The Maughan Clan

Papa Duff

2011-11-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

October 13, 1921 - August 5, 2011

On August 13, 2011 Papa Duff was Laid to Rest

These are my memories of a great man...

First this is my all time favorite picture of Mark and his Grandpa.

Mark was at the airport

about to leave on a two year mission to Portugal in 1999!

-Fast forward to 2002 when I came into the picture

I Loved Mark from almost the day I met him,

The same could definitely be said about his Grandpa!

Mark and I broke up a couple of times

and I heard through the grapevine that his grandpa would say:

"Mark is stupid if he doesn't know what he's got!"

I mean how can you not love that??!

Sunday dinners were a great time to sit around the table listening to him talk.

Often I wish he were still here so that I could just ask him questions...just to hear him talk.

He would say things that I pretended to understand :)

Probably the smartest man ever!

2005- Papa Duff meets Porter Duff for the first time.

I remember him saying "isn't he uncomfortable in those jeans?" :)

2008- Silverado Carnival.

I just love this picture of Nana and Papa and my little kids.

I love Porter's hand on Duff's.

He was never afraid of him,

even though he would growl at the kids if they were getting too loud.

July 2011

Stopping by Silverado one last time before we moved to Arizona

The viewing August 12, 2011

Porter was so excited to be wearing a suite for the first time ever!

Meeting Elder Scott and Elder Cook

"My Dearest Love" Flowers from Grandma to Grandpa

Meeting Elder Holland

We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet

I love Porter's face when he first meets President Monson.

What an amazing spirit in the room that day!

I love that Porter is helping Zach with his tie

Porter helped carry the casket out,

which helped land him a spot in the Deseret news!

To say he was excited is an understatement

At the grave sight

The funeral was AMAZING!

I could've sat and listened for hours more!

There were tears, for sure,

but there was also laughter which made it bearable!

Being at the burial sight was a whole other story.

I couldn't contain myself. The ugly cry came out...

there was something about it being so final!

At the luncheon:

It always blows me away

how many people come together

and offer their services at a time like this!

And last, but certainly not least

I made a little video of Porter and his thoughts about the funeral.

I wanted him to remember the way he felt, and who he met,

and who he was named after, his great heritage!

(warning- it was sort of like pulling teeth!!! but we got some great answers! enjoy!)

San Diego

2011-08-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

As soon as we moved,

(oh, you didn't know we moved? yes we did...to the beautiful, HOT state of Arizona.

I don't believe that people ever get used to this heat...but we'll save that and the move for another post!)

I packed the Van, again, and drove only 6 hours to San Diego!

(one perk of living in Arizona...only 6 hours to see my family!)

The day after we arrived, where else would we go

but the beach?

How do sand and water entertain for soooo long?

Definitely not complaining!

We grilled hot dogs, made s'mores,

and ate way too many desserts...

Knott's Soak City

was a huge hit!

Knott's Berry Farm

was an even bigger hit!

It tired us ALL out!

Did you know that it's cool to bowl with mustache's?

Well it is...we've got the pictures to prove it!

Dinners at my parents house, Aunt Lilly's,

and JB's...

I was sort of pretending I didn't care how I fit into my jeans! :)

We Love San Diego,

We Love the beach,

We Love Cousins...

WE LOVE FAMILY!

Happy BEANday!

2011-08-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

July 27, 2011

my little bean turned ONE!

We were in Colorado with Mark's family

and Our Nephew is just two weeks older than Lilly,

So we decided to celebrate both of them at the same time...

It took Lilly all of 30 seconds

before she just started to POUND her cake!

(She really did eat almost every single morsel, in true Maughan fashion)

Oh what would my life be without you...

You are Loved and Cherished beyond measure,

hope you never forget it!

Happy Birthday!!

Colorado

2011-08-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

In July we met Mark's family in Breckenridge, Colorado

For a week of fun...

We rode the gondola up the mountain.

Beautiful views,

we could still see snow!

We hooked ourselves up and did backflip,

after backflip, after backflip,

until we (I) were sick!

We raced down the hill on our sleds,

Porter could've climbed the rock wall ALL day.

(proud momma moment when he reached the top!)

Family pictures

Boat rides.

We couldn't get in the water,

but it was still so much fun to be on a boat

with the wind in our hair!

Hot tubbing

Crafts with the kids.

Making animals out of balloons

Ping pong paddles with balloons

and painting rocks!

Another year of pure fun...

So lucky to be apart of such a wonderful family!

till next year...

Yeehaw

2011-07-02T05:26:00.000-07:00

Oakley Rodeo

July 1, 2011

Last night was filled with

Horses,

Cowboys,

Country music,

bareback riding,

Fireworks,

Popcorn,

cattle roping,

boots,

Ram trucks,

Cowgirls,

and Family!

(I don't know why I didn't take a picture of all of us, but the one below is evidence that they were there! :) )

What a wonderful night!

Ride em Cowboy!!

Bow Wow, Ruff Ruff...

2011-06-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

Claire turns FOUR!

(okay, not until Saturday, but we celebrated yesterday!)

She was very specific on what kind of party she wanted.

Not just a puppy party,

but a PRINCESS puppy party.

and that's what she got!!

Each girl was transformed into a puppy,

crown and all.

Then she adopted a puppy,

filled out the adoption certificate and

promised to always treat their puppy like a princess.

Then they took the puppy to the store to pick up a few essentials...

(a ball, doggy dish, blanket, bone (sugar cookie) and some puppy chow (coco puffs)

Then they got to groom their dog,

and then check their vitals at the Vet's office,

Complete with puppy vitamins (skittles).

Who doesn't love to be a dog?? :)

The girls then went to Obedient school...

there we played Doggy says.

The same way you'd play Simon says.

Her cake was the easiest cake I've ever made.

I baked the cake in a round pyrex bowl,

turned it upside down and placed it in a dog bowl,

iced with chocolate and then layered with coco puffs.

In true doggy style there were no forks,

so the girls ate like dogs!

They got a kick out of it, and so did I!

All of our puppy princess'

This was a fun party to plan.

Besides the VERY windy day,

I know Claire had fun!

Happy birthday BEAR!!

And just because she's cute...

Sleep

2011-06-20T22:24:00.000-07:00

Today was a sluggish day!

I woke up tired, I had lots of things to do (as many of you do),

I got around to about 1/4 of my list,

I was a slug,

I went to bed way too late last night...

that's my excuse!

I sent my kids to a neighbors house this afternoon

and was so glad they were out of the house while Lilly slept.

We ordered Pizza for dinner, because I was too lazy to cook.

(I did steam some green beans...an extra step, when you're having a lazy day!)

And for Family Home Evening we watched a church movie.

How much lazier can you get, really?

I let Mark brush the kids teeth,

while I laid on the couch holding Lilly.

I swore to myself that as soon as they were in bed, I too was going to bed!

But here I am writing this at 11:30 pm...

what is it about the time after your kids go to sleep, and getting a second wind?

Surely, I'm not the only one, right?

There really isn't much to this post, but the thought of sleep...

I WILL go to bed right after I post this.

Or maybe I'll go wake that baby up and hold her in my arms...

what is it about a sleeping baby???

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

*warning-this post is a bit gooey...read at your own risk...

Sue me, I'm a day late...

but this picture is from today and I LOOOVVVE it!

I'll tell you why...

*The kids (all three of them) love Mark.

It's evident in this picture!

*It captures "every day" life around here

*Lilly has begun to crawl and she gladly showed off her skills by crawling to her dad.

*Claire is naked...what else is new?

*Porter is leaning on his dad. "his best buddy in the whole wide world"

How do you know before you have kids if your husband is going to be a good dad?

(Such a scary thought now that I'm looking back on it),

I got lucky!

Another influential man in my life...

my very own father!

(yes those are fake teeth!)

