M&M

Sorry to all my other cousins, but I think these two cuties are my new favorites

I'm the second youngest cousin on my mom's side. Karoline, my cousin, is just two years younger than me. We were "the little girls" for the longest time. But thankfully we grew up and we have some pretty great replacements. My aunt and uncle adopted Maris and Marion in the same year, with the girls being 1 year apart. It's crazy, chaotic and yet the sweetest thing ever. Adoption is amazing and I'm so thankful we have these cuties in our family forever.

I actually hadn't met the girls until just a couple months ago (December to be exact!) Which is crazy, considering how obsessed I am with them now. When we visited them over spring break, I new it was time for some photos (new camera? new cousins? perfect.)

Is your heart exploding because, same! I'm so thankful that the Lord brought them into our family. They're a handful, of course, but a constant reminder of God's love and grace. Redemption is such a beautiful thing...also a blurry thing because these two would not sit still for photos. Thankfully they're stuck with me for life, they'll get the hang of this modeling thing soon.

Maris Laura and Marion Carol, welcome to the family! 

(and all the photoshoots that being related to me entails...;))

Northwest is best

Last weekend we went to Portland. Portland Oregon, which is about 18 million miles from where we live. And what does one take photos of when they travel 18 million miles, go to their cousins wedding and see family and such that they have not seen in at least 5 years?

Take cloud photos!

I seriously have about 80 cloud pictures and it's kind of sad isn't it? In their defense, they were rockin' clouds, but people are better! And weddings! I like weddings, but I guess not taking pictures of them?

On a side note, while visiting I had a very intense urge to pick blueberries. I don't even like blueberries though! Something about the nostalgia of it, I have no idea. However, my magical blueberry fest idea was quickly vetoed as traveling 18 million miles with 3 pounds of blueberries would really drain all the magic out of it.

It was so good to be back in the mountains and to see family and to not be sweating constantly. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO LIVE IN 70 DEGREE WEATHER. Amen.

Photo dump, you asked for it. Didn't you?

▲▲ Good news folks, I was the winner of the artsy photo contest held in the Boston airport! On an unrelated note, I was the only one in it. Landslide victory if you ask me!

 ▲▲ Corn Hole! My advice, try not to play at like 10:00 at night, you might not be so pumped with your results.

▲▲ You know, I used to really hate posting pictures of me that were less than fabulous. But now in my ripe old age I have realized that no matter what, I look like I imagine myself too, so what the heck! Of course, a little more awkward photo discretion might be appreciated by you, but feast your eyes on Cousin Katie and Cousin Kellyn. Seriously, all the good looking genes in this family went right over my head and into these girls. No fair. No fair AT ALL.

▲▲ A family photo! Or the best we've got. We are a bunch of weird munchkins.

And now my brother is off to college in the bestest state and I am starting school and summer is outta here. But it was a very nice adventure for the last weekend of bliss and things of that nature. Bliss is also not showering for a week, thank you very much.

Cheers to families and weddings and 18 million mile trips and cloud photos of course! It's been the greatest summer ever lived.

The Day after...

I'm not the only one who thinks the day after Christmas is the worst right? I mean, we get all worked up for ONE STIKIN' day and then after that - POOF! All the excitement and joy goes out with a huge WHOOSH.

(Please excuse all the capsy-jiberish.)

I have to say though, our day after Christmas was ANYTHING but rotten. We adventured all around our suburbia. And since we couldn't make it to Hawaii to mourn our day after sadness, an abandon riverfront property had to do.

 Aahhh yes, me hugging (or really, awkwardly touching) a mailbox. We trying to be all discreet but then our bikes broke right in front of that house. Not like anyone is looking as we hug your festive mailbox....nope. No one.

How was your Christmas? Hope it was amazing!
XOXO,
Mailbox-hugger.

Pinked up

This is not astronomical by any stretch. But I'm kind of lazy. Okay fine. Totally lazy. As far as manicures go, this means I basically paint one hand and if we are talking pedicures, 6 of my toe nails. So giving my self a (FULL!) manure, is actually a big deal!

