Thursday, December 16, 2010

Holiday Season 2010 so far...

It is already March 14, 2011...I have struggled getting current with my blogging. I have not even ended the 2010 year and a few months already into 2011. It is amazing how fast time seems to get away from me. Christmas 2010 was spent at my daughters house in Las Vegas. We had a good time as well as hetic, I do not care to recall the hetic...that's life!!! I care today only to remember the memories. We made these snowman cookies....so cute and a bit messy but easy. Then we went driving around to see the Christmas Lights...when I say we, Avery, Madelyn, Ty, Lila, Brent and I. When we would come upon a very neat decorated house we would leave them cookies!! The best house...WOW, we found the home good old Mr. and Mrs. Claus stays in Las Vegas during the extreme weather conditions of the North Pole. Mrs. Claus answers the door, envites you in to see her very cool decorated home. Every corner including the bathroom was deck out with fantastic Christmas decorations and spirit.


The cookies we made....a sugar cookie with a marshmallow slightly melted on the top. Used candy cake sprinkles for the eyes, nose and buttons.
I flew out of Salt Lake to spend more time with Lila and the kids for this Christms Season. Friday the 17th., Brent will drive down Wednesday the 22nd to meet me. I enjoyed seeing this Christmas tree at the airport on my way to the gate.
I enjoy spending time with my Grandcritters....this one is so busy. Fish crackers all over the carpet.
Little Ty Brent Harper December 2011...


When I visit the Grandcritters one of our favorite things to do is go to get Krispy Kreme doughnuts...This ones were so cute!!!






Christmas At The Bellagio Hotel Conservatory 2010....This is such a fun place to visit..the Bellagio Gardens always have some kind of display....Their Christmas one was great.


Little Big Town....Friday November 19, 2010
For quite awhile Brent has been wanting to go to a concert...So we booked Little Big Town. We stayed one night at The Montego Bay Casino Resort. Saturday we awoke and headed to Ely to visit Dad and Mildred. We had a great visit with them... I worked on the Ward Christmas ornaments.
We started out the Christmas Season with our yearly Ward Christmas Party. Now that is is over I can get onto family stuff. I have decide to go to Las Vegas for this Christmas Season. For the first time ever I will not be putting up a Christmas Tree.

I forgot to take pictures of the Christmas party, sad, they also released the activities committee as to conducting Ward events. This is all around in the church, I am looking forward to seeing what they will replace it with. I did take some pictures of our invite, centerpieces and cute ornament we handed out to everyone.

The reason is we are suppose to start on our Kitchen. If we do not start soon I am going to start the bedroom instead. I really enjoy decorating for Christmas so this season of not decorating is hard.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween with the kids



Halloween this year to us the St. George...the condo. My kids all joined me for a quick weekend. I have been so busy with my father that I have had not much time to get away. We had two weeks planned but those plans did not pan out. However, ever we took what we could get...games every night. Lots and lots of food and pool time. Trick or Treating...and some nice lady stopped us on our daily return from the pool and gave us a ginger bread house to decorate. It was fun!!!
We played somegames in the evening hour....look at our Trick or Treaters...
 This little boy is so stinking CUTE!!!

 Some how we did not get a face shot of Avery Mae....
 I think they had a long day....
Little Ella's first time Trick or Treating with Mom and Dad...
We enjoyed one of our favorite spots; Hiking in Snow Canyon








Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Journal of my Father

Dad is doing great...today he had a follow up check up and according to the Doctor 10% of people that needed what he had done do not make it to surgery, 50% don't make it through the surgery, another 10% dont's make it through the recovery...he's made it this far so I say he's doing great!!!
November 9, 2010

In Ely...visiting my Father who is a bit tired today but now walks pretty darn good with the walker. It will not be long and he can get rid of it!!! I came up to check on him, prepared a months worth of food so that it will be a little easier for them.
November 4, 2010



Dad is on his way back to Ely...I know he will be excited to finally be in his own home!!! Other than it is still hard for him to walk on his own...among daily task he is well enough to get out of the hospital. We were hoping to get him in to a care center but he's not yet up to the daily 3 hour physical therphy they offer. I think getting home all and all will be the best thing for him.
October 27, 2010

Another rainy day...heading to the Hospital for a visit with my Father. Since his surgery he has had to learn to walk again. Yesterday the nurse was helping me get him out of bed. When she askd him to move his legs he told her...these are not real legs, there a long piece of pipe with a brick for each foot!!!
October 26, 2010


Every day my Father gets stronger...today I got him in a wheelchair and we explored all the hallways and views from the 4th floor. He is getting very anxious to get back home to see his dog.
October 24, 2010

They move Dad to another room...he struggles with getting his food down, swallowing....I guess this is part of the next step of recovery, along with speech, walking ect.
October 20, 2010

My visit today with Dad...he's talking more, lady is here exercising him. He is sitting better and moving his limbs better...he's holding his head up very well and eating chicken broth...maybe by Thanksgiving he'll be ready for a feast!!! Currently they are working on getting him to stand...he's not there yet but improving very well each and everyday.
Oct. 17, 2001

