Taylor turns 5

Taylor turned 5 earlier this month and she had a really great time celebrating. On the night before Nathan and Natalie went to Grandma and Grandpa's and Taylor got to go out to dinner with just Dad and Mom to herself. We went to Famous Dave's (known to Taylor as the "Pig Place") Taylor LOVED being in the spotlight and having her Parent's all to herself.

Taylor took this picture of her Dad, she did a pretty good job I think.

After dinner Taylor received a special birthday treat from the restaurant. She was a little nervous that the fire would burn her but we assured her all would be fine.

After she was full to the max with all the food and ice-cream.

Taylor's birthday breakfast request was waffles with strawberries and cool whip. Garnished with the special red plate and goblet glass for special occasions.

This picture makes me smile for a few reasons. 1. Taylor requested a couple days before her birthday to wear the crown on her birthday. 2. Natalie copies pretty much everything Taylor does and always has to be a part of the action. So when Taylor turned 5 so did Natalie I guess.

Finally convinced Natalie to stay out of the picture so I could get one of just Taylor in her super cute birthday outfit.

Taylor had Preschool on her birthday so she brought brownies and sticky hands for her classmates.

For lunch we went to McDonalds to celebrate some more.

That afternoon some of Taylor's cousins came over to help her celebrate. They had other commitments that evening so they came early to have a pre party party. We played hot potato and Taylor won (must have been some birthday luck).

Taylor had a Strawberry Shortcake decorated cake. It was chocolate cake with strawberry filling and whip cream frosting. Yummy!!

Posing with the cake.

Opening presents with her cousins.

Later that afternoon some Aunts, Uncles and Grandma and Grandpa came over for another party. Here she is holding her cousin Jessica that was 3 weeks old.

Blowing out her candles for the 2nd time that day. :-)

Posing with the rest of her presents.

Taylor loves Panda Bears and one of her presents was this HUGE panda bear.

It was a great Birthday Celebration. Hard to believe my little girl has turned 5. Kindergarten here she comes.

December 2010 Recap

I am quite behind on blogging so I will just post a bunch a pictures for the past month with some explanation.

Taylor had a Preschool Christmas Program. They sang some really cute songs which I have video of but not any pictures. After the program the kids opened presents from their classmates.


The Sunday before Christmas we dressed up the Girls in their fancy Christmas dresses. Nathan did not feel the need to receive a new Christmas tie which was fine by me, but he still looks rather handsome in his suit.


I too got a new Christmas shirt from Wal-Mart so the girls and I posed for a picture.



Sunday night we went to my Brother's house for a Christmas party and Nativity put on by the kids and their cousins. Natalie was also an Angel but she preferred to sit on her Daddy's lap then to stand by Mary and Joseph. We did have 3 Wise Men too they just aren't in the picture.


On Monday December 20th a new Niece little Jessica was born. She is adorable and the kids were amazed a how tiny she was, especially her nose. I thoroughly enjoyed holding the little 3 hour old infant. We have either been busy or 1 of us has been sick over the past week so we haven't seen her since her birthday. Hopefully soon we can see her again.

Christmas morning was great. Nathan and Taylor were up a lot during the night due to excitement. It was the most eventful Christmas Eve we have ever had at this house. At 4 am I could here Nathan and Taylor in the family room whispering, then I thought I heard presents being unwrapped so I came out and shewed them to bed. They said they were not opening just looking. We advised the kids that we would not open presents until 7 am so at exactly 7 Nathan and Taylor ran into our room to declare the time (they had been up since 6:20 watching the clock) We then woke up Natalie and she had no clue why she was being woken out of a deep sleep. We showed her the bike Santa had left her and she started to perk up.

I tortured the kids a little more and made them take a picture in front of the tree before presents were opened.

Nathan Taylor and I taking the toys out of their packaging so they could play with them.

Santa left Taylor and wig and a Strawberry Shortcake doll. The wig changes Taylor's look significantly. Once that morning while I was trying to comb out the knots in the hair and I was voicing my annoyance. Nathan said well mom it is called a "Tangled" wig :-) It does live up to its name.

My Sister and parents came over at 10 for a Christmas morning brunch that tasted very good. We sat around a visited most of the day. Kids played with their toys, my Mom and I did a puzzle and we also watched the Karate Kid Movie. It was a fun day. Later in the afternoon we took a walk to the neighborhood park. Nathan and Taylor received new skates so they skated to the park (Preston is in front with Taylor helping her) Natalie rode her new bike to the park. The weather was amazing. Clear skies and 70's.

Me and the previously mentioned puzzle that Preston and I finished that evening. Preston enjoys puzzles but usually not until they are near completion and then he will sweep in and reap the rewards of mine and my Mom's hard work.