Remember last year when I said from then on I would only by Essie? Well I also said I probably would not be getting much nail polish. And I was totally right! This is my first bottle since 2011. I went for the Essie again. This color also happens to match every accessory in my room. Which proves I have a problem. And that problem is named Barbie Pink.

As far as my facial is concerned, it went okay. I used some facial thing Elise gave me. You plaster it on, then let it become plaster of sorts. After a while, you peel it off and (supposedly) have luscious and soft skin. That only happens if you can actually peel it off. And if you don't, friends will think your skin is peeling. Seriously, 3 days later I still had the stuff on.

Xoxo, Kryn

PS: You can read all my Summer List things here.

Name day Love

Just one day left with....
This has gone by so quickly! I love the idea's of daily posts, but doing it for a whole month is way to long. 14 days is the perfect amount of time, I have enjoyed doing this! Hopefully, you haven't been bored out of your mind. I told you right from the start, it wouldn't be rocket science.

Today's, I'm more or less merging a celebration and 14 things post. So groovy! For almost my entire life, I have wanted to change my name. I have always loved names and I was never satisfied with my own. Now, I like my name lots. What I wanted to name myself was always changing. I remember one time I went on a trip with the cousins and the whole trip I was obsessed with the name "Terra Rose" (which, by the way, I don't really like now!) By the end of the trip I was completely sick of it and started liking the name Jadyn. Now I just have a few names swimming around my brain that I like. And they are...

Faya
Pippa
Amity
Camilla
Essie

Did I mention I like kinda funky names? Its always been my thing. And then, I like really classic middle names like Margret, Elizabeth, Kathryne and Grace. I would pick any of those names if I had to rename myself. I like all those bunches.

And one more thing! Your soap opera name! Okay, I honestly don't know what Soap Opera's have to do with this, but I guess if you find yourself in the middle of a soap opera and need a name, this is the one you should use. To make your soap opera name, Make your 1st name your Middle name and then your last name the first street you lived on. Some can be really neat! Of course, you may want to substitute your last name for something else if you first lived on a highway or something. "Elsie Highway 76" may not be dramatic enough for a soap opera. But I'm just saying.

I love names. Maybe even Terra Rose.

365 Days ago

This was taken:



This song was made up:

Grandma got run over by the Schwans man,
Walking out from our house on the 22nd
You may say there's no such thing as schwans man,
but as for me and Brookie, we believe.

These girls made me really, really happy:


And now you know,
what happened 365 days ago.

I am turning into such a poet.....yeah right.

Unique talent discoverd!

I wasn't planning on celebrating today, I don't really have any unique talents. Well, I can talk a lot faster than most people, but I'm not really sure if that falls into the talent category. I can't wink. Rolling my tongue is not an option. I can't move my fingers in weird ways.

BUT! today I discovered I can balance a spoon on my nose! Is that unique or what?!?!?! Maybe every one else thinks that is so old, but it's totally new to me so I am a huge fan. Dad was trying to have a serious Thanksgiving conversation, and there I am balancing my spoon on my nose.

Seriously Awesome.

So that is my latest and greatest new talent and also Newvember #24. And by the way, we are not very formal around this joint. I was in my pajamas when we had our feast. That's how I like things.

Sincerely,
Rockin' the silver spoon.

PS: Brooke can rock the silver spoon too!

Smells of the Season

It's practically Christmas.

Can you believe it!?!??!

Clearly, I'm having problems with this fact. It seems like only yesterday I was rafting with the cousins.

And having a wonderful time on the longest day of the year.

But I love Christmas. So, I'm never really sad when it comes around. To usher in the holiday season, I went and bought holiday candles.Smell of the Season #1: Vanilla Bean Noel.

This candle is luscious. It makes me want take a bath in its wonderful vanilla goodness. It's not super Christmasy, but it looks super Christmasy. That counts right??

I think Bath and Body works should pay me for all this advertising I'm doing. If only they knew about me! I might contact their C.E.O......

