August 2013 Highlights

 

~ August 2013 ~

*  McKenna had to speak in church on 'What good have I done in the world today.'  She pretty well wrote her talk all by herself and did a great job presenting it in sacrament meeting.
*  Trey ended up with four stitches in his left index finger after trying to cut a watermelon.
*  Jeremy and I had the opportunity to go through an endowment session with Morgan and Jaden, in preparation for their temple marriage.
*  Tyra is getting closer and closer to being potty trained.  I can't wait for no more diapers!
*  Ally told me one morning as I went in to wake her up that if I wanted, I could give her spankings to wake her up, not hard ones but soft ones, and she said she would wake up!
*  Had a fun time at the Anderson Family Reunion.  We were able to send five days and four nights in our camper at the beautiful Thousand Lake Mountain.
*  Three nights in a row we had Darcy and Grandma Loraine over for a barbeque. 
*  Had a fun trip north with the kids doing a little bit of school shopping.
*  We all had so much fun at the Nephi Demolition Derby.
*  What a beautiful day it was for Morgan and Jaden to be married.  We loved spending the day with family as we celebrated their new life together.  We are excited to have Jaden in the family!
*  Wayne County Fair, what can I say other than this year was awesome.  Trey and Jeremy roped together and took 5th place.  Jeremy and Riles roped and won!
*  McKenna had 7th Grade registration.  We went to the middle school to pay for her registration fees and find her locker.  She was a little disappointed to find that this year she is going to be stuck with a bottom locker.
*  Jeremy and I took Trey, Ally, and Lottie to the Despicable Me 2 movie.  McKenna stayed home and had a late night with her friend, Taryn.
*  All three girls had to get shots to get current on their immunizations.  Lottie had 4, McKenna had 3, and Allyson had 2.  Not fun for a mom.
*  School started on the 19th.  Music to my ears!
*  McKenna had her school pictures taken this month.  She was excited that they turned out so cute!
*  We had three ACTRA ropings at out arena this month.
*  Jeremy worked really hard to get ready for more cement this year.  The last pour made it so we now have cement side walk and pad in the back yard.
*  We made our first and last trip to the Manti Pool for the year.  It ended up being a perfect time for the kids to play in the water.  It was a little overcast, so there weren't many very many people there playing.
*  As a family, we went to celebrate the birthdays of Kambree and Brynn.  They had pizza, ice cream, and birthday cake.  Kids love to hang out with their cousins.
*  Allyson was so excited to go to the kindergarten open house.  She loved having the chance to meet her teachers and see where her cubby was and where she needed to hang up her back pack.
*  Trey went with Marshall and Cannon to go camping with Grandpa Okerlund.  Those three boys had fun sleeping in a tent in the mountain together and going fishing with Grandpa.  I think Grandpa was pretty wore out when those three days were over.
*  McKenna and I work two nights in the concession stand at the Sanpete County Fair.  We did this to help out as a fundraiser for Dance Works. 
*Jeremy took me out on a date to El Mexicano.  Kids did good tending themselves at home.
*  Morgan and Jaden were married at the Manti Temple.  Such a wonderful ceremony and a fun day for friends and family.  The reception was set up in Justin and Tammy's backyard.  Even though it rained,  it didn't stop the crowds or the fun. 
*  I took 640 pictures this month!

I Wanna Go Bus . . .

This morning, Lottie and I were hanging out playing before I had to go to work.  All of a sudden, Lottie got up and went and found her little back pack and told me "I wanna go bus".  At first, I couldn't figure out what she was talking about because it had nothing to do with what we were playing and it was so off the wall, I simply tried to change the subject.  When she knew she couldn't get my attention, she stood by the door, with her shoes and backpack on saying, "I wanna go bus".  I knew she meant business, so went out front so she could pretend she was waiting for the bus so she could go to school. 

 

So patiently she stood and sat on the step side waiting for her bus.  All she kept saying was, "Mom, I wanna go bus".  So playing along with her, I would ask where she was going and where do you think her bus went.  The funny little thing would walk a ways down the side walk and turn around to wave and say, "Bye Mom, I go bus"!  After a while, she walked out to the edge of the cement, looked back at me, and said, "Mom, where my bus go?"  She was so patient and even though her bus never did show up, it was sure fun to pretend!

