To the Park with a Fox

Hooray...daddy came home from hunting. We took Taylor to the park. Taylor brought her "baby fox" to take for a walk. Taylor can climb the slide all by herself. She is very polite and considerate with the other children. If someone else is ahead of her, she waits her turn and will encourage them, "it fun slide." She said, "oh, sorry" once when she thought she got in front of another girl. She was saying hi to some little girls today. To one of them she said, "you have pretty shoes." Ben and I laughed quietly at that one. It was so cute how she just said that on her own. She also said, "it my turn" and "I go first" after another girl said to go ahead. It's so cute to see her interact with the other kids.
Taylor took her fox on the swing too...

Missing Ben...

We miss daddy when he is away. Whenever we get in the car, Taylor says, "go find daddy?...go camping?...daddy far away...daddy so sweet." She got real excited to hear his voice today when he called. We will be very glad to see him again!

When I was seven months pregnant, Ben took me on a very pretty camping trip. This is him fly fishing. I like to see and hear the water and the bird in this little clip.

Bye-bye Blow Dryer

Taylor went with me today to get my hair cut. These outings always make me a little nervous. Taylor actually did very well. She sat in a little chair next to me the whole time. She just became a little concerned when a hair dryer was turned on. When it was used on me, she liked it even less. She said, "blow dryer...put away...put away." I was so relieved she behaved so well. I had not had my hair cut since February. She was given a lollipop, which made her happy. As we drove away she said, "bye-bye blow dryer...bye-bye blow dryer...blow dryer loud." I asked her, "Is the blow dryer scary?" Taylor said, "it's okay."

Dinner with Grandma

Taylor and I met grandma downtown at the Farmers Market. Taylor picked out a nectarine and an apple. We then had dinner at the Beacon. Taylor had fun sharing her nectarine with her "baby lamb....nectarine so yummy." She was so giggly. It was such a nice evening to be outside! Taylor and I love these outings with grandma!

What to do when your car needs service...

Since we are loyal supporters of Matt, we get our oil changed at Parker Toyota. Taylor and I pulled up to get the oil changed and it was pointed out that our right rear tire was flat. I had no idea. I wondered how the day would go from there.
Taylor and I went for a walk around Fredmeyer while we waited. Taylor tried on hats...always fun!
We went back to Parker and Taylor colored.
Matt came to see us while we were waiting for our car. It's always nice to see him! Taylor was very focused on her coloring, but managed to say good-bye when he had to go back to work. When he asked for a hug she said, "nope...no way," but she did say good-bye. After the oil change, we took the car over to Les Schwab to get the tire repaired (it had a nail in it). While we were waiting we walked over and ordered balloons for Taylor's birthday (she will be 2 on October 2nd). You can find shopping almost anywhere...which is nice for us.

Silly Kids...

Matt and Taylor being silly...yep, those are my little children.

Ben worked out of town last week. He said when he came home, Taylor looked older and seemed to be saying a lot more as well. She is funny. She says, "Daddy's so sweet...I miss you so much." Or, "I love you so much."

Taylor tore one of her books. I took it to fix it. She said, "oh, you fix it, good job mama, you fix it." You could tell she was very proud of my accomplishment in fixing this book.

She repeats things I say, like she's practicing. She was squating on the ground and saying, "Tay-or, stand up, please, stand up." Then she would stand up and say, "good job...thank you for standing up."

She has a little stuffed kitty my mom bought her that she is calling "baby jaguar." She pulled the whiskers out and said, "uh oh, it broken...it's okay, mama fix it." I will fix it.

"Family" Hunting Camp

Tis' the season to break out with that bow and get yourself an elk. Taylor and I have been going up on the weekends to "family" hunting camp. This is not actual hunting camp, but the place where the families go on the weekend. It's great fun, except for that part where Ben leaves to go hunting. Everyone is so welcoming and the food is always wonderful.

There are morning hunts and evening hunts. In the morning, Ben leaves before we get up and is back around 10am. That's not too bad. Except for the part where he gets up every 30minutes (literally) to check the clock, but only between 2am and 4am. Yes, that IS disturbing. Therefore, I bought him a little clock he can put next to his side of the bed so he wouldn't have to get up. He could just look over and see it...I thought.

