Time in Arizona

This year we spent Christmas here in Kansas City but took some time in mid December to go and spend some time with our families in Arizona. It was a nice break from the cool weather here and we enjoyed soaking up with sun in 78 degree weather.

We spent some time with the Taylor family, enjoying some wild adventures and exploring in a cozy cabin in Northern Arizona.

We started our trip off with an indoor skydiving adventure. Here we are getting ready to fly!

Of course, little Olive had to try it out too!

We did it! And we all made it out alive. It was such a blast! I can't wait to do it again.

Thanks MaryAnne!

Here is little Jude playing around, while we attempt to have a photo shoot.

Here is little Juniper. Jude and Olive got to meet her for the first time. Jude loved playing with her. She is such a cutie!

A Taylor family shot. John, me, Jude, Jordan (john's brother) with Olive, MaryAnne with Juni, and Matt and Ashley ( john's sister).

While at the cabin, Jude loved to play outside, it was beautiful weather. The cabin was on a lake, so Jude loved to wear his snow boots outside and throw rocks with daddy in the water.

I love the running shot with those boots :)

Then we spent some time with the Jones Family. Every day we were busy doing something fun! It was just so nice to have daddy with us all the time!

Spending the day at an aquarium. Jude could even touch a star fish!

Playing with all of Grandma's toys. Jude loved to dress up as a warrior and pretend to kill the dragon with his cousins.

And of course a day at the zoo. We attempted the zoo in the summer with little success, it was WAY too hot, but the winter is the perfect time to go. Jacob was the only one brave enough to ride on the camel.

We all took turns feeding the giraffe.

We decorated gingerbread houses one night. My sister with 2 of her cute boys. Jude's house had a lack of candy on it, the candy never made it to the house, straight to the mouth.

It was Olive's first time meeting Grandpa. She loved him, she would sit on his lap all the time. Here she is with her cousin Alex, they are just a week apart. He is quite a bit bigger than her!

Jude in his cute suit after sitting on Santa's lap, we went to look at the temple lights. Here is Jude running around making funny faces.

Jude wanted to be the camel for our families nativity scene, here he is trying on his costume.

Olive sitting on Santa's lap at a family Santa party!

A Christmas update coming soon.

Our big 2 year old!

On Monday Jude officially turned 2 years old. We celebrated by hosting a baseball themed birthday party last weekend. It was so fun. Maryanne and Jordan were able to make it out too. Jude of course had a blast, playing with his friends, throwing baseballs, hitting a pinata, and eating yummy cupcakes. We had a great weekend! I can not believe our little boy is two. We love him so much, every day he learns so much, he is always such a great example of how to live your life. He is constantly laughing and playing and is so full of love and forgiveness.

We love you Jude!

Here we are at the party. We had it at our town home clubhouse!

(baby Olive, me, John, Jude, Maryanne, Jordan and Ashley-Jordan's girlfriend)

Family shot, before the guests arrived. And yes, Olive slept through the party.

Jude could hardly wait to dig in to his baseball cupcake. He loved blowing out the candles :)

The pinata was quite a hit! It took a few to be on crowd control, but we did not need any injuries from swinging the bat!

Eating and chating at the party.

Jude practicing his swing, he bats left handed. Grandpa is so proud :)

Jude and mommy laughing. I could just eat that little face. (I know you other moms understand)

Cute grandma and Jude

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Jones for the new bike.

Everyday he goes down, and says "jude bike."

Next stop:
Arizona, here we come!

WOW, 2 months already!

Hello Everyone! I am 2 months old already. I have recently had a growth spurt and now weigh over 10 lbs. I am smiling all the time, sleeping 7 hours at night, and can sit up in the bumbo chair. I am a pretty happy baby, except when my big brother tried to pick me up the other day and didn't quite succeed, or the other day when I was happy enjoying my tummy time when he so lovingly came over and stepped on my head :) My mom tells me I will be a tough little girl!

Here is my big brother being so nice to me and giving me kisses.

Can you find me?? Check me out, I think I am pretty cool in the bumbo chair.

Here is my big brother, and his little crush. They are always playing together, and I have even seen them sneak a few kisses here and there. YUCK! Well, here they are playing in the bath together.

By our house there is a gymnastic center that holds open gym every Friday morning. It is free for those under 2! We go quite often and Jude loves it. He loves the trampoline, rings, and foam pit. Some weeks they even have a huge slide that he loves!

Don't I look comfortable?? My daddy tried to put me in facing outward, and I don't think it worked as well as he was hoping.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

Halloween Fun

This past week has been filled with lots of Halloween fun. I am glad it is over, and ready to move on to the next fun holiday coming. This year was lots of fun, as Jude is beginning to understand things. He loved trick or treating and dressing up in costumes. We went to numerous Halloween events/trunk or treat parties. With that being said, this year for Halloween, Jude was a monkey, a tiger, and then on Halloween for trick or treating he was Bam Bam along with the Flintstone family. John's mother Maryanne was able to come out last weekend and spend time with her newest grand daughter. It was so nice to spend time with her, and for her to meet Olive.
Now, on to the pictures. Enjoy!

Here are a few pictures of the growing little girl! She is beginning to have a few very alert states throughout the day, which are fun!


After baths one night, the kiddos laying in Jude's bed.

Hanging out with daddy. She is getting stronger and stronger each day. Pulling her head up, and pushing up with her little legs

We have been going to this toddler time story hour at a local library here, and Jude has really enjoyed it. We sing songs, read books, dance around, and do a craft. Last week was a fun Halloween day and he dressed up as a monkey. He secretly has a crush on the "tiger," he loves to give her hugs and kisses.

Here he is with a mouth full of cookies showing off his Halloween door hanger.

We were so glad that Grandma Taylor was able to come out, Saturday we spent the day at the Zoo. Here she is on the train with Jude and Olive.

At the zoo, we rode on the carousel. Jude loved it, he wanted to do it again and again.
Our first family ride!

Jude loved to do a little trick or treating at the zoo.

We went trick or treating on Saturday night around our neighborhood- I know there are that many "members" here that Saturday was busier than Sunday. We had such a great time trick or treating. We played games with friends after the kids were in bed. On Sunday we passed out candy. Jude loved giving candy away, and of course eating plenty too!
Here is a picture of our pumpkins this year. Mine is the big one, and John helped Jude on his little eyeball pumpkin. John busted out the dremel tool for carving!

Here is our little pumpkin getting ready for trick or treating.

We hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Fall is in the air

Last weekend was filled with lots of Halloween fun. Friday night we had a neighborhood progressive dinner. As you can see we were the Flintstones family. We had such a great time celebrating with our great new friends. Jude loved running around with his bat as Bam Bam. The following night we went to an adult only party, and had fun until 130am playing mafia, singing karaoke, and eating. It was a lot of fun. We are having a lot of fun here in Kansas City.

The weather has been beautiful. The other day John had the kids outside playing in the leaves, and he snapped a few shots.

Happy Fall to everyone!