tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36143612058641690462024-03-14T01:16:39.189-07:00Dana Michelle PhotographyDana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-49956468104245380872016-05-14T20:22:00.003-07:002016-05-14T20:44:27.979-07:00And then there's these two...<div style="text-align: center;">
They seriously light up our lives. I mean, how could they not? Just look at them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can you guess who's the hunter of the two?</span></td></tr>
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Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-34405401120119180542016-05-12T20:53:00.002-07:002016-05-12T20:59:27.925-07:00Spring is here!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp0uZWLLzmA/VzVPaBkIouI/AAAAAAAAMY0/n47P26583lw8hl1SoLpJsiJ_ptH0DuHSgCK4B/s1600/DSC_0304.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yp0uZWLLzmA/VzVPaBkIouI/AAAAAAAAMY0/n47P26583lw8hl1SoLpJsiJ_ptH0DuHSgCK4B/s640/DSC_0304.jpg" width="424" /></a><br />
I am loving everything about springtime...and I'm loving everything about these pink peonies in our new home!Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-19362366291399742322015-01-25T20:08:00.004-08:002015-01-25T20:11:47.718-08:00Mineral Ridge <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-85538667588355004382013-12-18T22:57:00.002-08:002014-05-22T10:02:07.245-07:00Yes, yes I will take a day-cation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY4jlS6hU6g/UrKTJttcHzI/AAAAAAAAMKg/6SVkGRcmUU8/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY4jlS6hU6g/UrKTJttcHzI/AAAAAAAAMKg/6SVkGRcmUU8/s400/DSC_0005.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0J8DDgq0v4/UrKTHoY3sgI/AAAAAAAAMKU/Ct1_FAv6d18/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0J8DDgq0v4/UrKTHoY3sgI/AAAAAAAAMKU/Ct1_FAv6d18/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay so even though these photos are seriously nothing spectacular, I still wanted to post them anyway because they captured a great memory for me. I decided to just get away from everything for the day and just spend some time alone, away from the busyness of life and away from any demands and pressures that life often seems to bring. So of course, my best option for a day-cation was Julian (naturally). I spent the day listening to my favorite tunes, taking random pictures, chatting with the locals, hearing their life stories, sipping french press coffee, and buying some much needed Christmas gifts. It was perfect. And all I have to say from this is, if you're needing some time away just to think about life and be reminded to just enjoy the little moments, then take the day (or half-day if a full day isn't possible) to yourself and go somewhere special to you. It will rejuvenate you more than you realize, because that's exactly what it did for me. </span></div>
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<br />Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-39590067001804653622013-04-05T00:05:00.001-07:002013-04-05T00:42:28.215-07:00One of my favorite spots in San Diego<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-41227021324680317692012-12-09T10:12:00.003-08:002012-12-10T09:42:47.287-08:00Learning to just sit.So I don't know about you, but I've definitely heard the story of Mary and Martha a billion times (Luke 10:38 - 42 ), and always heard how Mary made the better choice in just sitting with Jesus instead of running around trying to do everything like Martha was. However, it never really resonated with me (or at least I didn't realize that it did) until just now.<br />
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It hit me...how often am I running around frantically trying to accomplish my 1000 things on my to-do list, when really, I just need to do the "one thing that is necessary," (Luke 10:41), and that is to just to sit? Sometimes it's hard to remember just how important it is to take time out to rest and just listen to whatever God is trying to tell me. Cynthia Heald wrote "I've discovered over the years that the best thing I can do for myself,
my family, my friends, my church, and my world is to abide in Him." This couldn't be more true. <br />
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I need to continue to remind myself that, "When first things are put first<i> </i>(sitting at the feet of Christ), second things are not suppressed but increased." -C.S. Lewis<br />
<br />Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-31355170983212541812012-09-08T14:06:00.000-07:002012-09-08T14:06:13.782-07:00VisionI'll never forget what one of my pastors said... <br />
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People want to follow someone with vision. <br />
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Once we have that vision, we need to remember it and stay the course, even when it's tough. It is persevering through our discouragement. It is remembering our vision. It is remembering what we were created for, whom we were created for, and who we were created to be. <br />
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It is this perseverance that makes a true leader.<br />
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Shauna Niequist put it perfectly when she said,<br />
"I feel, in my best moments, in spite of the uncertainty, in spite of the fear, like Lily Briscoe in <i>To the Lighthouse</i>. <i>Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision.</i> I had that line written on my wall for years, years ago, and now it holds a whole new richness. I have had my vision, and I thought it would come in a flash, a bright beam of knowing. But it has come in the same way that all things come to me. It has come to me with a fight. It has come to me the hard way, through tears and fog and fear and chaos, and now has landed in the palm of my hand like a firefly. There now, I have had my vision."<br />
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Now, what is your vision? And are you doing everything you know you can to be the leader that you want to be? Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-92020428754273546682012-09-03T22:46:00.000-07:002012-09-03T22:47:50.207-07:00True Joy<div style="text-align: left;">
Below is my new favorite definition of joy.</div>
