Pool Time!

Check out some Taylor back yard swimming.  Tim and I designed and built this really cool mini deck for the kids to jump from.  (I was doing lots of the big picture thinking and Tim spent lots of time scaling me back and doing all the leg work.)

The ladder was getting hogged all the time and the kids were having traffic jams pretty often.  So we split the ladder and added a jump pad for easier access.  We notched out the wood so the ladder would be nice and steady but also removable for safety. (nice huh Dad?)

There's the ladder from the pool side.  We used a few U-bolts to attach it to the deck.

Tim added a few handles for easier climbing.  They all get up there together because that's how we do things here at the Taylor house-- in herds.

Em hangin' out in the little pool.

Little Miss looking for some trouble.

This is how Libby usually spends the afternoon at the pool.  Don't worry she gets out pretty often for a little snuggle time with Aunt Leca.

Chloe is all excited because she just scored a popsicle.

That's the average summer day here in Wisconsin.  Come join us for a swim-- we've got snacks!

TP and stitches

Jodi and I were out on a girls night this week and we got a little creative.  Timmy had a meeting at the stake center so we kinda toilet papered his car.  We weren't totally mean-- we left him treats.  But it was a lot of fun.  It made us feel young and silly again.

Here's an update on the ever darkening eye of Chloe.  Her poor little face looks pretty bad but she's loving all the attention.

Turtle Love

Breckyn found a turtle in our back yard.  The poor thing was loved for a long time and finally released back into the wild.  Thank you for entertaining Brecky Mr. Turtle.  I owe you one.

B our animal whisperer.

The Skate Park

Caleb has been dying to go to the skate park in Delevan for a long time.  So we packed up the kids and all of their gear for a special trip to the skate park.

It turns out it was a serious park.  The jumps were huge!  It was Caleb's dream come true.

The kids were in heaven trying out all of their sweet moves.

Even Jodi and I had to give it a try.  The kids want to go back with their bikes and their Dad's to show off a bit.  We did get to see one guy who was really good do some BMX moves.  The kids were amazed.  It was pretty awesome!

Jump Day!

Today was jump day for Timmy!  The whole house was bursting with excitement.  As we were arriving to the airport the weather was starting to change.  We weren't sure if he'd still be able to go but we lucked out. 

Here's the sky starting to change a bit.

Timmy is getting all geared up to go.  Are you getting nervous yet?

The kids were right on his heals so they wouldn't miss a second of anything.

Here he goes...

No turning back now...

Its a bird, its a plane, its super Dad!

We got to see him do a few tricks and then land in the field.

Safe and sound back on the ground.  Wheew!

The kids peppered him with two million questions.  He was loving it!

They let the kids explore the plane and pretend to fly.

I think this little guy has a few ideas to be just like his daddy.

As we were leaving the clouds started looking angry.  We got in the car and it started pouring.  It was awesome!

Summer Fun

I caught the little man playing in the puddles with his sloshies yesterday.  So I guess the rain was good for something.  This little guy loves his sloshies and exploring in every muddy puddle.  I think he's pretty cute.

Em actually managed to come out dry.  Maybe he is growing up?

Breckyn spent most of her morning collecting frogs.  Our mini tree toads are out in full swing so she is in heaven.

This little miss had a little accident yesterday that resulted in a quick run to the doctors and a few stitches.  I think she makes stitches look pretty darn cute.

We have a winner!

This weekend we went to our town's annual bike safety event.  They featured a group bike ride, lunch, games, face painting, bike tune-ups, safety tips, t-shirts and a free raffle with lots of cool prizes.  They do it to encourage proper bike safety for all riders.  The best part was, it was all FREE.  We spent the morning as a family enjoying all the fun.  At the end we listened hopefully for the winners of the raffle.  To our surprise Breckyn won this sweet bike!  She was so excited because she says she has never won anything.  It was so awesome.  The only problem is its a little big for her.  She has been practicing so she can master it (without crashing)  Way to go B!

