--Picking about 50# of potatoes

--Blanching and freezing 7 quarts of green beans

--Writing a 25k word novel

--Planning to write two more novels

--Building a new chicken coop

--Moving 9 of my 20 rabbits into the old chicken coop (pictures coming soon)

--Witnessing the births of eight new baby bunnies on the 6th and 7th of August

--Keeping up with my multiple forums

--Learning how to use backgrounds, stocks, and brushes

--Designing skins and graphics for forums

--Reading several novels

--Watching several new movies

--Listening to a lot of new music

--Being sick and recovering for about a week

--Attending multiple picnics and parades

--Shopping and packaging the meat every time

--Shopping for new clothes

--Trying to beat the heat

--Learning several new methods of cooking

--Among other things that I'll probably remember later. . .

For my special sixteenth birthday, I had a ton of fun. Got a lot of great presents, was able to eat out with my dad alone (never done that before), and watch a movie with some GREAT FRIENDS.

We didn't get any fantastic pictures but if you want to see the two I have, I'll get them on here.

Here is part of Emilie's birthday present :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Kayla

. . .but I've been super busy and HSB wasn't compatible with dial-up or my schedule. But I'm back, armed with dsl!! lol

First of all, I'd like to wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Gordie (arrowsoflightning). Happy birthday!!! Don't let anyone make you play yourself Happy Birthday on the guitar!

Secondly, I don't know how often I'll be able to post from now on.

Third, my blog will take on a slightly new look sometime. This current one looks like a pain in the backside. lol

Fourth, I have AIM and feel free to IM me! My screenname is hobbitz9206.

Fifth, BYE!! I gotta run again!!

Cousin Kelley, Mom, Katie, and me

Chris (23), Matt (brother, 19), Pat, TJ (28), and Dana (20)

Pat, Dana behind Chris

Ask about people. Don't have time.

Here's at least one. I don't know how many more I'll be able to get.

This is a huge group photo. If you want to know who somebody is, just ask. I don't have the time or imagination right now to describe everybody.

Look for one of the cousins coming up soon.

Well, my weekend ROCKED. I have yet to upload pictures but there will be at least five of them :)

Thursday, after we found out Grandpa died, Poppy and Gramma came to visit and we talked and then we went to Taco Bell.

Friday, Mom and Dad had to go to make funeral arrangements so Katie and I cleaned the house while they were gone. That afternoon, we went shopping for food and we didn't get home until later and Uncle John & family were already there. We stayed up and talked for a while.

Saturday, Jordan and I trapped ourselves in the school room and scanned pictures and talked and created a video. About 6 or 7 that night Uncle Tim & co. rolled in and that was good. Amy, a friend, came over and after Uncle John & co. left we sat in the living room and talked. Chris (23) and Katie played SuperCheckers and he beat her :) We went to bed pretty late but it was still fine.

Sunday, I found out the video wasn't going to work so we used pictures in a slideshow instead but it ended up we could have used the video anyway. Go figure. We had to go to the funeral home for a viewing 2-7. That got interesting. We kids sat in the one room for a while, just talking (about everything imaginable pretty much) then we went outside for a while. I played with the C kids around their "fire". After they left, Jordan and I watched Garrett, Lauren, Katie, and Pat (16) play tag. Then the Ms showed up so I sat with them and talked about Pirates 1. Then the VFW had something to do so the family stood in the room with Grandpa while they did so. Eventually we left and when we got home, the boys decided to go to the racetrack. We went to bed before they got home.

Monday was the funeral. Before that though, they had another viewing which always seems to entail so much fun. It ended up that Jordan, Katie, Pat and I sat in the back. Poor Jordan and Katie sat between the two who did end up crying a bit. lol. Then we went out to the cemetary and they put him in the chapel and the VFW presented the flag to Grandma (:crying:) then they played taps (:BAWLING:). I turned into a mess in there. It was so hot, I was crying, everything. I was sobbing like Lauren but it was rough. Then we went to the church for a dinner, but Mom insisted we get a picture first so we did that. It was good. Then we ate. Interesting as well. Jordan, Katie, and I ended up sitting with Pat because he looked lonely. He left us eventually though and sat with his brothers and Matt to eat cookies. Then Chris came over to visit us for a while and so did Dana (20) but as soon as Pat came over, the other two left so we had a conversation about middle names. Pretty soon we left but the guys (Matt, Chris, Dana, and Pat) beat us home. They rode motorcycles for a while then we had a family meeting and we decided to go go-kart racing (FINALLY). But Katie went swimming with Jordan and Lauren for a while. And Uncle Tim, Dana, and TJ went to look at a truck with Matt first. But we ended up having a great time go-karting. We had one really long turn because no one was standing in line and it was awesome. Jordan and I became the ones to fear on the track :) Actually, everyone did well. Hehe.

