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8.26.2012

Where I've Been ~ Part 1

Hi Everyone!

Now that all of our guests are gone, it's time for me to tell you what I've been doing!

Before all of our company arrived, Lindsay and I made swimsuits for our dolls using My Froggy Stuff's video.  They turned out great!  We actually found the exact same socks that My Froggy Stuff used at Target on clearance for a $1.50.  We decided to use the other sock, too, and made a towel out of the upper part.  We cut the sock at the ankle for the towels (they were knee socks), so the foot part of the sock works as an ankle sock, and we were very proud of ourselves for not wasting any part of the sock.  Click here to watch the video on how to make the swimsuits.

We have been on several hikes, but that will be another post, because I have SO many pictures!

A few months ago, my grandmother (dad's mom) passed away.  We called her 'Muffin.'  Muffin had been coming to the lake since she was a little girl, and my dad and his brother and sister have been coming here all their lives.  Muffin didn't want a "funeral" and she wanted her memorial to be at Lake Tahoe.  Summer was her favorite season here, so everyone came this summer for a reunion and memorial for Muffin.  We went on a hike, and from where we were at, we had a beautiful view of the lake.  We definitely have her to thank for exposing us to this special place.  We read some of her favorite poems, and we all shared special memories and thoughts, and then we toasted to her with champagne (a favorite of hers) - of course, the kids had sparkling cider.  We all had a piece of chocolate (another favorite of hers).  It was very nice.  We were able to ride our bikes to our hiking spot, and it was a beautiful day.  We were lucky enough to have our spot all to ourselves that day; there were no other hikers during a special time of remembrance.  That evening we did her favorite summer BBQ, and followed that with her favorite desserts.  We shared memories and special times about her as a family.  We continued the memorial throughout the week by doing things that she loved and did with her children and remembering the special times they had.

When my aunt, uncle, and cousins were here, we did lots of fun stuff!  In our family, we have a very special tradition; every year when they are here, we go to Sand Harbor.  My dad and his sister and brother went there every year when they were kids with their mom, so we've continued the tradition.  When we go to Sand Harbor, we always make Tuna Salad Sandwiches.  I haven't liked them for a long time, but this year I tried it again, and I really like them now!  We had a lot of fun at the beach, and the water felt really nice!

Other adventures throughout the week included rafting down the river, jet skiing, bike riding, and fishing.  I didn't want to go on the jet ski at first, but then I decided I would.  At first I was TERRIFIED!!  But then, near the end of my ride, I calmed down, and my dad went a little faster.  It became fun, and I had a great time!

Unfortunately, one of my cousins (the oldest) could only stay for a few days, because he had to fly back home to get back to work.  My other cousin really wanted to go fishing, so he bought a fishing pole, bait, hooks, and some other things to fish with.  We fished of the dock a little bit, and he caught a small fish, but he let it go, because it was too small to keep.  We decided to go to D.L. Bliss to fish, but even though we were there for hours, we only got one bite, and didn't catch anything.  That night, we went down to the pier, and right as we were going to leave, I asked if I could cast one more time.  I hooked a fish, and we reeled it in.  We decided to bring it home for a little appetizer, because we were pretty desperate.  We cleaned it up, and casted for a little while longer.  We hooked a few more (and lost them), but decided to go home, because it was getting dark, and it was starting to rain.  My dad BBQ'd it up for everyone and it tasted very good.  We were happy that we caught SOMETHING, even though it was only about a foot long!

Speaking of rain, my aunt loves it when there is a mountain thunderstorm, and we had a full on electrical storm!  It rained and thundered, and the lightning was incredible!  We stood out on the deck under the umbrella, and it was amazing!  Summer storms are pretty cool!

In the midst of all of this, Lindsay lost a tooth!  My cousin kept telling her: "just pull it out!" and she did!

On the last night of our reunion/memorial week, another aunt, uncle, and cousin arrived.  We were happy to have one night where everyone could be together and had a lot of fun.  It was a great visit!  I hope to see them again soon!

