Good-Bye 2021

We had planned on going bowling with Steve and Shannon, then hanging out at their house after. With Steve having covid we stayed home. Stockton invited Alyssa over. Mike had some Chinese lanterns he wanted to set off. I DID NOT like that at all. I was so worried they would set someone's house on fire. They were pretty though, I just was to paranoid to enjoy it. We had a simple New Years Eve, but it was really nice. I don't like the kids on the roads after midnight on New Years. I worry there will be a lot of drunk drivers. Alyssa stayed over in Stockton's room and Stockton slept in the girls room with Jorja and Preston. Jorja went out with Ellie Anderson and Aysha. Two girls from student government. I think Jack was there too. Also from student government. Low-key New Years Eve, but really nice. Here are some pictures in random order I stole from Stockton's blog.

Alyssa

Jorja, Stephanie, Maysen, Alyssa

Mike

It's so beautiful outside right now

Alyssa & Stockton

Stockton

H & H Game Night

We had a game night here with Mike's family. Well, the Hodsons and the Hardys. Steve and Shannon's family couldn't come because Steve got covid. We missed them, but we had a great night playing games. The adults were in one room playing Paranormal. The kids were in the other room playing Bristol and Hues & Cues. We also played 5 Minute Dungeon and finished it off with a massive game of Jackbox downstairs. Jorja really wanted to play Jackbox, but also had a date. We hurried and got a few rounds in before she left. It was such a fun night! Nathan sent me random pictures. Glad he did because I forgot to take any!

Side of Taylor, Mike, Michael, Lisa's head, Stockton, Sherry's shirt, Stephanie Preston

L to R: Taylor, Preston, Stephanie, Jorja, Sherry, Stockton, Lisa, Michael, a bit of Mike

L to R: Mike, Stockton, Derek, Miah, Melissa, Jorja, Taylor, Michael, Sherry, Preston 

Circle again: Melissa, Jorja, Nova, Taylor, Michael, Preston, Stockton, Derek, Miah

Recovery

We just recovered from our cabin trip today. Laundry and shopping etc. We also spent time playing games. Jackbox and Concept. So fun to have all my family home! I'm loving it!

Larkin Sings Visiting Hours

We left the cabin this afternoon. Sam's family was coming right as we were leaving. I hope they have a great time there. The roads were really good on the way home. That is always nice. You never know what you are going to get.

I asked Mike if I could post Larkin's Visiting Hours song on Facebook. He talked to Larkin and she wanted to redo it. She sent me the new one today. She was super sweet. She said it still wasn't her favorite, but I could post this one. Haha. I love all of them that she has sent me! Larkin - I love it! 

These are the lyrics to the song.

I wish that heaven had visiting hours
So I could just show up and bring the news
That she's gettin' older and I wish that you'd met her
The things that she'll learn from me, I got them all from you

Can I just stay a while and we'll put all the world to rights?
The little ones will grow and I'll still drink your favorite wine
And soon, they're going to close, but I'll see you another day
So much has changed since you've been away

I wish that heaven had visiting hours
So I could just swing by and ask your advice
What would you do in my situation? I haven't a clue how I'd even raise them
What would you do? 'Cause you always do what's right

Can we just talk a while until my worries disappear?
I'd tell you that I'm scared of turnin' out a failure
You'd say, "Remember that the answer's in the love that we create"
So much has changed since you've been away

I wish that heaven had visiting hours
And I would ask them if I could take you home
But I know what they'd say, that it's for the best
So I will live life the way you taught me, and make it on my own

And I will close the door, but I will open up my heart
And everyone I love will know exactly who you are
'Cause this is not goodbye, it is just 'til we meet again
So much has changed since you've been away

48 Years

Today is my 48th birthday. My mom died when she was 48. Her birthday was August 18 and she died May 20, so I haven't lived exactly as long as she did yet, but it's getting close. She lived 48 years, 9 months and 3 days, or 17,809 days. That would be September 29, 2022 for me. I can't imagine leaving my family now. I wish my mom didn't have to.

We had an eggnog breakfast casserole that was pretty good. Stockton and Preston stayed up late making a game for me. They made a Mario Party board with our cabin. It was awesome and so much fun to play. I loved it.

Jorja & Stephanie playing Parrydise

My brother Mike gave me a Jazz shirt. Love that too!

Stephanie & Jorja's weird arms

I had rootbeer floats this year instead of cake. Yummy.

Preston had fun teasing Bear dog with treats over Jorja. Soon Mike came to the party and put peanut butter on Jorja and Preston's faces. Hahaha I would never.

Preston, Bear, Jorja

Jorja, Bear, Preston

Mike adding the peanut butter. Bear can not take his eyes off of it.

Bear licking his lips at this delicious turn of events

Jorja, Preston, Bear

Bear enjoyed that game

Matt and Sam and their family made it up here today. We went sledding as soon as they got up here. The kids had a blast playing in the green checkers barrel. They spent a lot of time at that spot!

Amy

Kaylee covering Amy

Kaylee

Amy

Amy. Jeff & Jorja in the background.

Greg & Kaylee

We played lots of games today. Concept was one of our favorites. Jorja loves that one. It is fun to watch how other peoples' minds work. Today was a great day.

We took pictures right before we went to bed. It was past midnight, so I guess technically it is tomorrow. Love, love, love, love, love this family of mine.

Mike, Maysen, Stockton, Stephanie, Preston, Jorja, Bear

Jorja with her weird long arms

Mike, Maysen, Stockton & Stephanie, Preston, Jorja

Bear just wants to be played with

My family. Love them all to pieces.

Annual Porge Pictures

Once again I find myself frustrated with the pictures! I love that Blogger gives me a space to write our family history, but uploading the pictures has been annoying for the last year or so. I uploaded the snow pictures and they came in backwards. I uploaded the rest of the pictures and they came in the right order. Why the difference? The only way I can control the order of the pictures is to upload them one by one. I am too far behind to do that. Anyway......

Today was really fun. There was a giant snowstorm. So big that the roads were closed to Idaho Falls. Matt and Sam were on their way until they hit a giant traffic jam and soon found out the road was closed. They went back home and are going to try again tomorrow. We spent time today out in the snow, playing games, and we watched Encanto to end the day. I am so happy to be here with all of my children. I'm trying to soak in all these moments.

Stockton writing a message. Not sure why he wanted to write 'only'

Pretty sure you can tell this picture was supposed to be before the last one.

Preston & Stockton

Jorja & Maysen

Stephanie, Preston, Jorja, Maysen, Stockton, Mike

I'm not good at taking selfies

Preston, Jorja, Maysen, Stockton, Mike

Stephanie, Maysen, Preston, Mike, Jorja and Stockton in front

Maysen, Preston, Mike, Jorja and Stockton in front

The last few years Jorja has taken pictures at the cabin over Christmas break. Hope she keeps that tradition up!

About to watch Encanto. Mike's face hahahahaha

Top: Preston & Maysen

Middle: Jorja

Bottom: Bear, Mike, Stockton