She Lost Her First Tooth!

It took her several weeks, but it finally came out! She was so nervous and scared and now that it is out she is excited for the next one to come out, too(which it is on the way!)!

Taylin's Style

Yesterday, Taylin walked out of her room as proud as could be and said, "Mom, doesn't this look soo cool together?" I turned to my child and found her dressed in her boots and shorts and a tank top. Hmm........ "Well, Taylin, not really. They don't really go together." I know. Talk about bursting a kids bubble, but I had to be honest with her. "Yeah they do Mom. My boots are cool," was her response. I told her she could wear them while we were at home and would have to change if we went somewhere. Fortunately, we stayed home for most of the day, so she thought she was the bomb! I couldn't pass up this opportunity to show you Taylin, so here she is!

It looks like Taylin is throwing up some gangster signs, but that's just her way of being silly.

Taylin's Playing Softball!

So, it's really T-ball, but they seem to call it softball. The kids are just so cute when they're trying to figure out the game. Here is a few pictures of her in all her glory. The season actually ended last week and now we are starting up soccer!

She's a Dodger!

It's always fun to have buds to goof around with!

Taylin's playing catcher!

She was so cute trying to figure out what she was suppose to do! "Where do I throw the ball? Who am I suppose to tag?"

Here's Taylin playing second.

A little footage of Taylin hitting the ball. You'll have to excuse the fence!

Taylin's 6th Birthday

This past Saturday was Taylin's 6th birthday. Again, it is amazing how time flies! She is becoming such a big girl, and out growing all of the little girl things! She is my sweet, tenderhearted one. She thinks about things in depth, and is becoming very alert to sensitive situations. She is also my child who can become very broken hearted. In her wrong doings, you can see her conviction all over her. She is also very eager to play all the time as well as being extremely sociable. So, she decided for her birthday that she wanted to go celebrate it with her cousins down in Mesa.

Opening presents in pj's. This is becoming one of our family traditions to wake up to presents.

This was my attempt at a special, fun, birthday breakfast that was full of Taylin's favorite foods.

Having her little party with her cousins at my sister's house. She was way spoiled!

We went to a place called "Makutu's" for the kids. It basically is a giant McDonalds on steroids except all the play equipment is made into a jungle theme. There are huge trees that the slides and the climbing equipment are all intertwined with. It was pretty darn cool. I even had my fair share of play time in it. This is Kolton going down one of the fire poles.

Henry and Jennica are really working out their energy.

Taylin on the zip line!

Here's my daughter who won't look at the camera! I'm waiting for this phase to end!

My star!

Henry's working away at the pinata.

My sister and niece put together a cute Hawaiian theme for Taylin. Which was a very nice change from all the princess stuff and barbies!

Tobyn finally crashed! He had a full day!

And So It Has Begun

One of the chores both girls have to do on a daily basis is make their beds in the morning some time before we start school. If they complete their task they get 15 cents (I know, I'm generous aren't I?!). This past week Taylin has been making her bed in the morning before she comes out of her room, right when she wakes up. I was a little impressed, thinking she was inspired by her cousin (who helped her out while she visited). I was wrong. Something else inspired her. She asked me, "Mom, if I make my bed right when I get up in the morning, can I get more money?" I had to chuckle. This is the first time she has really asked for more money. I said yes. You have to hand it to her, she didn't just ask for more money for the same job she is doing, she asked for more money if she did a better job than the one she is doing! I guess she is getting some concept down, that there is work related to this money thing (you get what you pay for). So, the rest of this past week she made her bed right when she got up in the morning and she received 20 cents! She also has been going to bed at night and trying to only pull the covers back just enough so that they don't come untucked, but yet she can still slide under them. All I can do is laugh at her young mind at work! I just hope I can mold it in the right direction.

Fancy Nancy Birthday Party!

Today, Taylin got to go to a friend's birthday party and was told to dress up! She was fully cooperative and great at picking out her own attire! She was thrilled with the oppurtunity to but her finest clothes on and get made up! (I have to admit I had fun doing her hair!) Here's our Fancy Nancy!

First Soccer Game!

Taylin had her first soccer game this past weekend, it was the Pink Fairies against the Bumble Bees! I think we won, but they don't really keep score at this level. Taylin is improving from last year, when her first instinct was to purposefully wait and run at the back of the pack and watch everyone else get the ball. This year she is actually trying to get in the group and get the ball! She even made a goal this game (although it was for the other team)!

Vacation Bible School

Taylin absolutely loved vacation bible school this year! She had a blast! She came home every night with new crafts, singing new songs, and trying to learn new bible verses. She was very sad to see it end. The last night was a parent night and they did a little production for us. Daniel and I got a kick out of watching Taylin do all the hand motions to the songs, she was just too cute! Taylin got a little lost in the crowd, but heres a few of the pics I came up with!

Taylin's in yellow

Taylin's 5th Birthday!

This past weekend we celebrated Taylin's 5th Birthday! I can't believe she is 5! Was it really five years ago when we brought her home for the first time? I tried telling Taylin that it was a special day for me, too. Getting sentimental with her, I told her that it was the day she came out of my tummy and that I had to do a lot work on that day, so that it was kind of a celebration for me too. She replies simply with an "oh," and a smile and then on with the rest of her special day! And oh it was a full day! We were awoken bright and earlier in the morning at 6:30am by her excitement from all the presents that were in the living room! So, first it was presents in her jammies and then her favorite breakfast, heart shaped strawberry pancakes and bacon! Then Grandma and Grandpa Troup arrived, we went to the store to pick up her balloons and birthday cake, and then home again for her princess party! We had 5 other little girls come over for her princess party which was full of princess crafts, games, cake and ice cream, and of course presents! After the party was over I was ready to collapse, but Taylin was sure not. We had promised her we would go to Peter Piper Pizza for dinner, so we ended her day with more games, pizza, and prizes! I don't think she could have asked for a better day. She says her favorite part was her party with her friends! (An improvement from last year, it was the presents that were her favorite part!)

