Sweet Sixteen

Some little cutie in this house has gone and gotten himself all grown up.

How sweet is this? He's reading his little Bible!

Grandma thinks he's pretty special too! Here he is in San Diego a few years ago. And by the way, when we lived in Orange County we didn't fully appreciate the whole San Diego scene, but now that we live in Arizona, well, let's just say having grandparents in San Diego is a glorious thing. In case you're not from around these parts, pretty much all of Scottsdale relocates in the summertime to Coronado Island. Since the Hotel Del is not exactly in our price range we just schlep over to Grammy and Grampy's place. We're totally spoiled.Now let's all say the magic words: bhiaprpty hday!

A little pizza action...
A few friends and cousins...

A present or two...

makes for one happy sixteen-year-old!

On Top of Old Camelback

With apologies to Old Smoky...

On top of old Camelback

All covered in stone

We dragged our poor cousins

Who surely did moan.

They hiked past the cactus

And over the rock

Oh crazy Jenna,

That girl sure can talk!

The hike up was easy

Or so Samuel said,

But as he creeped downward,

He wished he was dead.

With dear aunts and uncles

We do sympathize

Your children are yakkers

Without compromise!

Resolutions Shmezolutions

About a hundred years ago I made a New Year's resolution that I have managed to keep lo these many years. I vowed never to make another New Year's resolution. It's kinda like giving up Lent for Lent if you think about it. I did the same thing when I hit those milestone birthdays. I remember exactly where I was standing, hanging onto the iron railing on my back step surveying the mess of an overgrown backyard. I said to myself, "Self, you're about to turn 30. You probably should take stock of your life, assess your situation, determine if you've made any progress reaching those goals you set, blah, blah, blah...."

It took all of about 10 seconds to take a Scarlet O'Hara attitude. Only I didn't think about it tomorrow. Or the next day. Or even the next day. Nope, I made the brilliant observation that I didn't even know what the heck I wanted out of life when I made those goals in the first place, because I was too young and stupid and didn't know "anythin' about anythin'." (Obscure Secret Garden reference, and excuse to show off my quotation mark prowess.)

All that being said, I don't wander through life quite so aimlessly. I generally set targets. Targets are good because they give you something to aim for, but if you don't hit them it's okay. Sometimes you can even move targets to better suit your purposes. Novel, I know. I also never set my targets in January. I'd like to say it's my rebellious streak, my desire to stand out from the crowd, to be a trendsetter and all, but who am I kidding? I'm such a rule-follower it's ridiculous. (Yes, I am the one that gets in trouble if I break the rules. It never fails.) I used to set my targets in September, but stinkin' SUSD starts school the second week of August, so I had to start earlier too. As you may have guessed, my year revolves around a school calendar, which really makes so much more sense to me than this whole January-December thing.

So, do I have goals for 2009? Have I set targets? Just what will I accomplish this year? Tune in next August to find out.

Just a Few Things

Some images from Christmas Day...

A few of the kids' favorite things!

Project Runway: Amy-style

I seem to recall promising a fashion show. Let me introduce you to today's hottest designer. Here she is modeling one of her own creations: the Edie shirt. She creates these one of a kind t-shirts with acrylic paint, water, a spray bottle, and stencils she cuts from plastic report covers. She says it's basic Art 1 stuff she learned freshman year in high school (thank you, Miss Shainer!). I dunno--I took a drawing class in college and I didn't learn anything near as cool as this. Everyone in the family got a custom design, personally tailored to their own interests!

Joe Jonas and one of his adoring fans...

Sweet baby James...

Watch out for my ninja skillz!

Not every pony grows up to be my Pegasus...

Ernest H ...

Packermania!

I guess it's my own fault that mine didn't get finished...I inadvertently let Colin borrow my undecorated shirt, not realizing that it was mine. He needed something to wear under that angel costume and I grabbed the first shirt I saw that would fit him.

I hear tell my shirt will sport a camera hanging around my neck!

Something Rotten This Way Comes

I seriously pooped out this holiday season. Sorry for no posts! I got sick, had company, several migraines, blah, blah, blah...you don't want to hear my excuses! I'll try to catch you up with my very exciting life over the next few posts. In the meantime, do you know what happens when you don't nag your kid to empty his backpack before the holiday break?

Gross, isn't it? But wait, there's more.

Dare we open it, so I can save my little tuppie? Nope, in the trash she goes, along with 3 others. No wonder I couldn't find any tuppies for my leftovers this Christmas.

What have we next? Anyone hungry for a sandwich or two?

What was this yummy confection? I can't even tell you. I don't know. But it is completely mushy and gooey now. What say we don't open this one either.

If I were prone to using foul language, I might be tempted just about now. This...this...this...is an OUTRAGE!!

I almost never buy name brand goodies because 1) they're too stinkin' expensive and 2) they're full of unhealthfulness. But some kid talked me into it, and because I was feeling the generous holiday spirit I fell for it.

I know this has been sitting in the foulest of backpacks for two whole weeks, but somebody is gonna eat this thing, doggonit! I'm fairly certain its shelf life will prevent the partaker from becoming ill.

These pictures don't even represent half of what was extricated from said backpack. And I wish there were a way I could replicate the aroma for you so you could fully appreciate the Queen of All Unintentional Science Experiments. Because that's what this microbial madness reminds me of.

Any Play Without Baby Jesus

This year Colin played the part of the angel in the Christmas play. Let me give you the back story on this clip. The kids are practicing for the play, but can't get over the fact that there is not actually a baby in the manger. The director, who is a little stressed out because the play is to be performed the following week, tries to convince them to continue practicing without the baby.

Watch the clip to see what happens!