Tuesday, everyone left and that was sad :( I miss everyone so much. But we went over to the Cs and I got to visit them and the Ms and Emilie and the Ws and the Ss. So much fun. I was a bit loopy though.

Wednesday, we just relaxed. I even fell asleep while I was looking at a magazine.

So, I have no idea what is going on the rest of the week or anything, AND

if any of my cousins read this, I MISS YOU!! Luv ya!!!

Yesterday, my grandfather went home to be with his Lord forever in glory. He will be missed by all who knew him. I will miss his stories, his laugh, and especially the way he asked about our cars :) Didn't think I ever would, but I will.

So, my uncle John, uncle Tim, aunt Mary, aunt Jen, and cousins Jordan, Lauren, Garrett, TJ, Kelley, Kyle, Chris, Dana, and Pat will be coming here this weekend. So if I don't get back to you, it's not because I'm ignoring you.

Please pray especially for grandpa's wife as she has lost a son and two husbands already. You can imagine her pain at his passing.

Much love to all,

Kayla

My grandpa is doing better. Still not out of the woods, but he is at least improving. Pray for his continued improvement.

On a happier note, Sunday night, Jack (my Dutch doe) had SEVEN babies. Two browns, five blacks. ALL survived. Katie named the brown ones Pintel and Ragetti. I can't wait until they come out of the box! It is going to be so much fun.

I haven't forgotten pictures of Murtagh and Roran. You'll see them, sooner or later. I have NO time... lol

So, I survived the weekend! We had a bunch of aunts, uncles, and cousins staying with us. For my readers’ pleasure (lol), I have decided to use pictures mostly because pretty much anything I say will be understood only by those who were here.

Jordan and I are sitting. She has the long hair and I am in the brown polo. Katie, Lauren, and Garrett are standing. Katie has the grey hoodie, Lauren is in blue, and you can only see part of Garrett. Kyle has his thumbs up. Pat is (apparently) a) tired or b) bored. Lol You can see part of Patriot.

Dad, Matt, and Kyle

Grandpa and Grandma S. Pat and Kyle are in the background.

My cousins, KeriAnn (right) and LeAnn (left).

Pat and Matt

Only viewers of Elizabethtown understand this one. (BTW, we did watch it through the filter after our parents had previewed it and decided to skip a scene.)

Pat, Dad, and Katie.

Kyle and Pat in 104. Me and Matt in 26. Uncle John and Jordan in 25 (black). Dad and Katie in 24 (most yellow with some black).

Kyle and Jordan in 104. Dad and Katie in 26. Me and Matt in yellow (24). Pat is behind us in 22.

Pat and Jordan in 26. Dad and Mom in the black (25). Katie and Matt in 104. Garrett and Kyle in the last 104.

Me in 22. Uncle Tim in 15. Aunt Jen in the last car.

Back of Uncle Tim’s car. Pat in 15. Me in 22. Uncle John in 10 (white). A staff guy in orange shirt. Dad in red (101). Matt in 1330 (orange shirt as well). Kyle in 66 (blue).

Uncle John and Garrett in 104. Kyle in 1330. Pat in 22 (behind Kyle).

Me and Matt in 24. Pat in 22 (ramming us).

Uncle Tim in 6. Random kid in 1330. Pat 101 (red).

Kyle and Jordan in 25. Me and Matt in 24. Uncle John and a tiny bit of Lauren in 104. Dad (and unseen Katie) in 26 (red).

Dad in 6. Matt is in 101.

Uncle John and Lauren in 26. Dad in 6.

Uncle Tim in 22. Dad and Katie 25 (Sidekick).

Pat and Kyle in 26. Uncle Tim in 22.

Pat and Kyle 104. Me and Matt in 26. Uncle John and Jordan in 25.

