A preview of the Grandma's B-day Weekend with Porter

Porter is an early riser.  So Dad got up with him - and of course Porter wanted a "snore" strip too!!

Here's what he has to look forward too!!

More later on the fun times!!

Eight is great!!

Porter is an important part of his family.

 

And we can see that he has lots of potential!!

 

He has an important event coming up this Saturday - so I will post more then - for now, have a great day Porter - we love you!!

Porter's Birthday Party

We gathered for some Baskin Robbins Ice Cream cake and celebrated Porter's 7th birthday. He was a happy boy today - as well he should be.

Happy Day to Phoebe and Porter!!

Things are a little hectic around here, and as I went off to bed at 1 a.m this morning, I though, "Oh goodness, it's Phoebe and Porter's birthday and I haven't done a blog post!!"

Porter is 7 today - and pretty excited about it!! He headed off to school with a big smile on his face - and a cupcake in his lunchbox!

Phoebe is hopefully being pampered and spoiled today!! What a great day when she was born - a much awaited, longed-for event - and she's just been bringing us more joy as the years go by!! When Dad was her bishop and had to write her letter of recommendation for BYU, he quoted Yeats,

"I sigh that kiss you,
For I must own,
That I shall miss you,
When you have grown."

We do miss having her close by - but she continues to light up our lives!

Happy Day to both of you!!

An Early B-day Celebration

Since we are not sure how things will be in October, we decided to have Porter's birthday sleepover this weekend. Next week is General Conference, and the week after that I may need to be helping with all the kids, so I picked up Porter after school. We have been having a fine time!! (Porter usually doesn't want his picture taken - this time he said, "Sure. I'll hold this big pinecone.)

After dinner at Subway, we headed over to the Krikorian to see Dolphin Tale - and can I just say that this is a delightful movie?? I think I need to buy it when it comes out on DVD - it's worth seeing more than once!! (Harry Connick, Jr. even plays the saxophone for a few minutes!!)

The minute he got to my house, he asked for the Harry Potter Legos!! They were buried deep in the family room - but he wasn't taking no for an answer. And it turned out they were accessible!!

When I asked about breakfast he said, "Let's go to IHOP. And after that we can go to Toys r Us." Gotta love Porter's no-nonsense approach to fun, food, and good times.

We snuggled up with The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches, and now he's listening to Primary songs - my tape player is at school, and I only have Scripture Scouts on tape - maybe I need to get them on CD.

I can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night than with my man Porter, especially when Harry is working at the temple. (He did lament Grandpa's absence - I just can't seem to do the Grandpa Bob stories!!)

He's an early riser, so I think I will turn in now!!

More on the week that was -

Saturday was the Stake Relief Society Brunch and Leadership Meeting - all went well and we had a good turnout - but I was glad to get something crossed off on my to-do list!!

Charlie and Jeanette are in town, so it seemed like the perfect time for a family dinner - and we invited my cousin Judy's son Greg and his wife Kristy. It has been so nice to get to know them - family we didn't even know we had - and they live close by in Duarte!!

Mom enjoys telling Greg stories about his mom and her family - stories that are new to him - and I hadn't even heard all of them!

Saturday dawned gray and drizzly - perfect soup weather!! It was a fun evening of food and conversation.

Sunday night was Porter's family birthday dinner. Charlie had fun with the kiddos - as he usually does!

Isla gets more mobile every day - the Christmas tree is not going to be safe from her!

I even got Mom to smile for the camera!

Porter's birthday gifts were a hit with the whole team!

Greg's friend Miella joined us too - and found a fast friend in Eve!

Of course, everyone is Greg's friend!!

Mary left before we took a group shot - but she was there!!

Harry is the new Gospel Doctrine teacher - so I think he told Grandma about his first lesson. It was good one - Harry's a great teacher.

I keep taking shots of Dad and me - hoping for something for the Christmas card. Maybe I should settle for a connect the dots or something!!

Dad and I attended the devotional at the temple for all temple workers. Elder Nelson was the speaker - he also re-dedicated the Visitor's Center Friday night. It was a wonderful meeting.

It's still rainy and drizzly - we even have a fire in the fireplace. Maybe fall is really here!!

Here's to the new week - and Phoebe, Calvin, and Sully coming!! Stay tuned!!

