DS Play Date-- Curious

Lacey has the shower this Saturday so that's not the best day. The following Saturday is the 24th and then we're busy the 31st. How do you feel about the first week in August, so the 7th?

DS Play Date

I'm wondering if we really want to have another get together. Some of you said "yes" and I'm more than happy to get the ball rolling. Here's what I had in mind: we could get together at a park, in the morning, on a Saturday, and everyone could bring muffins or your favorite packable breakfast and one person could bring drinks. Are parks too hard to keep track of kids? My next question is July or August?

What's a post without pictures? Porter's Adventures this week. Toddler+ Phone= Blurry, I still enjoy them.

Happy 4th of July

This 4th we are practicing, "il bel far niente" -- the beauty of doing nothing. :) We didn't plan anything today so we could do whatever we felt like to our enjoyment.

The morning started off with worship at church. Focusing our prayers for this family that we love so well who tragically lost a child this holiday weekend. We continue to pray for them.
We got home from church and took a nice long afternoon nap. Thanks P for deciding to cooperate and oblige Daddy's wish. After nap time I started dinner, Aunt Rach's Pork & Pineapple stir-fry. While I cooked, the boys watched Sleeping Beauty, Aaron's favorite "old" Disney movie and Porter really enjoyed it as well. He just stared at the TV during the songs, the kid loves music.

I had fun finally trying this yogurt cake 4th of July recipe I've had for a few years now. We also went on a walk with the dog.

Overall a very relaxing and happy day! We should practice this "il bel far niente" stuff more often.

{A little birdy told us Grandma Joy really enjoys videos so we put up a little clip of nothing specific for her. ;) }

Bring on the Spaniards!!

Perhaps a little un-American to post about the German National team on the 4th of July weekend, but with USA out we're feeling okay about it. If you watched the game (and I hope you did because it was that fun!) you know why we picked this photo. Semi-Finals BABY!!!

Deutschland, wir lieben dich!

Playing At The Park

Tuesday we went to the ball park and I thought P was a great sport about staying up way past bedtime. Although, he made it pretty obvious he was tired. Perfect night for a ball game.

Then yesterday between an ENT appointment and Daddy getting off work for his boys night only with P he found us this cute little park to go play at. I held Porter in my lap and we played on the swings together. He loved it, I got sick. Porter held onto my fingers and walked all over the place. It made me laugh because he wouldn't step on the little flowers that grow in clover. It's a pretty nice little park! What do you think is it a good spot for our next DS play date? I was thinking we could maybe pull off a Saturday morning before things get crazy so papa's could come. I'm antsy to see everyone again.

{clapping is serious business}

The wind got so bad branches were breaking and it toppled P right over. It was a good opportunity for teaching the sign for wind but needless to say we high tailed it back to the car ASAP. I love spending time with this kid, he makes me so happy. :)

Fort Gelter

Erected: Monday June 28th, 2010 around 6:45 p.m.
Construction Length: about 10 minutes
Dedicatory Song: The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock

While this sturdy structure stood it was filled with lots of family fun and echoed with Porter's squeals of excitement. It also housed a small white pup who was very amused with the project. The fort was enjoyed for every minute while its frame held up, and even when it started to sag a little. The engineering marvel met its demise around 7:25 when it collapsed. The 3 residents did survive, although the youngest did receive a bath after the cave-in and was promptly put to bed. The rubble still lies in that spot. Clean-up is anticipated before dessert.

{Just look at that face no need to explain his enjoyment.}

We included these 2 videos; the one is crowded but cute. We had fun to say the least. It's amazing what great memories we can create by setting aside an hour to be together.

Fields of Yellow

While on a morning walk I was wishing I had a camera and remembered that some of the best moments we experience aren't accompanied by photographs. So, I thought I'd describe as best I can what made my heart so happy.

The morning sun was shining on Porter's now strawberry blonde hair as we started down the sidewalk overgrown with wild yellow snapdragons. Porter was dangling out of his stroller with his arms out-stretched reaching for the flowers. Looking a little farther to my left I could see his small, pale, chubby hand and fingers grasping at the flowers as the sun's rays danced around Porter who was causing shadows to wiggle on the dirt from his hand moving through the yellow blossoms. Porter was smiling all the while.

Simple things bring me the greatest happiness. The Lord blesses me every day with moments that fill my soul with true delight.