Porter photos

I think I must have a photo just like this of nearly each one of my kids.--Studying with dad. It IS my life pursuit to pull my husband's nose out of his books, though I am grateful for his love of learning, so I don't labor much in my pursuit.

I did finally get around to taking some pictures of Porter.  Between painting a large portion of the interior of our house and Porter's baby acne, I haven't pulled the camera out much the last couple of weeks. Regardless, he's still cute! Enjoy!

 

  

  

  

Tanner and Lexie both came home from church on Sunday with notes saying they need to bring with them a family photo to church next week.  So QUICK, everybody say "cheese"!

Busy Colin

Colin rapidly arrived at the terrible-twos once Porter was born. Tanner did the same thing when Lexie was born.  Tanner was 17 months old at the time and Colin was 20 months old when Porter was born. The adjustment to having a new baby brother hasn't been horrible for Colin. He's been sweet, loving, somewhat "soft" and protective of his little brother.  He's also picked up on Lexie's baby doll and carries it around with him EVERYWHERE. (Much to Lexie's dismay.) Fortunately, he hasn't pulled up his shirt to nurse the baby yet! 

However, he's turned on the "busy" button in a major way.  One night Derek was playing a game with the kids. Colin observed that the most important piece of the game was the dice. So, as soon as he could get his chance, he snatched the dice while no one was looking and took off running. Family uproar ensued. This is our Colin.  Smart, fun loving, full of hugs and sweetness, yet quick and sneaky. His intelligence is used for first-rate trouble these days and well, baby #4 isn't what is "keeping me busy".  It's Colin!

Here he is having snack time with his big sister.  Whatever she can do... HE-CAN-TOO!!

Grandma Ellingson

Next grandma Ellingson came for a visit! She had 8 boys and bottle fed them all, so she is REALLY good at burping. She and Porter spent a lot of time together while I ran around getting things done. It was nice to take advantage of her!


While she was here, I asked her to help me make sugar cookies for Tanner's class. With half the batch, we did stars to celebrate Tanner's birthday. The other half we made hearts for his classroom Valentine's party.  (Which I put in the freezer. Phew!)

Tanner's birthday is the 4th of July, so he misses celebrating during the school year.  I arranged with his teacher to celebrate while grandma was here. Tanner had a grin from ear to ear the whole time we were there.

 

 

We also went to a gymnastics meet for MU while she was here.  It was the first one I have gone to with the kids and Lexie was in her element!  The meet was pretty casual about assigned seating, so we parked our "limo" stroller in a handicap stall and pulled up some chairs.  Here are the kids watching the meet.

 

 I'm almost this buff. And all from chasing my almost-two-year-old! Ha ha! I'm pretty sure I get more exercise, why can't I do this?!

 

Grandma also did a few science experiments with the kids while she was here. One was the telephone!

Thank you grandma for coming to help us! We had lots of fun while you were here!

More Christmas

 

My mom came to help us with our kids when we had Porter. A few days later my dad arrived with a Motor home full of Christmas presents all from family members on my side of the family. Tanner and Lexie LOVED having TWO Christmases! It felt like a childhood Christmas not knowing what was in each gift that was opened.  I think my parents got a kick out of watching their grandchildren open gifts.  Children always make things magical. 

 Lexie got a new apron from grandma and a unicorn from grandpa. (Little did he know, she's been swiping Tanner's unicorn. At first she returned Tanner's back to him, but then she realized how great they would play together so she swiped it back again.)

  

Here's Colin completely enthralled in his airplane.

  

 Colin was the life of the party.

 

Thanks grandma and grandpa High for such a wonderful day! What a treat! Thank you to our extended family for thinking of us! It was a sacrifice for my parents to come and we were so blessed to have them here. It doesn't matter the amount of time they stay, it is always too short!