Our Extraordinarily Unimportant Blog

Oh Donna, Oh Donna...

2010-01-13T22:54:00.000-08:00

I’m sure every kid does really weird things right? The other day we found Isaac hiding behind the couch putting makeup all over a doll. (He even knew all the places to put it, like eyelids, rosy cheeks, lips). The doll ended up looking like a cross between Chuckie and Barbie (I was actually tempted to lock my door that night). It was really weird but I couldn’t help but think of the strange things I must have done as a kid. Then I remembered the La Bamba story. I must have been five years old when I was at Grandma Bonnie’s and saw the cinema classic that is La Bamba. Oh how I fell in love with Richie Vallens. I’m convinced this is where my love for lead singers who play guitar stems. I instantly became certain that the only way to Richie’s heart would be to change my name to Donna (his girlfriend’s name). So for days I went around telling people, actually everyone, that my name was Donna (I also went around singing the song. Now that I had changed my name it was of course MY song.) I vividly remember my dad sitting me down and having this conversation (I’m sure my mom made him, if it were up to him he probably would have just kept calling me Donna):

Dad: Now Donna, what are you doing?

Donna (formerly known as five year old Chelsea): I have found the love of my life and I am showing him how much I care for him. Oh the sacrifices we make for the ones we love.

Dad: You know you can’t go around changing your name for every Latin singing heart throb that comes your way. We are just going to have to go back to calling you Chelsea.

(Come to think of it this sounds like every conversation I have ever had with my dad about a boy… minus the name changing but keeping the serious disapproval)

So I went back to plain old, song-less, Latin heart-throb-less Chelsea… until the next week when I discovered Joey MacIntyre from NKOTB… or Steve Young… or Dean Cain… or Jesse Lacey… I have serious problems.

I Spy

2009-11-02T21:32:00.001-08:00

-- Posted from my iPhone

Boo!

2009-10-31T18:47:00.001-07:00

Don't underestimate the power of the darkside.

-- Posted from my iPhone

How I entertain myself in traffic...

2009-10-02T13:23:00.001-07:00

Unless Flavor Flav is in the car this is probably unnecessary.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Craft Night

2009-09-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

Our craft night began with many of these...

And much of this...

We then sequestered the boys to the other room...

Let the crafting begin...

We made adorable fabric plates....

And glittered pine cones for Christmas...

And I made this wire board...

This reminds me of my mom, when her sisters would come to visit and they would spend a full week staying up till the wee hours of the morning "crafting". I never understood why anyone would do this when you could just go buy these things and get a goodnights sleep. (Just like I never understood why my mom would cry when her sisters left to go back to Idaho and Washington). But I have to say I had fun and didn't get to bed until almost 4am. I also ironed a pillow case the other day so it's official... I'm turning into my mother.

What I saw today

2009-09-23T17:51:00.001-07:00

Well technically last night...
My friend had tickets to The Killers so I went as her date. Little did I know we were in the Sac Bee suite away from all the riff raff with free food, our own bathroom and all the Diet Coke I could handle. Spoiled me for all future concerts though.

-- Posted from my iPhone

I need many of these today

2009-09-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

What I saw today...

2009-09-20T18:44:00.001-07:00

-- Posted from my iPhone

You win some you Lose some...

2009-09-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

My last post may need some explaining seeing as anyone who reads this (all three of you) might not know the wonderful story that is my humiliating life. Well this summer I did the unthinkable...wait for it... I actually dated a boy. Yes I know I have done everything in my power to avoid this for the last few years but he just wiggled his way in. I met him at school, we started studying together and although he had absolutely nothing I would ever ever look for in a boyfriend he was just so... well so good looking. I never thought I was shallow or would care about looks but man was he just so... good looking. At first he was fun and sweet, hence the flowers he picked for me in the previous post, but eventually he started to turn a tad bit crazy and even more annoying. But remember he was so good looking that I put up with it for a few months too long. I drew a chart for the visual learners out there:

See as hotness goes up so does my tolerance for annoyance. The taller, tanner, the bigger the muscles the more easily I can handle you talking about your favorite features on yourself, or who you think you can take in a fight. But as you can see from the chart eventually we get to a point where I don't care how hot you are, I just can't watch you and your friends play Mortal Kombat anymore! Well things took their eventual toll and we started the "fade out". It had been weeks of excuses like "I've got too much homework", "I'm too tired", or "I'm going out of town". Things were working out perfectly, until one night I was just bored enough to agree to go over to his house. I had come up with the genius idea of bringing my friend Becky over to his house with me to keep me from falling for his hotness once again. Things went perfectly and as we were leaving Becky walked a little faster to the car to give me a second alone with him. I'm standing there on his front porch doing the awkward goodnight talk, while in the middle of me talking he turns around and slams his door shut. I stood there a second confused as to what was going on, thinking maybe he was just going in the house for a second and was going to return with presents for me? That wasn't the case. This is the texting that occurred the next five minutes:

Me: What just happened?

Him: It was awkward

Me: So because it was awkward you throw a tantrum

Him: Yeah

Me: I can't believe you want things to play out like this...( I continued on a for awhile but I'll spare you)

Him: Well you win some you lose some.

That was the famous line that is now being quoted around here at every opportunity. I must have meant so much to him. What a winner. That was the very last thing I heard from him and now I live in fear as I walk around campus that I am going to run into him and have to do that uncomfortable small talk thing, but really thinking the whole time I wish I could punch you in the face. I learned two very important lessons, first that being that hot will only lead to trouble and second, I have very poor judgement when it comes to men (I mean boys) and I need someone to come take over the decision making process for me (anyone but Lindsey).

2009-09-16T20:13:00.001-07:00

My summer started out so good...

But like all things this is where it ended...

You win some you lose some!

Summer is Over

2009-09-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

Sad to see Summer go and school to start again but happy I got to end it here:

Lindsey is the favorite...

2009-06-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'll just say ditto to this.

Thought I was Done!

