Family Vacation

The words family vacation may in fact be scary for some people. The thought of spending numerous days with your family in a remote place together may cause some people anxiety. When my mother decided she wanted our entire family to go on a vacation together I slightly anxious about it but ended up having a great time.



My mom decided she wanted us to have the opportunity to learn more about our Taylor family heritage. Her parents, my Taylor grandparents passed away years ago. I believe I was 8 when my grandpa passed away and still in high school when my grandmother died. If my grandpa were still alive he would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. He was such an amazing man. He served his God, his country and his community only because he wanted to be a good man. Several stories were told of his devotion, loyalty and love for those he served. I hope that his legacy lives on. My sister Colette's post titled The Legacy explains why my grandpa Taylor was such an amazing man.





We spent a short time at fish lake close to where my grandparents lived, we stopped in the town where they used to live and spent time at Capitol Reef national park and Goblin Valley. For many years of his life my grandpa managed cattle in the desert. The registered brand of my grandpa was the box bar brand. All of us wore t-shirts with my grandpa's brand..box bar. It was the catalyst of creating some really great memories.






I love my mom very much for making all of us go on a family vacation. We all grew closer together and gained a greater understanding of our heritage.

GGGGOOAAALLLLL!

My sister, Monica and her husband have had season tickets to the Salt Lake REAL soccer team for years. I have had season tickets for a couple of years but not every year like Monica and her family. This year the REAL had a great package deal on their tickets and through Monica and Scott I was able to get tickets for the season again.

My friend Heidi is a very avid soccer fan as well and has been gracious enough to come with me to more than one of the games. She is even die hard enough to sit through them with me in the rain. Of course for true soccer fans it doesn't matter the weather or the sacrifice you're just there to see the game. It has been a really great season and I am sooo happy I was able to get the tickets again!! Go REAL, see you at the playoffs baby!!

Celebration Baskets

I started making what I call celebration baskets this year. The basket in the picture was for my friend Brianna's birthday. I made homemade granola, caramel puff corn, white chocolate covered pretzels and bittersweet chocolate brownie cookies for her basket. It has been a great project for me and I love brainstorming and making the goodies to put in the baskets. I've actually thought of starting my own celebration basket company someday. Who knows what the future holds.... but don't be alarmed if I become famous someday! (Hahaha!)

A Little of This... A Little of That

I have been slowly updating, remodeling and changing my house. I have lived here now for three years. That seems absolutely crazy to me. I recently made the decision to pull the carpet out of my living room and have the original hard wood floors restored. I should have done it long before. I love, love, love the refinished wood floors. They are so nice and so much easier to keep clean. I just have to find a way to keep Charlie from slobbering all over them. (I don't think that is going to happen any time soon...)

Special Delivery!!

I got a new baby nephew this summer. Sweet little Seth (Setharoni) was born in August. He is the fifth little person to be added to the lives of Austin and Alysha. And the 14th of the nieces and nephews I have. He is so little and so cute and such a good boy! I can't even wait for him to grow up so I can become his favorite Aunt like I am for all the others!! Haha! Congrats to Austin and Alysha for a very handsome little boy!

Elephant Rock

Looking west to the Great Salt Lake


The Trail

A few weeks after I got Charlie, he and I hiked to Elephant Rock. It's a little hike here in Bountiful up the canyon to a rock that looks like an elephant (only a little bit like an elephant in my opinion). It is about 6 miles round trip. We started a little late so by the time we got to the top of the trail the sun was going done. I hadn't planned for the dark. So, Charlie and I started to run. We ran most of the way down but then it got to dark for me to see so we had to walk. I kept trying to use my phone as a flash light but it didn't work to well. We did however make it down safely and both had a great time. Charlie met several other dogs on the trail. He loved his life that day. It was good times. Next time I'll pack a flash light :)

It's What Fun Is

I bought myself a season pass to Lagoon this year. Yep, I sure did. It was actually lots of fun. I spent several Saturday's at Lagoon A Beach in the lazy river and I don't even feel guilty about it. Heidi had a work party at Lagoon at the first of the summer so I joined Dustin, Heidi and Kelli for a night of a few rides. I think I actually only ended up riding 4 rides but it was tons of fun. Although I am not a kid anymore I still love a good ride!!

