Need Help

Ok, I promise to post pictures of the kids, I really do! But in the mean time, I need help choosing a new pattern for our stamped concrete patio. I know this is lame, but I just can't decide. Here is what is what is narrowed down to. Please note the coloring will not be the same. I have chosen a brick red color with a beige color release (that means the base concrete will be brick red, and the "release" will be beige, the beige will be what appears in the cracks.) Please note that i have brick on the back of the house. The Ashlar Slate and English Yorkstone are pretty similiar, but one is more irregular.

Ok, here are the 3 patterns:


Random Stone


English Yorkstone



Ashlar Slate

Larry Porterfield, February 21, 1951 to July 28, 2009

Larry Rankin Porterfield was born in Wheeling, West Virginia and spent his childhood in and around Beverly, Ohio. Larry’s aptitude in math and curiosity about the business world was nurtured by his Grandfather Porterfield, who taught him mental toughness and an intense desire to succeed. Growing up, Larry helped with the family farm enough to know that he had different ambitions. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in finance and computer science. At the age of 20, he married his high school sweetheart, Jo, with whom he had two sons. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1972 and started his career at General Electric in their executive training program. He was later recruited by Sprint in 1988 and left in 2002 having served as a Vice President in several key organizations. In the last few years, he was very successful with his own business, The Willow Creek Group, named after the family dairy farm in St Clairesville, Ohio. While he worked hard, he knew how to play too. His love of golf took him all over the country and he played several memorable rounds with Arnold Palmer. Most recently, he stayed at and played the great Augusta National Golf Course this past March. Larry was a loving father, great leader, loyal friend, die-hard Buckeye fan, and card shark. Larry was well known for his mentoring, for living life on his own terms, and his famous “Porterfield-isms”, including “it’s not who you know but who knows you”.
While not a fan of the win-loss record of the KC Chiefs for the last few years, Larry was typically one of the first in the gates for over a decade at most home games in order to scope out the best spot for tailgating. His grilling skills were well known and something he took great pride in. He always estimated cook times as either “one or two highballs”. Since childhood, he also had a passion for Lionel trains and began passing the tradition down to his grandsons this past Christmas, giving each a special edition Ohio State University set that played the fight song.
Larry is survived by his former wife Jo, his two sons, Jason and Alex, their respective wives Andrea and Jamie, and his grandchildren James, Brannon, Alison and “a player to be named” (due August 15th). He is also survived by his brother, Kirke, his devoted friend, Janet Taylor, and countless others whose lives he touched. Visitation will be held from 2-3 pm on Friday July 31st at Mount Moriah Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, KC, immediately followed by the funeral service at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

Summertime

Because there is nothing cuter then a baby girl in a swimsuit. My beautiful Ali Mae.






And a bonus, not from the pool, but Little Karen! I mean Alison!





And Classic James

Cale and Pictures from Conner

Without further Adieu, here is Cale Jacob.



These two pictures are for Aunt Jenna and Uncle Reid.
The first is James striking a pose at Mr. McClure's (sorry if I got the spelling wrong) wood shop at Conner.
The second is James making himself at home on the step at McClure's house.

More Pictures

Here are the pictures of James "ballooning"! Thank you Papa Jay for letting us help!


What are we supposed to do Alice?


Oh, well, I can do that!


And this one is Mommy's indulgence, it was just cute.

I am back....and have a new nephew!

Well, I am so sorry it has been a ridicolously long time since I posted, most of you probably though I gave up on blogging, but no, I am just a little tired in the evenings really. That being said, I thought what better time to reenter the posting world then to announce the arrival of Cale Jacob, my new nephew born at around 6:30 this evening. He is health and BIG. With a head the size of 15 inches! Also, he is 8 lbs. 9 oz. (see my last post, only a pound lighter then my child at 2 months of age). He is also 20 1/2 inches! So welcome to the family Cale, hope you like that Fout nose :)

In other news, my baby celebrated 7 months on July 4th, I cannot believe it. Below is a picture from a few weeks ago. She is now, at last check 16.5 lbs. and still a happy baby.

Here she is a few weeks ago.





James is also doing great. He loves his baby sister and is having fun swimming this summer at the pool.

We did have a busy July 3rd. July 4th was rained out but we had fun at Albi's house (I mean Papa Jay and Alice's house).

July 3rd was first Conner Prairie. I have pictures, they will have to be come later. Computer is not cooperating.

Then ballooning! Here are some pics, I did not get the ones of James loaded before the computer gave out on me, but here are some for viewing!





I will post pics of Cale as soon as I have them!

2 month check-up

Well, Ali had her 2 month check-up yesterday. She did quite well. She is weighing in at 9 lbs and 12 oz. and is approximately 21 1/4 inches. This means she is 25% for weight and 25% for height. Perfect and petite baby girl. She actually picked up some weight on the percentile and the doctor was very happy about that. There was one thing though, mainly to do with her left eye. This past Sunday when Alice and Jay were over for dinner, Alice noticed that Ali's left pupil was dialating more then the other one. I mentioned this to the doctor and she was definitely interested in know this. She looked at it and said that she did not see anything irregular in the pupil, but also that she could not see anything behind the eye, and that the posterior of the pupil could actually be irregular. So...we get to go see a pediatric opthamologist (who knew?) We don't know when we are going yet, the doctor's office had to call them first before we can make an appointment. I am not trying to fret this mainly because Ali seems to be seeing ok with the eye and following with it, so we will just see. My only concern of course is that my father's eye problems may have been passed on, but I will discuss that with the pediatric opthamologist. We will keep you posted.

In the world of potty training... James made all the way through today without an "accident"! They do put him in a pull-up at nap time at school and he did go in that, but really trying to teach them control in the sleep is a little beyond us right now. He also did not got #2 today, but we are just focusing on the no accident part today!

Finally, Alex's last day at his company is tomorrow, so wish us luck on that new adventure.

Alison Mae Darlington

Ok, I know that I have not blogged in forever and this is woefully overdue. As all of my readers probably know, Alison Mae Darlington entered into this world on December 4, 2008. She was 6 lbs and 9 oz. and 19 1/4 inches long. Here are all sorts of pictures. I have tried to go with oldest to the most recent. There are lots! There are also so great pics of James that I had to share. Be sure to scroll all the way down to see pictures taken this very night!

Alison in the delivery room


Wow, doesn't my hair look great after 14 hours of labor!


Sleepy Ali!


Yes, her hair was this dark, but it has begun to lighten up. Still, you can't tell what color it is or will be.


This is how baby girl prefers to sleep. All frogged up.


This is the swing shortly after coming home from the hospital.



This was two weekends ago, hanging out with Alex.


Here she is waving to the camera!


Asleep in the swing again.


Daddy and Ali are chillin!


Yawn!


Ali and Daddy hangin out in Daddy's chair.


And in case you were wondering, I do have another child, here are some James Pics!

Here he is making Christmas cookies with Aunt Anne. They both had lots of fun.


Of course you swing in the snow, come one mom!


Falling down in the snow is funny!


And fun!


And finally, pictures from tonight! James asked to hold Ali, which means I helped James hold Ali, while holding him.



Tickle, Tickle Alison


Say cheese!