Summer 2010 Trip Part 1

We have had a very busy summer so far. It started in July. The first weekend, we went camping...unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures. We came home, cleaned up and left 2 days later. Lucky for us, my dad was willing to chauffeur all over the place. There was a minor complication though...7 people in a motor home built for 2! Here is what it looked at right before we all would go to bed.

We started with Ryan sleeping with Grandpa, but after being hit several times, Grandpa decided that the floor would be a better place for him!

Life in the Motor home!

Our first stop was in Logan, Utah. It was a celebration for the Porter's 50th wedding anniversary. It turned into a real fun family reunion.

Siblings were able to get reacquainted. So, were cousins!

There was a reception...thanks to Cheryl and Patty.

The following day we had a family picnic...complete with games.

How much can you cover your family member with toilet paper in a minute....

Alright...so you can't toilet paper someone in one minute, so let's see who can mummify the person first....

Can you empty a whole Kleenex box in a minute? Ryan can...

What is a reunion without pictures...Here are all the siblings...Sonja, Patty, Becky, Wayne, Ben, Susan, Cheryl, David.

Here is Mom and Dad with all their children.

Look at the brothers...what handsome men they have turned into!

Here are all the sisters.

Here are the girls...all showing their "true nature"

Here are the men folk.

Here are the grandchildren who were present.

It was fun for all of us to get together!

My Mother's Passing

Monday Night a beautiful person, my mom got her wings, She went to heaven and is now free to soar. Her earthly body traps her no more. She has fought a good fight. She has finished her course. She has kept the faith. God be with you 'til we meet again.

What a humbling experience to hold her hand as she walked into the next life! I feel privileged to have seen the smile on her face as her spirit left her crippled body. I know she is free and HAPPY now! I will miss her dearly! I feel it a special blessing to have been able to spend the last 3 weeks of her life serving her 24 hours a day. I felt that we created a special bond between the two of us...one stronger than just a mother/daughter bond. It is hard to explain!

Her funeral is open to anyone who wishes to attend. It will be Tuesday, June 1st at 11:00 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; 910 Ridge Road, Littleton, CO. With a family greeting from 9:30-10:45.

A special thanks to my husband and children who so willingly let me stay and take care of my mother even though it was hard on them. I love you all so much!!!

Prom Pictures - getting ready and being picked up!

Let's start with the hands...I painted them (free handed mind you!)

Here we are still adjusting her hair...

Adding flowers

Let's do some posing with the flowers we couldn't use!

Let's not forget the feet!

Finishing up.

Showing off the "mini train".

The traditional pinning on the boutonniere.

Placing of the corsage.

Showing off the corsage. (Julie you did a GREAT job!!!!!)

What a handsome couple!

Here is my favorite picture so far...

Posing in front of the car.

Getting in is always a trick, but she did it so gracefully!

Jeremy helped her settle in and then I had her pose!

Here they go!

Have FUN!!!

Prom, Here We Come!

Hey everybody! So, my baby brother and I went on a week long band trip to Chicago over spring break and had a BLAST...but we drove overnight on the way home and I just couldn't sleep on the bus. As many of my friends and family members know, when I don't sleep...all I do the next day is cry. As I crossed the threshold to the home I had missed so dearly, I did just that in my mommy's arms.

Little did I know that my best friend, Jeremy Zelasko, had been up in my bedroom, seen me pull up to the house with suitcase in hand, and was currently making an escape out the back door. I was too sleepy and weepy to even be suspicious when I saw the Zelasko's car in the front yard. I didn't even question Jeremy's mom and sister following us as my mother guided me to my room for a much needed nap. As I opened my bedroom door, I had to rub my eyes to see if I was really tired enough to hallucinate a sea of pink balloons...all while Jeremy's mom and sister were flashing cameras at me and my reaction. (I haven't seen those pictures yet, I'm a bit worried) But here are the pictures my mommy and I took:
This one is a lovely photograph of me, crying(not exactly from joy, Sorry Jer) and my teary countenance is not to be misinterpreted as dismay either...you all know I just desperately needed a nap.


