~ Trey's 8th Birthday Presents ~

Okerlund Family Reunion

     This year we went to Yellowstone for our family vacation.  We got up early on Saturday, July 23rd to begin our trip to Wyoming.  Our first stop was in Cheyenne, where we met up with Grandma, Grandpa, Marshall and Trevor.  This stop gave the kids a chance to play around and get the wiggles out before we hit the road again.  Our next stop was outside of Kemmer where we stopped for a lunch.  This was such a pretty drive, we saw so many antelope and wind mills.  Around 4:00 that afternoon, we finally made it to Jackson Hole.  Jeremy and I were able to take the kids around down town to show them Antler Arch and some of the fun shops around the park.  They had fun seeing all of the neat statues outside the shops.  We then headed off to Colter Bay.  After being pulled over by a Park Ranger for Jeremy not putting his seat belt on before he put the car in drive and giving the kids complete panic, we soon made it to Colter Bay.  We ended checking into our cabin and then headed to the campground spots where Grandpa and Grandma and Jason and Mary were staying.  Jeremy and I were in charge of dinner this night.  We served hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, pasta salad, and finished with a yummy cobbler.  We then hung out for a while and then we headed into our cabin.  Our first night, we stayed in a single room cabin with two double beds and one twin.  This worked out great and the kids thought it was lots of fun. 

     On Sunday morning, we woke up and ate breakfast with everyone at the trailers.  We then decided we would go hang out down by Jenny Lake.  Almost everybody went on the hike around the lake and then rode the ferry boat back to shore.  This area of Jackson Hole was very pretty.  The water was so calm and amazingly blue.  This hike took almost four hours and those that stayed back enjoyed visiting with everyone.  After everyone got back from the hike, we headed back to Colter Bay.  Once we arrived, the kids quickly got their swimming suits on to play in the lake near the camp ground.  The weather was so great and the water was so calm.  They had so much fun playing in the water with all their cousins.  McKenna, Tyler, Brynn, Trevor, Porter, and Marshall all swam out to the buoy. 

     Monday morning, we got up early to head off to Yellowstone.  Grandpa had picked up some really cute 'Smokey' hats from the Forest Service to take on the trip.  When we got to the famous 'Yellowstone National Park' sign, we all wore a hat for a group shot.  It was hilarious.  Everyone who was waiting for their turn in front of the sign watching us, had to think that we were nuts, but oh well, it made a great Kodak moment.  I think Jeremy had more fun with that had than any of the kids.  He decided to wear the hat as we went through the Yellowstone entrance.  The Park Ranger even commented on his nice hat.

     Our trip through Yellowstone was so fun.  We started off by seeing 'Old Faithful'.  This was fun for the kids to see this amazing, reliable geyser.  We were able to get the kids some really fun souvenirs here at the gift shop.  After 'Old Faithful', we rode around to see some of the hot pots.  This was so fun for the kids to see this natural beauty.  After leaving the hot pots, were were able to see one big bull elk off the side of the road.  We then stopped to see the Lower Falls waterfall.  It is amazing the amount of water and height of this waterfall. 

    This trip around the south end of Yellowstone, we were able to see three grizzly bears, it was two cubs and their mom.  Even though it was quite far away, through the binoculars, we were able to see the mom and two cubs swim across the river, talk about amazing.  We also saw several buffalo and mule deer, a lot of these we were able to see up close and personal.   After a long day in the car, we stopped at a lodge on our way out of Yellowstone and ate some dinner.  We made it back to our cabins where everyone was wore out from a long day.

    Our plan for Tuesday was to go tour Jackson Hole.  We all met at the Antler Arch park and after that we split up for a couple of hours.  McKenna and Trey decided that rather than go shopping, they wanted to go through the 'Ripley's Believe It or Not' museum.  This was very interesting to see, yet more fun to watch McKenna take pictures of about everything.  She was totally amazed by it all.  At 2:00 we met everyone else at the Cadillac Diner for lunch.   After a great meal, we spent some time and some of the other shops in town where we bought Trey his sunglasses and the rest of us all got new baseball caps.  He then headed out of town to go look for more animals.  The only thing that we saw more of was buffalo.