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<i>What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness...the joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father - the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do- "...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2). "I delight to do Your will, O my God..." (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. </i></div>
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<i>Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God's work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irratability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, "...the cares of this world,...choke the word and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:19) And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in the cares.</i></div>
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-Oswald Chambers </div>
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"My Utmost for His Highest"</div>
Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-53141392155935018942012-08-31T18:12:00.000-07:002012-08-31T18:19:30.473-07:00Cold Tangerines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't help but view every day differently after reading (actually just barely starting!) this book.<br />
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I think we all have those days when we think 'is this it?' Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my life and all that it entails, all the adventures I've had, the mistakes I've made, the friends I have, and the way that Christ so patiently loves and guides me.<br />
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However, I'm going to be honest in saying that there are still those days when the mundane seems so mundane, the bills still need to get paid, and the every dayness of life seems to just blend together at times. I know you know what I mean.<br />
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In reading this book though, I view every moment differently. Every day seems a little more full of life, more color, more fun, more contentment, more joy, and I've realized that the memories of the day are worth remembering. I've begun to journal at the end of each day every favorite moment of the day, and I keep getting surprised at just how much I loved of each day that I probably wouldn't have thought twice about if I hadn't of made myself write it down and remember it. Even if the memory is painful, I want to focus on the growth that is or will take place and be hopeful in that. I realized through this book just how much I love all that I've gone through, both good and bad, and that I do have a story worth telling, because it's brought me to who I am today, and I know that it has made me wiser, stronger, and brought me to a greater place of empathy. <br />
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I was just home in Washington state visiting my family, and I can't tell you how much more I enjoyed every little moment picking blackberries and swimming in the lake with my nieces, dropping off my niece Elliana at her first day of school, celebrating my new baby nephew, having a deep, heartfelt conversation with a good friend or relative, laughing so hard with my mom in church that we could barely stop laughing during prayer, eating too much fro yo, drinking too many vanilla soy lattes with my mom, hearing my little niece Michaelyn want to pray for my dog Roxie that was choking, getting pedicures with my sister-in-law or seeing that my brother has remained such good friends with a homeless man that he has known for years. It is the little moments, the big moments, the joyful moments, and the painful moments, that make up our lives, and we need to celebrate it all.<br />
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<i>I don't want to wait anymore. I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day, waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold. The big moments are the daily, tiny moments of courage and forgiveness and hope that we grab on to and extend to one another. That's the drama of life, swirling all around us, and generally I don't even see it because I'm too busy waiting to become whatever it is I think I am about to become. The big moments are in every hour, every conversation, every meal, every meeting. The Heisman Trophy winner knows this. He knows that his big moment was not when they gave him the trophy. It was the thousand times he went to practice instead of going back to bed. It was the miles run on rainy days, the healthy meals when a burger sounded like heaven. That big moment represented and rested on a foundation of moments that had come before it.</i><br />
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<i>You have stories worth telling, memories worth remembering dreams worth working toward, a body worth feeding, a soul worth tending, and beyond that, the God of the universe dwells within you, the true culmination of super and natural.</i><br />
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<br />Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-16570449008883567842012-01-29T08:24:00.000-08:002012-01-29T08:24:13.513-08:00MFT!!So just recently, I decided to take the plunge and begin graduate school. Not gonna lie, it was scary to think of having to study for endless hours and write papers again, but once I finally decided to actually do it, I realized how much I had been missing out by putting it off! It's always been a lifelong dream of mine to go back to school and get my Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, but it's a big commitment so I didn't want to just rush into anything. However...I really couldn't be happier!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hINvsenFjkU/TyVrgRwIsII/AAAAAAAAK5U/cWVzulvymqg/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hINvsenFjkU/TyVrgRwIsII/AAAAAAAAK5U/cWVzulvymqg/s200/IMG_0417.JPG" width="200" /></a>I never realized how, dare I say, 'fun' graduate school could be! I'm no longer having to take a ton of general education courses that I could care less about; I get to read and study about everything that's always fascinated me more than anything!! Who would have thought that I would actually look forward to studying, or feel that going to class is one of the highlights of my week? I have never been a talker in class, but now I actually like the group discussions. And I love the people that I'm in classes with. It's pretty awesome to all have similar passions and goals and be able to grow together in this. I still wonder if it's really me who's taking these courses, because it's brought out a whole new side of me that I've never really seen before. And I love it.<br />
