Extreme Bulls!

Ok... so last night was the start of the Clovis Rodeo... every year, my dad and I go on the first night, which is Extreme Bulls. It is when the guys of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) come and have a show. There is also roping... anyhow... One of my favorite parts every year is the rodeo clown. His name is Flint ... He isn't super hot, but he IS super funny!

Anyhow, Jordan (one of the girls from the youth group) happened to be sitting behind me. I was telling her how wonderful I think he is... she ended up sitting in the front row when Flint ... jumped over the railing and came up in the crowd. She told him about me (which is what the top picture is). So she is pointing at me, I am standing up trying to take a picture (with my camera phone, cause me regular camera ran out of battery right before he jumped the railing... figures!). HE BLEW ME A KISS!

A great day! I'm telling you... GREAT!
Video One
Video Two
Video Three

I miss everyone!

Mexico Pictures
It's been so long! I've been reading Melissa's blog. The pics of Silas are SO CUTE! What a beautiful family!

Well I've been to Mexico (for a missions trip), hired a new staff person, joined a small group, started work on an Event's Committee for the City of Clovis, went to monster truck jam, sent my mom and dad off to Mexico (for a vacation in Cancun, I'm so excited for them!), and learned that I actually like sushi... who knew!

It's been a super busy couple of months. Lots of exciting stuff going on, but I miss keeping up with everyone.

Melissa, we need to get Tyler a blog is he is gonna be in Florida, that way I can keep up!

Love you all!

My cousin Tyler...

So my cousin Rachel posted a super funny picture of my cousin Tyler (her brother) from this incident with the donkey in Las Vegas. P.S. That car is moving... and yes... he is hanging out of it.

I have to say that Tyler is one of the funniest people I know (actually their whole family is pretty funny)... and I have a lot of funny pictures of him even though I don't spend much time with him. I can't imagine how many there must really be. But anyhow... my favorite I have to say is the one below... This is the children's castle at the church my Grandma goes to in Iowa... At a wedding rehearsal. Tyler I love you! Thanks for making me laugh.

Spring is here in California

Since the blossoms are out... I decided to go take some pictures before they all fell off. It really is beautiful. One of the benefits of the area I live... not only California... but specifically the Central Valley. It's funny... cause the picture is so beautiful to me... and I think... God made that! His imagination is astounding!

Interesting Reading...

So lately I've been reading through 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Jude, 2nd and 3rd John... and it has been interesting reading to me. So many things happen in a church and I didn't realize how much time God spends warning us about the teaching of the people who come into the church... church members. If you have the time, I would encourage you to read through these and see what He points out to you.

These are a few pics from moving Brandy to Yreka, where we got stuck... because the sky fell apparently and we had to turn around and come back to Fresno... leaving Brandy by herself in a hotel for 4 days until someone from Yreka could come get her. It was one of the worst storms I have been in!

P.S. Aunt Judie, I may be coming with Emily to visit Ozark... in April. I told her I have some really funny family there! She is excited to meet you.

Love you all! P.S. I miss you Melissa and Michelle... we really need to work on the cousins reunion!~

New Years 2008

So we wanted to have a girls night for New Years... it was the last few days of Brandy being in Fresno and Brittany came to help us move her to Yreka... so we took the opportunity to have a party!

So we went to Claim Jumper for dinner! Yummy!
Then we went back to my house and made Sugar Plums... yes, they are real things... and they are actually quite good.
And Grandmas Carmel's...
Then we played Hoopla... which if you've never played... you should it is super funny and it gets funnier the more people you have!
By that time it was time to watch the count down....
Have a toast.... and hit the road!

I am so glad I got to bring in the New Year with the people I love. I am going to miss Brandy greatly... but I am excited for her new adventure... Growing up is so hard and fun and interesting... If you can just keep the mindset that it is a journey... just enjoy the ride!

Life is good.

What I've been up to...

So I know I haven't blogged for a while so here is a synopsis of some of what I have been doing...


Went to Trunk or Treat for Halloween... we were the Incredibles.

Went to Serve Fresno... Our church did a community wide service day. Me and a couple of the girls went to make Thanksgiving dinners for families in our community. We had the highest of compliments when one of the guys working with us looked at the girls and said that their attitude had made his day better. He had buried his brother the day before and was really not looking forward to doing this... but our joking around and laughing with them had made him feel better! What a blessing to learn the lesson of what serving with Joy in your hearts can do for someone else!
Went ice skating in Yosemite with my dad, Betsy and Darren. That was so fun. First time I have ice skated since I was fat... couldn't do it before... but you can just call me Dorthy Hamel now!

I got a puppy... her name is Colby Jack... yes... like the cheese. She is 7 weeks old now. I have had her for a week. She is a shepherd mix. I actually got another puppy and it died being spayed... so I had to pick out a new one. This one is actually not old enough to be adopted yet so I am fostering her until she has had all her shots and has been spayed. She can't go outside for another couple months because of Parvo and Distemper. So she is quite a handful. But she is super cute when she is sleeping!
I went to Alcatraz! I love that place... there is something new to see and learn every time you go. This time there was much more of the island open for us to walk around and see. It was great!
We made Carmel's.... Grandma Shivers recipe. They are amazing and every year people ask us for them.... we made 7 batches. I cooked, my dad and Brandy helped stir and put in pans, my mom, Betsy and Darren and the rest of us cut and wrapped them. It is a fun family time!

And we went to Christmas Tree Lane. It was freezing, and I almost got taken out by about three dog leashes... but I survived and the light were beautiful. I love the Holidays! And Brandy.... p.s. this is NOT going to be a tradition!

I'll try to post more now that things have slowed down a little. Hope everyone had a great holiday season.

And happy wedding to Levi and Eden. I am so sorry I couldn't be there. I hope you guys all have tons of fun and a blessed life! I love you!

Encounter "Ceremonial" Bonfire

So last night was the last night of Encounter Service... at least as it has been. While it was sad, it was exciting to see what this group of people are going to accomplish. We really are such a family and I am looking forward to the monthly (first Sunday night of each month, for those that are interested) services at the Penir's home. So here are some of the pictures I took from the night.

A few things God's shown me lately...

Ok... I've got a couple of suggestions for those of you looking to challenge yourself a little. First is this book... Thinkertoys... Great book! It teaches how to be creative in your life. Especially if you don't think you are creative. Good book! Great Book! Very practical examples to use to grow.

Second is... Valley Bible Fellowship (which has a campus in Las Vegas... Melissa) is the church that Jeff goes to in Bakersfield. I have gone with him a few times and the SPIRIT is definitely there. It is an amazing place to go and worship. First... they have pod casts of the speakers (http://www.vbf.org/) and so far I have listened to most of the ones that are available. They are great... God is really moving there and I would suggest you go check it out if you have the opportunity. 3500 people in one service (4 services throughout the week)!

Second is that someone from that church has shown us mychurch.org. It's like myspace but for churches (Melissa, I thought the people in your church would love this). If you get a chance go check it out. Mine is www.mychurch.org/alyssaburr. Hopefully this will replace myspace.

Betsy & Darren's Anniversary

My sister and her husband have been married a year as of the 13th. So for their anniversary... I took these photos to spell out their last name and am framing them for their house. I saw this idea in a magazine, but thought it would be so much more fun if they were pictures we'd taken. So... here they are.