PorterHouse

does knocking on wood really do anything?!

2010-12-13T14:30:00.008-07:00

Knock on wood.... but I have been feeling way less stress this holiday season! It may be because we aren't worrying about buying the world, but focusing on family and traditions and Christ.

Starting in January our family blog is merging with our photo blog! I am ready to have everything in the same place and Lee has been helping me come up with some new great things for our photo company :)

But until then....

Here's a bit of what we've been up to:

delia's head was almost eaten alive by a hairbow while fake-ice skating

took family pictures with awesome Wendy from Blue Lily

Eden taught us a class on how to pose for pictures out on the back patio one Sunday after church

and Gwen LOVING life before going to see the boring Tempe Christmas Lights Parade (disclaimer it hasn't been a bust in the past, but lame-o for 2010)
sidenote: I think I really down deep don't know how to change my blog header.... it has a tally and we are going to have to change the 1 boy to 2 boys, I don't know what to do about that... not as funny now that Lee isnt bombarded by girls... easy way out, merge blogs.

done and done!

do you know?

2010-11-08T16:54:00.002-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about what kind of mother I am. After all, I am preparing to be a mom to FOUR!!! I'm loving that I choose to do less and make my family and home my #1 priority.

This article by one of the best speakers sums it all up and should be read by all women in the world.

I also wanted to share and remind myself about these super tasty dinners I've made lately. They are so fall and perfect with the changing weather. Now if only the leaves would change :(

Egg Noodles

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie--- delish!

Pot of Chili

Haven't made these yet, but cupcakes in a jar?! Love it!

Found it.

2010-11-06T20:44:00.003-07:00

Tonight we lined up on the couch and watched Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Snacking on candy corn caramel popcorn and dreaming of the upcoming season.....

I couldn't help but browse for Christmas presents after the girlies went to bed.

I told Lee all I wanted this year was a basket for my bike. I think I found it.

What are you eyeballing for presents this year?

Grim Grinning Ghosts!!!

2010-10-30T22:14:00.019-07:00

Whewww!!! what a week! Halloween is my favorite holiday, but shesh! the older kids get and the more parties etc we have... I am totally wiped out!

Monday: Went to the dr 1st thing in the morning. I was only 16.5 weeks along, but the dr asked if I wanted an ultrasound and I told him it was our 8th anniversary the day before. Wouldn't it be an awesome present to surprise Lee with our baby's gender?! Well turned out to be a SUPER GOOD AND AMAZING present, because next thing I knew, I was at costco ordering hotdogs for lunch. Wrapping our little baby boy's ultrasound pictures around a weenie for Lee's lunch and driving to his work to surprise him. It was a hoot!Speaking of hoots, super fun cupcakes that the girls decorated this week:

Wednesday: Gwenny chowing her pumpkin pancakes. Yummm.

Thursday: Annual Halloween Dinner Carnival with friends. Always a pleasure. Full of magic, lizard lips, and dragon's tounges this year. A fantastic witch's brew and lots of immagination. As a mom I am learning kids just love being together in costume, playing uninterupted. Which is fine with me.... I kinda like to talk :) Candice hosted this year and had such fun activities. The kids put together a witch's brew from a selection of crushed skeleton bones, dragon's tounges, ghost's hearts, lizard lips, and a few other creepy and super fun ingredients. The kids were GROSSED out! Later when Candice pulled a switchero and traded the pot of brew for a yummy slush they were all too scared to taste it.

Friday: Eden took mummy wrapped water bottles for their class Halloween Picnic.
Saturday: Neighborhood chili cook off and trunk or treat. The girls LOVED getting into costume and complete make up. I am totally loving their ages and little personalities. Not to mention my sweet little kitty Gwen who loved to walk around and swish her tail. That girl. And can't end this without showing off my hilarious Lee's character this year.

He was Hot Rod and didn't break character. Well.... maybe for a second when his stunt went wrong and he clocked the neighbor boy with his skate board.

Whoops! And I'm off to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie. Oh, and scrub my face so I don't have green pores in the morning.

coming up for air

2010-10-18T21:56:00.004-07:00

hmmff. life happens, whether you blog about it or not.

But, to help me remember, here's a few things that we've been up to since 05/10.. yikes I haven't really blogged for that long!!

August: took the plunge and started cooking baby porter #4; I'm completely sick and avoid the world at all possible costs. no.... really.

September: Lee turned 30 and I surprised him with a trip to Boston. Had too much for for too short of a time. The girls stayed home with Liz and they may like her better than me all because she bought them a zuzu pet and a butterfly barbie. hmm.. anything else for September? Ohhhh yes. Killed ourselves, no wanted to kill ourselves helping move my dad and sisters out of their house. The Jones' Family Home? RIP.

October: awesome General Conference, Went to The Land and Sea World for October Break, still feeling sick...... and still to come? Annual PCC, Killer Demolition Derby at the State Fair, 10 year MHS reunion that I choose the state fair over (Sorry, too expensive for what it will be... and have you beem to the semolition derby?!, 8 year wedding Anniversary, and the best holiday of the year!!

doodles on the brain

2010-08-16T10:14:00.007-07:00

My chalkboard that usually is filled with inspiring or witty quotes got erased today and covered in swirlies. I may keep it for awhile.
I was inspired by these beautiful images over at seesaw

Our family room got a fresh coat of paint this weekend. Its now same color as our kitchen (pictured above) and I am loving it. The color is called pensive sky from Behr and Lee has blamed much of his sitting and "thinking" on the couch on the new hue. It is so bright and cool feeling. A welcome relief to the 110 degrees we are still enduring :(

My brain is getting all the details sorted out for Gwen's 1st birthday dinner we are having this weekend. I think I'll have to take some pictures of my sassy little tan baby.

Speaking of pictures, I took some bright and fun back to school pictures for my friend this weekend that I need to share a sneak peek of:

doesn't that make you smile? That girl and her faces!!

just today.

2010-08-13T10:26:00.009-07:00

I guess I haven't blogged yet (to catch back up), because I am simply overwhelmed.

Where to start? I've tried a few attempts at summer catch up ALL in one post.

But you see, that is overwhelming.

So,

I've decided.

I'm just going to take it one post at a time.

Because each fun life event is too important to give just a picture and two words. (you should never start a sentence with because p.s.)

We'll start with today. Eden our big 1st grader is off to school, and delia is just plain bored. I guess I'm not as fun to play poly pockets with. Besides, moms have work to do.

Gwenny is fast asleep taking her morning nap. Did I mention that in 10 short days my baby will be ONE?? This tiny girl has had a whole year of life!!!
delia just had me put in our favorite... Wizard of Oz and its taking all I have to not disregard my wedding edit and go plop next to her on the couch.Have you ever seen full pop cans tied to the back of a just married car? Well these were, and the explosion when the couple pulled out was hilarious!! Coke spraying everywhere. Very clever :)

Happy Friday!!

Do you have a date planned? We are hitting up Lolo's for some tasty chicken and waffles. We walked in as first timers last Friday and I instantly decided I liked the place as my ears soaked up Lauryn Hill and they had a HUGE red velet cake displayed for the tasting. Not to mention the sweet red kool-aid in mason jars. mmmmmm.

fun with casts :(

2010-07-28T07:40:00.005-07:00

Maybe I've been too busy enjoying life to document it? Busy summer. To say the least.
Brief recap: swim lessons, biking down volcanos, girls camp hilariousness, lots of stomach bug :( connecting flights that take FOREVER in San Diego, broken wrists smashed to smitherinse (smither-een-se?) lots of wedding shoots, family reunion fun, marching in a parade, freezing as we watch the fireworks, amazing banana pancakes.... SO. MUCH. FUN.

our beach from Maui
smart Lee:
Dumb Lee:
Sorry Lee but 2 HANDS ON THE WHEEL AT ALL TIMES!!!

This did not do our memories justice, so this is just for now, better blogging ahead!!

Belly flops and blossoms

2010-06-11T09:24:00.006-07:00

Last night was a first for our family. Lee and I both have a past history of soaking up the rays as lifeguards, so we (or maybe just me) have been really excited for our girls to start swim team. Brings back memories of the good old days when I'd play with kiddos all day in the pool workin on my tan, then hit up filly b's and hang out with a group of 'chandler hotties' which included Lee :) until the late hours of the night. Oh the days of spending my WHOLE paycheck at the mall.

My heart melted to see Eden up on the starting block and racing across the pool. She has been working on her dive all week, and I'd hardly say it resembled a belly flop! :)
She had soo much fun playing cards with her friends, eating snacks and earning a ribbon!
Here's some artsy pictures of zinnias from my garden. I planted a TON of seeds because zinnias are one of my favorites. Love their bright colors saying hello from the nightstand by my bed.

little sis

2010-06-08T08:26:00.003-07:00

have to share this cute little picture!

taken with our iphone so not the best quality but can you pass us that naughty mischevious little smile?!

gwenny is getting so big SO FAST!!!!

*and she climbed up there all by herself!! ahh! what am I going to do with her?!

more posts to come! Busy summer, lots of shooting... well shooting minus the gun and violence (yikes that sounds bad... lots of shooting?!)

Shabby Apple Queensland Swimsuit Giveaway

2010-05-29T14:33:00.001-07:00

NEED NEED NEED; WANT WANT WANT!!!

Lee and I are headed to the beach in just over 30 days. I've been looking everywhere for some cute suits, and of course Shabby Apple NEVER disappoints!

Go to grosgrain to enter to win!!!

Shabby Apple Queensland Swimsuit Giveaway

best deal of the century!!!

2010-05-17T16:53:00.004-07:00

Check out our Photography Company website for the details to our

SPECTACULAR SUMMER SPECIAL!!!

Way cooler since I used an alliteration, huh?? :)

Pie In the Sky Photography

may is almost over!!

2010-05-14T17:19:00.003-07:00

Well here comes another weekend!

Lee is showing me how to hit a ball driving range style.

We are celebrating graduations, birthdays and anniversaries.

Cleaning up after making 100 bridal shower invitations.

Gearing up for 2 weddings shoots,

and getting ready for summer in our backyard!

