Going Private

Given how easily it is for anyone with a phone/computer/iPad/laptop/Kindle/Nook or any other electronic device to swipe a picture from a blog or webpage with the single click and use it as they please, I feel the need to set my blog to private. That means that you'll have to have a blogger account in order to view my blog.For most of you, this isn't a big deal because you already have a blogger log in/ account. For those of you who don't, you will simply have to create a name for yourself and a pass word and then click to follow Mx4. You can leave yourself logged in on your own computer so you don't have to mess with logging in each time you look at a blogspot.com blog but it will make it safer for me to know who I am sharing my blog with and assure that I won't find my pictures and information in the hands of someone who doesn't need it/have permission to have it. I will be switching to the private setting over the next few days.

Photo A Day - December

I'm still having so much fun doing the photo a day challenge . I managed to snap the assigned picture every day but there are still a few of them missing from this collage ( I'm too lazy to go searching for those that I downloaded directly to the Facebook group from my phone) Oh yeah- And even more evidence of my laziness? The photos on my collage are not in order. Thing of it as a game of sorts...if you're truly that bored. But I know you...and you're not. Here they are anyway:

Click on collage to enlarge

Christmas clean up

This is our eleventh Christmas together so Mike isn't surprised when he gets up the morning after Christmas to a "Christmas stripped" house. " It's almost as if it was never here!" he says. This year I had the help of Mackenzie. We stripped the tree, placing all the ornaments on a blanket. Then we played an game of "I spy". I pulled an empty ornament box  out and Mackenzie scoured the blanket for the missing ornament, plucked it from the blanket and we sealed it safely in it's box for another year. We had so much fun and I will gladly accept her help as long as she so happily offers it.

Taylor invasion

My Uncle Steve, Aunt Marlene and cousins Michelle, Rene, Jonathon and David visited Colorado from Tacoma, Washington so Uncle Bryan ( who lives in Colorado, too) brought them up to my mom's for an afternoon of fun. I'd actually never met any of the kids ( and Michelle is in her second year of college!) .After an afternoon of running and chasing, Mackenzie exclaimed " I'm so glad I have extra cousins!" She has no idea how far the branches of our family tree spread, so each new encounter is like a really great present! Because of that, she was also pretty bummed to say good-bye. Thankfully, Uncle Steve extended an open invitation to visit the Seattle/Tacoma area any time! We can't wait to cash that offer in as there are two more uncles and another of my very favorite cousins, Christine, ( who has two kids near the same ages as ours) in Tacoma as well.

Aunt Marlene and Uncle Steve with Mason

Uncle Bryan snatched up Mack for some cuddles. She really didn't
mind it as much as this picture suggests.

The uncles enjoying a bit of Mike's homebrew!

Michelle and Rene hanging out with their baby cousin

Genetics are so interesting. There isn't a single Taylor who doesn't have some sort of artistic talent. Whether it's playing the guitar, drawing, writing,crafting, photography or anything in between, it seems that Grandma and Grandpa passed down the art gene and it keeps on trickling.  Rene is no exception. She drew picture after picture for Mack as we waited for our lunch to arrive . I snagged this portrait she jotted down of Mack before it could get lost in the shuffle. If I ever get a children's book written, I know who will be my go to girl for illustrations.  It will also be fun to see how this gene shows up in Mack who's daddy has his own fair share of artsy genes.

Rene's portrait of Mackenzie

Brooklyn came over for a sleep over after our afternoon with Uncle Steve. This was a good day !

The girls showing me their muscles.

Ohhhh, Mason

It's a tough day in the life of a big sister when she realizes that " cheerio" in her brothers mouth is actually the tiny snow flake she'd worked  and , subsequently, hung too low on the fridge and is now a wad of baby mush.

Peek!

Mason LOVES to play peekaboo behind the baby gate that leads to the playroom. He will sit on the other side of it in his walker just watching Mackenzie play and trying to get her to come play! I snapped this video of his excitement. This video explains why we have nick named the kids  Screech ( Mack) and Squeal ( Mason). These two can make noises only dogs can hear! Ignore Mack's belchiness at the end. Burping is an art form to her of late.

A Holly Jolly Christmas

This was Mike's year to work Christmas eve and Christmas night so , though we got in all of our favorite traditions, things were kinda rushed and we all missed him so much. Thankfully, one of his co-workers came in early for him Christmas morning and, despite the fact that it had snowed over night, Mike got home at 7:15- in time to wake Mackenzie up!
Santa brought Mackenzie an easel complete with art supplies galore. I think this has been my favorite gift of hers ever for her expression. She just couldn't believe that Santa thought of her and knew her so well. She explained " I WISHED for this !" for nearly every item she saw. I knew Santa's gift would be very hard to top and nothing evoked the same response at the easel ( although the microscope from Grams came pretty close!) but she commented on how much she loved each item after that and gave "Thank you" hugs and kisses after she'd opened everything.

Busy boy Mason received several fun toys to keep those hands entertained. Big sister opened every present for him and he tried out each thing before moving on to the next. It's fun to think that next year will be even more exciting for everyone since Mason will be 20 months old.

 

 

Mike was happy with the movies and games he got as well as a set of Legos for he and Mackenzie and lots of little stocking stuffers. He scurried off to bed as soon as we finished opening gifts so he could get up for dinner at my moms at 4:30.

I was spoiled with lots of perfumes and photography goodies! I can't wait to try these new things out!

Mackenzie and Mason had a bit of time to play with their new things while I found new homes for all the Christmas gifts, got breakfast ready and packed up the van. Last thing was to get them both in and out to moms. This was so much work with just two hands and so much to do and with fresh snow on the roads. I have a great deal of respect for moms who do this kind of thing alone all the time. Mike is a partner in every way and I really miss him when he isn't here.

