Happy Halloween

Sorry for the horrible pictures. I think it is clear to see who is talented with the camera and who is not.
I had big plans for Taryn's and Dareks costumes. They were going to be a bear and a bee and Dareks stroller was even going to be in on the costume. I had the picture in my head and it was going to be brillant. Then reality hit me, I have two kids one of them being a new born, and I hardly find enough time to bush my teeth, let alone make these costumes I had in mind. So the day of Halloween these are the costumes that I put together. I have to say that Taryns Minnie Mouse Costume was sponsered by the Long family. Thank you so much for the high heals. They were a hit. for Taryn and everyone who saw her. All we heard was "Ohh look at those heals" and "I can't belive she can walk in those." I can't believe that she can walk in them either. Not only that she can run in them too. She attempted to climb up a slide in them even, but failed miserably. This was propbably a bad mommy moment for my because as she was try to climb the slide and falling over and over again I was just laughing and Taryn was screeming in frustartion. Don't worry though I eventually pulled myself togther and helped her up the slide.

Darek mostly just slept the halloween away. He is still Tired from his long journey down here I guess. He is suppose to be Mickey Mouse but all night all I heard is oh what a cute lady bug. Oh well maybe we'll do better next year.

Work, work, work

working with the cows and Daddy

Tis little guy is just along for the ride for now



This is usually what Taryn looks like when she comes home from working with the cows with Daddy.

how did this happen?

This is what happens when you leave a child 20 months old in a room alone with mascara. Hopefully she'll be better at putting makeup on when she is old enough for it. although I remember my first attempts at makeup were not far off from this look that Taryn is sporting (April you know what I am talking about).

Pumpkin Patch

little blacktail buck

Got a small buck this last weekend. Could not pass up the first blacktail I have had a shot at.

LIfe with Two

So far everything has been going well with two kids. Then again my mom is still in town and has been helping out with every task. Aren't Moms great. Taryn has also adjusted great to Darek and has been soft and gentle with him. Being quite around him is a different story. Any one who has been around us knows that Taryn is a screams very loud and is easly excited. But it has been fun and tiring but mostly fun.

Darek Clayton McIlmoil

Born this morning at 6:30. 8 pounds even and 20" long.

It has been a while

It has been a while since I have made a post on my blog and actually we have done a lot but I have forgotten my camera and I have been busy getting everything packed.
Where to begin. Well My mom came down to visit before we left California. It was so good to see her and I was excited because she has never seen Taryn Walk before. We went to the Zoo. Taryn love to see the animals even though she was convinced that most of them were elk. We also went to the aquarium. It was so much fun to see all the fish and touch the sting rays. Taryns favorite part was chasing the pigeons who would let you get very close to them. It was like they had their wings clipped or something. My mom was here for a week then we made our way up to Utah. I think this might be the last time that I'll be able to go up there since I'll have to kids here pretty soon and will most likely have to make the trip alone. It was great though seeing my sisters and their kids. I can't believe how much they have all changed. Taryn I have to admit was a little emotional. She wasn't use to having to share toys. Even if she wasn't play with it if another kid would be playing with it she would all the sudden have an attachment to that toy. She loved playing with my Dad's family dog Lolly. And I have to admit I love that dog too. After Taryn would eat I would go to clean the floor but when I looked down there was no food there. Lolly had already picked it up for me. It was amazing.
We had a lot of fun in Utah and had to come back home to slowly begin to pack up our things. We should be out of here by Saturday! I Can't believe it.

McIlmoil

Taryn is trying hard to learn how to say her last name that so many people will say wrong in her lifetime.

taryn at the park

buzz lightyear ride

woody ride

Noah and Griffen, this is my favorite ride at California adventures/disneyland. It is even better than Buzz lightyear.

June lake

Dad, here is a picture of june lake now.

easter egg hunt

taryn

Taryn's Elk Call

Stephen has started to train Taryn in the ways of hunting at a very young age. She is catching on quickly. Hopefully one day Taryn can bugle in a big Elk for Daddy one day.

taryn at the beach

This is a little video of taryn at the beach a couple of weeks back. She loved playing in the tide pools even though the water was not that warm.

General Conference Tag

I would love to hear about peoples different conference experiences and what they got out of it. I was able to listen to some of the talks but it is hard to get everything when you have a little one running around.

Rules:
1.)Post on your blog Either a summary of what you got out of conference, a favorite talk or a summary of you favorite talk from conference.
2.)Share your testimony at the end of your post.
3.)Leave a comment on my blog so I can read what you wrote=0).

There were four things that stood out to me in conference. The first thing was that we need not be afraid and to be cheerful people. Second was we need to be active disciples of God and not just spectators. Third was Elder Hollands talk about the atonement. How Christ suffered alone so we don't have to. And the last thing that stood out to me was the talks about the Temple. How we need to attend the temple more, and also making our homes more like the temple the (home improvement talk).

