Taylor Signs at a Deaf Living Assisted Living House

 Taylor signed at her cousins deaf living assisted home with her brother who played the mandolin.  Dan switched in and out playing while Taylor signed to his music and her own music too.  The following video shows Taylor signing one of her songs, I (Steve) always enjoy when Taylor signs, it is always great to watch and she does a wonderful job when she signs.

Steve Work party - Blue Mesa

Steves Leadership group had a dinner- at Blue Mesa - It was realy nice, got to meet a few people, mainly just the people that sat in front of us.. they actually go to my (Taylor's) church's sister church... haha. :) anyways so we chatted a little bit... it was nice.

Steve Work Party -

Steve's boss hosted a little party at his home - I was able to meet some more of Steves co-workers, a few of them I had already met, but it was nice to see the group that Steve was currently working with... we had a very nice time, and really enjoyed it. :)

Scrooge Musical

Part of Mine and Steves Birthday gifts was to go see Scrooge, at a local little community theater, Artisan Theatre of Hurst, Tx. .. The whole family went, Mom, Dad, Brother, Granny and Steve and I . We had alot of fun, and the actors did a fantastic job.

Taylor's Office Christmas Party

Taylor's work Christmas party was on Wednesday, December 7th. they rented a little room at "Eddie V's" _ which was a steak and seafood place (very nice...)
We had to bring items for a "white elephant gift exchange" - We were one of the first people to arrive. They decided to do things differently this year (We wouldnt have known any different, since this was Taylor's First Christmas party to attend with them... So this year we "drew" our table. - that way hopefully everyone can get to know each other better and that way we can get to know people other than our little groups...So we arrive, and we drew our table, we wait for others to arrive, then when it was all said and done - we were sitting at the "big boss's table".. haha.. we had fun, we ate... delicious food.
We started the gift exchange. it was a really fun time... Taylor actually had one of the Final "Draws" so She could pick out anything she wanted... she ended up with a Pie maker (she didnt think about getting one of the many gift cards or anything... she was nervous, and just grabbed one of the first things she saw. :) )

Apple Pie attempt number 1

I (Taylor) have a list... a "101 things to do in 1001days list" -- basically just a list of stuff I've been wanting to do, and it has a time limit... 1001 days. My deadlne is coming up... August of this year. one of the items on the list is to make a pie... so we decided to make an apple pie on this day... we got everything ready, steve had a recipe... well things didnt go as they should have,
we added too much water, and so the dough was extremely wet, too wet to do anything with, so we ended up having the apple filling mixture that I made and put it over some icecream. :)
It still was good, but the item on the list is not crossed off.

Taylor's birthday

Tues. Nov 29 -
It was my (Taylor's) 25th Birthday. We all got together for food, and such for my birthday.
I had a gift from Steve's parents... while we were in California, Steve's mom d told me "you cannot open this until your birthday"...  :) so I did just that.. :) - I did open it first I think since i did recieve that one first.. haha. :) it was so sweet, I had a lovely birthday, was so nice to spend the evening with Steve and my parents.

Me with the necklace that Steves parents gave me :) (not the best pic I'm sorry)

We're Leavin' on a Jet plane..California, here we come!! :)

(written by Taylor)
Back in October Steve and I were hanging out and he received a call from his aunt... she was talking to Steve and told him that I am invited out to thanksgiving with the family.  This was a surprise for Steve and I. I know that I was definitely not expecting to be invited out there that soon. Steve was also surprised that they would be inviting me out. So after a few days he talked with some of the rest of his family to make sure I was in fact invited out.... Sure enough I was. So I was extremely excited.
So fast forwarding to  November 23rd... We had a flight for 8am to California :) I was so excited to be going out to be meeting some more of his family. - I still had not yet met his young brother, so I was very excited to meet him, then of course his aunt and uncle and cousins and just everyone. I of course so so excited to seee the e everyone again.

So we were off... we headed out on the plane to Cali - we arrived out there at about 10am, and then his dad came to pick us up and then his dad took us to do some sightseeing... since we had some time to kill and this was really the only chance we would have to do some sightseeing on this trip. I really wasnt expecting to do any kind of sight seeing because I knew we were short on time and just didnt think that we would be able to do that, so that was very special. Of course I had never been to california, much less San francisco, so I was extremely happy to be sightseeing... So when you think of San Francisco.. most people think of the Golden Gate bridge.. so thats where we went first. I was extremely excited... This was some place that I had always wanted to go and see. So we went there, and I know I had such a great time. It was a little chilly and windy, but it really was so much fun. We went walking part way down the bridge, it truly was a really neat thing.

