A.'s Baptism

It's Great to Be Eight

A person must be at least 8 years old to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  A. turned 8 in December so her baptism was held the following month on January 18th.  We are so proud of her for choosing to follow Christ by making this important decision in her life.

 

 

As a priesthood holder, J. was able to baptize and confirm A. himself.  She had to be baptized twice, however, because her big toe popped out of the water the first time.  Her Grandpa G. and our good friend J. Ross were the witnesses.

 

Thank you so much to our friends from our ward and neighborhood for helping out with the music for the service.  Thank you to my sister who designed the adorable invitations.  Thank you also to those who came from far away to be with us on this special day and to my wonderful parents.  My Mom insisted on coming even though she was nearly dying of the stomach flu the day before and my Dad patiently allowed me to order him around as I prepared for the both the service and luncheon.

 

 



Yearly Family Picture

We took another family picture this year...

...despite the fact that I'm currently pregnant (I don't like taking pictures when I'm pregnant).  But sending out holiday cards is a good way for J. to stay in touch with business colleagues and holiday cards are always more interesting with pictures on them so at 8:00 am on a Saturday morning we hauled the kids to nearby grove of what I think are pistachio trees, to snap a yearly memory.  We managed to get a good one--that's the one on the card.  Here are the more candid moments of the morning.

 

 



First Dance Class

Audrey participated in a tap/ballet/tumbling class...

...this past fall semester which she absolutely loved.  Parents were invited to sit-in on the last day of class to watch our little budding ballerinas dance and tap and tumble.

I'm now going to try to insert a small clip of her dance performance.  Cross your fingers that this works:

 

 

 



Christmas 2013

No Taylor Family Christmas would be complete without...

 

Cookie Making and Delivering

(We made nearly 10 dozen this year.  Pumpkin and gingerbread and peppermint pinwheels and chocolate bonbon cookies. Whew!)

 

 

 

 

 

Taylor Family Christmas Eve Bonfire

and reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible. 

 

 

Yummy Food

We pulled out the fine china and crystal and I even brined a turkey for the first time ever.  (Thanks C & J for the turkey and thanks Mom for the brine recipe.  It was sooooo good.  Makes me hungry again just looking at the pictures.)

 

 

Kids going crazy Christmas morning opening up presents

 

Skype-ing with Gma M.



 

P. tries out her new roller skates.

 

Many thanks to all the Santa's out there who made our holidays so wonderful!



Happy Birthday

Somebody's turning 8!!!

 

A. chose to hold her big 8th birthday party at a pottery painting venue called "As You Wish."  All the guests got to paint a Christmas ornament and sign a ceramic birthday plate.  It was extra special having Gma D. there with us to celebrate this year. 

 

 

 

A. shared cupcakes with her guests at her friend birthday party.

 

And enjoyed a homemade chocolate cake for her family birthday party a few days later.

 

Many thanks to all the friends and family who sent gifts, cards and well-wishes.  WE LOVE YOU, A.!!!

 

 



Choir Christmas Concert

On December 5th and 7th...

both J. and P. performed in the East Valley Millennial Choirs and Orchestra's annual Christmas Concert.  It was Jay's first time performing with EVMCO and P.'s second.  I was a backstage volunteer for 3 out of the 4 scheduled concerts so the whole thing felt like a family affair.  We were so glad Grandma D. and Grandpa G. could fly to Utah to join with us in this fun holiday event.

(although we were very sorry that Gpa got sick about 12 hours after landing and never made it to the concert.  He did get to watch a LOT of Elmo with Au. at home, though.  Thanks for taking one for the team, Gpa!)

 

 

Our two performers looking good in their concert attire.

 Now they are joined by moi, in my black backstage-ninja-mama uniform.

 

Celebrating an amazing performance at the Mesa Arts Center