Is Roxy really a blonde?

BIRTHDAY PARTY AT MELINDA'S

Simon and Alex both have birthdays in April. Melinda offered to make a Candyland cake for them. So Melinda invited us all down for a party. Kids enjoyed the playroom. Simon and the Candyland cake. WOW! A cute family portrait. Alex was napping. Brooklyn and Erin survived their headfirst trip down the stairs. Even a scary party clown came.

Easter at the Davis House

IDEAS FOR SUNDAY

As I was wandering around my e-mail today, I hit on this article. It has a couple of ideas that I thought I'd try so, I thought I'd share the link with the family: http://www.ldsliving.com/story/63297-10-ways-to-reinvent-your-sunday Maybe you all have Sundays perfected, but I'm still working on mine. Actually, I'm going to do a couple of these things on another day of the week too. Love to you all! mom/Marilyn/Grandma

HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY, MELINDA!

HARD HEARTED Today I was reading in the March Ensign. I read an article by Elder Teh about the power of the scriptures. There were many quotes from the prophets that I was familiar with and do love. But I have to admit that lately I have been a slacker about reading the scriptures on a daily basis. Orson and Melanie put me to shame. It may be that I've been working my way through the Isaiah chapters with "Understanding Isaiah" by my side. It really helps, but I've still been less than diligent. Then I read this: "I believe that neglecting to study the scriptures on a regular basis is a form of hardening our hearts." If you could see me now, you would see a large bump right between the eyes. That really hit me hard. So, I'm back in the scriptures. Once I went through the Book of Mormon reading only the teachings of the prophets. I loved it. Today I started with King Benjamin. What a great man! Thanks, Elder Teh, for the wake-up call!

Germany Porters

 

We are terrible about keeping up with all of you, so here is a snapshot of our lives for the past couple of months.... 

 

 

 

Kids in an old church in Paris

 

 

 

This is Andrew at his band concert.  He's doing his James Bond impression.

 

 

 

 

A stall at the Stuttgart Christmas Market--it was 19 degrees!  (which I realize might sound like a warm snap to those of you in Utah)

 

The medicine museum at Heidlberg--unicorn fossils were a very effective remedy in the 1600's.  Guess the N. Koreans are sitting on a gold mine!

 

A view of Heidlberg from the castle.

Linds at the Porsche Museum

Notice the tables and benches are on a slant--that is because the floor is crooked.

Friends house for dinner.  They don't have kids but are big kids at heart.  Here is a small portion of their Lego collection.  The kids and adults were pretty amazed!

 

Talia receiving her Student of the Month award on Jan 22.

 

We miss and love you all!

Erin's Baptism/Birthday

These were the only pictures I took on Saturday.  It was a great day.  I felt the spirit and was uplifted by being able to be there to watch Erin be baptized.

ERIN'S BAPTISM

I just want to say what a great day Saturday was with Erin's baptism and birthday. We enjoyed being there with everyone who could make it. I love watching the cousins play with each other. I remember playing with my "cousins' cousins." The highlight of the day for me was the strong feeling of the spirit that came as Mike began the baptismal ordinance. I'm so grateful for family members who are worthy to perform ordinances.

Christmas Eve

Marilyn suggested that we use the Porter Reporter as a way to share spiritual experiences with each other.  I thought that this was a great idea.  Recently we had a neat experience as a family that I'd like to share.

As usual on Christmas Eve we read from Luke 2.  While we were reading I had an impression that after we finished we should have each family member share their thoughts and feelings about the Savior. 

At first the kids were a little reluctant.  We told them they didn't have to share if they didn't want to, but we would love to hear their testimonies. 

Jared and I went first. I truly felt the spirit as we shared with our kids our tender feelings about our Savior.  Then Jamie shared an experience she had in seminary where the spirit had witnessed to her about the love her Savior has for her.  Jill shared her struggle to gain a testimony and her desire to know that the church was true.  She then said that over the holiday season, she had some experiences that helped her truly come to know that Jesus Christ was real and that he loved her.  Jake spoke of how grateful he was to have an "older brother" (since he didn't really have one) to be an example for him.  Justin was unsure of what to share.  So we asked him how he felt when he read scriptures about Jesus or when he learned about Jesus in Primary or FHE.  He said that it made him feel good and happy.  We then explained to Justin that feeling happy when he learned about Jesus was how the Holy Ghost was telling him that the things he was learning was true.  He was excited to realize that the Holy Ghost was talking to him and teaching him.

It was a very spiritual moment. It was brief, but I think it really helped our family remember what Christmas is all about.  I am so grateful for my Savior.  I am grateful for the atonement and what it means for me and our family.  I am grateful for the Holy Ghost and the witness I have received through the Spirit. 

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and will have a Happy New Year.

Mike in Hawaii

His head was getting sunburned as we did the tourist thing in Hawaii. This was the smallest hat we could find. Isn't he cute!!!

At least the photos work

Our "Home, sweet home"
Shower with optional tub
Our new car
The new living room
Kitchen--Angle #1
Kitchen--Angle #2
Kitchen--angle #3
Our purple vanity
Where did that "E" come from?
Australia on a piece of bark. Only a little bit had to be cut by a saw. It's in the Narrogin Visitors Centre.