At Capacity

Weston's Words

2011-05-13T22:15:00.001-04:00

Here is a quick update on the Weston Lexicon:

heh-ga-ga = helicoptor
hairbane = airplane
bish druk = big truck
doo beck = scoot back
no dutch = don't touch
ah hoed it = I'll hold it

Button Pushers

2011-05-09T13:58:00.005-04:00

As the kids grow we notice how they increasingly take after us. One aspect that is particularly apparent is that Weston and Britta are button pushers, like their father. Literal button pushers. Weston loves to press any and all buttons on my computer keyboard whenever he can get his hands on them. Britta is always "borrowing" my cell phone and our digital camera. Recently I downloaded pictures from our camera (after changing the dead batteries, of course) to find an interesting documentary of the kids' lives. While there are endless blurry headshots of each of the kids, the following pictures were the most interesting to me.

Below is evidence that one of the kids was sneaking drinks to Weston after bedtime. This is strictly forbidden as he is still working on making it through the night without accidents.

This next picture makes me wonder what it was that was in the cup....

Next, Britta documented the progress of her adult teeth replacing her baby teeth.

And finally, Britta captures Weston during a major railroad construction project. While clothing is optional, hard hats are required on the job site.

Easter at the Taylor's House

2011-05-09T13:50:00.003-04:00

This year we made an extra effort early in the month to set the focus of Easter on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We held family home evenings on the Atonment, and posted pictures of Christ on the walls. We really thought we were getting through to the kids until we asked Avery to say one of the closing prayers. She thanked God for the Saviour and the Atonement ... and then promptly moved on to the easter bunny and the candy.

We got the kids together for a couple of pictures too:

Each of the girls wearing dresses in colors that suit them (ask Stephanie). Each was excited to receive a new dress for the occasion.

Weston didnt' stay in one spot for too long, so this is the one picture we got of all four kids. Weston wanted to see the pictures captured by the camera.

Can the World End Twice in Three Months?

2011-02-22T19:40:00.006-05:00

The winter of '09/'10 will long live in our memories as the winter the world ended twice. News coverage ominously dubbed the first blizzard Snowmageddon, and the second blizzard Snowpocolypse. That's right. Not one, but two blizzards. The first blizzard hit in December the week before Christmas, creating a Thomas Kincade-esque Christmas. Mornings, afternoons, and evenings filled with playing in the snow, drinking hot chocolate, shoveling snow for neighbors, Christmas music, snow ball fights, etc. etc. etc. The second blizzard hit in February while Ben was out of town, and we were house bound for two long weeks, creating more of a "One Flew over a Cuckoo's Nest" imagery. Everyone survived. Barely. Below are a couple of pics of the blizzards.
Avery liked to spend her outside time eating the snow. Don't worry. She knew to avoid the yellow snow.

Cars were stuck in the parking lot for several days. One of the benefits of Snowmageddon and Snowpocolypse was a coming together of neighbors to help shovel each other out.

Our neighbors built a snow slide and the kids slid down it like penguins.

Britta Turns Seven!

2011-02-22T19:34:00.002-05:00

Britta is loving, energetic, tender, smart, creative, athletic, strong, sensitive, generous, and a peacemaker. She has brought so much joy to our lives in her short seven years. We love you, Britta B!

Best Buddies

2011-02-22T18:56:00.002-05:00

The highlight of Weston's Christmas morning was opening Buzz Lightyear and Woody. They were inseparable all morning and for many days after. He has loosened his death grip on them now and actually plays with other toys, but they are still his definite favorites.

Winter Fun

2011-02-22T18:49:00.004-05:00

Ben helped the girls build the rebel base on the ice planet Hoth. That's Star Wars for those of you not in the Star Wars know. The fort lasted for three days until the sun, I mean the galactic army destroyed it. The topmost picture shows Eden and Britta in a light saber duel.

Weston

2010-11-11T16:40:00.019-05:00

When Weston joined our family on October 3, 2008, I realized I no longer would be alone to face the tidal wave of pink, barbies, curling irons, and everything else girls like. I now had a "little man" to experience it all with me. To celebrate Weston as a part of our family, I put together this short history in pictures. Hope you enjoy.

This is Weston at 10 months old. This was about the time he decided he was old enough to sleep through the night. I think he wanted to make sure he had plenty of food reserves, just in case it was a REALLY long time until breakfast. He has always been smiley.

Weston was always a healthy baby. For several months he displayed his man boobs (or as we often call them, "moobs") without reservation or hesitation.

The girls simply adore Weston. Here Britta and Avery subject themselves to his magnanimous rule. "Oh wise and powerful Sultan! How may we serve you?" (Aladdin reference).

At 9 months Weston had 6 teeth and had a huge appetite for baby food. This boy is ready for a growth spurt!

8 teeth by 11 months old. He can't wait for the meat!

12 teeth had appeared just after his 1st birthday. Again, always smiling!

If it wasn't apparent before, it was obvious by 13 months. Weston has a fixation with food (as do most babies). Someone (girls!) gave Weston a stick of butter one day. He proceded to slather it on. Butterball anyone?

For his second Christmas, Weston's favorite present for much of the day was the sucker Santa left for him in his stocking.

Once the sucker was gone, he replaced it with the broom Grandma Anderson got him for Christmas. Aside from food, Weston's next favorite thing is cleaning. Weston loves sweeping and vacuuming.

At 18 months old, it was clear that Weston's blond hair and blue eyes were here to stay. Stephanie and Ben have siblings with similar coloring, but it was still a surprise to have such a fair child with our darker hair and eye colors.

When asleep, Weston can often be observed to have his hands behind his head. Very relaxed and chill.

I love his many faces. The summer of 2010 he went through a "gritty" phase.

At the end of August 2010, we took the kids to the Chesapeake Bay. This was Weston's first experience with open water. Hesitant at first, he didn't want to get his feet wet. By the end of the afternoon, he was walking fearlessly into the small waves and laughing at how they pulled at his legs.

"Eat it or wear it" in the words of Judy Blume's character Fudge. If you can't fit it all in your mouth, you might as well roll in it. This is powdered sugar, and I don't know who left it on the table for him.

During September of 2010, our family discovered/rediscovered the goodness of Nutella! Weston was an enthusiastic participant in this effort.

For Weston's 2nd birthday, we encouraged his natural curiosity with several small presents. Perhaps his favorite gift to date was the DVD of the Disney Pixar movie Cars. He still regularly (i.e. multiple times a day) asks to watch it.

Weston is a sweet boy. Sweet when he's awake, sweet when asleep, and sweet (sometimes) when he's in between. This was just after a nap and was being very sweet and cuddly.

I've been known to set aside my pride and dignity when it comes to my kids. This year for Halloween I made costumes for Weston and I. Any guesses? (Nope, I'm not Tigger). Calvin and Hobbes!

Since Weston joined our family, there has been a corresponding increase in the amount of cars and trains, wrestling, and roaring in the house. We're so glad he has joined us. We love you buddy!

Washington DC Temple Lights

2010-11-10T14:27:00.008-05:00

Some of you may call this announcement pre-mature, but the DC temple lights go on only 3 WEEKS from Friday! Temple lights go on at dusk on the evening of Friday, December 3rd. The first concert is that night at 7 pm: The Chapel Ringers from Fort Myer Memorial Chapel - Handbell Choir.

Last year, Stephanie, my younger brother Alan, and I took the kids to the temple on the 23rd of December. We enjoyed the lights, the nativity, and being close to the temple. We also caught a free handbell concert in the visitor center. I love handbell concerts at Christmas time. I think this was my second most favorite Christmas concert ever. My favorite had hand bells, a full orchestra, a choir, and "falling snow" (really a disco ball). We left that night in high spirits, deeply satisfied, and full of Christmas spirit.

If you are near DC, you should check this out. For more information on the DC temple lights and concerts, check out the website: http://dctemplelights.lds.org/

Virginia in the Early Fall

2010-11-03T21:41:00.004-04:00

The week after Weston's 2nd birthday, our family, including my brother Alan, got in the car and drove out the the Shenandoah Valley. We were in search of apples to pick and fall colors. We found a quaint family farm out past Front Royal in the Granite Hills area, and came away with a quarter bushel of apples (enough for about two weeks at our house!).

Then we headed for Shenandoah National Park's famous Skyline Drive. This scenic highway is purportedly used for filming many of the car commercials where you see a car zipping around curves with great fall foliage in the background. We drove in about 20 miles hoping to see some brilliant colors, but the changing of leaves this year really didn't peaks until a couple of weeks later (around October 25th).

We still enjoyed the scenic overlooks, the early signs of fall, and the beauty of nature. Well, most of nature. There were swarms of stink bugs in the clearings and along the highways. At one point, the girls refused to get out of the car at a scenic overlook. I had to sit with them while Stephanie and Alan got out to take pictures and enjoy the view.

At the end of the day, we found a shady hiking path with no stink bugs, and we were able to convince the kids to get out of the car. We spend a good hour exploring the trail, looking a fuzzy caterpillars, moss, mis-shapen trees, and all sorts of things. Alan took several pictures, including one of our family:

While we were probably out a little to early to see the colors we had hoped for, the weather was beautiful, and we took away several fun memories ...and a few stink bugs that hid in the cracks of our car doors...

Run away!!

The Weston Lexicon

2010-11-03T14:29:00.005-04:00

With Weston having celebrated his 2nd birthday a month ago, he is well on his way to talking. But, like any two year old, what he hears and what we hear when he speaks are two very different things. To aid those of you who may have the opportunity to converse with Weston during this phase, I have prepared a lexicon of his more frequently used words and a translation of what they mean:

"Speed!" = I want to watch Disney's "Cars"
"Nana" = I want a banana
"Bite" = I want a bite of what you're eating
"Mon" = Come on/come here
"Up!" = Hold me/Pick me up
"Wah-ee" = I want a drink (water)
"Milt" = I want some milk
"Soos" = Please put my shoes on so I can go outside
"Side" = Let's go outside
"Off" = Turn something off or on
"Bye" (while waving his hand at you) = Go away so I can get into something I'm not supposed to without you interrupting me.
"Peas" = Please
"boo-t" = Read me a book
"All dun" = Stop tickling me/I'm done eating
"Run!" = Run crazy fast while holding me in your arms
"Daifer" = Somebody please change this wet diaper!
"sil-al" = I want some cereal
"Yeah" = Yes/You finally got what I've been trying to say

Outnumbered 4 to 1: a day in the life of a "single dad"

2010-10-30T19:57:00.003-04:00

Today I am experiencing being outnumbered 4 to 1. With Stephanie out of town for a family event, I'm a 'single parent' for a couple of days. Things started out well enough on Friday - I took a short day at work and picked up the kids on time from the bus stop and the babysitters. I had picked up a surprise movie for the kids from RedBox. Dinner was hamburgers and home-made potato chips and veggies. I had also picked up caramel apples for dessert. We carved a pumpkin! And to top it off, kids were in bed by 8:30, and I was in bed by 9:30 with a clean house.

This morning, everyone was up by 6:30 am. Well rested, I put on the steel cut oatmeal that I had pre-boiled the night before. Everyone seemed to like it! After making beds and putting away pajamas, the kids did a repeat with their movie from the night before while I cleaned up after breakfast. During the movie the kids had pulled most of the cushions off the couch during the movie, and it took a bit of convincing to get them to put them back. Other than that the house had stayed pretty clean. *sigh*

Then, as I was folding laundry and doing morning chores, the kids started in with their daily routine of dismembering the game room. Determined to not lose too much ground from the day before, I gave directions for putting away toys they weren't currently using. I was met with the usual ambivalence as they tossed things aside after losing interest. hmmmm...

Giving up for the moment, I decided to head back to the kitchen. I was emptying out Avery's lunch box from the day before when I found a mostly full pack of gum and some decorative glass beads... gum and beads that didn't come from our house. Just a few days before, Avery had stolen a sucker from another friends house, and we had her take it back and apologize. I spoke to Avery about where she had gotten the gum and beads but the only answer I could get was "I don't remember". This girl knows how to withstand interrogation. I spoke with Avery about stealing and then made a mental note to stop by our friends' when we went out later to return the stolen gum and beads . Rrrrrrrrr....

The kids wanted to make pumpkin pies today as well. I thought that sounded like a nice treat, so I agreed. We made up the filling first with Avery's help. Then I spent a good half hour hunting down a pie crust recipe. The whole while I got "are we going to finish the pies?" "When are we going to make the crusts?" and "Are you going to make the crusts now?". Yes, for heaven's sake, we will make the crusts just as soon as I can find the elusive recipe and figure out how to mix the ingredients since there are no instructions on the recipe!!!

