'round here

Five days now.  It started out with a severe headache, morphed into a cactus throat, and now I spend my days voiceless and my nights up coughing.  I don't get sick often, but when I do, its bad.  The worst part is, my little buddy has it too, albeit a much milder version (thank heaven).

Chase is watching a movie about "Pistol Pete", so I brewed up some hot honey-lemon water and decided to take the plunge.  Into the blog that is.  I'm so far behind, but I'll make an attempt. 

It sounds cliche, but my my we have been blessed.  Chase accepted a job offer at Orbit Medical.  It is a much better fit for him than his old job.  He's been there for almost a month and loves it already.  The only downside is that if/WHEN he has been successful for a few months, there is a good chance they will promote him and ask us to relocate to somewhere like Spokane, Portland, or Pheonix.  While the adventure sounds great for a couple of years, I haven't come to terms with the fact that we'd be moving away from family.  I guess we'll just cross that bridge when we come to it. 

We had a magical holiday season.   It sounds cheesey, but coming from me its not that weird, right?

Christmas in B-Town

Every part of Christmas was more fun with a little man to enjoy it with us. 

Jalene and Lincoln organized a temple lights date with us and Kyle and Jade.

 Next year we'll remember that it closes at 9:00 so we'll be sure to get there earlier.  ;)

gotta love cousins in matching Pj's. 

We spent Christmas in Boise with some of our favorite people

Reindeer fighting? no, just "Minute to Win it" Christmas Eve Party.  My mom plans the best parties!

Happy first Christmas to these newlyweds!

Tayler was at the perfect age for the magic of Christmas. 

We had lots of fun watching her get so excited with each present.

The first thing we do on Christmas morning is admire baby Jesus in his manger. 
One of our favorite Christmas gifts this year was our own manger to begin our Christmas good deed tradition. 

This little guy didn't really know the difference between a present and wrapping paper,
 but he sure loves this hat that Mimi made him!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Years in the field

The older siblings hopped on a plane to join the rest of the fam in Oklahoma City for New Years. 
It was great to reconnect with them and see what their missionary life is like. 

Beck was definetely the favorite person all week. 

I loved that he got to spend some quality time with his Grandma and Grandpa.

One of my favorite memories of the trip was the day we spent exploring Oklahoma University's campus. 

We spent literally HOURS taking pictures of the silliest things. 

We laughed our heads off taking these jumping pictures over and over and over again.

This is what the Taylor boys call "Tackling for loss of Yardage"

Every night we would stay up until wee hours of the morn. 

 It was like we just wanted to soak in every min we had with these guys. 

has it been three years yet?

This is the very picture taken moments after Beck officially said "BALL!!"  He got such a reaction from us that he repeated the word over and over again. 

He definitely understood the concept of throwing the ball and chasing after it

-and Chase could not be more proud

We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas season! 

Now if only I could get over this blasted cough!

uno dos tres

uno.

The strangest thing happened to me last night.  Chase walked over to hand me my phone.  I reached out to take my phone from him with my left hand, my right was on the computer mouse.  At the moment we connected, SPARK! I felt it run though my whole body and it turned my computer OFF.  How crazy is that?! no damage done, just a lesson learned. static is strong folks. 

dos.  Ask me if my Christmas decorations are down yet.  Actually, don't ask. As long as its down before my B-day, I'm good, right?


tres.  Someone has been smearing boogers all over me for two weeks now. 
But how can I care when its from loves from this kid?

P.S.  Christmas and Oklahoma coming soon, I promise!

My ten month old (repost)

Sometimes blogger and I don't get along very well.  I didn't actually mean to post this yet the other day.  Now, I can't get it to upload anymore pictures.  hmm...anyway, here is what I could do.

A few of my favorite things about you at ten months...

 You are busy! You aren't satisfied sitting in one spot for very long. You are a super speedy crawler and love to pull yourself up on anything and everything.

You are such a good eater! I have never given you anything you didn't like.

Although, you prefer anything you can hand feed yourself.

You communicate through pointing. 

You are still facinated with lights and always point to the light fixture as soon as we go somewhere new. 

You just said your second word! First was Mama, next is BALL!

You love balls and when you see one you repeat its name over and over again until you have it.  You love to throw the ball and then chase after it and throw it again. 

 I'm pretty sure you got your love of footballs from me. ;)

You are a mama's boy. Lately you've been a little hesitant around people you don't see very often.  You have a shy streak too.  You love attention from others but always bury your head in my shoulder with a shy grin.

