Hazel - 9 Months Old

Hazel is now 9 months old, crawling, pulling up and getting into everything.

She has 7 teeth and can stack one block on top of another. She's starting to understand what you are saying to her. I watched Violet asking her to hand her a card and Hazel did it! She waves and says "Hi". She also says Da-Da but Melissa insists she's not referring to Jamie since she also called the Christmas tree Da-Da! Anyone want to take bets she's walking before she turns 1?

Merry Christmas!

You couldn't have asked for better weather in Kansas City for Christmas - 65 degrees and sunny.

After spending most of Christmas Eve prepping for Christmas dinner, I took a few minutes to relax in front of the tree before Violet, Lincoln and Hazel tore through all the presents.

I'm always trying to think of new and exciting things for Michael, Melissa and Jamie to do besides watch the kids open presents. So this year I created a gift card game. Jamie accused me of making up the rules as they went along (which is partially correct) but the object of the game was to pick a gift card box from the pile or steal a gift card from someone else - sort of like the white elephant gift game. However complicated or simplistic it sounds, they had a fun time. Even Violet and Lincoln were patient enough to wait for the game to be over before they opened their presents.

This was Hazel's first Christmas and she loved her basket of goodies.

After what is becoming our traditional barbecue dinner, Violet and Lincoln headed outside to play with a new rocket type toy from Michael. Before long, plastic rockets were on the roof and another is permanently stuck at the top of the tree in Mrs. Totta's yard. I'm on guard duty just in case it happens to fall out of the tree.

I got a bunch of new electronic toys including a Ring video doorbell, Amazon's Echo Show and wireless headphones. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to use all these new devices in the next month or two.

An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City

Watching all the commercials about Silver Dollar City made me want to go see it for myself.

With Melissa, Jamie and Hazel in one car and me, Michael, Violet and Lincoln in my car, we headed south to Branson.

While the kids visited with their Springfield family, I headed to the Mexican Villa. I haven't been to the Mexican Villa for over 30 years. I remember it as being the best place for Mexican food. While the burrito was still ooey, gooey and cheesy, it wasn't as good as I remember.

We joined back up at the hotel in Branson then headed for Silver Dollar City. Melissa, Jamie and the kids have been so often that they have season passes but for Michael and I, it was our first time.

So many photo opportunities even before we made it to the entrance gate.

Once inside it's like walking into a live Christmas setting. There are no lights other than the glow from the hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights.

It wasn't as cold as you might think for December...no wind and temperatures in the 40's. Poor Hazel had a cold but no crying at Christmas!

There were a few rides and activities for the kids but mostly light displays.

Michael, Melissa and I laughed as Jamie took Violet and Lincoln on a few high flying rides. I knew it had to be freezing up on that ride but the kids (even Jamie) loved it.

This has to be my favorite picture of the night...trying to get a family picture of the Taylor's with a little photo bomb from Michael.

While Michael thought he'd be funny with the picture of him and Melissa (retake without the tongue just for me)...

I was able to get a picture of the 3 of us (including Hazel).

While Christmas may be for kids, I count this as another item to mark off my bucket list and another travel trip for 2019. 

If you've never been to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas lights, I highly recommend it. A little expensive but well worth the memories.

After a brief stop at the outlet mall on Saturday (brief because my legs were killing me from the 5 miles I walked at Silver Dollar City), we headed to Ozark, MO for lunch at Lambert's - the place where they throw the rolls. The waiters at Lambert's walk around serving side dishes while you wait for your food. I don't know why I ordered anything. The rolls and sides filled me up.

It's been a long time since we've taken a family vacation and this one was perfect!

Violet's Christmas Program

The theme for Violet's 1st grade class Christmas program was a type of game show mixed in with the song Freeze Frame. I hate to be negative about this post but I really didn't get the program.

Besides the kids dressing in Christmas attire, the program had nothing to do with Christmas. But I have to admit the quality of singing gets better as the kids get older.

At least Violet was happy and I was proud of her performance.

The First December Snowfall

I think it's been snowing since 8:00 this morning.

But oh what fun it's been at the Taylor house. This is a first for Hazel playing in the snow.

And Violet and Lincoln could probably stay out all day. School has already been cancelled for tomorrow. Let's hope it stops soon. We're supposed to go to Branson the end of the week and I won't be happy if there's snow on the ground.

Letters from Santa

Violet and Lincoln got their letters from Santa today.

I can remember my Mom sending letters to Michael and Melissa when they were young. I hope the magic of Christmas stays with them forever.

Lincoln's Christmas Program

Tonight was Lincoln's first preschool Christmas program.

