Porter's 3rd Birthday, Jan. 2013

Yeah getting to eat at his favorite restaurant Red Lobster!  Man does he like shrimp!

Loving all the cherry's from every bodies Shirley Temple's.

Not overly liking being sung to, but for free ice cream why not!

 

His special cupcake that he got to pick out himself at the cupcake store.  He was so excited.

 

 

Trying to wait patiently for his cupcake but can't quite mask the facial expression of frustration.

Not happy that dad's messing with his gifts before he even open them.

 

If it's not cars it's helicopters and airplanes.  And of course his favorite candy. 

Calvin face first into his dinner, Jan. 2013

  

While eating one of his favorite foods, spaghetti O's, he started eating straight out of the bowl.  He ended up with it everywhere and I mean everywhere!  All the while enjoying himself.



Roc's Journal Entry, January 2013

Roc was given the assignment to write in a journal at school.  Sometimes the teacher would give the kids a topic and sometimes they were allowed to write whatever they wanted to. On January 31, 2013 The teacher instructed everyone to write about things that they are afraid of.  This is a great look into Roc's personality.  Here is Roc with his entry

 

 

Here is what Roc's journal entry says in case you are having difficulty reading it: 
I'm afraid of nothing. I just don't know why, I'm serious.
I'm brave. That means I'm cool and awesome.  Brave people help scared people.

Fun In The Snow Janurary 2013

The view on the way up to Page Mountain for some fun in the snow.

 

Calvin seems very happy about his first experience in the snow.



Emma and Porter going down the hill.

Ryan trying to get to the top of the hill, for some reason Ryan is sinking up to his knees and struggling while the kids are having no problems at all.

Ryan and Calvin going down the hill for Calvin's first time sledding.

It was so nice out Roc did not even need his coat as he ran up the hill!

Look how happy Stacie is to be here.

Calvin found that the snow was comforting to his teeth that are trying to come in.  Don't worry we made sure he knew to avoid the yellow snow.

All the prior pictures were taking at a small hill, this is a picture of the actual sledding hill and you can see Ryan, Roc and Porter halfway to the top of the hill.

Because we only had a few days of snow in Rogue River we decided to take the kids to Page Mountain for some snow fun.  It is a snow park outside of Cave Junction.  It was a perfect day to be out in the snow.  At Page Mountain, there is a nice little lodge with a wood stove.  The lodge has a large window that opens to the hill so when you get cold you can go in and warm up.  There was some crying when we left but everyone slept well that night.

The Zoo Lights December 2012

Waiting in line to get on a bus to go to the zoo lights.

Stacie and Nicole waiting in line for the bus to take us to the Zoo for the Zoo lights.

This year as we headed to the zoo lights it was so busy that they had a second parking lot open and they bused people to the Zoo.  We only have a few pictures of us standing in line, by the time we got there we were rushing along elbow to elbow with all the other people who decided to come on the same night.  It was still fun and I know that the kids (especially Emma, Roc and Porter) had a great time riding on a school bus.  I am not sure what was better, going when it was raining and nobody else was there or going when everyone else was there.

Portland Zoo December 2012

Roc coming out of the tunnel at the Portland Zoo.

Emma following Roc out of the tunnel at the Portland Zoo.

Porter deciding to blaze his own trail rather then following Roc and Emma through the tunnel.

Roc getting up close and personal with the alligator!

As we were preparing to leave Porter started to jump over cracks and drains.  I am not sure where he learned it from but it was entertaining to watch.

 

 

 

Between Christmas and the New Year we went to Portland to go to the Zoo and to the Zoo lights.  Nicole and Brian were again great hosts to allow us and our 4 kids to come and stay with them.  We had a great time walking around the Zoo and seeing all of the animals.  One of the bonuses this year is we got some popcorn and warm milk to help keep us warm during our exploration of the zoo.  After the zoo we went to Chuck e Cheese and had pizza and played some games (no pictures from Chuck e Cheeses, I guess we were too busy playing and eating).  It was a great way to spend a few days of the Christmas Break.

Christmas 2012

Roc showing one use for his newly acquired candy cane filled with M&Ms.

Porter was so excited about his candy canes that he did not wait to even take off the wrapper, he just bit right through it.

Christmas morning was a whirl wind of presents, candy and wrapping paper.  Ryan had to work Christmas Eve night, and the kids were required to stay in their rooms until he got home and guess what, they did.  But once Ryan was home the present opening began.  For those of you that are worried that our kids are not spoiled enough, let me reassure you that this is only a fraction of the pictures taken of them opening their gifts.  There was plenty of presents for everyone.