 

 She is such a cute little thing.  I love her so much and her wild and creative imagination.  

 

Meet Dusty . . .

 

Meet Disney's Newest Celebrity . . .  Dusty the Crop Duster

 

For the past several weeks, the newest Disney attraction, "Planes", has been showing at the Casino Star Theatre here in Gunnison.  Even though we were tied up almost every single night to actually go see the movie, the kids were just as excited to go see and get their picture taken with Dusty!

 

 

Seth Hendricks took the time to make this airplane out of plywood, dryer vents, ceiling fan, paint and a lot of hard work.  Pretty cool attraction!

 

I couldn't help but pull in the picture of the kids with 'Mater'.  He was in front of the theatre in 2011 when the Disney movie "Cars" was playing in town.  Mater was there with Dusty for a few days in front of the theatre, but we weren't able to get a picture of them together.  So I decided to throw in a really cute picture of the kids with Mater back in 2011.  I think we need an updated picture, where did those two years go?

 



3rd Day of School

I have wanted to get a cute picture of the kids with their new backpacks before now, but we have been patiently waiting for Trey's to arrive via UPS.  Finally, yesterday afternoon it finally showed up on our door step!  Yay!  So this morning I had them all get their bags and head to the front door and of course, Tyra wanted to be in the picture so she quickly found hers so she could be in the picture.  What a cute picture of these cute school kids!

~ Trey Has Stitches ~

What can a large knife and a watermelon do to a finger in a blink of an eye?

 

 

WELL, LET ME JUST SHOW YOU!

 

 

Yes, that is Trey, my watermelon loving child.  He was craving the watermelon in the fridge and decided to go cut him off a slice.  But instead of cutting a slice of watermelon, he cut a nice slice into his index finger.  Leaving a cut deep enough that only a doctor could make better.

 

 Needless to say, Jeremy took him to Dr. Judy's office for stitches.  After two shots to numb his finger and a little needle and thread work, and four stitches later, Trey was all stitched up.  It brought out lots of blood, tears, and screaming, but Trey is now on the mend.  In ten days from now, it will be just like new!

Remember, cutting your finger when skinning a squirrel only happens in the movies!

 

2nd Day of School

Back to School

First Day of School!

The first day of school at our house always brings so much excitement.  The kids woke up early, like 6:30 am and was ready to get ready for their big days.  As part of the excitement, I have always laid out their outfits and backpacks for them in the front room.   It almost like Christmas morning when they wake up and come in the front room to see what is laid out for them.  Yes, they have all picked out their own outfits and shoes, but it is fun to put the paper that I have printed out for what grade they are going into. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 One nice thing about the rising early is that we all have time to eat a nice breakfast together.  This morning, I made them French Toast, a definite family favorite.  Usually after the first  day, the kids aren't as up as early, so between getting ready and hair done, there isn't a lot of time for breakfast, other than a piece of toast or a bowl of cereal!

 

 

End of Day Highlights for the Kid's on their First Day of School!

Ally's best part of her day - Riding the school bus and playing outside on the playground!

 

Trey's best part of his day -

 

McKenna's best part of her day - Getting to see all her friends!

~ Twas the Night Before School ~

It is amazing how quick summer has come to an end and the first day jitters were starting to settle in at the Taylor house.  We got outfits picked out, backpacks ready and baths all done.  Then we all gathered in the front room at about 8 pm for prayers.  It is a family tradition to get a father's blessing the night before school starts each year.  This is a great opportunity for Jeremy to use the priesthood in our home as he gives a father's blessing to each of our kids.  All four of them were blessed with different things pertaining to the where they are at in life and school.  What a blessing that has been and it such a comfort to know they will be watched over in their day to day activities as well as their focus on education. 