     The kids wanted to head to get back in the water, but before we got back to Colter Bay, we stopped when we saw all the traffic to see what the attraction was nearby.  We soon found out that there were two bull moose at this swampy area nearby.  We walked where we were able to see the larger of the two rested up in some brush.  We stayed for quite sometime in hopes he would stand up, but since he never did, we left and then came back later.  This time, we were able to watch the big one stand up to eat.  With the sun going down, it made it hard to see him, so we began walking back to the car when the small moose came out from the trees and began to eat.  It was so so neat to see a moose that close.   What made it even more fun was that we were able to stay long enough to watch them both come out from the trees and eat to where we could see them pretty close.  What a truly amazing animal.  To me, that made the whole trip.  Crazy thing of it was is that they were only about a mile outside of Colter Bay, we didn't even have to go into Yellowstone so see such a thing! 

    After the moose sighting, we went back and had a delicious dinner provided by Jason and Mary.  We then headed back to the cabin and got everything ready so we could head out early on Wednesday morning.

    We got up around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and soon after getting ready, began our trip home.  Our way home we ended up going through Idaho to break up the ride.  The ride up was definitely a lot prettier and quicker than the ride home.  Even though mileage ways it should only take eight hours, we stopped here and there to give everyone a chance to run and relax.  Luckily, our stops were short and sweet and we made it home in 10 hours.  Unlike Tyler and Ashley, they ran into traffic jams and it took them a lot longer.

    Thank you Jason and Mary for planning such a memorable vacation.  There were 20 of the 24 of us in attendance.  Since Alyssa was only a couple of weeks old, Justin, Tammy, and Morgan stayed home.  We missed them, but hope we can do this again in the future with all of us!  We have had this trip planned since November of 2010, back then we thought it would never get here.  Now that we have gone and spent this time with family, it will definitely be a trip that we will never forget.

Celebrity in Town . . . . .

This week at the Casino Star Theatre, Disney Pixar's 'Cars 2' movie opened.  As part of the excitement of having the movie come to town, Gunnison was honored to have its very own Mater parked out front of the theatre. He definitely looked like the real thing.  There has been people from all over stop to have their photo taken with this celebrity.  He has also put Gunnison on the map on several of the news channels. 

Seth Hendrickson saw this old tow truck back behind his dad's house several years ago and moved down to their farm year with thoughts of making his own Mater.  Once he heard that that there was going to be a 'Cars 2' come out on video, he decided now would be a good time to create this celebrity.   In one day he turned this old rusted tow truck into the latest 'Tow Mater'. 

Our kids could not wait to have their chance to have a photo opt with good ole' Mater.  We walked to main street and had to wait our turn for our chance to meet him.  The kids thought he was the neatest thing around.  It has definitely been the talk of the town and something for all to see!





Check out Ally!  What a crack up!

 

Will I Ever Get Caught Up?

Okay, so it has been several weeks since I have blogged and I am feeling bit overwhelmed when I think about how what it will take to get caught up.  When I do think I have a minute to blog at least one thing, there is always something that pulls me away and then I don't take the time to go back to finish what I started.  Besides blogging, I feel behind with the everyday things of life, ie, laundry, laundry, and more laundry.  It seems like I wash, dry, fold, put away and then before I know it, its dirty again and it is a never ending cycle. 

I have been back to work now for several weeks.  It does feel good to get back into some sort of schedule, but when I get home from work there are so many things that I want to do, yet what I want to do and what I do get to do are usually two completely different things!  There are so many days that I wonder if I will ever get everything ever caught up and feel like there is some sort of organization in my life and I then have reality hit me and know that not in this period of my life will things every be all the ways caught up.  And in all honesty, I know I wouldn't change this time of my life with my husband and kids for total organization.  I mean, we can't always have the cake and eat it too!  So in the meantime and one day at a time, I am going to work on getting life blogged so we remember how crazy and chaotic our lives can really be!

