Q-T-M-M-L-S-H-I-A-B-A-R

Which means "Quote That Made Me Laugh So Hard I Almost Broke A Rib".
And here it is: (excerpt from Leepike Ridge another must read by Nathan Wilson)

"A lot of academics would never admit that either group (Asians and Phoenicians) had been to this continent," Reg said, "Luckily, those ancient folks weren't able to read the academic journals or they might not have come, and there would have been no native cultures or civilizations in this part of the world."
"I don't get it," Tom said.
"You'll have plenty of time to. Just remember a few things and you'll be set. Columbus was the first to come from the east. Vikings don't count, and neither do all the people who were standing on the beaches and waving when he got here."

Bear is 3!!!!

We celebrated Bear's birthday a few days early this year so that Dad and Isaac could be there for it.Unlike other children, every piece of wrapping paper that Bear tore off of his presents he handed to Mom. Have to keep things nice and clean don't cha know.Now for the biggest present of all!!!A TRAIN SET!!! Who would have guessed?!
And so, everyone had to help Bear build a railway before cupcakes were ready. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR!!!

Dress Rehearsal!!

Getting ready for the STAGE!!! *enter dramatic music here* ;)

Me, Lani, Haley, and EmmaMe, Bri, and Clarissa

Me and Lani
Me and Lani again :)

The above are pictures of the advanced ballet class in our 'Alice in Wonderland' dance.

The first 32 counts of our lyrical dance went really well....it was the rest of the 2 and a half minute song that didn't go so well.
It was really quite embarrassing, I'm the one sitting on the stage with my head in my hands. I was actually laughing, not crying. It was really bad....
Here is a random picture of me leaping. YAY! :) How many other people have been blinded (like my dad) by the sparkliness of my costume? I don't think its really possible to get sparklier........

But, all in all, it was a very good dress rehearsal. :)

-RM

What Girls do for Pretty Hair....

Yes...curlers. This would be the night before our dress rehearsal :)

Day #3 on the Big Island

These pictures are for certain people who did not believe me when I told them that I saw a zebra, goats, long horns, and a buffalo on the Big Island. We were driving back from the Kona side of the island when we passed these interesting animals :)We also got to stop and play on the most amazing public playground that I have ever seen.
It was huge! We had tons of fun there. It was a great way to spend Mothers Day :)

Day #2 on the Big Island

Day #2 was spent touring Volcano National Park.
The big crater (I forget its name, but hey, I can't remember everything)

That would be the reason we weren't able to drive all the way around the crater. You are looking at a huge cloud of sulfur and other poisonous gases, exiting the volcano, that would kill you before you could say Aloha :)
LAVA FLOWS!!
In some places you could see where the lava flowed over roads.
That night we drove up to the Jagar Museum to see the crater glowing. And, since it gets rather cold after dark at 4,000+ feet above sea level, we all had to bundle up.

I don't know this person.....

For All You 100 Cupboards Lovers

A letter from Anastasia to Richard:

Richard,
First, I saw you sneaking out of my room. Don’t ever go into my room again, or Uncle Caleb’s dogs will snack on you in the night.
Second, I know you put this journal on my pillow. Stop being such a creep. The fact that you even touched my pillow means that I’ll have to burn it immediately. Did you think any of this would impress me? Sneaking around writing about yourself? Could you be weirder?
Third, I don’t believe any of it.
Fourth, if you want to impress me, change. Don’t be you anymore. Don’t be the Richard Hutchins who calls himself Richard Hutchins. I’ve seen you wear pink sweatpants, and I won’t ever forget it. But if you want me to try, start playing baseball. Be normal. Don’t notice if you get hurt. Never, ever, ever whine to me or anyone else about anything again. That would be a start.
Fifth, I don’t care that you’ve been stabbed and (if you’re not lying) hit with a broom and scratched on the ankle and bruised on the face and pinched by crabs. I just read your stupid journal and that was worse than anything you’ve ever gone through.
Sixth, you’re a chump and a sneak and a weasel and an annoying Math tutor. If you died, I probably would be a little sad for you. But I’m sure I wouldn’t notice for a very long time.
Don’t talk to me tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Anastasia
P.S. If you still feel like pretending to be brave, I picked out another cupboard for you from this journal:
#23. Collected 1900. Tin-plated drawer. Single pull. First report: Ireland. Local innkeeper with a sealed room. Cursed, he said, with vipers. Seven guests killed in a week. Locked up since. Wouldn’t let me into the room. After dark, broke in and located the drawer easily (noticeable hissing when opened). Pried it loose and bagged it quickly. Left before morning.
That one should be fun for you. And if I never see you again, at least I’ll know how you died.

Now for any of you who have never read 100 Cupboards before that probably made no sense at all. BUT!!! I have a SOLUTION!! You must go get the book: 100 Cupboards by Nathan Wilson and read it. It's very, very (did I mention very?) good! So go read it! :)

-Micaiah

More Photos from Day #1 on the Big Island

Kahuna Falls
Akaka Falls

Rainbow Falls Boiling Pots (which are right above Rainbow Falls)
A really pretty flower with raindrops :)
And since we're on the flower topic ^

KoleKole State BeachMy beautiful little rock pile :)
Aaaaand a quick 7 Eleven trip :)