Briggy's Sweet Skills

I am not sure how many of you know this, but Brigham is a pretty darn talented photographer. He has a great eye for poses and a is really creative. For a boy who is not quite 12, this is quite impressive. Whenever he is around he likes to use my camera so later when I go and look at the pictures I usually find a few surprises from him.

Notice the aperture on the one below? He managed to get the background all blurry with just me and Kimber in focus. You generally have to know what you are doing to get that!

Good work Brig!

Happy Birthday Allie Cat!

Allie- happy birthday! You are such a great sister in law! I am positive that you and Travis were meant to be together. Not only are you a great couple but there are very few people in this world who can survive life as a Richardson if you weren't born as raised as one.

(The same goes for Briana.)

Thank you for everything that you bring into the family...laughter, love, Cooper, happiness, optimism, Cooper, creativity, style and so much more. Oh, wait...did I mention Cooper? (I just love that kid. He plays one mean game of Don't Eat Pete.)

Hope it's a happy one!

SUNSET SHOTS

well me and Elder Clawson just couldnt miss this opportunity of such a SWEET shot. so we had to take a few pictures

Enough is Enough!!

Have we had enough health issues yet? Dad and his multitude of problems...back pain, kidney stone, heart surgery. Brigham with a broken arm. Gram with her health issues. Now me of all people with a broken foot. Did I ask for this? I don't think so. You are probably wondering what I did to break my foot. I wish I knew. It started hurting on Tuesday and by Wednesday I was really in pain. I went to the Dr. and it took him less than 5 minutes to give me a diagnosis. A stress fracture! Yuk! I have to wear this black boot for 6 to 12 weeks. Where do I go to get the designer version anyway? Will I miss a day of school? No way! I will even be there for our zoo fieldtrip on Friday. I will just have to sit and watch (Dr.'s orders). Yeah, and he also said (I kid you not) no cooking, no doing dishes, laundry, mopping, etc. Keep the foot elavated. He said read a book or put on your favorite video. Hey Briana can I borrow that vampire book? I think I am going to have lots of time to read.

MEET CLAWSON

so the family got a dog charlie. well i got a new companion ELDER CLAWSON. he is cool. i like the big posters he brought in. they rock!

Meet Charlie

Meet Charlie! He resembles a Minpin, but in reality he is a mutt. He weighs in at 3 pounds and is full of fun. We love him...okay I love him. He is a dream come true for me. Thanks Taylor for locating Charlie and helping me live my dream of having a little dog. He is just right! I have included a short video of Annie playing with Charlie. Sorry it isn't more eventful. P.S. Grandma has the sister to Charlie. Maybe later I'll post a picture of Charlie and Maggie together.

Happy Year Mark to me!

I celebrated my year mark with the greatest treats ever! Popcorn and M&M's and some cream soda! It was a great refresher and motivator! YUM! YUM!

Hello from Buffalo!

Here is what Elder Hathaway I look like as of two days ago.There was a really bad wind this last week and it caused a little damage to the apartment complex. I thought it was so cool. I wanted to go play on the fallen tree when I saw it. I realized that I wasn't a little kid anymore so I resisted.

ITS A ME! ELDER RICHARDSON

so heres a bit of my life. looks like i am eating healthy. haha this i guess i a normal meal for a perubian. i ask elder poccori what he wants for lunch and i make it. this day he wanted Rice (we eat rice with every meal) eggs beans and papa fritas! french fries! haha loads of fun

and this is me an a shirt someone gave me haha

ITS ELDER RICHARDSON

RANDOM PICTURES

Yoda is that you?

