Luck Had Nothing To Do With It....

Today is the three year anniversary of the first time we - The Family - hung out.  Back then we were just friends - maybe even acquaintances.

It's crazy how much things can change in just a year, let alone three. It is so strange to picture a time before we all knew each other - before we depended on each other to be there when we need them, or just to accept us for who we are on our days where we don't want to act - and stranger still to think that it's pretty much over now.

However, though I believe that the past is behind us and that we shouldn't dwell on the things we regret or wish we had done. I believe that your past makes you the person you are and that it should be regarded with respect.

I know, without a doubt in my mind, that these stories - treasured memories of our past - are a huge part of the person I am today. The mirrors, lights, and smoke have cleared, and I actually like the person I turned out to be.

That confidence used to be so far out of my reach and because of these stories - mostly the people in them - I will not ever lose it.

As the most frequent writer on this blog, I am going to take the liberty of signing off - permanently - with a simple dedication to the people that made me who I am today - to how cavalier we used to be and the beautiful insanity. 

I will never forget it.

The Epic Ending of the Great Prank War

If you all would just take a minute and look through the Blog Archives, you will find that the last move made in the Prank War was by the girls. You will also notice that it was posted on May 28th of LAST FREAKIN YEAR. The rules clearly state that a white flag of surrender must be hung from the losing party's base house. Katie and I - and Ryan's parents - agreed that, since it had been almost a WHOLE year without any kind of retaliation, the boys had pretty much surrendered, without actually doing it. Being the great friends that we are, Katie and I were more than willing to help them out.

To hang a flag of shame you only really need two things: a flag, and some trusty old duct tape. Katie and I embellished the flag with a huge marker so that it read "We, Ryan and Tanner, succumb to the superiority of Paige and Katie. SHAME SHAME SHAME on us :(" According to the rules, we had to hang it from their base house - Ryan's - for them, so we headed on over, not knowing where Tanner was, and knowing that Ryan would be stuck at a choir festival for the next four hours - unable to interrupt us like he did on the last one.

We arrived at the Ditty household, sheet and tape in hand. Mama saw the sheet in my hands, the tape in Katie's, that look in our eye, and clapped and laughed like a giddy schoolgirl, saying, "Oh, you guys are FINALLY going to do it! YES YES YES YES!!!"

Naturally, we asked if it was alright if we used duct tape on her roof, to which she said, "Oh, of course!"

Kate and I took to the roof, and Grace took the camera. In a matter on minutes, their banner of shame was hung, for the entire neighborhood to see. Kate had plans for later in the night, so, after we sent the tell-tale text, we left. While we were out and about, we received a text from Mama Ditty which said the following:

"It fell down. . .so Andrew (Papa Ditty) just nailed it to the roof :D I WILL get a picture with the boys by it before the night is over. . .!"

To sum the rest of the story up, after Kate left me, I returned to the Ditty house because I just couldn't resist the opportunity to see Ryan's first hand reaction. By the time he got home, it was much to dark to see the banner, but Mama had Papa go out and hook up a flood light so he would be able to see. How much cooler could those guys get, honestly? Needless to say, the boys were not happy, but they had their chance. The Great Prank War has come to a close without a white flag of shame. . . um, I mean, surrender, hanging from our base. Boys, you told us to bring it, and, apparently, it looks like we brought a little too much! I think we all knew the girls would come out on top ;D This is just our proof!

Moments Like These

One HUGE post!!!

So. . . we haven't posted in ages. Seriously. The last post was in February, before Tanner's birthday, but after our Family Christmas. So, in all reality we just suck at posting. To be honest, I can't really remember too much about Christmas, so most of this is coming from Kate's personal blog, because apparently THAT one is important enough to update, but this one isn't. Haha, just kidding, Kate :D.

We gathered at Katie's house with our gifts for one another, and the mandatory bubbly with which to toast to another wonderful year - which is funny because as Ryan said, "We were in the same spot last year and we all hated each other!" You guys would be surprised at how true that is. Anywho, we all love each other now, thank heaven. We poured the bubbly, and exchanged gifts.

