The Giles Family

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

We Don't Need No Stinkin Photobooth :)

I just love the one where Carrie is the only one who listened to mom and did a crazy face.

Haha- so funny :)

Wait Sal- did you do one too?

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Jeffy a.k.a. Mini-Dad

I feel kind of bad that Jeff is getting left out of this weekend's fun. He's probably less sad than we are about him missing a Girls' Weekend (which was pretty much every weekend of his life for 18 years), but I thought now would be an appropriate time to show some uncanny likeness photos that I found when I stole the old photo albums for mom's party last fall. I wish I had Katie's or Carrie's fancy picture-collage skills. You'll just have to check these out the old-fashioned blog way.

Even asleep, Jeff looks like Dad. (Ignore the whipped cream prank occurring. Or laugh, hehe.)

It's a little further away, but check it out. Same position even.

Jeff, be glad you just LOOK like Dad when you sleep and didn't get Dad's crazy light-sleeper gene like I did. This morning I literally wanted to shoot an innocent bird that started singing away right outside my window when it was still dark out.

But back to the subjects at hand. I would literally think these pictures were the same person, if not for the aged-ness of Dad's graduation photo:

I have to say that Amy makes a similar face... but I'll save that for a post that is yet to come....

A Conversation

Campbell: Something, something something (I can't remember what)

Sadie: "Duh Campbell!"

Campbell: "You don't say 'duh' to me!"

Sadie: "Nooo. I was saying like "Da-da-da-da." (in a sing-songy way)

Campbell: "O-kaaaay"

Laughter

A little example of their hilarious conversations.

They love each other so much! We're so grateful for their family.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Okay, I think we have some dates that will work for everyone (i hope!). How does Aug 1-5 (first week of Aug.) work? Works for me and Miranda so far. We're thinking of doing beach camping again somewhere down by Sally and Eter and that way she can come during the day and we can all enjoy their sweet 1 month old baby!!!

Here's a few memories from last time. You know, to get you in a beachy mood.

Say you can go Pleease :)

And if I ever find Bananagrams I will bring those too.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

July 9, 2000

I saw this picture and just thought I'd post it for fun.

Time sure flies doesn't it?

Friday, November 12, 2010

The geese are getting fat, but hopefully now that our Halloween candy is finally gone I won't be.

With my little helpers Sadie and Campbell drawing names for me, I have the results of the adult Christmas exchange!

Dan-Dana

Amy-Miranda

Dana-Carrie

Katie-Jeff

Eter-Amy

Sally-Katie

Jeff-Eter

Carrie-Bubba

Bubba-Sally

Miranda-Dan

This is so exciting to have some new people. Yeah! We love our new people. They're awesome!

Unfortunately, the child gift exchange is as boring as always (although we do love the boring grandchildren too). A little more fun there next year maybe :)

Also, if anyone knows their Christmas plans please put them in the comments. It'd be great if we could all be together for a day or two :)

Monday, October 18, 2010

The After Party

It was short but to me, very sweet. Something about us all being together at "home" felt really special. Can we all agree to get together again soon? Did we ever figure out Thanksgiving and Christmas? Will everyone be out here right after Christmas besides Randa?

Here's mom and the divider- taking it all in.

the Clones and Eter.

The good photography chair in poor lighting.

I had to include this one for Jeff's face :) does anyone else think Jeff's becoming quite photogenic? Must be another Carrie-influence.

It was really neat listening to what grandpa had to say. (Another thing I should've videod!)

You both have a bit of an eyebrow lilt going. I'm gonna have to work on that. Actually, maybe just Rand.

Cuuuute.

aint no party like a Giles house party. Hey! Ho!

Nice to just relax and enjoy each other for a little while after the party. And I had to add this for Eli's very special balloon. And it's cute of mom.

I really miss you all already. Camping this summer. 5 days. Let's do it.

