Cub Scout Day Camp

Porter had his first cub scout day camp adventure!

He was very excited and is really loving cub scouts. I was able to go and help out, which really helped his over protective Mom get excited about this new adventure!

I think it is hilarious that their cub scout hats started out normal and soon after Porter found out you can turn it inside out and tuck in the back and sides to make a much cooler "baseball" style hat. What a cute boy!

They had relays, crafts, singing, games, exploring owl poop, science experiments, and the all favorite ARCHERY!

Sidney's Preschool Graduation

What a fun day! Sidney graduated from Preschool. She was excited, but worried about not getting to see her friends and her beloved "Miss Julie"!

Sidney had a great year. She loved having such good friends at school. She learned a lot and always looked forward to school days. She is so fun and such a good friend to everyone. We are so proud of you, Sidney!

Moab Biking Trip

May 2009 Guys Trip to Moab

Thanks to Bill, Flash, Kevin and the Bearded Pig for the personalized tour. And thanks to Dave, Doug, and the Bearded Pig for some quality crashes-- good times.

Our "Staycation"

We had our own little staycation. Allen took the week off and we went to the zoo, children's museum, hiking, skiing, out to dinner, to a movie, swimming, and just had an all around good time!

Sidney the Ballerina

Sidney just finished her ballet class.  This is Sidney and her good friend, Lily.  They are so cute and were so excited to have all the Moms come in to class today to show us their routines.  

I was totally cracking up because the parents usually sit outside the room and watch through a one way window.  I just always assumed that they were dancing to beautiful, classical, ballet music.  Apparently, not so much.........You will have to pause my blog music on the side to get the full effect!

But they were SO cute and did a great job!  Man, I love this girl!

Trouble

Our sweet Rylee girl.  She was all too quite yesterday while I was making dinner.  I went up the stairs and found her very focused on tearing and unrolling the new toilet paper rolls.

She was startled, that "oh no, I am so guilty" surprise!  Right away she started saying, "Mess, mess."  I just found this mess, Mom.  Yeah, right!  She was super cute, but was not happy to have to sit by her mess and get her picture taken.  I will take a mess like this anyday!  Cheap and easy to clean up!

She's a funny girl, we sure love her a lot!

Spring Snow Storm

You gotta love Colorado weather.  At least we never get bored.  We had been enjoying the 70 degree winter days, and then spring came.  Easter was cold, and then today this......

We loved it.  20 inches!  And the best part is, today is Saturday and by Wednesday it is supposed to be 78 degrees!

Happy Easter

We had a fun Easter this year.  Apparently our camera was missing in action for most of the festivities!  The kids love to color eggs, they look forward to it all year.

Everyone colored their own dozen eggs.

Sorry no "Easter clothes" pictures.  I will update with a new picture as soon as they wear them again!  We enjoyed an indoor Easter egg hunt since it was freezing out side.  My Mom and Dad came up for dinner and we had a great time.

Green Lightning

Porter and Allen have been hard at work on Porter's first Pinewood Derby car.  Well tonight their hard work payed off!

Our very own "Green Lightning" won 1st place! There was yelling, cheering, picture taking, high fives, ........and that was just me!  

Porter was so excited and just kept saying how proud of himself he was.  

This is the final results board.

Sidney was a very proud little sister.  She gave me a run for my money on cheering the loudest!

Sidney made a car too.  She loved helping and painted her car pink, believe it or not.  They let her race it at the end, she was so proud!

We have to give a BIG thanks to Jean for all the tips and great supplies!  We followed her advice and let me tell you, she really knows what she is talking about!

Thanks Jean!

Spring is in the Air!

We have loved the 70 degree weather for the last few weeks!  But it was time for some snow and it was nice to remember we live in Colorado.  The snow was great. We got about 16 inches.  You gotta love it, snow, cancelled school, work out early, sledding, snow caves, and the beautiful blue Colorado sky!  

People who make a difference

Porter finished of his project of "People who make a difference" today with a program at school.He was assigned to learn about and represent Ben Franklin.  He had a great time and did a great job. We thought he looked just like a young Ben! 

Here he is reciting his part.  Porter does a really great job at things like this and he really has a great time.

Porter and his good buddy, Gage.

Nice job, Porter.  I think Benjamin Franklin would be proud!

Silly, Silly Girls

Rylee is all about feeding herself these days.  I am fine with the dry stuff, but she goes a little crazy with the yogart.  We are going through more clothes and bibs lately!  But what a cute face.

Yes this is my daughter licking the window.  

I am not sure what was so funny about that but

she thought it was hilarious! 

