Our 4th!

We didn't make plans until the day before, when we knew Evan's sister Jill would be down with the kiddos, so we planned to take P to the parade in the am. He loved it! We parked just as the parade was starting, so as we walked to our pre-determined family area, we walked the whole way alongside the firetrucks, which is what I wanted P to see in the first place, and he LOVED it! He stared and stared at the big trucks and smiled at the loud sirens. I hadn't been to a big parade in a long time, and loved it. I think July 4th is becoming more of a favorite holiday the older I get. I felt so patriotic, and full of pride to be an American. I love America, and all it means for me and my family. I don't know how long I'll be able to stand free, and I take advantage of this every day now. One of the highlights of the day was shaking Congressman Jason Chaeffet's hand! My sis in law shouted to him really loud, and he made his way to us just to shake our hands. I thanked him personally for all he does for us here in our district, and I really am grateful. I love knowing he will represent us and EVERYTHING we believe in. ALWAYS.

Later on we went to my parent's house and worked on a project for our house...more to come on that at a later date...

We got together at the park later on for fireworks with Evan's family. They staked out the best spot to catch the Stadium of Fire fireworks from the park, and we had a great time, especially Porter.

Who knew blinking lights could keep an infant so happy for so long? Thanks Mike for the perfect spot! We decided to keep Porter up to watch him watch the fireworks.

We payed for it the next day, though we weren't alone. I think all the kids at church that day had a breakdown or two. One of the best parts of a long fun weekend is the rest we get afterward. I think I've just now recovered.

Happy INDEPENDENCE day!

Happy Father's Day!

Daddy,
I love it when you play with me. You lift me up and roll around with me. You make growling noises that make me scream. I love playing with you.
I love how you’re the first one in when I wake up at night. You make me feel secure in your arms. You sing to me and hold me tight. I know you love me.
I wait all day to hear your voice. Every time I hear the door open, I hope it’s you coming home.
I love it when you stay home to be with me. You read me stories and do all the animal noises. It makes me laugh. I like it when you talk to me when I’m being changed. It’s way better than the way mommy does it.
You always seem to know when I’m hungry, and give me what I like to eat. I’m always in the mood for puffs.
You’re the best at putting me down at night. You talk to me, and wrap me so tight. Sometimes I pretend I’m not tired just to spend a few extra minutes with you.
You are more patient than mommy. I know you’ll take care of me when she is tired.
Sometimes at night when I’m asleep in the car seat, I try to wake up when you take me inside, because I want to look at you, but I’m just so tired. I guess your arms are too soft.
When you take me on walks I love when you do a wheelie in the stroller. Mommy doesn’t do that. You’re a cool dad. You do the right duck noises, and you love to sing to me.
Elder’s quorum is way better than Relief Society. I’m glad I get to be with you. You let me walk along the chairs and I love to play with you.
When I’m playing, I’ll come up to you and bite your knee, not because I think it tastes good, but because I can’t reach your face to give you a kiss.
You’re the best daddy in the whole world. I think you are the smartest, funniest, handsomest dad ever. I want to be just like you!

T-shirts

Our ward had a R.S. retreat this weekend. We went to Park City and stayed the night in our President's family's cabin. It was so fun! We (the presidency) got there early to get dinner ready, and after everyone ate we played charades, Truth or Dare, and ended up watching Mamma Mia until the late hours of the morning. About 18 people showed up!

While planning the retreat, our activities were themed around self reliance. We joked about making t-shirts to advertise our cause. Well, the joke became reality, and I undertook the project. After a lot of homework and deliberation, we decided on the phrases we all wanted, and they turned out so cute! We talked Fridaybriefly about the "virtuous woman" found in the bible, so that became the "unveiling" day for the shirts. The virtuous woman has silk and purple clothing. That's why the letters are purple. First of all, the shirts were purple, but when the iron-ons say, "for light colored fabric", that's what they mean. After trial and error, they turned out perfect!

On the back of 2 of our shirts we put "self Reliance Rocks!" I think our bishopric wants in on the deal too:)

The blessings of family

Baby Abigail

We went up to Evans sister's house for the blessing of their new girl, Abby. Porter has such a fun time playing on their big open floor with their toys, it's rather easy to take him there. Here he is playing with "Mater". He loved it so much, we got one for him. He plays with it non-stop. He'll just push it around, and play with the buttons. Actually, I think he'd be happy with anything this size with wheels. I guess the boy in him really is innate. He loves cars and all their noises.