Report on my Father....he can take drinks (thicken) now. He is still a bit confused so at times he can be pretty entertaining with stories. I was born in 1960 and when I came in to see him he ask me to tell the story about a heilicopter in world War 2. I was clueless! He commented on one of the nurses being mean to him for no reason. I asked him to point her out, she was on duty. Boy did he ever give her the look when she told him he could not have any water yet. He is so getting back to his spirited self!!!
Oct. 16, 2010

It has been 9 days since my father went into surgery...today no tubes, oxgen mask, he's making small steps forward and we are so very proud of him. It still hurts to see him laying in bed....I guess anyone you care for it would bother you. So my wish today is by Thanksgiving I hope, wish, he's up given us all HELL...his normal self!!! Today he continue's on and off running a fever, as of yet they have not been able to find the cause. A number of test are being done, all in all he improves baby steps daily...
Oct. 15, 2010

So today my Dad awoke....he knows who we are...squeezes our hand...smiles with his eyes. I am so excited, can't wait to see him again tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 13, 2010
 
Yesterday was a bit of a worry....the Doctor ordered a cat scan on my Father. Needless to say there are a million things that run through one's mind of the possible things that may or may not be going on. Hurray....the results came back and we have no brain damage ect. Now Dad, tough as nails, old Bluzzard, my Hero wake up and smell the Fall in the air!!! 
Oct 12, 2010
 
I think I can handle this week better....my toe nails are painted...I love pedicures. I believe they are a cure for most things that stress a woman!!!  
Oct. 11, 2010
 
My Father is hanging in there...there are a few hurles. It looks like a couple of weeks before he may go home. Still going on a day to day basis....  
Oct. 9, 2010
 
My Sweet Husband looks pretty sweet, cute laying here beside me sleeping....however his snoring is not as cute!!!  
Oct. 8, 2010
 
I went in this morning to see my Father...he is still very much sedated, which is good because he needs the rest. He looked good, he looked strong, it was peaceful watching him. I hope that they will let him rest a long while before he begins the process of recovery. Even tough Bluzzards need time!!!
Oct. 7, 2010
 
Dad is having extensive open heart surgery, slaving of the heart, valve put in, three by passes, and repairing a hole in the heart. All in all the Doctor saids he is holding his own. He a tough old guy...in fact the Dr. said if he was'nt he (meaning the Doc) would not have consider this doing this surgery.
 
We are not out of the woods yet....Doctor just came and talked with us. Now we are waiting to see if things are going to hold up....it is a difficult surgery, it may be a week before he wakes up.  
Oct. 6, 2010
 
Dad's in surgery...so far things are going smooth. He was in very good spirits going into the surgery. He has a lot of family cheering for him!!!  
Oct. 6, 2010

Went to the Zoo, Lila and the kids, myself, Dad, Mildred and Sarah...
Oct. 4, 2010 

Shelley, Ella and David...Kyle and Megan where here for the weekend, it was wonderful. Baby Ella has some great parents and she is such a happy baby. It was wonderful to see my son and Megan so happy. Lila, Avery Mae, Madelyn, and Ty just arrived. It is going to be another few wonderful days spent with family!!!  
Oct. 3, 2010
 
It is going to be a scary surgery and the chances are 50/50...we are taking in all the time we can and it is nice...My kids and grandkids have gotten to visit. Dad, Mildred, and Sarah are staying at my home....busy cooking meals for every one.
Oct. 2, 2010

My Father was suppose to go in for heart surgery this morning at 7:30...it has now been delayed until next Wednesday. This is hard and good at the same time. Good because we get to enjoy somemore time with him...It's going to be a sweet weekend!!!  
Oct. 1, 2010

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

New Jersey here he comes....

Picture of Brent and Ryan just before we may the final drop off...bitter sweet moment...
Picture of everyone excluding Heidi and I the morning Ryan headed to the MTC....breakfast at I-HOP


Ryan Elliott enterd the MTC July 14, 2010...He did a great job on his talk/farewell June 27, followed by a super luncheon...

This week last Monday night Aug 2nd Brent got a phone call from Ryan he was at the Denver airport awaiting his flight to New Jersey...since then we have recieved this note.


Heidi Elliott Porter August 4 at 8:27pm

 Hi Daddy Guess what?!?! I just got this message! It made me smile and thought you might like it too!

Hi Heidi,

I know that you don't know me, but we have a mutual friend in common. Deanna Munoz is one of my best friends. I live in New Jersey and tonight I met your brother. :) I just wanted to let you know that he is doing great and he is in a wonderful ward (its my ward) and we will take care of him. Just wanted you to know that he is well and is in good hands out here in Jersey! :)

Jessica Edstrom

This was sweet recieving this...I know because when Kyle was out on his Mission at three different times I receive random phone calls from people who had just visited Fiji and met my son...they would call and report he was taken care of and doing well. Kinda brings tears to your eyes...

Saturday, July 10, 2010

July 10 Kyle and Megan get married...

This day was another one of those special memories...my third child gets married in the Bountiful Temple. This is the same Temple Brent and I where married in. We had a very nice luncheon followed by a evening reception. It was a great day!!!















Thursday, June 10, 2010

Grandcritters June 2010