HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY MAX!

Okay, this is a little late - but we still think there's cause to celebrate the arrival of Max one year ago. We are so crazy about this kid - we have enjoyed his babyhood so much, and he keeps getting better. He is opinionated and cuddly and independent and kissable, all in one. We all feel so lucky to have him. (And yes, he's eating dirt. We're a really classy family.)


Dad is definitely his favorite person - I guess Max and I both have good taste.

HAPPY (LATE) MOTHER'S DAY

I hope that late is better than nothing as I send this ode to moms everywhere in honor of this special day. This clip in no way demeans my own mother, who looks fabulous after ten kids - rather it honors her for never, ever in my memory wearing "Mom Jeans." Thanks for setting the proper example, Mom.

SUSAN'S SPECIALTY

Last August a much loved, much admired friend passed away from cancer. She was one of the most talented people I've ever known, and since her daughter Ellen and I have been best friends since we were 12, I have been the grateful recipient of many wonderful gifts. I have her homemade soap in my bathroom, her handmade clay dishes in my cupboard, and a clay sun face in my flowerbed by the front door, where I can see it every time I come or go from the house.

One of my favorite memories of Susan while I was growing up was her habit of making cinnamon rolls every year for Ellen's and my birthdays, which are just four days apart. When she got sick, Ellen realized she needed to get this and many more recipes recorded, and we needed to keep the cinnamon roll tradition alive. Under Susan's direction we made them a few times before she died, and I'm still working on getting them just right. I have committed to making them the first weekends in April and October, and on other special occasions, to remember Susan. Here is my latest batch - I'm getting closer!

Susan's Cinnamon Rolls (makes about 24)
3 T. yeast
1 c. warm water
1 t. sugar - dissolve, let proof, then add
2/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. melted (not hot) butter
2 c. warm milk
2 eggs
2 t. salt - then, with an electric mixer and a dough hook, add 1 c. flour at a time for the first 5 cups - after that, add the flour 1/2 c. at a time till a soft, slightly sticky dough forms (not wet) - do not overmix
- let rise till doubled (in a warm oven if you're in a hurry); punch down; rise again
- divide dough in half; roll out into rectangle with dough about 1/2" thick
- spread soft butter to edges, then sprinkle generously with brown sugar and cinnamon (optional raisins, walnuts)
- roll up and pinch the seam shut; cut with floss about 2" thick; place on greased sheet; let rise till doubled uncovered on counter
- bake 350 about 15 mins till golden (not browned); cool 10 mins, then glaze with:
1/2 c. melted butter
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 c. evaporated milk
3 c. powdered sugar - whisk together to desired consistency over a warm burner

WELCOME TO THE BROOD

We're trying a little experiment this summer: raising our own chickens. Considering the price of eggs these days, plus the fact that the farm store mixed up our order and sent too many chickens, we're hoping that in addition to feeding our family, Jack can pay for college with the money he makes selling eggs - we'll see.


Jack has named all 24 of them: Frog, PB, two named Mosey, six named Boat, and 14 named Cindia. You can see that his enthusiasm waned as he went - thankfully the multiples are the same color, so he can keep track of them and rotate his affection (somewhat) fairly.


Needless to say, Kate is not permitted to hold them alone - her enthusiasm gets the best of her, resulting in high-pitched squealing and the chick getting squeezed tighter and tighter. I feel sorry that they can't peck and defend themselves, but so far no casualties.

ZOO DAY

Look at this cute collection of kids! My sister and I have zoo passes and take our kids pretty regularly. This was an uncharacteristically sunny day, and their smiles reflect the fact that we'd just arrived. By the time we leave, we're dragging them out kicking and screaming - they'd live there if they could.

How many kids are being supervised by just two adults? Should this be allowed?

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!