Goodbye Mackin Journey Blog!

Hello blog readers.  After much thought and consideration, I've decided to end the Mackin Journey blog.  I almost did it last year around this time, but kept on writing because I knew we had some dedicated followers.

Although the blog started with an adoption journey.. it's turned into our life story.  There are several reasons I'm ending the blog.  First and foremost for security purposes.  There are a lot of people that have our blog that are strangers to us.  Secondly, I don't think it's fair for me to share all the details of Porter's life with people we don't know.  Some day his life journey will be his to tell.

So, goodbye to supporters.. I wish you well!

Christmas Day... 2011

Presents from Santa

Carter-Grace with her new ball

First time we've used our formal dining room since we moved into our house over 4 years ago.

Yum... all our appetizers.. forgot to take pics of our annual steak and lobster Christmas dinner!

He totally gets presents.

I fell in love with Bieber when I heard his song "Under the Mistletoe".. but I still wish he would pull up his pants!

It says.. Mackin Brewing Co.. fun stuff.

Seriously.. if ya had any idea how many times I've already picked up the pieces of this.....

"The Boy" Getting Love.

The Boy.. and his new chair.

Setting up the new train set.

Playing with the new train set.

My number one favorite thing about the holiday's.  Receiving holiday cards from my friends.  The holiday's have never been some heart warming time for me.. but when I see all the faces of the people in these cards that are a part of my life.. it makes me feel good. 

 I also love eggnog.. and the first time I see it in the grocery store always makes me feel happy. 

Christmas Eve Open House

So, our Christmas Eve open house has sort of evolved over the last couple of years.  Since most of our family lives out of town.. we normally are home for Christmas Eve and don't really have anything going on.  This will be the 3rd year we've said.. just come on over.  

So here we are on Christmas Eve.. making food.. and wondering.. will anyone actually come over.  We have no idea who's coming.. or if anyone will come at all.  As it turns out.. we had a bunch of neighbors and friends stop by.  It was a great night!!

(one small comment before I post pics.. we put out our pirate flag which means.. come on over.  I'd like to say that we've put out the pirate glad a lot.. but honestly.. it's only been a couple times)  The neighbors that we have are the ones I've dreamed of for years.. ones where you are friends.. and know their phone numbers and email addresses.  We're no in any one's business.. but we care about each other.  It's definitely a place to call home.)

Paul & Lottie

They brought this yummy spread.. MMMM!

Don & Vicki (you'd think they are going to a duck game)

Brian & Colleenie

Porter with Jorie (Colleen & Brian's daughter, I always say he's got a soft spot for the blonde's)

You can't really see it.. but I made the naughty list.. and I wouldn't want it any other way!

It really was a great evening.. tortilla soup, a few appetizers.. and great friends.

Last Of The Paperwork

Although Chris and I don't travel outside of the country that often... we thought it was important to get Porter's Passport.  It's the final piece of paperwork and document that we wanted to get. It's a relief to have everything behind us.

I had to give them Porter's Certificate of Citizenship (yes, the original) for them to process the paperwork.  It was a little unnerving since it took so long for us to get it.  The passport came on Friday, and the COC came the following day.. It only took about 4-6 weeks for processing, so that's a pretty good turn around.

Now if only we had a trip to Mexico planned... a girl can dream!

Making Cookies For Santa With Dad!

Chris decided that he needed to start a tradition and make cookies for Santa with Porter.  He picked a recipe, made sure we had the ingredients, and they went to work.  He wore Porter out.  Ralph is in the pictured here too, obviously it's a giraffe, but Porter calls it his doggie.

Before Santa....

and after Santa....WOW.. he was hungry

Christmas at Grandpa and Nana's

Porter has a new bff.. his grandpa.  He wouldn't let grandpa out of his sight.. and I mean it.  

Porter helped grandpa with everything that day and was stuck to him like glue.

Help from grandpa.

That bag is as big as Porter... inside was the most yummy 

stuffed giraffe, which Porter now calls doggie.

Porter curiously trying to help Aunt Stac.

Happy... this picture makes me feel good.

Honorable Mention-  Georgia (Nana) fixed an awesome dinner.  Her zucchini casserole was amazing.  Coleslaw... OMG!!!  and seriously the best apple crisp I've EVER had in my entire life.  She really put out a spread. Not to mention the cookie tray sent home with us, with about a dozen different kinds of cookies, chocolates, candy's and all kinds of fun treats that have no calories during this time of year.  

Cousin Larry & Colleen, cousin Ken & Annette, and Auntie Inamae came over for dinner too.  I wasn't on my game with pictures because we had been up since 4:15 with Porter.  I really wish I would have gotten pictures of everyone.. including Chris and I.. darn it!!  Next time.  It was really a wonderful day.  I wish we lived closer.  come on lotto numbers!  schweeeewwwwwinnnnnggg.. battttttta!

**no Porter isn't wearing a holiday turtle neck.. it has fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars on it. (just for the record), not that there's anything wrong with that.

"Mommy"!!

When Porter see's me sometimes.. he'll yell out "Mommy".  It's like he's surprised to see me every time.  I love it and it never gets old.  Also, no matter what we ask him, he'll give a wispy.... yyyyeeeaaahhh!  His sweet voice never gets old.

A picture in front of the Christmas tree.

His silly smile, he can really ham it up!

He likes to sit in our ottomans... silly boy!