I am really hoping today to obtain a picture to illustrate this post. Dan completed his Portland to Coast team walk on Saturday. It went well, other than the inevitable loss of a night's sleep. What I thought was really funny was how Dan's competitiveness overcame his concern about swinging his arms and hips. As each team member walked a leg of about 6 - 7 miles, those in the van calculated the speed of each team member - how fast they were walking a mile. He was determined to beat the fastest mile time in his group, so when it was his turn he (in his own words) "wiggled anything I could wiggle to make me go faster." He said he experimented with various wiggles and methods of swinging or hunching or stretching, hoping to increase his speed. Apparently someone in the group got pictures, which I am dying to see!
In other news, I got a fascinating look at how the youth today dance when I chaperoned and provided refreshments for a multi-stake dance Saturday night. I haven't been at a youth dance since I was a youth. What I saw was this: youth today do not understand how to fast dance. I think that those of us who were teens in the 80s were great fast dancers, at least in our own minds. At least we moved a little . . . we showed some personality and "felt" the music. I think this is fascinating - the teens stood in big circles and kind of bounced up and down while a fast dance played. That's it. We, the leaders, were dying to show them how to REALLY dance, but our children at the dance would have sunk through the floor in embarrassment. So, we just watched.
I had a nice birthday yesterday. As my sisters have been kind enough to point out to me, I am getting old. As in almost 40. I remember my parents turning 40, and they seemed a lot older to me than I think I am. Hmmmmmmm. Somehow I think my own children don't view me as young as I feel! Anyway, after church we had a nice "Cafe Rio" Mexican meal with Haagen-Daaz ice cream for dessert. No cake because everyone else was too busy this weekend to make one and I was not going to make it for myself. My friend Rachel came over for dinner and games. It was a great night!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Addendum to "Car Trouble"
I just had to add this new development about our car saga.
A friend and I went to see a movie tonight, as our husbands were both busy. As we were waiting to buy the tickets, a woman walked by, did a double take and said hi. She looked vaguely familiar, so I smiled in return. While we were waiting, she looked at us repeatedly. I actually thought she was a girl in the Stake that Brandon has liked (shows how observant I am). It turns out she was going to the same movie as us and sat a few rows ahead of us. Once again, she smiled, I smiled, I asked how she was doing (hoping that how I knew her would soon become apparent). She leaned over to her friend and said, "this is Tiffany, the woman whose car I hit last week." So, there you go. That's how I knew her. Funny I didn't remember her face very well - I think I was in a little bit of shock after she slammed into the back of me!
A friend and I went to see a movie tonight, as our husbands were both busy. As we were waiting to buy the tickets, a woman walked by, did a double take and said hi. She looked vaguely familiar, so I smiled in return. While we were waiting, she looked at us repeatedly. I actually thought she was a girl in the Stake that Brandon has liked (shows how observant I am). It turns out she was going to the same movie as us and sat a few rows ahead of us. Once again, she smiled, I smiled, I asked how she was doing (hoping that how I knew her would soon become apparent). She leaned over to her friend and said, "this is Tiffany, the woman whose car I hit last week." So, there you go. That's how I knew her. Funny I didn't remember her face very well - I think I was in a little bit of shock after she slammed into the back of me!
Car trouble and long walks
Last week I had to drop off our van at the shop for some maintenance work. Because the shop is close to Dan's work, I took his car (the Infiniti) home. Five minutes later, as I was stopped in the freeway off-ramp waiting to turn right, an Expedition slammed into the back of the car. No one was hurt, thank goodness. It was pretty shocking, as car accidents always are. The good news: The other person was clearly at fault, they had insurance, and their insurance accepted full responsibility.
Now for the bad news. After the car was towed to a body work shop, I stopped by to sign some paperwork. As I walked in and gave my name, the people in the office said, "OH, Mrs. Porter, you need to see this for yourself." Never a good sign. The head mechanic took me back to the car and proceeded to show me all the evidences that our car had been in a previous, very bad accident. Probably should have had a salvage title. Except we bought it used four years ago from Tim Dahle Nissan in Utah, and they had showed us evidence that it had NEVER been in an accident. The mechanic said that there is no way that Tim Dahle's mechanics wouldn't have been able to spot the evidence of the previous repairs (which were done very poorly), so they had likely not been honest with us.
