Look Out Third Grade... Here She Comes!

Today was Kirsten's first day of third grade. THIRD GRADE. I can't believe it. It was also Brian's first day teaching high school and my first day teaching kindergarten (since I've been on leave for over 2 years.) It was a bit of a hectic morning. Kirsten was up at 5 am with a nervous stomach. Brian had to leave at 6:15 so I had to get everyone up, dressed, packed and out the door by 7:30. Let me tell you that is a lot of work to do before 7:30 am! All morning I was feeling a little sad that I hadn't been able to walk Kirsten into school, see her classroom, and meet her teacher. I was SO SO SO happy to hear that, once again, Grandpa came to the rescue :) (for my nerves if nothing else). Not only did my dad take Kirsten to school, walk her in, get her settled at her desk... BUT he also took pictures of it all! Yea!

Kirsten all ready for the first day! (With an awesome new backpack from Aunt Maureen!)


Kirsten and Grammy heading out for a great day!




I LOVE this picture. Great job Dad!


Kirsten with her new teacher, Ms. Phillips. Kirsten is very excited to be in Ms. Phillips' class and I think it's the start of a great year!

BCFL! (Best Cousins for Life)

About 3 minutes after meeting for the first time, Kirsten and Bridget had formed a lifelong bond. Yesterday Kirsten and I rode over to Orlando (with Grammy and Grandpa) to meet up with my cousin Jennifer, her daughter Bridget, Maureen, Ryan, and "little" Luke.


The girls instantly bonded. They laughed, they colored, the cuddled and fed Luke, and they both cried when it was time to say goodbye.


Luke got a lot of love from these two sweeties.


I simply cannot get enough of this baby's chub. I adore it. I love, love, love his rolls. I swear I just sit and giggle and squeeze his chub when I get to hold him (which is not half as often as I'd like! Kirsten and Grammy provide a lot of competition for snuggle time!)



I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of Jen and I with our girls.. We're hoping they'll make another trip down soon so we'll have to make that our first priority next time!

Yeah for Pre-K!

Today Matt and Danny started preschool. I can't believe it. My babies are so big! Luckily, most of the tears shed today were mine. The boys did great and had so much fun. I am so relieved!

Here are my big boys and I getting ready to head out for the big day!


The sign outside the preschool reads "God's Most Beautiful Thoughts Blossom Into Children". I love it.


"Are you ready to do this, buddy?" ... "Totally!"


Aunt Maureen and Baby Luke sent the boys all the preschool necessities... Yo Gabba Gabba lunchboxes, Diego backpacks, and Cars blankets. The backpacks are about as big as the boys :)


Big Boy Matt walking to his class with Ms. Debbie.


Ms. Debbie and Danny, Matt, and I... right before I cried my eyes out in the van.


...On a funny side note this is one of the boys' awesome new lunchboxes...


When we opened up the box I said, "Wow! A lunchbox... that's just like sissy's! You can put all your food for lunch in there!" Ten minutes later I found the lunchbox full of food. CUTE.

Slippery When Wet

Last week Team Taylor made a stop at the new splash park and let me tell you... my kids LOVED it! (Kirsten loved it so much that she gave us a very hard time leaving... not my favorite part... but other than that it was awesome!)

The boys loved the thrill of going down the slides at turbo speed while wet!


Go Gators!


The playground at this park is just awesome!


I think the boys went down this slide about 50 times each. Each little rod rolls to make the slide fast and bumpy. They were SO taken in with it. They did it over, and over, and over, and over... (you get the idea)


Here is my worn out little boy in a "big cool swing" as Kirsten called it.


Good times.

No, You're Not Seeing Double

We had the chance for a double date (get it? ha!) with Sarah, her neices, her sister, Derek, and Jeremy. The entire car ride to the aquarium Danny practiced saying, "Helllllloooooo Ladies" but he froze up when the big moment arrived.



Lobster Love. (How cute is this picture of Matt?)


We loved hanging out with the fish and our new friends!

Preschool Visit

The boys are going to be starting school next week (aaagggghhhh!! Where did my babies go?). We went to visit Kirsten's alma mater so the boys could start to get comfortable.

The boys met their very nice teacher and found out what school is all about!

Playgrounds...


Big Boy Cups...


...And New Friends!

Buddies At the Beach

... and notice the busy little blondes in the backround :)

Terrific Tuesday!

We had such a nice morning at the aquarium today! It wasn't crowded AT ALL. Kirsten gets so excited every time we're there. It's really cute. AND the boys stayed in their stroller the whole time! They were excited to look at all the fish and creatures and were easy to keep track of. It was awesome :)

Kirsten was pointing out the tiny hermit crabs on the bottom of this tank. I love the looks on all their little faces. Such curiosity!


"Mama! I want fish! I want see fish! More fish Mama!". So much for my attempt at a posed picture.


I love this picture of Matt. He has this expression quite often but it's hard to catch it on camera. I love when he gets excited.



Ahoy Mateys! Everyone had a great time exploring this pirate ship.


I am always amazed at how brave my kids are. All 3 of them!


...Even when they are riding turtles


...Or being eaten by alligators :)


Surf's Up dude!


Ever the protective big sister. "I got you little buddy". Precious.