Merry Christmas

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags." Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before, "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas," he thought, "means a little bit more."

in which someone gets engaged

This past Saturday (December 18), Anna and I drove up to Skaneateles. It was really pretty with all of the shops and snow and such, but we weren't there for the sights. We were on a secret mission... We scouted out a few locations, then hid in Talbots while we waited.

And then, we saw them. Jordan and Sarah walking along the sidewalk heading towards the pier. The sign said that it was closed, but I mean really, who reads signs nowadays? They're mostly guidlines anyway. ;) The short of it is, Jordan asked my sister to marry him at the end of the pier by the Christmas tree, and she said yes.

Anna and I ran out there to take pictures. We celebrated with hot coffee and chocolate, then took a few more pics in the gazeebo, then went out to dinner for more celebration.
Congrats YaYa and Chewy!!! I love you guys.

I (heart) Mr. Grinch

I have always loved the Grinch...the cartoon, the Jim Carrey movie, the book, and the song. Or songs actually, the New Song one and the original. Three years ago my friend Natalie, Anna, and I made this video, and it makes me laugh uncontrollably each time I watch it.

Welcome to Whoville

Last year Anna and I dressed up like Whos (see here) for our last day of history class. This year we recruited some help and this was the outcome: This should really become a tradition.

in which we sing a song

Mom, Anna and I were in a Christmas Cantata this year, and me and the mooches had a duet for the song "Offering". Which is technically a worship song, but it worked. Amazingly we didn't forget all our words, go off-key, or fall off the stage. Successful I would say.

I am so ready for Christmas now (oh wait, I already was) :D

I am thankful for...

the snow that's falling
my rock'n parents
a warm house
popcorn
pickles and crackers & cheese (who needs the main meal?)
my bestest friend Anna
all my sisters
my family in Arizona
Spanish
our armed forces
granola and cheerios
my old friends
the friends I've made this year
freedom to worship
crisp apples
swings
fresh air
the unending, never failing, abundant LOVE of God

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Gettysburg

The history class Anna and I are in is studying the Civil War this year. Last Friday we took a field trip to Gettysburg. I had been there just once before for a parade, but I'd never gone to all the sites. Our class is pretty huge this year. We have somewhere around 50 kids from 8th grade to 12th.

The history there is just incredible. Dr. Franz, who originally started this class years ago but had moved to Florida, flew up just to give us the tour. He was really great. All eight seats of our car were filled...here are the 5 of us girls.

Mumsie and us :)

Dr. Franz had us do these mock-battles at different places throughout the day. Here we are at the end of the Union line, preparing for Chamberlain's bayonet charge. It was Seniors and Freshmen against the Juniors and Sophomores.

It still amazes me how soon it gets dark, but there was a sweet sunset near the end.

At one of our last stops, racing against the sun.

Elaine had made this cool flag to take with us. It's going to be our class flag from now on.

End of the day.

A bunch of us went out to eat at Ruby Tuesday after the tour. We had a good time at our table, if you can't tell. :D

It was a good day.

Achievement

It’s all a matter of perspective .

remembering maine

"When you're looking at something beautiful and grand and sort of peaceful, it's always seems nicer to be with someone who doesn't talk." -Ralph Moody

Perpetually Seven

It began long ago...the year I was turning eight. My older sister Sarah was quite positive that I was turning seven, I think she may have even written it in my card. I was quite offended obviously, because eight is SO much older than seven, but it has now become a running joke in our family. So every year, no matter how many years have gone by, I still turn "seven". And I probably always will. So here's to growing up, getting wiser, stronger, taller (?), and learning more...but never getting a year older. Happy birthday to me ;)

Happy Birthday...

...to this lovely lady She's so crazy, and I'm so glad she's my sister :)

more of Zoe...because I can't resist

This kid has no fear...she walked right up to Mystique, bent down right next to her face and shouted, "HI HORSIE!!!", then proceeded to try to walk way too close to the horse's hooves. She got right up on her, then rode Bai around for a little while the next day. Every time I asked if she was done, she'd say no.

I'm pretty sure Zoe came out of the womb dancing. Start singing anything and she'll start bustin a move. It's quite entertaining. :) Apparently she also knows karate.

I've never met a toddler who likes wearing shades...but Zoe does. Upside down of course.

Flying baby:

Zoe and Mom taking a break...

She's so much fun to be around. :)

"It was only the fool or the witless that felt no fear. What a man must do was go on, anyway."

-Louis L'Amour ("Heller With a Gun")

the cutest face I know

I miss this kid...

Family

Recently my brother, his wife, and little girl came up to visit us. It was an utter BLAST having them...they really live too far away. My grandma Jane who lives in South Carolina came up to New York for her 86th birthday.

I got a shot of the four generations: Ted, Grandma, Mom, and Zoe.

The whole gang:

Michelle and Ted (they're too dang cute)

I kept trying to take a photo of Sarah and Jordan...but they kept laughing. I rather like the outcome of this one though. Better than a posed portrait? I think yes.

The oldest and the youngest: Ted and Anna.

sister, sister "Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." -Anthony Brandt

It's hard to have a bad day...

...when leaves are changing color and blowing in the breeze ...when you have big, hippie hair
...when you have a dog who loves you

...when you love the dog back

...when the sky is blue, and the sun is out ...when everything feels fresh and clean

...when it's fall

Happy Thought Indeed

It happens every year. I'm happily going on my summery way, enjoying sunshine, freedom, and fresh air, and then...it happens. Fall comes. I usually notice it when my nose gets stuffy and I start sneezing every 10 minutes. Allergies is my introduction to summer's end, which is what I'm experiencing now.

Anna and I started math last week to get a head start, and we're also doing research for our term papers for the history class we participate in which starts in September. I was hoping to hand it in the first day, but as the date gets closer, my hopes get smaller. Note taking is the bain of my life. It's so tediously painstaking. But it must be done.

I'm sad that summer's ending, but also ready for school to start. And oh, this will be my last year. And that is a happy thought. :D

Punk Meets Bride

My mother got married in September of 1980. Recently, we pulled out the dress and had a fashion show, Anna and I that is, since the dress is far too small for anyone else. It was slightly big on me (I'm holding on to the small hope that I may grow someday) but it fit Anna. Who is fourteen. I swallowed my pride and the following is the photoshoot I did of her in it. We had a little fun with hair, shoes, and accessories too, just to make it a little less matrimonial. :P Our look was Punk Meets Bride.

Rock on Anna, rock on.

We have an old barn we use for storage which we rummaged through to find interesting things to throw in the pictures. One of which was a wooden bat.

Check out that rock:

Oh, and the shoes just kind of rocked as well.

Laughing at the looks we got from passers-by.
It was a rather fabulous thing to do on a Tuesday afternoon. We had a blast.

And my model was rather gorgeous, which just made it even better.