The real implication is that, because the previous repairs were shoddily completed, and the accident was roughly in the same spot, much more damage occurred in the accident than the insurance is wanting to pay for. And, also because the work was done poorly, there is a significant amount of rust on the underside of the car. Lovely.
We were planning to sell Dan's Infiniti next year, when Brandon goes to college. We will be back to a two car family for a few years (and a much cheaper insurance bill!) Now, we are not sure what to do. We are waiting to hear the final disposition, and then we have some hard decisions to make.
In other news, Dan just left for the "Portland to Coast" walk. A team from his work is doing the event. He will walk two legs of the race, the first 7 miles, all uphill, and the second 4 miles, flat. He is really nervous about doing the walk rather than a run. He runs all the time and I fast walk all the time. Neither of us likes the other's preferred exercise. He says that he refuses to swing his hips or arms to walk fast. I told him that he won't be very effective at walking fast, then. They couldn't get enough people from his work for a running team, so they are walking. I told him to think like a pioneer. He has plenty of ancestors who walked and walked and walked, and didn't even have fancy running anti-blister socks or ipods to listen to or bottled water to drink . . .
Now for the bad news. After the car was towed to a body work shop, I stopped by to sign some paperwork. As I walked in and gave my name, the people in the office said, "OH, Mrs. Porter, you need to see this for yourself." Never a good sign. The head mechanic took me back to the car and proceeded to show me all the evidences that our car had been in a previous, very bad accident. Probably should have had a salvage title. Except we bought it used four years ago from Tim Dahle Nissan in Utah, and they had showed us evidence that it had NEVER been in an accident. The mechanic said that there is no way that Tim Dahle's mechanics wouldn't have been able to spot the evidence of the previous repairs (which were done very poorly), so they had likely not been honest with us.
The real implication is that, because the previous repairs were shoddily completed, and the accident was roughly in the same spot, much more damage occurred in the accident than the insurance is wanting to pay for. And, also because the work was done poorly, there is a significant amount of rust on the underside of the car. Lovely.
We were planning to sell Dan's Infiniti next year, when Brandon goes to college. We will be back to a two car family for a few years (and a much cheaper insurance bill!) Now, we are not sure what to do. We are waiting to hear the final disposition, and then we have some hard decisions to make.
In other news, Dan just left for the "Portland to Coast" walk. A team from his work is doing the event. He will walk two legs of the race, the first 7 miles, all uphill, and the second 4 miles, flat. He is really nervous about doing the walk rather than a run. He runs all the time and I fast walk all the time. Neither of us likes the other's preferred exercise. He says that he refuses to swing his hips or arms to walk fast. I told him that he won't be very effective at walking fast, then. They couldn't get enough people from his work for a running team, so they are walking. I told him to think like a pioneer. He has plenty of ancestors who walked and walked and walked, and didn't even have fancy running anti-blister socks or ipods to listen to or bottled water to drink . . .
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Watch out, Food Network . . . Here We Come!
Bailey received cake decorating classes for her 12th birthday. I took the classes with her, every Tuesday in July. I've always though cake decorating seemed daunting and complicated, and I haven't really changed that assessment. We worked hard to create our first "Wilton roses" on this cake, which we decorated our last day of class. Whew . . .Next we tackle fondant and gum paste, hoping to eventually make something worthy of our favorite Food Network show, "Ace of Cakes"!
By the way, notice the sweat on our brows - it is due to more than the strenous exertion in our class. This was the record-breaking week of 105 to 108 degree days with 80% humidity. Man, it was as hot as Phoenix during monsoon season. We were so glad to return to our "just right"summer weather!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Back from Vacation
We recently returned from an almost three week vacation to Utah, Idaho, and Moses Lake, WA. Because this blog is serving as our family journal, I am going to document some high points of the trip. Warning: this will be long, so feel free to skim or skip!
If you prefer to just get the summed-up version, here it is: we spent weeks reveling in everything we love about Utah (and Idaho and Moses Lake). Everyone spent time with some best friends and family. It was sometimes crazy, sometimes relaxing, but overall wonderful.
