Breakfast with Santa at Grand America

Each year for our Taylor family Christmas tradition we usually go to Santa vs. Snowman in 3D at Imax. This year it wasn't playing so we tried something new- Breakfast with Santa at Grand America. What a spectacular experience. It was so festive, whimsical and fun! Grand America is gorgeous already so it doesn't take much to make it more "grand" The decorations were off the charts, the staff was amazing and the food was terrific. But what really stole the show was Santa and Mrs. Claus. He was the most real Santa I have ever seen and she was the cutest and most real Mrs. Claus I have ever seen. Sooo sweet and cute! Our kids couldn't believe their eyes. During breakfast they walked around to each section and sat with each child. We took pictures and filmed the experience. What was really cool and unexpected was how Santa got the parents to sit on his knee and ask us what we wanted. They didn't rush the process or let us down in the slightest. What a magical and fun time! Thank you Gary and Dixie with providing such a wonderful Christmas memory.

Christmas Parties & Performances

The Grinch: What I don't like about Christmas this year!

"You're a mean one Mr. Grinch!" Well its Mrs. Grinch, today! I've hit a few tough days this past month but today, I've had it! Here is my top 10 things I don't like about this Chritmas!

1. Making Christmas cards! Shutterfly is ripping me off, and costco is too freaking busy!

2. FLU! sick this week, this is not a time to get sick

3. sick kids

4. sick husband

5. kids unwrapping gifts

6. smog

7. too much church work. Gotta get ready for the new year. Lots of Lists! ugh!

8. running around from town to town
9. dirty kitchen everyday

10.long lines

This was all brought on by making christmas cards!!!!!!

Okay, calm down Alena! Im going to be fine. Today is the last day of Christmas drama. Things are on the up & up! I REALLY DO LOVE CHRISTMAS!

"Jury Duty?" Are you kidding me?

Jury duty was quite the adventure-which is an understatement. I wish I had the stomach to spill all the details, but instead I will let anyone who cares to go on-line and read about the case. Andrea Billingsly- Teacher Assistant who sexually abused (seduced) two 14 year old boys. Guilty on all 7 counts. Here is a photo of my new best friends (jury members) haha!

Best part....I made $165 bucks!

Kyle's Birthday!

Kyle, how old are you now? I can't remember but i know you are still younger than me. I'm a cougar! Not a BYU cougar that's for sure. Go utes! (A win is a win, no matter how its done). Wait, Wait, Wait, okay, now back to my entry. We celebrated with dinner, desert star, and hanging with the kids. Hope you had a fabulous day and we look forward to many more wonderful birthdays!

November was also filled with birthdays of my other favorite people...my girly friends. I'm glad I could celebrate with them. I have the most amazing friends- they truly care for me and are always there for me-always!

Lilly Laughs: 1st grade class turkey recipe

This is the funniest thing! Lilly's class came up with a turkey recipe!

An original recipe written by Mrs. Walker’s 1st Grade

November 18, 2010

Ingredients
- A Turkey
- Salt
- Pepper
- Apples
- Oil
- A little bit of cheese

Directions

First, catch a turkey. Kill the turkey. Clean the turkey. First add
salt on the body of the turkey. Then add some pepper to the
turkey. Then put the apples inside the turkey. Next, put the
turkey in the oven. Turn on the oven to 130 degrees for 40
minutes. Let it cool. Take it out of the oven. Cut it. Then take
the legs off. Dip it in your favorite sauce.

Share with your friends and family.

Taylor Times: Halloween Happenings

A month long celebration for that creepy, scary, ghostly night they call HalLOweEN! Pumpkin pizza, pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and family fun.

A Flash from the Past

I was really torn about whether or not to enter this post, but I'm going to do it! Let me quote John Mayer, "Say what you need to say."

Its been 3 years since I had "The Big C". 3 years ago at this time I was finishing up my last chemo treatment. 3 years ago I was bald! Seriously? Did that happen to me? Wow! I can't believe how fast time flies. It seems so long ago but also seems so recent. So much has happened in 3 years. I wonder, "Can I look back on my life and love it?" Or hate it? I look back at these past few years and I love it! I love the life I have, and the life I've been given. I am so grateful. Its not a perfect life, which is perfect for a person who is SOoooo NOT perfect! I have so much to be grateful for! Its hard to say that chemotherapy is a good thing but it is. It healed me. I'm grateful for my surgeons. I'm grateful for my doctors and nurses. I'm grateful that I don't have to see them as often. What a relief. I'm grateful that my daughter won't have to go through this because medical advances will find a cure. There is a cure for everything. Sometimes its not the ideal cure, but its good enough. Sometimes a walk or a cookie is a cure for a bad day because your kids woke up during the night and you're really tired. There is goodness and joy in everything that is bad. We can have positive experiences during the hardest times of our lives. Its okay to cry! I'm a crier and that is just how I am. It's okay to cry even though it lets down your guard.

