Porter Reunion, 2013

This reunion took place in McCall, Idaho, just north of Boise and it was Vern and Cori's turn to host.   We all piled into an amazing house and braced ourselves for a week of closeness, boating, river rafting and lots of eating.  It was a smaller group this year, but so fun as always and difficult to say goodbye at the end.  With mostly adults, and a few teenagers, 4 year old Sean became entertainment for most.  He was thrilled to be surrounded by people willing to watch him show off all he's got and was pretty disappointed when we came home, and all of the sudden no one cared any more.   

Bless her heart, Grandma Porter got on the banana (as if Dan gave her a choice).

Hanging beach side at the lake. 

Really, Andrew is driving the boat.  Watch out.

Knee Boarding... and he didn't loose his glasses.  

Sean Showing his skills.  

The banana rides were a blast.  Andrew is with Ryan and Rachel.  We loved seeing Rachel right before she left on her mission to Alabama (entered the MTC on the 21st of August). 

Sometimes, my family is a little embarrassing.  Usually, with Tom as the leader. 

Bye Porters - until 2015 or sooner, if I have something to say about it. 

Andrew Turned 12, July 31st.

It took me a few days to do this post, honestly because I have been reflecting on Andrew and his life so far, and I just cry.  I can't believe he is 12, and I am loving the young man he is becoming.  Soon he will be ordained a Deacon, and receive the Priesthood, and he is ready for all that comes with that.  

He is smart, funny, very helpful, an excellent bike rider, and very compassionate.  He is one of the people that I am drawn to, and I want to be around him as much as possible. 

For his birthday this year, we were in Hanford so we celebrated and none other then Superior Dairy.  It was very crowded and we had to wait for booths (we needed 3) but when his SOS came out, the entire restaurant burst into song.  It is one of the few times I have seen Andrew get really embarrassed.  We topped off the day swimming with cousins, which is always a good time.  

Happy Birthday Andrew, I am lucky your my son.  

Beach Day

It was a rare warm summer day here on the coast so we hit up Montera beach while the weather was good. 

Typical Kira.  After a short surfing lesson, this is how she spent the rest of the day. 

Finished

It only took me 4 trips to Home Depot, 2 deliveries from Home Depot, and one trip to the ER for drilling into my finger, but it is finished.  Better then any job some lame contractor would have done after charging me an arm and a leg.

Arches National Park, Moab Utah

"Do not jump in your automobile next June and rush out to the Canyon country hoping to see some sort of that which I have attempted to evoke in these pages.  In the first place you can't see anything from your car; you've got to get out of the goddamned contraption and walk, better yet crawl, on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the thornbush and cactus.  When traces of blood begin to mark your trail you'll see something, maybe. Probably not."  Edward Abby -Desert Solitare

This is was not our experience at Arches.  In fact, with Sean, we saw a lot from our car, and no one had to bleed or even get close to death.  It was breathtaking and majestic, I would do it again tomorrow even in 98 degrees of heat. 

Balancing Rock 

Andrew, the trooper.  He and Tom explored every inch of this park we could fit in the time we were there.  

My park "buddy." 

Double Arch, my favorite.  This picture doesn't really show you how large and amazing this was. 

Delicate Arch.  The most popular one and most serene.  

Broken Arch 

Andrew, Sean and I in the North Window.

Bridal Veil Falls, Utah

Before hitting up the caves, we spent some time at Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.  

 One of the best parts of our trip to Utah was spending so much time with Mariah.  She has been living with my friend Meggan, whom we were visiting, and it was fun to have her around.  Sean is still asking about Mariah and when we will see her again. 

This is a good photo because it is evidence that Andrew is taller then Mariah. 

Timpanogos Cave

Another fun adventure for our family in Utah.  As you can tell from the photo below Mariah and Kira were thrilled that Tom just made them hike up a mile and 1/2 that climbed 1,092 feet up.  It was a hot day to be doing switch backs up a mountain, but the inside of the cave was cool... and scary. 

The Heart inside the cave.  Very cool, but I am still on the fence if it was worth the hike.