Lewis and Clark Caverns

Instead of going to West Yellowstone this year we decided to go to Lewis and Clark Caverns. My dad assured us it was only about an hour drive which turned into a 2 hour drive. We all rode in Saun and Wes's van and had so much fun listening to little kid songs.









Saun and mom enjoying the back seat. It is clear to tell they are faking sleeping since my mom's mouth isn't slack. Her signature sleeping expression is when her jaw goes slack but she somehow manages to keep her lips together.

I had to post a picture of everyone who rode in the back of the van!

These caves were awesome! We all decided it was worth the drive. We were in the cavern for over an hour walking through it.

Ode to Lucy

Some of you may already know that one of our family members passed away this month. Lucy has been with us for almost 13 years and has been a true companion to all of us. She has been having seizures for a couple months and on September 5th (Wes's Birthday) she got really sick during the night and clearly wasn't enjoying life so dad had to take her to the farm. Although she was close to all of us I think she liked Sam the most. I suppose Sam might actually have to find a new girlfriend now (hopefully human this time.) Here are a few pictures from the last 2 years of Lucy. I am sad that I won't ever get to call her again...."Here Luey Luey Luey Luey....good girl."

2008 City of Rocks

September 3, 2009. Last picture with Chelsea and Lucy.

London the Photographer

The entire trip London kept asking me if she could take a picture with my camera. It got really hard to say no espeically when her face looked like this. This is her asking me if she can please take some pictures. I finally let her only while I held onto the wrist cord, which turned out to be a mistake because she then thought she could take pictures all the time. Here are a few of London Rose's photographs......

I would just like you all to know how humbling it was for me to see this picture. I was so sick this day and it was right before we left to go back to Utah so I had to get something in my stomach so I made an egg sandwich. Wasn't that sweet of London to sneak a picture of me while I was eating with my head down so I have a double chin? Could she had stood at a better angel? Did she really have to get the large jar of mayonaise in the picture too? Ugh, at least I can say I looked so bad because I was sick and pregnant.

What we have been up to?

School is OUT! So we are trying to enjoy the time while we have it. Breaks only last a few weeks so we have to make everyday a relaxing and fun day. I must say though that the relaxing part means sleeping in and not getting out of bed until noon (and sometimes even 1pm). Its nice to have some time to recover but it goes by way too fast. So what have we been doing:
Cleaning the apartment! We don't have a dishwasher...Life is rough!

Fixing our cars...which seem to always have something wrong with them. This time the brake lights will not turn off. We have been unplugging the battery to make sure we don't kill it and get stranded. I finally got creative with the duct tape and did a temporary fix until we can get the right part...because why would they have a 15 cent part here on the island :).
Hanging out and going for walks on the beach...One of our favorite things to do is just walking on the beach! Its relaxing and there are always things to see. Playing with the star fish. Laura and I love going on Sunday drives. We usually drive out to Rum Point. The drive is great and along the ocean most of the way. We normally stop at our favorite beach along the way and then we go to see the starfish!

The best part of being on vacation is

SNORKELING!

I have a blast everytime I go out. I always see the most interesting things and everytime seems so different from the last.

The squid were so awesome today! They were glowing and full of color. I am glad I had a camera to capture the moment because I don't know if anyone would believe me!

It seems that as of lately everytime I go out I see sharks. This is the nurse shark that came right up to me after being in the water for just 5 minutes. I did wig out for a minute but then it just swam away. I struggled to get a good picture because I was so nervous.

Then of course there are always the Sea Turtles! Its so awesome to see these out in the open. I have a blast chasing them and trying to catch them.


And last but not least watching the sunsets! They are spectacular here!

MARCH 2010...

COMING SOON BABY TAYLOR #1

I envy the women who don't have any morning sickness. Mine is bad in the morning and gets worse throughout the day! We are nine weeks along so hopefully we will all start feeling better in a few more weeks.

Swine Flu + Exams = Fun times!

Since its been a while since we have posted, I just wanted to update everyone. At the beginning of the week Laura started feeling sick. We took her to the hospital and they told us that she has the swine flu. Of course it had to hit during the most stressful week of the month, but we are doing good and Laura is starting to feel a little better. I guess I am next but I hope that I dont start feeling anything until after tuesday when I finish with exams!

Luckily I was able to save up for a new camera, we have been using out underwater camera and as you can see the image isn't very clear. Too bad, because these are some of my dear friends in Cayman. Shalynna, Kieren (Porter) Laura and Sarah. We had a little get together on Sunday.

