film.

i just really forgot how much i love shooting film!

i've been using my new camera (read about it here) and i finally got my first two rolls developed.

here's one of my favorite dog on the planet...

smile!

it's friday, pumpkin.

this little girl lights up my life. i'm about to cry just thinking about leaving this face behind.

happy friday.

have a great weekend, yall!

A Conversation with Hillery and Brian

Here's the scene... sitting in the recliners, in the play room. Brian playing on his phone. Me and Hillery talking about Germany.

Hillery: Your gonna find a guy over there, I just know it.
Me: Well... I don't know. Can you imagine if I brought a guy home that I found over there. Especially if he's in my school, he's probably gonna have dreads or something.
Brian: [looks up from phone] You just need a clean cut, nice looking guy...
Instant objections from Hillery and Me.
Brian: You don't like clean cut guys?! [obviously flabbergasted]
Hillery: No, here's her type... Not too big, but taller than her... probably wears skinny-er pants
Brian: Skinny pants are GAY.
Hillery: Not skinny... just straight... tattoos... probably all down his arms and across his chest... oh, he better have good pecks...
Me: Yes, definitely.
[Brian rolls eyes... still playing on phone]
Hillery: Maybe longer hair... or messy...
Brian: Why do want a guy with nasty hair?
Hillery: Shut up.
Brian: [In disgusted tone] Is he gonna wear rings too?
Hillery: Maybe, but there will definitely be bracelets, definitely.

And this right here is why I love them, and why I'm going to miss them so much...

Completely creepy video, but I have a funny story:

I had this song in my head yesterday and was singing it when I got home. Taegan has been hanging out with mom during the day, so she was still there when I got to the house. We were making popcorn, she was watching it pop, and all the sudden I hear sing:
"Oh my my, oh heck yes..."
She was right on beat too.
(I had censored myself, thankfully.)

And this is why I love that little girl to peices.

Just found out...

...another cousin is knocked up.

(and by knocked up I mean, they were actually trying to have a baby and succeeded! YAY!)

That makes three (count em: 1-2-3) cousins that will all have babies while I'm gone. I'm only leaving for 6 months....

It almost feels like a conspiracy.

And if any of you others decide to have one while I'm gone, I'm going to be seriously angry.

Can the baby making factories take like 3 month (or longer) sabbatical? Thanks.

In other baby news, Hillery and Brian will be revealing their boy/girl status this week! SO. EXCITED!

**edit**
the third is on the Self side of my family...
...and much to my dismay, it's not Joe and Raelye, so don't even go there.

birthday greatness! :)

this is the 'no makeup/in my pajamas edish'

a new camera strap arrived on my doorstep today from Ms. Taylor Olness...

From Joe, Raelye, Taelye, and Taegan:

My brother made me a pen/pencil. I cannot describe how it does both lead and ink in a way that would make in sense whatsoever on here. So next time you see me, ask me.

...and a new bible!

I just got home from Joe and Raelye's. They were so great and had me, the rents, granny and mema over for a birthday celebration this evening. Complete with excellent hamburgers, home grown beef courtesy of Raelye's dad, and homemade ice cream. Oh yes, there was Dos Equis too! This just rounds out a perfectly wonderful 23rd birthday weekend!

I have such great family and friends!

Please excuse the webcam pictures. It's just the easiest way to do it!

Monday morning blues...

after this weekend, it was hard to get up and come to work this morning.

I left with the rents lunchtime Friday, we drove to San Antonio (Taegan calls it an'antonio). Of course my dad had to go to WoodCraft and look around at all the woodworking things that I know nothing about and another wood store. After that we went and checked in to the hotel and headed to Bass Pro Shop.

How awesome is that store? I've been there a million times and never get tired of it, and I don't even like 'outdoorsy' things. I got a sleep mat and backpack for the Germany trip.

After shopping we went to P.F. Chang. Best. Food. Ever.
There were:
2 Bottles of Pinot Noir
Steamed Chicken Dumplings
Lettuce Wraps
Double Pan Fried Noodles
Almond Cashew Chicken
Mongolian Beef
Seuchuan Asparagus
Mini Tiramisu and Carrot Cakes for Dessert.
Yes, there was only three of us. Don't Judge - it's rude.

Oh yes, there was a trip back to Bass Pro after dinner. My dad was mulling a gun purchase.

Saturday- Dad went to WoodCraft (again) while me and mom slept in.
We shopped at La Cantera - I found the best warm, winter leggings from the Gap along with some cute new skinnies. Go me! I've been searching everywhere! Mom got some new Chico's outfits. Then Lunch at Pappadeaux's. We ran errands that afternoon, went to a pool store and an outdoor furniture place. Then we vegged out for a an hour or two and went to eat dinner at Macaroni Grill, followed by another trip to Bass Pro (still mulling - and mulling ended when they apparently sold the gun he wanted.)

Seriously, the weekend was nothing but shopping and eating.

