Merry Go Round Fun

carousel |ˌkarəˈsel; ˈkarəˌsel| (also carrousel)
noun
1 a merry-go-round! Such a fun way to start out the summer!

Can you spot Abuelo & Dillan?
I'm dizzy just watching :)

SO MANY FACES OF DILLAN

Our neighbors Lise, Tim & Hayden graciously lent us their Kangeroo Climber with a slide! Dillan is having so much fun sliding and climbing on a small scale! We have a routine with the fresh strawberries where Dillan pulls off the green and hands it to me to slice... she loves strawberries, but who doesn't? Also let me not forget the other favorite ....Edamame!

An Abuelo & Dillan favorite!

THE HOUSEWIVES OF TERWILLEGER HEIGHTS!

We gathered at the Stonehorse Cafe up in Fashionable Utica Square in support of Pam, she recently lost her husband Andy.

Denise lives across the street and Pam lives next door!

Thank you Tim (our other next door neighbor & chef/owner of The Stonehorse Cafe) for serving us some wonderful wine! Cheers!
It's been a month or so since Andy passed away and we wanted Pam to know we were all here for her!

We are newborns on the block... (Stephen and I) we have only been here 10 years this August! Most everyone else has lived here for well over 20 years! A testimony to our fabulous neighborhood!

Ann (on your right) was actually born and raised in her house:)

Everyone had a wonderful time and we now have plans to luncheon every two months!

WOLFGANG BISTRO ON THE RESTLESS RIBBON ....SO GOOD!

We keep going back to Wolfgangs.... especially since they opened for lunch! I swear I might try everything on the menu! Last week with the girls I had the most delicious meatloaf sandwich and this time, true to my nature I had to try.... the cheeseburger :) It was excellent!
Highly recommended was Wolfgang's famous Chicken Pot Pie.... and it was ever so delicious!
Please come visit so we can treat you to a lunch or dinner at WolfGang's Bistro!

It's A Surprise!

I just booked a one night stay up in Bartlesville for a getaway for Abuelo, Dillan and me, myself and I :) The Hotel has a salt water indoor pool and that's where you'll find us minutes after we check in! We stopped by Fashionable Utica Square and let Dillan pick out a really great swimsuit! Oh, don't worry, I'm sure you'll see a zillion pictures in my future blog posts of her modeling this absolutely adorable swimsuit! We plan on swimming alot, going out to dinner and then hitting the famous "Kiddie Park" that evening! We are looking forward to riding a ferris wheel with Dillan and going on a kiddie roller coaster and watching her on lots of other rides! It's one of the nights of this upcoming Memorial Day weekend and I'm sure it will be full of great memories!

OUR WEEKEND MOVIE

UNBROKEN PETE TAYLOR STYLE

This is the incredible story of Louis Zamperini. He was an Olympian, War prisoner and overall inspiration. He is a great example of what being American is all about!

Stephen's little brother was the "Taylors" version of Louis Zamperini! I recently read a book called Unbroken by Laura Hillbrand, it's an amazing story about Zamperini and I highly recommend everyone read this book! During the first part of this book I kept thinking of Pete (Stephen's younger brother and only sibling) because Louis was a runner from Southern California (1930's) like Pete was during the 1970's!

Recently Beau posted this picture of Pete on Facebook ... he said he had found it in a drawer? Also a few months ago Beau brought over a folder full of a zillion newspaper articles about Pete's amazing running abilities that obviously Grandma Taylor had collected through the 70's when he was at his prime! Pete eventually went on to the University Of Arkansas on a full track scholarship where he met and married sweet Kathie.... was he running to meet the most special person in his life?

I guess I just want to say that when you have a God given gift and you pursue that extrodinary ability it will lead you to something ever so awesome! Because Pete met Kathie and they now have two of the most wonderful children in the world! .... and as funny as this may seem..... Pete doesn't even jog!!!

EVERYONE READ THIS BOOK!!!!

CHICKIE BABY'S 1/2 YEAR BIRTHDAY!

It's been 6 months since Chickie Baby came to live with us on Christmas Eve! She has brought us so much joy and love and she has the sweetest personality .... It's a proven fact that a Chocalate Point Siamese will lower your blood pressure and make your life less stressful :)

She snuggles in between us each and every night,
Every time we pick her up she purrs with all her might!

STEPHEN'S NEW CLASSIC CAR

The new old car has a pretty cool front license plate from Germany.... Ya? I know it will take awhile for me to get adjusted to driving an old car but I pride myself in adjusting:)

I had to turn in my sweet little Mini Cooper yersterday :( I had to drive 2 hours in the worst imaginable torrential rain downpour, so my last joy ride with her was ever so tense! We then met with the foremost "Classic Car" expert in the world! Nathan York akc my Nephew! We bought this 1985 classic Mercedes from him (Mint Condition) .... it needs some detail work but WOW was it fun driving today! We tooted around town and went to the annual Cacti sale at the Woodward Park garden center, downtown for a Famous Fat Guy Cheeseburger, to Whole Foods for a Edamame run (Dillan & Abuelo's Favorite snack) .... I then took the car out for a spin to pick up a flat of red impatiens for Sunday gardening!