 After we went to the bridge we went through the downtown area, which was really neat to see. We then went to Lombard street, which was really cool. Then we headed out to Steve's parents house, which is about an hour from San Francisco. It was a beautiful drive :) We got to the house and we had some lunch, and Steve showed me around the house. :) it was really great. Steve and I then took the dog to be boarded and then we went to go get some gas, then as we were getting gas, there was an  old lady that backed her car into ours. She was not easy to get along with and she did not want to admit that it was her fault..so it was quite the ordeal... we went back to his parents house, we loaded the car with everything we needed for thanksgiving, we were heading to his aunt and uncles house ... (they live about 3 hrs southish) so we get in the car, headed out, swung by and picked up Grandma J, then we all headed out ... it was quite the trip...


 I know Steve and I were exhausted from being up very early for the flight, then flying, then getting out there, then we were in the car a bit longer than we expected... (traffic) we even stopped once for some coffee... and then we went to the hotel that they would be staying at and they checked in, we had a little bit for dinner... I wasn't hungry whatsoever... then finally we got to the aunt and uncles... where everyone was... i met everyone, and everything, it was really great... :) then Steve and his family (Parents and brothers) went off to the hotel, Kendra and I stayed at the house with everyone else...:) She and I were up in this little loft type area, it was really cute.. I was absolutely exhausted. -- it was very late.. (and keep in mind, my body was on tx time.. which is 2 hours ahead of California... ) so I know I passed out.- just fell asleep..

then before i knew it it was morning... I heard people down in the kitchen... I cannot sleep if i hear people talking... so i got up, got ready for the day, and it was only a few people down there, apparently another cousin arrived very very early that morning, so I met him, then just waited for coffee, got some breakfast, and chatted/listened. Kendra got up and ready and she came in, and Aunt Liz put us to work, we started mking pies, except we didnt do anything the recipes were telling us... it was an experience.. so we made the pumpkin pies, then it was about 11or so when Steve and his family arrived, when he got there, we took a little walk and looked at his cousins chicken coup, then we did some walking around,

 we decided to go  take a little tour of the town... San Lois Obispo (SLO) Its where he went to college, so i wanted to see that and everything... it was so beautiful, the scenery just so nice so diffreent than here. so after we looked at the college, we then took a little ride,
 steve said to me "do you want to go to the beach?"
"Beach?! really? we're that close???? "
"yeah, like 5 minutes.."
So off we went to the beach...
It was so amazing... it was so cool!--- It was a litle chilly-- being November.. for goodness sake... but my goodness it was so cool!-- just goin' to the beach on Thanksgiving :) haha :)

 anyways--- we walked around and everything, then back to the house we headed... we were getting hungry and figured it was about time for Thanksgiving lunch.
Sure enough we got back and it all was just about ready-
The food was absolutely delicious. It was all like gourmet food, definitely not any kind of thanksgiving my family has ever done.. :) it was all sooo delicious.and had so much fun talking with everyone.
This was Steve's birthday - so we had some birthday cake and everything, it was really  nice.

I cant remember what we did that evening, but at the end of the day, my "roommate.." Kendra, left me, she went to her grandmas, and so i was left with no roommate, she was the only person that was staying at that house that i KNEW.... like that i had met prior to that weekend. ... and she left me... so Steve and his family went to their hotel, everyone was kinda going to bed, some of the cousins were staying up to talk about stuff, i knew nothing that they were talking about, so i decided to go on up and try to get some sleep, then Steve's cousin, ended up taking the "extra" bed that was up there with me... it was a little odd... but it was ok... so then next morning, got up, got my breakfast (leftover birthday cake from Steves birthday--- It was so delicious!- Steve's mom, made the best carrot cake... oh my goodness it was so good!) So steve and his family got there at about 1030 or so... Steve and I took a walk around, and had a nice little hike, while a lot of them were picking apples for an apple juice press... we got back and they were in the middle of the apple press part... so we watched and helped out.. it was soo cool, and the juice was delicious!!!

then it was lunch time, so we had leftovers for lunch, then we headed out.
We stopped at a vineyard, Steve's brother, Jeff works for a wine company, so he wanted to stop by this particular vineyard and do a wine tasting... Steve and I mainly stayed outside and took pictures, the scenery was absolutely beautiful.
Then we headed out, we dropped one of the cousins off at his car, then we headed to Steves grandparents (his dad's parents) - we had a delicious meal, I was able to meet his very sweet and fun grandparents, and of course his aunt, uncle and cousin from that side, it was alot of fun. - we only stayed just a little bit, then we headed back out and headed back to his parents.

We stayed there for our last night in California. It was a really nice night --they have a really nice little guest setup - it was so nice and peaceful and just a nice room to myself, and my own little bathroom.. i had a really nice nights rest. I got up early that next morning, (like at 5am... I was still on TX time...) But steve and I were going to be hiking up a mountain thing... so we headed out... and we got to the mountain thing about 6am... its called Mt. Diablo.- it was gorgeous view from the top, had a really great time, it was so cold, but it was really great. got some wonderful pictures and everything.