One night we took the families to see G-Force at a drive-in. How fun!
Earlier the same day we attended a rodeo featuring little kids. It was fun to show the kids a real rodeo. The most exciting event was the sheep riding. It was crazy - little kids held onto a sheep the best they could, until they were thrown off, under over, whatever. The announcers called it "the only form of legal child abuse in Idaho!"
Ashlyn, Bailey, and Aubrey watching the rodeo.
Joseph and Lauren, both age 4, had a great time together. They dressed up in costumes and played nonstop outside.
Getting a snow cone was a highlight for the kids. What a fun rite of summer!
Here the girls are preparing to walk to the store to get a treat.
Saturday, August 1st we left Shelley to drive to Utah. We arrived just in time to change our clothes and drive to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. Dad (Grandpa Springer) attended with us.
A few weeks prior, a bolt of lightning had hit the Angel Moroni on the top of the temple. The face and arm were still blackened. The next week the statue was replaced, before the dedication.
It is a beautiful temple. This was the first time the kids attended a temple open house. We waited outside for about half an hour before entering the temple. It was hot! Joseph created his own sunshade using his Sunday suit coat.
While in Utah we stayed at my parent's home in Draper. We visited with them for a week, and then they left to Europe. They were nice enough to let us stay in their home for another week.
When Aubrey and Breanne were very young, about age 3, I took pictures of them dancing around this "bug stage" in the Children's Garden. We had to re-create the moment, so they danced again.
KSL TV was filming at Thanksgiving Point that day. Bailey and Mianna (Sullivan) were filmed answering questions about what they like about the parks. They enjoyed their moment as TV stars! 
Joseph pretending to be a cowboy. The museum is divided into many small sections, each with a theme. In each theme there are costumes, books, and playthings to help the child explore that "world." Joseph, who lives for costumes, thought he had entered his own version of heaven.
Bailey and Aubrey in the "England room," which includes a table set for tea, Harry Potter and wizard robes, and a "magician's desk" with secret compartments and riddles to solve. Here Aubrey and Breanne pose in front of the desk after they solved the riddles and claimed their prizes.
Bailey and Mianna in the Germany room.
On Thursday, August 6th Bailey and Ashlyn flew from Salt Lake to California to visit my brother Scott, his wife Ann, and their kids. They had a fabulous trip in beautiful California! Scott and Ann sent a disk with wonderful photos they took during the trip. A sampling follows . . .
Burying Scott in the sand.
Boogie boarding in the ocean!
Kayaking (from left: Ann, Ashlyn, and Bailey).
Bailey with her cute cousin, Cameron.
If you prefer to just get the summed-up version, here it is: we spent weeks reveling in everything we love about Utah (and Idaho and Moses Lake). Everyone spent time with some best friends and family. It was sometimes crazy, sometimes relaxing, but overall wonderful.
The end of July Dan and Brandon left to a High Adventure backpacking trip near Pendleton, Oregon. At home, the kids and I packed up and prepared for our family vacation. The guys left the backpack trip a few days early and hiked 7 miles to the cars. Another family was leaving early, and they drove Dan and Brandon to Pendleton. Meanwhile, the kids and I left Vancouver and drove the 4 hours to Pendleton. We met up at the hotel in Pendleton, where we all spent the night.
The next day we drove to Shelley, Idaho to see Kara and Dave Yancey and family. Bailey had spent a few weeks in Shelley with Ashlyn last summer, and she thinks Shelley is the greatest town ever. She's right - it is wonderful. It has a very nice small-town feel. The kids are safe to walk to the store and play outside all day. Our kids had a great time with the Yancey kids and Dan and I loved visiting with Kara and Dave.
One night we took the families to see G-Force at a drive-in. How fun!
Earlier the same day we attended a rodeo featuring little kids. It was fun to show the kids a real rodeo. The most exciting event was the sheep riding. It was crazy - little kids held onto a sheep the best they could, until they were thrown off, under over, whatever. The announcers called it "the only form of legal child abuse in Idaho!"
Ashlyn, Bailey, and Aubrey watching the rodeo.