It's actually a pretty sweet car? I guess? I'll check back with you in a few weeks!

Thanks to Nathan for making it happen!

DILLAN GRACE TAYLOR

JUST A GIANT BOWL, A LITTLE HAPPY GIRL AND HER DOLLS!

BEAU JUST RELAXING :)

I'm not sure where this picture was taken but I think it's pretty cool just the same! It makes me think that we all need to just relax once in awhile!

WELCOME TO TAYLOR GARDENS

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE TOUR :)

Pretty Weird?

Oh my Gosh! When I was in LA I found a closet in Meg's apartment full of "garage sale" stuff! In years past I have been addicted to garage sales ... yes, back when we owned the LA Times and I brought the customers their replacements for wet or missed papers... I had a pager and basically had to just wait around until I got a beep! I started going to garage and estate sales and... our home still has alot of fun treasures from that time in the Conejo Valley! Now I turn away from the signs and steer away!!!!! THE LAST THING I NEED IS MORE JUNK! But I couldn't resist Meg's pile because I found things that I had given her!! One of which was this CREEPY baby face that was a string holder that I remember was in Garnie's kitchen! Garnie is what we call my Mom!

STEPHEN YOUR LOVE IS MY DRUG!

This is dedicated to the most wonderful Husband, Father and Grandfather in the entire World!
Call Stephen to learn how to be the BEST!

I

I love you so much Stephen!

I have been addicted to you since I was 18 years old and I don't regret our journey through life one little bit!

WOLFGANG BISTRO BUDDIES

Needless to say we had the best time eating the best food! Lynne & Gail brought plants for all of us and I only gave them baby puzzles :) We planned a swimming party out at Gail's Farm/Ranch with all the grandbabies for this summer :) Gail brought fresh cilantro for us from her garden! There's nothing better than laughing with your girlfriends!

P.S We missed you Kerri!

LIMITLESS-WIN WIN

STEPHEN AND I WENT TO THE MOVIE NOT JUST ONCE

BUT TWICE THIS PAST WEEK!

LIMITLESS WAS QUITE INTRIGUING AND WIN WIN WAS JUST A REALLY GREAT MOVIE!

MEGAN'S DOLLS HAVE SURFACED ONCE AGAIN!

What on earth possessed me to drag this Strawberry Shortcake family from Tulsa to Palos Verdes, to Manhattan Beach, to Westlake Village, to Shell Beach and back again to Tulsa?

Dillan gave each one a bubble bath, dried them off and laid them down for bedtime .... she kissed each and everyone goodnight and told them she loved them and then put a blanket over them! She then turned to Abuelo & Tay Tay and whispered, " they're sleeping"!

We actually have alot more dolls!!! These are just the ones she could carry to the tub!

P.S. Don't worry Megan, I'll keep them safe for your little princess baby girl!

Beau & Me!

I came across this picture of Beau and myself..... and it made me as happy today as it did the moment it was captured by a camera :)

Smashing Cheeseburgers!

We were headed to the Nursery for plants to get our summer garden started,

Stephen offered to take me for my favorite meal..... cheeseburgers!

Thanks Sweetie! I'm looking forward to working in the garden this weekend :)

Fishing For Mike Trout

Stephen and I played hooky and went out during the day to a Driller game to see his favorite up and coming baseball player, Mike Trout!


Mike Trout is an outfielder in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization, currently assigned to the Arkansas Travelers. Trout is considered to be one of the top prospects in all of baseball!

John O' Groats

Esquire Magazine's "Best Breakfast in America"



Zach is Megan's heart throb and Robin is his Mother! Zach, Megan, Robin & Bob joined me for a lovely Sunday breakfast while I was in LA! Thank you Megan for treating us to the "best breakfast in America" !!!!!!!

Lakers Loose But Gain Chris Paul!

THE Lakers were mentally and physically drained from going to the FINALS the past three seasons! The Ron Artest trade for Chris Paul should cure everything!

We had to take off the Laker's flag from the new Land Rover with much sadness:( But Stephen thinks that Chris Paul is going to be the next savior!.... What do you think?

THANK YOU BEAU :) :) :)

My crazy funny son Beau came by to give me hugs and kisses on Mother's Day! Bearing a funny card and a special gift! A TROPHY (a cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or success.)

FOR ME?

Thank you dear son Beau for bringing me on "Mother's Day" the "WORLD'S BEST MOTHER" trophy with a sweet little African Violet planted inside!!!! I will cherish it FOREVER & like it FOR ALWAYS! As long as I'm LIVING, that trophy you'll SEE :)
XOXO Mommy

LITTLE GIRLS NAMED DILLAN ARE MADE OF......

DAISIES & BUTTERFLIES

SOFT KITTY CAT PURRS

ANGEL'S WINGS & GIGGLES and A FIREFLY'S GLOW

SUNSHINE & CUPCAKES & FRESH MORNING DEW

CINNAMON & BUBBLES & FANCY WHITE PEARLS

RAINBOWS & BALLERINA TWIRLS

LITTLE GIRLS ARE MADE OF......

ALL THE HAPPY FEELINGS DEEP INSIDE THAT WE KNOW!