Detour

Mom and I are still working on the pictures from Grandpa Steve. In the meantime, I posted some pics over on flickr-check those out to tide you over.

We got an early Christmas gift and birthday gift for Mom-a camcorder from Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bob. Mom and Dad have taken over 80 videos in the last week and a half, so needless to say, they're some sorting out to do there as well. Mom did manage to edit one down for me to post on here. This is me opening my first Christmas present of the season. Daddy picked it out for me after Mommy voiced her opinion that a well-rounded girl needs more than dolls. Enjoy...

And seriously, I hope to be back soon with more news of my trip to Austin.

Tay

Pre-Christmas Hullabaloo

I know I know I know. I'm a slacker. Grandpa Steve was all over my case while we were in Austin, but I'm here now to get caught up.

This post will catch you up on my business BEFORE I went to Austin, Texas. Mom is still helping me sort out the approximately 7468 picture Grandpa Steve took while we were there, so that post will be coming in the (hopefully) near future.

Because of our upcoming travels, Mom, Dad and I had "our" Christmas celebration on Friday, December 19th. Dad made a special dinner for the special occasion-crab legs! I thought there were pretty good, but I only ate a little-that's some rich food! I really liked the garlic bread we had to go with dinner-so much so that I ended up with butter all over in my hair. Mom was a little less than impressed with that. After we ate, we got to open presents. I got some great stuff, like a dump truck, doll bed, tractor with a pig and cow, and a really awesome pink club chair that's little, just like me. (I actually got the chair the next morning because my parents, well sometimes they get a bit forgetful, and they forgot they hid the chair behind the guest bed. Mom found it the next morning. Better late than never I guess.)

On that Saturday we went to meet up with the Rice family. We met at The Depot in downtown Minneapolis for some skating. It wasn't a long-lasting activity and The Depot definitely made good money off the six of us, but we had fun. Emily's parents and my parents are hoping that by next winter we'll both be a little more stable on our skates so we can make it more than a 12 minute activity.

Here's a picture of me and my dad with Emily and her dad, Mark.

After skating, we went out to lunch at Sawatdee, a Thai restaurant. I ate chicken and broccoli fried rice and a cream cheese puff. Yummy! Emily and I explored the restaurant some and checked out the cool statues.

The next day was spent packing for the trip to Austin. I'll be back with my memoirs of that trip.

Peace out!

Taylor

What Winter Really Is

So my cousin Sibley recently posted this picture on her Smug Mug site. It was titled "Winter". Perhaps a better title would have been "Winter in TEXAS". What she's wearing there-that nylon jacket with a thin layer of fleece lining-that's nothin!

Why, when I was her age, I had to dress like this for a parade that happened in the middle of March in Nebraska:

I even had to dress like that to go to a hockey game that was INDOORS in Minnesota!

And don't even get me started on the cold we're dealing with already this year. Just look at what my poor Grandma Trish had to do to stay warm at a parade last weekend:

Sibley-I've got a lot to teach you about the world. The good news is that I'll be to your house in 11 days to get started on our lessons. I'll bring my spring jacket. Lova ya kiddo!

Respectfully Submitted,

Taylor

Holiday Happiness is All Around!

Lots of news people. Let's get right to it...

It's finally the official Christmas season and we've got the sippy cups, decoration and fashion to prove it.

Grandma Trish gave me this sippy last Christmas and I get to use it to drink milk sometimes now. Mom put something in it called Hot Chocolate the other day. Ish. I'll take my milk straight up and cold, and my chocolate in candy form, thank you very much.



Here I am helping out with some of the decorating. The bosses (Mom and Dad) didn't let me do much but I got to help with some of the less fragile business.

Mom bought me a new coat. I tried it on over my onesie but felt something was missing. That's when I added the shoes to complete the ensemble.

Dad bought me my very own brand spanking new Bauer hockey skates!!! I loved them the first time I tried them on. Didn't love them the second time. And the third time I came across them, I wanted to try them on again to see if I loved them, but Mom and I were home alone and Mom was making tacos so she said I had to wait for Dad to help me a different time. She says he's in charge of skates.

I was supposed to try my news shiny skates out for the first time at Daddy's company holiday party, but the ice wasn't think enough for us. Bummer!

Last Friday night was a monumental night. I went to Kid's Hair for my very first haircut! I was such a good girl-I sat very still and didn't make a peep and I really loved the bubbles.

When I was done, I got a sticker and a sucker. And check out the super cute hair dooder! I kept it in all through dinner that night and didn't take it out until I was in Mommy's car. But I'm getting better every day-today I wore a ponytail to daycare and kept it in all day long.

