It's Official!

Kameron will be a DPS Officer based out of Casa Grande, AZ. We are very excited because this was his number one choice. He already has a friend that is a K-9 Unit out of Casa Grande, and its only 20 minutes from home. Although the next 8 months ahead of us will be hard, I know it will pay off in the end!

Introducing Officer Lee

After 6 long grueling months of being in limbo, we finally heard back from DPS today with Kameron's official offer. He is going to be a DPS Highway Patrol Officer. This was complete excitement for Kameron and that with a little bit of worry for me. No wife wants to have to worry about her husband going to a job where he looks for drugs and criminals, and a bullet proof vest being part of the criteria! But I am happy to know that he will wake up and go to a job every day that I know he loves. We dont know where he is going to be stationed, we should find out tomorrow. We wont have to move as long as he gets one of his first 2 choices, Casa Grande and Phoenix Metro. But if we get our 3rd pick, Sierra Vista here we come. Which wouldnt be all that bad...except the having to sell our house thing. However, Kameron is thrilled to say the least to know that his last day at UOP is on the 9th, and as of the 14th of July, he is starting the first day of his future career! Congrats babe, I know how much this meant to you!

Porter the Comedian!

Porter is ALWAYS doing funny stuff and then he does this little fake laugh when we laugh like he knows he is being funny.





Here is Porter pretending to "Lay Down and take a nap with Daddy!" But after laying down for .02 seconds he usually starts knocking on Daddy's head to wake him up! =) He thinks he is so funny!





Porter has somehow figured out the remote control! He will sit there and push buttons until it ends up on Nick Jr. Coincidentally, it is channel 55 and when he finds a button he pushes it like 100 times, so he just pushes a bunch of them until he finds what he wants. WAY too smart!



Here is Porter trying to get out of our friends doggie door, and unlucky for him, its A LOT smaller then the one we have at home! Not escaping this time!!

Porter discovered the world of hats! However, its not the hats I would like him to wear outside. He thought he was so funny this morning running around the house with his "Shamu" hat on. He was laughing and dancing to the music on Sesame Street. I should have taken a video, but whatever you get the drift!

I dont have all the funny things he does everyday on camera, and dispite what you may think...I dont ALWAYS have my camera out. (only half the time=) He never ceases to amaze me with something new he learns and figures out a way to get into trouble....like climbing up ONTO the kitchen table. For safety purposes...I opted not to get a picture of that!!

Also, this past week I have been very "Project" oriented. Kameron hates when I say this, but he didnt have to do a thing with these projects. My room was looking a little bare on the far walls that arent in the pictures I posted before, so I was trying to figure out what I could get to fill the wall space. Well, as I was cleaning the laundry room I found some old canvas pictures I had to match my old room and had thrown them in there for a future Yard Sale. I had a vision, right then and there. So I took all three of the canvases and this is what they turned into after a little TLC!!

I really liked how they came out and was pretty proud of myself that I was able to almost finish my room spending ZERO...thats right, I said ZERO money! I also took some fake gerber daisies I had in my room apart and added the flower to a hair clip and WHAMMO...a new way to spice up a messy bun! So needless to say, I have been wandering around my house looking for yet something else I can paint...make...or redecorate with what I already have!

Its my party, and I'll cry if I want to!!

This past weekend we were able to go to my friend Cara's little boy Ryken's first birthday! He has just woke up from a nap, so he wasnt very happy for a little while, but he warmed up to the water and had a blast after that!!

Porter and Ryken playing in the kiddie pool! They borrowed this really fun water slide/pool thing from a friend and it was such a hit with everyone there! (except me, I was not about to get in a bathing suit in front of a bunch of people!) But Porter LOVED the water and didnt want to get out. I was really nervous with him getting tubes this week, but Kameron was really careful and didnt let him put his head in the water...which he tried to do a lot!