Joseph and Lauren, both age 4, had a great time together. They dressed up in costumes and played nonstop outside.
Getting a snow cone was a highlight for the kids. What a fun rite of summer!
Here the girls are preparing to walk to the store to get a treat.
Saturday, August 1st we left Shelley to drive to Utah. We arrived just in time to change our clothes and drive to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. Dad (Grandpa Springer) attended with us.
A few weeks prior, a bolt of lightning had hit the Angel Moroni on the top of the temple. The face and arm were still blackened. The next week the statue was replaced, before the dedication.
It is a beautiful temple. This was the first time the kids attended a temple open house. We waited outside for about half an hour before entering the temple. It was hot! Joseph created his own sunshade using his Sunday suit coat.
While in Utah we stayed at my parent's home in Draper. We visited with them for a week, and then they left to Europe. They were nice enough to let us stay in their home for another week.This Utah trip was really all about kids. For much of the time, Dan flew from Utah to facilities he needed to visit for work in Arizona, Nevada, and California. I facilitated the kids in their quest to do as many fun things as possible.
We didn't see much of Brandon, as he went to EFY shortly after we arrived. The day he came home from EFY we drove him to Aspen Grove to spend a week with his friend Jeffrey Bennett. He had a great time. He hasn't shared any pictures with me from his adventures, so we'll just have to imagine how fun it must have been.
The younger three kids and I started our week in Utah by visiting some of our favorite field trip locations. We have great memories of our "field trips" from past years.
On Tuesday we visited Thanksgiving Point Children's Garden and Dinosaur Museum with our cousins, the Sullivans, and Aubrey's best friend, Breanne Yates.
When Aubrey and Breanne were very young, about age 3, I took pictures of them dancing around this "bug stage" in the Children's Garden. We had to re-create the moment, so they danced again.
KSL TV was filming at Thanksgiving Point that day. Bailey and Mianna (Sullivan) were filmed answering questions about what they like about the parks. They enjoyed their moment as TV stars! The next day we drove to Ogden with the Sullivans and Breanne to our FAVORITE museum - the Treehouse Children's Museum. It just feels magical to us- so full of imagination, literacy, and exploration. It is mostly geared for younger kids, but Bailey and Mianna loved re-living their favorite moments in the museum.
Joseph pretending to be a cowboy. The museum is divided into many small sections, each with a theme. In each theme there are costumes, books, and playthings to help the child explore that "world." Joseph, who lives for costumes, thought he had entered his own version of heaven.
Bailey and Aubrey in the "England room," which includes a table set for tea, Harry Potter and wizard robes, and a "magician's desk" with secret compartments and riddles to solve. Here Aubrey and Breanne pose in front of the desk after they solved the riddles and claimed their prizes.
Bailey and Mianna in the Germany room.On Thursday, August 6th Bailey and Ashlyn flew from Salt Lake to California to visit my brother Scott, his wife Ann, and their kids. They had a fabulous trip in beautiful California! Scott and Ann sent a disk with wonderful photos they took during the trip. A sampling follows . . .
Burying Scott in the sand.
Boogie boarding in the ocean!
Kayaking (from left: Ann, Ashlyn, and Bailey).
Bailey with her cute cousin, Cameron.While Bailey was in California, I visited Temple Square with Aubrey, Joseph, my very great friend Christine Yates, and her daughter Breanne.
Still very best friends!
After Bailey returned from California and Dan returned from his business trip, we took the kids to a few more fun places before the vacation ended . . .
Rollerskating with friends. Bailey is on the far left, Aubrey on the far right.
Joseph wouldn't go near the skates, but liked the stable scooter we rented for him.
Bouncing in the Classic Fun Center bouncy slides. The kids also went to a water park that day.
Now, this was a treat. Here the girls and I attended a cabin overnighter for our Mother/Daughter Book Club. We had started the book club when we lived in Utah. The girls and moms in the group are absolutely amazing. They have kept the group going, and the moms and girls have all become great friends. They were kind enough to invite us to attend the overnight book club party at the Page's cabin. We had such a great time . . . it was a little bit bittersweet, because we miss interaction with them, but felt truly "filled" by our visit.
