Rattle Snake Ridge

Following Huck's First Birthday we took a Family excursion to

Rattlesnake Ridge

which is located directly south of North Bend WA

I'd recently discovered the beautiful location on a business related visit a few days earlier

We were eager to explore the area on this drizzly weekend

Huck preparing to drive

Where are we ... exactly?

 The facility has a fantastic education center with tons for kids of all ages, and adults, to do. 
We spent over an hour exploring the facility and only left because it was closing for lunch break. 
 

 There are also some wonderful maintained trails to explore

 That smile ... 

 We braved the muddy shoreline of Rattlesnake Lake

 Della has been testing her independence

This is her "leave me alone, mom" face

But ... really?

How do you leave her alone when she's on a tall stump ... with a stick?

 Although the location was PERFECT for a Fall Picture

I could not, no matter how hard I tried, get both kids 

to face the same direction

at the same time

and not look angry

 

When not physically holding them in position

they shot off immediately in separate directions

Della climbing up whatever stump was nearest

Huck ... directly towards the water

 Note Stark hoisting Huck in the background

Huck WANTED to go swimming

Let's take a look in slow motion

Huck running for the water

Huck being hoisted away from the freezing muddy water 

Huck being safely carried away

 The best of the sibling pictures

 Huck ... very unhappy to be leaving

 Della randomly deciding to roll down the hill 

 Overall it was a very enjoyable outing

one we will do again ... possibly when there is less mud

***I'd apologize to those who would enjoy more content 

but this really is simply our family photo album. 

Pictures on pictures of my children growing up. 

So I will have something to look at and reminisce over. ***

Huck's 1st Birthday!

Huck Rainier Porter

!!First Birthday!!

We LOVE this boy so much!

He has a personality that is so very different from the rest of his family

Quick to smile

Quicker to Tantrum when thwarted

Takes his time to ponder and analyze

Sneaky when working past obstacles 

(even those there for his safety)

Mischievous

Persistent when working towards something he wants

Determined to do things all-by-himself

Cautious more than I ever thought possible of a toddler

HUNGRY always HUNGRY

Growing always Growing

26lbs 10oz - 31.75"

He LOVES his sister and ALWAYS wants to be right beside her

poor Della ... it's hard to be 3 and followed by your baby brother 

but she's tries hard to be accommodating

That smile ... it melts me.

Our life has been overwhelmingly busy of late with many recent changes and adventures but

We patched together a last-minute birthday celebration for Huck 

thanks those dear friends who were able to make it on such short notice

Daddy and Della made their traditional banana cake with peanut butter frosting 

and put together a special smash size cake for Huck. 

He wasn't sure what to do with it and for the longest time simply sat there smiling at his guests.

Mama had to step in and give him a taste of frosting to spark some interest. 

And then Della got impatient and offered her assistance

It turned out to be a good gooey mess

Between the two of them they did some serious damage to the cake

I've just realized how surprisingly clean Huck is

I wonder how he managed that?

Note the ink stamp on his belly courtesy of his sister the night before

After the cake smashing we brought in the professional cleanup crew

Poppi takes his duties very seriously

Then a few presents ... what DO you get a 1 year old?

If you're his sister

you gift your brother the Kangaroo that you really want for yourself

His first football ... to which he promptly bit off a chunk

Did I mention Huck already has a full set of chompers including his first set of molars?

Chilling with Nana and Nugget

Turning ONE is hard work

Huck

It's hard to believe you've already been with us for a full year 

but due to my sleep deprivation I've pretty much lost track of time in any real sense. 

You were born big and continue to grow at an incredibly fast pace. 

So fast that your appetite is a major topic of discussion in our house. 

I ran out of milk for you at 10 months but somehow managed to stay in the game until 11 months after which we put you on a high protein soy based formula supplement, which you love, 

but somehow hasn't curbed your midnight feeding schedule. 

Luckily, with the introduction of a bottle, daddy has been able to pick up a couple shifts. 

But I admit to dreaming of the night when I can sleep through 

of which there have been EXACTLY 2 nights since you were born.  

That being said ... you haven't been wasting all that nutrition. 

You are very bright

 very strong

 very active

 very vocal

 Every day you do something that proves what a miracle and blessing you are to our family. 

We LOVE you and are so excited to watch you grow, live, and learn. 

Has it really only been one year ... somehow I feel as if you just turned two!

Happy Birthday Huckabee.