Poll Results

Thanks to all of you who voted. I have to admit that it was a difficult decision. I hate all housework. I think I must be domestically disabled!  I ultimately chose dishes because I don't like to get my hands wet or dirty and to me dirty dishes is the ultimate in grossness. Here are the results:

1 vote laundry

2 votes dishes

3 votes scrubbing toilets

Check out this week's poll. 

Rabbie Burns Nicht

Scots Wa Hae

Last night we went to the annual Robbie Burns dinner in honor of the famous Scot's birthday. He would've been 212 years old. This is the 105th anniversary of the dinner here in Boise. It's one of the oldest and biggest Robbie Burns gatherings in the world. Who would have thought that little old Boise, Idaho would have such a huge following! The dinner is usually held in one of the ballrooms at the university but this year they are being renovated so the dinner was at a banquet room in a hotel. I think most people had a better time this year because there was a bar. A party just isn't a party without a wee dram (or two or three!)

All hail your honest rounded face,

Great chieftain of the pudding race;

Above them all you take your place,

Beef, tripe, or lamb:

You're worthy of a grace

As long as my arm.

His knife the rustic goodman wipes,
To cut you through with all his might,
Revealing your gushing entrails bright,
Like any ditch;
And then, what a glorious sight,
Warm, welcome, rich.

-from To a Haggis

The piping in of the haggis.

Hungry?

Will thought it was pretty funny that the first taste of solid food that Liam got was a bit of haggis at the end of Will's finger. 

Check out these bonnie knees! These babies have won contests! (And I'm not going to tell you what Will really wears under his kilt!)

The girls had a great time listening to the music and watching the Highland dancers. We knew the dancers from Moira's class so it was fun to see them all dressed up and dancing on stage. 

This is the Boise Highlanders. Will and Jimmy both used to play with them. The music sounds much better live so you'll have to use your imagination when you watch the video. 

The music got too loud for Kyla.

Haste Ye Back

Celebrity Look-Alike

For those of you who don't know (I had to look him up myself) Mike Shinonda is a singer/rapper from the groups Fort Minor and Linkin Park. I've never heard any of his music and the only reason why I included this is because it's scary how much we look alike! 

Taylor/Rogers Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Taylor/Rogers Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Geneology

Taylor/Rogers Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Liam Speaks

In the last week or so Liam has found his voice. He now "talks" and squeals even to himself when no one is around. He loves to laugh and it's a good hearty chuckle. He likes it when I give him Eskimo kisses and kiss his cheeks. Sometimes just taking off his diaper gives him a fit of the giggles! I love my boy!

Ding! Dong! Avon Calling!

Yes, it's true, I'm going to start selling Avon. I never would have considered it, but the friend of a friend decided that she needed a change and was looking for someone to take over for her. (Amanda, I'm taking over Dusty's clients.) After sending a few E-mails back and forth, I decided to give it a try. It doesn't take much work and it's something that I can do with the kids. I don't have to throw parties or fill quotas. I start off with 18 clients already. That really helps since I don't know a whole lot of people in Boise even though I've lived here for 11 years. I'm looking forward to being able to make some extra pocket money. 

Here are some interesting facts about Avon:

• Avon started in 1886 and was originally called the California Perfume Company, located in New York City. 
• Company changed it's name to Avon in 1939. Avon refers to Stratford-On-Avon, where Shakespeare is from. He was the founder's, David McConnell's, favorite playwright. 
• Started selling in Canada in 1914.
• First major cosmetics company to permanently end animal testing (1989).
• In 2001, more Avon catalogues are printed than Us $100 bills. 
• Avon has been committed to women's health issues like breast cancer awareness, domestic violence. They also donate to emergency relief.  
  
• Avon is sold in over 100 countries.

I'm hoping that this will help to fulfill my resolution to find something just for me. 

Poll Results

Thanks for voting everyone! We had quite a spread on chocolate preferences. 

1 vote white chocolate

1 vote milk chocolate

2 votes dark chocolate

1 vote flavored chocolate (that was me)

I wonder which chocolate flavour you prefer says something about you. 