I got Ryan the leather bound collection of Ray Bradbury books, Tanner the button key from his FAVORITE movie - Coraline - and the guys and I chipped in to get Kate a Dogeared necklace.

Ryan and Tanner chipped in and got me a star - which has been named Amity. They both have a rather odd obsession with rings, so they each just bought each other a ring that they knew the other wanted.

Kate gave Tanner an Express shirt, because we ALL agree that Tanner+Express= HOTTNESS. It's just a fact. She gave Ryan a 'Never Shout Never' shirt, and she gave me an awesome apron - in honor of the culinary field that has eaten my life - and a leather bound edition of Treasure Island. Pictures follow, but first, an explanation. See, when it's just the four of us, it's super hard to get all four of us in the picture. Ryan tried his hand at the whole camera thing, and we mocked him relentlessly because, well . . . he and the camera didn't get along. So Kate took a lot of pictures. She was there though :D

Ok, so after this all happened, we went back to our busy lives. Tanner is a full-time supervisor at the Megaplex at Thanksgiving Point and his major in Deaf Studies at UVU, Kate with her driver job at Jimmy John's and her, FINALLY ended, hunt for her extern, Ryan with his dedication - or lack thereof - to school, and me to my management job at Jimmy John's and the Mountainland Grill at the MATC. Tanner's life hasn't changed much, Kate's still at Jimmy John's and is now working at a hospital for her extern so that she can finally be done with her MA training. Ry has everything in order, and is busting his butt at a daily rehearsal for Pippin - his senior play. I've since quit Jimmy John's because the GM I started with got fired, and was replaced by someone who really didn't - and still doesn't - know what's going on. We didn't get along very well, so I left for a better job at Applebee's. I'm a chef on the line in the back, I get paid a dollar more than my MANAGEMENT job, and it's a FULL TIME job. Again, as Ryan so eloquently said, "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SUCK IT BENJAMIN SUCK IT!!"

Luckily, we were all able to find time to gather for Tanner's birthday. It was quite the eventful day. We bowled at Jack and Jill's in Lehi - I think there is a picture of the scores, I'm telling you now that I lost. Bowling and me don't get along - I love it, but I'm known as Queen of the Gutterballs for a reason. After we were done there, we stopped by Zupa's to pick up some food - as is the tradition for Tanner's birthday - and headed to my house where we ate - and toasted with the mandatory bubbly - and tie-dyed shirts. Then we did the presents. Katie got him a green shirt from J-Crew (if I remember correctly), I gave him a book by Edward Gorey - the guy who inspired Tim Burton - called the Gashlycrumb Tinnies - it's pretty much the alphabet of death - and Ryan took the cake with this one by getting him the ridiculously huge Coraline collection. It has a name that escapes me, I'm sure Tanner will be able to tell you. . .

Anyway, that's what the Family was up to for the long space of time where the blog was ignored. There are still. . . .

Moments Like These

Trying to think. . .

I've spent the last month trying to think of a post for this woefully ignored blog. I assure you we're all as good of friends as ever, we've just moved on - if that makes any sense. Our crazy days are behind us, though we're all still crazy enough to have fun. We've all changed so much that the earlier days of this blog seem like a funny dream. Marianas Trench's Acadia describes it perfectly.

In the house I grew up in
My room in the basement the hours turning to years we spent
Remember Chris in the backyard
Laughing so damn hard and no one knew why
But the rest is forgotten behind me
Sometimes it reminds me of when we, we used to belong here

Every memory comes on when I hear that old song
That we used to sing with the words all wrong
I remember the faces and familiar places
And I sing along but Acadia is gone

Ran out of gas on the highway, we walked there
And I gave drunken speeches on the sobriety
Now we've all moved away and somehow became men
But I remember where it began
Left behind me
Sometimes it reminds me of when we, we used to belong here

Every memory comes on when I hear that old song
That we used to sing with the words all wrong
I remember the faces and familiar places
And I sing along but Acadia is gone

Remember when 1712 Acadia Road fell
And they tore the house down

Every memory comes on when I hear that old song
That we used to sing with the words all wrong
I remember the faces and familiar places
And I sing along but Acadia is gone

Dear Family,

I miss you all so freaking much!! :(

Much Love,

-Katie Marie

Well, It Has Fulfilled It's Purpose. . .