Libby

I know you are probably getting sick of seeing pictures of baby Libby but I'm in heaven.  This little pumpkin is starting to smile and I just can't get enough of it.  She is amazing.

Look at that bright smile and those chunky cheeks!

I tortured her with some shades because she looked so funny!  Our baby diva!

Just in case you haven't seen her I thought you might like to see some little toes and tiny hands.  There's nothing like a baby.  (especially one this cute)

Last Day of School!

OK, indulge my sentiments for just a moment.  Today is the last day of school.  That means my babies are getting older and moving on yet again.

Here they are the first day of school this year.

Here they are on the last day of school.  Look how much they have grown!!!

Here they are a little more relaxed.  That's more like it!

This is the general feeling in the house for the last day!  Bring on SUMMER baby!

The Barlow Babes

Say hello to two of my favorite friends. 

Libby is starting to coo and smile.  She is our little sunshine.

Chloe has been into Band-aids lately and it cracks me up.  She is also always sporting a fresh pedicure and the anklet was an extra touch today.  This kid has style.

Here is another clip of our little princess.  She is just so cute.

There's that cutie smile!

Recital Time

This is Zoey in all of her glory.  We have been hearing this song blasting through our house for several weeks now.  (It might sound a little familiar to you, Mom and Dad.  She dug up some old music of mine and insisted on learning it.)  Great job Z!

A few weeks ago Zoey expressed interest in playing a duet with me.  Her teacher thought it would be a great idea.  We had a lot of fun working together.  It was really awesome to go back to lessons with my old teacher for a few weeks.  We did well at the recital together.  I think we both share the same playing style.  It's pretty funny.

Field Day

Yesterday I had a chance to help out with field day at the kids' school.  They had lots of games set up in a rotation for the kids.  Each class combo was assigned a group color.  It was awesome.

Here's Em with his best buddy Cooper doing the double sack race.

The whole school was split up so the older kids were helping a younger kid.  This is Caleb with his assigned buddy.  They matched-- too cute!  They did a great job taking care of each other.

Rugs was in the orange group.  Most of his face paint melted off because it was sooooo hot.

They had a pie throwing to raise money for a new swing set.  They voted for the teacher of their choice with quarters.  Then a lucky kid got chosen to throw the pie.  The kids thought this was the best part.  They threw about 10 pies and they got lots of cheers from the crowd.

Zoey was really excited about the pie throwing-- can you tell?

B was busy picking up littered water bottles after the party broke up.  Way to go B!

Pool Time!

It's that time of year again.  For the next few months you will be seeing lots and lots of swimming pictures from the Taylors.  This past weekend we set up the pools and the kids have been in them ever since.  They start begging from the moment they get in the door from school.

I can't resist this face in a monkey towel.

Em is old enough to use the flippers this year.  He has been trying to walk around in them so no on else can get them.  He's going to biff sooner or later.  He looks pretty hilarious trying to flipper walk.

Just in case you were wondering the goggle fascination is still living strong at the Taylor house.  No, Breckyn does not have brain damage she is just a little goggle challenged.

This one might be a little goggle challenged herself.

I've been getting call non-stop to come look.  This is what I end up seeing.  "Mom did you see that cool trick?"  Umm... yeah?  "Did you see the dance I was doing?"  Ummm.... sure?  "Wasn't it so cool?"  Good job honey!

Rugs is into the snorkel gear.  You couldn't pay me to suck on that thing.  All the kids keep passing it around to each other--- eeewww!

Big man Max was being egged on to jump into the newly filled pool.  I had just finished filling it and it was like ice water.  We had a few near attempts but Max held his ground and stayed warm.

Big sister Maddie helped Chloe out lots.  She is getting pretty good with a life jacket.  She can do lots of things all by herself.

Alright-- it's on!  Summer is officially here!  Now, who's coming for a visit?