sleepless nights?! It feels like eons ago that I was in that stage with baby Ella. If it's possible to have pre-partum depression, I may be at risk. Sigh. I'm just not quite ready to face that reality yet! Oh well, at least I am in good company!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDHOjQHhI/AAAAAAAAA1k/04T_pfWxh4s/s1600/Friends+weekend+2010+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/THhDHOjQHhI/AAAAAAAAA1k/04T_pfWxh4s/s320/Friends+weekend+2010+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510227935531900434" border="0" /></a><br />So, there you have it. An official bog post. There may be more to come, depending on whether or not I can keep my act together. Until then, I will resume my blurking with the rest of you. :) C'mon, you know you all do it.The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-7927645039675799182009-10-14T22:24:00.000-07:002009-10-14T22:36:31.400-07:00Ava's First Preschool Field TripA few weeks ago, Ava's preschool class took a field trip to the AZ Southwest Dinosaur Museum. Here are a few pics of Ava's cute class right before entering the museum. Such cute kids!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Stay4Ifj_nI/AAAAAAAAA0w/WTdrhxUUbJk/s1600-h/October2009+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Stay4Ifj_nI/AAAAAAAAA0w/WTdrhxUUbJk/s320/October2009+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392694281245032050" border="0" /></a><br />Ava's gotta get that pose just right...........<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Stay5FW6SMI/AAAAAAAAA04/m_FHZ_JFDGo/s1600-h/October2009+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Stay5FW6SMI/AAAAAAAAA04/m_FHZ_JFDGo/s320/October2009+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392694297583306946" border="0" /></a>CHEESE!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Stay7QjzuJI/AAAAAAAAA1A/S4pku_gS5VU/s1600-h/October2009+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Stay7QjzuJI/AAAAAAAAA1A/S4pku_gS5VU/s320/October2009+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392694334949931154" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to ABC Preschool for an awesome day!The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-78366766431168356942009-08-31T22:24:00.000-07:002009-08-31T22:46:45.032-07:0010 weeks and counting...In 10 weeks, I am going to be 30 years old. THIRTY YEARS OLD.<br /><br />Ugh.<br /><br />Last Friday night, I got together with some girlfriends. As we continued our sugar high into the wee hours of the morning, we got a little crazy. (See more evidence of our kookiness <a href="http://www.castle2002.blogspot.com/">here</a>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://www.ncmish.com/photogallery/v/Girls+Night/">here</a>, and <a href="http://heavyontheboys.blogspot.com/">here</a>).<br /><br />So, as for you, Mr. Big 3-0, as long as I can still do this, I feel pretty okay. So there!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SpywqEDPs0I/AAAAAAAAA0E/AcQ74-ikT_Y/s1600-h/IMG_2345.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SpywqEDPs0I/AAAAAAAAA0E/AcQ74-ikT_Y/s320/IMG_2345.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376366291861877570" border="0" /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-88746628314676573192009-07-30T15:16:00.000-07:002009-07-30T16:40:00.691-07:00So You Think You Can Dance!Some of you out there may have heard of a little show called....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIhf00MZ_I/AAAAAAAAAzY/p3sHpM48FXU/s1600-h/logo.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 202px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIhf00MZ_I/AAAAAAAAAzY/p3sHpM48FXU/s320/logo.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364386936788903922" border="0" /></a>Well... a few friends and I are absolute fanatics, and decided to drive out to Hollywood to see the taping this week!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcttUoaUI/AAAAAAAAAwY/NvbxajcmLEY/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcttUoaUI/AAAAAAAAAwY/NvbxajcmLEY/s320/SYTYCD09+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364381677737503042" border="0" /></a><br />Sherri, Jen, Leah, and I. Showered, dressed, packed and ready to go at 6:00 a.m. Let the fun begin!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfRyd_wsI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yw8jbCZzr8Y/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfRyd_wsI/AAAAAAAAAyw/yw8jbCZzr8Y/s320/SYTYCD09+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364384496617505474" border="0" /></a>Uh-oh.... I got a little too excited to get there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfRiCm3_I/AAAAAAAAAyo/INX9bLQtPzk/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfRiCm3_I/AAAAAAAAAyo/INX9bLQtPzk/s320/SYTYCD09+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364384492207661042" border="0" /></a>Uh-oh... Jen got a little sick. <br /><br />(** Please note, this is a dramatic reenactment of Jen's puking. No, I did not take a picture of her as the poor thing was getting sick in the car. That would be cruel. But reenacting it later was just plain hilarious.)<br /><br />By the way, have you ever sat in a car for six hours? Has it been an enjoyable experience for you? Let me tell you, all speeding tickets and vomiting aside, that was the most fun I have ever had on a road trip. Great conversation the whole way. The hours literally FLEW by. And before we knew it, we were pulling in at the hottest hotel in Hollywood (cue the sarcasm)...