Taylor Family Christmas Party

So, sorry this took so long. Having a video camera is new to me, so it has taken me a while to figure out how to use it, convert the files, find an online video site that I feel comfortable with (didn't like youtube's permissioning system) and other details. But now I've got the whole process down, future posts like this should be much easier. I'm also going to help mom to see if we can get videos off of her camera tomorrow too. There are some key videos that we didn't get at this party that I would like to include. These videos are mostly for family who couldn't be there. Not that the rest of you shouldn't look at them or anything like that, it's just that they may not be all that entertaining to somebody who doesn't know this cast of characters. ;-)

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This week...

1. We have enjoyed the snow in that it has made us feel the Christmas spirit more. There's just something about cold weather that makes the season seem more exciting.
2. Gabe has taken a 40-60 minute nap EVERY DAY! What an improvement. He has also been happier and more willing to try to entertain himself. This may have something to do with the fact that...
3. Gabe finally cut his first tooth. I am both excited and saddened. My little baby is growing up so fast!
4. My brother Tayler got his mission call for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints. He will be serving in the Brisbane, Australia mission. I am so excited about this!
5. We saw some friends of ours (Danielle and Scott) we haven't seen for quite some time who were in town visiting. We enjoyed catching up with them.
6. I finished my last BIG Christmas project. I can't tell you what it is. Shhhh.... it's still a secret. Just one or two more tiny little things to do. Also, I am done wrapping presents! Wahoo!
7. We were involved in a minor car collision on Saturday. In spite of not really fitting in to what we had hoped to accomplish during the day, we are so grateful that we all came out of it safe and sound.
8. Today in Primary, Gabe was the baby Jesus for the Nativity scene the kids acted out. He did a marvelous job! He seemed to be amused by it all. He just watched the kids do their parts all around him. The 15 or so kids who had parts were just mesmerized by him. By the end, they were all crowded around the laundry basket/manger he was laying in and gently reaching in to touch him. It was very cute. No one seemed to mind that the baby Jesus was wearing a puppy-dog-print onesie (he messed his church shirt right before... oh well.).
9. We had a family Christmas dinner and party. My rolls turned out well (a bit of a worry for me, since I have traditionally maintained that I do not bake- though I think I may be turning over a new leaf), and we all had a fun time making music and celebrating the birth of Christ. I believe BJ will be posting clips of all the songs he videoed.
I am looking forward to this coming week! We plan on watching old Christmas movies (favorite recommendations, anyone?), seeing the lights and nativity on Temple Square, visiting with more friends, web cam -chatting with my family in Oregon, and maybe taking some fun drives if the weather isn't too bad.

A Few Highlights of November

Visiting with our nephew Taylor before he entered the MTC to serve a full- time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


Giving Gabe rice cereal for the first time (at least consistently).


Donating my hair to Locks of Love: Before


After


Getting all ready for the last BYU Football game of the season (I say getting ready for it, not watching it, as I don't think the sad outcome of the game could be considered a "highlight").


Visiting with my family, who were all here for the week of Thanksgiving. I had so much fun, and we sure enjoyed having them stay with us!










Finally framing and hanging this awesome Noah's Ark trio that Cara painted for Gabe before he was born!