AMAZING GRACE

I love this picture! One day old. The hair is all Dave, but the cowlick is all ME!

She has the cutest little bird legs Gracie and Riley Grace, Riley, Mom and Ben. Gracie is one day old. Dad and Princess Grace Gotta love the hair! Ben, Dave and Gracie. Ben is enthralled with the new baby. Dave brought all the boys to bring us home from the hospital. This is our first new family picture. Riley, Ben, Mindy, Isaac, Dave, Grace, and Mitchell. The hospital curtains make quite the background!

Our dear sweet Grace was born on May 29, 2008 at 8:44 a.m.

She weighed 6lbs 12oz and is 20 inches long.

Roller Derby Taylor Style

May 2008 Dave is teaching Mitchell and Isaac to rollerblade. He outfitted them in all the appropriate safety gear, helmets, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads. It really looks like we are training hockey stars, but really we just want to keep the kids safe and protected. Riley keeps up on his scooter. Boy, he can really fly. Too bad he hasn't learned to brake yet.

Dad is always there when we need him.

Riley, Ben and Mitchell Ben getting a little bit more confident walking. Here's the hockey star look.

Riley is incredible on his scooter. You have to see the look of pride on Dave's face whenever someone compliments Riley's scooter abilities. It was the same look he had when Isaac learned to ride his two-wheeler at age 3 without training wheels (he taught Mitchell and Isaac to ride the same day).

Riley off to the side, Isaac, Mitchell and Dave.

Even though this is blurred, I love it of Isaac.

Isaac's Preschool Graduation

May 22 was Isaac's preschool graduation. He had so many friends from Village Green in his class. Luke Stillson, Alex Goates, Mason Lords, Tanner Esplin, Lexi Hopkinson, Annie Oliverson, and Hazel Cummings. Isaac and his teacher, Miss Stephanie (whom he called Miss Smephamie). Dad, Isaac and Mom. One week before Gracie was born.

CoCo Keys

Dave finished his junior year last week and had a few days off before beginning his senior year. Yes, he is now a senior and we are so proud of him!!! I am grateful almost everyday that I am not the student. He is a better student than I ever was! One fact that I love is that he has never NOT turned in an assignment on time. Not once. Not in junior high or high school. I really hope our kids get his study habits and self discipline. Anyway, back to his time off. Last Friday we went to the Coco Keys indoor water resort (inside the Holiday Inn) with our friends the Rasmussen's. We were there when it opened, and left as it was getting ready to close (I did leave to take Ben and Riley home for naps and Dave stayed with Mitchell and Isaac). It was a great way to spend a very rainy day. I think our favorites were the lazy river and the indoor-outdoor hottub.

Dave, Ben and our little buddy Parker. Aprrarently Parker wasn't interested in being in our picture. He is just a few weeks younger than Ben.

Riley, me and Ben in the kiddie pool. Ben has a smile that lights up his whole face! Here is our cute friend Sadie.

Ben, Dave and Riley taking a snack break. I think we brought enough food for the entire weekend, and tried to eat it all in one day. Mitchell and Isaac being lazy in the river. I love this one of Mitchell Ben almost fell asleep in my arms as we went around and around. If it weren't for all the times there was water splashing us, we could've both taken our naps in the lazy river.

I LOVE VILLAGE GREEN!!!!!

There is something in the water here! It's not just me. Since there are so many pregnant ladies now, we decided to take a picture together. I am not exaggerating when I say that there are 10 other pregnant ladies who aren't in the picture. We are lined up left to right by our due dates. In case you can't tell which one is me, I am third from the left. Not to brag or anything, but please note that those of us due soonest were able to get our legs up the highest :). It must be Janel's great strength training classes!

I just want to say that I love our home here! I know that it is not for everyone, but I absolutely love it. This is the back of our building(the closest porch is ours). Although a few of you might think that it is a mess, it is one of my favorite things about our home. Our kids have such a great time outdoors, and we live in a community where they are safe to ride their bikes, scooters, and rollerblades.

Here in the Village(as my kids call it) we also have our own institute class for mothers on Tuesday mornings in the clubhouse, and a music class for the kids on Wednesdays. The elementary school is within easy walking distance. Isaac's and Mitchell's carpools each have at least 6 kids in them, they have so many friends their ages. We have the best neighbors, and have made lifelong friends out of them here. Our building has four townhouses in it, and we have a combined 16 children, not counting the baby we are expecting in a few weeks(thus all the toys in the backporches). There are so many members here that our complex is divided into 3 wards in 2 different stakes. Sundays are open BBQs. In our parking lot we set out a few picnic tables and have a potluck almost every Sunday that the weather is nice. It is a gathering spot for all our friends. Some of the best things is knowing that there is always someone to talk to just outside your door(literally, there is always someone outside to talk to, sometimes on your porch).

Lexi, Riley, Isaac, Ben and Annie having a picnic out back.

Riley out on his scooter

Isaac and Annie scooting around, with a porch gathering in the background