Christmas Eve 2010

I do know that it is the end of March and I am just getting my Christmas pictures loaded. I figure that it is ok because the weather STILL FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS HERE!!!

Most of you know that Christmas Eve in my family is a huge deal. We've missed a few years and we were so happy to be back among the festivities!

Christmas Eve morning the Porter family met at the church to have brunch and our fun program. The little kids get to act out the nativity... which is always a big hit!!

Porter was a Wiseman

Colton was a camel This is one of the best pictures ever! Jessica was the donkey that carried Mary. Please notice the tube sock we safety pinned to her bum as a tail. Kaden was Joseph (doesn't he look thrilled) Joseph and Mary and.... the donkey

The STAR of the show..... Jenna. Because Mary is only 5 years old the Star of Bethlehem was asked to hold the baby Jesus.

After the program we all went home to get ready for the evening party. It consists of eating, eating, eating and eating. Oh and after we eat we get to open 1 gift.

Some of the annual Christmas Eve food that is always present at our parties :

Chips and Grandma Porter's recipe for homemade dip

Chips and salsa, bean dip and guacamole

Bread and cheese dip

Bread and spinach dip (I have the best recipe)

Crackers and cheese ball

Lime Frappe (always goes in our santa mugs)

Homemade rolls

Cookie tray

Colton

Kaden and

our Santa mugs. Some of these mugs

have been around since my mom was a little girl.

Porter

Mom and Grandma

Dad and Dave

I have to say this is a charming picture

of my dad.

My absolute favorite part of Christmas this year was spending it with my grandparents.

I absolutely adore them. I don't know what I would do without them!

I searched for the perfect gifts for them this year. It was a little challenging because

I just wanted to give them something that was meaningful.

I found a childrens book for my Grandpa titled, "Grandpa's Night Before Christmas."

I got it for him because of one page in the book. It simply said, "Without you Grandpa

what would we do?"

For Grandma I came across the cutest sign that had the saying "Little Lambs Eat Ivy."

I absolutely could not believe it. My Grandma used to sign the song "Mairzy Doats" to me

when I was a little girl. I absolutely loved it when she would sing it to me!!! "Little lambs eat ivy" is a part of that song.

I have the best memories of sitting on her floor watching her put her makeup on and she would sing this song to me.

I have an amazing family. I love every member of my family. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Parents, Sisters, Brother In Law's and of course my husband and my sweet boys. I am one very, very lucky girl!!!!

PS.....

I am sad to say that my pictures of Christmas morning were erased on Dave's camera by accident. It was quite devastating to me.... but take my word for it.... we had a fabulous day! :)

Maui........ 2011

Dave and I had the opportunity to take a vacation together. We spent a full week in Maui and we loved every single minute of it!!! It was so great for us as a couple to spend time togehter. We have never taken a vacation together and after 14 years we thought we'd give it a try!!! It was amazing!!

This is Dave's cousin Season and her husband Beau. They went with us and we had a great time together! They rented a Harley to drive the long road to Hana and we..........

rented this fantastic Kia. :)

This was our dinner at the Luau we attended.....

I was quite frightened when they plopped this poor guy on the table.

This is an ocean view of Lahaina.

Here's our submarine coming up out of the water....

Hawaii is absolutely beautiful! We loved everything there.

Next year we're going to try Kauai.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Kaden Turns Ten

Our sweet Kaden just had a birthday. He is now 10 years old. I can't even believe how fast time flies. This boy is an absolute joy to have in our home. From the moment he was born he has brought a spirit of peace into our lives. He carries the sweetest spirit with him. We gave Kaden a few ideas of things we could do for his birthday. One of the options was to have a big friend party. He told me that "he just wanted to spend his birthday with his family... because we were the most important." It melted my heart.

We truly love this boy and are so grateful that he came to our home.
Happy Birthday Kaden!!!

Colton Football Pictures 2010

Time flies by so fast!!! It seems like it was just yesterday that I was trying to keep this little boy from climbing on top of the refrigerator or emptying out the comet cleanser all over the floor. I can 't believe that he is 13 years old and that this year he asked for Axe body spray for Christmas. WHAT????

He really enjoyed his football season this year. He had an absolutely awesome coach and team. He played very well and practiced really hard. We loved watching him progress. I love being the mom of boys!!!!

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving this year was a lot of fun! We have missed our family Thanksgivings for a few years and so this year we made the journey to Idaho to spend it with family. Boise is supposed to be a five hour drive from Morgan........ supposed to be!!! This year our journey to Boise lasted 8 hours due to terrible roads. Little did we know that our journey from Boise back home would add an extra 2 hours to that time. Despite the horrible traveling conditions we managed to have a great time and make a few new memories. After a long, long car drive with three restless boys chanting "Chewbaca and Chuck - O - Rama" in the background over and over and over. I can't tell you how happy I was to drive up and see my parents house decorated the way it has been decorated for years.........I love it!!!!




Jessica ....... Wings spread and her Turkey head on. She will be leaving us for 18 months in February to serve a mission in Montreal, Canada. O - how much she will me missed!!!!!!

Dave and Colton rough housing .......... like always


Again....... Dave rough housing. Poor Jenna the victim of Dave's crazy behavior. :)

Little Porter dressed up and ready to play some football. He is sporting his new Christmas pajamas and his favorite cowboy boots that he wears ALWAYS!!!!

Here is our Kaden. Playing a very rousing game of Mario Brothers. I actually forgot my camera so I had to steal all of these pictures from Tiffany (Jessica's roommate that spent Thanksgiving with us.) This happens to be the only picture of Kaden. :( We sure love this sweet boy!

Colton..... looking very manly with his Thanksgiving head dress.



And finally....... the funniest picture of all. I happen to HATE this picture of me. BUT I could not bare to not put this on here. Do you love Dave's modeling face? He is serious about this picture!!! So seductive.........