2009-06-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

I really thought I was done blogging without cute kids or cute houses to blog about, but really what would I do with magical pictures like these if I didn't put them on some blog.

We were having a BBQ in the backyard last week when we re-discovered the gymnastics bar. We were reminiscing about all the hours we spent on there when Lindsey (always Lindsey) started to taunt me about not being able to still do it. I had to prove her wrong and so this is what ensued:

Then Marissa and Kyla had to join...

even Taylor and John had to give a try. Taylor struggled a bit.

We may have been having fun but here's the aftermath on Briana's leg- I guess we're not as young as we thought.

Zoo Trip!

2009-04-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Not sure if most people know about my weird but very real fear of monkeys, especially after I saw this on boingboing:

But I had Isaac for the weekend and I wanted to really wear him out so I decided to just take my chances that the Sacramento Zoo didn't have any hairless chimpanzees. I don't know what Sacramento does to their animals, but I am convinced they are either high or just stuffed. The animals were either invisible or they were asleep. Half the time we were just telling the kids that there was something cool in this cage, we promise! But they didn't seem to mind and we did get some cute pics:

(Showing us their best tiger face- not sure what Isaac is showing us)

Weekend with Bubba!

2009-04-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Briana went to Vegas for the weekend so I volunteered to take care of Isaac for a few nights. Taking care of a kid straight, not just baby-sitting for a few hours, was completely different! Here are a few things I learned:

1. You will never ever ever get to sleep in again. When the kid wakes up, they want you to wake up too. Just putting Sponge Bob on (which apparently isn't a mom approved TV show, who knew?) while I tried to fall back asleep was very unsuccessful.

2. You have to be careful about the things you say and watch on TV around kids. This I learned after I heard Isaac say, "What the heck!", and after he was watching Lost with me he asked if that guy's arm that was just ripped off was real. Oops!

3. Don't even try and feed them chicken that is not in the shape of dinosaurs or mac n' cheese not from the blue box.

4. When they say they have to go to the bathroom, they mean NOW!

5. Church is completely pointless. I spent the entire time trying to entertain him, reminding him what it means to whisper, or telling him to stop tossing goldfish crackers at the people in front of us.

6. Say goodbye to freedom. I went out Saturday night, I had to find someone to watch him, and then I actually felt guilty all night for leaving him.

This was really the best birth control in the world. Every teenage girl should just babysit for a weekend, problem solved! As much as I love my Bubba, I don't think I'm going to complain (well let's be realistic, won't complain as much) the next time I have to stay up until 5:30am studying.

My Brother's a Whore

2009-04-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

Oh what Logan will do for money. I guess when boys are bored the possibilities are endless. Logan while trying to find a midnight snack came across this little gem:

For anyone who doesn't know what "Potted Meat" is, which I assume is everyone, here's a little definition: "Mechanically separated chicken, beef tripe, partially defatted cooked beef fatty tissue, beef hearts, water, partially defatted cooked pork fatty tissue, salt, and less than 2 percent: mustard, natural flavorings, dried garlic, dextrose, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite". Who wouldn't want to eat something that has mechanically separated chicken and beef tripe? (which fyi is the stomach) But seeing as it is almost midnight and was desperately trying to procrastinate my homework for a few more minutes, I threw in $4 bucks to see him do it, Taylor threw in $2, and mom threw in another $4. As soon as he pulled back that tin lid, it brought me right back to the days of running out to garage to open up a nice juicy can of cat food for Rajah. The consistency is also quite unexpected. It's like if you were to put all the ingredients in a blender first and then whip it until it's light and airy.

Laughing before First Bite:

Definitely not laughing and if you look closely you can see tears welling up:

I don't blame Logan for almost crying and and even commend him for keeping it down. I took about 1/257th' of a bite and thought I was going to hurl so although the can looks small it was more potted meat than any human should ever have to eat.

I'm a Really Good Faller

2009-03-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

Alexie and I went Skydiving yesterday and it was amazing!!! I went from completely terrified to completely elated in 3.5 seconds. I recommend it to everyone. We went to this place out in Lodi and when we got there they told us it was going to be a four hour wait. We had already psyched ourselves up so we decided to just tough it out and wait. It was so hot and boring but by the time our numbers were called I was soooo ready to just jump (or I guess hold on as someone else jumps). The only instructions we were told was just cross your arms and bend your knees, but I figure they know what they're doing, I mean they have some sort of license or certificate or something right? We got on the plane and it was a full 15 minutes of utter terror before we jumped, about 60 seconds of free fall at 120 mph, and then a few minutes to float on down. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to do it again.

I'm Back!!

2009-03-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

For the last few months, my life has been very un-fun and therefore very un-blogworthy, but today I decided to ditch school and go snowboarding. It was soooo sunny and crowded, but it was nice to do something besides homework or tax returns for a few hours.

(I'm sure if I knew how to use Photoshop I could make this picture look as amazing as it did in real life)

(Logan's first gondola ride- he felt very classy)

(This was our third try to get Taylor to take a normal picture- he is incapable)

(I did this jump two seconds later and got way higher but the boys must have missed it)

(Northstar has these weird things everywhere- Logan is being the Fanz)

It was a good day but I know I am going to regret this move come Tuesday.

School Should Be for Doctors and Lawyers!

2009-02-10T21:03:00.001-08:00

My life makes me sad!! When will it ever get better??

Darth Vader turns 4!!

2009-02-10T20:38:00.001-08:00

Isaac's birthday was on Sunday so we celebrated on Saturday with a Star Wars party. It was barely a party but Briana, and I believe very wisely, has realized that four year old's don't know if there are 5 people there and you spend $50 or if there are 20 people there and you spend $500. Isaac is crazy obsessed with Star Wars and has a weird love of Darth Vader. I have learned more about Star Wars in the last month from Isaac, than in all 25 years of my life. One morning I was just trying to keep him occupied while Briana got ready so I was asking him all kinds of questions and he could answer anything:

Me: What's your favorite Star Wars movie?