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It was incredible how God orchestrated me going to this particular graduate school. Time and time again He kept opening the door for me to go there at this time, and He kept reassuring me that there was no need to doubt, but I kept second guessing myself and even so, God still had patience with me and allowed me to still start up in January even though it should really not have been possible. So I know that this is where He wants me, and I absolutely love it.<br />
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I'm excited to see what God is going to do through me with this education in MFT, whether that be leading me back overseas to Haiti or elsewhere in order to counsel the orphans that I care so much for, allowing me to counsel families here in the U.S. who are hurting so much, or working on a disaster relief team and counseling those who have undergone traumatic experiences all around the world. Until then, I will rest assured knowing that I am doing exactly what He wants for me right now. I continue to be inspired by this verse in Deuteronomy 31:8 that says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-30016763279330243802011-12-30T09:42:00.000-08:002011-12-30T09:45:15.729-08:00God's Intent<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This excerpt (which is not the same as "Footprints" that we so often see everywhere :) is from Beth Moore's "Breaking Free," and it really resonated with me, because so often we think of Christ joining us in our walk, but really, we're the ones that decide whether or not we want to walk beside him. This created one of the best mental pictures for me, and I hope it'll do the same for you!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Imagine going to heaven and standing by God as He lovingly shows you His plan for your life. It begins with the day you are born. Once you received Christ as Savior, every day that follows is outlined in red. You see footprints walking through each day of your life. On many of the days, two sets of footprints appear. You inquire: "Father, are those my footprints every day, and is the second set of prints when You joined me?"<br />
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He answers, "No, My precious Child. The consistent footprints are Mine. The second set of footprints are when you joined Me."<br />
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"Where were You going, Father?"<br />
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"To the destiny I planned for you, hoping you'd follow."<br />
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"But, Father, where are my footprints all those times?"<br />
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"Sometimes you went back to look at the old resentments and habits. Sometimes, you chose your own path. Other times, your footprints appear on a another person's calendar because you liked their plan better. Sometimes, you simply stopped because you would not let go of something you could not take with you"<br />
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"But, Father, we ended up OK even if I didn't walk with You every day, didn't we."<br />
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He holds you close and smiles, "Yes, Child we ended up OK. But, you see, OK was never what I had in mind for you." </i></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-77511619746556450132011-10-21T00:52:00.000-07:002011-10-21T01:14:53.264-07:00When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39nGo_hti_M/Tp_LwVwoSuI/AAAAAAAAK3A/dTjrJ85EWzo/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39nGo_hti_M/Tp_LwVwoSuI/AAAAAAAAK3A/dTjrJ85EWzo/s320/DSC_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of our hunt for the perfect pumpkins...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Okay so i REALLY want to be better about posting on my blog. I think of things so often that i want to randomly write about, but then i think too much about all of the other things i haven't blogged about, and then i end up not writing anything! So i want to thank my cousin Tilly for encouraging me to write about anything and everything. So here it goes...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over</i><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> -One Republic "Good Life"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is by far my new favorite quote, and i feel like it describes these past few months for me so well. </div><div style="text-align: left;">There are so many little moments of happiness that I never want to forget. My good friend Renee's dad told me once that we should stop and think every day of at least 3 moments that were the highlight of our day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mifWkPLjJJQ/Tp_L8mMelHI/AAAAAAAAK3Y/Pk_2sox4Vwk/s1600/DSC_0358.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mifWkPLjJJQ/Tp_L8mMelHI/AAAAAAAAK3Y/Pk_2sox4Vwk/s320/DSC_0358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So my favorite moments recently are..</div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li style="text-align: left;">Laughing so hard with Heather that tears stream down our faces </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Discovering my new favorite sport: paddleboarding (or Stand Up Paddle if we want to get technical!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Spending the weekend in Tahoe jet skiing, mini-golfing, and laying out on the lake</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Acting on what i know the Lord is urging me to do, and reaping the benefits of whatever that may be, whether that be praying for someone or asking<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ8Ko81SLRc/Tp_MH3PbgjI/AAAAAAAAK3o/xu5h8UvE1kA/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ8Ko81SLRc/Tp_MH3PbgjI/AAAAAAAAK3o/xu5h8UvE1kA/s400/DSC_0365.JPG" width="265" /></a> someone for forgiveness...all of those little things that really are the best moments ever because it's in those moments that God can do some incredible things... </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"> Sitting in the hot tub under the stars with my roommates, wine, and our favorite show that we're completely and utterly addicted to (even though we're still a little ashamed to admit sometimes), Desperate Housewives (and yes, Rob, this includes you too ;)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Praying with friends when life gets hard<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cU_DTajoYbY/Tp_L4y3j1XI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/FVMRWqzuru0/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cU_DTajoYbY/Tp_L4y3j1XI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/FVMRWqzuru0/s320/DSC_0346.