Shaver Time!

The Ultra Set-Up

My experience at Shaver this year was great. Of course, we missed Daddy a whole heck-of-a-lot, but there were plenty of helpers at the ready the whole time when Mommy needed it.


Playing on Papa's boat. Too fun!


We're Best Cousins!

Dillan had a smile on his face 95% of the time, thanks to his "best cousin" Roxy. They played in the sand, played on Papa's boat, swam in the water, ate snacks to their hearts' content. It was great! Dillan actually joined me and a few others on our swim across the cove to the big rock (he stepped up since Daddy wasn't available). He hung on to the back of my suit and helped kick us across. Great workout for Mommy!


Leah loves her baby cousin, Jordyn


Trying to get used to Papa's boat

Leah played in the sand, gave out kisses and hugs to whoever when in the right mood, splashed in the water, jumped off the boat and kept a close watch on Grandma, Papa, Chad and Lindsie. Everyday she and I would get into the water and play for a few minutes until she got cold and wanted to snuggle. I'd hold her for a few minutes while chatting with someone else and soon she was fast asleep! Something about being held in the water and cuddling would put her out everyday! The girl who never takes naps voluntarily!


My Chad


We love sleeping bags!

So many fun memories for everyone. Thank you to everyone for making it so special this year, especially Mom and Dad, we can't wait till next year!


Discussing life for 4-year-olds

Shaver Lake=Family Love

I used to think that every LDS family was like my own. Lots of cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles who get together as often as they can and get along without any issues. Everyone is involved in everyone's lives, genuinely interested in what everyone is up to, and few secrets are kept.

Well I was wrong. Big surprise, I know. The Taylors are most definintly one of a kind.

And every year, all who can, commune to the Sierra Mountains for a little family time. Observers from the outside may think we're strange, or loud, or both. And we are!
But for me, I wouldn't have it any other way. When everyone is there, it just feels right. When one or more is missing from the group, they are missed, it's just not the same.
4 generations were at the lake, how often does that happen? We're a novelty.

The remainder of this blog post is dedicated to the Taylor Family. I've collected a large number of statements from family members and their thoughts/feelings about Shaver Lake. I know I don't have everyone, but I've already started working for next year, where I am determined to have EVERYONE'S thoughts down on paper. Thank you to everyone for your love, generosity, laughs, faith, and strength. Thank you for the memories that make this place so special.

It's Edison owned. I get my check every month!
Grandpa T
Family is here. I love the mountains. Good Food!
Grandma T
It's a neutral setting. Everyone takes their turn feeding everyone. Richard T
Everyone's here. There's no rushing around. We're all just here. Bobi T
I enjoy the boat. And it's not 110 degrees out. Michael T
I look forward to every year hoping it's better than the last. Rebecca T
Shaver doesn't have a lot of rocks like other places. It's the best place in the world. Ethan T
I like driving in the car and tipping to the side when you turn. Hyrum T
It reminds me of growing up. No fighting, just togetherness. Kaley T
All the family getting together. All the kids playing together. Pamela U
I get to make fun of all the Taylors. Jonathan U
Getting out of finals early. Catching up with everyone. (Yes, she's very insightful) Allison T
It's a beautiful place and it's right next to Dinkey Creek. Roger T
I've been coming here since I was 3. This is home to me. It's my favorite place full of memories. we started all this. Susan T
The memories we make. All the memories at Dinkey Creek. Stephanie T
I like the gathering of the family to one location. Jill A
Getting up early to get the good water. Watching cousins try to outdo one another on the wakeboards. Going to bed sunburned and exhausted. Getting up early the next morning to start all over again. Sam A
I write the blog. See above. And ditto to what Dad said. Kim A
I like kicking it on the beach. No stress, just do whatever I feel. Chris A
I like to go on Papa's boat. Dillan A
Enjoying what I consider to be paradise on Earth. Shannon H
Where else can I see a talking fat sack (Troy)? Aaron H
Going on the police car and playing in the sand. Roxann H
I only wish there was an outdoor shower where I could rinse off (in the nude?) and observe nature. Chad A
Shaver is like Switzerland. We get to interact with our family in our unnatural habitats. Mark T
Sunburn, Snacking, No Sleep! Mondi T
Family. Merrill T
Getting to know Merrill's crazy family. Shannon T
Being able to see family. Rock jumping. Melodi T
Seeing family I haven't seen in years. Merrilli T
Being with family. Emily H
We mostly all the time like to be around eachother.
Diane O
Make sure everyone wears a vest. (yes, every year this story comes up) Elder Eric T
I like to go swimming and take boat rides. And waverunners. I love this place. Gavin T

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you...
while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."
-John Muir

Shaver Lake: it's a Taylor thing.

Cousin's Party Crash!