*Deep breath* As I was working with Avery to mix the pie crust ingredients, Weston had joined her on the chair without me noticing. Not being able to see what was in the mixing bowl on the counter, Weston tipped it over to see what was inside. He managed to knock over almost the entire bowl of pie filling across the range, front of the oven, the floor, and the refrigerator. GAUGHH!!!! Okay, he's 2, and didn't realize what might happen, but I was really frustrated at this point. I was starting to lose it.

I sent all the kids out of the kitchen and refused to committ to any additional activities for the day until the kitchen was clean. I spent the next 30 minutes wiping down stove heating elements, catch pans, under the stove lid, the oven door, inside the oven, under the oven, the floor, the refrigerator door, etc. In the meantime the kids started a screaming and chasing game in the house. I ignored them and let their activiy play out. I would like to say it was because I was being a laid back parent, but it was more because I needed some time to myself without having to answer question after question after question.

I managed to finish the crusts, make more pie filling and get the pies into baking while the kids played together in relative peace. While the pies were baking, I attempted to get the house picked up once more. I got the kids involved and gave them cleaning tasks. Without exception, each of ther initial responses was "I didn't make the mess." For better or worse, my response became "I didn't ask if you made the mess, I told you to clean it up." *Sigh* This wasn't going so well. Finally, house once again clean and pies out of the oven, I decided it was time to get out of the house and take care of some errands. In the thirty seconds it takes to get from our door into the car there was arguing, hitting, and attitude about seat assignments. That was it. I was done. I set in on the kids with threats of canceling trick-or-treating tonight (we had planned to go out tonight instead of Sunday). I warned them that if there was any more arguing, hitting, yelling, whining, attitude, or stealing, trick-or-treating was off. Silence. Finally, blessed silence. Everyone was suddenly on their best behavior (well, the kids were anyway).

In the car to the grocery store, Weston fell asleep. I knew this was inevitable and decided to soldier on. I pushed through the store at a pace almost daring the girls to keep up with Weston in one arm and pushing the car in another. I fended of all of the "Dad, can we get this?" with calm and rehearsed responses. We made it to the checkout line in good time, unloaded the cart, and then I realized I had left my wallet at home. I loaded everything back in the cart and parked it explaining to the cashier I would be back and to please not move our cart.

After a quick trip home, we got back to the grocery store, bought our groceries, and finished the rest of our errands. Avery did a decent job apologizing. I think for now she'll more likely not steal to avoid being forced by her parents to confess against those trespassed. We left for home with Weston still asleep in the car.

We arrived home at 5. I sent the girls to play and put Weston on the couch as he was waking up. Britta went over to Weston and rubbed his face trying to sooth him but ended up rousing him . This sent Weston into hysterical whining and crying, begging to be picked up, and finally a tantrum on the kitchen floor. All the while I am trying to put away groceries, make a new recipe (Coconut Curry with Tofu - I know, what was I thinking?), and field the questions being flung at me like a fast-pitch pitching machine. Make that two fast-pitch pitching machines. The girls finally gave up when I tried to make them take turns with the questions and went to go dismember the play room again. I warned them that they wouldn't be served dinner until the play room was clean. Weston rolled around the kitchen floor pitching and whining. At this point I realized it was a good idea to postpone trick-or-treating until tomorrow night.

Somehow I got dinner ready. I sat Weston down with his food and some water and realized he hadn't been this quiet in 30 minutes. I then payed the girls a visit and set them back to cleaning. Once it was common knowledge that dinner was ready but couldn't be eaten until the game room was clean, I was met with a chorus of excuses: "my leg is hurting", "this is going to take too long", and "I didn't make that mess". Knowing the girls needed some help, I pitched in and helped direct the effort. Finally, with the game room clean, everyone was invited to the table for dinner.

No one liked it. No real surprise, but I had hoped.... So, I made macaroni and cheese for the kids, which they ate. I never really understood why macaroni and cheese is so appetizing to kids. I'll eat it, but I don't think I've asked for it since I was 12. I pitched the idea of postponing trick-or-treating until tomorrow night in exchange for 2 pieces of candy and a movie tonight. Everyone agreed. After dinner, everyone had a slice of pumpkin pie. Avery was perhaps the most enthusiastic about it, asking for seconds.

Weston in the meantime had started chanting "Speed" for about the 5th time in two days. ("Speed" is what he calls the Disney movie "Cars"). Cars had been missing for the past two days, and Weston was going through withdrawals. I had been looking for the movie without success until I thought to check the key basket on the kitchen counter. Hallalujah, I found Cars! I put on the movie for the kids so I could have a moment to myself. I passed out two pieces candy to each girl. I felt myself start to get wound up again when I found scissors on the kitchen floor. Eden had thrown them down after opening her candy. Seriously.

The movie went well. Eden read, Avery and I played a game of Guess Who, and Weston was quiet and happy for over an hour and a half. Now, at the end of the day, I am feeling a little guilty about getting so worked up about things. I think it stems from unrealistic expectations about keeping the house clean and having cooperation from the kids. Can I just say that I am glad that today is over? I need another good nights sleep. I also need to reset my expectations. I should also say that I am seriously impressed when I come home from work and Stephanie has dinner made, the house is clean, and the kids are in bed. She seems to know quite a bit more about how to wage a successful campaign when she is outnumbered 4 to 1.

Better Late than Never? Again?

2010-09-29T01:45:00.003-04:00

I think I just need to come to terms with the fact that a whole year has come and gone without me posting-a year of holidays, blizzards with record high snow fall, vacations, birthdays, funny moments, etc unblogged, and I will probably never get caught up again. I kept putting off blogging "real time" moments because I didn't want to skip past the previous year's worth. Sigh. Never it is unless I want to never post again. So I'm starting with a clean slate, and if I have time I'll back track and hit the highlights of last year.

Family Portrait

2010-07-06T14:42:00.001-04:00

If Only We'd Known...

2009-12-29T22:13:00.005-05:00

We had no idea the monster we would create with this first seemingly innocent plate of pasta.

He broke the restraints of his highchair and set out to conquer.

No one's plate was safe from the monster we had unleashed.

Rock It Like Britta

2009-12-29T21:54:00.004-05:00

Britta had such a fun time playing fall soccer. She ran hard for the ball, scored and saved goals, and still had energy for a photo shoot:

First Day of School

2009-12-29T21:30:00.007-05:00

Avery decided she needed a book bag for "school", but instead of crayons, pencils, glue, etc., she packed fancy shoes, a doll, and jewelry. Yeah, she was set.

Britta was too excited to walk to the bus stop so she took off at a run. Eden, not one to be left behind, took off after her.

When Avery, Weston, and I finally caught up, I was able to snap this sweet picture:

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!

2009-12-29T21:19:00.002-05:00

We celebrated Eden's 7th birthday towards the end of summer. She had a big "extended family" party while in Texas, so at home we had a very low key party with Ben. We went swimming, had cake and ice cream and opened a couple of gifts. I remember the day she was born, holding her late at night just wondering who this little person was going to turn out to be. She is fun, smart, impish, beautiful, caring, and tender. She's become so much in just seven short years. I can't wait to see what the next seven will bring!

And You Were There, and You, and You...

2009-12-29T21:06:00.004-05:00

So like Dorothy I too went on a trip that I have no proof of. The kids and I went to Texas and I did a horrible job taking pictures. I don't know how I managed to not take pics of the kids with their cousins, grandparents(both sets live there!), and all the fun things we did. I brought my camera. I even made sure to replace the batteries before leaving. All I needed to do was aim and click! Seriously. I think gorillas from the zoo would've done a better job documenting our trip! I wonder if they hire out their services...

Feelin' the Familial Love in Utah

2009-12-29T20:34:00.005-05:00

Dan the Man got himself hitched this summer! Weston and I flew to Utah for the wedding and had a blast with my whole family. Had a lot of fun meeting Natalie and her family, helping with the reception, and like every Anderson get together, late night talking and junk food. Below is a picture of our almost all nighter ice cream party.

Dan and his awesome lady Natalie.

Anderson gals holdin' down our table. Moose Man was sitting with us, but we kept making him get us food and drinks. Now before you start thinking we were taking advantage of his kindness, please know we had his best interests at heart. We knew catering to our every whim with no hope of payment or reward would build character. Really, we were looking out for him.

Not Everyone was Feeling the Love

2009-12-29T16:46:00.002-05:00

The Few, the Proud,the Andersons?

2009-12-29T16:22:00.006-05:00

Nothing Separates the mice from the men like a day of riding roller coasters. Some came ready for victory. Some(Moose Man) came afraid. But all conquered. At the end of the day we walked back to the car a little taller.

New Posts Coming Soon!

2009-12-28T23:24:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been a while. Excuses? I have plenty. But let's not focus on the negative. Instead, let's embrace the positive and move forward. And by moving forward I mean let's take a look back at all the things we've done these past five? six? months. Tomorrow. 'Cause it's late, and I'm tired, and posting pictures with captions tries my patience when I'm well rested. It wouldn't be pretty right now.

Coop Gardening

2009-07-17T16:55:00.004-04:00

Our apartment has a 50 square foot patio that is bordered by evergreen shrubs and gets western exposure. The first two summers we were here we attempted to grow vegetables and berries without much success. Everything either got picked early and thrown, withered on the vine, or was ravaged by the local squirrel population. We were ready to give up on gardening when I read an article in the newspaper about an organization called Sharing Backyards. The website matches up urbanites who have gardening space and need assistance with those that are seeking gardening space and can provide assistance. There wasn't anything for our area when I checked, but talking about the concept with friends produced even better results.

One of our friends from church mentioned that they had done a garden for a couple of years but with measured success. And the kids had seemed less than enthusiastic. We talked our way into a co-op style arrangement where we would provide labor and skill and they would provide the same as well as the garden space. Over the months of February, March, and early May we worked to install a french drain, install fencing and raised beds, add improved soil and mulch, and (finally) plant the garden.

April and May were very wet which meant we didn't have to water much. But the cool weather and mostly-absent sun put everything in slow motion. After the sun re-appeared in June, the garden took off. We've already harvested some cucumbers, string beans, cilantro, and basil, and now the squash, tomatoes, and peppers are beginning to ripen!

Be Smarter than the Blog!

2009-05-26T20:11:00.003-04:00

Okay, I enjoy blogging, well, I enjoy keeping relatives and friends up to date with what our family has been up to, but to be honest, blogging is extremely frustrating for me. Take the posts below for example. I decided to finally post Britta's birthday. I had all sorts of trouble getting pics to post the way I wanted them to. Whenever I tried to enter captions they kept disappearing! I don't know where they went,but let me tell you, they went. So then I got "smart" and decided to post the pics separately, after I explained Britta's B-day. I posted the pics first, so that that entry would be underneath the explanation, but no, for some reason it kept them as the latest blog entry and so now the whole post about Britta's birthday is a little messed up. So, enjoy the pics and then the explanation about Britta's party. It'll make sense eventually.

Pics of Britta's B-day

2009-05-26T20:02:00.009-04:00

Ben made the "Willy Wonka" cake for Britta late (maybe too late) the night before.

Hope you enjoyed this trip through imagination land. Now bundle up, it's crazy January weather out there!

Better Late Than Never (Again)

2009-05-26T19:47:00.012-04:00

Come with me to the land of imagination, where ladders climb you, books read people and nothings what it seems! It is actually January 12th, and I haven't forgotten to blog about Britta's Birthday, even though I remembered to blog Avery's!

Britta had her three best friends over for a pizza party and what was supposed to be a movie night, but you get four 5 yr olds wired up on cake and pop and throw presents into the mix, and there wasn't a whole of watching going on. We eventually called a spade a spade, turned off the movie and just partied!

(For pics see the previous blog-oops!)

Deep Thoughts, by Britta and Avery

2009-05-26T19:43:00.003-04:00

Britta: "Everyone in the whole world is a girl except for the boys."

Avery: "A panda is a panda."

There you have it folks. Truer words rarely have ever been spoken. Now, take this moment to contemplate that truth, apply it to your lives, and I'm sure you'll be the better for it.

Yeti Garden Art - A Treatise

2009-05-06T22:47:00.010-04:00

[Submitted by Ben]

Today I received an email from my sister suggesting an accessory for our co-op garden.

(A little background first. Stephanie and I found another family in our ward with a yard and a desire to garden. We struck a co-op with them: we contribute labor and supplies and we split the harvest.)

This is the email I received with the subject line "Ben needs this for the new community garden" and included a link to this item:

My younger brother Alan shared his thoughts on the matter:

Haha! "If you can't afford 'class' - you can still afford to CLASH!"

I decided to comment on her suggestion as well: First impression is that it would make a pretty useful scarecrow. Second impression, does Sasquatch work out?!?! Take a look at the guy - he's seriously buff! He obviously does a lot of bench pressing, arm curls, squats, and abdominal exercises. Does he use creatine powder? Where does he get his proteins? Does he ever carb-load before lifting?