Isaac: Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back

Me: Who are the good guys?

Isaac: Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, and Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi ...

Me: Who is your favorite guy?

Isaac: Darth Vader! and he says this (weird breathing voice) "Luke I am your father", and he wears a helmet, and he wears black, and he has a light saber, and he lives on the death star and blah blah blah...

He can even hum Darth Vader's theme song. It's disgusting!!

Happy Birthday Isaac!!

I blame Lindsey!

2009-02-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

These are all pictures of different events over the last few months:

Another Saturday night...

80's night #1- Valley Girl 80's

Jazzercise 80's

And here is us last weekend:

We went to an 80's roller skating party and of course we had to go all out! We decided to do the 80's prom theme, ugly carnation corsages and all. We went over to Kaylynn's house to get ready just like if it was a real prom. Her husband Kyle even made us delicious Italian soda's (I think he was just trying to cover up how disappointed he was that he couldn't come).

Kaylynn found both of these gems at D.I. Her dress had these ginormous sleeves that actually one time even scared her because she thought it was someone coming up from behind! This gold number below was such a fabulous find- love the gold skirt.

I look like I could kill you in this picture but really I was just terrified I was going to be the first to fall. I hadn't been on roller skates since 1987 and I don't quite remember, but I'm pretty sure as a four year old I kinda sucked then too. It was a modern day miracle because I never did fall. There were plenty of close calls, and it's not like I was in the middle doing double axles or doing the limbo, but it was quite an accomplishment.

You can see my muscle has a protuberance because I was so tense that it actually got tired and was so sore for the next three days. (Only my right leg though)

I wonder when dressing up will no longer be fun and I will be forced to grow up. I hope that day doesn't come soon because I have an amazing sequins Disco outfit that is just

dying to come out!! Thanks girls!

It Starts...

2009-01-26T12:57:00.000-08:00

(Sorry this post is so negative)

This is what I felt like this morning as my alarm went off, and what I will probably feel like all day. Today marks the official first day of school for Sac State. Oh how I've missed it. I've missed the hour long drive in traffic, the crowded parking garages, the rabid squirels who aren't afraid of humans, the bitter teachers who don't get paid enough, and of course how could I forget the $110 parking pass I had to buy (It's still sometimes a good 20 minute walk to my class). I can't wait until I go buy books to see what's in store there. I have a 7:30AM class tomorrow and I don't get out until 5:45PM so I can tell already this is the start of a fabulous semseter.

Yes We Can!

2009-01-22T23:03:00.000-08:00

Us big Obama supporters celebrated the inauguration Tuesday morning with our own celebratory breakfast. This was the first time the boys have seen the 9 o'clock hour since they got home so that was also a cause of celebration. I am so excited about President Obama, I think he is going to do amazing things. Some of my favorite quotes from his speech:

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met."

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

Yes We Can!!

Lazy Lazy Vacation

2009-01-19T15:13:00.000-08:00

This being my very last Christmas vacation (hopefully I will have an official job this time next year) I decided to make the most of it by being incredibly super duper lazy. I'm only working part time so I have had plenty of time to do very non-productive things with my time. I have discovered some amazing things in my time off though.

1st: Netflix- I know everyone in the world probably has it but I'm a little slow. This "watch instantly" feature that they have is amazing! My new favorite show is "Friday Night Lights". It is seriously one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. It's not all about football if that's what you are thinking, and it's not one of those cheesy high school drama shows. It is seriously so good and you can watch Season 1 & 2 instantly on Netflix so that took up quite a bit of time over the last six weeks. Everyone go watch it!!

2nd: Facebook- Talk about a waste of time. I have been a myspace girl since 2003 so the thought of switching to Facebook just made me tired thinking about it, but when I found out my Aunt Maureenie and Aunt Caroline even had one I figured I had to jump on the bandwagon. This thing is such the time suck though, that I fear I may have to delete my account soon.

3rd: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius- This is a book about a 22 year old guy whose parents both die of unrelated cancer within a month of eachother, and he is then forced to raise his 7 year old little brother. It sounds much more morose than it actually was. The author just has such a funny way of writing about this situation. He writes about the funny things he would do with his brother like sock sliding around the house and chasing eachother with mouthfuls of water threatening to spit it on the other one. It very much reminded me of what must be going on with Taylor and Logan when they are living by themselves. It's a good read.

4th: I've been to the movies more in the last month than the last year. I strongly recommend "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Doubt". Both are movies I would even pay the 10 bucks again for.

I've only got 7 more days of vacation so I pray that it goes very slowly and that next Monday when my alarm goes off at 5:00 am I remember how much time I got to waste these last couple of weeks.

Lovely Layla

2008-12-11T20:54:00.000-08:00

I know I am biased but look at her...

I thought Kyla, Elise, and Olivia were just the cutest girls in the world. And then Isaac was the most adorable (as long as you don't take the Wii away from him), and now Layla. I guess it's just their Auntie's blood running through them!

2008-12-10T14:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa-

I know Christmas came early this year with the whole Bush out- Obama in thing, but here is my official list:

Poseidon Undersea Resort ($15,000)

This looks like the most fabulous vacation in the world. It's located in Fiji, the resort offers guests private plane transport from a Fijian airport to the "Mystery Island" where I can stay in this underwater hotel, and even use the submarine they have for exploring the reef. $15,000 sounds steep but for all that, I can't afford not to!

Tepee $2,200

How cool would the next Pope camping trip be in this thing. No bear would dare mess with people who are so one with nature that they stay in a tepee, even if it did cost $2,200.

Home Pro Racing Video Game Simulation System $4,000

Okay I know I only just started playing Settler's online but I am obsessed so I might be headed over to the dark side, you know, the one with all the gamers! I say that in a whisper because I really don't want that to get out, mostly to Taylor. But since I am now a gamer it's only natural for the next step to be this.

Floor Piano $250,000

Just like the one in BIG! Price is a little steep, but it also includes a one-hour dancing session with the FAO Schwarz choreographer. Can you really put a price on that?

