Taylor Family Visits

TAYLOR'S
As the week went on - we got to see all of our family! We went to Jared and Amanda's house and played with Trinity and Grace. Both are too cute! Grace has this jibber jabber - kinda loud and scary as she rolls her wrists and Amanda swears she's putting a hex on you. It is really funny, lol.

We also got to Celebrate Amanda's 30th Bday before we left - we met at a park in Gardner and played for the evening! Good fun! Great company and yummy cake!

ROTH'S
At the Roth house - we had a yummy dinner and couldn't believe how much all of the kids had grown! Jazmyne and Brittney are only a few months apart, but they got along famously! Zachery & McKenzie also are only a few months apart, Lauren who wouldn't dare look at us when we left and Buddy who is only 1 month older than Olivia were just the sweetest things! smiles and hugs all around!
We had a great visit and Brittney enjoyed the extra time she got to spend with them!




MESSERSMITH'S
Well we kinda had a stressful first visit with Tim and Chantelle. Dowlin and I met them at the ER while their 4 yr old Jack was in surgery following a terrible dog bite! The Dr stopped counting stitches...When we saw him on Sunday - he was amazing, more upset he couldn't go outside than the fact that he had these 4 massive gashes in his head!

On Sunday, we joined the Family for dinner and visiting! Jared's family came too. This was our family's first time meeting the 2 new Messersmith's. Jack, 4 and Max, 3 were adopted by Tim and Chantelle and Sealed to their family in February when Grandma and Grandpa Taylor returned from their mission.
Jallen is absolutely HUGE! He just turned 16 in March - he is 6'6" (almost 6'7" he says) he wears a size 15 shoe! It was the biggest transformation I have ever seen. They must have Miracle grow hooked up in an IV. It was shocking! Madison is about 5'9" and wont be 15 until August. Even Colton was nearly as tall as Brittney.
This picture is in height order!
Jallen 16, Dowlin 18, Mercedes 16, Madison 14, Brittney 12, Colton 11, Zachery 10, Trinity 7, Grace 11 months, Jack 4, Olivia 3, Max 3.

Deanna Rose Petting Zoo

We went to the Deanna Rose Petting Zoo and I have to say that the improvements this little zoo has undergone in the past 3 years is totally incredible!
We have been to this zoo 100s of times! It was actually one of the 1st grade field trips!
It is totally a full days event now!
Notice that Olivia's piggy tails are tucked in her shirt... In the previous pen, we went in to feed the bigger goats and sheep. While Olivia was busy passing out chow...one of her piggy tails was being nibbled and snacked on by another goat. It totally freaked her out! As funny as it was, she walked around for a while holding her piggy tails, finally we tucked them in her shirt to help her relax - lol


Not a fan of worms, LOL!
Henry's fish
Caden's big fish

There was just so much to do besides the animals, there are little tractors to ride, goats to feed, an underground Indian house to explore, fishing, playgrounds, you can even have party's there. It is still in the process of adding more buildings and should be quite awesome when finished. BTW it is FREE! Well, at least there is no entrance fee -

Fun in the sun

Well the sun did peek out through the clouds once in a while - here are the kids just playing in the water

Rub a Dub Dub! Everyone wanted to be in the warm water we brought out in pitchers to fill Pipers pool with, the tap water was cold....there's something we don't get in AZ! Cold water from the tap! Haha
Payton and Olivia looking a little chilly!

Mommy on a mision...

Not me, lol! Missy!
In December Missy and her little boy Kenton moved in with Taleen and Ken. Kenton has been sleeping in the room we used to call "Missy's Condo" it connected to her bedroom - and as all last children should do... she spread out and used as much space as possible. Michael had painted her this murel on one of the walls in this room...inspiring her as she began her new life as an adult!
Well, Since then Ken and Tal had made this room into Grandma's nursery - but had yet to paint over the inspirational wall... Miss decided it was time - as she starts fresh a new era in her life. We bought up a truckload of Peanut Butter MnM's and paint and began painting... Did you know "stupid hour" as Mercedes calls it, hits about midnight? Well - Missy, Ken, Tal, Mercedes and I were hard at work...or play for a few nights - it was really fun and in the end...the room looked beautiful!



