What's a blog without pics?

I'm going through some blog withdrawls not having my camera.  So, I've decided to go ahead and add some entries.. minus the pics (I know that's not as fun).

Seriously... I know my house can get messy, but where the heck did I put that thing!?

Andrea Bocelli with the Tabernacle Choir

I have loved Andrea Bocelli since I first heard him after high school. 

When I saw that he had done a recording with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I had to hear.

This is phenomenal. 

It is Andrea Bocelli with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the Lord's Prayer.

 Just when you think the song has hit it's climax, the choir joins him. 

Outstanding!

If you have spotify, there is a better recording of this on his Christmas album.

Enjoy!

Ali update

Thought y'all might like an Ali update.  Here's some highlights:

-Dentist said it'd time for braces, so by the end of the year she should has a *gleaming* smile.
-She is in choir and LOVES it.  I sort of forced her into that class.  Glad I did.
-She just got her first Middle School report card - straight A's! (Nice Work, Al).
-She is addicted to using "y'all" and slips it into her conversations whenever possible.
-She's an awesome babysitter and getting closer to being able to babysit for other families too!

Love you, Ali!

Beyblading

Toys R Us hosts a Beyblade tournament about 4 times a year now.  They had one back in August, but it was on Mike's birthday and Cole broke his wrist, so he couldn't go.  He has been counting down the days to the one he went to this last Saturday. 

I can't find my camera, but I got some pics from online that gives you the gist of what it was like.

There were a lot less oriental people at our tournament. (I think this pic was in Japan)
  And the kids were not this well behaved. 
Sitting still...standing back... do ten year old American boys do that?

Beyblades are like fancy spinning tops that battle each other.  
Cole and his friends love 'em.  The orange "bowls" are the arenas where they battle.

There were over 60 boys there.  Cole made it through the first round.  The boy he went up against was INTENSE... thrashing around, yelling at his beyblade.  When Cole won he was very professional...shaking hands and giving congrats.

The second round Cole went against the only teenager in the bunch and lost.  Shouldn't there be age limitations or something?  He handled it well, still shook hands and said good game.

Nice job being a great sport, Cole!

It's Free Comb Day!

Was it only me that thought it was cool that they gave away combs on picture day to keep head lice in check?

Here's this years school pics... we'll find a good cheesy one of Jane and get that up here as soon as I find my camera :)

Alison Porter - 6th Grade (2011-2012)

Cole Porter - 4th Grade (2011-2012)



Macy Porter - Kindergarten (2011-2012)



...and around the corner.

The story only makes sense if you know:
Mike's favorite reply to the kids asking "Where's my..... ???" is "Up your butt and around the corner."  Then he bellows out a laugh, while the kids stare blankly at him.

================
I was helping Cole find a matching pair of socks in my mountain (literal mountain) of laundry. 

"I found them, Cole!" 

Jane, who was "helping" me look, cocked her head and asked:

"Did you find the sock in your butt?"

"What?"

"In your butt, Mom."

"Did I find the sock in my butt!?  Oh... like Daddy says?"

"Ya, like Daddy says.  In my butt and around corner.  Then he laughs real loud."

Hey, Mikey! She likes it!

Sunday night as I was putting Macy to bed, she looked at me, her shoulders slumped.  Her chin drooped. 

"How many more days 'til it's a school day, Mom?" 

I answered cautiously.  "Umm.. zero.  When you wake up tomorrow it will be a school day."  I watched her face for the tears.  Instead she threw her arms in the air, a huge, "catch some flies" grin.

"YES!!!  I love school, Mom."