Christmas 2012

I didn't get my pictures this year for Christmas.  I'm totally bummed.  But, here's a pic from the kids putting a gingerbread house together that our neighbors gave us.

Caution Very Political Post Don't Read if you're Not into That

I'm writing this post with hopes that I will feel better about the election situation. 

Last night was the Presidential election and I had high hopes for Mitt Romney as the new leader of our great country.  It looks like just about half of the nation did too.  But, not quite half.  Of course we know Obama won.  I am so disappointed!!! 

I can't understand why people are happy with the sub par leadership we've had the past 4 years and even the past 6 weeks (while Obama should have been on his best behavior) with Benghazi.  He split the country by putting everyone in to the rich or poor class and told us not to like the rich.  His morals and values are nothing I agree with and I'm actually sick this morning because he is going to be running our country for four more years.

Romney ran a great campaign working tirelessly for our country.  Because HE loves our country and wants to serve and make it better.  He had brilliant ideas about balancing the budget, saving social security and medicare.  Also, reevaluating programs that are already implemented.  Now we will never know how great we really could have gotten in these next four years. 

Judging on the last four yours (yes, as proven through thousands of years, history does repeat itself) we're in for more economy issues, more debt, and more problems around the world. (I truly hope I'm wrong.)

But, on a higher note I am so grateful to be a member of the true church of Jesus Christ.  We know that times will be tough and that's why we are counseled to have our houses in order.  This is all we can do.  We must pray and prepare.  We must have faith in the Lord.  He will guide us in this unsettling time. 

I am so thankful that I can pray for President Obama and all of the leaders of this great nation.   It is under God's direction.  We need to trust in him and that he will do what's best, although it may not be easy.  We need give thanks for our freedoms and everything we are blessed with.  We need to pray that we will come together as a people and nation and fight for the liberties that were established by our Constitution. Our Heavenly Father loves us, we are his children, He wants what's best for ALL of his children.   

Now that I have that off my chest, I am feeling much better. I am going to move forward and look for the positive in America.  And have faith that everything will work out for our family if my house is in order.   No more criticism.  Just a lot of prayers.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Hailey's Baptism

Yesterday was a very special day for Hailey and our family.  A big thank you to everyone who took the time to come celebrate with us.  I know everyone was busy.  And everyone but my parents had to travel to get here.  She was happy to see everyone.

The day started off at 6:10 in the morning with Brayden bouncing off the walls.  I'm not quite sure what that was all about.  We were at the stake center by 8:15 and the baptism started at 9.  We were the last of six wards to go so everyone was a bit wiggly by the time she was baptized.  But, they all enjoyed seeing it.

Hailey said that her favorite part was being baptized because she felt warm inside when it was over.  The confirmation had some great blessings in it.  She was blessed that she would be able to have a clear mind to see the difference between right or wrong.  And have the desire to Choose the right.  And that her family loves her very much.  Hailey remembered that she was blessed to have faith in God.

Then we went and had lunch at the house with family.  There's a bunch of pictures from her special day:

Halloween 2012

Well, Halloween was filled with a great deal of excitement this year.  The adventures started off the Friday before with the Jefferson Elementary Halloween Carnival.  The kids got to dress up and we went to their school.  They got to go to teachers rooms and play games.  They had a blast.

The most memorable thing for them and me was the spook alley.  Everyone but Brayden went through.  Hailey liked it but told me later that "it really was scary".  The boys were freaked out and I wasn't sure they weren't going to have a nervous break down before we got out.  It was funny after the fact.

Tuesday our ward did a Halloween party with dinner, games, and a trunk or treat.  The kids loved it!

The kids all had a party at school and then that night of course they went trick or treating.  I have to be honest, I was so burnt out from getting the kids ready and buying Halloween candy over and over that on Halloween I was super grumpy by trick or treat time.  Bo took the kids and Brayden (he wouldn't put on his costume) and I handed out candy.  They had a blast and I had a much needed break.  Brayden enjoyed opening the door and greeting the visitors.  It was a win win for everyone.

Hailey was an angel:

Conrad and Jackson were both ninja's:

Here they are all together (I'm no so sure what's on Hailey's mind):

I thought these pictures of the boys were so sweet.  I had to add them.

Anyone else think that Halloween is a bit overdone these day? ;)

Hailey's Eight!!!

WOW!  We have an eight year old.  I can't believe it!  These past eight years have gone by so fast it makes me think that in such a short time Hailey will be sixteen and then out of the house. So many questions go through my mind.  Am I teaching her enough, am I there for her, will she be able to come to me with life's questions, do we get enough time together, the list goes on.  Of course, turning eight means she will be baptized in a couple of weeks.  I know I can't be the perfect parent.  But, I sure hope that I teach her all that she needs to be to live in this world, but not of this world.


We did presents bright and early this year because Hailey had a friend party the night of her birthday and we wouldn't have time then later.  Here she is:

 Friend parties are so fun to get ready for, but I stress so much to make sure it will be a great and memorable day.  Here are the highlights:

Invitations:

Hailey wanted a bear cake this year:

Her party:

 Silly Girls:

We ended up having cake with the family on Sunday here's what was left of the cake:

We love:

How Hailey is such a great older sister

She's so patient with her brothers

So forgiving of her brothers getting into her things

Always ready to help me out with anything

That she loves church and bearing her testimony

That she's so excited to get baptized

She loves:

Art

Her teacher Mrs. Wilson

Her family

Spaghetti, broccoli cheese soup, chicken rolls

Having her ears pierced

The color pink

Stuffed animals

Teaching her brothers school

Going shopping

Earning money

Hailey comes up with small businesses to get her brothers to pay her money for things (art galleries, saving candy, selling them anything she has that they want) the funny thing about that is that they don't have money to pay her.  Then she tries to sell me stuff. 

