Been Too Long...

Austin played the role of Gaston (Beauty and the Beast) this year in his play. He nailed it and did awesome!!! Loved watching him shine both nights!!! 

Katelee graduated with her Associates Degree (paralegal) and is currently working as a legal secretary! Lakin graduated too (and gets married in October!). 

Logan is playing his second year of football!!! He is getting so big! Can't believe our "baby" will be double digits this year!!! 

Austin and Molly went to their 8th Grade Dance together (just friends)! She is sweet, and they both clean up really well!!! I can't believe they will be in HIGH SCHOOL in less than a month! Sniff, sniff!!!  

Brantlee just got her first job as a SKATING car hop at Sonic!!! Beautiful girl who I love like my own! 

Love these three monkeys too!!! This is the first time I have posted since Thomas has been born! 

Bree went to Doggie Heaven on June 4. It was a tough tough thing to go through. She was such a good dog for SIXTEEN years!!! 

And, last but not least (for now)...I moved from the classroom to being an administrator! I absolutely LOVE it!!! Certainly a very BUSY position, but it's a move I am happy to have made. I LOVE my new school (Forts Pond), AND all the people there make it feel like a 2nd home/family!!! This picture is from the Leader in Me Symposium, and what had to have been one of the most powerful stories/speakers I have EVER heard!!! Their story aired on ESPN!   

The Pool is Open (for Polar Bears)

The water temperature is still 69 degrees, and the outside temperature is about 80...but that didn't stop the boys!!! They ended up swimming for about an hour, and even then I made them get out because Logan's lips were shivering (though he "wasn't cold!")! They must have skin like a polar bear! 

Spring Break Fun

I am SO glad we live nearby some local farms and that one of them is a strawberry farm! The harvest time always falls with our Spring Break! Logan eats as many as we bring home! This is always a family favorite!!!! Sweet, juicy, and delicious! 

Me and my two favorite little guys... 

An earlier trip to Hi Wire (an indoor trampoline park) with friends was a fun way to spend a rainy day!!! 

ICE Storm "Pax"

Twice in the same year...heck, the same MONTH!!!! Ice Storm "Pax" started around 8pm on Tuesday night and continued to dump sleet and freezing rain throughout the entire day on Wednesday...with a small amount of snow mixed in Thursday morning. We had a least 3 inches of accumulated ICE (everything looked beautiful!!!! I have lots of pictures, but I can't get them to post right now for some reason). We have been out of school Wed.-Fri. for this. FOUR "snow" days total for us to make up from the same month...WOW!!! The roads were covered and NOT in condition to be driven on...so, luckily I stocked up on groceries Monday afternoon. I am in the minority for SC for LOVING being "stuck" at home with my boys (Roger got to come home early on Wednesday and he got to stay home yesterday...and Michelin NEVER lets them stay home for weather!!!)!!! LOTS of good family time!!! LOTS of sledding (on boogie boards and cookie sheets...haha)...Lots of yummy food was made/eaten, games played, movies watched, house cleaned and laundry caught up on...the roads are finally cleared up this afternoon (still some ice/slush on the yards), and since it's Valentine's Day me and the boys might venture out for some Sweet Frog (frozen yogurt) in a little bit, but looking forward to the weekend and some MORE time off with my boys!!! We'll have plenty of sunny, HOT days ahead to enjoy the pool, but we'll take EVERY snow day we can get in this house (Farmer's Almanac says we should get more between Feb. 21-16....can we make it three times in the same month?????)....time will tell!

Snow #1 in 2014

We got out of school at 11am because this was white stuff was predicted to come! Though it was sleeting at dismissal, the snow didn't start falling until around 8:30 that night (which made for a LONG day of excited boys asking and checking when it was going to start). We had ONE day out of school for this round of snow (and a late start the day after...it just didn' t feel right to go to school when there was still SO much snow on the ground, and my boys were so very sad! Austin was begging me to get a sub so we could stay home and play in it again! )! We had about 2 inches of POWDERY snow (not even packable for a snowman)! We were in and out ALL day (starting at 7:30am). Roger was at work (though he wouldn't have played out in it if he were home...that's what growing up in WV will do to ya), but the three of us had a blast!!!! It's been 3 years since we got any snow...so we enjoyed it while we could!!! (You can see Logan learned that getting snow inside your cloths can BURN and and not feel too good).

