Christmas Day

We got up about 7:00 am because Jacob was telling us he had a tummy ache. He was rubbing his leg and wanted to eat. So did his leg hurt and he was hungry??? Anyways, he lost interest in both his leg and food when he saw the presents under the tree. Somehow he knew Santa had brought them for him. Santa brought new animals, a tiger rug, a book, tool set, a few other things. Lucky kid. After breakfast and a snowman we hit the snowy roads to go to Aurora. We had dinner in Richfield at my grandparents' then played games and opened presents at my parents' house. What a great day! And if you'd like to visit the zoo, aquarium, or the farm, please feel free to stop on by. We also had our Taylor Christmas party in Orem on the 26th. Once again we were blessed with family, food, and gifts.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at home again this year with just the three of us. We ate yummy food and had ice cream. If I were a better wife I would have baked a birthday cake for Jarom. Good thing he loves ice cream so much and knows I don't like to bake!!!!! Jacob opened up a present--pajamas of course. And we read stories. We started a new tradition 3 years ago which is one of my favorites. I buy a new Christmas story book each year which we read on Christmas Eve. I love buying books so what a good excuse.

Happy Birthday Jarom!

Happy Birthday Jarom. We're so happy your birthday wish came true!
We love you, Amy & Jacob

Traditions......and Merry Christmas!

Jarom and I had a discussion a few weeks ago about what we wanted our kids to get out of the holidays as they are growing up. We talked about the things we remembered most from our childhood years. Sure we remembered a few gifts here and there, but mostly we remembered the fun and meaningful things we did with our families. So even though it is so much fun to watch the ones we love open the gifts we so thoughtfully chose for them, we decided to put more emphasis on creating memories so that is what we have tried to do these past few weeks. Today I turned on the radio and danced to Christmas music with Jacob. If I stopped, he would say "C'mon mom, dance with me." I hope that someday he will remember how we took a few minutes and danced together. I hope I remember it in 50 years too!!!!!
We hope you have a Christmas to remember this year!

Only 6 days left!

I am done shopping except for the hardest people on my list. I am stumped. What should I buy for Jarom's parents? What about my own parents? A friend told me the other day that her dad sends out an e-mail every year with a list of things he would like for Christmas. She thought it was silly, but I told her I would love it if any of our parents did that. So if any of you read this please tell me what you want for Christmas.
Oh and Jarom's birthday is next week. I had the most brilliant idea for a present for him, but I may need some major moral support to go through with it. Jacob wants to buy him new animals LOL! He especially thinks his dad would like to have a new zebra.
Oh and I have to teach Relief Society on Sunday. Can you say FREAKING OUT? I've had my calling for over a month now but this is my first lesson. So I should be preparing for it, but I still have a couple more days right?

Congrats to Liz & Ben!

My beautiful sister got married on Saturday. And now she is catching the rays in the Caribbean with her sweetheart, Ben. Lucky them!!!!! After a freezing cold and windy wedding day they deserve it.

New Fave Place

Haircuts and Jacob...they haven't gotten along very well these past couple of years. We've tried everything. I took him to Great Clips once and he screamed and reached for me the entire time. The haircut was so bad I had Jarom fix it that night. Jarom has tried to cut his hair a few times as well, but Jacob is so busy he can't sit still very well. So there were always a few long hairs here and there and everywhere. Well I discovered a new place that is called Cookie Cutters. It is so perfect for kids who hate haircuts. They let the kids choose the chair they want and a video to watch. I took Jacob on Thursday, and he cried at first but then settled right into his airplane seat and Curious George. He sat perfectly still and was so good about it. Yea for Cookie Cutters!!!!!!!

Zoo Lights

On Saturday we made our first visit to Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo. It was a lot of fun, and I'm sure we will go again next year. Next time you see Jacob ask him if he got to see the elephants and giraffes and also ask him about the cats.

What's a mother to do?

So there are a few places that I try my very hardest to avoid when I have Jacob by myself. One of those places is the bookstore. I love to browse books and so does he. This makes for a lethal combination. Well yesterday I had to make a trip to the bookstore as I needed a book for our book club book exchange last night. I did my research on the web before we headed out so that I could just grab the book I had decided to buy and leave. Well I made a quick decision to take Jacob to the children's section just to see if they had any good Christmas books on sale. Everything was fine. We were looking at books with animals, of course, and he played with the train table for awhile. Then he found something that an animal lover like him cannot resist. It was a book/game/toy that had a book about animals, a game you could play, and a tube of plastic animals. He tried desperately to get me to open the tube so he could play with the animals. After a few failed attempts at explaining why we couldn't open them I dragged him away hoping to make a mad dash to the checkout. Well he began to throw one of his tantrums where he's crying hysterically, throwing himself on the floor, kicking. You know what I'm talking about. A full on two year old, I want that toy, tantrum. I was using every ounce of energy I had to hold on to him so I could get the heck out of the store. So we're standing in line and I'm trying to hold onto him, he's red in face with big gooey boogers running down his nose. And the checkers seem to be taking forever. Well the lady in front of me turned around not once but TWICE, made eye contact, and gave me the biggest glare ever both times. I wanted to laugh right out loud. Are you kidding me? Do you think that glaring at me with evil eyes is going to help make my kid stop screaming? Don't you think I'm doing everything in my womanly power to make that happen? Thank goodness for the sweet lady in line behind me who held Jacob while I paid for my book and offered him a sucker in effort to get him to stop crying.

Tis the Season....

I love this time of year. Now that I am older and maybe a little bit wiser I try to make the season more about the things that really matter. So this year I wanted to do something that would bring the spirit to our home and our lives during this busy month of hustle and bustle. So we have been having a little devotional each morning at breakfast which consists of some scripture reading and then discussion of the goal or activity for the day. Only 4 days into the month I can tell a difference. Doing this each morning has put Christ at the center of my thoughts and there He stays for much of the day. Today we are to share our testimony of the Savior with someone. And I have chosen to make that someone you--my readers, whomever you are.

I know that my Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that long ago He came to this earth as a tiny infant child. He was born to Mary--a woman whom I wish I knew more about. I'm sure she is the perfect example of how a mother should be. She had to be to be the mother of Jesus. And let's not forget Joseph. How many men in the world today would do what he did--raise this infant child as his own and love him as his own. I know that the Savior lived a perfect life to set an example for us. I know that He atoned for our sins and because of that He knows exactly how I feel and what I'm going through. I know that He died for us and also that He rose again on the 3rd day. I know that He still lives today and that He knows me and loves me. I am so grateful for this man and for how He has impacted my life. I only hope that someday I can put my arms around him and say Thank You. In the meantime I will try to say thanks in the way that I live my life.

I hope that we all can remember the reason we celebrate this time of year and try a little harder to have Christ in our lives every day.

Happy Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with my family this year. We had lots of people and yummy food!




On Friday Jarom and I left Jacob at my parents' house and headed south to do some mountain biking. It was a little cold but not unbearable. It was nice to get one last ride in for the year. And Jacob was very well taken care of in our absence!!!