The Week In Review

Tonight was our fall Relief Society meeting - and Dawn is the R.S. Meeting Co-ordinator in our ward, so you know it was a great event!! We made school bags for the Humanitarian program of the church, so there was a school theme - right down to the cafeteria ladies who served up dinner. It was worth going just to see them in hairnets!!

Angela is moving away, so it was a kind of "swan song" for her - we will certainly miss her!!

Monday night was Porter's b-day - celebrated in fine style at Cherry On Top, the frozen yogurt place her in Mo-Town. Miss Isla is becoming the very vraiment party girl it seems!

And Porter was one happy boy to finally reach the big day!!

Sunday - 10/10/10 - the very happening 40th Birthday Bash for Bonny Brae!! The young people enjoyed congregating on the front porch for their meal.

And the teenage boys in the group loved playing Star Wars action figures with Harry W. and Porter.

The designated clean-up crew members were hard at work. Dad says Dawn's happiest when she's bringing order to things!! Mary always pitches in too!! And Dad feels like if he hasn't been in on the clean up, then the clean up hasn't happened!! (Me, I take photos!!)

The lovely Miss Ara, growing up and growing lovelier by the day!

Grandma T. gave Bonny a lovely piece of china from Grandmother Taylor.

The long tables are so useful for these Bolander gatherings - that always include ward members, neighbors,and family.

Opening the gifts! Always a hit with kids!!

More front porch action.

Harry had to work, but Dawn and kids made the trek.

40 candles - and the fire marshal didn't even bat an eye! By request, the cake was a "Stake Visitor's Cake." That was interesting explaining to the non-members present! But I think I did it justice!!

Great Grandma Terrill

Great Grandma Clayton

With Favorite Aunt Donna!

Dad with his "Terrill Women!!"

Ah, the happy pair - host and hostess with the mostest!!

The weekend promises some activity too - watch for updates!! (and pray for cooler temperatures!!)

Phoebe and Porter and October 11th!!

October 11th is doubly special in the Terrill family because it's Phoebe's and Porter's birthdays. They are great little "Birthday Buddies" and we're happy to be celebrating their respective naisances today!!

We love you Phoebe - and can't wait for your upcoming visit!!

I'm sure I post this every year - it's a fave photo of mine - and always makes me think of birthdays and good times!!

Another fave photo - who can identify the dude with his back to us?? Extra credit if you can name all four little girls with Phoebe!

Always a fashion queen - from the get go!!

One time they actually celebrated together - a few years ago by the looks of things!

Porter is indeed growing up - he's doing well in school - got the honor pin, just like his dad!!

Happy Day to Phoebe and Porter - and all our best for a wonderful year ahead!!

Grandma's Birthday Sleepover - Porter Style

I picked Porter up Friday after school - and we had a fine time together - but I didn't take too many photos - maybe that's a sign of what a great time we were having!!

Noah joined us for hot dogs and roasted marshmellows and s'mores - and Porter helped Grandpa carry in the wood. Then we snuggled down to watch Stuart Little!!

Porter wanted to sleep in his tent - and so we set it up in the family room. Together with his trusty flashlight, he and Grandpa snuggled up for some stories - ghostly and otherwise. In the a.m. he opted for waffles and jam - and the obligatory chocolate milk!

Then he enjoyed Saturday morning cartoons while I showered and got ready for the day.

We went over to the shop - where Arcelia has been running the "garage sales" for all the "stuff" in the shop that needs to find new homes. Porter could have spent the day there - that "stuff" was his kind of "stuff!"

Porter knew just what he wanted - a Baukugan figure from Target - and he knew right where they were too - he spent the afternoon playing with it - after we took lunch back to Dad and Arcelia.

We ate in the clean part of the shop - where Dad had been washing and waxing the floor. Porter regaled us with his version of "Knock, knock" jokes that we had to keep explaining to Arcelia. And then he demonstrated his Baukugan figure over and over - told us he could make it disappear - and then "re-disappear!!"

We went back home to Karate Kid - that Porter said he wanted to watch - but he really wanted to play with his Baukugan- so that's mostly what he did - in between re-arranging the new stuff we'd gotten for the Grandma's Treasure Box.

It might not sound like much, but a wonderful time was had by all!