Even with as buff as sasquatch is, I sympathize with the hair loss. Maybe he should follow suit with other body builders who have hair loss and just shave his head completely. That seems to keep with the image of masculinity and current trends. But how would that look with all the long body hair? I suppose it would diminish the mystery and fascination of sasquatch to look like you are wearing a gorilla suit without the mask.

And why is he looking to the side. With feet as big as his, he should be looking in the direction he is heading if he wants to avoid an embarrassing tumble. (Believe me, walking one way and looking another is dangerous; I know from experience).

This must be an example of true art because it really has me thinking about it. So many unanswered questions! Still, I don't think art belongs in the garden. It dramatically increases the risk of tripping while walking and looking sideways.

I Woman Hear Me Roar

2009-05-06T20:45:00.004-04:00

Eden decided to get the thrill of her life and go parachuting...off her bunk bed. She really thought she was being daring so she was a little surprised that I started laughing about it and even encouraged it. Rock on Sister!

Britta decided to be a bit more daring and jumped without the parachute.

And Avery just warming up to the idea of daring, decided to jump from the bottom rung of the ladder.

Avery's Third Birthday!!

2009-05-06T20:31:00.007-04:00

Avery started her big day off in true birthday girl fashion. She got dressed in her favorite dress up dress, and upon learning that Ben had already made her cake the night before, asked for cake for breakfast. Who was I to deny the birthday girl?

Avery wanted to go the park for her birthday. I did insist that she change her outfit. She had fun playing on the equipment, but once she saw a field full of dandelions, she was ecstatic. A side note: Picking dandelions is Avery's favorite out door activity. It doesn't matter where we are, where we are trying to get, or how late we are, if she sees a dandelion, she runs for it, picks it, and does a little skip and a dance. So we spent the next half hour picking dandelions.

We had a minor set back in our partying when she fell and scraped her leg, but a special birthday picnic lunch and sucker soon put things to rights.

And of course, the day was rounded off with cake, ice cream and presents. She was a happy birthday girl indeed.

American Idol's Fifth Judge

2009-04-08T20:06:00.003-04:00

Ben and I love to watch American Idol together. It was definitely a lot more fun when Paula was on her crazy pills, but we love the music and the contestants, and Simon and Paula's ongoing love-hate relationship.

Because Eden is on Spring Break this week, we thought we'd let the girls stay up a little bit later and let them watch a few of the contestants perform. Britta, calling them as she sees them(scroll down a few posts) quickly began summarizing each performance. After Lil Rounds performance: "I think that at first she wasn't very good, but she just needed some confidence and then she got it so it was pretty good. I liked her." That's our Britta B!

Britta Putting Two and Two Together

2009-04-08T19:59:00.001-04:00

Britta is my call them as she sees them kid. Here are a couple of funny examples of her putting two and two together and, well, calling it as she saw it:

(Britta saying family prayer) "...and please bless mommy that she'll get enough sleep tonight so that she won't be grumpy in the morning..."

(Britta stuck her finger into Weston's mouth) "Ouch! Mom, he bites really hard! You better switch him to bottles quick!"

Yes, Those are Boxes on Our Kids' Heads!

2009-04-08T19:49:00.006-04:00

Kids are so funny and the games they come up with give us a laugh and keep us on our toes!

It all started because Britta chose to put her "Build A Bear" box on her head for a monster costume.

Then the other girls decided to put on the boxes and ram into each other! I don't know why kids do the things they do, but Heaven bless them all!

Odds Are...

2009-03-25T20:21:00.007-04:00

When you are the only boy in the bunch(excluding Ben-he's a man!) and you're the youngest child to boot, odds are you are going to come across a lot of girlie toys. This happened to Weston recently. Avery left her "My Little Ponies" on the the living floor, and Weston having no prejudices towards girlie things(he's not aware of cooties yet), promptly picked it up and tried stuffing it into his mouth. I of course thought it was hilarious and wanted to document the first of many times Weston would be playing with girlie toys(whether coerced or by his own free will). Ben came in, took one look at me photographing our son with a sparkly pony, made some sort of comment about me "demasculinating our son" and went to get the bin of cars. The pony was traded for a car and Weston resumed stuffing and drooling.

A side note: Ben and I felt it was important to offer a wider variety of toys to our girls to round out their personalities, you know, mix in a few cars, tools, and dinosaurs with the polly pockets and baby dolls. However, when the dinosaurs and cars were inviting each other to tea parties and balls, we gave up.

Tooth Fairy Blues

2009-03-25T19:14:00.003-04:00

I love being a mom, and I love traditions and holidays, I just wish some traditions were more compatible with the demands of motherhood, i.e. the tooth fairy. It's 7 o' clock at night, ben was out of town, Avery and Weston were sick and Eden comes running in to my room excited because she finally lost her tooth. She starts going on and on about the tooth fairy coming and what she'll leave for her. My mind begins to race trying to remember if I had any cash in my wallet, any in Ben's drawer, any change in the car-no, no, and no. I start in on the couch cushions when I begin contemplating ruining Eden's childhood and spoil the magic of the tooth fairy and tell her the cold, hard truth. Then I remember that Britta has some money in a jar in the laundry room...crisis averted.

NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER!!!!!

Eden lost her top tooth and again was extremely excited, and I thought to myself, well at least this time I know I have a dollar in my purse, whoo! So the day goes by, evening, kids in bed, I lay down to read a book and was so tired,fell asleep. Next thing I know, it's 6:45 am, and I hear Eden in tears talking to Ben while he's getting ready for work telling him the tooth fairy didn't come. SHOOT!!!!! Granted I was up a few times through out the night with Weston, and I should have remembered then, but I was only awake by the most technical sense of the word. Ben and I tried to smooth out the situation and told her we were sure the tooth fairy would come that night. All day, I kept reminding myself to put the dollar from my purse under her pillow. Well, I leave for a meeting, come home, go to my wallet to get out the dollar and it's not there!!! Oh that's right, I had to use it to donate to Eden's class for a book fair! So Ben goes to the store, 10 at night, to get her her favorite candy bar and it puts it under pillow. All is well.

Now, I know the easy and responsible solution would be keeping extra money on hand, but that would involve an extra errand to the bank or actually remembering to get cash back at the grocery store while I'm shepherding three kids past the candy section, loading grcoeries in the cart and telling Weston, "It's okay, we're almost done, hang in there buddy." Why oh why didn't the person who created the tooth fairy have a clause built in to make it easier on parents: "The tooth fairy will come within 1-3 days from the time the tooth came out."

Update on Weston

2009-03-24T18:37:00.004-04:00

Weston is 5 and half months old!! He is rolling all over the place, sitting up on his own, and loves to gnaw on our faces. Eating is his favorite hobby, followed closely by drooling and excels at both. While he's pretty satisfied with strained peas, we can tell he's looking forward to using his two new teeth to their full extent to sample the food on our plates. He laughs and growls and blows raspberries and is a ton of fun to play with.

"...and just like that, our cat days were over...."

2009-03-21T15:17:00.003-04:00

If you've seen the movie Forrest Gump then you will probably remember Forrest's transitions between phases of his life began with "and just like that" and ended with "my ______ days were over". And just like that his shrimping/army/running/etc. days were at an end. Two weeks ago, we realized our cat days were over.

Two Saturdays ago we returned our two cats Pepper and Piper to the adoption agency where we got them. Almost a year to the day that we got them, we passed the joy of pet ownership on to another cat family. We had been talking about doing this for the past six months. We'd offered to friends and neighbors. We posted on Craig's List. We'd even talked about just leaving the door open and letting them wander out 'on accident'. Fortunately/unfortunately, our consciences wouldn't let us go with the last option. So, we contacted the adoption agency where we got the pets and told them we were bringing them back.

Stephanie and I waited until the last minute to break the news to the girls. That Friday night we gathered the girls around us and informed them that in the morning we were going to take the cats back so another family could enjoy having them. We were completely unprepared for the responses we got:

"All right! I HATE it when they jump up on my bed at night!" (EDEN)
"Yeah!! No more cats!" (BRITTA)

Stephanie and I were rendered speechless. We were ready to launch into all of the reasons why it was not a good idea to keep the cats any longer only to find that the girls were already in a heavenly orbit anticipating total cat-less-ness. There was nothing more to be said.

The next morning we loaded all the cat paraphenalia and the two cats in the van and took them to the adoption agency. There were not really any questions asked. We left feeling like we'd just avoided another potentially uncomfortable discussion. We spent the rest of the day cleaning the house and vacuuming cat hair off of everything. At the end of the day, floors and counters were gleaming, and the smell of cats was completely absent.

In the two weeks since the cats have been gone, we only remember the cats fondly. No feelings of guilt or regret. I mean, come on - no more scooping the cat box!! No more watching to make sure the doors don't get left open. No more cats pawing you in your sleep. No more scratching of our couch. No more fur balls underfoot as you turn a corner. No cat food on the floor. AND we were able to reclaim the second bathroom. Truly, our cat days are over.

Normally we aren't able to walk away from our obligations this easily. So, we keep wondering when the other shoe is going to drop. So... is that it? Is it really just this easy? Based on our experience, YES!!

The Joy and Joyness of Buzz Word

2009-03-13T10:32:00.004-04:00

During our Anderson Christmas Extravaganza of '08 I fell in love with a game called "Buzz Word". Perhaps it was just the people I was with(I miss you all so much!) but it was ridiculously fun to play and compete, and I told Ben I wanted the game for my birthday. Well, wonderful man that he is, he got it for me, and now I want to share it all with you! So, each week depending on how on top of things I am (don't hold your breath) I am going to post a Buzz Word Round. For those of you who have never played: There are ten clues. The "Buzz Word" is part of the answer to the clues. For example, Buzz Word is apple. Clue #1 is " The object of my affection. Answer-Apple of my eye." Clue #2 "Lump in a man's throat. Answer-Adam's Apple." I'll post one from the easy and hard categories. Feel free to post your answer in the comments section or just enjoy the mental exercise.

Buzz Word is "First"
1. Current commemoratives issued for stamp collectors
2. The ship captain's right-hand man
3. She resides at the White House
4. On the active roster of the football team
5. Foremost in quality
6. Attention is given in the order of arrival
7. Captain Picard battles the Borg in this Star Trek movie
8. Rod Stewart's heartbroken song
9. Rambo movie
10 What comes before your surname

Buzz Word is "Not"
1. Ripley's...
2. Gone, but
3. Unequal to a rose-colored penny
4. It doesn't end until it ends
5. Rolling Stones', "Love is love..." song
6. Inequitable
7. Les valuable than a pile of garbanzos
8. Verse spoken while plucking petals
9. Waste not...
10. It isn't Armegeddon

Do You Like Things?

2009-03-10T20:38:00.002-04:00

Every once in a while I like to ask the girls a slightly off question or ones that makes them think outside the box. Their answers give a little insight to their personalities or as you'll see with Avery, insight to how their day is going. The question I asked recently was "Do you like 'things'?"

Avery: "I do not like Britta! I like mommy and daddy, and Eden, and Weston and food. But NOT BRITTA!"

Britta: "Yeah, sure." (My easy going child)

Eden: "What kinds of things?" (My very analytical child)

My Britta Bee

2009-03-10T20:22:00.003-04:00

Playing with Britta is like performing a play without a script, and yet you're expected to know your part. Britta was apparently given the script and knows how it's all supposed to work, but I just can't seem to keep up.

Example 1:

Britta: "Mom, look the pig (imaginary mind you and completely invisible)is stealing the pie! She climbed on the table and jumped up to the counter. She's running through the market!!"

Mom: "Oh,no! Someone should stop her!"

Britta: "There, I fought her and took the pie and put it on the roof."

Mom: "Well, what if she gets a ladder and takes it again?"

Britta: (looking at me as if her suspicions that mom doesn't know anything have just been confirmed) "Pigs can't climb ladders."

Example 2: (Britta is pretending to be a dog)

"Look mom, the dog is walking to the door. Look, mom the dog is going out the door. Look mom, the dog is looking around. Look mom the dog sees a bird. Look mom, the dog is barking at the bird. Look mom, the dog is chasing the bird."

Mom: "I see doggy. You went out the door and chased the bird."

Britta: (sighing to herself) No, mom, I saw the door, then I went outside, then I looked around, and THEN I saw the bird. I'll show you again."

Mom: thinking to herself that she'd better go get a notebook, pen, and advil.

Example 3:

Britta: "I have free water for sale. Do you want some?"

Mom: "FREE water for SALE?"

Britta: "Yeah, do you want some?"

Mom: "Sure I'll take a cup."

Britta: "Kay, that'll be 4 dollars."

Mom: "But I thought is was free."

Britta: "It is."

Mom:....

Better Late than Never

2009-01-24T15:03:00.043-05:00

So, this post is meant to give you a fly by tour of the last few months of our lives. However, I am not skilled in the arts of blogging and I couldn't quite remember to post pictures in reverse order so that the time frame lines up or makes sense...so we're going backwards from December to October and then within each event the pictures are going from finish to start...take an advil before you continue.