"Moments like these just can't be forgotten."

I'm writing this post because I miss my family. We haven't had any adventures lately - actually, we've BARELY seen each other lately. I don't know about you guys, but I'm going through some serious withdrawals. I've missed our times together so much that all I could think to do was go back to post one (which is where my quote at the top came from) and read about all of our good times to hold me over until this upcoming Thursday - our family Temple Square night.

I found myself laughing out loud in surprise as I read about things that I - regrettably - had forgotten. My heart literally smiled while I relived our schemes and good times, and I think I'm even more excited for Thursday than I was when we first planned it. I love you guys!

Moments Like These

Man Points

Katie was withholding the man points list, but Tanner and I used our manly cunning to snatch it from her car.

On the last day of our Summer cabin trip, Paige and Katie decided to see who was more manly; me, or Tanner.
These were the results.

We each started out with one hundred points.

Tanner:                                                                 
Start: 100
Bacon: 50
Burning hand: 5
Feet off floor: -20
Boredom: 5
Noticing girl hair: 10
Seductive grape: 50
Condescending glare: 10
Tongues: 20
Dirty water: 25
ADD: 20
Blow dry face: 15
Aggression towards Paige: -25
Kneeling to Paige: 10
Cleaning up: 20
Glade scented candle: -10
Stutter: 10
Entertainment: 10
Kitchen affection: -25
Singing: 10
Admitting he doesn't like a burger joint: 10
Being "awesome": 10
Not helping Beverly Hills (Cassidy): -10
Constantly checking list: -10
Wandering confusedly: 15
Not showering for ride home: 20
Not complaining: 10
Changing clothes: 10
Not shaving: 10
Not listening to female counterpart (Paige) : -10
New page: 10
Packing up: 15
Man hair: 10
Full facial hair: 25

Grand total: 435




Ryan:


Start: 100
No girls: 10
Complaining: -10
Breakfast: 25
Sitting like a man: 25
Chewing dead pig: 10
Hair comment: -25
Cocky: 50
Looking lost: 50
Thinking: -10
Argumentative: -5
Complaining: -10
Cigar comment: 60
Man laugh: 10
ADD: 20
Mario pants: 10
Bring up wrestling: 10
Cleaning up: 20
Maroon 5 favorite band: 5
Complained: -10
Death threat: 15
Kitchen affection: -25
Singing: 10
Kitchen affection refusal: -25
Admitting he didn't like a burger joint: 10
Confidence in manhood: 10
Checking the list: -10
Smelling amazing: 25
"I love you": 10
Cunning: 5
Little boyish demeanor: 5
Knowing how to spell: 5
New page: 10
Packing up: 15
Man hair: 10
Singing/dancing: 20
Not shaving: 10

Grand total: 465




I won. Because obviously I am more manly than Tanner. As if that wasn't already shockingly apparent.

Family Game Night

Whilst writing the last post, I had the most excellent idea. As a Family, we needed to have a night that was just for us - especially with everything going on in our lives. Today marks the first of many weekly gatherings that are yet to come.

We all - minus Tanner: he had to take his family that he lives with to the zoo - gathered at my house to partake in my - if I could say so myself - DELICIOUS home-made pizza and relax. Relaxing was the last thing on Katie's mind, however, because we decided to play Super Mario Bro.s on the Wii. Katie's past disagreements with video games will not be documented more than stating that they have happened, and they only continued tonight. Needless to say, Ryan and I spent much time collecting coins so that Katie could recieve a 1-up and join us for a few more seconds. Tanner ended up being able to join in at the end - we all sat around my downstairs kitchen table and just talked and abused each other - a little verbally, a little physically. There aren't many things I can post directly from tonight because it all just kind of ran together and built on itself like a big huge snowball that could take out an entire hamlet, but there was much laughing, many screams, smiles, and a couple of infuriated outbursts. It's just nice to know that life will keep moving on, but some things never change.

Moments Like These

Well, It's Been A While. . .