Bright and early in the morning, riding her new bike!

Taylin's all decked out for her party!

My sissy!

Craft time!

This is serious stuff.

One of the finished products, princess wands!



Getting the wiggles out with Grandma, silly time is the best!

Presents!
And more presents!

Lenten Singing

Yesterday, Taylin sang at her preschool for Lenten (Easter). The kids are so cute and so proud of themselves. Hopefully you can pick her out, she is way in the back with the bows that she had to wear!

Tender Hearted

A couple of days ago we were all in the car on our way to some friends house for dinner. Daniel and I were talking and often the girls end up feeling left out, and will continually try to add to the conversation or try to start their own. After telling Taylin several times she needs to wait until Daddy and I are done talking before she can talk to me, I finally told her it was her turn. With that she proceeded to tell me this story.

Taylin, "We prayed for Jaden today at school."

Me, "You did." In a little shock to her statement.

Taylin, "Yeah."

Me, "Did you pray for him at lunch time?"

Taylin, "No, it was before lunch."

Me, "At your story time?" Trying to figure out more of the details.

Taylin, "Yeah, at our story time."

Me, "Why did you pray for Jaden?"

Taylin, "Because I miss him, and I was sad."

Me, "Oh,"

There was a pause of silence because I really didn't know what to say to her. I was a little shocked at her feelings. Although she never ceases to amaze me at how often she reminds others of her brother. She is not one to ever leave him out.

Me, "Did it make you feel better to pray for him?"

Taylin with a big grin on her face, "Yeah, Mom, it really did!"

Me, "Well, I'm glad."

And with that, our conversation was over. Daniel and I looked at each other and Taylin's sadness seemed to reach us. Although, I have to say, I love how much Jaden is so real to her, even though she never got to meet him. It seems to be a nice wonderful embrace that God sends to me.

Baby Names

Taylin has been spending a lot of time lately on thinking of baby names for our little one that is that is on the way. She has taken it upon herself to make it her job. Here are some of her latest names:

Rachel

Dianne

Julienne

Angelina

Ben

Can you tell which sex she is hoping for?

All Decked Out!

Here's Taylin with some of her new Dora attire. The hat not only stayed on for this picture, but the whole day and then some. She was very proud strutting her stuff!

What Taylin Came Away With From Last Weekend

We have been blessed this week from Taylin carring on her previous weekend. After spending several days with Kaylee and playing with her phone this is what Taylin has had in her head.

Crazy Hair Day!

What is about little girls that they all like to cut their hair? Does anybody know? Is it the joy of taking their own hairs' destiny and being the one in control of it? Is the nostalgia of how beautiful they dream they will be after its done? Or is it just the curiosity of cause and effect? I'm at a loss! And yes, if you are wondering, my 4 year old daughter has done it again. She has gotten her little hands onto a pair of scissors and cut her hair. The really sad thing is, that just the other day I was telling my mother-in-law that Taylin's hair was finally starting to even out (from other incidences) and I didn't think I was going to have to cut it anymore. Boy, did I speak to soon! Its not like I was a negligent mother and left her in a room by herself full of scissors and she just happened to stumble upon a one. Oh, no, she was sneaky, and intentionally deceitful, she knew it was wrong! Although, after a rough afternoon of punishment, she says she will never cut her hair again. Well, I hope shes right. As a mom, I'm tired of covering up hair problems! Its funny, I keep thinking God must be trying to teach me something with this whole hair thing? Is my pride to big for my children's looks? I always thought that was just one of those natural biases that every parent has over their children. Or is God trying to teach Taylin something? Is it just a normal part of her learning about life and growing up. Maybe it's all of the above, but personally right now, I feel like God is working on me!

Soccer Finale!

The Pizza!
The Siblings!
Playtime!
The Trophies!
Taylin and her trophy!

Tonight was Taylin's soccer finale, ending with a pizza party at the park! The girls had a fun time being able to play together without the coach always pulling them apart to practice their drills. Surprisingly, all the girls ended up with trophies. I would have thought that was the highlight of the night, however, I was mistaken. The ice cream sandwiches won the hearts of everyone! It was a fun season, and amazingly we made it through! I started out not knowing if this was something we would do again for Taylin, but by the end of the season she still likes it and wants to do it again next year! Taylin's final stats: she played every game and even had one goal! (Mom and Dad were really proud of that one).

Taylin's First Day of Preschool!

So, I'm a little behind, but I thought I would up date you on the things I missed. Taylin had her first day of preschool last week, and she absolutely loved it! I thought she might be a little scared or nervous, but she couldn't wait for us to go! She is just going on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few hours each day, but she gets to bring her lunch and eat it there, and boy does that make her feel like a big kid! When we first got there, Daniel and I were trying to help her get settled in (show her where to put her backpack and her lunch, where her cubbie is) and all she kept asking is "When are you going to leave?" My little one is ready to fly from the nest! It's kinda sad. But on the positive side, Rayna sure enjoyed her time alone with mom.

Ready to go to school!I'm on my way!Entering her first day of preschool.Enough Mom, leave already!