Here are some pictures:

 Elizabeth in the swimsuit I made her.  I made one for Audrey too, but I don't have any pictures.  Her swimsuit is the exact same as the one that My Froggy Stuff made.

So cute!

On the hike for Muffin's memorial.

My aunt reading poems.

 We continued our celebration of Muffin with a summer BBQ with her favorites, and her favorite chocolate ice cream (Sunnyside Brand "Death By Chocolate") and chocolate cake.  She loved chocolate!

 My aunt making Tuna Salad Sandwiches.

 Me going in the water at Sand Harbor.

I swam out to the tube with my dad and sister.

Lindsay in a raft.

Me on the jet ski with my dad.

It was a lot of fun!

Lindsay with her tooth.

Unfortunately, I don't really have a picture of the fish we caught that doesn't look kinda gross, so I'll just leave that to your imagination!

~Grace

8.21.2012

I Love Your Blog!

Hello!

I was so excited to find out today that Claire from Claire's American Girl Dolls nominated me for the "I Love Your Blog Award!"



The Rules:

Thank the person who nominated you.

Thank you, Claire, from Claire's American Girl Dolls! 

Tell your readers why you started a blog, and why you keep doing it.

I started a blog when I was younger, and I didn't stick with it.  I started this blog because I wanted to get back into it and keep in touch with my good friend who moved away.  I keep doing it because I love to, I want to keep in touch with my friend, and I absolutely love it when people comment, or become friends.

Describe a usual day in your life.

I wake up, eat breakfast, and depending on the day, I might go for a bike ride, go on a hike, dance, paddleboard, or go to the beach.  Then I eat lunch, and either continue on with what I'm doing, or do something else.  Then I work on my blog, eat dinner, sometimes watch a movie, and go to bed.  These are my summer days. :o)

What is your best collaboration?

I've only done one blog collaboration, which was with Madeline.  It was a lot of fun!

What is your worst collaboration?

Being that I've only done one collaboration, and it went very well, I don't have a "worst collaboration." Thankfully!

Explain what your blog means to you.

Interesting question!  My blog is something that I really love to do, and it is even more fun because people read what I write.  I think that that's pretty neat.  I really love to read other people's blogs too.

Nominate 5 people for this award.  Make sure to comment on their blogs to let them know!

I nominate:

1. Katie from Katie In The Spotlight

2. McKenna from 
McKenna's Purple Sky

3. Lexie from The Pink Dancer

4. Madeline from Instantly British

5. Jess from Rosalyn's Blog

Congratulations!

~Grace

8.20.2012

McKenna's Purple Sky

Hi!

There's this great new AG blog called "McKenna's Purple Sky."  McKenna just did her first post yesterday.  It is super cute!  I just wanted to mention this blog, because I know how it feels to be an "up and coming blogger," and I'm sure she'd like to have some followers!  Please check it out and become a follower!

~Grace

8.17.2012

Update On Kooper

Hello!

Before you read this, read the post below (titled Kooper) if you haven't read it.  

I have good news!!!  We brought Kooper home from the "hospital" this morning at about 8:30.  He was very happy to see us!  On the way home, he slept for a little while, but got VERY excited to see his big brother, Kaptain.  When I brought him in the house after walking him around a little outside, he went to say hi to my grandma (everyone was still sleeping since we were up until 1 in the morning, so everyone was super tired), and then my mom and sister.  He tried to say hi to Lindsay, but she didn't wake up when he licked her face. :)  He was very happy to be home, and he was ready to eat!  After he got his breakfast, he crawled into his crate to go to sleep.  He has been sleeping for most of the day.  You know how when you're sick, you just want to SLEEP!?  Well, I think that's how he feels right now.  He looks kind of funny right now, because he has a green wrap/bandage thing on one of his legs, he has little shaved off patches on 2 of his other legs, and he has a pink wrap/bandage thing on his tail!  The thing on his tail is to keep his tail out of his soft waste that he will be producing from the charcoal treatment.  I can't tell you how happy I am to have him back home, and that he is okay.  