Iron Chef ?.. Perhaps just Pampered Chef

I hosted a Pampered Chef party this summer. It was actually quite fun. We made some really chicken sliders and homemade salsa. You can see Brianna and Janeal getting in on the action. It was fun to make great food, chat and buy some great kitchen tools.

Sleepover Parties

I was lucky enough to be the host of a few niece and nephew sleep overs this summer. The ironic thing was that they happened one day after the other. Ethan, Savanah and Vanessa came to stay with me on a Thursday night. We ate at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. We took Charlie for a walk to the park and then made Smore's in my backyard! Yum!!



The following night Gracie, Jared and Miya came to sleepover. We ordered Pizza Hut pizza and had a Hershey's chocolate pizza for dessert. Yum, again!! We went to the park by the bountiful Rec Plex and played for a while. On Saturday morning the kids came to Charlie's obedience class with me. They were great to help out the dog trainer train the dogs and held her dog, Bowser for her while we were in class. Both nights were lots of fun. I have the best nieces and nephews in the world!!

My 31st BiRThDaY

I turned 31 years old on July 13th. I can't believe how the years start to fly by when you get older. I had one of the best days ever of course. Because my bday was on a Tuesday and I had to work I spent the Saturday before at the Spa. I had a 90 minute fire and ice massage and a 60 minute facial. Both were divine and I felt like a celebrate when I walked out the door.

When I went to the counter to pay they said that Rhianna had called and prepaid for my facial. I wasn't sure what that meant because I do not know Rhianna. What they meant was Brianna had called and prepaid for my facial. That was such a great surprise. Thanks to Bri for knowing what I love and for making me feel special.

On Sunday the family had a birthday dinner for me which consisted of a Nacho Bar, homemade rootbeer and my Mom's made from scratch chocolate cake. It was delicious. To celebrate the day at work we went for a popcorn lunch which means we went to see a movie and grab some Sushi. It was way yum and super fun! Dinner the night of my birthday was at Arella Pizzeria in Bountiful. Close friends and people that are important in my life were there.



Sweet Kelli made me the most amazing chocolate birthday cake with reese's peanut butter cups crushed on the top. Of course it was amazing. It was such a great birthday. I am so happy for all that I have in my life. Although it is passing by quickly it truly does just keep getting better and better.

Charlie....

I adopted a 3 year old boxer dog from the animal shelter a few months ago. His name is Charlie. He is the best dog ever!!! He was found on the side of the freeway by the highway patrol. The shelter staff was unable to tell how long he had been on his own. When he went for his neuter the vet found that he had low liver function which he said was probably from eating garbage. He had a cough when I first got him and was scared of nearly everything. But, he has adjusted well and now is my new best friend.



He loves to follow me around the house wherever I go. He fell asleep on the floor on this stack of dirty laundry. I like to think it's because it had my scent! Haa! When I come home from work and let him out of his kennel he wiggles his entire body and turns in circles. He paws at my feet until he feels he has had enough love. I've only heard him bark a handful of times. As of late it is when he thinks someone is coming into the house, like the guy who mows our lawn. He likes to protect his territory and I am happy he gets possessive.



Charlie has come to work with me a couple of times just because I don't like leaving him home alone day after day. Even while we are in the office he follows me everywhere. This is a picture of him climbing through my desk to keep himself entertained. He is the best!!

The Race for The Cure

The Race for the Cure was on May 8th this year. My sister Colette and my sister in law Kim came down to participate with me this year. We had a sleepover at my house the night before. Did a last minute shopping trip to Target and grabbed some ice cream. I had talked with Colette and Kim about the race's I had done before. The Race for the Cure is my most favorite race I have ever done. Ever year I ended up running with tears regardless of how hard I try to stay composed. My family kind of made fun of me for saying the race always made me emotional. Colette, Kim and I were walking to the starting line and I looked over a both of them. I was stunned to see they were both trying to hold back the tears and were becoming emotional before the race even began. It was really cool. I'm happy they made it done and had a good experience. Hopefully it can become a tradition for the rest of our lives. To all of those who suffer, or know someone who has suffered from the awful breast cancer disease. The race is for you and you will always be in my prayers.





Colette and Kim both ran for people they new personally in their lives who had been plagued by breast cancer. I love to see people show they care.