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She thinks she's sneaky but we all know the truth</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Celebrating the fall season with Heather while watching Elf and eating homemade pumpkin muffins (believe it or not, we really can bake!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Discovering my new favorite restaurant right on the bay that is only four minutes away from my house, Barefoot Bar & Restaurant </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Saying the dumbest things that make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Deep conversations with some of my dearest friends </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQjcf3H99t4/Tp_L0LuNunI/AAAAAAAAK3I/tNwnshldJtQ/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQjcf3H99t4/Tp_L0LuNunI/AAAAAAAAK3I/tNwnshldJtQ/s320/DSC_0321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What could be better than a pumpkin spice latte at a pumpkin patch?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><li style="text-align: left;">And acting like fools with Rachel (a.k.a. my twin) as we took 1000 photos at the pumpkin patch before carving our pumpkins! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R3b1TRkfKBI/Tp_MCO8R9cI/AAAAAAAAK3g/NXbalLqmh_8/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R3b1TRkfKBI/Tp_MCO8R9cI/AAAAAAAAK3g/NXbalLqmh_8/s320/DSC_0361.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a grandma pumpkin! <br />
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<tr align="center"><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVMx1eQ3GHI/Tp_MKtzCJtI/AAAAAAAAK3w/rW-Z26vFYLU/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVMx1eQ3GHI/Tp_MKtzCJtI/AAAAAAAAK3w/rW-Z26vFYLU/s320/IMG_0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finished pumpkin all lit up!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-43748301719587632832011-08-10T00:28:00.000-07:002011-08-10T00:32:17.635-07:00Photo Shoot at the Harbor & Balboa Park!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M0DWNOGwpNw/TkIv2LnsSsI/AAAAAAAAK2k/5NIDMwf2Ui0/s400/DSC_0176.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My absolute favorite photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lq6844msH-o/TkIz1YizHlI/AAAAAAAAK2w/vbYpEwC_yD0/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lq6844msH-o/TkIz1YizHlI/AAAAAAAAK2w/vbYpEwC_yD0/s400/DSC_0185.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70m3KBAnZYo/TkIv6W_bKSI/AAAAAAAAK2o/bh3X19-TqZQ/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70m3KBAnZYo/TkIv6W_bKSI/AAAAAAAAK2o/bh3X19-TqZQ/s400/DSC_0179.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLSH_yMngzA/TkIv-fSCayI/AAAAAAAAK2s/ibW5W0wehjk/s1600/DSC_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLSH_yMngzA/TkIv-fSCayI/AAAAAAAAK2s/ibW5W0wehjk/s400/DSC_0207.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JK4B2qEpbGk/TkIvw8M5CzI/AAAAAAAAK2g/TmRUhmh58p0/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JK4B2qEpbGk/TkIvw8M5CzI/AAAAAAAAK2g/TmRUhmh58p0/s400/DSC_0175.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're feeling distressed from already forgetting our photography knowledge that we learned just days before in our photography class!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXUknsY_euQ/TkIva_QJtmI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/zn9UxaZN2_U/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXUknsY_euQ/TkIva_QJtmI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/zn9UxaZN2_U/s400/DSC_0311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKWkxCf4oTM/TkIvhwZXu7I/AAAAAAAAK2c/vk9iP9kuqo8/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKWkxCf4oTM/TkIvhwZXu7I/AAAAAAAAK2c/vk9iP9kuqo8/s400/DSC_0308.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balboa Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-62322160142810300342011-03-28T21:49:00.000-07:002011-03-28T23:33:26.139-07:00Collapsed tents and other camping excursions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bllbUkrL1Sg/TZFcufIz3_I/AAAAAAAAKz8/yKZGn3VtU2o/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bllbUkrL1Sg/TZFcufIz3_I/AAAAAAAAKz8/yKZGn3VtU2o/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our awesome campsite</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> This past weekend my friends and I went camping at San Elijo State Beach, and thankfully we didn't get rained out like the forecast predicted! We got the most perfect spot right on the ocean, which was ideal for half of the people there who got up at the crack of dawn to go surfing (yet another reason why i don't surf: option a) stay in the tent and sleep for 3 more hours in the early a.m.? or b) get up in the freezing cold and get into the ice cold water just to drown in the water? i think i'll take the first option)<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even though i absolutely love everything about camping (i.e. the smores, sleeping bags, talking for hours about nothing and everything by the fire, sleeping in tents, never really getting totally warm, eating camp breakfast food), my most favorite moment from this past weekend was when my good friend Rachel (who we swear we're twins separated at birth) and i got into our tent and started trying to find out the latest Hollywood gossip in my People magazines because Rachel claimed that Brad and Emily from the Bachelor show broke up this past week, according to "3 sources," which i believe are the Enquirer, Hollywoodgossip.com, and other tabloids that she apparently thinks are true facts ;-), and were laughing so hard for so long about who knows what. Those are definitely my favorite moments, when you can't even put your finger on what was so great about it, but you know that it was just pure awesome.<br />