Our family spent Christmas in Texas with both the Anderson's and the Taylors. A bit crazy at times to juggle, but definitely fun and made some great memories. We don't have Taylor Christmas photos yet, but once we do we'll represent! So here are some highlights from the Anderson's Christmas:

The Whole Gang!!! Two parents, seven kids, three spouses, nine grandkids, a dog, and... did I forget anyone?

My Gang!

Will, Jamie, and my favorite red headed niece!

Mel and her crew! I love Drew in this picture :)

My favorite picture of the siblings. While this is pretty true to life...

This is a bit more accurate!

Random pic from the Zoo

My sweet Britta B just lookin' happy to be in Texas

Mel, Caroline, Jamie, and I went to...ah, Mel and Caro don't hate me, but I can't remember the name of your favorite restraunt!!! It'll come to me I'm sure as soon as I post this...

Still at "the restraunt"

HANNAH BANANA!!

Aw, Moose, words fail me...

Mel enjoying time with nieces and her kids

Avery decorating "her" branch on my parents' tree. It was loaded down with her contraband. Everytime I came into the living room Avery had a candy cane in her mouth that she had taken from her branch.

Not sure exactly what Melanie and Eric are doing, but fishing comes to mind...My question is what she did she use for bait?

Random pic from the park

Ditto

Ah, and here we begin a saga in reverse order. Bear with me:

VICTORY!!!! THE JAR IS OPENED thanks to...

The masters of Willakonda :) Until William combined his force

Eric was no match for...

THE JAR OF ARTICHOKE HEARTS!!!! It foiled us all with its ultra tight seal and unsurmountable slippy lid!

Pics Ben and I took of kids right before we left for Texas

Girls decorating their tree. Since we were going to be gone we didn't bother with a real one this year. The girls tree is about three feet tall, but I could not believe how many ornaments they were able to fit on each branch. Within the first week the tree was up it was knocked over at a least a jillion times, ornaments (plastic thank goodness) spilling everywhere. Before the girls decorate their tree next year I'm going to first coat the branches in glue...

NOVEMBER

I've told the girls about our "fun" raking, jumping in and bagging leaves when I was little. Eden decided she wanted to have this experience too. However, we don't have a many trees, or a lawn except for a grassy strip behind our apartment, or a rake. So, one day I was out with the girls and Eden found a branch from small tree that looked like a rudimentary rake.

The girls and I spent 45 min. raking a pile from a meager spattering of leaves on the ground into a pile this big:

But we had a BLAST!!!!

And just for good measure

Avery clinging to Halloween and the concept of dressing up to get copious amounts of candy

So here is another example of reverse order in the time line. Let me sum up. My wonderful, wonderful mother came out to help me after Weston was born. My dad flew out a few days later for Halloween and Weston's Baby Blessing.

My parents took the girls to the zoo

My dad came with Trick or Treating with us. I think he had the most fun! My mom stayed home with Weston. Eden was a witch (but she assured us she was a good witch), Britta was a black cat, and Avery, well, Avery said she wanted to be a fairy, but she refused to wear wings, a wand, or a crown.

Weston is 2 months old

2008-12-08T14:07:00.002-05:00

Time for Your Annual Credit Checkup!

2008-11-21T14:50:00.006-05:00

This week I took advantage of the opportunity to review copies of my credit report from all three credit reporting agencies. Thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act of 2003, consumers can access a free copy of their credit report at each of the three major credit reporting agencies. You can access them online for a full month and can print (and sometimes download) a copy for your records. While you can't get your FICO rating (credit score) for free, the items on your credit report directly affect this score and should be reviewed periodically.

Each time I've looked at my credit reports I've noticed inconsistencies. Sometimes these are minor (like my current employer or an incorrect home address), but sometimes I notice that something major has been recorded incorrectly. This year I noticed that a credit card on my report had a "negative" rating. We have never been late in our payments, so I was immediately suspicious. When I looked into it further, I discovered that the credit card was not ours. The account was for a gasoline company we never purchase from, and the account was opened in 1972 (I was born in 1978)! Through a simple online dispute process I was able to get the account removed from my credit report within a day or two. Because of the FACT Act, I was able to identify and correct these inconsistencies with no personal cost and little hassle.

I can't stress how important it is to check this information regularly! These reports are the basis for our credit scores which in turn can affect our current and future borrowing. Many credit card companies check their customer's credit scores every 6-12 months and adjust rates accordingly.

If you have inaccuracies on your credit report, you could find your rates increasing without just cause. For future borrowing, loan interest rates and loan approvals are heavily influenced by our credit scores. Credit scores are "sticky up" but not down; basically, it takes a lot more effort to raise your credit score than it does to bring it down. Making sure that your credit score is accurate is in your best interest and could save you a lot of time an money both now and in the future. And, it could be the simplest way for you to quickly raise your credit score!

To access your credit reports at each of the three credit reporting bureaus, vist the website www.annualcreditreport.com. (This website is sponsored by the three credit bureaus and the Federal Trade Commission).

For more information about the FACT Act and free annual credit reports check out this article on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_credit_report

Here are some helpful websites that give a simple explanation of what makes up a credit (FICO) score and the best methods for raising your score:

http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/credit/get-it-done-boost-your-credit-score-in-months.aspx?terms=credit+score&vstest=search_042607_linkdefault

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fico_score

http://www.myfico.com/CreditEducation/ImproveYourSCore.aspx

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/23/business/main3960888.shtml

We are still alive

2008-11-21T14:01:00.002-05:00

Having no internet at home changes so many things. First, email is right out. We just aren't as responsive. Second, blogging has come to an absolute stand still (as you all can see). Third, my lunch breaks at work are now entirely devoted to updating our bank accounts, paying bills online, receiving and writing personal emails, and researching directions, etc. Everything relating to our reliance on the internet has become complicated.

The business center at our leasing building has two computers. 75% of the time we make it over there both computers are being used. As a result, we aren't very inclined to head over unless it is late in the evening. Since this is the best time for Stephanie and I to reconnect since the kids are asleep, our last thought is for one of us to take off to the business center. We're really starting to miss what we had.

Today I decided to quickly post to say that we are still alive and that nothing drastic has happened since Weston joined our family. Schedules have adjusted and sleep is harder to come by, but everyone is healthy and life is good. Since I may not post regularly, feel free to call us on our cell phones:

Ben (703) 216-7604
Steph (703) 389-1520

Weston Pictures

2008-10-21T12:21:00.010-04:00

Weston Richard Taylor!

2008-10-13T16:35:00.002-04:00

Weston Richard Taylor was born at 1:31 EST on Friday, October 3rd. He weighed 9 lbs and 9 oz (just like his father) and was 22 inches long (an inch longer than his father). He has very short dark blond or light brown hair.

Weston got his name when a friend of ours (Thanks Camille!!) suggested we combine Stephanie's two favorite names Wesley and Afton. (Ben wasn't much of a fan of either of them, unfortunately). Richard is after Stephanie's father who is one of the best men we've both known.

Stephanie brought Weston home from the hostital on Sunday, October 5th, and I took the week off of work to spend time with my family! Coming back to work on Monday was difficult for everyone. We're looking forward to getting to know Weston even better and to introducing him to the rest of the family during the Holidays!

[No name] is Three Days Overdue

2008-09-30T12:17:00.003-04:00

No Baby.

Last night Stephanie and I attempted to come to some sort of agreement on what to name our baby boy. We were about as successful as the House and Congress have been on the 700B financial rescue package. Stephanie's top picks are (1) Afton and (2) Wesley. I admit that 6 years ago I liked the name Afton for our first boy. Since then, I've heard of two girls named Afton (one was with my firm). We've also had three girls since then. I've been thinking lately that with three older sisters, our first boy needs to have a masculine name. Wesley sounds too soft to my ears.

My top picks are (1) Grant and (2) Garrett. Originally I thought that a first name ending in "t" and our last name beginning with "T" would make the name hard to pronounce. I've gotten past that and really started liking the names again. Stephanie however things Grant sounds too nasally (maybe it's how I say it?). She doesn't really like either of the names I picked, and so we are still at an impass.

Last night Stephanie was brainstorming as I was falling asleep in my pillow. The result is that we still haven't agreed on a name and we don't seem any closer. So, does anyone have any names to suggest? We obviously need an intervention or some outside help at the very least. Leave us your name suggestions/comments!

Still outnumbered 4 to 1

2008-09-29T16:55:00.002-04:00

Nothing. Nothing is happening in babytown.

Two days past her due date, Stephanie isn't getting excited. After all, he's a Taylor and he's likely inherited my dominant gene for procrastination. The girls who came naturally were 7-10 days late. Steph scheduled an induction for this Friday, October 3rd at 6:30 am EST. She's fairly confident that [baby boy] will be born on Friday.

So, 2 days late and 4 to go.

4 Days to Go - No Baby

2008-09-23T12:15:00.002-04:00

Steph said as of yesterday the baby is pushing constantly on specific spot high in her abdomen. She says it feels bruised from the inside. We would love it if the baby wanted to come out soon.

The current plan is that if he's not out on his own by Saturday, October 4th then we are going to induce. Steph isn't expecting any action until then. Still, you never know. So, we are looking on the bright side:

Pros

+ I now know where the hospital is (looked that up two weeks ago online)

+ Steph had time to get all the baby clothes organized and put away

+ I am working close to home this week and part of next week; each day the baby waits to come gives me more time to finish my current engagement

+ Steph can teach her third week of preschool this week, so she won't have to take a turn again until after the new year

+ We have had lots of offers to help with the girls when the baby is born including overnight shifts

+ We were invited to a very delicious and authentic Argentinan meal with friends last night

+ If baby comes after the end of September, I won't have to go through the hassle of explaining why I didn't meet year-end utilization goals. (I know. This is completely selfish on my part).

+ Every extra day in the "oven" means our baby is getting bigger and healthier

+ Every extra day gives me more time to try and come up with a name Steph likes as much as "Afton" and "Wesley"

Today is the first day of Autumn!

2008-09-22T16:48:00.001-04:00

Happy Fall!

6 days to go - no baby

2008-09-21T18:45:00.002-04:00

What more is there to say? Still no baby. Steph is getting very uncomfortable (physically). Nothing going down in baby town.

Measure once, cut twice... wait.

2008-09-17T13:12:00.013-04:00

I seem to be continually surprised by how expensive consumable goods have become. Maybe its because Steph does most of the grocery shopping. I find that I'm asking myself the following questions pretty regularly these days: "When did bread jump to $3.00 a loaf?" "How can milk be $3.80 a gallon and gas is only $3.69 a gallon?" "Has a package of all-beef hot dogs always cost as much per pound as lean hamburger?" It seems like the only food that is still cheap is bananas.

A coworker today mentioned in passing that this year's inflation is around 5%! I checked it out and learned that inflation in July was at 5.6%. That's higher than it's been in over seven years.

I was shocked this past June when our rent jumped up by 12+%! I still haven't gotten a good answer from the apartment complex on why that happened. The treadmill in the exercise room is still broken. I want my extra 12% to go to a new treadmill!

I'm even more nervous as to how the next year will go when the subject of annual raises was brought up by coworkers today. Everyone is saying not to expect much this year. This is a promotion year for me, and it would be nice to have some GOOD news. I should find out sometime in the next week and a half or two weeks. I'm starting to get a little anxious that it won't cover the cost of our rising non-discretionary expenses.

[DISCLAIMER: this post didn't begin as a monologue on the state of the economy and our finances; our apologies. The post is really about our internet connectivity.]

In order to make the money stretch we've been cutting back on discretionary spending. The first target was the Verizon FiOS cable and internet. On Friday I called and cancelled our fiber optic internet service and scaled our cable back from the premier package to the basic package (guess we'll be watching conference at the church building this October). We thought we were being smart and that we'd get a dial up service and just deal with the slower speeds.

Last night I bought a NetZero account and started the set up. I got to the screen that asked for the home telephone number. I started typing in my cell phone number and then stopped part way through when I realized my blunder. We don't have a land line.

Steph and I haven't had a land line since we left Utah. Our cell phone expenses on the family plan we've been a part of have been insignificant enough that we use them instead of a land line. After all, the girls don't need to be calling anyone at their ages. Anyone calling for us can reach Steph or I anytime, anywhere. When we go out, we leave one of our phones with the babysitter who can call us on the other cell phone. It was a perfect plan.

So now I had a dial up account with NetZero account with no way to dial up. The phrases "measure twice, cut once" and "look before you leap" flashed through my mind. I groaned to myself and reluctantly got on the phone (cell phone of course) to cancel the newly established account. I ended up speaking with an "off-shore representative" of NetZero who walked me through the process. Our conversation went something like this:

[picking up the conversation after the greeting, etc.]