Never mind.

For people who wear plaid shorts...

All you techies rejoice, today is the day for you! I'm no techie, but I can appreciate their technological minds. Techies are nerds. But nice ones! Brooke says I will marry someone who works for Apple. Apple workers are complete techies. And have you noticed they ALL wear plaid shorts? I am serious! Its really quite unusual.

Name your car day was yesterday. I didn't participate because I don't own a car yet. I should be thinking of names for my hippie van. I love to name things, as you all know by now. Our car(s) are already names. Elise got a rav4 this summer and named it Manishqua? I can't remember. It was a really good name whatever it was. And then our friends, they named their car the green bean. It is pretty accurate.

I'm having a bad techie moment. I'm playing a game on my iPod and its freezing up and the music is beeping, sort of. Where's my plaid shorts guy when I need him??

Sorry, that was kind of random, but I figured I'd tell you since I'm having techinal difficulties. AND OH MY! The DJ for Publix and Walmart are the greatest! I heard the Beach Boys, Michael Buble and Ingrid Michaelson. I was so happy. And I dont even listen to Ingrid.

The only reason I'm telling you all this nonsense is because it Techie day. Goodbye forever.

Sincerely,
Can't get rid of me that easy.

PS: This has nothing to do with Name your car day or anything with Techies, but once Elise got a microphone and she named it Ingrid. I think I should name my hippie van Ingrid. Or Blossom. You tell me.

PPS: I though of something else techie, my dad just got an iPad. If he'd only get plaid shorts!

Achoo

Blogs are sort of like Diary's you know. Sort of. Yesterday, I wrote a whopping 5 pages in my diary. Yes 5! So many funny things happened, from me dropping the laptop bag to our no laughing game at the Walkers that I had to include every detail. Oh by the way, I have a diary. I love it. I like to write. I like to read what I write. I like it very much. I have a hilarious story that involves Elise, Facebook and Diarys, but none of you would understand it because one of those "you have to be there" moments. I kind of hate those. Then when you tell other people they don't understand what you are talking about and its really awkward.

Once Upon a time I was in a Spanish class. Besides the fact that the only word I learned was Hola, I learned that one girl in our class was a humongous fan of Pink Elephants. When ever we'd write story's or translate, she always managed to incorporate "Elefante Rosa". It was really funny. And you may be wondering why the post is titled Achoo. Its because when I sneeze, I sound like an elephant. I really do! I actually accidentally took a video of me sneezing today and it was a great celebration. I'm not posting it because I was in my pajamas and wearing Tye dye.

So that's that. I apologize for the lack of post and interestingness in the few posts I manage to get out. I have some pictures for you I'll share later.

Sincerely,
Achoo too you

PS: Forgot to Mention, today is the release of the Winter 2011 Vera Bradleys! Are you so excited? Excuse me while I go buy out Vera Bradley.

That I am

I am here to inform you that I am indeed a student. A good one too. Okay, so maybe I miss spelled genius today, and maybe I missed 5 problems on my math and maybe I'm still up to my elbows in homework, but all in all, I am a good student. Don't talk to my parents about this please. Our stories may differ. A little. Or a lot.







And just because I love you, I share this with you. I am so obsessed with this video. I forgot about the bongo's and the cowbells and the little fishy move. And big mama's earrings? Nothing cooler!!! I am so in love. Brooke is sad she is not here to sweat to the oldies with me. She actually is, she told my mother so.

Sincerely,
Gimme some lovin'!

Not on the menu

Today, Cheese Pizza was not on the menu. I love cheese pizza. When the last day of my life rolls around, I want to be surrounded by cheesy pizza, cupcakes and the people I love. And maybe a potato somewhere in the mix. I love potato too. We had an extra nice dinner tonight because we had a guest! We did not know our guest was coming, but she came, and she stayed. We had Rice and garlic pickle and Raita! I love Raita. The day before the last day of my life I will have fried chicken and Rita. Generally people don't mix cuisines so much, but I never go by the rules.

