Look who's 4!!!

Yesterday we celebrated Porter's 4th birthday! I know, can you believe it? I am still kind of stressing out over the fact that I have a 4 year old, which means that I am getting up there in age myself. Porter loves all eyes on him, so having one day dedicated to him and him alone sure made him ecstatic.

What a couple of cuties ... +1 dog

French toast with sprinkles. It's all about the wow factor on your birthday, right? Not nutrition.

We have been here since September and I just got Porter's bed refinished and assembled. Hey Happy Birthday Porter you now officially have an actual bed, not a mattress resting on the floor! Don't mind my procrastinating.

I always have a helper in the kitchen.

We all know that this is the best part of baking. Someone has got to see if it tastes good.

Nooooo not spoiled at all!!!

Confetti poppers...

Too loud for you Lois?

Now he can payback his uncles and dad for the many attacks that he endured over the years.

His #1 present ... that he has not put down since he opened it.

I think Lois reacted the same way when she opened her baby doll on her birthday :)

My failed attempt at making an elephant ... we just added another dachshund to the family.


Mmmm chocolate orange blossom cake.


Who needs silverware?


She didn't quite succeed in getting as dirty as she did on her birthday, but came close. Either way she went right into the bathtub when she was finished.

Just a bunch of elephants. If he could be any animal I positive that his first choice would be an elephant.

Bubbles fix everything.

Wearing his Godzilla jammies from Grandpa and Grandma Jackson. Godzilla slept with him lastnight it is his new protector to keep away the scary nightmares that he has been suffering from lately.

We love San Antonio Zoo.

Talking to the koi.

Hip hip hop anonymous

Yes, to all of you who are wondering if that is a leash backpack on my son's back. I remember being at Disneyland when I was younger and making fun of those mom's who had their toddlers on leashes. Now I can proudly say I AM ONE OF THOSE MOMS. And yes, I did hear people snicker at the sight of a little boy on a leash.

Porter thought he was pretty cool with this bird on his arm. He kept yelling at the other kids to be quiet so that they didn't scare his bird away.

Loee was much more timid of the birds. She would not let me put her down.

Hanging with the sloth.

Making out with Porter's monkey leash.

The zoo concluded our birthday festivities. Sean wasn't able to spend the day with us, so we will have to make up for it this weekend. There are plenty of fun things to do in this HUGE city.

You had a birthday shout hooray!!!

Our sweet baby Lois turned One today!!! Seems like just yesterday I was beached on that hospital bed while I chowed down on ice chips and hallucinated off of my epidural. Her first year on earth has been a delight. She is just precious and such a fun little lady to have in our family.


Porter and I woke her up this morning to the lovely sounds of us singing her "Happy Birthday" she was a bit dazed at first, as you can see. (Family ... doesn't she look like Sienna?)

Once she got a grip and was awake enough to comprehend what was going on she was all smiles and screams of excitement from there on out.

We are soo lucky!!!


I just couldn't help myself, I had to give Porter a candle on his pop tart as well.



After the kiddos finished their breakfast of champions, Porter helped me make Lois's cupcakes.


Strawberry banana and chocolate cupcakes. This was the first year that we have not ordered a sheet cake large enough to feed a small army. It was weird not having all of our family and friends to celebrate with, but being able to share her special day between just us 4 was perfection.

I'm One!!!

Lois really enjoyed opening her presents. As well as trying to gobble up any paper or ribbon in the process.


Her gift from Porter. He picked out this mermaid just for her (Although we all know he has alterior motives to steal it in hopes that we won't notice.)




Saying hello to her new baby doll.


Loee loves to be rocked while I sing lullabys to her. When I saw her pick up that baby and starting rocking it back and forth it made me want to cry. It was definitely a moment that I have longed for when I first knew we were expecting a girl. As a child I was such a girly girl. I had barbies and babies of many sorts. I always handled them gently and tried to keep them looking as brand new as the day they came out of their box. Who is to say that Lois may or may not be as I was, but one thing is for sure ... she doesn't have to do much to make my heart smile.

Sesame Street is one of the two shows that she has a slight interest in, so this Cookie Monster was only fitting to give her.

I see more Sean in her looks than I do myself. No complaints here, my husband is very easy on the eyes.

The famous diaper baby endulging in their first birthday cake.

Yep, we just let her loose on the dining table. She scooted across it and spun in circles in between bites. Every once in awhile she would look up at us as if to say "You guys really are allowing me to be up here and make this mess?"

Perfect end to a perfect day. Clean, lotioned, worn out babies.

To the Beach

Over the weekend we drove down to Corpus Christi to camp on the beach. It was a nice, short getaway from San Antonio. The kids loved being there and playing in the sand and ocean. I loved not having a care in the world and not being that dang apartment. Sean loved his clear mind and not being at Fort Sam Houston and the dogs loved practicing their hunting skills. He hiked those dunes until it got too dark to see.

Lois thought she was so grown up, being able to just sit in her own chair. Wow she truly is BIG she turns 1 year old this Thursday!!!

Our attack Dachshunds. Ruby and Mini ran along the beach for hours perfectly content chasing the birds. Ruby was really good about swimming back and forth from the ocean to the shore, although her backend tends to drag. She is sooo long. Mini on the other hand, she is special and didn't enjoy swimming quite as much.

Once Sean showed Porter how to make a sand castle he worked on his own little creation until we made him come in up to camp.

They are best friends. He loves to play with her and to torment her. She loves just being near Porter. Following him around and trying to do what he does.

Playing with her shadow.

Porter was right at home being there. He is such a fish.

I think that a quarter of the beach ended up in Lois's mouth.

Building their sand castles

Aren't couch forts the BEST

I know that our family thinks so!!! Friday we spent the night inside tearing the house apart, building couch forts, and sleeping in the tent on the kitchen floor. If you ask me it was the perfect way to spend our evening together.

Typical choice of toys ... toothbrush and dog collar. Don't judge me.

Ruby is our "killer" dog. Both kids anticipating her attack :)