Scallywag Sloop Pirate Themed Club House $18,500

I know I am probably too big to even get my right leg in this thing but this is probably the coolest playhouse in the world. I must have it, please oh please Santa. I'll even share it with Isaac.

Range Rover $ 96,600

Six months ago I would have been crazy to ask for a $96k gas guzzler, but soon they are going to be paying me to take gas so it's perfectly sensible.

Arrested Development

I know Santa you were thinking finally a reasonable gift, like a DVD, but not from me! I was wondering if you could talk to the head guys over a Fox and see why they hate the world so much that they would deprive us of this magnificent show. It did nothing but bring joy and happiness to all who watched it, and then some evil guys (who I can only imagine smoke Cuban cigars and have handlebar mustaches) decided they wanted to just take it away. The world deserves more!

Jesse Lacey- (there is no price tag for his magnificence)

This one may not be at the store Santa, but if you could just wrap him up for me I would be most appreciative.

Santa, I know this list might seem a little excessive in the midst of a financial crisis, but I promise I have been ever so good this year. I even made the Dean's list! Stop laughing Santa, yes I am still in school, and no I am not going to be a doctor, still working on the first degree. Merry Christmas!

Chelsea Lynn

Twilight Fever!

2008-12-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago I read the first Twilight book and was not a fan. I thought the idea of teen romance with that much intensity was ridiculous, Bella was pathetic and needy, and this Edward guy was soooo annoying with all the hand holding and face caressing, I thought I was going to puke. I got swept away in this excitement of the movie coming out- maybe it was the two posters hanging in our living room- so I went and saw it and I absolutely loved it!! Most people are talking about how cheesy and stupid the movie is but I thought it was really good, and I give it two thumbs up. (My opinion definetely matters) I think I just like the movie because of the uber-dreamy British actor who plays Edward with crazy hair who plays the piano and guitar. Don't base your opinion on the picture above, in real life, serious dream boat. (Me and fourteen year old girls have so much in common). So because I liked movie so much I decided I should finish the books. I am almost done with the third and again I am getting a little sick of these characters. Enough already with the "you are the love of my eternity" and "I can't live without you". I mean if this was real life and Edward was really saying to Bella "you can't go see Jacob without me watching" she should either tell him to shove it or punch him! And if Bella really can't function whenever Edward isn't around she should get a life, not go flying off to Italy to find him. I mean even I feel smothered by their relationship. Everyone knows this kind of love has a maximum shelf life of only 24 months before it expires. But I am still curious where this Stephenie chick is going so I continue to read hoping that she introduces a new character who encourages Bella to think for herself, get a degree, not revolve her life around Edward or Jacob, and have a life outside of just one boy. Alas, according the the book sales (25 million) I am alone in my thinking. Hey even I will read all four so I guess Stephenie Meyer did her job. Plus I may not be the best person to give out love advice. Let's hope it ends better and please Alexie, don't kill me in my sleep!

Silver Lining

2008-11-12T17:13:00.000-08:00

I've always been a glass half-full kinda girl- okay that may not be entirely true but as I filled up my car today I may have found a tiny perk to this economic crisis...

I really never thought I would see gas at $2.39 a gallon again. Now if we could just fix that silly little stock market. Good thing I voted for Obama to come and fix all my problems.

Snowboard Season is Here!!

2008-11-05T19:06:00.001-08:00

Boreal is opening tomorrow!! As much as I hate Boreal because it is always crowded and never has any good lifts open, I love how close and cheap it is. The last two years I have missed out on the snow and this year I am going to re-dedicate myself to the sport. One glorious season up at school, a friend and I had season passes to Targhee and we went all the time. Here are some pics of my amazing season...

(went off the tiniest jump you could imagine and landed on my wrist wrong)

(Some kid darted right in front of me, he then landed right on my face)

(my leg decided to run into a tree)

Good times!! Can't wait to see what damage I can do to my body this year. And I don't have health insurance so that will really add to the excitement.

2008-11-01T00:04:00.000-07:00

Witchy Witchy Screamy Screamy Happy Happy Halloweeny!!!

Our delicious treats: The traditional Taco Soup and Ghost Cupcakes

that Briana says are too hard to eat but Elise seems to be doing just fine!

Our amazing Pumpkins!! We were just going to do Obama but I was worried my mom would smash it in the street so we decided to be a little more bipartisan and we included McCain.

This one is my favorite and no one can see who it is. I feel like it is soooooo obvious! Isaac guessed Uncle Jerry so if that's what you are thinking you are wrong!

And our amazing costumes! Well, everyone else's amazing costumes. I was dressed as the boring Auntie this year. I put on Lindsey's other cheerleading outfit from the good

ol' days and I just couldn't do it. I think I was scarred from

last weekend. The girls were the cutest pirates I have ever seen.

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!!

Bad Decisions

2008-10-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

We all know I can make bad decisions (see post for proof), sometimes they can be small like that time I bought those shortalls (Don't worry I took them back) or they can be a little bigger like sleeping through Biology all semester and then being surprised when I fail. This weekend was full of bad decisions and of course I have documented them all for you. The first was at the pumpkin patch with the family. Layla was crying and you should all know that when my nieces and nephews cry it kills me and I will do anything to make it stop. Case in point, Layla crying with no pacifier because it fell in the gross petting zoo. Auntie Chelsea can fix that...

(Don't judge me- You weren't there, you don't know!!)

Then Saturday night was the Spazmatics. I'm so sorry for what you are about to see, I cannot believe I actually went out like this either....

Lastly, while at Bishop's Pumpkin Patch we had to get their famous Pumpkin Cake. It is so delicious, obviously you can tell how good I think it is..

It's okay though I'm eating an apple right now so I'm sure that evens it all out right? Well at least the "bad decision weekend" is over. Gotta run and finish off that pumpkin cake...Oh crap!