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church of God. That we have a living prophet today who teaches us the word of God. I know this because of the difference the this Church has made in my life. The counsel and teachings have made a better person, has made my life more complete, and gives me purpose and answers questions that I have. I know President Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God because I can feel his love and power when he teaches. I am Profoundly greatful and amazed of all the blessing that I have received through the Church. And I know that through the atonement we can be cleansed, strengthened and comforted.

If anyone has any questions you can ask me or go to LDS.org and read some talks from conference yourself.

This tag is for anyone who wants to participate.

Spring Break

Stephen last week had a whole week off of school. Although he had to spend some time studying for the boards we were able to get out of the house for a couple days. The original plan was to go to Yosemite National Park. We went there last year and wanted to return again before we left. We went the back way even though it was a little bit longer, the ride was very pretty. Once we got to the park entrance we found out very quickly that the back ways in to Yosemite are close for the winter season. Since we drove all the way out there we decided just to hang around Mono Lake and see what that had to offer. We basically just lived out of our car for two days. which we wouldn't recommend with a baby. Talk about a small living space and a bad nights sleep. These are some of the pictures the Stephen took during the trip. Also if you watch the video of Taryn walking it is pretty funny. I guess you lose all sense of direction when you have been in the car for so long.

Mono Lake

Taryn's first bloody lip

Taryn was being chased by mommy when she fell into the coffee table. The blood was flowing pretty good. Taryn handled it like a trooper. The towel was used to wipe up some of the blood. You can see the blood drips on Pooh's face and Taryn's face. She was rubbing it all over.

Happy Birthday Bryce and Kathryn

This is as good as Taryn can do. She gets the finger up but can't say the number right.

Big Bear

We went up to Big Bear lake the other evening. It was fun. We were able to find a hiking trail, but we were only able to hike for about an hour. We did not get very far because Taryn hiked with us. That's right, this was taryn's first hike that she was able to hike without being carried, the whole distance anyway. She tried walking on the hard packed snow but did not have very much success. Also, it was steep in some spots so she zig-zagged her way up. We think she really liked it and we enjoyed watching her try.

Our Child Progidy

Ok so she's not really a child progidy but I sure think it is cute. It is one of her favorite things to do. There are two ways that you can tell were Taryn is in the house one is by her sqeeky shoes and the other is by her hermonica.

Ultra sound

So the results are in. I went to get an ultra sound today. She put the baby at about 15 weeks. Which puts my due date at August 31. She also told me what the sex of the baby is which she thought it was a boy. We are very excited to have one of each. But I do have to say the warning that she told me that it is a little early so it is not totally set in stone. So it still is up in the air but right now I am leaning more towards a boy and can't wait to find out for sure. I figure though a boy would be harder to be wrong about... right?

Taryn Walks

She decided to take a few steps on her own this evening.

Taryn Walking With a Little Bit of Help

She is getting closer to walking on her own.

Here we go Again

Well I'm pretty sure most people already know so this wont be to big of news, but Stephen and I are pregnant again. Well, I guess actually it mostly me who is pregnant. Anyways we are very excited and we think that the baby should come sometime in September. That's not for sure though because we really have no idea how far along I am so we'll see. I am excited that Taryn can have a sibling though and can't wait to see them play together. they'll only be about 18 to 20 months apart!! Hopefully Taryn well decide to start walking by then. Yes it is true she has not started walking yet. I know that she is capable thats what is so funny. She push her cart around and the stroller around, infact we walk through a huge chunk of some gardens down here while Taryn pushed the stroller. but as soon as Mommy try to take her hand and help her walk she just throughs herself on the ground and starts to cry. Yes she is 13 months and thruoghing fits. Right now it is funny but I sm sure when I am 8 months pregnant and Taryns bigger and stronger it wont be so funny.

Although she has not start to walk She has picked up on a few words and signs. She can do the sign for Baby (and say it), more, bird, and all done. She also barks whenever she hears a dog bark, she can say eye as she points to hers and practically pokes it out, says hi and waves to people on the street and points to my painting of a cow and says cow. Sometimes though every thing is cow, the car is cow her teddy bear is cow, so I don't know if she really understands that one or just says it. Either way it is cute and we are excited for her.

Taryn has also started to give dirty looks. We went to the Doctors office and there was a little boy there who was about four or five years old. He came and sat down at the toy table across from Taryn and for some reason Taryn didn't like that or something and gave him the look. The look is were she brings her chin down to her chest slightly crinkles her eyebrows and stars at the preson through her eyebrows. The little boy looked up and saw Taryn giving him a dirty look so her returned the favor. Taryn however one the battle as the boy retreated to his moms lap and then Taryn begun to play at the table again as if nothing happened.

That's what going on down here in California!!

catalina island

angeles clouds

angeles forest

Taryn Pushing

Taryn is finally pushing her borrowed walker. She does great until she runs into something. She is also having problems with trying to walk while holder her mother's hands.

Happy Birthday Taryn

Taryn Turned one today, I can't believe that it has been a year already. She has changed so much, and Stephen and I are very blessed to be her parents. She has brought great joy into our lifes. We love you Taryn!! Happy Birthday!!

Taryn First Year of Life

Tara's First painting

Here is Tara's first acrylic painting. She is not done yet, but it is a good start.