Two Months Old!



Tyra is 2 Months Old!

9 lb 10 oz

22 Inches Long

15 inches - head measurement

Here are a few highlights of our little girl  - - -

- Still in Newborn size diapers.

- Has gained 3 lbs since she was born.

- Tyra's weight is in the 15% of the average baby this age.

- She height is in the 25% of baby's her age.

- Her head measurement is in the 50% of the average baby her age.

- She was blessed this month!

- Loves the tub!

- Beginning to sleep about 5 hours per night before awaking.

- Starting to smile.

- Received 3 shots at today's doctor appointment.

- Is loved by all!

~ Tyra's Baby Blessing ~

/05

~  TYRA LOTTIE TAYLOR  ~

Today was Tyra's baby blessing, it was such a special day for her and our family.   Jeremy gave her such a beautiful priesthood blessing, wishing her happiness, love, faith, and strength in her life, her education, her friendships and family.  For the blessing, Tyra was fortunate to have all of her uncles and grandpas there to participate in this special moment with her.  With all those men standing in the circle, they seemed to have just the right touch, because they were able to keep her bouncing just enough that she stayed awake for the entire blessing without making one peep!  Not only was so she good for the blessing, but she looked so beautiful in her blessing dress.  She just sparkled in her pure white dress.

~  The Taylor Family   ~

~ TYRA'S BABY BLESSING DINNER  ~

After sacrament meeting, everyone met at the Gunnison City Hall for dinner.  We ate barbeque brisquet, ymmy potatoes, green salads, jello salads, rolls and desserts.  Everything tasted so good.  The cousins all had a great time running wild, all while eating and mingling.  It is so fun to have both sides of our families together and enjoy each of them.

~  Tara and Morgan  ~

~  Cupcakes with monogrammed toppers  ~

More Pictures to come . . .  

We are so blessed to have such a great family and are so fortunate to have the gospel in our lives.    Today turned out to be such a great day for all of us!

School's Out!

Fourth Grade Field Trip

Today was McKenna's Fourth Grade Field Trip.  The entire 4th grade went to the Fremont Indian State Park and Cove Fort.  Every kid wore the shirts that they made for May Day, this made it easier for the group to keep together and a chance for the kids to wear their shirts one more time.  At the Indian Park, McKenna saw rock art, a ton of lizards, a granary and got to go in a pit house.  At Cove Fort, she saw two possessions that the Hinckley family used, one was a clock and the other was rocking chair.  She thought it was neat to see a gun that was used in the Civil War.  She was able to go the top of the fort where the soldiers would looks out to see who was coming to the fort.  There they watched a movie that taught them about the life styles of pioneers.  She also learned that the pioneer girls would brush there hair then they would put that extra hair in a hair box and when the time came they would use the hair for doll hair.

She also learned that the pioneers tooth brush bristles are pig hair.  She had so much fun and got back at

4:00 pm

First Grade Field Trip

Today is Trey's First Grade Field Trip.  He was so excited about it that he woke me up at 2:00 am wondering how many minutes he had left before he could go.  I explained to him that he had at least five hours of sleep before he even needed to get up and get ready for school.  Since I was up with the baby, he decided he wanted to sleep on he couch.  He closed his eyes for a few minutes and then woke back up and asked me again how many minutes he had left before school.  I told him five hours, then he wanted to know how many minutes five hours is.  I explained to him that he would need to count to 60 at least 300 times.  He then realized that was a lot, so after I scratched his back, he fell back to sleep!

For his field trip, the entire first grade ended up going to the Sanpete County Court House, Snow College and finish at the Gunnison City Swimming Pool.  He was excited to take a home lunch to eat, it was too bad that it rained because they ended up going back to the school to eat lunch rather than have a fun picnic at the park.  Trey's favorite part of the day was seeing the two headed sheep at the Snow College Museum and swimming.   

Our Baby Tyra

Tyra is One Month Old!

