Why I Love Utah

1. Family - yes Mom, you come before the cheap gas :) And I know I said I wouldn't take a picture of you. Well, I only got half of your head.
2. Cheap Gas!!!
3. The Majestic Mountains that will forever call out to me.
4. I get to play our grand Civil War-era Steinway

Ignorance Really Must Be Bliss!

Because I sure as shootin' ain't feelin' any bliss.

Have You Seen This?

Maybe my humor is sick. But there are just so many things that are wrong with this!

Holy Whale

And yet another reason I don't like the depth of the ocean. I can't see what's beneath me!

We Did Our Part...

Did You?

We Love the Seasons in Utah!

Porter's first real encounter with a pile of perfectly jumpable leaves...don't think he'll be coming out anytime soon.


Afton's first encounter...she was terrified.

So here's the aftermath from a burst eardrum...

not much to see but enough for me.

Poor girl. I did everything I was supposed to. She made it throught the first flight take-off and landing. Second flight take-off, and then on the descent she was nursing a bottle when it happened. I felt horrible.

Can You Guess the Theme?

We celebrated Halloween at our church's Trunk or Treat. I like these events because they are safe and contained. We have games and such in the gymnasium, and then we head outside where everyone has decorated the trunk of their car for the kids to go "trunk or treat"ing. Luke was told he belongs on the cover of "Pirate's Magazine," arrrrrr...I agree.

So here are "Porter Pan and Aftonbell" up close. Bought the Pan outfit. Made all but the wings on Afton. :) Yeah, you read it right! You still can't see Afton's costume in it's full glory, so maybe I'll just stage another photo.

Fun at Point Lobos

Our friends, Rowdy and Diane, paid us a visit and we were fortunate enough to spend Friday evening and Saturday morning with them before they headed back to San Diego. We went to Point Lobos Saturday....(thanks for the suggestion, Shauna)





And this is what we did Friday :)

Biking in Monterey

We've found our new favorite way to exercise and explore Monterey with the children!



(S.H.- you really need to break down and get a bike. Even if it's a banana seat with a basket and streamers :)

FHE with the Hollobaughs

The Porter, Owen, and Drew Monsters

Witchy Fingers w/ Monster Munch

Luke aptly named this "The Human Monster"

We had a fun, surprisingly relaxing evening carving pumpkins...don't have a good photo of the actual event but you can google "pumpkin carving with kids" and I'm sure we covered it:)

Singing Porter

Baracuda Afton

K, Our View...

Is amazing

Had To!

I wasn't going to give anything away about our Halloween theme but I don't think this will. So here is a laugh!

Laundry Anyone?

I could have chosen to fold the 60 loads of laundry waiting for me....


But instead I chose this...

Nacho

Luke has turned his love of "Nacho Libre" into Porter's love as well. Though Porter says "Natoe"

Weekend Photos

Monterey has something going on nearly every weekend. Do we take advantage of all the adventures offered? Not nearly as much as we should. But, this weekend I took advantage of the energy my mind told me I had (because my hubby would be home for 4 straight days). We took in the Marina Air and Car show with planes dating back to WWII and cars dating back further. Luke is in-love with the P-51 Mustangs (no girls, they're not cars). I wanted him to take a once-in-a-lifetime ride up in a P-51. It was $750. So I wanted Luke to take a ride in a plane. We all, Porter and Afton included, took a ride in the "Beechcraft" which was built in 1942 and used for training. Price: $60. Who needs that once-in-a-lifetime ride up in a heroic WWII fighter plane!?

Pilot: Will Ferrell's Brother







Porter w/ P-51 Mustang


Guilty Pleasure: 1.Abundance of unconditional love from husband and children. 2. A 4 Day weekend with my Hubby!!!











Guilty Indulgence:
Ate a pint





Made this to make myself feel better later: Turkey/veggie Burger with spinach, org. wholewheat bun, and green drink.


Luke is SO much more creative than I am. Porter has so much fun imagining with him. Today Luke told Porter a story about a mommy dog and all her puppys. After the story he went so far as to find stuffed animals to play the parts of all the doggies from the story. At the end of the re-enactment all of Porter's Sesame street babies got to pick a puppy to take home with them. Then Luke Lined all the Sesamie Street Babies up along the wall with their puppies(plus a lamb & a walrus, to stand in since we ran out of puppies). Then Porter decided to grab the mommy doggy and sit down in the line up with the rest of the characters. This was a golden photo-op we just couldn't pass up...

Why I Feel Successful Today...

1. I showered. Yes, they are fewer and farther between than they should be because I detest them. Why? Because it's another "chore" on my to-do list. Love the end result. Hate the time and effort.....and it wasn't even a "hair day" today :)

2. I remembered to put on my Men's clinical strength deodorant before going to bed....like the directions say.

3. I changed my sheets, cleaned a toilet bowl, unpacked 2 boxes, and fed and diapered my children (husband not included)


(......ahhhhhhhh now I'm ready for Conference tomorrow)

Spinning Lemons and Talking Sister

So...

I saw something at Costco today. Sort of made me shudder. A "children's" book entitled "Barack Obama." Apparently trying to convince the newest generation of his greatness. I've studied a lot of socialist and communist leaders and this is eerily similar to their methods of propaganda.

Animals

Update

Porter and his new best friend. Our families went to a free event that included pony rides and a petting zoo

Not too sure of the bunny yet

Cheese

Who's out there?

So close, yet so far

Our view and Luke's ride from work

On their way to catch the short bus...

Luke babysitting Mr. Potato Head


I am SO proud of how well he eats. I know that's so retarded, but he ate all of the contents of this veggie sandwich (albeit separately). I've worked hard to pack our meals with as many organic veggies as I possibly can, and make his "treats" fruit or homemade Popsicles. Seriously though, what 2 year old comes running when he sees wheatgrass juice???

Like Luke, he's always such a ham

Awww

Porter brought Afton his favorite toys, one by one, and was so proud to show me the end result of his sharing.

Okay, no joke, we came into the kitchen after we heard Porter climb up and click the tray onto his chair....to find him reading one of Luke's German books.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...



then what is a video worth???

My Chunky Little Monkey

Schnappi

Oh my goodness this is SO super cute! Luke introduced Porter to the German language with this video and Porter LOVES it! To take a "break" from the daily grind of school and studying,Luke will practice his listening skills by playing some of these with Porter on his lap. He's such a great dad!

Tuna, Rocks, and Crayons