Happy New Year!

What a year this has been and I don't ever want to repeat it.

Even though I was in bed and oblivious to a new year, Violet, Lincoln, Hazel, Goldie and even Pearl had the annual balloon drop. Happy New Year and may 2026 be so much better!

Christmas

We decided to do Christmas at the Taylor's. This is much easier for everyone plus I don't have the mess to clean up.

This was Pearl's first Christmas even though she has no idea of what's going on. She'd much rather play with the wrapping paper and a box than enjoy her new toys. 

The others...not so much. Oh what fun it is to dive into all those toys. 

Besides a family picture, I got a picture of the oldest and the youngest in my family although I hate thinking I'm the oldest in the group. Merry Christmas everyone!

Visiting Santa

Time for the annual visit to Santa.

Goldie wasn't too happy when they went to Bass Pro. She actually thought they were going to the North Pole. What an imagination.

Just for that, Goldie decided not to be in the Santa photo. Violet had other plans with her girlfriends so she was also missing.

Pearl's First Christmas in the Park

Every year the Taylors go at least once to see the Christmas lights in the park. Me, I've seen it once, I don't need to see it again.

Pearl got her first taste of seeing the lights. I don't know if she was happier to see or the lights or stick her head through the sun roof of the car.

Pearl is 10 Months Old

 Monthly photos are getting harder to take.

Pearl would much rather be climbing over, under and around the chair instead of posing for a picture!

A Wedding Party for Jamie's Birthday

 Jamie and family went to Nashville for his niece's wedding.

It's not every year that someone throws a big party for your birthday. Happy Birthday Jamie!

Happy Birthday to Me

I'm not as excited about birthdays any more. I'd rather subtract than add to my age.

Melissa was out of town for a wedding so she missed my birthday but Michael was there and he and Teresa took me to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. This picture is probably the same as last year since it was for my 70th birthday but I'm wearing it every year. Let everyone else do the math.

Pearl is On the Move

With the assistance of her walking toys, Pearl is on the move.

She might not be actually walking on her own but this is a first step...literally! 

A New Christmas Tree and a Little (?) Snow for Pearl

This year we plan on having Christmas at Melissa's and since there were no plans for anyone coming over to my house before Christmas...

I decided to get a new flocked Christmas tree. After turning it on, it looked so pretty without any decorations that I decided this would be my Christmas decorating.

I got my tree up just in time before we had a rather large snowfall. I'm hoping the old wives tale of the number of snowfalls per year equals the date of the first snowfall. Today being the first of December, this should be it for this winter. Fingers crossed. At least Pearl lasted longer than Goldie. Goldie got dressed, went out the front door then turned around and came back in. In her defense, it was really cold.

Thanksgiving

I tend to amaze myself at how well I can still cook a big family dinner. The Thanksgiving turkey may have been a bit overcooked but who cares about turkey when you have all the delicious sides.

Even Pearl thought the meal was good.

My favorite is getting just the perfect family selfie. I'm always hoping that maybe some day all the kids will look at the camera and Jamie won't have his eyes closed. Congrats to Michael for always coming through! 

VIP Day - Lincoln and Hazel

 Mason had their annual VIP Day or as I like to still call it - Grandparents Day.

Lincoln, Hazel and I have this down to a science so we don't have to wait in lines. We go to the book fair. Get our picture taken then eat a donut. Everyone else heads straight for the food. After that we visit classrooms and if there's time, we do the craft.

I tried to get Lincoln to let me kiss him on the cheek but what can I say. He's 10!

Pearl - 9 Months

Pearl at 9 months is cruising around the furniture, pushing her activity table across the room and crawling all the way up the stairs. (No repercussions from that fall down the stairs!)

She's everywhere!

Double Digits for Lincoln

Wow! Another kid in double digits.

Lincoln turned 10. It's hard to buy presents for the kids. Mostly because they have everything you could think of plus their ideas differ from mine...duh! Lincoln couldn't wait for all the family dinner stuff to be done so he could try out his new scooter. My heart sinks every time I see this boy do stunts. Happy Birthday Lincoln! 

Halloween

What kid doesn't like Halloween. Candy, candy and more candy.

Violet chose to dress as Barbie. With all the hype about Barbie, what 12 year old wouldn't want to be her. I'm a bit confused about Lincoln's costume. He is creative in his own way. Let's just call him the masked man. Hazel and Goldie both chose witches costumes although not the traditional witches we saw as kids. These are a lot less scary...in fact, not scary at all.

And let's don't forget Pearl. Melissa dug out the old lady bug costume. This costume has seen its fair share of Halloweens! Barbie, masked  man, witches and bugs - oh my!

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving has always been a big thing for the Taylors.

Violet decided to go the traditional route this year.

Lincoln is getting a little more creative in his pumpkin carving skills and is turning into another artist.

Hazel has another traditional carved pumpkin.