I can't believe how fast one month has flown by.  Tyra is changing so much and getting so big!  Here are a few highlights about our little Tyra . . .

~She likes to eat about every 3 hours.

~Is still in Newborn size diapers.

~Newborn size clothes still fit her, any thing bigger just drowns her.

~Likes to be held up on my shoulder or facing out so she can see what's going on.

~When up on my shoulder, she snuggles up and puts her little face up under my chin.

~Cries when we put her in her carseat, but quits when on the go.

~Has been to Manti, Ephraim, and Salina a couple of times and one trip to Provo. 

~Looks more like her dad than the other three kids have.

~Likes to be wrapped up in her blanket to be fed or when she sleeps!

~Gets more kisses in one day than anyone else I know!

We are so greatful for Tyra in our house and are so excited to watch her grow!



Tyra's Newborn Pictures

Off to a Good Start! - Day 5



Yah! Our new house is making good progress. 

What we thought wouldn't be started until today for our concrete work, was actually started last Tuesday.  Today, the cement was poured for the crawl space walls and then they did the footings for the garage, front porch, and back porch were put in.  Tomorrow, May 17, 2011, the cement will be poured for the footings, with hopes the cement crew will get to the forms for the garage and porch walls.  The cement crew is hoping to be done with their initial work by Thursday.  Jeremy talked with the framer and he is planning on being here on Monday!  I can't wait to start seeing walls! 



Fun Facts of Our 7 Year Old!

1-  You can always find a whole bunch of candy wrappers in the pockets of his Levis.

2-  He is girl trapped.  Which to Trey means he is surrounded by a bunch of girls!

3-  He can still pop his ears inside out.  He has been able to do this since he was a baby.  See photo.

4-  Shares a bedroom with McKenna.

5-  Favorite cartoon is Phineas and Ferb on the Disney Channel.

6 - Shares a closet and dresser with Allyson.

7-  Likes to play with Star Wars toys.

8-  One his favorite movies is Hidalgo.

9-  Will someday make a great husband and father.  He is such a easy going, lovable kid.  He is willing to play with Ally and feed Tyra when I need some help.

10-  Just finished up his first year of ballroom dancing.  His partner was Jakell Sorenson.  He claims that he didn't like it, but I know deep down he had fun!

11-  Loves to play farm.  He has six folding fences, so he is able to build about any size arena and corrals that he wants.  His only limitation is the room usually isn't big enough for all the animals, trucks, and fencing that he has!

12-  Loves watermelon!

13-  Likes to shoot his BB gun.  He actually shot his first bird this spring.

14-  Not real good about sleeping in. 

15-  Likes to play his Nintendo DS, especially Mario Kart and Star Wars.

16-  Likes to help his dad do chores!

17-  Is a good roper.  He wants to be a team roper when he grows up.  He likes to fantasize about winning all the money, all the trucks and all the girls! 

18-  Is a great reader and math wizard.

19-  Loves to color and is so good at it.  The last coloring book he had given to him, he started at the front of the book and colored it front to back without skipping a page.

20-  Is Jeremy's best bud!

Trey, you are the best.  Thanks for being You!  Mom

Fun Facts of Our 10 Year Old Daughter. . .

1-  Is a great dancer.  Just finished up another great year of Jazz and Hip Hop with the Dance Works Studio.

2-  Is a great reader.  She read enough books to get 158.1 Accelerated Reader points this year.

3-  Likes to make up her own music pieces on the piano.  'Butterflies in the Springtime' is her lastest piece.

4-  Likes to drink Dr. Pepper.

5-  Her favorite word is 'Tropical'.

6-  Her best friends are Abby Jensen and Kezzley Winn.

7-  Doesn't like mashed potatoes at school lunch, all because in 3rd grade she found a string in her serving of  potatoes. 

8-  Has the biggest collection of Littlest Pet Shop of any girl I know!  I bet she has over 100 pets!

9-  Has learned how to run the washer and dryer.  (Big bonus for me!!)

10-  Likes to go shopping, have her nails done, and likes lots of bling and pink!