New Years

We rang in the New Year at home (as always), and this year we had a few visitors to help us celebrate! Uncle Mike, Kathy & George, & Haylee and the girls (plus Lily)...we had a blast!!!

Logan's 8th B-day

Where is the time going??? Can't believe our "baby" is 8 (pretty sure I say this every year and just change the number)!!!

I LOVE his... spunky personality, genuine heart, sweet spirit, cuddles when he's tired, desire to be great (at everything), random telling of "I love you!" complete with hugs, giggle-ful self!!! Some Logan Milestones for this year.... he's in the 2nd grade and already reading on a mid-3rd grade reading level, he qualified for EAGLES (our gifted and talented program), he has lost 8 teeth (the last of which he swallowed....funny story there), he cannot wait to play football like his big brother in the Fall, is geared up and ready for this soccer season to start next week, LOVES (putting it mildly) Minecraft/Skylanders/anything technology! He can eat more than me- though I don't know where he puts it (and would chose to go to a Brazilian Steakhouse over a vacation if we'd let him). Anyone know how to freeze time and keep them little???

Christmas

Love these two!!! Christmas Eve tradition of opening ONE gift (always pajamas), and then being wonderful and letting mom capture these moments!

Can you tell Logan is excited to get Infinity??? He had been asking for it! Thank you, Santa!

Austin really wanted a compound bow! Santa delivered! This boy is strong because Momma can hardly pull the string back! He loves shooting it!!!

A shot of the four Taylor grandkids (I have one of the Gardner side too, but I think it's on my camera). I will have to post it later!

Me & (my) Grandmother...she gave me a replica of one that hangs in National Art Gallery in Washington, DC! She said she always remember my love for books, teaching, and learning...she's so thoughtful! Love her! The picture below is with her and Jim (REALLY glad the two of them are so happy) with both our boys! What a great Christmas season!

Thanksgiving at OUR House

This year we didn't follow our tradition of going to Kathy & George's for Thanksgiving. Since Zack and Lauren have moved to the Upstate, the rest of the Taylor gang went to their new house for Thanksgiving. Though we missed everyone, my idea of a holiday is not being spent in a car for hours... Thanksgiving should have plenty of time to eat, watch football, lounge, browse through the Black Friday ads, oh...and EAT again!!! So, I decided to go all out and cook Thanksgiving dinner here! The only thing I was even a little nervous about cooking was the turkey (never cooked a whole turkey before). Let me just throw this out there...WHY do they feel the need to stick a bag of guts along with the turkey neck bone inside the turkey for you to have to pull out...ICK!!! I would pay more to buy a turkey without that "extra" feature! I must say, it turned out FABULOUS! Thank goodness I learned (from watching both my Momma and Kathy) that turkeys ALWAYS take longer than what they tell you it will take. So, I started mine early in the morning, and dinner was ready at the time I actually said it would be...first Thanksgiving dinner here, and we did NOT have to eat later than expected...ACCOMPLISHMENT, I'd say so! We were joined by Uncle Mike, Haylee and the girls, Katelee (and her roommate, Katie), and my brother Zach (my mom and dad were working, and we sent yummy plates for them)! I count my blessings Everyday... I LOVE my family!

Logan's 2nd Grade Teacher/Class

SO glad Logan's 2nd Grade Classroom is literally across from me! Mrs.Addy's classroom door and mine open to each other! He is absolutely loving being in her class! Of course, he already knew all the 2nd grade teachers since I have been teaching with all of them...but, he has found his groove here! I will have to post pictures of his most recent projects when I take pics if them! He worked hard on his Columbus boat with Roger, and he made his moldy pumpkin- yes, you read that right... only MY child would do that- completely by himself! 💚 this boy!!!

