Flashback Friday: Wedding Announcements

This is just a quick one to commemorate two of our friends that are getting married. Not to each other, but we found out about their engagements around the same time. And we happen to have compromising photos of each of them. Enjoy!

This is Jeremy. During college super hero contests he masquerades as The Smoocher. He was James' neighbor and/or roommate for 4 years and my home teacher before James and I were a "thing." And now he's getting married.


This is Lindsay. Once upon a time, when James was living with Steve in a trailer in Auburn, she made him a birthday cake. About 6 months later, James and Steve decided it would be a good idea to wrap the whole cake (dish and all) in plastic wrap and mail it back to her (in Provo). Isn't that sweet? It was so sweet that Lindsay kept the thing around a while longer (like as in MONTHS) until James visited and snapped this lovely shot. I'm hoping that the cake is still around somewhere as I'd like to see it at the reception in September.

Flashback Friday: Yearning for Summertime

I almost remember what it's like to be warm more often than not. Today is June 5th. As in, the same month wherein begins Summer. As in, two weeks SINCE Memorial Day weekend. As in, I have the heat on and I'm wearing sweats today. And it snowed in the mountains. What the...? Yup. It is our second cold rainy day today so I had to turn the heat up. Last night Zoe slept in her winter pj's with the space heater on. Did I mention it's June 5th?

To help me remember warmer days, here are some great summer-time activities from, literally, warmer days:

Gearing up for a trip to the lake/river/pool/whatever with buddies.
Buddies include: Ben, April, LaDonna, Lindsay Abel, and James.

Here's one from the same trip, but this shot also includes Steve, LaDonna's face, and three of her younger siblings - Jay, Codey, and Julia (correct us if we're wrong)


And nothing says "Summer" like a dozen half-naked Italian boys jumping into a dangerously shallow river. Am I right?

Well, maybe nothing except a picture of me doing the same thing.

Now, say it with me, "It WILL get warm, it WILL get warm, it WILL get warm..."

Flashback Friday: Ode to Brothers

Whew! Flashback Friday is back with a vengeance! Took me long enough, didn't it? And this is a particularly special FF for me. My big brother is getting married today! He's my most special sibling because he's the only one that I grew up with. I am the youngest of 5 and he is the only one within a decade of me. In fact, he's only 16 months older. So everyone give it up for Garrett, and his lovely new wife Heather.

August 1983. I'm 2 weeks old.

December 1983. Classic. 80s. Pose.

March 2007. He really isn't that big and scary. OK, well maybe he isn't that scary. Big, he definitely is.

Flashback Friday: McDonald's

Did you all know that McDonald's gave away free (with purchase of a medium or large drink) breakfast burritos yesterday and today? I was going to get one today but that would require me to be dressed and out of the house before 10:30 so it didn't happen. Anyway, it just made me think of these great pictures that I meant to post several weeks ago but didn't and then forgot that I hadn't.

James and Steve showing the clown some love.

For some weird reason this is one of my favorite pictures of James and Ben.

And now for some justification/venting: It's getting increasingly harder to post because I usually do the blog thing while Zoe takes a nap and this week none of those naps have been more than an hour long. Then between school, work, and business trips for work, I haven't really seen much of James since Monday and I stink at the single parent thing, no matter for how short a period of time. Might I also add that I lose all motivation to do anything while he is gone. I'm pathetic. But to top it all off, we've been having some slight computer problems. Something's up with our power source and it has been affecting everything else - the external hard drive with all of our pictures on it, the scanner, and even the mouse. Loads of fun. Ok, I'm done whining for now. At least the weather is decent and as soon as we go out Zoe forgets that she is overly tired and in a bad mood.

Flashback Friday: Sweetheart's Edition

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day. It was fairly uneventful here. This year I thought about Valentine's as an anniversary of sorts. It has been one year since I started contributing to this blog. James started blogging a long time ago, but it was one year ago that I commandeered this space. Anyway, James had class until late at night so it was just me and the Nuggler for most of the day. Which left me plenty of time to sort and scan old pictures. Here's what I found:

I bet none of you knew James went for taller women.

If you look closely, you can see James' hair gradually getting longer.

Ah, James and April. How sweet. We miss you guys!

My senior prom with Casey.