Grandma Trish and Aunt Steph were here over the weekend. On Saturday night, we went to the Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis. Great aunt Kris, Great uncle Kevin and my cousin Haley joined us. It was really cold outside but I had a super fun time anyways.

On Sunday I got my pretty clothes on and went with Mom and Dad to Dad's work party. Do you like my super cute outfit that Mom and Dad put together? (Dad picked out the leggings-snowflakes and candy canes-he's so fashion forward!)

I got to play in the snow with my friend Olivia. We haven't played together since this summer when I wrote this post. We had fun playing in the snow.

This party was GREAT! My PsuedoGrandma Linda (that's one of Daddy's bosses) and her elves did a bangup job with the planning! There was a balloon maker, a face painter, and the big man himself (aka Santa Claus) even stopped by to bring toys to all the Tall Sales kids.

My photographer, in a mad rush to keep her job, had more pictures this week than I knew what to do with. So check out our flickr site for more pictures. Daddy also posted his pictures from Notre Dame-be sure to check those out!

Peace, love and happiness to you all!

Ann Taylor (my newest alias, courtesy of Dad's boss Jeff)

Possible Job Opening

One more thing before I turn in for the night. I've made the realization that my photographer is not fulfilling her duties. For example, you wouldn't know it by today's post, but the family went today to cut down a Christmas tree. The reason you don't know is that there is no photo documentation. The woman forgot the camera! HOW do you forget the camera the FIRST time the family goes to CUT down a CHRISTMAS TREE?!?!?

So what I'm saying is, I might have a job opening available. Problem is the job doesn't pay much. If you can work for kisses and hugs, please send your resume and application.

With Kind Regards,
The Photographically Neglected Child,
Taylor

Tis the Season!

I now understand what people mean when they say "tis the season". Tis the season to be busy, that is!!! But I won't complain-this holiday thing is fun stuff. But let me catch you up first...

I haven't gone potty on the potty yet, but I'm still trying every once in a while. I think I might take a break during these busy holiday times, but I'll get back at it eventually. After all, it is a really great place to get some reading done.


Grandma Trish sent me a pre-Christmas care package. In it were two Advent calendars. One sticks to my fridge and had a magnet you can use to count down the days until Christmas. Notice I used the past tense back there..."had a magnet"...Mom and Dad had to take it away because I thought it was really funny to put in my mouth and then run around the house. They don't find the same amusement I do in choking hazards. Maybe I can earn it back next year. Mom does let me have my special "oma" (that's my word for all things that write) to "write" on it.

(Note from Taylor's mother-the ink has been removed from the special oma. Genius!)

Grandma Trish also sent me an Advent calendar that has CHOCOLATE inside of it. Starting tomorrow I'll get to open one window every day and enjoy a little piece of chocolate delight. I'm just giddy with anticipation!

Two weekends ago, Dad went out of town for the weekend to see a Notre Dame football game. He said it was the best sporting event of his whole life. Mom and I were very happy that he got the chance to have that experience. He took lots of pictures. When Dad remembers to bring home his camera cord, he'll upload some pictures onto the computer and put them on our flickr page.

While Dad was away, Mom had to sneak her showers in while I was sleeping. On Saturday morning, she didn't quite make it before I woke up and then Grandma Jan called and needed us to come to her house to help her out with something. Mom put a bandanna over her crazy hair and I insisted that I needed a "ha" (hat) as well. So Mom hooked me up with this sweet bandanna:

With this look I bet I'd fit in real well with Aunt Jenni and Uncle John's motorcycle friends.

For Thanksgiving weekend, we went with Grandma Jan, Grandpa Bob, Aunt Jenni, Uncle John, Megan and Nate to Superior Shores. We went there to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa's 60th birthdays. Grandma turned 60 on October 24th and Grandpa will turn 60 on December 25th. (Yep, he has the same birthday as Jesus!) Superior Shores is in Two Harbors, Minnesota on the north shore of Lake Superior. Being able to vacation to The North Shore is one of the perks of living in Minnesota. It's a beautiful place!

We even had some snow while we were there. I got down real close to check it out. See, Mom and I have been having a little argument about snow. I call it "ushy" and Mom tells me that's it's beautiful and I'll love it when I learn how to play in it.

I don't know...maybe it's got some potential...

We had some real lazy time on our vacation. Meggie and I had fun laying in the big bed watching television. She's so much fun!

We also celebrated Thanksgiving while we were there. Mom and Aunt Jenni were in charge of dinner. I was having one of my picky eating weeks, so I didn't eat much of it, but everyone else said it was great. They made a turkey, sweet potatoes (with marshmallows-just like Uncle John likes it!), green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy (Mom and Uncle John did a bang up job on that stuff!), and Grandma Jan's wild rice stuffing.