Fathers and Sons! Justin and Kameron had just as much fun as the little kids taking their boys down the water slides and playing in the pool! I also didnt realize how much of a tan Porter has gotten this summer! He puts daddy to shame! haha. I guess he got a little more of my skin than I thought!

Kameron taking Porter down the slide for the millionth time! (I think daddy was doing it for himself as much as for Porter!!)


Porter playing in the baby pool, but then he would climb right out and try to get into the big pool!

Ryken after his cake. Dont you just want to squeeze him?! I just love this kid! Thanks Cara and Justin for inviting us to Ryken's super fun First Birthday! We had a blast!

So Sunday I decided I was going to try the whole shirt and tie thing with Porter since he doesnt spit up as much and wont turn his white shirt yellow! He did really well keeping his shirt tucked in, but was kept busy putting the tie off and on, and it was sopping wet from his sucking on it for 3 hours. He did look adorable though, and like such a big boy walking up and down the halls for 3 hours straight!!

Porter playing with his tie before we even made it out the door! Also Porter turned 14 months last week and I cant believe how big he has gotten. Since his tubes he seems to be happier now and has learned to say a few words since he had all the fluid removed and his hearing is 100%! You can't not live this kid!

Sweet Dreams...

After almost a year and a half of living in our house, Kameron and I FINALLY decorated our bedroom. We did the main part of our house and Porter's room and then stopped at that because it can get expensive. And it can also be blamed on my picky fickleness, because I kept going back and forth on what color and style I wanted to do. We found this comforter set (it came with everything on the bed and the curtains) for a steal of a deal and decided the brown and blue was the way we wanted to go. I decided to do the circles to make it different because blue and brown with chair rail is pretty popular and I wanted mine to stand out. Not that anyone ever sees my room other than us, but in my head thats what I wanted. I dont absolutely LOVE the circles, but they are growing on me, but I do LOVE the colors we picked and how everything went together. Let me know what you all think. It was a lot of work, and bless my wonderful husband's heart, he did all the chair rail and rolling. I see my idea in my head and he makes it happen. He is wonderful and so talented. Thanks for letting me decorate the room and for working so hard just to see me happy!

Riddens to Ear Infections!!

So its official, Porter is now the proud owner of two beautiful and shiny new Tubes! We have had a constant battle with ear infections, and so tubes were the option to completely rid of them. Porter was such a trooper through it all, waking up at 5:20, not eating breakfast, and waking up from the nasty anestetics. I was able to suit up, in an incredibly attractive gown and cap might I add, and go in with him while they were putting him under. It was a lot harder then I thought to watch, but he did great. I think this whole process was harder on me then it was on him though. I was the one worried out of my mind, and he didnt even know what was coming. I know, I know.... its such a minor thing and tons of kids have been put under and have had tubes...but heres the thing, MY KID hasnt! So it was new and scary to me and I lost a lot of sleep last night. But I am so relieved it went well and Porter is back to playing and goofing around as usual. So hopefully this is the end of all ear infections and we are on the road to a 100% healthy happy little boy!

Happy Father's Day!!

I just wanted to post a little about Kameron to say Happy Father's day and tell him how much we appreciate and love him. We were able to go stay at a Resort friday night because Kamarie and Reed were nice enough to watch Porter for THE WHOLE WEEKEND! Kameron and I have not had a night somewhere together since we had Porter 14 months ago! So we decided to take the opportunity and I found a good deal online for the Point Hilton Squaw Peak Resort. This was the first time Porter has slept away from home without us...so I was really sad to say the least to watch him drive off with Reed. Although we missed him very much, we really enjoyed the time together. We went shoppping, and to dinner and hung out in the hot tub before bed. Then we woke up and went to the little water park they have and rode the lazy river.








Kameron and I hanging out at the pool. Notice I have a shirt on and was sitting in the shade, I dont need anymore of a tan, Kameron however was letting himself fry! =)





On Father's day I woke up extra early because I couldnt remember the last time I made Kameron breakfast in bed. It made quite a mess because I did the whole shabang, but it was well worth it I think.