Dearest Readers, I regret to inform you that we - which, lets face it, really means mostly just me - have been slacking on updating you guys with all of the zany adventures of our lives. Since my last post, we've gone on our first vacation as a family, we've started new jobs, and school has even started - for all of us. Our lives are just as crazy as they used to be, it's just in a different way. I'm going to try to recap everything so that I don't lose track of it all, and hopefully start a new habit of actually posting things when they happen. . . maybe.

The cabin trip was pretty much the best thing of my life. The only thing that would be better would be the four of us in Disneyland - and the only thing better than that would be the four of us in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and that's just because that place was already my heaven on earth. We drove up there with Cass - The Accepted - and left all of our worries behind. I don't know about the others, but it was SO great to relax and forget about work, studies - not that those have ever stressed ME out in particular, and the hullabaloo that is life. We took an air mattress and inner tubes so that we could float down the river that runs through the front yard. Ryan had a . . . well, disagreement with the water, as he and I floated down in the tubes and Katie and Tanner upheld the old, and most noble, tradition of Redneck Fishing and took the mattress. There was a scuffle and both of them ended up more wet than either Ryan or I did and we were actually IN the water. I don't know how it happened, but then again, Katie hasn't been called the plotter for nothing.

My birthday was super fantastic! Out in the middle of nowhere with my 3 best friends, my older brother and his girl friend, and the only little sister I'll actually claim to be related to, was just perfect. Cass went all out and made me a cake, Katie got me this AWESOME pillow that had the phrase "Normal People Scare Me" - which is something sadly true about my life - Tanner got me this PHENOMENAL mug that is all black with the words "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good" on the outside. When you fill it with hot stuff - not people, liquids - it turns all white and says "Mischief Managed." I feel all awesome when I make hot chocolate now. Ryan got me this awesome jersey to symbolize our theme song - Must Have Done Something Right, by Relient K - and my cousin got me all of these random and surprisingly entertaining kink-knacks from West Yellowstone. We had a delicious dinner - Ryan's speciality, chicken and potatoes, with some of the best rolls on the planet (the second attempt was good - the first made the rolls appropriate for naughty kids on Christmas more than a nice dinner), and my family's famous salad.

At some point why we were up there, we watched 1408. It was the first time Tanner and Ryan had ever seen it - and, let me tell you, the middle of nowhere, in the pitch black hours of the pm is probably the best time and place to watch a scary movie. Tanner and Ryan were scared senseless, it was kind of hysterical.

My cousin brought up his 4 wheeler and we also spent a lot of time on that. We finally broke in our set of Killer Bunnies: The Ultimate Odyssey and Ryan was attacked by a gopher. . . and a rusty old nail.

We came back, and literally got thrown back into our lives. Katie started a new job at the Ashford clinic - compliments of Tanner - I had to battle with the Area manager of my Jimmy John's store on when and why I would wear a belt, and all four of us had the looming shadow of the upcoming school year to deal with. It'd been almost a year since I had taken part in any kind of schooling - I don't do well with people talking AT me - Ryan was starting his senior year, Tanner is sophomore year in collage, and Katie her freshman year in collage. I started Culinary school. Our responsibilities have seriously depleted our time together, but we all still seem to find the random five minutes here and there to keep it all together.

These past couple of months have been hard. We've all been used to seeing each other ALL of the time, and with everything, there are suddenly more important things in life. I guess it kind of exemplifies the horrors of growing up. I've thought though, that maybe it won't be so bad. Sure, we'll go our separate ways, relationships will weaken, things will be forgotten, but we'll always have each other to fall back on. That's the definition of family, right? I mean, we might not always know what is going on but we know each other well enough to feel comfortable falling on. I think that is the coolest thing about the moments we've had that help us to define each other as our family. Hopefully, though, there will be more adventures along the way.

Moments Like These

Hmmmm

Nice impatient face Tanner dearest, however, I too am impatient. Please refer to the prank war posts, notice the invasion of secret agents into your bedrooms was the final story in this saga, however, this should no be so. I will post the man points when, and only when, there is a white flag of shame fluttering from Ryan's front porch, or a retaliation has been made.
To ensure this, I have hidden the Man Points in some unknown area to any person other than myself, you breaking into my room to find the paper will be a vain attempt.
Retaliation or flag. Your choice love :)

Warm regards and much love,
Adventure (If I were still the Plotter I would have a plotting smile on my face.)