<br /><br />The Beverly Inn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIkNPAcZmI/AAAAAAAAAzo/JgkmnfRujis/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIkNPAcZmI/AAAAAAAAAzo/JgkmnfRujis/s320/SYTYCD09+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364389915936974434" border="0" /></a>Okay, okay...so it wasn't the NICEST hotel in town. So there were only ten rooms. So the pool was about the size of our bathtub. So there were a few suspicious stains on the bedsheets and the air conditioning didn't work. It was cheap, okay?! AND... it was just across the street from the studios where the show was being taped. Score!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfQS0-qaI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/PPffrnNLSO0/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfQS0-qaI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/PPffrnNLSO0/s320/SYTYCD09+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364384470944098722" border="0" /></a>Do you see CBS Television City in the background?!!?!?<br /><br />So, as soon as we checked in, we got into line. Here, we enjoyed some yummy pitas (courtesy of Jen) . And we enjoyed a few crazy dance poses for the camera.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcuJTmleI/AAAAAAAAAwg/3aqbYiwnp1Q/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcuJTmleI/AAAAAAAAAwg/3aqbYiwnp1Q/s320/SYTYCD09+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364381685249381858" border="0" /></a>Finally, after a few hours of waiting...we got in to see the show! Unfortunately, I have no pictures of this because there were no cameras allowed. Dang it. But, we sidled our way in to the studio, and managed to get right in the front, dead center! We were just about three rows back from the stage, and it was great! We had a little chat with Cat Deeley in between takes (she is even more gorgeous in person), and she made a little joke about us "getting a cocktail" after the show. Should I have mentioned to her that we don't drink? Oh well, we just played along.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure we're friends now. Don't be jealous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIm0jJD3oI/AAAAAAAAAzw/cSHnHTHM_Ec/s1600-h/150px-Cat_Deeley.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIm0jJD3oI/AAAAAAAAAzw/cSHnHTHM_Ec/s320/150px-Cat_Deeley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364392790379978370" border="0" /></a><br />After the taping of the show, I weasled my way towards where the choreographers were sitting, and I managed to meet Sonya, Louie Van Amstel, Tyce DiOrio, and Tabitha and Napolean. I did happen to mention to "Nappy Tabs" that they were possibly the cutest couple of all time. They laughed. They said thank you. They shook my hand. So, now, I'm pretty sure that I am friends with them, too. Now you can be jealous.<br /><br />By this time, we were all starving for some dinner, so we went over to The Grove.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcvFRcHDI/AAAAAAAAAww/2S9Vz0EjNoc/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcvFRcHDI/AAAAAAAAAww/2S9Vz0EjNoc/s320/SYTYCD09+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364381701346434098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After walking around for a bit, we decided on The Cheesecake Factory (YUM).<br /><br />Guess who we spotted inside?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdjldBDJI/AAAAAAAAAxA/-UyNwMXR2SU/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdjldBDJI/AAAAAAAAAxA/-UyNwMXR2SU/s320/SYTYCD09+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364382603338124434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One Melissa Sandvig (a.k.a. "The Naughty Ballerina")...that's who!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdkXJhKNI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/9vXPUikXRbo/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdkXJhKNI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/9vXPUikXRbo/s320/SYTYCD09+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364382616678115538" border="0" /></a><br />As soon as I saw her, I blurted out, "We're 29, too!!" She laughed, and we ended up talking for like 20 minutes with her and her husband. They are possibly the nicest people alive (aside from my friend, Cat).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdj5o7mdI/AAAAAAAAAxI/XaW7CNCsQWM/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdj5o7mdI/AAAAAAAAAxI/XaW7CNCsQWM/s320/SYTYCD09+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364382608756808146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anyhow, after we spent such a long time talking, we joked with her and said that we should all hang out sometime, considering that we are such hot 29 year olds. At this point, she said, and I am not kidding, "Well, where do you live?" (As in...maybe we CAN get together sometime!) We said that we all lived in Arizona, and then she said to look her up on Facebook, and we could <span style="font-style: italic;">keep in touch that way</span>. SO..... we really ARE friends with Melissa now!! YES!!<br /><br />**At this point, I am realizing that I might sound a little stalker-ish? It's okay. I've come to terms with it. That's what "fanatic" means.... right?