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.

Celebration of Life Monument

On Grandpa Wayne W Porter's driver's license, he indicated that he wanted to be an organ and tissue donor. It was obviously a very difficult and emotional night, when Mom got the phone call to confirm. Surrounded by her children only hours after losing her husband and the father of her kids, Grandma went through his medical history. They let her know over time that he was able to help many people as a donor.

On Saturday we drove to downtown Salt Lake City to see the Celebration of Life Monument with Grandpa's name newly-printed on one of the glass walls. We're grateful he was willing and able to be part of a miracle to so many others.

Photo from Niki's Facebook

Afterward we drove to Christian and Carrie's house to eat lunch and visit. I thoroughly enjoyed the Panda Express that I can't get in Sevier County as Carrie told us about the kiddos she and her brother helped smile at Fan X. All too soon it was time to return home.

Harvesting Corn

 While Zak visited a neighbor, they found out another neighbor's field had been double planted on accident. Because of this, the owner couldn't use his equipment to harvest and separate the different crops. He invited us to come and pick some corn for our families, as much as we wanted.

I remember helping Grandma Margaret Johnson shuck some corn as kid. Her house faced corn fields, and I think her neighbors had shared. We listened to my aunts' conversation as we all shucked.

Tonight the kids helped for a while, filling their own bags until they decided not to haul them around anymore. It was ideal for hide-and-seek and Marco Polo. The neighbor family's kiddos played tag as they harvested.

We ate dinner before arriving. The temperature dropped from its 90°F high this afternoon, down to acceptable outside weather, which helped us greatly. We're expecting some rain tomorrow, and I'm grateful that wasn't tonight.

We had a great time, feeling good about our mini harvest. As he does, Zak is now searching the inter-webs for the best methods of prepping and freezing the corn so we can make it last until we're ready to eat it.

Thanks Hansen and Hutchinson families!

The sun set as we worked.

Arm in Arm

 Last June I posted a letter written by my maternal Great-grandpa, John Edgar O'Neil to his fiancée, Auretta Empey. Mom shared a picture from about that time, that I think gives a great visual for the letter.

Auretta and Edgar

Spring Family Photos 2021

The other day Miss V brought a flyer for school spring photos home. That is my signal to pull out our family camera and tripod to update the wall pictures without paying for an unknown facial expression posed in front of a fake background. I am notoriously cheap thrifty. Zak also knows that the birthday presents I will always want are a foot massage and his willingness to pose for family pictures. We decided to take them on a weekend trip in Grandma Porter's backyard, with Cove Mountain in the background. 

 

Zak and the kids were good sports, getting dressed and ready quietly (so we didn't wake the aunts and uncles) as soon as Zak and I opened our eyes Saturday morning. We managed to finish while everyone else slept. Zak and his siblings worked in Grandpa Porter's (Dad's) work shed  sorting his tools and random items in toss, donate, and keep piles. They worked really hard all day preparing the space for upcoming projects this spring and summer. Since I had my camera and tripod already, I asked the extended family the night before if they'd like to do a family photo. I think Dad passing so suddenly has affected each of us in many ways, one of which is a greater willingness to do family pictures. We miss you everyday, Dad. You raised some hard-working, responsible adults, who love you very much.