Taylor Family Camp 2k8

This weekend we had our first family campout. Steph and I have been talking about going camping since we first met but didn't actually make it into the wilderness until just now. It was great fun. We had the whole Vardell/Brenda clan together for hiking, fishing, 4-wheeling, shooting, and an all around good time. Below is a slew of pictures to show how much fun it was. Enjoy!!!

Yea for Steph and Jenny! They got the kitchen tent up. Woohoo!!!

On moving day our neighbors gave us this carrier. James likes it A LOT!

Aunt Teresa shows James how cool the hot fire is.

Taylor and Landon had a great time playing together.

James spent a lot of his time in his bouncer. He loved it and we loved not worrying about what he was sticking in his mouth.

A look this devilish makes you wonder what they've been up to.

Taking the girls on the 4 wheeler. They pointed out every butterfly we passed.

The boys on the other hand didn't stop shouting their excitement during the whole ride.

We spent one afternoon fishing on Strawberry. Here Whit is going for the "Cutest Fishergirl" award.

The storm in the back ground would eventually overtake us and make for a very cold and wet ride back to the docks.

Taylor was the lucky one bringing in the only fish we caught that day.

Cleanliness was an issue up at the camp. The kids just LOVED playing in the dirt.

Grandpa gives some important pointers to Whit - like which direction to point the gun!

Taylor loves shooting with any toy he picks up. The real thing was a bit louder than he expected.

Tay wasn't the only dirty one.

"Oh the rains came down ..." and interrupted a great baseball game.

Teaching James the finer points of cooking a hot dog over the fire.

Once we got home it was straight to the bath for all of them. They were tired but had a great weekend.

I'm now realizing that we didn't get any pictures with Evan but he was there. Thanks to everyone for a fun weekend. We can't wait until next year!!!

Wanting to Move

James is starting to get really squirmy. He wants to move more than anything else. Unfortunately he can't even sit up yet so it's a big challenge for him. He now has a second thing that makes him cry (the first being hungry) and that's when he gets stuck somewhere.

A couple times now we have found him on the floor after we have put him in his swing. I finally had the chance to see what was going on. He starts by rolling over in the seat, then stops the swinging with his foot hanging over the edge and he then slowly pushes himself off to get on the floor. Then it's off to rolling and scooting until he jams his head under something. It really is just the cutest thing ever!

Here he is, caught in the act of climbing out. We now use the straps and buckle when we put him in the swing.

First Night

On Friday we finally got the keys to our new place. We were all so excited that we decided we should have a movie night there and have a sleep over in our new rooms. This was also going to be a great chance to test out the sleeping bags before our big camping trips this summer.

Well, the movie was great but the sleeping bags didn't work out so well ...

Coolest Commercial EVER!

So we're big fans of Discovery. Everything from Mythbusters to Cash Cab, Man vs. Wild to It Takes a Thief (though that one really brings out Steph's paranoia). Recently they started airing a new commercial and we absolutely love it. Hope you enjoy it too!!!

Now, when I first saw the commercial I'm sure it was longer than this. 90 seconds, maybe even 2 minutes. But for the life of me I can't find that version. The song always just makes us smile.

While I'm posting videos tonite

I thought I'd add this one. I'm running for office, at least that's what I learned when Jason sent me an email about the news story he saw today. Check it out, it's pretty cool!

4 Months and Fatter!

He's four months old (officially on the 13th). Wow. I don't remember clearly the last four months. What has happened. I guess one thing's clear: we've fed James! He is definitely growing, and here are his stats to prove it:

Weight: 14 lbs 15 oz, 50%

Length: 26 inches, 84%

Head Circ: 16 inches, 12% (hey, at least he doesn't have a big head, right?) I guess the doctor wants to "keep an eye on that one", but he seems healthy and smart... um, can a 4 month-old seem smart? We're sure he is. He's advanced!

Sing-A-Long

If you're lucky, you know my musical talent. Yes, I write songs for my babies and I sing them all the time. If you're really lucky, you've heard them. Well, the time came today when inspiration let loose, and I wrote James a song. It is to the tune of one of Taylor's songs, and these are the words:

Little man, little man, little man J

Little more chubby with every day

Cute little giggles, squeals with joy

Our beautiful, blue-eyed baby boy!

Now it so happens that I wrote one of Taylor's songs and mentioned his big blue eyes and had to change it when they turned the beautiful brown they are, so we'll see how James' turn out. Just so you know, he loves his song! Well, Daddy is also musically talented, and was feeling a bit left out, so he wrote a cute song too:

My first name's Jamesey
My second name's Wamesey
They call me Jamesey Wamesey!

I say creative genius! We all love to sing it, and we get louder and louder (if you can imagine). Maybe if I get enough requests, I'll publish some of the other songs I've written for the kids. If you like what you've seen here, you'll love what is in store.

This Boy Has My Heart

Taylor at Grandpa Karl's birthday dinner, wearing Grandpa Vardell's reading glasses

Grandpa Carlos' Teeth Turn Ugly, I mean 77

Grandpa Karl (aka "Carlos", thanks to Whit) celebrated number 77 on July 10, and we got together at my parents' house for dinner on the 13th.

Jenny gave Grandpa some bling grillz (I would have had no idea what these were otherwise), and he modeled them for the camera. Way to go Grampy! Hey, 77 don't look to bad. Bring it on!

We love Grampy. He's just great. Always good to rub your back. He'll let you know when you, or anyone else for that matter, is out of line. He pretends he hates Barkley, but then feeds him under the table. And he still plays a mean game on the golf course. He was diagnosed with the 'betes a few years ago, but doesn't let it get him. He revamped his whole diet, lost all of his excess weight, and then some, and now he's this cute little Ute fan, still gardening and working at the temple.

Nobody beats him!

Two of my most favorite people in the whole wide world! I love them so much! And how cute are they with their "Child of God" stickers? Everyone's a primary child to Mom!

People Who Helped Us

Like people usually do, we believe we had the best working for us throughout this process.

First of all, we have possibly the greatest real estate agent ever. I know, I know, everyone's an agent, or knows one. I know several. In fact, one of my best friends is an agent. But I've been calling on Tricia Ashby for my real estate needs since she sold my home in Midvale in 2003, and she has helped me buy and sell several more since. She is now with Keller Williams South Valley Realty in Riverton. Tricia is incredible and well worth every penny she's paid. If you can't tell, we highly recommend her, and if you need more information, like with anything else, we'll talk more.

I also recommend Stacie Marchessault as a mortgage broker. Again, I know, we all know at least one. I know several; two that I consider close friends, but Stacie has helped me a couple times over the years, and not only is she great at what she does, I really enjoy working with her. She is now with Approved Mortgage Funding in South Jordan.

BIG thanks to both of them for all they've done to help us, and all they'll do in the coming weeks to get us closed.