Porter Manual Labor

Grandpa Porter's side of the family has land in Sevier County shared with the family in a trust. Part of that trust requires regular maintenance throughout the property, including fence repair to keep the cattle from wandering the hills, as well as hunters from coming onto the private property. Great-Grandpa's brother Garry used to maintain the fence on his own thoughout the season, but now that he has passed away, and the family is learning about what is actually needed and required in the trust, it became a joint effort. Everyone gathered at Garry's family cabin to get assignments, and then went to work. In our family, the women gathered to support the men and make sure everyone had snacks and water. Keeping the kids content got a little tricky in the sun, but once they found out Uncle Ryan and Aunt Tiff gave permission to sit on the 4-wheelers, they were very pleased. Tiff and Brielle were really good sports and played Hot/Cold with Miss V and her toy Wonder Woman several rounds.

Aunt Tiff and Miss V

 Afterward we retuned to Garry's family cabin for some delicious soup and a visit. We decided to head down the mountain, but I forgot at first that we needed Dad, who has one of the few keys to the gate, to let us off the property. He was understanding, and left a little early so we could rest back at their house and then look at the cabin home they're in the process of building by Grandma Manwill's house.

Zak, Cohen, Uncle Ryan, and Ty

Miss V and Aunt Tiff

Grandpa Porter on the 4-wheeler

Brielle

Cohen and Uncle Ryan teaching Ty how it's done while Grandma searches for the "bone" the kids dropped.

Aunt Tiff, Brielle, Grandma, and Miss V talk.

Grandma and Miss V

Grandma and Miss V

Grandma and Miss V

Me (Nicole) when Miss V got ahold of the camera

Cohen, Uncle Ryan, and Ty

Grandpa and Mr C

Zak, Cohen, Miss V, Mr C, and Grandpa

Miss V, Mr C, and Grandpa on the 4-wheeler

Miss V's dirt-covered face, Mr C dirt-covered face, and Grandpa on the 4-wheeler

Grandpa and Grandma Porter's new cabin-style home, reaching completion on the exterior

Mr C

Zak

Niki

Outdoor fireplace in the works (Miss V had the camera)

Mr C

Playing with Grandpa's big 

work light in the master bathroom

Niki joins in the fun (and got a shriek from Mr C)

Main bathroom tiled

Grandpa loves Grandma! (and she loves him, even with his Santa beard)

Uncle Cohen

Grandpa and Zak

Grandma (I think she likes this new house of hers,

and enjoying it with her loves)

The kiddos on "their mountain"

The kiddos conquering on their mountain

Ammon, USU Graduate

My youngest brother, Ammon Hooper, recently graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in biological engineering from Utah State University. He plans to continue on with school to get into the medical field. Since he decided not to walk, we celebrated together at a meeting place between the people at the top of the state and those of us around Salt Lake. (We threw an impromptu graduation ceremony for my dad at one point, complete with a neon orange poster board cap, because he regretted not walking to get his diploma when he earned his bachelor's degree. He warned Ammon it might happen to him, too.) He's a hard worker, and we're very proud of him. We love you, Ammon!

 

Marker Mustaches

The kids have kept us busy and entertained lately. We're getting used to our new house, garden, and neighborhood. I thank Heavenly Father that He sent us to the earth in families.

After being in the other room for a while, I strolled into the family room and found these mustachioed hooligans. 

Miss V taking a picture of Mommy (while Mommy held the camera steady)

Mommy and Mr C

Mr C in sad mode

Miss V focusing

Miss V with her big smile

Miss V

Zak

Grandma bought them matching pajamas.

Wrestling

In the Bag

For Easter the kids and I rubbed a little bit of gel food coloring with water on our boiled eggs, which were inside of sealable baggies. We stayed clean, but did drop a couple in the process. We usually use plastic candy-filled eggs for our Easter egg hunts, because I don't like the idea of two-month-old eggs that no one found smelling up my living room, but we still like to dye our boiled eggs. I've always enjoyed boiled eggs, because they're delicious and remind me of my Grandma Ruth Hooper who prepared them for us as kids. I also like eggs in salads, so they get eaten, despite the egg whites' bright colors.

Easter card and decor from Great-Grandma Sue and Great-Grandpa Porter

Zak's bunny basket made for each of the grandchildren many years ago by Grandma Rena Porter

Snow Play in Spring

On our way to church there were little wisps in the air, but nothing much. Three hours later on our way out to the car, the thick flakes flew through the air, but hadn't stuck yet on the pavement. This morning we woke to white lawns and some snow on the driveway, so the kids and I bundled to shovel. Ironically, by the time we made it outside, the sun had worked its magic, and there wasn't much left on the sidewalk or driveway, but there was just enough for play time. I think Miss V's favorite part was me pulling her with rope on our flat sled. I'm pretty sure Mr C just liked eating the snow.

Thinking back on the first snow of this last winter when we built our little snowman, I had no idea we'd be in Salt Lake by the end of it, but we do like our new home and Zak's new job. And no matter where we go, these kiddos are so adorable!