To dream of chocolate means you will provide abundantly for those who are dependent on you. To see chocolate candy means agreeable companions and employment. To drink chocolate means you will prosper after a short period of unfavorable reverses. (From 10,000 Dream Interpretations by Gustavus Hindman Miller)

"What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate..."

Katharine Hepburn

Snowshoeing

Yesterday evening Sarah and I went snowshoeing up at Bogus Basin, our local ski area. It's about a 45-60 minute drive depending on the road conditions. This was only my third time showshoeing and my first time in the dark. It's like a whole new world. We got a beautiful view of the sparkling lights of the city below. The nordic trails are just past the downhill slopes and it was busy. We almost got run over by the cross-country skiers on several occasions. They're very stealthy! In spite of that, it was so quiet and peaceful. It was so nice to get outside and breathe the fresh air even though it was cold (19F/-7C).

It took us about an hour and fifteen minutes to complete one of the trails. I was so out of breath, it was pathetic. The lodge never looked so good!

We were tired but it was a good tired. Crawling into bed last night felt like a little piece of heaven.

Liam Update

Liam had his four month check up on Thursday. He now weighs 15 lbs 13 oz. He's one big boy! When he and Kyla sit together you can hardly tell the size difference between them. I guess when you are the youngest child you have to make up for it somehow. 

Poll Results

Thanks for voting, everyone! If someone gave you 100$, four of you said you would spend it on your home and one person said on the family. I guess spending the money on your home is something that everyone can enjoy. After all, one's home is one's castle! 

Check out this week's poll. 

Nature Watching

Yesterday Kyla and I had a fun morning of nature watching in our backyard. Last week Kyla and Moira got into the bird seed and sprinkled it all over the patio and the swing set. Now the birds come right up to the back sliding glass door. At first it seemed fine, but we've had a couple of birds knock themselves out by flying into the glass. The girls did have good intentions, but they won't be spreading the seeds so close to the door next time.





 We also got a visit from the squirrel who lives in our friend and neighbour Amanda's tree. He found some sunflower seeds that the birds had dropped from the feeder.  We don't try to encourage him into our yard because Suki goes ballistic on him. One time he got into our nectarine tree and I thought Suki was going to knock it over trying to get to that poor squirrel. Suki was inside yesterday so the squirrel didn't get bothered. 

Kyla and I had fun watching the birds and the squirrel in our yard...

but we weren't the only ones!

As usual, Liam slept through the whole thing. 

Thanks Cousin Olivia!

Kyla was given Olivia's old pink cowgirl boots and she loves them. She likes to stomp around the house in them because they make a loud noise. Makes me want to get a pair for myself!

Poll Results

We only got two votes for the New Year's resolutions - one for yes and I keep them (that was me) and one for no.

Check out this week's poll. 

Skiing

Last night Will and Moira went night skiing. It was their first time out this season. They had a good time and Moira was so excited that she only fell once. She is a good little skier. I'm so proud of her.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2008, everybody! I hope you all have a year filled with love, laughter and happiness. 

I think that 2007 was a good year for us here in the Rogers/Taylor household. It started off with the surprise pregnancy of our fourth child. It was the last thing we expected to happen, but now we have our son and I couldn't imagine our life without him. Moira started grade one and that meant being away from home all day. She has handled it very well and loves all the new things she is learning. Will got his associates' degree and is now an RN. He worked very hard and we are so proud of him. I think Kyla has seen the most changes this past year. She is learning new words all the time and is a great communicator. She has moved from her crib to a bed and is now learning to use the potty. She went from being a toddler to a little girl in just a few months and is no longer the baby of the family. Last spring we came so close to buying and opening a scrapbook store, but it didn't come to pass. It's something I'm still upset about. In May the girls and I (and Liam in utero) drove home for a two week visit to see everyone, even making it over to the island again. 

2007 was full of adventures for us and I hope we have more awaiting us this coming year.