But personally, I think the best part of the meal was the pie. I had the pumpkin. Aunt Jenni's homemade whipped topping was superduper.

I don't have a ton of pictures from my vacation, but I'm hoping maybe Dad, Aunt Jenni and Grandma can come through with some more for me that I can put on flickr.

I have a new hobby I'd like to tell you about. In honor of the hibernating animals, I'm trying my hand at squeezing myself into tight spaces.

Like Mom's closet. This one was nice-cozy but big enough to bring in a magazine.

I also tried out the cabinet in the entertainment center at our condo at Superior Shores. A little dark with the door shut.

And today I tried the bottom shelf of this decorative piece in my living room. Definitely the tightest spot and none too comfortable.

I'm off now to a more comfortable cozy place-my bed. Good night all. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite!

TaterBugger

Last Saturday my cousin, Nate, celebrated his sixth birthday. We got to go out to eat with the fam on Sunday to celebrate. Here's a picture of the birthday boy himself. Pardon the cheeseburger oozing out of his mouth.

Meg was there as well, of course, sporting a new short sassy haircut.

Megan and I worked in a game of darts between bites of food.

And Mom put me in some kind of crazy wrestling hold when I was trying to run away from the table for the 47th time. Yikes.

Last night I got a little silly between bathtime and bedtime. I thought a diaper, socks and shoes were appropriate nightwear:

But when Mom laid me down (at my request of course) I realized maybe my legs would get a bit chilly so I asked her to help me put my pajamas on. Then I proceeded to dance in my crib. Yep, still with the shoes on...

That's all I've got for this week. Take care!

Taylor McKenna

Surprise Visitor!

Well well well, guess who showed up for dinner tonight...my Grandpa Steve!!! He's in town on business and made time to fit us into his schedule. We met for dinner at Jake's in Eagan. (I highly recommend the mashed potatoes.) It was a short visit, but definitely a sweet one!!! (Especially the part where we shared the ice cream sundae for dessert.)

Mom caught a couple shots of Grandpa and I...

What a special visit and a great time with Grandpa Steve!!! Thanks Grandpa!

Love ya!

Taylor

Rainboots and Potty Seats

Well hididleyho there friends. How are ya? Good? Alright, then let's get down to the news...

Ever since I started walking (back in March) Mom and Dad have wanted to get me a pair of rain boots. Mom finally got lucky at Target this week and found me a super cute pair. Check 'em out:

I love love love them! I love to wear them when I eat bananas....



I love to wear them when I'm sitting on the potty*...

(*No, I am not potty-trained. I've yet to actually pee in the toilet, but I do like to sit up there like a big girl and look at magazines and books. I tell Mom and Dad about five times a day that I want to try by pulling on my diaper and saying "I potty" but they only let me try one or two times a day. Maybe they'll take me more seriously if I actually pee in the toilet...)

On Friday I wore my boots to daycare. We were having our first snowfall of the season, and since Mom and Dad haven't gotten me winter boots yet, Mom thought the rain boots were an okay idea. I also wore my pajamas to daycare for pajama day. You'll notice that I'm wearing The Mittens and The Hat that I talked about back in this post. I'm happy to report that the wearing of these winter garments is going much better than it was then. (Big relief for the parents.)

Another love this week: salad from Angelo's. Mom decided on Dad's sixth night away (which also happened to be ECFE night, a night which is always a little hectic as we try to eat, clean up, and get out the door by 5:50) that it was time to let somebody else do the cooking. She ordered Italian Fries and an Antipasta Salad. The fries were alright, but really hard for me to chew. What I really got into was the yummy yummy salad.

Bath night has become even more fun thanks to my Great Aunt Mary. She gave me these adorable wash cloth puppets. Thanks Auntie!!


Last night there was a very special treat at our house. Mom made pudding parfaits for dessert. Heck, I thought dessert was only something you got on holidays and birthdays. Dad said not to get too excited because the next holiday or birthday will probably be the next time dessert happens for us.

Pudding makes me happy!

Today we got to go over to Uncle Cooney's house to watch the Vikings and the Packers play football. There were snacks on the table and I was having a little trouble navigating my way to the food so Cooney decided to help me out by getting me this little step stool. What a guy! I was able to reach the Doritos and dip them right in the queso. Yummy!

I was a little jealous that Dad and Cooney both had hats on so I asked if I could wear one of Cooney's. He thought it would be funny to have me wear this Iowa State had. Dad, Grandma Jan, what do you think? (Riley, I bet you like it!)

That's all my news for now. For those viewers in the Midwest experiencing this turn towards winter, stay warm out there!

Love!

Taylor