On one of our last days in Utah Bailey and Mianna were able to do Baptisms for the Dead at the new Draper Temple. This was Bailey's first time going to the temple! How perfect to go with a wonderful cousin/friend. 
When Brandon finished with Aspen Grove, we picked him up and loaded the car. Friday the 14th we drove to Boise, Idaho, where we stayed in a fantastic hotel (for a really great price). The next day we drove to Moses Lake, Washington, where I grew up. We stayed with my Aunt Lora and Uncle Brent. They were so welcoming to us, and we loved visiting with them. We also had some wonderful visits with Grandma and Grandpa Palmer. We went to dinner with them, to church the next morning, and then visited and had lunch at their home. It was a fantastic visit!
As I finally uploaded all the pictures from our trip, I realized there are some things I didn't capture on film.
Still very best friends!
After Bailey returned from California and Dan returned from his business trip, we took the kids to a few more fun places before the vacation ended . . .
Rollerskating with friends. Bailey is on the far left, Aubrey on the far right.
Joseph wouldn't go near the skates, but liked the stable scooter we rented for him.
Bouncing in the Classic Fun Center bouncy slides. The kids also went to a water park that day.
Now, this was a treat. Here the girls and I attended a cabin overnighter for our Mother/Daughter Book Club. We had started the book club when we lived in Utah. The girls and moms in the group are absolutely amazing. They have kept the group going, and the moms and girls have all become great friends. They were kind enough to invite us to attend the overnight book club party at the Page's cabin. We had such a great time . . . it was a little bit bittersweet, because we miss interaction with them, but felt truly "filled" by our visit.
On one of our last days in Utah Bailey and Mianna were able to do Baptisms for the Dead at the new Draper Temple. This was Bailey's first time going to the temple! How perfect to go with a wonderful cousin/friend. 
When Brandon finished with Aspen Grove, we picked him up and loaded the car. Friday the 14th we drove to Boise, Idaho, where we stayed in a fantastic hotel (for a really great price). The next day we drove to Moses Lake, Washington, where I grew up. We stayed with my Aunt Lora and Uncle Brent. They were so welcoming to us, and we loved visiting with them. We also had some wonderful visits with Grandma and Grandpa Palmer. We went to dinner with them, to church the next morning, and then visited and had lunch at their home. It was a fantastic visit!
As I finally uploaded all the pictures from our trip, I realized there are some things I didn't capture on film.
1. The mountains in Utah. They took my breath away frequently.
2. The feel of a beautiful Utah evening.
3. The excitement of a crazy Utah summer thunderstorm (in the midst of a wild windy storm Dan's plane tried to land. They were diverted to Idaho and Joseph and I were stranded at the airport waiting for him!)
4. The great joy we felt seeing family and friends who we love so much.
5. The bittersweet feelings we experienced, because we love where we live now, but we miss so many people who live elsewhere.
6. Our incredible joy every time we ate Cafe Rio Mexican food. Wow - it was amazing.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
An appeal to Mother Nature
Dear Mother Nature -
I know you are very busy, and it must be hard to order appropriate weather for different places at different times of the year. I think it is possible that you have gotten a little confused.
You see, I live in the Pacific Northwest. You know, the part of the world where it is green and wet and the summers are beautifully cool (not too hot, not too cold). I am wondering if you mistakenly sent the wrong kind of weather to this part of the world. Day after day of 105 degrees with high humidity - now, does that sound like the Pacific Northwest to you? Midwest? Yes. Southwest during monsoon season? Yes. Pacific Northwest? No.
We are melting, melting, melting, wilting, dehydrating . . .
Thank you very much.
I know you are very busy, and it must be hard to order appropriate weather for different places at different times of the year. I think it is possible that you have gotten a little confused.
You see, I live in the Pacific Northwest. You know, the part of the world where it is green and wet and the summers are beautifully cool (not too hot, not too cold). I am wondering if you mistakenly sent the wrong kind of weather to this part of the world. Day after day of 105 degrees with high humidity - now, does that sound like the Pacific Northwest to you? Midwest? Yes. Southwest during monsoon season? Yes. Pacific Northwest? No.
We are melting, melting, melting, wilting, dehydrating . . .