I swear Paige is the nicest dog ever. Other than the fact that she will run away at any chance she gets and she smells like a stinky dog all the time she is a great dog. Not to mention she puts up with Kennedy and her friends. Olivia loves to come over and always picks Paige up to hug her and picks up her front legs and makes her dance with her. It kills me. I don't even know why Paige tolerates it! But, the icing on the cake would have to be when Kennedy finds creative things to do to Paige. I could hear her the other day talking to Paige and telling her she was beautiful. Well, I couldn't help but laugh when I went to investigate. I was thinking wow, Yoda where have you been? If anyone loves this post it will have to be Grandma Stanford, she has a soft spot for funny animal pictures. After all her favorite show is Pets on Parade and Americas Funniest Pets.

Go wit' your bad self!

Well since I have not used my new camera to post pictures on the blog, I thought I would put this one on. I don't really have any other pictures yet. I will take tons of "useful" pictures for next week. This is the scarf Gram gave me for my Birthday. It is useful to keep my dreadlocks warm!

J-Rod

Now if you know our family you know that everyone has a nick name. Most come from our father but us siblings have joined the bandwagon and given each other names as well. So if you have ever heard a family member refer to Jared as J-Rod you can thank me for that! I remember the first time Kobie brought Jared to meet our family. All I could think was man they are going to have some fair skinned, blond headed children!
But, he was so easy going and seemed to just fit in. Then Jared called me one day and asked me to accompany him to pick out a ring for Kobie. I was honored, I think our friendship started there.

When Kobie and Jared were first married we spent a lot of time with them. It was fun to have them here in the Valley and they were always up for games, dinner or a night out. On one particular date we went bowling with Kobie and Jared. As we entered our names on the screen I decided Jared would be Rod and it has just stuck. I think Kobie and I always refer to him as that even in casual conversation.

Jared has been a wonderful brother in law and a great addition to the Richardson Family. He would do anything for anyone. Believe me I know! You could call him night or day and he would drop what he was doing and be there in a flash.

He loves his girls and treats each of them as princesses. Sometimes I call Kobie and she tells me her day was rough and Jared came to get Addie and take her back to work with him. His girls just adore him.
He is a worthy Priesthood holder and serves in his ward bishopric honorably. He is compassionate and understanding but always willing to look at the other side of things.

Jared loves a good laugh! He loves ice cream and the man loves cereal. I think he could live off of it. But of course he needs his Coke to keep him going.

So, J-Rod Happy Birthday to you! We love you and we are so happy and honored to have you in our family.

Newest Family Member

Well, dad went and did it! He found a friend for Eva. Eva has been a little trouble maker since her former friends have passed on. With no one to play with she keeps getting into mischief. Dad found a friend for her and "Bella" is now the newest member of the Richardson clan. She has the cutest face you ever want to see. She was advertised as a pure bred lab, but she sure has traits that resemble a boxer. She is Taylors dog but we all love her. Bell (as Taylor calls her) and Eva are inseparable. Maybe now Eva will calm down and enjoy her new companion.

You Say It's Your Birthday

Happy Birthday "Travy Boy" we are so lucky to have you in our family and we love you very much. Today we honor you on your special day with some reasons just why we love you.
For one you love the outdoors and the thought of a good hunt. This would include the Dodge but the Hunting Bears will do just fine I am sure. You love Brownies and Ice Cream as well as Dad's homemade salsa. We can always find you over at mom and dad's on Sunday spending time with your family and telling funny stories. You are a wonderful dad and husband and will do anything for your little family. Hard work and dedication are some of the skills you have mastered. you work full time, go to school, hold church callings and raise a wonderful family.You never care if something may appear silly to someone else, you really don't care much for what others may think. If its right you stand up for it. You are a good brother and a good friend. We wish you a very happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Ben & Jordan

This is only a guess but I think since Ben's 11th birthday his birthdays have never been the same. The day Jordan was born just happened to fall on Ben's 11th birthday and ever since he has had to make room to share it with Jordan.