We went over to Queen Creek for dinner, and to pick up Porter. Thanks Reed and Kamarie for watching him and feeding us some yummy roast. I know how much Porter loves his daddy, and I love the fact that he is such a Daddy's boy. He lights up whenever he hears Kameron walk in the door from work, and the look on his face yesterday when we got there and Porter saw Kameron after the long weekend away from home. Kameron is such a great dad, and I cant wait to see him with our little girl (whenever she decides to join our family down the road!!). No I am not pregnant, but I hope to have a little girl sometime in my future...I hope! I am so grateful for Kameron and the wonderful husband he is to me as well. I could not have picked a better man than him to be the father of my children. And in light of Kameron I decided I would post something that was REALLY funny to me when I stumbled acrossed it. When I was a beehive in YW's we made a Temple Box, and we also made a list of everything we want our husbands to be to put in that box. So here it goes...lets see how Kameron measures up to my past expectations! (keep in mind I was 12 when I wrote this!! haha)

MY SPOUSE!!!

1.) Handsome - I think I conquered this one, definately!!!

2.) Nice Personality - yet another of his traits...but his is better than nice!

3.) Good Self-Esteem - Okay, random! But yeah he has this too.

4.) Honest - I'm batting 4 for 4

5.) Morman - Check! Maybe this should have been a little higher on my list.

6.) Return Missionary - Again check, but my priorities were a little different then I guess.

7.) Thinks of other people - His best quality, but also his biggest fault!

8.) Good Kisser! - HAHAHAHA. I hadnt even kissed anyone at this point, how would I know what a good kisser was?

9.) Keeps Word of Wisdom - Check!!

10.) Good Dresser - I have to say his dressing has drastically improved. haha, but yes he is a good dresser!!

11.) Charming - This he is! He even charms the old ladies at the grocery store. haha.

12.) Athletic - And yes!

Clearly my priorities have changed quite a bit, but I think its pretty dang good that I can check every single one of these things off. He has exceeded my expectations of both husband and Father, so I can easily say that I am the luckiest girl alive. Thanks Kameron for being so great to both of us. We love you so much!!
Real quick I want to tell my dad how much I love and appreciate him. He is the most self-less person and is constantly thinking of his kids. He was always there for me when I needed him and was the most supportive dad in the world. Example: When I was playing Volleyball for MCC, he drove all the way to Prescott (like 6 hours or more form our home town) to watch me play in a two day tournament and slept in the camper part of his truck to see both days, then as soon as it was over he gave me a hug told me I did great, and got in his truck and drove the 6 hours home. He also made it to every single one of my Volleyball games in Mesa, even if it was a wednesdy night and he had to drive straight to the gym and straight home. (6 hours round trip!!) I always knew he loved and supported me in everything I did, and I knew I could always count on his face in the stands cheering me on. He is also the best Tata in the world too. You can see how much he loves his grandchildren and would do anything for any one of them. He also drove to Queen Creek and back home last month for Brooklynn's kindergarten graduation. I love that I can always count on my dad to be there, rain or shine! Thanks dad for being the greatest dad and Tata in the world I love you!!! ...............................Porter with his Tata!

The Two best dad's in the world! I love you guys!!!!!

Congratulations Elder Lee

Well Karsterooni Spamoonie recieved his mission call! It seems like just yesterday that I met him and he was a little 15 year old kid, but he has grown into the greatest young man. He was called to the Sao Paulo, Brasil East Mission...which coincidentally is Kameron's EXACT same mission. So its an understatement to say that Kameron is SO excited for Karston to get to know some of the people he knew and baptized on his mission! And more so to be able to have someone in the family who also speaks Portugese! Karston will make such a great missionary, and I am so excited to get all the great pictures from him on his mission. He is such an example and I am really glad that he was able to live with us for a short time before he moves onto this next chapter of his life. Neither Kameron nor I have ever heard of brothers serving in the same area, so I think it will be a really great experience for both Kameron and Karston. Congratulations Karston we sure love you and will miss you while you're gone. Enjoy your time left here because you can kiss carpet and peanut butter (and we all know how much you LOVE pb!!) good bye!!

