Making Cookies For Santa With Dad!

Chris decided that he needed to start a tradition and make cookies for Santa with Porter.  He picked a recipe, made sure we had the ingredients, and they went to work.  He wore Porter out.  Ralph is in the pictured here too, obviously it's a giraffe, but Porter calls it his doggie.

Before Santa....

and after Santa....WOW.. he was hungry

Christmas at Grandpa and Nana's

Porter has a new bff.. his grandpa.  He wouldn't let grandpa out of his sight.. and I mean it.  

Porter helped grandpa with everything that day and was stuck to him like glue.

Help from grandpa.

That bag is as big as Porter... inside was the most yummy 

stuffed giraffe, which Porter now calls doggie.

Porter curiously trying to help Aunt Stac.

Happy... this picture makes me feel good.

Honorable Mention-  Georgia (Nana) fixed an awesome dinner.  Her zucchini casserole was amazing.  Coleslaw... OMG!!!  and seriously the best apple crisp I've EVER had in my entire life.  She really put out a spread. Not to mention the cookie tray sent home with us, with about a dozen different kinds of cookies, chocolates, candy's and all kinds of fun treats that have no calories during this time of year.  

Cousin Larry & Colleen, cousin Ken & Annette, and Auntie Inamae came over for dinner too.  I wasn't on my game with pictures because we had been up since 4:15 with Porter.  I really wish I would have gotten pictures of everyone.. including Chris and I.. darn it!!  Next time.  It was really a wonderful day.  I wish we lived closer.  come on lotto numbers!  schweeeewwwwwinnnnnggg.. battttttta!

**no Porter isn't wearing a holiday turtle neck.. it has fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars on it. (just for the record), not that there's anything wrong with that.

"Mommy"!!

When Porter see's me sometimes.. he'll yell out "Mommy".  It's like he's surprised to see me every time.  I love it and it never gets old.  Also, no matter what we ask him, he'll give a wispy.... yyyyeeeaaahhh!  His sweet voice never gets old.

A picture in front of the Christmas tree.

His silly smile, he can really ham it up!

He likes to sit in our ottomans... silly boy!

Another Great Idea!

One day last week, I got off work, went and picked up P, and thought.. no plans today, no errands, no to-do's, let's go see grandma at work.  So, off we went to my Mom's work to visit for a bit.  Then, I thought.. well.. it's still early.. we're by the mall, maybe we should go see Santa.  Why do I talk myself into these things.  Going to see Santa with Porter really hasn't been a holiday priority for me.  If you know me, you'd know that I'm not a huge holiday person at all.  Anyway.. so off we went to find Santa.

There he is.. I get in line.. the line is short.. we wait for about 10 minutes.  Then someone mentions to me that we need to put in our cell number so they can text us when it's our turn to get in line.  (I'm like.. wow.. even Santa is tech savvy).  So, we go get a snack, get back in line.  Finally, it's our turn and the gal says.. would you like to have your son get a picture with Santa?  I literally looked at her like she was crazy, why else would we be standing in line.  Apparently, getting a picture with Santa costs $25 bucks.  OUCH... of course Porter started to cry.. big scary old guy with a beard...

People tell me he'll be more comfortable next year.

We'll see.

Time With Sister!

I'm convinced.. it's the best winery in Oregon.

Mt Hood is in the background, I swear it's there.

I have no idea why we didn't get a picture together.. DOH!  

Still a great day and way to spend time with my sister.

Photo's and Fun!

Another photo session.

Just waiting for an opportunity to mess with the dog.

Spending time with Grandpa.

Nana and Grandpa.

Looking for the perfect tree.

Look the sun does come out in Oregon in December...

I love this jacket on him.. I doubt he'll fit in it much longer!

Something Fun!

It's A Phase.

.....disclaimer.. before you move forward with this blog post.. you must know that I'm am very very very very very grateful for all the blessings we have in life.  First off.. I have the most amazing, awesome, perfect.. (YES, perfect) husband ever, I have the most beautiful son, a roof over our heads, a kitchen full of food, wonderful family, and friends that anyone would die for.

Now, with that being said.  The last 10 days have definitely been challenging.  Chris just said.. is it really only 5:20.. we both feel like it could be 3am.

Porter learned how to jump out of his crib.. which lead us to transitioning him to a toddler bed.. asap.  Now, he's learned how to get out of the toddler bed, and likes to come into our room in the middle of the night.  HOLD ON... before that.. let me tell you that we went through about a 5 day phase where he got up at 4:30.. What the?  Basically, he would get up around 4:30 or 5.. and the only way I can describe it is.. is like having Black Sabbith rage that early in the am.. he was like the Tasmanian Devil.. pulling the towels of the rack, pulling the dogs tail, chasing the dog, hitting the shower door, basically just disturbing anything in his path.