The Things Dad Loves More than His Children

2008-10-22T00:25:00.000-07:00

Dad decided in the wake of this economic crisis to "accidentally" buy another car on Ebay. This one at least looks a tad bit better than the Porsche. It is a 1956 MG Magnette and it's gorgeous. For the past 18 years we have had two of these puppies (mind you they don't look anything like this one) parked in the backyard with him saying he is going to fix them up "someday". Logan even got so far as to take out an engine but that's as far as it got. So now that he has one all done you would think it's time to get rid of the two junkers out back, but oh no...now he needs those for parts. Our backyard is slowly turning into a junkyard with all the cars (Datsun, Porsche, 2 MG's) plus the Bultaco's (too many to count as Dadio keeps sneaking more in when we're gone) and I'm sure our neighbors are thrilled with another car in our driveway (That's 5 cars for 4 people). We used to joke (deep down we know it is absolutely true) that Dad loved his Bultaco Metralla more than us kids, but now he has two "children" that we can never measure up to. Anyone want a ride come on over, he loves to show it off.

Click on this assignment from my english class and see if you can tell me which one is mine.

2008-10-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

Needless to say, this is Taylor again...

We're having a fire! ...sale

2008-10-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Taylor is learning so much at college:

So imagine your minding your own business one night, trying to fix yourself a BLT when you are so very rudely interrupted by an extremely loud obnoxious noise. Well this happened to me on the night of the 32nd and as i cooked my bacon the smoke wafted a bit into the family room thereby setting off the fire alarm. Remembering my days back home i waved a pillow at it to try and get it to stop but to no avail. As it continued i started to notice a large amount of people outside and as i stepped outside i came to realize that not only our apartment's alarm was going off but the whole building complete with strobe lights sending many into seizures. My room mates and I knock on the manager's door but no one answers so we sit outside for 20 minutes waiting for the fire trucks to come and save us. Eventually they and the police did come (the policeman made some rude comments about not being able to make bacon where i made some very witty remarks about; the police, bacon, pigs and pig noses, but i won't repeat those here). Once it stopped i finished making my sandwich putting the undercooked bacon meaningfully in; meanwhile, all my roomates got about 12 dates all together feeding like leaches off the experience taking advantage of the fact that 50 girls were there, wondering who started the fire. And amongst cheers and songs started like "Taylor started the fire! it was always burning, the world was turning" Taylor cries a single tear....

I would hate jeans too!

2008-10-02T23:47:00.000-07:00

Taylor has always had quite the aversion to jeans. He wouldn't even wear them until just recently and I think that was only because after much work on my part, (with a little help from Nordstrom) I made him realize that they match almost everything therefore the dressing himself part of his day, that much easier. Brie and I were looking through some pictures and we may have discovered where his hatred came from.

(In case you were wondering those babies absolutely are high wasted, pleated, and have an elastic waste.)

Another Saturday Night and I a'int got Nobody...

2008-09-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of time our family has been dressing up for no apparent good reason. We either dress up in 80's and head off to Kmart for some classy pictures (see above), or we would do a workout/music video for Marissa's boyfriend while he's was in the Navy (we pray it's not on youtube or our children may never recover). Mind you this was 15 years ago, and here are some pictures of last night...

Please help us- there are not enough psychologists in the Sacramento area for these problems!!!

Chelsea, always a bridesmaid, never a bride:

The Blushing Brides:

I take the bouquet toss incredibly serious:
We then decided it would be a genius idea to switch over to the 60's:

Now it was time for the 80's. I was having a hard time comprehending the design aesthetic from this era.

Clearly, the only thing left to do is jump around on the bed:

I know there are many questions after these disturbing pictures.

Why do 25 & 30 year old's have the time to dress up in play clothes and don't they have better things to do? We don't have either.

Why have we acquired so many useless articles of clothing?

This is nothing, we've got an attic full, and Lindsey has acquired quite the collection of her own that she keeps at her house. And useless? Oh I don't think so, these clothes have been used for 80's parties, high school dances, music videos telling your husband you are having his baby, or the annual Pope/Lawson Christmas program (Yes we are still doing it).

And lastly I know you are asking how can I still be single when I am clearly so amusing and fun? That my friend is a mystery that may never be answered.

Come join us next time!!

This may be the death of me...

2008-09-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

So yes I know there are huge things going on in the world right now, financial crisis, DOW down 300, McCain, Obama, Stephanie going on a date with Doug on Monday's The Hills, but get a load of this...

Mountain lion scare shuts down high school
- Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Del Oro High School was locked down Tuesday morning after a possible sighting of a mountain lion in a nearby neighborhood.
The school was warned by Placer County sheriff's officials about several possible sightings, said Anne Evans of Placer Union High School District.
The lockdown was issued at 9 a.m. and was lifted 40 minutes later, Evans said. As a precaution, outdoor physical education classes were curtailed for the day, she said.
Sheriff's Lt. Jeff Ausnow said the department received a call about 1:30 a.m. from a resident reporting a possible mountain lion in the area of Sun Knoll Drive, about a mile from Del Oro High School. Ausnow said the possible sighting will be handled by the state Department of Fish and Game officials.

Where the crap do we live? Don't the suburbs guarantee me some sort of city life where the possibility of being eaten by a rabid animal is out of the quesiton? I mean I could throw a rock to Del Oro, it is practically in our front yard! As if the bobcat sighting in our backyard, or the coyote who likes to drink from our neighbors pool, or the million skunks, raccoons, and possums that are plaguing this house aren't enough, now I have one more thing to be terrified of when I'm coming home late at night, and dear old Pops has turned off all the lights and locked the door. Seriously, it's amazing I'm still alive.

I am Protesting This

2008-09-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

I know society, and by that we mean our moms, have been telling us since we were old enough to do the dishes that we can't throw food away even if it one tiny bit of meat or salad that no one is going to eat. I have finally found a cause that I feel is important enough to stand up and say no more! I now have pictures to prove to my mother that saving leftovers is completely pointless in our house. The outside fridge should just be full of Diet Coke and Mountain Dew- isn't that what they were made for?

