Our first booth

Exicting stuff. Andy and I created a booth for the company and the Effective Practices Conference on USU campus. I manned the booth. It was fun actually. I got to see many collegues and talk about Als programs, which I really love. So I needed to capture the moment and I took this photo. It keeps me busy and then I don't think too much about birthing our first child and things like that...

School is OVER!

It's officially summer. The weather wouldn't tell you as much though. It has been raining for the last two days, which is wonderful. Andy took a few days off so we could try to get the baby room ready. We went to IKEA and bought some new dressers for our room, the baby gets the old ones. I'm not sure he will notice. I'm trying to not spend to much money. When I have all this free time I could easily get carried away. "What should I do? Oh I'll go buy things....." Not the best plan.

Memorial Weekend at Bear Lake

Andy and I spent the weekend at the lake. It was very relaxing but productive. We did some yard work and cleaned up a bit.

We visited the Bear Lake Bird Refuge. You need to go there early in the spring. Every time we have gone we have seen these incredible birds.....snowy egret and sandhill crane. That is just the beginning of the birding there.

Andy's Birthday Present

Andy had his birthday off for the first time in 10 years. Every year that he has worked at the University he has had to work for his bday and the weekend that follows. It is the same week school is over so there is much to do.
However, this time, with his new job things have changed. We went to Snowbird and spend a night. I was in a conference and he came along. Then on Friday (his actual day) we bought a new fancy car. Isn't it cute? We may have to part ways with our beautiful VW van. It is a sore spot for both of us. We will see what happens...

School is almost over!

I am too excited for school to end. I am ready and so are the students. Spring is most definitely in the air.

I am officially in my 3rd trimester. Today I have my 28 week doctor appointment. I get to go drink a sugar drink to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. Then I get to have my blood drawn. Lots of fun here. I do enjoy the heartbeats. That is the best part of all.

April 2007 (Easter, Muir Wedding, New Porter Baby)

The weather has been great so far this month. A little rain, a little warmth, just perfect. I really could live best in a place that had constant spring like temps.

We visited SLC for Easter. Cousin Kim was in town. I miss her. I hardly ever get to see her. It is no ones fault just distance. It was great to see her even for a short time. Cousin Rob announced his engagement to Valerie. They will be getting married this fall. I am very happy for them both. Valerie is just awesome and they seem like a great couple. We all had breakfast at the Alta Club and then walked around the temple grounds to see all the flowers. That is one thing the Mormons have right, gardening.

The weekend following Easter we again made the journey to SLC. My cousin Alex was getting married at the SLC Temple and we were invited to the reception and a brunch. It was funny, Andy and I sat with my brother and the only other 7 non-mormons in the place. Well that is not entirely true but very close. My cousin Mason and his wife Mckell sat with us. they now live in Vegas and I think we would have a very good time visiting them. Mason told stories, a day in the life of a Vegas Police Officer during brunch. All the while Mckell was telling him the stories were not appropriate for the lunch table. Didn't phase him. The reception was at Red Butte Gardens. Very pretty place. I loved to see my cousins and their offspring. Masons son Payton is probably the cutest boy child I have ever seen. What a doll. It was nice to spend time with all of them. Of course Julia got the SLC curse and wasn't able to make it down. Travis was a trooper and made the drive to SLC all by himself.

We had a new baby join the world. A Porter baby! My cousin Stephen and his wife Jennifer welcomed Julian on April 19th (I think). They live in San Fransico. We wish them all the best.

Channing Karaghouli-Future Volleyball Olympiad

March 2007 (Bill Becks 60th, My 32nd Bday)

Sping is coming, we can feel it. We have made it through the first trimester of pregnancy and then some. I never even felt very sick...certainly tired but not too bad. The golden time is setting in, feeling good. Starting to realize this might actually be happening. uh-oh

We spent a weekend in SLC to surprise Bill Beck for his 60th birthday. It was quite the affair. Kaye put alot of time into making him surprised. We ate at Log Haven and at Mom and Dads house. Many people traveled far to surprise him. It went off very well. Happy Bday Bill.