Dear Katie

This is my impatient face:

:/

I'm getting impatient.

Love,
ME! <----- (I hear that guy's pretty awesome!)

Dear Katie

Dear Katie,

As you are aware, all of us (meaning ALL of us) are (im)patiently waiting for the Man Points count from the cabin to be put on the blog. Get to it!!!

Love,
Energy

Cabin Packing List! :)

GAMES:

·         Full Killer Bunnies (Odyssey included)

·         Perpetual Commotion

·         Redneck supplies

o   Air Mattress

o   Sunscreen

o   Bug spray

FOOD:

Breakfast-

·         Costco Cinnamon rolls

·         Costco muffins

·         Eggs

·         Bacon

·         Buttermilk biscuits

·         Bread

·         Cinnamon

·         Milk

·         Orange Juice

Lunch-

·         Lunchmeat

·         Bread

·         Sandwich stuff

Dinner-

·         Ryan’s favorite Mac n’ Cheese

·         Rolls

·         Red potatoes

·         Lipton soup mix

·         Frozen chicken

·         BBQ sauce (safe for Katie)

·         Yummy salad

·         Parmesan Cheese

·         Lemon pepper

·         Garlicky

·         Lemon Juice

·         Tinfoil

·         Frozen Pizza (CPK)

Snacks-

·         Wheat Thins

·         Lays chips

·         Grapes

·         Fruit snacks

·         Gushy Gummy Bears

·         Kashi chocolate chip cookies

·         S’mores stuff

o   Heresy’s

o   Flat Marshmallows (Jewish style)

o   Starbursts

o   Gram Crackers

Drinks-

·         Paige demands Rootbeer (A&W)

·         Water Bottles

·         Fuze

·         Diet Coke

·         Spring water jugs

General:

·         1 nice water bottle (nifty non-screw off lid)

·         Good shoes that can be ruined

·         Swimsuit

·         T-shirts

·         Face wash

·         10-20$ cash

·         Books

·         Camera

·         Movies

·         IPods

·         Towels

·         Pillows/blankets

·         Cell phones/Chargers

·         Toothbrush/toothpaste

·         Astringent

·         Sunglasses
 ·        First aid Kit
  3 CDs for the car

RULES!!!!

1.      No texting/calling (biological family okay)

2.      No Computers other than for movies, writing, and Pottermore

3.      No killing each other

4.      No Ke$ha

5.      No Rap

6.      No Country Tim McGraw style

7.      No personal space (within reason)

8.      Pictures MUST be taken for Moments

In response to 'Summer' posted by the Energy

As the Peace, I would like to point out that it probably wouldn't kill any of you guys to post things every now and then. I only have so much time to chronicle our adventures - but they're not just mine.
Just sayin :D
-Peace

