Happy First Birthday Luke!

What a big difference in the first year of your life... Luke was born at 1am, so I got to enjoy him all during his birth day. Here is what I did most of the day last year.

Luke a year later at his one year old birthday party. A big, big boy! We love you "Wookster" :)

Eleven Month Old Luke

Ways to Get Out All That Three Year Old Energy

This is a great way to keep them both entertained. Not to mention to get in some "heavy work" for Alex, calms him down a bit.

The ball pit has become more of a favorite lately. Not only for the jumping, he likes to use the plastic golf club that Grandpa Phibbs gave him for his birthday to hit them all out of the pit and then putt them all across the floor.

First Real Haircut

Before Alex's 3rd birthday I took him to Fran Coys to get his haircut. My friend Amy from high school works there and she referred me to someone who is great kids. Alex had fun looking at the things that plug in(pretty much the mecca for that) and wasn't nervous at all. She gave him the spray bottle to hold and he sat there and asked about the items on her counter. After the haircut she gave him a sucker and a certificate for his first visit. I went to pay and found out it was free because I was referred. I felt bad about this and gave her a tip for the price of the cut.

Dads first post on the blog. Alex and I got to play outside on Monday a few times while Luke was napping. The first time he didnt get to dirty and wanted to use his own shovel. Lukes afternoon nap the sun came out and we went back out. He wanted to use my shovel. Then things got messy. He slipped in the mud a few times and started slamming the back of the shovel in the water and mud. He was having a lot of fun.

Alex's 3rd Birthday Party

How many pictures were taken at Alex's birthday party? Over 200! Here are some of my favorites...


We went to the party store to get the supplies for the party and Alex in panic "Don't forget the party hats mommy", oh yes can't forget the party hats


Luke tries out the party hats too


Grandpa got Luke out of bed after he was done napping

3 generation Porter picture

mommy steals a kiss from the birthday boy

hmm, looks a bit like daddy here

mommy and her handsome boy

Uncle Andy, the godfather, always the gives the favorite presents

Luke and his godmother, Bernadette

grandma with Luke watching present opening

grandpa and grandma Ericson (whiskers)

Grandpa Phibbs

Dominic got a lot taller than me

Aunt Veronica

the grandmas

Great Grandma Porter

Great Grandma McDonald

about to sing to the birthday boy

blowing out the candles

very into "reading" the cards

likes this one too

Aunt Theresa came a little later and he got to open another present

big smiles

watch out Grandpa

quickly figured out how to operate it all by himself

so delighted with his new toy

another great toy, with doors and keys

Ten Month Luke

Alex's 3rd Birthday

Alex's birthday was yesterday and as I mentioned we are all pretty sick. So, we cancelled his party and moved it to next weekend. We made cupcakes and opened presents from mom and dad.


Blowing out his candles, minutes later he puked. Alex has always pukes when he has heavy congestion. He goes to cough, gets annoyed that he can't get the stuff out and so he forces harder and then pukes. Yep, it's wonderful.


At least he enjoyed making the cupcakes

Can't Leave Out Luke

Best Pictures from Alex's 2nd year!

It's Alex's birthday tomorrow! Unfortunately he is sick and so are all of us so we had to postpone his party until next week. But, we'll make some cupcakes and get presents from mom and dad tomorrow. Here are some of my favorite pictures from Alex's second year.


the love of all things plugged in


loves to eat fruits and veggies, frozen peas even


became a big brother this year

learned to laugh and play with him, well at least some of the time

lots of smiles jumping around in the playroom, crashing on the pillows

handsome boy, loves to pose for pictures

third Christmas

loves to bake, especially mix flour with a whisk

I think he took this picture of himself

playing with water at Hands On, totally entertained with water