the hunters (+ a myers and a trent) go to the fair

a week or so ago, levi and i went to the fair with my mom, my little sister ivy, my little brother zachary, my sister-in-law chrystal, and my honorary step-sister-in-law chelsea (she's chrystal's step sister, but i want her too so there!).

we mostly ate things.

it was deep fried decadence.

lots of pictures comin' up, beware.

we're on our way and maybe a little bit excited!

ivy and i found the entrance music rather inspiring in a "let's dance like superheroes" kind of a way.

first stop? beef jerky!

this was seriously not posed. we were just that bored by the RV derby.

so chrystal and i had a derby of our own and smashed into each other with our...heads? hmmm...

we're pretty serious about our corn on the cob.

i was doing the carl's jr. "milkshake" ad. levi just wanted to pose with a giant cow's behind.

speaking of cows - we get super excited by milk in this family! yeah!

slushie love.

kitty!!!!! the ELEPHANT!!! i love her.

the sequence in the next four photos makes me laugh:

1. mom with a basket full of homemade potato chips & levi's arm sneaking in to grab a few.

2. levi begging with an empty basket.

3. levi stealing other people's chips.

4. oh look at that! he talked someone into giving him their basket. that's my little beggar-lover.

yep. i tried it. and yep, it wasn't bad! kind of a little bit maybe sorta tasty.

we had just watched the "unusualist" do this, and i had been crying at the baby's hand reaching for the daddy's hand part. you should really go watch this video. it's pretty amazing.

ivy and levi modeling the fall fashions. such trendsetters, those two.

where's levi? oh, he's over there checking out flat irons.

i lost levi again, and this is where i find him. he's so cute.

they had a thing or two to learn.

their shirts pretty much summed up the whole fair.

maybe we'll actually go on some rides next year....

so much fun. i LOVE my family!

it must be that time again

you know that time where you're really hungry all the time...except for the times when you're mysteriously not?

and that time when you're maybe a little bloated?

and that time where you're really moody and you want everyone to leave you alone?

and that time where everything makes you cry???

i cried 6 times yesterday. i'm sorry. i should say: i wept 6 times yesterday.

these were the things that brought me to tears:

1. watching this video with levi. and then again watching this. balling. i wouldn't let myself watch the rest of them.

2. when i stubbed my toe.

3. during the retarded fight over fishie crackers that i picked with levi.

4. during the preview for the time traveler's wife at the movies.

5. during the opening credits of (500) days of summer when they played us by regina spektor.

6. on the way home from the movies thinking about when regina played us at the concert last week and remembering the ad for the time traveler's wife again.

sheesh. i'm a wreck.

(p.s. didn't love the movie. i'm not even sure i liked it. i kinda had to let go of my principles just to enjoy it for what it was and keep from getting irritated. i did, however, LOVE the soundtrack.)

why must they always change (or discontinue) the good things?

i'm not the biggest fan of change, but when you change, or get rid of, foods that i happen to love, i get a little angry.

things that were delicious and now not so much:

- boston market's minute maid lemonade: it used to have real lemon pulp in it. now it tastes like crystal lite....and i HATE crystal lite.

- the soft serve at souplantation: they switched brands. it's weird and icky now so i just have granola for dessert.

- shorehouse took their macaroni and cheese off the menu! i loved that stuff. it tasted so cheap, but in a really delicious way...you know what i mean?

- progresso's canned vegetable soup: the broth used to be tangy and vibrant. it's bland and tastes a bit like can now.

- i know this was like a hundred years ago, but i'm still a little bit hung up and subway switching their bread recipes and cutting their bread the WRONG way.

- there are only like 3 peanuts in a bag of cracker jack now. it seems like there used to be more. (speaking of - why is it in a bag now?)

- quaker stopped making their strawberry rice cakes

- you can't get cheddar flavored saltines anywhere anymore

- ruby red squirt! whyyyy would they get rid of that?

- what on EARTH happened to cheez balls? you know the delicious snacks that came in a blue can?

well, at least mcdonald's switched back to their white meat chicken nuggets a few years ago. that makes up for some of this.

kinda.

wow. i love some really bad foods.

do you have any favorites that are no longer with us due to change or discontinuation?

can you help me find cheez balls?

thanks.

dabbling in poverty

our finances have kind of plummeted again recently.

we haven't been able to drive for almost a week because we can't afford to put gas in the car.

it's kinda funny.

luckily, i love where we live, and there are plenty of beautiful places to walk to. i can't buy anything, but it's nice to look inside shops and walk through pretty neighborhoods anyway.

and my sister came over to visit twice! we both beat levi at boggle (i'm not gonna lie, he sucks at boggle).

my mom took pity on us and offered to sponsor us in setting up an internet connection (and cable!!!) AT HOME so that i won't have to wander around all over the place with my laptop anymore hunting for a reliable internet connection. isn't she the sweetest??

and the cutest??

oh my gosh, we are so embarrassing.

anyway, even though we're in a very temporary tough patch right now (there is hope on the horizon), i am still very grateful for all the amazing things we do have - a great home in a beautiful neighborhood, an amazing family who would do anything to help us, and, of course, each other.

p.s. we selected a giveaway winner last night using a random number generator. the winner is#10: camille from life less ordinary, a fellow art history major! please go here to select your scarf! and then email me your selection and your mailing address. congratulations!

p.p.s. a couple-few months ago, i told lindsey my three in three. if you want to know what i'm talking about, go here and find out.

things i want right now

1. tights

2. church

3. feist

4. new york

5. paris

6. fall

7. a romeo & juliette crepe from la creperie

8. babies

9. a holga or diana camera

10. rainy days with a cute umbrella & a hot chocolate