20 something

Oliver in the Alley

2010-06-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Oliver, I can't believe that you are almost 1! It seems like just yesterday when I took your 3 week pictures in the newborn nest. You are such a sweet boy.

He looks like a little newsie in that hat. I love it!

my new cannon!

2009-10-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Pretty fall colors. This is just one reason why fall is my favorite!

It was a foggy morning at Cobblestone. The guys had to delay the outting until the fog cleared. They were so worried that they would loose to many balls. I don't blame them.

Harrison trying to be a tough dog.

Isabell hanging out in the fall leaves.

A day with Ethan

2009-09-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

Well Brittany and I watched
Ethan overnight and decided to surprise Lindsay with a photoshoot from the Picture People. He was so good and the photographer said that she wanted to use him as a model. Oh and I got hired there! I didn't take these pictures but I will start soon.

The nest that I made. It sheds.

I got a creative idea...but Ethan didn't like it so much.

Little horsey.

"I don't think I like this orange thing."

boys will be boys

2009-08-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today I did a photoshoot with the Trish boys. Kaiden and Mason are 4 and 1. They were a little shy in the begining but it didn't take long for their wild side to unleash! They are so fun and have tons of energy.

Kaiden splashing in a puddle in an alley. Wow!

Mason is always noticing things but he is not quite talking yet...he just points and says "uhhhh!"

Just being a boy.

The playground is always an easy ice breaker!

I really like this one... I started getting creative.

Kaiden is almost 5!

Like I said in the title...boys will be boys. Can you say "Oh Brother!" Summer (their mom) is such a trooper I don't know how she keeps up with these two. They sure love to pick on each other.

The highlight of their day was getting to squirt me with a squirt gun...which felt great because it was so hot. My cammera was not as accepting though. Oh well at least I got some good pics!

Now Kaiden's turn!

The capes that I made turned out pretty cute. They weren't to sure about them at first but after they realized that the capes made them "run faster" they were all for it!

Maybe it's just me but I can so see this picture on a Halmark card. Can't you?

Why are Croc's so darn cute?

Bubbles were also a big hit.

Mason you are just too cute for your own good.

Thanks for all of the great fun today boys!

Oliver Reed Skinner

2009-08-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

Oliver's first photoshoot went so well. He slept most of the time which made things a lot easier. He is a squeeky little guy but he smells so sweet. I love you Oliver.

Precious boy

Hanging out in his new room

A sign that I painted for his room

He looks so small in Brandons arms

The whole family

Sleepy guy

His smiles melt my heart... I wonder what he is dreaming about

He really liked this prop. It is called a newborn nest and I made it out of cotton yarn. It matches his eyes...you'll just have to trust me on this one since he sleeps all the time. Next month I'm sure I will get a few with his eyes open! Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

ashley's belly photo shoot

2009-06-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how big she's getting.

Trying to fit into her old clothes.

My favorite picture. Brandon is going to be a fun dad.

At the Holsinger's place.

Sweet pupies.

sibert photoshoot

2009-06-07T10:56:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that Kane is 6 and Taylor is 3. I guess time really does fly. I have watched Kane and Taylor since they were born and I love hanging out with them. They are so funny and they know how to have a good time.

Since Grace and Elliott are coming up soon I have been getting excited to do photo shoots. So I told Kane and Taylor that we were going to put our pretty clothes on and take a walk to the woods...they thought that I sounded crazy but I guess that it sounded fun because they were ready and willing to do it.

So cute!

They thought that this one was really fun because they got to sit on suitcases.

Even though they are getting older they still look like babies to me. I love you Kane and Taylor.

Last Field Trip

2009-05-25T17:08:00.001-07:00

Since the school year is ending and I am not coming back to the TPC next year Lori and I decided to squeeze in a few more field trips. First we went to the fire station to visit the fire fighters and the cool trucks.

They were so excited to see the trucks. Logan was literaly shaking with excitement.

Next we stopped at Summer Stories to read a few books. This was our first time having story time outside of the daycare. It went pretty well.

Finally we got to go to Pizza Forum and the kids got to make their own pizzas! This was so neat to see the kids choose their own toppings and to see their smiling faces.

Emma had peperoni.

Then we got to eat! We had a great last field trip.

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T16:59:00.001-07:00

Luke, Cory, Gavin and Troy played corn whole in the back yard for 4 hrs.!

Gavin and Troy dominated for the first 2 hrs then Luke and Cory made a come back.