Eden colored the eagle on the lappy. She was super proud :)

insufficient words

2010-05-09T22:26:00.006-07:00

this morning i asked our girlies what their favorite thing about their mom is....

eden: "i like a lot of things she makes... and she's cute"

delia: "i like her hugs"

gwen: "mamama"

it's hard for me to put into words how i feel about amanda on this mother's day.

saying "i love you" is not enough. i know if i tried to explain how i feel, it would just come out lacking, but here goes....

AMANDA, you are amazing. you are a source of strength and inspiration. you are my best friend and just being with you, hanging out, is good enough for me. just to be around you makes my day.

having you as my wife these last 7 1/2 amazing years has made me a better person. i can honestly say that i am who i am today because of you. i don't even want to think about what life would be like without you. i just hope you can continue to have patience with me as i work through my faults and weaknesses. i'm sorry for not always being the man you hope that i will be, but know that i am working at it and striving each day to be that man.

thank you for the beautiful family you have given me and thank you for being such a wonderful mother to our beautiful daughters; they love you so much, as do i. thank you for all you do for us everyday.

i know sometimes life gets busy, and it may not always seem like it, but the best part of my day, everyday, is coming home to you to see your smiling face and get a little welcome home kiss. you make my life joyful and you mean so much to me.

i love you, amanda, and hope you always know that. i can't wait for the rest of our lives together and all the wonderful things that lay ahead for us.

i love you, amanda. happy mother's day!

Its been awhile.

2010-04-22T13:20:00.014-07:00

Eden has been jealous. Of what? Well... delia's birthday post has been up FOREVER mom!!! My birthday post was just up for a few days she tells me! Shesh. Who's counting? Apparently my 6 year old.

Ok.. our life in no particular order:

We went to the easter pagent. Eden was too nervous to go up to the cast and get pictures. That girl is nervous nellie for LIFE!
Gwen LOVED the Easter pagent, sike! (I don't even know how to spell pyske, and I think its a good thing!)
We went quading over Easter weekend. Lee rolled his and ate the mountain.
Then his smart wife agreed to let him sell his car and get this:
Am I an idiot? No, don't answer that... just know that I at least have him insured :) side note.. he sold that bike and got a bigger safer one. I really do love him, and I might not mind jumping on the back to ride up and down the street. I do not know what this does for my classy attitude.

Gwen got a play pen. Gwen loves floppy bows.
delia milked a cow
Eden rode a horse
Gwen ate a graham cracker
Eden had her last signing group recital :( We LOVE Miss Candice and Miss Maren. The theme was silly songs.
Gwen upgraded her headband for an even bigger one :)No, I'm not hideous, it wasn't hers. But it was really cute on delia, and Maren :)

and now for a plug for our photo company
aren't they fun?!Check out our blog for some more amazingness.

4 year old

2010-03-25T06:30:00.005-07:00

Just a few pictures of the birthday celebration to finish up delia's weekend.

She loved...
*riding in the caboose on the train at the mall
*getting a ruffly yellow swimsuit to get her ready for the summer
*going to get her fingers and toes painted with Laura
*getting a LPS that Eden bought with her own money (that's short for littlest pet shop, if you don't have a little girl to know)
*picking out the details for her cake
*wearing her birthday outfit and telling EVERYONE we saw that she was four!!

an impromptu family picure:
Love you bunches delia! You are so sweet and such a fun girl!

If I were king dilly dilly.. you'd be my queen

2010-03-19T07:44:00.009-07:00

There is something magic about being little.

Waking up to find streamers and a birthday banner hanging from your little bottom bunk and your birthday is already the best day all year.

March 17th, 2006, St Patty's day. I was due with my 2nd little girlie.

The hospital called me in to be induced, and because I envisioned my delia receiving nothing but shamrock sunglasses and green beaded necklaces for her birthday for the REST of her life, I told them no thank you very much, and to call me back the next day.

The little sneak tricked us anyways and has sparkily green eyes, but at least they don't compliment her birthday outfit. Although when I take a picture of her every year on the last sunset of her previous aged year there are remnants of her cute green outfit.

Exhibit #1 (green skirt I busted out at 1am the day/morning before/of the green holiday)

Exhibit #2

I LOVE these images and never clean them up because it helps me remember her little personality from that year. Knees covered in black from jumping on the tramp all day long at the neighbors house.... crusties all over her little face from snacks wearing nothing but a dirty tee and a diaper, sporting her popeye wink that was a household fixture that year :)

delia I love you and your contant teasinging, your attitude that knows you can accomplish anything!

*your baby curls that are almost grown out
*your sassy saying lately of 'of course you are'
*hearing you say I CAN'T!! at least 16 times a day
*you sneaking back into your room after we've gotten dressed for the day to find a skirt to wear.
*your love for all fruits and vegetables; they are the first thing gone on your plate
*the way you can shake your hips and the things you are learning at your dance class (I'm cute!)
*your amazing talent to memorize words to songs in 2 seconds flat
*how sweet you are to your little sister to make her laugh when she is feeling grouchy

love you to the moon and back my little lavenders blue dilly dilly! I know your next year will be full of happiness and amazing things!

Pi in your face! & no, I didn't spell pi wrong!

2010-03-11T22:39:00.006-07:00

Hey come here a second! There's something I gotta tell ya!
Do you know what Sunday is? March 14th… 3/14… 3.14 – aka - National Pi Day!

So in celebration of not having mathematical brains (3.141593), we are officially launching our new company,

Pie in the Sky Photography!!!

Come see our new website and blog at www.pieintheskyphotography.com

To kick off this hullaballoo, we want to give away a free family shoot!

Entering the giveaway is easy; you simply need to link our blog to your blog/facebook, and leave a comment on our blog letting us know what kind of pie is your favorite (and we don’t mean mathematical!!!).

Entrance for the giveaway closes at midnight (AZ time) on Saturday, March 20. So spread the word and help us 'make the GOOD life look a little BETTER!' (its our company's slogan heehee!)

I WON on Design Mom!!!!

2010-03-02T20:57:00.006-07:00

With sleepy eyes I checked my email this morning to find:

Congrats! Please let me know what color tote you would like and your address, and I will get one in the mail for you right away.

Thanks for entering the giveaway!

Kind regards,
Jo TotesYou see, out of the 1580 entries, at Design Mom...little old me WON this beaut!!

Which is FANTASTIC! seeing how my bowling bag of a purse (I do love it Meemers) is getting a bit old. AND I will be needing to lug around my camera a whole lot more because Lee and I finally decided to go PRO! We are starting our own Photo Company full time and HARDCORE!!

So here's a sneek peak of what is to come:

Same thing as what you are used to seeing... lots of color, fun and attractive people :) Now just a bit more accessible for your pleasure!

We've decided on the alias of Pie in the Sky Photography.... which has quite a story. A story to share on another day! I've got to get back to work on our website :) AHHHHH!

I am so excited!

freckles of attitude

2010-02-26T13:39:00.006-07:00

does anyone else's kid #2 have perma attitude? I was kid #2 and might have to confess to having a bit of a sassy personality. I promise it is a given attribute for us two-sers.
here's what happens when our three year old knows how to pose, but has a bad attitude for the moment. always something to grump about. oh her...

its a good thing that her freckles sprinkled along her nose and green eyes make me love her still :)

and then she's got to show off.

happy weekend! enjoy the beau-ti-ful weather!

green

2010-02-22T23:36:00.002-07:00

oh avery, you are a doll.... in a boy-ish, cars and balls kinda way.

clamshells

2010-02-18T07:51:00.004-07:00

Oh man.. maybe we are really bored around here lately, but my girlies have been killing me! So much laughing over silly stuff :)

Delia poked in for a hello through the bathroom window the other day, and I died laughing at her face through the glass!

And here's Gwen after breakfast. I think she's saying 'oh man. I just pounded a clamshell of strawberries, and I'm about to explode :)'
Wish me luck, I'm off to the snow this weekend with 50 youth from our ward. I'm hoping for no split open heads or broken bones.

Nursing Kitties

2010-02-10T07:48:00.008-07:00

(disclaimer: these pics have nothing to do with my story except that they are my cute little baby)
Nursing babies are like kitties. Except that I don't like kitties.

Yesterday was Tuesday, and Tuesdays are craft day for my sister Emily and I. She has no responsibilities for the day, and I just brought mine with me. As Emily sat and covered every ounce of a heart wreath with glitter, I held Gwennie who was apparently starving.

While I fed her, she would not stop playing with my necklace, pulling my hair, grabbing my shirt, etc. And an image of my childhood came to my mind of watching our cat nurse her kitties. They would lay and knead her non stop while they ate. Exactly like my Gwen was doing to me. Is that what it's called? Kneading? Like I do to my bread?
And.it.drives.me.crazy.

But I don't think I'll put an ad in craigs list and give her away for $5 like we did with our kitties.
ps- I love the sun+Gwen in a field. She is amazing.

i"ll take the waffles please

2010-02-09T09:31:00.004-07:00

This morning I was texting lee at breakfast.
I was bragging to Lee about how cute Gwen was, devouring her waffles one slobbery bite after the other. Obviously a mother's love.
He said 'no fair' that I got to experience that each day. Then quickly followed up saying that it was fair,... since I also get to experience the day to days of a little girl who has a bad case of the terrible threes. But, don't tell delia its just a phase :)
It made me remember that I am SO so lucky to get to stay home and clean up waffle messes, and kiss gooey faces, and teach little girls how to fold laundry.
Way better than sitting at an office 8 to 5.
So, sorry Lee, but I think you got the short end of the stick. I'd choose waffles and the terrible threes any day. And thanks for making things work so I get to stay home every day :)Syrup and all.

the grass is greener

2010-02-08T13:52:00.006-07:00

3 girlies are really quite fun...

don't get me wrong.
ruffles, tutus, bright pink little piggy toes, the attitude :)

but oh... to have a boy.
My friend Candice's little boy is so sweet and fun!

I heart carnies...... and lee

2010-02-04T22:15:00.006-07:00

Today was the best day ever.

Not because
-I am behind on laundry
-I checked our bank account only to find it slightly in the negative (whoops.. some day we will manage our money better!)
-I had to wear really cute but annoying glasses because I forgot to go pick up my contacts
-delia had an extreme meltdown... twice.

But, because my Lee gave me an early birthday present and I am now the PROUD owner of my very own 70-200mm lens! and I had NO no clue and was totally surprised and confused and amazed and maybe even started crying :) maybe.