Thank you very much.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Ahhh . . . . summer
Isn't summer great? It's like this dream world, where tightly scheduled days and early morning awakenings don't exist (for the most part). We have really enjoyed this summer. There have been a few busy weeks . . . Bailey and I spent a week at Girl's Camp. Dan and Brandon are currently backpacking/hiking in the wilderness with the Scouts. We are headed to Utah and Idaho soon for visits with family and friends and EFY and Aspen Grove (for Brandon ). While in Utah, Bailey will also meet up with her cousin Ashlyn and fly to CA to visit more cousins.
So, some weeks have been hectic. But, many weeks have felt very relaxed - hanging out together, swimming or playing tennis at the athletic club, watching movies together, playing at the park. I love it!
I really love this time of year in the garden, also. Little plants have grown into maturity, the decorative pots are full and gorgeous, and the air smells like flowers, plants, and rich dirt. I took some pictures this morning of some of my favorite garden spots right now. Mostly I needed to document this for myself. When it is raining hard this November, I want to remember that I do have a yard outside, and spring will come again.
Dan and Brandon leaving at 5:30 this morning to their backpacking trip. I have to say, I marvel at the entire concept of backpacking. I love the outdoors and I love hiking, but carrying around all my clothing, bed, food, etc. on my BACK as I walk up a mountain - is this really a smart idea??
These are two of my favorite spots in the back yard. Vegetable plants and strawberries are mixed in with the ornamental plants.
So, some weeks have been hectic. But, many weeks have felt very relaxed - hanging out together, swimming or playing tennis at the athletic club, watching movies together, playing at the park. I love it!
I really love this time of year in the garden, also. Little plants have grown into maturity, the decorative pots are full and gorgeous, and the air smells like flowers, plants, and rich dirt. I took some pictures this morning of some of my favorite garden spots right now. Mostly I needed to document this for myself. When it is raining hard this November, I want to remember that I do have a yard outside, and spring will come again.
Dan and Brandon leaving at 5:30 this morning to their backpacking trip. I have to say, I marvel at the entire concept of backpacking. I love the outdoors and I love hiking, but carrying around all my clothing, bed, food, etc. on my BACK as I walk up a mountain - is this really a smart idea??These are two of my favorite spots in the back yard. Vegetable plants and strawberries are mixed in with the ornamental plants. Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A few Josephisms
Every day Joseph says something that makes me smile. I always mean to write them down, but usually I forget. I love listening to evidence of how the four year old brain thinks!
Joseph frequently takes my face in his hands and says, "you are my love. My love forever." One day he also told me that he plans to marry me someday. I told him that I am already married to his daddy, and he will need to marry someone else and visit us sometimes. He looked stricken, paused, and then sighed and said, "this is howwible (horrible)." I remember Brandon saying something similar at this age, except he came up with the idea that he and his wife and two kids would just live with us and sleep on our couches. Let's hope he has reconsidered by now!
Joseph is not, absolutely not, a morning person. We all steer clear of him until he has returned to human form. One morning he came downstairs and growled for awhile. Finally, laying flat on the ground, with one hand shielding his eyes from the sunlight, he said, "I will eat now. I need options." ("Options" is one of his new favorite words.)
Apparently our lessons about what is and isn't appropriate on the Sabbath have sunk in, somewhat. Last Sunday he pulled out a movie and asked me if it is "approprio" (appropriate - a new favorite word) for Sunday. He also caught me watching the news show 60 Minutes late one Sunday night. He ran in front of the TV and said, "Memer (remember) - it is Sunday!"
Joseph frequently takes my face in his hands and says, "you are my love. My love forever." One day he also told me that he plans to marry me someday. I told him that I am already married to his daddy, and he will need to marry someone else and visit us sometimes. He looked stricken, paused, and then sighed and said, "this is howwible (horrible)." I remember Brandon saying something similar at this age, except he came up with the idea that he and his wife and two kids would just live with us and sleep on our couches. Let's hope he has reconsidered by now!
Joseph is not, absolutely not, a morning person. We all steer clear of him until he has returned to human form. One morning he came downstairs and growled for awhile. Finally, laying flat on the ground, with one hand shielding his eyes from the sunlight, he said, "I will eat now. I need options." ("Options" is one of his new favorite words.)
