Christmas Delights

Grandma and Grandpa Hooper took the grandkids back to their house after our Johnson Thanksgiving feast. That meant Zak and I could take care of some Christmas shopping in Salt Lake and help Cohen and Niki with Grandma Porter’s Wayne-inspired Diet Coke bottle Christmas lights. 

My contribution consisted of stepping on the ladder feet while Cohen and Zak did the climbing and lifting. Niki and I also separated the homemade light hooks for which Cohen had built tools to fashion out of hangers list year. Sometimes my job was sitting and visiting with Mom while we watched to others working. *wink* I loved seeing them hoist the foldable, metal-frame snowflake Cohen fabricated last year. Now the lights are stunning at night, and fascinating in the daylight.

Mom and Niki have made Dad’s bench a beautiful spot, changing out the flowers and decorations each season. We also visited Uncle Randy, Grandpa Manwill, Grandma Rena Porter, Aunt Jamie, Cousin Jordan, and Great-Grandma and Grandpa Hansen. I love the closeness of several generations on both sides of the family at Richfield Cemetery.

After the reminder of how much work and effort such impressive decor involves, I went home, used some shower clips and two sets of mesh colored lights, and hung my simple strands.

Good Grief, It’s Halloween

 

My friend, Elise, gave us one of her Peanuts dvds a while ago. The kids watched it a few times, and especially loved seeing Snoopy’s reunion with his brother and sister beagles. We found some Peanuts comics at out little local library, and watched the 2015 Peanuts movie. Their favorite character is, of course, Snoopy. 

Anytime Halloween approaches and the kids show interest in characters I could dress Zak as without too much fuss on his part, I am there. Many of the Porters decided to join us to make our own Peanuts gang. Mr C went as lovable Snoopy, Miss V as the confident, pragmatic Lucy van Pelt, Zak as a perfect Charlie Brown, and I as a sweats-wearing Peppermint Patty. Mom, Niki, and Cohen fit right in with their Marcie, Sally, and Pig-Pen.

Miss V as Lucy Van Pelt and Mr C as Snoopy

Uncle Cohen as Pig Pen (properly dirtied at the diesel mechanic shop)

and Grandma Porter as Marci

Aunt Niki as Sally Brown

Uncle Christian and Aunt Carrie as Pokémon Trainers Ash Ketchum and Mallow, 

with their kid-favorite Pokemon-mobile.

My Peppermint Patty look

Zak as Good Ol' Charlie Brown

At the town trunk-or-treat we were delighted 

with the impressively authentic Mandalorian 

and Nacho Libre costumes.

Honorable Mention has to include Grandma and Grandpa Hooper, with the help of Aunt Trena, literally embodying "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus." Dad, you're looking impressive in your compression *coughs spandex* pants.