**<br /><br />Hold the phone, I haven't even mentioned that we also ran into Kourtney from Season Four! She was so adorable. I just wanted to put her in my pocket!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdkoOx_aI/AAAAAAAAAxY/YDTE4UdH7eM/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIdkoOx_aI/AAAAAAAAAxY/YDTE4UdH7eM/s320/SYTYCD09+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364382621263592866" border="0" /></a>So, we had a fabulous dinner. Too fabulous, actually. I ate so much that I was looking a little preggers. LOL<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIq023_1mI/AAAAAAAAAz4/yMUBkQzSeCo/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIq023_1mI/AAAAAAAAAz4/yMUBkQzSeCo/s320/SYTYCD09+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364397193723631202" border="0" /></a><br />So, after a few more laughs at the Grove,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfuwMlJdI/AAAAAAAAAzA/SvVHdGco1yQ/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfuwMlJdI/AAAAAAAAAzA/SvVHdGco1yQ/s320/SYTYCD09+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364384994223793618" border="0" /></a><br />we decided it was time to get in our jammies and cozy up at The Beverly Inn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIefqC09DI/AAAAAAAAAx4/wUXsGhsNNB8/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIefqC09DI/AAAAAAAAAx4/wUXsGhsNNB8/s320/SYTYCD09+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364383635362608178" border="0" /></a>We did have two beds, actually. But this was the only one with the awesome neon green blanket.<br /><br />The next morning, we decided to head over to Graumann's Chinese Theatre for some tourist-y sightseeing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIef3Lay8I/AAAAAAAAAyA/XBLnR-D7YBg/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIef3Lay8I/AAAAAAAAAyA/XBLnR-D7YBg/s320/SYTYCD09+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364383638888303554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIegURbqhI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Z83WaylzRlg/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIegURbqhI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Z83WaylzRlg/s320/SYTYCD09+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364383646698154514" border="0" /></a><br />And boy, did we get an eye-ful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfQ0Tg3QI/AAAAAAAAAyY/pxUscy79uvs/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfQ0Tg3QI/AAAAAAAAAyY/pxUscy79uvs/s320/SYTYCD09+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364384479930539266" border="0" /></a><br />So, after grabbing some lunch (and a few souveniers), we headed back home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfRITKlPI/AAAAAAAAAyg/3ZJh5FwZTXs/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfRITKlPI/AAAAAAAAAyg/3ZJh5FwZTXs/s320/SYTYCD09+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364384485297788146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After getting Jen some Dramamine, of course.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfvmJvslI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ClfYnxYGZl4/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfvmJvslI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ClfYnxYGZl4/s320/SYTYCD09+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364385008707416658" border="0" /></a>We stopped off near Ontario to see my Daddy-o. He still works in Cali during the week. I love him so much! It was great, even just to see him for a quick stop at 7-11.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfvA2Q73I/AAAAAAAAAzI/QBWJTgHuPRA/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIfvA2Q73I/AAAAAAAAAzI/QBWJTgHuPRA/s320/SYTYCD09+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364384998693597042" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you to these wonderful ladies for the most fun I have had a long time. I laughed so hard and had such a great time. Show or no show, just the driving and chatting was a blast. Of all the friends I gained during my quick trip to Hollywood, these ones are my favorite!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcvYvtPpI/AAAAAAAAAw4/pG-BVPJavS8/s1600-h/SYTYCD09+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SnIcvYvtPpI/AAAAAAAAAw4/pG-BVPJavS8/s320/SYTYCD09+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364381706573659794" border="0" /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-61627284632366915692009-07-19T22:25:00.000-07:002009-07-20T06:49:43.627-07:00SistersThe other morning while I was making breakfast for the girls, Ava started reading a book to Ella.<br />It was so cute, I just had to capture the sweetness of it on video.<br /><br />The picture quality isn't that great, very fuzzy... I was really trying to hide the camera from them so I didn't ruin the moment. And yes, once again you get to witness both of their bedheads in all their glory. Enjoy, :)<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwo8J8qLQrQekZI-V42FKfpDRFcQ-VWA3AfPMI-3A6Y5TgNJQTU5eoVeRIcn_u8TyKorrluumlLarnzoJSG4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-83873515829147452672009-07-03T14:54:00.001-07:002009-07-03T14:55:26.283-07:00Ava Tait - Otter GraduateClick on this link to see Ava's latest and greatest achievement...