Gingerbread Houses

Today we decorated gingerbread houses. I made them the other night and I learned my lesson: I will not make them from scratch ever again. Just to make the gingerbread was a 4 hour process. The girls enjoyed decorating them with candy. They ate as much candy as they used, but that is the fun part. I tried to let them do whatever they wanted. Abbie did tell me at one point that her teachers were nicer than me. Because when they decorated their houses at school the teachers didn't yell at them like I did.

Kendall working hard

And the finish procucts. Kendall's house will be used for the castle for her Candyland Birthday cake.

And the backsides. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised as to how good they turned out. But someone remind me next year, we buy a kit.

For Sale

Abbie just cracks me up. She is an incredibly generous and thoughtful child. She is always drawing pictures for her friends. She shares her toys well, and we have constant disagreements because she wants to give her friends her toys. I guess she finally understands that, although nice, we don't give our toys away we sell them. This is what we found outside her bedroom door the other night.

Elf On A Shelf

He's back. Carriage has once again graced our home. Every night he flies to the North Pole and reports to Santa if the girls have been good or bad. He arrived on our curtain for Thursday morning wake up. Friday morning he landed on the tea pot in the kitchen. And that is where Abbie found him Saturday morning too. Yes, if you are keeping track we have been doing this for three nights and I have already forgot to move him one night. She quickly asked why he was in the same spot. Brian answered, "he liked it so much, he landed there again". Phewwww, good thing we can think on our feet.

Abbie named him Carriage last year after carriage rides at Christmas. He is actually kinda creepy. But it does the job, all I have to do is say Carriage is watching and the girls behavior does a 180.

Thanksgiving in Geneva

Another trip home was a lot of fun. But as every trip, sad to leave. The kids had a great time as usual. It is always fun getting together with family. I didn't get a lot of pictures, but I got some.
The girls rode the carousel at the local mall.

Kendall is still not sure about Santa. Abbie on the other hand gave him four new things to add to her list. A light up toothbrush, Tinkerbell movie, Sleeping Beauty Movie and Bunk Beds. Well, I hope she won't be disappointed when the bunk beds are not under the tree.

We still couldn't get Kendall to sit on his lap, but at least she smiled.

Such a great picture of Ken and Justin. He is so proud sitting on his Uncle's shoulders. I can't believe he is almost 4.

Dina and Cara. Next time we go home she won't be the baby anymore. Baby Carlson will be our newest addition. Summer seems so far away.

Kendall and Justin just hanging out in the laundry basket, of course.

I wish I could remember what Andi and Kendall were singing about. It was something like mashed potatoes or something crazy like that. Very cute.

Dad and all the grand kids. What a crew.

I am not sure who enjoyed Mario Kart more, Justin or my mom.

Oh my, what happened to my....

beer? Oh, there it is. We start them off right in this family.

We took the kids bowling. Leanna, Truman and Andi had bowled before, but it was the first time for my kids. It was fun.

Truman was so proud of himself.

Dad and Cara. I think she looks like him.

Even when she gives him the shifty eyes.

Cara just looks like a doll.

Cousins and friends. The only problem they have is they only see each other twice a year.

ElfYourself

I love ElfYourself. I could watch it over and over. Not just with my family but friends too. Here we are a little bit country.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

And a little bit rock n roll.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Abbie's Sing-A-Long

I was invited to join Abbie's class for music class. This is her preparing for her favorite song, the "Robot".

And her doing the "Robot"

And then they did the Limbo.
She was pretty good.

Our First Encounter With Santa

I took the girls to see Santa the other night. Kendall wanted to tell him she had the same hat as him.

Cara, a little less enthused, has the same Santa hat on that I wore my first Christmas way, way, way back in 1972.

Santa trying to high five Cara.

I wish I knew what Abbie said to Santa. Look at their faces.

This would be the perfect Christmas Card picture of the girls with Santa if Kendall had gotten out of the stroller and actually sat on Santa's lap with Abbie and Cara.

Playing in the Leaves

Today we helped daddy pick up the leaves from the yard. We stopped early to rake them all in a huge pile where we jumped in them, fell in them, threw them and buried the kids in them. It was Sunday Fun Day.

Spotlight on Kendall

Spotlight on Kendall, my middle child. I can't believe she is going to be 3 years old next month. She is such a great kid. She loves to do whatever Abbie is doing but is also very independent. She loves to hoard toys in a stroller, shopping cart, backpack or purse and just carry them around. Kendall has the most wonderful sense of humor and makes the funniest faces and expressions. And although she doesn't always like having her picture taken when she does it sometimes just makes me melt.

Brian thinks she looks like Cindy Who in this picture.

She is soooo big.





Coming soon, a spotlight on one of the other girls.

Happy Halloween from The Taylor Princesses

For something a little different we did Halloween pictures. One because I had a coupon and two because they look so cute in their costumes. These are the proofs, if I ever figure out how to use the scanner I will replace them with the real pictures but you get the idea. I can't believe how good they turned out.