Retro Picture Monday

Hi! I don't know about you, but I had a royally crappy Christmas vacation thanks to a little thing called stomach flu. It was all over the place- on the plane (Charlotte), on my brother-in-law's doorstep (Katie), at my other brother-in-law's house (me), and hit practically all of my extended family. But none of that matters. I saw a movie people! Sherlock Holmes was pretty awesome. Anyway, I can't find my camera and can't post anything from the trip, but I thought I would post a couple of totally retro pictures of my fam. They are from a time with a little less stomach flu and a little more awesome hair styles.
Lukey was always asking us to tie him up so he could see if he could get loose. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.Here's an awesome 80s picture. Aren't Chanda's glasses sweet? Don't worry, she won't get mad at me for posting this. She's too cool to read my blog. She told me so herself. Now Darla might get mad because of the awesome 80s perm, but I think her hair is too fantastico not to share.
Now for my last picture, I thought about posting the one of my dad doing the chicken dance but chickened out (get it? chickened out!), so I decided to go with a classic family picture that must have been taken shortly after Darla and Michael got married. On a side note that is not at all related to my comment about Darla's hair and Chanda's glasses in the previous picture, aren't Darla and Chanda pretty? Of course, Mom, Devaun, and Haley are too. And now that I've covered the girls, all the guys look handsome of course. I don't want to leave anyone out. That would never do.
P.S. I was inspired by Devaun's new blog to change up the look of mine a little. Hope you like the new picture on the heading. I took it on our big trip to France last summer.

Other Fashionable Looks

Remember how the girls are wearing their shirts one shouldered lately? Well, they also like the highly fashionable arms-free look.
Here's Charlotte's version of the whole arms-free thing. She's more of a minimalist.
I love the look on her face. It's like she's wondering what in the heck I'm doing taking a picture of her. But then she remembers she's supposed to smile at the black thing that flashes light and makes an effort to please.

Gangsta Babies

Hi everyone. I guess gangsta babies isn't quite right for these pictures (not sure if gangsters wear pink), but I couldn't think of anything else.
I also don't think they pose on their dad's lap, but whatever.I'm pretty sure they do push people around though.
On to another topic entirely, the babies like to wear their shirts one shouldered now-a-days. I saw an article that said one-shouldered tops are all the rage this winter and was very glad to know that...
because they're not the only ones who like to wear the one-shouldered look.
I recently saw this picture for the first time. This is me and my older sisters and brother with both sets of grandparents. I'm the one by my grandma and am apparently trying to take off my top. I guess these things must run in the genes. Also, notice the look on Jacob's face. He's pretty grumpy looking. I think it's pretty hilarious. (I only said that because it's his birthday today, and what's a sister for if not to make fun of you on your birthday? Happy Birthday Jacob!)

Spare Change

Here I am again. Next day too. Must be a record. Anyway, Amazon recommended that I buy this book called Spare Change by Aubrey Mace a couple weeks ago. I was a little surprised because turns out it's a Mormon chick lit book. As far as I know, the only comparable book I've bought from Amazon is Austenland by Shannon Hale (which I thought was pretty entertaining), but that was when I was on bed rest with the twins. Amazon has a long memory. I should probably clarify something. When I say Mormon chick lit, I mean it's totally clean and kind of mentions going to church. It's not overtly religious, so those of you who were worried that I might recommend a spiritual book can relax. You know I would never do that! Ha ha ha.

The book opens on New Year's Eve, when Riley is over at her family's house reluctantly making New Year's resolutions along with her brothers and sisters. She hates resolutions because she never follows through, but she finally decides on just one- to save up her spare change and give herself a treat at the end of the year. She begins doing just that but then changes the focus of her resolution as a result of interacting with people at her job- she is a receptionist at a cancer treatment center. Instead of buying something for herself, she decides to donate the money to cancer research. It starts out as collecting pennies from lunch and ice cream and then escalates into a fundraiser and a carnival. There's also a boy or two involved- it is chick lit after all.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, which I guess tells you something about my expectations for a Mormon chick lit book. They're not high. I hate it when chick lit authors deliberately try to make their main characters flawed without any reason other than they think that somehow makes them more interesting. It usually backfires because most authors are not talented enough to pull it off, and their characters become completely horrific people that you wouldn't want to spend 5 minutes with. I liked this book because there's none of that. The main character is likeable, and you root for her. I would say the entire book is similarly likeable. I hope more books like it will be published. Ok, now I'm starting to overpraise it and maybe setting your expectations too high. I'll leave it at this. I liked the book, and I'll most likely read it again some day when I need a quick and entertaining read.

Katie Swings and Looks Kinda Miserable

Like the previous post, it's self-explanatory.

Charlotte Goes Down the Slide

It's self-explanatory. Not that you don't want my explanations because I'm sure you do, but they're unnecessary this time. Well, they are unnecessary all the time, but that's a thought for another day.

A Letter To Me

Dear Mom,
Why do you torture me so? Why did you put my hair in this ridiculous ponytail today?
Haven't I been a good daughter? Haven't I given you enough hugs? Didn't I put my ducky in your face this afternoon and make you kiss it over and over again? Wasn't that cute? I'll be even more cute if you stop putting my hair in a ponytail, I promise.
Love,
Katie

P.S. Also, if you don't stop it, Charlotte will put a hex on you.