Eye goop

This is an official announcement that Jared's right tear duct is official unclogged! So his parents no longer are constantly wiping that goop out of his eye. This should bring him great joy and relief!

Arg

My sister Annalisa made the lovely pirate blanket for Jared and we couldn't resist the photo opportunity.

Porter Family Reunion

We had a great time in the Tri-cities with Ken's family. Jared was great during the drive to and from Washington. We all took turns sitting by this fine fellow.

My view from the back

Cousin Katie

Many of the cousins and a couple of uncles kicked off the reunion with a jump of the Port of Benton.

Jared enjoyed his new hat at the beach.

We blessed him Tuesday night (other people took all the pictures, not us)

By the end of the reunion we were all tired (Ken perhaps most so as he didn't nap).

People we love love Jared

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. We're not very consistant photographers, so many friends and relatives haven't had their picture taken with Jared. Also, there are people we love who haven't even met Jared and thus do not have a picture of them.

Lillian

Taylynn

Jessica

My Dad

Ken's parents

Lauren

Katie

My Mom (blurry- sorry!)

Vance and Annalisa

Doug

My Grandpa

Aiden

Uncle Stephen and Kemper

Cousin Wedding

A few weeks ago, one of Ken's cousins got married! It was a lot of fun to be a part of their celebration.

The reception at Thanksgiving Point (lovely!)

Cake made by the brother of the groom (delicious!)

Cake tasting (malicious???)

Side note on this: Just after this picture a tired two-year started crying behind me. She was crying because she didn't want cake in her face at her wedding. She was absolutely distraught!

The best part about this weekend was that Brad and Marcy (Ken's parents) came out to Utah, despite Brad's recent collarbone repair. And they came for one big small reason-

Jared loved meeting his paternal grandparents (even though he seems distracted in this picture).

Bedtime routine

I believe in bedtime routines! I've started giving Jared a bath every night (unnecessary for his hygiene but great for my sanity!) and then we sing, cuddle, read scriptures, nurse and then rock him to sleep. It has been wonderful! He no longer has his long crying jags in the evenings and usually goes back to sleep right away at night. Also this is my secret ingredient that everyone should know about!

Adventure Cookies

I decided to make some cookies yesterday and I chose a recipe from my Grandma. I have a lot of great memories with these cookies. Here it is for your enjoyment:

Ingredients
1 cup margarine
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 cups finely chopped dates (or raisins or other dried fruit)
1 Tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 well beaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts
4 cups rice krispies
1 1/2 cups coconut

Melt together margarine and sugar in a heavy pan over low heat
Add dates, cook to boiling stirring and remove from heat
Stir milk, salt and eggs into hot mixture. Boil for 2 minutes then remove from heat
Add vanilla, nuts and rice krispies and mix well. Cool then roll into balls
Roll balls in coconut. Cool on wax paper.
Store in fridge or freezer.

Happy boy

Life raising Jared is getting just a little bit easier! He is starting to smile and laugh and sometimes in reaction to what we do! As one of my neighbors put it, it is nice to work for a boss that isn't just critical of what I do. Jared is starting to be more pleasant during his awake time and more aware of the world around him. It's good being his mom!

(By the way, sorry the video is sideways. I forgot that I don't know how to flip it!)