Shootin' the Breeze: A bit of my own family history

Well folks it's been a long time since I last posted anything... And since this is the first post of the year, It's gonna be a long one. But don't worry, it's mostly pictures ;)

This year has been very busy, full of family get-together's and things that only grown-us have to deal with (why is it that we always ask what people want to be when they grow up? screw growing up.... My childhood was perfect! And i do mean that btw, and I defy any who would say other wise!)

My last post was done right in the middle of the rainy season here on the coast, well it turns out there's a good reason to endure all that soggy-no-fun rain. Look at these amazing blooms! Every single one is from my yard and I wish you could all come a visit just to enjoy them!

I mentioned the family get-together's. Besides Jada's 4th birthday, Tiegan's 1st birthday and spring breaks, the biggest by far was the get-together for my Grandpa Laniers funeral. I really enjoyed the whole thing, is that wrong? It was fun to see family I haven't seen in a while, visit the farm again, and my favorite part, listen to all the Grandpa stories. i was blessed enough to be the one to scan all of the many, MANY Lanier slides and I found some amazing pictures, all of which I am so grateful to have! I held it together for the most part of the funeral, there were 2 things that made me loose it though. One of course was the slide show that Jen Lanier made, I wish I was tech savvy enough to post it, it's amazing and fits Grandpa's life so perfectly! She put it to the "So God made a Farmer" speech given by Paul Harvey (here's a good link with a bit of back ground http://www.oregonffa.com/LiveToServe/Blog/SoGodMadeFarmer )

The second thing that made me loose it was when my uncle Ben was giving the 'Life Sketch' talk, he talked about my Grandpa and his brother who had died at a young age. I was sitting next to one of my Mom's cousins, when he leaned over to another family member and and said something about Duane (Grandpa) and Gus (brother) having a 'rip-snortin' good time when they finally got back together. Of course I was a mess and then all of the grand-kids went up to sing a song right after that. I guess that's just how it goes :)

Daniel complains that he always looks like a single parent in the pictures so here's one of us at Multnumah Falls in OR. Can I just say that we spent several hours in the car before this?

The rest of the pictures are either Lanier slides or pictures that Chelsea scanned. All of them make my heart happy....

Growing up, we spent EVERY vacation down in CO on the farm, and while it's not the green mountains that I love, the farm is still near and dear to me. I find allot of the Lanier slides hauntingly beautiful and so perfect....

Grandma during a trip to Yellow Stone

I love this picture because my Mom looks like a rebellious teenager that doesn't want to be hanging out with her family. haha The irony is not lost on me, my Mom and I bumped heads on more than one occasion over the same thing when I was a teenager.

Another hauntingly beautiful, perfect picture....

My Mom goofing off and posing on a motorcycle

My cousins, Deanna, Lana and Stephanie at Lowery Ruins, CO

Ok, I have no idea who the guys is in this picture, my Mom told me this was at the swimming hole at Bradfield Bridge. But this picture, and the next few tell a story..... It must have been a hot day,

Because a fully dressed man was tempted to go for a float......

.....only it looks like he floated a little too far.... :) the whole scenario makes me happy!

OK. The rest of these picture are of me as a child. Why would I post so many of myself? Why the heck not?! I was ADORABLE!

Me, Chelsea, and Tabby playing in the leaves

Chelsea and I wore matching outfits... allot..... but we were dang cute!

And once in a while, Whitley got to be all matchy-matchy with us :)

yup, dang cute!

I love this picture, mostly because of Chelsea's fit she's throwing here!

We were in 'Jazz It Up' dance at the time, we knew how to pose

Chelsea and I enjoying our favorite Colorado past time, posing for pictures! lol nope, 4-Wheelin'!

Mom, Chelsea and I sledding. For all my friends and family who sucker into the cheap sleds at walmart, they don't even compare to a GT Racer! Perfect for being pulled behind on a snowmobile!