Lists are not long enough...

simply put

I'm honored to call him dad!

I don't have a picture with my Father-in-law

But I love him dearly too!

The world, my world, is a better place because of these three.

Hope your father's day was as lovely as mine!

Dancing Machine

2011-05-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

One night after dinner Porter broke into a dance!

Loved. Every. Second. Of. It

ENJOY!!

Can't wait to put this on Porter's wedding video! :)

Nine months...

2011-05-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Lilly is now nine months old!

When my kids hit this age it makes me think of how long I carried them;

the same amount of time!

But why then does time go soooo slow when they're inside

of you and speed up the second they come out??!!

Pause please...

We love her to pieces and pieces.

18.10 lbs

28.5 inches

Porter the All-Star...

2011-05-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

April 30th has come and gone...

and to anyone else I guess it wouldn't have mattered if it SNOWED almost 2 inches the night before, but at the Maughan household we (mostly ME) were frantic!

Porter was supposed to have his party at the park with eleven of his buddies, but

because of the bipolar weather in Utah

we rushed to transform our basement into an obstacle course!

(I can't say that morning I didn't shed a few tears)

All in all I think it turned out okay...

I've got the pictures to prove it :)

Party details

All the kids got their faces painted and tattos as the "ultimate fan"

And each boy got a water bottle with their name on that they could refill as they pleased

Porter even decorated our walls a bit with his own artwork

We had an obstacle course where each boy had to make a basket, kick a goal, throw a football through a hoola hoop, and putt a golfball into a can. They were all timed...I think the fastest time was 37 seconds! pretty amazing

Then of course we had a pinata...

Birthday boy and cupcakes

(porter's request)

Pretty sure the boys had a great time...

HaPpY bIrThDaY big boy!

With our move to Arizona this fall,

maybe next year Porter will have a POOL party :)

Dentist

2011-04-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Claire went to the dentist for the first time.

About the same age as Porter did.

But unlike Porter,

Claire was Cavity FREE

YAY!

She did a lot better than I thought she would.

Probably because she could watch Rapunzel

while laying down to get her teeth cleaned.

Easter Fun...

2011-04-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

This week we've had fun on spring break,

but the kids have been counting down until EASTER!

Lilly's first time to see the easter bunny didn't go quite like this (thank goodness)

But she would NOT let that dumb toy out of her chubby little hands!

Last night Porter and Claire wrote a note to Mr. Bunny.

Porter's reads

please bring porter.

twix and snickers.

not the peanut butter one

not the nut one

the normal one.

love porter.

and my favorite up at the top "tell st. nick I said hi!"

(of course they live close to one another!!)

Claire pretty much just copied Porter's letter word for word...

(good thing too, because they both got twix and snickers)

These morning pictures make me smile!

claire in curlers

morning faces

and just pure joy!

(poor lilly didn't get a basket...

maybe next year bean! :))

Easter Sunday...

Don't they clean up nicely!

Egg hunt at grandma and grandpa's

The egg hunts,

easter bunny,

candy, and

baskets are all fun...

but we also remember the reason we celebrate this funny holiday...

He is RISEN!

Birthday Boy!

2011-04-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

Six years ago this morning, Porter Duff Maughan was born!

He made me a mother...

He came out screaming and really didn't stop until he was 6 weeks old.

Needless to say there were lots of days spent in my pajamas

bouncing on huge exercise balls, and lots of tears! :)

It all seems so weird now, because Porter is such a sweet calm loving little boy.

Glad he got it all out in the beginning!

(cute sign made by my MIL)

At 6:15 this morning I was awoken by the sound of wrapping paper!

Porter was sitting in the dark, opening presents all by himself.

(probably a camera happy mom's worst nightmare!)

Little stink...

He did wait to open his BYU football uniform.

We saw it the other week when we were down there, and he begged, begged, begged me for it!

He didn't know I actually got it for him that day.

The next morning he told me that he dreamt he had gotten the uniform for free!

(little did he know...)

He also got a bigGER boy bike.

He was in his uniform and riding his bike almost all day! = successful birthday

So you can tell he loves sports...hence his upcoming birthday party!

(just pray it doesn't rain!!!)

Happy Birthday big boy!

"I love you all the way to mars and around the moon times infinity"

Visitors....

2011-04-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Cousins were in town which made for:

1: lots of fires in the fireplace

2: taking a half hour to bundle up,

but only playing outside for 5 minutes

(at least it made for cute pictures!)

3: discovering new "fun centers"

4: rollerskating for the first time

5: Grandma Diane's sugar cookies...nothing better

6: a visit to BYU

but the best thing about cousins is all the play time!!

Thanks mom and lilly for coming to play

we miss you already...

Happy BirthPatrick's Day

2011-03-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Mark turned 31

and we celebrated all things green today

Breakfast

green hootenany

green smoothie

Dinner

green enchiladas

green beans

green water

As you can see we kind of went overboard on the food coloring.

I think Claire's pee was even green!

Last night as we set the trap in anticipation of the leprechaun's arrival

Porter was so worried that

A. He would really get trapped and how would we really keep him...(I told him in all my years setting this trap i've not once caught him, and if we did we'd return him to his rainbow first thing in the morning!)

B. He would eat all of the other sugar cookies we had sitting on the kitchen counter(I couldn't promise anything...Leprechaun's REALLY like sugar cookies! ha)

C. The trap wouldn't work. "How is this magic marker going to hold up the lid??" (I didn't think he'd analyze it that much...so we reinforced with another magic marker.)

D. The leprechaun is so small how is he going to get up on the counter to get the cookie? (Okay too many questions...if you over analyze it he might not come at all!)

I think he got the point!

To our disappointment the little bugger was too fast!

But he did leave some fun shirts for the kids to wear today to avoid the pinch!

It's fun to have a birthday on the same day as a holiday,

because then you really do have to go ALL OUT!

Happy BirthPatrick's day Duff! xo

Our Little Champion...

2011-03-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

"A Champion is someone who gets up when he can't!"

-Jack Dempsey

Friday Claire was Knocked down pretty hard...

coming down a hill on her bike (which she had no business coming down, I might add),

but wouldn't you know she got back up!

A little ice, and some Motrin and

She wants to go ride again tomorrow!

'atta girl!

Dear Tooth Fairy...

2011-03-03T13:59:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my dad pulled my tooth with pliers.

My mom didn't seem to happy about it, but at least she made him sterilize them with a match! I cried only a little bit, and now I can't stop feeling the space my tooth has left.

My parents kept telling me how you'd come during the night.

My mom even bought some silly pillow to put the tooth in.

But I woke up this morning and nothing, nada, zilch.

I'm not sure if I even really believe in you anymore.

My mom said it was probably because so many kids lost teeth yesterday, that you were busy!

My dad said it was the meanest tooth fairy trick in the whole world

(and then he jabbed mom in the side?)

I guess I'll give you one more shot tonight!

Here's to losing teeth...

Love- Porter

SiX mOnThS oLd...

2011-02-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

well, maybe she's almost 7 months, but I'm in denial...

at six months

Miss Lilly

LOVES food, as you can tell,

she weighed 17 lbs. and a bit

(the same as Porter did at three months people...he was a fat kid, but this post is about Lilly!)

28.5 inches

(which means she's out of her baby carrier. good thing my pediatrician read the side of her

car seat or lilly's pigs would still be hanging out over the edge.)

Did we really ever worry about her weight??

So weird to think back on...

Lilly is sprouting her very own teeth.

Two to be exact.

We've had one bite,

but one flick later...

and I'm pretty sure it won't happen again!

Her eyes are still blue!

I wish I knew when Porter and Claire's changed.

I'm pretty sure it was earlier than this...

Genetics is truly amazing, right?

My teacher was right: Two blue eyed people canNOT

have a brown eyed baby, but two brown eyed people can have a

blue eyed baby. Lilly is proof!!