And so... we went and took pictures with the scary carnies down the road because they have the best of colors, smell like smoke, and have really dirty fingernails.

and then Lee taught the girls how to fly.

a bushel and a peck

2010-01-28T09:57:00.008-07:00

Valentines may be 2nd favorite holiday next to Halloween... sorry Santa.

such a fun idea

Rainy days= staying inside and getting creative so we decided to start making our valentines.

After spending $37 on Eden's class treat for her birthday (whoops don't tell lee!) I realized I need to plan in advance and make things not just buy it all from Target.

Can you tell what we are making? heart shaped home made crayons. presh.

we made valentines for Lee, the girls taped theirs to the front door, and I stuck mine on the wallhave you ever heard the song by dorris day "a bushel and a peck"? My grandpa used to sing it while he bounced us on his lap, and I love it. It's also on the Julie and Julia movie.. love it too... although Julie was kinda too ugly.
And here's Gwennie, her new trick is sitting up. I love her sweetness. And she is the 1st girlie in our family to say mama first instead of dada. she might be my favorite :)

definition of a snaggletooth

2010-01-25T07:45:00.006-07:00

Eden, you have arrived!

Snaggletooth: (noun) Any child between the age of 5-11 who is missing one or more of their teeth. Extreme gappage may occur as a result, and crooked, random teeth hanging by a thread may be present.

Not to worry Eden, it is the cutest thing a 6 year old could do. And being the first in your kindergarten class to loose your top ones shows you are ahead of your age in every way right?

Now say "Sally sits by the seashore" again, just to make delia giggle :)

And get to looking for that lost tooth under grandma Funk's rocker!

Our last picture of Eden with 2 loose front teeth!You are getting so old, I can hardly believe it!

2009 a la photos

2010-01-13T08:36:00.019-07:00

This week Eden is star student. As we were going through pictures to use for her poster, I remembered I love to see people's recap of the year in pictures. What better way to summarize the year then pictures.

January
- We went and took some of my favorite pictures of the girls, having a tea party. The background may have been a huge roll off dumpster, but I LOVE the color!
February
-Went to the snow w/ Leah and Ryker the camel. March
-Pickles had her 3rd birthday. Her party was animal crackers themed and oh so fun!
Then a few weeks later we went camping... so pretty, and had 459,068,285 HUGE mosquitoes!
April
-I hosted a baby shower and made these super easy center pieces. Ask Candice if she'd do them again :)Cute and look easy. Not so.
Then we found out we were adding a little girlie to our PorterHouse. May
-Lee and I got to go along on the Reflections shoot down to Honduras. Ah-maze-ing.
Really hideous picture of me.. but my amigo Nephi made the COVER of the Reflections book! I've been thinking about him a lot lately. I need to do something for his mom. June
-Baby shower for Becca.. and the last group pic of our three bumps. July
-Happy fourth and delia split her chin open! August
-1st days of school! Delia cried when Eden left :( So so sad.We welcomed Gwen to the world!
September
-Lee turned 28! October
-We blessed Gwenny! So tiny! November
-Fun fun joyschool party with a turkey pinata! December
-Took Christmas pictures, it was FREEZING and we maybe got one good picture :)

what would you choose for your first bite?

2010-01-11T20:59:00.008-07:00

Welcome to the wonderful world of FOOD Gwen!
and yes.. I was on the phone while Eden was documenting Gwen's first bites. I'm a mom of three, I've got to deligate and multitask.

So FYI to the 2 readers who happen upon my blog.. I've been giving blogging a lot of thought lately. I'm kinda tired of being artificial, the posts with... hey look at this amazing thing I made, or gaze upon my craftiness, or check out this gourmet dessert.

Because when I just spelled gormet, I didn't even spell it right :)

So my New Year's resolution is to change my blog to serve completely as a family journal. Its going to be the day to day, the ups and downs, and the not so perfect.

From now on its PorterHouse Real Life.

No worries, I'll still post some fun things I make or share photos, because that's part of me and I LOVE blogs for idea sharing... but if you think it gets boring around here... I'm just sayin.. its the real me. So, take it or leave it.

And if I got to choose my first bite it would definitely be the dish sized pazookie that I ate this afternoon with hot cocoa ice cream melting on top. I may have tossed in the towel on my new eating habits after my sis in law said she'd lost 8lbs already. She said she even was sneaking treats. No worries, I'd lost all of like 4lbs and I'm pretty sure its back after that cookie. I may have to decide that I like babyfat :)

Miss Six.

2010-01-06T08:58:00.010-07:00

Our family went to Mccormick Train Park in Scottsdale per Eden's request. We brought a picnic and then went to get ice cream cones. Choosing between bubblegum and rainbow sherbert is always the hardest part.
It was so nice to enjoy a day of 74 degrees and not be chilly as we ate. January 2nd... who knew!Then we opened presents and rode the train.Then gazed at the miniature town.. so much detail it is amazing!But the best part was riding the carousel. Gwen might need to put jockey on her resume, she LOVED it!I am so grateful to be Eden's mom. She is such an obedient little girl and a great helper. Eden loves singing, coloring and playing pretend. She is getting good at some new things like the monkey bars, reading and being brave for shots.

I love you so much Eden, you are such an example to me!

Schnepf Family Party at the Farm

2010-01-03T21:16:00.015-07:00

The Day after Christmas we were off to Schnepf Farms to celebrate Grandpa Max's 80th birthday!Eden was a teensy nervous before the swings took off. She said while I was uploading pics that she just wasn't sure how high it was going to go... AND I had told her to make a silly face :) Not too sure that's your silly face Eden :)Looks like we are almost as tall as the 6' pig. Yikes!
Super fun roller coaster riding! We love Catie and were so glad we got to hang out with Tara!

Gwenny Penny and mom snuggling while dad plays with the big girlies
Then we were off to the petting zoo. Maybe Lee's favorite part. Last year he had too much fun with this CRAZY goat and this year the babies would not leave him alone!
And you can't leave with out a goat ride right?
Oh! no, it was the train ride you can't miss!
But our favorite part was the long tube slide! I wish we could get one of these for our backyard!

Mr. Etsy

2009-12-10T22:46:00.003-07:00

Lee,

Thanks for supporting me in everything that I do. I am so grateful for you and I think we make a killer team :) Not many husbands would stay up until the early hours of the morning wrapping flowers for headbands.... you= the bomb dot com :) Maybe you should open an etsy shop? I heart our family, even if this is like the only good pic from our last family shoot. I guess that's what happens when we have 3 girlies!

Love you LP

Lovin the blue!

2009-12-04T13:06:00.004-07:00

Just a sneek peek for Connie. Her boys were so busy and SO fun! More to come, but I knew she'd love a picture to see :)

lovein it

2009-12-02T18:34:00.001-07:00

Check out what I've been up to lately over on my photoblog. I am so lucky to be hanging out with some of the most attractive people ever!

Sharp Talons

2009-12-01T14:10:00.003-07:00

"OWL" love you forever my Gwenny Penny. I had to capture how cute you look today. You are finally starting to make some noise and your cooing melts my heart. You are the sweetest happiest baby... except for dreaded bath time :)You are growing so big way too fast. Love you.

Saving my Pennies

2009-11-30T15:08:00.002-07:00

I am saving my pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to go to this boutique! So many attractive things to buy :) A friend and I will have a booth and have many many many headbands and necklaces for the offering! If you are looking for all things ruffled, frilly and sparkly.... COME HERE!

Me today

2009-11-24T23:22:00.006-07:00

Tonight at 11:22pm as I am rushing to finish my daily jobs of cleaning and dishes and editing and preschool.. I mean joyschool (delia always corrects me) I glanced at a shelf in my kitchen to find delia's hand prints all over in the dust. Yeah the shelf was dusty... having 3 kids is getting to me alright.

And I thought, I am grateful for those hand prints. The moments I spent with sweet 3 year old delia or wide eyed 5 year old Eden or giggling and drooly 3 month old Gwen are the most precious things to have. Tomorrow they will grow older and change and I must cherish every moment.

I must be getting older, because I am beginning to not care how perfect everything looks, or if I dazzle everyone with my handmade whatevers and just want to soak up every dinnertable conversation, or funny things Eden tells me about her school day. How sweet Eden is to ask a less popular boy in her class to play at recess, or delia high fiving Santa at the Mall and then turning to me and saying..."Its just a guy dressed up" so matter of factly :)

I LOVE my life today and tomorrow and next week, just as it is.

And my best part of each day is my family.

I trade you one smile for a cupcake

2009-11-13T10:07:00.002-07:00

Pink boots, pink cupcakes and lots of silly giggles... hey whatever it takes to get a little girlie to smile right? :) Thanks Westergards for a fun time with your family! Check out my photoblog for more pictures!

Monkey see, Monkey do

2009-11-07T00:32:00.005-07:00

So sweet to have this girlLoving this girlAnd making Mom a little mad that she could get her to smile better than I could!

Porters lately

2009-10-31T20:43:00.004-07:00

Alright get ready for some randomness... so rewind back to fall break, we were sick and stayed home all week! So we crafted with sewing and coloring and cutting and decorating :)

Eden's spooky bats
delia's jolly jack-o-lanterns
face painting to prepare for costumes....
and here's a sampling of the shirts brit and I made :) sewing lessons for Brittney and she did so well!
Then on to Halloween... or the remains of our jello earthworms, notice there is a lot left, the kids thought they were too gross to eat :)
and just to keep it random, a pic or two of the girlies on Sunday before the freezing weather hit!

All the kings horses and all the kings men...

2009-10-15T08:03:00.004-07:00

Sneek peek for the Anderson Family. Their little girlie KILLS me with her sass (something I appreciate, just not in my own girlies, at least not when its directed back at me;)

Since I'm working at getting my photo blog going, I'll post more pictures over there. :) Just training all my good little blog readers to check it out and come back often ;)

*and no worries, their little humpty dumpty fell off the wall, but didn't get hurt, just confused at why everyone was laughing at him :)

A Name and a Blessing

2009-10-11T12:37:00.011-07:00

I LOVE my family.
I LOVE ruffled sleeve dresses.
I LOVE October weather in the backyard.
I LOVE Sunday brunch & muffins.
I LOVE all shades of pink zinnias. (Only in AZ in October!)

I LOVE Gwen in her perfect tiny white dress.