A tidbit from a conversation with Sidney

(A fly was buzzing around the window)

Sidney- "I bet that fly is looking for her family"

Me- "Maybe"

Sidney- "It's so nice here in America that the fly can speak American                to her family.  But in Japan she would have to speak Japan to her family.

We are raising such culturally diverse children :)

Porter's Baptism

This has been a busy, fun, emotional week.  Porter was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  What a special day. 

We took these pictures a couple weeks ago to use for his invitations to his baptism.  

We are so proud of Porter.  He has really prepared for his baptism.  It was such a beautiful day with friends and family. 

Here he is getting ready.  He looks so grown up.

The proud little sisters.

Grandma Teri and Grandpa Ryan.  We had both of Porter's Grandparents here.  Allen's parents came from California, they are helping to direct people in so we didn't get a before picture with them.

Allen and Porter.  So handsome!  This is one of my favorite pictures, they look so much alike.

Porter and Aunt Rachel.  Thanks for coming all the way from Idaho Rach!

We had so many family and friends that made this day so special.  We came back to our house to have cake and icecream.  Porter received many sweet gifts, including, his own scriptures with his name on it.

Then the little kids decided it was time for some "Rock band".  So cute.

We had a great time with Allen's parents.  They came for an extended weekend.  Having them here for the baptism meant a lot to us and to Porter.  We wish they could have stayed longer!  We didn't want to send them back to California!

 Sidney, Rylee, and Grandma watching a movie.

Grandma and Grandpa boxing on the wii!  They were very good.  Don't worry we put the kids to bed so the adults could have a turn!

Porter loved playing Monopoly with Grandpa.  What a fun day.

Porter, we are so proud of you!

It's GREAT to be EIGHT

Well it has happened!  This cute boy is 8!  He has been so excited and keeps saying, "I just can't believe I am 8."  Well bud, I can't believe it either.  I am excited for you to grow up and experience new things, but I also want to hold on to the little you forever.  Dad and I were so excited to have you join our family 8 years ago.  There were some complications and we weren't sure we would get you here safe and sound.  But on February 25, 2001 at 9:30pm you were born weighing 6 pounds 11 ounces and you were as healthy as could be.  I have been hopelessly in love ever since.

Don't mind the small girl in the Krispy Kreme's hat.  We took doughnuts in to Porter's class today and the lady at the shop gave Rylee a hat.  Apparently she is really into hats and wore it the whole day.  We couldn't even get her to take it off for a picture.  Thanks doughnut lady.

Speaking of girls wearing things ALL day.  Check out Sid's "hands free" ear piece!  Allen worked from home today and had his on for a conference call, he gave her the other one to try on and that is where it stayed.

The BEST Birthday Poster from the BEST cousins ever!!  Thanks!

Porter started off with a pancake breakfast with birthday candles.  Then off to school.  Allen surprised him and came to school for lunch.  Sidney, Rylee, and I brought in treats for his class.  Then home for presents and cake and off to Red Robin for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa!  What a fun day.

So now we enter the world of cub scouts.  Porter is so excited.  We were invited to the Blue and Gold banquet a couple days before his birthday.  All the boys were making a dessert to share.  Porter wanted to make cupcakes.  Here he is doing all the work himself.  He really enjoyed getting to do everything and we had a lot of fun doing it together. 

We're off with our cupcakes and new scout uniform!

A couple of fun things about Porter.  He weighs 54 pounds and is 49 inches tall.   He likes star wars, transformers, legos, and nerf shooters.  His best friend at school is Gage.  He likes 2nd grade.  He loves to ride his bike and jump on the trampoline.  He likes to play the nintendo wii.  He can play almost every song on Guitar Hero on the medium level extremely well, it's really fun to watch!  He is great buddies with his Dad and loves to do anything with him.  He loves to play sports, football, soccer, basketball....pretty much all sports.  He is so much fun to be around and his sisters think he is the greatest.  So do I.  I love you sweet Porter, Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday, Babe!  Wow another year and you just keep getting better :)  We had fun celebrating Allen's birthday.  He worked from home so we made him breakfast, took him out to lunch, opened presents, and then we had a babysitter come over and we went out to a great dinner together.  

Every time we go out I remember how much I love spending time with you.  Just you.  You are truly my best friend.  I love laughing together when things get crazy around here.  I am totally in love with you.  You think you said it first, well I felt it first.  Thanks for being such a great Dad to our three cute kids who adore you.  I can't blame them.  But most of all thanks for being my husband and the love of my life.

Let's get on with some pictures of my 35 year old husband in action.  

I love you Allen, Happy Birthday!