Utah: The Winding Up Scene

My in-laws re-did their driveway, which meant that there were a few demolition days when it looked like the Land of the Lost. The boys treated it like a playground. (Their new driveway by the way is beautiful. You feel like you're driving up to a chateau or something when you pull in.) I also had to document this worker. The boys called him "The Farmer" because of his hat and it was cute.
 



 Grampy bought a new toy, so the boys got to go camping to break it in with him.




At one point a stomach bug worked it's way through every Porter in Draper. Because when you have two moves (one being a cross country move), the birth of a baby, two birthdays, medical school graduation, and buying your first house all in a 3 month time frame, why not throw in a barfing bug? Cameron was so exhausted he fell asleep right there in Spencer's bouncer.


 My dad came to town for Spencer's baby blessing! We hit up some church sites in Salt Lake over the course of the weekend.

 Spencer took to Grandpa quickly, but let's be honest, he's the baby whisperer.

Spencer's blessing day was interesting. Remember that lovely digestive bug I mentioned? The grand finale was Spence. On his blessing day. With him being sick and my in-laws in recovery we bagged going to church and had his blessing at home instead. (Thank you Bishop Burdick. Let's just take a moment to give busy bishops and their families a round of applause shall we? They do A LOT.)

We had such a great experience doing the blessing at home. With such an intimate setting the Spirit was really strong. Afterwards we let Bishop Burdick go and had our own Sacrament and testimony meeting. It was just perfect.

 


Of course, it ended with Spencer throwing up all over his blessing outfit, but what can ya do? I'll have to put him back in it sometime to get some individual photos of him.

Being sick on blessing day couldn't get this kid down though!

 At some point during the day the boys "decorated" Bammy's office and it was too cute to not capture.

We also had a little graduation party for Jayce that afternoon. He was very lucky and blessed to receive such wonderful gifts from family. Really, thank you, thank you, thank you.
A gift from his parents, he has wanted this picture, "The Gentle Healer," since he started medical school four years ago. He's finally got a beautiful copy to hang in our future office.

My gift was the shotgun. Stark contrast! He's been talking about the Mossberg 500 Flex for ages. He was shocked that I had actually purchased it all by myself for him. So, thanks Brandon Valantine for dumbing down the whole process for me, and thanks to the staff at Cabela's who had to endure me at the gun counter!


Can I just say that goodbyes are the worst? Too many of those in the last few months. I felt it particularly pinch watching this girl pull away. It's okay though, because she's one of those I know I'll be seeing! Terry's and Clark's just have a way of running into each other. Love you Annie!

Soaking in their last days of Bammy time, they went on a hike with her one morning while Jayce and I were packing.

No wonder there was so much of this going on:


 And just like that we were all packed up and ready to begin the journey east.


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