These pictures were all taken today,

because as I changed her diaper and grabbed her thighs (don't you want to too?) they were soft, and fat, and kicking, and rolly-polly, and she was using her voice...a high pitched slightly annoying voice, and she was raising her head trying to see me, because she does not like to be flat on her back (the bumbo is my best friend these days, and hers!), and I realized, like I do every day with her that she will only be this way for a little while and I wanted to document this very normal every day occurrence before it becomes not such a normal every day occurrence.

Does that make sense?

And how's that for a run-on sentence?

And did I mention we can't get enough of this little bean of ours?

as if you couldn't tell....

christmas 2010

2011-01-19T21:37:00.000-08:00

Told you I'd do it...

1. Decorating gingerbread houses

(Claire definitely ate more candy than she put on her house,

and then ate all her candy off of her house the next day,

while porter made sure no one touched his!)

2. Temple Square with

Grandma and Grandpa Maughan

3. Aunt Lilly's house

(Porter loved being with his older cousin, who actually

does play football...Ethan was patient and good while Porter was learning.

This was Mark's DREAM)

4. Hanging with cousins

5. Sunday Before Christmas

(Just for fun...Claire in the same dress that Lillly wore for Christmas)

6. Twister

(pretty fun to watch with little kids!)

7. Bowling

8. Adult Gingerbread houses

So Lilly and I did our house together (which was for sure the best right??) :)

but some weird neighbors chose Jennifer's house (with the black roof)

just kidding, they were all cute. So sad I don't have a picture of Jill's house...it was CRAZY :)

9. LEGOLAND

10. LEGOLAND

yes we went twice while we were there. Christmas eve (which was CRAZY BUSY)

and new years day (which was like the park all to ourselves!)

11. Gift Exchange

thanks mom and dad for a great tradition

(love that picture of my parents!!)

12. Christmas morning

Mark went crazy with the BYU gear for the kids (glasses, shirts, sippy cups, wall hangings, magnets...etc)

Porter got his Nintendo DS

Claire got her bike

and I got my IPAD

thank you SANTA

one of my favorite gifts..to myself :)

I want one every year, so I hope the girl is still making them ten years from now!

13. Papa Patton

we love him something terrible!

14. The beach

yes, in January...kind of wish this was my every weekend!

15. Mission Beach

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....

Christmas 2010

2011-01-19T20:44:00.000-08:00

How I'd love to post all 208 pictures of Christmas like this...

(if only it were that easy!)

I will break them down...hopefully soon...

possibly before valentines day!

I don't know why it's taken me so long, maybe because these four daily ongoing loves

(well 3 loves)

1. Porter

2. Claire

3. Lilly

4. laundry

What a wonderful Christmas it was...

P.S. this might be our new family game of I spy! ha

Here comes...

2010-12-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

Santa Clause!

Lilly wants:

her brother and sister to stay out of her face,

a new binky and

lots and lots of milk.

Claire wants:

a "Repuzzle" (Rapunzel) dress,

(go see the movie...it's darling!)

lipstick, bracelets, and

a pillow pet

Porter wants:

Footballs, legos,

Nintendo DS, the Wii,

and a pillow pet.

We'll see if Santa pulls through!

p.s. are your kids as obsessed with pillow pets as mine? why didn't I think of that???

A Name and a Blessing

2010-12-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

Since most of Mark's family was in town for Thanksgiving,

we decided to bless Lilly.

We gave her a name, and Mark gave her a sweet father's blessing.

He blessed her with a happy heart,

a strong body,

A love for her siblings,

a love for her mother,

grandparents, and the generations that came before her,

And most importantly He blessed her with a love of the Gospel.

It was a wonderful experience with a wonderful spirit present!

These pictures make me smile!

She is just precious

Mark's sister also blessed her baby Samuel,
by the time we got the two together,
they were NOT happy, they were through with the photo shoot...
and so was I!

and just for fun...this was Claire (5 weeks), on her blessing day, same dress!

(I was nervous it wasn't going to fit, but it was perfect...
and do you remember that hair? oh that hair!!)

Giving Thanks

2010-12-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

The Monday (for FHE) before Thanksgiving

we traced Porter and Claire's hands for the tree trunks

cut out leaves and then just let them say what they were thankful for.

I think they turned out pretty cute,

and the kids just loved this...

I love that Porter's is written all by himself.

I also love that he thought of these all by himself.

Jesus, cousins, friends grandma's and grandpa's...

he loves tiss (or tennis) but he loves football most!

Obviously I wrote Claire's for her, but she thought of them!

Some of my favorites are

Jesus statue, nursery, going outside, tuesday's with grandma

and especially her Happiness. So cute!

We had a wonderful thanksgiving with Mark's family...

you know it's a good time when you don't even see your kids for four days straight!

Ballet dance recital

2010-12-02T14:59:00.001-08:00

We love watching Claire dance around the house

So you can imagine our excitement and love for her recitals!

(Double click to watch in youtube)

She has four more!

YAY!!

Happy Halloween

2010-11-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

Halloween is so much fun with little kids...

1. Gardner Village to see the witches

(Porter LOVED witchy-poo!)

a witch sitting in an outhouse reading a newspaper

2. We all loved Cornbelly's

3. Porter and Claire dressed up for their school

(thought the wig would be cute...totally wrong! but once it was on her, she would NOT let me take it off!)

4. Adobe Halloween party!

Thanks Uncle Scott

(I may have lied to Claire and told her that the wig was broken! am I mean?)

5. Halloween night

visiting grandpa

counting candy

Lilly couldn't get enough of grandpa

Happy Halloween!

Ai Vida...

2010-10-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

as Irma would say "Ai Vida"

translated from Portuguese "oh Life!"

(Mark baptized Irma in Portugal, we LOVE her dearly!)

Mark and I often use this phrase.

You can take it however you'd like,

but Mark and I see it as LIFE...what a great life!

Sometimes life goes too fast

okay not sometimes...ALL of the time!

Wishing I could freeze time these days.

To answer Porter's five million questions about animals, life, the gospel, days of the week, birthdays, why we do this, why we do that!

To listen to him pray, to remind us to pray, to help Claire pray. For him to pray for each of us by name, for his cousin who just recently broke her femur, for his other cousin who is in the hospital recovering from surgery.

To watch him so full of life, sometimes I think it's impossible to have that much energy.

To watch him draw with so much concentration his tongue is out.

for hugs and kisses each morning and night!

To hear Claire sing Once Upon a Time from Sleeping Beauty, I am a Child of God, Jesus Wants me for Sunbeam...(I cannot even think of how many more songs she sings!)
To catch her talking to her stuffed animals as if they were children. "No, I did not call your name, please go back and sit down!" or "That was not nice, now you will go to time out." or "ohhh that is so annoying." (seriously not so cute sometimes, that last one is all my fault!)

For her to think that "It's not morning yet, because my mommy is not awake!"
To watch her change from Cinderella, to Sleeping Beauty, to Arial, to Belle, and then back to Cinderella all in a matter of two minutes.
For her to want to help me with EVERYTHING I'm doing
to watch her "feed" her baby, the way I feed Lilly

To wake up at 4 in the morning to feed Lilly
To have her at my side at all times and to never let her go
For her to smile through her binky as I'm singing to her while rocking her back to sleep
To listen to her coo, and desperately try to talk back

to watch her discover things for the first time, like her hands and feet.
for her to smile at Porter and Claire because she's now beginning to recognize them.
At this age, Lilly is a constant reminder of how miraculous life is.

See what I mean?

How do I freeze time?

So grateful, so blessed, so happy

St. George

2010-10-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

We went down to St. George this last weekend to...

See Tarzan at the Tuacahn Theatre

A-MAZING

(not so much the 2 hour and 40 minute run time with three small kids!)

The theatre is outdoors and is beautiful up against red rock.