Ben: "Can you please cancel my NetZero account. I mistakenly signed up. We don't have a land line to use with the account and I don't know when, if ever, we will get a land line."

NetZero: "Okay Mr. Taylor, and anyways thank you for calling today regarding your account." (Pause) "Anyways Mr. Taylor, I have just successfully suspended your service for two months. After that time you can -"

Ben: "I'm sorry, what? Did you say 'suspend'? Has my account been suspended or canceled?"

NetZero: "Anyways, we have suspended your account for two months. Anyways, you can call back anytime to re-establish your account when you have home telephone service -"

Ben: "I am not planning on getting home telephone service. I would like to cancel my account."

NetZero: "Yes Mr. Taylor, anyways, I understand. Anyways, let me just tell you that at this time I have been authorized to offer you a discount for your high-speed NetZero account. Anyways, so instead of $7.49 a month you will can pay $6.49 a month once you set up your land line -"

Ben: "I am not planning on setting up a land line now or anytime in the foreseeable future. I do not want to SUSPEND my account, I want to CANCEL my account."

NetZero: "Okay Mr. Taylor. Anyways, I will cancel your account if you will just hold for one moment while I take care of a few things" [hold music begins]

Ben: (incredulous pause) "Are you serious? Now you want me to use my cell phone minutes to listen to hold music while you do something with my account that OBVIOUSLY doesn't need my input?..."

NetZero: [hold music continues]

[end of conversation]

First of all, I'm not sure how exactly they expect a one-dollar discount is supposed to motivate me to decide to hook up a land line. Second, I don't think that she knows the proper use (if there even is one) of the word "anyways". Third, do they really need us to stay on the line while they cancel the account? Do they have some deal with the phone companies to draw out the conversation as long as they can? Do they get a commission off the phone call fee?? I'm really confused about this. Next time I get asked to wait like that I'm going to ask that they finish what they are doing while I get off the phone and to send me an email, send me a letter, or call me back from their line.

Anyways, so we don't have internet, and anyways, we don't have plans for a land line or other internet service at present. Anyways, I will continue to email/blog during my lunchbreak as I can, and anyways, we will let you know just as soon as we can, anyways, when the baby is born and/or we have home internet again. Anyways.

Abbra Caddabra!

2008-09-08T21:12:00.005-04:00

Eden recently expressed a desire to be a magician and has been perfecting several magic tricks. She performed one for me today:

Eden: "Okay Mom, now stick your hand inside my hat and see if you can feel a string."

Me: "I don't feel a string."

Eden: "Now say the magic words, and I will tap the hat three times with my wand, and a string will appear."

Me: "Abbra Caddabra make a string appear. (Eden taps on the hat three times.)

Eden: "Now, close your eyes because I have to do something secret...and plug your ears because there will be a strange noise."

--eden ducks into my bedroom and sounds of rustling can be heard

15 secs. later...

Eden: "Alright, mom, now stick your hand in and see if you can pull out a string."

Me: "Hey, there is a string in here!"

Eden: "I'll bet you don't know how I did it!"

Me: cough, cough

This is her magician's outfit. And yes, that is a cape around her waist. Her Aunt Allison made it for her four years ago(hence the large hole worn through it). However, soon after she tried it on as a cape, she took it off, put it around her waist and christened it "Cape Skirt." I cannot recall a single time in the last four years that the cape has been worn as anything but a skirt.

What Britta Has Been Up To

2008-09-08T16:07:00.007-04:00

With Eden back in school, Britta has reclaimed her "oldest child at home" position. And while this is going well for her, she tends to get a little bored without Eden. They are pretty much best buds, well, most of the time. To help ease her Eden withdrawls, I've been trying to keep her pretty busy-preschool pages, art, play dates, parks, chores(she's not too fond of this), etc. Here are just a few pictures of her with friends:

I took Britta, her friend, and Avery hiking:

Play date with her two best friends:

Britta, her friends and Avery rockin' out to Hannah Montanna:

Work it Girl!

2008-09-08T15:56:00.009-04:00

So, I'd like to think that over the last 6 years of being a parent that I had learned a thing or two-when the kids are quiet they're up to no good, the toilet being flushed over and over is a bad sign, beads fit perfectly in a two year old's nostrils...so this morning when I asked Avery to "pick out her clothes and get them on" (we were rushing to get Eden to the bus stop on time), I don't know why I didn't remember to be very specific in what I was asking her to do. So while I meant "pick out a shirt and pair of shorts", this is what Avery heard: "I can pick out whatever I want to wear!" And this is what she came up with:(and yes, the care bear came as part of the ensemble as well as a red purse-not pictured)

She earned several stares and quite a few comments from the adults at the bus stop, but instead of being embarrassed, she put her hand on her hip and started swishing her tush like it was no one's business (she has perfected this walk over the last year or so and uses it to end all conversation that she finds disagreeable).

First Day of School!!!

2008-09-03T21:11:00.006-04:00

September 2 was Eden's First Day of School. I feel like I just barely finished counting down the last few days of Kindergarten, and here we go again! She informed me that her favorite thing about first grade is that she gets to learn about worms...Now, I fully support my girls getting in touch with their inner Tom Boy, but for those of you who know Eden, she's all girl, hence the pink sparkling tennis shoes. That statement took me a bit by surprise! I'm really excited for her and for what she's going to learn this year.

I thought it was so sweet that the girls wanted to get one last hug in before Eden got on the bus.

Quality Control

2008-08-31T18:28:00.006-04:00

Avery and I were having some one -on- one Mommy time this afternoon, and we decided to make chocolate chip cookies. While Avery was excited about dumping the flour, salt, sugar, etc. into the bowl all by herself, her favorite job was quality control. About every 30 sec.(and I'm not exagerating) she would say, "I need some more 'chuppa chips'". After SEVERAL taste tests, they passed her rigorous standard. Then before we put the cookies on a sheet, she felt it was important to test the cookie dough to make sure it was up to par. She looks pretty happy with the results!

This Space for Rent

2008-08-29T21:55:00.002-04:00

so, no, i did not think that adding stickers to my blimp would make it look cuter. this was the work of my two year old Avery. i have two theories about what went on in her mind. theory one, apparently she had stickers and no place to put them so when spotting the round orb that used to be my stomach she automatically thinks "wide open canvas". theory two, she knows the baby is going to be born soon and is advertising the soon to be vacated apartment. real estate is a pretty good investment i hear.

One Month to Go!!!

2008-08-28T09:47:00.004-04:00

that's right, baby! only one month left. my due date is sept. 27, and while i have no delusions of actually going into labor on or before that date, it's nice to have a light at the end of the tunnel. it's been a fairly easy pregnancy, and i don't have too many complaints. however, i will say that i'm looking forward to not being so scatter brained-you know, forgotten loads of laundry half started, putting the cheese away in the spice cupboard, forgetting about appts. and meetings...i'm a little worried about eden starting school next week. i already scheduled one dr. appt. during the time her bus will be dropping her back at home. i think i'll just hang close to home for the next few weeks. that way i won't have too far to run/drive when i realize that eden's bus came 5 min. ago.

anyways, i thought i'd post a belly picture for kicks. still no name. i'm thinking about offering a reward for a name ben and i can both agree on. regardless of what we end up calling the little guy, we are so excited to have him in our family and can't wait 'till he's here!

Haste makes waste (Part II)

2008-08-24T20:10:00.007-04:00

I think my Dad knew from the time I was very young that I was likely to get myself into plenty of messes as a result of my hastiness. The phrases "haste makes waste" and "look before you leap" as well as "if your best friend jumped off a bridge, would you?" were regulars in my childhood. Unfortunately, I can't say I've fully learned the lesson.

Today's lesson began before church. Stephanie and I usually have a Family Home Evening planning session on Sunday's right after church; we plan out what we are going to do for our Monday night family time and involve the kids in the planning as well as the execution of our Monday nights. To keep the kids interested we make sure that a snack is part of the planning meeting. Steph had mentioned earlier this morning that she wanted to do something more healthy (than popsicles, animal crackers, or even popcorn) and that homemade bread was what she had in mind. As time before church was getting short I decided I would help out by putting the ingredients in the bread maker.

I grabbed the recipe book for the breadmaker out of the cabinet and started tossing the ingredients into the breadmaker pan. We've followed this recipe so many times that it was almost second nature. Steph noticed I was taking care of the bread and said thanks as I started. When I was done two minutes later she said, "Wow! Are you done already? Did you measure everything out?" Now, it's only because of 7 years of experience together that she would need to ask that question. My response: "Yes. Why do you ask?" Of course I had used measuring cups and spoons! True, some of the ingredients spilled over at times, but I did measure. Mostly. Stephanie wisely replied, "Because I'm worried that the bread won't turn out and then the girls would be disappointed." I asserted that everything would be fine as I used a spatula to push the excess flour down the sides of the pan into the doughy ball the breadmaker was kneading. Seeing me prod the dough Steph exclaimed, "What are you doing?! You're going to ruin it!" I gave her a confident smirk and again asserted that my poking the dough was in no way going to ruin the bread. [While this last bit may have been true, the scientific method wasn't completely followed and this hypothesis will have to be tested at a future date.] I quickly added some more flour as I noticed the dough ball looked a little more sticky than it should.

When we got back from church, it took us a few minutes to get unloaded and settled before I thought to ask Steph from the bedroom how the bread turned out. Catching Steph off guard, she responded, "Oh! Just a second let me check." Seconds later I hear laughter break out in the kitchen. "What? Did it turn out?", I ask somewhat nervously. Surely this must have been a ploy. When I got to the kitchen to check on my creation I was greeted by an odd sight. It looked like the bread had taken a meteorite right in the center and a shield of shrapnel had formed up against the lid of the breadmaker.

Now, while I can't say exactly what cause this formation, my current theory is that a massive gas bubble formed in the middle of the bread dough which burst during baking and collapsed in on itself creating my unique "inverted cone shaped loaf" as Steph called it. The story could stop here, but of course it doesn't. Steph began asking me if there was anything I didn't measure exactly.

Well, I wasn't POSITIVE that I got exactly 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of water; it could have been a little more.

Steph asked if that was all I hadn't measured.

Yeah, that was all. Well, and maybe the honey too. You know how the honey sticks to things. I couldn't get it all of the tablespoon so I guessed that only about half of what I measured made it into the pan, so the second tablespoon was a heaping tablespoon... or possibly two. But that was it.

Steph probed through her laughter if there was anything else I didn't measure.

Come on! Of course I measured everything! (pause). But, then I'm not 100% sure about the butter. It was kind of spread out on the wrapper, but it LOOKED like it was about a tablespoon. Surely a little extra butter couldn't have cause the formation of an inverted cone. But that was it; everything else was measured accurately.

Was I sure? (More laughter)

Yeah. Of course. ...I did use the tablespoon to measure out the salt. I needed 1 1/2 teaspoons which anyone who bakes knows that this is the same as a half tablespoon. I didn't want to dirty another measuring spoon, so I just half-filled the tablespoon. And I guess the powdered milk did come out of the pour spout a little fast and overflowed the tablespoon just a *little*, but that couldn't have caused the bread disaster.

At this point Steph asked me why I told her that the only thing I didn't measure correctly was the water. I decided that this was the point when complete and total honesty was my only option. "I couldn't admit to all that up front; I have an image to maintain!" At this point Steph lost it in a fit of laughter. I can't say I blame her. I'm sure the image I was maintaining wasn't worth much even before this bread fiasco.

So, not only am I a hasty button pusher, I am also a haphazard measurer. But I would like to point out that at this very moment there is not a bit of my inverted cone shaped loaf left to prove that my bread wasn't every bit as tasty as a normal loaf. You know, it's too bad that inverted cone bread loaves didn't catch on. I'm sure they would hold a lot more butter and jam than any regular loaf of bread.

Mom Saves the Day!!

2008-08-23T14:31:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness for mothers. Even when we've grown and left home, mom's keep their mothering instincts. Today proved that her's is fine tuned.

I called my mom this morning and told her about how I crippled my blog and erased content that was irretrievable. She was happy to report that she just happened to have copied that content last night and sent it in an email to friends! Vwa-lah! Content restored!! I couldn't have done it without my mom! Thanks Mom!

Haste makes waste

2008-08-23T09:38:00.003-04:00

I broke the blog....................................

I am a button pusher and I pushed the button. It was more than that actually. I committed the cardinal sin in programming/development: I tested a new template on a production instance of the blog! Everyone who does any kind of computer development and testing knows you always use a separate enviroment to test changes before you apply them. That way, if it breaks your environment, you don't loose your data.

Heh.... heh.....

The new third party template I tried to upload was seriously incompatible with blogger and destroyed the blog. My side banner items were erased, and now that I've reloaded the previous template, I have broken links all over the place. Ughhh.... The part that kills me was that before I applied the new template I had the thought that I should copy all of the girls quotes into a blog posting rather than leave them in the side column.

