Fun with "word verification"

   As I have posted comments on blogs the past few days, my attention has been drawn to the "word verification" codes needed to authorize and authenticate the posting. I think maybe this blog might require the same code. You know what I'm talking about, the scrambled letters that at first look like my tray of leftover letter tiles in a game of Scrabble. But if you start to look at them closely, they start to look like real words, funny expressions.

   And so, for the next little while, I'm going to end most of my comments with the "word verification" that I'll need to type in to post the comment. See if you don't think they look and read funny.

   LATE ADDITION (01.23.09): In addition to putting the "verification" at the end of my posted comments, I may add a suggested definition - kind of like a twist on the old "sniglets" game.

Guitar Hero: Grandma's World Tour

Grandma Carole wails on the XBox guitar, while Lori sings a rousing chorus of "Red! ... Green! ... Yellow! ... Green! ... Red! ... Blue!" No, wait, she's prompting the color for the guitar keys.

Oh, and please see Scott's Pot Shots for more "concert images."

Winter Wonderland

When I go outside in the mornings to jog...(I hate the treadmill unless it is just too slippery outside)...it has been Soooo cold lately that I come home sort of frozen!  But, it has also been Soooo pretty outside!  

When I got home today, I grabbed the camera and tried first to take a picture of my glove with the frost that built up on it while I was running.  It melted as I went inside though.  Sometimes I have to shake my gloves/mittens off several times during the run just to get the frost off.

Then I just started shooting random things around the yard that I thought were pretty...

...yes, even a chain link fence looks lacey and beautiful when it is coated with a frilly 

covering of frost!

Warm Winter Wishes to you!!

Scott's Pot Shots

   OK, I've created another family blog called Scott's Pot Shots - "Drive-By Shooting" was already taken and has worse connotations than "pot shots."

   I plan to average posting 1-2 photos a day - something else to do on my bus commutes to/from Salt Lake City. They'll be family-oriented photos or shots of individuals from the immediate and extended family.

   The object is to enjoy the photos and post "comments" about what the photo makes you think of - what you remember from the event, what the photo makes you think of, maybe even a funny caption for the photo. You might even be prompted by one of the comments to make another comments - and on and on.

   Also, if you've got a "blogspot" login, you can join as a "follower" (see right-side menu). And, if you've got photos to submit to be posted, email them to me. You can click on the photos on the blog to see a bigger image, too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We have not posted for a while because we really just took advantage of having family here for the 2 plus weeks of break from school...it was heaven!

Braden started out the holiday by being in the local Christmas parade with the rest of the "Hope Squad" at school.  They look out for fellow students and offer encouragement and help to those that need a lift.

Christmas morning was so fun!  We relaxed and took our time opening meaningful and crazy gifts to each other.  (We will add more photos from Jenna when we get them)

We loved having Ty and Jenna come for a visit...now we are counting the days until we get to see them in the spring!

One of our holiday outings was to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir holiday concert.  It was a wonderful night with Lori and our local kids!

Breanna got to participate in true service, carrying on the family tradition of being one of Santa's Elves at Franklin Elementary for...SANTA OF COURSE!!!

Austin and Laura cut their California trip short so they could come back to spend a few days with all of us together.  I think one of my favorite moments was sitting in church the Sunday after Christmas with our entire family on the row next to us!  Can it get any better than that?  I have mentioned that being in the temple with family is the highlight of our lives, and this was the next best thing.  We are so thankful that our kids love the Gospel! (and each other!!)

We were able to spend time with Grandpa James and Carolyn and other James family members one day and spend time with Grandma Carole and John and Lori on another day...both wonderful and fun days of our vacation.  Braden was not a "lone child" during this entire break.  His passion for football and basketball and BYU were all fueled by great gifts like this BYU jersey and new basketball shorts from brother and sisters.

We treasure the times our family gets together to do anything!  We love game nights and football or basketball games, or eating a meal together or talking to a child on a cell phone while they are on a run or in the car...  It all means so much to us.

We look forward to this new year and the opportunities we all have to create more memories together!  Our love to you all! The Taylor Family