On your mark.....Get set......

....and He's OFF!!

Porter is still in the "drunk baby" stage, but he has come a LONG way just in the past couple days. Instead of taking a number of steps, he walks almost everywhere! So before long he will be steady enough on his feet that he will be able to run from me....OH NO!! He is just growing WAY too fast!

Other new little tricks:

~He sings Old McDonald......(he only says E-I-E-I-E-I, but its SO cute)

~He does patty cake and peek-a-boo.

~He does itsy bitsy spider with his hands.

~Screams for MOMMEEEE and knocks on the wall when he wakes up in the morning and after naptime.

~When you ask for "Big Face" this is what you get....

..................We're still working on "Little Face"!

~Says Please and Thank You! (in the right order and context!)

~Loves to dance and wrestle with Daddy!

~And does lots of other impressions, such as sneezing, indian sounds, and of course will not admit he is silly (he shakes his head NO when we ask if he is!).

We will be at the 14 month mark next week and I cant believe how Big Boy he has gotten in just the past couple months. I officially dont have a baby anymore...with him walking and now in 2T clothes, I guess that means he is a Toddler. =(

*I know I post a lot, but I am planning on making this into a book in the very near future, and I want to have all his Milestones in here. So sorry for the on going mush! After all though, he is the stinkin cutest kid ever! =) haha

Continued...Part 2

Saturday we were able to go to Mission Beach! I was so excited to take Porter to the beach to play in the sand and see how he would like the ocean. It was super cold and windy, and the water was ice cold, so he didnt care too much for the waves coming up on him. But he did LOVE the sand. He was crawling all over the place and was also trying to walk, and in sand...wasnt so easy for him.

This is my favorite picture of the whole vacation. He is just the cutest little thing ever!

Here is Porter's Baywatch shot!


And of course you have to have a sandy toes picture!

Another highlight of the trip was getting to go visit Kameron's Great Great Aunt Kathleen (his grandmother's Aunt). She just has such a spirit about her and spends her days doing geneology and history scrap books for those who have passed on. She's an amazing example, and just inspires you to want to do those types of things that I know we should be doing. I just wish we lived closer to her so we could spend alot more time with her, because I know she could teach me a lot.

This is the only group shot I got of everyone. (Karen, Kamarie, send me the ones you have as well!)

Our little famlily with Aunt Kathleen.

And Porter sitting with his Great Great Great Aunt Kathleen.

It was a fun trip, but I am glad to be home to say the least! I was exhausted and ready to sleep in my own bed. Thanks Karen and Kevin for taking us all on vacation, I know it was a big sacrifice with all us kids!!

Hold onto your seat... Part 1

...This is going to be a LONG post! This is going to be part ONE of two posts!! Last week we left for California for Kameron's family's Family Reunion! (that was a mouthfull) And well...I took about 150 pictures, so I have had to narrow it down quite a bit. We left weds and made the long trip to L.A. I was really nervous because Porter has recently decided he doesnt like his carseat anymore. But he did GREAT! I was so proud of him. He took a short 15 minute snooze on the way, and here is how he fell asleep!

After driving about an hour out of our way, we finally made it to the hotel by 9:30 that night. Thursday morning we woke up went to Six Flags Magic Mountain! Kameron and I were very excited about this!! Lucky for us Kamarie (Kameron's sister) is pregnant and couldnt ride any of the rides, so we got to run around while she was nice enough to watch Porter and take him on all the kiddie rides. They just opened the X2 the week before we went, so we went to that ride first.
This ride was pretty outrageous, and was SOO much fun. I would have wanted to ride it again...but the line got to be like 2 to 3 hours long.