You couldn't ask for a better pair of brothers. Ben is friendly and outgoing. He is always thinking of others and he keeps us laughing every time we see him. He is a great story teller and all the kids love to be around Ben. Not to mention he makes some dang good salsa. Ben is a hard worker and gives 110% to everything he does. If he gives you his word he means it and no matter the length he has to go to he will keep his word. He is a good brother and a wonderful father. I remember growing up on Sunday's Ben and I would have a junk trade. We both had a little box we kept trinkets and odds and ends in and we would trade them, kind of dorky now that I think of it but it was fun to spend time together. Ben and I used to pretend when we were little that we could speak Spanish. Now its not so funny since he is fluent in the language, but I can still pretend. Ben has made a lot of sacrifices in his life and continues to work hard toward his medical degree. We are all so proud of him and his example.I don't know if is because Jordan was born on Ben's birthday but he sure is a lot like his older brother. Both of the boys have worked for the same Vet and enjoy a lot of the same things in life. Jordan loves his family and he is a dedicated employee. He works hard and no matter the situation tries to make the very best of it. He loves to laugh and has a great sense of humor. He loves Mr. Bean and it always cracks him up. He can do the funniest impersonations and makes some of the funniest skits with Ben I have ever seen. Jordan and I are told frequently how similar we look. I tell Jordan he is lucky to be that good looking! Most of all Jordan loves the Lord, I think his example to serve a mission shows that. He is a CTR kind of guy and you never have to question his judgement. He is an honorable man and a wonderful brother.

Happy Birthday Brothers! We love you.

fun time pictures

here are some more pictures we took. they are actually ones we are puting on cards for members. this is the 3rd time i have dome this. its fun and members like it. so we shall see how it works here.

The Stage

Here is a daytime view of the stage that Taylor's band used for their performance on New Year's Eve. It is definitely homemade, but it worked quite well. It may just be the scene of future events. Stay tuned to find out!

New Year's Eve 2008

Taylor and his band worked very hard to prepare for a New Year's Eve concert. They even built their own stage which included an awesome backdrop. It was a great evening. Adults and kids alike came to enjoy the festivities. Below you will find some pictures of what took place during the evening. The bonfire was nice to have as we tried to keep warm during the chilly night...I'm sorry that I didn't get pictures of the burning Christmas tree. It was a sight to behold. Thank goodness, we didn't have any neighborhood complaints. The Sheriff didn't show up and neither did the fire department. It was a successful evening.

the new crew

well meet elder larson sitting in the dentist chair. i love that chair it folds out like a dentis chair. that night we decided to take picutres of us and our belt buckles. it was fun and do you like the big one i am wearing? its elder larsons. it consists of $1.25 in nickles. haha way cool. but yeah thats us.

Our Nativity

For our family nativity, Drake was Joseph and Addie was Mary. They looked cute but I am not real sure that Drake was too thrilled with the whole thing. Addie makes a very cute Mary. Calvin was a shepard and he really took his part seriously. He looks so sweet and so focused. That's Calvin! Our angel, was played by Caleb. He too really got into his part. These kids are what it is all about. Not only do they do a great job but they also bring the spirit of Christmas to our home!

Christmas Fashion Statement

Annie gets into the spirit of Christmas in a BIG way. She doesn't need a santa hat when she wears these beauties!

A Christmas Wish

Christmas is my most favorite time of year. I love everything about it and most of all I love all the family time we get to spend together. Today I was thinking of my brothers Judd and Jordan who are away from our family this holiday serving the Lord. What great examples of service and dedication to something most families are looking for this holiday season. What a blessing to be sharing the Gospel with those who seek to know the truth. If you haven't already take a second and wish them well this holiday as they serve in New York and Nebraska I am certain they would love to get mail. We love you Judd and Jordan. Merry Christmas.

Elder Judd Richardson
314 Sycamore #3
Shenandoah, IA 51601

Elder Jordan Richardson
473 Hamilton #17
Geneva, NY 14456

goof off

ok so the mask is something sis chapman sent me as a gag but i find it really funny. and then theres the district as we drive to council bluffs.