Two Year Photos

My cute friend Summer took some photos of Taylee last week. It was an adventure to say the least!! Luckily Summer brought her little helper Elle and they both wore their running shoes. We chased her up, down, and all around! If you are interested in viewing all 200+ photos, visit sweettayleegirl.shutterfly.com, use the password "baby." Here are just a few of our favorites -

Taylee broke free during her wardrobe change,

and she took full advantage!

Luckily Summer caught it on film.

Hiking Mt. Ogden

The boys went out for another big hike last weekend. They tackled Mt. Ogden, and although they didn't reach the summit they had an exhilarating, exhausting hike. Next time they plan to hike to the top, then take the Snowbasin gondola down the other side! That way they won't feel so exhausted with the thought that every step they take up the mountain is a step they will have to take back down. Several years ago Kent and I hiked to the top then went down the Snowbasin side of the mountain. It was fun, but also very exhausting. Well, you won't see us making an attempt at Everest anytime soon! Mountaineers we are not! But day hikers? For sure!!

They even found large snow drifts up near the top.

And, of course, the post wouldn't be complete without the flower Kent picked for me!

Party Prep!

Taylee's birthday is coming up, and along with her birthday, is a birthday party!! We prepped the pool (i.e. patched the holes!) last week so it would be ready for her party. The big blow up water slide is a bit too much for Taylee and the littles. But the big kids love it!

Skyler claims that this pool is the perfect place to get a tan.

Personally, I think he looks pretty uncomfortable . . .

And I included this picture just cuz I like it! So there!

Zion National Park

Recently my boys had the opportunity to take a quick jaunt down to Zion National Park. This was something that Kent had been wanting to take Skyler to do for quite some time, and since I had a few days off to stay home with miss Taylee, they headed off! They were pretty disappointed upon their arrival to find this . . .
The high waters this spring had kept the river running high further into the season than normal. They decided to make the best of things and headed out for the Emerald Pools. This turned out to be a good warm-up hike for them . . .
Because the next day they tackled Angel's Landing! This trail is quite well-known for it's beauty as well as it's terror-inducing heights and drop-offs. Several people have died on this trail in the past several years. Needless to say, I wasn't so sure I wanted them to complete this hike! They did indeed hike all the way to the top, along with more people than you would anticipate on such an intimidating trail. Apparently it's reputation precedes itself! Here are a few photos to demonstrate . . .

I wasn't even there, and I am sure these photos don't do this hike justice!

In this next photo you may notice Skyler's knuckles clutching the chain. Do they look a little white to you? ;) Mine certainly would be.

But, alas, they did summit, and they said it was well worth it! The trip was exhausting but pretty spectacular, as they have never had the opportunity to enjoy Zion before. I am looking forward to going along next time!

They even managed to slip in some pool time and 9 holes of golf at Sky Mountain. They took no pix of their golf game, because they were too busy avoiding the houses lining the course. Kent is notorious for hitting houses, and we avoid courses with houses at all costs! Little did they know when they went off the back nine what they were in for!!

My favorite part of these recent hiking trips Kent and Skyler have been taking is that Kent spends a few minutes on each hike to find me a flower. He takes a photo of "my flower" and brings it home for me. Seriously, how sweet is that? Here is my flower from Angel's Landing . . .

Happy Hiking Everyone!

Happy Hillbilly 4th of July!

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! We started out on Saturday attending a bbq at an old friends house. Good times were had by all, even Taylee. She conquered the massive hill in their backyard, announcing to the whole party "I did it!" when she reached the top. We kept her out a little later than we should have, but were glad to find that she did just fine. She didn't find her way to her crib until after midnight! Her normal bedtime is well before nine.

On Sunday we spent the afternoon at the Roy Aquatic Center. We all enjoyed an afternoon of fun in the sun!

On Monday, the 4th, we headed to Ogden for the Hot Rockin' 4th Demolition Derby! If you've never been to a derby, I suggest you check it out. It's a hillbilly event for sure, but way fun! Taylee was manageable, and really liked it when each new heat would begin and all the cars would be revving their engines and roaring around hitting each other. We taught her to say "car go boom!" I hope she doesn't remember this when she turns 16! The fireworks display afterwards was excellent, and the first that Taylee was actually aware of. She loved it, pointing at the fireworks and exclaiming "whoa!!" and "pitty!" (pretty!). We headed home after the event, and by this time it was nearly 11 pm. Once again, well past bedtime. She would fall asleep in the car, then suddenly awaken and yell "car boom!" She did this several times on the way home. It was hilarious!

We are so grateful we have our independence to celebrate! God Bless America!