Highlights of Gwens blessing 10/10/09
*delia asking when we were going to bless gwen. Emily telling her we already did. delia questioning why gwen wasn't wet. Emily tells delia we are not Catholic?
*Gwenny's tiny white shoes.
*all my girls dresses and accessories were handmade :)
*muffins with pink toppings.

the smell of a fireside

2009-09-29T21:07:00.004-07:00

Sunday was Gwenny's first day at church.

Getting 3 girlies dressed and looking ready for 8 o'clock church plus me is no small feat. I may need to rely on superwoman strength for next week... good thing its conference :)

And Lee did help, but the sheer time alone to part the hair for pigtails, to curl in ringlets, to choose matching bows and flowers. Seriously supernatural powers.

So after church we all hit the hay. We haven't taken a Sunday nap in ages. It was wonderful. Baby loved snuggling up next to her dad :)

Later that night as I was talking to the girls as they went to bed, delia comments..."Mom, you smell like a fireside."

"A fireside?" I ask. "What does a fireside smell like?"

She replies matter of factly... "Oh smokey and stuff."

I LOVE my little little girlies and the way their minds work :) I guess I never explained what a fireside was, so she put two and two together.

Maybe next time I'll bring the graham crackers.

For Leah

2009-09-23T12:39:00.006-07:00

There's a blue fence I've been eyeing for a few years. Its bright blue and weathered, and right next to a crusty motel. Just the things I look for in a backdrop.. right? ;)

My friend Leah met me to take some pictures of her kids and their amazingly long eyelashes. Seriously, the thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion to pluck them out and superglue them to my eyelids. I know... I'm vain.
So I snapped a few of my girlies who were there too, since the fence was feeling extra fun and bright. ps- I LOVE Amelia, she is the happiest, smiley-ist baby. Yeah I said smiley-ist.Did I mention his eyelashes?

32lbs of sweetness

2009-09-20T14:30:00.004-07:00

6 months ago 3 friends and I all realized we were growing a bump and expecting about the same time. Chelsie was due a few weeks before I was, Becca... a few days after me, and Corri a few weeks after me. Well, Mariah, Gwen, Davis and Brooklyn all came to Earth within a month or so of each other!

We got together on Friday and had lunch and introduced the babes to one another :) They were so funny all on the bed together. Davis was trying to eat Brooklyn's flower, Mariah was screaming in Gwen's face and they were constantly all wiggles :)

Mr. Right

2009-09-17T16:35:00.004-07:00

I fell in love with this boy....
And am still in love with this man.

Happy Birthday Lee!

I love...
-when we used to ride in the bug and sing at the top of our lungs
-watching the stars out back on a blanket in Johnson Ranch
-how cautiously you drove home from the hospital with Eden
-painting until the early hours of the morning every night getting ready to move into this house
-going to the lake at least once a week that summer
-dancing barefoot in the kitchen after the girlies have gone to bed

You are the best thing that could have happened to me and I am so grateful for that!

I love you.

Family Photo Shoots!

2009-09-16T10:08:00.002-07:00

Its that time of year to start
thinking about the holidays!

As in years past I am offering hour long family photo shoots for the next few months at an awesome price!
All images are yours to print/design into a Christmas card etc.
Locations up for grabs are urban: downtown Chandler & landscape: Gilbert's location TBA

Dates are first come first served, so email me asap with any questions and to book a date!
~Amanda porterhousephotography@gmail.com

Check out my new photography site! The link is in my sidebar! ------->

Reflections

2009-09-15T10:23:00.005-07:00

Wowzers! I just got an email with the link to Reflections new site Another Testament. Please please check it out and share it with others. I know so many lives will be affected by this project, ours already have. I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to experience the people, the trip and the testimony it bares.

http://www.anothertestamentofchrist.com/

special shout out to our amigo Jake for his featured interview :)

Precious Mariah

2009-09-10T19:32:00.003-07:00

Oh goodness, I LOVE girlies, and big bows, and bling, ruffles and all that accompanies little girls! My cousin Rebecca had a baby girl just days after Gwen was born, and I am so excited for best friend cousins! I couldn't help but share this amazingly precious picture of Mariah as soon as I uploaded all of them. Such a dolly! Congrats Becca & Scott :)

girlie #3 is here!

2009-08-24T12:41:00.008-07:00

Welcome to the world our cutest little sister Gwen :) Yeah for me for finally going into labor on my own... kinda a weird experience but so exciting and fun! She was born Saturday at 11:37am and weighed 8lbs 12oz. She is the best sleeper (knock on wood) and Eden and delia couldn't be more excited! Once Lee and I recover and catch up on sleep I'll post some more pictures.

camera one camera two camera one camera two

2009-08-21T12:46:00.016-07:00

I'm redoing the girl's bedroom since the swapping of rooms for baby, and I want to put up several big pictures of the girlies. Here's a set that I snapped randomly one day as the sun was going down. Lee and I can't agree/ decide on which are our favorites. There will be several more on the wall, so its not life or death, but which do you like best (just for another opinion. because I value outside opinions.. especially with photography)

delia in #1 #2 #3 or #4 and Eden #1 #2 #3 #4

ps.. did you know I don't like capital Ds so I only write delia's name with all lowercase? I know I'm weird... do you think they'll make an exception for her in kindergarden?

Off to school she went

2009-08-16T14:23:00.004-07:00

We've now grown accustom to the separation of 2 cute girlies, but I wanted to remember how sad it was that first day Eden went off to school. Delia wanted to go through the gates and to class too!
Classic 1st day of school picture in front of the front door. Gotta love it!
Delia was so sad and cried as Eden left. We went to Sonic for ice cream after to dry the tears.... and girl after my own heart :)

Boogie Nights at Lake Powell Music Video

2009-08-04T12:27:00.004-07:00

Lee went with his Aunt & Uncle / our favorite people to Lake Powell last week. To say I was sad that me and my huge belly missed out was an understatement! They are crazy, had so much fun and... I've NEVER been before! Here's a sample of what they were up to! Caution: You may not be able to handle all of Lee's body rolls... but then again, that's just Lee :)

I couldn't upload the video but here's the link!

http://gallery.me.com/http://gallery.me.com/carlyjopo#100035

Flying Ponies

2009-07-30T22:47:00.005-07:00

We went out for dinner.

It happens alot when I'm about to give birth.

Did I just say "give birth?" Sorry about that one.

Outside the restaurant at the corner of dana park there was a fountain.

My girlies were instantly drawn to the recirculating water full of dozens of wishes made before them.

"Please mom.. do you have some money?" they begged to wish all their dreams come true.

"k" I agreed as I pulled Eden's old green purse out of my bowling-ball sized bag. (Seriously... why do they make cute bags so big, I can't help it if I carry my years supply on my shoulder)

Handing each girl a penny I told them to make it good.

The lady sitting on the other side of the fountain smiled as she quietly listen to all that was occurring.

And then she heard delia's tiny little voice in all sincerity..... "I wish I wish with all my heart...... (big pause, probably for effect knowing her personality) to be a flying pony!"

"Wow, a flying pony!" I exclaim. Surprised at her wish. "But if you were a flying pony then mom would be so sad, because I couldn't be your mom and you'd live somewhere else and I'd never see you!"

I watched delia in thought as Eden ran back inside to retrieve her forgotten chopsticks.

"Can I have another money mom?" delia asked.

Once again......

"I wish, I wish with all my heart..... (once again the dramatic pause) to be hoo-man (human but pronounced Annie style)

Oh my delia... you always make me smile. And I'm glad you want to be hoo-man and live with your hoo-man mom. Cause I love you :)

Mawage... the thing that bwings us togeva today

2009-07-27T18:17:00.009-07:00

What do you get when you have like 20 minutes of light left and you are taking pictures of your 2 favorite people?

Well... it could have been disastrous :) lucky for me they are also super attractive! I went and took just some fun pictures for Lee's cousin Drew. We were sad we got there so late, because the place was super fun... and we had it ALL to ourselves! Possibly because its closed for the summer and we had to hop a fence to get in :) Its amazing what I'll do to take pictures... and even at 36 weeks pregnant!

We had a good time chasing the sun and goofing around and I am making them promise me to take some more..... after they get back from having fun without me at Lake Powell! Whaa!

ps- do you know where my title is from? assss yooouuuu whhhiiiisssshhhhhh

we're already 1/2 way through July?!!?

2009-07-10T12:15:00.012-07:00

All right, so I love when my girlies and I look back at old posts on the bliggity blog and the journal it is for our family, (we love to look at pictures of ourselves) so sorry for not sparing you... I'm sure you've already seen a hundred posts about fathers day and 4th of July, but here's our version... Porter style :)

Lee's mom is so fun and cute and hosted a Sew and Swim for all the girl grandkids. She had all the things ready to make a father's day treat too.

We spent all afternoon making them, and the girlies were so super excited to give them to their dad! They begged all day to eat the extra one :) Lee said it was weird because it looked like a burger, but tasted like a dessert. The idea and templates were from bakerella and super fun and easy for the kids to do. Thanks Marlane! So fun!

Up next....

Lee and I went to San Diego for the weekend. Huge thanks to the fletchers for coming to watch our kids... although our girlies did learn a thing or two from you that I'm not sure I appreciate:
-"please bless the food that it won't kill us"
-delia- "Laura said its ok to pee in the pool"
-etc.
One of the mornings we went to the San Diego Temple. So beautiful! Oh wait.. you thought I meant me and my big belly?... oh no I meant the Temple! And nice how it was the end of June and TONS of people were getting married. It must not be the desert aka AZ.
Our Hotel was the Hyatt right in the Harbor and outside our hotel was seaport village.

I remember it being cooler when I was younger. Hmmm... I guess the magic shop and Navajo flute-ists were cooler back then.
But you know what was still cool? The weather! Holy Cow! We might have just parked it on a bench and did one of my all time favorite activities...... people watched. You can never go wrong with people watching :)

Well.... back to the hot weather and the fourth of July!
We pretty much swam all day. Maybe that was the cause of delia's delerium and her jumping off the diving board pretty much straight at the deck. I thought for sure she had knocked out a few teeth... but, she just popped her chin open. The classic childhood scar. Good thing we were at the Martineaus! Their fireman dad slapped a butteryfly bandage on it and we were good to go!

