Hodgepodge

Since we last updated our blog, yes it has been a while, we had Michelle's birthday, my birthday, Zac's birthday, a basement remodel, Halloween, Thanksgiving, our trip to California for Christmas, New Years, and some other stuff mixed in along the was as well. Here are a couple of pictures from all of these events to catch everybody up:

Our Dog Jack got the first piece of Zac's Cake


Captain Hook and Chief Longface

Sledding

Decorating Christmas cookies

Using the hot tub one of the few times it wasn't raining

Crusing the harbor in the Lectric boat on Christmas Eve

And of course, a visit from Ole Saint Nick

Porter's Big 4th

For Porter's birthday this year we went to the zoo and to Pirate Island Pizza with Grammy, Grandpa and Aunt Angie. We all had so much fun! We will have a party this Sunday with most of my side and have cake and ice cream. Here are some pictures of the day:

Here is a video that isn't very high quality but if you listen carefully you can hear how excited Porter was to open his first present.

A Camping We Will Go

We went with Matt's parents, aunt and uncle camping close to Yellowstone Park this past week. The boys had a blast and it was so fun to spend time with family we don't get to see very often. We were all filthy by the end but it was worth it!

There was some sort of horse club camped next to us and Porter went over and asked to pet the horses. The people were so nice and told him he could ride one. Zac wasn't too sure about it, though...

We played paddle ball and horse shoes which Porter dubbed "horse foot". Aunt Shauna also gave the boys bubble guns and that was a HUGE hit.

Porter really wanted to go fishing which was nice since that's what Pop Pop does best. Pop Pop helped him catch a fish and he caught a Daddy all on his own.

This was the beautiful view we had.

A lot of time was spent by the river. We couldn't keep poor Aunt Shauna out of it! She just had to take a sudden swim while retrieving the boys ball that bounced across to the other side. What a dedicated aunt!

And we couldn't leave home without Porter teaching Zac how best to water the forest plants. He's got quite the green thumb. :)

24th of July and Eye Wear

We celebrated the 24th of July at my sister, Hollie's house. The kids had a ton of fun lighting and watching the fireworks. Now Porter wants to do it every night and doesn't understand why we can't.

When Porter gets really excited he clasps his hands together and shakes, as shown here:

These are Zac's cool new hat and sun glasses. He was starting to notice that brother had a hat and glasses but he didn't. We found them on clearance and now we're all happy.

These are Porter's new goggles he earned. The first day he got them he wouldn't take them off. He couldn't quite get the hang of breathing through his mouth...

And this is Zac laughing at Porter in his new goggles.

Here's a video of some of our firework fun:

Slip N Slide

Porter really wanted a pool this summer so we had him do extra things so he could earn "monies" to buy one. The cashier at Walmart thought he was so cute when he pulled the pennies from his pocket and put them on the couter to pay, she had other cashiers come over and look. So now we have the pool and decided it would be fun to put the slide in it. He has been having so much fun!


Porter's friend Megan has shown him how to hold his breath under water and he's currently earning more "monies" so he can get a pair of goggles like hers.

Not only is it fun to swim in, it doubles as a bug catcher. They like seeing all the different bugs and decide which ones are worth saving and which ones are better left to their fate.

Zac doesn't care to swim but he loves watching from the side lines, munching on Circus Peanuts.

Here's some footage of the fun he has.