Halloween

The princess and the pig!

Or as Karlie would tell you, "The pretty pretty princess Aurora."

We had fun at the Trunk-or-treat.

The girls got some good stuff that Dustin and I have been enjoying!! :)

I hope you all had a very fun Halloween.

Disneyland

We had such a great time with my family in California last week!! Disneyland is so fun when you are with your kids! The girls loved being there! And I loved all the time I was able to spend with Dustin and the girls! It was a much needed vacation! I can't wait to do it again! ;)

The whole Porter kiddo clan. (and my sis Jen)

Just a few of the MANY pictures I took.

Karlie was so excited about meeting the princesses. All the girls and my dad had lunch where we could meet some of them. Karlie and Natalie both loved it. One Of Natalie's newest words is princess. She would point to them and yell, PRINCESS, PRINCESS. It was so cute! Afterward Karlie said, "All the princesses at the lunch were really real!" I am so glad that we took Karlie at this age. Every little princess deserves a trip to Disneyland to meet the "real" princesses. Any older and it wouldn't have been as magical for her. She LOVED meeting all of the "real" princesses. And I LOVED watching her!!

We had fun spotting all the different characters. Karlie thought it was so cool that she could get their autograph!

One of the things I HAD to do was go on

Splash Mountain with my Dad.

It is his most favorite ride! I just love this picture!!

Dustin got soaked. Hehe!

At the end of day one we bought the girls stuffed animals. Karlie picked out Piglet. (She sure knows how to make her mama proud!) Natalie had a hard time choosing so she got Pooh.

Thanks to all of my family for going and making the trip possible!

It wouldn't have been the same without everyone there! We love you!

Karlie say's it best, "It was a magical time!"

Universal Studios

Karlie went through a Dora phase from about 2-3. She was excited to get to see her. There weren't any kids waiting so they sat down and had conversation. Well, it was more of a one sided conversation, but Karlie didn't seem to mind. She just chatted away like they were best buds!

Sea World

Sea World was a lot of fun. The girls enjoyed seeing all of the animal. Karlie was most excited about getting to see a Polar Bear. And she loved getting to feed the Sea lions. Feeding the dolphins would have been fun too but by Friday we were DONE with lines!!
I wish I would have taken more video on the trip. Here is the ONE I got at Sea World.

Watch out for the stinkin birds. They will steal your fish!

Finally

Tomorrow were off for some Halloween family fun at Disneyland! I seriously can't wait!! It will be such a great time to be there! Karlie can't wait to see Jack the Pumpkin King in the Haunted Mansion! 80 degree weather, here I come!!

Spoof

I can't help but post this. It is hilarious!!

Millions of Peaches

This past weekend I canned peaches!! Woo-hoo for me! I would have to say that my first canning experience went pretty well. I guess I will really know when I pop open my first bottle. And I can't wait. I'm sure I will have a flash back to my Grandmas kitchen table! I don't know what I would have done without my mom's help! I can't wait until next year to do more! (maybe) I was so happy that my parents made it up for a visit. We had a great time! Thanks Mom and Dad!! And thanks for the pot Julie! :)

Karlie just had to pose with the peaches.

I can't help but share this song with you. It was in my head all weekend.

Let the countdown begin

We had great fun making a paper chain the other day! Karlie loves taking a chain off each day and counting the days. We are so excited for our trip. California here we come! (in 22 days)

Can't wait

Oh, how I have missed Dunder Mifflin! I can't wait to watch The Office tonight!

A great day

While in the kitchen some evenings, I tune into Dr. Laura. I think she's great! (I have picked up many traits from my Mom throughout the years.) I was lucky enough to hear her read this e-mail she received.

**Staying At Home In Southern California
I heard a call from a woman who said she just cannot see how it is possible to stay at home with her children. I only caught the end of the conversation so I don't know all the details but she ended her call with "But I live in Southern California." Her excuse is what has prompted me to write.

I am a 27 year old stay at home mom who also lives in southern California. October 5th of this year will be my 5 year anniversary of being an at home mom. My eyes began to tear and a lump grew in my throat as I typed those words. Five years. Five years of firsts, enjoyed by me first. Five years of hugs and kisses whenever I or they needed them. Five years of bandaging boo-boos, picking them up when they have fallen, teaching and encouraging them every second of the day. I wouldn't trade the last five years for anything. I wouldn't trade them for all the manicures and pedicures I could have afforded if I went to work too. I wouldn't trade them for a trip to the salon because I earn enough to reward my self. I also wouldn't trade the last five years for a bigger house, a nicer car, expensive vacations every year, designer clothes or shoes, a gym membership or any amount of money. Not even the largest amount you could fathom. My time with my children while they are still little is priceless. It cannot be bought. But it is worked hard for. I work harder as an at home mom than I would any where else. I am not talking about the normal responsibilities of a parent. I am talking about what it takes to scrimp and save and budget creatively. My husband makes a very modest income for a family of five in Southern California but it has never stopped us from researching and asking questions and following through with what ever it takes to keep me at home. I urge your listeners to stop using the excuse of "But I live in southern California." I am tired of hearing it because our family wakes up everyday and proves them wrong. It is not easy, but who said it would be? Fight hard for what is right because everyone else in the world seems to be standing up for what is wrong. Thanks for the positive message you send over the air waves everyday Dr. Laura. Candice in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!**

Last Night when Dustin got home I told him what a great day I had! "What did you do? he asked. Then I proceeded to tell him about our day. I took Karlie to gymnastics. Fed the ducks. Grabbed some Taco Time for the ride home. Art work with Karlie. Laundry. Showed Karlie how my sewing machine works. Played outside. 10 underdogies. Dinner.

As I listed off all that we did, it seemed like a pretty simple, average day. Then why did I feel like it was so great? These two are why!

I had a great day because I was spent my day with them! I love being home with my girls. I wouldn't trade my last five wonderful years for anything!