The Center of attention--6 weeks

Baby Shower and Ballerina Buns

My sisters and I threw a baby shower for my cousin Clarissa who is ready to have her little boy any day now. It was a huge success and it was super fun to work with my mom and sisters to get ready. Thanks alot to my cousins who helped too!

This is the 'fun bun' we did in Helen's hair for ballet. It was a huge hit and she wanted it again. Helen has been in an intensive ballet program this summer and has really, really enjoyed it. With my experience in ballet, it is so fun to see her catch the bug. She is constantly stretching, kicking, jumping and twirling. Does this sound familiar at all? We enjoyed a nice end-of-summer program and it was fun to see her progress. I wish I knew how to get a video on the blog--I'll try later.

5 weeks and amazing Molly

My dad said it. The five weeks after the baby go alot faster than the five weeks before. Eds is able to focus on us now and his head is alot less wobbly. He's filling out, and at the doctor he was 10.5 pounds. I keep telling him to stay little--he is growing too quickly.

Beautiful Molly. What a sweet helper. She is always willing to hold the babe and can hardly wait for him to wake up in the morning or after a nap. Her happiness is like sunshine and she has such amazing zeal for life. I love you, Moll!

Friend Lunch

So it literally has been years since we have all gotten together, and not even all of us were there. It was awesome to see these great gals and catch up. These are some amazing, dedicated, generous and kind women. And I think we look pretty good--between all of us we have about 30 kids! Another was born a few days after this picture was taken. Go girls of '94! I am honored to know you.

The White Mountains

I celebrated the big 33 and Helen tried her hand at cake decorating. Get this, it's an ice cream cake that she baked, she made the fondant and designed the cake. I can't believe that I have a daughter old enough to do this. I sure appreciate all she is and all she does.

We then headed up to Pinetop to my parent's cabin--another bit of heaven. My sister Kaylani was up there with her kids and Matt's sister Emily had her family up there too. We just love being so close to family and our kids can't get enough of it.

Livvy and cousin Blake being silly on the swing. I don't think I have ever seen these two get tired of eachother. Molly and Laura in the hammock--this is a coveted spot. The kids wrap up in it like a cacoon and Matt pushes them so high-- I am amazed no one has fallen out!

On Sunday afternoon I walked into the family room of the cabin and found my boys just sitting there enjoying the quiet. I couldn't resist the photo-op. These are just a couple of my favorites. I love these two!

A beautiful afternoon hike--Rach found some pretty flowers by this creek. All the kids also found the creek and jumped in!

Three weeks old

One of my favorite things is when my baby falls asleep on my chest. The first shot is on Sunday morning before getting ready for church. I love the quiet sounds of his breathing and the smell of his breath. Eds' 2 big sisters Rachel and Laura absolutely adore him. They take their job as big sister quite seriously, to the point of exhaution! Boy do I feel their pain!

2 Weeks Old

What is more beautiful than a sleeping baby and the triumphant, beaming smile after pulling a tooth? There is more to the tooth story... and triumph is the right word to use, for mom and Molly. Molly is entering 2nd grade and really likes to hold on to her teeth. Her first 2 bottom teeth never wanted to come out. In fact her permanent teeth were coming in before her baby teeth came out. We affectionately called them her 'shark teeth'. When it became apparent that her primary teeth were not going to budge, Matt whipped out a little Lidocaine and syringe and numbed her lower jaw and we pulled those suckers out on 2 separate occasions. Oh the drama! Well, when this top tooth showed promise and there was no 'shark tooth' in sight, I proceeded to wiggle with vigor. And then I whipped out the 'magic tissue'--a plain kleenex that gives you great grip on those tiny teeth--and yanked until it was dangling my a thread. Molly was then able to pull it out with ease. Hooray--Triumph!

Some pictures of Eds' first week

Happy Father's Day Matt!

Laura is very fond of Eds and his tiny feet and hands.

Sweet dreams

A boy and his dog

First day home from the hospital, I'm beat!

Matt wore his happy tie---Yea! a Son!

Our Second New Addition...

This is Helen, and I'm going to introduce you to
my first little brother, Edson Abinadi. He was born June 14, at 2:26 am. He starts crying about 5-10
minutes after he gets fed, and then calms down

when my mom picks him up. What a little rascall!

But still he's adorable and we all love him.

Our first new addition...

