Gorgeous boys, talented and wonderful friends

This is a perfect way to close out the year, with some family pictures taken by Missy. We met at a (cold!) park for our first official session of our life as a little family. Missy did such an amazing job, as usual, and here is a sampling of what she did. It had to have been a challenge for her as Ewan was extremely hyper, Corgan was cold and cranky, and Fynn was, well, a two-year-old. You can see more of the session here. We are so thankful that we have such wonderful friends, and for this past year. Bryce and I still have a lot of growing up to do, but there is nothing we wouldn't do for our boys, and we continually look around us and are amazed at the presence of these special little spirits. We still can't believe they are ours. Growing so fast, changing every day. I look at Ewan's hands clasped together in this second picture, and my heart swells with both pride and sadness - sadness that he is growing up and someday away from me. His little hands just look so grown up and mature. And don't you just want to drop-kick Fynn for being so dang cute?! *Sigh* Forgive me for waxing poetic. 'Tis the season. Thanks, Saunders, we love you guys! (Oh, and Bryce and I decided we finally look 30ish.)

Happy Birthday, Fynn!!!

One day old.

I almost threw the camera after taking this picture, it was so dang cute.

Our little cherub.

Our funny, crazy one.

It's been quite a rough, but wonderful, year with two broken legs and a new brother.

Happy birthday!

Don't disturb Mommy

I just want to state again for the record that I love winning contests.

Christmas, farewell 'til next year

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and it was spectacular. I was so excited, even the night before Christmas Eve, that I had trouble sleeping. I coudn't wait to give the kids their gifts, and to catch a glimpse of Santa. Ewan recieved lots of Transformers, and has been transfixed by them. His behavior has been better, and we have a new theory that he really gets so bored, that his mind and hands need something to challenge them, and that's why he acts out. Fynn wasn't really all that impressed with anything other than the baseball glove and baseballs he got. He sleeps with them both. I'm glad and sad it's over, but now we go on to prepare for Corgan's blessing and Fynn's 2nd birthday. I'll let the pictures tell about the rest of our Christmas.

I had to throw this one in, just because it is so darn cute.

Our pitiful Christmas tree, after falling victim to young children that repositioned ornaments, and cats that ate Christmas light cords.

Sorry to subject you to this, but we needed documentation of Bryce's blue tongue after Missy's yummy train cakes. I can't figure out why I don't have other pictures from our time with the Saunders. Visit the link for Missy's from that day.

Let's just say my dad is no fan of Obama. This was our gag gift to him. Unfortunately, all the pictures of my mom were very blurry, but we'll get some up soon.

Puppies and babies.

Ewan's Transformers from my parents, all lined up for Santa to see.

Cookies and milk for Santa, and some cheese for Santa Mouse.

Fynn hit the chocolate first thing. Must have been a rough night.

Bryce's mom and dad, Jerry and Mary Ann.

Fynn carried that baseball around all day long. He slept with it. And for fun, a glimpse of my favorite shoes.

Ewan found other uses for the butterfly net from Grandma Taylor.

Fynn and his rad Uncle DJ.

Ewan's loot.

Fynn's loot.

Santa didn't forget the littlest Taylor. The fun stuff was in the stocking.

Reading a new book.

Fynn's present that he picked with Daddy's help. I've been talking about how I want to buy myself a Barbie just so I could brush her hair and look at her. She comes with a kitty.

Ewan's gift to me, which he picked out all by himself. A toucan can opener.

Bryce ordered these really cool custom-made books directly from Apple. They lost the first order, so he redid it, and we ended up receiving both of them, slightly different from each other. They are bound and covered with a dedication and are awesome, full of pictures of the kids, sisters, my kitties and just all the things I love.

The dedication says, "No words are needed to show how much Kelli loves her family and children. This is a dedication to her love and care." I guess I'll stick with him.

I Heart Target

There should be no further explanation necessary.

Christmas Eve with friends, sisters and babies

Today was a very good Christmas Eve. The Saunders came over for lunch and the boys had lots of fun decorating train cakes and running around. Tonight we headed over to Ashley's house for a little family party. I was so excited to get to see Jonah again, and to see him next to Corgan. They are exactly one month apart to the day. Jonah is so cute, and gave my dad some really great giggles. Babies have always loved my dad; he has a magical touch. It was great to see my nieces and nephews, but especially my sisters. I love them both so much and it's always a highlight of my day when we can be together. Here are a few pictures Amy sent to me from her camera. I'll post some more later when I download ours and I know Ashley will be posting more as well. Ewan was running around most of the night, so no pictures of him yet, but I know Bryce got some. Now at our house, Santa has come and gone, Bryce is crashed on the couch, and I am probably more excited than the boys to get up in the morning and see their little faces and open their presents. I won't be getting much sleep.

