You know..there came a time during Mercedes 3+ years in Tae Kwon Do that we feared for our own safety. As we watched our sweet little Princess kick boys butts and slap spar her favorite brown belt so hard their hands hurt!
Dean and I looked at each other with fear as I said, "She knows where we sleep!" LOL
Since then we have looked for and encouraged other avenues to use her energy...
She has Cheered (She was a beautiful Cheerleader - just not really "Peppy")
She Ran Track and Qualified for State in Discus
She has Acted...
She has played the trumpet since 5th grade - and Rocks the WCHS Marching uniform...AND Cape! :-)
She has played Volleyball and Softball
Last March, Mercedes and Kaden became fast Friends...(Remember when I said Trevor brought nephews over when they came for dinner?) (Check the March posts)
Well - Dean and Mercedes were invited to join in one of their family activities, they love hunting and shooting...Shooting!
Now.. if your scratching your head thinking...You feared before? What now? Well Relax! lol - Mercedes has always been very responsible about her methods of self defence. AND She and Dean used all of our bullets -Haha!
No, she is really having a great time and She learned Safety, how to load, and shoot all in good company. It was a great Father/Daughter activity too.
I didn't have to go, lol - Christina and I were chillin' at the house while the other kids swam - lol
Anyway - there is Mercedes in a nut shell -
Pshh! Like she will ever be "simple enough" to be put into a "nut shell"!
It has been fun looking at all of these old photos though - right?
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!
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 
Kenton, Caden, Henry & Olivia
Payton, Caden & Olivia
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!
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
Whew! He made it...there were some dicey moments this year!
Grandpa Taylor was able to come for the week...He and Grandma gave Dowlin a new CTR (Choose the Right) ring for graduation - to help him remember who he is when he is out in the world...Lol
We had a big discussion which way the ring should be facing... Dowlin says this is the right way so when he is giving someone a knuckle sandwich, for making a bad choice, they will be able to see the "choose the Right" coming at them - Haha
Mercedes wouldn't pose for a picture with Dowlin so he is using the force of the CTR ring to get the picture - Sheesh - I don't think popping her head off falls in the "right" category!
Finally on our way to graduation! Big sigh! Just one more tomorrow and relief should set in! HA hahahaha... Right!
