Emily's Chuck E. Cheese Party

Last Thursday Emily had a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. She has been so excited about her birthday for a long time. The party went great. It was the biggest party we have done so far, 14 kids altogether. Most were from school and a few from church. I wish I'd taken a better group photo, but oh well, the kids had fun.
Emily and Lily










Angela and Gracie





Isaac, Emily and Lyndzi

Home Depot Ferrari F430

Matthew and Emily went to Home Depot yesterday and on the way back to the car they were admiring a red Ferrari.
Emily, “Dad, you need to get one of those next.”
Matthew, “I’d love to, but they’re really expensive.”
Emily, ”Well, I’m going to get one when I’m older.”
Matthew, “Well, it costs a lot of money.”
Emily, “I’m going to have a job dad.”
Matthew, “What kind of job are you going to have?”
Emily, “I don’t know.”
Matthew, “Are you going to be a nurse?”
Emily, “No.”
Matthew, “Are you going to be a doctor?”
Emily, “No way, nothing doctory. I’m going to work at Baskin Robbins.”
Matthew, “Well, they may not pay you enough to buy a Ferrari.”
Emily, “Dad, I’m going to go to work everyday.” (duh)

Amber's Wedding

Last weekend I went to Utah for my cousin Amber's wedding. This was the 3rd trip away from my kids within 6 weeks! Pretty unusual for me. My mom, Michelle, Jennifer, baby Ellen, and I stayed in a hotel together and it was fun to spend time with them without interruptions from my kids. It was also fun to visit with extended family I haven't seen for a couple of years. I'm so happy for Amber!
We went to see the Joseph Smith movie before the wedding since I hadn't seen it yet.


Me with some of my cousins.

Last Day of School

The last day of school was 2 weeks ago, but I wanted to post about our little culdesac party. My neighbor went all out and bought a bunch of water toys. The kids had fun playing all afternoon and into the evening. They love playing with the neighbor kids. Whenever they look outside and see someone else outside playing, they scramble to get out there and play too.

Emily's Story about Nicole

This morning I found this story on the counter that Emily had written. The other day she told me that she had written a story about Nicole and she was going to take it to school to read to her class. After school that day she said she read it and everyone liked it. I was busy and didn't read the story right then and then I forgot about it. So when I found it this morning, I thought it was so funny. I didn't realize how much she had written. Story writing has been hard for her this year (she gets that from me) so I was proud of her for taking the initiative to do this on her own and not even ask me to help her with it. I tried to keep the grammar and spelling exactly as she had written it, so I hope you can decipher 1st grade writing.

a story about Nicole. Nicole yells and screams. Nicole is very cute and loudy. If you want to now more then what im writing I mite invite you to my house. Sometimes I get to help get Nicole dressed and change her diaper. I sometimes haft to clean up after her it is not fun at all. She know’s how to say Papa. Nicole bugs me a lot. She is learning to give a kiss it is cute when she doe’s it. She also messes up a lot of things too. She is one big silly face too. She has the cutest clothes ever. She is a good girl. She doe’s what we ask her to do sometime’s she even puts my clothes away it is very cute to me. Do you think it’s cute? because I do. Let’s have a vote if they think it’s cute when Nicole puts my clothes away. Now lets get going. When we go out side sometime’s Nicole tryies to kike the ball but she allways fall down. I do not lagh because it is not funny. Please don’t lagh. Nicole is also cute at play with her toy’s. She drives her little toy car it makes noses for sure. I hope you liked learning about Nicole. by Emily Taylor

Weekend Getaway in Chicago

I tagged along with Matthew for a few days while he went to a medical conference in Chicago this past weekend. It was wonderful to leave our kids with their grandparents, they spent a little time with each. I didn't worry about them at all while we were gone, knowing they were in good hands with people they love. We went to a very exciting Cubs game, they were down by 8 and came back to win. We also went on a boat tour, ate lunch at the top of the John Hancock building, and I went to the Art Institute while Matthew was at the conference. We had done most of these things when we lived there, but it was fun to go back and do it again, especially without kids this time. We really enjoyed our trip. Thanks to Grandma and Pa and Nana and Papa!