WARNING: Do not scroll down if you have just eaten. The Pope Household is not responsible for any vomiting or other illnesses that may be caused by looking at these pictures.

Let's stop the charade... and please let's not tell my mom I showed you these pictures... she might not see this cause as important as I do.

Taylor's First Day of School

2008-09-15T20:59:00.001-07:00

(Sorry the picture quality is so bad- why would the boys use a real camera that is a whole 20 feet away when a camera phone is right in their pocket)

It's a year of firsts at the Pope house! Isaac had his first day of Miss Cathi's and Tay had his first day at BYUI. Here he is on his sweet bike that ended up costing them more to haul up to Idaho than it did to buy. We're all so proud!!

The Tradition Lives On!!

2008-09-11T22:35:00.000-07:00

26 six years ago Briana had her first day of preschool at Miss Cathi's Kiddie College, it happened to be the first year Miss Cathi had her preschool. All five of us kids are alumni and on Tuesday Isaac had his first day of school at Miss Cathi's. For over a year now Isaac has been begging Briana to take him to school because he saw his cousins go, and to him all it meant was he got a cool backback and lunchbox. Here is the traditional first day of school picture outside our house...

That second one looks eerily familiar....

I don't know if you can tell but Taylor and Isaac look freakishly alike. They even have that wierd no teeth straight smile. Isaac has turned into a complete clone of Taylor, video game addiction and all.

2008-09-08T23:59:00.000-07:00

Who knows the worst way to blow $783?? Anybody... anybody? If anyone said at the CSUS bookstore, you are the winner!!! I'm going to go throw up now.

So Long Sweet Summer

2008-09-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

Summer is officially over! I started school last week and I absolutely love the two hours I spend in the car every day, love it, love it, love it!! Also the boys left for school this morning. Don't they look psyched to spend the next 11 hours in the car...

Our house is going to be so different without them here. I'm sitting right now in our family room with the flat screen all to myself with no one bugging me to play Call of Duty while Pops Pope is in the living room with the big screen all to himself without someone playing the Donnie Darko song over and over on the piano, so this whole empty house thing might not be so bad. Actually it will be really hard to get used to but I'm sure it will be good for them and they'll grow and learn a lot... blah blah blah. I just hope they find a way to get to bed before 3 a.m., eat food other than Jack n' the Box and Taco Bell, and maybe just maybe wash their sheets once throughout the semester. Alexie and Molly please help take care of them.

Duna-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAN!

2008-09-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

Oh, Arrested Development, how i miss thee.
Sometimes at the thought of you, i randomly scream.
Generally this happens in very public places.
You should see the look on some of the stranger's faces.

By Taylor Michael Pope

Free-Range Chickens

2008-08-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

For all of you that would like a quick hilarious read go pick this book up! This kid writes these funny little stories about random things, much like Taylor does. We voted and these are some of the best ones...

If adults were subjected to the same indignities as children

PARTY

Zoe: Dad, I'm throwing a party tonight, so you'll have to stay in your room. Don't worry, though: one of my friends brought over his father for you to play with. His name is Comptroller Brooks and he's about your age, so I'm sure you'll have lots in common. I'll come check on you in a couple of hours. (Leaves)

Comptroller Brooks: Hello.

Mr. Higgins: Hello.

Comptroller Brooks: So...um...do you follow city politics?

Mr. Higgins: Not really.

Comptroller Brooks: Oh.

(long pause)

(Zoe returns)

Zoe: I forgot to tell you: I told my finds you'd perform for them after dinner. I'll come get you when it's time. (Leaves)

Comptroller Brooks: Oh man, what are we going to do?

Mr. Higgins: I know a dance...but it's pretty humiliating.

Comptroller Brooks: Just teach it to me.

My top secret seventh-grade diary

Tuesday

Beware! If ye hath stumbled upon this secret tome, ye must put it downeth immediately! Thine eyes are not meant to readeth these words! Indeed, if thy continue to readeth, a most horrible curse shall fall upon your very soul!

Today I went to school. Afterwards I watched Charles in Charge and Murphy Brown.

Thursday

O heavenly beasts, with horns of iron and wings of steel, I summon you to earth to unleash your wicked torments upon they who dare to readeth these words! Curse them! Curse them a thousand times over! For to read this consecrated tome is to rip open mine heart and feast upon its sacred truths!

Charles in Charge, Murphy Brown, The Hogan Family, Three's Company, Murphy Brown rerun, The Hogan Family.

Friday

Oh my goodness, I just found out they're canceling The Hogan Family. I don't know what to do. My fingers are shaking so much it's hard to hold the pencil. I've been crying for three straight hours and I can't make myself stop. There's a chance they might show reruns in the summers but I'm not even sure if they'll do that. I've never felt so lonely and scared in my entire life. My Mom's going to get home from work soon and I'm going to have to go our there and smile and somehow pretend like everything's all right. But on the inside I'll be screaming at the top of my lungs, screaming with anger and fear. It's times like this that I wonder if you even exist, God. Where were you today? Just hanging out? Well, guess what? The Hogan Family was canceled.The third best show the year, gone forever. Like so much dust in the wind.

Saturday

Who's the Boss marathon.

Dalmatians

-Hey, look, the truck's stopping.

-Did they take us to the park this time?

-No...it's a fire. Another horrible fire

-What the heck is wrong with these people?

A Miracle

After nine nerve-racking months, an Iowa woman gave birth to septuplets yesterday. All seven babies survived and are currently being treated in the hospital's intensive care unit. "It's a miracle," Dr. Albert Ea said. "An honest-to-God miracle."

Angel: God? Can you help me stop this forest fire? It'll just take a few minutes.

God: Hold on...I'm busy giving this woman extra babies. I've already got her up to four.

Angel" Whoa...sir...no offense, but that looks pretty unhealthy.

God: What do you mean? She asked for babies and I'm giving them to her. It's a miracle.

