It was my birthday this past weekend and we partied hard. Actually, I planted my garden and spent the day in the dirt-- it was awesome. We took a quick lunch break to celebrate (hence my nasty hair and t-shirt)...
Thanks for the cake Mom...
...it was a crazy time... 
Dad and Chlo Chlo at my wild party...
Em came home from church today with this fabulous head piece.
Here is my cutie little "star"... you gotta love primary.
Today was a great day! Jo and I did the kid swap a few times to help each other out today. It's awesome having her here. We make a good team. Thanks Jo!
I think it might take Max a little while to get use to my camera all the time... sorry Max.
Best buddies... 
Mom, Cher, Chlo, and Mads
Jodi and Max (his mom brings out the best in him-- even with my camera in his face)
I don't know why I love the pictures of messy faces so much-- they just make me smile.
Back by popular demand.... THE BARLOWS!!! I will remind you that the Barlows notoriously refuse to start their own blog-- lame-- so I am still updating all of you with their lives. The kids are getting bigger and doing really great here in Elkhorn. (I hear they really enjoy spending time with Leca-- oh, that's me-- how did that get in there?) Here are a few cute pictures to prove it...
It took a little prodding (and about 7 pictures) but he got into it.
Caleb "holes" Barlow... I think his Dad has him talked into starting a "529" college saving fund with all the money he is making off the tooth fairy.
Maddie-- she is getting so old. 
Brecky and Caleb playing the "DS." I'm pretty sure Caleb is beating her-- look at that grin.
Chloe... now you see it....
now you don't... this girl has skills!I know you are thinking-- "how many rooms can she re-do?" But, in my defense, it's better than other evil hobbies... so I feel justified. I had a blast recreating my front area. The kitchen and living room are an open space concept-- so it's all connected. I went from green to turquoise... and from red to brown. Not a huge change I know-- but still fun to do none the less.
Before
after
before
after 
before 
after... my mom and Jodi suggested that I just paint it-- so I did. Thanks to Mom, Jo, Cass, Dad, Tim and I it only took about 5 days. We had to sand, paint twice, stain (a brown poly glaze), buff, shabby sheik, glaze the table top, poly the chairs and buff. It was a really lot of work and I'm not sure I would have done it if I would have known how tedious it was going to be-- but it looks like it's straight out of Pottery Barn. You can see the brown glaze better in person (so you'll all have to visit). I love it and it adds a lot of new personality to a stuffy front area. It only cost me about $60 to redo-- cool huh! (lots cheaper than a new one) (Tim liked that) After these last few rooms I'm told I need to settle for a little while... but just between you and me-- I've got my eye on our bedroom... Tim says I can think about it for an anniversary present (august). We'll see...Since the Barlows refuse to start their own blog, I'm forced to document how stinkin' cute their kids are for them. Chloe is getting so big and she is just too cute. Warning: these pictures are going to make you want to squeeze the stuffin' out of her...
She is a crawling machine! She's got some serious speed especially if there is food or the stairs up for grabs.
Look at that precious chubby face and beautiful blue eyes. 
She is pulling herself up on EVERYTHING. Nothing within reach is off limits. She is so strong and impressively fast with her little paws. She is sporting a lovely summer outfit with all of her chub out for grabs. She is a little beam of sunshine! I just love you Chlo Chlo Bean! Tonight we attended a very formal event-- Rugby's preschool concert. It was super cute. I got a chance to teach the music again and I taught them all primary songs. They loved it and sang their little hearts out. I just love seeing a little kid singing 'til they are red in the face. Here is Rugs playin' it cool...
Rugby and his happening threads...
This one is a little blurry-- but it's my first time using the new camera... oops...
This is Rugs (on the old camera-- I gave up with the new one) holding my mother's day gift. He tore it open and took care of the contents (chocolate) quickly for me-- how sweet.
This is Rugby and his friend that he loves. We carpool with Aaron and he is a year older than Rugs. Aaron looks super cute in this picture but Rugs said, "stop taking my picture!!!" right before I snapped this one. I'm thinking he isn't going to be a model later in life.Once again we had a Taylor family work day (and a little bit of playing too). We love to be outside together getting things done and having some fun. Here are a few pictures of a really great day...
Emerson finally mustered up the courage to drive the Jeep and the Gator. Watch out because he is fast and furious. He is pretty good at driving for a 2 year old. He hasn't hit anything yet.
Zoey helped out with the lawn clippings. She put the Gator to some good use. It was actually pretty helpful and she has some impressive skills in reverse-- thanks Z!
This picture is for Cassie-- I know you miss the lilacs. This one is from our front yard.
I found some snakes in our wood pile-- the hard way. Tim was brave enough to catch one of them for me. Rugby thought is was so cool-- I did not. I made him take it far far away from our yard. He assures me that snakes don't like to travel very far so it probably won't come back. It sounds like a line of hooey to me. 
Zoey wouldn't touch it but Rugs was totally into it. I know this picture alone will cure Cassie from ever wanting to visit us again. (don't worry Cass-- I'll make him hunt down the other one and get it too!)Here are a few shots from Brecky's super cool party. She was so excited that she had the perfect birthday. The day she stayed home sick we played her 3 new games about a bazillion times together. Then I gave her one of her presents early and let her take a sneak peak at her birthday cake. She threw her arms around me and claimed this to be "my best birthday ever-- thanks Mom!" I think you can see the excitement on her little face in these pictures...
Happy 7th B!
She got a new cool shirt and necklace from the Barlows that she thinks will make her look so old.... YIKES!
She had a sleep over with Maddie to cap off the night... they fell asleep nose to nose-- it was pretty cute!
The next day the kids played outside in the jumpy thing and rode bikes... it was a great birthday extravaganza!Yesterday, as you all know, I redid Breckyn's room. Last night (the first night she slept in it) she barfed!!!! She basically tagged everything between her bed and the bathroom. What a way to break in the new room. I was a little frazzled about the room... but probably more upset that I had to clean it up. Everything is already washed and back in place-- but eeewww. Poor little B broke the cardinal rule-- "no one can be sick on their birthday!" She is doing just fine this morning and claims that she woke up barfing-- "it just happened Mom." I was falsely under the impression that every kid would now make it to the bathroom without incident... another joy of motherhood. Today she stayed home from school and is eating and playing just fine. She is looking forward to another riveting match of "Guess Who" when she wakes up from her mandatory sick day nap. Happy Barfday B!
I am on a re-do kick in our house. We re-did Zoey's room, the front room, the kitchen and now Brecky's room. If you notice I didn't repaint it-- I just up-dated it and made it feel a little bit older. I hope she likes it...
I got this vinyl fence post from a local fence guy that gave it to me for free from his scraps!!
We got this piece of trellis from Lowe's and stuck these light up flowers to it-- cute!
I kept the bed skirt and the curtains because they still matched...
Mom painted this super cute picture for her and bought two other smaller canvases for Breckyn to paint and put on either side of this one... B is going to love it!
Mom made Brecky a special reading corner...
Mom also painted B's name on the door as the last personal touch! Today, May 10th, is Breckyn's 7 th birthday. She came into this world on a beautiful spring day, twisting and kicking the whole way. (yes, it was painful) Breckyn is our first born... first to steal our hearts and first for us to make all of those initial parental mistakes. She was our pride and joy and still continues to plow the way for her siblings like a trooper. We love our baby girl and the beautiful big girl she is quickly becoming. Here is a quick peek at her tiny little life...
baby B and her signature tongue out move...
pretty pretty princess Brecky
my little performer... the shows are getting a little more intense but, 
my two little stinkers inspecting the job site...
...can you feel the love?
"/> 