Christmas Tree

Today we spent some time putting up our Christmas tree! Tate loved it! He was pretty animated-taking breaks to read books, wrapping up all the ornaments in tissue paper, and referring to the bulbs as 'apples' and 'balls'! ha!
He's so funny.

I love this time of the year and the weather was beautiful today. Tate and I played outside for a long time this morning while Blair worked on homework. 
Yesterday, after having lunch with Ryan, Janelle, and the kids, we did a little shopping with my parents. They came down to Des Moines to celebrate my mom's birthday and to get some Christmas shopping done. Tate even got to swim with Papa and Grandma at the hotel!

Thanksgiving

I don't know why it's been so long since I've written on the blog, but I decided that it was time tonight.

We had a great Thanksgiving break, spending lots of time with both sides of our family (minus my brother and Amanda).
We have so many things to be thankful for! I truly love this time of the year.

My parents came to our house and I cooked (with the help of my lovely mother, of course)! The food turned out great, the gravy and dressing always makes me nervous!
Tate loved all the playing. I caught a few cute moments with him and my parents. It's these little moments that I love-

Reading the Black Friday ads with Papa.
 They were just having their own conversation- all about trucks, cars, and tractors of couse! :)

Enjoying a little Cool Whip off Grandma's pie! MMM! :)

 





On Thursday evening, my mom, Emma, and I did a little shopping. It was so fun! I just loved watching all the people. We had some good laughs.

On Friday, Mom, Dad, Tate, and I did even a little more shopping while Blair went to the ISU game. I decided it was too chilly for me, and I enjoyed the game from the sofa!

On Saturday, we headed to meet up with the Taylor clan for a little celebrating! We ALL went to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. Tate had a blast playing with all his cousins! We then spent the rest of the time at Mike and Jean Ann's!



I'm so excited for this holiday season! Christmas cards are ordered, nativity is up, house is partially decorated. Now it's time to get our tree! I can't wait!

Thanks for reading! :)

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight we carved a pumpkin, and after looking at my pictures I noticed a very funny progression of the event.

In the beginning, Tate was excited. We took the top off and he was interested to see what it looked like inside.

"What's inside here?"

"Gross!"

He started losing interest and ran off to get a book. I think he just wanted to let Daddy do all the work.

"Just let me know when you're finished, Daddy."

 

 

And of course he took all the credit! Haha!

"Look what I did!"

 

 

 

 

 



Orchard and more

Before our little run-in with the stomach flu, we've been enjoying this fall weather.

We went to the Center Grove Ochard. What a fun place. Tate loved it!

 



 

He loves all the leaves! Went spent the day on Sunday cleaning up the yard and Tate jumped in every pile we made!



 

Fall

We have this cool place behind our house that has an old one-room school house and some other old buildings. We thought we'd take Tate over there tonight and see if we could get some great 'fall' photos. Well he wasn't very into posing, but I still think we got some cute ones. Besides, these just captured the 'True Tate'. Enjoy.

 

Daddy and Tate (Notice the little diaper butt..hehe)

What's a good picture without a little dirt. Afterall, dirt makes him cuter! 

Sweet Boy!

 



Family Visit

This past weekend we went to Creston to hang out with some family. We got some great family pictures!

Aunt Maagie and Jim and Diana made it up to Creston for the day from St. Joseph, MO. Also, Grandma Ann and Grandma Janis were there too. Papa Dick wasn't feeling well, but we sure missed him. We had a nice time visiting with everyone.

 Aunt Maagie and the kiddos- Cora, Tate, and Kayson.

The Taylor Fam!

 

I just had to put this one on here! This is Cora May! Isn't she just adorable! She is so precious and Aunt Tina just couldn't get enough of her yesterday. Blair always says I'm a Cora Hog! :) hehe...

 

 

 

 

Now this is a little delayed, but last weekend we went to the Siemers side and I just haven't posted the pictures we took. We spent Saturday and Sunday there and just "vegged". :)

 

Grandma and Papa Siemers with Tater (and his tractor of course).

 

Typical Sunday-- Daddy and Tate in their Bronco gear!



Weekend

We had another great weekend! Saturday we tailgated and then went to half of the ISU game. It was a 7 p.m. game, and we decided at half time that we'd get Buddy home for bed. He couldn't have been any better. He watched the game the whole time, and loved that we sat right behind Western Illinois' band. He was perfectly content on Dad's shoulders taking it all in. :)

This morning we played in our PJs until it was time for to get ready for church. I caught some cute 'moments'...


Sweet

Giving Lovins

 



Helpful

He emptied the wipes from the diaper bag and decided to scrub the kitchen floor

 

Silly

No pants, but stylin with his beads

 

Just before church I decided that it was time for some pictures. We couldn't do a family shot so we decided to do one with Daddy and then one with Mama. 

Stylin' Boys!

 

Mama's Boy!

May you have a wonderful week!
We are loving ALL the signs of fall! :)