An Unplanned Visit...

We made it to MI for a three week visit to Grammy & Gramps' house. We kinda decided the last minute to make the trip and it worked out for us to come right away. We got into town Sunday night and have had a great time... until last night! Our unplanned visit was actually to the Emergency Room yesterday evening. Dad and Zach had just left for bible study and mom was getting Taylor ready for bed - they decided to watch a Mickey Mouse video before bed (her favorite). The promise of Mickey got her excited and she ran into the living room ahead of Grammy to claim her front row seat. She jumped onto what she thought was the chair but the blanket had been left draped between the chair and ottoman and she landed right in the spot where there was nothing to land on but the stone fireplace hearth! I heard the yells and ran into see mom carrying Taylor into the kitchen, took one look at her head and said "we need to go to the hospital right now." So, I collected Taylor and got her some ice while mom tried to compose herself and get the car. We spend about 3.5 hours in the ER and I must say - Taylor did SO well. She was in a really great mood considering her circumstances and waved to all the doctors and nurses. The 8 stitches were the hardest part and she let everyone know about it! (Poor baby cried so hard she exhausted herself and fell asleep while they were doing the stitches - which helped the three of us holding her down!) We're doing much better today and will go to get the stitches out on Monday. Keep us in your prayers for no infections/scarring!

Some Pictures from LC...

I lost the connection cord to one of my cameras (yes, now that we have Taylor we have a couple cameras!)  Anyway, I've had some pictures on there from Christmas break that I haven't been able to transfer to my computer but didn't want to delete.  Finally we remembered that Charles has a card reader so we borrowed it and I'm able to share some of these belated photos with you.  These are from our trip to Lake Charles for Eric's grandma's birthday.  We were able to visit with Sydney, Delana & Jason (some good friends) and also had a luncheon with Eric's cousins and their gaggle of kids!  

Taylor tackles Sydney for a hug...

...Then the kiss!

Taylor shows Sydney how we put on shoes (on the wrong feet!)

I got conned into a game of "ring around the rosy"

The motley crew having a "dance party"

All the "cousins" (this is as close to cousins as Taylor has - 2nds will do!)

...and the one missing from above (she was not happy about posing for a group pic but we got a candid)

Taylor's New Toy

We've been looking for some good outside toys to put in the back yard since Taylor has been asking to go out constantly!  I found this great slide play scape at a consignment shop (it has never been outdoors so its in great shape - yea!)  We spent the afternoon a couple weeks ago putting the play scape together and Taylor has really loved it.  Now we can go out and enjoy the back yard instead of having to walk to the park every time - or play out front which isn't much fun.  As you can see it took all three of us to get it into one piece... 

Taylor shouted directions from inside

Then she just had to show daddy how its done!

But it took mommy's brute strength to get the final piece in place!

A Belated Valentine

Mom sent us all a Valentine's Day package which arrived yesterday! We were so excited to receive the packages and opening them was like Christmas all over! Taylor especially enjoyed the ripping and tearing - the presents were a big hit too! Thanks Grammy, for the wonderful gifts! We love you!

When Daddy's Away...

The girls will play!  (with the camera)  We spent last weekend home alone while Eric and his friend Dylan explored the wilderness of Big Bend National Park - they camped out in the 20+ weather and snow!  Doesn't sound like fun to me but they swear they had a great time!  

One More Picture

This was from the trip to Lake Charles - we had to stop half way
there for a car break (someone was tired of riding in the back seat!)
so we went to Katy Mills mall and walked around to blow off some
energy. They have a great carousel which Taylor wanted to ride
immediately! She had a blast and was very upset we had to get off
the ride - the mother was not so upset (I get motion sick and this
was about all the going around in circles I could take!)

At the Park

Charles & Joyce were kind enough to watch Taylor yesterday so I could
clean my house without having to stop and chase her every 5 seconds.
They went to the park in the afternoon - looks like they had a great
time! I'm not sure which part was Taylor's favorite - the swing, the
slide or the ducks! Thanks Mimi & Pop Pop for the help and for the
fun day!

Sunday Best

Mom got Taylor this dress for her 18 month Christmas picture (which
turned out so cute!) I thought it was appropriate for "Valentine's
Sunday" (ok, but she needed another reason to wear this festive
dress!) After church she hid behind my desk chair, showed of her new
"cheesy grin" and wanted to show you her binoculars that she
decorated in children's church. The binoculars were adorned with
stickers but she pulled them off and now they "adorn" my car! Agh!!

Hanging Out

Taylor got a squishy monogrammed chair from the Land of Nod for
Christmas from Mimi & PopPop (Eric's parents.) She loves to climb
all over it - this is how I found her the other day... chair toppled
over and Taylor hiding behind it like a fort. She's got a runny nose
(those eye teeth are finally coming in) so her nose and cheeks look
like Santa!

A Visit From The Boys!

We were finally able to have Lindsey, Dana, Adam & Andrew come for a visit to our place! Ok, they really came to town to get RSV shots 

(yuck) but were able to stop by the house and then join us for lunch 

at Pappasito's! (YUM!) We had a wonderful visit and the kids were so 

well-behaved during lunch. Taylor did manage to make a guacamole 

mess all over her pants but it was a small price to pay for an 

enjoyable afternoon. She must have remembered the boys from the last visit because she started right in with the hand holding again this 

time. This visit it was Adam's turn to hold her hand and he sure 

seemed to enjoy himself (he giggled and laughed at her for quite a 

while - which just egged her on!) As you can see, when given a 

choice between the two - she'll take both boys, please! (I think 

we're in trouble!) We love you Lindsey and are so grateful you were 

able to come see us! Can't wait 'till next time.

Hangin' with the Richardsons!

We had a great visit in Lake Charles and were able to go visit some
good friends! We're blessed to be able to get together with Derek,
Shannon, Jenna & Emily whenever we go to town. Here are some
pictures of the girls "jumping" on Emily's big-girl bed! (We're not
that brave with Taylor - our house would be a disaster by morning if
she had the run of the place!) We miss y'all very much and look
forward to seeing you again soon.

Happy 90th Grandma

This past weekend we went to Lake Charles to celebrate Grandma's 90th birthday. All the boys were there and we held a special party in her honor! The weekend was complete with a gumbo, bond fire and plenty of laughs! Here are a few pictures of the festivities...

We went to the "Crewe de Barkus" parade... (the parade of dogs. - very cute and all dressed up) with Nicole and Charles & Joyce.

Taylor helped uncle Jeff build the fire

Taylor, Grandma & I

The Motley Crew - Jeff, Charles, Rick & Eddie with their mother.