P.S. Yes, these are the best pictures I have from the 4th, because I forgot my camera, so I was using my phone, which has a poor excuse for a camera.

P.P.S. Taylee didn't drain a whole coke in this last photo. But we did let her taste a little dribble!

Duck, Duck, Goose!

We took Taylee and Skyler to the park to feed the ducks on Sunday afternoon. Well, we kinda dragged Skyler with us, but I swear he had a little fun. The ducks were a little scarce, but we made do with what we could find. Taylee enjoyed throwing bread into the river, whether the ducks were there or not! It's a difficult task to get her to stay still for a photo . . .

In this one, I asked her to smile for the camera. This is what she did instead. Um . . . gross.
Skyler is, of course, too cool to throw bread to the ducks. ;)

However, he did have a good
time showing Taylee
the fun to be had at the playground.

What Happens with Nana . . .

THIS is what happens when Nana is in charge . . .

No wonder Taylee asks for Nana EVERYDAY!

Fun, fun, fun!

Weeds

Taylee's new favorite task is pulling weeds. She demands to go "ousiii" at which point she says "mommy cawwee bucka" (mommy carry bucket). "Puw wees!" (pull weeds). Her weed pulling takes careful direction from me, as she thinks all plants, flowers, etc., are weeds. She tried to pull the neighbors vegetable garden today. Luckily I stopped her just in time! We have pulled every little bit of weed greenery in our yard now, much to her dismay. She says "Mow Wees!" (More weeds). Kent found a couple of hidden monster weeds in the bushes yesterday. He pulled them and tried to hand them to her. She was thrilled - "Whoa! Weee!" (Whoa, weed). She carried them around for 20 minutes. Funny girl! Who knew, right?

Our prize winning weeds

Tayleeisms

I realize that at this age the things Taylee says are not funny in a "oh the things kids say" kind of way. However, I (as well as Kent and the rest of the fam) think the things she says are absolutely stinkin' adorable. Much of this is due to the 'way' she says them. So, although they are cute only to those of us who love her to pieces, I'm puttin' em' in my blog, just to help me remember all the 'little things.' So, go ahead, roll your eyes and read on, or skip it altogether. You've been warned!

*She loves to remove things from my purse, or other random areas and place them into baskets, bags, buckets, etc. She then announces "I pui it!" As in I put it! (on a side note, I recently found a dirty diaper she stashed in a cloth grocery bag. Yummy.)
*She loves Sesame Street, and she calls it sneet. And her favorite sesame street episode has a little pet rock named rocko. She has been known to repeat "sneet, wocko" over and over.
*I've heard this from other moms - when she wants me to pick her up she says "hole you." Maybe because I ask "you want mommy to hold you?"
*When she finds a "unique" place to sit, she sits and announces "I sitting!"
*She loves to kick. She let's everyone know what she's doing by yelling "I keek!"
*When she wants to walk somewhere she's not totally comfortable going and she wants to hold your hand, she demands "han!"
*She is very opinionated. When she doesn't like something that is going on around her - ie, the song on the radio, the food I place in front of her, etc, she announces "no dis!"
*When leaving for work, etc, we say "bye, love you." Her version is more like "byyyeee, liyooo."
And she says bye to everything. "Byyyeee Elmo. Byyyeee Toys. Byyyyeee Car." And so on, and on, and on.
*We work hard on manners. She has perfected please - "pee." But thank you requires lots of prompting. When she finally says thank you, it's simply "q!"
*And last but not least, the infamous fruity shake. She calls it a "he." Maybe for fruity? Who knows, really. It's cute.

Zoo-Mania!

We took Taylee to the zoo for the very first time

on Sunday.

She had a great time and even managed

to spot a few

animals while cruising the park.

We enjoyed the company of our good friends
Lana, Danny, and little Tavin.

Tavin is just a bit younger than Taylee

and he was sure a good boy!

Kent and I were so impressed by how content
he was to chill in his stroller.
Our little Taylee is sure a busy body!

Taylee loved the elephant exhibit!

Not the real live elephants exactly,

but a huge metal elephant that played music.

Go figure!

Although the kids look kinda freaked out,
they both had a great time on the carousel!

Taylee was so excited to roam independently,

climb rocks, look at animals, AND people,

that she eventually wound up wearing

Tavin's monkey backpack.

Otherwise known as a kid leash.

This was working really well until

she stood in the middle of the

zoo screaming "on, on" (which really means off!),

and pulling the monkey off her back. Heehee.

That's my girl!

All in all, we had a great day at the zoo!

We are so glad that spring (maybe even summer?!)

has finally arrived in Utah!

P.S. Is anybody besides me having a

difficult time with the spacing on blogger?!