There are moments when I don't feel so good about my life. When I feel this way, I have to get down on my knees and pray. Every time I pray the Holy Ghost tells me the same thing every time..."Kyle. You have Kyle"

I don't know who got the worst end of the stick, me or Kyle. I don't know if the cancer was harder on Kyle or me? Actually, I know the answer to that question- it was definitely harder on Kyle. I know the Lord carried me through the hard times. He blessed me with the perfect guy to help carry me. He gave me Kyle. He gave me a man who would love me through thick and thin. A man who would love me unconditionally. A man who would love me for all my imperfections. Kyle is my rock! He is my best friend. Everything I love about my life is because of Kyle.

ThEn AnD noW

Missed Moment: Forgot to Post the Utah Game

I can't believe i forgot to post the utah game. Again, our sweet neighbors, Brandon and Jill Gunnell, gave us tickets to the game. Row 5 at the 10 yard line. Sweet seats. Cute Taylor Gunnell and Lilly!

******* GO UTES **************

******* I FEEL KIND OF GUILTY THAT BYU IS SO TERRIBLE *************

My Favorites

Tonight I was listening to one of my all time favorite songs, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2. I then began thinking about my other favorite songs. Then I started thinking about my favorite things. This might be fun-- writing down my favorite things....

My Favorite...

Bands- U2, John Mayer, Sting, Goo Goo Dolls, Cold Play, Rush and Justin Timberlake

Stars- Matthew McConaughey, Julia Roberts

Movies- Sisterhood of the traveling pants, Mama Mia and The Wedding Planner

Restuarants- Rumbis, Great Harvest, Trio Cafe, Market Street, Bajio, Porcupine Grill

Breakfast food- crepes, Life cereal, toast

Lunch food- Sandwiches and Salads

Favorite meal of the Day- LUNCH

Treat- sugar cookies from Smart Cookie, cakebites, Coke

Soda- Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi

Burger Joints- Training Table, Smash Burger, In & Out and McDonald's fries

Things to Do- shop with friends, eat with friends, ski with family, swim with friends and family

and date night with Kyle (eating out is a must for date night!!)

new song- Teenage Dream by Katy Perry (weird, I know) and Best Days by Matt White

places to go- lake, pool, canyons, Gateway and Thanksgiving Point

color- green

shows to watch- The Hills, The City, So you think you can dance

new books- The Help and Glass Castle

chores- no one likes to work but if i have to work I don't mind yard work and vacuuming.

things- topiaries, flowers, anything with polka dots

computer- MAC

make-up- I need a favorite...Im too scared to buy the expensive stuff. I like bronzer!

childhood memory- building houses in the snow. We made little beds, fridges, couches, tables and chairs.

vacation- our trip to Boston a few years ago. We went in October which is the perfect time of year!

crafts to make- cards and tags

Weird Habits- I like to eat dinner foods for breakfast.

Max Moments: I done drop a deuce!

When Max has to go number 2 he usually hides somewhere to do his business. I think he found the "dump" truck as better source than the toilet. Its hit and miss with Max going poo in the toilet, but the last time he went he said. "I done drop a deuce, mom. It splash in the water. It got my bum wet."

Taylor Times: First Day of School

Back to School means new class, new teachers, new friends and new clothes! My faundest memory as a child was "back to school" days. I remember how excited I got when I put on a new pair of clothes and shoes. When I got to school and open my desk I loved the smell of new crayons. I loved writing with a sharp new pencil. It was a scary time too. I remember looking around the classroom and wondering about the new girls and asking myself if they would want to be my friend. Not much as changed. I see my kids going through the same experiences. Even as an adult we get excited about a new pen, new clothes, new callings, and new friends. I still look around the room and wonder if the new girl would like to be my friend. Its funny how much life doesn't change even into adulthood. With life-experiences under our belt, we can go into new situations with confidence.

Good Luck Conner, Lilly and Max. 2010-2011 will be an exciting year!

