Home, Sweet Home!

Well, it's good to be home!!! I had a great time at Allie's house. She was sad to see me go--and I was sad to leave.

But it's always nice to sleep in one's own bed. :)

We had a wonderful Lord of the Rings marathon. ;) We also went to Arbor Lodge--SUMMER home to the people who started Arbor Day. (Contrary to popular belief [or maybe just my belief], it was not started because of crazy environmentalists.) It was lots of fun!

I saw a different side of Allie this time, though. *shakes head* I just don't know if I can be friends with a girl who...dips her grilled cheese sandwiches in ketchup! :P LOL

Allie & I...

So Long for Now...

Well, gang, I'm leaving town! I'm going to Nebraska to see my loverly friend, Allie! (see picture below--LOL) I'm leaving tomorrow [Sunday] and it looks like I'm going to be there for a week. I'm excited and am sure it shall be fun! I'll see you later!

Things I've Done During My 16th Year

Since today is my last day as a 16 year old, I thought I'd post about the things I've done during my time of being 16.

-I saw someone swallow a sword for the first time (one of the guys in Team Rootberry).

-went through several hairstyles (but since when is that something new? LOL)

-I finished 10th grade and started 11th grade

-I travelled 1/2 the world--okay not really--over the summer. (I did go to: New Jersey, New York, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Illinois--I think that's it.)

-I spent, I think, 11 days with my friend Allie and her family in their new house. (I'd never been away from my family that long before but it was fun.)

-played in the rain for the first time [Nebraska]

-learned how to groom a horse (Nebraska)

-went to Big Splash over the summer a handful of times (I could have gone more if I hadn't been trying to be a world-traveler)

-I started going to Writer's Bloc at my church, which has been really awesome.

-I became the H.S. yearbook club leader.

-went to/played in the ocean for the first time [New Jersey]. (Found out that, strange enough, the ocean is salty! Imagine that! It's nasty...)

-went up in a lighthouse [New Jersey]

-went out to support the family of a fallen soldier (that was very rewarding. it felt really good.)

-realized that I have more friends than I thought.

-realized how truly awesome it is to be homeschooled.

-volunteered at the John 3:16 Mission for 2-3 days this summer. (AND I survived!)

-made new friends.

-got my driver's permit
-decided that I would like some sneakers [you know, the ones with the white toes. I want black or red]

CHASING JOSHUA!!!

Here is a video of me [the one holding the camera] chasing my lovely cousin, Joshua through the house! :-)

Video with cousin Denise and other cousins in the car

...in Kansas.

[Missouri] Uncle Donny, Aunt Leanna, Amanda, Joshua, Jordan, and Zachary!!!

So after Denise & co. [now including my sister] left their house, Mom & I got ready and then departed for Aunt Leanna's. We had a lovely time here, too. My cousins [from the whole trip--Kansas/Missouri] have just grown so much! I held Joshua in my arms when he was born [though I was like 3, I think]. *sniff* Okay, alright, I can move on now. I love my cousins... :) And my Auntie and Uncle, of course!

I seem to have started something--photography--at their house. Jordan seems to really love to take pictures, as does Joshua.

Oh, by the way, "hello, everyone!" I had a wonderful time at your house! I can't believe how OLD the kids are getting! *sniff, sniff* Okay. Joshua, I forgot to tell you "thank you" for letting me use your gameboy--'twas fun! And when you read this, please pull the hair out of your eyes so I can see them! Amanda, you're so good with Zachary. I think you'd be a wonderful Mom. Jordan, you are on your way to become a WONDERFUL photographer--keep it up. Lovely cars, by the way. :) Uncle Donny, you're a wonderful cook and Aunt Leanna, thanks for everything! I hope to see you all soon! Now, you can say that YOU were on the blogness! LOL

Joshua playing on his gameboy....

Jordan and Amanda

Me holding baby Zackery...Sadie resting on the side...

Me still holding Zackery, Sadie resting, Joshua gameboy-playing, and Zackery sleeping...

Zackery!!!

Jordan with a couple of his cars.

Amanda and baby Zackery

Jordan & Amanda sitting at the bottom of the stairs [looking a wee bit bored]
Jordan and Amanda still sitting....

Joshua and the cat

Jordan, a hat, and a guitar...
Zackery...awww!!!
Jordan and his cars

Jordan, cars...

Jordan's cars...

Myself, Joshua, and my lovely Mummy... Jordan, Amanda, and Zackery

JOSHUA!!!

Jordan and myself

Amanda feeding baby ZackeryAwww...

Joshua wearing my lovely sandals!!! LOL [our last day--*sniff, sniff*]

Hee hee a close-up of Joshua wearing the sandals...
Mommy, Aunt Leanna, and Jordan

Top row: Mom, Aunt Leanna, myself Bottom row: Amanda, Joshua, and Jordan

Joshua, Mom, myself, Aunt Leanna, Uncle Donny [LOL], and Amanda
Mommy & me!

Joshua: a self portrait Love ya!

[Kansas] J.B., Denise, Nathan, Allison [Allie], and Ashlynn!!

Well, here's some of the many pictures we took while at Denise's house. Lots of fun!!! I love you guys!
Mom...front door...

J.B. resting...

Ashlynn!!! You are so CUTE!

Ashlynn and Nathan the morning after we got there

Allie!


Allie, Allie, Allie!

Nathan, Allie, and Hannah all watching T.V. downstairs

Allie watching T.V.

Mom & Denise

Group picture! [at Union Station]
Hannah, J.B., Allie, Ashlynn, Denise, Catrina, and Nathan

Me and my buddy! The "I heart chocolate" bear!

I love you.... *smooch* LOL

Ashlynn, Allie, and a cow...

Denise as the "good witch" [You know, the Wizard of Oz? We're not in Kansas anymore?--oh, wait! We ARE in Kansas!]

Me aka Dorothy. Ooh!

Sitting on a big turtle at an outside mall:

Nathan, Allie, Ashlynn, and Hannah

DENISE! [this picture makes me want to break out into song--"The hills are aliiiiive with the sound of muuuuusiiiiic..."]

Ashlynn... :)

Ashlynn and me [yes, I'm wearing weird thingies on my head...'tis fun...]

Ashlynn outside... [we had a little photo shoot--this pose was her idea]

Ashlynn again... [still photoshooting]

Ashlynn and Hannah

Me in lovely jester's hat. :)

Ashlynn playing with [our dog] Sadie

Group pic before good-bye!

Denise, Mom, Hannah, Nathan, Allie, and Ashlynn

Well, then Denise & co. took Hannah away to Indiana and the beach [in South Carolina?]. She'll be gone for, like, 3 weeks.

I miss you, Hannah!

Now, on to Missouri to see Aunt Leanna & co.!