30 Questions: Family Dynamics

Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.

Okay, I've kind of been putting this one off. It's not because I don't want to share my family dynamics...it's not that at all! It's just that there's a lot more to this answer than a simple "Then is was ___ and now it is ____."

So, family dynamic of childhood.

My brother, sister and I were pretty imaginative kids. My parents kind of let us do our own thing, which cultivated that imagination. We ran all over backyards and basements, dreaming up ridiculous TV shows (complete with theme songs) that we starred in. We made "potions" from whatever we could find. My parents were always there for us and we did get in trouble when it was warranted, but they let us figure ourselves out and make our own mistakes. 

Among the kids, I was sort of a silent ringleader. My brother and I would gang up on my sister (as she was the youngest and generally the most likely to tattle/whine/etc.)...but I somehow always managed to avoid getting in trouble even though my brother was not so fortunate.

And now, the dynamics of today.

We're all friends. Parents, siblings...we just hang out. Clearly, there's still a slightly different dynamic between me and my parents and me and siblings, but we all like each other. I talked to my mom and dad on the phone almost every day. When I'm home, I go out to the bars with my siblings. My whole family plays drinking games together. We like going on vacation together.

In short, it's pretty awesome.

I'm pretty blessed to have such an awesome family!

30 Questions: Childhood Memories

Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

Those of you who know me well know that I have an absolutely horrible memory (well, unless we're talking about song lyrics or very random trivia). This applies to me as a little kid, as well. So, most of my childhood memories are lacking in detail because I don't remember much of them!

My biggest memory from childhood is baking cookies. Whether it was Christmas or just making chocolate chip cookies, it was always an event. My brother and I would always make a game of sneaking to the refrigerator to snag a taste of cookie dough while it was chilling. There was always a fight over who got to lick the bowl or the spoon. Usually, I cheated by "accidentally" leaving a lot of dough on the spoon and claiming that. Christmas cookies were the biggest of all our baking - it was an all-day event, starting with making the dough, then chilling it for a few hours, then absolutely destroying the kitchen in a cloud of powdered sugar and flour as we rolled out the dough and eventually iced the cookies. And every year, we took a picture like this:

Next stop on the memory train is family travel. I remember going on my first cruise when I was in 4th grade with my mom's entire extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents). To a 4th grader, that ship seemed like being let loose in a big city! We went to our kid's clubs and snuck through the casino even though we were convinced we'd get kicked off if we got caught in there. Also when I was little, I went to Washington, DC, with my dad. We waited in line with some Chinese tourists at the Washington Monument who were obsessed with my blonde hair and wanted to take pictures with me. I wore little dresses around because I was at an age where I liked to do that. It was a great trip for a young girl to go on!

Finally, I remember creating crazy, imaginative games out of nothing with my brother and sister. We still laugh today about some of the things we came up with! We had "games" called Alaska (this was mainly just hiding under lots of blankets), Kitty Kitty Kittens, the Return of the Alien Show and many, many more. Most had their own theme songs to go with them, too. We were very creative children who really found a way to have fun with just about anything. 

So, there are the memories. And as a bonus, here is my famous photo from my infancy.

30 Questions: Most Embarrassing Moment

Describe your most embarrasing moment.

Okay, so this one is kind of a cop out for me. I don't have a most embarrassing moment! But there is a story as to WHY I don't embarrass easily.

Many of you reading this probably know my mother. I love her to death. But growing up, you pretty much had to accept that she was going to embarrass you and you had to own it. So, that's what I did. I'm pretty sure my siblings did the same thing. Usually, when Mom tries to embarrass us, we just take it even further or turn on the sarcasm. 

Me and my lovely madre...the reason I don't get embarrassed :)

30 Questions: 5 Happy Things

What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

My family

The fact that I may be going to NYC in two weeks for this girl's 21st birthday!

Possibilities and what my future holds

Photography

Ski season! Both for work AND so I can start mastering snowboarding!

30 Questions: Relationship with my Parents

Today's question is about my relationship with my parents.

Fitting, as I'm sitting here on my sofa waiting to pick my mother up from the airport!

I have a great relationship with my parents.  They're my friends and I can always count on them when I need someone to talk to.

I'm so very blessed to have such incredible parents, and I'm honestly a little worried that I won't be as great of a parent as they've been to me!

I seriously could not ask for better parents or a better relationship with them.  Even being across the country from them, I'm as close to them as ever.

Holidays and Getaways

Long time, no talk!

Well, I'm back.  Life has been keeping me pretty busy! Since I last wrote, I've been back to Indiana, Colorado Springs, back to Indiana, down to Florida and back to Indiana again!  Of  course, now I'm back home in sunny San Diego, where I could not ask for more amazing weather.  It would be nice to be in Indy to see all the Super Bowl festivities, though!

Thanksgiving 2011 - Indianapolis

I was reunited with my baby Lolers! It took a few days, but she went right back to following me around and being my little cuddler!  It was tough to say bye to her again.

I also got to see my whole extended family for the first time in quite awhile (the last time I'd been home was 4th of July).  My grandma has been having some serious health problems since then, so I was most excited to see her!  We all went out to dinner before I left at McCormick and Schmick's downtown so that she could get out and see the lights around downtown.  It was a lovely quick trip home!

Weekend Trip - Colorado Springs

I made a random trip back to Colorado to visit with Margaux.  We had a fun-filled weekend of Christmas celebrations, charity events and cooking!  It was great to see her and to exchange gifts and just hang out.  As usual, the weekend ended much too soon!

Christmas/New Year's 2011/2012 - Indiana/Florida/Indiana

I flew to Indiana on Christmas Eve, had a whirlwind Christmas Day filled with family, then loaded up the car and headed south with my brother, sister and their respective significant others, Mike and Aly (my parents drove separately).  Our car ride was filled with letter games, AWOLNATION, me not sleeping (and thus keeping Jordan awake since he was driving) and old school music.  

When we got to Florida, it was a true vacation.  We slept in, stayed out late and spent the days on the beach. It was total relaxation!  I have no complaints...quality time with family and got to know Mike and Aly better!

Two weekends ago, I had my first visitor here in San Diego.  My dad came out for the Carlsbad Half Marathon and I got to show him around!  It was so much fun!  We went to the USS Midway (since there was a rare rainy day one of the days he was here), experienced the best of San Diego cuisine (including In 'N Out Burger, which Dad just HAD to have!) and explored.  We got a taste of theater at the Old Globe in Balboa Park and enjoyed the beautiful oceanside run in Carlsbad.  It was sad to say bye to him!  I wish I could bring all my family out here!!

That's the update for now...I'll try to be better about updating in the future!

30 Days of Photos - Day 9

Day nine - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

It's my madre!  She's been there since day 1 (obviously) and never fails to help me out when I need it.  There's not really much else to say besides that I'm incredibly blessed to have the best mom ever!!