<br /><br /><a href="http://shar.es/cTgd">Ava Tait - Otter Graduate</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com/">ShareThis</a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-28457679860839145842009-06-30T14:35:00.000-07:002009-07-01T10:07:16.412-07:00A Red-Letter DayIn the life of a child, there are a few major milestones. A few notable firsts that are so important, so life-changing, they must be documented to the hilt. First birthday. First day of school. Camera? Check. Video camera? Check. Blog, Facebook, Twitter? Check, check, and check.<br /><br />In the life of a girl, there is one "first" that absolutely can not go unnoticed.<br /><br />That is...the first dance recital.<br /><br />For Ava, that day was today!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF0B2XWRI/AAAAAAAAAvo/WwG7hOgHR8M/s1600-h/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF0B2XWRI/AAAAAAAAAvo/WwG7hOgHR8M/s320/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353238235979405586" border="0" /></a><br />Ava's gorgeous little cousins put on a musical theatre dance camp this summer, and to say that Ava had <span style="font-style: italic;">fun</span> would be the understatement of the century. She loved every second.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF0Uu8NWI/AAAAAAAAAvw/GWxorl9OK0I/s1600-h/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF0Uu8NWI/AAAAAAAAAvw/GWxorl9OK0I/s320/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353238241048540514" border="0" /></a><br />The performance was so great!<br /><br />The girls all paraded in from the "stage right"... (please note the incredible princess ballroom scenery!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF05B_fCI/AAAAAAAAAv4/_Chu9oeiz4s/s1600-h/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF05B_fCI/AAAAAAAAAv4/_Chu9oeiz4s/s320/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353238250792123426" border="0" /></a>Ava was a little nervous at first. There were a lot of people there, and I think that caught her a little off guard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF0_fyHAI/AAAAAAAAAwA/3PA6tdM6aqY/s1600-h/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF0_fyHAI/AAAAAAAAAwA/3PA6tdM6aqY/s320/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353238252527688706" border="0" /></a>But then she found her groove...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF1WJKtDI/AAAAAAAAAwI/J63NUW5SLSQ/s1600-h/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqF1WJKtDI/AAAAAAAAAwI/J63NUW5SLSQ/s320/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353238258606847026" border="0" /></a><br />And soon...she was belting out the tunes like we knew she would!<br /><br /><br /><br />We were so proud of our little girl, and her outstanding performance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqJAuq1SnI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/SSCe_acRQSw/s1600-h/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkqJAuq1SnI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/SSCe_acRQSw/s320/Ava%27s+Dance+Recital+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353241752703945330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks Hannah and Hallie for such a wonderful dance camp! We can't wait for next year!The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-62290854505134145822009-06-22T15:45:00.000-07:002009-06-22T15:54:48.338-07:00WHY?!?!Why is it that EVERY single day we have to go from this....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkAKpjlZLHI/AAAAAAAAAvg/DgWnXUXWZvk/s1600-h/January20092+068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkAKpjlZLHI/AAAAAAAAAvg/DgWnXUXWZvk/s320/January20092+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350288066359143538" border="0" /></a> ................... to this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkAKpJw7uKI/AAAAAAAAAvY/qu46zPdRD6Y/s1600-h/January20092+067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SkAKpJw7uKI/AAAAAAAAAvY/qu46zPdRD6Y/s320/January20092+067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350288059428223138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />***sigh***The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-8611296382509323842009-06-16T14:52:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:37:47.555-07:00Summer FunWell, our summer is off to a great start.<br /><br />We kicked things off this year with our annual "camping" trip with the Jones's and the Britt's (Does it still count as camping when you are staying in an awesome cabin and having s'mores on a comfy couch while the kids are happily snoozing in bed? Yeah, I think so, too...) .<br /><br />While we were there... Ava caught her first fish! (Okay, Mommy caught the fish. Ava happened to be somewhere in the general vicinity. And yes, I was using the awesome Barbie fishing pole.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVO61oNnI/AAAAAAAAAuY/tBwRh_yIREg/s1600-h/May09+088.