Here is a class picture from their first day! 

2nd Grade & 7th Grade

The first day of school was a success again! I really can't believe Austin is in 7th grade (and on the middle school football team!!!), and Logan is in 2nd grade (right across the hallway from me! Both our boys had good things to say about today! We were all home and in our pjs before 7:30! Ready for another awesome day!!! ;) 

Paddle Boarding at The Last Resort

The place on the lake where mom works in the summer now has paddle boarding on the weekends! We took the kids to try it out one Saturday in June! They had a blast!!!

    Caralee & Logan sitting on the dock!

    Austin and Logan out on the boards

Rogers's Birthday at Cowboys

     The three biggest loves of my life!!!! 

Logan is a HUGE fan of Brazillian Steakhouses (thanks Clint)! I do not how this boy eats as much as he does! I assure you he ate WAY more than I did! 

Austin likes coming to them too! He stalks the carvers for the grilled cinnamon pineapple, and he had QUITE the hookup this night! ;) 

We all had a great night at dinner after paddle boarding and swimming! LOVE this guy to pieces!!!! Hope we are blessed to celebrate MANY more birthdays together! 

"New" Kitchen

FINALLY (after almost 9 years in the house) we have a room with some color in the walls! When we had first moved in we had just totally redone the entire condo and didn't even want to touch a paint brush. Then, we had a toddler and a new baby soon after (gasp...both of which are no where near babies anymore! Tear!) so there was NO need to paint until they had all their finger print/wall writing out of their system. And, then, I went BACK to school for the third time and there was no time to paint between the countless papers/case studies to write... So, when I say FINALLY know its with some excitement bc it was much overdue! 

I have a feeling this will only make me want to continue with a few other rooms, but since summer is almost over (sadly) they may have to wait! 

4th of July

Here are the "Potter" cousins closest in age around Logan... Karlin & Hogan

A shot of most of the cousins that were there today (and swimming)! 

Logan loved being thrown by Morgan and Nolan! ;) 

Me and Kate for the "4th" party we had with Roger's Michelin group! Always fun!

Some of the yummy food we had (Austin helped get lots of it ready this year!)! 

Always a good time celebrating an hanging out with family and friends! One if the many reasons I LOVE summers! 

King Tut in SC!

Austin loved learning about all the Egyptian "stuff" (I am falling back on a word I tell my own students to change) this year with Mrs. Brown so we HAD to visit the SC State Museum when this exhibit came through! Both the boys love going to the museum anyway (especially all the hands on parts!)! When the rain keeps us from enjoying the pool, we have to find other ways to enjoy the summer! 

Logan didn't care for the replicas of all the tombs/artifacts/mummy...he was kind of creeped out and just wanted to get out if the exhibit, but Austin enjoyed it! 

Early birthday presents... Who says Apples are just for teachers!?!

Austin's birthday is really just around the corner, and I can't believe he will be 12!!! After some recommendations and gentle nudges from his pediatrician (since he will be playing football and he is at a different school, etc....really thought we would get praised for not have caving in sooner...not!), we surprised Austin with his iPhone last weekend! He thought we were walking into the haircut place (and was fussing because he would prefer his hair to be kept longer than I like it) until his dad turned a little towards the Verizon store and said " Are you sure you don't want to go in?" I think Austin about had a wart attack right there in the Parkin lot AND about 100 more inside the store! Needless to say, we may have pulled ahead of Santa with this one! 

Later that same night, we took an unsuspecting Logan to get his b-day present too! Yes, his birthday is no where near now, but most of you know we typically let Logan partially celebrate his b-day around his half birthday (since his actual birthday is on Christmas Day...like mine!!!)! Logan was surprised with Apple TV for his room, and he is in heaven! Now his tv connects to Internet (so, he can watch Netflix, you tube, and even air stream the iPad games right across his tv screen!)... It is pretty neat! In fact, Austin can now be found in Logan's room more than his own! Lol! 

Happy in the store AND at home!