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So right after we were done looking at our magazines, the rest of our friends came into go to bed, and as we were all trying to fall asleep, i started feeling the tent walls encompass me, and sure enough, the whole tent was collapsing on us. The tent became totally lopsided because our friend (who didn't want to admit that she was the real culprit :) was basically lying on the poles that were supposed to make it stay upright. So there we all were, in the dark, in our sleeping bags, with the tent roof that had fallen right on top of us, awesome ;-) </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFQ4gqAaFuc/TZFcxxr90BI/AAAAAAAAK0A/FbxPKoclxJ0/s1600/IMG_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFQ4gqAaFuc/TZFcxxr90BI/AAAAAAAAK0A/FbxPKoclxJ0/s320/IMG_0035.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alisha & Rachel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdQFukFNREU/TZFc0pwE3gI/AAAAAAAAK0E/XdDvcgonkrk/s1600/IMG_0314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdQFukFNREU/TZFc0pwE3gI/AAAAAAAAK0E/XdDvcgonkrk/s320/IMG_0314.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are we playing pac man?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3if1tQDlQ4/TZFc4YDHZXI/AAAAAAAAK0I/evhO7Ryj1x0/s1600/IMG_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3if1tQDlQ4/TZFc4YDHZXI/AAAAAAAAK0I/evhO7Ryj1x0/s320/IMG_0330.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very proud hamburger maker!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VI-bLhoKy8k/TZFc8QhDkxI/AAAAAAAAK0M/yaK2sOFjc50/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VI-bLhoKy8k/TZFc8QhDkxI/AAAAAAAAK0M/yaK2sOFjc50/s320/IMG_0313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So purty :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDnxW3JOmDI/TZFc_B0XCfI/AAAAAAAAK0Q/g9OCpZHJeOg/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDnxW3JOmDI/TZFc_B0XCfI/AAAAAAAAK0Q/g9OCpZHJeOg/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristi, Alisha & me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bA7WdXyHOo/TZFdDBrzt3I/AAAAAAAAK0U/usz3SnmU3sk/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bA7WdXyHOo/TZFdDBrzt3I/AAAAAAAAK0U/usz3SnmU3sk/s320/IMG_0317.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's too adorable!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YT_MFREWO0Y/TZFdIdu40wI/AAAAAAAAK0Y/-JnOct1Z2iM/s1600/IMG_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YT_MFREWO0Y/TZFdIdu40wI/AAAAAAAAK0Y/-JnOct1Z2iM/s320/IMG_0325.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twins!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-14919991356723700322011-02-27T14:03:00.000-08:002011-02-27T14:03:43.732-08:00My Latest Shinanigans!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I'm sure that many of you have just been on the edge of your seats, dying for me to update my blog and find out all about what's going in my life. So please forgive me for making you wait so incredibly long and making you suffer ;-) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here's what I've been up to these past few months...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 6th Annual Camping Trip at San Clemente State Park</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b3b4eMWyyCI/TWq-D2bUzWI/AAAAAAAAKyk/6E2add_XxA0/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b3b4eMWyyCI/TWq-D2bUzWI/AAAAAAAAKyk/6E2add_XxA0/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to make shadow pictures...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visit to Haiti to see all of my kidies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A day that just wasn't long enough with my wonderful friend Valerie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all had to say goodbye to Pami as she moved to the Philippines as a missionary</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Torrey Pines Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On an "intense" hike at Torrey Pines </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kai was so excited for our walk at Torrey Pines</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana visited me from Florida a few weeks ago, and did everything from karaoke, walks along the beach, breakfast and coffee along the ocean, to shopping and dancing! It was the absolute perfect weekend with her!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4bn7itvktQE/TWq94oP-wtI/AAAAAAAAKyM/PXnSEAdiXhY/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4bn7itvktQE/TWq94oP-wtI/AAAAAAAAKyM/PXnSEAdiXhY/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wNo_Qrs6zjA/TWq9213D9tI/AAAAAAAAKyI/F8rHO4tssVw/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wNo_Qrs6zjA/TWq9213D9tI/AAAAAAAAKyI/F8rHO4tssVw/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana and I in at Hotel del Coronado drinking mimosa's & mojito's as we watched the gorgeous sunset</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bY4APhzOzT4/TWrJ9NLpY-I/AAAAAAAAKzY/r2N3lVUHakI/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bY4APhzOzT4/TWrJ9NLpY-I/AAAAAAAAKzY/r2N3lVUHakI/s400/IMG_0104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-63888684413550400152011-01-11T19:04:00.000-08:002011-01-11T19:04:24.725-08:00Remembering January 12, 2010<div style="text-align: center;">I can hardly believe it's already been a year since the earthquake hit us in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010. It all seems so surreal, even now. I still feel like I can't fully wrap my mind around all that I saw and experienced last year. I can't imagine what the people are experiencing who lost a loved one during the tragedy. My heart is breaking for them, and all i know to do is pray for them (which is really the best thing anyone can do). I hope that all of you who read this and remember last year, will pray for everyone who is hurting over what happened last year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TS0Z7Iik5II/AAAAAAAAKxc/q4Sy8O5s8lQ/s1600/DSCN0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TS0Z7Iik5II/AAAAAAAAKxc/q4Sy8O5s8lQ/s320/DSCN0518.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TS0Z9NB2T8I/AAAAAAAAKxg/TIsLni1UMHs/s1600/DSCN0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TS0Z9NB2T8I/AAAAAAAAKxg/TIsLni1UMHs/s320/DSCN0536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TS0Z-hnMqwI/AAAAAAAAKxk/CGDt2X0xPho/s1600/DSCN0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TS0Z-hnMqwI/AAAAAAAAKxk/CGDt2X0xPho/s320/DSCN0627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-59904552703118154412011-01-05T11:24:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:24:21.491-08:00Enjoying each moment I have realized recently that i have been putting my life on hold for the past few months. And that is no way to live. I don't think that life is meant to be waited on. There will always be unknowns in my life, but i don't want to put off what i could be doing right now. Life will pass me by without me even realizing it, and i don't want to miss out on it. <br />