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVO61oNnI/AAAAAAAAAuY/tBwRh_yIREg/s320/May09+088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348047903559005810" border="0" /></a>And of course.... summertime = pool time. In addition to the weekly swim lessons and such, my girls are really getting the hang of lounging poolside. I love it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVOpz0BaI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/XtQOPv48TjU/s1600-h/May09+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVOpz0BaI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/XtQOPv48TjU/s320/May09+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348047898987988386" border="0" /></a><br />"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVOFdfJxI/AAAAAAAAAuI/PQMea9ALPbg/s1600-h/May09+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVOFdfJxI/AAAAAAAAAuI/PQMea9ALPbg/s320/May09+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348047889230669586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVN1M89bI/AAAAAAAAAuA/3bwxetNcT7U/s1600-h/May09+050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVN1M89bI/AAAAAAAAAuA/3bwxetNcT7U/s320/May09+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348047884866352562" border="0" /></a><br />Since the weather has been so nice, David took Friday morning off (a small miracle for such a workaholic), and we took the girls to the zoo. They absolutely loved it. And I think they loved spending time with Daddy even more than any of the cool animals they saw.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZN-fEWRI/AAAAAAAAAuo/st-JgFvXq6E/s1600-h/June092+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZN-fEWRI/AAAAAAAAAuo/st-JgFvXq6E/s320/June092+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348052285404764434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVPJVfc1I/AAAAAAAAAug/XJ7-UurD1Qc/s1600-h/June092+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgVPJVfc1I/AAAAAAAAAug/XJ7-UurD1Qc/s320/June092+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348047907450745682" border="0" /></a><br />This summer Ava is also taking part in an adorable little dance camp that my niece has put together. They are learning a bunch of song and dance routines, and performing them for all the parents at the end of the month. Each week the girls in the class have had a little theme to dress up for.<br /><br />Today was "crazy hair day". So Ava sported a faux-hawk. Still awesome, after getting a little bedraggled during the car ride home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZOcPQmxI/AAAAAAAAAu4/Ur08jdiaBMo/s1600-h/June0923+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZOcPQmxI/AAAAAAAAAu4/Ur08jdiaBMo/s320/June0923+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348052293391522578" border="0" /></a>And Ava is finally starting to smile for pictures! YAY!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZO0lyUUI/AAAAAAAAAvI/F6Jkj0xP5VA/s1600-h/June0923+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZO0lyUUI/AAAAAAAAAvI/F6Jkj0xP5VA/s320/June0923+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348052299928457538" border="0" /></a>Striking a pose from her dance routine...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZOoiQt5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/SWsQgjs9CT8/s1600-h/June0923+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZOoiQt5I/AAAAAAAAAvA/SWsQgjs9CT8/s320/June0923+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348052296692447122" border="0" /></a><br />So... needless to say, it's been a fun summer so far.<br /><br />We're looking forward to whatever the next few weeks will bring!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZOAsEAjI/AAAAAAAAAuw/inniHDiRhUI/s1600-h/June0923+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/SjgZOAsEAjI/AAAAAAAAAuw/inniHDiRhUI/s320/June0923+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348052285996139058" border="0" /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-30686068301618820992009-06-09T23:18:00.001-07:002009-06-09T23:19:54.383-07:00A New LookI'm working on a new look for my blog in an effort to rekindle my love for the blogosphere. The header needs some work...but, well... you get the idea.<br /><br />I'll post some pics soon, I promise (Mom!).The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-13343204223236323702009-04-20T15:15:00.001-07:002009-04-20T15:36:01.474-07:00The Curse of the Bumble BeeYes.<br /><br />Bees.<br /><br />Again.<br /><br />I swear, we are cursed.<br /><br />On Saturday, I took the girls to a little community fair in Gilbert while David was at a swim meet. At around noon, David called and simply said "DON'T GO HOME. There are bees. Lots of bees." (Cue my stomach dropping...)<br /><br />One of our neighbors had kindly called the swim school that morning to let them know that there was a huge black cloud of bees circling above the ficus in our front yard. David called the exterminators immediately, and when they called him back to let him know the job was done, apparently they mentioned that there were, oh, say....about TEN THOUSAND bees that were exterminated.<br /><br />Is your jaw dropping the way mine did?<br /><br />Coincidentally... Ava's little friend had left this lucky little charm at our house the previous day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez06g1gcuI/AAAAAAAAArs/ZoOgWT45Y2k/s1600-h/April09+182.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez06g1gcuI/AAAAAAAAArs/ZoOgWT45Y2k/s320/April09+182.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326901745356403426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and did I mention that right before the <span style="font-style: italic;">last</span> bee incident, I had just finished reading "The Secret Life of Bees"??