Rodeo Weekend

I have been to two Rodeo's...make that 3...and I honestly don't understand them at all but it's good times. Fun stuff--the mutton riding is my favorite. Kids riding sheep...hilarious! This is very poor quality but it's a picture of a picture. The picture was free at the rodeo and compliments of Staheli Farms--thank you! Stacey said we look like we belong in Nashville (where she lives) and I said it means we have cowboys and country folk out here too so come to Utah! We have fun together as a family and I hope we expose Porter to a lot of things and take him to see anything and everything. Porter even did a church history tour at the Brigham Young home today (he's my great-great-great uncle on my mom's side) with me and a really good friend of mine and it was awesome. It's one thing to read history but an entirely different thing to see it. Love living here.

Have I told you lately that I love him?

Porter is soooooooooo much fun! I love this kid. I love to play and hang out with him all day. Just today he surprised me with a new tooth--top left which makes number 3. Working on a few more... Tuesday he did the cutest thing: he has a small Baby Einstein tiger and he picked it up and stretched out his arm to show it to me. I "roared" like a tiger and he did it back! It was so cute! This kid brings me so much joy. Same day he put some shapes into a toy and once again I though, "this is my little boy". *sniff* I'm so proud. Aaron just got back from a conference in Vegas last night and this morning I found Porter trying to help unpack for daddy. What a thoughtful little tike! This is one of the picture from when Porter was sick. He got sick last Wednesday and was sick until Sunday. He would throw up and just want to be held. On top of that he was teething. He had a few slight fevers that would come and go. Changed the sheets in his crib several times and did more laundry this past week then I ever remember doing. It's usually about 2 loads a week, but I must have done 10. I got sick myself Friday night and resurrected all the food I had eaten the entire month. I was down Saturday too but thankfully Sunday came and I felt good again, but that entire day Aaron lost his months-worth of meals. So we passed it around and are all better now! Do you see the 2 dogs in the picture too? Daddy is prime real estate. Everyone in this house wants to be with him whenever he is home. Can't ever say he isn't loved.This is my baby Porter "chill-axing". Look at him! He was just standing like this watching one of the "Baby Einsteins" which we love.
Aaron recently put a shed on the side of our house and uncluttered our garage and reorganzied it. It's so much better. One project down, 50 billion more to go. Have I told you lately that I love my boys? I love my husband because he is the best and he works so hard, and I love my baby boy because he is the sunshine of my life.

August Rush & Grandpa Young

August was a blur. Here is a quick recap: spent a week in New Mexico, a week in Ohio, took seven planes total to get from place to place with layovers and all with Porter, and back home safe and sound. My Grandpa Golden Junis Young (my mom's dad) got sick and we found out he had bone cancer and stomach cancer. The next day Porter and I were on a flight to New Mexico. Got there on a Wednesday (along with my twin from Nashville and mom from Kentucky) and Grandpa died on Friday August 7th. I loved that man; he was my hero. His life was the definition of service. Up until the end of his mortal life at age 88 he worked everyday doing things for others. I am so grateful I was able to see him alive and say good-bye and tell him I love him. Stacey and I sang songs to him including his favorite, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief". It was really a special experience to be with him. I am so grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to get there (Aaron's parents), transporting me everywhere (my Aunt Laura, cousin Kim and Uncle David), and for all of our family who attended. All 14 of us grandchildren were there, and 4 of Grandpa's 7 great-grandchildren were also in attendance (one of those being Porter). My Aunt Laura made it possible for me to stay for the funeral the Monday after he passed and I am so grateful for that. Flew to Ohio the day after the funeral--which was a previously planned trip--to my sister Michelle's house and got to see her family, my parents, and twin Stacey with her 6 month old Simon. We had a great time! Michelle and Chris were so kind to me. Went to King's Island twice (amusement park in Cincinnati with a water park attached...I LOVE roller coasters), had my 8 year old nephew's birthday party, attended the county fair and demolition derby, attended my nephew's baptism, and just had a great time with family. Few days after I got home we had a birthday party with family for Porter 5 days before the actual day since his Nana and Papa (Aaron's parents) were home. Here are a few pictures from all that. Why won't this thing let me add pictures below my text and not above??? Irritating. Anyway, there is a picture of Daddy giving him a haircut the day of his party, a recent picture of Porter in the morning, Porter "driving" the grocery cart with his 3 year old cousin Renae in Ohio, birthday boy at his party with his free Albertson's cake (thanks Albertsons!), Porter with Daddy at Albertson's buying his birthday present from mom and dad (the balloons--he LOVED them and they were just as big of a hit at his party even though he had a sneak preview), Porter trying to eat a balloon (he loved burying his face in the balloons), and 3 pictures of him sleeping on the plane. The one picture is a birds eye view of him sleeping all curled up in my lap on that tiny tiny seat. He was a perfect baby, fun child, and wonderful travel companion. =)

Porter's One Year Pictures!

Thanks Aunt Mir!!