Big Accomplishment!

Today the girls woke up about 6:30.  As soon as Ainsley woke up, we took off her Pull-Up and put on the big girl underwear.  I am pleased to announce that it is now 1:42 p.m. and we have not had a single accident.  This girl has been fighting me on potty training, throwing fits about wearing big girl pants and not wanting to take off the Pull-Up.  But yesterday I put up a chart that has rows full of pictures of toilets.  Each time she goes to the bathroom she gets to put a sticker on the toilet picture.  Bingo!  That's all it took.  Now she has all the motivation she needs.  Stickers!  We are so proud of you, Ainsley!

Another First

Yesterday was a big day for Brinnley.  She gave her first talk in Primary.  She was so excited!!!  Long story short, Chant and I didn't know if we were going to be able to make it in to help her because we were both teaching lessons at that time, so we gave her talk to a leader and asked if she would help Brinnley.  It turned out that both Chant and I were able to sneak away for a minute.  Before her talk she saw us and waved big.  When it was Brinnley's turn, Chant went up to help her but she told him she wanted her teacher to do it.  So Chant came and sat back down and we watched our little lady give her talk perfectly.  She was so excited when she finished she came over and gave us a huge hug and asked if we saw her.  What a big girl she is!

Bottoms Up!

This is what Porter looks like when he stands up in the middle of the living room.  For a few days he would push his head along the floor until he hit one too many chairs then decided to stand all the way it.  I think it is pretty funny!

We have us another walker!

This was taken this morning.  Just yesterday he really started taking off.  It has been fun watching him follow the girls and hearing them squeal in delight.  Things are about to change in the Williams household.

The Cake

Porter waited patiently and bounced in his seat and clapped his hands while we sang happy birthday to him.  Then the second I put the piece of cake on his tray he was digging in.  He ate the entire piece.  He didn't just squish it around and eat a little like Brinnley did, he ate the whole piece.  And boy did he think it was good.  It was a wonderful day with our little man!  We love you Porter Boy!  Happy 1st birthday.  

Birthday Presents

The theme for the presents was cars.  His Aunt Kristy sent him a dumptruck.

I found a huge car at a garage sale for 50 cents.

This would be it.

He even got up and pushed it around a bit.  Whenever the girls tried to take it from him he either screamed at them or cried.

Wow, all for me!

I also found this cool ramp at a garage sale and it came with 8 cars on it.  He was having fun catching them when they came off the ramp and putting them in his mouth.

This is the first time he has ever actually played with toys other than smacking them around and sticking them in his mouth.  He was driving his cars all over and trying to put the little cars in the bed of his big truck.  He played with all his cars at least an hour before bedtime.  The presents were a success!  The girls enjoyed them too, so a good time was had by all- as long as they stayed away from the ones Porter was playing with!

Birthday Dinner

For dinner we went to this amazing pizza place called Racanelli's.  We had a great time and Porter was sooo giggly.  He was playing games with his sippy cup, trying to give it to Chant and when Chant would pull back on it Porter would gut laugh.  But the few times Chant actually pulled it out of Porter's hands, he did his angry screech/shake.  Good food and good company.

Afternoon Birthday Activities

We went to a few garage sales last night and got this floaty for Porter Boy.  After a while of riding bikes we spent some time splashing in the pool to test out our new toys.  He was liking the water, until...

He got splashed in the face when the neighbor boy came down the slide just a little too forcefully.

Then he was done.

But the girls had fun on our other garage sale find... a new slide.

A.M. Birthday Activities

Today my baby boy turns 1!  I cannot believe it has been an entire year.  A year ago right now I was lying in a hospital bed watching "What Not to Wear" while I patiently waited for Dr. Young to come and break my water.  In the meantime I was having contractions that registered at 90 and the nurse would ask if I felt anything.  I was completely oblivious that anything was even going on.  All I knew is that I had an afternoon to watch a marathon of my favorite shows, "What Not to Wear" and "Say Yes to the Dress."

