Just a glimpse

Life.
Some days are as cozy as sunshine beaming through an open window.  Other days are a beautiful blur. Each is measured it in it's own way but all will merge to form the finale of a wonderful life.
Below is a smattering of images from Valentine's Day and recent days (but mostly Valentine's).
Just a glimpse at our lovely life.

For Thought

I came across this article courtesy of my mother and found it thought provoking.  I was most impressed by this idea:

"Women escort every soul through the veil to mortal life and full agency...

even Adam, who was created before Eve, entered into full mortality and full agency by accepting

the gift of the First Tree from the hand of a woman.  In a sense, Adam himself was born of Eve."

When you have a few minutes read the rest and be wowed by womanhood.

Christmas Cheer

We went to Oklahoma for Christmas this year.  We somehow bypassed the major crowds at the airport and Leone was a champ on both flights. We missed our mOuNtAIn family but I soaked up every minute we spent in my hometown.  Leone met her cousins and Aunts and Uncles and we learned Randi and Steven are expecting; such exciting times!  We updated our family portrait, (the last one was taken at Randi and Steven's wedding and Trae was the only grandchild and Nick hadn't left for his mission yet) this time we took the picture ourselves!  Kellee and I were in charge of  making it happen and I wasn't sure how it would turn out with all the babies and the freezing Christmas weather...but I'm impressed and I'll admit a bit surprised.  With minimal photoshop touches (thanks to a family friend with the skills and Aly's brother for being the "baby-attention-getter") we came up with something WALL WORTHY.  Phew!

The Human Race

The month leading up to Thanksgiving I saw posters for "The Utah Human Race 5k/10k Fun Run and Walk".  Signs for races pop up all over the valley throughout the year so why I paid particular attention to this race I don't know.  But there are a few things I did know:  we don't do anything on Thanksgiving morning so why not be outdoors doing something that benefits someone else, a 5k is 3.2 miles....totally do able, Spencer and I would enjoy it.  I had originally thought it would just be me, Spencer and Leone but we mentioned it to Spencer's family one Sunday dinner and before we knew it we had a team (Spencer's mom, Tricy, Ashlie, and our little family)! Sarah got her mom and sisters into a team as well (they included our brother-in-law Jonathan-Ashlie's husband-and they ran the 10k).  Team Taylor signed up for the 5k "stroller/walker/jogger" heat since we'd have Leone. The race was to benefit the Food Bank and resulted in raising $125,000!

Halloween

My costume for Halloween this year is probably one of my very favorites.  I don't get into Halloween too much but when there is a party with prizes involved I've got to try for at least one.  The weekend before Halloween was our ward party and we went as s'mores.  I only have a picture of Leone but she's the best part any way. We stuffed a too-big-for-her sleep sack with blankets and onesies to make her the cutest and fluffiest marshmallow. (The picture was taken with my phone, sorry for the blur)

Baby vs. Wild

Picnic at Mountain Dell Resevoir

Spencer and I love the outdoors but since being pregnant in the sweltering heat of the summer then Spencer starting school and the whole Leone-in-the-hospital episode it's been difficult to find time to be at one with nature.  Spencer had fall break a week or two ago and we used that as our opportunity to sneak away.  Leone was in tow, of course, and we wouldn't have it any other way!  

Milkshake..in a BAG!

Not my shake...but close

Tonight we treated ourselves to mint chocolate chip ice cream (YUM!).  The dilemma arrived when Spencer wanted a milkshake but Leone was peacefully asleep-had been for a few hours-and I was determined she remain that way.