Rain Rain Go Away...

We had a bit of a rain storm this afternoon. While I was unloading the groceries the kids went out and had some fun in the water.

This is the face of trouble. He was only out there a few minutes and managed to cover himself in mud and water.

This is his partner in crime. This is right before it really got muddy. This is his bike thrash from the puddles.

Z is trying her very best not to get too wet.

Note the great footwear... She was well prepared.

The boys take turns riding this old tiny bike. It makes me giggle cause I think it looks like a clown bike.

Em will take his bike anywhere and everywhere. His goal for this summer was to do a back flip with his bike. He likes to dream big.

Ssssssnake...

WARNING!!! THIS IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!!!

This post is for Catherine and Greg. While the family was here for the reunion we noticed that Catherine and Greg had taken an interest in our flowers. At first I thought they were admiring my plants and then I found out that they had been snake watching. Sure enough, there was a snake that had decided to make my planter its' home. EEEKKK!!

We waited until everyone left and then went on the prowl for our intruder. Tim chased it by taking off some of the stones around the planter and finally got it.
It tried to bite Tim but the gloves protected him.

I can't say that I enjoyed this hunt but I am now relaxing much more peacefully in our back yard. (I hate snakes!) Thanks for the heads up guys!

Girl's Night

The girlies have been asking me to take them to the mall for a few days. They say they just LOOOOVE going there. Can I blame them? That's one of my favorite spots too. So off we went today just the three of us to shop it out like girls.

They wanted to try on a lot of stuff.
Z said she wanted to get this "Frenchy" hat and the matching dress and shoes. I just couldn't do it. Maybe if it's on super sale but even then, it was a little too much "French" for my taste.

They also picked out new bedroom sets.

Z said that she was in heaven! So much pink you can't even believe it!

They both bought their own build-a-bear. The rest of the ride home consisted of naming the new pets. We came up with quite a few creative ideas. I think they settled on Princess Doodles and Fluffy.

We ended the night with some good eats at Louise's. The waitress was kind enough to take our picture. Thanks for an evening of girlie fun. I sure do love you two squirrels.

Timmy took the two boys mini golfing while we were gone. They had a great time too. Rugby says we should switch tomorrow and do it again. I think that's a great idea.

Hangin' out at home...

We were just relaxing in the yard today and I got some cute pictures of the kids.

Emerson can't help himself with the "cheese" when I get out the camera. I'm going to have to start sneaking up on him or something.
Our little puppy loves to dig holes in the sandbox. I think it looks pretty cute. Although not the funnest mess to clean up.

Here he is all tuckered out and sandy nosed.

Breckyn "the poser" Taylor. She is growing up so very fast.

Max is looking almost 6 in this picture. His birthday is tomorrow and he's been trying to guess his presents all day. (No that's not a pickle. It's a popsicle.)

This guy is too cool for words.

I was trying to get Chloe to smell the flowers to take a cute picture of her. Instead I got this... I think she thinks they were kinda stinky or something. We never quite got there with the artsy.

This little guy has been practicing his baseball skills. He has a little ball pop that he can practice swinging with. He talked Chloe into chasing all of his stray balls so he could keep playing. Ahh, the benefits of little cousins.

Taylor Family Reunion 2009

This past week Tim's whole family came to Wisconsin for a family reunion. Everyone had a great time.

We had quite a few water bugs.
Lots of family love.

A little bit of family mischief.

Here are the two who brought us all together. Thanks for raising a great family.

We took a few naps.

The kids tortured-- I mean, caught a ton of frogs.
The kids piled on Uncle Davey for the ultimate ride.
I think we lost a little water on that one.

Dave and a few of his kids. (Poppy, Willow and Phoenix)

We had a chance for some relaxing.

The kids were pretty much in the slide the entire week.

Benny and Christina drove up with baby Logan all the way from St. Louis.

Tim and his hot wife were the official host family.
Baby Lilly was silent danger. She quietly went about getting into whatever she could.

Catherine and Greg came from Colorado for the festivities.

The kids... like I said, they were in the slide ALL week long.

Grandpa and baby Lilly.

Christina and baby Logan.

Willow and Breckyn were the kid bosses. They kept everyone in line.

I think we all felt this way when it was over. Thanks for a great week! We can't wait until next year!

Family Camping Trip...

Last night we went camping with the Barlows. It was our first time camping as a family (and the Barlows too). It was an adventure. We found a beautiful campgrounds in Mukwonego (where the stake does it's camping). The Barlows certainly out "tented" us. We went with the $20 Leca specials that I vowed never to actually use, just had them to satisfy Timmy.

We were all about the food and the kids had a lot of fun playing with the fire.

Chloe was loving the free access to the beverages.

Caleb and most of the other guys sported the camper hat look. He is such a little stud.
Em and his sidekick hangin' out and looking for trouble.

Food and hats were our theme.

I think the girlies arranged and rearranged their tent about a gazillion times.

The boys just spread out and used their tent as a secret fort from the girlies.

This face sums up how the kids felt about their first camping trip. Happy 4th of July!

Chlo Bean

Chloe and I like to play. She likes to be a big girl and nothing pleases her more than playing with big girl stuff.

This kid wishes with all of her heart to be big. She sure can keep up with the crowd. At the very least, she keeps every one on their toes. She has a sparkle for life with a twinkle of trouble. She is Chloe and we love her.