Memories of Dad

* When Dad was in the hospital, and had been for a couple weeks. Tatum had been taking a little community tap dance class. Often when we were on our way home from school or anywhere we would stop by to say hello. Tatum wanted to show Dad her dance she was learning. Mom said "oh no, not here honey its just too loud" Dad quickly answered " No I want to see" Tatum was thrilled and Dad loved it or at least pretended he did.
* Dan was reminding me the other night about a story I had forgotten. Many of you probably remember how afraid of men Tatum was. Although she LOVED Dad and Jeff even though she hardly saw them. When Robin and Nick got married Mom and Dad came up for the wedding and stayed in a hotel. We came down from Provo and met them. As we were in the Lobby wating for them to come down,the elevator "dinged" Tatum turned to see and it was "Pappa" Tatum (about 2 yrs) just stood in one spot running and waving her arms! So excited that he was finally there. Dad with his big sweet smile walked over and scooped her up.
*I remember how whenever we went to Big Bear in spite of the fact that he'd been driving two hours. Without fail and without going into the house he would disappear with the blue Yamaha motorcycle. Then he'd be gone for as a much as two hours. Of course when he came back at least two of us kids would be waiting for him so we could go on a ride. The funnest thing for me was when he finally let me go it alone. I was about 12 and he let me red an old Honda. I fell and distinctly remember him saying something like don't tell your Mom about this.
*My biggest road trip with just Dad was going up to Idaho for my first semester. After leaving Joyce’s house on the second day we were passing Kolobe Canyon (which I pass all the time now) and he just took the exit, I don’t think he even asked me if I wanted to see it. We drove up the canyon a little ways and got out and looked around for a while. I had a disposable camera and we took some pictures. It was really beautiful, but mostly I was just happy to be with him--one of those rare spontaneous moments. Too bad I lost the camera somehow when I got to school.
*When Dana comes home from work the kids get excited and run to him and say "Daddy!" Lately, he's been saying "Yay!" in reply. I love it because I remember dad used to say the same thing a lot.
*Thinking of birthday cakes today, I remembered the first (and only) birthday cake Dad made for me. We weren't even engaged yet, and he was trying to make an impression. So he decided on the extraordinary plan to make a cake that would taste like a fruit salad; I suppose he was thinking ambrosia. He used an orange cake mix ( I don't think they even make them anymore) and strawberry flavored frosting (also thankfully retired). This must have been very early in the relationship or he might have guessed chocolate would have been more effective. I think I was polite, but I'm sure that cake never was finished. You all know he wasn't much of a cook, but I loved him for trying!
*Another funny memory I have was when Jeff was driving Mom's white car and it caught on fire. (We were living there with Mom and Dad) so we were all kneeling around the bed for prayers when jeff called. Dad anwsers, Jeff and said "the car is on fire, and the fire dept had to come put it out... kinda scared to tell I think. Dad yells YAAAHOOOO! Let it Burn! He was thrilled to be done with that car finally. And off he went to pick up Jeff!
* I was at the DMV the other day registering my new van (YEA!) When I remembered once running into Dad at the DMV in CA. It was so funny b/c he was dressed as usual in his roofer garb. Old dirty jeans and t-shirt and hat but the best part was that over the hat he was wearing those headphones the big ones with the little antanae sticking up on the side. Just standing there listening to whatever station he could get reception to in there. He was so funny I had to think for a moment to I really want to walk over and say "HI DAD!" Of couse I did. I'm glad for all those memories now.
*I just remembered a time when I was about 11. It was Sunday afternoon, I was wearing my cool new jean shorts, and dad was chasing me around the house. We were in the entry when he grabbed on to me by the belt loop on the back of my shorts. I pulled away really hard, and the loop ripped right off leaving a hole in my back side. I was so mad, but dad was laughing and laughing, so I started to laugh too. I’m sure mom was in the kitchen giving her usual opinion: ‘It’s all fun and games until…” Randa
*One of my most treasured memories is from when I was very little. For some reason I just loved when dad would hide behind the cereal box and then peek out at me from different sides- and the real suprise...the TOP! I loved that he really liked it too and played that game with me frequently. Very simple but very meaningful to me at the time. Katie
*One time driving to Utah with Dad, when I was 15 or so, we kept seeing signs for Hogi Yogi in Southern Utah. First we made fun of the goofy name. Then it started to sound good. Then we decided we'd have to stop and get some at that exit when it came. The exit came and we missed it. Dad got off at the next one and drove about 20 min through a small town, backtracking to the Hogi Yogi. We laughed about it the whole time. I love that Dad would go along with stupid kid stuff with us. Sally