Harrison was their biggest fan...and most annoying fan. He liked to sneak behind the players and slowly take away the bean bags one at a time.

Dad cooked hot dogs on the grill for the boys after a long day of sanding windows in the basement of the new house.

The grill master.

Skinner baby shower

2009-05-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

My mom and I threw my cousin Ashley a baby shower this weekend. It tucned out really cute and we had so much fun doing it. She was so pretty with her BIG belly.

My first diaper cake! I even made the bow.

Natalie made a pacifier out of toilet paper. (It was one of the games.)

For the next game the girls were supposed to cut out parts of baby faces and try to make what Brandon and Ashley's baby would look like. Grandma wasn't to good at this game but she won a prize for having the scariest baby. Ha ha we laughed so hard.

I think that she really liked the sea turtle swim trucks and matching hat that I bought her.

My new hobby...HAIR BOWS!

2009-05-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

Isabell is so cute in her new bow...but she's not really a girly-girl so it only stays in her hair for about 10 seconds.

Here are some more. I'm officailly addicted. I guess you could compare it to Luke and fishing, I just can't get enough. And they are so cute.

baby ethan

2009-05-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

My best friend and maid of honnor recently became an aunt for the fist time! Since I am an experienced aunt of 2 she asked me to go with her to visit Lindsay and baby Ethan. We had so much fun holding him and watching him sleep. He is such a good baby. Even though I work at a daycare and I'm around babies all of the time I just can't get enough of them. There is nothing like a newborn...they smell so good and they sleep all of the time. Enjoy this time while it lasts Linds. : ) Brittany and I also had fun taking pictures of Ethan. Here is a sample of his first photo shoot. He is only one week old!

This is my favorite one. He is so sweet.

Our Pen Pal Grace

2009-05-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Grace...we are so excited to see you. Today we went to the park and played on the big slides. We also went to the big school called East Noble High School. We went to the big school to have music time with Emma's daddy Mr. Metert. He is very silly and likes to sing and dance. We had spaghetti for lunch and we got a new sand box outside. It was hot outside after breakfast but this morning the grass was crunchy and white because there was frost on it! We hope that you liked our letters that we sent you. Have a fun week Grace!

I'm going to miss you kids!

2009-05-18T19:58:00.001-07:00

So I recently found out that after working at the daycare for the past three years they can no longer afford to keep me. I know I know it really sucks. I have been with those kids since they were born...it is going to be tough leaving them. But I know that God has a plan for me and teaching is in my near future but I don't think that I will ever have a job as fun as this one. Between long nature walks, field trips, jumping on the moon walk and playing in the sprinkeler daycare was deffinately a fun filled three years. Here are some recent pictures of my kids.

Collin found a mushroom...yummy! We ate it at snack time!

Ethan, Emma and Kaiden picked some pretty lilac flowers for mothers day.

The Three Musketeers! Matthew, Collin and Logan.

My kids left to right, Ethan, Matthew, Meagan, Logan, Collin, Kaiden and Emma.

Ethan rides the duck at Bixler Lake Park. Our "faborite" place to go.

luke's new pet

2009-05-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

As we were driving Katie back to Kendallville from the airport Luke noticed a "huge" frog in the middle of the road. Being the animal lover that he is...we had to do a U-turn to go back and get see the frog. Once we got back to the frog Luke decides that we should take it home! Katie and I were not about the hold it for the 20 minute ride home so Luke ended up holding it while driving home...yeah real safe I know.

Here he is. I think Luke ended up naming him Fred. Fred the frog was hoppily released back into nature at the Taylor household. I just thought that this deserved to be blogged. If only I had squirrel pictures to blog....just kidding honey!

fishin' with Isabell

2009-05-07T20:47:00.001-07:00

After buying Isabell her very own doggy life jacket we decided that it was time for her to learn how to fish. She looked very cute in her little jacket. I think that orange is her color. She had a great time watching daddy throw out his bait. She would watch the bait from when Luke threw it until it hit the water. It was funny to see her little head follow the bait wherever he droped it in. We love our little "fisher-dog!"

Kisses for being a good girl.

She even learned how to drive the boat! What a dog!

How could we not take her with us...look how darn cute she is.

Luke also taught her how to put the bait on the hook. She learned a lot today.

ice cream and the beach

2009-03-12T14:00:00.001-07:00

Grace and Elliott are true beach babies!

Grace loves chasing seagulls, playing in the mushy sand and jumping on the waves.

Elliott is a definite sand man. He will play in the sand all day if you let him. He cries every time we leave.