So with that said, i have decided to really enjoy each moment more as it comes. One of those moments was the other night, when my good friend and i were sitting next to a large window in a little coffee shop called Lestats, and were reading our books while we watched the rain pour down on the street outside. It was perfect. And i never wanted it to end. <br />
Or laughing so hard with my entire family trying not to let tears run down our faces as we opened some of the most obnoxious gifts of wrestling suits, books on "This is Why You're Fat," handerpants (yes, it's true, whitey tighties for the hands), and an oversized white camel for the centerpiece. <br />
Or watching a woman get out of her car in the pouring down rain in San Diego, and walk up the hill to a homeless man sitting under the overpass to see how she could help him out. <br />
Or sitting for hours with a good friend. <br />
It's moments like those that are priceless, and i'm not going to let them pass me by any longer. I would encourage you to do the same.<br />
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Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-65073262793497362092010-11-10T20:54:00.000-08:002010-11-10T20:54:47.575-08:00Little bundle of joy =)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just another day in San Diego with Tilly and baby Kai at Mission Beach!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtz_fKtxKI/AAAAAAAAKvo/gTobMWhGpeo/s1600/DSC_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtz_fKtxKI/AAAAAAAAKvo/gTobMWhGpeo/s400/DSC_1247.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Apparently his fists are pretty much the most fascinating things he's ever seen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He could stare at them for hours! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtzWr9_mhI/AAAAAAAAKvc/ekbhV5cW-bs/s1600/DSC_1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtzWr9_mhI/AAAAAAAAKvc/ekbhV5cW-bs/s400/DSC_1236.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtzZU1Z0SI/AAAAAAAAKvk/vP4wYb5A0hA/s1600/DSC_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtzZU1Z0SI/AAAAAAAAKvk/vP4wYb5A0hA/s400/DSC_1277.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtzVJYAlaI/AAAAAAAAKvY/SA9eR-hYeB8/s1600/DSC_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TNtzVJYAlaI/AAAAAAAAKvY/SA9eR-hYeB8/s400/DSC_1233.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-70894995333566314312010-11-03T00:52:00.000-07:002010-11-03T00:52:24.439-07:00Visiting Julie...Finally!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1641991154"> </a>After what felt like 100 years of separation from Julie (seeing that i hadn't seen her since June of 2009 before i left for Haiti (well except for 2 hours this past June, which barely counts!), we were finally able to do everything and nothing together, and it was perfect! Julie is one of those friends that will stick with you until the end, no matter what it takes. She's one of the greatest friends anyone could ever ask for. She's always been there for me when life is hard, when life is awesome, and everything in between. We've gone on endless road trips together, we've taken countless photos (no but really, it's true. I don't think it's possible to count them all), we've shot catwalk videos (which i am horrid at just for the record!), we've made commercials together, we've made so many singing and dancing videos, we've finger painted, we've sang our hearts out at karaoke, and so much more! It's not every day that you find a friend like Julie. This last time that we were together, her, her boyfriend, and i decided to pack a picnic and go spend the day at the beach! Little did we know that every road that actually could get us to the beach was pretty much blocked off due to fires the day before. And little did we know that there was only one gas station within a 500 mile radius (well okay, maybe that's a bit exaggerated), so when a car is on empty, that's usually not the best place to be. So instead of ever making it to the beach, we had to find gas before we got stranded in the middle of nowhere, and decided to take these lovely photos instead! When Julie and I are together, we never cease to make any situation fun, no matter how much it doesn't fit into our original plan! Love you Jules!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9Ym-bYK4I/AAAAAAAAKu8/C1sRlcpGeFs/s400/DSC_1081.JPG" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Below: Julie & Ryan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9YpkeoKCI/AAAAAAAAKvA/4gcCV5YkSps/s1600/DSC_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9YpkeoKCI/AAAAAAAAKvA/4gcCV5YkSps/s400/DSC_1087.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9YsaCbeaI/AAAAAAAAKvE/QPGdeTpEFGU/s1600/DSC_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9YsaCbeaI/AAAAAAAAKvE/QPGdeTpEFGU/s400/DSC_1102.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9Yuy5w6FI/AAAAAAAAKvI/g1XhBbcoie8/s1600/DSC_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9Yuy5w6FI/AAAAAAAAKvI/g1XhBbcoie8/s400/DSC_1111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Below: GQ photoshoot (well kind of ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9YxTkJl3I/AAAAAAAAKvM/QjpszUgEWos/s1600/DSC_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9YxTkJl3I/AAAAAAAAKvM/QjpszUgEWos/s400/DSC_1121.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Below: Fun on the slides!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9Y0q_QQsI/AAAAAAAAKvQ/DW-Cssx9XGE/s1600/DSCN1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TM9Y0q_QQsI/AAAAAAAAKvQ/DW-Cssx9XGE/s400/DSCN1918.