I highly recommend going.

next year they're bringing The Little Mermaid

Anyone want to make a trip of it?? :)

But we mainly went to see

my Sister in Law run like the wind!

I am still amazed (but mostly jealous) with her 3 hour and 26 minute finish time

in the St. George marathon!

Someday I think I'll run again...but probably NEVER that fast.

A great quick get-away!

Congrats, again, Kristy.

Love you so....

Lilly update...

2010-09-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

We are off supplementing!

hallelujah

Lilly is only nursing about thirty minutes all together

which leaves me with LOTS of extra time

(is that possible with two other kids?...it's debatable!)

Either way, we're so happy and relieved that the once little bean,

is becoming a medium sized bean!

So if you see us walking on the street please comment

on her double chin. :)

8 pounds 8 ounces

Doesn't she look happy about that?

We are too!

Love her smiles these days

So You Think You Can Dance?

2010-09-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Claire started dance class a couple of weeks ago...

and is LOVING it.

(personally, I'm just loving her in the outfits)

There are so many things I love about these pictures

1- She looks so happy with cousin Emily

2- the pictures are blurry, which means she's moving

3- this is the first day of dance,

before anything Ms. Janet has taught them,

and she's dancing like she knows what she's doing...

and I think she does!

4- her tongue is out because she's concentrating

just like Porter does!

Cannot wait for the recitals!

School is Cool...

2010-09-07T20:39:00.001-07:00

For Claire too!

Miss thing walked right in...

didn't even look back.

We struggle with the forced smiles

(who doesn't at this age...very frustrating!)

She's making friends

and learning at the same time,

what could be better?

Such a big girl!

School is Cool...

2010-08-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

...For Porter!

He is a big kindergartner now. He loved it, every minute of it.

Love the thumbs up! (and the face!)

We were a little late getting to class today,

(I need to set my clocks ten minutes forward, so that I'm five minutes early to wherever I need to be! Why do three kids take so long to get out the door :))

And Ms. Nelson was already reading a story. Porter threw his backpack on the hook, took his coat off and RAN to the mat.

Which, obviously, I'm happy about but he wasn't even sad to see me go!

I may or may not have cried driving off!

Last night, after Mark gave Porter a father's blessing

(which Porter informed Mark when he was done "I almost fell asleep dad.")

I told Porter that he needed to make two new friends and come home to tell me about them. Porter looked at me and said "no mom, I'll make five new friends!"

Great buddy!

When I picked him up, I asked him who his friends were,

P- "well I only made three friends."

M- "That's great, what are their names?"

P- "Fritz, Marlin, and Skim"

M-"Can't wait to meet them!" :)

Lilly-bean

2010-08-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

So here we are almost five weeks after Lilly was born,

and I'm just getting around to blogging about her entrance into this World!

Better late than never right? :)

(feel free to skip the writing,...I have a lot to say!)

The night before going in to the hospital.

Porter was excited, but I think Claire knew her world was about to change for good!

The hospital called me the night before to tell me that I was the third induction scheduled the next morning. They start calling at 5 am, and if I didn't hear from them by 10 am to call them! Not really something you want to hear. (With Porter and Claire they told me an exact time to come in 7:30 am for both) So I was pretty bummed out thinking that they weren't going to call me in the morning. So Mark, My mom and myself stayed up talking...thinking that we wouldn't get called and that we wouldn't go in until the afternoon sometime! NOT SO...I got a call at 5:40 am from the hospital asking for me to be there by 7 am. So I was tired, and shocked, but the adrenaline was starting to come. Jumped in the shower and hurried to get Porter and Claire up, fed and dressed. My mother-in-law took them for the day, which they couldn't have been happier about, which made it much easier to leave them!

On our way to the hospital!

The waiting game!

We arrived at the hospital at about 7:15. By 8:30 I was all hooked up. I was at a 3+ and 70% effaced. I was just waiting for Dr. Terry to come break my water. (with Porter and Claire I arrived at the hospital at 7:30, Dr. Terry broke my water by 7:50, had the epidural by 9:30 and both babies were born by 11:30 am, give or take a few minutes!) So I expected it to be the same this time around. NOPE! I didn't get my epidural until 11:50 (before my water was broken) and Dr. Terry didn't come in until 1:25 pm. So there was a LOT of waiting around. It was fun to chat with my sister, mom and Mark, but after a while we were all kind of getting bugged that things weren't progressing! After breaking my water (like I had expected) I was ready to push a couple of hours later. At 3:35 pm baby girl was born. Weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz and 19.5 in. long.

She was beautiful! I was more emotional this time around! I was just happy to have her here safe and sound and in my arms. I was a little shocked (and still am) that my second girl looks like my son and not my daughter...go figure!

It was also weird not to have a name picked out for her. (with Porter and Claire we knew the name almost immediately after finding out the sex). So we just called her baby girl until Mark and I could agree. He loved the name Lucy and I loved the name Paige. And we were both vetoing each others choice. The name that we did agree on was Elizabeth! So for a couple of hours we called her Elizabeth...but for some reason this just didn't feel right. So we slept on it for a couple of nights!

Mark, My mom, Aunt Lilly, and my sister in law Amanda

(sad that she had to leave before we took the picture)

were all in the room when Lilly came.

Porter and Claire first meeting their new sister.

They loved her from the beginning...

Porter said "Mom, having a new baby sister is so fun!"

Claire said "Is my baby born yet?" and "I wanna hold my baby!"

Claire did NOT like that I had to stay in the hospital, she would cry when they had to leave, which broke my heart!

Hospital Days

This is one of my favorite things about giving birth-being in the hospital.

I love everything about it!

I sort of don't even mind being woken up five times in the middle of the night by nurses!

In the hospital we were all just sitting there, when this man came and started washing the window...on the outside! we were on the third floor, so he was pretty high, and it was actually really cool to witness.

On our way home.

So about the name...

We were so back and forth. It was really annoying to be in the hospital, to be feeding your baby, changing her diaper and not knowing her name. I remember feeding her and looking down asking myself "what is your name baby?" Well the morning I was to leave, Mark came the room and we hashed it out. One of us said "how about Lilly?" (which was a contender, a couple of months before, but kind of forgotten). And that just felt right. The question was should we name her Elizabeth and just call her Lilly? In the end we decided if we are going to call her Lilly, why not just name her Lilly...so that's what we did. She is still named after my twin sister, which is what I wanted from the beginning, either as her first or middle name. It felt so good and was such a relief to write Lilly Christine on the Birth Certificate form.

And so you have it...the Birth story!

Fast forward a couple of weeks,

and one things for sure...Lilly is LOVED!

She will be 5 weeks on Tuesday, and we're still worried about her weight!

At two weeks she had dropped a whole pound, down to 6 lbs 13 oz. and five days later was at 6 lbs 10 oz. So weird when I can hear her drinking and she has regular diapers and nothing else seems to be wrong! The Pediatrician was more worried that I would lose my milk, because I guess she wasn't draining me completely. So I've had to pump after I feed her, to make sure my milk keeps coming...just what I've wanted to do! ha!

Other than that small detail, She is the sweetest little girl. I just love her! Not like I've loved my other two newborns. Don't get me wrong, I love Porter and Claire to death, but I guess I just know that this newborn stage doesn't last, so I'm trying to soak it all in.

So blessed to have added another sweet spirit into our family!

We Love you Lilly Christine...

Lilly Christine...

2010-07-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

IS HERE!

July 27, 2010 @ 3:35 pm

7 lbs. 14 oz.

19.5 inches

Because I know you're all wondering how we came up with the name...

which took us until discharge to agree on...

Lilly (after my twin sister Elizabeth or lillybeth)

Christine (my own middle name)

First family photo

a LOT more to come,

too tired to write!

busy nursing,

cleaning,

chasing after two others...

but so happy and blessed!