It wasn't until 7:47 p.m. that our little man made his entrance.  And our life hasn't been the same since.  He is the happiest baby I have ever known and he is a joy to our family.  He is determined, persistent, fearless, yet snuggly, soft, and loving.   We love you Porter Boy!

We started the festivities to celebrate his big day at 7:30 this morning when we went to garage sales.  We struck gold when we found a house that had matching bikes with training wheels and helmets all for only $10 each.  Used only twice!  Lucky for us they had twins.  We snatched those puppies up!

Brinn got on hers and took off.  Her first time riding a bike!  She did great and I am sure we will have the training wheels off in no time.

Ainsley is too short to turn the pedals but she will be there soon enough.  Until then she will be perfectly pleased with Mom or Dad pushing her.

The proud owners of new bikes.

Singing good morning to Porter when he woke up at 6:30.  We are ready for a fun day!

First Steps Part 2

First Steps

This little boy took his first steps June 1.  He can take one or two steps at a time.  He was a little tired before we got out the camera, but I think he is doing pretty good.  Yea for Porter Boy!

Feeling Domestic

So lately I have really been wanting to make me decorating style more cohesive and I am trying to actually find a style.  Most of our decorations we have had since we got married and many of them were gifts.  I have loved them and they have gotten a lot of use.  But lately I have tried to cycle out things that I have tired of and cycle in things that match the style I want to achieve.  

So this shelf we have had forever!  It was given to us and we used it in our living room in Rexburg, but since we have been in this house, this shelf has been in the shed forgot about.  We found it again while going through things for the garage sale.  I found the cute little boxes at Gordman's for about $2 and the flowers for $8.  And my bathroom got a facelift!

My mom gave us this decoration when we were first married for Christmas.  It had a poinsettia on it and other Christmas decorations.  We took those off and replaced them with the birds.  The red berries still match the decor, so they got to stay.  And my dining room got a facelift!

The birdhouse church I picked up last summer while visiting in Idaho.  A 50 cent bird and a candle I had and my bookcase got a facelift!

A beautiful picture of Christ we got for our wedding and a wreath decoration I made a few months ago.  And... My living room got a face lift!

What's Been Happening

Did I mention Porter likes to eat, a lot!  He can eat as much as the girls!

Bargain purchases.  Ainsley's dress was $4. 50 (started at $20).  Brinnley's was $8 and it started at $45.  (I figure I can spend 8 since it will go through 2 kids.)

Aren't my girls adorable.  

May is gone!  It passed by in a flash.  We have been so busy with callings, Chant's school, friends, garage sales, and BBQs.  So here's the quick rundown.

Chant- Back in school and into the swing of things again.  Working hard with the missionaries.  He taught and awesome combined lesson yesterday about missionary work in the ward.  With all that he has still found time to cross some things off the honey-do list.  Thanks Hon!

Brinnley-  Her last day of preschool was last week.  She has stayed busy with playdates and birthday parties.  Never a dull moment.

Ainsley-  Loving nursery and her kids.  Learning new songs and dance moves.  Loving playing with her friends.  She loves the color blue and monkeys more than ever, well at least as much.

Porter-  Getting so close to walking.  This past week we have been holding onto one of his hands and taking him for walks across the house.  He is doing great.  Jabbering lots!  When he wants something he goes for it.  When he wants something he can't get, he will let you know he is not happy.  (Very vocal little screecher, but it is cute- most of the time :)

I have been busy trying to get my house in order.  We are planning our first garage sale and hopefully it will be a good one.  Who knew a person could have so many things they don't use?  I have also rotated some decorations that I found in the shed.  Yeah!  It's just like getting new things because I haven't seen them for so long.  I have been going to garage sales in hopes of finding birthday and Christmas presents.  And I am learning how to use coupons.  

So for now, all is well in Missouri.