We played with 15 years old fireworks.... I think the sparklers were fresh.

speaking of fresh... Lee and Shaun had a good time with the fire :) I was a little nervous with the dads and fireworks, but no extremities were lost.

We forgot to eat our patriotic suckers, but all in all... still one of my favorite holidays! Up next.... Girls Camp (at 35 weeks pregnant) I'll let ya know how that goes :)

Cute with a cherry on top

2009-06-15T15:32:00.001-07:00

Holy cow I am ready for Halloween! Think this would be cute for me?
Nah... I'll start saving right now to get one for one of my girlies! So cute! This etsy shop has the cutest things for girls ever!

Summer part one

2009-06-12T14:58:00.006-07:00

All right... so 72 hour I felt like I was going to die flu, T minus 10 weeks until baby, working on my tan/loving weightlessness on my bellie in the pool means not much to blog about. But, to keep up with remembering our summer here goes:

Sisters and I went out to breakfast at the tasty Giant Hamburger on our Mom's RIP day. Who wouldn't approve, you can get breakfast and french fries all at the same time :)

If you want a book you can't put down and want to feel like you're the best mom ever... read this book. It made me want to switch my career to social work so I could help the crazy people out there. But I'm not sure these people's story could be helped

I've been working on my HUGE to-do list before girlfriend #3 comes. First handmade project down... too many to count to go! I crochet a blanket for each of my babies as I'm waiting for them to get here. Now I just need to make her bedding. I'm using this material I found thrifting and am so excited!

Next up: paint great grandma schnepf's dresser bright red, sew girlie's crib bedding, make 30+ attractive orange felt flowers for girls camp, order bunk beds for big sisters and the list goes on...

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-06-09T08:40:00.001-07:00

Grosgrain is giving away a dress from my favorite dress company! Someday when the hubby is raking in the benjamins, my girlies and I will be head to toe every Sunday in their attractive goods! Give it a go and try to win too!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Lo Siento

2009-05-27T13:16:00.005-07:00

I'm sorry... have I been treating my blog like cliff's notes as of late? Are we really not that busy?

Is not much happening in the storybook of the Porterhouse to record? Nopers, apparently I've just been too cool for my camera as of late :)

Eden finished preschool and was just as cutesy for the last day as her first day (and maybe just as nervous about the change it would bring about)

We had an off the heezy Quatro de Mayo Party (it was a day early due to Lee's school schedule) and I must admit the mexican fried ice cream was most tasty... what was not tasty?

*the hair in your mouth from stick on moustaches

*the real mexican candy we stuffed into our burro pinata * and watching Nacho Libre in his sweaty stretchy pants

I've begun working with all kinds of materials to make some attractive girlie extras

and last but not least seems like we've had party after party over here! 60+ people over to celebrate Laura's ASU graduation. Props to Emily for the most amazing celebration banner ever!

and just to add for funsies:

4 girls+ 4 hair-dos before 8 o'clock church+ 4xs the accessories+ 24 cans of hairspray( our annual consumption) = I'm excited for porter baby girlie #3 but feeling a teensy bit overwhelmed! So, I've been doing some research to find some inspiration for my projects to get us ready for Girlie III and I am loving the super talented artists from etsy. Like for instance I want to buy ALL items from this store! I died over the shoes, leggings and ruffles galore!

Morgan Senior Pictures

2009-05-14T22:49:00.006-07:00

My niece Morgan is graduating, so we went and took some senior pictures. She is so pretty and fun! I'm getting old... its almost time for my 10 year reunion! Crazy.

College Savings

2009-05-08T09:53:00.003-07:00

Guess quick!

Which one of these things is more expensive?

You only get one guess so make it good.

Happy Mother's Day to me! We just got a bill in the mail for a lost library book. Pretty sure they are starting construction on a new wing in our name with the fines we've paid the place. Who ever said going to the public library was free was apparently way more organized than we are. And of course, just days after the bill the size of our mortgage came for a silly I can Read book, Eden found Fred and Ted in the My Little Pony box. Apparently Ponies like to read too.

So the answer is.....

Fred and Ted is more expensive! Especially since I just picked up a new straightener (to replace mine that got lost in Honduras) from Costco for $59! Not a bad price if I do say so myself! And yes they had many more so run and get yourself one too... Happy Mother's Day to you :)

Honduras

2009-04-30T22:42:00.006-07:00

Liz (Lee's aunt/I pretend she is my mom) called it right when she said Honduras was the longest shortest week ever!

We left late evening Easter Sunday. Our plane left at 11:45 Az time, we traveled to Atlanta where we had a 3 hour layover (so from 3-6am our time!)

Lee's computer crashed the day before we left with half his paper for school written, so he spent the layover writing a paper in the Atlanta airport. Then at 6am we got on the plane to travel down to Honduras. After 2 hours of waiting in the plane to replace a windshield wiper blade we were finally off and more than exausted! I might have gotten sick the whole second flight and the whole 6 hour bus ride after we arrived in Hounduras. I am not even going to tell you my throwing up tally :)

But once we got there we were excited for the days to come!

After a FULL day of travel, we headed to bed early because our first day of shooting started at 3:30am.

I've never been out of the country besides Rocky Point or Canada, so it was such an amazing experience getting to know the city and people. (Not sure if a town spread out over the jungle with 7,000 people is considered a city, but whatever)

1/3 of the cast came from cities an hour away so they came on a bus and and stayed in a motel in town. Someone said that this opportunity would probably be the only time they would stay in a motel in their life, so they were excited. Each person I met/ kinda got to know (only 2 years of spanish in 8th and 9th grade so I spoke pretty crappy but got along ok) I LOVED! The people were so humble and fun and converted to the gospel.

As we drove to their town we passed a brand new church building... it had 6 parking spots in the parking lot because everyone walks, no one has cars even if they live far away. Now how do I feel about complaining about driving down the street to attend 8am chruch? Hey I have a car!

The town did have TONS of little of taxis to drive tourists around.

They were called toot toots and the drivers were crazy! We spent most of our freetime in the afternoon hanging out on the backporch with everybody there. We began shooting each morning at sunrise so prep began an hour or two before that. By the time we were done and came back to the motel for breakfast at 8:30 we were all ready to kick back in a hammock and sleep.

So many more random things I want to remember.....

the 1st morning we started with a destruction scene. We dirtied up the cast with some theatrical dirt and it was everywhere. I took a picture of my discusting feet. So so so so dirty... and puffy.

Not sure if it was just the traveling or the fact that I was 5 months pregnant, but I had some serious kankles.

Speaking of large bellies... there were 5 of us pregnant on the trip :) weird. One of the cast (who couldn't remember how old she was) is a midwife and she went around and felt each of our bellies. With in seconds she told us how far along we were and what we were having. And she was right! Crazy! Someone took a picture of all of us and she has her hand on my stomach, but I didn't get it on my camera... so I'll have to get that picture still.

My mother in law (who is amazing) was in charge of all the costuming for the whole production.

There were 70 members in the full cast and 3 different sets of costumes. I helped and did my little part, but she was a machine and everything looked amazing! Here's us costuming ladies who came on the trip, together with Mark.

Well everyone helped with everything, but besides me these ladies were the head honchos and worked their booties off! I guess its good to rub shoulders with awesomeness.... maybe some will rub off onto me!

There were mcaws the flew all around in the park where the ruins are and we did most of our shooting.

They were so loud!

Lee helped Jake with the lighting and by the end of the week I don't think there was a single line from Nacho Libro that hadn't been quoted. Oh them.

Our favorite place to eat was a restaurant that had a full blown bellows that blew to keep the charcoal grill going. The food was so tasty and the waitresses carried everything on their heads.

They said after 15 days of training they usually didn't break any more dishes :)

The last location/ scene was baptisms and was at a hot springs and pure jungle. I might have fallen in love with one of the little boys (Tara and I dressed all the little kids each day, so I got to know them pretty well) I sized up this little squirt pretty quick when he was begging me for candy at 4am... with a bottle or orange pop in his hand. Guess they don't worry too much about dental there :)

His name is Moroni and his naughty little sidekick is Nephi. They were the cutest little boys ever and we were buddies. He would hit me up at each shoot for whatever treats I had in my bag. And I might have bought stuff not necessarily for me to eat, but just because I knew they would want some.

K, this is an extremely long post, so I would be amazed if anyone read through the whole thing... but, its my journal. Hopefully a few of the pictures were interesting!

LOVED everyone that came to the shoot (like the crew), banana pop(not!), speaking better spanish than I thought I would have, taking a sleeping pill on the way back so I didn't have to re-live the traveling, getting Steve a traffic ticket because I wasn't wearing my seatbelt and we were gringos:),

passing a semi with a schoolbus in the other lane and serously almost dying like 6 times(good thing my unisom chilled me out so I was laughing at the scariness of the situation), Lee paying a rediculous price for his yellow slip of paper to get out of the country(too bad he threw it away that morning) and finally being able to drink a tall glass of water with ice in it. Ahhhh it hit the spot.

Like Liz said... the longest shorest week ever... and priceless. (And that's not even including the spiritual side of the trip)

2009-04-12T16:00:00.002-07:00

Happy Easter! Hope your weekend was as fun and crazy as ours! Thanks in advance to the Drews and Martineaus for putting up with our girlies! Lee and I are off to have some fun! If we don't pick up too many parasites along the way :)

What's more fun?