While he didn't sing any of the songs, although he knew all the words, he did go through the motions and lasted the whole 15 minutes for the program. I have to admit, he was the best dressed 4 year old on stage.

Happy 65th Birthday To Me!

As much as I thought I'd fall apart turning 65, the day was actually very good.

KCP&L had their annual Christmas party that day and I just pretended it was a giant party for me.

For dinner I met Michael at Harrah's to try out the new Gordon Ramsay's Steakhouse. I think it's the same steakhouse as before with a fancier name and higher prices.

But the funniest gift of all was from Michele. I nag Melissa to get age defining shirts for the kids for their birthdays. Well Michele thought it would be funny to get me one for mine. I like that the age is in months instead of years. It takes people longer to do the math!

Surprise Birthday Party

I had a feeling Melissa and Michael were going to throw me a surprise party for my 65th birthday. There were just too many things that seemed out of the ordinary.

But as I was walking into the restaurant at Harrah's, I wasn't even thinking about a party. I was looking for Violet and Lincoln.

I was totally surprised not so much by the party but by the people who showed up. I just left Michele in Chicago and there she was along with family and friends.

I had told Violet earlier in the week that I didn't want Melissa to put 65 candles on my cake. I didn't need to set off the fire system with that many candles. 

But the cake was beautiful and Violet helped me blow out the candles.

I can't begin to thank everyone who came and the effort put into planning this. Surprise parties are extremely overwhelming and stressful hopping from table to table to visit with everyone. I definitely needed a nap after the party.

Thanksgiving in Chicago

I can't remember the last time someone cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for me. I've been threatening to go to Chicago for the past several years because Bruce and Courtney always cook Thanksgiving dinner for Michele.

So this was the year to go. I'm always nervous traveling when I have to try and navigate where I'm going without the convenience of a cab. But I boarded that plane in Kansas City, arrived in Chicago and found my way to the train to meet Michele in downtown Chicago.

After a brief stop at our hotel, we literally pushed our way through the streets of Chicago (the wind was so strong) to meet Courtney for lunch.

Then it was a long day shopping on Michigan Avenue. With my birthday only a week away, I was a little selfish and just bought things for myself.

Thanksgiving day we headed to Courtney's condo for a traditional turkey dinner. While Bruce was slaving away in the kitchen, Michele, Courtney and I played some game Michele brought. I don't know the name of it nor do I want to. I think Michele just brought it because she knew she could win.

The next day I found my way to the train station to come back home.

The trip was fast and fun but I have to admit I missed my family. Maybe all the chaos is worth it in the end and I have left over turkey and dressing!

Hazel - 8 Months Old

Another month has gone by and Hazel is another month older.

At 8 months she's pulling up, has 4 teeth and perfecting the art of crawling. I can't decide whether she'll walk soon or continue with a high speed crawl to keep up with Violet and Lincoln.

Christmas Decorations

I decided to cut down on the number of stuffed animals I put around my tree this Christmas.

It was hard to decide which ones to put out and which ones to keep in the bins. Each time I picked up one of my Christmas animals, I thought about having to put them away after Christmas.

I even minimized the number of outdoor decorations. The only problem was I bought new things. I couldn't resist this elf with a letter to Santa.

I must have stood in front of this train display for an hour debating whether or not I wanted to buy it. As you can see, I have no will power.

Grandparent's Day at Violet's School

Grandparent's Day (or VIP Day as the school calls it) is a very interesting morning for me. This is probably one of the only times where Violet doesn't seem that interested in having me around. She's so busy looking around for her friends and anxious to get school started.

We did start out with a cinnamon roll in the cafeteria then headed to the book fair.

As long as Violet and Benton go to the same school, I'll continue to get a picture with Violet, Benton, me and Benton's grandmother, Monica. Monica and I graduated high school together. It's funny how things keep you together even after 45 years.

Lincoln's Birthday Party Continues

When your dad's a fireman, where better to have for a birthday theme party than at the fire station.

About 12 of Lincoln's friends showed up at the Lone Jack Fire Station. The party started with a fireman's relay where the kids ran an obstacle course ending with suiting up for a fire.

Jamie then let the kids explore the ambulance and fire truck trying to explain details to these little kids. Surprisingly, they all loved it. At the end of Jamie's presentation, he asked if there were any questions. One little boy raised his hand and asked "when do we get cake?"!!! It was hilarious.

While I didn't participate in any of the preparation or party, I did enjoy watching all the kids.

Once again, Happy Birthday Lincoln. You're growing up way too fast.