December 2013

At the beginning of the month Camille had a school music program. She was by far the very cutest.

She's having a lot of fun in kindergarten and this was the cherry on top.

The kids were extremely thrilled for the Christmas decor to go up. We've had this artificial tree from our very first Christmas as a married couple. Camille had a mishap with the tree and broke it. I wasn't disappointed as I've always wanted to get a real tree. Jeff came home and glued some extra pieces here and there...after a while the tree was up.  Maybe I'll get my new tree next year.

I took the kids to several Christmas events. One was at the First Methodist Church. This is the same place Jill went to preschool. It is a gorgeous old church. They were putting on a "Walk through Bethlehem". It was so cool. We signed the scrolls with a feather ink pen when we entered. Everyone was dressed up and in character. We got a bag of coins that we had to pay at each station to participate. There was carpentry, leather pressing, bread making, poetry, etc etc. Of-course, if we followed the star we found Baby Jesus. This is an albino camel that was part of it. So cool.

It's been a really cold winter. Someone forgot to turn off their sprinklers and all the plants looked like this. The girls loved it.

 Jeff took the girls to a couple hockey games this season. He really loves the venue and going to the games.

We saw Santa at the beginning of the month at the Round Rock Christmas tree lighting and then again at the ward Christmas party. The second time around Jill was disenchanted and didn't go see him (I was super sad about that, she's only 7!!). Camille was all about it, and Coco was interested but mostly kept his distance.

The YMCA put on a huge Christmas party too. They brought in snow and had several hills the kids got to sled down. It was soooooo fun. I really miss having real snow.

Here's the baby bump with less than 4 wks to go.

I've been taking piano lesson since January and we had a recital. I played Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. I'm really pleased with my progress, especially because I can now play several hymns. I'm not going to continue lesson because the new baby. Hopefully, I can keep learning though.

Here's my three at Brushy Creek. Can't believe that number four is so close.

Jeff and I went to an Ugly Christmas Sweater party. It was hilarious to see what people wore. I wasn't too creative with my clothing but I made up for it with my veggie tray.

I didn't get around to scheduling family pictures or sending out a Christmas card this year. I had our home teachers snap a few pictures after church one day and sent it out via email. Hopefully I can get it together next year.

This year on Christmas Eve we read and acted out the Christmas story. It was a lot of fun with the kids, and Stan got to join in too. I'm hoping to make this a tradition.

They kids also got to open their Christmas pjs. Here they are Christmas morning.  Camille was the first awake and looked through everyone's stocking.

Everyone seemed happy with their loot. Jeff got a remote control helicopter, Jillian got a large stuffed dragon, Camille got a music/jewelry box, and Coco got a lot of cars.

By far the best gift we all got was a hand-me-down trampoline. I even got up there and jumped a little with my big ol' belly.

November 2013

We've been trying to explore our surroundings a little more as a family. We've found several cool, little parks with trails connected each one and river's running through them.  Coco never ceases to throw about a million rocks into the water each time.  His mannerisms when he's happy or excited are so hilarious and exactly like Amy's were when she was younger.  Jeff and I call it the mini-grand mal because he shakes and dances and makes some crazy faces.  Its awesome.  

In an effort to get Camille more excited about soccer, I offered one dollar for every goal.  It really fired Jill up more than anything.  here's a sweet action shot of Jill.  Jill ended the season with four and Camille (kinda) got one (she kicked it and it bounced off an opponent into the goal).

I took the kids to a Fall Festival.  The best part was the pony ride.

The girls have been wanting bangs so I finally gave in, hoping it would make them look younger. Didn't work so well.

In class Camille make a cute Turkey hat. When she came home she told Jill to chase her. She named the game Kill the Turkey.  Seriously, these two are the best together...I love having breaks from school so they can reunite.

Jeff's hair is the longest it's ever been. It's really grown on me (no pun intended).

Jill had her first field trip this year to the museum in Georgetown. She said it was really boring. I laughed out loud when she said it. Coco and I got to meet her at the park for lunch. Coco really loves being around the girls.

The belly keeps growning and I often become overwhelmed with gratitude that I am able to experience a healthy pregnancy again. This body of mine amazes me. Jeff would say I complain A LOT to him at night but I really feel so happy.

 

I didn't get any good pictures on Thanksgiving. It was super low key. We had Stan over and we ate the usual dinner. Jeff played in the ward turkey bowl and was sore for days after.  Each year it seems to get worse. Oh boy are we getting old! I am, above all else, thankful for my Father and my family.

October 2013

Ever since I started a family, October seems to be one of the busiest times of year. This one was no exception. Amy and her boyfriend were able to come visit us for a night. George has family in Dallas and they were up there for a long weekend. I was excited to spend time with them but wished it was longer. Hopefully they'll be back soon so we can show them around our little town.

