Porter's Lately

Here's a peak into what's been happening around our house in the last month and a half or so.

JACK

He is our budding artist and architect. He told me that the Legos above were a gas station for the animals to go to. The other day after quiet time he was excited to show me five or six other little creations he had made from Legos. We all have to watch out when we play with the Legos because we're likely to touch spit since Jack's way of separating the little pieces is by way of his teeth. 

Jack loves to color. One of his favorite activities to do with me is to open his coloring book and have me color one side while he colors the other. It's satisfying for both of us.

The floor of our study is currently decorated with eight Star Wars coloring pages (which he won't stop asking me to print for him) that he was working on earlier.

He drew this when we were making valentines to decorate our cabinets with. It's two Jedi battling. :)

As a parent, it's a real treat to watch kids develop individual interests and talents.

SPENCER

Rawwwrrr!!

That was at his 9 month check-up. (He's 10 months TODAY by the way. Crazy!)

We're all still smitten. Although, he definitely poops more than rainbows now. Whew!

We are loving his new gnome pants from Grammy Terry! One day I'll put a gnome of my own in a garden.

And who knew Daddy's scruff could be so great?

BEN

You know, sweet boy Ben has been decorating his forehead lately. Perhaps he views scrapes and bruises as badges of bravery in his spontaneous wrestling matches?

This was right after the real zinger that made him look like a unicorn for a day. I was just trying to get him to keep talking, because he's just darling.

He's normally the first of the boys to wake up, normally around 6:00 a.m. Several times in the last few months I've woken with a start around 5:30 with his face about a foot from mine. Just starring. Or sometimes I'll wake up to him just climbing into bed with us. Once he tried climbing in at 4:30 and I said, "No way, Ben, it's still sleep time!" and walked him back to his room. 

I feel like it's worth noting the time that Jayce got home at like 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning to find Ben just sitting on the couch in the living room. Ah! I used to leave the light on in the living room downstairs for Jayce, but not anymore. I think he thought someone was down there and then got down there and thought, "Well what else am I going to do??" and sat down.

Since he's up early, he normally plays games on my phone while I get breakfast started and the other day I found this picture on my phone. Haha!

So good!

Jayce snapped this real quick. Ben and Spencer having a moment on the deck. When he's not poking him or dancing around him while swinging toys like a ninja, Ben actually gives Spence a lot of lovin.

Then again, maybe he's just poking his eye. Hard to tell...

CAMERON

Cameron made this on the 100th day of school. It's my new favorite family portrait. Notice Spencer in Jayce's arms?

And speaking of Star Wars...I just overheard Cameron (who is playing with the Star Wars Legos in the room next to mine for quiet time) say "And maybe the force be with you!" followed by humming and laser shooting sounds. Yup, there's still nothing that can top Star Wars for these boys!

I think we just hit five consecutive weeks that Cameron has talked us into watching one of the Star Wars movies for family movie night. Jack and Ben are normally more than happy to agree.

On MLK Day we surprised them by buying The Force Awakens and special treats. I know, it's hard for me to admit, but they have now seen two PG-13 movies. They got me with the Star Wars movies man!

DADDY

That's our hard working man!

A nurse took this picture of Jayce a while ago. She saw him get up on the table and pulled out her phone saying, "This is totally going to go in the slide show!" The man's hip needed to be reduced and Jayce wanted better leverage.

Right now he's upstairs sleeping after an all-nighter followed by stake conference this morning. 

We had a great date yesterday though. Jayce and I went kayaking down the canal. We both quiet enjoyed it. And then Jayce picked The Mellow Mushroom for dinner, which we both love.

He says the hardest part of night shifts is leaving right when we'd normally be going to bed. Ugh, I feel for him every time! Once he's there he's so busy that he doesn't hit a wall until he sits down in the car to come home. Great, safe moment right? Normally I'm anti phone in the car, but it's safer for Jayce to be talking to me on his way home after a night shift.

 MOMMY

I've started buying our eggs from a friend who raises chickens and goats. I know why they're great, but at the same time I'm surprised by how much I love them? Like, I get giddy opening a fresh carton of them. Seeing all the different colors and sizes makes me so happy! Try it yourself before you throw me in the looney bin, k?

Also, someone who bought caramel apples from me a couple of times in the Fall messaged me and asked if I'd do some for Valentine's Day. Then my mind got going and I reflected on the multiple times I've done chocolate pretzels with Mom Porter and the time I did chocolate strawberries with Kimber and I thought, "Well, why not?!" So, I sold some of this stuff last week and have some orders being picked up tomorrow evening.

It's a hobby I enjoy and it has been a cool learning experience to dip my toes into the waters of entrepreneurship.

Whew! That was a long update. I'll sign off with this picture made possible by Bammy and Grampy. Thanks for the Valentine's package!