I have to add - the guy at the paint store sold us some awesome green tape! it was "frog tape" some sort of magic adhesive mumbo jumbo - Well even though it was like 2X the price of the normal blue painters tape.. It was totally worth it! very little bleeding on the stripes and we were so glad we did the stripe accent wall! the other 3 walls were solid - 1 green, 1 orange & 1 blue.

Monkey Business!

At the Great Mall in Olathe, there is this indoor play land. There are huge rooms with like 4 of the huge moon walk things in them plus a jungle gym thing - I realize I'm using technical terms here lol - but it was really cool and the kids played and had a good time for a few hours!

AHHH KANSAS!

Well School was out on Thursday and we spent Friday packing our bags - the 5 kids and I hit the open road...Kansas or bust!

Well as if it were that simple! Haha - We were towing Dowlin's truck behind the van and of all the days we prayed for rain in AZ why did Saturday have to be the rainiest day of the year?
We stayed in Tucumcari, New Mexico, which was about 1/2 way... I just can't re-live the memories of the drive! So let me just say it took 22.5 hours!
You would think I might pull over and take some momentous photos.. Hell NO! Just get us out of the car! I was so tired of hearing "I gotta Pee!" Lol

We made it though - Let the fun begin!

Henry, Payton, Olivia, Kenton & Caden

Memorial Day - Taleen's kids came over for a BBQ and to play. The adults played a riveting game of Botchi Ball (sorry spelling) while the kids played in the yard and blew bubbles. Olivia fell in love with Taleens swing while we were there and HAD to be pushed 1000X a day!

Payton, Missy & Olivia
All Olivia wanted to do was play dress up with her cousin Payton! All of the little kids got along so well!

Kenton, Caden, Henry & Olivia

Payton, Caden & Olivia

Olivia LOVED her cousins...I just didn't have the heart to tell her that the old bald guys who brought the kids over were actually her cousins... Haha - just kidding Jay n Dev! It was a bit chillier than we are used to... notice Payton in her cute summer sleeveless top... Olivia sweat shirt zipped to the top - Haha AZ girl!

I have to say the thing that struck me the biggest in these first few days was how much everything had grown up! It was so GREEN! It was rainy and cool and so Green! It was beautiful! Reminded me a lot of those WA days growing up!

Graduation...the behind the scenes story...

With Graduation only days away, finals taken and announcements sent, Caps n Gowns were sent home, awaiting the best day so far in 538 Willow Canyon HS Seniors lives...

Dowlin before graduation

Proud Mom and Dad

Living in the Valley of the Sun does have it's advantages...We have a lot of outdoor stadiums. Living only 5 minutes away from the KC Royals/TX Rangers Spring Training Stadium, this is where graduation for our district was held. As we waited in the 105 degree heat for the ceremony to begin, they used the score board to flash the graduates photos!


I had cheered and yelled for every kid I knew up to this point...All of a sudden my throat slammed shut and my eyes were flooded! I couldn't say a word. I just stood there and cried!
Dowlin Jared Taylor

coming into the stands after to find the family.

"Stop taking pictures Mom so we can go home and eat ice cream!"

Dowlin and Brandon
After the initial meeting in the Mother's room at the Olathe Stake Center, 18 yrs ago... and all of the years and moves - it was great to see Dowlin and Brandon both graduate together. Both are off to BYU - Dowlin to BYU Idaho - Brandon to BYU Provo -Where will the years lead? Maybe one day I'll post a picture of these boys 1st sons T-ball game, lol - Who knows? No hurry guys! Love ya!

Dowlin's Graduation

Bom Bombombom Bom Bom -

Bom Bombombom Bom -

Bom Bom Bombom Bom Bom Bom -

Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom! -

Bom Bom Bombom Bom Bom Bom - Bom Bom Bombom Bom Bom - Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom Bom!

Whew Hoo!