2009-03-31T10:36:00.003-07:00

What is more fun than 2 little Porter girlies? THREE little Porter girlies! Holy cow! we found out we are having another girl and I secretly couldn't be more excited! (I had to put on a little disappointment to comfort Lee;) We had an ultrasound last week and apparently we make a pretty great girl baby because we seem to be pros!
Delia has been wishing for a girl, and Eden is realizing she is missing out without a brother in the house... so when I told the girls, Delia sat there with her mouth wide open in amazement for a good 30 seconds. They are so excited!
If you'd like to donate to the Porter Girl wedding fund that Lee has already set up.... just kidding! And bring on the ruffles!

delia aka picky

2009-03-23T13:52:00.008-07:00

It's happened... my baby is THREE years old. That's not quite a baby anymore, would you agree? Last weekend we had what seemed like the whole neighborhood over for a BBQ to celebrate delia turning into... as she calls it "a big girl" (I'm not convinced yet)
delia has started going to girls chorus on Wednesday afternoons with Eden, so I guess she isn't a toddling baby anymore. The songs they are learning right now are my favorite! They are Shirley Temple songs... so I suppose that is how we decided to have an animal cracker birthday party. delia and Eden walk around all day singing about the animals they have swallowed :)

Lee is always so sweet to contribute with his skills in the crafting department and made the animal balloons and her birthday hat. I love how everything turned out. (Lee also painted our lawn chairs for my birthday. You can see one in the background of this picture. Behr paint has a primer they can add to any color so that it can be painted on metal. Way more selection than rustoleum's bright yellow and brighter yellow. The paint was called A June Day and I can't wait for the June days we'll relax in them with me and my big belly and watch the girlies run around in the sprinklers :)

I was talking with my friend about how delia makes so so so so so so many silly faces. It is almost impossible to get a picture with her where she is smiling and looking at the camera. She might have a little too much of her Dad in her :) Exhibit a:
Things that I am loving about my delia right now:
-she is so excited for us to have a baby. She wants it to be a girl and kisses my little bulge every second she can.
-delia is so proud of the little things she is starting to accomplish by herself. Like buckling her sandals, and doing her car seat latch. She even made her bed today all on her own without being asked :)
-She will spout out twinkle twinkle little star to anyone anywhere for an impromptu concert
-delia literally spends half of her day in the bathroom. Ask me where the restroom is in any store in the valley and I can tell you. We have become pro at not touching anything in public bathroooms (I HATE public bathrooms)
-delia is my best eater
-she can keep up with us on bike rides even though her little bike's wheels are 2 inches around and her legs are just a blur she has to pedal so fast
-I think I have had post traumatic stress syndrome for all of delia's life and worry about her every day...

I am so so grateful she came to our family and she will guarantee make us laugh all the day long. I love you pickily poo!

Yellow Posies

2009-03-09T21:19:00.003-07:00

Is it really almost half way through March?! I guess I have been hearing a lot from Eden lately about March coming in like a lion and leaving like a lamb.

I've been super busy lately repainting our kitchen and hosting a baby shower. I took a picture this morning that shows a little from each project I did. HUGE thanks to Candice and Leah for all their amazing help and sorry if I was bossy, now you know to never get roped in to throwing a party with me huh?! :)

We are now the proud owners of a 6'x4' chalkboard in our kitchen and I can't wait for all the fun things we will do with it!

Next Up: delia turns three!

chocolate chololate bate' bate' chocolate

2009-02-24T22:41:00.005-07:00

A year ago... I hosted book club at my house.

It was near valentines... I made romantic heart shaped reminder notes, chose a lovey story (which I highly recommend) and had delectable brownie bites in a variety of flavors.

Like 2 people came.

Not that its a popularity contest, but come. I gave it my all.

So.. this year I chose a murder mystery.
(Emily's pick) and my reminder was a crisp 4"x5.5" white sheet straight out of the printer. No nonsense.

But, I couldn't resist... I still HAD to make a yummy treat. And I discovered chocolate bowls are no easy feat. -yep I rhymed:)

So after spending over an hour and making 30 chocolate covered balloons, I ended up with a finished product count of 10. Yes a third of my efforts. Bless little Stephanie's Kitchen who made 100 for some RS something. She must have gotten it down to an exact science.(or else spoke a few choice words before she completed #100)

Here's my finished product topped with gooey chocolate cake, simple vanilla bean ice cream and hot fudge.

My little girlies said it was worth the effort.

So did my book club friends :) And I'd even make them again. Minus the balloon popping and chocolate being strewn ALL over my kitchen.

re-cap-a-lap-a-do

2009-02-24T21:29:00.010-07:00

I feel like us Porters' have been up to way too much fun... and I want to remember it all! So bare with me (I'll post more pictures and less talking) and I'm going to catch up with what we've been doing.

For Eden's 5th Birthday Celebration, she had a Fancy Nancy Tea Party for her sophisticated and fashionable friends

beautiful purses to hold their treats
Eden wishing for magical 5 year old things
delia smashing the butterfly pinata that would NOT DIEAll the fabulous girlies at the party (way to strike a pose Maddie)

and my favorite:
everyone surrounding the new make up stash and dreaming of becoming as pretty as a princess.

NEXT: The Dreaded Day

Poor Earbug... Nothing could have prepared for this day. Although she let her littlest tooth wiggle around in her mouth for at least a good month, that corn on the cob ruined her day. After a solid bite into the juice popping corn she yelped Uh-oh... and I realized she should not have eaten the tasty vegetable if she was to keep her beloved claim to toddlerhood.
Eden ran inside to the bathroom mirror where she wiggled the tooth with her tongue which caused it to promptly fall into her mouth. She grabbed the little guy from her mouth and tried with all her little might to place the tooth back into its spot, but with no luck.She was so super sad because she was going to miss her tooth. I guess it was a good thing because it prepared her for a few weeks later. Recently she and our neighbor friend Ryker were jumping on the trampoline. They bonked heads and Eden's mouth lost. Her top two teeth are still loose and two other bottom teeth. Our dentist says its only a matter of time before they fall out and Eden is actually getting excited to become toothless. After all think of the money she will make!

I heart you day!

2009-02-11T23:36:00.004-07:00

Reason # 1 why I'm excited for Valentine's Day

ok, I know I love her the most just because she's mine. And she is super excited because she gets to change out her new earrings!

Reason #2 why I'm excited for Valentine's Day
This girl of mine is a crack up and loves the fun little things of her life. Hearts painted on her nails, preschool Valentine's Day Parties, getting letters in the mail and picking out flowers with Daddy for me. :)

Reason #3 why I'm excited for Valentine's Day

stephanie's kitchen's amazing chocolate bowls

Aren't these the most delish looking to die for mouth watering desserts ever? I'll let you know after I attempt to make them :)

Reason #4 why I am super excited for Valentine's Day

(It's a picture from our Halloween party where the kids got to face paint their Dads. I think I laughed so hard my tummy ached)
Going on a date with this guy and being able to talk with out girlie chatter in the background is something I can't wait for!

Ground Beef

2009-02-03T14:53:00.002-07:00

Have you ever wondered what $85 worth of meat looks like? Well..... look no further:

Now lets ask the obvious questions.
Who in their right mind would buy that much meat? Sick!
Why in the world? And I hope that lasts a long time!

Ok let me explain myself. You see... as of late my best friends are vitamin B6, protein and Zantax. Gross you exclaim! What is going on with her? Well dear friends my body has been taken over by a 1.5 inch fetus who is more demanding than an overly tired 2 year old.

Yes I am a carnivore, I've tried to downplay it as much as possible, but my sisters say I have a ravenous appetite. I could pound a cheeseburger anytime of the day. Just ask my friends. It seems that the only thing that keeps me feeling well is protein. And if you get morning sickness/ all day sickness, talk to me because this is the first time a doctor has given me anything that has helped!

So, if you haven't figured out what I am saying yet, we are expecting our 3rd baby (finally!) in August :) Yeahoo!

Cousin Fun

2009-01-20T20:07:00.002-07:00

During Christmas Break Lee's cousins(/my favorites people ever!) had some of the girl cousins come over to make a music video. The girls LOVED LOVED LOVED it! I loved it too... until they started singing the song when they woke up, as they ate breakfast, while they got dressed, as they made their beds, while they played, all day long, seriously all DAY LONG!!!!!

Thank you so much Carly my girls want to watch themselves 50 times a day :)

I do

2009-01-16T21:29:00.002-07:00

Last week I shot my cousin Trevor and his soon to be wife(!) Adrianne's preshoot. They are so super cute and have been together for ages! I know their wedding will be amazing, Adrianne has such fun style! I'm loving the blue in this picture :)

tea for two... me & you sis

2009-01-15T00:49:00.004-07:00

So this afternoon us girlies ventured around the corner from our house to have a tea party. I've been eyeing this spot for a shoot because I LOVE the colors! Here's just one from our tea time... I'll show some more once I have time to edit them :) ............. did I ever mention I adore girlies?

Happy happy birthday!

2009-01-08T10:02:00.005-07:00

Somebody LOVES their birthday! (and yes I know she may have inherited that quality from her mother, but hey... is that really a bad thing to love?!) Eden grew to the old age of five on Friday and we are barely recovering from the blast of birthday events we had :) We started out with a family bike ride at the park (we love our new bikes and are getting some good exercise as of late)Any person riding rides on their birthday gets to ride on the train for free, so we hit up the rides.The girlies had so so so much fun. And my favorite part is that they HAD to take their kittens, Snowball and Snowflake (poor little sister always gets stuck with second best. Eden named her kitty first, therefore, delia's is named the next best thing.... Snowflake)
When they rode on the jetski ride, they stuffed the kitties underneath them and sat on them to keep them safe. Why the heck did Santa bring the girls new bikes when they were COMPLETELY happy with white toy kitties? (way easier for the elves to make and probably cheaper to ship on the sleigh)(note their kitties under their arms) Eden had a birthday dinner and was so excited for her cake. Her Grandma Lainey was quite the entertainer as she grew up (this might be where Eden gets it from) and she has taught Eden to always pose for the camera like this:We LOVE Eden and couldn't have chosen a better big sister for our family. She is my best helper around the house, with delia, and thinking of others first :)

Some things Eden really loves right now:
playing pretend, especially when she gets to head up the storyline :)
her amazing preschool and teacher Miss Leah
strawberries
drawing pictures: high heels, fancy dresses, details right down to rings on fingers and eyebrows
learning how to ride her bike better than ever
plain brocolli
playing polly pockets for hours with delia
taking pictures
telling you things that she knows but you don't know about bubble gum
her loose tooth

Oh Earbug... you are growing up too fast! But I am so proud of the big girl you are growing to be! I know you will love this next year as you are five years old. So many changes in starting school, learning independence, reading, making new friends and really discovering who you are and what you are about!

Life's Lemons

2009-01-02T15:59:00.007-07:00

Little girlies grow up more and more every day... and 5 years ago tomorrow I became a mother. I am sure with all the busy things that steal away our moments that before I know it, I'll have teenage girlies and then be a grandma.
So, I guess I just have to chuckle when I pick up the dance bag and it seriously weighs 20 pounds. (and yeah those are my Christmas tree lights in the background. So I haven't taken down my tree yet. Lay off, I've been busy!)