Dad and Katie.

Pat in 22. Kyle and Jordan in 104.

Kyle and Jordan in 104. Me and Matt in 24. Random kid in 101. Pat in 22. Uncle Tim and Lauren in the last 104.

Uncle Tim in 6. Me in 22. Uncle John in 10. Pat in 15. Dad in 101.

Poor Pat 

Sorry for all the pictures. I love all the expressions on our faces.

I  my cousins!

Happy Mother's Day!!

To all mothers, and mothers-to-be.

Love, Kayla

Yesterday, Licorice had three little baby bunnies!!! Katie promptly named them Murtagh, Roran, and Saphira. One has a white-tipped ear (that's the third one Licorice has had) and Katie wanted it to be named Saphira.

Look for pictures coming soon!

Ugh. My weekend was dreadful! I've been sick since Friday morning. It started with a very low-grade fever which lasted till Saturday night. Now I'm just a bit stuffy.  But nothing major. And I watched Eragon. It was okay. Not as good as the book, definitely. Completely twisted around and different. I wish they would have stuck closer to the book. Only a few people weren't cast well. I think they could have done better with Arya and Roran. My favorites were still Roran and Murtagh. And Saphira too. She is so cute as a baby!!!!

Anyway, today we have the curriculum fair, tomorrow I have an orthodontist appointment and agility classes. . .

Saturday, we went to the Beethoven Lives Upstairs symphony. It was good. A little odd at times (an older guy [at least 16] played a 10-12 year old boy) but it was good.

Yesterday, I watched I Am Legend up in Matt's bedroom with him. I loved the movie. A tiny bit of swearing and he tells one woman that there is no God, but at other times it is obvious he had/has a faith in God. We had church, then we came home and Katie and I walked Indy on the leash. Then we put Pippin in with the chickens. It was pretty funny. All the chickens were afraid of him. After lunch, we had three girl rabbits and the chickens free-ranging. Pippin was still in the portable pen. I had Patriot on the long line and he took off and I got some serious rope burn across one finger. It's discolored right now but it doesn't hurt.

Oh, and on Friday, Matt went pit bike riding and he crashed a few times and his shoulder and arm are a little messed up right now. Just remember to pray for him as he's at work today.

A friend of mine from Canada just sent me two websites of people who are gospel singers. The family will be staying with my friend and her family. I've been looking at their websites and just thought I'd recommend them.

www.heartsathome.ca

www.josties.com

Okay, since everyone INSISTED:

In the back: Samuel, Ethan, and Levi

Front: Jacob, Eli, Betsy, me, Emilie, Kayla, Katie, Rachel, and Matt

Emilie, Betsy, Kesaree, Ethan, Katie, and RachelBack: Jeremy, Zac, Matt, Ryan, me

Middle: Betsy and Emilie

Front: Katie, Jacob, Paul, and Kayla

Me and Matt

Happy, everyone? lol

Saturday, we had the archery banquet. It was fun. As far as awards go, I got 2nd place on 20-yards. Matt R got 1st, just like he wanted. So XPPPPPPPPPPPP to you, Matt!! lol Emilie's team won!!!!! So CONGRATS to you girls (and ETHAN too). On 15-yards, congratulations to ELI and JEREMY. And on 10-yards, congratulations to RACHEL and ETHAN!!! No group pictures, so no pictures this time. :) Unless you want one of the winning team or the winners on 20-yards. . .

After the awards we ate!! The HIGHLIGHT of my day; sorry, girls!! lol j/k j/k Actually, all the food was good, especially since I was hungry.

And after we ate, we went outside. And talked. Then went up on the tower thing. And then went down to the creek. Fun, fun, fun. We walked down the creek to the other bridge then we came back and Eli, Katie, and Jacob had a mud fight. Very amusing to be honest. Then we took Kayla (R) to her house.

Sunday we went to a 3-d shoot and had fun there. I really need to work of sighting in my bow. Maybe we'll work on that this week or something. We talked to Emilie and Betsy afterward too. I saw one of Mr. B's grandsons too. Don't know which one but I saw him. Been a while. . .since last June/July.

When we got home, I rode Matt's new pit bike. Me and wheels. . .not a good thing. So don't ask me why I'm going to roller skate this evening. lol