We would like to introduce our puppy Milton. He is a 5 week-old chocolate lab/border collie mix. We met him when he was 1 day old. He likes to follow the other 'compound' dogs around, he is really playful and likes to chew on things. He is loved by all and loves the irrigation! What a mess!

Can you say Heaven?

I LOVE Condominios Pilar in San Carlos Mexico! I just love it. I love the tranquility I feel. I love being there with my family. I love the fresh sea breeze and the waves crashing outside my door. I love the burying my feet in the warm sand and getting to read a great book. I love seeing my kids get brave in the gentle crashing surf. I can't wait to go back!

Our family spent a week of March in Mexico with my parents and some siblings. Matt and I hadn't been in 7 years and most of our kids hadn't been to the beach so this was a test. Sand can be a real trial.

Oh I love this guy!

Though she looks serious ( she didn't want to get the sand in her mouth) this is a sign that Laura couldn't get enough of the place. She kept kissing the sand because she simply adored it! So did I! When do we go back?

The news?

See this big ol' van? It is ours now! A full-on 12 passenger beauty that gives us space to do cartwheels if we choose. We love it! We did have to adjust the height of the garage door so that we didn't scrape each time we came or went but after that---Love IT! With #6 coming in a short time we had to bid a fond and loving farewell to Honda LaFonda the Silver Princess. She just didn't have the capacity. She has the most adoring new family now (thanks Kon for loving her) and we are happy to welcome Blue Belle Express to the Porter family.

Whirlwind

I don't think that is a very original title for a post, but it is exactly what it has felt like since last posting. Some of our highlights have been: (Lots of random pictures to follow)
-Helen and Molly really enjoyed dancing in the Nutcracker. They were pretty darn cute if I do say so.
-Uncle Alex returning home on Christmas Eve from his mission in Boston. What a great uncle and we feel so lucky to live next door to him.
-We had a great Christmas and it was a joy to hear from so many friends and family by Christmas card. You all look great!
-We had our first Dr's appointment for this new baby and confirmed that there truly is a baby and that the "sick and tired" was for a good reason.
-Matt and I stole a couple of days to ourselves in Sedona AZ--So beautiful and so relaxing. Then we went and got the kids and let them enjoy Sedona, too. The red rock and hikes were fun as well as the Verde Canyon railroad ride where we saw bald eagles in the wild! There was a heated pool, too, so Laura tried out her new pair of 'gobbles'. Isn't she edible?

-We had a Layton Family Reunion to Disneyland at the end of January. All 57 of us (My parents, brothers and sisters, spouses and kids) were there. Even the Green Beans joined us-and I guarantee their trip was a crazier whirlwind. Helen, Molly and Olivia were so brave to go through Jedi training and had to face off with Darth Maul--Yikes. Rachel thought she was in Heaven when she got to drive the Autopia car. And Laura was the only brave one to visit Pooh Bear. Thanks Granny and Opa for the great Christmas present!
-We found out that we are getting a BOY baby in our home! That is one way to throw things off at our household. Matt has the naming privlege and so far he has come up with Edson, Eds for short, after his own middle name, which is after his Grandfather who will be 101 in April.
-My sister, Jen, her husband and their 6 kids moved into our basement while they are trying to sell their home. We are having a great time. I don't think Jen and I have laughed so much in all our years. We also have enjoyed the benefits of 2 cooks to plan/prepare meals, and just be adult company during the day. It is a true joy. Busy, but a joy.
-My dear cousins Liz and Tyler Dennison lost their baby boy, Baby Jake, who was born with severe heart problems only 3 weeks earlier. I admire this brave, sweet and faith filled family for the manner they have dealt with this. At the funeral last week I witnessed the hand of God literally lifting and carrying their family when much of their own strength was sapped. I love you guys.
-On a lighter note, Matt took me to the ballet Romeo and Juliet for Valentine's day. It was a fun night out. I feel oh so lucky that Matt will take me to the ballet! It was a double bonus with the Phoenix Symphony live, as well. Matt sure knows how to get to my heart! Me on the other hand, I made a smokin' dinner with steak, bacon wrapped asparagus, caprese salad and Rhodes rolls (thank heaven for those) and then we had my siblings over for chocolate and caramel fondue. YUMMY!
-We have a big surpise due to come to our home, so that is the cliff hanger to make you want to visit again, and to make me post more often than every 4 months!