With puzzlement I unzip the bag only to find my lemon tree's whole season of labor. At least when I think about my whole season's labors its bigger then the contents of a dance bag.

cruisin for a bruisin

2009-01-01T20:14:00.007-07:00

We all got bikes from Santa this year and have been loving to go on bike rides together. Eden hasn't quite figured out the brakes yet, instead she prefers the ejection button. As soon as she starts wobbling she jumps off and the bike goes suiciding (sp?.. is it even a word?) away.But even through the scrapping knees she's determined to figure it out.
Delia is getting good at riding. Her favorite part of the whole bike thing is her horn. She might dance and shimmy as she rides too. (ok she got that from me as a kid)

no more need for a hole punch

2008-12-29T22:32:00.003-07:00

So awhile back I walked in on delia sitting at the kitchen table fashioning a earring gun out of a hole punch, and I decided we MUST go get that girl's ears pierced.

Today was finally the day.

After a fun lunch with the Nelsons (and Eden remembering her very first neighborhood friend) hugs and goodbyes to Tatum, we decided delia must pass this lifetime milestone. (she was ecstatic!)

Too much shopping from the Moms & grumpy girls made me decide we needed to wait until Dad got home to brave the ear puncturing, so after a quick bike ride we headed to the store.

Who knew Pickily-poo would be so brave? They had to do one ear at a time and she didn't cry or even complain. Just grinned from ear to ear... the proud little devil.

She is more than excited and wants to touch them every second. So brave :)

Christmas 2008!

2008-12-22T15:37:00.004-07:00

Ok ok ok...

So I have been horrible at blogging as of late! I think next year I am looking at my blog as our family journal and am going to make it a goal to keep it updated. (2009 goal #1)Maybe my incentive will be to make it into a book at the end of the year hmm? Here's our Christmas card for this year. No one has seen it because I have yet to send it out! But hey... see the girlie's ADORABLE Christmas dresses? Yeah I made those without a pattern and lets just say I'm no grograinfabulous. But I'm sure with practice I'll get better :) (2009 goal #2)

Here's what delia thought of the dresses. Whaaaa. A mother never gets a break.

So I have many a more posts that I have wanted to share, my camera's card needed formated and my mac wouldn't read any pictures and annoying things like transfering images from Lee's computer to mine don't hold my attention very long.

But no worries... it's in the works, and Eden's 5th birthday is in the planning stages so we'll talk again soon!

Earbug's eyes

2008-12-02T08:01:00.005-07:00

So apparently the world through Eden's eyes has been looking a lot like this lately:

She says she doesn't like carrots so everything got fuzzy. This is her at 7:58am this morning. 1st things 1st... she needed to put on her glasses we constructed out of pipe cleaners yesterday. Apparently they are her prescription and "cleared" up the matter :)

And since you got to see Eden bright and early this morning I wanted to capture delia and what our mornings are like right now. Every morning when delia wakes up I am usually on the computer editing, checking email and the likes.(Hence the computer glow) She always crawls up and snuggles me in the down comforter all wrapped around us. She is holding a bunny dolly that I made with my mom when I was little. I'm so glad I saved all the fun little projects my mom and I made to let my girlies love.

Happy Morning!

Pilgrims are us!

2008-11-26T16:31:00.002-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Spend time with your family and count your blessing!

Cougharific

2008-11-21T13:34:00.003-07:00

Story of Pickily-poo's life lately. We hate the never ending cough! At least she is still her fun little self that does the hokey pokey while hooked up to the hose :) Poor GF! Happy Weekend! And thanks Mr. P. today for eternity!

Tastiest Pumpkin Dessert Ever!

2008-11-19T10:57:00.003-07:00

I love love love this next week.....

anticipating getting out the Christmas things (and day after Thanksgiving shopping)

making all things pumpkin (I love almost anything pumpkin and this is TO DIE FOR!!!)
the recipe is from Kraft and its simple and seriously amazing!

Speaking of things to die for.....Itsn't he just scrumptious as well?! My husband really put on the true meaning of Halloween this year and apparently the true meaning is hilarious (even if it makes you hideous!) Yeah he's at work... and he's fairly new at work, so UOP really knows the crazy side of Lee pretty early on. Awesome.

Lee's brother Rusty left for his mission today. Yeah! Congrats Rustifer :)

Back up for the back up

2008-11-12T00:42:00.003-07:00

So apparently I've got my backside covered at weddings I shoot. If I ever miss a shot (heaven forbid!) I can just ask my temporary bridesmaid's boyfriend (a.k.a. backup shooter to the professional) if he happened to catch the moment...... and if he fails me....

...well there's always the back up's backup to record the moment (shouldn't she be in the picture?!)

Luckily not this time. We were just getting the couple to cozy up on the couch literally minutes before they walked down the aisle to tie the knot forever! (Well in this case until death do you part) but aren't they looking attractive? What do you think was going through their minds. They don't look nervous. ..
... not that I care as long as they work it for the camera :)

ps- I would give my right leg for her lips
pps- her flowers had almost black lilies? and some kind of leaves folded around the outer edge... so fun!

Whispered Truths

2008-11-03T20:18:00.004-07:00

The moment that makes a LONG day filled to capacity with TOO much to do....

.... as Eden knelt by her bed saying her evening prayers..

.. "Please bless Daniel and Grandma Funk on their mission. Help them to be a little bit happy.... really happy."

I LOVE my girls to know the plan of salvation. That their Grandma and young Uncle are alive, ok and a little bit happy... really happy.

7 more days till the spooks come out!!!

2008-10-24T10:55:00.003-07:00

We are doing a dance for Halloween!

7 more days til the blessed best Holiday ever!!!! This year we are off to see the Wizard! I guess I'm excited for Wicked to come!

Caa

2008-10-22T10:46:00.005-07:00

Yeah!!! One of my best friends from high school is down from Utah this week visiting and I always forget the level of hilariousness she is until we get to hang out again! Chelise w/ baby Bayleigh, Becca, Candace, Me and Caa(a.k.a. Ashlee)
Some of us met for lunch on Tuesday and had such fun, it was just too short! We ate a Pete's and realized it doesn't matter if you are in high school and work there, or a grown man... one of the requirements to be a Pete's employee is you might be too cool for school. Seriously why the chip on the shoulder? Yeah for old friends and yeah for the day that we are all moms and can hang out way more!

ps delia to Ashlee at lunch~ "Caa rememeber when your house burned down?"

Eden to Ashlee at lunch~ "Caa why did my mom call you ashlee?" thoroughly confused

Business Practices

2008-10-15T20:13:00.006-07:00

Just to warn ** This is a venting post** So don't read it if you are a regular at the store I am about to howl about!

So, I decided awhile ago to try and support the little guy more often and not subscribe to Walmart's slogan: "Yes we have the lowest prices but our workers are gross, and we have no customer service" *disclaimer... I'm sure not ALL the workers are gross, just a majority of the ones I meet up with :)

So I don't shop there if I can help it period. Unfortunately, I need my oil changed and I don't know where else to go. Luckily it only needs changed a few times a year so I am not faced with the moral dilemma I have put myself in, too often. And I will admit that I kind of really feel bad every time I support them and go against my standards, so suggestions please on where else I can get my oil changed. After today's encounter I officially HATE Walmart. Hating something or someone is not very lady like and I strive to be of that nature so let me explain.

Emily and I dropped off my truck to get the oil changed at 11am-ish. The attendant said it would be ready in 45 minutes. That's fine I explained... I was leaving and would be back later that day. Very much later in the day.... around 5:30pm.... over 6 hours later we went and picked up my car. Eden hopped out to get in the truck and I explained we needed to go pick up the keys and pay. Next thing I know, I turn around and she is inside our truck. It was unlocked.

So I go explain to the Walmart employee behind the counter that my car sat unlocked in their automotive area for a good portion of the day. "Isn't that alot of liability?" I ask. Not even a smatter of appologies or concern. She simply explained to me.. "Well I guess some guy must have hit your lock button wrong" And nothing. Seriously? Not a free oil change, not a discount?

But really that was not what I was looking for. I just wanted some sort of feeling, "Wow I'm sorry! That is crazy" or "I'll talk to the automotive employees, I understand your concern" Wouldn't that be the customer service that should have come out of her mouth?

In conclusion..... my big fat folder of CDs was stolen, our stroller and all the quarters in the center console. Actually not, nothing was stolen. But seriously. Do they not care at ALL about their customers well being? As long as you make you way out of their store with a cart load of "low prices" what do they care?

The end of my ranting. The regular Amanda will be back shortly. And seriously I am not a hater, just in awe of their horrible business practices.

Deeply Fried

2008-10-14T21:11:00.003-07:00

Who is this beautiful babe with the long flowing hair? ok... its not long or flowing, but I blew out delia's curls and she was a completely different person! Lee didn't like it at all, and she had a mello chilled personality with straight hair. No crazy curly hair for Picky this day no sir.
After her straighten we headed to the one place the Jones' let their guard down ALL year. Yes its trashy and yes gross people are the majority, but can you smell the deep fried moon pies? Its the fair!!!
Annie was loving to sneak into all the pictures :)
It was breezy and cool and we had the best time ever! Seriously maybe the most fun we have ever had at the fair :) The only downer was we couldn't find the full sized cow sculpted out of butter. It may have been replaced with a gerbil maze?! What!? Where are people's priorities?
And here sisters are showing their excitement to be at the fair. They were kinda ticked because as soon as you walked in you could ride an elephant for $5 and I wouldn't let them. They quickly got over it as we headed to the funnel cake stand :) Oh our love for grease!Here's Bubs and Delia eating onion rings, they might have been better than the ones at Disneyland. And for the price they charged they better have been dipped in gold.After we ate grease dipped in grease we headed to the crazy eight races. Not as amazing as the demolition derby but a close second. #5 would speed up every time he came to the intersection to t-bone someone. He did not mess around.Delia's caramel apple was serious business also. She seriously couldn't stop to take a family picture? Or maybe she was just following the race too closely?