Mmmmmm. Blue ice cream is the best Grace...especially when it matches your dress.

Elliott was so happy to have a whole ice cream cone all to himself. He ate the whole thing.

fun photo shoot

2009-03-12T13:27:00.001-07:00

Just hanging out at the park with Grace... she melts my heart when she says... "my Shewsea!"

Brittany came to Florida with me for Spring Break to hang out with Luke's family. We had a great time playing with Grace and Elliott. This game is called 1...2...3!

The VanGessels got a free photo shoot at the park. I love these guys! Look how sweet they are.

My god daughter Grace Ann.

Uncle Kook and Aunt Chelsea with Grace and Elliott.

engaged

2009-03-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

I thought that this was going to be just another Spring Break in Florida...but was I wrong or what? THE STORY: Luke and I were "sent out to pick up the pizza" but we decided to watch sunset together while we waited. His original plan was to propose during sunset on Honeymoon Island...but he felt uncomfortable because there were people all around us. (Later we found out that Jerry asked a complete stranger to video tape the whole thing...so we now have a video tape of Luke and I watching sunset...w/o him popping the question.) We still had some time to waste before we could get the pizza so he took me to a little pond with a covered pavilion and we were looking for fish in the pond...then when I turned around Luke was on his knees asking me to marry him!!! I was totally shocked...to be honest I thought that he was kidding since he fake proposed with a plate on Valentines Day at Applebee's. But of coarse I said YES! We are both so happy and excited. We waited 6 years for this and it's finally here!

The ring...I know it "rocks!" It's a little big so I have to wear it on the wrong finger until I get it re sized.

I know, I know its only been a few days but Brittany and I fly home on Friday and we wanted Debbie, Katie and Grace to be a part of the fun...and I think that we found the dress!

Grace is such a little doll baby...the people in the store were clapping for us. I love the colors and this dress made me feel so pretty!

My maid of honor and best friend ever...Brittany!

hanging out with Elias

2009-01-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

It must be hard to be so cute

He is already five months old and he smiles coo's and even laughs.

If you didn't know, baby feet are my weakness...I just can't get enough of them. They are so "stinkin" cute. I love the smell, I think its funny when they have toe jam, and I really like when they are fat. Little thick feet... I love you.

Elias got carhart's for christmas and he looks like a big guy now. He sure fits in with the Strawser crew.

Elias loves his jumperoo horse. He jumps like he's been doing it for years. I've decided that someday I will watch him on t.v. He will be on the Olympic Trampoline Team. Gold medal for Elias!!!

ice fishing with the boys

2009-01-16T09:59:00.000-08:00

Luke thought that it would be a good idea if I came along while him and Ben Taylor went ice fishing. He asured me that it would be fun and that I would catch something. So I thought that I'd give it a try, but my first step on the ice I landed hard on my butt...yeah I guess I forgot that ice was slippery. Instantly my three layers of pants were soaked and I was freezing. I tried to stick it out but I only lasted 45 minutes. I had to go back to the truck to defrost. I didn't have too much fun but I managed to get a few good pictures and a funny story.
Ben digging a hole.

These two fisherman will fish in the rain or cold, sun or snow...I guess that you could say they are pretty dedicated....or pretty obsessed.

New Years Eve was a total BUST!

2009-01-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

Luke and Isabell take a quick nap before the party.

After inviting 50 people we realized that Gavin was our only "true friend"... he was the only one that showed up. Oh well we still had a good time watching CSI and enjoying a few glasses of electric lemonade!

Happy New Year!.........2009 here we come. I wonder what this year has in store for us.

champion of the Wii

2008-12-26T12:02:00.000-08:00

I'm not kidding she KO a guy! She really is a cool grandma!

christmas 08

2008-12-26T11:43:00.000-08:00

Stockings were a big hit this year because we made a deal with mom and dad. We decided instead of presents we wanted a hot tub...so that's what we got.

Baby Elias was the center of attention at Aunt Jody's on Christmas Eve. His laugh was contagious.

Grandma Penny made sure to spend lots of time with Elias since her and Powell are headed back down to bright and sunny Florida.

girls trip to michigan

2008-12-26T11:21:00.000-08:00

Brittany, Cortney, me and Carleigh all decided to make a camping trip in Michigan a yearly tradition. The beach is our favorite part!
It's hard to believe that we have all been best friends since the 6th grade.

Who whould know that this was a lake? Sometimes we just call it the ocean...even though it's a little colder.

So goofey!

Beach babes of 2008