Conner Quotes: Can I have a slalom ski instead of a wakeboard

"Now I know why you like to slalom ski." said Conner. That is what we've been wanting to hear from Conner for the past year. Now we can say it....Conner can slalom ski! He got up Saturday. It took a couple of tries but then he got up and skied half way then let go. When I went to pick him up he said he wanted to try again without Kyle's help. On his first try he got up again! He did so well. He looked just like his father. I was so happy for Conner but more happy for Kyle because Kyle has been wanting this more than Conner wanted it. Its so typical for a dad to want his son to follow in his footsteps. What a proud papa!

Lagoon: Merry Christmas

I'm not going to lie...I really like Lagoon. Its almost like Christmas. Things I love: I love it when Conner says, "mom, that ride almost made me pee my pants." I love it when Conner says, "Mom, I need a nose mask because that ride makes my nose run." I love it when Lilly gets excited that she is tall enough to go on a big-kid ride. I love it when Max's eyes pop out when he rides the Tidal-wave. I love the smell of fried food. I love to eat the cotton candy, corn-on-the-cob, slurpees, funnel cake, and pretzels. I love to visit Pioneer Village just for the ice cream- ((however, I was a little disappointed this year at the ice cream shop because it smelled like "fart." Maybe thats because 4 teenage boys were manning the place)).

My favorite rides at Lagoon:

Tilt-a-Whirl....oh, baby! We rode this one several times in a row. iF you can get it to spin just right, it will take your breath away. I love it. Im totally dizzy at the end but I'll do it again and again.

Flying Aces: That one is whimsical. Just like it

Rollar Coaster: A classic and it makes you want to pee your pants

Wild Mouse: We have a love/hate relationship. I love the thrill but it freaks me out at each turn. You know what I mean.

Tidal wave: Its fun and my whole family can go together at once. That one makes my tummy tickle

Cherry Crest Mania: Rollerblading

Our street is known for a lot of action! Kids galore. On any given summer night you will find scooters, bikes, mopeds, wagons, and jeeps racing around. The latest cool thing to do is rollerblading. Blading behind a jeep or 4 wheeler is even more fun.

Andrew's Miraculous Recovery

Here is a letter from a doctor who attended to Andrew:

"I have requested a patient of mine, Andrew Gardner, see you in follow up for hisotology care. He is a delightful 9 year old male who has had a miraculous recovery from a near drowning accident here in Idaho on the Salmon River. He was airlifted to St. Luke's hospital where he was resuscitated in the Pediatric ICU. He had initial multi-organ failure and still has some shortness of breath, but has had what appears to be a complete neurological recovery. At the time of his initial transport, his pupils were fixed. He had no purposeful movement or neurological activity, so this was quite an amazing recovery."

I am so happy that Andrew is better. He is so amazing. Its my testimony that prayer and fasting works.

Max Moments: Look Mom, A Pirate!

Last night we were sitting at Smash Burger and Max yells across the table, "Look Mom, a Pirate!" I look behind to see what Max is talking about and I see an older gentleman with long, gray hair wearing a patch over his eye. Then the man walks over to the soda machine and Max yells, "Look Mom, its a girl Pirate!"

Nice, Max! Kids call it the way they see it!

U of U Basketball Camp

For the past four days Conner has been attending the U of U basketball camp. What a great experience for him. He met some really cool college players and learned a lot. He was actually coached by Jimmy. When we arrived the first day he was greeted by Andre Miller. Andre was so friendly and nice to all the boys and he helped coach them too.

Night Skiing at Last Chance Lakes

It was the 2nd annual "Under the Lights" waterskiing party at Last Chance. This year Rick made t-shirts saying "under the lights twenty ten" And what a night it was...

Rick rented construction lights to surround the lake to light our way down the course. The excitement started at 10 PM sharp! The party started at 10 and ended at 3:30 AM. I was the second person to go! . Kyle had the best time slot...12:15 AM. I wasn't sure how I would do doing such a crazy thing. I thought maybe I would have a panic attack but not so! It was AWESOME! We had so much fun. It was beautiful. The water was smooth as butter and the lights glistened on the water to illuminate our way down the ski course. It seemed that for most everyone who skied that night said it was one of their best ski runs ever. The kids bundled up under their sleeping bags and enjoyed the ride.

So far, time at the lake has been so enjoyable. We've truly enjoyed our time with family and friends. We hope to have many more exciting and enjoyable days ahead at Last Chance Lakes.

Carrot Snatcher

So much for growing a garden! Enough said.

Powell

Lots of fun in God's country. Lake Powell is breathtaking. Endless hours of water fun....skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and the BANANA. Being pulled behind the banana is my most favorite thing in the world, especially when you ride it backwards. Hopefully Kevin has the video.