More and more of Random Taj Fun!

(doesn't he look so much older  in this picture?)

So here are a few random favorites!  These are all actually from one morning.  We took a bath and while trying to escape getting our clothes on he discovered a draw in my dresser full of hats.  He quickly picked his favorite and it entertained him for the next couple of hours (notice he also accomplished his goal of not getting dressed because mom was too distracted by his cuteness).  Can you see how much fun he has playing peak-a-boo with that cute boy in the reflection?  At one point he pulled the hat over his whole face and wandered around laughing!  then we discovered some stickers that morning (you know those free ones you get in the mail on occasion?) which was a whole new chapter of fun.  Can you tell what the one on his forehead says? It says "I'm special"  Yes you are Taj Owen.  You are one of a kind!

Surfboard Decor?

I figured I ought to post these shots so they can be remembered.  Mark occasionally likes to take decorating into his own hands.  And although we usually have similar tastes these two touches were a little much for me!  I actually left the red one up for a while (he made me promise to for his parents visit!)  But then when the surfboard tunnel was created I had to draw the line.  Not that I don't appreciate Mark's touch but I thought it might clash a little with the rest of the decor of my mother's lovely home! (mom you'd better back me up on this one!)

Happy Birthday Amber!

So this past Monday I got invited to a surprise party!  We are so blessed to have been able to rent our little home to 3 incredible girls who we also love spending time with. Why?  Because they are so much fun!  You might recall that they also threw an eighties party a while ago that was totally awesome to say the least!  Well this last week they had what the titled a "Heros" party.  So since we are all a tad obsessed with the comic book based TV show Amber didn't really think much of it when she came down stairs and 10 people are in her living room waiting for the show to start.  But the fun really began during the commercial break where 2 girls snuck outside and then rang the doorbell with cake in hand and then all the guests had little hidden gifts for Amber!  Let me take a moment here to brag about my friend Amber!  First of all...these hot pictures of her?  She's not even trying in those pictures.  The girl is a knock out with a great sense of style.  She is really intelligent and compassionate.  She is pursuing her masters and also speaks Italian since she served her mission there! She is kind and quirky.  She always has interesting things to talk about and loves all children (and they all love her).  I love my friend Amber and I am so happy that she got to have this fun little birthday surprise!  She totally deserves it!

When Mom was away...

Christmas came early for Taj!  We knew we wanted to buy Taj a tricycle for Christmas this year so when Mark saw this hot ride at Costco he just couldn't pass it up (and well...I can't blame him...it is one sweet ride!). 

Of course we already gave it to Taj because he won't know the difference anyway (likely our last year for that) and we can still put a bow on it Christmas morning!  So Taj's feet don't even reach the pedals but he loves to sit on it and ring the bell...whether he is watching TV, eating our just hanging out.  How cool is he?

I can't WAITE until next time...

I get to go to TENNESSEE!  So I got to go and visit my sister and her family in TN this last weekend.  It was just me.  And although I really missed my baby and hubby (thanks for babysitting Marianne!), it was really fun to get to focus all my love and attention on Carolyn and her family.  They have a B-E-A-U-tiful home and town.  I think I picked the perfect time of year to visit.  And although we stayed busy planning Carolyn's very first uppercase living party, I had the best time!  I'm so glad that I got to go visit.  We really just did the normal daily life stuff but when you are with your sister there's not much else you would rather do, although I am bummed that we forgot to take more pictures!

In this pic, Eden is kissing my "bump" (tongue in cheek) although when I first tried to pull this she said "no, that's for Grandpa!"

Carolyn feed me wonderfully!  She won't admit it, but to me she is a total gourmet!  And apparently Eden is close behind her with her very own apron and all!

This is Aaron in their backyard with his two girls (and chickens!).  He was such a good sport.  He volunteered to sleep on the couch so that Carolyn and I could have more time together and share the bedroom!  He was really wonderful. Thank you Aaron...you really stepped up to help with the girls all weekend (day and night)!

One day I took Ava for a little walk and she wore this cute hat!  She had all her clothes on during the walk but the hat was so extra cute on her we decided it needed a repeat session!

Thank you Carolyn and Aaron for having me and being such wonderful family!  The countdown has begun until we get to see you again at Christmas!

Another cute one...

Ok...all day long I have tried to upload this second video I took of Taj and it just won't work!  I gave up and just loaded it onto youtube and you can just click this and watch it here.  Believe me it will be worth it...well...worth it if you are entertained by watching a 15 month old stumble around and make cute facial expressions. :)  So basically if you are related to him or a mom or just like cute little kids...for you folks totally worth it.  Click the link already!

Just a really happy kid

I got a little video footage of Taj this morning.  This is just a taste of the happy, busy, CUTE kid that I get to play with every morning.  As you can see there are toys strewn throughout the house and we just roam around in our PJ's and play  most mornings and I wouldn't give it up for the world! p.s. if you listen closely at the very end he actually says "bye" or at least the closest thing I have ever heard to it. 

Our Halloween!

So here are the pictures you have all been waiting for!  We have had so much happening lately I am a tad behind on my blogging!  So we took Taj trick or treating (3 houses!) and it went pretty well.  He only found one person home but he still caught on pretty fast and looked VERY cute in that outfit! So Taj was a monkey....correction...cutest monkey ever!  And Mark and I were the black eyed peas! :)  Get it? Waa waa waa! We didn't actually dress up last night but we did when we went to a VERY fun Halloween party at our  friends Marianne and Clint's house!  She has a lot of cute pictures from that on her blog.

She has already blogged a bunch of other cute stuff so you will need to scroll down to the grown up Halloween Party!