Our "superfun" cousins from Arizona have begun their California summer vacation! They were in Big Bear and we decided to come up and spend a couple days with them! It was so nice escaping the heat and we even had a thunderstorm just after we got their. We went swimming, made smores, played games, and did the Alpine Slide.


Ooeey S'more goodness, hangin with the boys!

Dillan was in heaven with all the boys! Leah even warmed up quickly to everyone, and everyone was so sweet to her. In fact, at the end of the day, when she was beyond exhaustion, she begged and begged for Jenni to hold her, NOT Mommy!



Thanks for a fun trip guys and we'll see you soon!

Happy 14 Juillet!

On my 4th favorite day of the year (July 4), I was unfortunately in a lot of pain and very nauseated so didn't enjoy it as much as I had planned.
So we decided to celebrate Bastille Day or France's Independence Day.

Just kept it simple (I am still technically on the mend) with quiche, salad, a baguette, Boursin, Le Petit Ecolier (cookies) and some fabulous looking strawberry tart-like things I picked up at the cute little patisserie I found locally. So yeah, a little bit of splurging on the food. That darn cheese is $6, but oh worth every penny!



Pulled out Chris' french flag that he'd like to be a permanant wall hanging in our home, but I have not allowed. Just too college dorm-like-post-mission for me.
Dillan liked it, though: "Hey! nice blanket Mom!"



Also pulled out one of my favorite souvenirs I got from France: my lovely napkins in beautiful Provencial style with wheat and olive branches in the great yellow and blue that dominates in the south of France. My mother got them for me at Carcassone. No one will be wiping their mouths with them, they're just there for the full effect.



We practiced our chiffres 1-10. Dillan's had the counting down for a while, Leah's almost there.

Then pulled out some pictures and the only french children's book I have (regretfully) and tried learning "I am a Child of God." No fireworks, but had some kazoos and silly string. That works!

After the kids get to bed we'll be taking out Notre Dame de Paris to finish the night off.

Don't remember any kind of celebration like this when I was in France! Next year we'll do much better.

Happy Independence Day France!

Swimming Breakthrough!

I knew it was going to happen someday, but I was convinced he needed a different teacher, someone who wasn't Mommy, before it would happen. But it happened!

Drumroll....

Should have played some"Eye of the Tiger" in the background.

Way to go Dillan! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you! You have worked so hard and have done such a good job! Brave little man! You are proof that you should never give up and just keep swimming! Every morning, he's ready! Let's GO!

Summer Fun

So inspite of Mommy's tummy drama, we've been having lots of fun this summer.


Like trips to the lake,


Leah taking a ride with her two favorite people:
Chad and Lindsie!


Watched the fireworks at the park,




And spent many many hours in the pool,

A Crazy Week

I promised I wouldn't let the blog get away untouched for more than a week, and alas it has. But I have good reasons. About a month ago I went to bed with a little pain in my abdomen, but in the morning it was gone so I figured it was something I ate. Same pain came back about a week later. Lingered a little longer, but eventually went away. It was uncomfortable and kept me up at night, so we figured if it ever came back I'd go to the doctor. And it did. So I went in to the doctor that I had only seen once for a flu shot to tell him my problem. I still had some pain, in the upper right quadrant of my gut, but especially my back, and wasn't sure what he was gonna say.

After many questions and some investigating, the doctor finally said, "One more test." He told me to take a deep breath and he stuck his hand right under my ribs, right at the hot spot. Oh crap. That hurt. I couldn't complete the breath and tears quickly filled my eyes. He ordered an ultrasound for the following week. Two days later I was told I had gallstones. I was also told that 30 million americans have it and live with it. Just avoid fatty, greasy food. Easy enough. Two days later I ate a piece of toast (with nothing on it) and a scrambled egg for breakfast. Then it hit. It felt like something was crushing my chest and I couldn't breathe. I finally threw up my breakfast hoping for some relief. Nothing. Chris threw all of us in the car and rushed to the ER.

He made a bunch of phone calls (my parents were out of town) and some wonderful friends came and took the kids. They hooked me up to an IV and took some blood tests. I told them of my recent diagnosis so they checked for infection, blocked duct, and pancreaitis. The pain finally subsided. All tests were clear. We called the surgeon and had a consult scheduled after the weekend. I spent 4th of July weekend taking tons of meds to keep the pain away, and ate practically nothing. The surgeon recommended immediate surgery and suspected an infection. Normally an easy laprascopic out-patient surgery, but if there was an infection, then much more invasive and more cutting.

So after many prayers from so many wonderful family and friends, I had the surgery and it went perfectly. Of course it happened to fall on Chris' birthday, but the relief has been instant. Just 4 holes on my tummy to deal with, but I know it will pass. Life has never been so sweet or tasted so good.