First off, when he was getting out of his bed, I had absolutely no clue what to do.. again.. rookie Mom.. so after rocking him for an hour and not getting him to sleep.. off we'd go to the guest bedroom (better known as Hotel Shannon-Reload).  I'd sleep ok. but I wouldn't have my blanket (yes, I sleep with a blanket) or the pillow between my knees (GOD.. now I really sound old.. yes, I sleep with a pillow between my knees), side note, Porter snores super loud.  But the good thing was, we were both sleeping.  However.. I don't have the clock plugged in, in there, so I wouldn't know what time it was to know when to get up for work.

Oh.. did I mention that sometimes he would just randomly cry for like an hour straight.. my theory is that he was just pooped out.  Also, I got a cold and lost my voice for 3 days.. anyone that knows me, knows that I'm sort of a chatty Cathy.  Zip, Zap, Pow, SHHHHHAAAAZZZZAM!

So, I went on-line to find out how to keep him in bed.  All the sites said.. just keep putting him back in bed.  Well, the first night.. it took about an hour.. that was after he got so upset that he projectile vomited all over the bedroom (twice).  I just heard this weird tone in Chris's voice coming from Porter's bedroom that said.. NNNOOOOOOO.... when I think back on hearing Chris, it actually sort of makes me laugh.. cause the tone was sort of pleading with Porter to not to get sick.

And the grand finale of the last 10 days.. I caught him tonight with his pants about to his knees.  I knew the naked stage was coming.. but, I had hoped that we'd get through this crawling out of bed and not sleeping stage first.

You know those glasses, that have the eye balls with springs hanging out... I sort of feel like that.... life is good, we are blessed, I am happy, I have everything that I ever wanted.  (Secretly, I fantasize about checking into a hotel room and sleeping.. just me and my blankie)!

Mackin OUT!

Why?

What makes chewing up a mouth full of cheese and letting it fall out of your mouth on the floor, fun?  As we speak he's turning the tv off and on.....

Just another day at the Mackin's!

Trouble!

Surprises & Willy P.

Here we are again.  Can you believe it's been a year since Willy was in town?  I sure can't.  "The Husband" surprised me and said pack up an over night bag.. we're headed out on the town.  We stayed at the River Place downtown right on the water.  We had an awesome night.  Our room looked out over the waterfront.  After we checked in, we saw a wedding party getting their pictures taken.. Here are some pics!

Us with Willy after the show.

I love my husband, he's my best friend.  

I love that we can still laugh and have fun together.

I'm spoiled.

Dinner With "The Girls" and Mr. P

Had a great night a week or so ago with two of my dear friends.  We aren't able to get together as much as we'd like with our busy schedules.  All I can say, is I love my friends and I am so lucky to have them.

Seriously, neither of them ever take a bad picture!

Yes, I remember that thing called "happy hour" 

Now it's called "Responsible Mom Club"

Gotta bring the kids, and that's ok :)

Look at Porter looking up at Hailey.. so cute!

It Only Took 45 Takes!

Yes, this looks like the perfect picture.. but I took over 45 pics to get it right.  

He's up and running, looking away, or just being crazy.  

Today he had a melt down because I tied his shoe (two year olds), WOW!

Pee Socks.....Cowboy Halloween

First off, I was so excited to get off work on Halloween and bring Porter back to my work to show my co-workers his outfit I could hardly stand it.  The last hour of work was torture waiting to get out of there.

So, I get to his daycare and pick him up.. he's sleeping like a rock, which probably started the adventure off on the wrong foot.  I head into to the bathroom at his school to get him all dressed up.  He cries the entire 15 minutes it takes me to get him ready.  When I took off his diaper he peed all over and then stepped in it.  NO, I didn't have clean socks.. so wet pee socks went right into his boots.

On the way back to my work, I gave him the best motivational speech I could drum up and let him know how much fun he was going to have...... I don't think he heard a word.

He basically cried and fussed the entire time we were at my work.  Mostly, hiding behind my legs and burying his head into me so no one could see him.  The cookies at work did give him a moment of clarity so some of them could see how cute he was.

This was a great lesson for me as a Mom; things don't always go as expected.. I have no idea why this thought hadn't crossed my mind before.

Once we got home the day took a turn and we had a great time the rest of the evening.

Our hearts were so full on Halloween night.  Several of my neighbors got Porter treats just for him.  It was unexpected that they would go out of their way.  Our neighbors Chuck and Tay said the only reason they bought candy was because they knew that we'd be coming and that they had just walked in the door from getting candy from the store.  It was a great night!  

Weekend with Cousin Bronson!

Cousin Bronson is only 6 weeks older.

How fun is that smile!

Playin' football!

Hangin' with Uncle Dude (that's what Bronson calls Chris)

Introducing Aunt Dude!

Train ride to the pumpkin patch.. someone wanted his Mommy

Gram picked her favorite pumpkin

Mackin's 1st Pumpkin Patch with Porter.. that's a lot of P's

I see the pumpkin I'm going to take home.

The Jones Family

Big Helper

Trip to Tillamook to check out the Cheese Factory..mmm...cheese curds

They are already practicing driving!

Walking back to the car.. boy is it fun.

Last stop of the day, Blue Heron Cheese Factory

Running to see Daddy!