 



Before we knew it, it was bedtime.  The kids were all sent off to their rooms and tucked into bed.  They are all too much like me when it comes to the first day of school and not being able to sleep.  I remember being so excited for school to start that I could not fall asleep, where as Jeremy said he used to dread the first day of school.  Ally was still awake at 9:30 and Trey came down stairs at about 10:30 needing a drink, saying he was so excited he couldn't sleep.  McKenna said it took her a while laying there, but eventually, she was out!  I couldn't  help but not share this cute poem that I read off of facebook, it fit all too well the night at our house!

T'was the night before school started

When all through the town

The parents were cheering

It was a riotous sound

By eight the kids were washed

And tucked into bed

When memories of homework

Filled them with dread

New pencils, new folders,

New notebooks too

New teachers, new friends

Their anxiety grew

The parents just giggled when they

Learned of this fright

And shouted upstairs

GO TO BED - It's a school night!

~ Big Time Winners at the Fair~

~ Wayne County Fair ~

 

This year Trey was so excited to rope with his dad at the Wayne County Fair.  He has not had the opportunity to rope in a real rodeo, so he was pretty pumped about his chance to rope.  Even before we left Gunnison, he had his rope out and his arm all warmed up ready to go. 

  

 

 

We hadn't even been out of the truck for ten minutes until Trey had out his dummy and rope to warm up with.  Pretty good loop Trey man!

 

Trey getting his horse Smoke, ready to ride!  He was pretty excited yet really nervous!

 

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Of course, you cannot saddle up a horse any more with out letting Lottie have a chance to sit.  She however is not very patient waiting and she doesn't get it that not all horses like little kids sitting on them.  Luckily, Smoke is okay with her sitting him and at last, Jeremy had him saddled so she was pretty content to just sit and hang out to wait.

And you can't help but see how cute these two are as they patiently wait and watch. 

 

* * * * *

 

The slack roping started at 4:00.  There were about 18 teams signed up to rope in this afternoons performance, with another 9 teams signed up to rope in performance part of the rodeo tonight for a total of 27 Team Roping teams.  Jeremy was signed up to rope with Trey and Riley in this years rodeo. 



What a couple of handsome cowboys!

 

Jeremy and Riley came out one of the first few teams and roped an awesome run of 8.9 second.  After about 10 runs after that, it was Jeremy and Trey's turn.  When Jeremy and Trey came out, the steer took off running down to the other end of the arena.  Both of them kicked it in gear and caught up to where Jeremy caught the head of the steer and turned it quick for Trey.  On the turn, the steer seemed to drag a bit, but Trey did not hesitate one bit as he swung and caught.  When he went to dally, one leg hopped out so they had to add  5 seconds to their score.  It was okay, because they still roped it in 18.9 seconds.  It was so exciting, everyone watching started to cheer for them!  It was priceless.  When slack was through, Jeremy and Riley were sitting first and Jeremy and Trey were sitting third.

 

 

What a great team!  Can't beat those smiles after a great 18.9 run!

 



 

As you can see, Trey can't wipe that smile off his face.  Afterwards, Trey was quite popular after his big catch. There were several people wanting to shake his hand and meet this little roper.  One guy was so impressed that he took him over and introduced him to the stock contractor.  Trey said that the guy introducing him, told the stock contractor that he better to familiar with this kid because he will be quite the roper come time for High School Rodeo.  There was one guy trying to take Trey's picture of him on his horse and couldn't because I was standing by him.  Once I moved out of sight, some guy that we didn't even know was taking some shots of Trey on his horse.  Needless to say, this was so fun for all of us, especially Trey!

 

* * * * * * *

 

After the slack was over, it gave us some time to look at the big bulls.  Both Lottie and Ally couldn't believe the size of these guys!

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During the tonight's rodeo, Lottie sure did have a lot of fun sitting next to her dad and Uncle Kim.  She really got into being silly once her dad pulled out his phone to take some pictures, she sure does love her picture taken.

And your winners are . . . .

After a 8.9 second run during slack, nobody in tonight's performance roping was able to beat these two.  This great run paid them each an awesome $630.  When it came down to payout, the stock contractor only paid out to the top four places, which it was too bad because Trey and Jeremy were sitting in 5th place after all 27 teams had roped!  Trey was still pretty excited, he figures not to bad for a first timer!