...and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

i love being an aunt.

happy saturday. i've spent the day with this chickadee and several others.

photobooth.

gpoyw... the brother, sister-in-law, and niece edish.

we're one good looking family, you don't have to tell me.

GPOYW

Aly+Christina+Malibu=

• Wearing sunglasses at night... inside
•  Bacon that Cooks in 15 seconds
• A 21 Crown
•  Dancing in my Parents Kitchen.

"You don't choose your family, they are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

-Desmond Tutu



Storytelling by Taegan

Grandma (aka Nana) you're Cinderella.
Tia is the evil witch.


I hate to point out the obvious Taegan, but there is NO WITCH in Cinderella.
So either, she just wanted to call me an evil witch or she mixed up her fairy tales...

Either way, I'm the evil witch.

a conversation:

(calling my mom)
Mom: Hello
Me: Hey, I'm thinking You, Me, Pool, and Beer when I get off.
Mom: Glad we're on the same page.
Me: YES! I just have to grab my swimsuit and I'll be there.

Mom: GOOD!! I have Dos Equis, Landshark, Coors Light, and Miller Light.
Me: Glad we're on the same page.

Mom: Love you.
Me: Love you, too.
BYE!!

I LOVE MY MOM!

On the day's agenda:

• pick up the bux... venti iced caramel macchiato come to momma!
• clean mom's house.
• watch taelye play soccer.
• swim @ the rents.
• drink a marg.

it's going to be a hard day if you couldn't tell.

Happy Saturday! Hope you'll be having as much as me!

And here's a picture because every post needs one. obvi.

SMILE Friday!!

Three Generations.

Obviously we have some good genes.

Happy Early Mother's Day Momma!!

the ramifications of my actions rear it's ugly head again.

Allegedly, Taegan was laying down and having her 'Papa T' (Raelye's Dad) trace her body with chalk on the sidewalk at their house, then she would get up and draw clothes/color it in. Taelye loves to do this as well.

So she started coloring her clothes and what not... and Joe said she started drawing a flower on her arm.

When asked (by Papa T) what exactly that was she responded, "That's mah flowah stamp."
Papa T said, "Oh really?"
Taegan looked up and said, "Yea, like my Tia's!"

My Response:
Can I help it that I'm just so cool that everyone wants to be like me?
The answer is:  Absoutely Not.

All roads are leading to being the coolest aunt any little girl could want...

hello world.

Me and Charlie just chillin' watching too much reality TV. Good thing you'd never know that my tonsils are almost swollen together by looking at this picture.

happy saturday!

This is just one reason I love my brother so much.

"Save the drama for your momma. I don't care, I don't want any part of it, just shut [up]."

Happy 5th Birthday...

....to my oldest neice.

I remember the day she was born. I was a senior in high school, and I got to miss school (naturally, I thought that would be the best part of the day). We were waiting in the waiting room, for like 2 seconds, before they said she was here. (The wait didn't seem long, like most people say) Then we got to go in, and I saw that precious baby girl for the first time.

I was smitten!

Here she is in the Justin Bieber shirt I got her for her b-day!

I'm limited to what I have on Facebook... so I'll try to post a few new ones later. But seriously, isn't she ADORABLE?!

Love you baby girl.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wow!! The holidays have ended. It makes me happy and sad all at the same time. The end of another and another new beginning. Every year I have so many emotions regarding the year to come. Twentyten was a big year for me, I learned so much about myself and I graduated from college. Yipee. However, I know that twentyeleven is going to be a rollercoaster of a ride... finding a job, going back to school (possibly), moving. It all makes me want to crawl back into bed. But I'm also excited.

NYE was an interesting day...
...found my lost phone, and didn't have to mourn its death!
...drove to Austin with Sarah. A wonderful trip that included many deep (and not-so-deep) conversations and singing along to loud music.
...bought a new outfit at Express. I'm now in love with their jeans.
...went to see Black Swan (a post regarding this experience will follow)
...Mexican Martinis at Trudy's. Along with some really good chicken quesadillas.
...rang in the New Year under a canopy of baloons at the Ranch on 6th street.

New Years Day was even more interesting...
...had brunch at Taverna. We really need a good brunch place in San Angelo. I want to be able to get eggs benedict more often than when I'm in Austin. They also have $1 mimosas!
...dropped yet another best friend at the airport. I drove Tamura the day after Christmas, this time is was Sarah's turn. If my best friends were truly concerned with my mental and emotional health they would both move back to Texas. Sorry, thats so selfish, no true.
...decided spontaneously to drive to Mansfield to see my family. That was a great decision.

And finally yesterday, we had lunch at P.F. Chang's. This was my fortune:
"New and rewarding opportunities will soon develop for you."
Well, if thats not the best fortune to get at the beginning of a new year, I don't know what is.

Also, started my picture-a-day challenge (number 1 on my life list). I took them on the Fisheye, so I can't post them immediately. They will be posted as soon as they are developed.

Pictures from christmas are coming soon!! :)