Michele brought Goldie a pumpkin set based off of the old Mr Potato head idea. Turned out really cute plus she got to do it herself which if you know Goldie that a MUST!

Pearl...well Pearl was more interested in digging the insides out of the pumpkin. It might be a few more years before we figure out where her skills lie.

Up the Staircase

Along with that crawling means Pearl wants to tackle the stairs.

She's pretty good at going up. Going down is still bit of a conundrum.  

8 Month Old Pearl

 Pearl's on the move and crawling. She pulls herself up and loves to stand and play at her activity table.

She now has 5 teeth and she might be saying "mama" and "dada" but I'm sure it's Ma!

Second Knee Replacement

I had my other knee replaced today. I'm hoping this one doesn't result in a 2 week hospital stay.

Michele knew my anxiety was through the roof so she and Courtney sent me a "Good Luck" text. Here's hoping for no more arthritis pain! 

Self Care

 A little bit of self care never hurts.

Even Pearl enjoys her bath time. Although this girl seems to enjoy everything!

Lincoln and the Chiefs Game

I may not like going to the Chiefs games anymore. Too many people and the noise is crazy.

But there's a new generation of Taylors who can't wait to attend. I hope they have a winning season! 

Waiting in Car Line

Waiting to pick up the kids from school can be a bit boring.

Pearl loves it when the weather is still nice and she can watch everything that's going on through the car window. 

Pearl Daisy is 7 Months Old

The months seem to be flying by for Pearl. She's now 7 months old.

She has 3 teeth, waves and scoots around. How long before she's walking? May be just a bit too early for that! 

Oops!

Pearl had a little accident which involved the stairs.

Nothing can keep her down. Up and running after a few tears. I think it scared the other kids more than Pearl! 

A Visit from Michele

Driving to Kansas City from Denver should be a very scenic and casual drive...unless you're driving across Kansas, probably the most boring state in the US. Michele usually takes 2 days to drive the 8 hour trek stopping along the way to ride her bike.

It's always great to see her especially when it's not me making the trip to Denver. I'm not a fan of long car rides. Before she headed home, she stopped at Osawatomie for some type of bike rally. Not my cup of tea but enjoyable for her. 

A Little Slice of Lemon

Pearl had her first taste of lemon today.

I remember when Violet was a baby and I gave her a lemon. Melissa was ready to freak. Now...not so much. It's more of an everyday occurrence. How times have changed! 

Let's Try Crawling

Pearl is learning to get up on all fours ready to crawl.

Right now it's just a little back and forth movement but before you know it, she'll be off...possibly running!

Back to School

Where does the summer go.

Already Lincoln is preparing to go into 4th grade...

and Hazel starts 1st grade at Mason Elementary.

Violet on the other hand is in her 2nd year at middle school starting 7th grade. Before you know it I'll be attending high school graduation ceremonies!

Pearl Tries Real Food

It's about that time when Melissa introduces "real" food into Pearl's diet.

She seems to like it. I don't know why Melissa scolds me when I try to give her a cookie. I guess that's not part of the introduction to solid food diet. 

Lincoln Back to Playing Football

It's football season and Lincoln is back on the Vikings team.

He's grown so much since that first season. He's an offensive player and is the center just as Jason Kelce with the Pittsburg Steelers. Hopefully Lincoln's career will be as successful as Jason's. For now we sit in the summer sun and sweat to the games. 

Pearl is 6 Months Old

Months are flying by as Pearl turns 6 months old.

She has 2 teeth and loves to play peek-a-boo. Happy "Half" Birthday Pearl! 

Violet Middle School Volleyball

After a tense week of practice, Violet found out she made the middle school volleyball team.

Not only did she make the team but she made the A team...a position held mostly by 8th graders, not 7th graders. Go Mustangs!

Pearl's First Tooth and Sitting Up

Pearl's first tooth poked through this morning. It's not easy getting between those gums to get a picture so this will have to do.

Right now it doesn't seem like there's any tooth discomfort but if you ask Melissa she could absolutely tell that's what was happening.

She's also able to sit up on her own. She's growing up way too fast.

Violet Signs with Macs

 Violet has decided to go with a different volleyball club this year.

She has signed with Mavs. While the coaches who watch her say she'd be a great back row player due to her not being the tallest girl on the team, she usually ends up playing all the way around. We'll see how this year goes.

Pearl is 5 Months Old

Pearl turned 5 months old. She loves to be outside splashing in the pool. She can roll front to back and back to front. She holds her feet and sits up with support.

Pearl smiles  at lot, laughs and jabbers in her own baby way. With all the chaos in the house, I'm sure she's practicing making her presence known. 

Water Bottle Pacifier

All the kids at one time or another have used an empty water bottle for entertainment.

Maybe it's the irritating noise of squeezing a plastic water bottle. Whatever it is, it seems to work! 

Going to the Library

Summer is for getting all that extra reading in before starting a new school year.

Violet wasn't sure what book to read so she decided to read Pearl a story. Cute, cute, cute!