Well, We're Not Really Sure What He's Talkin' About

So, this was the first Saturday of Katie's Seattle trip - obviously she'll be absent from this story. But never fear, dear readers, we get to introduce a new character into our story today. In all honesty, she should have entered a long time ago - she's just never been a part of, as they say, 'blog-worthy' events.
Ryan found out about a Forever The Sickest Kids concert for free at the Fashion Place Mall from his friend, Mandi, that he hadn't seen in AGES. She was going to be there, and wanted him to come so they could actually SEE each other. Ryan didn't want to go up all alone, so Tanner and I got invited. My parents had taken one of my three little sisters to Orlando - the rest of us went a while ago. . .The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is AMAZING, by the way.) - and the youngest - mentioned previously on this blog as TTB - was at Lagoon with her friends, so Cassidy - The Accepted - got to come with me. It was to be her first concert ever. . .
Anyway, we'd planned to meet at Ryan's house, go to Barnes & Noble, and end up at the mall in time for Forever The Sickest Kids to go on. When Cass and I got to Ryan's house, we ended up watching him play Twilight Princess for a while - entertaining I know, but you have to give us a little credit, our Adventure was in a completely different state, we're lucky we had plans at all.
Now it may be my fault, as practically the only record keeper of this family, but I can't really remember when Tanner joined the story. I just know he was in my car when we left Ryan's house for Barnes & Nobel. We spent a lot of time there, seeing as it's mine and Ryan's favorite place on earth. I bought one of the Scott Pilgirm series, Fahrenheit 451, and Name of the Wind. Tanner bought himself another copy of The Road. Ryan bought some poetry books. . . I think.
Once we were done there, we left to Fashion Place. When we got there, we realized that the other band playing was still going, and Ryan didn't want to force his way through the mosh pit to find Mandi, so we decided to give in to Cassidy's pleadings and go peruse the mall. We looked into practically every store - I pointed out all of the lovely light fixtures - and got food from Pretzel Time. We meandered back out to the concert to find this black hippie guy on stage.
When I say hippie, I MEAN hippie. He had these huge black shades on, his hair was all up in dreadlocks and he was up on stage preaching about peace and love. Ryan started texting Mandi, telling her to come find us. Tanner and I finally got to meet the amazing Mandi, and then Forever the Sickest Kids came on. Now, I'm not a huge fan of these guys. I think they're great and all, but I only know TWO, count 'em TWO, of their songs. So when Ryan and Mandi ended up joining the mosh pit, Tanner, Cass, and I hung back. Cass more because I didn't want to let her out of my sight. It was a wonderful concert! The music rocked and about half way through, Cass got anxious so I sent her up with Ryan and she moshed with him and Mandi. Tanner and I just kind of chilled in the back.
The band finished their set list and walked off the stage, got an encore, came back, played another song and then left, so the black hippie returned. He came on stage and started preaching again, it went something like this:
"We have such a beautiful earth. We are so lucky and we need to treat it and all of God's creations right. Whenever you go to leave the water on, turn it off. When ever you go to leave the lights on, turn them off. When ever you go to litter, don't. Just think of all those poor animals - all the possums with their heads caught in the plastic, all the scorpions with their heads stuck in the plastic. If you love your earth show me your hearts."
This was not some kind of cannibalistic ritual, I promise. Geez, I wouldn't take my 14 year old sister to one of those! The whole crowd - Tanner and I, included - put their hands together to make hearts and put them in the air. At this point a techno beat started banging through the speakers, and the hippie continued.
"Now, bounce with your heart, bounce with your heart. If you love your planet, just bounce with j'heart, bounce with j'heart. . . " so on and so forth.
It was quite hysterical, and I think Cass was a little confused. We parted ways with Mandi, and ended back at my house relaxing in my theatre room. If that doesn't sound like a nice full day, I don't know what is.

Moments Like These

To "The Energy"

I am ADVENTURE!
Now we have got that out of the way. . .
Dear Energy and everyone else for that matter,
I apologize (please don't strike me down any of you!) for not having any adventures for this summer so far. However, I have much planned for our summer vacation at the cabin, and in my own defense, this summer would be more full of randomness and excitement if it weren't for all of the time at work/vacationing. So it isn't my fault we haven't had much going on. The end of July will be sure to generate something! Before you know it we'll be back to our usual pace. :)

Much love,
Adventure.

Summer

I'm going to copy Ryan on this... "Also, this blog is boring."

We need more summer adventures, we haven't done much lately.

There's 104 Days of Summer Vacation. . .

