Let It Snow, Let It Snow

So as my dad puts it, in Michigan when it snows they say "Oh *&%#" in Washington we say "Oh yeah". We got about 6-8 inches of snow yesterday (which is pretty unheard of here) and people got a little crazy (ok, maybe us included). Here's some pics from all of the fun....

It was loads of fun. The weather also put a bit of a crimp in my mom and dad's day of travel to get here. They flew from Detroit to Baltimore to Chicago to Seattle. And then their luggage got lost on top of it all. But they are here safe and sound and enjoying the snow as well...

Did I mention our power went out from about 10pm to 3am last night? We've heard horror stories that during outages, power doesn't get restored here on the island for days. So we are very fortunate to have our electricity back.

Well got to run for now. We still have decorating to do and a Christmas menu to plan.

A Rude Awakening

We returned from Hawaii this week only to find ourselves in the now-frozen tundra of Washington. Ahhhhh....only a few days ago we were basking in the sunny 80 degree weather. Now it's in the 20's with snow- yes snow. The grocery store was packed with people buying supplies for the "Big Storm". Schools were closed, Matthew's swimming classes were cancelled, lots of people stayed home from work. Did I mention that we only got 1-2 inches? As a former Michigander I found this really quite humorous. But things are different here than in Michigan- no plows or salt trucks. So I guess it is a big deal. We've definately got the boy ready for the weather though....

Anyhow, Maui was fantastic. A great rest and recharge for all of us. Although traveling with an 18 month old is a bit busy. We did a lot more take-out than we're used to on vacation. But Matthew couldn't have been happier. He went swimming at least once a day and got to chase the waves on the shore. We didn't let him get into the ocean because the seas were really rough. It didn't matter to him though, as long as he got to go in the pool, he was happy.

We went to a luau one night and he was totally hypnotized by it all. It was really fun to watch the amazement in his eyes. He loved the dancers, especially the Tahitian ladies.

He also got to practice a little hula before the big show...

Our last day before we left there was a big storm with lots of rain and wind. With the rain, the red soil from the mountains washed into the ocean so the water was stripped with blue, green and red. It was really a neat thing to see. Oahu had the most rain and set records previously from 1970's. It was really pretty the night before as the storm rolled in (not sure if you can make out the rainbow in the pic).

It was a great trip and we really enjoyed the time together and getting a chance to chill a little bit.

Now we're just preparing for Christmas since I had absolutely nothing done before we left. We are looking forward to celebrating with friends and family. Four of the six of Matthew's grandparents will be visiting in the next few weeks. As well as Scott's friend Joe and his wife Anne. We can't wait for all of the festivites and fun.

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)!!

Aloha!!

Stay tuned for the adventures of the Taylors in Hawaii....

Bob Marley Breakfast

Well Matthew's latest obsession is music. And the boy loves to dance. He listens to Bob Marley every morning while having breakfast. He will dance in his high chair as he's eating, but the funny part is that he dances for about the first 30 seconds of each song. It's almost like he forgets that the music is on until a new song comes on. It's really quite humorous. He continues to be a constant source of entertainment.

We made a trip to the Point Defiance Zoo while Scott was off this past week. I really love these two following pics. I think they really captured the expression of amazement on his face as he was checking out all the animals.

He also like all of the peacocks that were wandering around as well...

Sorry for such a short post, but we would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with many blessings including family, friends, food and fun.

Love,
Scott, Cheryl and Matthew

Visit to Virginia (a little late)

Sorry that this post is so late this week. We just got back from Virginia on Monday and now we've got a little catching up to do. Our trip was a lot of fun. We flew into Richmond Thursday and spent Friday afternoon at Maymont Park letting Matthew play in the leaves.




That night we had dinner at Scott and Kimberly Mayer's home and got to catch up with some friends. It was lots of fun with nine crazy kids running around. I think the quote of the night was when someone said that "We've come a long way from the fraternity house".

