Time with the Taylors

When Clark was 6 months old we moved into a cute little cookie cutter neighborhood in Draper.  Just across the street lived the Taylor family who also had one baby boy.  We used to get together for dinners regularly and Rebecca taught me a lot about cooking.  In fact, some of her recipes are our family's favorites.  She is the only person whose cooking my children prefer to mine.  And I'm not offended, because they are right.  She is a GOOD cook. 

Twelve years later, we are still so happy to get our families together 2 or 3 times a year to share family dinner.  But we have grown!

There is something so comforting about having long-time friends.  They know you so well and still find value in your friendship.  Several of our children have been born within months of each other, so we have comforted each other through pregnancies, colicky babies, mood swings, cooking blahs, and now we are discussing the fascinating thing that young men and young women will be. 

Mark (Rebecca's husband) is a great conversationalist and he and Abe always find a lot to talk about while we women gab.

Because they now live about 40 minutes away and we are both so busy with many children and active households, we don't spend nearly as much time together as we used to.  But as it always is with true friends, that doesn't matter.  When we are together we are uplifted and cheered and left feeling better for knowing them.
This wonderful family came over for our traditional Christmas dinner last Saturday, but we did something new.  Fox vs. Taylor arm wrestling tournament.

 Clark vs. Ammon.
Winner:  Clark

 Bethany vs. Autumn
Winner:  Autumn

Elinor vs. Claire

Winner:  Elinor

Abe vs. Mark

It was a draw, but need I point out that Abe looks a little more worn out than Mark.

 Betsy vs. Rebecca
Winner:  Rebecca
But I tried really hard!