<br /><br /><div class="leftAlignedImage" style="overflow: hidden; width: 100px; margin-right: 5px;"> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/37435.The_Secret_Life_of_Bees"><img alt="The Secret Life of Bees" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168915404m/37435.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br />That's it...no more bee-related materials in our house. Period.<br /><br />According to Pagan folklore, bees entering one's home is a sign of good luck, and killing those bees will bring terrible misfortune.<br /><br />Anyone have a rabbit's foot I can borrow? <br /><img alt="http://www.thereddragonhood.com/images/rabbit.jpg" src="http://www.thereddragonhood.com/images/rabbit.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />Speaking of rabbits...here are a few pictures of the girls in their Easter dresses. In true Tait-style, neither of the girls would sit still and let me take a really good shot, so I had to catch them on the run.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez06qYzV0I/AAAAAAAAAr0/DidP4dQJxTw/s1600-h/April09+163.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez06qYzV0I/AAAAAAAAAr0/DidP4dQJxTw/s320/April09+163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326901747920361282" border="0" /></a>Ella, half-laughing, half-crying after church.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez067QAmMI/AAAAAAAAAr8/6zDqeK2UI4A/s1600-h/April09+167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez067QAmMI/AAAAAAAAAr8/6zDqeK2UI4A/s320/April09+167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326901752446884034" border="0" /></a>Silly Ava...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez07GvzEqI/AAAAAAAAAsE/kadGXKhelmQ/s1600-h/April09+171.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez07GvzEqI/AAAAAAAAAsE/kadGXKhelmQ/s320/April09+171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326901755533005474" border="0" /></a>Isn't the back of the dress cute, too?<br /><br />These dresses are so adorable, I think I'm going to have to get their pictures professionally taken in them. But...that's a chore for another week. **sigh** I don't have the fortitude to make it through another photo shoot for a while.<br /><br />Oh, and here's Ella's favorite new pastime... welcome to the world of the chatting on the phone, baby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez07hLSHjI/AAAAAAAAAsM/xrJenKh2jSw/s1600-h/April09+178.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r5LmChrVHa0/Sez07hLSHjI/AAAAAAAAAsM/xrJenKh2jSw/s320/April09+178.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326901762627608114" border="0" /></a>The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520928438416649566.post-64047621432363421352009-04-03T14:38:00.000-07:002009-04-03T15:17:00.519-07:00An Angel Named AndrinaI was at Fry's Marketplace, picking up a few last minute items for Ava's birthday party tomorrow, which then turned (as it always does) into a full-blown hour-long grocery shopping extravaganza. I spent the time placating my children with snacks, bargaining, promising them some treats if they would sit still for a few minutes, try not to touch anything, "...don't scream, don't hit, don't push!!"...etc. etc. etc. Needless to say, the grocery store is always a bit of an exhausting experience, but a neccessary one, nonetheless. Anyways, as I am at the checkout aisle with my overflowing cart (and a few customers already in line behind me), Ava declares that she has to go potty, "NOW!" Seeing the sudden look of desperation in my face, a friendly customer service lady who had been fussing over Ella tells me not to worry, she'll watch my cart for me while I take the girls to the restroom. So off I went, one girl in each arm, hustling to the restroom as fast as my little legs can carry us.<br /><br />After a successful (but time-consuming) trip to the potty, we finally make our way back out to the checkout aisle. I was expecting to find my loaded cart to be waiting for me, but couldn't find it, or the girl who said she would watch it for me. Inevitably, my inner-pessimist creeps to the surface, and I am sure that my stocked cart has vanished for good. Just as I begin to heave my chest in an indulgent "poor-me" sigh, I see the customer service girl I was looking for. She smiles and waves me over to another aisle, where she has single-handedly unloaded all of my groceries, rung them up, bagged them, and was simply waiting there for me to swipe my card and pay.<br /><br />I could have cried. I almost did. I am on the verge of tears right now, hours later, just thinking about it. This sweet girl made all the difference in what could have been a terribly frustrating morning, but what turned about to be a heartwarming reminder of all that's right with the world. This girl didn't even know me. And she didn't have to go the extra mile. But she did. And for that - for her - I am truly grateful.<br /><br />This customer service lady - her name was Andrina - represents a host of others who have helped me carry the large load of responsibility in my life. My mom, my in-laws, my friends, neighbors, and so many others have shown me a great deal of love and generosity in the times when David is gone, the girls are melting down, and my sanity is stretched paper thin. For the times you all have rescued me from the brink... I thank you. :)The Taitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14490860117546963454noreply@blogger.com4