Blogger doesn't have a "help desk"; instead they have frequently asked questions and discussion forums. I couldn't find the question "How do you restore a blog that you've obliterated without having to recreate it?" listed anywhere, and I was too chicken to post that in the chat forum. I realize that I can't hide what I did from my readers, but I'm not going to expand the circle of ridicule un-neccessarily.

the Laundry Room - revisited

2008-08-22T21:39:00.007-04:00

In our last post I included an impromptu shot of our laundry room. Since then we've made three trips across the street (I love that it's this close) to Lowe's for shelving. The laundry room already had one shelf above the washer and the dryer. Both were overflowing with stuff, so we decided to augment. We added a couple of hanging shelves and then added a rack higher up that lines three walls. We effectively tripled (almost quadrupled) the shelving space and got everything up off the dryer. As you can see, we haven't filled up the shelves after a week. That's a good sign.

The dryer had been covered in items that prevented us from reaching the knobs without extraordinary flexibility. Now things are up and away.

The laundry room is now one of the cleanest and most organized room in the house.

Next up: Remember the picture of our closet? Steph was so impressed by how much storage space we created that she's eager to do the same for our closet. Heh, heh. Say no more! I'm off to Lowe's!

Photo Tag

2008-08-12T23:33:00.012-04:00

My brother and his wife were photo tagged on their blog. It was interesting to see what was going on at the moment with them, so I'm passing it on (in all it's rawness).

The rules are you have to take pictures of the following things. And you have to do it right away. No straightening, cleaning or wiping your child's nose. Then you tag five others. So here it goes:

Kitchen Sink

We just ran dishes after dinner which is usually hit or miss. Until two days ago there were also white latex paint drips all around the sink from refinishing the bunkbeds. The plate and knife were from me - herb bread with butter.

Fridge

We just stocked up at Costco, so you may see 3 dozen eggs, 4 quarts of strawberries, too many grape tomatoes, Costco milk, and a huge bag of cheese sticks. No leftovers in our house!

Toilet

Our bathroom is pretty plain. It's one of the few rooms in the apartment that we didn't paint. Most days there are hair accessories on the counter. There is some nail polish remover in the basket from the girls' nail polish time earlier this evening.

Closet

This is where we begin to reveal what goes on behind closed doors. My wife and I treat our room (and our closet) as a "staging area". Basically, it's the storage space for everything that doesn't have a place in the rest of the house. It's where unfinished projects end up. Last weekend we set this aside as our major project for this upcoming weekend.

Favorite Room

This is my favorite room for two reasons: (1) it's finished! (2) it's where my sweet girls are at the moment. The bunkbeds were finished a couple of weeks ago, and the bedding sets were provided by my wonderful aunt! Stephanie and I refinished a yard-sale dresser (visible on the right) and we painted the room to bring it all together. It's late and everyone is asleep, so this is the best I can do at the moment.

Laundry Room

This is another room with a pending project. Our 3 bedroom apartment has limited storage space, so flat surfaces behind closed doors are all used! We plan on installing another shelf above the existing shelves behind both the washer and dryer. Until then, the cat crate, the baby chair, and several other things remain on top of the dryer. You have to be somewhat of a contortionist to get through the pile to set and turn on the dryer.

Stephanie picked out the hanging racks from IKEA a year ago. They were originally marketed as a kitchen spice and tool rack, but Steph saw past that to their current use as a craft station.

Also, witness my awesome plaid shorts in the pile to the right.

(I skipped "Favorite Shoes" cause come on, that's dumb)

Kid Photo #1
It's Eden's turn on the top bunk tonight (as it seems to be 75% of the time). Eden rarely gets her head to stay on top of the pillow, and all our kids prefer to layer on blankets than get under their covers. Sweetly asleep.

Kid Photo #2
Britta is like me and is often warm. She likes salsa, tangy food, and savory flavorings. She has the cutest naturaly curly hair and the sweetest, tender heart. Britta is always smiling, and sometimes she just needs some time on her own. Whenever she is grumpy it's usually not too hard to coax a smile from her.

Kid Photo #3

Avery tries hard not to act like she's two years younger than Britta, but sometimes she just can't keep up. Her new favorite game is hide and seek, which we often play inside the apartment. Avery is brave beyond brave and repeatedly jumps off the pool steps into deeper waters regardless of whether Steph and I are there to catch her. Avery has a purse fetish, a lip gloss fetish, a nail polish fetish, and loves to water plants.

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged! Don't clean the house first, get out your camara and get real.

7 weeks to baby boy

2008-08-12T23:06:00.004-04:00

Stephanie has 7 weeks left to go and we still don't have a name for the baby. Stephanie still favors Afton; I at one point had liked Grant or Garrett, but thought better after realizing that the T's of Garrett and Taylor would run together and sound like D's. Stephanie proposed Wesley as a compromise. Nothing has sounded exceptionally fitting. I don't want to give our first boy a potentially wimpy sounding name. Both Stephanie and I have crossed plenty of boy names off the list based on their association with unpleasant people we've known. Isn't that funny that one person can ruin a name for another person?

With Eden, she was going to be Kaitlin up until we were in the hospital for delivery and we were told that Kaitlin was the 2nd most popular name of the year. We didn't name Eden until two days after she was born, right before leaving the hospital. It just kind of came out of the air and really sounded good.

(By the way, I haven't posted pictures of Steph because she has to approve any pictures of her before I can post them, and she typically doesn't blog herself. Just thought I'd put that out there since there were bound to be questions.)

I Think I'm All Caught Up

2008-08-12T23:02:00.003-04:00

After two months without updates to our blog I spent the better part of two evenings uploading pictures and describing them. I uploaded the pictures in reverse order and thought I could fix that by what order I posted the entires, but that didn't work out. So, everything is in reverse order starting with Daniel's homecoming through the girls' homecoming to VA. I guess it will just make reading the blog more of a challenge for you readers. (Be careful what you ask for!).

With this I am calling the blog good (for now). Did I miss anything?

Perfect Park Weather

2008-08-12T22:49:00.011-04:00

We had some amazing weather yesterday and today. I'm talking high 70s and low 80s and breezy all afternoon. It felt like we were in California!

I took the girl to the park after dinner on Monday before FHE. The playground was PACKED with kids of all ages. The girls and I stayed out for over an hour and just enjoyed the pleasant temperatures.

Avery likes to play tag and go down the slides. Sometimes she just likes to sit and watch the big kids doing their thing.
Eden is trying to learn how to climb the fireman's pole. She's not sure she has the strength, but she's determined that she'll keep practicing.

Britta has found new confidence on the zip line! She still needs some help getting back to the starting platform, but she's not afraid to drop if she needs to.

Eden!

Avery!

Britta!

Eden spent some time getting used to her scooter. She still doesn't get too far with each scoot, but she's making progress.

Britta came out of her contemplative mood enough to chase off all the boys with Eden.

Daniel is HOME!

2008-08-12T21:36:00.007-04:00

July 3, 2008. Daniel Anderson arrives at DFW airport!

The Anderson family was well represented at the DFW airport! Everyone was excited to have D back at home!

WELCOME HOME!!

Taylor Night Spa

2008-08-10T23:54:00.005-04:00

One night while in Texas with my family I took them to my parents house. I spent a couple of hours out back with my mom and Avery planting in the garden. Avery got so dirty she ended up needing a bath.

And after a bath every girl in our house requires two things: (1) lotions and (2) painted fingernails. Eden decided that she would provide the manicure for Avery.

Avery opted for the "Hollywood package" complete with rhinestone settings on her nails.

Avery was completely relaxed by the time her spa session was complete. I think she was even offered chocolate pudding on the way out.

Summer at the Anderson's

2008-08-10T23:31:00.011-04:00

Stephanie took the girls to Texas for an entire month (June 20 - July 18). Her younger brother Daniel got home from his mission to Rexburg, ID on July 3rd. I came into town from July 2-8 to spend time with everyone. As soon as the girls arrived they attacked the grandparents with all the enthusiasm and love they could muster.

Britta is our sweet and tender heart!

After the first week, Avery was running ragged. It appears that she didn't inherit Stephanie's super-power of being able to stay up late night after night with no apparent affect.

Once Daniel got home from his mission, each of the girls staked a claim and got in some quality time.
All the girls loved every moment of Pugga time!

Mom made the most AMAZING carrot cake! It was so memorable that Eden asked for it for her 6th birthday on August 2nd.

When it was finally time to come back to Virginia, the girls and their grandparents both decided that even a month wasn't really long enough for either of them.

Grandma and the girls have a special bond. The girls knew that grandma really understood them, and they were always ready for anything she suggested.

At the Pool

2008-08-10T23:27:00.006-04:00

The girls made a list of things they wanted to do this summer. Top of the list was learning how to swim!
The girls enjoyed swimming at the neighborhood pool in Texas about4 times a week. Eden and Britta are really picking up on how to stay above water. Avery thinks she can go straight to diving. She kind of scares us with her fearlessness.

Eden has been practicing swimming with goggles and staying above water without touching the bottom.

Britta loves the diving mask so she doesn't have to bother with plugging her nose. Britta recently discovered that she can do somersaults under water!!

We are thinking that by the beginning of next summer the two older girls should be independent shallow-water swimmers. I think once they get the basic strokes down we'll get them flippers and see how fast they can go!

Taylor Time

2008-08-10T23:23:00.009-04:00

Stephanie took the girls to my parents house several times before and after I was in town. A common issue with Avery was her tendency to misjudge how much leadtime she needs to get to the bathroom before she looses control. We generally keep a spare set of clothes in the car, a backpack, or under our arm just in case. Avery managed to catch us unprepared one evening and had to suit up in a grocery bag while her things were laundered.

I'm not sure how water tight the solution was, but fortunately it did the trick until her clothes were dry.

Britta takes to projects and games with intense interest. Grandma Taylor has a great gift for knowing what interests kids and how to keep their hands busy!

A favorite activity at Grandma Taylor's house was beading. Grandma Taylor keeps a wide variety of colors and shapes of beads and strings for the girls to create necklaces with.

The girls didn't have many dress-up clothes to choose from, but Eden managed to find a pair of Grandma's silver shoes!

Grandpa Taylor gave piano/organ "lessons" to the girls.

Back in VA!

2008-08-10T23:20:00.007-04:00

Finally! The family is back home in VA! Ben was able to get a couple of projects completed around the house before the girls got home. The excitement was intense and the girls had to rein it in at times....

One of the best changes was the completion of the bunkbed refinishing project. We had received a set of bunkbeds from some friends at church. We decided to sand and repaint them (why does this always sound so easy and end up so time consuming?).

Eden and Britta are both in twin size beds now! We're hoping this will help Britta to sleep in a little later in the mornings. Her toddler bed mattress has been getting pretty beaten down and can't be comfortable anymore. For now Eden and Britta are rotating between top and bottom bunks every night. Avery has been restricted from sleeping on the top bunk until she is 4 years old.

While Eden generally tries to negotiate the top bunk, Britta still gets her fair share. There isn't as much competition for the top bunk as I initially thought there would be. After a couple of weeks, it's become apparent that the bottom bunk has benefits that the top bunk does not have....

TOP BUNK BENEFITS: (1) You get to dangle your feet and hands at your sister, (2) you get to climb a ladder to get into bed, (3) you can survey the entire room while laying down, (4) it's novel to sleep so high up.

BOTTOM BUNK BENEFIT: (1) You can grab the dangling feed and hands of your sister, (2) You can kick the top bunk from underneath, (3) the cats like to come in and sleep on the bottome bunk, (4) Mom and Dad can actually climb in bed to cuddle you.

Saturday, August 2nd - Someone turned 6!!

2008-08-10T23:05:00.019-04:00

Eden woke up early her birthday morning (4 am?) with an upset stomach. She threw up every 30-45 minutes until around 7 am. I got up with the other girls around 7:30 and headed to the store for jello and sprite. By 8:30 am Eden's stomach was mostly back to normal. I think there was a bit of mind-over-matter involved in her healing, especially once she learned that if she was still sick by lunchtime we would have to postpone the ear-piercing outing that was going to be the highlight of her day.

I had tied a mylar balloon on the top bunk and put a princess crown and birthday card on the ladder. With her coming to our room so early in the morning she missed it all until we got up around 7:00 am. Once she discovered the surprise she donned the crown and her spirits perked up. At 8:30 it was time to open her first present! While in Texas Eden had access to her cousin Hannah's collection of Hannah Montanna books and music. Once she discovered the Hannah Montanna CD in the car we didn't drive anywhere more than two minutes away without the CD on. Very quickly Eden's birthday wishes formed around Hannah Montanna. As a result, the entire birthday focused around Eden's new favorite "rock star".

What could it be?

Hannah Montanna, of course!

