Young Men - Young Women

They get all the fun. 

I know this because Tom has been serving as the YM President in our ward for sometime.   This time they were headed to Santa Cruz, and well, we just followed along.  The weather was warm, the water was perfect, the $1.00 hot dogs were hot, and the rides were super fun.  The funniest part was our fiesty Sean was afraid of every last ride, even the baby ones.  Deep down, he is really just a wuss.  

Oh to be young again.

First Day as a Freshman

 I am not sure Terra Nova is ready for this girl, nor have they had one like her before.  Can't wait to see how the next 4 years of high school unfold, but I am sure it will be great all around.  This girl is ready and she will be a shining star, I am sure of it. 

It wasn't Sean's first day of school, he never stopped and has been going all summer.  He just felt he needed his picture too.  He was also thrilled to not be the only one getting up and getting ready for school in the morning.  No more cereal alone for this one. 

Now if school would just start for Andrew, my life can get back to normal. 

Lunch Time

All I can say is it had all the food groups, except vegetables.  They wanted this for lunch and when on vacation, why not?

We got to show Luke why we LOVE coming to Hanford for Superior Dairy.

Jade's Favorite Things, #12

My new white iPhone.

I had been waiting for my contract with Sprint to expire for the last 2 years. In the meantime, Tom has had 2 iPhones, and Kira and Andrew have had iTouches. I was the only lame none user in our house, and I couldn't wait any longer. 

My favorite within my favorite...

My view from work today.

 I am walking Wi-Fi. 
I can create it where ever I go. The kids can watch endless hours of u-tube cartoons on their touches during all our car trips, and I can now work from pretty much anywhere.  This week, I am working by the pool at my parents house while my kids swim.  In my opinion, everyone should be able to make a living like this.  It just doesn't get any better as far as employment goes.

More Reunion

The Whole Gang.

This one makes me smile.  Not sure why we always do this, but seeing Ryan come out of Danny arm to me is just hysterical.

Porter Family Reunion, 2011

Usually in the past, our family packs up and heads north to Washington for the Porter Reunion every 2 years.  This year, the party moved south, and arrived at our house on the 24th.  It was fun having the party come to us, but I must say I missed the road trip for our family.  We will just have to make a trip north at another time. 

The Porter Reunions are like no other.  I always get a little teary eyed at the end and wonder why we don't do it every year.  Lots of things are learned and discovered, for me at least, as I get to hang out with Tom's siblings and my kids gets to "hang out" with their cousins.  Our kids are at the tail end of the cousins so Andrew and Sean get to discover the joy of living the life of a teenager, for just this week.  Soda cans flow freely, bed times don't exist, and rules (almost) fly out the window. 

This year, we all learned a lot. 

1- Sean learned he can eat his food straight off the table while making pig noises - Thanks Vern.

2- Andrew discovered he can make it 4 days going to bed after midnight every night.

3- Tom's nephews daughter Bobae discovered she can survive a fall down my deck stairs, and still go back for more.

4- Kira and I learned a new card game, Thanks Marcy!

5- Sean can do an fist pound and make it blow up, thanks to cousin Megan.

6- Tom, Vern and Dan discovered maybe a full day of roller coasters is just a bit to much for them, now that they are older.

7- I also learned that Sean is TERRIFIED of the white alligator at the Academy of Science. Screaming was involved.

8- Cori learned she can hike in flip flops and how to find the Oceana Market from my house.

9- I was reminded that ALL Porter kids are pretty talented.

10 - All Porter men leave a glass by the sink to be re-used.  This doesn't work so well when they are all together.

11- With the Porter's around there is never enough ice cream and Root Beer.

12- Mostly, I re-discovered how much I love Tom's family.

Sean eating like a pig.



Megan and Ryan, you were so fun.

Andrew's got skills.

Yummy food!

Jim stepped up and delivered yummy burgers. (nope this is not Tom, obviously brothers huh?)

Dan chipping in. (No this is not Tom either.)



The Hikers.



Mom Porter and her 6 grown children. My favorite picture we took at Muir Woods.

I hear that it was every mother's worst nightmare to have their child grow up and marry a Porter.  I have to say, I don't believe the stories (well maybe just a little) because they have all grown up in one way or the other, and I love hanging out with them.

A BIG thanks to everyone for traveling so far and invading our humble abode on Highway 1.  I can only hope you had as much fun as we did.

Thanks to Cori and Vern for sharing your pics. I didn't take one photo all week.

My Birthday

I will admit that I am not embracing 36 as I embraced 35.  This year just went WAY too fast, and for some reason 36 just seems all that much closer to 40.  Regardless, my birthday was just perfect.  

Dinner at Don Pico's, followed by cheesecake at home, and then surprised by Tom with the entire series of 24.  No more Jack Bauer withdrawals.

This was my party organizing committee.