Well, we finally got to our family summer kick off! In the tradition of all of our best adventures, it was almost completely spur of the moment.
There is this AWESOME river that is extremely close to my house. It pulls through a randomly forested patch of land in the Alpinian suburbs, complete with random derelict tree houses and winding dirt trails. At one of the curves in the river the trail goes the other way leaving a tear shaped peninsula type thing at the bank of the river - the perfect place to relax, take in the beautiful scenery, and let the sound of the rushing water cascade over you as the sun beats down and warms your skin. That's only during the day though.
We decided to go at night. SO much better in my opinion - but that might be my heat sensitivity and nocturnal tendencies kicking in. Anyway, Ryan and I had to work at our second job at Jimmy Johns until about 10 o'clock - once we were off we stopped by his house so he could change and we could meet with Tanner and Katie and then we headed towards the trail head. I'd already packed a blanket, almost a million little candles, a lighter, and Kiwi - my laptop - so we gathered our supplies and headed down to the peninsula. You're all probably wondering why I brought my laptop - I'm writing a book, which STILL has no title, that is all about spirits called elementals. They are made up of, live in, and can control all four elements. This tear drop peninsula is the PERFECT place to sit and write - especially for my elemental story, but really for anyone trying to write anything. I was going to write while they all laid around and talked.
That probably sounds odd to ya'll, I mean, kind of lame for an epic summer kick off right? WRONG. The way I see it, summer is about kicking back and relaxing, *cough. . .KATIE. . .cough* so what better way to start it than relaxing with each of our three favortie people in the entire world.
Besides, we've got style.
Once we got there, I laid out the blanket and opened my laptop while the other three started lighting candles. Once they had a good ammount (a.k.a. all of the candles were lit), they spent a good five to ten minutes arranging them around the edge of our peninsula. According to Ryan, 'They create a shield, so that we can be safe here this late at night. When they burn out the smoke continues in the other demensions and the barrier stays - so long as the candles were actually lit.'
We're all a little weird, okay?

Moments Like These

A Tribute

Doug, even the name is simple, but then again - so was he. He was a friend, something to smile about, and something you could always count on his schedule was always open for a friend - even if he had to push a "shirt" conference aside.
From his perfect pallor to his signature scarf, Doug was always suave! His life may have been short, but that does not mean he will be short lived in our memory. From the moment he joined us there was only smiles and laughter - the day he left us was filled with great sadness.
He will be survived by the three lonely tacks, which now only holds his scarf that will forever only hang limp with nothing to warm.
The six months we were allotted with him, taught us the value of life in all forms. Doug, if you read this, you're missed. The day you disappeared changed us - no note, no reason, not even a drop of water or shred of yellow to say good-bye. Come home - but if it is too late we will forever hold you high in our memories - heart.
Obituary written by: Katie Smith

Moments Like These

I'd Never Guess How We Ever Could Have Got Here

The beginning of this summer marks a whole YEAR of being a family. I didn't even realize until we were driving Ryan home, just like the good old days, and he said, "Remember a year ago today, when you got me home in four minutes so that I could make curfew?"
I laughed and replied, "Well, that was when we had to make a good impression on your family." (For the record, we have yet to have Ryan home late - us LEAVING on time is another story.)
Anyway, it got me thinking. SO much has changed in the last year. Seriously. The very foundations on which I stand have shifted so much that I don't even know where to begin. This family has been as solid as a rock all the way through it.
This blog is a tribute to our times together, our family history, if you will. Since it's a new year, we've got to revamp things. You'll notice our new layout, the updated quotes, and the new lists on the side bars. We've also got new titles. They need a little bit of an explanation though. Every family, no matter how dysfunctional, is a group of people that exist to fulfill each other's needs. Every one of us has a different role, every one of us fulfills a different purpose. The newest titles are the purposes we fill.
I am the Peace - this one will be shorter because I don't like writing about myself. I've been told that I give good advice. When problems arise, I'm always asked for my advice. It seems to help and calm people down - hence the peace.
Tanner is the Energy - out of all of us, Tanner is the one that just keeps going. He has this energy that rubs off on all of us. When we're all tired Tanner is the one to get us all up and going. He's our own personal Energizer Bunny.
Katie is the Adventure - no matter where we are or who we're with Katie has the oddest ability to infuse us all with the desire to do something crazy. As you all know, she is the mastermind behind pretty much all of our harebrained adventures. Even in the ones she wasn't behind, she's always the little voice calling 'ONWARD!!' or egging us on 'Do it, do it, do it!' This blog, and our lives would be HEINOUSLY boring without her.
Ryan is our Sanity - though he may be a little unbalanced himself, Ryan has the kind of personality that just reaches out to people. Even if our problems are unsolvable, he has a way of calming us all down and making everything a little more bearable with his knack of snapping things in to perspective. Our heads are all little clearer than they would be without his influence in our lives.

Here's to a new year, and a whole summers worth of amazing adventures.

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