The Porters might have a tradition of taking a picture in front of Piggly's BBQ every time we go to the fair. I think our last picture I was bumped out with Delia. We might have missed a year or two of the fair due to raises in Deep Fried Twinkie prices. And yes, I did just capitalize Deep Fried Twinkie. I hold them with respect and honnor.
This is the same face you would see on Eden on Christmas morning. The jumbo cotton candy was almost at tall as her. We were in heaven..... and also very sick afterwards.In conclusion... if you don't go to the Fair you are seriously missing out!!!! I also enjoy going so the rest of the population can see what a normal person with clothes covering their body looks like. Nice and bring your hand sani.

Friday Fun

2008-10-10T11:20:00.003-07:00

This is what goes on at the Porter House when Mom has to work on pictures ALL day long. But hey, who wouldn't want to watch Barbie and the Diamond Castle like 7 times in a row. Yeah for the weekend and no weddings!

Eerie Evening

2008-10-09T10:00:00.003-07:00

The day started off as normal..... I think Eden was the cause for the rest of the evening. She began by drawing monsters..... With scribbily faces coming to eat a beautiful girl complete with high heels. Next came the one eyed one horned purple people eater.

After that... all the creeps came out. We sat down to dinner. A nice bowl of cheesy broccoli soup, we thought.
Eden was spooked by a spider. There were spiders all around. Since we had no control over the witchy creatures we decided to build them a home.

Brit's baby girlie!

2008-10-08T13:02:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I went to a shower for my sister in law Brittany. She is having a baby girl on October 29th and she is so cute!
She decorated her two girls room in brown and pink with stripes and polk a dots and I kinda wish it was my room it turned out so well! My husband's aunt Liz is pretty much the best and put on the shower.

The treats were adorable and super tasty too. After all what girl doesn't want sparkly cupcakes? Congrats Brit!!!

Finding fun for $12 an hour

2008-09-30T07:49:00.007-07:00

A weekend ago I met on Mill to take these amazingly stylish peoples pictures.... I had my favorite assistant with me

and then we went out for an evening on the town for his birthday :) We gobbled up our tasty dishes from Bamboo Club.... and then Lee had a surprise adventure. They have paddle boats you can rent at Tempe Town Lake. The lights of downtown sparkled their reflection in the still water. We played truth or dare... and talked about life. Once again Mr. P. surprised me with a spectacular evening. I love this man :)

The Porters on Mill

2008-09-25T23:17:00.010-07:00

A few weeks ago, us girls from DEP (Darby Elizabeth Photography) met with our families on Mill Ave to do some quick family portraits.

You might think my choices are far from portraits, but I tend to lean to the artsy side :)

Luckily my girlies are hams and we have a great time in front of the camera.

They are getting so grown up! delia was begging for earings like Eden, and luckily I had some clip-ons that matched her outfit.

I love their silly faces and am in love with the fun life ahead as we "grow" our family.

I will now wear steel toed boots

2008-09-24T22:06:00.004-07:00

A toe-castrophy has occurred.

The place: my mom's exploding pantry

The time: Friday afternoon

The victim: the big guy on the left

The tragedy: as I was filching through my mom's pantry letting my fingers do a little shopping, I paid no attention to the gallon size can of green beans on the 2nd from top shelf. Little did I realize my brush against the shelf would cause a toe-castrophy to occur. The said HUGE heavy can fell landing on my foot.

Although my shoe was on, my big toe felt like it was going to fall off! I practically bit through my hand trying to make my toe hurt less. No such luck. So after driving home with my right foot and crying on the couch to my husband about my foot, the pressure began to build.

By Tuesday I couldn't handle it any more. I went to the doctor. He ripped off my toenail and I feel much better now. The only problem is: its oozing of its own accord. It won't stop.

disclaimer... yes I know this is disgusting and I hope you weren't eating. Sorry but I hope you never loose your toenail.

and ps... no I am not wearing any polish on that big toe. There is no nail polish, there is no nail. That is just my blood encrusted skin that should be under a toenail.

appy Hay irthday Bay

2008-09-17T21:45:00.006-07:00

28 Things About my 28 year old!

1. Sometimes I think he isn't very talkative, but I am beginning to realize I am TOO talkative and he is just normal.

2. Lee is always in a good mood! So on the days when I am a "Debbie Downer" I can't help but be happier when I am around him. He says "well if something or someone makes you mad, you chose to be mad and they don't care if you are, so you might as well not let it bug you."

3. He is a part time professional carpenter. He can attribute it to the days back at Ginger & Pickles where he worked in high school. When they weren't busy taping someone to a table, they were making amazing birdcages and "Amish handmade goods" and he picked up quite a few useful skills.

4. Lee is one of the best dancers I have met. He used to go with his friends in highschool to dance parties and dance the night away. Hardly ever with girls, just for the fun of it. I on the other hand have NO grace or coordination.

5. If Lee could go to the Lake at LEAST once a week all year round nothing would make him happier.

6. When we are getting ready in the morning Lee has way more on his to do list than I do. So what if I forget to put lotion on my legs on Sunday morning... Lee on the other hand, must finish everything in his routine.

7.Lee is 6 out of 7 kids.

8. I think one time when we were 1st married Lee said he liked Almond Joys, so for a while I (and my whole family) thought that was his all time favorite candy bar and we would buy them for him for any special occasion. Finally he told us "Uh guys I like lots of other candy bars too."

9. Lee dated my best friend before his mission and I helped her write him his whole mission. Little did Lee or I know that we would end up together.

10. We even lived with my best friend and her husband for a few months after we were married while our house was getting finished being built. We were married! Like anything happened.

11. Lee doesn't like seafood or sushi.

12. Lee went to Brazil on his mission and loves brigadeiro *Thanks Catheys!

13. Until Sunday I thought I knew Lee's favorite ice cream, apparently its butter pecan and he hasn't had it for over 6 years! Just tell me you like it Lee! I'll buy it for you!

14. Lee just got a new job at University of Phoenix! Yeahoo... let the rat race begin! He is finishing some schooling there and then working towards a masters in International Business.

15. Lee has the best nails ever (yeah fingernails, I know weird and TMI) but they are so thick and sometimes I covet them.

16. Lee enjoys graphic design... and is pretty good at it!

17. When Lee was in high school he was a wrestler. Yep that means he spent his high school years wearing a singlet. I thank my lucky stars I never saw him in it!

18. Lee is the best Dad to our little girlies! He is forever giving them pony rides and swinging them and the little baby we watch during the week totally loves him more than me! jerk.

19. Lee sleeps in a pink room and is still a confident man. :)

20. He is the better pancake maker in the relationship. Apparently I have confidence issues, because we never have pancakes!

21. Secretly Lee wishes he was Wolverine from X-Men. "You picked the wrong house, bub."

22. Lee never complains at the neverending honey-do list I give him.

23. Out of the 6 years we've been married Lee has probably received.. oh maybe 5 or 6 back rubs. (and given at least 600) He is so selfless.

24. Lee is so good at lining up suprises for me, like for Mothers' Day or our Anniversery. He always thinks of creative things to do that are sooo much fun!

25. Lee is amazed at how much money girls (cough.. me) can spend. "Why don't you want to just put it all in a savings account?" he asks. Maybe someday he'll learn :)

26. Lee would love to live in another country someday to serve the community and do church work.

27. Lee got the "skinny jeans" from his Grandpa Schnepf. No matter what he eats he will ALWAYS have skinnier legs than me. I've learned to accept it.

28. Lee is up for having like 7 kids. Think we'll make it?

Happy happy birthday Lee! You are the best man ever in my, Eden and Delia's lives! We love you so much and hope you had a Happy Birthday!

Lots of Love,

Your Girlies!

Mering-oo

2008-09-15T12:46:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, we celebrated Lee M. Porter's birthday. It was complete with roast and potatoes, a beautiful evening to talk around the table, Lee Trivia, and a meringue-less lemon meringue pie. Lee's favorite. (well not our pie....sans meringue) Apparently the meringue is delia's favorite too. As she snuck into the kitchen to eat the whole top of the finger lickin good birthday treat.
While playing Lee Trivia, we all learned that he is such a laid back personality that no one knows the real answers to his trivia questions; because he doesn't even know the answers! Whatever.... he says, I can't choose an answer :)

Triple Chocolate Birthday

2008-09-08T10:52:00.003-07:00

The only problem with birthdays......

is the left over cake. Why does it tempt me so?! (and delia too!)

Happy Happy Birthday Cumorah dear!!!!! Thanks for letting us hang out with you the other night! It wasn't long enough! You are such a good friend and my inspiration in all things crafty, thrift finds, and style :) Love ya! ps- um.. we've been friends for like 10 years! We are getting soooo old!

pps- I am loving our trade for the yellow lamp. It is going to be amazing. I hope you aren't having traders regrets! Cause I won't trade back!!!

Our Hot Tamale

2008-09-05T09:10:00.005-07:00

Dear Daniel,

It's funny... when I think back and remember, I remember things about you like bionacles, or swimming in the backyard, super smash brothers, and sour candy. But those are just 12 year old boy things. I like to think how much you've learned and grown. How you might still look like a 12 year old, but you are the best darned missionary out there :) Weird that you were 12... that Annie isn't 12 anymore and that she's so much older, even for Annie. SO many things to talk to you about, questions to ask you that you know the answers to now. Did you get to fly aroung the world and see all the beauties of the Earth? Did you get to learn where the dinosaurs went and how they died? K, I know those things don't really matter, not in the big picture of life.

I miss watching your hilarious impersonations of people, feeling sad when we found a cartoon family tree in your room that you made where we are all birds in a tree. Laughing that Julia is falling out of the tree because Dad shot her with a shotgun, loving crazy Grandma Jones bird that has stars around her head with all her scrambled brain cells :) Missing you.

And each year we'll get older and memories will fade. But its good to know that you aren't alone. That you are probably really busy, and peek in on us every now and then... maybe cheering with the rest of the team as Ann finishes the race at her first swim meet, or sitting around the table with us on Sunday afternoons at Mom's house. I wish you could sit at the fun table with my girls. That they would tease you and slug kiss you like they do Bubs.

But, I guess thats what life is about. We don't get to always choose our life experiences. Maybe thats a good thing, because then we wouldn't choose the hard ones that help us to grow so much :) Seriously we could really use a little brother to wrestle with, to tease and harass Dad with. So, maybe check in on us at dinner tonight, and realize we miss you and think about you often. And know that no one will ever fill the hole you left in our hearts.

Love,
Amanda

ps... Sorry its not enough pictures, I need to go through all my pictures :)