COUNTRY BUMPKINS

Despite the seemingly never-ending amounts of work, money, and time it takes to live in the country, we couldn't ask to live in a more beautiful place. Here are the kids enjoying their yard.

GOPHERS: BEWARE

Perhaps Nick's least-known talent is his uncanny ability to catch gophers - usually within hours of setting the trap. He perfected his skills out of necessity - I am convinced that without civilization, Oregon would be completely overrun with blackberries, moles, and gophers. We've tried everything - smoke bombs, gummy worm look-alikes filled with rat poison, flooding them... but nothing works as well as good old fashioned traps. I'll spare the details of how this is done (unless you're having this problem at your house) and proudly exhibit proof of his fine work.

BROTHERLY LOVE

NIGHTIME ROUTINE GOES OUT THE WINDOW

I'm avoiding Jack. He did his little pouty face and grunt when I asked him to go to bed tonight, and he said that since he was the oldest, he didn't need to go to bed but got to stay up until I went to bed. We may have created a monster. Anyway, I put Kate to bed, then came out into the living room to feed Max. I knew Jack was hiding behind the couch, but decided to ignore him and starve him out rather than fight about it. So I ignored him and read, which was pretty funny because he sneezed a few times - a dead giveaway. Eventually he got bored and scampered down the hall. I thought that may be the end of him, but no... he came back a few seconds later, and crept closer and closer, trying to get me to acknowledge him. I wouldn't look up or at him - just kept on reading. Then he started leaning into my face, trying to make eye contact. He trying to lay on my shoulder and cuddle - no response. Then he began putting his feet on the magazine page I was reading. I wasn't going to be able to contain my laughter much longer, so I got up and put Max to bed, then came straight out and locked myself in the office to avoid him. That was an hour ago, and I hear him intermittently scratching at the door, trying to get in to me. How much longer can I stay in here? Good thing he's so irresistibly cute.

DISNEY WORLD

Welcome! This may be pretty slow going, but after much encouragement, I'm going to try this high-tech blogging thing out. Our first edition consists of pictures from our family trip to Disney World this Christmas. It was a Taggart family reunion, with all 23 of us there. We spent 7 days at Disney parks and a day at Sea World. We had a wonderful, memorable Christmas, and Jack has already asked if he can start packing for our next trip, which Nick has promised will be when he turns 6... it will be a long 2 years for him!