Angel: I know, and it's very noble of you to answer her prayers. I just...I don't understand why she needs so many babies all at once. I mean...wouldn't it make more sense to space them out?

God: Hey, look, I got it up to five.

Angel: Aren't you at all nervous about medical complications? I mean...these babies will almost certainly be delivered prematurely. And if that happens, the risk of birth defects will-

God: Six! Check it out-six babies!

Angel: Sir...this is really impressive...but I think you should focus on the forest fire right now.

God: One more baby.

Angel: Don't you think six is enough?

God: Seven's the record. I want to try to at least tie it.

Angel: No offense, sir...but I'm not sure if this the best use of your time.

God: Trust me: people are going to love this.

Captain McCool...

2008-08-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

Where is your cell phone?.........................dunno
Your significant other?...............................PS3
Your hair?.........................................butchered
Your mother?...................................talky
Your father?.................................... painty
Your favorite thing?.............................television
Your dream last night........................Albino
Your favorite drink................................ Mike's
Your dream/goal.............................. stabless
The room you're in.......................... family
Your children?................................... imaginary
Your fear?....................................... Everything
Where do you want to be in 6 years?............. Stabless
Where were you last night?........................ Home
What you're not?.................................... uncool
Muffins?......................................... Carrot
One of your wish list items?......................... Mac
Where'd you grow up?................................ Television
What'd you read last?......................... Atlas
What are you wearing?......................... Frowns
Your TV?...................................... Friend
Your pet?................................. Murdered
Your computer?............................... Murdered
Your life?..................................... Restfull
Your mood?................................ Bored
Missing someone?............................ Michael
Your car?......................................... sweet
Something you're not wearing?.................. Jewlery
Favorite store?.............................. Amazon
Your summer?.................................... Boring
Like someone?..................................... Jemaine
Your favorite color?................................ Orange
Last time you laughed................................ Seconds
Last time you cried?..................................... Eons

I bet I beat Amy!

2008-08-26T08:47:00.001-07:00

Lindsey challenged... I accepted! I bet I beat Amy to it!

Tagged care of Lindsey Pinsey (that's what my mom calls her, feel free to use it)

Answer the following with only one word.

Where is your cell phone?.........................desk
Your significant other?...............................M.I.A.
Your hair?.........................................expensive
Your mother?................................... loving
Your father?.................................... practical
Your favorite thing?.............................music
Your dream last night........................scanning
Your favorite drink................................soda
Your dream/goal.............................. graduate
The room you're in.......................... cubicle
Your children?................................... eww
Your fear?....................................... bears
Where do you want to be in 6 years?.............rich
Where were you last night?.........................bed
What you're not?.................................... adult
Muffins?......................................... poppyseed
One of your wish list items?.........................insurance
Where'd you grow up?................................Loomis
What'd you read last?.........................JoeytheHitMan(seriously how do you make that one word)
What are you wearing?......................... money
Your TV?...................................... love
Your pet?................................. never!
Your computer?............................... vital
Your life?..................................... behind
Your mood?................................anxious
Missing someone?............................ Arrested
Your car?......................................... SOLD!
Something you're not wearing?.................. pajamas
Favorite store?.............................. Urban
Your summer?.................................... fast
Like someone?..................................... Bleeker
Your favorite color?................................red
Last time you laughed................................ yesterday
Last time you cried?..................................... months

I feel like I need to further explain most of these.
I tag Marissa (now you have to start one), Abby, and Taylor (check back I'm sure his will be hilarious)

2008-08-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been working on a very intense, and by intense I mean boring, project at work that leaves me plenty of alone time with a giant cabinet of old tax returns and our little scanner. The only thing that has saved me from throwing myself out the window is my iPod. These are the songs I can't get enough of this week:

Paper Planes- M.I.A.
I'm Yours- Jason Mraz
The Story- Brandi Carlile
Hide and Seek- Imogen Heap
Pin- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I'd be Lying- Straylight Run
Wolves at Night- Manchester Orchestra
Karma Police- Radiohead
The Mariner's Revenge Song- Decemberists
Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want- The Smiths
Not the Sun- Brand New

Lets hope these are enough to get me through the week!

More T.V.

2008-08-19T16:34:00.001-07:00

If anyone knows our family at all they know we like T.V....alot! Lately Taylor and I have been really into this show "Flight of the Conchords". We have slowly recruited the rest of our family and if you want a good laugh, watch some of these clips.

Pictures of Camping

2008-08-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

The last two posts were from Taylor (I'm sure you could tell- I'm not that clever). I am posting some pics of our trip. It was a lot of fun- minus the bears, and the thousands of wasps, oh yeah and the mile and a half walk to the lake, and I guess the tiny campsite. Actually now that I think of it, maybe it wasn't so much "a lot" of fun.

This is me when I hadn't even seen the bear yet, I had just heard about it.

We don't have a picture of me after I saw the first bear but this picture really captures my emotions!

The mile walk down to the water- at least it was pretty

All Isaac wanted to do was find rocks and throw them- sometimes in the water, sometimes at strangers.

The boys went up to their knees for about 30 minutes trying to get the courage to get all the way in

Kyla and Camille wanted to get buried in the sand. You can see Olivia in the background moments away from putting a fistful of sand on Camille's head. She's going to have no problems in pre-school.

Layla had her first camping trip- Lindsey wouldn't even stay overnight so she didn't even get to see the exciting parts!

A bear of a good time camping...that was one heck of a clever title.

2008-08-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

Bears are nature's mystery. Not so much what they eat or why they hibernate but the real mystery lies in us humans not making them extinct a long long time ago. If i never see another bear for the rest of my life it will be too soon. That expression doesn't really make sense but it describes exactly how i am feeling after this traumatic experience. We saw 2 bears in as many nights and i am quite afraid of this trend continuing for if it does i shall see another one tonight and another the following and so on. I have read up on the issue and statistically you are more likely to win the lottery than to be attacked by a bear so that calms my nerves.