T-E-N-N-I-S

2010-07-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Porter enjoyed this last week of tennis lessons!

I almost cried the first time I picked him up and was watching him,

such a big boy, made me proud!

When I picked him up he said

"Mom, Dad was eight when he started tennis lessons,

and I'm only five!"

(meaning "I'm going to be so much better!")

The Serve

I love the tongue sticking out in this picture!

Such concentration...

Hopefully this will be our ticket to Wimbledon some time in the future!!!

Maughan Family Vacation

2010-07-13T22:23:00.000-07:00

This last week has been nothing but fun, for us, and the kids.

Sunday July 4th

spent well with fireworks!

Nothing better than the cabin...

Jet skiing at Jordanelle

Porter was in heaven...

Claire wouldn't even try!

Fishing

(with NO success)

Alpine Slides

Alpine Coaster

Lunch at Dairy Keen

Heber Creeper

Hanging with Cousins

and of course...Lots of Swim time!

So much fun, and lots more that I know I'm leaving out.

Thanks Paul and Susan for planning such a great week!

Claire is THREE

2010-07-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

Claire's birthday is July 2nd, but we celebrated on July 3rd. So to not confuse her, we just didn't say anything on the 2nd, and held off until the third when she thought she really turned "free!" (that's how Claire says three)

We love this little girl so much. She brings much happiness and joy in our home...along with the drama! But we'll take it. We wouldn't have it any other way!

P.S. after you click play, click the screen again to see it in full screen...not sure why it only plays half of the video??

San Diego

2010-06-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

A good trip to San Diego when your 8 months pregnant is always a good idea!
Actually anytime of the year it's a good idea

For the first time in a LOOOONG time I was able to spend Father's Day with my own dad...which, obviously, was the reason for the trip! ;)

We were able to go to
Sea World
Belmont Park
Aunt Lilly's for sleepovers
play with lots of cousins
Grace and Olivia's B-day
Toy Story 3

Great trip...always TOO short!

First Haircut

2010-06-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Yes Claire is almost three and this is her FIRST haircut!

Should I go to beauty school? :)

Soccer Coach

2010-05-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

Yep, just call me "coach!"
Mark has had so much fun with this...
"COACH do you need a ball COACH?
COACH what else can I do?
What's the game plan COACH?
Good game COACH!"
It's endless...

We only have eight games, two a week, so it's a short "season,"
but it's been so much fun to play OUTSIDE!

Porter and some of his soccer buddies

The TEAM

GO SILVER BULLETS!

Bowling Bash!

2010-05-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Porter Bright and Early, (bedhead and all) April 19, 2010
So excited to be five!

We had his party almost a month later,
mainly because I'm a total procrastinator!

Party Details
I can't take much credit for the details...the internet is amazing!
The bowling pin favors were my favorite idea.
Buy a bowling set (cut the bottom and stuff with candy!)
I was cursing the cake this morning while frosting it, but it turned out pretty cute.

Hate bowling shoes on me,
but on five year olds, they don't get much cuter!

Cake and Presents

Love this picture of the all the boys!
They had a blast...thanks Fat Cats!

F-I-V-E today...

2010-04-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

WHAT? REALLY?
This picture I took not three days ago, I swear!

Somewhere along the line Porter thought it was a good idea to keep having these birthdays, and Mark and I are NOT happy about it.

These are just some thoughts and memories I have today about
Porter that I never want to forget...

*Carrying you. I wonder how old I was when my dad stopped carrying me? I don't remember. But I do know it's happening with Porter. How can you hold your child for five years, and then one day say to him "you're too big" or "you're a big boy now" I did carry him the other day and realized this would probably be one of the last! Sad day.

*Learning the "s" sound, makes me happy, but not really because that means you're getting older. I now miss the lisp!

*Porter to his preschool teacher "Did you know that My mommy is almost pregnant"

*"Mommy you are always warm. When you kiss me it makes me feel warm."

*question about how I got pregnant-
Porter - "so, mom, I was put in your tummy just like this baby, when you were sleeping?"
Me- Yes sweetheart! (dreading the day....)

*My favorite is to go in his room when he is sleeping, sort of wake him up and tell him that I love him. For him to half way open his eyes, smile, and then close his eyes again. I hope that it's being stored away in his little brain for later, harder days!

Happy Birthday Mr. Dude!

cramped...

2010-04-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

A few things about this picture...

1. Who is the monster in this crib? When did Claire grow?
2. Yes, she desperately needs to be put in a big girl bed
(in my defense, she doesn't climb out, so...)
3. How does she sleep like that?
(Giving all of her animals, babies, books and blankets the room? I don't get it)
4. What is better than one sleeping child???

TWO
(unless, of course, you have more than two kids!)

Dear California Cousins...

2010-04-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

We know it was snowing (in APRIL!) last week when you came
but we miss you first thing in the morning...

We miss being silly with you...

We just plain miss you!

Plus our mom's a lot happier when aunt Lizzy is around!
Come back now that the weather is nicer!
We're waiting...

XOXO
Porter and Claire

Same Easter Bunny...

2010-03-26T20:35:00.001-07:00

As Last year!

With MUCH better results from Claire!
(minus her eyes being closed)

We're counting down the days until we can hunt for eggs.
(unless mom eats all the candy before then!)

"Please....

2010-03-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

I go a beach again!"
(Claire said on a 36 degree weather day in Utah)

Some day Claire, Some day!

Had fun...

2010-03-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Making green french toast...
Having lunch at the park with Mark...
(because the weather was HEAVEN today)
Treasure hunts with gold coins...
St. Patrick's day meal...

Green Pizza for the kids...

Fish for the adults...

But Most of All
We had fun...

(March 1980. Mark one week old)

Celebrating the baby in this picture.
Today he entered a new decade of life...the THIRTIES,
And he's better than EVER!
Happy Birthday Mark...we Love you more!

Everyone...

2010-03-11T13:24:00.001-08:00

Needs a Sister...right?

At least I did.
So glad I got FOUR!

Claire is on her way.
Late July she'll get her sister.

(no Franks or Axles to worry about for a while, Sorry Mark!) :)

"The Best day of the Year!"

2010-01-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2009

Sunday before Christmas

Christmas Eve

The Nativity

Christmas Day

Christmas memories
-Porter jumping up and down exclaiming "this is the best day of the year!"
-Double batch of candy canes
-blendtec
-kindle
-binoculars
-Mark spending hours putting together P's legos
-Claire's face when she opened her princess doll
-being together with the Maughans

Thanksgiving, San Diego style!

2009-12-19T19:51:00.000-08:00

This year, we drove to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Not only did we enjoy the company, but the weather wasn't bad either!
(it's sad when you forget how warm your home state is this time of year!!)

I wish I would've taken more pictures on Thanksgiving day, but you get what you get!

Since we'll be in Utah for Christmas Grandma Diane and Grandpa Bob gave a little early gift giving...the kids were thrilled!

Wish it were longer...always!

P.S. Merry Christmas to ALL my blog readers! I've taken my comments off, so no need to think of something witty to say!! :)

I'm so PRETTY!

2009-11-21T13:13:00.000-08:00

We're going to keep this and let Claire see it when she's 14 and struggling with self confidence! (Which I hope never happens!)

(please excuse the messy house, it was right before church, and things can get a little crazy during that time!)

Porter's October Musts...

2009-11-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

-Go to Gardner Village, dance with a witch, even if she makes you cry!

-Make caramel apples!

-Go to as many Halloween party's as possible (school, friends, church, aunt's and uncles...my motto, the more parties, the more candy!)

-Whatever your costume...rock it! I was a warrior, and now my sister (the princess, if you couldn't tell) thinks I'm her Knight in Shinning Armor! -major brownie points when you've eaten your candy, and she still has some left! :)

-Happy Halloweeeeeeen!