Apparently our lessons about what is and isn't appropriate on the Sabbath have sunk in, somewhat. Last Sunday he pulled out a movie and asked me if it is "approprio" (appropriate - a new favorite word) for Sunday. He also caught me watching the news show 60 Minutes late one Sunday night. He ran in front of the TV and said, "Memer (remember) - it is Sunday!"
Monday, July 13, 2009
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
I've been thinking lately about how interesting it is that children often adopt some of the interests of their parents. Some of our friends are big-time into sports, especially soccer. Their kids are also very into soccer. Did they inherit some super-great-at-soccer gene from the parents? Or did the environment in which they have been raised influence the children to love the sport? Or both? I can think of similar examples where the parents are very into music, high school football, water sports, etc. So, this train of thought led to me wondering what interests Dan and I are passing on to our kids. And, if they enjoy things we also enjoy, is that because they have grown up in the environment we have created? Interesting to think about.
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This is my rudimentary list . . . Dan is really into music of all kinds. Our kids also really enjoy many different types of music. One of our Porter family "things" is Broadway musicals. We love to watch and listen to musicals. We have a Sunday afternoon tradition - we watch one of our DVDs of Broadway musicals together (and eat ice cream - another great tradition). Would our kids have naturally loved musicals so much if they hadn't grown up in our home environment?
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Our home environment also includes lots and lots of books. I love to read. I mean, books are a huge deal to me. So, from the time our kids were little, books were an integral part of their lives. Reading out loud, reading silently, listening to books . . . I have a terrible time saying no to a great children's book. For years I scoured garage sales, thrift stores, and Scholastic book sales at school to add to our ever-growing collection of children's books. I am forcing myself to slow down and only buy new, really special books. Each child has a filled bookshelf in their room. I love my built-in bookshelves in our den and family room, bursting with the books I love. I like this quote from Cicero, "A room without books is a body without a soul." Now that all our kids are past the "baby and toddler book stage", I'm finding it hard to part with many of the books. I may just have to tuck them away in the garage for grandkids.
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So, I guess it makes sense that our kids love books too. Some of the kids are more enthusiastic readers than others, and that is perfectly okay. But, they all have inherited/learned a love of books.
Bailey and Aubrey in Williamsburg, VA reading biography books we bought on our vacation last March.
We saw this shirt in the gift shop of the National Archives in Washington D.C. Thomas Jefferson is the one who initially said he couldn't live without books. I agree.
Bailey and Aubrey in Williamsburg, VA reading biography books we bought on our vacation last March.We saw this shirt in the gift shop of the National Archives in Washington D.C. Thomas Jefferson is the one who initially said he couldn't live without books. I agree.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Small Town Fourth of July
The day before Fourth of July we hiked Beacon Rock, which overlooks the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. It was a hot day, and we were glad for any breeze we felt during the hike!
Vancouver, Wahington is actually the fourth largest city in Washington. At least, that's what the realtor and the newspaper have said. However, we live in the far northwest corner of Vancouver, called Felida, and our area feels very much like living in a small town. The roads are narrow "country roads", traffic is very minimal, and we don't have many nearby options for restaurants or shopping. A few times a year there are community festivals at a nearby park. It's fun to see people we know from school, etc. The sense of community reminds me of the small town where I grew up.This year for Fourth of July we attended an early morning breakfast at the church. Then we spent time at the Fourth of July festival at the park. It was a really unusual weather day for us . . . HOT! We didn't really like the heat. It was mid 90s and humid. We found ourselves missing the cloud cover and cool temperatures! We had planned to have Aubrey and Joseph ride their bikes in the small children's parade around the park, but we wimped out when it was so hot, and ate popsicles at home instead.
We spent the afternoon and evening at the home of friends in the ward. They have a good piece of property where they host a bbq dinner and party for anyone in the ward/area. It is so much fun. Once again, it reminds me of celebrations when I was growing up. The kids all run around together and the adults talk. When it is dark, everyone lights their fireworks for a really fun show. Apparently, most types of fireworks are legal in Vancouver, which is becoming increasingly unusual across the country.It was a great Fourth of July!
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