Porter with Mater

He also has begun surprising us by his incredible strength. Evan went to set him down the other day, and instead of sitting, he just stood there- all by himself- for about 5 seconds, before slowly and gracefully planting himself on his bottom. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. Excited that he's strong enough and able to walk, but not ready for the new adventures in following him around. I guess just like potty-training, we're all on our own schedule, and eventually we all get it somehow. I sure do love playing with this little man. We can rough and tumble now and he giggles so much!

One of the best parts? He now sleeps 13 hours at night! Yeah! I'm a happy woman! Why this sudden change? A neighbor of mine shared her secret- black out curtains. I bought them the next day, velcro'd them to the walls and each other so NO light escapes, and voila! He'll get up around 6:30, play for a bit, then go back to sleep until 9. (Well actually, we're not sure when he gets up, cause every morning we go in there, he's playing peacefully by himself.) He still naps 4 hrs. a day and I can't complain even when he doesn't. I love him better, I think when we all get a good night's sleep. (I'd take a picture, but you wouldn't see anything!)

He's been a man's man since day one. He has this affinity for men- don't take that the wrong way-. Everytime dad leaves for work, he cries and cries, and when that door opens, nothing will stop him from booking it to the door. My friend was watching him today, and he cried when HER husband left for work, and P doesn't even know him! So weird. It gets me off the hook a lot, though.

We went on a hike to Big Mountain with Evan's brother and sister and their families a week ago. Here's some pics of Porter's cushy ride. He did so well for the 4 1/2 miles. What a trooper. All you need is a little snack, and all is well.

P's good humor
Our Family

Defying Gravity!!?

I have a little acrobat. Maybe it's just cause he's a little kid with no fear. Maybe he's a little daredevil. He loves to climb. On ANYTHING! Here's his favorite daily stunt:

And his attempted daily stunt:

Maybe someday you'll do something helpful with those muscles!

My one measely little grape tomato plant

I think the picture says it all. We have no balcony, no yard, no sunlight that even comes close to our front door. So here stands our little garden. I dare say it will be easy to care for!

Pasadena

Last week we went to Pasadena. Evan had a conference at which he represented his company. I was pretty anxious for this so-called "trip". P hadn't been sleeping well, and we knew his 2 little teeth were on their way in, so sleeping wasn't in the agenda. We have always had a hard time sleeping in the same room with P, so 5 nights with him was more than we could handle. As predicted...Monday he was running a fever - in 90 degree weather- and didn't sleep much.

I think he has a thing for texture. If it's too hard, he won't sleep on it. If it's too rough, or itchy, he won't sleep on it. We ended up folding up our comforter and putting that in the crib for him. Still he slept not.

Despite our nocturnal adventures, we did have a great time! Evan's friend from work, Brent came with his wife Linnae and new daughter, and Linnae and I always have a good time together exploring new places. (We were together in Boston for a week last summer). Just so happens, their room was 2 doors down from ours. We brought games to play after the kids went to bed, and had fun during the day pushing our strollers through downtown Pasadena, which by the way, I loved!

It was hot, sunny, and perfect! We had a rental car, and Brent and Linnae had brought their own down, so we drove to Venice beach, and the Pasadena Arboretum.

The best part of trips, eating out, and rationalizing every chance to spend a little money on the every now and again smoothie, cool drink, and the occational gourmet cupcake.

Evan's boss came in Friday and took us to Rodondo beach to eat at the Chart House (thank you "business dinners"), and while they had their business meeting, I walked with P up and down the hills of Manhattan beach. I love the sunset as it reflects off the moving tide.

We also drove up to Lancaster, CA to visit some friends, Roger and Sprice. They are expecting their first in Sept! We drove up to music road..you know the road in the Honda Civic comercial where they drove over the grids and it played William Tell Overture? It works. We did it twice cause we're nerdy like that.

The worst part about trips: flying with an INFANT. The best part about trips: FLYING with an infant.

Here are some pictures of our trip.

How P spent most of the days

Exploring the hotel room

Porter's first time in the ocean

Porter, enjoying the Chart House

Here we are at The Getty Center