Jill and Camille started fall soccer. Jillian has moved up to a bigger age group and with it, a bigger field. Jill has been on the same team each season. We love these coaches and Jill really loves soccer.

Camille enjoys soccer too but it's more of a social thing for her right now. She says she doesn't want to play next season but if her friends are playing I'm sure she will.

Sarah, Caitlin, and Becky drove over from AZ to spend their fall break with us. It was great to get these sibs together again.  

Here's the Taylor grand boy's.

We all made a trip to San Antonio. We saw the River walk,

and the Alamo.

I let the girls skip a few days of school, but not all week. The cousins went to school lunch one day to see the girls.

We all went to a UT Volleyball game. We have gone to the games a lot this year and always have a great time there.

We also showed them a few of our family favorite spots, like Twin Lakes. We had a great week and tears were shed when it ended. I hate being away from family.

With the rest of the Taylor's living in AZ, we are so happy and lucky to have Stan in TX with us. Coco and him have a special bond.

Jill turned 7 this year. We had a fun party for her with many of her new church, and neighborhood friends. We did crafts, played red rover and bingo, had a pinata,

a donut cake (as requested),

and of-course did our traditional balloon launch.

Jillian is a very special girl. She has grown up to be an amazing big sister, great friend, and very kind spirit. She struggles with math in school and is a bit of a perfectionist. She has always been shy but is working on it and has improved greatly in this past year. She's very excited to meet her new little sibling and is always trying to make sure I feel okay. She is the perfect fit for our family as a #1 child. We love her so much.

On her actually birthday we had our neighbors (who are basically family at this point), the Rattray's, over for a small celebration. Can't wait to see what another year with this sweet girl brings.

One of Jeff's greatest friends, Brandon, was married at the end of the month. Jeff, Coco, and I flew over to UT for the wedding, while the girls stayed with the Rattray's for the weekend.

They got married in the SLC temple. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I will always have a very special spot in my heart for Brandon. We went through the temple for the first time together and Jeff was his escort. The next day Jeff and I were married. Brandon was part of the most important days of my life. He has also, always been a wonderful example and friend to Jeff. I love that man and am so happy for him and his new wife. Hopefully, I can get to know her and maybe not be the only girl going on buddy trips anymore.

Here's Jeff, Nate, and Brandon. My three favorite dudes.

With all the busyness of Oct, I wasn't too creative for the kids outfits for Halloween. They were both witches. We went up to our old neighborhood and trick-or-treated with friends. It was a long fun night.

Jeff was dressed as Duck Dynasty member, and Coco as Batman. I was lame and didn't get have a costume. Oh-well, maybe next year when I'm not pregnant.

September 2013

My 20 wk ultrasound went well.  I didn't find out the sex of the baby. With all the previous babies I have found out the sex. I just wanted a new experience. Jeff didn't agree with me.  I almost didn't let him come to the appt but he search my phone and found out when it was anyway, so I let him come.  The u/s tech knew I didn't want to know so when she needed to do the measurements etc on the lower half of the baby she made me look away. After she was done Jeff asked her the sex and she still wouldn't say. She said, "if the mother says no, I don't tell". I could sense that Jeff was losing a little bit of patience so I let her tell him. He has sworn not to tease, drop hints, or tell anyone the big secret. Hopefully, he can hold out. The baby looked healthy and had all the right parts in the right places and that's what really matters. The baby was throwing up signs for all the pictures. Here's an 'I Love You', Jeff thinks it's more of a Longhorn sign.  

The girls ask me to meet them at lunch everyday.  I've been able to go a few times. Jillian has really done better this year with being away from me. I'm sure it's because she sees her sister at lunch and frequently in the halls. Camille is thriving. She is so outgoing and loves everything about school.

Coco is super attached to me and loves to crawl all over me. It's getting a little harder to handle this big boy with my growing belly.

Jeff's dad's Uncle Jess died this month. It wasn't a surprise as he's been on the downhill for quite a few years. I've meet him twice and he is really a sincerely loving man. We made the trip up to Dallas for the service and met up with Sarah's family and the TT house who all drove over from AZ. We have sorely missed having our cousins around! 

The service was wonderful and I learned a lot about Uncle Jess. It made me ponder once again (done after Grandpa Pete's funeral) the legacy I'm leaving. I want to be remembered for my love and devotion to my family mostly. I want my friends to recall happy, funny times we've had and I really want to be remembered as a kind person.

I hit my 6 month mark at the end of the month. I've continued to workout 4-5 times a week and am feeling overall pretty good. My tailbone is the biggest problem. It hurts non-stop. I ice it frequently and on bad days have to take tylenol. I have found that it hurts whether or not I exercise so I figure it's better to do it than not. I feel about the same size as my other pregnancies but my weight is higher. Here's me and Jeff trying to be artistic with my belly shots.