TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsPrince Is Coming To Town?

Jim and Jen's neighborhood has undergone a ton of construction this year. Every time I visit I am greeted with bright orange signs that say things like "New traffic pattern- Be Alert" (bossy signs!). There is now a roundabout at the Hasley Canyon exit. I know what roundabouts are, and I saw them all over the place in Norway, but when I pull off the I-5 at an exit at which I think I know what to expect, I'm going to need a little more to go on than this little posted doodle. It might as well be a happy face.

Being The Last One Awake At Jim And Jen's House Means That I Can Rifle Through All Of Their Old Pictures.

This kid-


Is now this kid-



but it was only six years ago that we blinded this little peanut- the tiniest Richard- with our flashbulbs.

So,

it's possible that I'm far taller in real life than I am in my head.

My Dad's High School Basketball Picture

New At Camp

Although it was covered up many years ago, I still see the giant pastel eagle when I picture the outside wall of the lower end restrooms. This Teen Camp '95 shot isn't its best showcase, but you get the point. We have a group of MMAPers at camp right now which includes an artist named Charlotte who has been cranking out murals at Bob Ross speed.









This work in progress graces the Birch Lodge, and from what I hear, there is a third mural up on Douglas Fir (I haven't been above the Big Pine Lodge since summer, but this calls for an investigation).

How Can People Be Anti-Avocado?

It's ridiculous.

Thanksgiving Comes Early At Camp

75% Fullkorn? Sweet!

The nee Paulson girls, two thirds of the chilluns and I had lunch at Cafe Aroma today. Mmm, lavender soda...












Upon seeing this statue, Jack exclaimed: "Dat guy's BROKEN!"

Friends, I Implore You,

don't let me watch any more documentaries about America's food industry! If I see one more dude reach into a cow's stomach through a plastic grommet in the cow's side, I will not be able to perform my duties as the camp's food service director. Ugh.

1997

2001

I hope that there are people who take all kinds of random footage of Southern California wildfires and then sell it to doomsday movie makers. It would be silly to use special effects to recreate what we see so often.

Monday

I was asked to make a cake for a surprise party being thrown for Sonya from church. Knowing that I would desperately need a helper to dump all of the measured ingredients into the mixing bowl, I enlisted the help of this little neighbor child, Lucy Tate.

We aproned up and got to work.

















Before we got to the kitchen Lucy drew up our plans.

The boys joined us after the cake had cooled, and were the official tasters of all things sugary.

This is when the deadline was creeping up on us, and the wheels started to fall off a little. Deadlines make me cranky.








But we made it! It wasn't as beautiful as I'd have liked, but the mocha cream filling was fantastic. And just so you know, the message was determined by the cake's commissioner, and the ring pops are on there 'cause Sonya loves her bling.

On Monday Two Italians Took Me To Breakfast.

One's Beard and Bouffant Hairdo Should Be The Same Color- Just My Opinion

Okay, I realize that you're looking at this picture and thinking that it is totally worthless. I took this picture for Chad Irving. I took it because I could not believe my eyes when I saw Stryper on the marquee at The Hard Rock Cafe. That's right. Stryper. This band-

The Wedding Of Derrick And Desire'e

We took a little break from camp's craziness to go to our friends' wedding last June. It was a very pretty service at a home here in Idyllwild.

I cannot drive behind this type of truck without imagining its contents spilling out all over the road and enveloping my car. They could have left the little "DANGER" flag off. I already know.

We love ourchothers.

Holly and I at the youth group's New Years Eve party between Rock Band songs.

Jessica Churder and I knocked Rick down while sledding on Mt. Pinos circa 1989ish.

Kids Kamp 2009

Because My Mom's Not On Facebook

Okay Josh- you're right. I can admit it now. I have been dumping all of my pictures onto Facebook and ignoring my blog completely. You are an island. You are keeping the blogosphere alive. And although I can count on one hand the "three first names" readers who are not my friends on Facebook, why shouldn't that handful of peeps also be privy to and bored by my snapshots with little or no commentary? Plus, it'll be nice to get last winter's pictures off the bottom of my page.
So, I had a birthday, and here is how things looked:

My Mom's house in Lake of the Woods (the town has no lake, and there are no woods, but it sounds nice, right?).

Mom, and Dave's girlfriend Beth Noel Cooper. She is Swedish and Danish, but don't hold it against her; she's good people.







"ooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOO"













"Stella!"

Bob got a fancy new camera, and threatened us with its zoom.











A la Napoleon Dynamite.



I loooove these girls.





Childhood tradition- waking up to balloons on your birthday


My Mom's citrus chiffon cake is ridiculously good.

The Sweltering Kingdom

We went to Disneyland for Jen's Uncle Martin's birthday. It was incredibly hot and sweaty.



Ethan laughs in the face of height requirements.







That's Uncle Martin with his hands in the air like he just don't care. The speed of Thunder Mountain did not allow me to aim my camera, so I never got a clear shot of Jen's mom Alicia.

















You're right, reader- person. It does seem mean to post pictures of a scared and unhappy Miranda, but isn't she adorable?



Jen worked me over.

At Home At Hume

These seasoned Hume Lake veterans showed me the ropes at the MADE conference for girls.


Amber and Danika


Mariah


We were kind of excited.




It was a long drive- Danika promised to do her homework on the way.





What? There's an 80's rollerskating night? Mark me down. I am down!















There were icy mornings,

and group initiatives.





Both wore the girls out.










God is so good! We had a great time, and I am encouraged by what He has stirred up inside these girls, my friends and sisters.

The Highlight Of October?

I went to this house,


and got to hang out with these awesome people. We went to Joel and Christine's church, had a delicious dinner at the Pecks', visited Jobie at work, got pedicures, and bowled ten frames with eight kids under twelve, but mostly we sat around and laughed. It was wonderful. I was a complete failure in the photo department, but fortunately my friends were not. Check in with The Lake House Tates, The Chittenden Tates, The Camera-less Tate (just for kicks), The Olympic Tate, The Wigwam Tate, and The Pringles Tate for complete coverage.

I Think We May Look A Little Alike.

It Still Felt Wrong.

Bowling

Here are the three pictures I took of the staff bowl o'rama before my camera died. We went to Starbucks= happy. I had the night's highest scores (and even bowled a turkey!) = happy. We got away from camp for a while, and partied on down = happy. At one point I spilled my giant soda, tried my best to clean it up, ran up to take my turn, lurched forward onto the greased lane when my sticky soda shoes stuck, and I ate it hardcore while everyone was watching = not so happy. Got a strike even though I was sprawled out on the floor = happy.

The turkey has at least another hour in the oven. I'd better get some bloggin' done.