P.S. my mom keeps talking about some haunted house with a chainsaw? She says you must go!

What Happens in Vegas...

2009-10-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

is NOT staying in Vegas,
at least not this time!

We hit the road to complete another Ragnar Relay.
Kind of crazy when you know what you're getting yourself into,
but they're kind of addicting!
Not to mention we are now Saints and Sinners after completing
both the Wasatch Back (in Utah) and the Vegas Ragnar

Before starting.
Our team name:
The Bald and The Beautiful
(we (the girls) thought it was pretty funny, the balding guys...not so much)

My runs this time were easy, so easy,
(don't hate me van 2!)
I really enjoyed running them! :)
(no throwing up this time around)

Getting Ragnasty in the van...
we even had a pillow intervention!

Yes we got no sleep,
but this time after the race we got to hang out at the pool
(a huge bonus considering it's about 50 degrees in Utah!)

171 miles
Logandale to Las Vegas
29 hours total

I miss you already Ragnar, until next time...

Preschool

2009-09-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap."
Author: Barbara Jordan

The day has come...THREE glorious hours!

Family Pictures

2009-09-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Man am I glad these are over!

Now can anyone teach me photoshop (which I do have, but don't know how to use) to make a Christmas card?!
And yes, this is always what we look like while shopping at Gateway! :)
Photos were taken by Karly with
Karly Kim Photography

**Update on Grandpa Bob-
Margins were clear! Yeah. Grateful for all the kind words and answered prayers!

When it rains...it POURS

2009-08-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

About a week and a half ago my dad was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
Stage 1A with a 95% recovery rate.
But still it's scary...
Two days later broke his hip in a bicycle accident.
Once very active, is now confined to a hospital bed for at least the next two months.
He is doing very well, all things considered.
He can get up on his own, which is a miracle a week out.

My dad is literally the greatest man I know.
I'm honored to be his daughter,
to have been there this last weekend to "help"
when he's been "helping" me my whole life!
Wish I were closer!

Needless to say our faith has been tested, and STRENGTHENED!
Thank you for your calls, your prayers and your support.

Really, 10 years?

2009-08-31T08:35:00.000-07:00

This was Elizabeth and I our Senior year of High school...

I'm afraid we've changed!

It was so good to see everyone I haven't seen in ten years.
For a moment I wanted to be back to those carefree,
worrying about what outfit I would wear the next day,
A.S.B. working,
playing volleyball,
High School days!

I sort of feel like I'm still that person...
do you ever really "grow-up?"

Stitches at two!

2009-08-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Poor Claire fell
(don't ask me how, but Porter was gone, so he's not to blame!)
on the hard wood floor and split her chin open needing stitches!

On the way to the doctor.

In the waiting room
singing twinkle twinkle little star,
running in circles
asking for stickers
and probably bugging people!

waiting for the Dr.
You'd never know she was hurt,
until we had to pin all four limbs down!

her promised ice cream cone at DQ!

somewhere between the ice cream and chocolate
there are SIX stitches!

*(pictures courtesy Mark's cell phone!)

Why I married Mark...

2009-08-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

For this house in Hana, Maui!

Totally kidding, but it is a great perk!
Just spent last week with my sister and her husband here!
(no kids, thanks Paul and Susan!)

Hana Highway
30 miles
such a winding road that it takes two hours!

Walks down to the coconut grove
huge snails
big cows
horses
beautiful coastal walk

Sunday
the only day we did our hair!

Hamoa Beach
big waves
body surfing (Rob and Mark)
Boogie boarding
(I tried, mark will tell you differently, but I got pounded one two many times)

Bamboo Forest
(Twice because we left grandma's keys on a rock to get in the water! Luckily they were there when I got back!)
Beautiful Waterfall

Seven Pools
Jumping off a Rock
(that I stood on for about an hour the last time I was there and didn't jump)
Great Picnics

Wailua Falls
Snow cones
Walks to Wailua
Rice and Chili bowls

Wainapanapa
Mark jumped off the highest point (bunny ears)
Signing autographs and taking pictures, people thought he was pretty cool
One guy even took about fifteen pictures of Mark jumping
he said he'd send them to us, so we'll see if he does, and I'll post them when I get them.
Hana Hotel pool
Runs to Hasegawas
Venus Pool

Reading on the deck
Dinner on the deck
Red Sand beach (only one naked girl)
Playing Tennis
Hana Ranch Restaurant

Rested, Relaxed, Rejuvinated...but NOT ready to be back in the
bill paying, diaper changing, husband working

daily grind!

Loving the number TWO!

2009-07-01T23:41:00.001-07:00

Claire is TWO today!
What a joy!

One and loving cake!

Two, and still loving anything sweet.
She is often heard saying "I wanna teat!" (treat)

I NEVER want to forget her cute little voice or what she's been doing now that she is so vocal.

two bankies
people still commenting on her hair
"one succor, kay?"
monkey's bed mommy
"po, po hit me" (when Porter isn't even home!)
"iii doooit, kay?"
"tat too" (thank you)
"iii talk a daddy."
"iii watch a Dodo, kay mommy?" (Dora the Explorer)
"iiii mommy doit!"

We celebrated it with cousin Emily who is one day younger than Claire.

She will never know how much we love her until, I suppose, she has her own!

Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat.

2009-06-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

Kind of sums up the last couple of days!

Two vans
Twelve Crazy people
No sleep!
Logan to Park City
188 miles
No sleep!
Great trail mix
dry heaving
8% grade all 4 miles
No sleep!
Team Janet
Beautiful scenery
No sleep!

Finish time: 29 hrs. 30 mins
I think we're signed up for next year! CRAZY!!!

California we miss you!

2009-06-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks have been a little bit of Heaven for our family (minus poor Mark!). We went back to San Diego where fun was had by all...

California Adventure

Disneyland

Parker turns 4! and Trains with Grandpa Bob

Mission Bay
(Collecting seashells and potty breaks!)

Knott's Berry Farm

Hanging out at Aunt Lizzy's house

Newport Beach
(no bathing suites make for really wet clothes and not so happy kids!)

Why is it so hard to come home from vacation?
Thank you Mom and Dad for spoiling us!

Blue through and through....

2009-05-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

Apparently the title describes us perfectly, because who else spends their 6 year anniversary in Provo? It actually was a fun blast from the past. So many good memories. This is where I met Mark (the best of memories) and where my life would NEVER be the same...in such a good way!

(Thanks Allison and Scott for watching the kiddos!)

Tuesday's Funny...

2009-05-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Grandma's Don't know everything!

He'd been playing outside with the other kids for a while when Jimmy came into the house and asked his grandma,

"Grandma, what's that thing called when two people sleep in the same room and one is on top of the other?'"

She was a little taken back, but she decided to just tell him the truth.
"It's called sexual intercourse, darling"

Little Jimmy just said, "Oh, OK," and went back outside to play with the other kids. A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily,

"Grandma, it isn't called sexual intercourse. It's called Bunk Beds, and Tony's mom wants to talk to you!"

(Thanks for the laugh mom!)

Four years ago today....

2009-04-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Porter about 3 months old

I was in the hospital giving birth to this sweet little boy!

I don't really know how to describe how I feel about him, so I'll let one of our favorite books do it:
How Do I Love You?
P.K. Hallinan

How do I love you?
It's impossible to say.

For if I had a million days
And time enough for all the praise
I couldn't tell you all the ways.....

I love you!

Happy Birthday Po-dog, Po-Po, Po-ditty, Little man, Mr. Dude, P-man! We love you!

Spiderman party

2009-04-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

We were able to conquer the Green Goblin, Pin Spiderman to his web, Go to the tattoo parlor, silly string the Villains, and collect lots of candy from the pinata!

Party Details

*Porter really did want a Batman party, but I couldn't find as many party supplies, so I conviced him Spiderman was cool too. He definitely believes that now!!

