The Great Outdoors

Some mornings we pack our bags, grab a snack and waters, and go on an adventure.  Jason has a backpack that he takes with him filled to the brim of random objects.  It's fun to explore the outdoors and we "discovered" this really great hiking park very close to where we are living right now.  It is so beautiful, I would love to take some senior pictures in there or any pictures really.  :)  They also have this phenomenal wooden floating path, I will have to post pictures of that later.
These first couple of pictures I think are actually up the hill in our backyard.  Behind where we are staying there is a gigantic hill Jason named, "the mountain".  There is a small trail there that leads over to MSU.

I think I am going to use this for another project that's in the works/planning stages right now.

This is in Rasmussen Park

Jason, our fearless leader, runs on ahead

Mia loves these flip flops that we got from some friends in Osky, IA.  She wears them almost all the time, but we might have to work a little on our lefts and rights.  They usually end up on the wrong feet. :)

Enoch's baptism

In April, shortly after we moved, our nephew was baptized. We loved not having to drive 5+ hours to get there.  We are so looking forward to being closer to some family events.  Even though we are now 9 hours away from my parents and most of my siblings. :(  

The whole fam

Emma is such a goof!

All five grandchildren: Jason, Zach, Mia, Emma, and Enoch

The sponsors

Mia couldn't resist giving Enoch a little love

 Another goofy girl :)

Mia found a car and loved having her uncle push her around

Playing a little hillbilly golf

Nathanael and Shannon have this amazingly big sand box that Mia and Jason love

Josh got a chance to hold Enoch

 Does it look like it's been a little while since he's held a baby :)

My mom and me

Savoring

After reviewing my last post, I just can't get over how big Jason and Mia are!  This could be our family and it seems strange to think that we would not have any more children, but you never know what God's plans are.  :)  We were surprised with both of them and they are the best things in our life.  They sure are growing up fast.  I just want to savor each second, so I can remember it later.

The Roller Slide Park

We moved in the middle of April.  I love to have as many places to go as I can, so I usually scope out the parks.  On one of our park searching escapades we found the "roller slide" park up the hill from where we live.  Jason and Mia loved it! What's not to love? It is unique, has character, and provides tons of fun.  Even for the "big" kids (Josh and my brother Joshua) who had to try going down it standing up.

 This is one of my favorites of all time!

One of my favorites!

This face is so Jason! He loves to make faces and have me take his picture!

  

     I'm trying to get Josh to put this one as his facebook profile pic! :)

Taylor Family Update

Just to fill everyone in on what's going on in our lives. :)  There are some good things and some bad things.  First right now Jason and Mia are getting to spend a couple of weeks down in Missouri with my parents while Josh and I have a "vacation".  But the vacation is to get everything in life under control or at least as under control as one can.  Josh has been working full-time at Quest Advertising here in Mankato.  And yes if you didn't know we moved to Mankato the end of April.  He's enjoying it.  His only complaint is that his boss has food there all day and all he does is eat while he's working.  So as Elaine Kuske put it he's "filling out in the face". :)  But this week with the children at the grandparents Josh and I have been jogging, playing tennis, playing volleyball and tonight we went for a bike ride.

The sad news in that my Grandma G died on May 30th.  Her funeral was this past weekend.  She was 78 years old.  I am going to miss her.

So along with getting jobs settled, we are moving again.  The place we have right now was just a short term lease, so starting in July we will be settled for at least a year.  I love the sound of that.  It is not fun to move twice in a short amount of time.

Other than that we are all doing well.  We ran a commercial for Hannah Taylor Photography, which was really exciting.  We are trying to teach Jason how to ride a bike and getting ready for him to start kindergarten in the fall.   Mia is enjoying chasing after her brother and loves to do mom's hair.

I am so glad it's summer!!

It's Josh's birthday!!

Today is Josh's birthday! He's 29.   I think we came to a realization tonight at what a difference children make in our world.  And in a good way.  I got to get my nails done with my cousin this afternoon, which was really fun.  My first time ever getting my nails done.  Then I dropped off a boat load of clothes from the garage sale that didn't sell at MRCI.  On my way home, Josh called, he was at home and suggested going out to eat for his birthday.
"I didn't even think of that," I said. "We don't even have to get a baby-sitter!!"  What a weird feeling.  We are so comfortable and so in the routine of not going out places because we have children and because it entails getting a babysitter.  Maybe I'm being all contemplative because after we went to the Olive Garden to eat (yes! yum!) we went to see "Date Night" at the cheap theater in Mankato.  Our wonderful waitress told us about it and even suggested seeing "Date Night".  We took her recommendation and loved it! The movie touches a little on how married couples get in a routine and get boring.  Why?  I guess I know it's kind of just how life is, but why?  I say fight it!!
We have been through quite a bit in the last year and a half and I am so glad that we are spending another birthday together.  Happy Birthday Josh!!

Taylor Family Update

I saw that the last time I blogged was in March.  Wow!  We have been busy.  It's May!  For those of you who don't know we are now living in Mankato.  We've been here for roughly a month.  Everything has been going pretty good.  No complaints. :)  Since we've moved we have visited storytime here in Mankato and were pretty disappointed.  I don't know how many know of Mrs. Fox at the Osky library but she does a phenomenal job at storytime!  I'm not going to remember everything without looking at my planner, but we've had Josh's sister Hannah's wedding, we've tried to make some playdates, ugh!  I hate when I can't remember things, but anyway today we went out to Bray park and had a picnic.  Jason and Mia went right into the water which was a tad bit cold being that we are in Minnesota.  They didn't seem to mind.  I'm looking forward to my date night coming up next week, the mom's bible study and park dates, Josh's sister Beka's graduation open house, my brother's confirmation, our babysitter's graduation open house.  Don't worry we have found some time to watch a couple movies too. :)  Even though when I make a list of what's going on it seems like we are busy, busy, busy, but trust me it doesn't feel that busy at the time. So don't hesitate to call me.  I always enjoy listening/talking to family and friends.  If you don't know my number email me (htaylor0306@gmail.com).