I celebrated my 32nd birthday at Calloways restaurant. Kris and Teresa joined us for the evening. We laughed pretty hard and I nearly choked to death on balsamic vinegar air. That's right I didn't even have anything to eat, I just inhaled some vinegar and nearly stopped breathing. I think I gave everyone a scare, including myself. Pretty embarrassing.

February 2007 (Yurt Fantasy)

Andy and the boys went for the Yurt Fantasy this month. This is the 2nd annual for Andy. They go to the bunchgrass yurt in Logan canyon. The men he goes with have gone to this yurt for 10 years, every year.
Andy was ready to go, had practiced his turns ready to compete with the seasoned. Apparently they made it in just great but this year snow fall was way less to be desired. In fact the trail head was dirt. Pretty disappointing comparing from last year. Last year was incredible snow...digging out the yurt-8feet or so. Anyway they made it, spent the night and geared up for the next three days of skiing. However, on Andy's first trip down, first turn in fact he twisted up crazy and sprained his ankle. Total bummer. He spend the rest of the trip in and close by the yurt. I think he was in pain but I'm not sure if he knew it. They took care of pain through self medication or something like that. He luckily made it out of there, he left to ski down by himself 3 hours before the rest of the boys and they all made it to the car at the same time. He spent some time at home layed up. He did finally get an xray, nothing broken. Next year has got to be better!

January 2007 (Mudder turns 90, New Years)

New Years at home. We had Jane, Kris, Teresa and Tom over for the festivities. We ate great food and played Trivial Pursuit the DVD edition. It was actually a great night. Believe it or not we all made it to midnight.

Mudder turns 90 this month. I had to include some photos of her. I have such love for her. She at times makes it difficult but she has influences me in so many ways. Mostly her wit and wisdom. She has not skipped a mental beat ever. She is as sharp as a tack. I love our conversations. "Stacie get on the web and tell me the NY Times best seller book list" "Okay" I answer. As I read the list to her she tells me that she has read nearly all of them. She then wonders what my problem is because I barely even know what she is talking about. Its good to know the genes I have, I hope to last as long as she has. I'm not sure she thinks the same way. I bet whether she likes it or not she will live to be 100. She truly is one of my most favorite people on the planet. I love you Mudder!

December 2006 ( Xmas, Seattle Trip)

Well the obvious Xmas happens in December. We had a small affair at the Porter home in SLC. Andy and I went down to spend a few days with my parents before leaving for Seattle for our first Xmas in Seattle.

Seattle is a great city and we had a great time. Joni and Don were wonderful hosts. Brian came over quite a bit. He took Andy telemark skiing to get ready for the January Yurt Fantasy. Apparently the skiing was the best of the year in Seattle. It snowed all day, Andy brought the good snow luck was the rumor. I stayed with Joni, we did some shopping and such. We all went to the IKEA store. That is a crazy place! While in Seattle we got to see Kevin and his girlfriend. We found a great little dive bar after we ate at a high priced restaurant, Amber, downtown. We decided to go here because Jon Hess is the manager and we were able to visit him that way. He works ALOT. Thanks to Jon for the drinks and it was way good to see him. Anyway the dive bar was much more our style, reminiscent of the Eagles Lodge at home. We played some pool before

going home. Way good to see Kevin...twice in one year! :0)

November 2006 (Were Pregnant, Thanksgiving)

Fun times and scary times, early pregnancy. Most of you know we had some trouble in the past so this month was filled with mixed emotions. Mostly of excitement but we did all we could to not jinx ourselves.

Thanksgiving was fun. Family abundant. The Boise Porters came for the occasion. We had a great time as usual. I can't remember if anyone got sick but I'm sure one person did. They have the SLC curse or something. We need to perform some kind of curse exorcism. I'm sure they are tired of this.