~Grace

8.16.2012

Kooper

Hello.

When I came home tonight, my grandma discovered that Kooper (my dog) had gotten into something.  My cousin is here visiting, and he had some unsweetened baking chocolate in the bottom of his bag in a ziploc baggie.  We discovered this is what he ate.  Basically, this is the absolute WORST thing for dogs to eat.  Well, he ate the entire 8 oz. worth brand-new package.  We instantly gave him peroxide, and he started to throw up.  We called our wonderful friend who is a vet, and she told us what to do.  My dad and cousin are taking him to the vet.  I didn't think I could take being there.  Kooper is one of the most important things in the world to me, so I'm really trying to hold it together right now.  My mom called the poison control center for animals, and Kooper has probably arrived at the vet by now.  He will be charcoaled, and he will have to stay overnight, which I know is the right thing for him, but it's really hard for me.  Kooper will now be staying in his crate WHENEVER we leave.  I just wanted to write about this, and I would really appreciate your thoughts and prayers right now.

~Grace

8.15.2012

I'm Colorful... Are You?

Hi Everyone!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my 2 new friends Sayoko and Vivy!!!  I now have 10 friends!!!  If I reach my goal of 30 friends (followers) by October 1st, I will host a giveaway!  On to the blog award:





1. Thank the person who gave you the award and leave a link

Thank you, Katie, from Katie In The Spotlight!

2. Why did you get a blog?

I had started a private blog a few years ago because of my wonderful friend Claire from Claire's American Girl Dolls, and then I stopped blogging.  I wanted to start blogging again, and now that I'm a little older, I have a public blog, and I'm more dedicated to the blogosphere! 

3. What is you favorite animal?

Hmmmm... That's hard!  Probably a dog or a cat.

 4. What inspired you blog template?

I don't really think I was 'inspired,' I just found this and I liked it!

5. What is/are you favorite color(s)?

Blue :o)

6. What is your favorite thing about your blog?

That I can write about whatever I want, and that people read everything I write and enjoy it (hopefully :).

7. What's your favorite blog?

I don't have a favorite blog.  I enjoy all of the blogs that are on the side of my blog, plus more that I've read that aren't up there yet.

8. Award five people this award.

1. Claire from Claire's American Girl Dolls

2. Madeline from Instantly British

3. Jess from Rosalyn's Blog

4. Lexie from The Pink Dancer

5. Grace from Nicki The American Girl Doll

Congratulations!  You are now a "Colorful Blogger," too!

~Grace

8.02.2012

Our Entries For The Pink Dancer's Contest: Round 2 and Caroline Abbott

Hi!
First, I want to say THANK YOU to my new follower Arabesque!!  I now have 8 followers!  This makes me so happy.  I love finding blogs I enjoy and it is an honor when someone enjoys reading my blog enough to follow it.

Second, I know I haven't been posting a lot, but I have a lot of family visiting right now, so I will post more next week.  Sorry about that!

The Pink Dancer's Contest is on to Round 2!  This time, the theme is Wedding/Bridal Shower.  It was hard for me to think of something at first, but this is what I came up with.

Grace's Entry:

Wedding Cupcakes!  Classic Chocolate and Vanilla.  I made these today, and they turned out great!  This was really fun because I was able to combine my love of baking and photography into a project together.  Thanks again Lexie for inspiring creativity!!!


Lindsay's Entry:

McKenna in her wedding dress. (She's not getting married!:)


So, AG has some super exciting news!!!  They posted a real picture of their new historical doll, Caroline Abbott!  She is beautiful!

Here She Is:

I love her long, blonde, curly hair, and her beautiful eyes.  Her outfit is pretty cute, too.  Great job, AG!!  I can't wait to read about her in her books!  Do you plan on getting her when she comes out?

~Grace
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