Monday, December 12, 2011

Mouse ears

Way back in October we took a family vacation (minus Lo) to Disneyland as well as Mexico. It was the perfect way to kick off our move back to Utah. We spent a couple of days in California then went to Rosarito, Mexico for 4 days. Porter enjoyed every minute and we as his parents enjoyed watching his excitement and amazement at everything from the ocean, to the people, the little creatures, the food, all that there is to take in at Disneyland for a 4 year old seeing something so magical for the first time. It was for sure something to be remembered for always.






My favorite moment of our days spent at Disneyland. It doesn't get much better than wearing your first set of mouse ears.

Yes, I dragged everyone onto It's a small world. I had to relive my childhood memory for at least those 10 minutes ... or however long that ride is.


Porter and his BEST friend Harper. We made a family affair out of it and went with my sister Lacey, her husband Curt, and their son Harp. What better way to see and soak in all that Disneyland has to offer than with those closest to you.




He was a bit pooped out by the end of our first day. We took him back to the hotel to catch some zzzz's then headed back that evening for Disneyland's trick or treating. That was my favorite part of our trip. Just in general we chose to go the very first week of October and it wasn't crowded at all, but on this night so many people were occupied with trick or treating so we took advantage and walked on practically every ride. Sean was obsessed (to say the least) with Star Tours. I usually prefer Space Mountain, but they had redone it for Halloween which quite honestly made it scary. After we got off of it Porter's first words out his mouth were "I don't want to go on that ride again. That was just scary." The Matterhorn was a good replacement and became mine and Porter's favorite ride. He went on it so many times that he knew exactly when the goats were coming around the corner, as well as the abominable snowman.
This would have been our Christmas card if little Lois and our niece Swayzie had joined us. I opted out of that as her mother to pushing a stroller or packing around a bound to be tired toddler all day. She will get her turn in a couple of years and when she does we will spoil her just as we did her brother.

Lois Lee is now 19 months. She is quite the girly girl. Without her chap stick, jewelry, baby, purse, and toothbrush this little thing would be lost. I am most positive that if I could go back to when I was her age I was acting exactly like her ... and I adore it!
2011 Halloween Porter chose our family costume theme to be Sesame Street. Lois went as Elmo, Porter as Cookie Monster, Sean as Super Grover, and me as Big Bird. His decision making was solely his own and he couldn't have assigned us our characters any better. We love this kid.
Although I do have to admit that if I ever have to sew a yellow feather again in this lifetime I may just have a nervous breakdown. I love ya Big Bird, but never again!
'Till we meet again .... after Christmas I am sure.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Make it last























I am a little over due on blogging. Sorry. I am hoping that these family pictures we had taken by Alyssia Newton Baird will make up for my slacking. This was such a fun night we spent together up beautiful Hobblecreek Canyon. I love Fall!!! Man oh man how I missed out on this season last year. I love the sights and smells that Fall brings. Alyssia captured our family so well. We will cherish those pictures forever.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Utah welcomes back the Reays

We had been getting ready to move for quite sometime but still had a lot to do up until the day before Sean's graduation. While Sean was gone on his last field training I finished packing up our house. Lois was into all of the boxes putting stuff in and pulling stuff out, so in hopes to keep her somewhat occupied I made her a cardboard play house. Truth be told she liked decorating it with the markers most. After that she was over it and finding the next mess she could make. Packing with a 16 month old and no other adults proved to be quite challenging ... I can only wish I don't have to do it again.



It got to the point of me not being able to keep her out of every thing all day. She enjoyed destroying things while her mommy was busy packing up our apartment.Class 101020 graduation
Even a soldier in uniform can't deny their sweet little children.
Sean accepting his Bio Medical Equipment Technician certificate.

3/4 of our family ... minus one four year old.
Us with Mike and Erin Schomisch, some of our best friends in San Antonio.
We stopped in Lubbock, Texas and were lucky enough to visit with Weston. He is doing very well on his mission. He has touched so many people's hearts while serving our Lord.
Lois did so well the entire 1,259 miles home. She stayed busy eating....
watching movies...
and sleeping. With her blanket over her head of course.
Celebrating our move back to Utah with fireworks.

Porter's first day of school. Don't the parents always have a harder time accepting this? I am already freaking out knowing that he will be in kindergarten next year. Until then I will continue to call him my baby ... or until he tells me to stop. Which may be sooner than I had hoped, because while I was walking him into school he turned to me and said "Mom, you don't need to go in with me. I can go by myself." Talk about a kick in the stomach. Then I couldn't help but laugh and be happy for my growing boy.


Porter and his teacher Mrs. Staheli.
Growing up my family had a tradition on the first day of school. When me and my sisters would get home my mom would always have a box of doughnuts waiting for us on the counter. We have now passed this tradition onto our family. Porter was so excited to see a huge pink doughnut waiting for him ... yes I said pink. The kid loves that dang color. (sigh)
On Labor Day we went hiking up to Stewart Falls with Sean's family. It was a day full of fun surrounded by good family.



We are enjoying our time together now. Sean will be deploying to Afghanistan this coming May. He will be gone for 1 year at which time me and the kids will stay in Utah with family. After he gets back we will follow what path The Lord has laid out for our family. This Army life is a crazy one, but I wouldn't ask for anything different. I love my little family.