It is a little flip clock, and it even has the temperature. I was very happy to find that for him (a reason for shopping). Who knew that little clock would make such a loud SNAP every single time he opened it and closed it! So, I wake up each time he snapped that little clock. Then, I feel him reaching over me to check on Taylor, which wakes her up. What the heck?? Is he completely against me getting any sleep? Later, he told me he was cold and he wanted to make sure Taylor was warm enough. He is thoughtful. Yes, "family" hunting camp is great fun...UNLESS YOU ARE TIRED AND WANT TO SLEEP.

I didn't know why he kept opening and shutting that little clock. Oh, oh...it's because he had clothes on his little side table so he didn't have room for the little clock to sit open for viewing. He doesn't put his clothes away at home, so why, oh why, would I think he would put them away while camping. We camp in a trailer...with little closets for storage for things like clothes.

When Taylor and I arrived this past weekend, I noticed there was limited seating around the table. It wasn't until later I noticed all the empty closets. I asked Ben about this. He looked around and said, oh, I guess I could put my clothes in there. Yep, that's what I do, but I'm not hunting. Maybe his are special clothes you don't want to put away. I don't know. I do know I am done going up to hunting camp this year. Camping is fun when we are all on the same schedule and spending time together, but not when one of us is anxious to go find elk and cannot sleep.

When Ben finally gets up, he puts on his head lamp. Yes, that IS bright. He prepares sandwiches, and coffee, etc. I think I'm going to finally be able to fall back to sleep. Then he shines his bright little head at me to ask if Taylor and I are warm enough. He is thoughtful, and bright...and yes, it was cold. A happy wife is a well rested wife, and there is not much rest with a man who cannot sleep because he is ready to go hunting.

Taylor loves camping and being outside, much to her father's delight, it is fun. Kayleen is great with Taylor...here she is blowing bubbles for Taylor...
Here is Paige, Kayleen, Grant and Taylor...see the bubbles. Taylor loved this and all the kids are so good with her! She has a lot of fun with them. Kayleen is especially doting. Taylor even let Kayleen carry her around. Ben and I were surprised, but happy they were all having fun.

There are dogs too...labs and a couple cocker spaniels. Taylor would put her hands up every time a lab would get close. She got hit a couple times with a tail. She put up her hand, "stop doggy, stop..go way." She liked the cocker spaniels, which she called "baby doggies." She would follow them around, "come here baby doggy...baby doggy so sweet."

Kayleen shared taffy with Taylor...she liked that..."mmm candy."
In the morning (when Taylor and I are not there), daddy wakes up to "gentlemen, start your engines...give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire..." It's Metalica. Taylor danced to it. Because I couldn't figure out how to turn it off, we listened to it three or four times. A week later, I sang..."give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire." Taylor said, "go camping?"
You just can't have too much camo at hunting camp. Daddy sits proudly by his Taylor as she blows the elk cow call.
The mornings are a little cool. That's okay, daddy is creative! Here he found a way for Taylor to splash around in the water, without getting wet. Good job daddy! Daddy kept Taylor dry too. Until he got distracted filling up a water gun for one of the other kids. Taylor then walked into the water to throw a rock. Taylor called the creek the waterfall..."go see waterfall."

My cousin Rick is cleaning dishes (ha ha). Taylor calls him, "Ricky Ricky."
Good-bye "family" hunting camp...I will miss the people...I will miss the walks with Taylor...I will miss my Ben...
When I left camp with Taylor, I was sad. I hate it when Ben is away. It's not a bad drive, but I was so very tired. I missed one of my turns, but I recovered quickly and made it home safely.

Now, I am home and Ben is not. I spent the day cleaning and rearranging toys and furniture. I fluffed the pillows on the couch. They will stay that way too...until Ben comes home. I love him and I will miss him, but oddly, there is much less cleaning to do when he is away. Hey, I guess I am on vacation too.

Pictures at Uncle Mike's

Cindy, Kalyn, Taylor and I went to our Uncle Mike's to have some pictures taken. Kalyn is a senior this year and we thought it would be fun to do some mother-daughter pictures too.
It was fun for most of us...Taylor started getting tired, so she didn't want to smile for any pictures. She is still so cute in her little skirt, tights, and boots and little pouty face.