A group picture - me with my date, Travis - not the one who has recently appeared on this blog- Paige with her date (so sorry your eyes are closed in this shot), and Erin with hers. Travis was a blind date that turned out...um...really good.

Me and Brian. This boy had the bluest eyes I had ever seen(though you can't tell in the picture). Windex blue. And look at that tan. He lived in Idaho for goodness sakes. He was also a cowboy...

Ben and LaDonna all gussied up.


Travis - yes, that Travis - with Kelly. This is from Senior Ball June 1995.

Fern and Steve. When James saw this picture he said, "Two of my favorite people."

Just so you know, I asked permission for some of these photos to be posted. If your picture is up here and you want me to take it down, let me know, unless you:

1. Are a Guy
2. Are related to us (sorry, Fern, your veto power is negated since you are family)
3. Don't have a blog of your own (let he who is without a blog cast NO stones)
   

Flashback Friday: Survivor Favorites

Finally, a legitimate excuse to write all I want about Survivor. Here is the root of my survivor obsession. I watched season 1 casually before I left for college, and there, with the help of my roommates, it became a full-blown affair. Here my roomie Paige and I route for Ethan to win Africa (season 3, January 10, 2002). We came in full costume and made up a few challenges of our own. We even voted. And Ethan won. We were ecstatic. Who wouldn't be? Just look at those knock-out legs. Ah to be young and have no shame!






















Well, for about three seasons I have been saying that we were due for another All Stars edition of Survivor. Finally I get it. The "Fans" aspect is interesting, but I think I would have preferred an all-out All Stars. I heard that they decided to change it up since Amazing Race also did an All Stars episode and of course they have to be different. I'm happy with the choices, but wish that there were a few players from Palau and Guatemala. Off the top of my head, I would have also liked to see Ian and Coby from Palau, Judd and Rafe from Guatemala, Tina, Misty, Terry and Austin from Panama (Exile), Boo from Fiji, and Aaron from China.

I could go on, there are so many players who I love, or think didn't really get a chance to show us what they have, but that would be my other 10 for a straight All Stars game. If I were to reach way back, I'd also include Alex from Amazon. I do like that there aren't any winners here. Although I heard that they tried to get Tom from Palau but he didn't want to. So I guess you could say I'm excited for this season, although the first episode threw me (don't worry, no spoilers here for anyone a little bit behind). Here's to another great season!

Flashback Friday: Algodones in Black and White

No, I didn't forget about this, I just got busy today and put it off. Then I was going to put a certain set of James' pictures up, but in going through some of my own, things started to take a different turn (I promise, I will get to the other pictures at a later time).

I had this great blast from the past this week when I came across a man who served his mission in my "home" ward about 10 years ago (give or take a few years). He was the first, and nearly last, missionary that my dad tolerated to have over for dinner because he was from South Africa and had a great accent and lots of interesting stories to share.

The whole encounter got me thinking about where I grew up. It's a little town called Algodones that is nestled right between Santa Fe and Albuquerque NM. Though the bigger towns around it change so drastically, this little place seems to stay the same. In high school I got to document a lot of the town, especially around my parent's property, on film (ie black and white pictures). All of these pictures are scans of my original hand-developed, darkroom photos from my junior year (1999-2000). I've got some more from my parents' house that I'll share at a later time, but I just wanted to let you all in on New Mexico's best kept secret.

The horno outside my old elementary school

The rest of the building burned right down to the ground years ago, but this little jewel hung on.

Miscellanous Creepy Ruins


The tracks that run by our house

Many a penny (and nickel and dime) were squashed - and still more lost in the attempt - on these tracks. I don't know how many days we spent walking up and down this stretch. On summer nights, when the windows in the house were open, the roar of the trains was deafening. I loved it. But what is that weird place the tracks are headed towards? Keep scrolling.

Miscellaneous Creepy Plant

To this day I have no idea what was ever manufactured or processed in this place, but it just fascinates me. The railroad tracks split off and went into it for loading/unloading purposes, but I don't think it ever functioned in my lifetime.

This place is a huge part of my life. I spent 18 years in the same house in this little blip on the map. I'm so glad I have these pictures that perfectly capture the essence of this place (to me at least). Thanks for indulging me. Next week Flashback Friday will resume it's juvenile, slightly embarrassing persona which we have all grown to love.