He even made me a GIRAFFE balloon!!!!!! Such talent! haha

After a luxurious, pleasurable, satisfying, and restorative nap, I popped all my balloons and collected all my treasures from the wreckage into a heap. The following is a photo of my pile, which I found to be an ineffably delightful assortment of chocolates and lyrics to songs about dancing and such, a few inside jokes, and a few notes from Jeremy's helpers as well.

I also discovered these allotments of evidence. They should read, ahem!: Jessica,-Will Smith (WILL)-Ewe(YOU)-Green Light(GO)-Number 2(TO)-PROM(duh)-with me*picture I took of Jeremy with a balloon in his shirt last summer*(Jeremy). For those of you who are a little slow, that reads: "Jessica, Will you go to prom with me/Jeremy?" For those of you who are EXCEEDINGLY slow, all this stuff means that Jeremy asked me prom:) Glad I'm not leaving anyone behind now. So, moving on!

A couple days passed (Jeremy may claim it was way more than a couple) in which I deliberately led the poor guy into a state of paranoia while he waited for my response. I was taking my time deciding the PERFECT way to say yes. Finally, I settled for this idea.

That's right. What you all behold is truly a plant in diapers. Of course, I knew any curious guy waiting for an answer to prom would look first inside the diaper!

Upon doing so, Jeremy will find this note to explain my intentions.

Yep, we had a blast asking and responding and I'm sure Prom this year will be a blast too! Stay tuned for more pictures when Prom finally rolls around later this month!

Love,

Jessica

Wordless Wednesday a day late :)

I love you mom :)

Newest Additions to our Family

Last week, we lost our Leopard Gecko, Leo. We really don't know what happened to her, but she got sick and did not recover. We were put in touch with a lady who lives near us that happen to have a couple of Bearded Dragons that she was looking for a new home for. They were her daughters and she went off to college. The lady didn't have the time necessary to take care of these two. So, she gave us the 2 Beardies and their habitat.

This is our female "Fluffy". She is still recovering from having a clutch of eggs. She safely delivered 18 fertilized eggs just before we got her. She is a voracious eater, and quite the hunter.
This is the male "Spike". He is very mild mannered and LOVES to be held...actually they both love to be held and pet.

This is Fluffy enjoying a snuggle!

Here is Spike getting ready to attack his food. You never know, that salad may get up and move!! Doesn't he look fierce!?!

Jack has been very curious about these critters. He watches them from the front...and sometimes from the top. There are cracks in the top where he can see in.

Spike is curious about Jack too. At times, Spike will puff himself up and go up the log towards Jack. I'm not sure which would win!

Here is Tiffany showing off Spike. These critters sure have eased the pain of having lost Leo.

Even Jessica has gotten in on the cuddling action. It is a little weird at first as they are not the softest creatures, but they have a lot of love...and when they close their eyes as if in ecstasy over your petting them, it is very satisfying.

Ryan has a special bond with Fluffy. She had a hard time transitioning to her new home. She tried to look fierce and puffed up and spit a little bit. Ryan was able to pick her up and snuggle her. She calmed down right away. It is funny to see her react to his voice! She hears it and tries to get out of the cage. She keeps doing it until he comes over and picks her up.

Even Chris enjoys holding them. I believe he has Spike in his hands in this picture.

Here is a shot of the two of them on their first night here. Top Right corner is Spike and the one "pancaking" is Fluffy.

Here is after we redecorated the tank. I have to say that Fluffy LOVES the new sand and rock, Spike is still trying to adjust!

Here is Spike trying to get as far away from the sand as possible. He is actually using her to boost himself up. While we will miss Leo, these two have been real fun so far. Who would have thought that our family would like Lizards...there are no pictures, but Wayne and Sandie hold them too! It seems as though the first place everyone goes when they get home from school now it to check on them and get their hugs. We have been amazed at how social they are and how well they have fit into our home!