Stalker Update

Friends, and loved ones, I have noticed that my "stalker" has not been on my blog for a couple of days. Maybe the problem is solved?

And Kate, my love, you were the FIRST one invited! YOU can stalk me ANY TIME YOU WANT! Love you Katie Boo! I'll see you in a few days!!!!

This one's for you Steve......

The other night, we were at the middle school for a huge project they do every year. Taylor was a desert chef (photos of that event to come later!!) While there, we noticed among the decor, this car. Warmed our hearts thinking of a special someone we used to live by......

Here's to you Steve!! We think about you all the time! It will be so good to BBQ and "Chill" with you, even if it's just for a short while!!

On a Soapbox/ My little Gripe

Blogs are cool things. There are so many uses for them. Educational themes, political views, advertising, building family ties.... For the most part, I try to use my blog for the purpose of keeping in touch with those we've moved away from, and staying close with those we love. It's been a good tool. I have also kept our blog public. This can be risky. Occasionally, one can get the curious "blog stalker". So many times I have joked with friends about "stalking" each other. It's fun to check in on each other. That's the point of the blog, right?! Just for my curiosity, I have a blog tracker to see who commonly visits my blog. Well, we have noticed we have a fairly frequent "stalker" that isn't so secret. Several times I have complained to Bryan how this drives me CRAZY! It totally blows me away that this PERSON would consistently 'check in' on what my family is doing. I mean, for crying out loud, I CAN SEE WHO VISITS MY BLOG EVERY DAY!!! Bryan has suggested publicly naming and chastising on the blog - hoping that they would get the idea, and just go away! I've tried ignoring the situation, hoping that someone would just grow up, and leave us alone. But, hoping hasn't worked. It's such a hard call. I want my blog to be public, it serves as a venue for me to advertise my photography, plus it's easier for other friends to find the blog if it's public. But there's just SOME people that you wish would back off!!!

So..... to the 'SOMEONE' who consistently checks up on us, and you KNOW who you are! There's NO QUESTION of it.... take this as a hint. A very Subtle hint, that I think it's RUDE, INTRUSIVE, AND VERY SNEAKY, (and a bit CREEPY) for you to check up on what we're doing. Just BUTT out!

That being said..... to my other loved ones, friends, and possible "followers", I'm so sorry! I have never used my blog to vent or make a stand on an issue that I've felt strongly about. And it may seem silly to some, maybe even most, but it's a personal issue to our family. Specifically me. And to those who know us best, I know you COMPLETELY understand who and what this is about.

GGRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrr.......

Ok. I'm done.

I guess if this doesn't work, I can start getting a little more bold with my hints and narrowing down OUR FREAKY STALKER!!!
ok.
Now I'm really done.

Brin at soccer

So, Brinlee knows that I take her pictures while she's, (well), while she does anything and everything. The first soccer game she played this year, I got a great shot of her mid-kick, and both feet were off the ground. We told her we "caught" her flying. So, this afternoon, before we left to her game, she said, "Take a picture of me flying again tonight!" And then at the game, proceeded to make sure she was 'flying' every chance she got - just to make sure I'd have the opportunity.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be 4 again and just know that you are really flying!!

Brinlee's Preschool Class

Randa is 15.... EEK!

But she's growing up so pretty!

Playing "Pooh Sticks" on the Bridge in Thermop

anyone else know what "pooh sticks" are?
;)
hint: you'd have to be in the Hundred Acre Wood to really play.

AHHHH!!!!!!!

I'm so dang excited!! I've been following a site called "Digital Photography School" online to try to up my skills with my camera. Every two weeks they put out assignments for people to submit. I've never submitted (because I'm a pansy and I'm scared to!) Well, the latest assignment was "JUMP".... and I just happen to have the most perfect shot! There are several rules to each assignment, such as time frames, and such, blah blah..... but this happened to fall into all the rules, so I got brave, and submitted. Short story made long....

Check it out HERE to see what happened!

(side note, this is a world wide site - thus, world wide entries, LOTS of them!!)

This is Where we've lived

When I was in Utah, I tried to find photos of the house we are renting to show my brother - but I couldn't find any?!! So, when I came back, I took some pictures to show my family exactly where it is that I live - for now.
So this is it......

Ok, I'm kidding. This is actually an old home that is now used for storage.
It sits behind this house. It's kindof a cool little building.
This is our rental house, as seen from the turn off. Our landlords live
in the house to the left, we are on the right side, in the little wood house.

That's us..... see the sweet van and white truck?

So this is where we've been staying for the past 9 months.

Notice all my neighbors?? Ha ha ha!!! That's something we will really miss when we move. It's quite nice to be away from a lot of people. However, the drive will be much nicer. ;)

House Update -

This is the progress that I came home to last week. Not as much as I'd like, but progress none-the-less.

Bryan has been out working on the basement, putting in electrical things. So Saturday we all went out with him, and thanks to Mc D's, we had our first official meal in our house! Well, more like a picnic. But we had fun!

We probably need to get the bathroom going soon.... Then Brin wouldn't have to hang her tush.

Last Weekend

I had the pleasure of meeting up with a family I met the end of February. We met under some not so good circumstances, however, they have since become very good friends of ours. Some of you may remember our experience. I 'blogged' about it right after it happened.

Elaura and Chris, it was sooo good to visit with you and give you BIG hugs!

ALL of you guys were a blast! What a rowdy crowd! (seriously! Dad had to leave for a bit, and boy the roof almost caved in from the party that started!!)

Oh yeah..... little miss Hottie here LOVED my camera too!

And just for you Chris..... your FAV thing for girls to do to you!!!
ha ha HA haHA HAHA!!!

Hangin out with the family,
in jammies,
with goodies,
watching some AWESOME t.v. - - -

It was a VERY good weekend.

twice a year.....

I live for this.
*grin big*

My Week in Review

ok, so all I did this week.........

A few of my friends and I camped out at the church this whole week, and we scrapbooked like crazy! We even converted someone who was dead set against doing anything "scrappish"
- heh heh heh, Laura-
(she only made cards, but that's how it all starts!)
Joellen even made her debut in an awesome page for her daughter. Yehaw!
We got to gab a lot, we ate a bunch, we survived all the kids,
AND THE CHURCH IS STILL STANDING!
What a blast this week was.
Thanks Ladies!! Looking forward to the next one!

(ha ha ha..... laura..... I can still see the ketchup on your mouth from the fries.....)

Randa in the Band

Our little band at THS isn't very big, however,
they play with a lot of heart.
Especially that little freshman flute player.
*cheese*
She's so awesome!!!

Seriously?

So, really, how many people roast marshmallows inside? IN MARCH. During last weeks snow day, we wanted to do something fun for the kids for Family Home Evening. So, we decided to put our wood burning stove to good use - and voila - s'mores!
*sidenote* -
Randa thought she was funny, and got a hold of my little camera, and decided that there aren't enough photos of me. Humph.
Whatever.

House Update -

Not much to report... a lot hasn't changed in the last week, due to weather... but I haven't put these up yet, so - I guess they're new to some. ;)

We went to a puppet show Friday night