We headed back to the house, packed and got ready to head back to Texas.
It was so hard saying goodbye, and would have been really nice to stay a few more days just to take it all in, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time out there and really enjoyed getting to know everyone bettter and meeting everyone. I really can't wait to get back out there. :)


Thanksgiving Photo Album

Halloween

For Halloween Taylor and Steve dressed up in their western gear as a cowboy and cowgirl at Steve's house and passed out candy to the trick-or-treaters. There weren't too many that stopped by so we passed out handfuls of candy. The trick-or-treaters loved the candy because we had really nice candy top from Snickers, Reese's, and Kit-Kat, which was pretty nice. There was one little boy who stopped by who was really excited to get so much candy he went running back to his mom saying "I won, I won."

Halloween Album

Also, it was earlier that week we did pumpkin carving which was a lot of fun and were able to create a nice little pumpkin.

Jon and Kendra Come to Texas

 Steve's brother and his (now fiance) Kendra came out to Texas to visit Steve, and to see about this girl that Steve met out here in Texas :)
I (Taylor) was extremely excited about meeting them and getting to know them :) They came in on that Friday night - so basically all that happened was we picked them up, chatted in the car, then they dropped me off at my house, then they went to Steves to stay --
Saturday morning, they came and picked me up, we stopped at roots, got coffee and some breakfast, then off we were....
We went to do a tour of Steves work, which I thoroughly enjoyed... I hadnt been there before, so i was very excited. to see it.

We went to coopers for lunch... it was so yummy!! :)  (Its my fav. bbq place now)

Then we were off to the stockyards...

 We went back to steves for a little bit and rested for a few hours, then we headed back out to downtown, we ate dinner at Savianos (I love their food) then we went and had ice cream.

Sunday after church we headed to the Cowboys game, where we had excellent seats :)

State Fair time in Texas

Saturday October 15th, We went to the Texas State fair :) We had alot of fun, the weather was absolutely perfect for a wonderful day out. :)
First things were first.... FOOD... :) ... We had to have a Fletcher's Corny Dog :) Mmmmm...This was Steve's first corny dog (hard to believe, I know...)
Then we were off, We saw the birdshow, we saw all kinds  of things at the fair... then we had to make a stop by "Big Tex" -- and of course take a pic with him :)

State Fair Photo Album

big day: Church craft fair and Wedding

Saturday October 8th was a very long day for us. It all began very early that saturday morning by going to the church and helping finishing up setting up everything for the craft fair. (the evening before we had gone up there to help set up - we mainly were in the bake sale area helping set up for that part of it....) but needless to say everything was all set...8am rolled around and we were at our "post" - Taylor was at the Raffle table, selling raffle tickets, and Steve was helping wherever they needed him... we got done with our "shifts" and then we browsed around, Steve bough a lovely flower decoration thing for his house.  Taylor got a few items for christmas presents and some things for herself. 

We then went back to Taylors house and hung out, then began to get ready. - We were going to a wedding... some people that Steve works with were getting married... and we were invited. I (Taylor )was excited to be going - to be meeting some of his co-workers. 

The wedding took place in Azle.. about 30 minutes or so away, so we get out there (beautiful place) -as we were getting out of the car, we were quite surprised at how much the temperatures had dropped since we got in the car. (I was just glad i brought a shawl) the wedding took place outside. (beautiful setting) Steve's boss sat next to him, and we talked just a little bit... the couple said their vows, and we all headed inside for dinner and such. we sat at a table mainly with his co-workers we all chatted and had a great time. 

They had a photobooth at the wedding, so we of course had to go take photos...(See below) :)

right after we got inside it started raining.... (it was really good... our summer here in Texas was one of the most dry summers that I know i've seen... )

Taylor Sick

(by Tay)

Sunday morning I didnt wake up feeling all that great - so i decided i would stay home from church and get rest, that way I dont get sick, anymore... My parents were out of town that weekend -- but Steve went to church, ( didnt have anyone to sit with :( ) Then he decided he would surprise me, with lunch, chocolate and a card. - he really didnt have to do all that,It really wasnt all that bad, just needed some rest. - But he did bring me my favorite, from Roots, and then he sat with me all afternoon, watching chickflicks. :) 

Fort Worth Zoo and in-n-Out

Wizard of Oz

Friday Sept. 30th. Steve had gotten us some tickets to go see Wizard of Oz at the Bass Hall in Ft. Worth. Before we went to Ft. Worth we first ate some dinner at an Italian restaurant, Italianis. :)( food was so yummy) - we then went on to ft worth, we arrived, this was Steves first time at Bass hall, we got to our seats, and throughout the whole play they were having major technical difficulties, the sound was just awful, the acting was great, just there were lots of loud pops and microphones would go in and out.... something that i didn't feel was right, since Bass hall is a really nice place... we did end up getting two free tickets to see something else in the future :) - but still...