The Porter Family: June 2009

Children's Fairyland

We were invited to a friends birthday party at the Children's Fairyland in Oakland. I have never been but it was really cute. We watched a puppet show when we first got there and then we went to the little party. We played on the slide, ate lunch and then had cake. After we got to go around the park.

The first thing Nate noticed was the train. So we got in line. I was surprised how good he was at getting off. I did promise him he could go on the Merry Go Round which he saw from the train ride.

You have to be at least 38" tall. Nate just made it! He had a blast!

We may need to take another family trip over there!!!

Nate's first recital

My camera wasn't working too well and Nate really wasn't having being on stage. But I made him get back up there. His class only had a couple of numbers though. It was cute and very well done!!

Pancreatic Cancer Walk

At the last minute we decided to do the Pancreatic Cancer walk at the St. Suprey Vineyards in Napa Valley. It really was a great experience. We are going to do this again next year, but we learned what we need to do. We're going to have "Team Denis" shirts made up. There was a family there that went all out and raised the most money. Very cool! Again, the forecast wasn't looking that hot but it was just perfect. As was the walk and the wine after!! :)

The people who raised the most money!

The entertainment

Nate and Jim hanging out...

This was a really cute picture of Nate and Nana.

3rd Birthday Party!!

We had such a beautiful day for an outdoor party. The weatherman was forecasting rain for that Saturday. But there was no rain and it was so warm!!

Here's Nate hitting his pinata. We still need to work on his swing.

His cake has quite the story. I called for a cake the prior Saturday and asked if they had train decorations. He said no, so I said I would bring in decorations for the gal to use in the decorating. I dropped them off on Friday. Jim picked up the cake and came home with the cake that said Happy Birthday Nate - no decorations. I was so upset because every other year she has incorporated the decorations and done a fantastic job. So I called the bakery to tell them Jim was on his way back to get our decorations. We were running out of time. As Jim gets back, Nate notices his cake sitting on the table in the kitchen. He runs over to it and says my cake. I tell him, do not touch your cake please. What does he do??? Slams his hand on the top of the cake box and this is the end result....I could have cried, but I laughed!!

Eating a lollypop. What a mess.

Opening his presents....

Playing trains with Aidan...

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a late start to the River this year since Jack graduated from High school on Saturday. We left right after the party to get a head start on the weekend. Here's Nate on the deck playing in his kiddie pool.

Sunday night, we all went to Buck's to celebrate Jeff's birthday.

After dinner we came back to the house to have homemade peach pie, compliments of Sharon and sang Happy Birthday to jeff!

Monday, we headed out to the beach. Here's Nate sitting on his Mickey chair with all his beach toys.

This year Nate was a bit more daring in the River. He kept wandering out. Made me nervous but fortunately the river is very low this year.

Nate loves the ducks. Hates dogs and everything else...but loves ducks?!?! Go figure.

It was a short weekend for us, but we plan on spending 10 days this summer over the 4th of July.

O'Reilly's Guinness and Oyster festival

So if one concert wasn't enough in one day, we decided to go out to the O'Reilly's festival. The housekeepers were coming that Saturday so we wanted to be out of their way. It was such a gorgeous day in the city and the Marina. We didn't go near the big stage because it was simply too warm!

So we planted ourselves underneath this huge tree! Much better and cooler!! You could still slightly hear the music!

Nate was worn out from the Sippy Cups concert though. He fell asleep in the car and stayed that way for another hour and a half!!! Nothing could wake him up!! Which was nice :)

I was able to get this shot of the bridge as we were walking back down to our car.

And the boats in the Marina. Just a gorgeous day!

Once we got home, we rested a bit and then Jim and I headed to a Cocktail party. Too much in one day but it was fun!

Life Is Good Festival

On May 16th we went to the Life is Good Festival in Golden Gate park. Nate had so much fun. He participatedin a mini obstacle course. It was hard for a guy his size but he made it to the end!! There was lots of great activities for kids including BUBBLES!!!

But the main attraction for us was the SIPPY CUPS! Our favorite kid band. Well maybe Jim and mine. They don't play itsy bitsy spider or wheels on the bus, but they sure do entertain the kids.

Here is Nate playing on the bounce balls. He had his eye set on the Cars one and waited until it became available.

Here he was trying to catch the bubbles at the concert.

The Sippy Cups on stage. The bubble machine was going almost through the whole concert!

Sitting on daddy's shoulders enjoying the concert. He loved this!

We are looking forward to the next festival!

Mother's Day

We went to Park Challet for Mother's day dinner the night before Mother's day. We took some pictures waiting for our table.

I loved this picture...giving kisses

Our little monkey!

CHOCOLATE!!!!

Big Boy Bike

Well, more like a balance bike. Jim had this made for Nate awhile ago but he's just now fitting it. No pedals or training wheels. Hopefully he'll go straight into a big boy bike as this should train him to balance. He loves it!!!