Modeling and and Family Banner

In August Joseph saw an idea in the Friend magazine that he wanted to have our family do for Family Home Evening.  We got a big piece of white paper and spent a peaceful hour on the floor, recording things that are important to our family. Those who can draw created pictures, those of us who can't draw wrote words.  At the end, we had our "family banner."

 These are some of the things we drew or wrote on our Blessings of Being a Family Banner:
music, Sunday musicals, Book of Mormon, books, no pets, temple, Psych and Monk, Love, working out, Dan the DJ Man, video production (Brandon), Disneyland, Beach House, BYU, temple marriage (Bailey wrote her specific requirements for marriage: RM, worthy priesthood holder, likes kids, is between 6'2" and 6'4", likes country music, cute, gentlemanly, trustworthy), performing on stage (Aubrey), Cafe Rio and Tia Rosa's, OMSI.

The banner has been hanging in our entryway for a few months now, but I think soon I'll have to roll it up to make room for Christmas decorations.

That same night we did our annual Porter modeling show, with everyone showing off new school clothes.  Dan and I perched at the bottom of the stairs on stools and provided the commentary for the talented models, who sported some MOVES. I wish that the lighting on the stairs wasn't so bad - there are always strange shadows in the photos.

 

 Dan felt left out, so he jumped up to the modeling stage to pose.

 

 

 And finally, a little sisterly loving. 

 

Second Annual Summer Party

The Second Annual Porter Summer Party (aka "What was I thinking") took place on August 8th of this year. Joseph started talking about his plans for the party before school had ended. He and his friends wrote out lists, drew pictures, made elaborate plans. I have to admit that I put him off for about 2 months, waiting for that "perfect day" with nothing else planned and with most of his friends in town.

Finally, we scheduled and sent out the invitations via text and email. We invited just about everyone Joseph has ever met, or maybe it just felt like that?
 
We bought some supersoakers from Costco and loaded up on all the junk food that we usually never have around the house. We

The boys were so much fun. They played outside and ran in and out, inhaling the non-nutritious junk food and frozen fruit bars and eschewing the veggies I set out on the table. It was a great afternoon.
 

 And any inconvenience was totally worth it when I saw this smile.

 I am so glad we have an 8 year old boy in our house!

Bailey

As I've sorted through pictures from the last few months I noticed that there are  many things that I need to document about Bailey, so she gets very her own post!

Last month Bailey was recognized for finishing her YW Personal Progress. She has really worked hard on Personal Progress for the last few years, and in the process is developing wonderful attributes and habits.

For her Faith value project she arranged a Wednesday night activity for all of the young women in our ward. She had a new convert and a soon-to-be missionary bear their testimonies. Then she invited each of the young women to write down what they know to be true. On another day she took pictures of each of the young women at the temple, and then she compiled the testimonies and pictures into a Faith book. She gave a copy to our Bishop and also printed a copy for herself. It was a wonderful and faith-promoting project!

 Bailey with two of her friends in the ward, both who also received recognition that night.

 Bailey has always had a special gift to love and interact with friends who have some challenges or disabilities. It is clear to me that this is one of her spiritual gifts.

 Bailey and Aubrey - beautiful sisters. How did they get so big??

Now, change of pace . . . .  early in August Bailey decided that the boys in her "friend group" needed a push to begin dating. So she came up with a great idea for a group date and then gave some not-so-subtle hints to the guys. To be honest, the boys needed the gentle push as they are a little tentative about dating. She figured out who would be in town on a certain Saturday and then pointed out to the guys that there were three girls and three guys available on that day, and wouldn't a group date be perfect. Her suggestion was that they could go miniature golfing and then get ice cream. And she had coupons to make it a cheap date.

Well, they got the not-so-subtle hints and followed through on officially asking the girls.  Bailey went on the date with her friend Logan, who shortly after this date moved to Kansas City with his family.

 The boys.

 The girls

 And Bailey, in the back yard before leaving on the date.

 

 Another day in August Bailey and her friends went to the County Fair. I have such great memories of the Grant County Fair in Moses Lake. They had a good time.

 

 

 

And, my daughter who has no interest in football has realized that it is fun to attend high school  football games with friends. I think these pictures might be from a very notable game a few weeks ago which has been featured on ESPN and other nationwide media as "the dumbest football play of the season".

Our team (Skyview) always dominates in most sports, particularly football. We were playing our rivals, Columbia River, and the game was actually very close, but Skyview was ahead 24-23 with 7 seconds left.  Columbia River attempted a game-winning field goal, but had it blocked. Skyview players and fans immediately started celebrating what they thought was a victory, even though the team never downed the ball. Fans rushed the field and celebrated, as Columbia River coaches started screaming at their players to pick the ball up. One of the Columbia River players grabbed the ball and took it in for the game-winning touchdown, all while Skyview was celebrating their win. Wow, it was dramatic. The kids were pretty fired up when they got home! And I guess the lesson to be learned is . . . you've got to keep playing until the whistle blows!

 

We were gone for Spirit Week, but I hear that Bailey dressed up each day. As part of ASB, she helped plan the Spirit Week, so she was busy decorating and coordinating the week of Homecoming.

On one of the spirit days the upperclassmen dressed like old people and the lowerclassmen dressed like babies. Here are Bailey and Caroline dressed in their best impression of old people (with the help of clothing from Goodwill).

Finally, Homecoming.

While we were in Europe, Bailey was asked out to Homecoming by her friend Skyler.  It was the cutest "asking out" I've ever seen. It was over the top and involved lots of baskets of goodies, cheesecake, a surprise, and flowers at the end. Thank goodness our good friend Tonya helped Bailey quickly put together a scavenger hunt to answer "yes."  Because the asking and answering just have to be something elaborate and special.

The day after we arrived home was Homecoming. Bailey was part of a big group going to the dance. The group met first at the McDonnells house for pictures and then went to Applebees for dinner. The theme of the dance was  "Around the World." Bailey and her date decided to go as Indiana Jones.

 

 

 

It is fun to see Bailey enjoying her teenage years. She has a very challenging school schedule this year (4 AP classes and Pre-Calculus), but is working hard and doing her very best. She is involved in  many good things at school, including student government, and also has been volunteering at the Boys and Girls club. She is still a favorite babysitter of many families, but her schedule is getting so busy that she isn't available as often.  Bailey is a remarkable young woman. Sometimes I think she needs to see herself as we all see her - she is beautiful, funny, smart, and kind. There are great things ahead in the coming years for Miss Bailey Nicole!