These are some very adorable kids from the branch who are all watching a cartoon, Denet is a good sport to let all these kids in her room but then again they are pretty cute and very sweet:)

Relief Socitey Retreat with the Branch

Marcila, Laura Kieren, Grace

Laura and Kieren

Grand Cayman Branch Relief Society and one little girl

As many of you know, Bryan and I have been serving in the nursery since we got married! Why do people think we like kids? Do they not put it together that we don't have any children on purpose? Not that we plan on being that way forever but if the nursery callings keep coming then it may be a while before there are any little Bryan Taylors on this earth. On top of med school being difficult for both of us we don't get spiritually uplifted at church and we only get to know a few of the nursery boy's parents (if you know what I mean). SOOO this Relief Society Retreat was one of my favorite things I have done on this island. It was only 3 hours and we played some games, and had lunch and also had some very good advise. It was nice to meet some of the sister's because I don't get to know anyone but the nursery kids. Anyhow, I am not writing this to complain about my calling because I do like it. I just wanted to tell everyone in the RS thank you!

Shalynna, Laura Kieren, Ondina.

Went for sushi and a movie with some girls from the branch. It was so fun! Wish we could do it every week. I must not get out enough because I laughed so hard in the movie "the Proposal."
Can't wait to go out again.

• Taggy 8 Things:
  
  8 Favorite TV shows:
  
  American Idol
  The Office
  Brothers and Sisters
  Saved By the Bell
  America’s Funnies Home Videos
  Ellen
  What Not To Wear
  Desperate Housewives
  
  8 Things I Did Yesterday:
  
  Went to Spin
  Talked to my mom on Skype
  Did 6 loads of Laundry and vacuumed
  Went to Linner (Lunch/dinner) with husband
  Prayed that Bryan will be ok with all the school stress
  Read book
  Tried to jump my car which ended up needing a very expensive battery
  Created Power Point for MBA (Bryan)
  
  8 Favorite Restaurants:
  
  Café Rio
  Ragazzi’s (Grand Cayman)
  California Pizza Kitchen
  Sundance (only been there a few times $$$)
  Copper Falls Steakhouse (Grand Cayman)
  Red Robin
  Johnny Carino’s
  25 Main (St. George)
  
  8 Things I am looking Forward To:
  
  Living in one place for more than 1 year
  Bryan coming home before Midnight and getting to relax
  Paying off student loans
  Leaving the island for good which means Bry will be done with Sciences
  Living in more than just a studio apartment and not pay $1600/mo. Rent
  Starting a family someday
  Losing myself in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains (hopefully living near)
  December 2009, when we will get to be with our families for Christmas.
  
  
  8 Things On My Wish List:
  
  Bryan will be happy even though school has maxed him out
  At least 3 baby girls (am I dooming myself for a house full of boys?)
  Buff shoulders like my mom and sisters
  SMU would get Title 4 so we could get government loans
  My car would never break down
  Everyone would start flossing daily (seriously, don’t lie!!)
  To be naturally skinny so I can eat what I want
  Live near the mountains and have horses
  
  
  Tag 8 People:
  
  Kieren
  Saundra
  Brianna
  Bre
  Chelsea aka Homie(time to update the blog sista!)
  Jen
  Erin
  Heidy
  Shalynna
  
  

Improving my wife skills.

Maybe some of you have taken "How well do you know Bryan" facebook quiz and found there is a question on there about cookies. Bryan LOVES chocolate chip cookies and the problem is I do not cook. The question on facebook goes something like this:

Who makes Bryan's favorite cookies?

a) his mom

b) Laura

c) his grandma

d) Kieren

e) factory made cookies

So I know what you're thinking......and it is NOT Laura. I was really sad that a lot of people took that quiz and no one, not one person guessed me. Well the answer is Kieren, she is one of our friends here in Cayman and she makes killer cookies. I decided to improve my wife skills and learn from Kieren. We made cookies together and although I haven't tried them on my own I hope Bryan appreciates my effort :) However I don't want to get in the habit of baking cookies because the problem is that I eat way too many!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM

It was pretty hard to find a picture of Sam in my photo album, primarily because he refuses to let us take a picture of him. I will have to work on that one. Now to my point....HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER! Just wanted to let you know that you have made our crazy family very lucky to have a son/brother. .We will be thinking about you while you are training to be an Officer in the Marines and hopefully fly some seriously cool stuff someday! Can't wait to see you again around Christmas. Love, Laura and Bryan.

P.S. Smile next time so everyone doesn't think you're so mean:)!!