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Vacation Time!

Chet's parents have decided to take one of their kids' families on a vacation every year... I know... SO FUN! 2013 is our year and we decided that instead of having them take our whole family somewhere, we would leave the kids home and cruise around the islands of the West Indies (Chet's Mission). We leave on March 8th and don't return home until the 16th. We are beyond excited but there is only one thing that keeps me from jumping for joy every time I think about it. I know all of you mom's out there understand where I am coming from, leaving my kids is so hard. Not the actual, being away from them, but the fact that I don't have control over what happens or how they act. My sweet mom and sister have agreed to take on the challenge of watching them the entire time. I completely trust them obviously, but I like to be 110% prepared when it is time to go. That is why I have googled researched what to leave for a sitter when you go on vacation. It's not like we haven't done it before, we went to Hawaii and left Jack for a whole week in 2010 but now I have two kids and lets get real, I can't remember what I wore yesterday let alone remember what I left for a babysitter 3 years ago. I am posting these links for free printables, mainly so that I can look back and remember what I did... Enjoy. 

BABYSITTER INFO SHEET

MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION FORM

T'is the holiday season

My baby sister is home! 4 Months in Moscow, Russia and she is finally home. I have missed her like crazy. She had an amazing time and said that it was "bitter sweet" coming home. We picked her up at the airport at MIDNIGHT! I can't tell you the last time I stayed up that late. I didn't end up getting home until 3:30 am. It was worth it. 

One of Chet's best friends has been dating his (Chet's) cousin Shayla. We LOVE it! They are so much fun to hang with. Shayla turned 25 on the 18th and when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she said she wanted to go on a date with me and Chet, without our kids.... DEAL! We drove down town on, probably the coldest night of the season, and ate at Tuconos, yummy. Then we walked around temple square and looked at all of the lights. We had so much fun. 

 Our Taylor family Christmas party was a blast this year. Our kids are all getting older and are playing so well together. This picture is Bailee, and Brian and Mindie's boys, Kash and Ridge. We had to document them sitting with Bailee... that really never happens. My poor Mom had oral surgery the day before our party and was all bruised and bleeding like crazy. Kane ended up taking her to the hospital to see if they could stop the bleeding. They ended  up sending her down to Orem to an Oral Surgeon. She is doing better now but had to miss out on our awesome party. 

Gardner Village

This year we went to Gardner Village in Midvale. If you have never been, now is the time to go. During the month of October, they go all out and decorate for Halloween. They have the cutest witches with different themes everywhere! Jack loves it and Gwen, well she didn't know what to think. I sat her next to one of the witches and she FLIPPED! She looked at the witch and immediately started crying and trying to get away! Other than her little episode, we had a blast walking around and seeing all of the fun decor.

 

Bailee Jo

My baby sister is in Russia for 4 months with a group (International Language Program) teaching 5 year old children English. She has been there for almost 2 weeks now. We miss her like crazy but we are so proud of her. She recently sent some pictures but no descriptions but I thought I would share them.

August

Holy smokes where did this year go? I can't believe that my babies are 4 and 1 now. They are both at some pretty fun ages right now. Jack wants to help so much and Gwen is finally big enough to sort of keep up with her brother. For Jack's birthday we had a big pirate treasure hunt party at the park with friends and family. It was such a blast! We didn't really do much for Gwen's birthday but she had fun opening and playing with her presents. We had a BBQ at my parents' house the next day where she got her cupcake. She was a little sketchy about it at first but it didn't take long for her to dig in! 

My baby sister Bailee is leaving for Moscow, Russia first thing in the morning. I am so excited/nervous for her to go. She is going to be teaching English to children for about 4 months and will be back just in time for Christmas! She is going to have a blast and I cant wait for pictures and to hear about all of the cool experiences she has.