We love you so much Hailey!  You add so much to our family.  Thanks for always being that great girl we know you are.

And the Gender is...

A bouncing baby boy!!!

Not a huge surprise.

Good thing we love our boys :)

I couldn't help be get a little teary eyed as I thought about telling Hailey.  She was so excited and already assumed the baby was a girl.  I knew she would be disappointed.  

She rode home from school on her bike as fast as she could and ran in asking with a huge smile on her face.  I told her it was a boy and I think her heart sank.  She tried really hard not to cry, but she couldn’t hold it in.  She ran to her room and finished. Gratefully as kids do she bounced back pretty quick. She seems ok now.  

Conrad was also hoping for a girl.  He was so cute when I told him.  He said, “it is?, oh now Hailey won’t have a sister”.  He is so sweet.

I’m sure once that baby is born everyone will just love him to pieces.  Now for a name...

Les Meserables

Two girls weekends in one year!  I guess after I had my first ever in April I had to have another...

No, I really needed a recharge.  A new school year, hormones, and who knows what else had totally drained me.  My patience was lacking a great deal.  So, this weekend couldn't have been better timing for me.

Last weekend I hopped on the Salt Lake Express to the airport in Boise to meet my lady-in-laws.  It was a fun weekend.  We shopped a bit.  But, the reason we got together was the show.  We went to see Les Meserables.  It was really good.  But, we were a bit late on getting tickets so we were on the back row.  Bummer!  It was still cool to be there.  I still think Mary Poppins on Broadway was more fun to watch.  Probably just because it wasn't such a deep, sad story and we had much better seats :).

Thanks ladies!

Oh yeah, the second highlight of the trip was the ride home...the bus broke down in Blackfoot...so it took and extra hour to get home ;)  (That's what I get for choosing to travel on Sunday) :)

I Can't Believe Brayden is 2!

Brayden turned two on the 15th.  We had Grandma and Grandpa over for a party.  Here's the before picture

 During:

This is from the grandparents.  Brayden loves bananas and stole and ate two in about two minutes at their house the day before.   

 After...it looks like he had fun

Thanks for coming and celebrating with us! 

At 2 we love how Brayden;

Gives hugs and very long kisses

Is very happy

Loves his siblings

Runs to Dad when he gets home

Is just a sweet boy

He loves:

To eat

Get into EVERYTHING

Ride his bike

Play Outdoors

Climb

Say "Ow"

Laugh

To be independant

Bathtime

Taking off his pajamas (notice his pjs are on backward in these pics)

Brayden we love you SO much.  We can't imagine life without you and can't wait to see what else you bring to the family!

First Day of School

The kids started school on September 5.  They are loving it and they are already learning a lot.  It took awhile to get back in to the routine and I was struggling with tired crazy kids (it felt like all of the time).  But now they get up, get ready and are out the door on time.  After school, they come home, have a snack, do homework, chores and play until dinner time.  It's not perfect, but it is going much smoother.

1st Grade

 2nd Grade

Labor Day Just Us

We decided to take the kids to Warm River and Mesa Falls this year for Labor Day.  It was fun to spend the day together doing something everyone likes.  

Here they are trying to catch a fish:

Here's Hailey with hers (she likes catching them, but not touching them).

Here's Con, he caught the most that day.  He's beat out Bo the last two times they've fished.

Here's Brayden throwing weeds in the water.  He was entertained for a long time just doing that.

 These pictures are at The Upper Mesa Falls

 Brayden was a mess by the end of the trip.  Of course I forgot to bring wipes...

It's so fun take the kids places now that they are a little older.  They love to explore!

Rexburg Splash Park

We went to the Splash Park in Rexburg.  The kids all finally loved it.  Usually they whine because the water is cold.  But, they played in it and had a blast!  They also rode the carousel and loved it too!

 The kids RARELY nap, but after the splash park they crashed in quiet time.  Everyone but Hailey that is.

Conrad's First Lost Tooth

We stayed the night in Boise on our way back from Seaside.  Conrad lost his tooth just before he went to bed.  So, the Tooth Fairy was able to visit him at Grandma's!  He was so excited!!

Porter Family Reunion

Mid August we drove 13 hours to Seaside Oregon for a family reunion.  It was fun to see everything and spend time together.  I have a bunch of pictures (because Bo took them).  So, I'm going to go over the highlights.


The first place we hit was the beach.  We were just planning on going for a walk, but everyone ended up soaking wet (jeans and all).  It was a bit chilly too.  But the kids loved it!

 We also went to the Tillamook Cheese factory.  It was pretty cool to see the cheese packaged and try fresh cheese.  The kids loved it.

 Grandma and Carley made a treasure box and hid it on the beach.  They found a map and then the treasure.

We also found this cool little train to ride around.  The boys loved it!

 We also went to a museum and got to walk through a boat.  ( I am terrible and can't remember what the name of it was.)

All in all, it was a cool place to see, but a bit chilly.  If we lived closer like 8 hours away I'd go back.   But 13 hours was pretty long :), I'm not sure if I'll want to go back.