March continues 2013

 A beautiful day in our country, or as they call it around here, "God's country".

 I turned 30...that's a big one!

 I should have included more of our poor parenting, but this is the beloved puddle in our backyard in the spring.  It is a fishing hole, a cranberry harvest, and I finally grew tired of keeping Maybelle excluded from the fun.  So on a bitter 50 degree day I set her free.  She was so happy, I could not get her to get out so we let her play until her lips began to change color.  Then stripped her down outside and put her in the bath. Yes, Porter likes to wear basketball shorts over cargo pants to make his wardrobe versatile and unique.  He is ready to build or play ball any time he is not at work on this puddle.

 The fireman told him they would call if they needed more help, he keeps his skills up to date for just that occasion.

 Ponderay egg hunt is the best, we just show up and leave with candy.

Porter and the Easter bunny.

February & March 2013

Porter and Jeff partying at Schweitzer, actually Jeff played with kids while I night skied.  We also watched the torchlight parade and the fireworks show.  Porter loved the show, Maybelle felt a bit differently.

 In February we had a blast hanging out with Grandma Pam, Aunt Carrie, cousin Lincoln and.....

 a fun filled Aunt Lisa.  Porter and Lisa made a huge snowman and a Porter sized snowman.  We are so grateful they made the long long drive to see us.

 Jeff made a cross country ski sled for the kids to ride on.  It works swell for the first half hour, after that they are tired of sitting.  Notice my kids have a bit of an obsession with ski goggles, they love to wear them more than anything.

 We took a quick, very quick trip to Utah for Grandpa Bitton's funeral.  Maybelle and Porter with Gma and Gpa Meyer.

 Intro to boxing lesson...one of many to come at the Meyer household.

 Porter's highlight was a sample of farm life.  A quick stop at the Jensen farm, Porter showed no fear of this large "bull cow".

 The end to our stop in Utah, and sent with girl scout cookies.  We are so grateful to have seen so much of our families at the beginning of this year.

1 Year Age

 Maybelle is "1 year age" as her brother says, we are sure happy she is our Maybster baybster.

 She started out slow and dainty, then realized that I made an excellent cake.

 And here is our Sumo wrestler trying out the wax after licking the platter clean. Just kidding, she never even made it to the pudding layer.

We needed two cakes cause Porter graduated from Sunbeams, he didn't want to eat or share his cake.  Which is also why we had 2 cakes. It is an ambulance in case my cake decorating awesomeness fooled you into thinking otherwise.  He could identify it, that is all that matters.

Jingle Bells 2012

 Porter was excited and nervous to meet Santa and Mrs. Clause, He wrote his list (in Santa's hand) and waited outside for them to come to our neighborhood.  I just don't know why our Santa had to wear those changeable lenses to visit the children, he looks a bit "shady".

 This was Porter's favorite part of skiing, by a long shot.  He likes to wear the goggles and ride in the front of the Jeep, all the while yacking non-stop.  The lift ride is next in line, and finally the dreaded skiing.  Jeff promptly decided that Porter is not ready to ski this year after Porter skied like a wet noodle down the entire bunny hill.

 This is the best photo we could muster on Christmas Eve, we chose the mini tree this year, it was a great choice for those 3 and under.

 Ring out the wild bells, and we did.......around 6:30pm.  We pulled out the fireworks that were meant for Independence day (but nobody in this family stays up until dark in July)  The children and neighbors were impressed.

Fresh faces out of the bath,  not yet tainted with my kisses.

Thanksgiving

 We have had a stellar Thanksgiving week.  It was nice to spend some extra time with Jeff.  He makes going places about a hundred times easier.  We went to see the deer on the peninsula's wildlife reserve, we saw some rutting with antlers locked.  We also threw rocks and walked around with sticks, you know, as you do when you are 3.  Maybelle just ate rocks.

 I know this looks like a small Thanksgiving feast, our table is small and it is best to keep the food, utensils, and drinks out of reach.  But we roasted a 15 lb turkey, potatoes, beans, stuffing, rolls, and a can of cranberry sauce (which cut my finger).  Our best effort was in an assortment of 3 pies.  Jeff and I cooked for a couple of hours and ate within 15 minutes of our estimated time!  There wasn't a toy left in the toy box after the kids were finished entertaining themselves.

 The pies were the best part of the meal, glad we focus our efforts there.  We have been enjoying pie for breakfast each morning since.  At our house it is a breakfast food.

 Jeff at Garfield Bay, I must have said something funny to get such a genuine smile out of him.  I am sure it was my sense of humor :)

 Porter sitting on a stump, he like to make me make everything talk to him, so the trees, rocks, even his food has a voice through me.  It is kinda funny the things he shares with a nice tree stump.

Maybelle again eats rocks and smiles, she never stops moving, she is a bit wild.  She is some fun company.

A Photo Montage

 It rained and rained all day at our house, so we finally got smart, and drove up the hill to play outside in the snow.  We were all elated at the first snow, especially these two!

 Maybelle was a bit "put out" at her lack of dexterity, but I think she enjoyed her first time sledding. 

 It warmed right up for Halloween, and so did we.  I took Porter to the "Mall" for a trick-or-treat preview.  Sears and the Movie Theater gave out full sizers this year.  It worked, cause Porter had his game face on at the trunk-or-treat.  It only took a week for Porter to consume all his candy.  Maybelle has also helped out a bit, if she finds it she eats it.  She has Porter trained to give her a lick of his sucker each time that cute ballerina whines. (credit to my friend Candice for Porter's costume idea)

 Maybelle...... she is always so pleased.

Porter enjoys raking leaves more than anyone else in the family.  Don't think that we buy our kids quads, our neighbor gave this to us and the battery doesn't work.  I am too cheap to replace a $40 battery so Porter has to push it around.  Builds strength and character:)

 This is our documented leaf fight, also to be entered into the "Mother Boy" contest, it looks a bit like an engagement picture.

Although the lake is now gathering ice, it is still magnificent to look at.

Our Trip To Utah

 Our trip to Utah started out with a fairly smooth 12 hour road trip.  We drove through the night, I say we, but Jeff completed about 10/12 hours.  I take a crucial 2 hours, I do.  Here is Porter and Grandma Pam hiking, those 2 are good buddies, perhaps because they both prefer to play as much of the day as possible.

 We also were able to spend much of our vacation time with Jeff's sister Carrie and her cute, cute, Lincoln.  We seem to be a bit selfish with the camera and only take pictures of ourselves though.  Note to self: take pictures with all group members. The colors were so vibrant.

 Alpine Loop near Aspen Grove, with Timp. in the background.

 Hogle Zoo was a hit for a few hours, then we ate Greek...yummy Greek.

 My highlight of the trip was "Jump on it" or "Get Air" or as Jeff calls it "Get High".  Whatever the name is, we can never remember.  But Porter and Maybelle mainly loved hanging with Grandparents.  Grandpa Meyer reading to Porter and Maybelle.

 Another Zoo picture thrown in there.

And after a miserable 112 hour car trip home, that's right 112 hours is what it felt like.  We resumed life with painting pumpkins rather than carving this year for some more toddler friendly fun.