As for a Kodak Moment....

I think this will suffice.

And this? Another amazing Kodak Moment.

Elise will be going to college next year. College! This is so sad. Good news, she is probably going to MSU. I fully intend to invade her dorm during the year and impress her roommates with my superior muffin making skills. We've already planned this. They will swoon and wish I'd never leave. They'll beg for my recipe. They'll cry when I won't tell them. And then, they'll forget all about it. It's just how college kids are.

And, I've begun planning my epic 14th party. May I hint, you might want to brush up on the 70's.

Sincerely,
Keeping the recipe secret

PS: Anyone watch P.W Saturday???

Cousins are cool

Frankly, I've been dreading this post. I have not posted in so long. Ok, so only 2 days. But Still that's a while. This will be long, so sit tight.

I was so sad I was unable to blog on cousins day. I have 11 cousins on one side and 6 on the other. They are all extremely awesome. But When I talk about my cousins, I generally talk about my 3 amazing cousins. I see them the most and have the most stories and the most fun.Brooke, Jack and Elise. I'm sure you all know of them. They are so funny. We had a tradition where they would come to our house every Thanksgiving. We decided we'd like to resume that tradition. Brooke for some reason thinks I am obsessed with geography. I'm not. But yesterday I was talking about Justin Beiber, since I'd just seen the movie, and Brooke says "Oh my goodness, you are almost as obsessed with Justin Beiber as you are with geography!" These are both false statements because I am not obsessed with either. I'm no beleiber. The movie disturbed me. Justin Beiber has the strangest fans. And just because I know Tunisia is a country does not make me obsessed. I'm passionate.
One side of Cousins. Minus 4 kids. We are so cool. If you can name all these people, I will be ecstatic.

This was probably the worst and best day of my life. Kellyn, Katie, Brooke, Elise and I all dressed up in our Grandma's clothes. I have to say that my grandma is actually pretty stylish, but we tried to make really ugly outfits. This is not a tribute to her fashion sense. My grandma was not thrilled. But we had so much fun.
On cousins day, we did "glamor shots". You may have noticed, we did not quite master the glamor. Don't ask. I honestly don't know what we were doing.Jackson stole my camera. Tsk, Tsk. I actually love it when people steal my camera. Not permanently of course. Jack took very hilarious blog worthy pictures. He secretly loves this blog.
Its no secret Brooke likes my blog. She posed with my blog in mind. This is the second time this week she has forgotten to use a cup. I obviously don't drink much milk at the cabin.
Elise offered to take a picture of me surrounded by Vera Bradleys. I did not object. I'm pretty sure this picture resembles heaven in some way. Brooke thinks they are for squares. They are not. They are for amazingly cool circles. I will admit to being obsessed with Vera Bradley.

Today I went to the Farmers Market (Beatrice's home!) and got a feather. It's very appropriate as I am actually Indian. There is Cherokee blood in my body. My Indian name is Singing Deer. Some people don't get it, but I think it's really cool.

Sincerely,
I'm embracing my Indian heritage

PS: To clear up any confusion, I mean Indian as in the feather.

Time for a Nap

I sort of had a nap today. I napped until 10:30 this morning. Up at the Cabin, the girls have been having very long discussions late into the night. Since it was my first night home, I decided to sleep in and celebrate. Today KJ left for a 3 day concert with his friends. I went with Grandma and the Cousins to a Lady's house to make cards. They are so incredibly cute! I did a pear and a strawberry. Elise did a strawberry and dolphin. Brooke did a strawberry and bell. They are all awesome.
Brooke and I agree both of my cards are terrible quaint.

Back to the subject of napping. My dad is an expert. It is so funny because he says he is going to go
"read", but what he usually does is read 2 pages and then take a nap. He also likes to "rest his eyes" during movies and when Mom reads aloud. :)

Today is also my grandma's birthday. I'll refrain from telling you how old she is, although I'd really like to share. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Sincerely,
Forced Naps are never a good idea

Go Flight Attendants!