And here is Porter riding the Monster Truck ride with Uncle Kyran....Yes, Porter's uncle is only 6! ha-ha. I didnt get any other pictures of Porter at Six Flags, so when Kamarie sends them over to me I will post more!

After Six Flags we drove down to San Diego and Friday morning went to Sea World. This is where Kameron was MOST excited to go. I got lots of pictures of Sea World, so here we go... Here's Porter trying to get the Polar Bear's attention by knocking on the glass.

Porter and Mom at the Dolphin Show. This is the only 2 seconds that Porter actually wore this adorable hat! He wouldnt keep it on his head AT ALL!!!

Porter loved the Sting Ray Exhibit! He was trying to get in the water with them!

Here he is holding a Star Fish! But he tried to eat it and was squeezing it, so after we took the picture we saved the little fish from any further torment!

They had this really cool play land for the little kids and Porter had a blast! He was going everywhere and was trying to walk on the uneven surface. Here he was wrestling the other kids for the cushions. He got pushed around a lot by the bigger kids, but I was proud of how well he held his ground! Porter crawling around in his favorite part of Sea World. You can see in his eyes how tired he is from day 2 of NO nap!!

Porter and Mom going on Elmo's Adventure ride.

Our little family at the Sting Ray exhibit.

Porter crashed after a long day at Sea World! He was fighting it so hard, but from one minute to the next, he lost the battle and so fast he didnt even get a chance to lay back!

We finished the day off at the hotel pool! After walking for 2 days the hot tub was our best friend!

Happy Birthday Cara!!

I know this picture is SO not centered, and there is a fuzzy spot in the corner...but Kameron isnt a professional! And the clearer one Cara has her eyes closed...so imperfection it is! Saturday night was the best. Cara turned the big 2-5 and we all decided to get babysitters and go out on the town! This is the first time since we have had the boys that we have actually gone out WITHOUT them together. So it was so fun to get to sit through a meal without cheerios or screaming. We ate at the VERY yummy Oregano's! This is a treat because Kameron, my very lactos and cheese hating husband, doesnt really like Italian food in general. So no Olive Garden or Oreganos for me....Bummer isnt it?! But since thats where the birthday girl wanted to go I jumped at the chance to get him to go there. And he actually enjoyed his meal! (maybe he will take me back now!!)
We enjoyed a delishious Pazookie (I think thats how you spell it) that was complimentary for her birthday! Although there was A LOT of food, and we were amazed at how much Justin is able to eat, we were then off to bowl some strikes!! We of course were all wearing flip flops...except Kameron, he is the only crazy person in the valley who wears socks and shoes when its a million degrees out! So we stopped at Target to get some socks. Here is Cara and I sportin our wicked cool socks!! (its okay, you're allowed to be jealous!!) We had so much fun goofing around and surprising ourselves with strikes. Justin of course beat us all, but Kameron on the other hand wasnt doing so hot! I beat him both games!!! Kameron claims that when he broke his wrist in high school it left him with a crippled wrist...and thus is the reason why he bowls really weird! Well I attempted to impersonate him bowling and hit my leg with the ball and it almost went flying at the old man fixing the next lane. It was hilarious, and I was practically rolling on the floor! (Kameron wouldnt admit...but it was a pretty acurate impression!!) haha.

Although Kameron didnt win, atleast he looked hott doing it!

Thats right...I tore it up with a BRIGHT pink ball!!

This is a picture from dinner...and I know what you're thinking...what the heck! Kameron hardly takes a serious picture. So we end up having to take like 3 or 4 before I get a decent one. I do have a much cuter one, but I thought if I put the scary one up that he will learn his lesson and stop making faces when the camera gets out.....or they will end up on the blog for all to see!!
And last but not least Justin and Cara! We are so glad that we were able to meet them in our last ward and continue to stay such good friends, even after we all moved out of the condos. They are so fun, and are seriously the best friends we could ever ask for. Thanks Justin and Cara for inviting us out with you guys on your special day and I hope you had a FABULOUS birthday!