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-9863731990112645212010-10-14T18:35:00.000-07:002010-10-18T12:15:19.597-07:00Family Photo Shoot at Boulevard Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyYqn1RycI/AAAAAAAAKu4/CWDmWo8He5w/s400/DSC_0667.JPG" width="265" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before leaving Bellingham, WA, my brother and his wife asked me to photograph their family at the bay. It was the perfect crisp fall day with colorful leaves all over the ground. We had so much fun taking photos along the boardwalk at Boulevard park as well as on the rocky beach where the girls learned how to hunt for crabs under the rocks! Over the summer I was able to spend a lot of time with my nieces, which was really the first time I got to spend more than 2 weeks at a time with them (due to me living in San Diego and Haiti). We got to pitch a tent one night and camp out in the backyard (which was always my favorite past time as a kid!), we went to different parks together, and we even painted purses with puffy paint and decorated mugs for mommy and daddy! It was such a perfect summer with my family, and I'm so grateful for that time with them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyXnl8PepI/AAAAAAAAKuk/2ohsyZVJST0/s1600/DSC_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyXnl8PepI/AAAAAAAAKuk/2ohsyZVJST0/s400/DSC_0894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyXutGZ-vI/AAAAAAAAKuo/Is1yQYOMdZc/s1600/DSC_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyXutGZ-vI/AAAAAAAAKuo/Is1yQYOMdZc/s400/DSC_0753.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyXzcTBtrI/AAAAAAAAKus/kV6ZMfxVPCk/s1600/DSC_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyXzcTBtrI/AAAAAAAAKus/kV6ZMfxVPCk/s400/DSC_0647.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyX7rliPFI/AAAAAAAAKuw/8CWsPlJD4Uo/s1600/DSC_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyX7rliPFI/AAAAAAAAKuw/8CWsPlJD4Uo/s400/DSC_0547.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLeuBWa_JRI/AAAAAAAAKuU/Ty7YFntgTg4/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLeuBWa_JRI/AAAAAAAAKuU/Ty7YFntgTg4/s400/DSC_0527.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLesqdCz_sI/AAAAAAAAKtk/6i5gjk0NYdE/s1600/DSC_0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLesqdCz_sI/AAAAAAAAKtk/6i5gjk0NYdE/s400/DSC_0666.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLestMIfsFI/AAAAAAAAKts/CDVx6sN6P78/s1600/DSC_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLestMIfsFI/AAAAAAAAKts/CDVx6sN6P78/s400/DSC_0966.JPG" width="265" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyYAT4BG-I/AAAAAAAAKu0/7ZgvOYihmvA/s1600/DSC_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLyYAT4BG-I/AAAAAAAAKu0/7ZgvOYihmvA/s400/DSC_0909.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLesu1y8Z0I/AAAAAAAAKtw/W6acrbLHN5Y/s1600/DSC_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLesu1y8Z0I/AAAAAAAAKtw/W6acrbLHN5Y/s400/DSC_0735.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLeszgIOyGI/AAAAAAAAKt8/fGHL5cz_ZoU/s1600/DSC_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLeszgIOyGI/AAAAAAAAKt8/fGHL5cz_ZoU/s400/DSC_0993.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLetatgax5I/AAAAAAAAKuE/10Kxlue3QJA/s1600/DSC_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLetatgax5I/AAAAAAAAKuE/10Kxlue3QJA/s400/DSC_0414.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLetxMrTd8I/AAAAAAAAKuI/RMtY0ntpkOQ/s1600/DSC_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLetxMrTd8I/AAAAAAAAKuI/RMtY0ntpkOQ/s400/DSC_0433.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLetyv1WKKI/AAAAAAAAKuM/nx8iRjersFI/s1600/DSC_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLetyv1WKKI/AAAAAAAAKuM/nx8iRjersFI/s400/DSC_0474.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLet129q_QI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/1N5CCo5EoR8/s1600/DSC_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLet129q_QI/AAAAAAAAKuQ/1N5CCo5EoR8/s400/DSC_0559.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLwHZmsDzhI/AAAAAAAAKug/YKrO6pBrbN8/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLwHZmsDzhI/AAAAAAAAKug/YKrO6pBrbN8/s400/DSC_0429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLwDdOxjF7I/AAAAAAAAKuc/dKo4j8p5loU/s1600/DSC_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/TLwDdOxjF7I/AAAAAAAAKuc/dKo4j8p5loU/s400/DSC_0566.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photos taken with my Nikon D70 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boulevard Park, Bellingham, WA</div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-76234409467169703552010-04-16T11:51:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:51:19.550-07:00Wahoo Bay, Haiti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8iZtx5wWjI/AAAAAAAAKes/QYbNFt1gM6Q/s1600/DSC_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8iZtx5wWjI/AAAAAAAAKes/QYbNFt1gM6Q/s320/DSC_0553.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8iak9za-1I/AAAAAAAAKe0/0zsGo4AOsmk/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8iak9za-1I/AAAAAAAAKe0/0zsGo4AOsmk/s400/DSC_0565.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8icHDm-lFI/AAAAAAAAKfE/Pb7RMJmFzpM/s1600/DSC_0552_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8icHDm-lFI/AAAAAAAAKfE/Pb7RMJmFzpM/s400/DSC_0552_2.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8ibf1AYunI/AAAAAAAAKe8/XQjpWVtiEDQ/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/S8ibf1AYunI/AAAAAAAAKe8/XQjpWVtiEDQ/s400/DSC_0546.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-14025191742830787912009-09-18T08:10:00.000-07:002009-09-18T08:10:17.025-07:00Happy Birthday Valerie!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SrOgdQYhgdI/AAAAAAAAJ4g/QhAHXa9qWUs/s1600-h/ValBirthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SrOgdQYhgdI/AAAAAAAAJ4g/QhAHXa9qWUs/s400/ValBirthday.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="color: #cc0000;">Today is my best friend's birthday, and although i couldn't be happier living in Haiti, i really do wish i could be there to celebrate with her today as she turns 25. Her and i have been through so much together. I remember when her and I met on our first day at Biola University in 2003, and ever since then we've remained the closest of friends even though much of our friendship has been long distance. It really is strange how we have been called to different parts of the world for so much of our friendship. Despite all of that, she is one of my dearest friends ever, and I really thank God for her. We have gone through everything together, and now it's another year that has passed by. I can hardly believe it. I love her so much, and feel so blessed by her friendship, her spiritual encouragement, her caring heart, her pure joy in the Lord, her great love for her husband, her loyalty to friends, her love for her family, her contagious laugh, and her never ending love for all she comes in contact with. Thank you Val for being such an amazing friend. Happy Birthday!!</span>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-75468181126539229242009-09-17T21:30:00.000-07:002009-09-17T21:41:56.479-07:00Our Little Daphne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SrMIUyvQvbI/AAAAAAAAJ4I/zg2QEUySI-0/s1600-h/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SrMIUyvQvbI/AAAAAAAAJ4I/zg2QEUySI-0/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SrMJCyX9FvI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/oD9ZviFwbcg/s1600-h/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SrMJCyX9FvI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/oD9ZviFwbcg/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do they get any cuter than this? Seriously, she has the personality of a 20-year old and an attitude to boot, but she is SUCH a little bundle of joy and so much fun to be with. Nobody can get enough of her! She is one of our true orphans, with no parents to claim her, but praise God she is in our orphanage and receives tons of love by all of us daily.<br />