Then it was off to Reedville on Saturday. We arrived the day of the big oyster roast at the Fisherman's Museum, so Nana and Grandad were a little busy, but we had some great food and Matthew enjoyed hanging out on the pier and checking out the boats. He also got to meet his Aunt Lynn for the first time.

On Sunday, we got to do all kinds of fun things like ride in the golf cart, go for a boat ride and play with all kinds of toys. Matthew initially decided that he wanted to drive the boat, but after we all insisted, he let Grandad drive and he put on a life jacket (note the change in expression).

Hopefully Matthew didn't wear out Nana and Grandad too much. Although I think that they're still looking for the box to the dominoes.

On Monday it was off to Williamsburg to wander around and visit Scott's friend Foubert, his wife, Susan, and their new little one Meg. Matthew had a great time running up and down DOG street.

All the New Things That I Can Do

I like to color....

"These are my teeth"

I like to eat soup...

And I really like using mommy's spoon sometimes...

And I still have a great smile...

Happy Halloween!!

Here's our Great Pumpkin....

We had a fabulous time "Trick or Treating" in downtown Gig Harbor with Matthew tonight (thank you Lynn Oullette for covering for daddy). Matthew could care less about the candy but was totally entranced with all of the kids in costume. I'm thinking next year will be very different, so mom and dad better get in on the candy now while we can.

Smiley Boy

I swear that this boy gets cuter and cuter every day. And he's turning into quite the comedian.
I just got back from a conference in San Diego and although it was nice to get away, rest, and see my friend Kim, I missed the boys terribly. Scott did a great job as a single parent for five days. I think that he and Matthew both enjoyed some one-on-one boy time together.
There's not much new to report for the Taylor family this week. Scott returns to work tomorrow, but one of his colleagues was kind enough to offer to work Halloween for him this year. So we will go join the celebration in downtown Gig Harbor on Friday. Matthew is going to be a pumpkin this year. Stay tuned for pics of the round, bumpy pumpkin boy. In the meantime, I thought that I'd share these...

"I found my pockets"

What a crack up!

"I just love pasta"

Also I just wanted to say congratulations to my friends Joy and Daryle and their daughter Jada, as the welcomed little Mason this past weekend. May you have more restful than non-restful nights in your future. Congratulations and love, Scott, Cheryl and Matthew!!

Visit to Michigan

Well the Taylor Crew has returned from Michigan. And even though we were only there for 3-4 days and have been home for a day and a half now, I still feel jet lagged. We arrived back home yesterday about 11am, but I swear it felt like 6pm. It probably had something to do with the cold I've picked up somewhere along the way. Anyhow, we had a great visit as you will see below.
We arrived late Friday night and spent Saturday morning with my mom and dad at the apple orchard. Matthew had a lot of fun visiting the animals and checking out all the pumpkins (he seems to have a pumpkin fetish these days). Here's a cute pic of him with grandpa...

We then met my friend, Joy, for lunch. She's due any day now with kiddo #2. Her daughter, Jada, and Matthew had a fun time running around outside after lunch. Then it was off to the city for the Big Daddies to register for the Detroit half-marathon that they were all going to walk the next day. It is quite an event. Scott and I ran the full marathon back in 2006. It's a great course that takes you over the Ambassador Bridge and back via the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. After registration, we had dinner and the boys did some major carbo-loading on Italian food. Then it was up bright and early the next day for the race.

Having a little pre-race breakfast

Coming out of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel

The boys did great and place anywhere from 2nd to 9th in their age divisions for the non-competitive walk. Fantastic for first-timers!!!

That afternoon we were suppose to go out to dinner with my parents for an early birthday celebration. However, little did I know that my mother and husband were up to no good and had a surprise birthday party for me at my parents house.

Surprise!!!

It was a lot of fun and I was grateful to see everyone since our time in Michigan was so short. Thanks mom and Scott. But don't worry...you'll get yours someday (he,he,he).

My friend Pam and I

Some of the CTK clan

Matthew and Jada