October 2006 (NYC)

I can't believe that I haven't ever been to NYC. Andy and I had some much fun. The sightseeing bus was fun, I thought I would feel like a dork riding around in the double decker bus but in my opinion there was not a better way to have a

quick and dirty tour of this awesome city.

I'm not sure what was my favorite thing about NYC. We went to see The Lion King, that was totally amazing. I liked it more that I thought I would. Andy too. We went to The Met Museum and the MOMA. Both had incredible works of art and you could easily spend days there. I really enjoyed spending time with Steve Spear. I hadn't seen him in a long time. He was an incredible guide for the East Village where he lives. His place is small but all one needs.

August 2006 (NW Road Trip)

I'm still off work but poor Andy is slaving away at the housing mess at USU. The giant hole that will one day be new housing for students on campus. He worked very hard this summer.

With my time off I joined up with my folks for a great old road trip. We hit the road with our bikes and each other. Our first stop, Boise of course. We spent a few nights with Travis, Michele and Julia. Then off we went to Bend Oregon. A great place...I had never spent time here and I really like it. We did some biking and hiking shopping and sightseeing. Nice place. After a night or two we headed off for the Oregon Coast. We hit the coast around Tillamook. Who could stop here without hitting the cheese factory? I thought I knew cheese factory's living in Cache Valley but I was wrong. This is one to stop at. We did some awesome biking here, the

Three Capes loop. Of course my parents are in way better shape than I am. Should I be happy or sad about this? I drove the car up the monster hills, felt a little like a loser but I am way over it. Anyway the sights on the coast are better seen on a bike that is for sure! After Tillamook we headed up the coast and made some more stops and rides.


Another great stop was in Astoria Oregon. WAY COOL place. The Colombia River hits the Ocean here which makes is have great bridges. They have an awesome bike trails to ride and we stayed in small hotel right on the water. I love looking at all the boats in the harbor. Peaceful place but I here it rains some 200+ days a year.

Finally our last stop was Seattle. This was our main destination, to see Jon Hess marry his girl. It was the most beautiful wedding ever. They were married on a steamship that cruised us through Lake Union and Lake Washington. It was great fun, I saw some old friends from High School. That was cool. We were all very happy to have made the journey for such a great event. Ahhh Weddings!

We had visits with Uncle Chris and Katherine, I got to see Kevin and his girl and of course I couldn't go to Seattle without seeing my lovely sis in law, Joni and her Don. What a great couple they are.

July 2006 (Hil leaves SLC, ASAL)

July had some goods and bads.

Andy became Vice President of a very awesome company, Academic Success for All Learners. Alan, Andys father is a genius. He spent many years of his life creating a reading program which has amazing success and plenty more potential. This is Sam....You need to know him.





Hilary oh Hilary....we had to have a going away party because she left to North Carolina. The get together was held at Heidis house. What a great place that is.

Anyway, the party was so awesome. Totally the best people attended, the food was awesome and the tears were heartfelt. It was for sure a night to never forget. I am happy for Hilary and Justin, I am glad she made the choice to go but I miss her so.

Bear Lake

What a lovely lake......Come for a visit????

June 2006 (Boise, 5th Anniversary)

Recap: I had to include the trip to Boise that I made by myself. Many of you know how I hate to drive on the highway. I guess these years of country living has changed me. Anyhow I made the journey with thoughts the whole time of turning around. Boy I am glad I made it. Here is a photo of my favorite girl playing by the awesome Boise River. We have seriously thought of moving there. What a great city and a great trip.

I had to also include our 5th wedding anniversary. Boy am I lucky...so is he. We went to Sun Valley for a camping trip and had an excellent time. We sat by the river, rode our bikes (Andy was kicking my butt on bike trails)had some great meals and relaxed.

I hadn't been back to Sun Valley for a long time. It brought back many memories of living there. That place changed my life for the better that is for sure. Besides I would have never met Kevin, who would I be without him in my life.