Easter Weekend

2009-04-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

A LOT happened this week with it being Easter and all. We had a good time...

Decorating Easter eggs, and a little get together with friends

Visiting the Easter bunny.
(as you can see Claire was thrilled!)

Easter Brunch at our house.

Easter Sunday.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hope the Easter Bunny treats you well...

"Fancy That"

2009-03-27T20:23:00.000-07:00

Me: "But officer, I have NEVER had a ticket" (yes, twelve years of driving and not one ticket...until tonight)

Officer: "Well FANCY THAT!"

Seriously who says that nowadays?

Maybe I acted tough while he stood by the side of my car

Maybe I cried the second I drove away, just like I had always imagined I would

and Maybe just Maybe I'll drive the speed limit now!

Believe it or NOT...

2009-03-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

I was grilling!

wearing flipflops,

the sun was out,

and the kids playing by my side,

where is spring?

Denver

2009-03-25T15:15:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we drove to see our family in Denver, Colorado. It was short but lots of fun!

29 today...

2009-03-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mark,

with a little "blast from the past!"

(So glad you're mine!)

Evan Patrick Kearl

2009-03-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

He couldn't be cuter...

Congratulations Kearls!

Today only...

2009-03-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

Today only you can buy Joshua's complete CD at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GTRX2M

for only

$1.99!

I'm LOVING it...Well Worth it!

The LIFE....

2009-03-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

I've gotta say I wouldn't mind this life!

Shopping, Eating, biking along the beach, Hot tubs, Pinkberry, Movies, Hollywood, Stalking and taking pictures of celebs, going to bed late because we're talking, sleeping in, Nordstrom...

That about sums it all up!

I need one of these at least twice a year!

My shot outs are to

-Rob for giving Lilly the best Christmas gift EVER!

-Mark for staying behind in freezing cold weather and taking care of bear and po-po

-Liz for being lucky enough to have me as a twin

-and of course mi mama, for coming up last minute...the cherry on top!

love you all!!

Sledding...

2009-02-20T20:34:00.000-08:00

I really wish I were blogging about going to the beach in February instead...

Someday, huh mom?

Rockstar!

2009-01-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

I don't know where he learned it...a rockstar?!

We have a NEW...

2009-01-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

Car!

We wish...but the car show was fun. Porter would race from one car to the next, pushing buttons, and really trying them ALL out. I think he's ready for his license!

(actually it would be nice if he could drive himself to preschool three days a week! ha!)

Merry Christmas...

2009-01-07T22:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, we did celebrate Christmas this year.
Yes, it was SOOO much fun to have my family up in the snow at our house.
Yes, they were ALL here (26 of us)!
No, there were no fights (among the adults that is!)
Yes, there were a couple of pounds gained from all of the good food
Yes, a couple of people got sick
Yes, we're sad they're gone
and finally...
NO, we are not accepting visitors at this time!!! :)

(Thank you Suzette for taking our family pictures!)

Hope Everyone had a wonderful Christmas Season!!

p.s.
Yes, this took me FOREVER!

Finally...

2008-12-05T22:48:00.001-08:00

After moving, unpacking, trying to decorate, waiting for cable, waiting for internet, and all the other daily "mom" tasks; I'm back. Lucky for you! :) I'm still too tired to really post so I'll let your eyes rest easy on our Santa experience this last week at Festival of Trees. (which is highly recommended!)

The only way Claire would sit on Santa's lap was stuffing her face with a "candy can!" (love the way Porter says that word!)

28...

2008-11-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

years old today, weird that I still feel 27!

This was my favorite part about today! (and no, unfortunately it wasn't on a private beach!)

This is what happens...

2008-11-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

When you're on the phone, it's way past bedtime, and you ask your three year old to go get his pajamas on to expedite the bedtime routine!

A VERY cute, BIG muscled, kind of pale, safari underwear and all...

Funny kid!

11-04-2008 = Election day!

2008-11-04T15:33:00.001-08:00

Forget this ad is from Starbucks; it's an important message!
*(plus you get a free hot chocolate out of it, and I'm all about a freebie!)

Today is almost over! It's been a much anticipated day. But I'm so glad to live in America and have the freedoms to VOTE!!

Halloween debut...

2008-10-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

It was so fun to see all the kids dressed up for our ward halloween party.

"Star command come in" and poodle girl were a big hit!

Cheese...

Can't wait for the big day!!

Proposition 8

2008-10-14T21:43:00.000-07:00

I don't think I need to say anything else, but of course if you live in California..Vote YES on Prop. 8!

26.2 MILES...

2008-10-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

and Seriously CRAZY! I don't know if I'll ever run that far again, today (two days later) I feel like my body is 104 years old. I'm walking backwards down the stairs, stretching every ten minutes and smiling because I finished!

After running that far in RAIN, I was a little emotional at the finish line. *in 36 years that the marathon has been going on, this is only the second time it has rained. The conditions were horrible.
These are just some of the things that got me through the day! *I owe it all to "the stick!" it truly is a miracle worker!

Liz and I with our five kids. You could say people glare when we go out...
Taylor and Porter. They played so well together and were so sad to say good-bye!

A LOT...

2008-09-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

has been going on these last couple of weeks and I am just finally able to upload all the FUN we've been having.
First: Claire and I both love the new ipod commercial song- (well really, she likes any music...even my singing!)

Second: Porter is on a new soccer team, and loving every second of it.
Getting lessons from daddy
It doesn't matter if they're on the same team or not...the goal is to GET THE BALL!
On the break a way about to score!

Third: We've had some fun outings with our neighborhood
The group at Silver Lake...the perfect amount of "hiking" for the kiddos.

Then we went to "pick pumpkins" at an orchard in Sandy.
Porter loved the hay ride and the perfect little pumpkin that he found.

Fourth: With all the boxes in our house, what is more fun than making a cardboard house??

Fifth: Porter got his Halloween costume in the mail! Every single morning he asks to put it on.
Buzz lightyear to the rescue...just a little preview for what's to come!

Sixth: We went to see Papa Hanks at Silverado because they were putting on a carnival.
This picture is so sweet, it often brings me to tears. I Love these four more than words!

Claire, like her mom, has a one track mind.
bounce house fun.

Seventh: (I told you a LOT has been going on!) We were up in Logan a couple of weeks ago and able to see Mark's Grandparents grave. It was really beautiful.

P & C's great-great grandparents.
It's all in a name! This is where we got Porter's name, Mark's grandpa. Obviously Porter is very happy with the choice. :)

Yes all of these could've been their own separate posts, but that's too easy...and boring!

It's Official....

2008-09-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Our house just went on the market today, and I couldn't be more sad! What a great little first home this has been! We've loved everything about it, from the neighbors, the tree lined streets, and our ward! We'll miss it...

If you want to see more about the house or know of anyone interested go here. http://www.utahrealestate.com/833110

Preschool Starts...

2008-09-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

So I'm a little late, but it still needs to be documented. Porter absolutely loves school! The first day he came home he said "Mom, I love school. I wish I could go back!" Which I replied to by saying "Oh mom LOVES school too, and don't you worry there will be LOTS more school days ahead!" What an awesome break!

The first day of school!

Miss Shannon reading

NEW YORK CITY!

2008-09-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

No kids

Elizabeth and Rob

Wrong directions. We backtracked a lot, which made for a LOT of walking.

Yikes! There are some strange people in New York. Yes this is a man!

US Open. What an experience! Novac Djokavic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, and...

Roger Federer. So much cooler in person than I can possibly explain!
Killer food.
Spanky's BBQ
Rice to Riches, Pinkberry
Levain Bakery (three pound cookies don't get much better than that!)
My new motto with food!

Communications
This is as close as we got to Meredith and Matt.
LIon King

Temple

Or "T" for Tiffany's! :)

Yeah for Vacations!

