These are the best we can do, we had a poor photogenic period for the last of 2013.

We painted and drilled holes in pumpkins, this is the finished product and our best family photo this year.

   Here are the "Halloweeners", a pig and dozer. Maybelle wanted a sucker to eat and nothing else, unless you include the entire cupcake walk table prior to the trick or treating. Porter loved the donut on the string game, it was fun and funny. He has been waiting for next Halloween since November 1st.

 Highlight of Utah: The Hill Air force Base Museum.  Porter and his cousin had some awesome 3 and 4 year old discussions about how things work there, and their plans of their own.

 Maybelle and Grandpa found their pockets.

Some goobers in full giggle

 The Christmas tree, this photo makes our tree look smaller than actual size (not that we are setting any records).  The kids were obviously proud and excited for what is to come.  My favorite part of Christmas morning was when maybelle found that Santa ate all the cookies and drank all the milk.  Rather than excitement, she was a little ticked that it was all gone. To this day nobody is allowed to drink out of that mug, that is Santa's cup.

Glimpse of 2013 summer

This series doesn't even begin to document our summer fun, but it began at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego, Jeff and the kids are in the upper right. The lime green blob.

 Some time at the model train museum with some of my favorite people.  I am the only one missing that train go by.

 Ross Creek Cedars

 Porter turned 4, received a garbage truck and started preschool this year.  Also, this is a different house, we moved, and have moved again since.

 This is the one car garage in our latest set-up.  Porter (wearing poorly constructed, but home made coveralls out of a retired church shirt) ready to change the oil.  Yes, Jeff does, at times, retire clothing.

 Backpacking trip to Cliff Lake, a major success, but lots of work.

 My own North Idaho Hawaii, Priest Lake is my favorite trip of the year, minus the swarming hornets each time we ate.  No stings, the kids are over their fear of bugs, and the sunset.

No shirt, no shoes, no problems.  Alright, I guess our boat filling with water and the moment that that guy had to pull the boat out cause the jeep couldn't hack it, no problems.  That is the way we Jensen's roll.

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.