Susan G Komen 3 Day

Finally my post on a very life changing event that I participated in Nov 12-14th of 2010. I was able to do the Susan G Komen 3 day Breast Cancer 60 mile walk and it was AMAZING!!!! This is a picture of our team before opening ceremonies. Our team name was "One in Eight No More" because 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime. Ironically there were 8 women on our team.


Danielle and I with our Energizer Bunny ears at opening ceremonies.

Daniella Janna and I at the first Cheering Station which ended up being very close to our house.

My Mom was able to be at the first cheering station. She was a big support to me throughout the whole event.

Preston and Natalie also made it out to the 1st cheering station. 6 miles into our journey.

There were firemen cheering us on along the route. I LOVE firemen and so I took a picture of them sporting their studly pink shirts.

I passed the pink ears onto Natalie at the afternoon cheering station. I think I was about 16 miles in at this point.

The whole family at the cheering station. For the record Preston did Taylor's hair in 2 little ponytails on this first day of being Mr. Mom. I think he did a great job.

This picture was at the Grab N Go all 3 days. I think it was used for motivational purposes. :-)

Completion of Day 1 - 20 miles. I got a little sunburned on my arm this first day and I still have a tan line of the pink ribbon that was painted on my arm.

All the wrappers from the bandages I used to comfort my feet for the start of Day 2.

This next picture needs a long introduction. So a recap: Day 1=20 miles walking, Night 1 very cold got about 4 hours of sleep, Day 2=25 miles of walking. Memory check 20 miles already walked and only 4 hours of sleep. At about mile 12 on day 2 (aka 32 miles into journey) a little after lunch I just kept crying. I was EXHAUSTED!!!! I received letters from family members (mom, sister, older brother and Preston) that I read the morning of day 2. In the letters they all said they were proud of me and praying for me. So I cried from exhaustion and also because of the realization that I could do this because I had a huge support system pulling for me. At this point I was also in a decent amount of pain in my left foot from the arthritis and tendonitis. I knew that Preston and the kids would be at the 2nd cheering station and I kept telling myself "If I could just make it to that cheering station I would be so much better." Well that would not be until mile 19 that day. I was doubting my ability. We got to the first cheering station at mile 13.5 Day 2 and I was still crying a little. I then recognize Russ (Janna's husband and Danielle's Dad) in the crowd so I cry a little more. Then I recognize the 4 people sitting next to Russ aka MY FAMILY and I just start BAWLING!!!! It completely lifted my spirits to see them and give them all hugs. So here we all are at the 1st Cheering Station on Day 2 Mile 33.5. Preston said he just felt he should make it to the 1st station when he learned how far I would have to walk on Day 2 before the 2nd cheering station. He is a smart man. This was one of the highlights of the whole weekend.

We ended up taking a sweep bus between 2 of the pit stops on Day 2. All 3 of us needed it and it shaved 6 miles off our day. So confession time I only walked 54 of the 60 route miles during a 3 day time period. You can judge me if you want but I can happily say I walked 54 MILES in 3 days and I lived to blog about it :-)

Many people asked me why I was doing this 3 day event. I did it for a few reasons but 3 in particular. My Mother-in-Law is a 12 year survivor and so I honor her amazing fight to beat Breast Cancer. I also did it for Taylor and Natalie so I could try to help find a cure before my girls are old enough to get breast cancer. Preston and the kids decorated the car and these are a couple of the windows.

Day 2 done and boy were we TIRED!!!

This little pink tent was my home away from home for 3 days. It got down in the 40's at night and it was cold. I was so happy to get home to my warm bed.

My camera battery died the morning of Day 3 and I had already sent my spares in my suitcase and had it loaded on the semi truck when they died. So I don't have any pictures of Day 3 to post until closing ceremonies when Preston came with another camera to use. My sister Sherri came to closing ceremonies and a 2nd cheering station on Day 2. Sherri was a huge support to me in all my fundraising and preparation for the 3 day as well as during the actual 3 day.
The family at closing ceremonies.

Janna Danielle and I after it was all said and done. I was with these amazing ladies during the whole 3 days. It was a lot of fun and I will always cherish this time.

My mom made this cute Welcome Home sign for me to see when I came home. She is always so thoughtful. Notice I am holding my shoes to walk in the house. Those shoes did not go back on my feet for days.

What my feet looked like at the end of 3 days of walking. Overall they were in pretty good shape. A couple of big blisters on 2 of my toes and a taped arch. (I had the medics tape it half way through day 3. I should have had them do it the morning of Day 2) Now 2 weeks later the affect of my feet is this: arch that is still sore, lost 1 toenail, bruise under toenail, infected toe that will probably lose its nail too. Not too bad for 3 full days of hitting the pavement. In case you are wondering, "Yes I would love to do it all again" :-)