Happiest People in the U.S.

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer Kevin Freking, Associated Press Writer – Wed Mar 11, 7:40 am ET WASHINGTON –

Looking for happiness — it's family-friendly communities for some, tropical paradise or the rugged West for others. A survey of Americans' well-being, conducted by Gallup in partnership with Healthways and America's Health Insurance Plans, gives high marks to Utah, which boasts lots of outdoor recreation for its youthful population.

Speaking of outdoor recreation, the islands of Hawaii took second place and Wyoming was third in the poll that rated such variables as mental, physical and economic health.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090311/ap_on_re_us/states_of_happiness

Friends Since '93

Thanks Brooke for a fabulous dinner. Glad to know you live just a few miles away. It was fun to catch up with you, Torrey and Mark. Love you girls. Let's do it again soon.

2 Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

Mr. Man

Zane is 18 months old and definitely a miniature Rory. He thinks he's so big. He loves his daddy and his favorite word is "Jeep." Yes, he is ALL BOY and is as active as he can be. He climbs on everything, opens, bangs and throws everything, etc. Sigh. He is also a great mess maker. He keeps me busy. He tries to help me unload the dishwasher, loves to take his diaper to the trash, and feeds himself. He loves to wrestle his dad and torment his sister. He makes us laugh we love our little Mr. Man.

Christmas 2008

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. Thanks for the cards, gifts and love from all. It made our little Christmas so special. Notice the ornaments only on the top of the tree. Zane proof.

Jette Lynn Dances

In this rare moment, I caught Jette Lynn dancing...and on video! What a nut!

Happy Birthday

Jette Lynn turned 3 a few weeks ago.

Her favorites include:
Talking
Asking why
Nemo
Pink and yellow
Going to The Cree-um (Aquarium)

Halloween

Mystery Bug

Is this a bug from your worst nightmare or what? This picture is not for the faint of heart. But it's kind of interesting don't you think? In a scary sort of way. And what IS it anyway? Anybody know? Someone found it in the dogs water bowl in Heber. Yikes.
I posted these pics on BugGuide.net and found out it's a harmless Jerusalem Cricket. They're seem awfully big and scary for a cricket. Yuck. Read all about them at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_cricket

Petting Zoo at Thanksgiving Point

Jette Lynn loves the pony ride and feeding the goats.

The calves came close to getting Zane's bottle.

Thanks Darby for introducing us to this place. Here's Jette Lynn with Abby and Lucy.

Just last week we went with Diana, Logan, and baby Kamryn. Good times!

Bear Lake

A month ago the kids and I went up to Bear Lake. It was so fun to have a little beach closer to us than California. Jette Lynn mostly played in the sand while our fearless Zane was all over the place dunking his head in the water, drinking the water, splashing in the water, etc. It was a lot of fun.

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A Shout Out To My Girls

Ann Marie, Brooke, Liz, Monique, and Torrey: Here's to over 14 years of friendship! I'm sad I was the only one who didn't get to come to our little reunion in Colorado Springs...Ya, Ya Sisterhood Traveling Pants Thing...Okay that was Ann Marie's line. Thanks for the cheezy message. I miss you all and love you more than you'll know. I'll see you at the next one FOR SURE!

THEN
(coming soon)

NOW

Taylor Reunion

Our first annual Taylor Family Reunion was a success! We stayed at the Northgate Mansion in Provo. It was beautiful and roomy for over 30 of us. It was fun to see everyone. Some of the highlights included eating, smimming, movies in the theatre room, girl talk til 2am, jewelry making, kareoke, a Chinese feast made by Rachie, water balloons, treats, lunch at Tucanos Brazilian Grill, a hike around Cascade Springs, etc. Thanks everyone, especially Lol and Gompy. We can't wait for next year.

The view from the front door.

I love this picture of Grandma LOL surrounded by SOME of her grandchildren.

Our walk to the park

Zane and Elijah calmed right down for their wagon ride. They loved it. Such boys!

Molly and her dolly. (Niece Kamryn)

The Grill Master at work!

Cousins Cousins and MORE Cousins!

Jette Lynn had so much fun seeing all her cousins at the reunion. Tessy, Logan, and Glen are all her age. Fun times!

Happy First Birthday Zane!

The Living Planet Aquarium

It was fun to get together with some of the cousins and tour the local aquarium back at the end of May when we first moved here. It's nice to have it so close to us so we can go often.



Jette Lynn was so excited she found Nemo.

Home Sweet Home (The First 5 Weeks)

We're settling in to our new house and neighborhood just fine. It's such a beautiful area right up against the mountains and we're grateful for all the trees and nice landscaping. It's been so nice to be able to take the stroller and go for walks. We don't know how time passes so quickly now, but Rory working 6 days a week might have something to do with it.

I keep busy with my favorite new books, the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I'm already rereading them. You just can't beat a good love story. I can't wait for the 4th book to come out in August and then the movie in December. I'm addicted.

Jette Lynn had a really bad cold for a week and then passed it on to Zane and I. We have all been pretty miserable for a couple weeks. Then a rock flew out from the lawn mower and sent Jette Lynn to Children's Hospital in Salt Lake to check out the eye damage. It was a long night and very traumatic for a 2 year old to have doctors poking her sore eys and strapping her down for scans and tests. Her cornea suffered a scratch and we are grateful it wasn't any worse. She was on Lortab and eyedrops for a couple days, but she's already up and acting like nothing happened. The morning after it happened our little drama queen Helen Keller wouldn't open her eyes...not even to eat. It was almost comical.

Leaving Las Vegas

I have less than 2 weeks to pack up the place and then the kids and I are outta here. Rory will finish up finals and come up the following week. He has secured a great job driving truck in the South Jordan area with future management opportunities and possible help getting his Land Architecture Licensure. We've been waiting for Rory to be done with school for years now and couldn't be more ready to get on with our lives and get out of Vegas.

SOME OF THE THINGS I WILL MISS:
-a variety of restaurants
-the outlet malls
-nearby friends
-Jette Lynn's friends (o:
-spring in Feb
-fall in Nov
-sunshine 360 days of the year
-every show and concert you could want

AND I WON'T MISS:
-UNLV (there's something about never having money or a husband that makes you hate a place)
-apartment living
-concrete and gravel...I need some green
-windy 350 days of the year
-only two seasons...hot/windy, chilly/windy
-overpriced theatres and shows
-wicked hot summers
-being far from family