The Boys

 Last year, well I guess a year and a half ago now was very productive in the Taylor family.  These boys are going to have so much fun together as they grow up.  My Max born in December, Jeremiah born in September, Katie's Max, born in February, and Aben born in July.  We had some trouble getting them to look at the camera, I love that you can see Justin's hands down below...

 getting closer....

ahh, everyone smiling..... kind of....

Sometimes I Get Lonely

I have decided not to feel guilty while writing this post... because I do have so many amazing people in my life, friends and family.  Even some great friends here in St. George that are only ten minutes away.   There are lots of people I can call when I feel sad or lonely, But today I just want to write what is without rationalization or trying to figure out how to make it better.... sometimes I get lonely.,,,

Our new neighborhood is great.  There are tons of kids, and I'm pretty sure my kids don't get lonely.  There is always someone to play with if they want it.  However, the adults is a different story.  Don't get me wrong, everyone is very friendly, and there is one girl who does try to invite me to do stuff occasionally but our schedules are always a little bit off.  However, in general there isn't someone to hang out with during the day.  Not everyday, just you know a couple of times a week to go to the park, or talk to while you watch your kids play.  I'm busy as all moms are, but sometimes you just need a friend to hang out with for a little while.  I am still undetermined if there are people who hang out together or if everyone is just busy doing their own thing.  Houses, while wonderful can be a dividing factor I've decided.  Everyone has their own yard to send their kids to, there isn't a communal playground or pool....My visiting teachers' kids play with my kids and serve with me in church.  They are busy, and assume I am as well, so they count those activities as their visiting teaching, I would love them to come over and chat....The same applies on weekends.  Justin sometimes gets lonely too....He misses the beach on Saturday mornings and ward BBQs.  There are no families to hang out with, everyone is just busy;  with activities, projects, their own extended families etc....Utah can be hard, not only is their a ton of extended family, but there are so many young families that it's not instinctive to all hang out together.  If you tried to include everyone, every time it would get crazy very quickly.  I am starting to feel like a broken record, I have invited people to the park countless times, I have tried to arrange playgroups, and date nights with other couples, but nothing yet....

For now we will keep plugging along, inviting, treasuring our old friends,looking for others who might sometimes get lonely, and give it time.   And realize that it's OK to sometimes get lonely.

Thanksgiving

 We've been setting and going over our goals this year, as a family on Sundays, it's been awesome.  And this week my goal was to write in my journal/blog at least twice.  Eventually I will get everything recorded that I want to:)  BTW I love to hear what the kids set as goals.... Anna's was "Be Nice"  when I asked her to be more specific she said, "smile at everyone"  love it.  So here is our Thanksgiving.  Above are the two darling Max Taylors.  My Max liked to bonk the other Max on the head with a ball repeatedly, Other Max,  AKA chubby Max according to Anna was very good natured about it, but I think my Max better watch out for when chubby Max learns how to walk....This year Justin's brothers Jerry and Zach and their wonderful families joined us for a crab and shrimp Thanksgiving dinner.  It was fabulous, and the guys did most of the cooking, what could be better?

 Smiling

 Focusing.  Our actual menu consisted of crab, shrimp scampi, rolls, stuffed mushrooms, broccoli salad, and lots of pie, because you have to of course keep some traditions.

 The kids had a blast playing with dress ups.  This was Sarah's favorite costume.

 We ate during nap time... genius... must do that every year.

 The next day we watched Brave with Aunt Jonelle, and roasted hot dogs and rode horses at the corral.... so fun.  Thanks Mom and Dad.

 Then the rest of Justin's family joined us (minus Jake and Jess) to see Justin's cute Grandpa jump out of an airplane.  He did it for his birthday and to raise money for a leper colony in Africa that Justin's aunt and uncle work at.  He reminds me so much of Gordon B Hinckley, he even sounds like him.  And constantly says, "That's marvelous"  I want to be just like him.

 Notice Anna's outfit so she wouldn't get cold:)

 He didn't tell his tandem jumper that he had a pace maker until after the jump.....

 Then since we were in Vegas anyway, Josh talked everyone into visiting the Shark reef at Mandalay Bay.  It was a bit pricey, but totally worth it, at least for us...

 Justin had fun practicing his photography skills, this is a jellyfish...

 Listening to the guide...

 Max wasn't so sure about the jellyfish...

 Joe and Will, ready to pet the sting rays.

 Josh waiting his turn.

 Anna touching with some encouragement from Dad.

 Sarah and Lilly content to observe...

 Love the shark in the background...

We love it so much when we have such fun family visit us...

Decorating The Christmas Tree

 Yes it is February, but there are some moments that should be documented.  I usually end up putting up the tree and decorating it by myself, this is not because Justin is unwilling to help me, it's because he doesn't like to put the tree up too early, so I usually do it while he's at work as a surprise:)  Max was so so helpful this year.  The above picture is pretty unrelated, except this is how he kept himself entertained for about two seconds.  I just think he looks so big, and look at his darling chubby legs!!

 Anna outfit number one.  She was determined to have "one piggy" and kept taking the other one out.  She told me today she likes to look, "fashiony" so maybe that was it.

 Josh just happy to be here.

 Anna doing a better pose.

 Oh wait, it would be much more fun to be indians while we put the tree together!  O thought Josh's costume was especially creative, and his tomahawk is actually the broken tray to Anna's baby high chair.

I don't know why Anna has a random crown on her head, I will have to fix that later...  I just wanted you to see a close up so you could enjoy all the accessories that were involved, and apparently Pocohantus had no piggies...

Max especially liked helping put the balls on.  The kid is kind of obsessed with balls.  Surprisingly though once they were on the tree he didn't try to hard to get them off.

 So happy to help.

I just had to throw this one in there, because as you can see, Anna has changed once again.  Love the leopard print:)  And it has the added benefit of a close up of Josh's awesome costume.

So I just checked all of our pics, none of the finished product, this is as close as it gets.  However, when you have a one year old around trees aren't really memorable beautiful anyway.... it's the kids themselves I didn't want to forget.