Not one, Not two, but THREE

2008-08-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yes THREE cavities! Yesterday we went to the dentist and found out this horrible news! Porter has no clue, but our wallets sure do! Crazy how much it costs with no dental insurance. (Mark and I have insurance, but for some reason the kids weren't put on it! Now we know!) Porter actually really liked the dentist and was so well behaved. Here are some of highlights of the visit.

I realize this is a pretty good advertisement for Burg Pediatrics...But I have to say they were pretty good if you're looking for a pediatric dentist.
What are you doing to me?
Okay, Tastes like Bubblegum
Are my teeth still there?

So in two weeks we go for all the work...I wonder if he'll still like the dentist after that trip! Hope so, it's amazing what a little laughing gas will do! :)

Maughan Vacation

2008-08-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Last week we went up to Eden, Utah (about an hour north from Salt Lake) with the whole Maughan family for a little fun...
These are just some of the pictures we took...I couldn't post all 350 of them!

Claire, Grandpa, Emily
Thanks Nana for the rocket...the kids practically wore it out they used it so much.
Of course there was tennis...and of course MARK holds the record for most wins! (here David is lucky to have him on his team!)
Some reading time, way too early in the morning.
All the girls. me, Kristy, Allison, Amber, Amanda backrow- Susan, Maxine
I wish I had the patience to post a progression of pictures when this was taken...there was way too much poking, grabbing and laughing. Peter, David, Mark, Mike backrow- Paul and Scott

At the farm. "hi little cow!"
Porter holding a four month old kitten.

On the tractor. Rachael, Lauren, Porter, Shannon, Camryn and Zach
Tubing at Pineview Reservoir. Seriously haven't had that much fun in a long time!

Jet skiing with our crazy husbands.
A little family photo

Fishing. Paul says he gave up fishing because he couldn't see anymore...I think it's because it's too depressing when you're there for over two hours and you don't catch ONE fish!!!

Porter and Zach.

Porter with his girl cousins...He was loving this!
The pool by our house.
Ten grandkids...why can't they just sit and smile??! Seriously how hard is it?
Johnny, Julianne, Claire and Emily...all within seven weeks of eachother..blah blah blah..I'm sure you're sick of hearing that...and I'm sick of typing it, so this is the last time! :) But so fun!
The whole gang. Why do vacations have to end? It was so fun to be with everyone...until next year!

Summer Days

2008-07-30T06:31:00.000-07:00

I LOVE summer days. It means swimming pools, flower beds, flip flops, shorts, heat, cabin, and good fruit! Here are some of our goings on in the last couple of weeks.

Porter's new little swimming buddy, Violetta.
Swim lessons for the very first time ever!

Practicing floating
Every day for three weeks Claire and I would get in the pool with Porter, but not this day, and she was VERY upset about it.

July 24, waiting to start the parade.
And they're off...
Claire was pretty proud of her big brother, who thought he "winned the race!"
Claire and Jonny (cousin 7 weeks older) on the back of Mark's bike...both really liked it
On her knees, getting dirty. What else does she do??

FAT kid in a LITTLE chair! :)

Daddy and Porter Fishing...didn't catch anything, but the thrill of throwing the line in, is beyond belief.

If she's not crawling in it, she's digging in it!

Happy Summer days!

Nature Called...

2008-07-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

And we followed! And I'm so glad we did. A good friend has a cabin up past Park City, way in through Weber Canyon. Not only was it beautiful, but She hosted so perfectly. The kids were worn out from dirt, horse riding, horse brushing, horse feeding, dirt, swing rides, picking flowers, playing games and more DIRT. It was a perfect day, one that will hopefully happen again! :)

Claire and I on one of the swings
Where the three horses roam...absolutely beautiful! (really the picture doesn't do the beauty justice.)
Porter feeding Larry some oats
So I was pretty scared in the beginning of the horses power and size, although I can hide it for any camera!
Sophia and Lainey Riding Starfire
Claire thinking she's a cowgirl
Porter and I riding Mandy
Claire riding Mandy. Doesn't it look like she's on that horse all by herself? (Do not report me to Social Services, I'm hiding on the other side!) :)
Honestly Porter could not get enough of these horses!
THE coolest swing I have ever been on. Porter was holding on for dear life!

Thanks Jackson's for such a wonderful day!

Lindsey's Wedding...

2008-07-15T15:24:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I flew to Orange County by myself (thanks Mark!) to go to a friend's wedding. We've all stayed in touch since High School, but it's rare when I get to hang out with them, being that I live in UTAH! It was so much fun and almost, just almost I was 17 again! HA.

The whole gang after the ceremony.
Father of the bride. (Our softball coach growing up too!)
The bride and groom...I'm sad I didn't get a picture of just them, but they were way too busy.
Elizabeth, Kim Mckeom, Me and Kim Wood. (THANKS KIM FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN!)
Our dinner table.

Birthday Bash...

2008-07-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Claire's birthday on Sunday with both sets of Grandparents. It was fun to have Grandma and Grandpa Riding here, we miss them already!

Claire's Flower Power cake!
Singing happy birthday.
She didn't quite get why she was allowed to go for the cake, but she did go for the biggest piece of candy! (just what I would've done!)
Her fat little fingers couldn't grab enough.
This is her sugar coma face. So happy to have it all to herself.
My kids are so lucky to have such great Grandparents!

Then we took my parents up to the cabin.

Porter filling the cabin with firewood. It really was so cute, he felt he was such a big help..and he was!
On our three minute hike...literally! :)
Indians Paintbrush (is that right dad?)
The beautiful view
Grandma and Claire swinging

Porter loves his daddy. Isn't this the sweetest picture? Love those boys!

Happy 4th!

2008-07-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

So I'm a day late...(almost two), but I love the Fourth of July. We had a fun time at the cabin with family and Porter loved his first experience with fire works!

This is before Claire looked a little white trash from crawling EVERYWHERE. (when is she going to learn to walk so all of her clothes don't get dirty!?)
Grandma and Claire
Claire, Uncle "Sock", Porter and Kimberly
Yes it is 95 degrees outside, and Yes Porter chose to wear those flannel pajamas.

Happy Birthday America...

Bear is ONE!

2008-07-02T05:42:00.001-07:00

One year down...seventeen to go until Claire Bear is out and on her own. And I'm already dreading it. She has brought so much joy into our family, there are no words to express it. I remember so clearly not wanting another child, not knowing I really could love her as much as I did Porter. How naive!

Some of our favorites about Claire:
-Screams a really loud scream for no reason and anywhere (more of a trademark than a favorite!)
-walks along all the furniture
-laughs with Porter, and just thinks he's the greatest
-loves her mommy (of course) but also LOVES her daddy (thank goodness for those little breaks!)
-loves to have her toes painted
-in general a very happy child

Claire's delivery wasn't bad...3.5 hours and only two pushes! THANKS CLAIRE.
still in the hospital
Our FIRST family photo
Claire's smiling
Claire was one of four cousins born on the Maughan side last summer.
Mommy and Claire
She loves the water
Daddy and Claire

We're so excited for another year of growing and getting to know you! Happy Birthday Love!

Watch out David Beckham and Derek Jeter

2008-06-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

...Porter has officially arrived on the sports scene! Okay he might only be three, but there is some real talent. (maybe that's just his mom speaking. ha!)

Porter put his uniform on at 7:30 and was ready to play that early!

In action

About to score on his dad

Claire and I were so wanting to play with him!

Listening to coach

A natural hitter!

Porter even had professional pictures taken of him and his team!

P.S. We'll let you know when he gets drafted!!

donuts, Donuts, DONUTS!

2008-06-10T08:40:00.001-07:00

One Chocolate, Delicious, Scrumptious Donut...

=EQUALS=

One Chocolate, Messy, Happy Child

(AND immediate tub time!)