Johnson Thanksgiving 2019

Miss V watched Seussical the Musical at the theatre with my parents the snowy night before Thanksgiving, so she was very tired the next day. We didn't end up staying at Uncle Scott's house very long because she was so tired. We did have a lot of fun visiting with my parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

To give you an idea of what kind of people my mom and aunts are, they came prepared with several to-go containers, and made sure everyone had a chance to fill them after we had all eaten. Mom took over the turkey, even though she doesn't eat meat anymore, this while helping Miss V to have a good stay.

Unfortunately, I didn't get everyone photographed, but I enjoyed a relaxing meal and conversation, once we got all of the food and spaces prepped. I started working on my chosen side dishes and desserts Wednesday morning, since Miss V didn't have school, and that made meal prep a lot easier. I ran out of time for a morning shower on Thursday, so I still have some time management issues.

We continue making new gratitude feathers for our ever-growing turkey we started for a family home activity around 2014. Mom laminated and cut out each feather for me, so we can keep taping them to the wall each November. This year I added how grateful I am that the kids can ride their own bikes to school (and I don't have to carry the children or bikes home). I'm glad we have 2-hour church instead of 3-hour church, for all of the 8-second hugs with my children, 20-second hugs from Zak, and our Redwood Forest family road trip. Mr C wrote had me write that he's happy when Miss V is home from school, because he misses her when she is gone, and for "Gwama and Gwappa." Miss V is grateful for herself, her "cute, cute" brother, the sun and moon, tv, the world, our house, and cars. Zak is still extra thankful for his C-PAP and for "fizzy." This year both sets of grandparents come to see Miss V in the children's church program. I invited them to include their own feathers in our turkey. I love putting up each feather and remembering the blessings in our lives throughout the years.

Nicole A H Porter, Cassie, Nate, and Aaron

Cabin Thanksgiving

Manwill-Porter girls: (Clockwise from top right corner) Grandma Teri Porter, Aunt Niki Porter, Miss V, me (Nicole), and Great-Grandma Glenna Manwill

Grandma and Grandpa Porter finished their cabin home, and invited us for the home's first Thanksgiving. We loved staying with them, eating lots of delicious food, and awing at Great-Grandma Manwill's family history trivia knowledge (both her own family and her in-laws).

 Before getting "regular" furniture, Grandma and Grandpa let us use the porch swing inside, and I and the kids couldn't be happier about it. Zak is glad he didn't have to scale the house like at their Utah County house to put up Christmas lights. The kids helped Niki do an initial Christmas tree decoration, and then Niki perfected it. Uncle Cohen and Aunt Niki helped so much with the kids, so I got a break, too. My in-laws are so above and beyond hospitable, they stay in the camper trailer and let us take over their master bedroom. 

Grandma helped me add photos to some 

of the pages on familysearch.org

Drawing by a relative of the family property where Great-Grandma Manwill's house 

now stands (previously owned by her grandparents)

Niki and Grandma signing a song as they walk from 

Great-Grandma's house back to the cabin

Visiting with Brytan, Darin, and their doggie

Aunt Tiff and Uncle Ryan

Love this!

Mr C playing with Daddy. Daddy always makes us laugh.

Thanksgiving 2015

At the Porter's house this year, Niki really stepped up and prepared several Thanksgiving staples, since Mom recently had surgery. I brought a few things, and everyone enjoyed delicious food. I don't mind that I'm one of the few people in the family who enjoys yams, because it means I get to make them exactly how I like (covered in brown sugar and butter), and eat a large chunk of them. Cohen got roof duty this time when the boys and Miss V went outside to put up the Christmas lights. Afterward, Cohen showed us his recently-purchased massive truck that he's fixing and customizing at the diesel shop where he works. Niki and Miss V put up the Christmas tree and ornaments.

Porter Thanksgiving 2014

James and Sue Porter Family Thanksgiving 2014

Grandma Sue wanted to get as many Porters as possible together for Thanksgiving this year. Jake and Katie offered to host it at their swanky apartment clubhouse, which worked perfectly. The only problem was that since we enjoyed our meal so long, we didn't get to utilize the theatre room very long, although the sports fans got to watch the game on a big screen t.v.

Boy I tell you, the Porter ladies can sure throw some decorations and food together quickly. Everyone unloaded the vehicles, and quickly the piles of boxes, coolers, and crock pots turned into rows of beautifully decorated tables (with Zak's favorite little shrimps as an appetizer).

The only times I've seen this many of Zak's Dad's side of the family has been at family weddings, when you can't sit down and talk because so much is happening. We loved getting to spend time with everyone, and also spending quality time with much loved food.

We stayed in town over the weekend, and got to see Jake, Katie, and Little L in "A Christmas Story." He made an intimidating mean Santa, and she made an angry mother about to punish the scapegoat boy after Ralph blames "fudge" on him. I've never seen the play form, and they did a great job of giving the hilarious story a moral.

Maybe one of these years we'll actually make it to the extended Porter reunion, but until then, we had a lot of fun.

James and Sue Porter Family Thanksgiving 2002 or 2003. Everyone is so young and little! [photo from Grandma Sue]