We had planned for a day at the pool, but the day had started out rainy. So while I was out with Britta and Avery picking up groceries we stopped by the dollar store for some craft projects. We got some $1 birdhouses and wooden bee shapes. The girls spent quite a while decorating the birdhouses with paint, glitter glues, and spangles.

Eden made sure that every flat surface displayed a different color. I hope there are birds out there that like this much color!

Britta began with a purple square on the roof which she outlined with a green border. I was intrigued by her design. How many four year olds plan like that?

Avery didn't have time to wash the brush. Every color was represented, and every color was blended!

By lunchtime Eden was feeling back to normal. Stephanie took her to Claire's at the mall while the two younger girls and I cleaned up and decorated the house. We had prepped Eden several weeks about ear piercings and that they were likely to hurt. She had bailed on the idea a year ago, so we wanted to make sure she was in with both feet this time. For extra measure, I gave her four childrens' tylenol about a half an hour before they left the house.

Eden was excited and nervous to get started! She picked out a pair of flower earings with little crystal petals of different colors.

Stephanie reports that there was a delayed reaction after the first earing went in. After a second or two Eden turned to Steph and with a pained face said "That really HURT!" Steph was ready to tell her she didn't have to get the other one done, but instead she helped Eden rally for round two! A little shaken, Eden left Claire's with a newfound confidence in her ability to confront pain for something she really wanted.

Eden and Steph stopped for some ice cream to celebrate the victory.

When they got home the house was ready for our little family party! The second most desired present (after pierced ears) was a scooter with a certain Disney channel rock star emblazoned on it. We figured it would be more frustrating for ALL of us is we waited until after dinner to unveil this one, so we let Eden open another present.

At this point I don't think there was any question that Eden knew EXACTLY what was in the box.

Sure enough!

The scooter unveiled!

Ben took a turn taking the girls to the park while Stephanie put her feet up. After dinner that evening we sat down for cake, ice cream, and Happy Birthday wishes!

Eden picked out the perfect sized cake...

...which perfectly held the six candles!

More Hannah Montanna presents were unveiled.

Since her birthday Eden has been writing daily in what she calls her Hannah Montanna "diaries". I tried explaining the plural rule on diary. It was pretty clear that she was more interested in having a diary than learning how to correctly describe it. (So there is definitely some Anderson amid all that Taylor-ness :) )

Grandma Anderson sent some cute books on cooking and sewing (two more things on the girls' list of things they want to learn this summer)! The girls were already excited about helping out with recipes, but now they are even more excited to be able to pick out their own!

Eden picked up some latch-hook and simple stitchery in Texas with her grandparents. She is eager to get started on her next project.

Avery and Britta handled themselves pretty well during the present opening. We work with the girls on not being jealous when it's not their birthday and not their presents. Avery was doing great until Eden unwrapped the (you guessed it) Hannah Montanna lip gloss that she had helped me pick out at the dollar store that morning. She must have thought I was getting it for her.

The night ended with three happy girls that had a wonderful day. Eden kept showing off her pierced ears and began writing in her diary. Avery kept stealing the lip gloss when no one was looking. Britta kept herself busy with the other dollar store items that we had gotten earlier that morning. We all fell asleep that night with a different Hannah Montanna song running through our heads.

Stephanie and I can't believe that Eden is 6!

Vera Wang meets Cirque du Soleil

2008-08-10T22:50:00.008-04:00

This morning Vera Wang's fall line-up was released as it hit the catwalks in Chantilly, VA! The models were fierce in their fashion forward wear! The day began hot and didn't cool down.

The theme for this fall seems to be a anything goes with a focus on the layered look with a bit of an eclectic circus theme. Red is definitely in!
People have been saying that green is the new pink and that black is the new green. Whatever the trends, pink maribou never goes out of style, especially when paired with poodle skirts and high heel "clicky" shoes.

The models take a moment to display the first showcase.

Back with their second look, it's easy to see how easily these items can be mixed and matched.

Straight off the runway - Fall Fashions!

Bedtime

2008-08-10T22:46:00.002-04:00

The girls often keep each other company at night, usually when they're not supposed to. Giggling can really tire a kid out. Bedtime stories have become a ritual at bedtime. Each girl expects her own story, which has known to take over 15 minutes to complete. But, the time is well spent, especially when you get snuggles like this.

End of School Party (June 12)

2008-08-10T22:31:00.009-04:00

The day before the last day of school, Eden had some friends from her kindergarten class over to the apartment. The afternoon included decorating cupcakes, painting refrigerator magnets, and ended in a game of Twister.

Britta had her friend Alyse from church over so she had someone to spend time with. (Notice our sad broken lamp in the background.)

Avery thoroughly enjoyed herself though she didn't understand what the girls were talking about half the time. Who cares! It's a party!

Britta and Alyse shared some good jokes.

Eden was thrilled to have the much-talked-about Samantha over for the first time.

Mattie (left) and Ariel (right) rounded out the party. All of the girls seemed to get along well.

The table was full that afternoon. Just enough chairs to go around.

Creative Dance Center Recital (June 11th)

2008-08-10T22:23:00.004-04:00

On June 11th Eden had her recital for her dance class. They performed Johnny B. Goode on stage during the second half of the show. This dance studio competes nationally and has some good size trophies in the lobby. Fortunately (for our schedule and our pocket book) Eden has been content to dance once a week in a introductory tap and ballet class. That's good enough for us!
At the recital Britta and Avery enjoyed the first five numbers. After that they took turns playing with my new cell phone. By intermission they were ready to get some snacks. We stretched it until the show was about 3/4 over before Avery had her meltdown. I took her to the back of the auditorium so she could walk around. After a very long evening of dance we left for home. Dance Recitals are like trips to the zoo. Once a year is enough.

Quarterly Update

2008-08-10T22:21:00.001-04:00

After more than two months without a blog posting, the requests for new information are becoming more bold. They haven't crossed into "threatening" territory yet, but I think it's best to not go there if we don't have to. Already I know there is a lot to catch up on, so I'll do my best to address each major event seperately.

Last day of kindergarten (June 13th)

2008-06-13T19:27:00.004-04:00

It's over. Finished. The last day of school has come and gone.

Eden finished kindergarten today, and she's not looking back. She definitely enjoyed the school year and made lots of friends. Through the year her reading and writing has improved quite a bit. She's been to the first grade classroom regularly since the winter to check out book from their bookshelves to read every night. Whenever they have free-time activities in the classroom she is more likely to head to the reading and writing station than any of the others. Her journal has been fun to read.

Stephanie has been taking Britta and Avery to the park in the mornings and all the girls to the pool in the afternoons. Eden seems very enthusiastic about extra play time with her sisters. Undoubtedly, princess role-playing will be at the top of the list. It will be interesting to see how Britta and Avery fare with their older sister back home to claim the throne!

Ben is 30!

2008-06-02T14:54:00.003-04:00

Today I turn 30 years old. I took the day off to spend with my family. This morning I made the family breakfast, sent Eden off to kindergarten, and enjoyed a leisurely morning ith the other girls. Stephanie and I took Britta and Avery out to Babies R Us to look for swimming aids for the girls. We stayed a lot longer than we originally planned, but had a good time looking for things for our boy. Next we hit Target for girls' clothes and Costco for free samples. (No sense in pretending, right?) I got a Costco card for me and we left with blackberries, hummus, and artichoke hearts. On the way home we got a chance to talk to my mom who is excited to see us this summer! She has picked several gallons worth of blackberries from their bushes. We've convinced them the freeze some of them so we can enjoy them when we get to Texas!

After lunch I took Britta to go pick up Eden from school before she got on the bus. We took her to Jo-Anne's fabric to get some buttons to fix one of her Sunday dresses. After that we went to one of my favorite plan places: Betty's Azalea Ranch! Though there is no azalea wrangling to be had at the ranch, there are acres of plants to explore. We love the koi pond and tanks tucked away in the back of the shrub area. We also love the water fountains and the outdoor furniture. We enjoyed the cool air and the shady locations. Now we are back home for a snack and to pass an hour until the pool opens.

Ordinarily we would have a family party tonight. However, a few weeks ago I was invited to a thank-you dinner for last year's DOI engagement teams. This year is a big year for me on the engagement, and I'm exploring the idea of a rotation in the audit practice, possibly even on the DOI team. So, I'm headed downtown for a work-related dinnner, and we'll celebrate as a family tomorrow night.

To me, this is almost a perfect birthday. The only thing I would add would be a slip and slide.

Our September 26th Arrival

2008-05-02T16:09:00.003-04:00

The doctor's appointment on Tuesday morning went well. Sorry it took so long to post a picture, but I had to scan the print and then figure out how to convert it to a postable file format. So, here they are.

The two light white circles are the thigh bones. The baby's bummy is pointed towards the top left of the picture. If that doesn't give you the answer, look at the title of the picture at the bottom of the image....

Woohoo!! I was on Amazon.com putting camping gear on my wishlist Tuesday night.

Sonograms of baby faces always look a little creepy. I guess our skulls do too without any flesh on them. Still, I was glad to see there weren't any red eyes glaring out at us.

Boy or Girl?

2008-04-28T22:43:00.002-04:00

Stephanie and I asked the girls tonight if they thought the new baby was going to be a boy or a girl. Eden says boy and Britta says girl. Steph is going with boy, I'm thinking girl. If it's a girl, those that went with boy have to give the winners a backrub and vice versa. We'll let you know when we get back from the doctor's office tomorrow morning!

6 muffins = 1 hour of sleep

2008-04-28T21:47:00.004-04:00

While I was out Saturday running errands I had a stroke of parenting genius. The girls are in the habit of waking up before dawn and coming into our room. Often they climb in our bed to snuggle with us, but this is often short lived. Very soon the moans of "I'm hungry", and "I want breakfast" commence. They are as regular as an alarm clock and more persuasive. On school days we have to agree that it's time to get the day started, but weekends are a different matter.

My stroke of genius hit me when I was passing the bakery at the grocery store while picking up a few items for Sunday's meals. I filled a box with a half dozen muffins. Before going to sleep, I put the muffins on the kitchen table. Sunday morning we actually slept in until 7:30 before being woken up by the girls! This was a breakthrough! We found Avery at the table with chocolate crumbs all around her. She explained that she was having "cake" for breakfast. The chocolate-chocolate chip muffin had been decimated. Steph and I grinned at each other. We couldn't believe that we could buy an extra hour of sleep so cheaply.

Butterflies, Ladybugs, & Ants

2008-04-28T21:32:00.004-04:00

This past Saturday I took the girls out to the park. Britta brought her bug catching kit which she had been waiting to try out and Eden brought the butterfly net. We had seen some butterflies earlier in the day zooming around the grass. By the time we got back, the birds had chased off the butterflies. Fortunately, we had noticed a particular stretch of grass on a hillside that usually had a few ladybugs crawling around on the blades of grass. We found three ladybugs, but everytime we opened the lid to add one, the previous one got away. The girls wanted to keep the ladybug, of course, but I explained that they ate aphids, not grass. So, we ended up letting the one ladybug go on our patio strawberry plants. (At least I know where to go to get more.)

Saturday afternoon I noticed that we had ant problems in the house. The ants had formed a line from the front door to the kitchen and were attempting to carry off the cat food. I got some ant traps at Lowe's that night which kept the girls fascinated for most of Sunday morning. These traps are clear plastic with a liquid bait inside, so the girls watched the ants crawl in and carry the bait back to their home. It's fun to see the world through your kids eyes and remember what it was like to see everything for the first time.

Driving Us Up the Wall (in our van drawing)

2008-04-28T21:18:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I called home during my lunch hour at work to talk to my family. Britta and Avery are usually home with Stephanie all day, and Stephanie noticed some drawing on the wall. "It looks like someone drew a bus on the playroom wall." Britta could be heard in the background to say, "No, it's a van." I asked to speak to Britta, and she told me that someone had been drawing our 'van' on the wall in the playroom. I asked if she had been the one who had been drawing on the wall to which she replied "We don't know who did it!" Hmmmm. I asked her more directly "Britta, did you draw on the wall?" Britta quickly said "Gotta go Dad!" and got off the phone. Any questions?

I relayed my part of the story to Steph who had been occupied with Avery during my conversation with Britta. We both chuckled and then I asked to speak to Britta again. After a couple more coaxing questions I finally got Britta to admit she had drawn the 'van' on the wall. I thanked her for finally telling me the truth and informed her that her consequence was to clean the drawing off the wall. She seemed to perk up when she realized all she had to do was remove the offending drawing.

Family Home "Feats of Strength" Evening

2008-04-28T21:06:00.002-04:00

Three weeks without a blog entry is too long. Having requests for more entries is flattering, but the pressure is also on. Will we be able to satisfy the curiosity and meet the expectations?