Mudgy and Millie

Taylor and I went downtown for the "Welcome Mudgy and MIllie Celebration." There is a trail through Coeur d'Alene marked by bronze statues of Mudgy the moose and Mille the mouse based on a childrens' book.
We bought the book and a little Mudgy Moose. Taylor watched and listend to the music and loved seeing Mudgy. There were little moose cookies passed out to all the children. It was a beautiful day to be down at the park.

That's my girl...

Taylor and I were rolling the ball back and forth in the kitchen. The funny part is, she keeps watching her reflection in the dishwasher and the oven. She is still able to roll it back to me as she giggles at herself.
I don't think Taylor will be a lion for halloween. This was Matt's costume when he was almost a year and a half old. It fits Taylor perfectly; however, she didn't like wearing it. Maybe it was the mane. Too bad...she looks so cute. Maybe she will change her mind.
Taylor still likes wearing those heels..."my sandals" she says.

Dinner with Friends

It's me, Taylor, Christy, Lisa, Linda, Diane, and Anita. It was a little over three years ago when we would take turns hosting Pampered Chef parties. Linda gave the best demonstrations. Always informative and funny. I really enjoyed the company of these ladies. We all worked at Verizon. Linda got married and moved away and I had Taylor and have chosen to stay home with her. Linda was in town and called us all to have dinner. It was so nice to see everyone. I love being home with my little lady, but I miss the office banter and friendships. I think we all left wondering why it has taken us so long to get together. I am so glad Linda was in town to organize us.

Just another walk in the Park...

It's just another walk in the park for me and Taylor. She has fun running around playing and I run around taking her picture. She's fast, and rarely stops moving, so some of my pictures are a little blurry.
I actually got quite a few smiles, which I love...and she kept her pink ribbon in her hair the whole time.

She enjoys the slide and the swings, and general running around which includes chasing birds. She says, "it fun slide."
I love how pretty her hair looks in this picture of her in the swing.

I let her run around and dance on the stage in the park. She liked the echo...

Shopping Needs...

Ben is very supportive, and really does like me being home with Taylor. He knows she is safe and he has dinner waiting for him when he gets home...almost every night. He does not complain about our little shopping excursions. However, I sometimes feel guilty spending money. I love it when I have a real need. Something we need to go find. A legitimate reason for shopping. Like this...Taylor needed a snow suit. We do get snow here...and how cute is this hat. Ben is so good to us. I'm so thankful for those side jobs he is willing to take on from time to time. I love him! Now, I think we need some matching boots.

Home early from hunting....what??

Ben and I have been married for ten years. I was thrilled, but surprised, when he came home early from opening weekend of bow hunting. After ten years, there is only one answer to this change in behavior...her name is Taylor.Here Taylor is, wearing her daddy's little Levi's that he wore when he was a little boy...
We took Taylor to River Front Park, she brought her baby green fish. We bought her some cotton candy, but she did not want it. Here she is pushing my hand away..."mommy have it."

Lucky Me...

When I look at this sweet little face, I know I have the best job! I get to love and keep her safe. I get to watch her play all day and listen to all the new things she has to say. I listen and watch her read her books, sing and dance, and take care of her baby doggy, baby kitty, baby ducky, baby Minnie, baby Mickey, baby etc. We go shopping, go for walks, and play at the park. She is so much fun!

Enns End of Summer BBQ

Another fabulous Enns event at Grandma and Grandpa's...an End of Summer BBQ. All the kids are back in school now. Taylor is trying to "climb a big hill" with Maddix. There is always lots of fun to be had at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Aunt Tamira brought her new little French Bull-Dog. Taylor was thrilled...
Taylor wanted to kiss the doggy when he was in his kennel...
Here are all the kids...Sebastian, Mariah, Brody, Mikayla, Yeo Won, Blake, Kaleb, Maddix, Kimberly, Jade, Caterina, Taylor and Matt. Mostly, everyone is smiling so nice...and Taylor is pointing and saying mama...it's always good to know where your mom is.
Later, Taylor and I took this little camel for a walk...