Naughty Boys

This is how they look when they are naughty....

This is how Max looks when NAUGHTINESS runs out......asleep on the pantry floor

Valentines Day Dinner

Each year we do a candle light dinner with the kids. This year Lilly made name cards for everyone. Good time, however, two minutes into dinner Conner said, "Mom, I can't see my food. Can we turn the lights back on?" So much for that

Lilly's First Cavity

Lilly got her first cavity...isnt that special? 300 Hundred Dollar special, ugh! But she walked away with this cute teddy bear from Dr. Poulsen. Perfect reason to NOT brush your teeth ever again. I love Dr. Poulsen! I really do.

Kyle's Passion: Guitar

This was the best Christmas present for Kyle- a Les Paul Gibson electric guitar. You should have seen the look on his face when he opened the box. He was SPEECHLESS!

Kyle has played his baby everyday since Christmas

Pastey to Tastey

I hope Kyle doesn't get mad when he reads this but I have to tell this story. so funny!

Last month, I suggested to Kyle that he should go tanning before our cruise. He replied, "No, thanks. Its not my thing." I laughed because that is such a guy thing to say. I told him he should tan so he won't burn while on the cruise. You would think that as dark as he is and with his olive skin tone that he wouldn't burn but he does! During the summer he cakes on the sun screen-which is good- but he still burns. So finally after hours of "communicating" he said he will go tanning. A month goes by and he still hasn't gone tanning. Now its one week before the cruise and he decides, "OH! I need to start tanning."

Well its Monday night and he goes to Golden Tan. He pulls into the parking lot and freezes up. He won't go in. He calls me at home and says, "There are so many people inside. Its going to take forever. I don't want to do this." I reply, "Just go in. Tanning is only a few minutes. They will be done soon." He goes in.

FORTY FIVE MINUTES LATER he comes home. I am shocked that it has taken him so long. He walks into the house with the angriest face I have ever seen-which does not happen often. He was sooooo mad and said he would never go back ever again. This is what happened.

He goes up to the gal, "NIkki" (perfect name for a tanning salon employee) and says, "Im a tanning VIRGIN and I want to go from PASTEY TO TASTEY" Are you kidding me?! Did he really say that? YES! She tells him to do the high pressure bed. He calls me to find out if that is the right bed, "Yes, it is" THen Nikki tells him about their monthly special and its $80. Kyle went cross-eyed but then said YES, I will buy the pass." Nikki then proceeds to tell Kyle about her fabulous lotions. " You have to wear lotion....would you brush your teeth without toothpaste?" Kyle sees her point and says he will buy some lotion. She makes him smell several bottles and he said, "Okay fine. I will buy a this lotion" She says that will be 110. He said, "wow, only a dollar?" "um no, one hundred and ten dollars." Well, toothpaste doesn't cost more than five dollars" He said, "No! but I will buy a sample pack for 4 dollars. She rings him up and then takes him back to the "HIGH PRESSURE" BED......

Nikki explains the details of the bed and how it works. Kyle asks, "Do I go full monte?" "Why Yes, you do" (awkward). Kyle undresses and gets into the bed (of course after Nikki leaves the room). Five minutes goes by and the bed POPS open. He starts pushing buttons trying to get the bed to close but nothing is working. He gets out and puts his clothes back on. He goes to the front desk and tells Nikki, "My bed popped open" "HUH? What? No way? (in her valley girl voice). Are you serious?" So they walk back to the room and she pushes more buttons and tells Kyle to get back in the bed and it shouldn't happen again. Nikki leaves. Kyle undresses again and gets back into the bed. Sure enough, ten minutes goes by and POP! The bed opens up again. Kyle didn't want to get dressed AGAIN so he peeks his head out the door and yells, "Help! Help! I need some help back here. Hello! can someone help me? Something is wrong with my bed....hello....hello....hello" Finally he gets a reply. But its not from Nikki- its from the lady in the next bed. She tells Kyle to SHUT-UP and stop yelling.

By now, Kyle has had it! He was so mad. He gets dressed. Marches to the front desk. Looks at Nikki and says, "I want my money back. Your bed is broken. This is not for me." Nikki, "What? (valley girl voice) What? Was that you yelling?" "Ah,Yes. Thanks for helping me. and I would like my money back please" Nikki says, "uummm.... I am not authorized to do that. I will have to call head-quarters to get approval."

"Whatever" Kyle leaves.

Kyle comes home and I ask how the tanning went. He replies, "Well, which side?" "Huh? What do you mean 'which side'?" In a sarcastic voice he says, "Only half of my body got a tan."

Poor Kyle! Im so sorry he didn't have a good first experience tanning. But in the end, I talked him into going to Electric Beach and he has gone from "PASTEY to TASTEY"

Andew's BBall Story

Visit......... brandonandstacie.blogspot.com...... sweet story about Andrew............

New Year: New Beginnings

2010 was memorable but 2011 will be unforgettable. It's my hunch. 2011 will be filled with fun, great accomplishments , connections and reconnecting, peace, and great health!

Fun with Friends and Family! Great accomplishments on the ski course (snow and water). Connecting with all those I care about. Reconnecting with those who I haven't been with for awhile! Peaceful moments. Great health- no illnesses of any sort - I'm not going to count FREAKING PINK EYE because that was before I wrote this. Pink Eye really cramps a girl's style! I can't live without mascara.

How could I forget this....2011 will be unforgettable because I will set a new TEXTING record. I love to text!

Christmas Celebrations: The Big Day

Up at 6AM. Grandma's at 8AM. Home at 12PM. Mama Rosa and Papa Joe here at 1PM. Play, play play in between it all. So fun!!!!!!!

Big Items- Band Hero, All American Doll and BUZZ Wings

Christmas Celebrations: Dinner with Kyle's High School Buddies

Christmas isn't Christmas without long time friends. We joined up with a few of the fellas and their wives- Mike and Meagan, Matt and Amy. Krista and Bret couldn't make it last minute because they were sick. It was a lovely evening filled with big laughs! Kyle and Amy were on fire! The setting was beautiful. We dined at Harvest restaurant (I really like their Rock Shrimp nachos and flat bread). It was just what we all needed...especially Meagan! No kids and no drama.

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."