A Sweet Little Prayer

Last night, as I was getting Taylor ready for bed, she was laying on the couch and I overheard her say this..."God...." then there was a little pause, "...I really, really love you." Just sweet and innocent, talking to God whenever she wants, because she can.

Easter Weekend...Journey to the Cross

Matt and Taylor on Easter.

Easter weekend, my friend Kelly sent me information about an event put on by a church called "Journey to the Cross." My mom told me about a similar type of event she attended in Texas at Christmas. She said it was like a little walk through history. I was excited to check it out. It was very cold outside, so Taylor and I bundled up. We arrived a little early and were in the third group. As we waited for our tour, we were entertained by a children's bell choir in the sanctuary. We gathered outside this large gate, and were told we were invited on a journey back in time...

It began with a wedding celebration, where Jesus turned water to wine...

As we meandered down our path, people gathered and Jesus healed the sick...

Some of the leaders of the temple were afraid Jesus would turn the people against them. Taylor asked, "Why are the mean people being mean to Jesus?"

We took the "kid friendly" detour to have a nice lady tell us the story of how Jesus died on the cross...and prayed to God to forgive our sins. It was a sad day for all the people who loved Jesus, but three days later, the good news...Jesus has risen...

Jesus appeared to his disciples and told them to travel and teach people to obey his words....and Jesus will be with us always. As our journey came to an end...the weather really began to change...as snow/hail began to fall. We had a nice cup of hot cider.

On Easter, Taylor knew why we were celebrating. She likes to tell people about it..."the mean people were mean to Jesus, but he rose again."

Taylor enjoyed her Easter basket, with some little Pony friends, and her hunt for eggs...

Matt came over after church and spent the rest of the day with us. Ben made a wonderful steak dinner.

The day after Easter...

Yes...more snow! We love to see the snow falling, but are looking forward to warmer weather.

Stephen's Visit

During Moscow's Spring break, Susan took the kids to visit her sister for a little vacation. Since Stephen was working in our town, he stayed with us for the week. Above, Taylor is saying "tag, you're it" and running away. She really enjoyed playing with him. She would say, "Mom...it's my turn to talk to Stephen." Taylor woke up the first morning and wanted to run straight downstairs to check on him. I explained Stephen was at work, like daddy. When Ben and I were first married, we always had a place we called "Steve's room." After Stephen got married, we loved going to visit him and Susan in Georgia. We love spending time with them! You guys are welcome anytime!

Taylor's (1st) Dance Recital

This is the picture taken, for this dance class, of Taylor in her recital outfit. The actual day of the recital, 3-20-10, Taylor and I went early for rehearsal. We dropped daddy off with Matt, to come later to the performance. Taylor was wearing a little make-up, and had her hair heavily sprayed to keep everything in place.

I took a few pictures of her waiting in the audience, while other groups practiced.

We waited patiently. I'm sure I was more nervous than she was.

We finally gathered with her group, almost ready for her turn to practice.

The recital was at the Kroc Center. After rehearsal, all moms, except for the one "helping" mom for each group, were excused. I did not realize I would be "excused" and leaving Taylor, so I did not leave her. I'm so glad I stayed. It was much better to have two moms with the ten girls. It made it much nicer to have one mom watch the girls while the other mom took three or four to the bathroom. Not to mention, Taylor felt confident enough to think she could wonder off and check things out. I would have to gather her back to the group. We practiced in the hallway, as we waited for our turn on stage. Taylor looked so excited...

When it was her turn on stage, I ran out to the audience to take video of the recital. I sat with Ben and Matt, grandma and grandpa. It was very cute!

Although we practiced often, and Taylor could sing the entire "Good Ship Lollipop" song, once she was on stage, she really only did the moves with her right leg.

The girls were adorable!

Towards the end of the performance, I think Taylor finally realized where we were sitting.

As all the girls exited the stage, Taylor alone, headed off towards the front center of the stage, as if to join us. Her teacher retrieved her and lead her off in the right direction. It was funny, as she was the last girl leaving the stage and waving at her grandpa.

I then ran backstage to rejoin the group. Apparently Taylor kept saying, I want to go see my grandpa, when she left the stage. I sent Matt a text to tell him what Taylor was saying. Within minutes...look who found his way backstage..."Hi Grandpa!"

Taylor was very excited. After all the other groups performed, they had a final bow.

I again, ran out to the audience to take video. I was very excited about all of this. Looking back, I probably could have left the video camera with Ben. He is more than capable.

After the final bow, the girls returned backstage. I ran backstage again to get Taylor. Taylor said, "Where is my grandma?" I took her out to find everyone. It was a wonderful evening!

There was a one month break between the dance classes. I thought I would wait to see if Taylor missed her dance class. The past few days, she has been singing "Good Ship Lollipop" and showing me tondue and high fifth. There may be another recital in our future :)

Taylor and Eeyore

When Taylor was a baby, Matt took a vacation to Florida and brought her back a very large Eeyore. It was bigger than her at the time. She loved it! That began her LOVE for Eeyore.

She has a few Eeyores now. It is always hard for me to play with Taylor and catch a picture of her giggling. You know, once you bring out the camera, you often get the standard grin.

One evening her and I were playing with some Eeyores. She would pull off his tail and I would turn his head around and make him talk and say...hey, what's going on here...and she would crack up...

It was so cute...

She loves her big brother, and she loves her Eeyores...

I am glad I was able to capture a few of her giggly moments...

A Walk in the...Woods

Taylor and I went to grandma's to meet up with grandma and aunt Karianne and the girls to play.

Taylor immediately found the binoculars, and began looking for birds. We decided to go trespassing...I mean a nice little walk through the forest.

Yeo Won, Taylor and Kimberly know the area...and were fearlessly running ahead....but then they stopped to wait for us to catch up...

This was the only trespassing...as we peaked into the windows of this empty house. I love how Kimberly is helping her little cousin, Taylor.

And, actually, grandpa had permission to be on the property...we followed the trail he cut through the woods. Taylor had a "me" moment as she stopped and said, "Hello...I need help here." Some of the brush was a little high for her to walk through. Once we got back to the "main" road, it was much easier for her. We always love long walks up on the hill....which involves no trespassing since it belongs to Great Grandpa.

And...Karianne...I would still like one of those cute hats you make...like your mom is wearing in this picture :)

Painting our nails...

Playing at Kyler's

It was a nice sunny day. It also happened to be sausage making weekend. Yes, Ben goes over to Brad's and they make sausage...grind, stuff, smoke, chill, and package...maybe 200lbs of sausage. It took about four days. Taylor grabbed her things and we drove over to be supportive...and sample sausage. Taylor loves to play with Kyler.

They climb, slide, jump on the trampoline, and run around the property. Taylor, in a moment of sweetness, said, "I love you Kyler." Kyler, not probably knowing what to say...since he's almost 6...said nothing. Taylor said it again, "I love you Kyler." Then just as she leaned over the slide, she said, "I'm gonna marry ya." It was too cute!

They are still...just friends, but I am glad she enjoys playing with Kyler.

I follow fairly closely, because they run around a lot and I always want to know where she is...

They played a little hide and seek...and looked for deer and coyotes to come out in the field...

Went on a short hunt...

It was a wonderful day to be out to play...

Matt also stopped by to help with the sausage making...

Kyler's dad has the real machines, and Kyler can tell me about everything and what they are all called...skidders, loaders...not just tractor things, like I thought.

Taylor enjoyed her day at Kylers...