Tonight we had a singing family home evening. Basically, this is when mom and dad (Steph and Ben) don't plan an actual lesson and we end up singing every song the girls want to out of the children's songbook. Dancing is welcomed, and free expression is encouraged. After half an hour, there was more dancing and acrobatics than singing. It was at this point when I started to wonder if I could still do a handstand. Yes. Yes, I still can. But the pressure to my head was enough to keep it to a 5 second feat.

The girls were not to be left out on this one. Britta did suspended situps (she wraps her legs around my waist and I support her lower back while she lowers her head to the ground and sits all the way up). That girl is tough! She did two sets of three with no hands! Eden was determined to work on her cartwheels. I acted as spotter and helped her get the feel of it. Still needs some work, but she's got the enthusiasm to see it through. To round off the evening, Stephanie challenged everyone in the room to arm wrestle with her. She was soundly beaten by Eden and Britta working together.

I think we inadvertantly added another dimension to FHE. Now, in addition to the opening and closing prayers and songs, lesson, scripture reading, activity, and refreshments, we now will be including a 'feats of strength' segment. Stephanie and I starting considering taking a break from the girls dance lessons during the summer and enrolling them in gymnastics for few months to see if they take to it. We'll keep you posted.

Dis-ENCHANTED

2008-04-11T14:06:00.003-04:00

Last weekend I had a meeting at the church for a couple of hours, so Steph and the girls decided to have a girls night in. Steph rented Disney's Enchanted to watch with the girls. When I got home I asked how the girls like the movie. Steph said they only made it through the first fifteen minutes. It went something like this...

BRITTA: "Who is that girl?"
"Why is she holding the diamonds in front of her eyes?"
"Why is the Ogre chasing her?"
"It that horse a girl or a boy horse?"
"What is the horse's name?"
(at the end of the first song) "Is the movie over?"
"Why is she running? Is she late?"
"Is she getting married? Who is she going to marry?"
"Who is that man?"
"Why is that old lady pushing her?"
AVERY (laughing): "Oh no."
BRITTA: "Where did she fall?"
"What is that sparkly stuff sticking to her?"
"Where is she going?"
AVERY (laughing): "Oh no."
BRITTA: "Why aren't they cartoons anymore?"
"Why are those people pushing her?"
"Why won't anyone help her?"
"Why is she crying?"

(15 minutes into the movie...)

STEPHANIE: "Who wants to watch Barbie Mermadia?"
GIRLS: "YEAH!!!!"

Stephanie and I watched the movie after the girls went to bed. We got a good laugh out of a few parts, but we weren't so interested that we'd watch it again. This isn't a movie that appeals to young kids, maybe more to the tweeners and some teens. We weren't feeling the Disney magic with this one. However, Amy Adams did a great job portraying a Disney princess in real life. I think she pegged the performance.

Cat Update: 2 1/2 months later

2008-04-11T12:30:00.006-04:00

I think it's safe to say that the cats have completely acclimated to us. I was woken up several times last night by Piper pacing on my chest and poking my nose with his. He has become very affectionate and loves being pet, even at 2 am. Aside from the interrupted sleep, he hasn't been a bother.

Pepper finally stood still to let me pet him yesterday. He doesn't seem to have the temperment of Piper and often won't sit still for long. He seems to prefer exploring things on his own or stalking Piper. Piper still gets very anxious around evening when Pepper seems to be the most agressive. It reminds me of Calvin & Hobbes.

Both of the cats enjoy napping at the foot of our bed. Eden is especially tickled when she finds out Pepper has slept the night on her bed. The cats also love lounging in front of the screen at the sliding glass door. We have a large stand of bamboo just 40 feet from our apartment that at least a hundred birds nest in every day. The cats love to sit in front of the screen and listen to the cacaphony of bird calls we are treated to as they begin to roost each evening.

Taking our blog private...

2008-04-03T20:21:00.003-04:00

For our peace of mind and to protect our daughters we have decided to make our blog private. We've decided that this is especially a good move since we've posted pictures of our girls and alluded to our geographical location in our posts.

What this means is that we can specify who we allow to see our blog. We'll add family members and friends by email addresses. If we somehow miss someone you know that would like to view our blog, email us at ben_jaymin@hotmail.com and we'll add them!

Ben & Stephanie Taylor

Different and Special

2008-04-02T22:41:00.005-04:00

Eden loves to pose for pictures. It's very hard to get a candid shot of her once she sees the camera is out. Eden is reading above a first grade level and so is very inquisitive as she learns about everything around her. Lately she has been writing her own mini-books and creating her own paper dolls. Eden is mischievious, fashionable, and quick to laugh.

Britta is a girl after my own heart. She is the human equivalent of sunshine, and she loves good food! I think this particular smile was a result of chocolate pudding. Britta gives great bear hugs and is always up for cuddles. Britta is tender-hearted, affectionate, and inquisitive.

Avery is the cutest little darling! I don't know what it was she was counting here, but it looks like she made it to one. Avery has fetishes for shoes, purses, and beads. The world is Avery's classroom; she rarely misses a chance to have a book read, to get outside, to help with chores, or to experiment with whatever she can get her hands on (lately, Stephanie's make up bag!).

Optimist

2008-04-02T19:10:00.000-04:00

Today I was pondering why it is I like certain things. Ultimately, I think that it is because I am an optimist. I want to see the best in myself, others, and the world in general. I like happy endings and hope for the best resolution. I’m gullible at times because I want to believe that people are honest. I like pop songs because they are upbeat (even though at times they are more ‘sappy’ than ‘happy’). I like happy endings because I believe everyone deserves the chance to find what they truly desire in their lives.

Of course, life isn’t all roses. But the bittersweet makes the sweet that much more appreciated, right? For me this is the case. After all, if we didn’t experience, sickness would we appreciate health? If we didn’t know sorrow, would we know or appreciate joy? We all benefit from experiencing things that are trying and difficult because not only do they help us realize the good in our lives, but it also gives us the opportunity to become stronger. Opposition gives us the chance to expand our character. I like these opportunities to grow because I believe we all can take the best from these experiences and become better people. And isn’t that the best news of all?

Life is an adventure! Carpe Diem!

Here's Steph!!

2008-04-02T19:03:00.005-04:00

I had some questions about why there are no pictures of Stephanie on the blog. I didn't have a good answer. Here they are!!

This is Steph at 3 months. We haven't been sharing the news outside of family. But now that it's been 3 months we are ready to announce to the world!

We all had a good time at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

2 cats became 5 cats

2008-04-01T22:58:00.005-04:00

When Avery was born, Eden and Britta started acting like babies. I should have guessed that when we got the cats we would have experienced something similar.

Easter!

2008-04-01T22:24:00.008-04:00

All the girls were excited for Easter this year. I think Britta got into the Easter candy a little early.

We made cupcakes, and Avery helped me put the wrappers out.

Eden eyed her finished product which only lasted 30 seconds before it was devoured. (That's a rainbow chip cupcake with sour cream frosting, dyed coconut, and Cadbury mini eggs with a plastic rabbit pick.)

By Sunday morning the Easter bunny had not yet arrived. We got word earlier in the weekend that he was planning on stopping by while we were at church. The girls were excited to go to church so that the Easter bunny could make his stop.

Easter dinner was DELISCIOUS!! Ham, homemade mashed potatoes, Red Lobster biscuits, and key lime pie.

Pepper helped us out with the decorations this year.

April Fool's

2008-04-01T15:38:00.004-04:00

For the past week my girls have been jumping the gun on April Fool's Day. Inevitably, it begins with "Dad, you have a green bug in your hair!" I play along until the "April Fool's" announcement is made. They don't mind being early, and I don't mind being "fooled".

My mom sent me an email with some suggested foundations for the April Fool's Day tradition that I found interesting:

1700 : April Fools tradition popularized

On this day in 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools' Day by playing practical jokes on each other.

Although the day, also called All Fools' Day, has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, its exact origins remain a mystery. Some historians speculate that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. These included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as "poisson d'avril" (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person.

Historians have also linked April Fools' Day to ancient festivals such as Hilaria, which was celebrated in Rome at the end of March and involved people dressing up in disguises. There's also speculation that April Fools' Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather.

April Fools' Day spread throughout Britain during the 18th century. In Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with "hunting the gowk," in which people were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) and followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people's derrieres, such as pinning fake tails or "kick me" signs on them.

In modern times, people have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools' Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations and Web sites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims that have fooled their audiences. In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record
spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. In 1985, Sports Illustrated tricked many of its readers when it ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour. In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain,
duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a "Left-Handed Whopper," scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich.

Cherry Blossom & Kite Festival

2008-04-01T14:33:00.012-04:00

The weekend of March 29th our family took the Metro downtown to participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival. The girls were exstatic to be riding on the Metro! I figured it was going to be crowded on the metro but almost impossible to find parking.

I have never seen so many people at the Metro stations or on the Mall! I think this must have been the busiest day for the Metro line all year. When we finally got off the Metro at the Smithsonian station, we had to fight through the crowd to get to the street level. The wind was blowing outside and the Kite Festival was in full swing. Avery especially was drawn to the kites.

We made our way towards east end of the National Mall to see the cherry trees. It was more crowded than Disneyland during spring break. Fortunately, there are hundreds of cherry trees. We took some pictures around some of the closer ones and reveled in the promise of spring. Meanwhile, a cool wind kept the temperature around jacket weather.

We continued down the mall past the Washington Monument to the World War II Memorial. All the girls love waterfountains. This place has them by the dozen!

We were all a bit tired from the walking and decided to sit down and rest for a moment. Britta came up to me and directed me to open my mouth. After peering at my teeth she said in a very concerned voice, "Dad, your teeth are getting kind of yellow." Kids are so honest. I explained that it was probably time for me to visit the dentist to get my teeth cleaned and polished. Britta yelled to Stephanie, "Mom, Dad needs to go to the dentist when we get home tonight!"

We ended the day with a trip to the reflecting pool by the Lincoln Memorial to feed the ducks (sorry, no pictures). I had loaded up all our stale bread in my backpack just for this purpose. We had enough to keep the ducks, swans, and gulls? busy for about 15 minutes. We all had a great time watching the gulls dive and steal the bread from the ducks and even catch bites in the air.

The trip home was pretty uneventful, and lots less crowded. Next on our list of things to do downtown is the National Zoo!

Doh! Are you sure it's not Monday?

2008-04-01T13:49:00.003-04:00

Today I stopped by the restroom after lunch time. After a few seconds of confusion I realized I had put my underwear on backwards this morning. At least I put them on before my pants.

Cats trumped Dogs

2008-03-26T23:38:00.007-04:00

We are cat parents now. We got our two cats during a PetSmart window-shopping trip back on the first Saturday in Feburary. We like to take the girls down every two weeks or so to see the animals. We figured it was a cheap way to get some enjoyment of pets before we were ready to commit to them ourselves. In January we realized we were getting a decent tax return and decided the time was right! We'd had our eyes on a pair of brothers that had been at the store for a couple of weeks: 8 months old, boys, and shorthairs.

We kept the names they came home with. One is black and is named Pepper. The other is a striped tabby with white chest and paws and is name Piper.

We brought the cats home on February 2nd along with a shopping cart full of accessories. The first couple of weeks were an adjustment for everyone. The cats hid out in the 2nd bathroom during most of the day. We had to work with the girls to be calm and quiet around our cats. In the evenings they would come out to explore. We would lock them in at night to protect the furniture.

I would say they are now completely adjusted. And mischevious! They are always tearing around the house at night with their claws catching on the carpet. They are pretty comfortable around the girls, except for Avery. We leave them out at night now, and they like to sleep at the foot of our's and Eden's beds.

Piper is affectionate but a bit nervous. He has figured out how to wiggle between all the storage containers under our bed to an open space at the middle near the headboard. He loves to follow us into the bathroom for some reason.

Pepper is more independent. He's not one to rub up against you or sit still for petting. But he also doesn't run off as much as Piper. Pepper seems to take a certain satisfaction in sneaking up on and frightening Piper. And Piper always reacts.

One of their favorite activities is to sit at an open window or the sliding glass door (behind screens of course) and watch "bird and squirrel TV". We have a big stand of bamboo near our apartment where dozens of birds roost every night. It's usually pretty loud out there around sunset. I wish I could understand what they were thinking as they watch all the birds winging in to roost.

I'm guessing there are dog people that are wondering why we would go with cats. In truth, Steph is more of a dog person and I am more of a cat person. But we both agreed that cats would be best for our current situation. We have a 3 bed, 2 bath apartment with only a small patio. Indoor dogs aren't our thing, and we have no yard. Also, with the ticks in our area, outdoor animals aren't much of an option. Plus, neither one of us wants to get up at night or go outside during the winter to take the dogs out to use the restroom. I can handle scooping the catbox for five minutes each day, especially because I can do it when I have time. So, wether you agree or not, cats were the best choice for us!