Miranda at Seaside, Oregon on December 22, 2009

Miranda and Patti

Saturday evening after running around getting shoes for drill team (had to be white) and other errands, and photographing the family for their annual Christmas card, and uploading it to Costco's website for printing....Miranda and Patti had a few quiet minutes to talk.

Bryce and Miranda

At the Pumpkin Patch in Rickreall.

Miranda's birthday presents

Aunt Bev said that there were 3 books she read at about the age Miranda is now that impacted her profoundly: To Kill a Mockingbird, Slaughterhouse 5, and Farenheit 451. Miranda turned 14 this year and Bev gave these books to her as almost a rite of passage.

First day of school Fall 2009

Girls on the Raft

We had to send the dads out to get these girls, because it was getting pretty low light and the girls hadn't returned. So, Steve and John took the canoe to go get them. They got back with hardly any light left. I wonder about their common sense!!

The laughter that drifted across the water as the girls paddled out from camp was sweet to hear.

Lily Schaffer, Rose Schaffer, Miranda (watching sunset), and Maryalice Weed.

Who would think brushing teeth is social time?

We put up extra tents, camping at Orcas Island. One tent for all the boys, one for the girls. There were four boys and 6 girls. It was interesting to hear the conversations from the two tents...

MaryAlice Weed, Miranda, Rose Schaffer, Honare Cole.

Camping on Orcas island

The "Chinese Families" went to Orcas Island for a week camping trip. Here are a couple of the photos that Patti sent out via email when they got back.

Miranda and Patti at Salisbury Park

So the rule of thumb is to always take two photos.....but what happens when you take 3 photos and you can't decide which one is best? The best one of Miranda is not the best one of Patti, the best one of the water and surroundings is not the best one of either of the people, and the best one of Patti is not the best one of Miranda. OH well.... it is what it is.

Miranda giving Lucy an ear rub

Miranda and Alessi

Good Friends!

Miranda at Pendleton meet.

Miranda had a great meet. 4th in 100 Free (dropped 5 sec). 3rd in 100 Back. 2nd in 200 IM. 3rd in 100 Breast, dropped 7 sec. 3rd in 50 Free. 4th in 100 Fly, dropped 10 seconds!! 3rd in 200 Back. 4th in 200 Free, dropped 9.5 seconds.

The pool behind her is the warm up/cool down pool. It had many bugs floating in it when we arrived Sunday morning. Yuck!

Miranda Clinically Depressed???

For those who think that Miranda sounds clinically depressed most of the time...there ARE those moments when she breaks out and really laughs. It's a joy to watch. Here, Alice has stolen Miranda's sunglasses and has the height to keep them from Miranda.

Miranda at Hammond, Oregon

Miranda and Grandma

Miranda and family were down on the Oregon coast for Brent's and Jan's birthdays. Here's a photo of Miranda and Grandma from Monday morning (May 25, 2009). With 8 people in a tiny house, people grab a slice of bed or sofa or floor from wherever they can.

Miranda and Asparagus and her aunt, the photographer.

I supposed it is a sign of Miranda's long history of being photographed that she does not hesitate at all when I ask her to do strange things for the sake of a photograph. I don't think Miranda particularly likes asparagus, but I asked her to stand by the window so that the natural light would flow in and for her to hold a clump of asparagus we'd just unpacked from a trip to the grocery store. She did not even ask WHY?! What a kid! I love having such cooperative photography subjects.

Miranda in Poulsbo

While on shopping trip in Poulsbo on March 30th, I got this photo of Miranda near the marina.

Miranda at Seattle Public Library

Miranda since she was little and discovered the internet, has investigated all the area libraries and it was a great day when she discovered the concept of putting books on hold. She asked Patti recently to pick up her holds when Patti was in Seattle going to work. Patti picked up 17 books. When she got home Miranda thanked her but said "But, Mom, you only picked up half of my books on hold." And she wasn't kidding!

Teenager planning sleep over

Teenager.

Planning sleepover.

Need I say more????

First Dance

The skirt is too short. That's too much makeup. This is a semi-formal dance, you can't wear denin!

Oh, to be a mom. She wouldn't let me take her picture until I threatened to take it in front of the school.

She's beautiful.

Miranda's Valentine Sleepover

Miranda's invitation said,
"We'll watch romantic movies, laugh about how we don't have boyfriends, and eat." And, they did!

A popular item at the party? Chocolate? Chips? Nailpolish? No, CELL PHONES!!! They even text each other AT the party...they said it kept them from talking too loud and keeping their friends awake!!

Miranda

Miranda and Lucy

It was so touching to see the bond.

(Miranda and Lucy in a moment of togetherness earlier this month.)

Miranda coming home from school

It's blurry because she won't pose for a photo. She's walking with Hailey and Max, who live down the road. Hailey had to wake Miranda up on the bus because she had fallen asleep!

So, what do you do after a week of public school? You go straight to bed at 3:30 in the afternoon and barely wake up at 5p to go to swim team!!

Miranda's First Day at Public School

She wouldn't let me walk her inside. She categorically refused to let me take her picture outside the school. This is all I got.

No coat because there are no lockers and she didn't want to drag a coat around with her all day. And a 2 hour snow delay, so she had to figure out where to go. What a brave kid!

January 5, 2009