This one's for Lauren ;)

I'm back to the blogging world, mostly for my poor pregnant step-sister who is bed bound for most of the day with IV fluids and antibiotics being pumped into her.  She requested some new material to read....so here it is.  I know my last post was in November, about July and so much has happened between then and now, but instead of trying to catch up I'm just going to post about whatever I want, whenever I want.  No chronology, just posts of things I want to post about...that way it doesn't seem so daunting.  So here goes...

My step-dad's family has a cabin (mountain home) in Munds Park, which is about 15 miles South of Flagstaff.  It was recently renovated a bit, due to a frozen burst pipe flooding the whole place, and we have been trying to take advantage of it.  We took a long weekend trip there in February with Thomas, Jacey and Emma.

Porter and Emma doing some coloring

Jake still manages to pose and look studly as he naps

There was plenty of snow on the ground when we arrived for the kids to play in

 Porter, of course, loved throwing snowballs

"Best" shot of Port and Emma

Playing at the playground.  Porter will climb anything, but will NOT go down the slides. 

The preferred activiting: Get 2 snowballs from Thomas to carry through this tunnel...

....then throw them at Thomas behind the plastic window

One morning we looked out the window and it was snowing, so of course we all had to go out to play in it.  

We went back to the cabin 2 weekends ago with my mom and step-dad, John.  It was a weekend full of good food, relaxing and game playing.

We of course, had to go to Roma Pizza and it made us all very happy

Johnny and Karen

Porter sucking down some chocolate milk at the Lone Pine

Porter picked a flower for Grandma Karen while he was playing outside waiting for our breakfast to be cooked

Throughout the weekend Porter gathered rocks to put by the front door, when we would come home for the evening he would make sure to ask if the rocks would sleep there for the night.

On the last day he had to put them back

He had fun throwing them onto the other rocks

And climbing

As we were getting ready to leave, Porter came out to the porch where he had gathered pine cones and proceeded to stomp on all of them.  He told me it was his "job".

Some July Happenings

Here is a photo dump from July...

The first 10 days of July, Jake got to go on a road trip with my step dad, John, and step brother, Tyler, to Ohio to pick up my other step brother, Travis, from his veterinary internship at The Ohio State University.  He didn't take many pictures, but he took a lot of video.  I'm hoping one day he can do a post about that trip.  So, while the boys were away, Porter and I spent a lot of time with Grandma Karen.  

 

 We began 4th of July with a yummy breakfast at The Original Pancake House with Grandma Karen

 I tried to get a picture to send to Grandma Wendy of the 4th of July shirt she got him (she was in ID), this was the best I got.  It really shows of his long, shaggy, badly in need of a haircut, hair.  Luckily we got one just a few days later.

We ended the night watching fireworks at a nearby park.  Porter loved it!

Chuck E Cheese with friends...Porter used the majority of his tokens on the "rides"

 He loved this horse one

 Monster truck scared him the first time, but he gave it another try

In N Out dinner with Grandma Karen

We headed down to Mesa to have lunch and a treat with friends (conveniently our hairdresser, as well) before we both got MUCH needed haircuts

I never got a great shot of Porter's new cut, but here is a side shot

 We were slicing tomatoes for dinner one night and Porter said he wanted a bite so I told him to take a bite of one like an apple, not thinking he would, but he did.  Knowing he wouldn't eat the whole thing we sliced it in half and this is how he chose to eat it.

 Tomato face boy

Another Diamondbacks game

 This was after a homerun...Porter was super pumped!

 Breaking out the fruit snacks so we can last a few more innings. Porter's exact words as he made this face "I'm so excited!"

 Escalator ride with Dad

 And to end July, a little cousin time with Emma!

Porter turned 2!! (about 4 months ago)

We celebrated Porter turning 2 with a very low-key family party with pizza and cupcakes.  It was fun and easy!

Porter cheesing for the camera

Jake cheesing for the camera

Porter and Grandpa with their party hats on

One of Porter's many Toy Story related toys

The "You've Got a Friend in Me" singing card was a big hit...Emma danced to the music throughout the rest of the present opening

Porter was completely spoiled with a lot of Toy Story toys, baseball equipment and puzzles

Happy Birthday to You!

Blowing out the candle

I found a yummy red velvet cupcake recipe on-line, Porter didn't request it, but Jake did

Playing with one of his new toys

The evening of Porter's actual birthday we went to watch Uncle Tyler play in his basketball league...Porter had fun running around the gym playing too.

We have had the best 2 years with this little guy and are excited for many more to come.  We are so thankful for him!