Flashback Friday: Soggy Bottom Boy

Before we begin today, let me just revel in the fruits of my labors. When will you people just realize? Blackmail works! I only wish LaDonna had waited a few more weeks. I didn't even get to her volleyball pictures. Oh well. Welcome aboard the good ship Blogger, Counihans. As promised, no more compromising photos.

Moving on. Today is EXACTLY 12 years since James was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I don't know how I can express my gratitude for all the wonderful people in his life back then that made this possible. I didn't know any of you back then and I am only getting to know some of you now, but I will be eternally grateful for your wonderful influences in his life. We literally owe our family to you.

Travis and James
Just so everyone knows why I love Travis so much - he is the one who actually baptized James. Good work Travis. I feel like we should have a feast in you honor.

The Gillice Clan (minus one)

James and Fern

Again, there is no way to thank all of you adequately for what you've done for James and, indirectly, for me. I hope he has made you all proud. Oh, and the title of this post is from O Brother, Where Art Thou? Looking at these pictures just makes me think of George Clooney saying, "Baptism! You boys are dumber than a bag of hammers." Not that I'm saying anyone is dumber than a bag of hammers.

Flashback Friday: It's Snow Fun

It snowed today. It seems to be snowing most days around here. I have to say that I haven't been so cold or surrounded by snow since I spent a winter in Idaho. Rexburg, to be exact. So how does one while away the winter months? Oh, the usual - skiing in dresses on the 3-foot hill between the dorms. Well it was a Sunday, and we didn't want to be too irreverent.

I'm a natural. Naturally

Other winter pastimes include ice skating on an outdoor rink with my roommates Erin and Paige.

This doesn't have much to do with snow, but this is the picture on a Christmas card James received on his mission. LaDonna, today you have company. I was going to blur April's face or do something to protect the "innocent" then I realized that April is just as guilty as you. Sorry, April, but a seldom-updated MySpace page just isn't cutting it for me anymore.


This was the clencher for me. I wasn't sure about posting this one, and then I saw the writing on the card:

Flashback Friday: Remember the Memory (Card)

This is what I would have posted last week had I not been puking ( I had a BUG, people! James had it 2 weeks before I did).

Our camera does this nifty little thing where if you forget to put the memory card in, it stores any pictures you take on it's own little hard drive. Problem is, you usually forget that the pictures are on there because you can't view them if the card is in, and to retrieve them you have to plug the camera into the computer (and we usually just take the card out and put it into one of our card readers). So a few weeks ago we came across these pictures. Sure, they are fairly recent, but why can't we flash back to the recent past? Are there any rules against that? No, I just checked the manual. Don't worry, I won't get all Lost on you and try and pass off a Flash Forward as a Flash Back. What?

Dec 1, 2006

July 9, 2007
Looking at those pictures, combined with reminiscing over Zoe's 18-month mark, reminded me of this stunning photo. Zoe is about a half a day old. Thanks for visiting us in the hospital, LaDonna. Now start a blog!
Here is Erin's more subtle attempt at persuasion.

Flashback Friday: Sink Your Teeth In

Phew! Right under the wire. Thanks Amy for reminding me that it was Flashback Friday.

Here Ben and Steve take a bite out of James. Ahh, the sweet hind quarters. Did I just say that?

Speaking of teeth, can anyone guess who these belong to?

Yup, they're LaDonna's. Hi LaDonna! Start a blog. That is all.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas I Posted on My Blog

Nine Old Christmas Pictures

AKA Flashback Friday: Christmases Long, Long Ago

Today I am combining Day 9 with Flashback Friday. A bit of a cop out? Yes, a little, but I am tired and there is still so much to do around our house to get ready for Christmas. And it's already Friday! It has really crept up on me, even though I've been looking forward to it all week.

Here are some pictures of my first Christmas, some early Christmases for James, and Zoe's first Christmas, both in Utah and in Oregon.

Desta - Christmas 1983

Desta with GarrettJamesCathy, JoAnne and JamesJames, Fern and JoAnne
Zoe's Official Christmas Picture 2006
Zoe's First Encounter with SantaUtahOregon - Our First Christmas as a Family