11-  Still likes to write notes and reminders for everyone in the family.

12-  Her favorite TV show is "Shake It Up" on the Disney Channel. 

13-  Wants to be a teacher when she grows up!

14-  Is a great big sister.  She helps with Ally and Tyra at a moments notice.  She will make a great mother someday.

15-  Likes to hoard candy down in her bedroom. 

16-  Her favorite candy bar is 'Reese's' peanut butter cups.

17-  Loves to eat fresh strawberries.

18-  Sings in the shower, and its LOUD :)

19-  Can sometimes be total Drama.

20-  Runs our phones and her I-pod touch like its a simple toy.
21-  Has a great British accent.

McKenna, thanks for being YOU!  I love everything about you! 

It Is Official! - Day 1

 

Yes, that's right, the fact that we are getting a new house is now official.  Jeremy and I are so excited that we can hardly stand it! :)   We have looked forward to this day for the last couple of years and now we can hardly believe that this day is finally here.   



Today, there was a couple of guys there with a trackhoe digging and preping the ground.  On Monday, it is planned that our cement contractor will be here to start forming up the walls for the crawl space.  With lots work ahead of us, we both know it will be worth it.

Doctor Visit

Tyra's 2 Week Checkup!

7 lb 9 oz.

20 1/4 inches long

14 inches - head measurement

Tyra is doing great at her 2 week checkup!  She has gained almost one pound and has grown a half inch.  The doctor did notice that there is a click in her left hip, so he advised me to double diaper her for extra support on that hip until he sees her again at her 2 month checkup.   With a click in the hip and this early detection, it should be something she should out grow.  He said keep doing what we are doing  and she should keep growing.  It is amazing to me to see how much she has changed in just two weeks.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day . . . One day a year to recognize Mothers. 

This year for Mother's Day, my kids made a point to show me how lucky I really am.  McKenna and Trey made really cute gifts this year in school and on Friday when they got home from school, they wanted me to open their presents then.  We then decided we should wait for Sunday, but each of them showed off their present and how cute their artwork was on each gift, and then they hid them away.  McKenna did make me read the card on hers and of course it made me cry.  But come today, it was all about the presentation, they made me sit on the couch and await each gifts arrival.  Besides their gifts they made in school, Jeremy had taken them shopping and they picked out some cute decorations for the house.   Everything I received I loved because it came right from the heart!  They got so excited to watch me open each gift.

There is nothing more that I love than being a mom.   Even though there are days that are so crazy that I would like to pull my hair out, I know that I wouldn't trade them for the world. 

And besides being blessed to be a mom, I am grateful especially for my mom.  It is because of her and her example that I am who I am today.  I am so lucky to have her as a mother and a best friend.  Mom, I love you and am so lucky to have you in my life!

Happy Mother's Day!

Team Rope Champs!

It was the best time on three steers and with Jeremy and Dillon partnered up together, they were able to take first place!  This was the first roping Jeremy had been to this year and he was excited that he was able to get off to such a great start.  He not only took first place, but he also took third.  He walked away with this really nice buckle and over $300 in cash!  Good job guys!

38 Things About our 38 Month Old Little Girl!

1-  Loves to color and does a great job staying in the lines.

2-  She can sing her ABC's.

3-  Starts her stories with "One time".

4-  Asks "Why?"

5-  Loves to read books.

6-  Likes to fall asleep on the couch so she can be carried to her bed.

7-  After leaving the hospital when Tyra was born she said, "Oh boy, dat baby is so cute."

8-  Asks "What for?"

9 - Has a fascination with Tigers, ie "That tiger is going to get me."  .

10 - When I told her that we needed to take Tyra for her two week check up, she said, "We need to take her to the doctors to get her a new belly button?"

11-  Says "You da best mom."

12 - She likes to stand on the counter to look in the cupboard for herself when she needs a treat.

13-  Says "You da best dad."

14-  Loves to watch "Despicable Me" over and over.  Likes the part when one of the yellow cousins, says "Whhattt?".

15-  Says "You in big trouble."

