Tryon Family Reunion

view from our picnic area

Tryon is my middle name. It's also my grandmother's maiden name. I used to hate it, but it's not so bad anymore I guess. We have a family reunion every year , but it's the first one I've been to in awhile. With the addition of deviled eggs to the plethora of food that can be chosen from I concluded that it wasn't as awful as I used to think it was. We also celebrated Gram's 90th birthday. (Congratulations GRAM!). Nothing too epic happened except Rand was a little tipsy and he and ben and I were all playing frisbee and he said he might want to go look at those bird over there later. Five seconds later he said, "K I want to go look at those birds now." It was funny... but you might have had to have been there. Randy and I... we're strange.

Mine and Ben's serious faces Brook and I! I love her! We're cousins and it makes me happy how very much related we look

Gram and Grampie with Lil E man

Typical

This may look unusual, but it is certainly typical. There isn't much of an explanation, it's just a sample of what I do on a daily basis.
It is for pictures like this that I consider myself awkward... but it's also one of the reasons I just crack myself up!

Mary Ellen!

My Mom is the sweetest most patient person I know. I was so happy that I was able to spend time with her on her birthday. On her actual birthday I went "quilt shop hopping" with her and her two best friends, Mary and Janet. I can't say that is was particularly fun lol... but I was just glad to hang out... and get a free awesome lunch.

The night before my Mom's birthday our WHOLE family went to bombers in Albany, then we went bowling! My parents have always told us that when they were dating my Mom would always win. Neither of them had been bowling in years. My Dad kicked my Mom's trash. It was seriously SO MUCH FUN. We were all yelling and whooping and gaggling about the bowling alley. It's a good thing we were like the only people there...
The Girls Team

Action Shot of Mom

The Boy's Team

We stopped at Poppy's to get ice cream after. Also very fun. I LOVE my family. and birthdays.

America

Wow! I just watched John Adams with my family. And BY GOLLY if there was not a more marvelous, influential, respectful time than his. Seriously, What has happened to our country? Where is our passion for living, our passion of truth and sincerity, justice and respect of all persons. It's devastating to see how low this great country has sunk. How our political leaders (I'm not just saying this about Obama or anyone in particular) meddle and disregard their predecessors . It's awful to see how divided we are as a people, referring to each other as democrats and republicans and no longer as Americans. I only hope that someday we can see each other as our forefathers did, as lovers of aspiration, hopes, goals, and all things good. Hobbes once talked of the natural passions of man, such as pride, partiality, revenge etc... And I personally have resoled to ignore those passions as best as I can. I want to be a good person.
ANDDDDD that is my speech on life for tonight. Let's see...My grandma is 90 years old (as of yesterday) Happy Birthday Grammmmyyy! and my Mom also celebrated her birthday this week too! I love them both soooo much!

Palmyra or Bust!

Last Friday my best friend Hannah and I decided to drive three hours to see the Palmyra pageant. I'm SO glad we did! We talked to our dear friends Little and Diaz on the phone and caught up with them and listen to music and sang out hearts out! I got to visit with my old efy counselor Chelsea and a girl Andie who used to be in our ward, it was so fun! I can't get over how I could not see either of those people for appx. three years and it was just like we saw each other yesterday! I always get so excited when that happens. Hannah, Chelsea and I each got these cool pins for giving the missionaries 5 referels each! Sooo if you get a call from the Mormon missionaries soon, I'm probably behind it haha. Oh and on the way home we stopped at a McDonalds, because we were starving and I ate the nastiest food of my life. It was not the kind of McDonalds quality you get in Cedar... but I did get a snack wrap, and thought of Alicia. We'd always get a strawberry milkshake and a ranch snack wrap, sit in her car and talk :). GOOD TIMES :).
Oh! And this week is Mary Ellen's birthday! WOO! Happy birthday Mom, I know you don't read my blog, but I love you and you are so the best Mom in the world and I would be a terrible person if you had not raised me the way you did haha. Thank you for everything!
And it's my grandmothers 90th birthday! WHOA! 90! that is... quite old. And she's still up doing her thang. My grandma is the biggest inspiration! She leads a happy modest life, with my grandpa who is 91, and they care about their family so much. They do everything they can to help us out. So thank you Grammy! I don't think you'd even know how to get to my blog if I told you (they've never had a computer), but I love you!
Well, I feel like I've said enough for today. CEDAR SOON :). Less than a month! Can't wait! Alright everyone, peace out!

Bitter

Normally I enjoy bitter things... like lemons. And occasionally I enjoy that self-destructing feeling of being bitter. Well maybe enjoy is a strong word... more like allow. I allow myself to be bitter... occasionally. Most recently I've become bitter about boys...I'm not saying that I have no more faith in men anymore, but after watching He's Just Not that Into You (the best movie ever and my new bible) I've decided that until my exception comes along, I'll be the rule. And being the rule blows chunks... but someones got to do it. I'm probably not making any sense... ANYWAYS all I really want to say is my exception man WILL HAVE STRAIGHT WHITE TEETH. end of discussion.
In other news... being home is okay. I get a little bored sometimes and it's not as sunny or as warm as Cedar, but it's still good. I LOVE working! I work at abercrombie and fitch (the adult store... used to work at the kids store) and it's a barrel of monkeys. SO fun.
And I've been spending a lot of time with Hannah and the family... Annnnddd that's about it really! I miss my biggie and my little. And I'm happy I have my puppy with me :)

My Mom and I went out to dinner! The Madison Cafe is super cute!

Hannah and I at dinner on Sunday :) good times!

Rules of Living

Inspired by Olivia Joules and recent events.
1. Stop. Think. Don't Panic, your life will go on.
2. There is room for regret, but it takes up more room than you'd think. Let it go.
3. Be Kind and polite and you'll go places
4. No one wants to be around negative people, so Be Happy.
5. Try new things.
6. If you're feeling emotionally uncomfortable, you're working. And that's not bad.
7. Have confidence.
8. There is something to be sad for going out on a limb, trust your gut.
9. No one is thinking about you. They're thinking about themselves just like you.
10. Life is way to short. Have fun.
In an update on my life... I'm back in New York. It's aiight. I miss my sisters more than words and kinda realized they truly are family. To my alpha phi family, thank you you guys are the shiz. You've taught me more than I could have ever learned on my own.
I got to see my puppy AND take him on a walk today :). he LOVES walks and I LOVE him! I've already been to the mall, which after the fashion show mall, it doesn't seem so amazing, but it still felt like I was really home. I've hung out with my best friend (we got lunch and pedicures!) and I realized why she's my best friend all over again. She is so real, not fake, and I love her! I got to see my brother Randy and his FIANCE Amanda! They're sweethearts and I adore them. And I made out with a boy within the first 24 hours that I was home... don't worry, it's pretty much a summer tradition. And I visited my ex-boyfriend Matty and remembered why we dated... and why we broke up. So being home has been pretty jam packed and emotionally interesting.