My New Favorite Poem :)

The Rainy Day

The day is cold and dark and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,

But at every gust the dead leaves fall,

And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold and dark and dreary;

It rains, and the wind is never weary;

My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,

But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,

And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;

Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;

Thy fate is the common fate of all:

Into each life some rain must fall,

Some days must be dark and dreary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christmas 2010

I've had some pretty good Christmases. Some years where it seemed that everything was perfect and we all got what we wanted. However, this is that one year that I will always remember. Everything this Christmas was perfect! The dinner, the gifts given and recieved, and everything else that goes into making this season amazing!
I was amazed at all the thought people put into their gifts. Sadie got a Zhu Zhu pet and a random assortment of things that Andrew knew she loved. It was just right for her- the hamster thingy was a princess! :)
I got Andrew a Nerf gun set with dart tag vests and stuff; I'm surprised that he hasn't lost the bullets yet, but he loves it!
Cameron got a football with gold lettering and black stitching from Sadie. She was so excited about giving it to him! Cameron's needed a bigger football for a while, and he was thrilled when he could actually use a football that fit him.
The present that I got from Cameron surprised and touched me. I love poetry and cool books, as everyone knows, but the book that he found me is the coolest book I have ever seen! It's called American Poems, and it was published in 1912. That is an old book! Not only is it a crazy good find, but it's got all the classic American poets, and then some: John Grave, William Cullen Bryant, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edger Allan Poe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Emily Dickenson... The list goes on for miles! It's so beautiful, when I opened it I was speechless! Cameron also gave me a iTunes gift card, and now I own Jason Castro's CD :D
Mom was a ton of fun to shop for! We found her a fondue pot and the John Adams book. I can't wait to have melted chocolate and cheese... yum!
Dad finally got something that he's been needing for a long time... a new car stereo! Of course right when we tried to install it, the speakers were blown out.... oh, well...
Anyways, it's been a great Christmas! I'll get pictures from Mom in a few days of our Santa stuff!

Looking Back...

I've been thinking a lot over this past year, seeing as it will be over in 10 days. A lot of things have happened at school, with friends, and with family. These are some pictures from the past year that about sum up what has happened, excluding a few things. All in all, life is good!No worries people; I still have the mentality of a small child!

This is what Mom and I found Andrew wearing in the rain the other day... lovely, isn't it?

My parents! This is from their trip to San Diego in September.

What would I do without these amazing people?

Cameron, Cameron, Cameron... 12 and growing up fast, he still remains my best friend! The other night he and I went out to watch the lunar eclipse... it was amazing! Cameron is the only person with enough patience in this family to do that with me :)

It's very rare that photographs can actually capture me really smiling.... Somehow a family reunion brought this one out!

Princess Sadie! Her friends invited her to a tea party (no worries people, it was koolaid ;). Mom and I helped her dress up and put make-up on; she looked beautiful! Heaven help us when she gets older...

This year has also brought out the gardener in me; I loved watching the hibiscus grow and finally produce flowers!

Fifteen years old!!!! I now have started driving and will hopefully get my liscence in June!

I remember when they told me Andrew was going to be a boy, I just about cried... But I'm so glad that Sadie came when she did, it made her the beautiful little princess she is!

Cool shot, isn't it? Funny, the sweet shots you can get in random parking lots :)

Nicole's baptism was beautiful! It reminded me of the promises I made on my baptism day; it was a great experience!

Even though this is technically a Boston picture, I took it because I love Alice in Wonderland (the new one)! It's got an amazing soundtrack, which I bought the first chance I got. Danny Elfman is truly a genius!

My metalic boyfriend... whom I sadly had to leave in Boston :(
I decided this year that I want to live in Boston at some point in my life. It's got so many interesting places, and it feels small at the same time as feeling big. In short, it's perfect!

Brinnley Ashton is one of my favorite people; she's so kind and always has something nice to say about people. She is one of those people I try to be like!

All I'm going to say was that was an amazing concert!

New York, New York!

This place was really cool to visit, but I would never want to live here...

Is this true to mom's personality or what?

DUM DUM! GIVE ME GUM GUM!

Funny, we just watched Elf a couple of days ago!

California Adventures!

My mother makes a perfect Jack Sparrow, no?

I absolutly love this picture!

Oh, Andrew....

Kiersten is another one of those people like Brinn... She's so unassuming and caring!

This picture will forever remind me of Marching Band and Seattle.

I want a shirt like this!



My snowman picture wouldn't load, but this little strip will do!

Football Went to State!!

Even if we lost terribly at state, we still made it! Our football team was amazing, and it was great to go to the games. These pictures are some that were on the tri city herald gallery website; enjoy!