16-  Pretends she has a group of friends over to play with her and her babies. 

17-  She was so easy to potty train.  We bought her Dora and Princess panties in January 2011 and no accidents since.

18-  Likes to watch "Good Luck Charlie" on the Disney Channel.

19-  Is scared to death of our cat, Skittles.

20-  Told me a couple of nights ago,  "Mom, one time Santa didn't bring me anything for Christmas!"

21-  Says "I want to hold you" when she wants to be picked up and held.

22-  Put her hands on her hips to shake her bootie!

23-  Has a creative imagination!

24-  Says, "Don't talk, I'm talking."

25-  Likes to watch Dora the Explorer and Strawberry Shortcake.

26-  Says, "Don't touch my Tyra".

27-  Is known to call names like "Sass", "Sunshine" or "Sassy". 

28-  When she is playing with her dolls, she always asks McKenna, "My Kenna, what her name?"
29-  Likes to ask, "What does this say?" as she points to the car seat, a blanket, the car, and it goes on and on. 

30-  She assigns everyone in the family a spot on her face that we can kiss her.  Dad gets a cheek, Mom gets a cheek, McKenna gets her forehead, and Trey might can sneak one on her forehead too if she isn't paying attention.  She reminds us if we happen to kiss her on the wrong cheek!

31-  Says the longest prayers ever.  Luckily Mom, Dad, Trey, McKenna, and Allyson are always asked to be blessed over and over again. 

32-  Likes to help her dad feed the cows.  Anything to be outside.
33-  Loves to play Polly Pocket and Littlest Pet Shop.
34-  She knows that the letter 'A' is what her name starts with.
35-  If we need or want something, she says that she will get it for us for Christmas.
36-  She knows that blue is a boy color and pink is a girl color.

37-  When Tyra is hungry, she always says, "I want to drink her."  Which in Ally language means she wants to be the one to hold and feed her her bottle.

38-  She is the definitely the Queen B of the Taylor household!

~ Tyra Lottie Taylor ~

Our precious little Tyra Lottie Taylor.

Our Newest Arrival . . . .

Tommorow is the Day!

After 39 weeks of Pregnancy,

12 weeks of Bedrest,

4 Ultrasounds (3 for baby / 1 for mom),

11 Non-Stress Tests,

Numerous amounts of blood work done,

Endless testing of my blood pressure, and

Weekly doctor visits

Our little Baby Girl will be here tomorrow!

Happy 10th Birthday McKenna!

I can't believe that McKenna turns 10 years old today.  Where has the time gone?  It seems just like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and ready to love and spoil our first little girl.  Although the ten years have passed so quickly, our family enjoys every thing about her!

  McKenna had such a great birthday.  The morning began with waffles for breakfast and a couple cute birthday pictures before she went off to school.  This year, one thing that she did want for her birthday was to go to lunch with her mom and dad.  So at lunchtime, Jeremy and I took her to Subway for lunch.  She then took brownies and Capri Suns back to school for her class party.  She came home from school and could hardly wait to open her birthday presents.  She received everything that she had asked for.  She wanted a new Wii remote (even a pink one) and the Wii game 'Just Dance 2'.  She was so excited for these that she could hardly wait to start playing.  We also gave her a new swimming suit, but she opened that a couple a days ago when she had her friend birthday party.

After supper, our little family ate cake and ice cream in her honor.  She had picked out this cute birthday cake from the grocery store, placed the 10 candles as a #10 on her cake and with one big blow, she was able to blow out all the candles.  I hope all your wishes come true! 

We love you McKenna!

Trey's First Grade Play

Reading Award

I will paint the sparkles . . .

Ally loves to have her fingernails and toenails painted, almost on a daily basis.  Her latest obsession is she wants me to paint the pink on and even before the paint is dry, she wants to paint the SpArKles.    I love to watch how serious she gets and that could it could seriously take her an hour to apply coat after coat to make sure they all sparkle!  For only being 3 years old, she actually does a pretty good job keeping the polish on the nails and not all over everything else!