I feel very strongly on the issue of Flight Attendants. I think they deserve more respect. They do more than pass out peanuts and give drinks. Today at the Cabin I was watching Modern Marvels, it happened to be on the flight that crashed into the Hudson River. It told of how the flight attendants had everyone off the plane in less than 3 minuets. They were pretty amazing. I know the safety shemeil by heart. I know that pamphlet like the back of my hand, and in case of a unexpected water landing, use the cushion of your seat as a flotation device. I'd say the flight attendants have done a pretty good job of informing people. And I've also been listening to it since I was 3.
Here's a flight attendant doing her job. Wanna know a secret? I've always wanted to try one on. Thankfully, I've never actually needed to in all my flying, but I've always wanted too. I also have a bad record of flight attendants and safety shemeil. One time I was leaning out into the aisle to watch the lady do this and another flight attendant ran into me. It hurt.


I've been with my cousins a lot lately. Elise, Brooke and Jack are all exceptionally cool. Last night I stayed up until at least 1:30 explaining to Brooke about all the things that have been happening in the Middle East. Brooke now knows that Yemen, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are countrys. Elise joked I should run for presidents. And while we were watching President Obama on TVtoday, Brooke stuck her tongue out at him. I told her to stop and then I stuck my tongue out at Sean Hannity. Our family rules!!!
Elise and Brooke painting signs. Grandma always has a craft for us each year. I really like this years. We are also making a 3D art thing. In case you have not noticed, art is not my thing. I'm going to make a K out of spoons. I love spoons.


Funny story that has nothing to do with Flight Attendants Safety Professionals day:
Last year several of my friends were using a writing curriculum that had them write a article on spoons. I took this a little too literally and thought that they had to write a whole essay actually on spoons. It was only 2 months ago that I figured out that spoons were the topic. I was so confused.
My fab cousin Brooke. BTW, I told her I signed her yearbook and she had no idea. She'll have to wait to get home to read it. :)

Sincerely,
Yes, Tunisia is a country

PS: I forgot, and how could I, that my purse is here! I love it. I will show you some pictures tomorrow, it is too cute.

Today we take pictures

I am so excited!!! I have to use exclamations marks to correctly display the amount of my excitement. In case you have not figured it out, I love camera's. I love taking pictures. I like being in pictures too. I take about 300 pictures a month. No joke. So I did take a few pictures today. Not as many as I would have liked to take. I was sick this morning. And then when I actually got around to taking pictures it was thundering. Here is one I took today.

I can't really decide whether I like this or not. I think it looks granny-ish. Maybe not. I also took some of Pam washing dishes. I like people who do my dishes. But I have a feeling Pam would not be pleased if I posted photos of her doing my dishes.

So in honor of camera day, I'm going to share with you several pictures my lovely little camera has taken...
This is Brooke. She got this Snuggie for Christmas. I insisted on taking her picture, she insisted on looking awesome. She want to be a model, I think she'll do pretty well too.
This is Elise. She's the only person who can look cute wearing a headband from the 90's. She is adorable.


I think this is funny because I don't know why J took a picture of me and Lexy taking pictures. I really like my pose. Model? I think not.

Nerd pride day with the walkers! Woot! I'm really trying to elongate my neck for whatever reason. Its something nerds do, I guess.

Elise and Brooke again. We were trying to get a good American Gothic picture. Obviously it was not working out so well. They are so cute, I love them!

And while we are on the subject of American Gothic, Jack stepped in as the Gothic family dog.

I need to tell you about the Chalet. Last night Mom and I went to the Chalet to visit the Chalet Dwellers. I love the Chalet. It is darling inside. The mirrors on the stairs and the dungeon and the painted tiles make it totally awesome. I was teased about the Man eating chicken while I was there, And when I left my nose hurt badly. But I had a delightful time with the Chalet dwellers. And I got a few handshakes and Man Hugs in while I was there. The Chalet Dwellers do a different kind of Man Hug. It kind of hurts. And hugs should never hurt.

Sincerely,
Every day should be like today