A great thing has happened...

2008-08-15T12:58:00.001-07:00

Close your eyes and imagin your vehicular transporter needing no fuel. Imagine being vehicularly transported places and being able to hear the birds chirp, and cats scratching at lamp posts. Okay now open your eyes. What kind of vehicular transport were you thinking of? No its not some wacky electric car costing thirty grand. No what i am speaking of is a Schwinn "Sprint" bicycle circa 1974. Now on august the thirtinth my dear brother's Logan and Taylor were at the local Deseret Industries when what should catch their eye but a lovely teal blue bicycle. Now they just had to have it, there was no desicion spoken out loud. They just carried it right to the cashier and handed over the money. After fixing any imperfections with wd-40 the bike ran like it was right out of the vietnamese sweatshop that it was fabricated in. Logan has yet to ride the bicycle any real distance, but Taylor has proven himself by riding all the way to the post office, easily a 25 mile journey though i do not know the exact distance. Some would question Logan's true motives in this purchase, why buy a bike that you are not going to ride? Perhaps just for the oportunity to say you own it. Who knows...but what i do know is that the 1974 Schwinn Sprint was by far the most beutiful bicycle ever made and i would defy anyone who says diferantly....

2008-08-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

I have not mowed the lawn since Logan was tall enough to see over the handlebars of our lawnmower. So imagine my surprise on Saturday when Papa Pope insisted it was my "turn". I should remind him of this "turn" thing the next time he says, "What's for dinner?" or "Someone needs to do laundry". My family thought this was such a sight to see they took a picture. They also didn't understand the boots. Logan thought I looked like a six year old, but I'm sure Urban made those boots just for the purpose of mowing a lawn, right?

Most of my Problems come from T.V.

2008-08-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

This morning was like any other morning, I sit there eating my Cinnamon Life cereal while watching Saved by the Bell. When I was younger I lived and breathed for Saved by the Bell. I still like to watch it sometimes even though there are plenty of plot holes and the dialogue is seriously lacking. It reminds me of my childhood and takes me back to a simpler time when apparently kids in high school don't have sex or do drugs. (Remember the episode when the movie star Johnny Dakota comes and he does pot and all the kids are so shocked that they do this whole anti-drug campaign- so believable!) Anywho, this mornings episode was particularly alarming because it was the one where Kelly and Zack break up. This is word for word how the conversation goes. Mind you Kelly is cheating on Zack with another guy.

(Imagine the sappy "How am I Supposed to Live Without You" playing in the background to really set the mood)

Zack: I know there's something going on between you and Jeff, just talk to me.

Kelly: I don't know how to say this, it's just that Jeff and I have been working together and...

Zack: Do you really like him?

Kelly: No. Yes. I don't know. It's just all happening so fast.

Zack: Kelly what happened, I thought you loved me?

Kelly: I do love you Zack. It wasn't supposed to be this way, not for us. I didn't want to hurt you for anything in the whole world.

Zack: I thought we'd always be together.

Kelly: Zack I'm so sorry.

Zack: I'll miss you Kelly, but hey how about one last dance?

Kelly: I'd like that.

And then they dance as the sappy song fades out.

Here I am mouthful of cereal when it hit me! This is what is wrong with me, I was given the worst example of a breakup ever! I mean I've had my fair share of breakups and never ever do they go this smooth. It's never "oh I cheated on you and I don't like you anymore". "Hey that's all right, let's have one last dance". From my fuzzy memory of high school I think it goes more like this...

(Names have been changed to protect the identity of the persons involved)

Delsea: Hey I have something to tell you and the only reason I'm telling you is because you're probably going to find out from someone else anyway. I kissed someone else last night but hey, I'm really sorry about it.

Gayson: You %*^%$! I'm going to spread horrible rumors about you all over school.

Delsea: Fine by me! I already told everyone that you're a jerk and possibly a little gay!

Gayson: I can't be gay, I already made out with your best friend!

Delsea: What? You're a @#$%^&*!

Gayson: You're a #$%^!

That was a completely fictional occurrence of course, so I can only imagine this is what it would be like to have an explosive breakup. Anyway, I realized I may have been given a slight skewed view of what real life would be like. Also someone failed to mention that you're not going to be best friends for the rest of high school and then run off to Vegas and get married. Actually what you are going to do is run into them at the grocery store in your disgusting Saturday-only sweats, after you have just run three miles, and you're all alone buying tampons and deodorant! I'm going to write to Fox right now so I can create a TV show that really prepares our youth for the wonderful rights of passage to come.

2008-08-04T18:50:00.001-07:00

This is a little movie Taylor made for our ward talent show. It really showcases his many gifts. We're so lucky to have this kid around, he makes life so much more interesting.

Our Little Writer!

2008-08-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

Friday morning I walk downstairs and this is what is taped to the wall right as you walk down so it can't be missed! If only he could use his powers for good. For those of you who don't know Taylor has a little bit of a video game "problem".

Dad: Taylor, shut your game off. It's 2:30 am.

Taylor: But father, I can not sleep.

Dad: The game probably has something to do with that. Anyways I have a lot for you to do tomorrow and you know what they say, "The early bird gets the world".

Taylor: Who is saying that?

Dad: People

Taylor: Well these people obviously don't know me very well.

Dad: Why's that?

Taylor: Well lets say you were creating a metaphor with two main characters, one, a majestic bird soaring the skies, the other a lowly worm soaring the dung piles. Now you had to choose one main character to fit me, who might you choose?

Dad: The worm

Taylor: Exactly, now according to your little metaphor the hot time to be bird food is early in the morning so by waking early I would definitely be securing my own demise.

Dad: Yeah, that's tru..

Taylor: I'm not finished father. Okay so if I wait to wake up till...lets say noon-ish, the birds shall be filled to the beak with all those moron worms who listen to your terrible advice/metaphor and died subsequently, leaving me to roam all the crap fields I want, without a care in the world...now that's a well tailored metaphor.

Dad: Go to bed.