Although you're shy, you are social.  Anytime we laugh you are quick to do a funny little fake chuckle too.  It is so darling to see. 

You are opinionated, and seem to have one about everything. 

You love to give hugs and gooey kisses.  Daddy's favorite time of day is when he goes in to get you in the morning.  You always wrap your arms tight around his neck and cling to him for some good morning love.

You are a pro at clapping your hands and think it is so fun to do. You often clap when we finish changing your diaper or when we first go in to get you in the morning.

                                                   

Eight teeth.  4 on top, 4 on bottom. You are such a big boy!

We love you so much baby Beck.  You keep us busy and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

longer out than in

Nine whole months.  The same amount of time he was in my tummy.  I can barely remember what life was like without this little guy. He has changed my life (for the good) in more ways than I can count. 

I followed Beck around taking pictures of the busy fella but all of the sudden my computer won't read my card... Anyone have any ideas of what to do?! I'm panicking! I guess I'll just give you some recent shots that I had already uploaded.

 Beck loves his special time with Daddy

 This is his "squeeling with excitement face"

 Beck's best friend is his cousin Tayler-who now lives 10 minutes away-YAY!

 He watches every thing she does

 loves his food...he has graduated to much chunkier foods and he thinks he is so cool when he  feeds himself

 always quick to smile-especially at Daddy

Everyone stops us to comment on his big brown eyes. 

Something about them just captures people...and me too

A few things about Beck at nine months:

He has been crawling since 8 months, and pulling himself up on things right around the same time.  He gets more and more daring every day.  In the last week he has cut 3 teeth and has 2 more popping out now.  I have noticed that they bothered him but he is still a happy boy.  Beck does this little lounge thing on the ground when he is playing.  It is hilarious!  I have pictures but I'll add them when I can get my memory card working again.  He has always loved music.  If anyone around him is singing, he has to join in.  Watching him grow is so exciting.  Every day you can see him learn and become more independent. 

Its beginning to look a lot like....

I told you yesterday, I am so excited for Christmas this year.  I really want to fill our home with the anticipation and excitement of the Savior's Birth.  Last night for FHE we decorated. 

We started with a little Josh Groban and hot cocoa to set the mood.

 Penny and Beck dressed up for the occasion

First winter fire a blazin... 

 the (future) Chilean missionary entertaining Beck

 Abby and Jalene were on light duty

and Lincoln kept the fire burning... or something ;)

We were so engrossed in getting the tree just right that we suddenly realized it was almost midnight.
thats late for us old folks!

Whoops!  The tree sure looked beautiful though.  I just wish the rest of the Taylors would have been there to join in the fun. 

magical isn't it?

Merry Christmas!

Last night after driving 9 hours home from Boise (crazy snow!), I lay in my bed  and couldn't fall asleep.
 I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for life's blessings.
 The drive home was long and scary.  It could have been bad with a nine month old who hates being in his carseat, not to mention how dangerous the roads were. Beck was an angel though.    Being at home for Thanksgiving was extra special this year for some reason.  Even though we spent 182,000 hours watching college football, with results that I don't even want to talk about-it still felt so good to be home with my parents and Kaela and Garrett (AKA Gaela or Karrett, take your pick) 
Honestly. I have so much to be grateful for. 

One of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving is that it really opens the season for Christmas!  We are going to put up our Christmas decorations tonight.  With the help of this book, I am going to work on making this Christmas season about Christ. 

So, here are two videos.  Both to open up the season for you all. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LFb3UBiNoM

Do you live in Utah?

My beautiful Sister in Law, Jalene is offering a fantastic holiday- photography special. 
Folks, she is the real deal.  Here are some of my favorites that she has taken of our family.

Seriously.  This girl's got talent. She has an amazing way of capturing moments, not just cute pictures.   
She took Kaela's bridals(plus groom) and they were STUNNING. 
Here are a few more links of pictures that she has taken of us. 
http://jaleneb.blogspot.com/2010/09/dear-grandpa-grandma-in-ok-love-beck.html
http://chaseleahtaylor.blogspot.com/2010/06/3-months-old.html

To sum up. 
If you need pictures for Christmas cards
 (or just because you want to document how cute you and your family are)
You should call Jalene! 
Here is the link to her blog with all the info.  I promise, you'll be so glad you did!
http://www.jtaylorphotography.com/2010/11/holiday-special.html