</div><span id="goog_1253246246899"></span><span id="goog_1253246246900"></span>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-41291500024766469102009-07-13T21:50:00.000-07:002009-07-13T22:31:58.635-07:00Road Trip to San Francisco<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwPm2u_daI/AAAAAAAAJwE/C00PfgH3CoU/s1600-h/July+2009+112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwPm2u_daI/AAAAAAAAJwE/C00PfgH3CoU/s400/July+2009+112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358174816866104738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwPnP-S6dI/AAAAAAAAJwM/_iq2W6Joud4/s1600-h/July+2009+123.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwPnP-S6dI/AAAAAAAAJwM/_iq2W6Joud4/s400/July+2009+123.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358174823641180626" border="0" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwQOot1OQI/AAAAAAAAJws/gcQ5-2DqhEE/s1600-h/July+2009+121.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwQOot1OQI/AAAAAAAAJws/gcQ5-2DqhEE/s400/July+2009+121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358175500297910530" border="0" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVr94EtrI/AAAAAAAAJxs/BlTcFpwlt_Y/s1600-h/July+2009+156.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVr94EtrI/AAAAAAAAJxs/BlTcFpwlt_Y/s400/July+2009+156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358181501752358578" border="0" /></a>Photo below taken by Nate Ritter
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVsGD2hjI/AAAAAAAAJx0/9rBwJWUC__E/s1600-h/July+2009+315.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVsGD2hjI/AAAAAAAAJx0/9rBwJWUC__E/s400/July+2009+315.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358181503949243954" border="0" /></a>Below: The Painted Ladies
</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVrINjFVI/AAAAAAAAJxc/dtzEjnuYctA/s1600-h/July+2009+293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVrINjFVI/AAAAAAAAJxc/dtzEjnuYctA/s400/July+2009+293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358181487346914642" border="0" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwQOysclRI/AAAAAAAAJw0/f7QRc7A6Zck/s1600-h/July+2009+141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwQOysclRI/AAAAAAAAJw0/f7QRc7A6Zck/s400/July+2009+141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358175502976455954" border="0" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVrROxK4I/AAAAAAAAJxk/nyZL5y5g9qI/s1600-h/July+2009+089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwVrROxK4I/AAAAAAAAJxk/nyZL5y5g9qI/s400/July+2009+089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358181489767951234" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Driving down the PCH...
</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwRQF4rpUI/AAAAAAAAJw8/zqd6HgxA2EI/s1600-h/July+2009+114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwRQF4rpUI/AAAAAAAAJw8/zqd6HgxA2EI/s400/July+2009+114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358176624819545410" border="0" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwPmBsWcwI/AAAAAAAAJv0/SkXer-FbmPg/s1600-h/July+2009+105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SlwPmBsWcwI/AAAAAAAAJv0/SkXer-FbmPg/s400/July+2009+105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358174802627949314" border="0" /></a>Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614361205864169046.post-38503034319520104792009-06-13T12:04:00.000-07:002009-06-13T12:05:05.072-07:00From bonnets to high heels...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SjP2dGYa-pI/AAAAAAAAI-k/mdG2V0pgxvM/s1600-h/spring+in+the+tropics+127.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SjP2dGYa-pI/AAAAAAAAI-k/mdG2V0pgxvM/s400/spring+in+the+tropics+127.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346888162408594066" /></a>
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SjP2cWzXpkI/AAAAAAAAI-U/1XbSSAOwK8w/s1600-h/spring+in+the+tropics+116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sZueC4nt0D0/SjP2cWzXpkI/AAAAAAAAI-U/1XbSSAOwK8w/s400/spring+in+the+tropics+116.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346888149636720194" /></a>
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Isn't it funny how things can change so drastically over time?
When once I wanted nothing more than to wear bonnets and prairie dresses and have tea parties with my dolls, now i'm in love with going downtown in my cute high heels and painting the town red with my friends =) And one of my favorite people to do this with is my very own cousin Tilly (and Nate, but i don't think he's a big fan of the wearing high heels part!). Instead of being in completely different phases of our lives (i.e. the bonnets), as we have always been up until now, we're now able to enjoy the same things such as going to horse races and having no clue how to bet on the horses, going on road trips to Hawaii (okay maybe not this, but still, it was a good thought ;-), sing in our band "Tilly and the Deuster Streudels," throw rooftop bar birthday parties for each other, eat too much cheese, run 5K's together, stay up all hours of the night playing Tetris, Wii & Cranium, dance our famous "worldwide dance" on the beach, drink pomegrate martinis, use abbreves 24/7 and know exactly what we're talking about, i could go on...
Anyway, one of the coolest thing about it all is that Nate, Tilly and i have become the greatest of friends in the whole process of living down here in San Diego together. I'm really going to miss them...Dana Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11504486247733946064noreply@blogger.com3