Big giggles for Grandpa from Jonah.

Fynn was stationed here for a lot of the night.

Corgan on the left with Jonah on the right. Too much cuteness for one room, I say.

Jonah and Corgan, looking like they've been on a bender.

Swapping babies.

There's Chloe!

Ashley, me and Amy. I'm actually not that tall, I was wearing my "Hollywood shoes."

Ashley seeing what it's like to be Angelina Jolie.

Merry Christmas

Two new babies

Corgan is two months old today! Sorry for the blurry images; I'm not a photographer.


And although you can't really call a tablecloth a "baby," those who know me know I love my prints and colors. We found this tablecloth at Linens 'n Things for 80% off. I think I'm in love with it. It goes well, at least in Kelli-land. The fairies approve, at least.

More Ewanisms

I hope you don't get sick of these, I certainly never do.  We've had a hard time lately with Ewan not wanting to go to church and throwing a huge fit before we have to leave.  It's been quite ugly, but luckily there is comic relief.  Yesterday, during his fit, in an effort to get him excited, I told him, "We'll be singing Christmas songs all during Sacrament today!"  He wailed and said he didn't want to sing Christmas songs.  Bryce went to another ward today to stand in on a baby's blessing, and he ended up bringing Ewan with him.  Bryce said that in the car, Ewan started singing Christmas songs, sang out a "Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria!" and then said, "There, we had church in the car, let's go home!"

Christmas Card

Any given year, I am incredibly lazy when it comes to sending out cards.  Some years I do them all, some years I give up halfway through.  It's not that I don't love and appreciate you all, I'm just plum lazy.  So this year, with a new baby in the house, I laughed at myself when the thought of even trying to send some out entered my head.  So here it is, my Christmas card.  Imagine this image on the outside (thanks for the ornament, Mary Ann) and open the card.  Inside it will say:  Have a very Coca-Cola Christmas.  Love, the Taylors.

Warning...

... depending on who you are and how you feel, this post will contain a word that you may not like.  It's not a curse word, but some people see it as one, and it's not one you want to hear come out of your child's mouth.  Unfortunately, I say it a lot.  

Yesterday morning, Bryce went to work a little late, so he was with us for breakfast.  It would have been quite nice if Ewan hadn't decided to make it the morning of tantrums, screaming, crying, whining, yelling... you name it.  It was quite bad, and at one point I said, "Ewan, I just don't understand what is going on.  Why are you so upset?"  

He whirled around and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Because everything you say PISSES ME OFF!!!!"

Unfortunately, we laughed.  Hard.  I may have snorted.

Dear Weather,

38 degrees and 39 degrees one day only to move on up to 74 is unacceptable.  Please stop.  You are wreaking havoc on my body and on my head.  My children don't know whether to start hunting for Easter eggs or waiting for Santa.  Pick a degree and stay within a ten degree range.  We'll all appreciate it.

Thanks,

Kelli

More pictures, and stockings!

Corgan is a much more needy baby than Ewan or Fynn were. He wants to be held, very tightly, constantly and it has been a difficult factor in our transition to a family with three small children. But I have found a solution that works sometimes. I put him in his bouncy seat and he wants that blanket all up around his face and resting against his cheeks. I just love it and think it is so stinkin' cute.

Admiring his mommy. Note the poor kid's receding hairline.

Fynn watching Wall-E. He constantly calls out, "Wall-E! Eva!" like they do in the movie.

Ewan is very much into "inventions" lately. These consist of whatever random objects he can find and stacking them in interesting ways. He has very elaborate explanations as to what each invention does. Too elaborate for me to remember, but he really wanted me to take a picture of this one.

I finally redid Bryce's and my stockings. I just kept them very simple and tried to make them with personal touches. Bryce has a deep love for music, all music, except country. He comes from a family of very talented musicians. Then a basketball and golf ball. The little blocks at the bottom say, "Daddy."

Mine. A fairy swinging on a moon, a sprinkling of pretty little iridescent balls and little blocks at the bottom that spell, "Mommy."