The gang ,minus our beloved Arizona Hansfords ,gathered at my parents house for brunch and presents and dinner. There were the usual moments of chaos but, all in all, it was a nice , quiet day. The kids were happy to share their gifts with each other and Mason was spoiled with kisses. We all left when the sun went down with full bellies and a van full of goods!

Kaleb and Mackenzie playing their games

Mack enjoying more duck! She's wearing the adorable apron
My mom made her, complete with paint brush slots aplenty!

Dad and Clay tending to dinner

Mom and Dad got Mike the Chef's jacket he's always wanted
as well as a food processor! Between that and the duck dad
cooked just for him, he was a happy camper.

Christmas happenings

Mackenzie all ready to go
to the Christmas eve service

The kiddos on Christmas eve

Brooklyn and me at the Christmas eve service

Mason warming up to Great Grandpa

Game night!

More Michigan Love

Aunt Janet sent the most thoughtful box our way! It included some Redwings gear ( maybe wearing it will bring hockey back?) and books for the kids . Books for Aunt Janet always mean so much to use because we know that they come " librarian approved" . They were even more special this year as Janet undergoes a bit of medical treatment and we wish we could be close by to hold her hand.

An ornament for Mason

A personalized ornament for Mack to commemorate her
adventures this summer, holding Rosie the tarantula
at the Butterfly Pavilion

Quite the outfit

Mackenzie was helping me fold laundry and , feeling silly, we decided to see if we could put an entire load of her laundry on her body all at once. Here she is sporting 14 pairs of underwear,  16 shirts, 10 pairs of pants and 6 pairs of socks.

Chooooo ,Choooooooo!

 Aunt Erin, Uncle Will and the kids sent a box of Christmas cheer . Among the most favorite for both Mason and Mack was a cardboard train ( 6 ft in length) that could be colored on and played in. What a great idea for our train loving family!

More aquarium fun

8 months/ 36 weeks

Mason is 8 months old!
New tricks:
" mo" for "more
gives kisses
pulls up
crawls backwards
army crawl
Still loves wheeling around in his walker. Watch your ankles!
He makes the most delightful "yummy noises" when he finds something particularly tasty. I adore this.

Kisses, Casey!

He isn't due for another well child exam until he is 9 months old so I don't have updated stats ( just that he is a light eater and is barely over the 18 lb marker, according to our scale). He still isn't the best night time sleeper but I've just tried to remind myself that one day he will sleep through the night and I will miss those night time snuggles. Since starting solid foods, Mason would rather do with out his bottle. Why drink from a boring old bottle when you can EAT with the rest of the family? I've reverted to finding new and creative ways to add ounces to his daily intake, formula soaked cheerios being one . Here are some pictures of what he's been up to the last few weeks:

If it's stationary, he wants to climb it! He's even used his sister and his puppy to get a boost, trying
to get to a standing position. He's stood on his own momentarily.

Bath time with Mackenzie is always fun for Mason. 

Ever his father's son, Mason couldn't get enough of daddy's lunch- ribs!
Here he is double fisting it.

Pre-bed time stories

Treat box

Bugs are out f season so mack turned her bug box into a treat box for Duncan. The box contains a cup of food Mack swiped from the cat dish and, though Duncan has free access to his food any time he desires, he and Mack both seem to think food is more appetizing when it comes from a special box.The pair has made a habit of meeting each morning to give Duncan his daily treat. 

Skyped Christmas

I love technology! It allowed us to share a bit of Christmas with Grammy via Skype!

Grammy sent lots if goodies our way including fabric books she made for Mason, Madeline books , movie and very special doll for Mack . Mike made good use if one of his presents - a pancake making kit! Thank you ,Grammy! We loved sharing a but if Christmas with you !

Gingerbread house fun

Fun with Mommy

Merriment

" You got it, Mom!"

Mackenzie has been singing the songs for the preschool Christmas program to herself for weeks. It's so sweet to hear her usually loud voice quiet in song. As a doting mom, I was beyond excited to see Mackenzie and the other preschoolers putting on their very first Christmas program. As someone who was in choir from JR High through my early 20's, performing in countless choir concernts, I know that one day she won't have the same glint in her eye and excitement to sing Christmas carols . You can only sing Jingle Bells so many times before you're all jingled out. For now, though, we are all soaking up the excitement of yet another first!

Sweet Mackenzie Claire

The video below is of the last two songs. This program was for the afternoon preschoolers only. There were about 40 at the program though there are a total of about 50 PM preschoolers. The little boy just below Mack with dark red hair in the green sweeter is Mackenzie best friend, James.


The teacher to the left is Ms. Mandy. I cannot tell you , especially after recent events, how much joy and relief it brings to my heart to know that Mackenzie is in the care of teachers who are invested in her academically but also as a person. It was so touching for me when I read the note Mackenzie wrote in the Christmas card she made to go with her teacher gifts "Mis Mande. Mere Crismas. I luv yoo." And she surely does love Ms. Mandy.

Allowance

Mack has recently started receiving an allowance of five dollars a month. She isn't paid for her chores, she does those as an active participant if the household just like Mike and I do,but the allowance is hers to use as she wants and to learn how to manage her money.

This is what she bought with her first allowance- cat toys for Duncan!

Vested

Mike successfully passed his critical care certification and is a CCRN! His resume looks better all the time as he continues to reach for his goals. When a nurse passes the CCRN , they get more paid education days, are a step closer to "leveling up"  and are set apart by their hard earned vest.